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Friday, March 29, 2024
The Observer

Notre Dame Club of Miami prepares for game

Bill McCaughan, Jr., president of the Notre Dame Club of Miami, said he wouldn't respond to calls or emails about a potential Irish berth into the BCS Championship Game in his city before Saturday's USC game.

"I'm really superstitious so when people started contacting me about planning, I didn't respond," McCaughan said.

But as soon as the defensive line held the Trojans on the one-yard line on fourth down late in the fourth quarter, eliminating any chances of a USC comeback, the preparations began. For the first time since 1988, Notre Dame held the perfect 12-0 record and would have a shot at the national championship.

And for McCaughan, the days leading up to Jan. 7 will be hectic in anticipation for the big game.

"We had a meeting with board members on Tuesday to go over everything," he said. "We began figuring people will get in town either on Jan. 3 or 4, the Thursday and Friday before Monday's game."

McCaughan, a 2004 alumnus of the University, said one of the club's 700 members is in the process of putting together a travel guide for the entire weekend to send to alumni and students. Preparations are also underway for those fans who aren't able to snag a ticket to the big game.

"The Notre Dame Club of Miami has partnered with Monty's on South Beach to provide a site for a game watch for those not going to the game," McCaughan said. "Monty's is also providing drink specials and food specials to Irish fans all weekend."

In addition to hosting Notre Dame students and alumni, McCaughan said Monty's would also provide other events.

"On the Sunday before the game, they will be hosting a pool party starting at 1 p.m.," he said.
"There will be live music, drink specials, raw bar, bag pipers and other things all at their bar and restaurant right on the water and will be going until close."

McCaughan encouraged fans to frequently check the Notre Dame Club of Miami's Facebook page for updates with events around Monty's and transportation to and from the site of the game, Sun Life Stadium.

"Miami is such a spread-out city and the commute is around 40 minutes to Sun Life Stadium from South Beach, about a $120 cab fare one-way," McCaughan said. "We could look to set up a bus service to the stadium from the South Beach area."

Among the most frequent questions asked to McCaughan thus far deal with an official Notre Dame Club of Miami tailgate and ticket availability.

"It's just too expensive to hold an official tailgate," he said. "And we believe we will not be receiving any tickets from the University."

The club does not have a rough estimate on the number of alumni and students traveling to the Magic City for championship weekend, but
McCaughan said nearly every family member and friend of his is looking for a place to stay.

"A lot of places are all booked up," he said. "I have at least 12 people staying at my place, including one of my former roommates and cousins.
"They are going to be fighting for pieces of the floor, maybe sleeping out on the balcony."

McCaughan said the club usually doesn't draw many people to the game watches, but this year was different.

"We had 100 people at a local bar wake up early to watch the Navy game," he said. "One guy got so excited during the game, he jumped up and shattered a glass chandelier at the bar.
"People have been fired up all year."

Contact Adam Llorens at
allorens@nd.edu