As long as Notre Dame football is able to (1)
completely fill out its yearly schedules with quality conference-affiliated
opponents from around the country and (2) maintain its own network-TV
deal, then there's no question it should remain independent in
football. That's one tradition that hasn't grown old and which
makes Notre Dame football so appealing to its millions of followers.
A lot of the conjecture about Notre Dame joining a conference
sounds like wishful thinking. It gives sports writers and radio
sports-talk motormouths something to talk about. It is a subject
that never seems to get old and is nice fodder for columns and
roundtable debate. I say this as someone who spent many years
covering major college football for two prominent newspapers.
Reporters get paid to to break stories or find new twists to old
ones, and Notre Dame is always a fresh topic.
Going to a conference, such as the Big 10 or ACC, won't help
Notre Dame's potential for won-lost records. As much as opponents
now "get up" for Notre Dame, it will be even worse in a conference
where every game takes on a rivalry-like significance. ND will
be hard-pressed to win 9 or 10 games a year, and that's still
what it would take for them to even have a shot at a BCS game.
Look at Penn State - that could be ND five years after joining
a tough conference, struggling harder for the same good caliber
of recruits while fighting to win more games than they lose.
If Notre Dame can hang on as a football independent long enough,
they should benefit when university presidents finally end their
blatant hypocrisy and put a playoff in place. Let the NCAA take
back control of its Division I football championship from the
BCS/Bowl cartel. The NCAA runs its other sports' championships
with an iron fist, why not Div. I football? A 12-team playoff
would be feasible. Limit schools to 11 regular-season games, with
all games - to include conference championships - to be played
by Nov. 30. 12 teams would consist of champions from 6 or 7 conferences,
and the other 5 or 6 from BCS ratings. Then seed teams 1 through
12, again per BCS ratings. Top 4 get a first-round bye, while
5 through 12 play four first-round games the first weekend in
December. Then take two-and-a-half weeks off for exams and Christmas.
Resume with quarterfinals right after Christmas, semifinals on
or around New Year's Day, and the title game before Jan. 10. All
games in the last three rounds would be incorporated into existing
bowl games, with four first-round losers also getting to finish
their seasons in a second-tier bowl. Season would be complete
before start of second semester, and minimal class time would
be missed.Such a playoff would give ND a national-title shot in
any season in which they qualify for the 12-team playoff. A 9-2
or 10-1 season would be good enough about 80 percent of the time
to get in.
Mike "Monte" Towle '78
Nashville, Tennessee
Mr. Heisler's article takes great pains to point
out the fact that being an independent creates so many bureaucratic
difficulties and that during our period of independence, we alumni
have been "spoiled." What Mr. Heisler misses is two major points.
First, the grand majority of Notre Dame alumni take great pride
in being part of the tradition of independence. Look at our history:
a small, Catholic college in the middle of northern Indiana is
rejected by the Big Ten and then builds itself up to be one of
the great, if not the greatest, football powers in the country.
Many of us can relate to, and live out, the example of Our Lady's
University having been rejected by the establishment, and then
building herself up to something that is one-of-a-kind and unique.
The sense of kinship we all feel as alumni is intimately tied
to this shared heritage, and leads to all of the money we donate
to the University.
Second, the bureaucratic hassles that Mr. Heisler describes has
a flip side not mentioned: It allows us the flexibility to be
the nation's greatest road-show. We're not tied down to playing
the same old opponents year-in and year-out. If we do so, it's
because we choose to do so. We play whoever we want to play, and
we are watched when we do.
Above all, the most important thing to remember is that when
you are a city upon a hill, shining for all to see, your flaws
will receive more attention, but your virtue will also be as bright
as day. It is self-defeating to bring our "city upon a hill" down
to the valley and nestle it amongst the common. That is the safe
path, the easy path. The Notre Dame character, and our Catholic
character for that matter, calls us to follow our special calling
boldly, and not to shrink in the face of adversity.
Rod Drobinski '98
This article is nothing more than propaganda
from Notre Dame to convince alumni that joining a conference is
a good idea. The only time joining a conference in football is
a good idea is if Notre Dame continues to accept mediocrity in
the football program.
John Heisler should have been bold enough to tell us what he
is trying to convince us of rather than writing this puff piece.
Notre Dame is looking to join a conference and therefore ignore
and threaten ND's rich history as an Independent.
If Father Malloy and Dr. Kevin White would simply give the football
program the resources necessary to compete at the highest levels,
the question of conference affiliation for football would be a
non-issue. The football program is the most visible sign of our
great University, but now it only represents mediocrity with repeated
blow out losses and accepting the erosion of ND's place as the
top college football program in the nation.
Conference affiliation for the football program should not even
be a consideration, but Heisler just told us it is not only a
possibility, but very likely. Where has the ND we all grew up
loving gone? Remember the school that strived for excellence in
everything they did? I do, but that memory is beginning to fade.
Eric Reichle '01
Dallas, Texas
Dear Mr. Heisler, I was thoroughly disgusted
by this pseudo-objective propaganda piece. Your apparent goal
in writing this piece is to begin the process of getting alumni
accustomed to an inevitable move to conference membership for
football.
Perhaps if the leadership at ND worried more about restoring
the greatest franchise in college athletics, ND football, to its
historical standards rather than maximizing guaranteed revenue
through conference membership, we would not find ourselves in
such a precarious position.
ND is the most popular team in America by a huge margin. ND fans
travel across the country to follow their team as well, if not
better than, any other team's fan base. Further, even the terrible
ND teams of late draw the highest TV ratings. Do you believe for
a second that the BCS would shut out a deserving ND team from
one of its games? You cite the 1998 and 2002 teams as examples
of worthy teams that didn't receive a slot in BCS games. Both
teams, however, played weak schedules and failed to beat top teams.
Further, the 1998 team lost its starting quarterback and lost
the last game of the regular season in embarrassing fashion --
hardly a BCS deserving team. The egg our team layed in the Fiesta
bowl after the 2000 season probably had something to do with our
team not getting an invitation in 2002. The manner in which we
finished the season probably also contributed to the decision
to leave out ND. In short, no deserving ND team has been shut
out of the BCS.
Conference membership would also severely hamper our national
recruiting base and hinder our national following of subway alums.
Conference membership seems a fitting end to the decade-long
neglect and associated decline of ND football.
Jon Worm '97, '03J.D.
Chicago, Illinois
There is little question that Big East membership
has benefitted ND's Olympic Sports. However, ND's uniqueness as
the premier Catholic University is a combination of two things:
the excellent undergraduate education/experience on offer and
the performance of and following for the football team. I fear
that the Administration and Athletic Department, as exemplified
by John Heisler's article, are trying to destroy that uniqueness
by attempting to have ND emulate a group of supposed "peer institutions".
Joining a conference for football is part of that emulation. I
feel this view is reactionary and short-sighted. Notre Dame's
independence in football would not be under question if not for
the mediocrity that has been exhibited over the last decade. Notre
Dame's independence allows it to play a coast-to-coast football
schedule to reflect it's unique position as a truly national university.
Joining a conference for football, dilutes, if not destroys, that
uniqueness. The right answer is for ND to do everything it should
to foster excellent performance by the football program, and then
access to the BCS, playoffs, or whatever will take care of itself.
Joining a conference will not reverse the malaise of mediocrity.
Likewise, I am not that bothered that ND is not a member of the
Association of American Universities (AAU) mentioned by John Heisler,
because of our University's primary focus on undergraduate education.
If membership in the Association of American Universities does
come, it will be as a result of the recognition of the ever improving
research being done at the University, and not because our football
team belongs to an athletic conference!
Mike Desmond '76
Naperville, Illinois
Mr. Heisler, Your article is a poor effort,
and improperly slanted towards the "advantages" of conference
affiliation. The attempt to paint our two recent two-loss teams
that didn't make it to the BCS as victims of a more restrictive
BCS structure is transparent. Neither those teams or the team
that was drubbed by OSU in the Fiesta bowl deserved a BCS bid.
If you and Dr. White would focus on making the football team
better, instead of pushing for conference affiliation, we would
all be much better served.
God, Country, Notre Dame
Lee McIntyre '95
Houston, Texas
John Heisler's conference article, like the
current band stewards of our unparalleled football tradition,
is a complete disapointment. The notion that Notre Dame needs
to join a conference in football is entirely predicated on the
the acceptance of mediocrity.
Heisler notes that we were twice denied a BCS berth despite being
eligible, without adding that in none of these seasons (including
2000) did we merit such a berth, nor did we win either of the
"second-tier Gator Bowls," as Heisler calls them, to which we
were relegated. The reality is that we were selected for the Fiesta
Bowl only because bowl officials jumped at the opportunity to
cash in on Notre Dame's national appeal. We did not deserve to
be in that bowl game, as the outcome indicated. I was there on
the field for that 41-9 embarrassment, ashamed, while our coach
was celebrating a contract extension given to him by an aforementioned
steward.
It has been 10 years since we have legitimately contended for
a national title. Since then we have surrendered our all-time
winning percentage to Michigan; we have not won a bowl game; we
have had precious few All-Americans or first round draft picks
(let alone a Heisman trophy winner); we have negotiated a new
NBC deal from a position of weakness; we are on course to sign
the worst recruiting class in the history of our school.
Heisler correctly points out that joining a conference will give
us more access to bowl games and a better shot to earn a BCS bowl
bid when we don't deserve one.
But make no mistake, a deserving Notre Dame team will never be
denied a BCS slot. There is simply too much money to be made when
ND plays. Joining a confence is simply a way for our sub-par administrators
to protect themselves against having consistently to produce a
quality football team. It allows for mediocrity. If this administration
cannot reach the bar set by those who came before them, then they
should pass the torch to some who can. Heisler's article is a
feeble attempt to sway alumni opinion to their side before these
near-sighted changes are enacted.
Each of the other 116 D-IA teams would kill to have what Notre
Dame has. Conferences exist only to protect these teams in the
market, and in turn they surrender the ample freedoms we enjoy.
We do not need a conference. We need leaders who know what they
are doing, and who will not accept mediocrity.
Grant Gholson '02
Chicago, Illinois
Let me first say that I am not an alum, but
have many friends who were fortunate enough to graduate from the
University of Notre Dame. I follow Notre Dame religiously. Not
just the football program, but the school as a whole. I am proud
of ALL it's accomplishments, and saddened by ALL of it's failures,
both athletically and academically. That is why when I read this
article by Mr Heisler I found myself truly disgusted. By keeping
this story alive it leads many to believe that Mr Heisler and
Kevin White, and most assuredly Father Malloy, have accepted that
a mediocre football program is acceptable and this end run to
conference affiliation will hide that most obvious fact. Unfortunately,
it sounds like the decision has been made.
This "positional" paper by Mr. Heisler was obviously a word of
warning, a shot across the bow, meant to soften the blow of coming
conference affiliation. That is unfortunate in that alumni donations
have been issued, and now this paper is penned. I would describe
it as shallow, weak, underhanded, and beneath what the University
of Notre Dame stands for. Or should I say "used" to stand for.
This current administrations apparent lust for money and political
correctness has allowed the beacon of Notre Dame, the football
team, to wallow and waste away to a slight shadow of it's former
self. Maybe that is the intent of Father Malloy and his administration.
I do not claim to know, and though many will say that as a sub-alum
I really cannot understand the situation. I say to you striving
to be 6-5 and being happy to share in BCS money brought in by
FSU and Miami's yearly gambit to a BCS Bowl is unacceptable for
admittance to the AAU. Cheer, cheer, for ole Notre Dame, but all
that is being heard these days are jeers. Sad, sad indeed.
Marc Spitz
Riverside, California
Every premise upon which the joining of a conference
is supported is based upon the assumption of mediocrity of the
ND football team. Be excellent and the issue of joining a conference
goes away. I think that Monk and White need to WAKE UP (the echoes?)
and realize what Father Hesburgh said a few years ago: Texas has
oil wells and Notre Dame has football. I appreciate Olympic Sports
as much as the next guy, but Notre Dame is NOT Stanford. If we
join a conference, the Board of Trustees should be ashamed and
will have done a major disservice to ND.
Richard Magnone '96
Chicago, Illinois
My gut reaction to this article is this is a
beginning salvo on the part of the ND administration and Athletic
Department to join a conference and it makes me ill. My favorite
story about Ara is when he first drove down Notre Dame Ave. on
the way to his first press conference and he asked himself, "Am
I worthy?" All of this talk about conferences is just a continued
dumbing down of a once proud program that was committed to excellence.
Those currently in charge have overseen ridiculous coach searches,
let our facilities seriously lag other top programs and seem more
interested in jumbotrons versus fixing the program on the field.
I just wish those in charge would ask of themselves the question
Ara posed to himself. Maybe it is one they don't want to ask because
they don't like the answer.
Joe Hurley '72
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Poor leadership in the athletic department resulting
in football mediocrity is no reason for joining a conference.
Mr. White, Mr. Heisler and their staffs need to fix the real problem:
Hire the best football coach available who can consistently win
football games and uphold Notre Dame's integrity. The ND football
program has become a national laughing stock. Stop worrying about
the "other" sports. Most alumni do not care about the Sears Cup.
We want football national championships. The ND Athletic Department
and Administration need to commit themselves to football excellence
. . . period! Do not worry about conference affiliation. If we
win consistently we don't need a damned conference. To insinuate
otherwise is folly and dishonest.
John Mosier '88
Goose Creek, South Carolina
Perhaps, rather than bemoaning the problems of
trying to fit a losing program into the BCS, Kevin White, Father
Malloy and their lackies, such as John Heisler, should find a
way to hire a competent coaching staff (rather than the incompetent
fools that have been foisted upon Notre Dame in the past two coaching
staffs) and finding a way to put a winning team on the field.
The rules have not become so difficult that the BCS will ignore
a winning program. The problem does not lie with the BCS; it lies
with the current administration, which has gone out of its way
to destroy the greatest tradition in sporting history. If they
put a respectable, winning product on the field the BCS would
beat a path to South Bend. Instead, they treat the program as
a cash cow and an embarrassment to the "academic" credibility
of Stanford, er, Notre Dame. The "Stanfordization" of ND has led
to the current problems with the football program and joining
a conference may hide the real problem in the athletic department
(i.e. a commitment to excellence and winning) but it will not
cure the problem.
Under the current administration (i.e. Malloy and White) ND has
become a football joke and irrelevant to the college football
world.
Grant Courtney '86
I firmly believe that if the administration of
the University would make a solid commitment to establishing and
sustaining a preeminent football program, Notre Dame can continue
as an independent school. A successful Notre Dame football program
will participate in meaningful bowl games -- the Bowl Championship
System has no choice but to include them. But to warrant participation,
Notre Dame must compete and compete successfully. Mr. Heisler's
article points out our rather mixed record with the BCS. I would
suggest that our recent mediocre football teams -- even in the years
cited -- illustrate that a rather large gulf exists between Notre
Dame and the truly "elite" football programs that annually participate
in the BCS games.
The Big East Conference has been an excellent organization for
the Notre Dame basketball and Olympic sports programs. There is
no reason why Notre Dame -- with its history, tradition, facilities,
and deep alumni base -- cannot continue to thrive as a football
independent. However, the current Administration has not demonstrated
the leadership and commitment required to compete at the highest
levels of major college football. One only has to look at a resurgent
USC or the continued excellence of the Michigan programs to find
two examples of schools that are both successful and "play by
the rules." Even Boston College has managed to dominate Notre
Dame in recent years -- despite our inherent "advantages" and
tradition. There is absolutely no reason why Notre Dame cannot
operate at a similar level.
As a Notre Dame alum, I am proud of the school I attended and
that I would love my daughter to attend. However, I am concerned
that the changes in the school -- its exorbitant growth in buildings,
in expense, even in the makeup of its student body -- have resulted
in an loss of that "sense of spirt" that made (and makes) Notre
Dame so special. In its mad rush to emulate its "aspirational
peers" Notre Dame is in danger of losing its soul. And an important
part of the school's soul is defined by its football program.
I hope that Coach Willingham and Dr. White can restore Notre
Dame's football program to its rightful position of preeminence.
Unfortunately I am not convinced that they can. And that would
squander a proud legacy built by this University over a period
of more than 100 years.
Tim Fain '80
Washington, DC
I grew up in Illinois and have followed ND football
all of my life. I went to the University of Illinois
C-U, as it was a good quality education and affordable for someone
who had to pay their own way. I have also lived in California,
New Jersey, and am now in Georgia.
I became extremely interested in ND football when my oldest daughter
went to St. Mary's, starting in 1996. I have read many history
books about ND football (purchased from your book store) and have
followed ND's possible conference affiliation with much interest
for many years now. I was disappointed when my youngest daughter,
who was accepted for admission by ND, chose to go to BC instead,
starting in 2001. I was disappointed, but I knew it was the right
choice for her.
I believe that it was a good decision to communicate directly
with your readers on this topic. ND needs to communicate with
their constituency, if they are considering making a football
conference move. I know that this subject has not been popular
with your Board of Trustees, alumni, students, boosters, and subway
fans. Change is never popular. I believe the article was well
written, factual in nature, and was relatively unbiased. I believe
ND needs to do whatever is in the best interest of ND''s future
- academically, athletically, and financially.
I have to admit that as an outsider, I am in favor of ND joining
a conference. I did an analysis a couple of months ago about possible
ND football conference affiliations. That analysis can be found
at: http://ncaasports.proboards10.com/index.cgi?board=bcs&num=1068848398&action=display&start=4
Jeff
Mehl
(January 2004)
