Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com JUNE/JULY 2021 23 A TRIBUTE TO LOU SOMOGYI I t's ironic really how people like us, who get paid to string words together eloquently, struggle to do so when it comes to capturing the essence of one of our own when they pass away. Lou Somogyi's breathtaking — almost freak- ish — command of Notre Dame football history is where so many of our Louie stories take us. I mean, I once kiddingly pondered in the press box in Lou's presence during an Irish game played in a downpour how often that might have happened during the 1936 season. And Louie knew the answer. For real. But the reason our hearts ache so much today is the kindness, the integrity, the class Louie brought to everything he did, including his own reporting and storytelling. And including and especially life beyond the press box. So many of us have endured unfathomable losses during the pandemic, and Lou just adds another chapter. But he also adds inspiration, and that's how I'm going to move forward with this. I figure Louie is up above, smiling down on all of us. Let's bring a little bit of who he was to what we do each day and make him proud. — Eric Hansen, Notre Dame football beat writer, columnist and assistant sports editor, South Bend Tribune I f all you knew about Lou was his tremendous writing and brilliance when it came to knowl- edge about Notre Dame football then you were certainly blessed. Lou defined greatness when it came to writing, telling stories and displaying a passion for what makes Notre Dame unique. What you missed, if that's the only part about Lou Somogyi that you knew, is that as great as he was professionally, it doesn't come close to how amazing he was as a man, as a human being. Lou was genuinely one of the most amazing, wonder- ful people that you could ever meet. Lou was kind, he was caring, he had a gentle soul, he felt deeply and no matter what might have been going on in his life, he cared more about making sure others were in a good place. Lou felt those around him lifted him up and made him better, but anyone that knew Lou or worked with Lou knew the truth, he made us better. Lou challenged you to be better simply by being himself. The world was better with Lou in it. My life was better when Lou was in it. Everyone that knew him was touched by his kindness, his mercy, his grace and his smile. He was the embodiment of how we are supposed to be as people. Al- ways outward focused, caring more about those around him than he did about himself. Incredibly loyal. Kind. He leaves this world having made the kind of impact we should all strive for. Working with Lou was truly an honor and a privilege. Having him as a friend meant even more. In an era where people like to debate about the GOAT, when it comes to Notre Dame football there is no debate. That answer is easy, it is Lou Somogyi. — Bryan Driskell, publisher, IrishBreakdown.com; BGI football analyst (2015-19) N otre Dame fans that read Lou Somogyi's work for years would probably describe him as an excellent writer who had the amazing ability to recall even the smallest of Irish historical notes. All of us that knew Lou would agree with those descriptions. But we also all knew that you were not going to run across a more kind, caring and sensitive person. Lou simply was the best. I remember years ago we were just talking foot- ball and I joked I was looking forward to him writ- ing analysis on the Notre Dame hockey team's forecheck. Lou had the sly smile on his face and almost apologized as he told me he didn't know much about hockey. He was sincerely sorry he would have a hard time doing what I asked. I felt bad because I was just joking, but he took me seriously. Lou simply was the most humble person you will run across. I think it was impossible to give him a compliment. He would also deflect the comment back to the person that said it. I was honored re- cently when he agreed to be a guest on our show every Wednesday. I loved picking his brain to learn more of his thoughts on the Irish. I am going to miss those conversations and miss just being around a gem of the earth. RIP Lou. — Darin Pritchett, WSBT Radio and Notre Dame hockey play-by-play announcer W hen August rolls around and the countdown to another season of Irish football begins, the entire Notre Dame football press corps will convene again (pandemic willing), all in the same place and time — and Lou Somogyi's absence will be felt. Lou was one of a kind. An ironic way to describe a man who could always find a historic parallel to every event he covered. I've heard Lou described as a walking Notre Dame encyclopedia, which is certainly appropriate. He could recall any game, play or score at a moment's notice. So many times over the years he would reference a Notre Dame moment, and my mind was instantly transported back to that place, and my own recol- lection of it: be it as a passionate young fan growing up in South Bend, my days watching in the student section or on the sidelines. I can only imagine how he stirred up similar emo- tions in his readers over the years. For all the memories he invoked through his ques- tions and stories, what I will remember most about Lou Somogyi is the way he interacted with people. He was a true gentleman. Every time our paths crossed Lou had a kind word. I wouldn't describe our relationship as close, nevertheless Lou was always happy to chat. He was always approachable and uplifting, and willing to share knowledge with me and with other col- leagues freely, in a manner too often forgotten in a competitive industry. Lou spoke to everyone as if they were friends, because I believe that is how he saw most every- one, as a friend. What an excellent way to live. What a tremendous legacy to leave behind. Rest in peace, friend. — Pete Byrne, WSBT-TV sports director I t is extremely difficult to express the loss of a colleague like Lou Somogyi. In addition to being a walking encyclopedia of Notre Dame athletic knowledge, there were few journalists better at asking thoughtful questions and getting excellent answers from coaches and athletes. Lou's tireless work for Blue & Gold Illustrated for more than 36 years brought him immense respect in the industry. Since his passing, I have read many glowing tributes to Lou from respected colleagues such as Dick Weiss and Ivan Maisel in addition to those of us who knew him locally and recognized his talents and were so grateful for his friendship. Separated by a decade, Lou and I were drawn to Notre Dame by its athletic achievements, es- pecially on the gridiron. We both worked at The Observer as students and were able to build life- long relationships with many of those coaches and athletic department personnel who became friends. I know how devastated my old mentor Roger Valdiserri was to learn of Lou's passing. Now in his 90s, Roger told me he used to drive over to Blue & Gold's offices to spend time talking about just not sports but the personalities and the school both he and Lou adored. But what I will most miss about Lou is how he thought of others more than himself. I know first- hand how important it was to Lou to provide cop- ies of Blue & Gold for my friends who were ailing. Others have talked how Lou would volunteer to run errands for them if they were unable. As sad as it is to know we won't be able to see his smile, to hear his questions or to share in his laughter, I am comforted knowing that Lou Somo- gyi has found his room in Heaven with God, Jesus and Our Mother, Notre Dame. — John Fineran, Associated Press; formerly South Bend Tribune I first met Lou when we worked at The Observer together during our time as Notre Dame stu- dents in the early '80s. I saw that last name on the byline — SOMOGYI — and just had to know how to say it. So one day, encountering Lou in the office, I asked him. Lou looked no different then … curly dark hair with a slightly gap-toothed smile … and answered: "suh-MO-gee. It rhymes with nothing you've heard before. It's Hungarian." We seemed to hit it off right away. Like me, Lou came from a blue-collar family, where both parents worked to make ends meet. His mother worked in the Oak Room at Notre Dame, expressly so Lou could go to college there, as that was an employee "I can't think of a journalist who knew the history of, and understood his readers' passion for, a beat the way that Lou knew and understood." LONGTIME NATIONAL COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRITER IVAN MAISEL