Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Five Questions With … Assistant Athletics Director For Event Marketing And Guest Relations Josh Berlo Josh Berlo heads the event marketing and guest relations branch for Notre Dame’s athletics. Berlo came to South Bend in 2000 and worked in the athletic department while attending business school on campus. Along with his duties promoting Notre Dame’s sporting events, the UMass-Amherst graduate also recently started a Notre Dame chapter of the national Uplifting Athletes program that promotes awareness of rare diseases. He sat down with Blue & Gold Illustrated this week to talk about the start of the 2012 home season for all of Notre Dame’s sports. Blue & Gold Illustrated: What has your office been doing to try to improve the atmosphere at Notre Dame home games? Berlo: “The event marketing staff and I have been working closely with the band, cheerleaders, our student advisory group [the Leprechaun Legion], game management staff and others this summer to enhance the in-game experience and foster a more energetic, engaging and, frankly, louder environment. “Look for coordinated use of recorded music in conjunction with the band and cues for fans to ‘Take A StaND’ and cheer on our student-athletes.” Blue & Gold Illustrated: Attendance dipped across much of college football during opening week this season. Are there any challenges you face in filling up Notre Dame Stadium each week? Berlo: “The challenge is often getting the word out when tickets are available. Visiting teams frequently return tickets and there are a few other key opportunities throughout the year such as after the alumni lottery or student sale when tickets become available.” Blue & Gold Illustrated: If Notre Dame football does in fact sell itself, what is your main objective or role when promoting each game? Berlo: “More than promoting the game, we are looking to promote every attendee’s trip to Notre Dame whether they be coming from Michiana or points across the globe. There are many events and opportunities to enjoy and experience the university and campus.” Blue & Gold Illustrated: How much of a budget do you work with to promote all of Notre Dame’s games? Berlo: “Notre Dame athletics has a sizeable budget to promote awareness and provide a great fan experience for all of our athletic events. Each of our 26 programs receives marketing support in several forms and has promoted events. “In 2011-12, for the second consecutive and second overall year, we drew more than one million fans to our 11 ticketing sports while also expanding our promotional efforts for the other 15 programs. Nearly every program has a team poster featuring our student-athletes and receives various forms of marketing to promote their events.” Blue & Gold Illustrated: What was your role in the team’s trip to Dublin earlier this month? What kind of challenges did the overseas game present? Berlo: “My role was to assist with the ‘Notre Dame: A Welcome Home’ event at the O2 arena, similar to but much grander than a pep rally, and to help with ticketing of the game. … “We did have several unique situations and challenges with international nature of the game. For example, we had a young military couple [Notre Dame fans] whose tickets were stuck on base in Sicily, Italy. Of course, we found a way to get them into the game.” — Dan Murphy Point ✦ Counterpoint: What should Cierre Wood’s role be against Michigan State? Wood Is Still The Top Dog By Dan Murphy Expect senior Cierre Wood to get the ball in his hands on Notre Dame’s first drive of the game in East Lansing on Saturday. If he doesn’t, the offense is just wasting time. The Irish senior missed the first two games of the season for violating team rules. He didn’t get any slower. He didn’t get any less dynamic. He’s still the best running back Notre Dame has on its roster, and arguably the best the Irish have had in a decade. Senior Theo Riddick showed an ability to grind out tough yards against Navy. Sophomore George Atkinson III added more evidence to his big-play file. But remember, that was against the weakest defensive line the Irish will face all season. Notre Dame ran for 182 yards in that game last year, and the Midshipmen front seven is smaller and less talented this fall. Wood’s biggest asset is he can play both roles. At 215 pounds, he’s big enough and decisive enough to pick up tough yards between the tackles. He’s not quite as fast as Atkinson, but he also has the breakaway ability to pick up a big chunk of yards on a single play. Starters aren’t supposed to lose their jobs because of an injury. Wood shouldn’t lose any reps because his fellow backs played well during his suspension. He’s done his time, let him dive in head first against the Spartans defense this week. Don’t Rock The Boat By Wes Morgan It’s not entirely clear how dark head coach Brian Kelly’s doghouse is, or how long players spend inside it. Most would expect coaches not to hold grudges after doling out punishment. Senior Cierre Wood got his — a two-game suspension that kept him off the field the first two games of 2012. We’ll have to wait and see how last year’s leading rusher (1,102 yards and nine touchdowns) fits into the scheme once the Michigan State contest rolls around. But if senior Theo Riddick and sophomore George Atkinson III combine for more than 200 yards against the Boilermakers like they did in the opener versus Navy, there’s no reason to bend over backwards to make sure Wood gets even carries. What he must do is make a statement in practice and, when given the chance against the Spartans in East Lansing, produce. Kelly isn’t stupid; if Wood represents the best opportunity for Notre Dame to pound it on the ground and set the tempo, he’ll see the field plenty. But no head coach wants to disrupt a good rhythm because of seniority or what a player has done in the past. Riddick calls Wood a good friend, and said the team misses him dearly on the field. Riddick’s also a competitor, who isn’t going to let go of his top spot on the depth chart easily. Unless there’s an obvious reason to promote Wood back to that position, there’s no sense in upsetting the applecart right now.