Navy AD Remains Optimistic for Notre Dame Game in Dublin

Navy’s Athletic Director spoke positively about the chances of Notre Dame/Navy in Ireland this August. But did he also walk them back?

Each day that goes by seems to bring another quote from a head college football coach discussing contingency plans and hearing ideas of how a full college football season could still be played despite possibly starting late.  As much as that may be gaining steam, one important figure in Notre Dame’s season opener in Dublin, Ireland remained optimistic that game will still be played as scheduled.

Speaking to ESPN, Navy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk was spitting confidence about the end of August affair.

“We’re going to play it,” Gladchuk told ESPN. “We expect this to pass. We’re not naïve. We’re five months away from that game happening. There’s a lot that could happen in five months. If the economy and the United States are still shut down in five months, we all have significant issues, more so than a game in Dublin.”

Gladchuk didn’t walk back his “we’re going to play it” statement but he did come off a little less sold on the guarantee later in the ESPN article.

“The game is important, but nothing will supersede the medical issues and the direction we get from the medical authorities,” Gladchuk said. “As ambitious as we are, it’s got to be cleared and travel has to be cleared and international travel has to be cleared for that to be realistic.”

I wish I knew if there was going to be a game in Ireland or not but I don’t.  If you’ve read FIW for any length of time you’re aware that I’m not the most conifedent in this game being played in Ireland or college football starting as currently scheduled.  After reading the first comments from Gladchuk and his last one’s in the piece I get the feeling he’s like me:

Hoping for the best but being plenty realistic about the possibilities of that not happening.