Born March 4, 1888, in Norway, Knute Rockne came to the United Staes at age 5.
In high school, he ran track and played football for a brief time, but didn't graduate. After working for several years, he decided to take the entrance exam for the University of Notre Dame...and was accepted.
In 1910, he entered Notre Dame and by his sophmore year was a starter for the football team.
Upon graduation in 1914, Rockne had considered going to medical school until Notre Dame offered him a job as graduate assistant in chemistry. Rockne accepted, but only on the conditionthat he could help coach the football team. He became head coach in 1918.
As coach Rockne led the Fighting Irish to six national championships. His lifetime winning percentage was .881.
The 43-year-old Rockne died in a plane crash on this day in 1931. He was enroute to Los Angeles to help with the production of the movie, "The Spirit of Notre Dame".
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On this day in 1981, President Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinkley. Reagan had played George Gipp, "the Gipper" in the 1940 movie, "Knute Rockne All American".
There is still debate whether Rockne was actually at Gipp's bedside to hear the famous, "Win one for the Gipper".
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Knights of Columbus
At a time of much anti-Catholic sentiment in the United States, there were a small group of men who wanted to defend their family, country and faith.
On October 2, 1882, a 29 year old priest named Michael McGivney brought them together in the basement of St. Mary Parish in Nw Haven, CT.
The group became the Knights of Columbus, named in honor of Christopher Columbus who brought the Catholic faith to the New World and who was a national hero at the time.
Among its charitable endeavors was a life insurance program for widows and orphans of deceased members.
On this day in 1882, the Knights of Columbus were chartered as a Catholic organization for men.
On October 2, 1882, a 29 year old priest named Michael McGivney brought them together in the basement of St. Mary Parish in Nw Haven, CT.
The group became the Knights of Columbus, named in honor of Christopher Columbus who brought the Catholic faith to the New World and who was a national hero at the time.
Among its charitable endeavors was a life insurance program for widows and orphans of deceased members.
On this day in 1882, the Knights of Columbus were chartered as a Catholic organization for men.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Napoleon Hill
REMEMBER THE MIND GROWS STRONG THROUGH USE. STRUGGLE MAKES POWER.
Napoleon Hill liked to tell a story about his grandfather, a wagon builder in North Carolina. When the old man cleared the land for cultivation, he always left a few oak trees in the middle of the field at the mercy of the elements, unsheltered by other trees in the forest. It was from those trees that his grandfather made the wagon’s wheels. Because they were forced to struggle against the fury of nature, they grew strong enough to bear the heaviest load. Welcome difficult challenges, for the greatest opportunities will come from challenges that force you to expand your mind as you search for creative solutions. During life’s bleakest hours, take solace in the face that you are strengthening yourself through struggle so that in the future you will be prepared to take on even greater challenges. Like the old oak tree, you grow strong only when you are forced to struggle.
Napoleon Hill liked to tell a story about his grandfather, a wagon builder in North Carolina. When the old man cleared the land for cultivation, he always left a few oak trees in the middle of the field at the mercy of the elements, unsheltered by other trees in the forest. It was from those trees that his grandfather made the wagon’s wheels. Because they were forced to struggle against the fury of nature, they grew strong enough to bear the heaviest load. Welcome difficult challenges, for the greatest opportunities will come from challenges that force you to expand your mind as you search for creative solutions. During life’s bleakest hours, take solace in the face that you are strengthening yourself through struggle so that in the future you will be prepared to take on even greater challenges. Like the old oak tree, you grow strong only when you are forced to struggle.
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