Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM SEPT. 16, 2023 53 "He talked to me about his job on the Civil Rights Commis- sion. He talked to me about the issues that faced our world, about his association with Dr. King, about change and the importance of leadership. And then, he wanted to know what was in my heart." Gatewood told him: "When I view TV or other sources of media, I don't see faces like mine there. I'm hearing stories from a different face, the faces that are here at Notre Dame, and we need more African-American students, professors and mentors on campus to give us the faith and confidence that yes, things are changing and we're not stuck in the same world. "Father Hesburgh talked about Robin- son's grit and intelligence and how those two tools together were his strength. He under- stood the power in corralling his anger, the power of the media, the power of his struggle. If I could corral my own impatience, my own pain, and turn it into something positive …" And that's what Gatewood, who was also an Academic All- American, would go on to do. After a brief stop in the NFL, he worked in television news and sports as a director and stage manager. His work earned an Emmy and a Peabody award. He has operated his own communications business. And made countless friends far and wide — people who respect his intel- ligence and integrity. In 2015, he was inducted into the Col- lege Football Hall of Fame. And on Sept. 22 at Notre Dame, he will receive the Rockne Living Legend Award at the 7th annual Knute Rockne Spirit of Sports Awards Celebration, hosted by the Knute Rockne Memorial Society. These days, he and his wife, Susan, en- joy their days, often spent playing tennis at Notre Dame's courts. And following the Green Bay Packers, for whom their grand- son, A.J. Dillon, plays. So, football remains important — as a means to something greater. As a platform. To make a difference. To give power to your vision. ✦ Jim Lefebvre is an award-winning Notre Dame author and leads the Knute Rockne Memorial Society. He can be reached at: jlefebvre@blueandgold.com "My goal was to be the first kid in my immediate family to get a college degree." GATEWOOD After a brief stop in the NFL, Gatewood worked in television news and sports as a director and stage manager. His work earned an Emmy and a Peabody award. PHOTO COURTESY THE GATEWOOD FAMILY Honoring: Thom Gatewood '72 College Football Hall of Famer Kevin Corrigan NCAA Champion lacrosse coach Jack Nolan Long- me ND broadcaster Missy Conboy '82 ND Deputy Director of Athle cs Michael Leep Sr. Businessman and philanthropist Larry Dwyer '66 Asst. Director of Notre Dame Bands Jim "Augie" Augus ne Curator of ND collec bles For more informa on, please visit: www.RockneSociety.org Announcing the 7th Annual Knute Rockne Spirit of Sports Awards Celebra on Friday, September 22 Smith Ballroom The Morris Inn University of Notre Dame 11:00 a.m. - Noon Social Hour & Buffet Noon - 1:30 p.m. Awards Program