A Legend was Born...with the Help of Divine Intervention

By Dan and Beth Edwards

 

            On a windy and sunny day in Notre Dame Stadium, Harry Oliver kicked a 51-yard field goal on the final play of the game to beat Michigan. This victory is legendary in Notre Dame history, but a deeper look at this moment provides great insight into this athlete and what is important in life.

 

            Harry Oliver was a standout student and place kicker on three consecutive unbeaten state championship teams at Cincinnati Arch Bishop Moeller High School from 1975-77. Notre Dame football coach Dan Divine give Oliver a scholarship, but Harry found himself #3 on the depth chart during his first two years on the team. Most young athletes would have been discouraged, but Oliver just worked harder on his skills. By the opening game of the 1980 season, against Purdue, Harry had vaulted himself to #1 kicker on the depth chart.

 

            On September 20, 1980, in Notre Dame Stadium, the wind had been blowing out of the south at a steady 15-20 miles per hour all day. The flags atop the stadium and wind strips on the uprights pointed north. Oliver stood on the sideline and watched the Irish march down the field in the final minute to reach the Michigan 34 yard line, meaning the ball would be placed at the 41 for the kick.   The scoreboard clock showed :04 left in the game. Harry said a quiet “Hail Mary” and then thought, “There is no way I can kick this ball 51 yards into this wind.”  

 

            Then something strange occurred: The wind stopped. The flags suddenly went limp as if to compliment the absolute quiet in the packed stadium. Harry Oliver's kick just cleared the cross bar. The young man did not run around drawing attention to himself. He enjoyed the moment with his teammates, fellow students and fans who had rushed the field. The only personal dramatic sign shown by Harry Oliver were the tears of joy that streamed down his face. The legend is further enhanced by the fact that as soon as the ball cleared the goal post, the wind picked up again and continued to blow out of the south the rest of the day.

 

            Oliver's teammates and friends knew he was much, much more than a Notre Dame place kicker. During his days at Notre Dame, Harry attended Mass and received communion daily.   He continued the practice for the rest of his life until illness made it impossible. Oliver's kindness, positive attitude and never speaking negatively about others left a lasting impression on all who came in contact with him.

 

            In post Notre Dame years, Oliver headed a successful construction firm and a real estate company, but his biggest joy came from the countless hours he devoted to helping senior citizens and children in need of housing, food and educational assistance.

 

            Harry Oliver joked once, “On my tombstone they will not put date of birth and death, but instead will simply have September 20, 1980 -- Notre Dame 29, Michigan 27.” The 47-year-old Cincinnati native died at his home on August 7, 2007, after a two-year battle with cancer.