Comments on: Hardnose

By: NCHDomer

NCHDomer — Sat, 25 May 2013 11:33:23 +0000

Ara is not only my favorite coach but also the embodiment of the Notre Dame spirit that was told to me by an upperclassman my freshman year – we never lose, we only run out of time now and again. I always point to Ara as an example of the significance of both coaching and the concept of a team. That turnaround in 1964 truly was remarkable and showed that the right person could turn, in one year, a losing team into one of the best teams – irrespective of the talent he had on the team. And after reading the book Resurrection, I was able to talk to the player mentioned in this article, Tony Carey, who relayed wonderful stories of Ara and his time at Notre Dame. Anyone fortunate to have a chance to talk to any of his former players should avail themselves of the opportunity and listen to how they speak of Ara. You will hear respect, humor, love, fondness and loyalty in their voices.

My own small story is a variation on the snow story. I remember the first time it started to rain during a game. The student section started chanting “Ara stop the rain” and I, of course, followed along wondering why we were doing it. During the chant the rain stopped. I do not remember louder cheers coming from the stadium than at that moment. I never wondered again why we asked Ara to stop the rain. He is a great man that I got to meet a few times while in school and after graduation on football Saturdays. I am happy for those very brief encounters and having been a student during the Era of Ara.

By: mikefocke

mikefocke — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:39:47 +0000

I was at Madison and got a parking ticket that took 5 months to catch up via a call from my father. No doubt about it, he said you did it and pay. Same as Ara’s attitude.

It was a glorious year made only the more so after 3 years (for me) of Joe and Huey. I’ve seen several examples of leadership making a huge difference over the years with new leadership being able to win with the same guys who were average the year before. Ara made a difference and I’m only glad he got out before it cost him his health. A class guy.

By: 69domer

69domer — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:51:33 +0000

I recall some “enterprsing” ND students pulling up some of the rotting redwood benchs in the student section and building a fire IN THE STADIUM during the 68 Navy game. It was snowing so hard the security guys must not have noticed. I also remember when Pat O’Brien (played Rockne in the movie) appeared at the pep rally before the USC game. HIs magic did not work; we lost on last minute field goal.

By: SEE

SEE — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:35:18 +0000

In reply to RocketShark. You need to publish your own book; you've got a lot of cool stories in that head of yours.

By: RocketShark

RocketShark — Thu, 23 May 2013 04:42:15 +0000

Ara is an inspiring success story and utterly beloved by ND Nation. That he had not graduated from Notre Dame (and wasn’t even Catholic) apparently grated on older alumni at the time of his hiring. It’s interesting to note that none of the three supposed candidates for the job were alumni (the other two being Devine and Lombardi). The administration had struggled with the hires after forcing Frank Leahy out. But this time they got the perfect man at the perfect time. That it came dangerously close to not happening on the day the announcement was to be made to the press is a bit scary to consider (the story was there was a sticking point in the last minute negotiations and Ara angrily left. Neither he nor Fr. Joyce publicly commented on the issue, but Ara later joked Fr. Joyce wanted shamrocks on the helmets and Ara wanted camels). A lot of coaches with big egos would have never returned. But it’s plain to see that Ara really wanted to come to Notre Dame, and it happened. God bless him.

By: 31sorin

31sorin — Thu, 23 May 2013 02:37:07 +0000

In reply to Tom Gabriel '65. The rally that introduced Ara to the students was held on Sorin porch, not in front of Walsh.

By: Terry

Terry — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:10:53 +0000

Dave and Ron – Thank you both for your terrific replies.

As of today – 100 and a wakeup, as of tomorrow we are in double figures until the season starts.

By: Dave Redle '70

Dave Redle '70 — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:26:42 +0000

The “snow” game in ’68 was against navy, i believe. The snow did stop…. eventually

By: ron zier '52

ron zier '52 — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:10:18 +0000

The ‘Ara, stop the snow’ story has another chapter. When the chant came from the stands, he asked an assistant, “Could I?”

Years later, as his fame grew, the same chant issued from the student body. He again turned to an assistant and asked: Should I?”

By: Terry

Terry — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:08:52 +0000

Fall of 1968 there was a game at ND in November and about the 3rd quarter it started to snow. Then came the immortal chant “Ara stop the snow! Ara stop the snow!”

Anyone remember that?

June 1969 I went to a wedding @ ND in the Basilica. We had the reception in the Bend somewhere and during it (Captain Electric and the Flying Lapels were playing) Ara wandered in. Everyone tried to act cool as he asked the question “how many people in your orchestra?”