tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263387667307930697.post373083766362256785..comments2024-03-27T20:47:47.314-07:00Comments on Sports and Spirituality: What I've Learned about Notre Dame from USCAnne Stricherzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441076431654286155noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263387667307930697.post-5568857789602213012015-10-19T17:08:12.164-07:002015-10-19T17:08:12.164-07:00Jim, Thanks for your thoughtful responses. No doub...Jim, Thanks for your thoughtful responses. No doubt "Trojan War" provided much more "food for thought"/"ammo" for the differences between the programs. <br /><br />In 2012, I purchased tickets through the local alumni club. All ND seats are confined to the Northeast corner. It was abysmal. There are 101 rows to the top. We were in row 100 and paid the same amount (face value) for that seat. I can't say ND tickets fare much less, but Erin and I were discussing what you wrote: not a bad seat in ND's house. <br /><br />Great observation of the USC jerseys. For those who might not know, Reggie Bush is #5 and OJ Simpson is #32. There may come a time when the Irish DO decide to retire a number....and I have got to believe the reason will be much different than a national award.<br /><br />I've been enjoying the Showtime series "A Season with Notre Dame Football." Hopefully I will learn Kizer's favorite dining hall meal in a future episode! ;-) I'm still blown away by Jerry Tillery working in the lab and hoping to be an oncologist one day. <br /><br />Ribbon Boards: who knew? <br />Thanks for reading!Anne Stricherzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05441076431654286155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263387667307930697.post-65594270238256637472015-10-19T13:40:24.594-07:002015-10-19T13:40:24.594-07:00Anne -- interesting comments. On LA Observation #...Anne -- interesting comments. On LA Observation #1, I've only been in the Coliseum once, and that was enough. While I appreciate it as a historical venue, it is terrible for football -- even more so when you are stashed in the endzone in the visiting team designated seats. On the other hand, in my experience only Lambeau Field rivals ND Stadium for the sight lines offered to a fan -- truly not a bad seat in either house.<br /><br />On LA Observation #2, there is a display now inside the concourse (against the "old stadium" exterior wall) that has the names of all 7 ND Heisman winners, and a "trophy" for each one. I like the fact that numbers are not retired -- and frequently a "high profile" number is recycled quickly with perhaps a less notable player. I did happen to see two of Southern Cal's "retired" jerseys on fans Saturday -- 32 and 5. How great to celebrate those two athletes.<br /><br />As for LA Observation 3 and the video board, I am skeptical of any promised restraint by the University on this. More difficult for me to stomach is the "ribbon boards" which are now part of the plan. Those serve no useful purpose other than to distract the fans from what is going on down on the field. Our fans should be tuned in to the subtle things happening on the field and respond -- instead their eyes will be drawn up to the board to find out what Kizer's favorite dining hall meal is (see the use of the video boards in the JACC for basketball). In addition, those in the south endzone will have an obstructed, if not impossible, view of the screen. Will we have that endzone turning their backs to the field to catch a glimpse of a replay or "find the ball under the leprechaun's hat" game?<br /><br />I think the biggest difference you'll find between these programs is the graduation success rate. For example, for the 2013-2014 academic year, USC's "graduation success rate" reported by the NCAA was 58%, while ND's was 94%. Very simply, ND is graduating its players at a much higher rate than USC. If not for the Sturdy Golden Bears, USC would be bringing up the rear of the entire Pac-12 so they are not cutting it among their peer group either.<br /><br />The biggest difference you'll find among the fan bases is easy to deduce. Just compare the empty seats in the Coliseum vs. ND Stadium when either team is struggling. That will tell you all you need to know.<br /><br />Go Irish.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12197997623333086871noreply@blogger.com