Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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WHERE HAVE YOU GONE? Heisman finalist finds fulfillment in special education work BY LOU SOMOGYI F ew football players at Notre Dame ever had a fleeter bounce in their step than 1964-66 game-breaking run- ning back Nick Eddy, who finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting as a senior for the consensus national champs. As Eddy prepares to embark on his 70th year Aug. 23, the diminished speed in his step is compensated by deep fulfillment in his daily work. For more than a decade, Eddy has achieved purpose as a special educa- tion teacher at the high school level in Modesto, Calif. "It came at the right time in my life," said Eddy, a father of four chil- dren ranging in age from 41 to 48, and grandfather to nine, ages 8 to 25. "My wife said, 'I've never seen you have this much of a bounce in your step. You're so much happier and it's a real calling that you have.' It's been a bless- ing and added a spark to my life." To Eddy, the best part about it all is his students, categorized in the low level learning handicap group, don't know, nor care, about his background. "Much of my life has been people saying, 'You're Nick Eddy, the All- American from Notre Dame!'" he said. "My kids don't understand all that, or the fuss when a teacher will come in here and ask me to sign an autograph request. There are too many other things going on in their life that they're worried about, and I feel it's my job to help direct them and make good choices. "It's so gratifying to help a student Nick Eddy, 1964-66 Running Back Eddy helped the Irish to a 25-3-2 record, a share of the 1964 national title and a consensus champion- ship in 1966 while rushing for 1,625 yards during his three varsity seasons. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME SPORTS INFORMATION