Stanford Game Report We left New Jersey under the cover of darkness at 4:50AM on Friday. Yours truly, my trooper son Scott ( I point that out because his presence was critical to my timetable ) and daughter in law Jennie ( 6 mos. pregnant ). My grandson was kicking in anticipation. The drive was completely unfettered by traffic or construction and at 3:30PM and 645 miles later I pulled into the Super 8 of Shipshewana in hail of flying horse sh*t as I careened my Infiniti G35 through the scat laden streets. The rooms were clean and it's mighty quiet in the land of the Amish so our bivuoac was successful. We freshened up and headed west on Route 20 to The Bend. My Jersey driving techniques paid off handsomely as I got a real good spot on Friday night. Thousands were there heading to the pep rally which freed up the rest of the campus for us. We walked around for an hour and half, said a prayer for you heathens at the Grotto and said an extra prayer for Corey in the church. We bought my unborn grandson a wardrobe of logo clothing including a skullcap with the ND insignia for his first photo. Dinner followed at Fridays of Mishawaka then the 40 min. drive back to Amishland where we fell asleep to the midnight clicking of hooves on pavement ( those friggin Amish never sleep ). Saturday morning we hit the trail at 9:00A for the trip back to ND. Because I'm pals with some of the staff at BGI( Blue-Gold Illustrated ). I was able to get comped on tickets, parking and the BGI tailgate party. Don't ask. 8) We arrived at the tailgate party in the lot next to the stadium at 10A. A 50 foot table covered with all manner of food and two 55 gallon trash cans of iced beer awaited us. An Escalade's rear hatch was open behind the table revealing a full bar with just about anything you might like. This was Tony Rice's car. Met the staff of BGI and former players Jason Sapp, Ryan O'Leary, Allen Pinkett and of course, Rice. Sapp threw down the challenge "I hope you folks can hang with this crowd". Obviously, he did not understand who he was talking to. My son and I picked up the gauntlet and 4 hours later these great people knew they had bitten off more than they could chew. Editors Note: there was a row of about 25 port-a-johns nearby and I think I used each one of them. Our seats were above the tunnel and slightly right. The student body was to our right. The bleacher seat in front of me had crude graffiti carved into it that said "Gipper was here" and "O'Keefe Rules". I tried not to notice. As much as I love ND and the campus, that is one of the most uncomfortable places to watch game you'll ever be. It seats 80,000+ but should seat 65,000, if you get my drift. I commented on the game itselfunder another heading so I won't repeat myself here. But did you see Charlie wave to me after the game as he was leaving the field ?:wink: After the game we headed to Bruno's for Italian food, a major ND hangout. The food was good and the place was decorated with famous folks who were there before us. Among them was one of my buddy, Carlo Calabrese with Bruno and Mike Golic. No, Carlo's picture was NOT a profile! Back to Shipshewana where we collapsed and got up Sunday morning and drove home. No problem! 60 hours. 1,540 miles. One hell of a good time.
Re: Harbaugh. During one camera shot of Harbaugh on the sidelines, I saw Tom Crean, head coach of IU's BB team, standing directly behind him. I later learned that Crean, also from Michigan (the state, not the school), is married to Harbaugh's sister.
Hey! Thank you! Those are not only appreciated, but desperately needed. Thanks for the travel report! It's been too long since we've had one of those. Was this your first game in South Bend?
Hey George, were there folks in the back singing the fight song followed by "we are, ND." Friends of ours usually have 30 or more folks in the back of Bruno's after every home game. Fun place.
Great Report George! Thanks for the prayers!! Sounds like a terrific tailgate, if you go next year maybe I'll have to join your posse! 8) 8)
Gipper, Then I was sitting with them because I was in the back room and there were two large groups, one on each side.
Gip, There was almost constant singing going on in the backroom. We sang the Fight song 2x during dinner. A lady came out with a big accordion and played selections for 30 minutes while everyone sang along. I got a little carried away singing Amore in my best Dean Martin style. Really a fun place. She also played the theme from The Godfather... Corey, That was my fourth time out. The last one was BYU in 2003. I have never seen a place that evokes such reverance out of it visitors.