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Shake down the thunder, Mike
Berkshire Eagle, June 8, 1933
O'FARRELL CHOOSES FIGHTING IRISH
Deerfield Academy Standout Will Play Two Sports At Notre Dame
SOUTH DEERFIELD--On the eve of his high school graduation, Deerfield Academy's Mike O'Farrell announced he will be moving onto another storied campus in September. The star of Deerfield's football, basketball, and baseball squads, O'Farrell has accepted a scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, where he will play football and baseball for the Fighting Irish.
O'Farrell, the son of Red Sox Hall of Famer and general manager Pat O'Farrell, was widely rumored to have inked a contract to play professional baseball in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. The Cardinals, however, deny that such an offer was even made.
Notre Dame football coach "Hunk" Anderson was pleased to hear that O'Farrell would be coming aboard. "We plan to play Mike at quarterback," Anderson stated. "When he is ready for varsity ball as a sophomore, he will be given every opportunity to win the starting job."
O'Farrell grinned broadly when asked about his prospects for gridiron and diamond stardom at the South Bend, Indiana university. "I know a lot more about their football team," O'Farrell admitted. "I've had some good conversations with Wayne Millner, who plays end there. He's told me a lot of good things about the situation at Notre Dame, and his comments helped me make up my mind to go there." Millner, also a Massachusetts native hailing from Salem, is currently a freshman and starred on the Irish junior varsity squad this past fall.
Pat O'Farrell was equally sanguine when he discussed Mike's decision. "I think Mike made the right choice. He loves both football and baseball, and he can play them both for four more years at Notre Dame. He'll get a first-rate education there, too."
Pat O'Farrell's friendship with state Senator John F. Shea of Holyoke might also have played a role in his son's decision. Shea played baseball at Notre Dame and composed the lyrics to the famous Notre Dame Victory March, and has known the O'Farrell family for years.
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