Laura Rutledge, a respected sports journalist, recently detailed the factors leading to the revised start time for the Sugar Bowl between Notre Dame and Georgia. The information was revealed during an interview with the ‘Paul Finebaum Show’ on ESPN Radio.
The change in kickoff time was not dictated by the changing circumstances of the pandemic, as has been the case for many sporting events in recent times. Instead, the decision was driven by Notre Dame’s academic calendar.
Rutledge disclosed that Notre Dame applied for a time change owing to their rigid academic schedule which requires student-athletes to be back on campus by January 15th. This accelerated return date meant that the original game timing was untenable for the dual-role students.
The respected commentator noted that most people may not be aware of Notre Dame’s strict adherence to the academic calendar. But the institution maintains a staunch commitment to the academic success of its student-athletes, as much as their sporting prowess, leading to this unusual but necessary shift in kickoff time.
“The game is set to take place on January 1,” said Rutledge. “However, this is not the first time that a football game’s timing has had to be tweaked due to Notre Dame’s academic constraints.” Further strengthening the acknowledged precedence of education over athletics at the university.
The situation offers a fascinating glimpse into the strong coupling between academia and sports within Notre Dame. It’s a testament to the lengths the institution goes to uphold the balance between their student-athletes’ educational requirements and their athletic commitments.
The Paul Finebaum Show is a reliable source for college football news and special interest stories related to the sport. All the information quoted in this article was relayed in an interview with Laura Rutledge on this show, which regularly features on ESPN Radio.
Last modified: January 2, 2025
