To Mr. VanDerhoef ‘87 ("Homefield Advantage, R.I.P.", Sept. 29) and Mr. Kelley ‘64 ("Challenge to the Notre Dame student body", Sept. 29),
You doubt our passion, our energy and our commitment to our team, whether it be in the student section during the games, or at the various pep rallies. You have no right. You have no idea what we have gone through these past years, especially the senior class. I have heard that as of this past lost to Stanford, the senior class has now seen the losingest four years of Notre Dame Football. Ever. I find it ironic that you say we have lost our edge, but to me it seems quite easy to support teams such as Mr. VanDerhoef had in 1987, just a year removed from the ‘88 title, or Mr. Kelley in the beginning of the Era of Ara. What we have now is an offense that is inconsistent, careless with the football, and a defense that is tentative, slow and gets excited after stopping a run for only five yards. But they are showing progress. We're going to stand behind our team, but they have to stand up for us. And right now they're trying, and so are we.
I can name many reasons why Notre Dame Stadium is not a place to be feared, but the student body won't be found anywhere on that list. We cheer on every down, but it seems to take a miracle to even get the rest of the alumni and fans on their feet. With a fan base that refuses to get excited about their team when it counts most, it is no surprise that our stadium is not respected. So, if you want us to step up our game, you need to step up yours first. And if you noticed last week, at least the student section didn't leave the game during the fourth quarter. I wish I could say the same for all of the other fans.
Finally, you mention that "every student attending Notre Dame has an obligation to uphold some of the legacies of the past students." The identity of Notre Dame is not as stagnant. It is defined and redefined every year based upon the identity of the student body. The University is not the same as it was when you went here, and will soon be different for me after I graduate. Sure, there are things that are distinctly "Notre Dame" that all can relate to, but the student body is not one of these things. We have our own identity; don't try to force yours upon us.
Josh Foster
junior
Fisher Hall
Sept. 29