Throwback Thursday: Golden Swan-Dive Special Edition

Irish Creed throws it back to the days of yore every Thursday 

by giving you a sample from my behind-the-scenes book 

Life as the Notre Dame Leprechaun

This week's throwback comes from Chapter 5, in which I recall my encounter with a certain foam phony named Sparty:

SPECIAL EDITION UPDATE:  I'm signing copies of "Life as the Notre Dame Leprechaun" in the ND Bookstore from 3-5 p.m. on Friday, Sep. 20 and 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sep. 21 (ND v. MSU Game Day).  

You can also catch me at Mulligan's Bar & Grill (across from the Backer on South Bend Ave.) both nights with more signed books on tap, along with a raffle for my authentic game-worn Leprechaun hat!  I'll be wearing my limited edition "Air Golden" t-shirt, pictured above.

..."Nothing will ease my pain until we ruthlessly beat Sparty into submission next Saturday."  I couldn't remember who I said that to, or what publication it appeared in, but a long talk with my supervisors about political correctness followed shortly after my heartfelt public statement.
...
Every Leprechaun knew that Sparty had always been our only natural enemy.  The extra significance of our mascot rivalry made showing him up on local television that much sweeter.  When WNDU-TV invited us to co-anchor their pre-game sports segment early Saturday morning they must have forgotten that Sparty couldn't speak.  I ended up running the show all by myself, while Sparty literally disappeared in front of the green screen as he attempted in vain to act out the weather like some deranged version of charades.  The best part of my newscasting debut came backstage when I discovered that four separate Michigan State students actually shared their role as Sparty.  Apparently, none of them could handle the rigors of a full game day on their own.
...
... I reserved some of my energy during the Step-Off Parade just in case I happened to find myself in an altercation with my nemesis at some point during the game.  He surprisingly kept his distance throughout the entire pre-game warm-up, so I decided to be a good little Leprechaun and let him go.  Public shaming on the local news was good enough for me.
...
... Golden must have thought our band would catch him when he celebrated the go-ahead score with a swan dive.  Instead, he ended up crushing the scrawny kid holding a french horn in the middle of the Michigan State band while Sparty stood by motionless.  I prayed that play would end up as the winning touchdown so ESPN could eature it on their Top-10 as well as their Not-Top-10.

Signed & Personalized Books Available Now:

www.LeprechaunBook.com

Daniel Colt Collins appears on "Sports Lounge with Lisa Varga"

IRISH CREED writer, former Fightin' Irish Leprechaun, and newly published author Daniel Colt Collins recently sat down with Lisa Varga to discuss his new book "Life as the Notre Dame Leprechaun"



The up-and-coming internet talk show "Sports Lounge with Lisa Varga" is set to air new webisodes starting in September.  Follow Lisa Varga and Sports Lounge on Twitter to stay updated.

IC Exclusive: Interview with the Leprechaun

Each spring, a new student is chosen to become the Face of the Fightin’ Irish during the following year. Not only must the chosen one exhibit extraordinary skills and embody the tough, edgy spirit of the Fightin’ Irish, but he must be really really ridiculously good looking as well. 

Ironically, this Irish Creed Exclusive interview with the handsomest of all college mascots comes during the week leading up to 

#7 Notre Dame v. #17 Stanford

a matchup to be featured on College Gameday during which the ugliest of all college mascots will visit our campus (that is, if the Indiana State Excise Police don’t get to "the drunken tree" first).

Check out the exclusive interview with this year's Leprechaun below, followed by a UND.com video recapping last spring's Leprechaun Tryouts:

The Stanford Tree, who often attempts to drink away
 the pain of his jealousy due to our Leprechaun's
good looks, is no stranger to the breathalyzer

The Notre Dame Leprechaun, on the other hand,
can't help but smile as he is constantly recognized
by beautiful celebrities for his handsome charm.

Introducing your 2012-2013 Fightin’ Irish Leprechaun: 

Name: Bryce Burton
Hometown: Newburgh, IN
Height: 5'7" (5'8" on a good day)
Favorite Food: a good steak

How long have you been a Notre Dame fan, and when did you first know you wanted to become the Leprechaun?

My family used to take a vacation during the fall of each year. When I was 9 or 10, I remember watching a football game with my dad and questioning which team we were supporting. My father looked at me as if he had failed in raising me. I was instructed that we always support Notre Dame and he went on to discuss with me the history and pageantry of the school. I have been a fan ever since and vowed to him that night that I would attend Notre Dame as a student. 

How did the real Irish receive you during your recent trip to Ireland? Did they welcome you as a symbol of their fightin' spirit, or did they treat you like a crude caricature of their nationality?

The Irish could not have been more accommodating. They were so welcoming to me and the cheerleaders, and all of the fans that made the trip. Ireland was such a good experience and one that I will never forget. On Friday before the game I thought we would be attending a pep rally, but it turned out to be a great spectacle that blended Irish heritage and the spirit of Notre Dame. Events like that really showed how much they appreciated us being there. 

What is the one lasting memory you will take away from the game in Dublin? 

I think the most lasting memory will be walking through the streets of Dublin and seeing Notre Dame fans literally everywhere I looked. They made the trip simply because they love the university, and support like that makes me very proud to attend this school.


Does your red hair make you more authentic as a leprechaun? 

I believe my red hair absolutely makes me more authentic. I am actually saddened that Notre Dame went away from their original mascot logo that had red hair. He also had a pipe, which I can understand Notre Dame moving away from. I have seen a lot more of the vintage logos in the bookstore lately so maybe I can make a push to bring it back full time. 

How many pushups can you do without stopping? 

I can do about 100 pushups without stopping. We cannot be called the Fighting Irish and have a weak Leprechaun. 

How does it feel to represent Notre Dame as the face of the Fightin' Irish? 

I love this university, so being able to travel the country, and even to Ireland, to spread the spirit of this place is an opportunity I take very seriously and cherish. I know that when I travel, for many people their interaction with me might be the only time they get to experience Notre Dame, and it may be the only event they use to form their entire perception of the university. As such, I take many measures to make sure each interaction is especially memorable. 

What one message do you have for the Fightin' Irish Faithful?

It’s no secret that for the past 20 years on the football field Notre Dame has not experienced the kind of success we would have all hoped for... but each year the university is constantly talked about and when we win, or even when we lose, the media blows up. There is a reason that the BCS will make special deals with us and that conferences will not make us commit our football team. This is because of the fans. They ensure that we are relevant. We have sold out over 200 straight games and sent thirty thousand people to Ireland. This is why top recruits and coaches still want to come here…. and this is why Notre Dame will once again rule over college football. Our spirit makes this place so special. So, keep it up! 

What though the odds be great or small, old Notre Dame will win over all.

IRISH CREED EXCLUSIVE: THE LEPRECHAUN - PART II

Two days ago, we released Part I of our IRISH CREED EXCLUSIVE with your Official 2011-2012 Fightin' Irish Leprechaun. 
Today, we present Part II:


But first, a very important public service announcement from Leprechaun Mike for all Fightin' Irish fans who plan on attending any home games this year:

TheNDleprechaun: What is the best part about being the face of your university during your senior year?

MIKE: It really is such a great honor to represent Notre Dame, especially during my senior year. I love being able to give back to the University that has given me so much. To do that in a special way as the Leprechaun in my final year and as a result to be a part of the amazing history we have here is the best part.

TheNDleprechaun: Who is your favorite mascot other than yourself?

MIKE: I’m going to go back to when I was younger growing up in Minnesota and say Crunch the Wolf, the mascot for the Timberwolves. I remember seeing Crunch sliding down the arena stairs and then later doing all sorts of crazy flip dunks off of trampolines. He always seemed to be moving and having a great time. I might have to pull a few tricks from his book when basketball season comes around!

TheNDleprechaun: Who is your least favorite mascot and why?

MIKE: Haha wow, how to answer this question without picking a fight… let’s just say green looks better on Leprechauns than it does on other mascots (especially those that we might play early on in the season). I’ll leave the rest for our football team to sort out on the field.

TheNDleprechaun: Coach Kelly brought extra energy to the pep rallies last year, but they still haven't been able to capture the Fighting Irish spirit of old. What is the best way to fix the rallies? Do you have anything special planned for our rallies this year?

MIKE: This year I’ve been really fortunate to work with a great team who are really passionate about continuing to improve the rallies. You’re right, Coach Kelly definitely brings that extra energy and you can expect even more of that this year. We’ve also realized that what made rallies special in the past was the sense of the Notre Dame family that they evoked. We are ND, we are a community, and we really focused on that when planning the rallies this year. We’ve got some great things in the works and you’re definitely going to want to be there to say you were a part of it!

TheNDleprechaun: We finally beat $C last year, and now we host them for the first night game in Notre Dame Stadium in over two decades. What is the best way for our fans to make sure they contribute to our team's success on that potentially season-defining night?

MIKE: The Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh is going to be HUGE this year. For a lot of Irish fans, this is the game that they’ve been looking forward to ever since it was first announced as a game under the light of the Golden Dome. What we need Irish fans to do is to come out to campus and simply bring the energy. The passion we all feel for ND football is going to light up the night, and we’ll show the nation just what Notre Dame is all about! 

TheNDleprechaun: How do you feel about Dr. Lou's dilemma concerning the matchup between his team and his son?

MIKE: I love Coach Lou, and so does the rest of Notre Dame. He has always been, and will continue to be the biggest supporter of Our Lady’s University. I can understand his dilemma in choosing this weekend. When it comes down to it though, it doesn’t matter who he chose, it’s going to be all Irish!

TheNDleprechaun: Finally, what one message would you like to share with the Fighting Irish Faithful as we get ready to kickoff the 2011 football season?

MIKE: Buckle up, Irish fans. This is going to be the greatest season of Irish Football yet! I know you’ve heard all the hype, and this Saturday we get to prove we’re better then all of it. Let’s GOOOOOOO IRISH!!!

Thanks Clashmore, and may the Luck of the Fightin' Irish be with you this year. I love the enthusiasm, and I'm glad you're keeping the feud alive between us Leprechauns and certain green-clad phonies with foam muscles.

(IRISH FANS: You can follow Mike on Twitter @FightinIrishLep for an inside look on his year as the Leprechaun)

IRISH CREED EXCLUSIVE: THE LEPRECHAUN - PART I

The Notre Dame Leprechaun:  

King of all Mascots, 
Face of the Fightin’ Irish, 
Protector of the Spirit of Notre Dame, 

and The Real Reason Sparty is Green with Envy.

Two years ago, I enjoyed the honor of suiting up in Kelly Green every Saturday to lead the charge as our boys in Blue and Gold rushed out of the tunnel and into battle.  At the end of my senior year, I passed the lucky shillelagh (originally brought from Ireland to Notre Dame by a past leprechaun who is now a Holy Cross priest - can't make that stuff up!) to my brother-in-arms Leprechaun Dizz. We interviewed Dizzy prior to Year One of the Kelly Campaign (catch Part I and Part II here), and now in Year Two we present to you, in two segments, an IRISH CREED EXCLUSIVE WITH THE LEPRECHAUN:

Leprechaun Mike

Leprechaun Mike is a senior Mechanical Engineer from Eden Prairie, Minnesota.  He claims to be an International Leprechaun / Man of Mystery, since his parents live in Zϋrich, Switzerland for the time being, and his sister is studying abroad in Perth, Australia.  He ensures me, however, that his whole family will be watching (either in person or on TV) on game day.

TheNDleprechaun: Mike has been the namesake of Notre Dame mascots since well before our kind began showing up at games.  Do you take any special pride in sharing your first name with the winningest college mascot of all-time?  How would you feel about a possible return of the Irish Terrier in combination with the Leprechaun?

MIKE:  Absolutely!  Having the same name as Clashmore Mike is a great honor.  And I would gladly welcome a furry companion.  Besides both being extremely slobbery (although cute) at the end of big games hopefully we would share luck in common too!

TheNDleprechaun:  You saw your fair share of championship caliber teams as the Blue Leprechaun last year.  What was the best memory you took away from that?  Do you plan on continuing your winning ways when you take over as the Gold Leprechaun for football and men's basketball?  Are you THE key to bringing back the Luck of the Irish?

MIKE:  Last year was an incredible experience.  Not only was I able to experience some amazing runs by our sports teams but I was able to meet different Irish fans from all over, and win over a few new ones too.  I especially loved seeing our Women’s Soccer team defy all the skeptics and take down Stanford for the national championship.  In the same way, seeing our Women’s Basketball team take down Tennessee for the first time ever, and then follow that up by beating UCONN in Indy, in March, was something else.  Those are some games that have already gone down as greats in Irish sports history.  As much as I would like to take credit for the victories, the key to the Luck of the Irish lies in the support of all the Irish fans and in having that Fighting Irish Spirit.  As far as winning goes this year, don’t worry about that.  At Notre Dame we’re all about tradition.  When you look at a few of the more recent championship seasons (’66, ’77, ’88) I think it only makes sense to continue that trend and add one in ’11!

TheNDleprechaun:  How many times a week do you eat Lucky Charms?

MIKE:  That’s a great question! I’m still working out my eating habits for this year.  How’s this for a plan, 12 times a week.  One for each national championship (including this year, of course).  Then again, I’ll have to be careful to make sure I can still fit into my Leprechaun suit come Saturday!

TheNDleprechaun:  What are you looking forward to most on September 3?

MIKE:  I think every Leprechaun dreams about step-off from the Main Building.  Leading all of the Irish fans to Notre Dame Stadium and following that up by taking the team out on our historic field for the best season of Fighting Irish Football yet is a 1-2 punch that has my heart pumping now!

TheNDleprechaun:  Have you ever been to New Orleans?  Do you plan on visiting in January?

MIKE:  I’ve never been to New Orleans, but come to think of it South Bend can be a little chilly around then…and I think I overheard Coach Kelly talking about heading down south around then too!

TheNDleprechaun:  The stash of gold I hid two years ago is running thin... can I get a loan?

MIKE:  Haha!  Once a leprechaun, always a leprechaun! I’ll see what I can do…

TheNDleprechaun:  We interviewed Leprechaun Diz last year, and he represented the Fighting Irish proudly during Coach Kelly's first season.  What did you learn from him last year, and how will it help you be the best Leprechaun you can be this year?

MIKE:  I learned so much from Leprechaun Diz last year, and he definitely left me some big little Leprechaun shoes to fill.  He really knew how to interact with the fans and get everyone riled up.  His passion and unwavering belief in the Irish is something I will carry with me this year to help me be the best Leprechaun I can be!

Leprechaun Mike poses with the National Champions of Women's Soccer

Thanks to Clashmore Mike for taking time out of his gameday preparations to share his thoughts with the fans.  We look forward to seeing him do his thing out there for the first time on what we Leprechauns like to call “The Big Stage.”  May the Luck of the Irish be with you, Mike!

Be sure to check back with IRISH CREED for PART II of this Exclusive!  While your at it, show your current Leprechaun some Twitter-Love by following him @FightinIrishLep

Irish Creed Exclusive: Fighting Irish in the Ring

Four years before he led the Fighting Irish to their first national championship on the gridiron, head football coach Knute Rocke started a tradition that has since taken on a life of its own and become a central part of the Notre Dame experience.

Two Notre Dame men fight during a recent Bengal Bouts tournament

Beginning in 1920, boxing quickly became a favorite pastime for the collection of “tough gentlemen” that exemplified the ideal student at Our Lady’s university.  In 1931, boxing coach Dominic “Nappy” Napolitano brought the burgeoning popularity of the sport in line with the mission of service that Notre Dame had inherited from the Congregation of Holy Cross.  Since then, the annual amateur boxing championship known as the “Bengal Bouts” has trained countless Notre Dame men to become fighters in the name of charity in order to fund Holy Cross Missions that provide education and serve the poor in Bangladesh.  The official motto of the Bouts, a quote from Nappy himself, boldly states: “Strong bodies fight, that weak bodies may be nourished.”  In today’s world of sports, where little if anything at all remains sacred, Notre Dame Boxing represents competition in its purest form.  Each year, a new band of fighters contribute their blood, sweat, (not tears), tenacity, and toughness, not in the name of glamour, but out of the deep respect they have for everything at Notre Dame worth fighting for.

Throughout their history, the Bouts have not gone without recognition.  Described as “what boxing can be like at its honest best” by SI columnist Bud Schulberg in 1955, the tournament has seen its fair share of talented fighters along with the occasional guest appearance from the likes of Mohammad Ali and Rocky Marciano.  A long line of distinguished champions has come out of Notre Dame, and many have gone on to great accomplishments at the next level. 

Recent Notre Dame alum Mike Lee, a Bengal Bouts captain in 2008 and 2009 and three-time champion, has already amassed an impressive resume as a professional fighter during the short time since graduating in 2009.  He was crowned as the Chicago Golden Gloves Champion that same year, and has since earned a 3-0 record with two KOs as a 175lb Light Heavyweight.  He is currently trained by Ronnie Shields, who once worked with the likes of Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, Pernell Whitaker, Arturo Gatti, and Juan Diaz. 

On November 13, Mike defeated Keith Debow by KO as an undercard to the Super Welterweight World Championship in Cowboys Stadium on a night which featured an impressive victory by the biggest name in boxing right now, Manny Pacquiao.  I recently had a chance to ask Mike about his impressions of the fight and his days at Notre Dame:

TheNDleprechaun:  What fighting experience did you have before boxing at Notre Dame, and how did the Bengal Bouts influence you as a fighter?

ML:  I was brought to a boxing gym in Chicago when I was 16 but most of my boxing career began once I got to Notre Dame.

TheNDleprechaun:  What did it mean to play such a prominent role within a tradition that began during the days of Knute Rockne? 

ML: Being a part of the Bengal Bouts was incredible and becoming a three-time champion was an honor because the program has had so many great fighters and a strong tradition that I'm just glad to be a part of.

TheNDleprechaun: What one moment stands out as the highlight of your boxing career at Notre Dame, and in your career in general?

ML: The highlight of my Bengal Bouts career was winning the 175lb championship my junior year. I fought another Bengal Bouts captain who was the best fighter I had faced so far, so winning was a big deal for me.  Coming out in front of over 75,000 people in Cowboys Stadium was a dream come true and honestly pretty difficult to describe.  I remember feeling really loose, relaxed and strong.  I came out to "Good Life" by Kanye West and just fed off the energy of the crowd.  Fighting in front of large crowds in the JACC at ND definitely prepared me for moments like that.

TheNDleprechaun:  On the same day that your Fighting Irish upset Utah in Notre Dame Stadium, you were rocking the Blue and Gold along with a Notre Dame flag during the biggest fight of your life. What influenced you to rep your alma mater like that on Saturday?

ML:   I have always worn the blue and gold gear from head to toe for all my professional fights. Notre Dame was such a huge part of my life and the amount of ND fans and alumni who have supported my career so far has been amazing, so it's just my way of showing my appreciation. Plus the gear looks great, so that doesn't hurt.

TheNDleprechaun:  Glad to see that you’re staying Gold and Blue through and through.  Finally, what are your plans for the future?

ML:  I plan on having a huge year next year, continuing to learn and get better every fight and finish out the year 10-0 and highly ranked in the Light-Heavyweight Division. The boxing world/writers have been very complimentary of my style and performance so far so I plan on keeping that up.

Many thanks to Mike for taking the time to catch up with Notre Dame nation.  Congrats on your latest KO and best of luck as you continue to represent the Fighting Irish in the ring.  Follow Mike’s career at www.mikeleeboxing.com

Irish Creed Exclusive: Interview with 2010-2011 Leprechaun Part II

Irish Creed recently released Part I of an exclusive interview with Leprechaun Diz, the official face of the Fighting Irish for 2010-2011.  We continue our interview today with Part II:

An Interview with the 2010-2011 Fighting Irish Leprechaun:

TheNDleprechaun:  How have you been preparing yourself for this season?  I remember thinking I was in top shape before the home opener against Nevada last year, but after we started scoring early and often in the 85 degree heat my green suit was swet soaked by the end of the first quarter.  How many pushups can you  do these days?  Also, do you have anything special prepared for this season that you might want to give our readers the inside scoop on?

LEPRECHAUN DIZ: Working with you last year I was able to see how grueling an entire game can be in that late summer heat and a three peice suit. Luckily though, I spent the summer in Africa right on the equator running and doing push-ups during my free time, so I'm pretty sure I'll be accustomed to the heat. As far as the number of push-ups that I can do, I'll fill you in on a little story; when Coach Kelly first arrived on campus last fall I ran into him in the dining hall and introduced myself as next year's Leprechaun. He simply smiled and said, "Well you better start working out now because come next fall, you're going to be doing a lot of push-ups." I took him at his word and I promise that there will be no shortage of push-ups on my end. When the team scores the points, I'll do the push-ups. As far as special preparations, I'll tell you this: I can't divulge a lot, but we may have a brand new flag leading the team out onto the field this year that took a little inspiration from Coach Kelly's last name. Also, we're working to move pep rallies around to accomodate students and other fans as well. We've got a lot of new surprises for those, so I wouldn't want to miss a pep rally if I were you.

TheNDleprechaun:  My best memory from last year was the final hour leading up to our home opening kickoff.  My adrenaline was flowing from the beginning of the Step Off Parade until we reached the stadium, where I pounded about 5 bottles of water before getting ready to lead the team out onto the field with the ND monogram flag in front of 80,000.  You will have many moments like that throughout this coming year.  What are you looking forward to most?

LEPRECHAUN DIZ: I'm definitely looking forward to leading our team out onto the field in the new Yankees stadium and then on the following Satuday doing the same thing in Southern California. As great as these two moments will be though, there's no way that it will compare to the feeling I'll get as I lead our new team, new coach, and new hopes out onto our own home field on September 4th, to start a brand new era of Notre Dame Football.

TheNDleprechaun:  There was some controversy over the pep rallies last year, and student attendance was way down mostly due to the venue (it definitely had nothing to do with the MC, who was phenomenal.)  We did have a few great rallies though, including a student-only send off before our team travelled to Michigan and an electrifying night prior to our showdown with Cal Southern.  How do you plan to revive the rallies this year?

LEPRECHAUN DIZ: As you know, there are a lot of factors that go into choosing venues and speakers, but we have been working together to make sure that this upcoming season will be full of phenomenal rallies. We've actually only set the first three venues so far, so we're going to be interactive in making sure the students and fans are able to have a little bit of a say in where the rallies are held. There are also some other changes taking place including some parades leading up to the rallies and a little bit of extra fun. No matter what though, there's an electricity in the air this year that tells me we could have our rallies on the North Pole and we'd still bring out more crazy and loyal fans than any other university in the country.

TheNDleprechaun:  Finally, if you could deliver one message to every Fighting Irish fan out there as we get ready for the 2010-2011 year, what would it be?

LEPRECHAUN DIZ: I'll make it short and sweet. This University and this team are bigger than any one individual. We have an amazing oportunity this year to be a part of something special as our brand new coach brings the intensity, tenacity, and the fight back to the Fighting Irish. So I challenge you right now: Band together, break out the war paint, come out to the pep rallies, get louder in the stands, and support your football team. If we do this, we can show every other university that they should fear playing Notre Dame, because we are the Fighting Irish and we will beat up on any team that steps on the field with us this year.

Leprechaun Diz sends a volley cheer on high

Many thanks to Leprechaun Diz for sharing those inspiring words with all of us.  We wish you the best of luck this year as you take part in reviving the fighting spirit of Notre Dame.

 Be sure to follow Leprechaun Diz on twitter as he keeps the Fighting Irish Faithful up to date on his life as the Leprechaun:  @NDLeprechaun10

Irish Creed Exclusive: Interview with 2010-2011 Leprechaun Part I

Last year I had the tremendous honor of serving as the official University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish Leprechaun.  I was blessed to be in a position that allowed me to witness the indescribable Spirit of Notre Dame in a way that very few ever have, and very few ever will.  I also learned that the Fighting Irish Faithful proudly carry on our Spirit from coast to coast (everywhere from Palo Alto to NYC).  It was a year that I will cherish forever, and I experienced enough unforgettable moments to last a lifetime. 

After my time as the 2009-2010 Fighting Irish Leprechaun was up, I put my potential replacements through a series of grueling tests during a month-long tryout process.  I could not have asked for a better man to take over as the next Fighting Irish Leprechaun, and I was proud to pass the legendary shillelagh on to my good friend Leprechaun Diz.   I fully expect him to carry on our legacy in grand fashion, and I have no doubt that he will become the perfect fiery source of energy that will spark our return to glory.

I also know from experience that Leprechauns are always busy, and I appreciate the time our new Leprechaun took to answer questions for our readers.  I present to you Part I of our series:

An Interview with the 2010-2011 Fighting Irish Leprechaun:

TheNDleprechaun:  First off, could you share a little about your background with our readers?  Were you born and raised a Fighting Irish fan?  Did you always know you were a leprechaun, or did that realization come later in life?  What specifically made you want to try out for the position?

LEPRECHAUN DIZ: That’s a great question, because it’s been such a long and unusual journey that has led me here to this extremely exciting time in my life. I actually grew up only an hour away from Notre Dame but both of my parents attended and graduated from Purdue University. I grew up following Purdue until my older brother was accepted into Notre Dame in 2000. We attended a game with my brother that year and I was immediately transformed into a Notre Dame fanatic. Right away, I knew that Notre Dame was the school for me. I worked hard in high school and applied for admittance to this great institution in the spring of 2007. Unfortunately, however, I was not accepted and was devastated when I received the letter. I picked myself up, however, and actually attended Purdue University my freshman year and was a member of their wrestling team. I enjoyed my freshman year at Purdue but something was always missing, so I reapplied to Notre Dame and was finally accepted.  When I arrived at Notre Dame in the fall of 2008, I originally thought of trying to walk on to the football team, haha. I was first team all-state as a safety in Indiana my senior year but I don't think Notre Dame was looking for a 5'6 150lb football player, so I looked to something a little more realistic. My family and friends knew that I had loved this university and its sports teams from the first moment that I stepped foot on campus, and as my sophomore year progressed I heard a little bit of a buzz about leprechaun tryouts. I looked into it and after hearing what it entails, I knew that I had to give it a shot. I was awarded the back-up position last year and had the most enjoyable year of my life cheering on Notre Dame's soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, and basketball teams. Then, just this spring I was awarded the main job and will now be the official Fighting Irish Leprechaun for football and men's basketball games.

TheNDleprechaun:  You’re in a unique position as a transfer student who has now become the face of our university.  What does that mean to you, and do you think that experience will help you bring something special to your position as The Leprechaun?

LEPRECHAUN DIZ: Absolutely. More than most people at this university I have experienced first-hand how lucky we all are to be students at Notre Dame. I have experienced another school and all that it had to offer, even playing a sport there. But nothing in the world compares to the spirit and tradition surrounding our wonderful university. I love Notre Dame with all of my heart and now that I have been given this opportunity to become the face of this university I will do everything in my power to make every Notre Dame fan proud.

TheNDleprechaun:  It seems like the stars aligned when you became the Leprechaun.  Either that, or you just have impeccable timing.  You step into your new role amidst a frenzy of anticipation with Brian Kelly taking the helm as leader of our football team.  Our home opener is against Purdue, a university you once attended.  The Shirt is finally green.  Tell us how you are going to take advantage of all these positives as you begin your year as the face of the Fighting Irish.

LEPRECHAUN DIZ: I like to think that I just have impeccable timing. All of the things you just stated are culminating quickly into what is bound to be one of the most exciting season openers that Notre Dame has seen in quite a long time. Indeed we are playing my old school on 9/4 and the shirt is finally green, but these are not the most exciting things by far. We finally have an Irish coach who embodies everything that Notre Dame stands for. I have had the privilege of hearing him speak several times since returning to campus and I cannot listen to that man without getting chills. Maybe call it my Leprechaun sense, but I'm certain Coach Kelly has certain intangibles that are going to lead our Notre Dame football team and university back to greatness.

Leprechaun Diz surrounded by the lovely ND Cheerleaders

Stay up to date with Irish Creed for Part II of this interview.

Here's to hoping that Diz's "Leprechaun sense" is tuned in this year.  Be sure to follow him on Twitter as he keeps the Fighting Irish Faithful up to date on his life as the Leprechaun:  @NDLeprechaun10

Irish Creed Exclusive: Interview with 2009-2010 Notre Dame Drum Major

The Band of the Fighting Irish... those words alone stir deep emotions inside the hearts of lifelong fans. Its unmistakable sound can make hair on the backs of necks stand straight up for miles around, rattle the foundations of stadiums across the nation, overawe inferior opponents with dreadful intimidation, and literally shake down thunder from the sky. Started in 1846, the University of Notre Dame Marching Band has become synonymous with the Spirit of Notre Dame. Anyone who has ever heard the echoes of drums or the brass blast of the Notre Dame Victory March fill our entire campus with energy knows just how crucial every member of our band is to our glorious tradition.

Irish Creed writer TheNDleprechaun was fortunate enough to catch up with a good friend who led the most famous band in the land last year to ask him a few questions about his experience. Here it is, an Irish Creed exclusive featuring 2009-2010 Drum Major Aaron Hernandez:


LEP: Aaron, thanks so much for taking the time to answer some questions for the Fighting Irish Faithful. Can you share a quick background about the path that brought you to Notre Dame and how you became one of the most recognizable symbols of the Notre Dame Football tradition?

AH: Well my path was an unconventional one for sure. For years I had been an ardent Longhorn fan and it was a well-known fact that I'd be going to UT when I graduated. About half of my closet was burnt-orange! I never thought I could get into Notre Dame, much less make any type of contribution to the school. Well after a very disappointing visit to UT and not getting any recruitment mail from them, I decided (with influence from my High School principal Dr. G) that it was time to expand my school search.

The decision came down to Notre Dame and Harvard. ND flew me out for a visit in April of 2006 and I signed the scholarship papers right there. I was sold. Who wouldn't be? Best decision of my life. Then I later made my next best life decision which was to join the Notre Dame Band. I was a pretty blessed decision-maker in 2006!

LEP: Leading the Band of the Fighting Irish as Drum Major is an incredible honor. What process is involved in earning the position, and what are the necessary qualifications?

AH: You're right, it's a huge honor and I owe everything I ever accomplished in that organization to the incredible peers I had. Let me tell you something, no better group of young adults on campus. I would do anything for that group.

The audition takes place over a month long period that covers a marching routine, conducting routine and several interviews. It starts at about 35-40 people and we eventually get down to the Drum Major and two Assistant Drum Majors. This past year it was me, my great friend John Queally and our new team member Noah Franske. They were both awesome to work with.

You gotta be able to march, conduct and show leadership qualities. I would say when I auditioned every one of the people trying out covered all of those bases. Every person in that band is so talented and driven, which makes it very humbling that I was chosen. Like I said, I owe all my success to those great band members.

LEP: The Band of the Fighting Irish is the oldest and most prestigious collegiate marching band in the nation. Tell us what it means to carry on that proud tradition as a Drum Major.

AH: We have a motto in band: "Tradition, Excellence and Family." It's always been my opinion that our program is the best of its kind. As far as tradition goes, it was really neat getting in touch with old Drum Majors (like the great Hunter Young from the '05 season) and looking back into the archives to see the lineage. It's awesome to think you're one of only a handful of people that got this gig, especially when you're following someone as great as Lauren Nolan ('08 season DM).

But those two things (tradition and excellence) mean nothing without family. That band is my family. I remember conducting Concert on the Steps throughout the year and how special it was to be able to do that with thousands out on Bond Quad. The tradition was neat and having a great band that knocks you over with sound was awesome, but nothing compares to the feeling that goes through your veins when you look into those members' eyes and you don't see them as just band members; you see them as family. It sends chills down my spine just thinking about those faces. What a great group of people.

LEP: The Notre Dame Victory March is widely known as the most recognizable fight song of all time. I will never forget the first time I ever heard it on campus as a new student. I almost leapt out of my skin when I heard the drum line, and when the Fight Song began I would have ran through a wall for Notre Dame. When did you first hear our fight song, and when was the most memorable time you played it at Notre Dame?

AH: I can't quite remember the first time I heard the song, because of its wide popularity. I probably heard it watching Rudy as a kid or maybe even from a local high school band. I can remember the first time I played it as it was my audition piece for band at ND. I still remember when I got through the piece the whole way. I called my mom out to the back and played it with a recording in the background. Don't judge…

The most memorable time playing it at ND was in the tunnel of the stadium when we played Washington this past year. They were talking smack the week leading up to the game and it was about our fight song. Never get our band members upset, they'll come after you, and boy did they ever that day. When both teams were done with warm-ups, ND came up the tunnel and we played the fight song for our boys. Usually we stop and stay silent as the visitors come through, but that day they were going to hear us loud and clear. We were going to send a message to them and that message was to never pick a fight with the Band of the Fighting Irish. It was BY FAR the loudest rendition of the fight song I had ever heard and we were playing it right in their faces. When we cut the song off, every single band member started yelling and jumping. It was the most pumped I have ever seen our organization before a game. What a moment.

LEP: Everyone knows about the storied rivalries between Notre Dame and USC or Notre Dame and Michigan. Plenty other universities wish they could be our rivals as well (Backup College, Purdont, etc.). Does the Band of the Fighting Irish have its own particular rivals? If so, what other bands became our biggest rivals during your time as Drum Major?

AH: A wise person once told me: "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all...except if it deals with USC. Then shout it out!"

We get booed so badly in some places and other bands feel the same pain, so the bands kind of develop the best sportsmanship out of anyone on game day. Take Michigan for instance: Awful fans and the football team is loaded with jerks but that Michigan Band treated us so well every time we saw them. They would even come over to the band building after a game at home and we'd hang out with them. I met some pretty cool people, including their drum major Cody Martin (who like me was from Texas!!). Same goes for Michigan State: Disgusting fans, jerk football team, fantastic band. They were always such a pleasant bunch.

This great sportsmanship went for other bands too that we had the pleasure to work with: UCLA, Purdue, UConn, North Carolina, Duke and Penn State come to mind. They were all very talented too.

The exception to this rule is USC. “Cal Southern” is already known for its less than moral football program (and they fully deserved that billing after interacting with their players/coaches), but their fans were some of the nicest people we ever dealt with. Usually the fans treat the band terribly, but theirs were great. Their band, however, was anything but great. We've gotten the bird from their members, had obscenities shouted at us, and have even got in shoving matches with them (which they of course didn't stand a chance in). Furthermore, they were hands down the least talented band we ever came across. We'd absolutely wipe the floor with them year in and year out. Our staff made it no secret that this was the goal too. At the ND pep rally in LA, our director got on the stage and told the crowd of a couple thousand people that we'd "wipe the floor with that band" the next night. He drew a raucous reaction from the crowd and we completely out-did them in their own stadium. The USC crowd gave us a standing ovation and gave the Trojan Band a whole lot of silence. It was easy to see why. You've got a group of high school band kids dressed in cheap capes, plastic helmets and tacky sunglasses versus the Band of the Fighting Irish. No contest… I'll take our band against anyone, any day.

LEP: Finally, I believe the Band of the Fighting Irish to be the single most crucial element of the tremendous spirit that exists at Notre Dame. The band drives the energy of the student body, and our teams feed off that energy. How would you describe the Spirit of Notre Dame, and what is the best way for the band, the students, and everyone involved to revive that spirit in 2010?

AH: Many people label 2009 as kind of a disappointment, but I think it was a win for spirit. Week in and week out, that stadium was rocking. A football assistant I know even pointed to the Washington thriller in 2009 as being "louder than USC in 2005." (I'll say that a lot of that noise came from a very angry Irish Band!) Sure, the nail-biting games helped out plenty but I'd say our football crowd was finally starting to get away from the "wine and cheese" group they are so well-known for being. It's great to finally see our stadium on par with some other hostile football environments that I've visited over the years. That Washington game was noisier than any of my visits to Penn State, Michigan or Michigan State.

That being said, one thing that has to happen for our spirit to improve is a change to pep rallies. The Rally on the Green is just plain not working. People used to complain about the JACC rallies being lame and corporate. I personally always loved them with the whole lights-out effect and such. I bet those people who complained would gladly welcome them back after a year of this "Irish Green" debacle.

The Irish Green pep rallies were just embarrassing. I literally counted about 5 students at several pep rallies this year. The best pep rally of the entire year was at the Alamo in front of an amped-up Texas crowd. I think our best pep rally of the year should not be away from Notre Dame before playing a cupcake team. I am not sure what the reasoning is behind the Irish Green, but it sure does put a damper on the whole game day experience. I don’t think achieve the Spirit we're looking for until we get rid of these buzz kills. It is too far away for the students, clearly not focused on the students, and it's too awkward of a venue.

I am going to be at Marquette Law School this year and I'll be back for a game or two. I fully expect our spirit to pick up right from where we left off last year. We've got a great band, a great new drum major in Glynnis Garry, and a great new football coach! Even if we're stuck with those Irish Green rallies for now, all those things more than make up for it. I hope all of you Irish fans are ready for an exciting season! The band is going to bring the noise and you had better do the same! Make ND a hornet's nest for all of our opponents this year. Get Your IRISH UP!

Thanks again Aaron, we could not have said it better ourselves. With all the anticipation mounting on campus and our band leading the way, our fans have a real chance to turn the house that Rockne built into one of the most intimidating stadiums that our opponents will have to deal with in 2010.

As an added bonus feature, check out this OK Go music video featuring the extremely talented Band of the Fighting Irish, complete with a close-up of Aaron at the 2:40 mark: