Peter Schivarelli continues to give back to Notre Dame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Chicago is back on the campus of Notre Dame to perform a half-time show with the Notre Dame marching band. Chicago's manager, former Notre Dame football player Peter Schivarelli, has found a way to give back while combining his two passions - Notre Dame and music.
Schivarelli has left his mark on Notre Dame's campus from the football player's lounge bearing his name to scholarships and the statue memorializing Ara Parseghian outside Notre Dame Stadium.
Number-68 has made it his life's mission to give back to the university he loves.
"It was all due to Ara. It was all due to him. But that was the thing that any success that I've had any place was due to that background,” said Schivarelli.
His playing days are long over. Now his passion is the music business as manager of Chicago.
Schivarelli's support of Notre Dame has grown to include the marching band as well.
"You find out there's not one kid on scholarship and they put in all these hours and I started to talk to them and I'm like, 'Gee, you guys are great. Is there anything I can do in some fashion?' One kid said kidding, 'Yeah, see if you can get us backpacks. The football players get them, we'd like to get the same ones,'" Schivarelli said.
So that's exactly what Schivarelli did. He called upon the football players to help him pass them out.
"We know how hard they work. We see the long hours that they put in and there's no better feeling on game day and on the walk when we see these guys playing for us. You know, we're just here to show the support back," quarterback Ian Book said.
"It's super exciting because it's nice to have the players come and it just really shows how much they appreciate us," trumpet player Sam Miller said.
"They've done so much for us and we know how hard they work. I'll be leaving practice and see them out in the fields, definitely comforting to see that. To see them and the work they put in is awesome and so just a good way to show appreciation for them," safety Alohi Gilman said.
Schivarelli also pays to send the entire marching band to one away game each season.
"As long as you keep guaranteeing victories, I'm going to keep sending you to games. So this year, we're sending you to Michigan. So you'll be my guest," Schivarelli said.
"Mr. Schivarelli shows up to all of our concerts on the steps and everything and then to have that strong connection to the football team here at the university is a really special thing," trumpet player Sean Kelly said.
"Peter's the greatest. I mean, he's the most generous and nicest guy I've ever met. He takes care of the whole campus. He feeds them. He doesn't like to see anybody go hungry. And what you've done to raise our stature on campus has been extraordinary. We really, really appreciate it. Let's hear it for Peter Schivarelli," said Dr. Ken Dye, the director of the Notre Dame marching band.
From Notre Dame football, the marching band to the Kelly Cares Foundation and Ara Parseghian's Niemann Pick Foundation and more, Schivarelli will find a way to continue his support.
"I know as long as Chicago's working, I'll be doing this. And hopefully we'll work. We always joke when people say we're in our 52 year and they go, 'How long are you guys going to play?' And I remember Robert Lamb said once in an interview, 'We want to be like Picasso. Picasso fell over dead working on a sculpture at 96.' And Lee Loughnane said, 'Yeah, we all want to fall over dead together on stage.' So, we'll see, but I mean, their intention is to keep on playing and mine is even after we finish, I'll do as much as I can for as long as I can," Schivarelli said.