T-Minus 3 days | by Pat

UND.com just announced a re-design of the website and included the video link that, come noon on Monday, August 6th, will burst to life with the first Charlie press conference of the 2007 ND Football season.

Why do I get the feeling this is going to be the longest weekend of the year? So close, yet so far away.

Speaking of the start of practice, BGS needs your help.

Nearly all of the 25 scheduled practices will be held on Cartier Field this year and away from the prying eyes of curious ND fans and on-assignment graduate assistants from other programs. There are three exceptions where select groups will be invited to come and watch practice. That's where you come in.

Fan Appreciation Day is a free event with general admission seating and will take place from 9:00-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11. This will be the public's best chance to see the Irish players in person at Notre Dame Stadium prior to the season opener on Sept. 1 against Georgia Tech. Fans will be able to see head coach Charlie Weis and his assistants run the team through the morning practice. Player autographs and pictures with the players or coaches will not be permitted. Fans are encouraged to follow und.com for updates regarding parking, traffic, time the gates open, etc.

Professor Appreciation Day is open to all Notre Dame faculty and is set for Thursday, Aug. 23, at Cartier Field. Professors at the University are invited to view the practice from 9:00-11:30 a.m. with a cookout to follow. An e-mail will be sent to all Notre Dame faculty as the date approaches with further information and details of how they should RSVP for the event.

Student Appreciation Night will be only for current students of Notre Dame and Saint Mary's and will take place from 8:00-10:00 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26, in Notre Dame Stadium. This will be the final practice of the preseason for the Irish and the best chance for Notre Dame and Saint Mary's students to see their football team before the Georgia Tech game. Students will be admitted with their student IDs and additional details will be announced as the date nears.

We're looking for those fortunate enough to attend these events to email us with your amateur reports. We'll then summarize as best we can those reports for those unable to attend. We realize that most likely you'll just be watching kicking practices and maybe a few non-contact drills, but something is better than nothing. Pictures are also highly encouraged and we'll cobble together a photo gallery to share with all from the best submitted shots. And yes, professors, we expect some of you to participate in this too.