Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME 30 Years Ago: June/July 1986 In what is believed to be a first at the University of Notre Dame, two freshman football players — quar- terback Tony Rice from Woodruff, S.C., and linebacker Rod West from New Orleans — enroll in summer classes. The caveat is they receive no academic credit for their work, but the purpose is to get them accli- mated to a collegiate curriculum, sponsored by the Freshman Year of Studies, under the supervision of esteemed chemistry professor Dr. Emil Hofman. The admission of Rice in particular spurs controversy because he is a Prop 48 casualty who must sit out his freshman year of football, along with USA Today Defensive Player of the Year John Foley and basketball player Keith Robinson. Consequently, the school is accused of lowering its standards so that first-year head coach Lou Holtz can build around a quarterback who can engineer his option offense. Blue & Gold Illustrated catches up with Rice on campus, and his summer curriculum includes algebra/ trigonometry at 8 a.m., English/communications at 9:15 a.m., chemistry at 10:30 a.m. (under Hofman's tutelage) and a study skills seminar in the afternoon. "A lot of people told me that I'll never make it at Notre Dame," Rice said, also revealing much hate mail for not choosing in-state Clemson. "They told me it's too tough, and why don't I just go to some all-black college where I belong. … It's hard at times, but it's been a very good experience and I know I can do it." Anniversaries In Notre Dame Athletics History: June/July