On the November 2, 2026 edition of Notre Dame Federal Credit Union’s Irish Football Fix, host Chuck Freeby chat with 1988 Notre Dame national champion Pat Eilers in our Focus on Faith interview.

LISTEN ON APPLE

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

Eilers was never recruited by Notre Dame. He showed up as a transfer from Yale, and Lou Holtz told him this program wasn’t built with Ivy League transfers.

So how did Eilers become so valuable to this program that he scored the first touchdown against Miami in 1988, then switch positions later in his career and become an NFL defensive back? Certainly, perseverance played a role, but so did faith and a love for Notre Dame which has resulted in him sending his children to Notre Dame and becoming a valuable donor to the new Shields Hall.

Our Focus on Faith interviews are presented by Vince & Pat Turner.