April 25, 2001

NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Six interactives will be part of the fan fest available Saturday free of charge to all fans attending the 2001 Blue-Gold Spring Football Festival, presented by Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Inc.

Placed in the Joyce Center parking lot just off Edison Road, the interactives include:

• Quarterback Challenge
• Field Goal Challenge
• Bungee Run
• Obstacle Course
• Long Snap
• Sport Bouncer

In addition, there will be a disc jockey playing music — and there will be face-painting and balloon animals available for youngsters.

The fan fest interactives will be available from 10:00 a.m. EST Saturday through the 1:30 p.m. game kickoff.

**********

Fifty-six former Fighting Irish football players are expected to return to campus this weekend to take part in the flag football game and other reunion festivities. The flag football game will be held from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EST Saturday in Notre Dame Stadium, with the Blue-Gold scrimmage to follow at 1:30 p.m.

The event includes former All-Americans Bob Crable (1979-81), Andy Heck (1988), Mirko Jurkovic (1991) and Allen Pinkett (1983, 1985). Also scheduled to appear is tight end Robin Weber, who caught a 35-yard pass from Tom Clements in the ’73 Sugar Bowl to secure the 1973 national championship for the Irish.

Other Irish players who went on to successful NFL careers returning include linebacker Jim Carroll, cornerback/safety John Covington, safety Pat Eilers, defensive tackle Mike Golic, halfback Mark Green, wide receiver Kris Haines, defensive back Tom Longo, tackle Ed Mieszkowski, linebacker Anthony Peterson, cornerback Stan Smagala and defensive back Rod Smith.

Admission to the flag football contest comes as part of regular admission for the Blue-Gold Spring Football Festival.

The returning former players also will have dinner Friday night with members of the 2001 Notre Dame squad.

The list of players expected to return to campus this weekend includes:

* not expected to play in flag football game

**********

The “Pre-Game With the Irish Package,” including Saturday morning pre-game brunch with the current Irish players and coaches, is sold out. The event, which will be held at 10:00 a.m. EST Saturday in the Joyce Center Fieldhouse (north dome) and also includes sideline access and preferred seating during the scrimmage, is expected to attract 900 participants.

The “View From the Top” Package, which features press box seating, is still available (approximately 25 seats remaining at end of the business day Wednesday). Those seats are available at $50 each by calling 219-631-7356.

**********

Discount tickets remain on sale at area Meijer stores for the Blue-Gold Spring Football Festival. Meijer stores have adult tickets for $6 and youth tickets for $5 (normal price for advanced sales is $8 for adults, $6 for youths). On gameday at Notre Dame Stadium, the prices go to $10 for adults, $8 for youths.

**********

General admission tickets good for viewing the Saturday night speaking program of the Life Treatment Center roast of former Notre Dame football coach Ara Parseghian are on sale for $20 by calling 219-233-5433, extension 215.

The roast will take place at the Joyce Center — with a 6:30 p.m. EST reception, followed by a 7:30 p.m. dinner and the 8:30 p.m. program (tickets good for the reception, dinner and program are $125).

Roast-only seating tickets in the Joyce Center lower arena also will be sold beginning at 8:00 p.m. the night of the event.

Among those involved in the roast are actor George Wendt and former Notre Dame football all-stars Terry Hanratty, Jim Seymour, Jack Snow and Jim Carroll. There also will be a number of video tributes.