Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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be a de-emphasis of football at Notre Dame, but his toughest days were in the 1960s and early 1970s, when na- tional turmoil and student unrest on collegiate campuses and an emerging counter-culture forced many a univer- sity president to resign. In response, Hesburgh implemented his famous "15-minute rule" where any student who disrupted the uni- versity's normal operations would be given 15 minutes of meditation to cease and desist or would be expelled from school. When one says the word "presi- dential," it evokes an image of a regal figure with an aura that oozes firm leadership, yet also respect by doing what he deems is right instead of what might be popular. That defined Hes- burgh. Even popular longtime advice col- umnist Ann Landers, despite being of the Jewish faith, regularly turned to Father Hesburgh as her consultant on questions or conflicts from her readers regarding morality and religion. Yet, as is the case with anyone in a position of authority, Hesburgh had his share of critics and detractors. They included those who opposed his liberal views on civil rights, but espe- cially of having a role that secularized Catholic universities. There also was the "old guard" who recoiled at the thought of Notre Dame going co-educational in 1972. That same year when Hesburgh was asked to be on the board of the Chase Man- hattan Bank, he was castigated on all QUOTING FATHER TED "My basic principle is that you don't make decisions because they are easy; you don't make them be- cause they are cheap; you don't make them because they're popular; you make them because they're right." "If you're damned if you do and damned if you don't, then do." "Anyone who refuses to speak out off campus does not deserve to be listened to on campus." "I can think of no better way of redeeming this tragic world today than love and laughter. Too many of the young have forgotten how to laugh, and too many of the elders have forgotten how to love. Would not our lives be lightened if only we could all learn to laugh more easily at ourselves and to love one another." "It is easier to exemplify values than teach them." "Put yourself in the hands of the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Mother. You will see heartbreaks as well as days of great joy. There will be celebration as well as days of mourning in this church. But with the Holy Spirit behind you and the Holy Mother inspiring you, these will be great years." "The Catholic university should be a place where all the great questions are asked, where an exciting conversation is continually in progress, where the mind constantly grows as the values and powers of intelligence and wisdom are cherished and exercised in full freedom."