tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073878122457584598.post2498205587070417903..comments2024-03-27T07:10:25.361-04:00Comments on IRISH CREED: A Decade Gone By at Notre DameDaniel Colt Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022470550539834780noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073878122457584598.post-82526707852689981912010-07-15T14:59:04.526-04:002010-07-15T14:59:04.526-04:00Great post, spot on.
I remember my freshman year...Great post, spot on. <br />I remember my freshman year the last time we hosted midnight madness prior to the season when Coach Brey had a packed JACC fired up for the highly anticipated season that featured Colin Falls dropping bombs and Russell "The Love Muscle" Carter throwing down nasty jams. An unknown freshmen named Tory Jackson quickly became a star at point guard due to his constant hustle and playmaking ability, and another new kid straight out of Small Town, USA named Luke Harangody gradually grew into his role as the BEAST of the Big East. <br /><br />That night at midnight madness, Coach Brey randomly selected two students from the crowd to shoot from half-court for $15,000. As someone who could count on one hand how many times I had played basketball in my life (mostly due to height limitations) I was pretty nervous when he picked me. As then Leprechaun Kevin Braun handed me the ball all I was thinking about was not looking like an idiot in front of the crowd. I tossed up my best attempt and I swore it looked true, but sadly it rimmed out. No 15 Gs for me...<br /><br />Later on in the season I was wearing my Leprechaun Legion t-shirt in South Dining Hall and someone behind me asked how I was enjoying the season so far. I turned around to see Coach Brey standing there, and we proceeded to have a full conversation about Notre Dame Basketball. He even recognized me from the half court shot, and said he also thought it was going in but that I had to work on my release. Here I am a freshman nobody and the head bball coach of the Fighting Irish (now ranked after knocking off #1 Alabama in a huge upset and my favorite sports memory as a student, but I'll leave that story for another post) is taking the time to have a friendly conversation with me?! That really blew me away.<br /><br />Fast forward to 4 years later as I get on the bus following my last official game as the Leprechaun with the band and cheerleaders on our way back to ND from New Orleans. We had just been upset in the 1st round of the tourney, and Coach Brey boards the bus to thank all of us for our support all season long. He then apologizes for the defeat. We give him a standing O right then and there.<br /><br />That's just the type of guy Coach Brey is. He is a great Notre Dame Man and a true asset to our university. May the luck of the Fightin' Irish be with him for the rest of his career under the Golden Dome.Daniel Colt Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05022470550539834780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073878122457584598.post-16752166260920074372010-07-15T14:45:40.572-04:002010-07-15T14:45:40.572-04:00Just found this old paragraph from Dick Vitale:
&...Just found this old paragraph from Dick Vitale:<br /><br />"Certain coaches just fit certain programs. At Temple, John Chaney knows the city of Philadelphia well and he's a perfect fit. Tom Izzo is a blue-collar worker who fits ideally at Michigan State. Mike Krzyzewski fits like a glove at Duke. The same can be said for Brey and Notre Dame."<br /><br />http://assets.espn.go.com/dickvitale/vcolumn041027tidbits-LawrenceRoberts.htmltendomerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16405029492832150263noreply@blogger.com