UD Flyers I am Home by Matthew Scharpf

Hello Flyer Nation! Songwriter and UD Grad (’92) Matt Scharpf has written a song that embodies all that we love about our common home, The University of Dayton. If you are not familiar with Matt, he played soccer at UD and played in the band Grenadine while on campus. Post-grad, Matt was in the band Jamestown. During the Covid lockdowns, Matt graciously hosted a weekly Facebook live concert from his attic, raising over $26,000 for various charities -- including UD’s “One Day One Dayton”!

At that time, he requested everyone send what reminds them of Dayton and what embodies all things UD. Using those suggestions, Matt was inspired to write this tune (see lyrics below). To honor UD, he wants to professionally produce this song and video in a studio for all Flyers to enjoy, but that comes at a cost, which is why we need your help, Flyer Nation!

We are asking for a few things:

1. A donation to get this properly produced!

2. Attend Matt's Facebook Live fundraising show on September 28th at 7 pm CST on the FB page: @matthewscharpfmusic

3. Share this with your UD connections to help spread the word and make this song one for the ages!

In the giving spirit of our UD family, any donations raised over the goal will be donated to a UD Scholarship fund! Any amount helps!

UPDATE: We are planning a Recording Darty/UD Basketball watch Party in Chicago. Stay tuned for details!

I am Home - Ode to UD by Matthew Scharpf

Down the ramp, along the river then I cross the bridge

Flanagans, UDF, then I slip

Onto Brown and all the feelings fill my head

catch myself retracing my steps

like I’d never left...

A Milano’s cheesesteak and a grinder to gooooo

A Deli Bob 12 into a sun-soaked ghetto

Sheets hang from houses built all in their rows

drank myself sideways on Stonemill, got my highs on Lowes

When I was home... now I’m back home

I am home I’m back home

We learned more on a shabby porch in a few weekends

Sharing cheap beer and laughing, making friends......Only Flyers understand

Evanston Kiefaber paint scenes with familiar frames

Turn onto Lawnview and from Baujan I hear the game

The sun glints from frisbees and I grasp where I became

So much more than I had dreamt on that August day ....in my new home

Explore campus & time stitches a few more threads

For just a second I’m in the Plaza with my friends

As the chapel dome is lit by sunset blues and reds

Some good things never come to an end ...like when I’m home ..I am home

A Kramers 40 or a neighbor saying “Come on in”

House beer at a “late night” after closing Tim’s....Only Flyers understand

Roosevelt Donoher Blackburn & Scoochie and Don May

Obi Negele & Jim Paxson & Bockhorn back in the day

Skyline The Darkside Daytona Pine Club & St. Patty’s Day

Euchre & Bonbright’s & Fricker’s & Oakwood & Kegs & Eggs

Sledding down Stuart Hill Boone’s Farm & drinking Milwaukee’s Best

Hudepohl Bucket Night Natty Light Hairy Buffalo I confess

Drink & Drown Oregon District Dayton Strong & at its best

Campus South Founders Hall Garden Apartments & Marycrest

UD Arena shoes hanging from telephone wires

Christmas on Campus & OJ & couches on fire

Patrick & Gruden, Sarducci & Bombeck & Rudy Flyer

Anthony Grant and Chuck Noll and you can’t not but be inspired

Housemates The New Moon and Bob Adair little beers at the Shed

The Red Scare The Flight Deck & giving blood just to pay the rent

Fieldhouse ‘Round the World hungover taking a chapter test

Sunday night mass in the chapel so grateful to be so blessed

These are but a few of my favorite UD things

Where these friends stay family & your soul always sings:

I wish I could go back not to change anything but

just to do it all the same once again...back to my home

I am home

Want to check out more of Matt's music go here: MatthewScharpf.com