Notre Dame at a Glance

I recently made a quick jaunt from Chicago to Cleveland. I decided to refuel and stop for a snack at South Bend, Indiana. Exiting the Indiana Toll Road and seeking services away from the mainline rest stops is an ordeal, due to the extensive interchanges featuring lengthy ramps for motorists to pay tolls. Although, I have traveled the Indiana Toll Road on numerous occasions, I had yet to exit the highway outside of Northwest Indiana.

Notre Dame University is the most conservative campus that I have ever visited. The typical 'non conformist' college clique of freaks, malcontents, and extremists was nonexistent. The school is located in the middle of nowhere. Notre Dame is south of I-80/90 via Indiana 933 between Indiana Toll Road control city signage that lists 'Chicago' and 'Ohio.' Locally, the campus is tucked away between a residential neighborhood and a developing industrial area. I was unable to locate any strip of bars, trendy shops, and restaurants - only seminaries.

The school paper actually included a story about suitable pre-game football activities. Rather than binge drinking, the columnist advised that fandom partakes in bowling.

The student union was decked out in Notre Dame sports paraphernalia. There were historical images of leather helmeted footballers, track stars, and Chicago South Shore Line advertisements promoting Notre Dame Football.

The campus is well manicured, with the Golden Dome and Touchdown Jesus looming as striking landmarks. And of course, the institution offers collegians a world-renowned education. However, the place is a tad too functional. Notre Dame is the PC to traditional State Party U.'s Mac.