Here’s one Notre Dame men’s basketball figure that’s impossible to dislike.
It’s been very difficult to like the Notre Dame men’s basketball team lately and understandably so. But one person associated with the program no one can dislike is the Rev. Pete McCormick, or Father Pete as he is affectionately known. In addition to being the university’s director of campus ministry, he is the chaplain for the aforementioned athletic program. And today is his birthday.
This past season gave me my first encounter with McCormick. As a practicing Catholic, I chose to fulfill my weekly Mass obligation at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart after the Irish easily defeated a lousy Louisville team. As luck would have it, Father Pete was the celebrant. Afterwards, I had a chance to shake his hand and comment that the struggling Irish finally had won a game that afternoon, which gave him a good laugh.
Happy Birthday, Father Pete. Maybe you give the students and student-athletes of Notre Dame many more years of prayer and service.
Irish fans are lucky to have so many wonderful things to look at.
If you’re reading this site, chances are you have been to the Notre Dame campus at least once. And you don’t need to be told how nice it looks.
Now, it’s at the top of the rankings in that area in at least one person’s opinion. Twitter user Big Game Boomer, who makes lists related to just about everything in college sports, released one that ranks the niceness of all Power Five campuses. Notre Dame topped the list:
Having made numerous trips to Notre Dame this past basketball season, I can attest to that niceness. A lovely autumn afternoon is the perfect time to check the campus out as the colored leaves really bring out the beauty. Of course, going at any time during the year is good. From the Golden Dome to Touchdown Jesus to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, there is no way anyone can leave campus feeling disappointed by what they just experienced.
Prepare to be blown away if you haven’t seen this act.
Since I was covering both games at Purcell Pavilion this past weekend, my wife and I spent two nights just off the Notre Dame campus. In between a pair of Irish losses, we made the most of our time. We attended Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and we caught the national tour production of “Fiddler on the Roof”, which happened to be in South Bend for the weekend. But I also found entertainment in a way I didn’t expect, specifically the halftime entertainment for the two basketball games.
For some time now, I have seen basketball reporters on Twitter make a fuss whenever Red Panda has been the halftime entertainment at games. If she had performed at any games I had attended in the past, I have no idea because I typically get up and go to the bathroom during halftime. But during a first-half timeout during Saturday’s men’s game, a graphic on the video board said Red Panda would be performing during halftime. No longer wanting to be among the uninitiated, I chose to stay at my spot on press row.
As our wonderful editor Nick Shepkowski told me later, you never forget your first time with Red Panda. I was blown away by the things the acrobat could do. Doing only one of riding a tall unicycle or balancing and then flipping bowls perfectly onto the top of your head would be difficult for most people. But she’s been doing this for a long time now, and fans stay in their seats just to watch her.
When I returned to Purcell Pavilion for the women’s game the next day, it occurred to me that Red Panda might appear again. Sure enough, she was announced as the halftime entertainment. This time, I figured I should record the performance for my wife as well as you lovely readers. And so, ladies and gentlemen, I give you Red Panda:
One interesting fact about this past weekend is that she needed three attempts to nail the final flip during her first performance. She didn’t need any redos for her second show, so I’m glad I captured this particular one. Even a professional juggler will drop things once in a while, so I guess she’s entitled to a few imperfections of her own.
Hopefully, you’re lucky enough to be at a basketball game with Red Panda at some point in the future. Resist the urge to hit the restroom or the concession stand if you know she’s going to perform. Believe me when I say that sticking around for her is totally worth it. Here’s to her continuing to thrill basketball crowds for many years to come.
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Until his death Friday, Regis Philbin was one of Notre Dame’s most famous living alumni.
Until his death Friday, Regis Philbin was one of Notre Dame’s most famous living alumni. No matter how famous he became, he never forgot the university that helped shape him. Now, his loyalty to his alma mater will be reflected in his ultimate acts.
On a date yet to be determined, Philbin’s funeral will take place at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on campus. He then will be laid to rest at Cedar Grove Cemetery. A university official reported the news to WSBT-TV in South Bend.
Cedar Grove is the final resting place for many people connected with Notre Dame. Among them are legendary coach and athletic director Moose Krause and alma mater composer Joseph Casasanta. Initially, only faculty and staff were allowed to be buried there. More recently, the “Coming Home” initiative has expanded that policy to include alumni.
It’s still hard to fathom that one of the warmest personalities ever to grace our televisions is gone. But the memories we have of him never will be forgotten. And if we ever want to see him in this life again, all we have to do is head to Notre Dame.
