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30 Things All Notre Dame Fans Should Do Before They Die

By Joshua Vowles

Oct 11, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; A general view of the golden dome at the University of Notre Dame before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the North Carolina Tar Heels at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; A general view of the golden dome at the University of Notre Dame before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the North Carolina Tar Heels at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 14, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Sheldon Day (91) greets his mother Carol Boyd during the Senior Day recognition ceremony before the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Sheldon Day (91) greets his mother Carol Boyd during the Senior Day recognition ceremony before the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Senior Day

The annual Senior Day game at Notre Dame is, for the most part, a typical Notre Dame game day experience. However, because it’s the final home game for the seniors on the team, you’re going to want to be sure to enter the game a bit earlier than normal in order to take in the festivities.

Before kickoff, each senior is individually announced as they run out of the tunnel for the final time. The fans pay their respects, loudly cheering for the players, who run from the tunnel to the 50 yard line, where their parents and other family members give them an emotional embrace and celebrate 4 years at Notre Dame and everything that comes with that. Then, in the game, all of the seniors will find some playing time, and that can be really special, specifically for players who really hadn’t been in any games before then.

The whole day is always bittersweet, as it’s tough to watch our beloved heroes play their final home game. However, you also can’t help but celebrate with the players and their families, enjoying the contributions they’ve made both on and off the field and thinking back to the amazing memories each player gave us as fans. As a senior in 2013, I remember seeing Manti run out there to hug his parents and going bananas. I remember cheering as loudly as I could for Tommy Rees in 2014, considering the oftentimes unfair criticism brought down on him and the successful career he had regardless. I remember laughing uproariously at Sheldon Day greeting his mom, knowing how funny and fantastic their relationship is thanks to the Showtime series. I remember seeing the Martin brothers (Zack and Nick) participate twice each, meaning their parents had to attend four senior days because they both did 5th years with the team.

It’s just something you need to see at least once, because it’s really special to see your favorite players get the sendoff they deserve as members of your beloved Fighting Irish. I highly recommend seeing a Senior Day game in person.

-PS

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