South Bend Police, Notre Dame Men's Basketball bring smiles to MLK Center

There are new memories on South Bend’s west side.

Notre Dame’s men’s basketball team held an offsite practice at the MLK Center and invited the city’s police department to join them on the court.

The Irish stepped away from the Pavilion to invade the MLK Center.

Fans, friends, and family soaked in the special appearance from their hometown heroes.

“This is what we walk the streets for to let the kids know that diversity is here in the king center, and you see the kids they’re happy to be here,” said community leader Greg Brown.

Quite a bit has changed in the center and it is home to many.

So it’s encouraging to those folks to receive support from local household names.

“They were all excited, everybody was running, this was big,” said parent Lajuana Odynski. “They didn’t have this when I was growing up.”

There was also support from local law enforcement.

And quite a few traded in their uniforms for jerseys.

“One of our sergeants helped facilitate and orchestrate this and this is where we are now so it’s pretty neat,” said Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski.

Notre Dame took it easy on the officers.

Instead focusing on making sure everyone left with fond memories.

“To see these athletes coming into the heart of the community, spending time with these kids and our police department, it’s so important that we build these relationships,” said Mayor Pete Buttigieg.