For the classes of 2002 and 2003: Cut this out and save it. Put it in an envelope marked "November 2, 2001." On November 2, 2001, open the envelope and read it again. The next day, go watch Notre Dame play Tennessee.

You will have a responsibility over the next two years to educate the classes of 2004 and 2005 about what happened last Saturday and what they need to do on November 3, 2001. They need to know how important the game is and how important the message is that needs to be sent that day.

You don't have any responsibility for the football team — that belongs to a group of gentlemen that are paid to be there and prepare the football team. They will be the ones charged with beating a team who ran the score up to sweeten their ranking.

Your responsibility will be to send another message — off the field.

I'm not sure who of you went to the game in Knoxville. If you didn't, find someone who did and ask them what it was like after the game in that city. I've seen hostile environments. My class went to Columbus, Oh. for the great tear gassing of 1995 and an upset win in Ann Arbor in 1993. They were nothing compared to Knoxville.

One of my friends described the scene as "a pack of animals." Another as "the most classless, disgusting group of people" she'd ever seen. My school, family and religion were all verbally abused. We were threatened with physical abuse and an empty bottle of beer that just missed my head on a side street. Cars slowed down so passengers could yell and throw trash.

In two years, when the game is over and the last chord of the victory march resonates through Notre Dame stadium, the students will have their day. Each of you, when you're out celebrating, should go and quickly find a Tennessee fan (trust me, they'll be there). Walk up to them, look them in the eye, extend your right hand and say, "Good game. Have a safe trip home." Then go, find your friends and do what we do best — celebrate who we are, where we are fortunate enough to go to school and the tradition our school is founded on.

On November 3, 2001, a message will be sent. Our football team will tell Tennessee: "Today, we're better than you." Our student body will say: "Every day, we're better than you."

Ken Chardos

Class of '96

November 7, 1999

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