Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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8 MARCH 2024 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED UNDER THE DOME UNDER THE DOME Former Notre Dame soccer great Shannon Boxx admits that she had never even heard of the Silver Anniversary Award honor, until she received one in December 2023. The Silver Anniversary Award is bestowed by the NCAA each year to recognize former student-ath- letes for their outstanding collegiate and profes- sional achievements, 25 years after the conclusion of their college careers. And make no mistake, Boxx has plenty. A gifted midfielder on the Fighting Irish soccer team from 1995-98, the Fontana, Calif., native was a vital member of the 1995 Notre Dame national championship team and a three-time All Big-East honoree. Professionally, Boxx's stellar career after college stretched 13 years and also included three Olympic gold medals and a World Cup title in 2015. Boxx, 46, finished third in the 2005 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year voting and was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in May 2022. Presently, the married mother of two lives in Port- land, Ore., where she serves as a television soccer analyst for TNT Sports. And as an entrepreneur, Boxx co-founded and owns Ethos Mentality, which operates Athletes Redefined, an endeavor designed to help women athletes at every level make the often difficult transition into professional life upon retirement from athletics. Blue & Gold Illustrated recently caught up with Boxx and asked her about her time at Notre Dame and her life to follow. BGI: Do you have a favorite memory from your soccer career? Boxx: "I think about the Olympics and the World Cup stuff, but it was about being part of a team and my teammates. I think that's the part that I will remember the most, being in the meal rooms and hanging out in hotel rooms. "Those are the memories that I carry with me most and miss the most." BGI: What still stands out during your time at Notre Dame? Boxx: "Of course, winning the national champion- ship will forever be a highlight. But also, it wasn't until I got to Notre Dame that I realized this was the first time that you were playing for something greater than yourself. "You're playing for your university. You're play- ing for your parents who got you there. It just felt different." BGI: What did your time at Notre Dame mean to you? Boxx: "My time there was just so valuable, and I appreciate what that opportunity has provided for me moving on — the education, the network that you gain by going there. "I've been able to go back to campus and really stay connected to Notre Dame, and that has been really important for me." BGI: What can you tell us about Ethos Mentality and Athletes Redefined? Boxx: "It's something I am really passionate about. I struggled when I retired. You have a sole identity, and when that sole identity is gone, you can become very lost." BGI: What did it mean to be recognized with a Silver Anniversary Award? Boxx: "It was actually a big surprise; I had no idea. And I think my first thought was, 'Wow, that's how old I am!' But I was very honored. "To have people believe that I have done some great things and made an impact in my life is really important to me." — Todd D. Burlage Five Questions With … FORMER NOTRE DAME SOCCER PLAYER SHANNON BOXX Talent And Fit Make It Cam Williams By Todd D. Burlage There's little debate that Notre Dame's talented top-11 recruiting class of 2024 provides plenty of player options as to who could step right in and make an immediate impact. But when one of the highest-rated players from this class joined the team as an early enrollee in January at a position of desperate need, elite wide receiver Cam Williams jumped to the top of the list as the Irish freshman with enough ability and op- portunity to make the quickest splash this fall. According to the On3 Industry Ranking, Williams (6- foot-2, 191 pounds) is the No. 11 wide receiver and No. 47 overall player in the 2024 recruiting class. He nearly became the first five-star wide receiver to sign with the Irish since Michael Floyd in 2008 before On3 dropped him to four-star status in its rankings at the end of January. Williams left Glenbard South High near Chicago as the school's all-time leader in receptions (121), receiving yards (2,602), yards per catch (21.5), touchdowns (54) and points scored (324). Also a gifted return man and an accomplished track and field athlete, there's a good chance Williams could contribute for the Irish this fall in capacities beyond wide receiver. Floyd — who brought to Notre Dame nearly identical recruiting credentials in 2008 as Williams does this year — recorded 48 receptions for 719 yards with 7 touchdowns as a true freshman. Expect Williams to provide similar or even bet- ter production as a rookie wideout in 2024. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa Is Built To Play Right Now By Jack Soble Cam Williams is a great answer here. It wouldn't surprise anyone to see Notre Dame put his speed to good use in Year 1. Frankly, it would be negligent not to. But Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco's Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa checks pretty much every box for an instant-impact freshman. Viliamu-Asa enters Notre Dame with a college-ready frame. He's 6-foot-3, 233 pounds, and he's strong enough to blow up Division I blockers. His film is terrific and he did it against top competition, both in high school and at the All-American Bowl in San Antonio. He is aggressive, physical and as solid a tackler as any incoming freshman linebacker in the nation. Playing at St. John Bosco, a renowned high school program in Southern California, helps as well. There aren't many places that prepare their players better for immediate impact. According to head coach Marcus Freeman, no one is more primed for action in Notre Dame's signing class. "He's probably the most, I would say right now, college-ready recruit," Free- man said. "Physically, mentally. Comes from an unbelievable program in St. John Bosco. But he's so mature." Viliamu-Asa enrolled early and enters a wide-open competition for one starting linebacker spot and one rotational linebacker spot. Graduate student Jack Kiser will occupy the other starting role. Rising sophomores Drayk Bowen, Jaiden Aus- berry and Preston Zinter will fight for reps, along with rising junior Jaylen Sneed. If Viliamu-Asa shows out in the offseason, he has a chance to beat them out. Point ✦ Counterpoint: WHICH NOTRE DAME SIGNEE WILL MAKE THE MOST IMMEDIATE IMPACT? In December, Boxx received the NCAA's Silver Anniversary Award, which recognizes former student-athletes for their outstanding collegiate and professional achievements. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS Williams Viliamu-Asa