It would be tempting to dismiss as spoiled children the five seniors who defended - perhaps a bit too defensively - their early departures from the Michigan game. "Winning is fun," they declared. Apart from that original insight, they would appear to have benefitted in a limited way from their Notre Dame educations, and we all have to share that blame.
They obviously learned nothing of respect for their fellow man, the perspective that community is of value, and that there is more to life than their own vanities. Fortunately, Charlie Weis has included these values in his own curriculum.
The players, who may also have preferred to leave prematurely, showed respect for the student body by standing and singing the Alma Mater. The vast majority of students did likewise, like generations before them. They and and all of us were hurting from an embarrassing loss, but years from now they and we will remember that Notre Dame is a special place where some things are, in fact, more enduring than wins and losses.
Matthew V. Storin
faculty
Sept. 21
