So the family is back together again.

All drawn by a love for Notre Dame football and all things Irish, the Fantasy Camp veterans have returned and are already welcoming the freshmen, who might not know quite what to expect when they arrive in South Bend, but they can be assured it will be a heartfelt welcome.

“I was very unsure what to expect when I arrived for my freshman year and it was complete open arms from everyone,” says John O’Neill from Toronto, the sole Canadian at this year’s camp.

“They brought you in as if you’d been there for the three or four years that the camp had been running and now we meet in the spring or at a reunion game. There are constant emails throughout the year and like a big family, we are never out of contact for long.”

Now reunited at a place that is special in each of their hearts, the fantasy campers began the 2008 experience with a welcome from event organizer Patrick Steenberge and Monogram Club Executive Director Jim Fraleigh. The group ate dinner in the Monogram Room with the entire current day Notre Dame coaching staff and listened as a series of guest speakers helped inspire them for the week ahead.

Those addressing the group included Chris Zorich, Mirko Jurkovic, Ron Powlus, Roger Valdiserri, who was the Notre Dame SID for more than 38 years, and Frank Leahy. 

The seniors – those who are enrolled in the camp for a fourth year – received watches and other awards were also given out.

Read more about Canadian John O’Neill’s passion for the Notre Dame Football Fantasy Camp at www.NFLCanada.com