<p>We had an awesome weekend at ND and I want to thank everyone who helped me figure this out!
We visited ds and he introduced us to some friends. We walked around campus and showed my parents all of the statues, touchdown Jesus, etc. The 80,000 people were amazingly polite and nice from our perspective. We went to the game and had a great time watching the student section and listening to the band. My dh watched the game closer than I, I just do not get what the football attraction is for anyone. Sorry. The game lasted 2 hours longer than necessary in my opinion. Just cut out the 2nd and 3rd quarters and it would have been perfect.
After the game we went to mass at the Basilica, which was beautiful and a really neat experience. My parents are older and people everywhere went out of their way to be helpful and kind.
Definitely a fabulous weekend. </p>
<p>Sue,
Our experience was the same last year and I am looking forward to attending this year's game. We too noticed how amazingly friendly, polite and neat everyone was. People from the coasts will almost invariably say those of us in the midwest are more friendly. We don't even need the crosswalks at intersections painted with "Pedestrians have the right of way." haha.</p>
<p>However, I think it says something when those of us in the midwest take note of the friendliness and politeness of ND. My S says it's the same from everyone, from the newest grounds employee up to Fr. Jenkins, Malloy, Hesburgh, etc. He's sure they give all prospective employees a "niceness" test before hiring them!</p>
<p>Glad you had a good time. Last year's game we attended had double or triple overtime and was about 40 degrees when it was over. At least you had beautiful weather....</p>
<p>I have an opportunity to go to an ND game and spend the weekend in SB, but I know nobody. DD has her student ticket and her peeps. SHould I just go buy a single ticket or is that just too weird? The idea would be we would roam around together before the game but then she wants to sit in her regular spot and I can't get in there because of security and frankly because a parent sitting in the student section is bizarre. After the game the idea is we meet up and I treat he and her friends to dinner.</p>
<p>I would go! But I do not really mind being by myself. Have you ever seen a ND game? Watching the student section is so awesome and it gave me goosebumps.I do not even like football. I am guessing the people next to you would chat with you and keep you company. The people were very friendly. I just enjoyed the ambience of the campus, and meeting ds friends. I would love to take his friends out to dinner, maybe next time.
I just loved seeing ds in HIS new environment, with his new friends and watching him with his newfound confidence. Two weeks ago when we left him he was scared to death with no friends and now he is blossoming. I am so glad I saw that or I would still be worried! </p>
<p>I would not let the fact that you dont know anyone keep you from visiting your daughter. Normally you should be able to find a single ticket to go into the game if that is what you would like to do. If the game doesnt thrill you that much you can always catch part of the game at the Joyce, the tent behind the Morris or several other places on campus that have the game on big screen TVs. By far most everyone will be in the stadium, but there is a small number of people walking around enjoying the day and checking out the campus or just finding a place to sit and relax. In short, you will find something to do on campus while your daughter is in the game for 4-5 hours. And I do agree with your comment about (not) sitting in the student section.</p>
<p>Unless you really hate football or sitting by yourself, then I would suggest also attending the game. It's an experience I wouldn't want to miss as a parent, even if I wasn't particularly a football fan.</p>