Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME GHOST UNDER THE DOME Dave Casper is elected to College Football Hall of Fame STORIES BY LOU SOMOGYI many an opposing defense during his play- ing career. Casper, the first All-American in school history listed officially as a tight end and the tri-captain of the 1973 national champs, is still the standard bearer of his alma mater at a position that has been replete with All- American- or NFL-caliber talent the past four decades. F ormer Notre Dame tight end Dave "The Ghost" Casper (1971-73) put a scare in On May 15, Casper was one of 14 play- ers and three coaches among more than 80 candidates elected into the College Football Hall of Fame. Among those he edged out were former Irish wideouts Raghib "Rocket" Ismail (1988-90) and Jim Seymour (1966-68). Overall, Casper is the 50th Notre Dame Casper, a consensus first-team All-American in 1973, is the 50th Notre Dame representative inducted into the Hall — the most of any school. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS representative (44 players and six coaches) inducted into the Hall — the most of any school. Wide receiver Tim Brown in 2009 had been the most recent. Brian Boulac, who has been at Notre Dame more than 50 years either as a player, coach or administrator, was Casper's coach and still deems him the best all-around football player he's been around. He ranks Casper and George Kunz — the No. 2 pick in the 1969 draft and eight-time NFL Pro Bowl pick — the two best blockers he's seen at Notre Dame. Because the Irish had a quality tight end in Mike Creaney from 1970-72, Casper started at left offensive tackle in 1971-72 earning honorable mention All- America notice as a junior. JUNE/JULY 2012 13