Outsider's perspective yields a new appreciation for Notre Dame
Joe Lordi
senior
Sometimes it takes another perspective to help you see outside your immediate condition. And sometimes that alternative perspective can provide with you with an appreciation that you should have had the entire time. That is exactly what happened to me this past weekend when two of my friends from back home came to visit Notre Dame.
One may be quick to assume that their experience was less than extraordinary. After all, they made a trip from two of the gems of the east coast to come to South Bend — certainly not a place that even deserves to be uttered in the same breath as New York City and Boston. Our bars were frequented, most unfortunately, by a majority of Boston College kids who seemed in no mood to interact with anyone but themselves. Who drives 13 hours in an RV to drink beers in Sam's Club parking lot in Mishawaka, Ind.? Oh yeah, and the very event that was supposed to be the highlight of the weekend, the football game, was a bit of a disappointment.
Yet on the ride to O'Hare on Sunday morning, my friends had nothing but praise for this school that I have been so blessed to have attended for the past 3 1/2 years. In fact, they even expressed a sentiment of regret that their college experience was so void of the community and spirit of Notre Dame. I had difficulty staying on the road. Isn't it an almost universal sentiment around here that South Bend is the worst place in the world? And that a truly urban college experience (such as is offered by Northeastern and Columbia) would inevitably be more complete than our ultra-traditional and hyper-conservative Catholic institution?
If any of my friends have read up to this point (which I most certainly hope they have not), I am sure that the inevitable question begs to be asked: "Is Joe Lordi about to go `Joe Domer' on us? Is he about to get all mushy and tell us how we need to truly relish the `Notre Dame Experience' in our final few months here at the University?"
And to each of the questions I respond with a tentative, "Yes." Sure, I am the same kid who has had four run-ins with Residence Life and been jaded by the inconsistencies of our administration. Yes, I am that kid who walks around and says, "Go Irish," not because I necessarily believe in the credo, but because it is an amusing conversation filler. Oh yeah, and I am also that kid who tries to motivate the entire senior section games to sit down at football games when my legs get tired.
Ultimately, the very notion of writing a letter to The Observer is quite out of character. But after hearing endless appreciation for our University from my friends from home, I could not help but be moved. In fact, they helped to remind me of the very reasons that I decided to come to Notre Dame: the camaraderie shared at tailgates, the spirit displayed by a unified student section (despite a heartbreaking loss) and the friends that are so appreciative of a good conversation and good times. They could not believe the abundance of life and character that is so unique to our University.
While many people will reflect upon this past weekend as being one of the most disappointing in recent memory, perhaps we would be better served to see things with a more optimistic tint. We have it great here — maybe even better than any other undergraduates anywhere in the nation. As far as I'm concerned, a national championship is far less relevant to our collective lives than is the mysterious "Notre Dame Experience." So let's keep that in mind — especially to the freshmen who have finally experienced a loss. You'll be okay. No need to become jaded and cynical. So that's it. I just wanted to get that off my chest.
I know that I'll look back at my college experience in 20 years and remember it as the best times anyhow. Why not just be honest with myself now? It's funny how much can be learned from a losing football weekend. One more thing: Go Irish.
Joe Lordi
senior
off-campus
Nov. 3
All Viewpoint Stories for Tuesday, November 5, 2002
