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

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Digger Phelps: How To Knock Off No. 1

Remembering Digger Phelps: A Notre Dame Legend

Digger Phelps, a name synonymous with Notre Dame basketball, made an indelible mark during his tenure as head coach from 1971 to 1991. Renowned for his charismatic personality and tactical brilliance, Phelps transformed the Fighting Irish into a national powerhouse.

Under his guidance, Notre Dame achieved significant milestones, including a historic 1974 victory over the unbeaten UCLA Bruins, ending their 88-game winning streak. This iconic moment solidified Phelps’s legacy and showcased his ability to inspire his players to reach unprecedented heights.

Phelps’s coaching philosophy revolved around teamwork, discipline, and a fierce competitive spirit, traits that resonated with his players and fans alike. Beyond his coaching achievements, he was known for his engaging presence in the media, captivating audiences with his insights and enthusiasm for the game.

Even after retiring from coaching, Phelps continued to be a prominent figure in the sports community, often sharing his passion for basketball and the importance of education with young athletes.

As we reflect on Digger Phelps’s contributions to Notre Dame and college basketball, his legacy remains a testament to the power of leadership, dedication, and the love of the game.

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The greatest touchdown that never was

In a game where Notre Dame scored five touchdowns, it was one the Fighting Irish didn’t score that might have been the most important one.

“What was the referees’ explanation for why the flag was thrown? The NBC broadcast crew noted that since Kiser took the snap from close to center, the offensive linemen lined up needed to be wearing numbers 50-79 to be in legal position. On a traditional punt formation, the offensive linemen blocking can be any number combination.” In other words, we got jobbed by the Zebras!

Source: Fake punt that was called back ‘was just like a spark’ for Notre Dame football Saturday

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4 Reasons Why 2023/4 was the academic ‘Year of Women Rising’ at Notre Dame

The last academic year was a great year for women at Notre Dame — here’s why:

The Notre Dame Fight Song was changed

In a historic move honoring the 50th year of co-ed admissions, the University of Notre Dame recently updated its iconic Fight Song to embrace and celebrate the achievements of women within its community by adding “and daughters” to the most beloved fight song of all time. This change reflects the growing recognition of female athletes and their contributions to the university’s rich sports culture. By incorporating lines that honor the accomplishments of female athletes, including those from the women’s basketball team and the newly appointed female football leprechaun, the updated Fight Song serves not only as a rallying cry for all Notre Dame supporters but also as a powerful symbol of inclusivity and progress. This evolution in tradition highlights the university’s commitment to gender equality and recognizes the pivotal role that women play in shaping Notre Dame’s legacy.

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Lou Holtz and Traditions

I’m thoroughly enjoying the book Unbeatable by Jerry Barca. It’s the story of the 1988 football season. I’ve always admired Lou Holtz but I didn’t realize that he was responsible for a couple of Notre Dame’s greatest game day traditions:

The Sign

“George Stewart walked into the maintenance shop in the Athletic and Convocation Center and handed Laurie Wenger a piece of paper. Stewart was acting on the direction of Holtz, who wanted a sign up in the locker room tunnel. The players would tap it as they headed to the field. Wenger looked at the paper and the five words PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY. The South Bend native’s job was to paint signs for functions. Some routine assignments included painting game balls and signs for Junior Parents Weekend. This project took her about a week to complete. Her co-workers cut a three-foot by four-foot piece of wood. Wenger primed it and then painted it in a yellow-gold. She let the color dry and then used blue paint to brush on the phrase in all capital letters. Notre Dame lore has it that shortly after Holtz became the head coach he went through books on Fighting Irish football history and found a photo of the sign. However, nobody, including former coaches, remembered it being posted anywhere. Regardless of where the photo came from, the Notre Dame players who left the locker room to take on No. 3 Michigan in ’86 were the first to touch the sign.

Barca, Jerry. Unbeatable: Notre Dame’s 1988 Championship and the Last Great College Football Season (pp. 56-57). St. Martin’s Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.”

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Notre Dame drops a Deuce

Well, we finally know what we suspected all along; Deuce Knight might be playing for Auburn next year. Might? Tyler Wojciak (who I think has the best Notre Dame podcast out there) did a great job of summarizing the career arc of college quarterbacks going back to 2019 and the results might be surprising to you. Listen in starting at about 5:00 and see a summary of his comments below:

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Jim Flanigan, Jr.

Yes, this press release is from 2001 but it sums up the Jim Flanigan, Jr. I know nicely…

“Former Notre Dame football standout Jim Flanigan was named co-winner of the Walter Payton National Football League Man of the Year Award, which recognizes community service as well as playing excellence. Flanigan is the third Notre Dame graduate to win the award, joining Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann (’82) and Chicago Bears safety Dave Duerson (’87). Past winners includes 12 members of the Hall of Fame.

Flanigan, an anchor of the Chicago Bears defensive line for seven years, makes a difference with the James Flanigan Foundation, which raises awareness of child literacy through efforts such as the Great American Book Drive, which delivers more than 700,000 books to 400,000 underprivileged children.

His programs include Reach Out & Read Chicago, the Flanigan Foundation Literacy Advocate Award, Mission 99, the James and Susan Flanigan Endowed Scholarship at Notre Dame, and the Jim Flanigan Charity Golf Outing.

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American Priest

Considered for many decades to be the most influential priest in America, Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh played what many consider pivotal roles in higher education, the Catholic Church, and national and international affairs. American Priest examines his life and his many and varied engagements – from the university he led for 35 years to his associations with the Vatican and the White House – and evaluates the extent and importance of his legacy.

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