Rich Hidy, Sports Editor

Notre Dame freshman Chris Badger has had an unusual and unlikely road to where he is now.

As a 21-year-old freshman from Provo, Utah, Badger has travelled a long way to become a defensive safety on the championship-bound football team. A Spanish major residing in Dillon Hall, Badger is also an active Mormon and attends weekly church services with Manti Te’o. Badger is always willing to share his faith story with those willing to listen.

After committing to Stanford two years ago, he reconsidered his choice and decided against playing for then-coach Jim Harbaugh. He instead took his talents to South Bend to play for Charlie Weis. Badger then left football temporarily to participate in his Mormon mission by teaching the people of Ecuador. “The people of Guayaquil, Ecuador, better get ready. ‘Cause a storm of love and truth is coming,” Badger said before leaving for his mission.

He returned to Notre Dame a changed man this year to continue his studies and play the game he loves for head coach Brian Kelly. The Rover recently had the opportunity to discuss Badger’s spiritual journey at Notre Dame, and how his life as a first year student on campus is currently going.

Hidy: How did you decide to commit to ND?
Badger: When I was getting recruited I had first committed to Stanford the spring of my junior year of high school. I had a lot of offers to play at places like LSU, Florida State, Oregon, and others, but thought Stanford would be best. In May of that year I got a call from a Notre Dame assistant coach telling me the school had seen my highlights and wanted me to take a visit there. It was funny because the day before he called I had been on YouTube looking at highlights of my favorite player, Tom Zbikowski, who was a safety for Notre Dame. I decided that summer to take a visit with my Dad to see what ND had to offer. On my visit I was completely taken away and had an amazing feeling that this was where I needed to be. I committed to Notre Dame right after I left.

What were your feelings when you first got to ND?
When I first got to Notre Dame I had seen Rudy and watched a few games and knew a little about the history of the school, but there was so much more I had no idea about. I had no idea how great of a school it really is. I realized the beauty of the campus. I felt at home and loved the spirituality and beauty of everything on campus. I felt like I could be a great part of the community at Notre Dame and that I would fit in well.

How was the transition between growing up in Utah and coming to play at Notre Dame?
Utah is definitely a lot different than the Midwest. It was tough not looking up and seeing the mountains and being so far away from my family at first. I started at Notre Dame early in the spring of 2010. I graduated high school early.  What really helped me was I had a great group of friends on the team, but especially a great group of friends in my hallway in Dillon hall. Manti’s support as another Mormon who I could relate to and go to church with, and who lived right down the hall from me definitely helped as well.

How important was your mission to you even to delay playing football?
The decision to serve a mission in the church is very personal. It’s something every Mormon needs to decide if it’s right for him or her. At first, when I got to Notre Dame, I wasn’t sure if I was going to serve a mission. What really gave me that desire occurred when I started to read the Book of Mormon. Even though I grew up Mormon I had never really read it and didn’t know if it was true. I decided I needed to read the book and that it would help me.  I was going through a tough time since I pulled my hamstring in spring practice, and when I read the Book of Mormon and the Bible, it completely brought me closer to Jesus Christ.

Every time I read I found something that applied to my life and felt as if God was speaking to me. When I prayed and asked God if it was true, a warm and loving feeling came over me, which is something that’s hard to describe.  I guess I matured a lot that first semester I was here and I realized that I owed everything in my life to Jesus Christ, and that if I served him and taught other people his gospel it would bring me and the people I taught happiness and love.  It was tough because I love football so much and I knew it would be hard to give it up for two years, but I know many people that have done it and have had successful careers afterwards. It was something I needed to do and right now I’m completely blessed, and I have four more years to play football. So everything has worked out.

What does your faith mean to you both on the field and off it?
My faith means a lot to me.  Everything I know and who I am as a person is owed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It puts my priorities in line and reminds me what’s really important. As for on the field my faith teaches me to believe in myself, to trust God above all things and to do my very best. My favorite scripture in the Book of Mormon is from a prophet named Alma who said in Alma 37:6-7,

Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.

This scripture verse definitely applies to football and doing all the little things the right way, and applies to life in general.

What is it like to be only one of two players on the team who is Mormon? How do both you and Manti participate in the religion at school?
I enjoy being one of only a few members of the church on the team. There are definitely a lot of people out here in the Midwest and at school here at Notre Dame who don’t know many Mormons and haven’t heard much about what we believe in. I love answering people’s questions and just trying to be a good person to everyone. Manti and I go to church together every Sunday at 9 a.m. It’s just right down the road in Mishawaka. Anyone who has questions can email me at cbadger@nd.edu and Manti and I can give you a ride if you want to come with us to a service.  We love people to come with us and it’s always an uplifting experience.

How have you enjoyed this historic season?
I’ve had a lot of fun this year. It’s been great for me getting back from my mission. I’ve worked really hard to get back in shape and become the best player I can be. I’m grateful that through all of the practices we’ve had I haven’t had any major injuries and that I’ve been able to help our offense by playing on the scout defense. There’s a great feeling around the team and everyone is excited. It’s special to be a part of. We have a great group of guys.

What are your expectations for yourself in the next three years at Notre Dame?
I expect myself to give all that I have to this program. I’m going to work as hard as I can to prepare myself physically and mentally so that when I get the opportunity to play, I can take full advantage of it and show my skills.  It was my football instincts, my tackling and hard hitting, and my toughness that earned me all of my scholarships, and I expect to play at a championship level these next 3-4 years here at Notre Dame.

Rich Hidy is in the First Year of Studies program with plans to become a Business major, and could be the good luck charm for the Notre Dame football team this year. Contact him at rhidy@nd.edu.