SOUTH BEND — Here's something that will put a smile on the faces of Irish fans after the brutal loss to Alabama. The Notre Dame men's basketball team is auctioning off sports memorabilia to help people in New Jersey affected by Hurricane Sandy.
Uniforms worn during the Kentucky game, an actual game ball, tickets for courtside seats to the Notre Dame-Georgetown game are on the block. "They're all priceless," said Assistant Athletics Director Josh Berlo.
And they could be yours!
"We really wanna' rally folks around the Hurricane Sandy cause and all those that were impacted and show some support for the victims," said Berlo.
"The Jersey Shore is such a vibrant community and such a summer, it's really year-round, but the summer is big business and where are they gonna go? What are they gonna do?" said Head Coach Mike Brey.
Brey has his own connections to the East Coast. He coached at the University of Delaware before coming to Notre Dame and is close friends with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
"Being an East Coast guy, spending time in Delaware, being raised in D.C., you kept a close eye on that storm and all your family members and friends," Brey said.
Now that the storm has passed, Brey and his team are reaching out to victims. They hope to raise thousands of dollars through the auction.
"I think that's the mission of the place I work. What makes Notre Dame so special is that idea of giving back, the idea of service," he said.
The auction is going on from now until January 17. A check will be presented to Governor Christie on January 19 when Rutgers plays at Notre Dame.
For more information, visit: http://www.und.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/010713aae.html.
