Aug. 8, 2005

The 2005 Notre Dame football season officially began on Monday, Aug. 8, 2005, at 3:45 p.m. when the Irish took to the practice fields on the west side of campus. As per the team’s usual tradition, the Irish will practice on the west side of campus – adjacent to O’Neill Family Hall and the Hammes Bookstore, for two weeks. The location allows the team easy access to the new air conditioned dormitories, South Dining Hall and gives the program a “training camp” feel.

The Irish will move back to Cartier Field for practice on Aug. 16.

After the first practice on Monday (and after the team went through the media day activities earlier in the day), Irish head coach Charlie Weis met briefly with the media.

“”I was happy with the condition of the team and how physical they were, and how our players took care of themselves,” Weis said.

“I was a little disappointed at our mental carry over from the spring to today. I keep telling them this first week is going to be like cramming for final exams. They need to stay on top of things mentally.”

Notre Dame will practice from 2:15 – 5:15 p.m. for the rest of the week – a mandatory `acclimation period’ put forth by the NCAA. The first two-a-day practice will be Saturday, Aug. 13, with the morning session at 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. and the evening session from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Keep a close eye on www.und.com for all the updated information from Notre Dame’s preseason practice schedule.

All photos by Alan Wasielewski.