Thursday morning I took a ridiculously early flight to Cleveland where I would then be taking a connecting plane out to South Bend. I have been on my share of airplanes (I am actually on one right now) but the one from Cleveland to South Bend was, by far, the smallest and most uncomfortable one I have ever been on. It sat 20 people....it was crazy. Upon landing in South Bend I took a cab right over to Notre Dame to begin setting for that day's round of signings. Everyone has been so excellent to me every time I go to the school. All the equipment guys and really everyone associated with the school and with Coach Weis have been so helpful. On that day I was to be doing signing with former Coach (and legend) Ara Parseghian, Tony Rice and Reggie Brooks. They were coming in to add their name to the multi-signed projects that I had shipped straight from Orlando. Coach Ara was the first to arrive (thankfully Double C had secured three separate times for the guys to come in) After Ara was done I had about fifteen minutes until Tony arrived. It only took Rice about twenty-five minutes to complete the items. Then about an hour later Reggie Brooks walked in. He was, by far, the most talkative of the three. We talked a little NFL and a lot about Maryland. Reggie had played for the Redskins and was pretty familiar with D.C. and College Park. It was nice to meet someone else that has memories of The Vous. Once Reggie was done I headed over to my hotel to check in. I always stay at the same spot as it is a two minute walk to campus. After checking in I braved the oppressive heat and walked some of the campus. This was the first time I had been there in the summer. Every other time I had been to South Bend it had been soaked from cold rain and/or snow so I figured now was as good a time as any to check it out. It really is an incredible campus. People are not exaggerating when they describe it. There is definitely a feeling and an aura to the place.
After walking Notre Dame in my bright orange Pedro Martinez shirt (I caught a few looks and even got a pound from some kid!) I went back to to the hotel to rest for the next day's signing with Charlie Weis.