Jimmy Carter at Notre Dame

“Due to playing the role of Notre Dame football star George Gipp in the film Knute Rockne, All-American—and subsequently adopting the nickname “Gipper”—Ronald Reagan may be the US president most publicly associated with the University of Notre Dame. But it actually was Jimmy Carter among American chief executives who had the closest relationship with the University.Notre Dame’s relationship with Carter began in the summer of 1976. Soon after accepting the Democratic Party’s nomination for president, Carter called Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C., late one evening seeking advice. Father Hesburgh offered advice on a variety of issues. Carter appreciated the insight, gave the priest/president his home phone number in Plains, Georgia, and asked for any recommendations he might have for people to serve in his administration if he were to win the election.” Source: Jimmy Carter at Notre Dame