Corby’s Irish Pub welcomes Hoosier faithful ahead of playoff game at Notre Dame

On December 21, 2024By Littum

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – South Bend will go green for Friday’s playoff game.

But inside Corby’s Irish Pub on Thursday night – a sea of red.

The IU Alumni Association South Bend Region hosted a Hoosier Happy Hour to get fans in the spirit.

And while there were plenty of IU and Notre Dame fans in the bar, many were torn.

“My wife and I went to IU and there are so many people from South Bend that went to IU,” said Joe Mittiga, owner of Corby’s Irish Pub. “I thought it was a good way to start the festivities, and then we’ll probably all go to Notre Dame after that.”

Another pair was split.

“I went to IU with my two brothers, so our education is there,” Linda Basker said. “But our heart is here with Notre Dame, and we’ve been with Corby for every Notre Dame game.”

Virginia resident Austin Van Horn has never been to South Bend, but he couldn’t miss Friday’s game.

“I’m super excited about IU joining the CFP for the first time,” said Van Horn. “And I’m really happy that the IU Alumni Association is hosting tonight at a really cool bar.”

Mittiga expressed his excitement about the playoffs taking place in South Bend.

“It’s so exciting,” Mittiga said. “Like, to think this is the matchup for the first round of the playoffs is insane and to have a late game in December here in South Bend with so much meaning — it’s crazy.”

The playoff game starts at 8:00 PM EST Friday night at Notre Dame Stadium.