Oct. 6, 2006
By Laura Godlewski
Trumpet
Erie, Pennsylvania
Class of 2009
For me, Notre Dame, has always been a place exploding with pride. It is a family and community. You can certainly feel the spirit of the place on any home football Saturday; sometimes you feel it on a Wednesday before the game when fans begin to filter into campus.
It’s one thing to be a fan of such a great place like Notre Dame, but you have no idea what it’s like to be a part of it, especially in an organization like the Band. You are there on the field, there for the moment. I remember this moment being especially large last year during the USC home game.
The rivalry between ND and USC is huge, and it tends to bring a lot of spirit out of both sides. Last year the band played for multiple television appearances preceding the contest. When it came to our final game-day march out the excitement couldn’t be contained. The main quad in front of the dome was packed. It was hard to move, or find friends, or even find my place in rank, but I managed it. It’s hard to exactly explain the feeling of excitement, but I can only say that a certain bubbling feeling was beginning to form in my stomach. During that march out I couldn’t seem to quiet my cheers, and it was so hard not to smile at the extreme pride and excitement I was feeling.
When the band filled the tunnel that day before our pre-game show there was the usual excitement of performing, and of the game to come. Finally our signal came and we trotted out onto the field to an explosion from the huge stadium. It wasn’t until the Band settled to play America the Beautiful that I really got a chance to take everything in. You cannot imagine from any seat in the stadium what it’s like to be on that field for a game. You’re surrounded by an energy that’s pouring from the stands. There’s pride, excitement and all sorts of other emotions filling you. During America the Beautiful when you hear the crowd begin to sing, and feel the fly-by over the stadium there’s no way to control the emotion. I remember seeing all of those fans, and feeling all of those emotions of pride and not being able to control myself. Slowly my eyes filled and I started to cry. I admit that it’s extremely hard to play America the Beautiful when you’re that choked up.
Sitting in the stadium during the game don’t forget to stop and look around at the wonder around you. In an age of technology and communication people still come together to celebrate their teams and spirit. Absorb that feeling. Absorb that pride that surrounds you, it’s such a unique and beautiful feeling.