THE KICKOFF. August 4, 2005. VOL 1 ISSUE 4.

I almost peed myself, or cried, or threw up from excitement...

There I was, the Big Dawg, standing frozen, unable to move... I couldn't even reply... Well, neither would you, if you heard those words... "Wanna take a look 'behind the scenes' "...

Okay, let me start off from the beginning. A couple of months ago, I decided I'd take two buddies (one ended up not being able to go -- we missed you Jimmy) to South Bend to see ND kick some NAVY BUTTE. Why Navy, you ask? I don't know, I love the armed forces and have the utmost respect for those guys, also, its an easier ticket to get.

Anyway, my buddy, Ed and I took the day long drive out to The Promised Land arriving on Thursday, before gameday. Luckily, my boy Eddie was needing to rest the legs a bit, so we we decided to make a pit stop -- for those of you who know my route -- sometime after the cafe, but before the bookstore... This was when it all happened...

I struck up some conversation with the nice guy next to me [my wife tells me I have an inate ability to do this]. Well, the fella ended up being an employee -- I can't tell you who or what or where [Seen Rudy? Think Fortune...] All I remember is next thing I know he's uttering those few little words that will forever stay with me... "Wanna take a look 'behind the scenes' "...

Now, I wasn't sure what exactly he meant, but I know when opportunity is knocking and I wasn't going to pass by this door.

So, there I was, frozen, using all of my might just to mutter a reply."Sure." And, that my friends, is how it began...

Well, next thing I knew we were walking across the grounds, the Three Musketeers (or was that the three stooges?) the Tour Guide, myself and Eddie.

Where did we go? I can barely type, its almost 2 weeks later, but I am still so excited... THE FIELD. That's right folks. I got to stand on the field, the same field that is graced by Weis and Quinn, which was stood on by Holtz and the Leprechaun.

I pretended to make a touch down... I touched the goal posts... I even shouted "Go Irish!" to the make pretend fans in the student section.

Before I could thank our awesome host for his graciousness, it happened again... "You wanna see The Box?" "Are you kidding, of course I do..."

"Pinch me, Eddie" is all I could keep thinking as my new best friend, myself and my out of breath companion made our way up to the top from where the Irish Royalty get to view the game. I got to see the President's Box where Regis Philbin and other Alumni elite get entertained on game day. You could see for miles, the view is beautiful and so were the digs... maybe in my next life.

As if this wasn't spectacular enough for me, our next stop? [pause for a moment of silence] THE LOCKER ROOM!!!!

No joke.

Here we were -- the three most unlikely buddies -- walking through the hallowed halls of the locker room of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. The air was cool and damp and it smelled just like I knew it would -- like old blue blood and gold sweat.

I saw the championship rings display, I touched the Play Like a Champion Today sign... I ran through the TUNNEL... it was an experience like none other!

I'd just like to take a few seconds to thank my Mystery Guide. You really made an Old Man's day and hopefully I am paying it forward by letting others in on my experience. Thank you - God Bless and

GO IRISH!

- See all of my pictures from the ND v Navy game here.

 

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