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Tim McCarthy, Traffic Safety Voice Of Notre Dame Stadium, Passes Away

Former Indiana State Police Sgt. Tim McCarthy, who provided late-game traffic safety messages in Notre Dame Stadium for 55 years, passed away this week.

McCarthy’s announcements – which began with the legendary phrase “May I have your attention please?” – became an indelible part of the Notre Dame Football game day experience. He started delivering the messages during the 1960 football season and appeared at every Irish home game until retiring from in-person announcements before the 2015 season.

His voice has continued to be a part of the game day atmosphere, as recorded versions of his messages are still played in Notre Dame Stadium at the break between the third and fourth quarters.

A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, McCarthy was a member of the Indiana State Police game day football traffic task force. He was the third ‘safety education officer’ tasked with delivering announcements in Notre Dame Stadium, but became the most memorable one by inserting a pun at the end of each message.

McCarthy served with the Indiana State Police until 1979, when he became the sheriff of Porter County, Indiana, from 1979 through 1987.

The University honored McCarthy with an honorary monogram in 2013 and he made his final official appearance in the stadium on September 26, 2015, delivering his safety tip live in person from the field.