(This article was originally published in the 9/9/02 issue of Irish Today.)

Defensive back Freddie Parish committed to Notre Dame following his visit to South Bend for the Purdue game.  Some schools see the 6-2, 200-pound Long Beach Poly blue-chipper as a safety, but the Irish will play him at cornerback. His decision was sealed when he saw what the Notre Dame family was all about, up close and personal.

When we spoke last week, Freddie told me that he had no intention of committing before he took all five visits and even had a second set up with Washington on September 27th. What changed his mind?

"I didn't think I was (going to commit) until I got there," Parish said. "I was just really there to see what it was all about, I didn't expect to love it like that. I went over there (to South Bend) and it was the craziest thing I've ever seen. Every student in the student section is just pumped, it was just crazy."

Parish, from Los Angeles, has been to many college football games in his hometown, but they couldn't compare to a game at Notre Dame.

"I've been to UCLA and USC games and they say the game is sold out and then you look around and there are empty bleachers all over the place," Parish said. "At Notre Dame when they say the game is sold out, it's SOLD OUT! I thought people were going to fall out over the top. I've just never seen anything like it."

In addition to the awe of Notre Dame on gameday, something else special happened that helped clinch the deal for Parish.

"Coach Willingham sat down and talked with my mom in private for a while," Parish said. "I don't know what was said, but when she came back she just said 'He's a wonderful man and he'll shape you into the man that you and I want you to be. This is the place for you.'"

Freddie and his family arrived too late on Friday to attend the pep rally, but did have breakfast with the team and spent time in the locker room before the game. Freddie, along with fellow Irish commit David Marrero and visiting recruit Richard Kovalcheck, watched a highlight video showcasing Notre Dame's rich tradition. Then, they got to do something that many other people all over the country dream about.

"We got to run out of the tunnel with the team and that was just overwhelming," Parish said.

Immediately after the game, Parish told Coach Walters and Coach Baer that he thought he wanted to go to Notre Dame. But, he had yet to speak with Coach Willingham.

Parish, along with Richard Kovalcheck and David Marrero and their families, went out to dinner after the game with the coaches and their wives.

"Coach Willingham told us (at dinner) that he's looking for a certain kind of player. He's not looking for guys who wear their pants sagging down. He said, 'You're not working for Joe Boxer. Joe Boxer doesn't pay you any money, so pull up your pants,'" Parish said laughing. "He wants a player who is respectful and ready to represent himself and the team and school and he said if you're not that kind of kid, then please don't come here. I really respected that."

Coach Willingham gave Parish his first lesson that night before he even gave his commitment.

"We were outside the restaurant and Coach said to me, 'Inside this restaurant, there could be all kinds of people that you want to impress. You never know who could be there and you represent yourself wherever you go.' He said, 'When you see two girls at school and one looks all pretty and the other could be pretty, but doesn't have herself looking her best, who do you go talk to?' I said the pretty girl and he said, 'Exactly, when you go back in that restaurant, you take the beanie and the doo-rag off. I know you're a good kid, but someone you want to impress may judge you before they get to know that,'" Parish told the story laughing.

"I really respect that about him. I like that he treats people that way. That's something that my dad would say and I know that Coach Willingham is someone that I can look up to."

Finally, the time came for Parish to talk to Coach Willingham one-on-one about his future.

"Coach talked about Notre Dame's tradition and the things that they are going to do there and how special a place it is. He said if my mind is ready, I could make an impact as soon as I got there and then he said, 'Now where do you want to go to school?' I said, 'Notre Dame, sir.' He said, 'That's an excellent choice and we're excited to have you,'" Parish recounted.

In the end, Notre Dame was the right place for Freddie and on Saturday he realized it for certain. He also made friends with a fellow classmate.

"David (Marrero) is really cool, I'm going to be happy to play with him," Parish said. "We traded phone numbers and so did our dads. I'm not looking forward to playing him in the California-Florida game, but I am as soon as we get to Notre Dame."

Finally, what does he do about that planned visit to Washington?

"First thing tomorrow, we'll call and let them know that we appreciate the opportunity, but there is just no use in going," Parish said.

Then he started to chuckle and said, "I don't think Coach Neuheisel is going to like that very much, but there is just no reason to go."

No reason to go because Parish has found a new home at Notre Dame.