An Open Letter to Notre Dame

Originally posted November 13, 2005

 

USNA-At-Large, Jim Savard expresses the feelings of many of us post-game yesterday, if you feel moved to write a similar note to our friends at Notre Dame, I'm sure they would appreciate hearing from lots of us ALNAVs, Go Navy!  John Howland

 

John,

I just wanted to share a letter that I just forwarded to Charlie Weis, Head Football Coach at Notre Dame, and Father John Jenkins (C.S.C.), President of Notre Dame.

Warm regards,

Jim Savard

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James F. Savard
10461 Tiger Run
Littleton, CO 80124
Saturday, November 12, 2005

Coach Charlie Weis
Head Football Coach
University of Notre Dame
Athletic Department
C113 Joyce Center
Notre Dame, IN 46556

Dear Coach Weis:

Permit me to thank you for your post-game ethical demeanor and conduct following the recent Navy-Notre Dame football game.  Your actions are the indicators of the principles of your soul.  Your act of taking your football team to the Navy sideline to honor the playing of my Alma Mater is a true tribute to your team, your fans, you, and the wonderful and honorable institution – Notre Dame. 

As a member of the United States Naval Academy’s Class of 1965, I was fortunate to be present at the last Navy victory over Notre Dame.  Every year we "leave it out on the field" in our duel with Notre Dame and it is an honor for our team to participate in games against Notre Dame; however, we have been on the losing side of the ledger in the last 42 games.  What Notre Dame Students, fans, your team, and you did today was pure class!

Navy will never "Give up the ship;" and by 2016, we will beat Notre Dame.  More importantly than a football victory are the principles, class, and elegance that you demonstrated today.  Your actions will be inculcated into the psyche of both Notre Dame Students and Naval Academy Midshipmen forever.  Respect is not something one talks about, respect is something one shows and does.  In Navy vernacular, there is an acronym – BRAVO ZULU (BZ).  BRAVO ZULU is hoisted in flags on the super structure when a ship or an individual does an outstanding job.

BRAVO ZULU Charlie Weis -- you are a true professional and a credit to the humanness of God’s creatures!

Respectfully,

James F. Savard
USNA, 1965

cc: Father John Jenkins, C.S.C.