Bo Bauer’s Notre Dame coaches heap praise on injured linebacker

During a recent trip to see a Notre Dame football game, I was struck by the outpouring of support for Erie's Bo Bauer, who suffered a career-ending injury in practice on Oct. 13. Bauer, one of the team's captains, was praised at length by Notre Dame's head coach, Marcus Freeman, as well as by his teammates and many of the students on campus.

Bauer seriously injured his knee in practice and was unable to play against Stanford, which scored an upset 16-14 win over the Irish. Notre Dame really could have used the Cathedral Prep graduate, who played linebacker and starred on special teams.

After the game, ND fans seemed bitter. One well-to-do alumnus, who said he’s watched Irish football for 50 years, told me, "Freeman will be a good head coach someday, but not here." Notre Dame can be a miserable place for coaches when their teams are not winning.

More: Notre Dame football reels after 'tremendous loss' of another captain: Bo Bauer

More: Jim Tressel's message to Marcus Freeman: 'Hey, you'll be fine'

Here’s where I’m showing my age. Our seats at the football stadium were near the giant scoreboard, which is beautiful but extremely loud. I also miss the old scoreboards that flashed the scores of other games being played around the country.

The scoreboard did continuously show old photos and clips of the great coaches and teams of past years, but compared to the dismal way Notre Dame was performing, it only made you nostalgic for the old days.

● U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney spoke on campus the Friday before the game and gave an impressive account of the work by the Jan. 6 committee. Her withering criticism of former President Donald Trump seemed to fascinate the crowd, which was mostly made up of students.

Cheney, of Wyoming, will leave congress in 2023, but it’s clear we haven’t heard the last of her. She could mount a run for president two years from now. I could see her winning support from Democrats as well as Republicans.

More:U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney hints at next steps for Jan. 6 committee in lecture at Notre Dame

● Those getting weary of all the political ads on TV probably can’t wait until election day arrives. I’m almost as sick of the politicians on television as I am of the reports on the foul water at Camp Lejeune.

More: With the midterms two weeks away, what are candidates talking about in political ads?

● Former Mercyhurst University President Tom Gamble has accepted an interim appointment as dean of Health Professions at Long Island University. Gamble, who’s living in Brooklyn, had previously served for six years as president of Maria College in Albany, New York. An Erie native, he still has a lot of friends and family here.

● Thanks to Cleveland Guardians outfielder Oscar Gonzalez, I’ll bet we’ll see a lot of kids wearing "SpongeBob SquarePants" costumes this Halloween. "SpongeBob’s" theme song rang out at Progressive Field every time Gonzalez came to bat.

Star is born: Cleveland Guardians' Oscar Gonzalez unfazed by pressure, continues to amaze

● Charles Joy, M.D., who cared for thousands of patients during 50-plus years as an Erie physician, died recently at age 98. He had a droll sense of humor and once told me at the conclusion of a physical, “Kevin, you’re in fine shape. Except you’re 25 pounds overweight.” He was well respected by all who knew him.

Obituary: Charles A. Joy, M.D., 98

● My deepest sympathy to Doris and Jeff Pinski on the death of their daughter, Amanda Pinski Thomas, who died on Oct. 15 at 42. Amanda had so much talent as a musician and she loved theater and animals. She had such an engaging personality. It seems as if it was only yesterday when I saw her looking so young and radiant at her bat mitzvah.

Obituary: Amanda Rachael Pinski Thomas, 42

● Jennifer Johnson, of Johnson Estate Winery, is in France attending an artists’ residency at the Chateau Orquevaux where owner Ziggy Attia has created a welcoming place for visual artists, writers, photographers and musicians. Jennifer said while her colleagues work at painting and creating music, she’s spending her time on a wine-pairing cookbook that features Johnson Estate’s wines. She should have quite a manuscript by the time she returns home.

Related: Thirsty for wine, and looking for a day trip? Here's a list of Erie-region wineries

● Pat Monahan’s 2021 TV movie, “Christmas in Tahoe,” will be featured in the lengthy lineup of holiday films available to cable TV starting in November. Monahan received pretty good reviews for his role in the film.

More: Train frontman, Erie native Pat Monahan stars in Hallmark Christmas movie

● The Times Old Newsies will miss Tom Bolan, a past president of the group who always worked so hard to help feed those in need during the holidays. Tom, who died Oct. 14 at the age of 94, followed in the footsteps of his late father, George Bolan, who also served as president of the Newsies.

Tom fought in World War II and Korea, compiling a distinguished record. He is survived by his wife, Jean, who always kept Tom young in spirit.

Obituary: George Thomas 'Tom' Bolan, 94

● Rose Toppo Marceca made so many friends after she moved to Erie about a decade ago. Her granddaughter, Emily Aloiz, posted a beautiful tribute to Rose, who died Oct. 17 at 95. Emily’s mom, Theresa Aloiz, always took great care of Rose.

Obituary: Rose A. Marceca, 95

Kevin Cuneo can be reached at kevin.cuneo1844@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Bo Bauer’s Notre Dame coaches, peers heap praise on injured linebacker