To the Notre Dame Men’s Basketball Team:
Coming into the year, nobody knew what the season was going to look like. Following a weird year without fans due to COVID, many people didn’t know what to expect. But as students, we were itching to pack Purcell to support you. What better way to start that off than against Kentucky, in a game where nobody believed in us — except us. Seeing the incredible passion and determination that you played with despite enduring tough losses earlier in the season only made us cheer louder and louder. When Blake passed ahead Paul’s rebound for Dane to slam home as the horn sounded, the pure joy running onto that court to celebrate with you was unforgettable. It proved to the nation what you were capable of.
On the second day of the new semester, Coach Brey confidently marched into South Dining Hall, hopped on a table and started rallying student support. From that moment, many realized that Coach wouldn’t have done that had he not believed in you and cared about us and our support. We came out in full force for the next two Wednesday games against Clemson and NC State and then for games against Virginia and Duke. Your fight and grit in not only these home games, but also in road games against teams like Louisville and Miami showed that this team was built for success.
Throughout the season, from doing the Irish Jig, to throwing shredded newspaper in the air after the first basket, to screaming our heads off during opposing free throws, we had a blast. But most importantly, our home games were so special because of your 14-1 home record which was a testament to how much you valued defending our home court.
When we heard our name read just a few minutes after 6 p.m. on Selection Sunday, we breathed a sigh of relief, for we knew how hard you had worked throughout the season to get to this point and that you deserved an opportunity to play in the Big Dance. And you did not let us down. Every time Rutgers delivered a punch, you punched back harder and were determined that you were going to bring home the win.
While we wish the games were closer to home so we could have more easily traveled to support you, this campus rallied behind you as you laid your blood, sweat, and tears on the line until the very end in San Diego against Alabama and Texas Tech. Although it may not have ended the way we wanted it to, you made us all very proud. The hard work and dedication by the seniors over the years in addition to the significant contributions from the underclassmen certainly did not go unnoticed. Thank you for an unforgettable year. We cannot wait for what the future holds. Go Irish!
The Leprechaun Legion
March 28
