University of Notre Dame - Dome Yearbook (Notre Dame, IN)

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r r oach Davie welcomed the student body into a new era of Notre Dame history. Davie emphasized the importance of Notre Dame fans to the success of the team. Th 3 I Ihe Irish Guard proudly made its first appearance of the season at the Geor- gia Tech pep rally. The crowd burst into cheers as the Guard led the band into the stadium. w V, Photo by. Danielle Moore The girls from Lewis Hall made their support and enthusiam for the Irish heard. Lewis Hall was one of the four dorms to sponsor the first pep rally in the stadium. etftma me uwd CWM UMWI pcxtcti new- Campus Life 1 9|

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by Kristv Katzrnann Bob believes students are best T he faint sound of music grew louder as the band made its way to the stadium, the students be- came restless in the stands, and the soft rumbling in the tunnel turned into an explosion as the football team rushed onto the field. It was that time of year again, football season. Football season is a time of unity, spirit, and growth for the university. Notre Dame football is not re- ally about the game itself, it ' s about bonding with friends, shar- ing with families, showing sup- port for one another, and enjoy- ing Notre Dame, explained se- nior Sarah Katzrnann. The 1997 football sea- son began a new era in the his- tory of Notre Dame football with a new coach, new goals, new values, and new approaches. Coach Bob Davie kicked-offthe football season with changes in- tended to favor the student body. One major change was the relo- cation of the pep rallies to the stadium with the hopes of giv- ing the students back the best seats in the house. Despite Coach Davie ' s attempts to increase student spirit, some fans felt differently. It ' s disappointing to see all diose empty seats, not to mention the fact that the acoustics are not very good in the stadium. It was easier to get more spirited in the Joyce Center because it ' s smaller and gets noisier; you just couldn ' t help getting psyched, said sophomore Jamie Kuhn. Don ' t be fooled, how- ever, into thinking that the stu- dents were totally lacking in the spirit department. Students con- tinually tried to evoke spirit, en- thusiasm and creativity. Knott Hall indulged in a barbecue prior to each Friday night pep rally in order to learn new cheers and pro- mote dorm unity and spirit. Cavanaugh Hall sported vibrant green tee shirts at the pep rallies in hopes of catching Coach Davie ' s attention. Keough Hall had a doughnut run the morn- ing of every home game for all | early risers. No matter how stu- dents chose to spend their foot- ball weekends, they were sure to create memories that would last a lifetime. Photo by: Danielle Moore Zahm Hall continued its tradition of dorm unity and intense spirit chal- lenging other dorms to do the same. Each dorm searched for new and innovative ways for recognition at the rallies. | 1 8 Campus Life

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bv Faith Martin Saturday morning warm-ups Notre Dame football games are probably the most recognized collegiate football games in the country. People from all over are aware of the Fighting Irish. Many people attend games only to experience the loyalty ex- pressed by the crowds because game days on campus are incred- ible. Nothing beats a Notre Dame football game. There is a tremendous spirit shared by ev- eryone lucky enough to pack into the stadium. Fortunately, the fun be- gins long before fans even reach the stadium. Parents, alumni, students, and fans all join in the pre- game festivities across cam- pus. People from coast to coast gather in the parking lots and on the practice fields as early as nine o ' clock in the morning to hang out, reminisce, and prepare for the game of the day. Most Notre Dame fans agree that no other school quite captures the emotion or spirit shared on Saturday fall mornings at Notre Dame. From the trailer homes and buses adorned in Notre Dame decor to the creative air toys marking specific tailgaters, Notre Dame fans defi- nitely know how to have fun. In addition to tailgating, numerous campus groups spon- sored fundraising booths. By selling brats and hot dogs on the quad, students have the oppor- tunity to participate in the fes- tivities, and raise funds for their residence hall or organization. Although tailgating is the most popular pre-game form of entertainment, many fans also partake in more traditional festivities unique to Notre Dame. Before each game, the football players attend a mass, praying for victory. Fans may also reflect in prayer at the Grotto. After the players march to the football stadium, the Irish Guard and band prepare to lead the crowd to the stadium. s tudents dive into the veggies and orange juice near the stadium to get motivated for the afternoon game. Photo by: Danielle Moore Campus Life