NOTRE DAME FANS OF NEW ENGLAND
God, Country, Notre Dame
Lou Orazio, Editor
I was born (1947) and raised in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. I have been a Notre Dame fan since I was five. It took until I was 56 before I actually got to go to a game in 2003 (ND vs Navy). I have been married for 40 years to my beautiful wife Marcia (1967) and have 3 grown children (Melissa, Adam and Lisa) all in the 20's now.
I coached baseball in Pittsfield for 25 years in which my teams won 19 championships in Babe Ruth and High School. I was nominated for the Berkshire County Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000. I am currently a bowling director in Berkshire Co (Ma) . I have been doing this since 1974. I started a Traveling league for bowling in 1978 and in 2006 started the 1st High School bowling program in Massachusetts. I was inducted in the Berkshire County USBC Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Pittsfield Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 2006.
I started the Notre Dame Fans of New England newsletter in 2005 when I was approached by several ND fans like myself who were dying to get any piece of information on ND. (We don't get alot in Massachusetts). As I started writing it I had request to e mail the letter to relatives of these Fans and before long I was e-mailing it all over the Country (Currently 295 e mails).
I love the people I have met and love the spirit and attitude of Irish fans.
John Wilkening-In the Endzone
The history of the "In the Endzone" column started in 1996 when I got my seats in the south endzone near the visiting band section. This is quite a lively section and I paid a little extra to be seated there. There is nothing like sitting in the middle of the opposing team's fans and their band while wearing the famous Gipper cape of Notre Dame. The Cape is the flag of Ireland which I have worn to every home game for the last 12 years. The cape has more autographs from Notre Dame greats than I could tell you of. The fans in the section know the Gipper will fly up and down the stairs as the Irish score on fall Saturdays in South Bend. I have had some highlites i.e. the UCLA miracle in 2006 and some lowlites i.e. the Bush Push. You will read many stories about the game itself on Sundays following the games. There will be many recaps and opinions on what went right or wrong on the field. I will address many of those topics myself but the real story of the "In the Endzone" column and what makes it different is that it is not really about the game. It is about the experience at the game. It is about the bus ride, the singing, the drinking, the tail gating , the friends and comraderie. It is about having friends who you have spent many conversations with on the message boards coming from far away to meet. It is about the special Saturdays when Lou Orazio came from Dalton, Mass with his family. This column will tell you the stories of more than the game , it will tell you about the experiences. I will be giving you my diary each and every Saturday and I will be doing that "In the Endzone" right where I have been 6 times a year for the last 12 years.Les Taylor-View from the Subway
I recently retired after 35 years in the Social Science Department of the Andover (MA) Public Schools as a geography teacher. I've also been a seasonal National Park Ranger at Salem Maritime NHS and was a dj and co-host of a Saturday night oldies (doo wop music) show on WMWM-FM, Salem State College radio in Salem, MA. Although I enjoy gardening, music, travel and pro sports (Patriots, Red Sox and Celtics), but my passion is Notre Dame football.
The lovely "bride" and I will be celebrating our 40th anniversity on August 11th. Jill continues to work as an IV nurse therapist in nearby Peabody. We have two wonderful children. John, who works for Infinity Broadcasting specializes in sports marketing (He was able to get me a ticket for this year's Notre Dame-BC game). J.T. is getting married to a beautiful young lady, Lynne Bozzi, four days after our anniversary., Our daughter, Diane, who went to PSU (It took time, but we eventually forgave her) is married. She and her husband Ben have two handsome sons, Preston and Ethan. She lives and teaches school in Espanola, NM.
My allegiance to Notre Dame began on a stormy, fall Saturday in 1950 that forced me to spend the day inside. our side of the street lost it's electricity, so we went to a neighbor's house where they were watching the Notre Dame-Purdue game on their 10", black and white television. I rooted for the underdog (Later I learned that Notre Dame had actually been heavily favored), not realizing that the Dale Samuels-led Boilermakers would end the Irish's 39-game winning streak. Since that time, I have been a die-hard fan, who loves Notre Dame unconditionally, whether they win, lose or tie. Over the years I have come to know illustrious history and tradition of Notre Dame: Eleven National Championships, Seven Heisman Trophy Winners, "Play Like A Champion", "The Four Horsemen", "Win One For The Gipper" and "Touchdown Jesus". The list is endless . . .
In April, 2007 a long-time dream came true when I had the opportunity to visit South Bend for the Blue & Gold Football Weekend with my wife and good friend Jay Darrin and his wife, Pat. I could hardly contain my excitement as I counted down the hours until those three, fantastic days in that magical place. Finally! Driving down Notre Dame Avenue lined with towering maples on both sides, my eyes were drawn to the Golden Dome as it shown brightly in the afternoon sun. Walking through the beautiful campus with its traditional collegiate Gothic-style buildings, lakes, statues, sacred shines and cemeteries added a new dimension to my feelings for this unique place. The experience was further enhanced when a former student took time from studying for final exams to give us a tour of its hallowed landmarks. As Coach Holtz said, "It is difficult to explain if you have never been there, and no description would do it justice if you have!" Simply put, there is no place quite like the campus of the University of Notre Dame.
Notre Dame Stadium, in some ways, may be the holiest place of all for 'Fighting Irish' football fans (Of course, the Grotto and Sacred Heart Basilica are shrines for those seeking spiritual needs). We entered as soon as the gates were opened and made our way up the tunnel to get our first glimpse of the field on which so many legendary players and heroic performances created the legacy that is Notre Dame football. It gave me the chills! I couldn't help recall the words of Rudy's father in the movie when he said, "These tired eyes have never seen anything more beautiful." The visit to South Bend and the opportunity to experience the natural beauty, mood, spirit, history and tradition of the university only heightened my infatuation. I thank God for that special weekend! It's one I'll never forget.
It has been said that "The truest believers are not those born to the faith, but those who are its fervent converts." Although I am not a Notre Dame alumnus, I look forward to the privilege and opportunity to share with other loyal followers of the University of Notre Dame stories of former Irish coaches and athletes whom I have had the good fortune of following over these 58 years. The've included Heisman Trophy winners, First Team-All Americans and College Hall of Famers. No matter, I've rooted just as hard for all who've worn the "Madonna blue" and "papal gold". I've always taken a special interest in players of Italian descent (my heritage) and players who came from Massachustts (my state). I'm pleased to say that say that over the years they have made a significant contribution to the storied football histoy of "Our Lady's Uiniversity." Regardless of record and game outcomes, the character, comportment and quality of these fine young men has always made me proud to say that "I am a Notre Dame fan' - although, I must say, I feel a LOT better when the win! I'm looking forward to sharing some of their stories with you in "From the Subway."