Remember what student life was like here at Notre Dame in 1988? When football national championships seemed to grow on trees? When the question wasn't if the Irish would defeat their next opponent, but by how much? When hanging 60 points on Rutgers did not mean that the Irish defense somehow managed to return eight turnovers for touchdowns or that Nicholas Setta improbably kicked 20 field goals in one game?

No, you probably don't remember those days and you probably don't really care. Nonetheless, it's a favorite pastime of sportswriters, alumni and even some of our fellow students here to invoke 1988 as some sort of glorious benchmark for Irish sports — the year when Notre Dame ruled the sporting world and all other athletic programs cowered in fear.

While it's true that 1988 is the year of Notre Dame's last national football title, those who would look back on these supposed "good old days" with reverence need to take a look around them right now.

This weekend, for instance, three of Notre Dame's athletic teams performed a remarkable feat. The football team, mens soccer team and volleyball team each rose to a tough challenge and knocked off a top 10 opponent.

Of course we all saw the football team's emotional upset over sixth ranked Michigan last Saturday. But later that night, the volleyball team scored their first victory over a top 10 foe in over seven years with a thrilling win over 10th-ranked Pepperdine. And the No. 5 ranked mens soccer team proved that they were capable of living up to that billing by notching a 2-1 overtime victory against seventh ranked Furman.

Even though Notre Dame may not yet be the football powerhouse they once were, the depth and diversity of athletic talent of this school should be enough make any fan proud to root for the Irish.

While alumni from the past can hang their hats on Dan Devine and Lou Holtz, we can point to a resurgent mens basketball program and the continued excellence from both mens and womens soccer squads as proof that Notre Dame athletics are every bit as prestigious as they once were.

Last year, Notre Dame students were priviledged to watch our baseball team defy the odd, topple Florida State and qualify for the College World Series. The last class that was lucky enough to see such an accomplishment? They graduated in 1957.

So go to the football games and cheer for the Irish to continue their ascent to the top. But don't forget that we have a pretty special group of athletes competing in all sorts of events on this campus. And even if the Irish don't win a national title this year, we still may be looking back on these days as a golden age for Notre Dame sports.

• Remember football glory