Irish Illustrated insider subscribers.

This is Drew Mentock, and I'm here to bring you the 15th episode from a biweekly podcast series in the feed, Irish Illustrated interviews.

Today, we're sharing my conversation with Mike Amaday, a lifelong fighting Irish fan who's been in the Usher supervisor at the field level of Notre Dame Stadium for 22 years

and an usher for 30 overall. That's given him a unique perspective into game day operations inside

the stadium, where he's also interacted with famous fighting Irish fans and legends on the sideline.

That includes John Bon Jovi, Joe Montana, and Joe Thaisman. We dive into the responsibilities of an usher and how he got

us start wearing the distinctive uniform. Oh, and he shares some fun stories along the way.

Mike is also the executive editor and curriculum development manager, Avi Maria Press, where he's

worked for almost 33 years. There, he's acquired and worked on multiple books from former Nordium coaches with a statue

on campus, specifically Lou Holtz and Muffet McGraw. We discuss what it's like to get to know

both of these championship winning head coaches away from the sports arena. Here's my interview

with Mike. What's up, everyone? I'm here with Mike Amadeh, a lifelong fighting Irish fan who's been the

usher supervisor at the field level of Notre Dame Stadium for 22 years and in usher for 30 years overall.

You're also the executive editor and curriculum development manager at Avi Maria Press,

where you've worked for roughly 33 years, according to your LinkedIn. In this role, you've acquired and worked on multiple books with former

neurane coaches with a statue on campus, Lou Holtz and Muffin McGraw.

Full disclosure, my wife is on the board at Avi Maria Press,

and Mike was my seventh grade baseball coach and freshman year basketball coach,

meaning he's easily yelled at me and made me

run more sprints than everyone else who's appeared on this podcast combined. Thank you for being

here today, Mike.

Hey, no problem, Andrea. You know, you didn't mention that those, I think those were two championship teams,

...