Success rarely comes down to luck. It’s the result of preparation, discipline, and a willingness to put in the work—long before the spotlight hits. At Notre Dame, this mindset wasn’t just encouraged, it was expected. For Oscar McBride, the lessons he learned about preparation didn’t just shape him on the football field—they laid the foundation for how he would approach every challenge in life. Under Coach Lou Holtz, practice wasn’t just about plays; it was about purpose.
In December of 1991, Notre Dame was preparing to face Florida in the Sugar Bowl—an underdog story from the start. Critics doubted they even belonged in the game. The odds were stacked. But Coach Holtz had other plans. Rain forced the team to practice in full pads on a concrete floor inside the New Orleans Convention Center. What should have felt like a setback turned into one of the most unforgettable lessons in preparation and belief.
(The below excerpt is from Chapter 11 – Oscar McBride – of Echoes From the End Zone – The Men We Became.)
Whether he realized it or not, preparation was a key aspect of his time both on and off the field at Notre Dame. Coach Lou Holtz was very instrumental in making sure that his players were prepared for not only what was happening on the field, but in the rest of their lives as well. A prepared individual is a successful individual.
“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” ~ Colin Powell
“In December of 1991 we were down in New Orleans getting ready to play in the Sugar Bowl. No one expected us to win this bowl. No one even thought we belonged in this bowl. They kept telling us that we belonged in a cereal bowl. Our last team practice before the game was held in the convention center in full pads, on concrete, because it was…
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Publish date : 2025-06-05 04:54:00
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