July 1, 2004
The 50 participants in the 2004 Notre Dame Fantasy Football Camp took the field this morning for the first time, after kicking off the second-annual event with a reception and dinner in the Monogram Room last night.
Following breakfast at the Morris Inn, the campers walked to Notre Dame Stadium and dressed for practice in the varsity locker room. Next, the campers reported to the Notre Dame football meeting room for an offensive meeting with the collection of former Irish players and former and current Notre Dame coaches serving as the camp’s instructors.
From the stadium, the coaches and participants made their way to Cartier Field for stretching, calisthenics and a workout with an offensive focus. Campers were divided by position and put through a workout designed to simulate a Notre Dame practice by the camp’s coaches.
After practice, Notre Dame National Monogram Club president and former All-America defensive back Dave Duerson gave a presentation on the club’s behalf, and former Notre Dame quarterbacks coach Peter Vaas lectured the group on the fundamentals of football. The presentations were followed by lunch in Notre Dame’s South Dining Hall.
Once lunch was over, the players gathered in Notre Dame Stadium for a defensive meeting, and then returned to Cartier Field to be divided up once again for a defensive workout.
When practice concluded in the late afternoon, the campers showered and dressed in the varsity locker room, while the camp’s coaches met to choose the Blue and Gold squads for Saturday’s flag football game in Notre Dame Stadium.
Tonight, a reception will be given at the College Football Hall of Fame for the camp’s participants and coaches. Bob Crable, Notre Dame’s career-leader in tackles, will be the event’s keynote speaker.
After the reception, the group will be served dinner at the Hall of Fame, at which a speech will be given by Bernie Kish, the Hall of Fame’s executive director. Following dinner, a video on the history of Notre Dame football will be shown. At the conclusion of the night, the camp’s coaches will announce their selections for the Blue and Gold squads.