Despite losing January’s college football championship game and then weathering the non-existent girlfriend episode involving one of its players, the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame remain popular around the country and around the world.

From my corner of the globe, Notre Dame is New York City’s college football team. Other teams are followed by fans here, and that includes Syracuse and Rutgers. But, New York, especially Catholic New York, mostly cheers for Notre Dame.

Two years ago, when the Irish came to town to renew its old-time rivalry with Army at the new Yankee Stadium, more than 54,000 fans attended the game. Notre Dame also turned the city into a huge college town. No other college football team ever has overtaken New York City in this manner. Even Lincoln Center was transformed into a college quad for a pep rally.

Notre Dame’s connection to New York is an old relationship steeped in tradition that rallies around the religious and ethnic composition of the immigrant city. When a large population of working class immigrants, then the sons and daughters of these immigrants, and then the next generation of sons and daughters look at the Notre Dame roster, they see a lot of similar Irish, Italian, German and other ethnic names. These fans, generation after generation, have cheered for Notre Dame at the old and now new Yankee Stadium, at Ebbets Field and at the Polo Grounds. Over the years, they have earned a nickname – Notre Dame’s “subway alumni.”

A relationship with alumni, whether actual graduates or those who are adopted, is just as important in business as it is in college sports. Many on our team at the Whitmore Group enjoy relationships through athletics (lacrosse and football), through the high schools of New York City and Long Island, and from colleges such as Hofstra University.

Never underestimate past associations, common beginnings, or other connections on and off the field. In many ways, we can connect as “alumni” beyond our days in school.

Jim

I doubt that you have heard about Emilie Buse. Allow me to share her wonderful success with you.

Emilie played soccer as a youngster and then she starred at SUNY Purchase. As a freshman, she led the Panthers to the North East Atlantic Conference title and she was named tournament MVP. Then, Purchase College moved into the Skyline Conference, and Emilie was selected as first team All-Conference one season and second team All-Conference during another season.

Emilie also has enjoyed the game as a referee, and she was named the Capital District Youth Soccer League’s young female referee for 2007. She also has officiated in the East Hudson Youth Soccer League, for the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association State Cup finals and for the Region 1 finals.

In the Eastern New York State Senior Association, Emilie has officiated in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League and the Eastern District Soccer League. She also has worked games in the Premier Development League and has three FIFA international games to her credit.

Earlier this year, this Westchester County resident received the Jose Vargas Award as the 2012 Eastern New York soccer referee of the year. The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association stretches from Montauk Point to the Canadian border, and it includes 123,000 players.

Emilie Buse certainly has an impressive resume, and she is just 24-years-old.

Emilie’s success can be attributed to her talent, her commitment to the game she enjoys, and her willingness to continue to learn and improve to achieve her goals. The keen eye of just one soccer official helped her along the way and opened a door or two that led to new opportunities for her. Today, she continues to open new doors in an exciting soccer career.

I, too, scout for new talent. Sometimes a name is shared with me, and at other times I receive a good vibe about a person I have met during a business or casual meeting, or even at a social function. I enjoy helping our young adults get started. By opening a door for them to step through, I can place them on their journey to career success.

I am always looking for rising stars just like Emilie. Contact me if you know of one with potential.

Jim