Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1368856
4 JUNE/JULY 2021 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED T here was an old running joke in- side the office walls at Blue & Gold Illustrated that the magazine actually should've been titled Lou & Gold Illustrated because of the dedica- tion, sweat and workload that long- time senior editor Lou Somogyi put into the publication since 1984, two years before Lou Holtz became Notre Dame's head coach. Somogyi's passion for the product never wavered, and his wealth of knowledge and perspective for all things Notre Dame athletics — and frankly, his obsession — are at the core of what make the magazine and BlueandGold.com great. Lou passed away unexpectedly on April 17 at only 58. His presence, reli- ability and recall is already missed. Randomly ask Lou about the 2008 Senior Day game at Notre Dame Sta- dium, and he'll quickly and accu- rately tell you that it was a frigid No- vember day, top high school recruit Manti Te'o was in town for an official visit, Notre Dame played poorly, it lost 24-23 to Syracuse, and the Irish players were rewarded with a bom- bardment of snowballs from a disap- pointed student section. Then, ask Lou where to find the nearest convenience store, and he'd struggle to remember street names. Directions weren't his thing. Notre Dame football was. Lou was the first to admit — always comically — that while he accepted today's new technology and his re- sponsibility of providing fresh content each day for our website readers, he would forever remain old-school and technologically challenged. It was evident in the way he fum- bled with his cellphone, or with his mute option during a Zoom call, or even with something basic as the power button on his computer. When Lou won a brand new iPhone 12 earlier this year during a gift raffle at our company's vir- tual Christmas party, he joked about not knowing how to power it up and gave this wonderful prize to a younger work colleague. Lou's unyielding passion for Notre Dame athletics was matched only by his concern for others. One BlueandGold.com member shared a story that perfectly summed up the kind of wise and caring per- son Lou was. After finding out "Susan" was heartbroken after saying goodbye to her beloved dog, Lou sent her a heart- felt personalized note that read in part: "We all have a finite time in this world, and it is in us to enrich it through how we live and care for oth- ers, 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 hope you know as well, what an incredible blessing you provided to your pet while providing a wonder- ful life. Peace to you." Kind, gentle, caring, humble, shar- ing, patient, giving, respectful — the man who worked about 16 hours ev- ery day still never once hesitated to find time for others. And believe me, sponging off of Lou for story suggestions, research advice or some little-known Notre Dame nuggets to spice up a column was a weekly routine of mine for the last 16 years. Lou invited me into the Blue & Gold family in July 2005 and I will be for- ever grateful for the opportunities and memories I still enjoy since he welcomed me. "By The Numbers" was always one of Lou's favorite stories to com- pile in each print edition. So, out of tribute to you, Lou, here's the Lou Somogyi BTN Edition. 37 — Years that Lou was with Blue & Gold Illustrated as a writer, editor and inspiration. Gerry Faust was in his fourth of five seasons as Irish head coach when Lou started. 443 — Notre Dame football games that Lou covered for BGI. 719 — BGI editions where Lou's wonderful insight and prose graced the pages of the magazine, sharing insights on everything from recruit- ing and in-season doings, to those masterful and magical tales of play- ers and seasons gone by. 0 — Times that Lou complained about a late-breaking story that had to be immediately handled, even af- ter he had already put in a 12-hour day, or during one of those grueling game-day shifts that routinely ran from about 9 a.m. straight through to 3 a.m. 1 — Great friend, kind soul, invalu- able mentor, legendary journalist and exemplary man who we all lost way too soon. Louis Somogyi Jr. was the man every man should strive to be. I believe that I speak for the entire Blue & Gold team when I say we all remain too numb to fully realize the magnitude of our loss both person- ally and professionally with Lou's passing. But with all that our esteemed col- league taught us through his knowl- edge and work ethic, then our re- sponsibility becomes — no, our duty becomes — to keep Lou & Gold Illus- trated as America's Foremost Author- ity On Notre Dame Football, even if our captain has moved on. ✦ Lou Somogyi's Passing Leaves Many Voids UPON FURTHER REVIEW TODD D. BURLAGE Todd D. Burlage has been a writer for Blue & Gold Illustrated since July 2005. He can be reached at tburlage@blueandgold.com Somogyi's unyielding passion for Notre Dame athletics was matched only by his concern for others. PHOTO BY JEANETTE BLANKENSHIP