Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1506910
BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM SEPT. 9, 2023 5 FAN FORUM WORTH THE (RE-)READ I usually have to hold myself back from immediately turning to the back page to read (re-read) the article by Lou Somogyi. The latest one was so perfect as he summed up EVERYBODY'S ex- pectations at this time of year. We an- ticipate a 12-0 season and can't wait for that first game to be played. As usual, Lou hit the nail squarely on the head. One question I had but Lou never an- swered was when (and why) did they stop selling the blue and white mums on game days? Keep up the great work and keep giv- ing us the Lou articles. Pat Buckley Portage, Mich. Pat, we're glad to hear that you enjoy revisiting Lou's columns. He was a spe- cial person to us and it makes us happy to be able to continue share his unique perspective on all things Notre Dame. Unfortunately, we have not been able to find someone who can answer your ques- tion about the blue and white mums. If any of your fellow readers may have some insight into this, please let us know. TOUCHING TRIBUTE At 13, I was in the band at Lancaster Catholic High School. Each time we scored a touchdown, we played the "Notre Dame Victory March" — I fell in love with Notre Dame. Each Sunday, at church, they had a Catholic paper. One Sunday it featured Notre Dame and Johnny Lujack. I fell deeper in love! As a result of the write-up, I sent a fan letter to Johnny Lujack and he re- sponded. What a thrill — a student and quarterback at Notre Dame taking the time to write to a high school freshman! He was unique! The No. 32 will always be my favorite number. While changing classes at school one day, I spotted an open locker with the Life magazine picture of Johnny Lujack on the door. The owner was a Notre Dame and Lujack fan. Needless to say, we became friends. Many years later this friend told me his doctor informed him his time was soon up. What could I do or say? I was lucky enough to find an address for Lujack in town, wrote and asked if he would send a word of encouragement and hope to my friend. Of course, Lujack did just that! What a man, what an athlete, what an example of someone with a big heart! May he rest in peace! Joan S. Kirchner Lancaster, Pa. Thanks for sharing, Joan. These types of stories about Johnny Lujack seem to be par for the course. BE HEARD! Send your letters to: Letters, Blue & Gold Illustrated, P. O. Box 2331, Durham, NC 27702 or e-mail to: sdowney@comanpub.com Tony Roberts, the voice of Notre Dame football on the radio for 26 years, passed away at the age of 94 in late August. He served as the play-by-play announcer for Fighting Irish games from 1980 to 2006 on his way to the National Radio Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame Chris Schenkel Award. Irish fans shared their feelings about him on our message board at BlueandGold.com after learning of his passing. Here is some of what they had to say: loyalson: A Notre Dame Legend! KevinPS: Rest in Peace indeed. He was the best football radio play-by-play guy ever. I loved listening to him, and I'm glad we still have his voice with us. "After burners are on! Bye, bye baby!" I also remember when Bobby Howard had an 85-yard pick six vs. LSU in 1998: "Wait for your block, son" very calmly before picking the excitement up again. BigNick1972: Tony Roberts and Tom Pagna painted pictures from the radio broadcast booth. SilentBanjo: He was a great one who will always be the voice of Notre Dame football. RIP. SDS123: God bless. Legendary and still missed. IrishDiego: Complete class act and the best at what he did. Among his many talents, he also called NFL and MLB, games; likewise, the Summer and Winter Olympics AND some of the PGA majors. Amazing legacy. RIP. NJNative140: RIP. LEGEND!!!!! The voice of heaven now. Irishchef3: He was ND football! Fantastic announcer! His call of the two Rocket kick returns against Michi - gan are classic! RIP! 51yardboot: Tony Roberts made calls that would literally give you goose bumps. What a fantastic play-by- play broadcaster. He was and always will be the voice of Notre Dame football. TOUCHDOWN IRISH!!! Bigteve79: For those of us who are old enough to have heard him call some of the bigger games in ND history, we were blessed to have heard one of the better talents at that trade doing what he loved to do. Rest In Peace Tony Roberts. Your voice was part of the lives of millions of Irish fans. FROM THE WEBSITE .com .com