Our Fighting Irish begin their home season this Saturday after a great victory Saturday night at Kyle Field, considered by many to be the toughest place to play in college football for a visiting team. As we begin the home season and my eighth season of ushering in the student section, I offer a few comments for your constructive consideration:
1. Please do not come to the stadium with alcohol or drugs on your body or with an intoxicating amount inside your body. You may be tired of hearing about this, so my only comments are: (a) there is a police station in the stadium and students have been and can be arrested — an arrest is not a resume builder; and (b) a near-state of sobriety reduces the likelihood of vomiting on other students or the need to call paramedics, which has happened.
2. Safety is critical, and one of the most formidable challenges for ushers is to keep aisles clear. Medical emergencies do arise and paramedics need a clear path. Accordingly, if possible, come to the game before the middle of the first quarter and find out where friends plan to sit before you do. This will serve to reduce the clogging of aisles by students on cell phones “looking for my friend”.
3. Another means to reduce the clogging of aisles is to use the restroom facilities before going to your seat if possible. The number of students who find their seats and then need to use the restroom facilities five minutes later is astonishing. They must walk against the inflow of students, which can be difficult and frustrating for many. Given the demographics of the student body, the use of medications to stimulate the emptying of bladders should be infinitesimal at most.
4. If you do not wish to sing “America the Beautiful” and the “National Anthem,” kindly show respect to those who do. Many of us have served or have had parents, relatives and friends who have served and desire to sing respectfully without distractions.
5. Please use your best efforts to limit profanity to a few decibels or preferably to under your breath. Not everyone who sits in the student section is a student. Visitors draw impressions of Notre Dame based on their observations.
6. Notre Dame Stadium is not in the top ten toughest places to play for visiting teams. Consider changing that. My ushering position is almost on the field and can attest that the noise level can make a huge difference.
You are the greatest student body in the world. Please continue to demonstrate it.
Many thanks and GO IRISH!!
John Lushis, Jr.
Class of ‘77
