The Notre Dame mascot is one of the most recognizable symbols of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, United States. The main mascot is a leprechaun, which represents the Fighting Irish athletic teams and serves as a symbol of school spirit and pride. The leprechaun is a mythical creature from Irish folklore, known for its mischievous nature and its pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The choice of the leprechaun as the school's mascot was selected in the 1960s to honor the university's strong Irish Catholic heritage. The role of the leprechaun mascot is typically filled by a male student who auditions and is selected by the school's committee. The leprechaun performs at various sporting events, leading the crowd in cheers and chants to support the Fighting Irish teams.
Notre Dame Mascots
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the idea of mascots and team names at Notre Dame was very fluid. Team names often changed from year to year, team to team, game to game. Sports writers used a number of monikers, ranging from Catholics, Hoosiers, Rockmen, Ramblers, etc., sometimes varying within a single sports article, until Fighting Irish began to stick in the 1920s. Mascots were often seen as good luck charms and Notre Dame had a revolving door of them until the 1930s. Minim student Willie Robb was the mascot for the 1895 baseball team [GMLS 5/01] and Irish Catholic actress Sally O’Neil served as mascot for the Notre Dame vs. Southern California (USC) football game in 1926 [Los Angeles Times, “Another View of Charley Riley,” 12/05/1926].
Animals, and dogs in particular, were often used as early mascots. A September 22, 1900, South Bend Tribune article recounts the menagerie of personal pets used as mascots:
“Dad Moulton, Manager Eggeman, and Pat O’Dea Have Pets.
If Notre Dame is unsuccessful on the gridiron this fall, it will not be due to a lack of mascots, and if there is anything in variety of mascots Notre Dame will be successful.
When Dad Moulton arrived his train was a menagerie, made up of two trick dogs and canary bird — one of the dogs, a hairless Mexican, Dad intends to use as a hoodoo for opposing teams in conjunction with a black and white billy goat Manager Eggeman received from Fort Wayne.
The goat is of the stock yards variety with a records of having eaten two shirts and a pair of shoes in one morning. He has already shown a bellicose disposition — but under the care of Moulton, who intends to train him, he may be taught to save his combativeness for the opposing team.
Not to be outdone by the trainer or the manger, [football coach] Pat O’Dea intends to send to Colorado to a friend of his who has pet kangaroos. With this aggregation of animals, the kangaroo hurdling hedge fences, the goat bucking the line and the dogs doing tricks on the side-lines, Notre Dame should present a terrifying appearance to any antagonist.” [PNDP 3020-m-01]
An American Bulldog named Mike shows up throughout William Schmitt’s scrapbook. Schmitt was part of the 1909 Western Championship Football Team and it could be inferred that the team considered this dog a mascot. In Natural Enemies, author John Kryk mentioned that Notre Dame Coach Frank Longman owned such a dog (page 64), so it would make sense that the team would embrace Mike.
Mike the dog as a member of the 1909 Western Championship Football Team
The history of Irish Terriers as mascots contains a number of conflicting accounts. “Clashmore Mike” is the name that most people today recognize, but there were a number of other other dogs who played mascot in one capacity or another for over forty years.
Alumni Hall relief of an Irish Terrier, c1980s. Photo by Brother Martinus.
In Scholastic’s 03/31/1933 issue, James Fitzpatrick supposed that the dogs are Irish wolf hounds, “but which suspiciously resemble airdales [sic Airedales].” This pre-dates Clashmore Mike, but alludes to the importance that these dogs would have for the next few decades.). In January 1924, the Notre Dame Alumni Club of Toledo first presented football coach Knute Rockne with a new Irish mascot. Edward Lynch, a member of the 1909 football team who had its own mascot dog, secured an Irish Terrier for Notre Dame. Notre Dame Daily ran a contest for students to name the dog and Tipperary Terrence (“Terry” for short), based on the dog’s lineage, was the winning name.
In May 1924, Terry was hit by a car when following two students who were walking on Niles Road, and he died a few days later. According to the Notre Dame Daily, “the need of a mascot was acute. All the other colleges in the United States have their mascot supposed to represent in some manner the character of the school. Terry was given to the school because it was felt that one of his breed was the best standard bearer that we could possibly have” [PNDP 3020-m-01].
The Toledo Club again donated Tipperary Terrence II to Notre Dame in time for the 1924 Army game. Not much is mentioned of him after that.
Football Coach Knute Rockne holding Tipperary Terrence II, 1924.
Caption: “Head Coach Knute Rockne of the Notre Dame football team with ‘Terry’ the winning mascot, who will be present at the contest with the Army at the Polo Grounds.” The South Bend Tribune noted, “Rockne regards Mascot Terry as an omen of good luck, and wouldn’t think of starting a game without having the Airedale on the scene of battle.”
Charles Otis presented Notre Dame with Irish Terrier Brick Top Shaun Rhue at the Notre Dame vs. Navy football game in Cleveland on November 19, 1932. Shaun Rhue was prone to running away and calmly walking in the traffic of busy streets. He disappeared for good in the spring of 1933.
Irish Terrier Brick Top Shaun Rhue wearing a football helmet, c1932.
Caption: “With affectionate regards to Shaun Rhue and the College of Notre Dame. Best hopes and wishes from Chas. A. Otis.”
In 1935, Clashmore Mike, donated by Chicago breeder William J. Butler, became the official football team mascot. Notre Dame officials ran with the publicity of this mascot, which is probably one reason as to why he is best know today. He had his own column in the football programs and bravely battled the Pitt panther, Army mule, and Navy goat.
Clashmore Mike entertained fans with his sideline gymnastics for years until his death in September 1945. He was buried in Notre Dame Stadium and was succeeded by Clashmore Mike II, who was born Shannon Invader. After Clashmore Mike II ran away in 1948, James McGarraghy of Chicago presented Notre Dame with Shannon View Mike.
An Irish Terrier dog with handler Joe Dierickx inside the Stadium, c1954.
The Notre Dame Archives has two of the 1950s dog coats in its collections — one in green and one in blue.
This is where the history becomes a bit muddy. The 1952 Scholastic Football Review mentions Shannon View Mike and Pat and the 1953 Scholastic Football Review calls the mascot Clashmore Mike III. A 1958 article mentions that Shannon View Mike I “became distinctly anti-social” and “had to be put away” in 1954. Shannon View Mike II, whose registered name was Shannon View Rudy, came shortly there after. Shannon View Mike II had a companion Pat (perhaps the same Pat mentioned in 1952), registered Castlebar Caprice, and the two of them produced three litters of pups. “The first litter was raffled in the 1956 ND Mardi Gras Festival by the Monogram Club” and the other litters were sold to Notre Dame fans. One male pup was retained by the University. Apparently there was a Shannon View Mike III followed by Mascot Mike. Mike III was named on the field during the 1960s. [PNDP 3020-m-01]
In the 1940s, a human “Irishman” appeared at Pep Rallies, at Media Day, on the sidelines game day, and on the ND vs. Navy football program covers. In 1960, a “Leprechaun” joined the ranks of the cheerleaders on the sidelines. Artist Ted Drake designed the famous leprechaun logo, which was featured on the cover of TIME Magazine with new football Coach Ara Parseghian in November 20, 1964. By the end of the decade, the Terriers had slowly faded into history. It’s not apparent as to why — some suggest that the last dog either died or became too old and that the handlers suffered the same fate and were never replaced.
Football Game Scene – ND vs. Oklahoma, 1968/0921. Leprechaun with an Irish Terrier
Resurgence for a return to the Irish Terrier mascot began around Knute Rockne’s 100th birthday anniversary in 1988. Marge Andre of the Irish Terrier Club of Chicago attempted to weed through the conflicting accounts to write a history of the mascot [see also PNDP 3020-m-01 for a printed version from 1988]. The efforts to reinstate the scrappy dog as mascot still exist today, albeit with no success as of yet.
Notre dame mascot
Peter Breen | Monday, May 1, 2023
Notre Dame cheerleading selected four leprechauns for the 2023-2024 school year, the Notre Dame leprechaun Instagram account announced Sunday, April 23.
After a multistep tryout involving open clinics, a written application, an audition video and several live performances, McKenna Englhardt, Colin Mahoney, Kylee Kazenski and Ryan Coury were chosen to lead the Fighting Irish in spirit next year.
Since the leprechaun became the University’s official mascot in 1965, Coury said there have been 67 leprechauns in total. Englhardt and Kazenski are the third and fourth women to sport the mascot’s iconic bucket hat and green suit.
Leprechaun McKenna
Englhardt is a first-year from Palo Alto, California studying mechanical engineering.
Growing up, Englhardt said she competed in Irish dance and was nicknamed the “little leprechaun” by her hometown friends. Englhardt’s parents were the same year at Notre Dame, but they first met at a bar in San Francisco 10 years later, she said.
“I grew up doing the whole Notre Dame thing,” Englhardt said.
When it came time to shoot the one-to-two-minute audition video as part of the leprechaun application, Englhardt said her lifelong affinity for Lucky Charms came in handy.
With a friend’s help, Englhardt filmed a comical skit that hinted at her fitness for the leprechaun role because of Englhardt’s Irish dancing background and love for the marshmallow cereal.
“My friends know that if I’m going to have a late night of studying, I’ll fill up a cup of Lucky Charms in the dining hall to keep me going,” Englhardt said.
Deciding earlier to step back from competitive dance in college and applying to be a leprechaun almost as a joke, Englhardt said she didn’t tell her family she was trying out until actually making the cheer team.
“It was so funny to call my parents and my siblings to let them know, because it came so far out of left field for them,” Englhardt said. “I don’t think that’s what any of them expected me to say when I called.”
Courtesy of Ryan Coury Seven Notre Dame leprechauns pose during cheer team tryouts in their green suits.Leprechaun Colin
A sophomore from Omaha, Nebraska studying Spanish and finance, Mahoney is a returning 2022-2023 leprechaun.
Drawn to Notre Dame because of traditions such as the leprechaun and dining hall rivalry, Mahoney said he acts like a “ballistic missile” when inciting Fighting Irish fans at sporting events.
“I have the ability to flip the switch and instantaneously go from trying to be professional, calm, mild-mannered and studious to going absolutely crazy,” Mahoney said.
Whether it’s lifting in the morning with the cheer team, learning how to do a backflip, creating social media content, engaging in community outreach or speaking with donors, Mahoney said leprechauns must cultivate a unique set of skills.
“I think there’s so many different avenues of personal development that the roll provides you with that I really don’t know what I can draw a parallel to,” Mahoney said.
Heading into year two, Mahoney said he’s always looking to improve the leprechaun role on and off the field.
“This year, I ended up getting into 10- or 11-grade schools and elementary schools around the South Bend, Mishawaka and the Michiana area,” Mahoney said. “Those interactions meant a lot to me.”
Leprechaun Kylee
Kazenski, a junior computer science major from Springfield, Illinois, said she always wanted to try out to be a leprechaun during her senior year.
“As soon as I put the suit on and got out there in front of my peers at the tryouts, it was a whole different experience,” Kazenski said. “There was no fear. It was just all pep. I was ready to go. Nothing was really standing in my way.”
Since arriving at Notre Dame, Kazenski, a first-generation student, said she’s turned to several activities to prepare for the leprechaun role.
A member of the St. André Bessette Welcome Weekend committee for two years, Kazenski said she has led dorm chants for first-years during move-in. She studied abroad in Ireland over the summer for six weeks, is taking an Irish language class and plays banjo in Notre Dame’s céilí band , she added.
“You don’t have to be delved into Irish culture, obviously, to be way into the Fighting Irish,” Kazenski said. “But I think it did really help propel me into really wanting to portray the leprechaun.”
Kazenski and Englhardt both said they were honored to be among the University’s first few female leprechauns.
“It’s a unique opportunity to inspire younger girls and women here to really go out there and make their dreams happen, no matter what’s typical of that role or perceived as typical,” Kazenski said.
Leprechaun Ryan
Coury, a junior finance major from Phoenix, Arizona, is another returning leprechaun from 2022-2023.
Last year, Coury said leprechaun tryouts were so close that applicants were given time during the Blue-Gold Game to engage with the crowd in an added round of tryouts. Following the game, Coury thought he might have gotten cut.
“I didn’t know how tryouts would go, and I was fortunate that the coaches saw something in me that I didn’t quite see in myself yet,” Coury said. “Little did I know that I was embarking on the best adventure of my life.”
One of the “unspoken best parts of the job” is meeting mascots from other schools, Coury said. The uniform — an Irish country hat, green suit, vest and shillelagh — provides leprechauns the confidence to perform, Coury added.
“Last year when I got the job, I found out on a Sunday morning. We had a team meeting that evening, and then immediately after the team meeting, the seamstress was there measuring us for the suits,” Coury said.
Although a leprechaun is inherently mischievous, Coury said he embodies a more friendly, goofy and high-energy character.
“On a greater note, for what the figure means, you have the unique opportunity to not only represent the University, but you’re also embodying its mission — this idea of being a means for good,” Coury said. “When you’re in suit, you are out of your own life. It’s an escape from that. But you also get to take other people out of their troubles and their worries and let them just focus on you.”
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About Peter Breen
Peter Breen is an associate news editor for The Observer. He can be reached at [email protected]. Breen grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and is a senior majoring in the Program of Liberal Studies.
The leprechaun performs at various sporting events, leading the crowd in cheers and chants to support the Fighting Irish teams. The leprechaun is also often seen at pep rallies, parades, and other university events, adding to the overall school spirit and atmosphere. As the mascot, the leprechaun is dressed in traditional Irish attire, with a green jacket, white shirt, black pants, and a green top hat.
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Notre Dame defends "offensive" Fighting Irish Leprechaun mascot
The University of Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish Leprechaun mascot has been voted as the fourth most offensive football team mascot in a survey conducted by the Illinois-based company Quality Logo Products.
UND’s Fighting Irish Leprechaun landed in fourth place in the "offensive" football team mascot survey, ranking behind Osceola and Renegade of Florida State, the Aztec Warrior of San Diego State, and Vili the Warrior of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, according to Indy Star.
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The University of Notre Dame, however, has defended its use of the famous Leprechaun mascot, pointing to the institution's Irish and Irish American heritage.
"It is worth noting . that there is no comparison between Notre Dame’s nickname and mascot and the Indian and warrior names (and) mascots used by other institutions such as the NFL team formerly known as the Redskins," a spokesperson for the University of Notre Dame told Indy Star in an emailed statement.
"None of these institutions were founded or named by Native Americans who sought to highlight their heritage by using names and symbols associated with their people."
The spokesperson added: "Our symbols stand as celebratory representations of a genuine Irish heritage at Notre Dame, a heritage that we regard with respect, loyalty and affection."
The University of Notre Dame's Fighting Irish Leprechaun logo.
The University spokesperson said that the term “The Fighting Irish” was reclaimed by supporters over the years.
"Irish-Americans — including those at Notre Dame — again have turned back on former oppressors as a sign of celebration and triumph," the university told the Indy Star.
"In both the upraised fists of the leprechaun mascot and the use of the word 'fighting,' the intent is to recognize the determination of the Irish people and, symbolically, the university’s athletes."
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The University of Notre Dame's Fighting Irish Leprechaun history
According to the University of Notre Dame, university president Rev. Matthew Walsh, C.S.C., officially adopted “Fighting Irish” as the Notre Dame nickname in 1927.
The University acknowledges that there are several theories about the origination of the Fighting Irish nickname, but says that "the term likely began as an abusive expression tauntingly directed toward the athletes from the small, private, Catholic institution. Notre Dame alumnus Francis Wallace popularized it in his New York Daily News columns in the 1920s."
In 1965, the Leprechaun became the official mascot of the University of Notre Dame. Prior to then, Irish terriers served as the university's mascots.
The University says: “In keeping with the nickname Fighting Irish and the Irish folklore, the Leprechaun serves as the Notre Dame mascot.
“The Notre Dame logo features a side view of the figure with his dukes up, ready to battle anyone that comes his way. The live version is a student, chosen annually at tryouts, dressed in a cutaway green suit and Irish country hat.
“The Leprechaun brandishes a shillelagh and aggressively leads cheers and interacts with the crowd, supposedly bringing magical powers and good luck to the Notre Dame team.”
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The leprechaun is also known for its energetic and animated personality, using traditional Irish dance moves during performances and engaging with the crowd to create a fun and lively atmosphere. The leprechaun mascot has become an iconic symbol of Notre Dame and is widely recognized in the world of college sports. It represents the university's values of tradition, heritage, and competitive spirit. The leprechaun mascot embodies the pride and passion of the Notre Dame community, rallying supporters and creating a sense of unity and loyalty among fans..
Reviews for "Notre Dame Mascot: A Source of Inspiration for Athletes and Fans"
- Sarah - 1 star - I am not a fan of the Notre Dame mascot. I find it to be quite odd and not representative of the university at all. The leprechaun character feels cliché and outdated, and doesn't contribute anything meaningful to the school's identity. I think they could definitely come up with something better and more creative to represent their team and school spirit.
- John - 2 stars - The Notre Dame mascot just doesn't do it for me. I understand the history and tradition behind it, but I feel like it's time for an update. The leprechaun is a tired and somewhat stereotypical symbol, and I don't think it accurately reflects the diverse and inclusive nature of the university. I would love to see Notre Dame come up with a more relevant and modern mascot that can better represent their student body and values.
- Emily - 3 stars - I'm not a huge fan of the Notre Dame mascot. While I understand the significance of the leprechaun to the university's history, I personally find it to be a bit corny and overdone. I think the school could benefit from a mascot that is more unique and distinctive, something that sets them apart from other universities. While the leprechaun is certainly recognizable, I think a fresher and more original mascot could help Notre Dame stand out in the world of college athletics.
- Mike - 2 stars - The Notre Dame mascot just doesn't do it for me. I find the leprechaun to be a bit offensive and stereotypical. It perpetuates outdated Irish stereotypes and doesn't accurately represent the diverse student body of Notre Dame. I believe the university should consider reimagining their mascot to be more inclusive and respectful to all members of their community.