Notre Dame Fighting Irish Fan Group's Blog

The Evolution of American Athletics

irishfootball28 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:28:58 GMT

Do you believe in miracles? Yes! Unbelievable!" These are the legendary words of ABC sportscaster Al Michaels in the closing seconds of the USA's epic victory over the USSR, a game that transcended sports and will be forever remembered by those who witnessed it.

Most Americans find joy and patriotism in those words, as well they should. Young and naive as I am, I simply am forced to wonder why winning the game is a miracle. Yes, I understand that the USSR was the best hockey team of that age, that we were in the middle of the Cold War, and the game was as much political as it was athletic. I know how the team was made up of college kids and amateurs. But something inside me, some big-headed Uncle Sam viewpoint makes me wonder, shouldn't we always win?

As a student growing up in America, History class generally made me feel as if America could not lose at anything. We learned about the bravery of Americans everywhere. Battles from the American Revolution, War of 1812, Civil War, World War 1, and World War 2. As most educated Americans know, these wars all ended in favor of the US, or in the case of the Civil War the "good guys". Of course, I now know that we haven't won 'em all. Vietnam, and Iraq (probably) will not go down in history as victories. So my Uncle Sam/schoolboy viewpoint asks, "So shouldn't the same be true in sports?"

London, England 1948

In the first Olympic Games since the famed Berlin games of 1936, the sporting world was trying to return to its feet after The Second World War ripped athletes off the playing fields and onto the battlegrounds. In the 1936 Olympics, the overall medal count was won by the Germans, with the Americans second, and Hungary in third. Today, historians question the credibility of that medal count. For example, in the cycling finals, German Toni Merkens knocked the Dutch Arie Van Vliet off his bike, in an event that none could argue could be and accident. Instead of disqualification, which seems the only suitable punishment for this infraction, Merkens was fined 100 marks, just enough for him to keep his gold. Of course, we all know the story of Jesse Owens and his four gold medals. Another example: Wouldn't you at least expect the leader of the host nation to at least stay in the stadium? Not this psychotic dictator. When black American athlete Cornelius Johnson, beat the German competition in his event, **** stormed out of the stadium in a rage.

So, lets just say that the London Olympic Games of 1948, were the first true measure of sporting dominance in a long time. In an amazing effort, the American athletes in London dominated the games, shoving aside any European doubt of the athletic ability of these newcomers. In the basketball championship, the United States defeated France 65-21 to claim. The final medal count had the United States in first with 84 points, second was Sweden with 44 points, almost half of the Americans' output. Isn't that how it should always be?

Sadly, in recent years we have seen the Americans slip in many Olympic sports. Namely, soccer. The real reason this is happening in my opinion is that there is simply not enough interest from athletes. In Britain, extremely athletic children will almost certainly be playing soccer, practicing it, and aspiring to play it one day. Here in America, the chances that extremely athletic children are playing soccer are slim to none. They will likely be playing Pop Warner football, select basketball, and Little League baseball. We just have too many sports for us to care about soccer. Let us consider for a moment, the sporting dream of a European youth is to play soccer for their country. Here in America, kids dream of the NFL, the NBA, or the Major Leagues. The true reason our soccer team hasn't been up to par lately is because of precisely this. We've got better things to do.

The fastest athletes aren't raised running track, they're playing running back. The strongest athletes aren't hurling discuses they're pitching. Olympic sports simply don't have the same attraction in America as our sports do.

So, this August, while foreign countries will declare national holidays to see their team compete, it is quite likely that we American sports fans will be watching preseason football instead, or basketball reruns. Surely, American athletes will perform extraordinarily at the Olympic Games, but the best part about being an American sports fan is, even if we lose at something, we still know that they couldn't beat us at football, or baseball. That's something that no one else has, the ability to expect victory, win, and simply get ready for football season.

Inside the Minds of Irish Haters

irishfootball28 — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 14:42:23 GMT

Notre Dame- 11 National Championships, 7 heisman trophy winners, and 95 consensus All-Americans. They never get in brawls (Miami). They rarely if ever get in legal trouble (USC). So why are we hated so much? I'm probably going to get a lot of hate mail on my profile for this, but I've figured out why.

When I was looking through the Truth and Rumors college section, I found an article on Notre Dame's quarterback race. It basically said that Charlie Weis had narrowed its list of contenders to Sharpley, Jones, and Clausen. I looked through the comments, just to see who people thought would start. Instead of finding comments about the quarterback race, most of the comments were about how much people hated Notre Dame. This is why they hate us.

1. We used to be the unbeatable team and now that we're having a few bad years, they're saying that we never deserved it at all.

2. They hate us for all our media attention and the BCS clause. Okay, sure, it is a little unfair, but how is it Notre Dame's fault that we're being offered these great contracts. Name a school that would say no if they were offered that.

3. They are jealous. We have always been America's team and they are looking for revenge on the way that we destroyed them back in the days of Rockne, Parseghian, and Holtz. They are jealous that we had a blockbuster movie made about us.

I say let them have fun now, but when Notre Dame comes back and gets a few national championships there are a few things that they might do.

1. Join the bandwagon and become Irish fans again.

2. Sulk about how Notre Dame always wins everything and then quit Fan Nation.

3. The true fans will stick it out and take all the criticism.

Just like we're doing now!

GO IRISH!!!!

Notre Dame 2007 predictions

irishfootball28 — Tue, 15 May 2007 01:58:59 GMT

Here it is...game by game predictions for the 2007 Irish.

Georgia Tech: Starting QB Evan Sharpley (yes, I said it) will have a slow game against Tech. However, dual backs Munir Prince and James Aldridge will carry the Irish over against the rebuilding Yellow Jackets.

Georgia Tech: 14 Notre Dame: 24

@Penn State: The Nittany Lions are back and out for revenge after the crushing that was given to them last year in South Bend. The Irish offense will be slow and Morelli will be much better than he was last year. Look for the Nittany Lions to overpower Notre Dame.

Notre Dame: 10 Penn State: 34

@Michigan:Watch out. The Wolverines are going to be 2-0 and full of steam. The Irish, though, will keep it close and lose in a thriller.

Notre Dame:17 Michigan:21

Michigan State: Huh! Where's Evan? Demetrius Jones will now be starting over Evan Sharpley who never really got the offense going. It will be a competitive game, but Jones' athleticism and Prince and Aldridge's strength will prove the Irish to be better than their record.

Michigan State: 24 Notre Dame:41

Purdue: We're just too good. The Boilermakers won't stand a chance and we'll beat up on them and have a winning record once more.

Notre Dame:35 Purdue:7

UCLA: Like last year, this one's going to be close. Also like last year, we will break away in the last few minutes, but there will be many doubts about Jones' accuracy.

Notre Dame:28 UCLA:24

Boston College: Remember these guys. Brady Quinn could never beat them. But now Brady's gone and Demetrius is in. The days of losing to them are over we will beat them solidly.

Notre Dame:35 Boston College:21

USC: The big game. We're on a streak and they're number 1 in the country. Notre Dame will play well, maybe even be leading after the first quarter. But then the Trojans will take over and we will lose to them yet again.

USC:56 Notre Dame: 21

Navy: Jones out, Clausen in. We'll beat em up.

Notre Dame:35 Navy:10

Air Force: Easy from here, though they might give us a scare.

Air Force: 28 Notre Dame:42

Duke: You can't win at every sport.

Notre Dame: 49 Duke:13

Stanford: We're excited for our would be BCS bowl and get a scare, but a last minute drive by Clausen will take us over.

Notre Dame: 42 Stanford: 38

Final Record: 9-3 The Irish excel when nobody else thinks they will.

Welcome to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Fan Group

FanNation Administrator — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 04:00:00 GMT

This is your FanNation home for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. It's a place to see the latest news, join other FanNation citizens who love (or despise) the Fighting Irish, and meet friends and invite new friends to join. You can also visit this Fan Group to join a Group Message Board, or just talk about what's on your mind through Locker Talk. We hope you enjoy your section of the Republic of Sport.

And, for those of you who are willing to stick your chin out, if you think you're an expert on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and want to become the host of this Fan Group, then drop us an email at experts@fannation.com, and tell us about yourself and send us a sample of your work.

- The FanNation Team