Lou Holtz had an immeasurable impact on college football and continues to emphatically influence individual lives.
The Hall of Fame coach revitalized the Notre Dame football program, leading the legendary Fighting Irish to nine bowl games, the 1988 national championship, and a 100-30-2 record in 11 seasons. He claimed three national Coach of the Year honors and is the ninth-winningest coach in college football history while guiding six different schools to season-ending bowl games.
In 1998, Holtz and his wife, Beth, started the Lou Holtz Charitable Foundation with much of its budget coming from the proceeds from three of the books he has written. The foundation’s mission is to promote education, religion, and charity. Holtz also infuses his vitality to raise money for his Lou Holtz Charitable Foundation. Some of his special interests are connected to Notre Dame, the Congregation of Holy Cross, his alma mater, Kent State, and Catholic Charities.
Holtz shared his thoughts with Global Football Founder and President Patrick Steenberge on the upcoming Catholic Bowl at the Vatican opportunity.
Dear Pat,
It was my pleasure to make a few trips with you and I can tell you that they were first class in every respect. I am delighted to hear about your event in the Vatican and it would be a wonderful experience for any athlete but particularly a Catholic athlete. Having been to the Vatican many times myself and having the opportunity to see the Pope is a once in a lifetime experience. I would hope that you will receive great cooperation because if my son was involved, I would consider it an honor and a pleasure, a privilege and a blessing to have him go on this trip. Thanks for everything, and what I have always said, what impresses me about you, is you are first class in every respect.
Sincerely,
Lou Holtz