Nov. 19, 2012
NOTRE DAME, Ind. –
This football season, the Monogram Club will continue to produce the “Monogram Club Musings,” a regular online column following each home football weekend. The publication will fill Monogram winners in on Club events throughout the season, provide information on alumni and prominent figures that return to campus for the game and highlight Monogram Club presentations and activities that occur during the fall.
If you can’t make it to campus, but would like to update the Monogram Club on what you’ve been up to, please send an email to mlafranc@nd.edu and “The Muse” will include it in an upcoming edition.
This past weekend, the Monogram Club brought its members together with its usual slate of popular football weekend activities and partnered with the Notre Dame department of athletics to host United States military veterans on campus.
Keep reading to find out more!
Wake Forest Game Notes
– The pre-game flyover featured two F/A-18 “Super Hornets” by the Gladiators of VFA 106, the Navy’s East Coast Fleet Replacement Squadron, based at Naval Air Station in Oceana, Va. The lead aircraft was flown by Lieutenant Brandon Gasser (’04) and Lieutenant Zach Capacette. The wing aircraft was flown by Lieutenant Davin O’Brien and Lieutenant Christopher Keen.
– Public address announcer Mike Collins – an honorary Monogram recipient – introduced the 29 senior football student-athletes making their final appearance in Notre Dame Stadium prior to the game. The last 10 senior introductions aired live on the NBC broadcast.
– Another group of future Monogram Club members received recognition during the game, as the football team’s senior student managers and trainers were introduced during the first quarter, as well as Notre Dame’s senior cheerleaders.
– With Saturday’s home football game falling closest to Veteran’s Day, the University recognized U.S. military veterans throughout the contest. The various military branches were represented by their Notre Dame ROTC programs as part of the pre-game flag presentation, and the halftime performance by the Band of the Fighting Irish featured patriotic-themed music.
– In addition, eleven Wounded Warriors attended the Notre Dame-Wake Forest Game. The group was hosted by Notre Dame graduates, Major General Phil Volpe and Pete Johnson. The initiative was part of Notre Dame’s involvement with Operation Hat Trick, to help support the recovery of wounded soldiers and veterans through the VA General Post Fund.
– Saturday’s Thanksgiving-themed safety announcement from 2010 honorary Monogram recipient Sgt. Tim McCarthy: “Remember, driving like a turkey is a fowl way to drive.”
Sightings Around Campus
– While Notre Dame’s most beloved Hawaiians are without question Manti T’eo and Robby Toma, another famous islander graced the University’s campus this weekend, as two-time MLB All-Star and 2008 World Series Champion Shane Victorino said “aloha” to Irish fans on his way to Notre Dame Stadium to check out the Notre Dame-Wake Forest game.
– The Minnesota Vikings franchise is affectionately referred to by Irish fans as “Notre Dame North,” and on Saturday, two of the Vikes’ Irish alums – safety Harrison Smith (’11) and tight end Kyle Rudolph – returned to watch their former teammates take the field against the Demon Deacons. Both players are in the midst of outstanding seasons for the 6-4 Minnesota squad. Rudolph ranks second on the Vikings with 34 receptions and has grabbed a team-leading six touchdowns, while Smith has posted 56 tackles and an interception in his rookie campaign. The two Monogram winners are joined on the Vikings by tight end John Carlson (’07), center John Sullivan (’07) and cornerback Robert Blanton (’12).
– A neighbor of Rudolph and Smith in the NFC North, Bears tailback Armando Allen (’11) made the short trip east from Chicago on I-90 to take in the Irish victory.
– This week, the Fighting Irish Digital Media Department recognized the 20th anniversary of the infamous 1992 “Snow Bowl” game vs. Penn State with a special video feature, as part of the 125th anniversary of Notre Dame football celebration. A trio of Irish offensive players integral in the decisive two-point conversion play against the Nittany Lions were in attendance at Saturday’s Notre Dame-Wake Forest game, including tailback Reggie Brooks (’93), quarterback Rick Mirer (’93) and tight end Irv Smith (’93).
– Once again this past Saturday, 1984 Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie and former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Hines Ward were part of the NBC Sports Network broadcast originating from Notre Dame Stadium. During the annual marshmallow fight initiated by the seniors in the Notre Dame student section, Flutie and Ward got in on the action and threw a few back toward the students. They were later seen “raking some mallow” from their suits and coats after the fight was complete.
Pre-Game Reception Alumni News & Notes
A strong contingent of more than 500 Monogram winners and their guests packed the Club’s pregame reception on Saturday afternoon to grab some first-rate tailgate food before watching the Irish shut out the Demon Deacons. Monogram Club culinary savant Karen Demeter ordered up another delicious menu for the reception, including Texas chili, hot dogs, hamburgers and a favorite of the Muse – moon pies!
Here are some of the Monogram winners we caught up with during the afternoon:
Former track & field student-athlete Keith Hedinger (’81) joined in the Monogram festivities from Jasper, Ind., where he is the CEO of Dad’s Root Beer. We’re expecting a shipment to the Monogram Club in time for Christmas, Keith.
Tom Guilfoile (’85, baseball) resides in Duxbury, Mass., where he is a venture capitalist.
Dave O’Haren (’85, football) made the road trip from Marietta, Ga., to South Bend for this weekend’s festivities. O’Haren is the chief financial officer for a commercial contracting company in the Peach State.
Frankfort, Ill. native Mark Jenson (’87, swimming) took a break from running his small business to join us in the Monogram Room.
Former manager Andrew Nelson (’98) resides in the Windy City, where he serves as a financial analyst.
Matt Augustyn (’07, football) removed himself from the political gridlock in Washington, D.C. for the weekend to take in the Notre Dame-Wake Forest game. Augustyn works as an attorney in the nation’s capital.
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Thanks to all our Monogram Club members for making this such a memorable football season! Be on the lookout for more editions of the Musings this spring. Go Irish!
— ND —