I don’t remember that Cavanaugh score but I do recall how we had our first winning season in a long time in ‘83 or ‘84 where we went 5-4. I do remember that 30 yard pass from you [Mark Palaski] in our loss to Morrisey since it was a beautiful throw from you and I grabbed it between two defenders. I hope I didn’t make that below the waist block that brought back Tommy Hynes’ score! I don’t think so, I would remember that, I’m sure.

My time on the Zahm Hall team was great in that I was one of the receivers that Mark threw to often. In high school, I was a starting receiver but I mostly brought in the running plays, while my teammate got most of the throws! I spoke to my coach not long ago at an alumni golf outing and he remembers that I had “great hands “, but he doesn’t remember not using me that much in the passing game. At Zahm I got to use those “great hands” and had a blast playing with Mark and the rest of the offense.

Now that Zahm is no longer a dorm, those playing days for the Rabid Bats and our first winning season for a long time at 5-4 mean even more to me.

I really enjoyed my interhall years.  

I am fairly certain we beat Cavanaugh in ’83 because Zahm rarely won until our years and we were 1-0 to start the season.  I remember all the guys on the ND varsity team tutoring me on how to QB the “wishbone”. They seemed more excited about our season than their own.  LOL

Our best year was our junior year in ’84 when we only lost one game to Stanford.  It was a back and forth game and we lost as we were driving in their red zone to tie it up and the clock ran out.  They were a very good team and I got hit way too many times that game.  

My favorite game of my Zahm career was in ’84 when we played Holy Cross under the lights at Cartier Field.  We had great dorm support from our fellow Zahmbies and some of the Varsity ND players came out to watch too.  Tim made a few nice catches and Fig was playing DB and absolutely crushed a receiver going for the ball.  The crowd went wild!!!  We went on to win and clinch a playoff spot.  Our rector, Fr. King, was elated and Coach Looney lit up a stogie after the big win. 

We ended up losing in the playoffs to Howard in a tight game as we drove the field at the end of the game.  I tried to hit Tim on a crossing pattern that would have tied the game but the defender made a great read and nice pick.  I remember chasing him for 40-50 yards before I jumped on his back and drove him into the ground. I felt bad later because I did not want to hurt him but I was so mad and disappointed. 

I loved our pre game pep talks by Coach Mike Snyder and the fist pumping antics of Kevin “Colonel” Kearney, a la Jack Lambert.  

One day junior year, Coach Looney could not make practice so John Krappman led our warm-ups/stretching.  He said, “We have to get ready for the playoffs men,  Let’s take this seriously.  Lie down on your back, now cross your legs,  put your hands behind your head.  Now close your eyes and take a deep breath.  Relax, exhale and find your happy place”. We were all howling.  I still think of that whenever I lie down on my back !

So many great memories.  What a great bunch of guys.