Growing up a sports-loving kid in La Fontaine, Ind., approximately 90 miles from South Bend, it’s not surprising that one of Mike “Doc’’ Emrick’s joys was watching Notre Dame football games on television.
“Sad to say it was so long ago,’’ said Emrick, who grew up to become the preeminent hockey broadcaster of his time, “that Paul Hornung was in the backfield for the Irish.’’
What is somewhat of a surprise is that Emrick has never been to Notre Dame Stadium, let alone called an event there. He has called two college hockey games at the school’s ice arena through the years, and he took a tour of the campus years ago, but the football stadium was inaccessible that day.