Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MARCH 2019 17 UNDER THE DOME 65 Years Ago: March 12, 1954 In its second NCAA Tournament appearance ever — after previous self-imposed school bans on them — Notre Dame advances to the Elite Eight following a 65-64 upset of No. 1 and reigning national champion Indiana. The game, held in Iowa City Field House, marks the first time since the advent of the Associated Press poll in 1949 the Fighting Irish topple the top-ranked team. Senior center Dick Rosenthal — who would serve as Notre Dame's director of athletics from 1987-95 — scores 25 points and grabs 15 rebounds, and also limits three-time All-American Don Schlundt to one field goal and 10 points. The victory by head coach John Jordan's No. 5-ranked crew improves the Irish to 22-2, extends the winning streak to a school-record 18 (12 has been the longest since then) and makes them the favorite to capture the national title as the highest remaining ranked outfit. Alas, in the ultimate letdown the following day, Notre Dame loses to Penn State 71-63 and La Salle — led by Tom Gola — goes on to win the national championship. 55 Years Ago: March 7, 1964 Former Notre Dame quarterback John Dee is introduced as the Fighting Irish basketball coach after John Jordan's 13-year tenure runs its course. The primary topic on the agenda after finishing with a losing record in four of the last six seasons, including 10-14 in 1964, is the school's promise that within the next four years a new arena will be built to replace the Old Fieldhouse in an effort to upgrade recruiting and finances in the sport. Dee started at quarterback in the 21-0 win against Georgia Tech in 1944 and also was a two-year starter in basketball before graduating from Loyola (Chicago) in 1947. The eclectic figure later earned his law degree from Notre Dame, became the youngest head coach (28) in NCAA history at the time while leading Alabama to a four-year mark of 68-25, winning the SEC with a 14-0 mark in 1956, and he also worked as an attorney and auditor. 20 Years Ago: March 30, 1999 Kansas assistant coach Matt Doherty is introduced as Notre Dame's new men's basketball head coach three weeks after John MacLeod (1991-99) is coerced into resigning. After Notre Dame president Rev. Edward "Monk" Malloy C.S.C. rejects the candidacy of Utah head coach Rick Majerus, the 37-year-old Doherty, a starter with Michael Jordan on North Carolina's 1982 national champs, is chosen over five other head coaches who interviewed: Delaware's Mike Brey, Princ- eton's Bill Carmody, Siena's Paul Hewitt, Gonzaga's Dan Monson and Xavier's Skip Prosser. "I've dreamed of this job," Doherty said, while breaking down into tears at his introductory confer- ence. "I've envisioned this job, I've ached over this job. … I planned this." 5 Years Ago: March 3, 2014 The earliest start ever to modern spring practice begins in minus-4 degree temperatures, but fortu- nately is held indoors at 7:30 a.m. on Meyo Field in the Guglielmino Athletics Complex. It is highlighted by the return of quarterback Everett Golson, who as a sophomore starter helped the Fighting Irish to a 12-0 regular sea- son and a bid to the BCS National Championship Game, but who was disassociated from the school during the fall semester of 2013 because of an academic violation. The other highlight is bringing in the NFL expertise of two new coaches: defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder and quarterbacks coach Matt LaFleur — who this winter was hired as the new head coach of the Green Bay Packers. — Lou Somogyi Anniversaries In Notre Dame Athletics History: March BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED PO Box 2331 Durham, NC 27702 www.BlueGoldOnline.com 1-800-421-7751 DELIVERY LIMITED TO CONTINENTAL U.S. PLEASE ADD SALES TAX FOR ITEMS SHIPPING TO: (NC 7.5%, IN 7%, MI 6%) Made to order & shipped direct from manufacturer, returns not related to damage may incur fee. GRILL MAT $49.95 + FREE S&H Available in 2 Styles: ND or Leprechaun (Item #6622-ND or #6622-LEP) (Item #6621) CUSTOM GRILL COVERS Hand-made in the USA using the finest commercial grade vinyl. Mold-resistant, breathable vinyl with drawstring bottom. Logo printed with UV-resistant ink. AVAILABLE IN 2 SIZES & 3 LOGOS: Small: 60" wide x 36" tall x 21" deep $51.95 + $15.00 S&H Large: 72" wide x 36" tall x 21" deep $54.95 + $15.00 S&H Please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery. The beginning of spring football practice in 2014 was high- lighted by the return of quarterback Everett Golson, who sat out the previous season due to an academic violation. PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND