As a second generation Domer, I was born into a family that stands by our team. In 1990, my never-lax parents let me stay up late to stand by my team when Notre Dame defeated Michigan under the lights. And after the glory days of Lou Holtz, I stood by my team through Bob Davie, Tyrone Willingham and Charlie Weis.
Throughout the years, I stood by my team in rain, wind, sleet, snow and blistering sun, not to mention early-onset hangovers. As students, we all stood by our team for four years on benches that swayed and sometimes broke. As a student manager, I stood by my team not just on Saturdays, but throughout the week, sometimes as early as 5 a.m., sometimes as late as 3 a.m. and more times than not on an empty stomach.
As an alumnus, I stood by my team as my younger sister's class witnessed more losses than any other in school history. What though the odds, I stood by my team because loyalty, unity and support are infinitely more important than a win or a loss. I still do, and always will, stand by my team. And at the end of the next game my team loses, I hope they will stand with me. We are a family. We are ND.
Kate DobbertinBernola
alumnus
Class of 2007
Sept. 28
