`Quotable Rockne' speaks from beyond the grave
KATIE McVOY
Scene Writer
Seventy-five years ago, a man used to walk into the barbershop and ask, "And how are all the coaches today?" He also threw insults, threatened to quit his job in the middle of important employment opportunities and said he aimed for maximum deception. And no, he wasn't one of Al Capone's thugs.
This man was Knute Rockne. Since his death in 1931, Notre Dame's Rockne has lived on in legend and is famous for perfecting the forward pass, coaching such greats as George Gipp and the Four Horsemen and holding the highest winning percentage in college football.
But the most famous stories about this football legend find their home in locker room speeches and motivational quips that could turn a losing team into an unstoppable predator.
In the latest book immortalizing him, "Quotable Rockne," his most famous words on coaching, winning, losing, life and Notre Dame find their way into print. Author John Heisler, Notre Dame's associate athletic director for sports information, has done a thorough job of compiling this comprehensive collection of witticisms, criticisms and inspirational phrases from Notre Dame's most legendary coach.
The book, which covers Rockne on topics as varied as defensive strategy and teaching techniques, is part of an ongoing series of "Potent Quotables" books published by Towle House. The 110 pages of quotes from Rockne include all the important ones that die-hard Notre Dame fans use as part of common banter: "Pardon me girls, I thought this was the Notre Dame team." "That's when we go — that's when we lift our knees high and go inside of `em and outside of `em — inside of `em and outside of `em — that's when we charge down the field — that's when we go! Go! Go!" And of course: "Win just one for the Gipper."
But the pocket-sized book is more than a simple collection of quotes. It captures the true spirit of Notre Dame in its celebration of Rockne's life, not only as a coach, but as a mentor and a motivator as well. The book captures Rockne's wit on such subjects as what the football team was doing in the off-season: "I don't know whether we ought to have spring practice this year or not. It might take too much time from your drinking and necking."
The coach's wisdom on personal pride is found here as well: "The one thing no one can ever take away from you is your integrity." And he gives lessons in humility, "the lesson every athlete must learn in secret commune with his soul — or he gets it in big sour doses on the field as thousands roar."
In his introduction, Heisler revisits Rockne's tenure at Notre Dame and the power of the legend that he left behind. The short passages of the opening pages relive the shock surrounding Rockne's death, the highlights of his 13 years at Notre Dame and the remembrances that still exist today.
The book's final pages are dedicated to quotes about the great coach from people such as president Ronald Reagan, former University President Charles L. O'Donnell, and Will Rogers. They set in stone what the previous pages have established: that Knute Rockne was capable of moving mountains with his words and leaving an impression upon the spirit of Notre Dame that is incalculable.
In short, the words chosen from Rockne's long list of famous sayings and copied down in "Quotable Rockne" have captured the heart of Notre Dame's hero and still offer inspiration to today's readers.
All Scene Stories for Wednesday, February 20, 2002
