Missouri Governor Blunt and Missouri Notre Dame Clubs Place Gentleman's Wager on Navy-Notre Dame Game

October 31, 2007 -- JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and presidents of the St. Louis, Kansas City, Ozarks and Mid-Missouri Notre Dame Clubs have placed a gentleman’s wager on this weekend’s game between Navy and Notre Dame. Gov. Blunt is hopeful his alma mater Navy (4-4) can break a 44-year losing streak against Notre Dame (1-7).

“I have placed a friendly wager on my alma mater to take home a win this weekend,” Gov. Blunt said. “Navy and Notre Dame have a storied history, but recently – as in the last 44 years – history has been kinder to the Fighting Irish football team. I am hopeful the Midshipmen can carry us to victory on Saturday.”

“Notre Dame and Navy have a rich tradition of competitive games, and this year will be no different,” said Mark Lynch, president of the St. Louis Club. “We look forward to seeing Governor Blunt jogging in his Irish gear.”

“There has been a close and special relationship between Notre Dame and the United States Navy going back to World War II when the Navy took over most of the campus for training officers and housing midshipmen in training. Without the Navy’s presence, Notre Dame would have largely been a deserted campus as most college-aged men joined the Armed Forces. Today, Notre Dame graduates more Navy officers than any institution other than the Naval Academy. The Notre Dame alums in Missouri are happy to be able to carry on this friendly rivalry between Navy and Notre Dame through this symbolic wager with Governor Blunt, a distinguished Naval Academy graduate,” said Charles Weiss, former president of the St. Louis Notre Dame Club and former president of the Notre Dame Law School Alumni.

“We thank Governor Blunt and his staff for this opportunity to bring the Navy and Notre Dame families in Missouri closer together. The Kansas City Alumni Club hopes that Governor Blunt will enjoy the continuation of Notre Dame’s 44-year old win streak over the Midshipmen, as my father, former Governor ‘Walkin’ Joe Teasdale, did 30 years ago. Go Irish,” said John Teasdale, Kansas City Notre Dame Alumni Chapter.

“As a neighbor of Governor Blunt, I’d gladly up the stakes and offer him a free house painting…blue and gold of course! Neither the Governor nor I were alive the last time Navy won, and I’d like to see that trend continued,” said Josh Hartman, Notre Dame Club of the Ozarks.

“I am in complete agreement with Governor Blunt on many, many things, but on this particular matter I believe he will look like the Navy goat,” said Barry O’Neill, Mid-Missouri Notre Dame Alumni Chapter.

In the event Navy is defeated, Gov. Blunt will wear a Notre Dame sweatshirt during one of his morning runs. If Navy wins, each of the presidents will wear a Navy hat, tie or shirt to their next Notre Dame Club meeting.

The Navy and Notre Dame rivalry began in 1927. It is the longest intersectional rivalry in college football.

Gov. Blunt graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served more than 5 years active duty. His active duty service included participation in Operation Support Democracy, involving the United Nations blockade of Haiti, missions to interdict drug traffic off the South American coast, and on duties involved in the interdiction of Cuban migrants in 1994. During his naval career, Gov. Blunt received numerous commendations, including four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals.

Gov. Blunt is the only statewide official in Missouri history called to active military duty in wartime, serving for six months in Operation Enduring Freedom, America’s response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. He is currently serving as a Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserves.

Source: Missouri Governor

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