Top 10 stadiums: No. 2, Notre Dame Stadium
Why it is on this list: There are not many places were God needs a ticket but there it is, right outside of Notre Dame Stadium: Touchdown Jesus.
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Notre Dame Stadium (Getty Images) |
The tradition at this place alone lands it in the top 10. But take a walk through the tailgaters on any given Saturday. They are some of the most devoted zealots in the business. It warms the heart to see families and alums strolling around the park-like setting of the stadium looking at all the landmarks.
Then there is the game. The leprechaun. The band. The intimidation. We Are N-D.
| Scoring | |
| Atmosphere | 10 |
| History | 10 |
| Tradition | 10 |
| Fans | 9 |
| Architecture | 8 |
| TOTAL | 47 |
| Fast Facts | |
| Year built: 1930 | |
| Capacity: 80,232 | |
| Did you know? Sports Illustrated listed Notre Dame Stadium one of the world’s top 20 sporting venues. | |
The school stepped it up a notch in 1997 when the school increased capacity from 59,000 to 80,200. You almost feel the karma from Rockne, Ara and all the greats.
Personal experience:
- Five years ago. Michigan. Notre Dame wins. Fans rush the field. To avoid getting bowled over, I had to give a forearm shiver to a student. Sorry, dude.
- The Notre Dame tradition is guarded by 85-year old Easter Heathman of Bazaar, Kan. Heathman had no choice but to become a Notre Dame fan when he witnessed the crash of Knute Rockne's plane near his home when he was 13. He still takes curiosity seekers on tours of the site that is marked by a stone monument. Look close and you can still see shattered pieces of glass from the plane on the ground. Really.
- All those renovations and no air conditioning in the press box? C'mon!
Quoting: "I went to Notre Dame (in 2000) and arranged a meeting with (Notre Dame president emeritus) Father Theodore Hesburgh. In our conversation I said, 'Father, it's amazing how this has enriched my life.' He said, 'Of course it has.'" -- Heathman speaking about Rockne's crash.
