Big Plans for San Antonio
By Josh Flynt ’11, Hannah Storm Journalism Intern

When Notre Dame takes on Washington State in San Antonio this Halloween, the Irish will bring more than just their pads and helmets to The Lone Star State. ND will bring an entire game weekend experience nearly 1,300 miles southwest of Notre Dame Stadium to the Alamodome, beginning with a pep rally and finishing with a service project before the big game.

The festivities begin on Friday, Oct. 30, with the Follett Notre Dame Bookstore open throughout the day at the Marriott River Center, the ND football headquarters. In the evening, Notre Dame will host a pep rally at the Alamo, complete with the Band of the Fighting Irish, the leprechaun, cheerleaders, and special guests.

Saturday’s events include a lecture offered as part of the Notre Dame Saturday Scholars Series, Mass at the San Fernando Cathedral, a pre-game performance by the Band of the Fighting Irish, and an NDAA tailgater at Sunset Station. With all that's planned, the day is sure to feel like a true South Bend Saturday. Making the weekend complete is another integral aspect of the Notre Dame spirit—service.

On Saturday morning, the NDAA will collaborate with the ND Club of San Antonio to work with the Healy-Murphy Center, an alternative school in San Antonio. The center was established in 1888, and originally owned and operated by the Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate as a boarding school for African-American youth. The school reorganized in 1970, and today, it serves pregnant teenagers, high school dropouts, and other students having difficulties. The center’s mission is to provide “compassionate service to youth-in-crisis by focusing on individual education in a non-traditional setting, early childhood development, and essential support services.”

According to Katie Zakas ‘04, the NDAA director of service, the project will involve painting the Healy-Murphy Center’s cafeteria on the morning of the game. The project will take place from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Those who cannot make it to the service project may still contribute to the cause: the NDAA is sponsoring a donation drive. Review the  list of needed items on the service project website.

The NDAA is hoping for a team of 50-75 volunteers to assist with the project at the center. Visit the service project website to learn more about the San Antonio initiative, and to register to participate.