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Notre Dame Football

One of the greatest American college traditions can be experienced during football season at the University of Notre Dame. Before every Saturday home game, the Notre Dame campus comes alive with parades, rallies, barbecues, and prayers for a victory. Visitors line up to watch the players silently walk to the field of battle. The Notre Dame marching band gathers to perform. Cheerleaders fire up the crowd. And the Leprechaun mingles with the fans. The brisk autumn air is filled with the aroma of grilled burgers & brats. It all combines to create a magical atmosphere that is almost overwhelming.

I got the chance to attend this tradition on a cold, foggy and rainy November day. The weather didn't seem to dampen the spirits of the 80,000 fans that joined me. And, as luck would have it, it was a victory for the Fighting Irish. If you listened hard enough, you could hear the echos of the Four Horsemen fading into the cold November night.

All images shot with a Canon S45 pocket-camera. Click on any photo to enlarge.


The Leprechaun leads the band in. Tubas. Cheerleaders in action.

The Grotto. Lighting candles at the Grotto. Students grill up the good stuff on game day.

Decorative pumpkins. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Inside the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

Inscription above the east entrance of the Basilica. A young Notre Dame fan. The marching band parades to the stadium.

More of the Notre Dame band. The Tuba section. The Notre Dame band at halftime.


Jim Tardio Photography The Lost Compass Photoblog | Archive | Extras | Prints | Email