Notre Dame and Yankee Stadium: Two American Idols

In a plan to revive Notre Dame's national stage, the Fighting Irish are hoping to be the first team to play college football games at the new Yankee Stadium, according to The New York Times.  

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick says the Yankees are amenable to playing college football games, and the Irish would like to be first in line. Swarbrick said Notre Dame has talked with Yankees officials, but gave no possible dates and said talks are very preliminary. Swarbrick told the Times that Army would be a preferred opponent.

The Irish and Black Knights have played some of college football's most historic games at old Yankee Stadium, including a 0-0 tie in 1946, when Army was No. 1 with Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis and Notre Dame was No. 2 and led by quarterback Johnny Lujack, who won the Heisman in 1947.

The teams also played perhaps the most famous game in the series at Yankee Stadium in 1928, when Notre Dame trailed Army at halftime and Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne delivered his "Win one for the Gipper" speech at halftime. The Irish rallied for a 12-6 victory.

“It would be of great historical significance for us if it would be Army,” Swarbrick told The New York Times, adding, “We would love that. Some of the most significant games in the history of college football involve those two schools and Yankee Stadium.”

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