Why my blogging experience makes me suspicious of Notre Dame and Te'o

I try to avoid the news of the day on the blog unless it relates to BC, but there is something about the Te'o situation that compelled me to post. Based on my experience blogging about a college team, I don't believe Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick when he said that December 26th, 2012 was the first time the school learned of the hoax.

As I've referenced, people send me all sorts of gossip and conspiracy theories revolving around BC sports. Obviously 99.99% of it is garbage or very difficult to confirm. If I ever think anything is serious but don't want to write about it, I pass it on to whoever I feel can help resolve the situation. I imagine a school like Notre Dame has a similar culture and network...only bigger and under more of a microscope. If Te'o was allegedly confronted December 6, I doubt that it didn't get back to Notre Dame sooner. His childhood friend  Robby Toma is a Notre Dame WR! Just based on my experience, I would suspect a Grad Assistant, a Sports Information Director or at least a position coach heard about something at some point prior to December 26.

My blogging experience also has me questioning how a Notre Dame fan didn't sniff this out sooner. Anytime I blog about a sad Boston College story or a current or former player in need, I always get emails from people either trying to help or sharing their story of how they reached out to those involved. I am only one blogger and BC is a much smaller community than Notre Dame. If a BC star's girlfriend died in season, I know there would be dozens of BC fans who would reach out to her family...even if the family asked for privacy. The media reported this fake girl died in Southern California and even named the hospital. There are thousands of Irish fans in Southern California. Appropriate or not, I am surprised that not one of them attempted to reach out and inadvertently discovered the hoax.

These things are always hard to keep underwraps. The more people that know the more likely it is to unravel and with a fanbase as engaged as Notre Dame, I just don't see how no one heard anything prior to the Te'o family sharing the secret.

Father's Day

I often feel responsible for some of my dad's agita during football season. Other than the dent in his wallet from tuition, BC should have been out of his mind 12 years ago. But through my fandom and later blogging, he has been fully sucked in. He bleeds maroon and gold like the rest of us. But then again it's all his fault. Like all good role models, he taught me about pain and suffering as a long distance fan years ago. Let me explain.

My father was a San Francisco 49ers season ticket holder in the 1970's. As he got married, started a family and watched that family grow, he kept the tickets. His reward was watching the 49ers lose...a lot. Even after suffering through back to back 2-14 seasons, he was still a diehard. Late in the 1980 season, we moved east for his work. He had to give up his seats. In 1981 the 49ers won the Super Bowl and started one of the greatest runs in NFL history. Now a transplanted fan could still watch every game and follow the team with ease on line. In those days, my dad had to savor any Monday Night Football appearence or the occasional late game on CBS. News, analysis and rumors? Forget it. His only source for news was a makeshift clip service my grandmother set up. She would cut out articles from the San Francisco Chronicle and mail them. I can't even imagine.

But through it all he still had the passion and still loved his team. I never became a Niners fan, but his passion obviously rubbed off. But I do want to thank him for all he's done, for understanding my love for BC, and for giving me hope. He stuck with the 49ers and it paid off. Maybe one day BC will have their moment in the sun.

Grades coming later

Sorry for the delay. I am glad I save my timeouts like Spaz.

Grades and thoughts are coming Monday morning

Thanks for your patience.

Delayed...

Second viewing thoughts and grades will be up Monday morning. Real life got in the way this weekend. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Looking through the archives

One of the challenges of blogs is that you write in the moment. Sure I prep things or tweak them if I don't like how it came out, but in general the thoughts here are often raw. Knowing that, I went back to read some of the stuff around the Jags hiring. I didn't think we have a moment like this two years in, but I think I still stand by much of what I wrote.

The first mention of Jags:

Jeff Jagodzinski. Offensive Coordinator, Green Bay Packers.
Pros: Great NFL experience. Good line coach and would bring back a focus on the running game. Aggressive recruiter.
Cons: Remember the four straight runs in the closing minutes of the 1998 Notre Dame game? Although it might have been TOB’s call, Jags was on the head set for that.
Bottom Line: Might not want the job as he has been an NFL guy since he left BC.

Winners and Losers:

Jury is still out

Gene Defilippo. In ten years on the job Gene accomplished many things, but never had to fill one of our marquee positions. Jags will be his legacy. Instead of going the safe route with Whipple, he rolled the dice. With a new seating license and growing monotony, Gene needs Jags to win over fans and alumni. Let’s hope he does.

First reactions to Jags after his official introduction:

I am not naive enough to think that Jags will be here forever or that he will not explore other opportunities. But like Coughlin, I think Jags will always hold a special place in his heart for the Heights. And if he has the same sort of success as Coughlin, I'll be sad to see him go, but wish him the best.

Technical issues

It has been pointed out to me that there is an increasing number of page display issues. I think it is related to my yardbarker ad space. I've pulled the ad for now.

I plan on giving the blog a slight face lift during the next bye week. If anyone out there knows anything about blogger templates and can offer help send me an email.

Blogging without an editor

Norvface's correction in my last post reminded me to thank all my readers for their support and understanding. I apologize in advance for malaprops, typos and weird blogger spellcheck corrections. I am a one-man band and write these things at night, often while a little punchy. Hurried posting also contributes to mistakes. Ever to excel when it comes to better copy, but I hope you guys understand.