No spot too tight forWeishar
Marist graduate, ND standout doing best juggling act
NicWeishar has a lot on his plate at the moment.
The 6-foot-5, 246-pound senior tight end is trying to help undefeatedNotreDame remain on a track for a shot at the national championship in college football.
He’s in the finalweeks of completing his master’s degree in science and finance.
There’s alsoWeishFest, the annual music festival fundraiser that’s fast approaching.
HowdoesWeishar, aMarist graduate and one of the most prolific receivers in high school history, manage it all? By not stressing.
“It’s a pretty special time,” Weishar said. “It’s all about time management. I’ve got a lot of people supporting me.”
Nowin its sixth year, WeishFest 2018 takes place Dec. 1 at 115 Bourbon St. in Merrionette Park.
Dispatch and Easton Corbin are two of the six acts who will entertain the crowd, beginning at 5 p.m. Besides the musical entertainment, Nic intends on bringing along at least 30 of hisNotreDame teammates.
It’s an event that grows bigger and better each year. For more information on WeishFest, including tickets, go toweish4ever.org.
Weishar can’twait to get the party started.
“Dispatch is a group I grew up listening to,” Nic said. “Easton Corbinis phenomenal. Both are national acts. I’m going to see people I haven’t seen in a while, which is always fun.”
The fact thatNotreDame coach BrianKelly, in the midst of one of the most remarkable seasons in program history, has givenNic and his teammates the green light to attend the event isn’t lost on the Midlothian resident.
“NotreDame has been unbelievable about this,” Nic said. “They’ve been pushing it on social media and getting alumni to tweet about it. The coaches have been terrific. CoachKelly knows what this event means to me and other guys on the team.”
WhileWeishFest is a funfilled night, its purpose is near and dear to the hearts ofNic, his brotherDanny and parents Jean and Don.
WeishFest is the primary fundraiser for the Andrew Weishar Foundation, established in the memory ofNic’s brother Andrew, who died of cancer in October 2012 at age 21.
The foundation has granted nearly $800,000 to families battling cancer.
One of Andrew’s last wishes to his family before his
deathwas to make sure to pay forward the kindness and generosity hewas shown during his threeyear battle with the disease.
TheWeishars have achieved this.
The foundation has provided financial relief to hundreds of families.
Oftentimes, Nic will visit the families.
He knows firsthand what awarm smile and hug can do for families dealing with the emotional and financial stress ofwatching a love one battle this dreadful disease.
“That’s the hardest part,” Weishar said. “It’s hard to see kids who are bedridden. I remember howAndrewwas at the end of his battle. To be able to put a smile on the family’s faces means a lot.”
Nic and his teammates have given fans ofNotre Dame (10-0) plenty to smile about this season. Two ofNic’s three catches this season have resulted in touchdowns.
Of course, he hopes the Irish can win their final two games, Saturday against Syracuse andNov. 24 againstUSC.
That likely will put NotreDame in the College Football Playoff and a chance to play for the national championship Jan. 7.
Not a badway to cap a college career, which includes being named to theWuerffel Trophy Watch List and Allstate AFCA GoodWorks Team.
“This season is going
right howwewanted it to,” Nic said. “There’s the excitement of not knowing which bowl gamewe’re going to be in yet. It’s all pretty awesome.”
Which is a properway to describe theWeishar family.
“It’s a pretty special time. It’s all about time management. I’ve got a lot of people supporting me.” —NicWeishar, Notre Dame tight end andMarist graduate, above