IRISH INSIDER: Fullback makes best of what's given to him
By BRYAN KRONK
Sports Writer
Chris Yura has made the most of the opportunities that have been given to him.
Even before he began breaking state record after state record as a running back in his hometown of Morgan-town, W. V., Yura knew where he would spend his college years.
"When I first came here, I came to football camp," Yura said. "After I saw the traditions, like Touchdown Jesus, it was just like, `Wow.' And I couldn't think of anyplace else to come but here, and that was my sophomore year of high school. So I basically made my mind up when I was 15."
Unfortunately for Yura, his primary position in high school — running back — would be backlogged with competition at Notre Dame. In 1999, star running back and fellow freshman Julius Jones would take many of the handoffs at tailback for the Irish and Jones' depth would be supplemented by fellow backs Tony Fisher, Tony Driver and Terrance Howard.
So the Irish placed Yura on the special teams unit.
Yura spent much of his Notre Dame career playing special teams, making a few rushing attempts, most notably on a fake field goal in 2000 against Boston College. Yura's 4-yard run on fourth-and-2 gave the Irish a key first down in the game, which the Irish went on to win.
Despite not seeing much action at running back, Yura has still relished his time here at Notre Dame and his ability to make contributions to the Irish effort.
"Just being here, just being able to experience the football part [of Notre Dame] has been awesome," Yura said. "The whole Notre Dame experience has been such a gift. I feel like I'm the luckiest guy in the world to have the opportunity to come to a place like this and play football. It's just amazing."
In his final year of eligibility, Yura made contributions to both special teams and the Irish offense, earning a rushing attempt during this year's game with Air Force. In addition to the rush at Air Force, Yura also made a special teams tackle that game.
Although he has seen only limited action this season, Yura said he has no regrets about not being able to contribute more.
"Every year and every thing I've done here, I'm 100 percent proud of, and I just want to finish it up with a great season like we have been doing," Yura said.
Having been part of the Notre Dame tradition for his four years in college, Yura will look back on his time at Notre Dame as a special time in his life. After this season is over, he will move on from the Irish sidelines and take with him the lessons that those four years as a part of the Irish football team — as well as part of a greater Notre Dame "team" — taught him.
"The work ethic — hard work, commitment … just the Notre Dame experience — is the one thing I'll be taking with me," Yura said. "I've been with a great group of guys, and with excellent students … just the whole combination is a great thing to take away."
While his future remains uncertain, Yura will still keep a place in his heart for the Irish long after his playing days at Notre Dame are over.
"I think the thing I'll miss most [about Notre Dame] is my teammates," Yura said. "A lot of these guys … you're with them all the time, you kind of grow to be like family. It's such a close-knit group. I think it's going to be hard stepping out of it and not being a part of the team anymore. You grow so close, and it creates a bond just with the hard work you go through. It's hard to walk away from it."
All Sports Stories for Friday, November 22, 2002
