I want an actual, logical reason for this, not the usual jealousy-induced vitrol about how they're always on TV or still an Independent. I want an actual, rational explanation for why people hate Notre Dame so much.
2006-08-03 09:05:02 · 19 answers · asked by Lmeister 4 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
Just a little note, if you're going to make a 'factual statement, like maybe that Notre Dame is cocky, I would appreciate it if you would support that statement with evidence.
2006-08-03 09:17:58 · update #1
There were some pretty good answers and, as usual, some pretty bad answers. Brian L and LeftFishJet, props on both your answers. I want to thank irish, indianalee, booterdude14, irishfan46241, BlackSheep_v2, and Gonzodog for their well thought out, informative answers. Unfortunately, there were a few answers that failed to impress me.
rlc_60504: while I actually thought your answer was pretty good, I got caught up on your third point. Does that mean that if I live in Madison, but didn’t go to the University of Wisconsin, then I can’t root for the Badgers?
Kelly: not only was your joke a grammatical abortion, it also wasn’t funny. At all. Then again, you are a Tech fan (and perhaps even a student) so it doesn’t come as that big of a surprise.
2006-08-05 12:45:17 · update #2
OK, so you can see from my name which side I'm on...
Anyhow, from the beginning of College Football, ND has been a powerhouse. We had Knute Rockne take an unknown player and a little known team and turn them into a National sensation. People just don't like that.
It is jealousy. Yes, Notre Dame is an elite school, and people don't like that either. There is an air of superiority to them....but for the most part it is perceived, not actual. I have been to a lot of different campuses & ND is by far the most curteous. I tailgate behind the ROTC building & that is where the opposing teams unload their buses. I have never seen any ND fan do anything negative to another team. In fact, my first game was at ND against Texas A & M and the ND fans applauded when the uniformed band stepped off of the bus. I was amazed.
Maybe people hate Notre Dame so much because the don't like the fact that as "elitest" as they are, they outclass everyone else.
Hmm.
2006-08-03 09:54:36 · answer #1 · answered by irish 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm a resident of South Bend, IN...born and raised. So not a day goes by that I don't hear about the University of Notre Dame. For most of my life I've loved the Irish. But I do remember a period of time in high school when they got on my nerves.
There are certainly a number of reasons why people dislike the Irish. The fact that they are winners, is one. When a teams starts to win multiple championships there always seems to be a backlash by society. And for those opponents that say ND bought their championships please take note that they have been winning since the dawn of college football.
Money is also a factor for people hating the Irish. There is a belief that because they have a television contract there must be a lot of shady dealings going on. But take note that Notre Dame runs a clean program and hasn't been placed on probation or given any serious sanctions for wrongdoings.
People should also take note: The facilities here have only recently become better, for the longest time the Irish languished with out of date training equipment. And the players that are recruited have to be top notch academic students as well. Examine the schedule that the Irish play year in and year out. Yes, they play the military academies. But they also play Michigan, USC, and Penn State this year. Strength of schedule is always one of the tops in the nation.
I mention these things because haters will constantly refer to these things, among others, as so-called ammunition against them. But I think their arguments are always flawed and filled with ignorance.
Yes I cheer for the Irish. But I am also unbiased. I can recognize where there are faults to be had. I feel that ND is a great insitution, though. Founded in religion, steeped in education, and excellent in development of the human spirit.
2006-08-03 10:38:34 · answer #2 · answered by indianalee 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The reason that so many people hate Notre Dame is that the university prides itself on being the best possible. Notre Dame was founded and continues to run itself with an air of virtue and good-naturedness. It is not only reflected on the football field, but mainly in every other facet of the campus (but you can also look at the fact that the football team averaged above a 3.0 GPA last year..... that's amazing in the modern sports world). With this in mind, Notre Dame allows itself to be criticized and scrutinized much more than any other university in America. It holds it's Catholic values and academic excellence to such high esteem that the rest of the world jumps all over them whenever one fault is found, whether that be on the football field, in the classroom, or even with an alumnist.
Also, everybody else is jealous that we have the most Heisman winners, the coolest fight song, and the most beautiful campus in America.
2006-08-03 10:56:21 · answer #3 · answered by booterdude14 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I like Notre Dame alot but, why people hate them is because they are the New York Yankees of football they spend alot on coaches and other things like that. Plus they get special BCS treatment if they get in the top 8 in the standings no matter what they get a BCS bowl game as an automatic bid. I'm more of a major conference hater because alot of conferences get in a BCS game with a crappy team that is the reason in 2004 Utah played the crappiest BCS team of all time Pitt. That Utah team wasn't ever tested and could be the most over shadowed team ever or the most overrated team ever.
2006-08-03 09:11:57 · answer #4 · answered by unknown 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2 reasons.
1. Jealousy-this is one of the most storied programs in college football. The fight song, the Gipper, Knute Rockne, Touchdown Jesus, all that.
2. The Media-the image of Notre Dame being what college football's all about has definitely been enlarged by sportswriters and talking heads on TV for years.
2006-08-03 13:06:06 · answer #5 · answered by BlackSheep_v2 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My opinion is that it comes down to tradition. Notre Dame is one of those schools that is either loved or hated because of the tradition the university, and team has. The same love/hate feelings can expressed toward many of the traditional football powers - the teams you either love or hate because as a fan there is no middle ground.
Notre ame ( there is no "D" in South Bend) just happens to be one of those schools you either love, or love to see get beat.
2006-08-03 21:50:20 · answer #6 · answered by The_Village_Idiot 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because Notre Dame fans are among the most arrogant fans on this planet and NO I don't have any stats. This comes from personal expierence. They think one decent season makes them a national power and the best thing since sliced bread. Charlie Weis is God and Notre Dame doesn't lose they just choose not to win.
Please*rolls eyes*
2006-08-03 09:34:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's only good old fashioned football rivalry. Nobody actually "hates" Notre Dame or anybody who goes there. But Americans take their football seriously, and fans can take that to extremes sometimes.
2006-08-03 09:21:41 · answer #8 · answered by kj 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear guy who asked the question..
the reason people hate Notre Dame so much is because they are so cocky. I dont really hate Notre Dame but i sort of hate theyre uniform.
2006-08-03 09:09:11 · answer #9 · answered by Tristan W 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ND has many rivalries in college football, Michigan, USC, and Navy to name a few. Its hard to like a team growing up when they are playing your team and beating them. Not very fond memories I would imagine, I hate BC for 93 and always will. So thats all it is people remember that one loss from when they were a kid or the multiple losses and it sticks with them what could have been if only.............
2006-08-03 12:04:27 · answer #10 · answered by irishfan46241 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋