Motivation for sixth man
Kevin Kelly
class of '74
I've been hesitant to write this letter, afraid of being perceived as just an old rah-rah alumnus or someone who doesn't recognize that basketball is only a game or that Notre Dame is a top academic institution and not just a "jock school." However ...
During the last two games I have watched emanating from the JACC, the sound feed could easily have been confused with a golf tournament or a classical concert. The dead quiet has even become the topic of conversation among the announcers. Today, the radio guys (who are homers) lament that there is no home court advantage at Notre Dame.
I'm sorry, but isn't that embarrassing? During my four years, I saw the beginning and the end of the UCLA '88 game winning streak (beating Lew Alcindor my freshman year and Bill Walton my senior year), but also saw Digger Phelps' first year when we lost to Bobby Knight by 65 points. Even in the (very) lean years, I do not remember the morgue-like atmosphere you enjoy. Even in an era when demonstrations closed the school and basketball just didn't seem that important when our friends were dying in Vietnam, you could still go to a basketball game and not be able to hear yourself think.
Well, the last home game is history. But maybe you'll not dismiss this letter as the product of a senile Domer that has lost perspective. Maybe the sixth man will show up next year and let the visiting team know they are at Notre Dame.
Kevin Kelly
class of '74
March 4, 2001
All Viewpoint Stories for Monday, March 5, 2001
