Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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6 SUMMER 2026 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED A CALL TO ACTION I will admit that I was somewhat spoiled by Coach Phelps. Despite the overwhelming football program under Ara, ND basketball was still a force on the collegiate court. What happened? NIL (legally or not) has always been in some form. I recog- nize that ND took a chance on Coach Phelps in the early years but the current situation where players are leaving en masse (and I don't mean the chapels of ND) is very frustrating. ND is not selling the program and making the proper adjustments to NIL. If ND does not have the funds for NIL for sports other than football, then make changes to remain competitive. ND still has the clout to force the NCAA to create a system of fair play. Every school should abide by a set NIL budget, or we will never see the proper coaches succeed. Every sport at ND is at risk if we don't create a foundation of play based on fair pay, level competition and, dare I say, the proper expectation of attending classes. Graduation rates should entitle the proper schools to re- ceive a 10-20 percent addition to their NIL allotment. Mico Holguin '80 Thanks for sharing your perspec- tive, Mico. It's difficult to watch the program struggle when we all know its potential. You hit on the most critical point: the " mass exodus" we witnessed this spring, with Markus Burton, Cole Certa and Jalen Haralson all departing for programs with significantly higher NIL budgets. The reality is that Notre Dame's bas- ketball NIL spending is currently being doubled by its power conference peers. While football will always be the No. 1 on campus, this widening gap in basketball is becoming impossible to ignore. The university is at a crossroads: it must decide whether to fully lean into this new era or risk being left behind. DEDICATED FAN I am now a 92-year-old vet and was a Notre Dame season ticket holder for over 40 years. May not live to get all this year but can't miss out on whatever God lets me have. I'm confined to a wheel- chair now. Go Irish! Dan Corcoran Sycamore, Ill. Dan, thank you for your service and for 40-plus years of incredible loyalty to Notre Dame. You represent the very best of the Irish spirit. We are honored to have you as a member of the Notre Dame family. Wishing you a wonderful season ahead. AN ODE TO THE IRISH Marcus and staff fired up the blue and gold. Bringing Irish Football back from times of old. Yet all opponents are determined to show he is being too bold. Not so, worthy teams, be slow to scold. Note the name on the Irish jerseys, albeit in French, behold Pray the Rosary to Our Lady, stay en- rolled. Her intercessions have improved a thousandfold. Now that Lou Holtz has joined the fold. Be not afraid when 4th and goal. A little Angel will whisper in Marcus's ear, so I'm told. Edward Fechtel Edward, your poem beautifully cap- tures that unique Notre Dame blend of faith and football . The image of Lou Holtz as an "angel in Marcus's ear" is a powerful tribute to his legacy following his passing this spring. Thank you for re- minding us to "stay enrolled" in the tra- ditions that make this program special. FAN FORUM BE HEARD! Send your letters to: steve.downey@on3.com or mail to: Blue & Gold Illustrated, P. O. Box 2331, Durham, NC 27702 Men's basketball standouts, from left to right, Markus Burton, Cole Certa and Jalen Haralson all departed for programs with significantly higher NIL budgets than Notre Dame. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL MILLER