Tim DiPiero will utilize whatever transportation is necessary to get to South Bend, Indiana, on Sept. 10 — plane, automobile, public transportation or even Uber if necessary.
Why? Well, the Huntington native, Charleston attorney and Notre Dame graduate knows that on that day the Fighting Irish are meeting the Thundering Herd for the first time ever on the gridiron. It’s a day many football fans thought would never happen.
“My niece is getting married in Washington, D.C., the day before the game,” DiPiero said. “My son and I are planning to fly out of Dulles Airport on Saturday morning. I’m so excited we’re going to make this happen.”
Even though he is a Notre Dame alumnus, DiPiero also bleeds green. Growing up in Huntington, he was a Thundering Herd basketball fan and remembers watching Marshall Hall of Famers Hal Greer and Leo Byrd playing at Veterans Memorial Field House. But, as a senior in high school at St. Joseph Central Catholic High School, he also knew he wanted to go to college at Notre Dame, where he walked on to the basketball team.
He’s seen plenty of football games at fabled Notre Dame Stadium and he’s still giddy over this matchup. How many people can hold close ties to two programs about which movies have been made? It’s We Are Marshall versus Rudy, and DiPiero can’t wait.
“I’ll probably wear a Marshall shirt and a Notre Dame hat,” he said.
Notre Dame is much more than the home of the golden dome and Touchdown Jesus. It’s also home to Knute Rockne, the Four Horsemen, The Gipper and Joe Montana. Only four Division I schools have won more football games than the Fighting Irish. They’ve captured 11 national championships and produced seven Heisman Trophy winners. The Irish aura is all part of the home-field advantage.
Marshall Coach Charles Huff has been to South Bend, but never to a game at Notre Dame Stadium. He knows full well it’s not just another regular Saturday road game.
“After all the emotions and the pageantry of playing at a place like Notre Dame, you ultimately have to come back to executing,” Huff said.
Marshall’s players have a home opener the week before, but don’t think for a minute they haven’t peeked ahead at game two.
“We look at every game as a challenge,” said offensive lineman Logan Osburn. “It’s going to be their home opener with a brand-new head coach (Marcus Freeman). What better opportunity to go in there and give it our best? Obviously, it’s a big game for Marshall. We’ve already started watching film on them. We just can’t wait for the opportunity.”
For DiPiero, it’s a matchup he’s waited a lifetime to see. No wonder he’ll be in a hurry to get to South Bend.
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Photo: Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, seats 77,622 fans.