Today the grounds crew at Notre Dame Stadium will be handling grass for the last time.  No more careful watering, or letting it grow long to slow down teams visiting from the SEC.

The new artificial turf era will be installed before the arrival of players for next season, and as such they will be selling chunks of sod for around $100.00.  Now having been suckered by this collector's item scam before, I can expertly recommend against this sentimental purchase.

I purchased a brick from the original stadium when the expansion took place almost 20 years ago.  Yes...it was a magical day.  The brick arrived via UPS, with a certificate of authenticity ("this is a brick.") and the slightly up-charged plexiglass case (because if you're buying a brick that's been exposed to the elements in South Bend for 100 years, you most definitely want to encase it in plastic...)

I gave it to my father knowing I had just helped him recapture all his college memories in one little thoughtful gift, and that his lackluster response must only be to hide his true elation.  Wrongo.  He asked my mom shortly after his birthday if he had kept it long enough to now be able throw it away...

Back to the present:  Idiots will be chewing up this turf telling generations of fans that no ND team ever won a National Championship on this grass, but it's somehow hallowed ground anyway.  All for $100 plus shipping. I'm starting to see my dad's point.  You don't need a piece of the sidewalk you grew up on in order to remember the knee-scrapes.  It's just one more gift from someone who doesn't know what else to get you...

jonathan daniel/getty image
jonathan daniel/getty image
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