But what about the actual experience of the fans? Our royal Red and Black bleeders who braved modern commercial air travel and traded hard-earned green to be a part of this historic Aztec crusade?
The punch-line is: We had a blast!
From the Chicago-to-South-Bend train ride to the tailgate at the entrance of the College Football Hall of Fame, we enjoyed the quintessential college football experience. This was Aztec football in the heart of the greatest tradition of the game and we were a legitimate part of it.
If the Red and Black evidence outside the Hall wasn’t proof enough, there was plenty more inside: displays featuring Aztec legends Marshall Faulk, Fred Dryer, and coach Don Coryell. Coach Chuck Long is enshrined there, albeit for his playing days at Iowa.
College Football is fun. Ergo, it was most satisfying to marvel at its Mecca. And that our team played well made the actual game portion of our journey a joyous holiday. Sitting in the stands with the fabled Golden Dome and “Touchdown Jesus” in full view was nothing short of a thrill.
Add in the incomparable politeness of the Domers, (“Welcome to Notre Dame. Welcome to Notre Dame. Welcome to Notre Dame!”) the throwback stadium atmosphere, which despite the absence of a Jumbotronic replay scoreboard also offered a complete absence of canned noise, blaring music and corporate intrusions which left us with pure football.
The experience was singular and unforgettable. And on top of it all, in an opportunity that occurs all too infrequently, SDSU was showcased before a national television audience. Our Aztecs - fans and football team - used that opportunity to shine.
