Letters to the Sports Desk

Respectful attitude impresses opposition

I’m a Notre Dame alumnus who was at the game on Saturday.
As someone who goes to almost every Irish home game, I’ve
seen my share of the absolute bottom of the barrel in terms of
opponent fans’ behavior. The result on Saturday and the
exemplary behavior of UCLA players, coaches and fans was so
refreshing to me that I felt a strong need to convey my feelings to
your community.

First off, you should be exceedingly proud of your courageous
players and brilliant coaches. The Bruin defense came in to a tough
place to play and more than measured up. Patrick Cowan should be
singled out for embracing a difficult situation and stepping up
with great courage. Your team was exceptionally well-coached and
prepared, and your fans enthusiastically supported this gutsy group
of guys and never complained about what had to be a devastating
loss.

I just wanted you all to know that you have at least one new
admirer in the Notre Dame community, and I am hoping to make the
trip to Los Angeles next year to see the next chapter in what I
hope can be a new rivalry between two schools who deserve opponents
with the same level of class. Best of luck the rest of the way
(especially against you know who). Go Bruins!

Kevin Keane, Notre Dame Class of 1988

Compliment, correction from Fighting Irish

Regarding your article in the Daily Bruin, “Ten yards from
the pot of gold” (Oct. 23): First of all, congratulations to
UCLA on an exceptional effort at Notre Dame Stadium last Saturday.
The team played with outstanding tenacity and by all measures
deserves to say, “We should have won that one. … We let it
get away.”

Pat Cowan played a gutsy and very capable game and the school
should be very proud of their young QB. I’m sure the Irish
will have their hands full next year at Pasadena.

A few words regarding your comments at the end of the article:
The “Touchdown Jesus” mural on the side of Hesburgh
Library is actually made up of many thousands of individual tiles,
not painted on the building. I know, I’m being picky, but the
mosaic is quite beautiful up close.

Also, the students are not tossed into mosh pits after each
score. Rather, they’re held up by their neighbors while they
do push-ups in numbers equal to the current Irish score. This can
be a pretty tiring exercise in a high-scoring game.

Arnold R. Easterly, Notre Dame dad