Comments on: Why We Mourn

By: Terry

Terry — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 12:17:27 +0000

I was at that “Ara stop the snow” game. It was really funny and almost 50 years later it is still funny.

I was at a wedding reception at one of the inns or restaurants in South Bend in June of 1969 and ‘Captain Electric and the Flying Lapels’ were playing, and in walked Ara. We all did our best to stay cool about it, while he walked up to one of the band members (I think it was Geoff Gillette) and asked “how many players are in your orchestra?”

From all accounts he was a good and gentle man, we are richer for having known him, poorer for our loss.

Rest In Peace

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 05:14:32 +0000

Great story. Great man. When you talk about luck of the Irish, how lucky was ND to have Ara as part of its tradition. He is the kind of coach and man who continues to inspire us to dream and strive for what can be. His spirit lives on. Thanks for the memories. Rest in peace, Coach.

By: William S. Read

William S. Read — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 18:00:48 +0000

I remembver the ’64 Navy7 game. The students chanting, “Ara, stop the snow !” It stopped, of course.
There’s magic in the sound of his name. God Bless uou, Ara! RIP

Bill Read, just an Irish fan.
Syracuse, NY

By: Tom Feske '69

Tom Feske '69 — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 14:10:51 +0000

Ara was truly a Notre Dame man in every way. A great person and leader and family man.
He taught so many people such valuable lessons. I was fortunate enough to have been a student trainer
from 1965 to 1969. He was remarkable. There are a lot of former players who will tell you that they
owe so much to Ara. He will be missed in so many ways. Rest in Peace Coach and may God grant strength
to his family in this time.
I can’t wait for the first game when we encounter some rain and with all the respect possible the students
can chant once again, “Ara, stop the rain!!”

By: John Kelleher '67

John Kelleher '67 — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 16:13:43 +0000

My most memorable game was the season opener against Wisconsin. Sitting in the stands in Madison, Dan Logan and I were waiting with trepidation not knowing what to expect. The whole country did not know either. Then with the opening kickoff, it was pure joy to witness the event. Huarte to Snow, Nick Eddy, the O line and what a DEFENSE, the game was incredible, all because the Ara’s leadership. It was great to see him at the reunion for sure. May he rest in peace.

By: Twofornd

Twofornd — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 15:42:59 +0000

The entire World is a little lighter today and we have lost a legend and a very good man. And the best Football Coach that ever lived We are not likely to see the likes of him again. Thank you Coach for the wonderful times and memories that kept me young and happy on many many Saturdays. Rest in peace great man as we have lost another anchor in the Sea od Notre Dame history.

By: Chris Amenson

Chris Amenson — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 14:58:25 +0000

I met Ara in 1968 when i was a freshman at ND and a student worker living in Moreau Seminary. The football team used to sleep there the night before a game. The coaches would gather in a small lounge on the 2nd floor and talk after the movie, and then turn in. My recollection was going out of my room, which was adjacent to the lounge to hit the communal bathroom at about 3:00 a.m., and there was Ara, still awake, still going over the game plan the game.. We spoke for a couple of minutes, and then i left him and went back to bed. He was as interested in what I had to say as anyone I have ever met, even though I was just another student at the school.

I met Ara a second time in his office in 1994 when our company was getting approvals to produce a DVD on the highlights of Notre Dame football through the years. Once again, Ara demonstrated he was a high quality gentleman who treated everyone with as much respect and dignity as any other person.

If you want a great insight into Ara I would recommend reading Frank Pomerico’s book “Ara’s Knights”about his experience as a player for Ara, and how he treated his players. Thanks, Frank, for writing the book.

Chris A. ND 1972

What a gentleman. What a gift to Notre Dame he has been. The Era of Ara will be a great memory as long as i live.

By: PanDomer'73

PanDomer'73 — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 14:28:54 +0000

With all the frivolity and nonsense of our current culture it is both enriching and inspiring to reflect on the contributions of this great man. Ara stop the tears! Nice remembrance Mike. RIP Ara and thank you.

By: Bo Scott ND '73, '75, '80

Bo Scott ND '73, '75, '80 — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 13:40:51 +0000

I was blessed to be on Campus for a part of Ara’s tenure. i was blessed to meet him on several occasions both as coach and after on the many times he returned to campus. I have to agree. He had a gift to make to whom he was speaking feel as if they were the most important person in the conversation if not the room. He described himself as always in a rush, but yet always had the time to stop when someone said hello.
Eternal Rest Grant unto Him O Lord. Allow him to enjoy his grandchildren again!

By: Nick Grosch

Nick Grosch — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 03:41:24 +0000

A sad day….our Mount Rushmore is gone, Moose, Father Ned, Father Ted and now Are, as Notre Dame alums and fans we are now orphans…