Notre Dame alums attend luncheon in Virginia

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -

Notre Dame fans have made the journey to Charlottesville, Virginia for Notre Dame's matchup against the Cavaliers on Saturday. Fighting Irish fans attended a luncheon to commemorate the historic meeting of the two schools.

Notre Dame alumni in the state of Virginia have never seen their team play in the commonwealth.

"It's the kind of thing that we never thought was going to happen. And then when the ACC affiliation took shape, it became a possibility," Matthew Freeman, Notre Dame class of 1996, said.

Notre Dame grads met for the pregame luncheon on Friday.

"We are just so excited to have Notre Dame football here in town," said Lou Chiarella, President, Notre Dame Virginia club.

The event brought the athletic directors from both Virginia and Notre Dame together.

"University of Notre Dame is a heck of an institution. We are pleased to be competing tomorrow with the university of Notre Dame," Craig Littlepage, UVA Athletic Director, said.

"I can't believe we've never played football in this state. I was shocked to learn that. I never would have guessed it. So it's a special treat," Jack Swarbrick, Notre Dame Athletic Director, said.

"When I think about these two schools getting together, I think about the football, basketball and lacrosse. But I also think about what great schools they are," Corrigan said.

It's a matchup that has a lot of people around the commonwealth excited.