Saturday, San Diego’s aged stadium (known as Jack Murphy Stadium and Qualcomm in previous incarnations) hosted perhaps its last grand event.

63,626 watched Navy host Notre Dame.  Since large swaths of green reminded all that Irish faithful easily outnumbered Midshipman fans, Navy proved a very generous “host,”  However, “NAVY” was emblazoned in both end zones to remind all that this was indeed a Navy home game.

Despite the fact that the San Diego stadium situation is currently in flux (a ballot initiative is on tap next Tuesday), the current stadium wheezes in hospice.  The 91st edition of the Navy-Notre Dame series attracted a lively crowd and was likely the last event to attract this level of interest in the concrete edifice that was built in a bygone era when stadiums were built for all-purpose use for both football and baseball.

I will be sad to say goodbye.  From the view section, one could enjoy a mountain view on pristine San Diego days.  Goodbye to the memories of Tony Gwynn, Dan Fouts and Don Coryell.  In its heyday, the stadium hosted Super Bowls and two World Series.  On one unforgettable Saturday night, BYU spotted Marshall Faulk’s San Diego State a 45-17 second half lead, only to forge an amazing rally to salvage a 52-52 tie and pry a Western Athletic Conference title from the Aztecs.

Ironically, Oklahoma State  hosted Texas at the same time as the Navy game.  In Stillwater, fans were celebrating the 30th anniversary of Barry Sanders’ legendary Heisman season, still,  the best ever by a collegian (although this year’s Tua is challenging this previously accepted fact).  I saw Sanders’ last collegiate game in the 1988 Holiday Bowl.  The incredible Oklahoma State offense, quarterbacked by current coach Mike Gundy, romped at will against a helpless Wyoming team.  So, perhaps it was karma that Oklahoma State, in their slick-looking 1988 retro unis, would go on a similar offensive blitzkrieg against Texas, posting 260 yards of  offense in the first quarter, en route to an upset of the sixth-ranked Longhorns.  Yet another reminder of long-gone days.

I will be very sad to say goodbye.