Blue and Gold Illustrated

UNDER THE DOME Nickname: "Some people call me Rom or Ro." Dorm: "I live in a house off campus." Major: "Accounting." Favorite movie: "Any Christopher Nolan movie. His movies blow my mind every time. He works his magic." Favorite TV show: "That's a tough one. I'd say 'Sherlock.' He's a really smart guy and I love his acting ability." Best player you've played against: "Our O‑line is a tough unit to go against. I'd say Ronnie [Stanley] is the hardest. He comes with the right at‑ titude every day." Best part of playing for Notre Dame: "Definitely the people. We're all family, everyone gets along and everyone pushes you to be the best you can be." Favorite restaurant around South Bend: "I'd say Soho. I can't go too often because it's pretty expensive, but when family is in we try to go." Getting To Know … SENIOR DEFENSIVE END ROMEO OKWARA PREGAME ALTERATIONS When "America The Beautiful" was omitted from Notre Dame's pregame show in the season opener versus Texas Sept. 5, it was primarily because of a new NCAA rule this summer related to the timing of pregame football warm‑ups. Per the new rule "teams are now guaranteed that they may remain on the field for pregame warm‑ ups until at least 22 minutes before the opening kickoff." Prompting this change was concern about the teams being forced to leave the field early because of other pregame activities, leaving them too much time to spend in the locker room prior to kickoff. The change was designed to facilitate student‑athlete safety and health. Consequently, also eliminated were visiting band performances prior to kickoff (often a highlight with USC's visit). Meanwhile, Notre Dame's band will be limited to playing "Hike Notre Dame" as it enters the field, followed by "The Star‑Spangled Banner" and then the "Notre Dame Victory March" as it exits the field and goes to the sidelines. "The new NCAA rule has prompted some changes in the pregame routine both for the football teams and for our band," said Notre Dame associate athletics director Mike Danch, who serves as game man‑ ager for Irish home football contests. "We are tremendously appreciative of our ability to collaborate with Dr. Ken Dye and the band to make all the details work." There was an exception made in the Texas game when a pregame moment of silence was offered to 1952‑87 university president Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C, who passed away in February, as well as a tribute to all former Notre Dame football players, coaches and staff who passed away in the past year. Notre Dame thanked Texas officials for graciously offering two extra minutes to the script in support of accomplishing the tribute to Father Hesburgh.

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