During the Leahy era, at least from'46-'49, ND wore plastic helmets. Then into the mid-to-late '50s (Brennan/Hornung time frame), they went back to leather helmets. Do you have any idea why? Just curious because it seems a bit odd.
I seem to recall Lou having one with 5. Let's say over the last 50 years.
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Tom Pagna after Smagala's pick-6 in the 1988 Southern Cal game.
from the 1982 ND Football Guide
#45 John McCabe
LB....6'3....222...18....Freshman....Arlington Heights, Il
Illinois All State linebacker will aid Irish cause at that spot..earned two letters as linebacker and tight end at Arlington High School...captain of squad senior year..etc
roster says McCabe's coach at Arlington HS was Charles Haines
His own LinkedIn profile lists Arlington HS.
Teaches now at a HS in Glendale Az.
Back then he was a bit bitter about the ND admissions. The story linked said his coaches and parents were shocked that Faust had offered him and that he told him that Paul would be admitted. But he wasn't of course, he only had 1 year of science in HS a fact that put him in the Prop 48 category that Tony Rice was also in, but ND relented to Holtz on Rice.
Illinois didn't admit him either in the end, went to Iowa then Arizona. Had discipline problems and never played in the NFL.
Olson, your post re Ara and the CCL got me thinking that even among those who were recruited, there were few standouts. In today's terms Vito R would have been a “5 star” and Tony Carey, Joe Farrell, Nick Rassas et al were already at ND when Ara arrived. Would Terry Brennan also have had the most (only) impactful career of any CCL product during the era of Ara?
ca. 1971. He wore his ND Cotton Bowl blazer. Leo used to still get guys from 'burbs then--a # of guys from my 8th grade class (including one who was a star RB at Leo) went there.
I saw Bobowski play for St. Viator in his sr. year and my frosh year at Marist. They were ranked #1 in state at time.
with what you've reported about the displeasure/criticism that Ara got over his recruiting in the Chicago Catholic League, that he would have a couple of years where he had no Illinois recruits.