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Notre Dame takes a punt
By Barry Rollings
Volume 50, No. 16, September 06, 2007 |
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| MAKING HIS MARK: Ex-Navy man Xavier Burton has been selected to play for the famous “Fighting Irish” from South Bend, Indiana. |
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Former Navy MIDN Xavier Burton is making his mark academically and athletically at Indiana’s famous Notre Dame University in the United States.
So much so that the legendary Fighting Irish from the Catholic university in South Bend have decided to take a punt on him.
During a US College spring training camp, Xavier trialled as a punter, following in the footsteps of former Australian Football League players Darren Bennett, Ben Graham and Sav Rocca, now in the NFL.
After the cut-throat selection trials – you would not expect anything less from the spiritual home of the immortal Knute Rockne (head coach, 1918-30) – the 195cm and 88kg sophomore was selected for the Fighting Irish’s 2007 NCAA season.
Since returning to the US to prepare for the collegiate season, Xavier has found the training extremely intensive and very professional. He feels fortunate to be part of such a prestigious program at Notre Dame and has used the leadership training received at the Royal Australian Naval College to excellent effect.
Interest in the team can be borne out by the final internal trial game crowd of more than 50,000.
Head coach Charlie Weis’s family background is similar to Xavier’s with his mother being a nurse and his father in the United States Navy. Weis was on the coaching staff of the New England Patriots when they won three Super Bowls before returning to his Alma Mater in 2005.
After being nationally ranked in the previous two seasons – 2005 and 2006 – the Fighting Irish of 2007 are very much underrated leading into the 2007 season opener against Georgia Tech on September 1 in the 85,000-seat Notre Dame Stadium.
Xavier hopes to gain some game time during the season but knows it will be difficult, with the first choice punter being touted for All American honours. However, he has made his mark already as the first Australian to make Notre Dame’s football roster.
Xavier is no academic slouch either. He was named in the Dean’s List for the first year of studies, recognising his outstanding scholarship during the spring 2007 semester.
Xavier joined the Navy in January 2006 after graduating from St Joseph’s College, Hunter’s Hill. He was a boarder at the famous Sydney rugby school for five years.
He represented Joey’s in GPS cricket (2nd XI) and soccer (1st XI). In 2005 he was awarded an ADFA Education Award for academic performance, leadership and sport.
Before going to Joey’s, he was the typical Navy child. Because of his father’s postings, he had attended nine schools as far afield as Germany and Papua New Guinea.
Xavier graduated from the Royal Australian Naval College in July 2006. He was given permission to leave the RAN at that stage to take up a student academic position at Notre Dame, majoring in Business and Political Science. |
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