It usually took place sometime before Laurel and Hardy but definitely after Sunday morning mass, I’m guessing right around 10:00am. It was a ritual that lasted years during my adolescence however I can’t say exactly how many. Feeling relaxed after having paid homage to my creator only minutes before at St. Mary’s of Mount Carmel I was now ready to begin peering through the snow and static that blocked my view of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. With enough strength though was Lindsey Nelson’s voice breaking through the interference that obscured my view but not my passion for college football and all things Notre Dame. On Sunday morning’s KTCA, Channel 2 replayed the entire Notre Dame Football game via the VHF broadcast spectrum. I had graduated from Sesame Street and Big Bird to college football fanatic. Thank you public television.
The aura of the Collegeville campus gathers its souls selectively but gives great care to their spirits once they arrive. I am St. John’s.
Growing up a mere hour northwest of the greatest college campus in the nation my options were few. Early years spent serving mass, studying scripture and taking an occasional swat across my face from Sister Sheila firmly sealed where I would be receiving my college education. As a lover of college football the silent hand of fate would allow me but one choice. The aura of the Collegeville campus gathers its souls selectively but gives great care to their spirits once they arrive. I am St. John’s.
My 5 daughters have seen more college football at their young ages than most 40 year old men. They know of no other acceptable college football team or university than St. John’s University. Like my old pal Rich Hall use to tell me, “having 5 Johnnie son-in-laws is like having 5 Johnnie sons”. God rest your soul Mr. H. And thank you Honey for allowing me my fall passion and helping pack the girls for the trip to some college campus Saturday mornings. The A-Man, Austin Murphy calls her the “Earth Mother”. Be sure to pick up Austin’s “The Sweet Season” for a spicy look at SJU and even a quote from me on page 297.
JohnnieFootball.com is now in session!
Michael Wagner SJU ‘83
DustySJU
