These words from the movie Rudy—a modern day Jude the Obscure—have resounded in my soul ever since I saw that film. I wish I had never seen it. It would have made my college selection much less painful, for that tear inducing hour-and-a-half changed my life. I knew from that moment on that I wanted to attend the University of Notre Dame. Hell, I wanted to be Rudy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsmzDL61oME
HERE ARE CLIPS FROM RUDY. THEY INSPIRED ME TO PURSUE ACCEPTANCE INTO THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME.
My interest should have died down over the years (I mean a movie can only do so much), but the Irish simply kept creeping into my life. One of my parents’ best friends is a Notre Dame graduate, as is his son. Every time we went to his house, we had to walk through his room, though it would be more accurate to call it a Notre Dame shrine. The lights were covered with stained-glass leprechauns, blue and gold banners draped every wall, the coffee table was littered with books about their 11 national championships and 7 Heisman trophy winners, and I swear he must have had the fight song playing at all times. When I would go visit my grandmother every summer, I would often see her friend Ferd as well. Ferd, the brother of a priest and a man who is not afraid to voice his opinions, would always say that he loves three things “cigars, democrats, and Notre Dame.” He would go on for hours about how great of a school it was, and this is from a guy who didn’t even go there. I was enthralled with how much love and passion these people had for this school. I wanted to be a part of that.
THIS IS ESSENTIALLY WHAT OUR FAMILY FRIEND'S ROOM LOOKED LIKE. I LONGED TO BELONG TO A PLACE THAT EVOKED SUCH LOVE AND PASSION.
I guess after hearing about how wonderful of a school it is all the time, I began to believe it. All of it; and I fell in love. As I grew older and actually began to consider schools, the Notre Dame was obviously the first one I checked. After my visit to the school, I came to the realization that “It would just suit me.” [2] It had everything I could have wanted in a school. The scenery, with its two lakes, endless trees, and awe-inspiring architecture, was unbelievable. The academics are obviously one of the top in the country. Catholicism was everywhere, from the grotto to the basilica on campus. The walls oozed tradition and history. It was the most surreal place I had ever been. It was truly a “castle, manned by scholarship and religion.” [3]
THE TOP PICTURE IS OF THE GOLDEN DOME, AND THE BOTTOM IS OF THE GROTTO. IT IS STRUCTURES LIKE THESE THAT MAKE NOTRE DAME SUCH A UNIQUE AND BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS.
Yet, there were definitely other reasons that I wanted to go to Notre Dame. I wanted to do something that no one at my school had ever done. The majority of college-eligible students from Crosby go to that place in College Station. No one had ever been accepted into Notre Dame. I wanted to accomplish something that the people in my town would remember and be proud of. My “dream was as gigantic as [my] surroundings were small.” [4] I worked really hard in high school, as well. I didn’t always want to, but what kept me going was the thought that it would all be worth it the day I got accepted into Notre Dame. So I sacrificed memories and friendship for my “lofty desire.” [5] As a result, I didn’t want to go somewhere that 10% of all Texas high schoolers could. I ignorantly felt like I deserved better. Also, I truly enjoyed the look of disbelief when I told people where I wanted to go to school. Going to a school like Notre Dame wasn’t even fathomable to them; it didn’t seem possible. I liked the fact that my acceptance letter brought tears of joy to my parents and grandparents. I wanted to make them proud. However, the biggest lure of the university stemmed from that damn line from the movie. I, like Jude, hated being told that there was a “place much too good for [me] ever to have much to do with.” [6] I guess when it comes down to it, when Rudy’s father tells him that Notre Dame “isn’t for us” I felt like he was talking to me too (as weird as that sounds). I wanted to prove him wrong while simultaneously proving to myself that I could compete and belong with these rich, smart kids.
PART OF MY MOTIVATION WAS TO PROVE ALL OF THE HATERS WRONG.
Well, I was accepted to my dream school, but quickly learned that life is not like the movies. It seems that Notre Dame (and its $45,000 tuition) “hates all men like me”: middle class white people [7], as I was not offered a single dime. As a result, in my mind, Notre Dame “[stands] not so much for excellence as for exclusion.” [8] In the long run though, I am glad that I didn’t go. I love it here. It was just a stupid dream. And, on that note, I just have one thing left to say (will you join me, Mary?)…fuck Notre Dame.
I NOW KNOW THAT THINGS TURNED OUT FOR THE BEST AND I AM SO GLAD THAT I CAME HERE. HOOK 'EM.
1. The movie Rudy.
2. Thomas Hardy, Jude the Obscure, pg. 23
3. Thomas Hardy, Jude the Obscure, pg. 23
4.Thomas Hardy, Jude the Obscure, pg. 20
5.Thomas Hardy, Jude the Obscure, pg. 24
6.Thomas Hardy, Jude the Obscure, pg. 16
7. Unknown author, "The Writing on the Walls: From Premodern to Postmodern", X644
8.Unknown author, "The Writing on the Walls: From Premodern to Postmodern", X636
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