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Note: David E. Saucedo II is a Notre Dame graduate, Class of 2007, and an officer for the Notre Dame Club of El Paso. His sister, Cassandra J. Saucedo, is also a Notre Dame graduate, Class of 2008.
EL PASO, Texas — The Notre Dame Club of El Paso is proud to welcome the University of Notre Dame as they partake in the 2010 Hyundai Sun Bowl. Since the official bowl announcement, club officers have been working feverishly to organize and create events that will not only welcome the thousands of Irish visitors to El Paso, but create an atmosphere that El Pasoans can experience as well and get a taste of what it’s like to attend a home game in South Bend, IN.
“We are very excited to be hosting the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame as they participate in the 77th Hyundai Sun Bowl” club president Eric Salas said. “We want to do nothing but put our best foot forward and have everyone experience a fun and memorable weekend, both traveling alumni and El Pasoans alike.”
Tentatively scheduled to open December 28 as the official Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore will travel to the Sun City and set up shop at the corner of Mesa and Boston streets, next to the Mesa Street Bar and Grill. A secondary location will be open on December 30 on the 17th floor of the Doubletree Hotel in downtown El Paso where a lounge will also be open for Irish fans to commiserate and enjoy each other’s company.
Festivities will kick off on the 29th with a Notre Dame Young Alumni and Student Happy Hour. Local and visiting alumni, as well as any current student are welcome to join the club in a happy hour gathering in the Union Square Entertainment District.
On Thursday, Dec. 30, the Club in conjunction with the Notre Dame Alumni Association will host a pep rally to kick off the weekend in the Art Plaza at 4:45 pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item as part of a community service project the Club is organizing. From the pep rally, the Band of the Fighting Irish will lead everyone to the Sun Bowl Fan Fiesta for the Battle of the Bands and a fireworks display right after.
After the Sun Bowl Fan Fiesta, everyone is welcome to continue the celebration by attending the official Notre Dame Block Party in the Union Plaza Entertainment District from 9 pm to 2 am. Businesses in the area including The Garden, Commonwealth, Brick and Mortar, Plum, 1914, Black Pearl, Union and Republic will be offering drink specials all night while food vendors will be set up in the Union Plaza Park.
The festivities continue on game day as the Club will get things started with the Official Notre Dame Tailgate at 7 am. In conjunction with Robinson Entertainment District (Mesa Street Bar and Grill, Toro Burger, No Fish, The Palomino, Black Market and Chubby’s), fans are welcome to join with alumni, parents, students and friends of Notre Dame in the parking lot behind Mesa Street. The Notre Dame cheerleaders, the Leprechaun and band will be making an appearance as they pump up the crowd before kickoff.
For those who might not have a ticket to the game, the tailgate will continue as the venue will become a viewing party. Tents and televisions will be set up for those who want to catch a glimpse of the Irish as they take on Miami.
After the game, it is Notre Dame tradition to celebrate mass and this game will be no different. Mass will be held one hour after the game’s conclusion at St. Patrick’s Cathedral (1111 North Stanton Street).
Finally, in anticipation of an Irish victory, the club will host its final event of the weekend back at the Robinson Entertainment District. Everyone is welcome to dance a jig and ring in the New Year at the Notre Dame After Party which will begin at 5 pm and wrap up at 2 am.
“We hope that everyone will be able to make it to any events planned, especially the people of El Paso. We hope to give everyone a taste of what it is like to be at a football game on campus and share some of our traditions,” Salas said. “We think these events will do just that.”
The club will be in need of volunteers for a number of different committees. Those interested in helping out are welcome to attend a volunteer meeting Tuesday, December 14 at 6 pm at Commonwealth (115 Durango St.).
The Notre Dame Club of El Paso is excited for the University of Notre Dame to visit the Sun City and hope to put on a great weekend full of events.
Go Irish! Beat Miami!