Tailgates move to the A-lot

For the second year in a row, the Center hosted a series of “tailgate parties” before each of three Notre Dame home football games: vs. Penn State (on September 9th), Michigan (on September 16th), and Purdue (on September 30th). This fall, the tailgate parties took place in one of the tailgate lots located near the Notre Dame stadium, directly across from the Hesburgh Center for International Studies. We pitched our tent, proudly hung our banner, and welcomed many friends and their families. While we offered Starbucks coff ee, award-winning vintages of wine and the finest selections of gourmet cheese – we discovered that our friends had very simple needs – donuts, burgers, beer and brats! We obliged – and a truly wonderful time was had by all. We owe a special debt of gratitude to the Center’s visiting graduate student, Jeremy Neill, who was the grill-master extraordinaire!

As in past years, each of the tailgate parties featured a “special guest star” including Catholic scholar Michael Novak, Ralph McInerny, Grace Professor of Medieval Studies and professor in the philosophy department, and Fr. Wilson Miscamble, CSC, of the history department. We were grateful for their presence, but like Time magazine’s person of the year, we believe the special guests were really– each of YOU! We will continue to host tailgate parties next season, and hope you will be able to join us in festively preparing to cheer on the Irish!