NEW AD Pete Bevacqua admits ND will need to invest heavily in NIL & facilities in order to compete for *football* national titles

[chaseball]

He acknowledged that ND is first and foremost a football school and that football success is the #1 priority! And that he will be evaluated based on ND winning national titles in football, and that ND will win a football national title. Very refreshing to hear!

Full interview on the Irish Illustrated Insider podcast: https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-u7mes-1deef41a

 

[buckey]

Goood start pete

 

[BGI User 1596]

Goood start pete

Hopefully there’ll be action instead of just words!

 

[Pennick4]

They are already investing heavily in both. The players are always going to be required to go to class and get a college degree which seperates ND from 99% of the top echelon football programs. That's not going to change.
Can someone explain that to the nitwit OP?

 

[BGI User 756]

Hopefully there’ll be action instead of just words!

Are you suggesting inaction previously? How often do you think ND should upgrade their faclities?

 

[NDinNJ]

And that he will be evaluated based on ND winning national titles in football, and that ND will win a national title. Very refreshing to hear!

Full interview on the Irish Illustrated Insider podcast: https://www.podbean.com/media/share..._share_ep&utm_medium=dlink&utm_source=w_share

Seriously? That's all you got from a 45 minute discussion? They discussed so much more, including how they believe the NCAA will allow NIL to be brought in-house instead of through collectives, and how ND is already prepared for that. How ND will still maintain its core culture for student athletes, and continue to recruit those that understand and fit that culture.

 

[Terry Jillery]

Are you suggesting inaction previously? How often do you think ND should upgrade their faclities?

Sounds to me like Pete suggested inaction previously.

 

[BGI User 756]

Sounds to me like Pete suggested inaction previously.

ND upgraded under Charlie and under Kelly. Want to hear how often this poster thinks ND should invest? Annually? Every other year? Over last 20 years, the infrastructure improvements exceed $1B.

 

[chaseball]

ND upgraded under Charlie and under Kelly. Want to hear how often this poster thinks ND should invest? Annually? Every other year? Over last 20 years, the infrastructure improvements exceed $1B.

I think the new leadership at ND realize that ND is not going to win national titles simply for showing up in blue and gold uniforms and playing the fight song. I think for the first time in a long time they have full understanding that in order to win a national championship on the football field they have to win national championships organizationally off the field. Which means: building a better product than their competitors; building the right culture that resonates with 18 year old athletes, by winning in talent acquisition, in the facilities arms race, in having an enticing enough package (money, facilities, perks, etc.) that makes a national championship talent choose notre dame over its competitors.

This podcast was music to my ears. I literally shouted "yes!" at the top of my lungs after hearing several of Petey Bs responses in this podcast. It was super refreshing to hear a person in leadership at the university talk about the football program in a way that is grounded in reality.

Marcus Freeman has shown signs of being a really good football coach (as per his #8 finish in F+ last year -- one of NDs best finishes in F+ since the inception of the stat 15+ years ago).

Now if we can get administrators that are in touch with reality in the year 2024 to support him and compliment what he is trying to accomplish on the recruiting trail and as a head coach we finally might be able to compete with--and win some football games against--the tier-1 in the sport again. And Petey Bs responses in this podcast definitely provide hope to that end.

 

[chaseball]

They are already investing heavily in both. The players are always going to be required to go to class and get a college degree which seperates ND from 99% of the top echelon football programs. That's not going to change.
Can someone explain that to the nitwit OP?

This is just rhetoric the oldguard at ND uses to excuse away their incompetence

Winners don't make excuses, they look within, fix the problems, and win

 

[NDinNJ]

This is just rhetoric the oldguard at ND uses to excuse away their incompetence

Winners don't make excuses, they look within, adapt, and get better.

So are you implying the new administration is going to allow the football athletes to be segregated from the rest of the student body and not have to go to class or earn a degree, and lighten the academic curriculum for them?
I'm asking a serious question because I'm just trying to understand how you interpreted the podcast.

 

[chaseball]

So are you implying the new administration is going to allow the football athletes to be segregated from the rest of the student body and not have to go to class or earn a degree, and lighten the academic curriculum for them?
I'm asking a serious question because I'm just trying to understand how you interpreted the podcast.

I think NDs uniqueness in this way is a benefit to their brand and not the hindrance many think that it is. ND can appeal to the best athletes in a way that nobody else can due to their unique combination of athletic and academic success. They can demand their players get the best possible education -- and have zero tolerance for coasting academically -- while still supporting their players with the best facilities, clubhouse perks, and NIL deals in the country. These things aren't mutually exclusive.

In order to get there though they gotta have more going for their program/message/brand than just being the old, out of touch, militaristic a-hole school living in the past (which is what it appeared to be at times under the old leadership)

 

[NDSMC78]

I think the new leadership at ND realize that ND is not going to win national titles simply for showing up in blue and gold uniforms and playing the fight song. I think for the first time in a long time they have full understanding that in order to win a national championship on the football field they have to win national championships organizationally off the field.

Absolute nonsense, No one connected to ND thought this way. It's just the latest in a long, long series of posts by this poster bashing anything and everything about ND. The poster once again shows that he knows less than nothing about ND.

 

[sjb75]

So are you implying the new administration is going to allow the football athletes to be segregated from the rest of the student body and not have to go to class or earn a degree, and lighten the academic curriculum for them?
I'm asking a serious question because I'm just trying to understand how you interpreted the podcast.

Curious. Why do you ask that particular poster that particular question?

It's a waste of your time. Generally I do not read one word that poster writes. Try following that.

 

[burmafrd1943]

The only reason I post in chase his balls drivel is to insult him which is all he deserves

 

[HRC08]

So are you implying the new administration is going to allow the football athletes to be segregated from the rest of the student body and not have to go to class or earn a degree, and lighten the academic curriculum for them?
I'm asking a serious question because I'm just trying to understand how you interpreted the podcast.

Didn’t Notre Dame require all of this when they won 11 National Titles? Requiring it now shouldn’t be the reason they aren’t winning championships. Idk what the reason is but it’s not making kids go to class.

 

[Granite45]

Didn’t Notre Dame require all of this when they won 11 National Titles? Requiring it now shouldn’t be the reason they aren’t winning championships. Idk what the reason is but it’s not making kids go to class.

Big difference when many of the championships came before integration of college football. What percentage of football players are African-American? Much different world.

Also much in terms of scholarship limits that have changed over the years particaulrly since the 1990s.

 

[burmafrd1943]

Big difference when many of the championships came before integration of college football. What percentage of football players are African-American? Much different world.

Also much in terms of scholarship limits that have changed over the years particaulrly since the 1990s.

racist bs from the woke brigade
Tell me racist who are the top college teams now versus 1970 and what is the difference?

 

[NDinNJ]

Big difference when many of the championships came before integration of college football. What percentage of football players are African-American? Much different world.

Also much in terms of scholarship limits that have changed over the years particaulrly since the 1990s.

So what are you implying? That African-American athletes don't want to go to class and get a degree? Or are you implying they aren't smart enough to handle the academics at ND? That's some racist bs. I can't believe you even posted this garbage.

 

[BGI User 756]

I think the new leadership at ND realize that ND is not going to win national titles simply for showing up in blue and gold uniforms and playing the fight song. I think for the first time in a long time they have full understanding that in order to win a national championship on the football field they have to win national championships organizationally off the field. Which means: building a better product than their competitors; building the right culture that resonates with 18 year old athletes, by winning in talent acquisition, in the facilities arms race, in having an enticing enough package (money, facilities, perks, etc.) that makes a national championship talent choose notre dame over its competitors.

This podcast was music to my ears. I literally shouted "yes!" at the top of my lungs after hearing several of Petey Bs responses in this podcast. It was super refreshing to hear a person in leadership at the university talk about the football program in a way that is grounded in reality.

Marcus Freeman has shown signs of being a really good football coach (as per his #8 finish in F+ last year -- one of NDs best finishes in F+ since the inception of the stat 15+ years ago).

Now if we can get administrators that are in touch with reality in the year 2024 to support him and compliment what he is trying to accomplish on the recruiting trail and as a head coach we finally might be able to compete with--and win some football games against--the tier-1 in the sport again. And Petey Bs responses in this podcast definitely provide hope to that end.

First of all, you make 100% suppositions, as usual they are false. Not one person in the administration that I know of, would be described by your first sentence.

I see you avoided my specific question as well. We know it’s because you just prefer to criticize without any context.

 

[BGI User 756]

Didn’t Notre Dame require all of this when they won 11 National Titles? Requiring it now shouldn’t be the reason they aren’t winning championships. Idk what the reason is but it’s not making kids go to class.

Actually, making kids go to class is a big reason why the talent acquisition is not dominant like it was into the 90’s.

With the sophistication of the booster pipeline since ESPN era, and now NIL, fewer kids are interested in pursuing a degree that isn’t gifted

Its that simple

 

[ticat]

This is just rhetoric the oldguard at ND uses to excuse away their incompetence

Winners don't make excuses, they look within, fix the problems, and win

Are you in higher education, Chaser? No? then you know it's not rhetoric...I've have students in classes that were functionally illiterate that ran 4.5 40's...so they were enrolled. For you to believe otherwise is like believing in the Easter Bunny.

 

[BGI User 756]

Are you in higher education, Chaser? No? then you know it's not rhetoric...I've have students in classes that were functionally illiterate that ran 4.5 40's...so they were enrolled. For you to believe otherwise is like believing in the Easter Bunny.

Higher education to Chassball just means reading his Playgirl magazine on a stool

 

[Pennick4]

Anyone else get the feeling the ground would give way and the buildings would crumble if the likes of Chase set foot on ND's campus? 😎

 

[hvillebill]

Are you in higher education, Chaser? No? then you know it's not rhetoric...I've have students in classes that were functionally illiterate that ran 4.5 40's...so they were enrolled. For you to believe otherwise is like believing in the Easter Bunny.

I seriously doubt Chase has ever seen the inside of a college classroom.

 

[bizzybecknd]

So what are you implying? That African-American athletes don't want to go to class and get a degree? Or are you implying they aren't smart enough to handle the academics at ND? That's some racist bs. I can't believe you even posted this garbage.

What he posted has merit.. A Catholic university in the mid-west was a much bigger draw in the 1940s when student athletes were predominantly white and religion played a more prominent role in America. Now the talent has shifted dramatically to the south who value different things and ND doesn’t hold the prestige in their minds compared to a white kid from Valparaiso. It’s not garbage, it’s reality.

 

[Patrirish]

What he posted has merit.. A Catholic university in the mid-west was a much bigger draw in the 1940s when student athletes were predominantly white and religion played a more prominent role in America. Now the talent has shifted dramatically to the south who value different things and ND doesn’t hold the prestige in their minds compared to a white kid from Valparaiso. It’s not garbage, it’s reality.

That’s not true

Notre Dame is not a regional university when it comes to attracting athletes.
Notre Dame draws from all over the country

From Florida to Texas to Washington to New Jersey

And Notre Dame draws every type of athlete ………… except academically challenged athletes

 

[Pennick4]

This is just rhetoric the oldguard at ND uses to excuse away their incompetence

Winners don't make excuses, they look within, fix the problems, and win

What would you know about winning? Zero
Notre Dame is and always will be am incredible academic institution with a top notch athletic department.

 

[tbonesays]

And where is that money going to come from? Let's try hearing everything he says as a reason we need to join the BUG10.

 

[chaseball]

Notre Dame has the #1 class in MBB in the '25 class. https://247sports.com/Season/2025-Basketball/CompositeTeamRankings/

And just signed their highest rated mens basketball recruit all time. (5 star Jalen Haralson who was rumored to receive a monster NIL deal to sign). ND also has a new inhouse NIL collective called "RALLY" (that they announced around the time of Haralson's signing)

All very positive signs that I hope carries over to football recruiting going forward.

 

[BGI User 1596]

Notre Dame has the #1 class in MBB in the '25 class. https://247sports.com/Season/2025-Basketball/CompositeTeamRankings/

And just signed their highest rated mens basketball recruit all time. (5 star Jalen Haralson who was rumored to receive a monster NIL deal to sign). ND also has a new inhouse NIL collective called "RALLY" (that they announced around the time of Haralson's signing)

All very positive signs that I hope carries over to football recruiting going forward.

Basketball F+ is soaring.

 

[Golson5]

Notre Dame has the #1 class in MBB in the '25 class. https://247sports.com/Season/2025-Basketball/CompositeTeamRankings/

And just signed their highest rated mens basketball recruit all time. (5 star Jalen Haralson who was rumored to receive a monster NIL deal to sign). ND also has a new inhouse NIL collective called "RALLY" (that they announced around the time of Haralson's signing)

All very positive signs that I hope carries over to football recruiting going forward.

It's been going on in football recruiting for awhile

 

[notredame79]

As a 1979 grad, I can assure everyone that there were, and probably still are, numerous “jock classes.” Ridiculously easy classes, basically just show up, complete assignments, take tests. Very easy B, and far more often, very easy A. A class I took was Sociology of Sport.” The class was at least 50% athletes: football, basketball, hockey, etc. 2 other extremely easy classes: “Marriage and Family,” and “Philosophy of Art.” Also, as far as the calculus requirement, there were several other math courses to take. For example, “Business Math.” Engineering and Science majors were required to take Calculus courses. Students in the Business majors and Arts and Letters majors were not required to take calculus. Also, there were numerous tutors available, for ALL STUDENTS. It’s my understanding the tutoring program is much much better today.

 

[Juniper_Run]

As a 1979 grad, I can assure everyone that there were, and probably still are, numerous “jock classes.” Ridiculously easy classes, basically just show up, complete assignments, take tests. Very easy B, and far more often, very easy A. A class I took was Sociology of Sport.” The class was at least 50% athletes: football, basketball, hockey, etc. 2 other extremely easy classes: “Marriage and Family,” and “Philosophy of Art.” Also, as far as the calculus requirement, there were several other math courses to take. For example, “Business Math.” Engineering and Science majors were required to take Calculus courses. Students in the Business majors and Arts and Letters majors were not required to take calculus. Also, there were numerous tutors available, for ALL STUDENTS. It’s my understanding the tutoring program is much much better today.

That seemed to still be the case during my years at ND from 2001 to 2005. But even with those easier classes, there's a baseline level of academic competency that anyone needs to succeed. So there are still some athletes that can only make it at a school where those easy assignments and tests you mention are somehow eliminated from the picture.

There's also the expectation that athletes will live in the same dorms as other students, have a randomly assigned roommate freshman year, etc. I think this expectation makes big NIL deals harder to pitch. A million dollar deal probably seems less appealing when you don't have the option to spend it on a swank living situation.

These obstacles aren't insurmountable, but they matter.

 

[NDSMC78]

As a 1979 grad, I can assure everyone that there were, and probably still are, numerous “jock classes.” Ridiculously easy classes, basically just show up, complete assignments, take tests. Very easy B, and far more often, very easy A. A class I took was Sociology of Sport.” The class was at least 50% athletes: football, basketball, hockey, etc. 2 other extremely easy classes: “Marriage and Family,” and “Philosophy of Art.” Also, as far as the calculus requirement, there were several other math courses to take. For example, “Business Math.” Engineering and Science majors were required to take Calculus courses. Students in the Business majors and Arts and Letters majors were not required to take calculus. Also, there were numerous tutors available, for ALL STUDENTS. It’s my understanding the tutoring program is much much better today.

I was a year ahead of you at ND, but my experiences were similar. I can't remember the precise number of the course (I believe it was math 103 or math 104), but the class was universally referred to as Fun with Numbers.

 

[chaseball]

That seemed to still be the case during my years at ND from 2001 to 2005. But even with those easier classes, there's a baseline level of academic competency that anyone needs to succeed. So there are still some athletes that can only make it at a school where those easy assignments and tests you mention are somehow eliminated from the picture.

There's also the expectation that athletes will live in the same dorms as other students, have a randomly assigned roommate freshman year, etc. I think this expectation makes big NIL deals harder to pitch. A million dollar deal probably seems less appealing when you don't have the option to spend it on a swank living situation.

These obstacles aren't insurmountable, but they matter.

I don't think Notre Dame still requires there football players to dorm with the regular student body or to live on campus anymore I think they changed that up at some point during the Brian Kelly era

 

[chaseball]

I don't think Notre Dame still requires there football players to dorm with the regular student body or to live on campus anymore I think they changed that up at some point during the Brian Kelly era

There's been a lot of changes that were made during the Brian Kelly era to level the playing field with recruiting with talent acquisition etc. I think this is one of them.

I know the narrative out there is that Notre Dame has all of these really high standards and strict requirements and policies as it relates to the athletes but a lot of that has been softened over the years to make the product more competitive (from what I understand)

Charlie Weis was able to recruit top five classes with way stricter rules which is why I believe with the right leadership, strategy, and message Notre Dame will be able to get back to that level again

 

[Golson5]

There's been a lot of changes that were made during the Brian Kelly era to level the playing field with recruiting with talent acquisition etc. I think this is one of them.

I know the narrative out there is that Notre Dame has all of these really high standards and strict requirements and policies as it relates to the athletes but a lot of that has been softened over the years to make the product more competitive (from what I understand)

Charlie Weis was able to recruit top five classes with way stricter rules which is why I believe with the right leadership, strategy, and message Notre Dame will be able to get back to that level again

Why are you responding to your own post? Did you think you used one of your other handles?

 

[sjb75]

While Pete Bevacqua is investing more money, and all of that I commend, lowering the academic expectations once you enter Notre Dame to an Ohio St. or Georgia level would help as well. Many many high end CFB players aren’t interested in graduating in 7 semesters, aren’t interested in any sort of academic curriculum. or frankly, even thinking about school.

 

[notredame79]

That seemed to still be the case during my years at ND from 2001 to 2005. But even with those easier classes, there's a baseline level of academic competency that anyone needs to succeed. So there are still some athletes that can only make it at a school where those easy assignments and tests you mention are somehow eliminated from the picture.

There's also the expectation that athletes will live in the same dorms as other students, have a randomly assigned roommate freshman year, etc. I think this expectation makes big NIL deals harder to pitch. A million dollar deal probably seems less appealing when you don't have the option to spend it on a swank living situation.

These obstacles aren't insurmountable, but they matter.

Yup, freshman year, I had a qb, he transferred after freshman year, and OL as roommates in Grace Hall. The OL became a starter senior year, guard maybe, and married his ha sweetheart, Junior or senior year and moved off campus.