<p>I will be attending ND next year and I have some questions/concerns about how much athletics really permeate life at ND. I know that most people coming to ND played varsity sports.
I am a guy, and am not the most athletic out there. Not the typical nerd or anything, but sports have never really interested me all that much. I watch football and other sports occasionally, but don't enjoy it all that much. So if there's ever a conversation about this player on that team or this coach of whatever team, I tend to just sit in silence.
I was wondering if this will make me feel out of place at ND. I love the school, but am still sort of worried about how I'd fit in here if I'm not the biggest sports fan and I don't want to play any interhall sports.</p>
<p>Not playing sports won’t be a problem at all. Aside from occasionally throwing the ball around with some friends, I’ve never played any sports during my time at ND, and knew many other people who did the same. I would encourage you to keep an open mind if any friends want to play a quick game of something, but you should be fine (I’m absolutely horrible at most sports but still had fun playing with my friends every now and then).</p>
<p>I would encourage you to at least follow the football team. It’s a great common thread between people and a great way to become a part of the greater Notre Dame community. Even if you don’t really like football very much, it’s just a fun community activity, and you don’t want to be “that guy” who doesn’t care about the football team. Give it a shot - it’s more about the communal experience than it is about the game itself.</p>
<p>Hey man! I’m gonna be another freshman next year who doesn’t know sports at all. My suggestion would be in line with dclash’s, because I feel like football is more than just a sport at ND; it’s a part of life. If you’re not a fan of football, you’ll have just as much fun just being a part of the crowd.</p>
<p>Thanks, reading these has made me feel better about fitting into the social scene at ND. Playing pickup games with a group of guys would appeal to me a lot more if I was actually good at them I guess, haha.
Also, being a minority sort of adds to the thought that I’d look and feel out of place there, but I guess it’s just best to take things in stride and throw myself out there, huh?</p>
Unless you make a concerted effort to avoid any discussion of football (which would be quite a feat at ND), you will quickly become an aficionado by osmosis. It’s hard to avoid all the excitement and spirit. I had zero interest in college football before my daughter went to Notre Dame, and now I spend the entire fall glued to ESPN and can talk football with the best of them. And I don’t even go there! It just happens. So don’t worry, you’ll be fine. :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the input, I guess I’m letting my nerves get to me. I just hope I’ll be able to fit in with everybody, even without being athletic like most others. - And i was definitely planning on buying season tickets for the home games, at the very least to get the full ND football experience and join the community.</p>