I have to be honest with you. Every time I have sat down to work on this letter, I have made little progress. I was starting and stopping constantly after feeling that I didn’t like the words on the page or that the sentiment I was trying to express was missing the mark. I write, then re-write.I nitpick and tweak a little more because, for whatever reason, I could not escape the feeling that this issue could be even better. Now, I think I know why.

This is going to sound dramatic, so don’t make fun of me for saying this... Notre Dame football has singlehandedly defined my college experience. Notre Dame football is the reason I chose this school and the reason I continue to be proud as I’m closer to being an alum than a student. The sense of community, joint belief system, value over sacred traditions and knowledge that the journey from Fightin’ Irish — a once nasty derogatory — to beloved, national brand is about MORE than just football.

But don’t let me be the only one to reminisce on my years of memories and lessons learned from college football and Notre Dame’s methodology behind it. Senior Tyler Reidy shares similar sentiments in his reflection — although with much more knowledge of the actual sport than I have.

We outsourced spectacular talent from NDTV and Shamrock Sports to bring you recaps of the best and worst games of the season, to put many of our rivalries into historical context and so much more. This issue promises to teach you about the ever-changing business of college football, from selling alcohol in Notre Dame Stadium for the first time to the College Football Playoffs and the nightmare that was Selection Sunday (coined “Doomsday” in my house). I’m grateful to every member of staff who spent their well-deserved winter break interviewing, writing or designing for this issue. When it was time to put pen to paper and embody the motto, “for the love of the game,” they did so, fervently.

Next year, when I’m washed up and depressed, missing South Bend falls and South Bend Saturdays more than anything in the world (next issue, I promise to be more optimistic)... I will reread this issue. I will plan my return to Notre Dame and reunite with long-distance friends at tailgates. I will revel in the love for a school that has given me so much and the people who have taught me so much. And... win or lose, I will always know what to say.