Irish gridiron legends lend helping hand to Five Star Life, Michiana Students

NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- Two Notre Dame legends are back in Michiana to support a cause they both hold in high regard.

Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown and speedster “Rocket” Ismail joined a host of students and supporters at Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course Tuesday for the 8th annual Five Star Golf Open, a tournament aimed at raising funds for an organization dedicated to keeping kids in school.

Elkhart 8th grader Olivia Kneper was star struck seeing these superstars.

“Oh man I was about to hyperventilate! I was so excited when he walked by me. I was telling my friends oh my gosh,” said Kneper.

The former Irish stand-outs were on hand to support students from all over Michiana, like Kneper, who need a mentor and a reason to stay in school.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Tim Brown, flew in from his home in Dallas and invited fellow Irish great “Rocket” Ismail, to support the cause.

“The stories keep on coming. I heard about five of them from O’Hare on my way here yesterday. Some kids take 2 months and some kids take 2 years. The good thing is the majority of the kids are getting it,” said the Heisman Trophy winner.

According to their website, 7,000 students drop out of school every school day.

A number Five Star Life is on a mission to reverse and a stat that’s astonishing to Ismail.

“7,000 people dropping out of school every day, a tool to equip them so that doesn’t happen and to turn that tide back, that is a very significant accomplishment,” said Ismail.

Seth Maust is the President of Five Star Life.

“Bottom line when you have someone that believes in you and about your life, it sets them on a course where their attendance is better in school and their relationship with their teachers and parents are better, that’s why we are in this game,” said Maust.

It’s a game plan that has these Notre Dame giants on the same page.

“This is an opportunity to give kids help who don’t know what getting an education is about. Their grandfather didn’t do it, their mom and dad didn’t do it. All of a sudden that concept in the house is foreign. Oh you think you are better than us. Those things you have to fight. If you can get kids past that, that is very powerful,” said Brown.

Kneper, who has been with the organization for a year now, knows the importance of their mission.

“It means a lot to me because it’s going to help a lot of people. It’s going to help me. It was amazing to be here with them. It was an honor,” said Kneper.

In the eight years they have doing this event, Five Star says they have raised well over $350,000.

If you would like to make a donation to Five Star: CLICK HERE