Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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A TRIBUTE TO LOU SOMOGYI After people learned of the passing of Blue & Gold Illustrated senior editor and writer Lou Somogyi, our message board at BlueandGold.com was flooded tributes to him. Here is a small sampling: My family adopted Louie over thirty years ago after one of my younger brothers, who you know as Jimbo, became everlasting friends when they met while attending Holy Cross JC prior to their acceptance to ND. Everything good that has been said and written about Lou is true. He was the best man I ever met. I think over the last ten years or so he had begun to tire of covering ND football. Truth to tell, and he would admit this in private, he enjoyed covering women's basketball more. Now that he's gone, I keep thinking of him as Notre Dame's Moses. He led the ND faithful through the desert of the last thirty- some years to where I believe we are close to the ND Promised Land. Yet he was fated to never see it. Not in this life anyway. We love you, Lou. We miss you terribly. God bless you. — TOP GOME For some reason, I just cannot get the story out of my head that Lou wrote a few years back when Harry Oliver passed away. What I remember is Lou giving Harry all of the same praise that we are now giving Lou. Both men were so devoted to God, Country and Notre Dame. The quote from that article that I remember the best is when Lou spoke about Harry being asked about what lady he would choose to be with (since he was so popular at that moment) after his famous game-winning 51-yard field goal against Michigan in 1980, and Harry responded, "The only lady I need is Our Lady." I think this was something that Lou was extremely proud of, and a testimony of faith and attitude that Lou embodied himself. I instantly sensed the connection between the two when Lou spoke of Harry's devotion to the Church and of helping those less fortunate than he was. I will never get that out of my mind, because as soon as I read it, I thought, man, that is Lou Somogyi to a tee. So unselfish, so giving. What an amazing human being he was. I am quite sure that Lou and Harry Oliver are both in heaven right now talking about Notre Dame and are in complete bliss. Lou, we love you and deeply miss you. — timmysan I met Lou and Tim back in 1990 when they just started B&G. I visited their office in Mishawaka, we talked ND football and recruiting for about 2 hours. I continued to talk to both over the phone for a number of years. Lou was a dedicated reporter, especially when he talked ND football. Lou you will be always the best resource for ND football. Lou rest in Gods hands and may your family know that you are in safekeeping. Prayers for your family and you. Your friend from Santa Paula the last 31 years. Mike — pedoneme Just stunned and saddened to hear the news of Lou's passing. Unlike some on this board, I never had the privilege of meeting Lou, but from everything I have read today, it would appear that Lou was an even greater person than he was a writer. And that is saying something as he was an outstanding writer. I have been an ND fan for 65+ years, and have had a voracious appetite for anything written about Notre Dame. In my opinion, the three best ND writers during my years of following the Irish have been Lou Somogyi, Tim Prister and Joe Doyle of the South Bend Tribune. Lou's interaction with fans on the message board was without peer. He was always polite with the posters and was never rude and never condescending. It seemed like you were talking with a friend when you interacted with him on the boards. It is going to be very difficult not having Lou Somogyi to read as we near the Florida State game. He certainly leaves a void. — fedman I want to share a note that Lou sent me when I had to say goodbye to my much-loved dog. The second paragraph really hits home. He enriched every- one around him. A life lived exceptionally well. This was the quintessential Lou. He truly was the person we all want to be. "Susan, The first time I had to put a pet to sleep I was so devastated that I vowed I would have no more animals, because parting was too painful. After a few years, I realized how misguided, cowardly and selfish that thought process was — just like not wanting to fall in love because there is a chance you might get hurt, or not wanting your team to play for a championship because you don't want to think about the hurt if it's a defeat. "We all have a finite time in this world, and it is in us to enrich it through how we live and care for others, including our furry friends. Four years ago when I was going through a personal crisis, the daily walks with my pooch gradually brought me a peace, solace and stability I needed. I'm sure you've seen this poem "A Dog's Prayer." I often think of it when she wants to play fetch, walk or just be my side. I hope you know as well what an incredible blessing you provided to your pet while providing a wonderful life. Peace to you." — SDS123 I, like many have stated, never met the man. Pretty amazing how he touched people he never really knew. I don't post a ton but I certainly am on the site daily reading/listening in large part due to Lou's writing, knowledge and eternal hope in all things ND. While that all will be missed, what resonates most is he just came across as so genuinely kind and his thoughts always seemed to be focused on others. Hopefully some of that rubs off on all of us as our lives proceed. — burns1025 BlueandGold.com Message Board Tributes I am deeply saddened and shocked to learn that my best friend, Lou Somogyi, passed away from a heart attack after a tennis match at the young age of 58. Lou was the kindest, humblest, most generous and nicest person you'd ever meet. He was a true gentleman. He was self-deprecating despite his obvious talents and always made someone feel special. I've known Lou for over 50 years, and we became like the brother neither of us had. We grew up playing sports and games. My age and size difference in the early years gave me an advantage, but Lou soon grew up and got his revenge thrashing me in basketball, tennis and even putt-putt golf over the years. He was a big part of our family. He was a fun uncle for my children. He delighted my dad by getting him press passes to ND basketball games. And as my folks got older and had health issues, he would drop by and check in on them. He was a great comfort to my sisters and me when my folks passed. Lou was a gifted sportswriter covering Notre Dame sports — better than anyone else — for almost 40 years. His articles never smacked of "homerism" and when he was critical in his writing with the direction a team was going, he still commanded the respect and admiration of the criticized coach- ing staff. His encyclopedic knowledge of ND sports and his total recall of facts amazed everyone who knew him. Back in 2015, he wrote me an email telling me of this wonderful new woman he was starting to see. Amalia quickly became the love of his life. Mary Anne and I were blessed to attend their small but lovely ceremony last Labor Day. Our hearts go out to her in this devastating time. Lou had a deep faith. He played the organ at mass on Sunday, even after he had stayed up all night getting Blue & Gold Illustrated out to the publishers. I'm praying that he is up in Heaven, keeping an eye out for us. — John Poinsatte Lou with his friend John Poinsatte in 2019. PHOTO COURTESY LOU SOMOGYI www.BLUEANDGOLD.com JUNE/JULY 2021 29