ALAMODOME TO HOST NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL GAME IN 2009

SAN ANTONIO, JULY 20, 2007 – The University of Notre Dame will make their first ever appearance in San Antonio as the Fighting Irish will play Washington State University at the 65,000-seat Alamodome on October 31, 2009.

The game will be televised nationally on NBC and is the first of a series of “off-site” football games as Notre Dame officials expect to play one “home” game per season beginning in 2009 away from Notre Dame stadium.

“Over the last three years, college football fans in San Antonio have had the opportunity to see some of the most storied and tradition rich programs in the nation with such schools as Army, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Texas and Texas A&M playing in the Alamodome,” said Derrick Fox, Valero Alamo Bowl President/CEO. “However, the one school that has never played in San Antonio and is at the top of our fan’s wish list is Notre Dame and we are pleased to host the Fighting Irish and their loyal fans in 2009.”

While Notre Dame has not played in San Antonio, the Irish have made frequent visits to Texas posting a 12-4 overall mark. Their two most recent trips to the state produced a 27-24 win over Texas in 1996 in Austin and a 24-3 loss to Texas A&M in College Station in 2003. The Fighting Irish also boast a 5-2 Cotton Bowl record with appearances after the 1969, 1970, 1977, 1978, 1987, 1992 and 1993 seasons.

“This game will be a tremendous opportunity to showcase our program in a new city, and in a state in which we have a strong emphasis in recruiting,” said Notre Dame athletics director Kevin White. “By moving our extra game around the country it’s a little bit like the barnstorming approach that Knute Rockne took back in the 1920s. We believe these events will provide great opportunities for fans to see our team play when they may be otherwise challenged to travel or obtain tickets for games in South Bend.”

While there are not any San Antonio area players currently on the roster, San Antonio Roosevelt High School star Carlyle Holiday had a 15-9 record as a three year starter at quarterback for Notre Dame from 2001-2003 and was a 2004 captain while playing all 12 games as wide receiver. Holiday is now a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers.

For the 2009 game, the Irish roster should include a number of players who participated in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl high school all-star game that is played in the Alamodome each January, including last year’s USA Today High School “Offensive Player of Year” quarterback Jimmy Clausen.

Others participants include current Notre Dame sophomores James Aldridge, Matt Carufel, Barry Gallup, Demetrious Jones, Raeshon McNeil, Konrad Reuland, Chris Stewart, Darrin Walls, Bartley Webb, Dan Wenger and Sam Young, plus incoming freshmen Armando Allen, Gary Gray, Robert Hughes, Duval Kamara, Aaron Nagel, Mike Ragone and Matt Romine.

“San Antonio should be excited about the four million number of viewers who will tune into the national broadcast as well as the caliber of team Coach Weis should put on the field in 2009,” said John Yantis, 2007 Chairman of the Valero Alamo Bowl. “Notre Dame’s 2007 and 2008 recruiting classes are ranked #11 and #1 respectively by Rivals.com and Jimmy Clausen is considered by many scouts to be the best quarterback prospect to come out of high school since John Elway.”

Washington State will be making its second appearance in San Antonio. The Cougars won the 1994 Alamo Bowl 10-3 over Baylor on the strength of 286 yards passing from quarterback Chad Davis and a stingy defense that was ranked #2 in the nation.

“We’re excited to welcome back the 1994 Alamo Bowl champion Washington State Cougars from the Pac-10 as Notre Dame’s opponent,” said Fox. “Their previous visit to San Antonio helped make this game happen and we’re glad their loyal fans will have plenty of time to book a return trip to the Alamo City.”

Notre Dame expects to make tickets available to its contributing alumni and fans through its alumni lottery as it does with all other football games. Washington State will receive an allotment of tickets as the visiting team.

Current Valero Alamo Bowl option holders will receive priority status to order tickets to this game as part of their renewal in May 2009. Fans can become options holder and receive additional information by logging on to the bowl’s website at www.alamobowl.com. Tickets to the general public are scheduled to go on sale in early summer 2009.