While Senior Day brings emotions not usually seen on the football field, some of the most cherished memories this weekend will come from someone stepping onto the field at Notre Dame Stadium for the first time. Fifteen-year-old Jacob Krauss has always dreamed of hitting the field inside the hallowed stadium, but his aspirations haven't been to score a clutch fourth quarter touchdown. Jacob has always wished to make his mark at halftime, with the University of Notre Dame Marching Band.
"Notre Dame is America's first marching band and best-known over the past 160 years," Jacob said. "I want to play with the best."
Thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Jacob's dream is coming true.
While Jacob battles cystic fibrosis, his love of music has never wavered. Even after his school, Alameda High in Lakewood, Colorado, was forced to cancel its marching band due to a lack of student interest, Jacob continued to play multiple instruments, including the clarinet.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation, Notre Dame's Office of News & Information, and Mike Williams, a Notre Dame alum who lives in Colorado all teamed to help Jacob fulfill his wish to play his clarinet alongside the marching band.
Joined by his mother and grandmother, Jacob was fitted for an official band uniform this morning. The rest of his Friday includes a private tour of Notre Dame stadium, a clarinet lesson with band instructor Alison Thigpen, and joining the band as they play in the final pep rally of the season at the Irish Green.
Game day will bring even more excitement for Jacob, as he'll join the band for a pregame concert outside of Bond Hall. Jacob will be on the field during the band's pregame performance, before joining his new mates in the Marching Band seats down on the field.
"We have a lot of fun activities planned for Jacob to make this a very special Notre Dame experience," said Jennifer Laiber, who is spearheading the weekend events for ND's News & Information department. "His passion for music and desire to play clarinet alongside our marching band has been an inspiration to everyone involved in planning Jacob's wish."
While Saturday's game will be cherished by seniors stepping foot on the field for the last time, this first visit will be a dream come true for Jacob Krauss.
Way to go Notre Dame, I am an avid Michigan fan but I can only say this is a touch of class. Nice
This is why I am a Notre Dame Fan!!!
This is just awesome. No other words to describe it. Brought tears to my eyes and made me even prouder to be an ND Fan!
Stories like this are the reason why we sing "...And our hearts forever love thee, Notre Dame." I am so proud to be an ND alumnus!
My son is a member of the Band of the Fighting Irish. I've always been proud of him and of the Band, but never more than right now. Ken Dye and his staff are class acts, one and all.
As a former Notre Dame Band member, I too fulfilled a lifelong dream by running out of that tunnel and performing for my parents as well as 80,000 of my closest friends.
I'm quite certain that the experience will far exceed any expectations you have, Jacob, and I promise that it will be something that you will never, ever forget.
I'm so excited for Jacob and his family. Welcome to Notre Dame!
P.S. Bring your kleenex, mom and dad.
I have never been more proud of my son. This opportunity is definately a once in a lifetime experience and I am very proud of his decision for this wish. I did not influence him one bit on how to utilize such an opportunity in his life. I am very greatful to all involved in making this happen for my son. He struggles with cystic fibrosis every day and to be able to give him this makes me truly speachless! My brother and best friend pasted away just over a year ago in a car crash and I truly have not been able to smile with such intensity since than, as I have have these past few days! I am truly forever greatful for this opportunity for my son! God bless all of you!
I am a Make A Wish volunteer and proud of it! Notre Dame- you guys are the greatest for helping make this wish come true! What an awesome thing you're doing! Thank you!! Jacob: I hope you have the best time and take LOTS of pictures! Good for you! You so deserve this!
First Charlie's wish is granted to coach the Irish and now this...my heart could burst from all the generosity. Go get 'em Jacob and enjoy your day...you're going to be the best thing happening on the field this Saturday at ND stadium...I'm sorry I won't be there to cheer you on...
GO JACOB! Thanks, Notre Dame, this is living the gospels!
This is a wonderful story, I've always
been so impressed with how our band performs
every Saturday, now I'm even more impressed
with its leadership. One of my best friends
was on the band, and this is great that Jacob
is getting this opportunity.
Hopefully we can treat him to a victory too!
Go Irish!
Go Jacob! You are ND!
Cheer Cheer for Ole Notre Dame! You go Jacob. I can remember my first time on the ND campus and the first ND football game I attended. The band is the best. Have a fun time!
I am currently a Notre Dame senior clarinet player and I can't express how much this touches me. To be able to play on this field for four years, and on our last game get to make a young man's wish come true makes me speechless. Take it in Jacob, because it will be a feeling you will never, ever forget. GO IRISH!
1st. thank you to the people of Notre Dame . Jacob is a very good kid . Full of love of life . I am so proud of him. Like Michelle stated, its been a rough and emotional year with our brother's passing.I know if Tommy were here, he would be so proud of him. Jacob really loves music . hes a killer on rock band on his p.s. I have been with Jacob and his mom through his many hospital visits . Through out them all, hes stayed strong with a smile. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU FOR MAKING JACOB'S DREAM COME TURE.
Jacob's Uncle Mike Nichols GO Notre Dame!
Kudos to everyone involved with Make-A-Wish and with ND for making this dream come true for Jacob Krauss. College football rivalries are one thing. This is several orders of magnitude more important, and transcends any one team or any rivalry. You folks are real life heroes. And I'm saddened to hear about the personal tragedy suffered by his family. My condolences.
I'll be looking for Jacob during the telecast of the game. GO IRISH!
my prayers are with Jacob and your family. Best wishes, and God bless.
I think all of us will be watching with pride today, and with prayers in our hearts. Bob, you're a class act, too - thanks.
WOW AMEN AMEN
Way to go Navy. WAY TO GO NAVY. Wow amen amen. That is why I love to see ND choir boys beat. Oh pardon the slip father.
What a truly amazing story. May God Bless everyone involved with this - Make A Wish, the ND Marching Band, and especially Jacob & his family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Win or lose... ND is ALWAYS the class of collegiate football. All of the football "problems" aside, THE Marching Band is truly the icing on the cake and there is none other that comes close! Way to go Irish! God's blessings and peace to Jacob and his family.
Wow - what a great WISH to come true for Jacob! I have been a ND fan since 4th grade when Sister Josephine, MPF rooted for the Irish. I was at the ND-Navy game on Nov 7 - and WIN or LOSE, ND is the best. I hold my Alma Mater with great pride in my heart! Love thee Notre Dame!
Tom
Notre Dame Alumnus
MS 1972
Jacob, my thoughts and prayers are with you buddy. You'll have the time of your life marching with the greatest band in the nation...That's why ND is an unique and an amazing place we all dearly treasure and love..maybe NBC will get it right one weekend and show the halftime show of the greatest marching band in the nation instead of listening to Peter King of the NFL...Is this a NFL day or suppose to be a Notre Dame Football Saturday.. or possibly talk about these amazing great events occurring at the University on a daily basis...or give Weiss just a little credit for the good he does off the field.The Producer of NBC's Notre Dame Football Show, Tom Hammond and Pat Haden, may i ask you all, how could you miss such a great story.... Oh I forgot, you needed to stay negative this day, focus on Charlie and keep repeating how this loss would end his coaching career at ND.(I think we all know that already).NBC boys, I hope you feel proud of yourselves this morning, You get an A+ for burying Weiss, but you surely get an F for missing this amazing story and events occurring off the field that maybe a national viewing audience would have liked to seen...Look in the mirror NBC boys, Tom and Pat, I think its time for you both to go far away from this great tradition-ed University in South Bend...Like Weiss, according to you, its all about wins...May I ask you both, with the amazing grades you earned game-day, what should your future be??? I hear USC needs a few good boys to befriend Pete Caroll......
Hello Jacob's Mom,
I am an adult with CF (I'll be 50 years old next year!) living in Boston, and I, too attended the Notre Dame game on Saturday for the very first time. I was overwhelmed by the experience and can only imagine your emotions when your son got to participate in all those activities. My cousin's son is a freshman trombone player in the band and I was so proud of him. I would welcome hearing from you if you would want to be in contact. I suspect we share many common experiences. My email address is joanfbrooks@p-fmr.com. Happy Thanksgiving and good health to you, Jacob and your family. Sincerely, Joan Finnegan Brooks
Congratulations to Jacob! As his middle school band director, I was always impressed with him, both as a musician and as a person. I watched the highlights on Channel 9 on Saturday night. What an honor! Keep playing your clarinet and if you ever want to play with the Estes Park bands again, come on back! P.S. Thanks to Notre Dame for making this available to Jacob.
Indifferent to ND's football loss on Saturday, I am happy for Jacob's "win".
ND has always represented a 'quality' collegiate program and Jacob playing with the best is a cherished memory for all involved. This exemplifies the generosity of humankind and the perseverence of one individual to succeed against all odds --- Jacob Krauss.
Wishing he and his family a Happy Thanksgiving.
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