Notre Dame student expressed their joy by charging the field on Saturday night after the Irish beat a #1 ranked team for the first time since 1993. Notre Dame’s school president, however, is less enthused.
The Irish defeated then-#1 Clemson 47-40 in a double-overtime thriller for the ages on Saturday night. After this, the student charged the field.
DOWN GOES NO.1!
Notre Dame upset No.1 Clemson in double overtime 😱 pic.twitter.com/1UqRaUIbRL
— Notre Dame on NBC (@NDonNBC) November 8, 2020
Despite the history-making joy of the moment, Notre Dame President John I. Jenkins issued a statement on Sunday expressing how “disappointed” he was with the students’ behavior.
“As exciting as last night’s victory against Clemson was, it was very disappointing to see evidence of widespread disregard of our health protocols at many gatherings over the weekend,” Rev. Jenkins said.
Jenkins did not confine himself to expressions of disappointment, however. He also laid out several new Covid-related steps and restrictions for students that will follow as a result of charging the field.
Jenkins wrote:
1) “Because we are now even more concerned about the potential for contagion in your home communities as you prepare to travel home at the end of the semester, the University will place a registration hold on the record of any student fails to appear for testing when asked to do so. A Registration hold would mean that you are unable to matriculate or register for classes next semester or receive a transcript.”
2) “Furthermore, you may not leave the South Bend area until you receive the results of your exit test. Again, should we discover that you have left the area, we will place a registration hold on your record.”
3) “There will be zero tolerance for any gatherings that do not comport with our health and safety guidelines, on or off campus. Those found responsible for hosting such gatherings will face severe sections.”
Then, instead of using the football team’s big win to rally the school for the rest of the season, Jenkins used the victory to rally the students to follow the new coronavirus protocols.
“Our football team showed us how to finish strong on Saturday night,” Jenkins said. “Please finish the semester strong by wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, washing your hands, and completing your daily health check.
“Furthermore, as outlined above, you must, if you wish to return as a student in the spring semester, appear for testing were notified and not depart until you receive the test result.”
Notre Dame advanced from #4 to #2 in the AP Top 25 poll after the big win.
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