A fellow 2L who has been a consistent skeptic of the Springsteen/Bon Jovi rumors reports hearing “from a very inside source last night that this Springsteen and/or Bon Jovi thing is actually probably true.”

And ChicagoDomer writes, “The ’source’ at ND who confirmed the Bon Jovi/Springsteen appearance is the same source who informed me two days prior to the Willingham firing that he was history. And the same source who confirmed two days prior to its happening, the hiring of Charlie Weis. So the source’s track record is respectable. I guess we will know soon enough.”

Indeed we will. Gates open at 5:00; rally starts at 6:00. Weather looks good. I’ll be at the stadium; if you’re not, you can watch on ESPN News or here.

UPDATE: The Observer reports:

The pep rally - which will be the fourth ever held in the stadium - induced a circus of hearsay earlier this week regarding rumored special events and appearances. Although reports have not been confirmed nor made official, students are buzzing with talk of Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi and John Mellencamp performing at the event.

“I think it’s cool that John Mellencamp [might] be coming,” freshman James Dubray said. “I think there’s a chance. I’ve also heard through some friend of a friend who works here that Bon Jovi is coming too.”

Earlier statements made by Weis only fueled lofty projections.

“I know one thing, I am not going to emcee this one because I am 0-1 when I have emceed,” he said in an Oct. 11 Chicago Tribune article. “I have a plan for this one as you would expect I would.”

Alumni Association Director Chuck Lennon said Thursday that he could not comment on the rumors.

“We were trying to keep it a surprise,” he said.

But even if The Boss doesn’t help celebrate Notre Dame’s return to glory with “Glory Days” and Bon Jovi doesn’t join the marching band for a heavenly rendition of “Livin’ On A Prayer,” students like senior Matt Fantazier said they would be excited nonetheless.

“I’m looking forward to the pep rally being in the stadium,” he said. “I’m curious as to what they pull out for it, being such a rare occasion, I’m hopeful that it’ll be one to remember.”