On one side you have the football traditionalist, hiding in the shadows mostly, that believes the lore of ND football and it's history was chiefly responsible for its current position and its cult-following in the the US, and the world. Many are overjoyed and proud of the university, as a whole and the success it has obtained and know deep in their souls they clearly understand that something as simple as a football program and the creation of subway alumni made it all possible. Otherwise, ND would be any other Catholic University in America that plays football. So they are not embarrassed to want and in some instances demand that ND keep it's football program at the highest levels. But in today's world they are being shouted down.
On the other side of bipolarism, and it looks like the one with more influence, understand the history but feel like the football program served its useful purpose and now ND can continue to build on that platform to make the University of ND to be a global brand of higher learning and global influence. This group and apparently growing in influence are indifferent to what must be done to maintain a top football program that has outlived it's usefulness in today's modern and global society. They grew up and had their children where all participants get a ribbon and no one person or institution school be held above any other. It's demeaning.
That's why there was the creation of the Shamrock Series, it's not about getting recruits, it's about taking the ND brand on the road because ND can. ND can put football butts in seats. And the game in Dublin is a PR stunt of little value to the football program. Probably upcoming games in Beijing, Jordan, and Istanbul. They don't give a damn about the players or the success of the program, or playing for a National Championship they are using it as an opportunity to take the brand on the road. What other top level football program or coaches would create a schedule that puts up obstacles to a winning season. Home games in San Diego and NY.? Give me a break! It's all to serve their egos to hob-knob with the money donors, hey guys look there's a game going on the field, right. The coaches and players didn't buy into your branding dreams?
Yeah I'm pissed, when the non-deserving take advantage of others success without acknowledgment. Don't believe me, watch the university or conference programs PR commercials during games. Like other programs, I would love to see ND on occasion focus on one of their athletes that came to ND to play a sport and get an education and make the school so much money and focus on what they do outside the program. Instead we had a segment during the Pittsburgh game on how much the school is doing to break down barriers with Muslims. Without football there would be no NBC contract and no opportunity for ND to spread their voice.
I'm pissed for the coaches and players that go out every week to bust their butts so the school can use them to profess their agenda. And for us ND football fans that truly believe, that ND can be both.