Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM NOV. 25, 2023 53 to national championships in 1966 and 1973. But he did it in a way that respected his players. Mike Oriard, captain of the 1969 Irish, put it this way: "This was an era when the most success- ful coaches tended to be tyrannical and abusive — Bear Bryant, Woody Hayes —or cold and aloof — John McKay, Darrell Royal. Ara treated us like human beings." All-America offensive lineman Gerry DiNardo wrote the introduction to the book "Ara's Knights: Ara Par- seghian and the Golden Era of Notre Dame Football" by Frank Pomarico, co-captain of the 1973 national champs. DiNardo recalled that Coach Par- seghian "was a constant positive pres- ence in our lives regardless of where we were or what we were doing. He was a leader who we always wanted to be around. Is there any greater compliment for a leader? Life was better when you were with him and life was better as a result of being under his leadership." Pomarico noted that, "Ara instilled in us the need for resilience. The mea- sure of a person was not whether he got knocked down, but rather if he had the character to get back up. And it was out of the ashes of a humiliating defeat that our team found the iron determination to rise to the greatest height." Much like Rockne, Parseghian knew how to connect with each of his players. "Ara's exclusive talent was being able to motivate every player from the prep team to the superstars because he be- lieved every person had a unique role to play on a championship team," safety Luther Bradley said. "He made everyone feel special." When a player needed correc- tion, he received the guidance from Parseghian or an assistant in clear terms, always with the intention of improvement, not humiliation. "Ara vowed to never criticize a player to the media," Pomarico said. "And he expected his players to do the same. This family-like focus cre- ated strong bonds." It was vitally important to Par- seghian that each player was best prepared to succeed. "Ara met with his assistant coaches twice daily, mornings and evenings, to discuss how each player could excel and where they should be placed to better help the team," said 1968 captain, All- American George Kunz. The results speak for themselves. ✦ Much like Rockne, Ara Parseghian knew how to connect with each of his players. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS For more informa on, please visit: www.RockneSociety.org The Knute Rockne Memorial Society is dedicated to preserving and promo ng the life story of Coach Knute Rockne and all he stood for. Through its annual Rockne Awards, the Rockne Society recognizes and inspires great achievement in athle cs…and in life. The Knute Rockne Memorial Society wishes to congratulate Rockne Society curator Jim "Augie" Augus ne on the Grand Opening of Augie's Locker Room at its new loca on, 1733 N. Ironwood Drive in South Bend. Jim Lefebvre is an award-winning Notre Dame author and leads the Knute Rockne Memorial Society. He can be reached at: jim@ndfootballhistory.com