Notre Dame Club Hosts Access Friendraiser During Historic Tennessee State Game

A sincere thank you to the Notre Dame Club of St. Louis for hosting an Access friendraiser last weekend at the Club’s University of Notre Dame versus Tennessee State University football game watch. It was the first time in Notre Dame’s storied 136-year football history that the Fighting Irish took the field against an HBCU (Historically Black College and University) or an FCS school, and Access was there to help celebrate this historic occasion!

This game also represented a special moment for our Executive Director, Shelly Williams. As an alumna of the University, she served more than eight years on the Black Alumni of Notre Dame (BA of ND) Board, recently ending her tenure as Board Chair for the BA, and three years as a member of the national alumni board. “This was more than a game watch. The game brought together the rich history, traditions, and values of two amazing Universities, both on and off the field,” said Williams. “Similar to Access, both Universities understand the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equity in individual and collective education. It was truly an honor for Access to celebrate with the ND Club of St. Louis, making this game watch a moment of celebration and an opportunity to introduce more St. Louisans to the mission of Access.”