Notre Dame, 'U' fans expected to overwhelm stadium

Like an Ann Arbor gold rush, Notre Dame fans will swarm to campus and Michigan football stadium to support their team.

As much as any other game this year, tomorrow's match-up between Notre Dame and Michigan will attract out-of-towners to Wolverine territory - call it an Irish invasion.

Plan on seeing a few navy and gold sweatshirts on the way to the game tomorrow, because a couple thousand tickets have been sold to Notre Dame fans.

Local businesses are experiencing a boom in business thanks to the game.

"This weekend will be crazy," said Dan Switzer, manager of Steve and Barry's University Sportswear. "I'm expecting a 20-30 percent increase (in sales) this weekend. It's a big game. Michigan's team is good this year. You'll see an increase if the team's successful."

The local Sheraton Inn is expecting to be completely booked.

"This is definitely one of the busiest weekends. The Notre Dame game creates the most activity from alumni, and out-of-towners," said Sheraton general manager Jim Cone.

Correen Borst, a secretary at Holiday Inn, predicted a packed house.

"Notre Dame brings even more than Colorado. We'll definitely sell out," Borst said.

Other local businesses are also gearing up for a busy weekend.

At the Brown Jug, manager Beth Swanson said she expects it to be "very, very busy."

"Some games bring in more than others. Because (Notre Dame) is so close, I would assume there will be more out-of-towners," Swanson said.

Tomorrow's game is proving to be so popular that many University alumni are unable to attend. Alumni groups often buy tickets in large blocks, but the high demand for seats at tomorrow's game leaves many of them in a lurch.

"Tickets for the game are so tight that purchasing 50 would be impossible," said Helen Peters, assistant executive director of the Alumni Association.

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