By Rick Grantham
The University of Notre Dame is the proud home of the Fighting Irish. They tail the University of Michigan as the winningest college football program in the land. They also hold seven Heisman trophies.
There were several concerns about the name Fighting Irish. Specifically, many asked the question why the university used the word Irish. Some were worried because it sounded exclusive to the Irish race. Although the name was very specific, the university welcomed athletes of different ancestries. Many also suspect that the school team is exclusive to the Catholics; however, they also welcome students who hold other religion.
The university never intended to make the school nor their athletic department to be race and religion exclusive. The name Notre Dame Fighting Irish came about to recognize the struggles of the Irish in the Colonial era. The name is suiting for the team because they fight as the Irish fought for their lives way back in time. The fruit of their labor is at hand. The team is surely proud to be the second winningest team in the college football history.
An important part of their history is their notable coaches. One is Coach Frank Leahy, inducted in College football Hall of Fame in 1970. He also played for the Notre Dame in 1928 to 1930. However, his mark as a coach supersedes the time he participated as a player. He coached the team in 1941 to 1943 and came back to coach in 1946 to 1953.
Before moving to Notre Dame, he coached the Boston College where they remained undefeated in 1940. During his time at Notre Dame, he led the Fighting Irish to four National Championships: 1949, 1947, 1946, and 1941.
Aside from the four National Championships, many remembered him as the coach of four of the seven Heisman trophy awardees of Notre Dame. He was also responsible for recruiting future Heisman trophy recipient, Paul Hornung. He left Notre Dame in 1954 with six undefeated seasons. Three years after his induction in the College Football Hall of Fame, he gave in to leukemia.
Another Hall of Famer coach is Knute Rockne. Rockne coached Leahy when he was still an athlete. He coached Notre Dame throughout his coaching career, from 1918 to 1930. During his time, he led the Fighting Irish to six national championships. It was in 1930, 1929, 1927, 1924, 1920, and in 1919.
Like Leahy, Rockne left a legacy in Notre Dame. In addition to the six National Championships, he also had five undefeated seasons and to top it all, he has the highest winning percentage in Division 1-A at 0.881.
He was also a coach who knew the other business of football. He knew how to profit from it through establishing good relationship with the press. Aside from a great head coach, he also became successful in marketing the Notre Dame Fighting Irish merchandise. Although this caused them a chance to play in the 1926 National Championship, they rebounded hard and won the title in 1927.
The Fighting Irish is very interesting in terms of its name and notable coaches. No wonder they are one of the best all time college football teams.
Rick Grantham is an expert on sports equipment, specially on Notre Dame Merchandise for more information on NCAA College Merchandise, visit BooYah Village.
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