Notre Dame's Roger Valdiserri looks back on Irish legacy
Posted: Nov 26, 2011 11:43 PM EDT | Updated: Nov 6, 2014 1:32 PM EDT
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Roger Valdiserri has spent plenty of time on the campus of Notre Dame, over 60 years to be exact. Valdiserri was the sports information director for 38 years, and before then he was a freshmen student from a small town in Pennsylvania.
When his parents dropped him off for college in 1950, he made a statement that he’s never looked back on.
“They rolled down the window to say goodbye and I stuck my head in the window and said, ‘You know what I don’t think I ever want to leave here,’ and so sixty years later I’m still here,” said Valdiserri.
In his time with the university he’s work some of the most recognizable Notre Dame names.
“I’ve worked for four of the biggest icons in Notre Dame history Father Hesburgh, Moose Krause, Ara Parseghian and Lou Holtz,” said Valdiserri.
While rubbing elbows with names like that, Valdiserri has had plenty of firsthand experience with some big Notre Dame milestones.
When asked what his favorite Fighting Irish memory was, he said he’d have to pick two.
"The UCLA game when we snapped their 88 game winning streak right here in this arena,” said Valdiserri.
And of course the 1973 Sugar Bowl when number two Notre Dame played number one Alabama.
Valdiserri said he knows the world of football has changed from then to now. He said the biggest difference is in the media attention.
"Everybody’s looking for special story, a special angle and because there’s so many media outlets now there's a lot more scrutiny,” said Valdiserri.
He said thinking back on his time with the school, it’s hard to believe he’s done it all.
"To think from there to here it’s a pretty amazing journey from somebody from a small town and never imagining what could happen,” said Valdiserri.
Valdiserri said there’s no better place to spend his retirement than with the Fighting Irish.
"I can sit back and relax and watch the game and I still love the game,” said Valdiserri. “I would do it all over again without a question.”