The Notre Dame Fighting Irish is the mascot of the University of Notre Dame, a prominent Catholic institution located in South Bend, Indiana. The team's nickname dates back to the late 19th century and was chosen to reflect the university's rich Irish heritage. The term "Fighting Irish" was originally intended as a derogatory label, but over time, it has come to represent the spirit and determination of the university's athletic teams. The official mascot of Notre Dame is a leprechaun, which is a mythical Irish figure often depicted as a small, mischievous elf. The leprechaun serves as a symbol of Irish folklore and plays a central role in Notre Dame's athletic traditions. The leprechaun mascot made its first appearance at a football game in 1965 and has been an integral part of the university's identity ever since.
A little-known event occurring in 1924 may have inadvertently contributed to Fighting Irish lore. In a recent book, alumnus Todd Tucker describes how Notre Dame students violently clashed with the anti-Catholic Ku Klux Klan in that year. A weekend of riots drove the Klan out of South Bend and helped bring an end to its rising power in Indiana at a time when the state’s governor was among its members.
As a secondary mark to the Notre Dame monogram, the leprechaun should be featured in large format whenever possible and should never be scaled too small, to prevent lost of effectiveness. According to Notre Dame, the Clashmore Mike mascot last made an appearance on the cover of the 1963 Notre Dame Football Dope Book with coach Hugh Devore and captain Bob Lehmann.
The leprechaun mascot made its first appearance at a football game in 1965 and has been an integral part of the university's identity ever since. The Notre Dame leprechaun is known for its distinctive appearance, including a green suit, hat, and vest, as well as a shillelagh, which is a traditional Irish walking stick. The leprechaun is often seen leading the crowd in cheers and performing spirited dances and acrobatics during games.
Notre Dame used to have Irish Terriers as their mascots
As controversy once again brews over Notre Dame's divisive Fighting Irish Leprechaun mascot, it is fitting to remember a rather more wholesome mascot that encouraged Notre Dame teams in the first half of the 20th century.
According to researcher Marge Andre, the first Irish Terrier to serve as a mascot at the University of Notre Dame was Tipperary Terrence, who was presented to legendary UND football coach Knute K. Rockne in January 1924.
Sadly, Tipperary Terence was hit by a car and died not long after becoming mascot, giving way to his successor, the aptly named Tipperary Terrence II.
Knute Rockne. (Public Domain / US Library of Congress)
Tipperary Terence II arrived just in time for Notre Dame's compelling 13-7 victory over the Army Cadets in New York on October 18, 1924, and the legend of the Irish terrier was born.
"Terry" was present at Notre Dame's emphatic victory against Stanford at the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day, 1925, and witnessed three more championship victories in Rockne's last six years at the college.
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The tradition of Notre Dame's Irish Terrier continued after Tipperary Terrence. According to Notre Dame Archives, Charles Otis donated Brick Top Shaun Rhue (“Old Red”) to the university - the Irish Terrier was presented to Football Coach Heartley “Hunk” Anderson during the Navy game, which was played in Otis’s hometown of Cleveland on November 19, 1932.
The dog enjoyed a perfect start, witnessing a 60-20 victory over the University of Pennsylvania. However, that was as good as it got for Brick Top Shaun-Rhue, who disappeared in 1933 with Notre Dame struggling with a 3-5-1 record.
— ND Business (@NDBusiness) November 15, 2018#TBT On November 19, 1932, Charles Otis donates an Irish Terrier named Brick Top Shaun Rhue as a mascot for the football team. Shaun Rhue (Irish for “Old Red”) proves a bit of a rambler and disappears from campus altogether the following spring! pic.twitter.com/OA0OQ3Dl2Y
"It is thought that [Shaun Rhue] simply ran away from campus in the spring of 1933," Notre Dame Archives reports. "If so, Shaun Rhue may have never graced the sidelines of Notre Dame Stadium, but the idea of Irish Terriers as Notre Dame’s mascot would persist."
In the fall of 1935, William Butler presented Notre Dame with another Irish Terrier, Clashmore Mike, who would remain at Notre Dame for ten years and garner much publicity.
Clashmore Mike posed for photographs in newspapers and football programs and even had his own sports column in gameday programs.
In fact, every home football program at Notre Dame between 1936 and 1949 featured some sort of photograph, cartoon, or drawing of the Irish terrier mascot as his legend grew.
In a testament to the dog's stature, he was buried underneath the Notre Dame stadium when he died.
In 1935, Clashmore Mike, became the official @NDFootball mascot. Photo: Elmer Layden, Johnny Kelly, and Clashmore Mike. #NationalPuppyDay pic.twitter.com/MKB5ZhHg8h
— ND Business (@NDBusiness) March 23, 2017
Clashmore Mike also witnessed a period of incredible success during his time at Notre Dame and was present for two of the five National Championships won by legendary coach Frank Leahy.
Clashmore Mike II, his successor, witnessed three further championship wins and a 39-game unbeaten record.
Leahy reportedly used the terriers to his advantage, training them to run on the field of play to delay a game and earn his team an unofficial timeout.
While Notre Dame endured a fallow period following Leahy's retirement in 1953, the college brought Oklahoma's record-breaking 49-game unbeaten run to a shuddering halt in 1957 with a new Clashmore Mike in attendance.
Notre Dame's Irish terrier mascots arguably saved the best until last, signing off as the college's official mascot following Notre Dame's 51-0 slaughtering of the USC Trojans in the 1966 championship game.
Ara Parseghian's team, who also won a championship in 1964, is widely regarded as one of the greatest college teams of all time. What better way for the college's former lucky charm to sign off?
According to Notre Dame, the Clashmore Mike mascot last made an appearance on the cover of the 1963 Notre Dame Football Dope Book with coach Hugh Devore and captain Bob Lehmann.
In 1965, however, the University switched gears as the Fighting Irish Leprechaun was named the official mascot, which continues today.
* Originally published in 2021, updated in Aug 2023.
Still, the nickname “Fighting Irish” was embraced by some and opposed by others by the time de Valera visited Fenway and Notre Dame. In a 1919 Scholastic issue, a letter appeared from an alumnus who criticized the nickname because many players were not of Irish descent. Others rushed to defend the phrase, with one alum writing, “You don’t have to be from Ireland to be Irish!”
The mascot's energetic and lively presence adds to the electric atmosphere at Notre Dame sporting events. The leprechaun mascot represents the pride and passion of Notre Dame's athletic programs. It embodies the university's commitment to excellence and its dedication to upholding the traditions and values associated with the Fighting Irish nickname. Through its spirited performances and enthusiastic support, the leprechaun mascot helps foster a sense of unity and camaraderie among the Notre Dame community. In conclusion, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish leprechaun mascot is an iconic symbol of the university's Irish heritage and athletic prowess. It serves as a source of inspiration and pride for students, alumni, and fans alike. The leprechaun mascot's energetic presence and passionate spirit contribute to the vibrant and exciting atmosphere at Notre Dame sporting events..
Reviews for "A Lucky Charm on and off the Field: The Notre Dame Mascot's Influence"
1. John - 1/5 stars - The Notre Dame mascot is absolutely terrible. It's supposed to be a fighting Irish leprechaun, but it looks more like a creepy doll. The costume is outdated and the overall design is just plain unappealing. It's embarrassing to see this mascot representing a prestigious university like Notre Dame. They definitely need to come up with a better, more modern mascot that actually represents the spirit of their sports teams.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I have to say, the Notre Dame mascot is a disappointment. While the idea of a fighting Irish leprechaun is cool, the execution falls short. The costume looks cheap and the leprechaun itself looks more like a cartoon character than a fierce symbol of strength. It's hard to take it seriously when it comes out during games. I believe Notre Dame could benefit from reevaluating their choice of mascot and creating something that invokes a sense of pride and intimidation.
3. Michael - 2.5/5 stars - As an alumni, I have to admit I'm not a fan of the Notre Dame mascot. While I appreciate the nod to Irish heritage, the leprechaun mascot seems outdated and lacks creativity. It's time for Notre Dame to step up their game and come up with a more modern representation of their Fighting Irish spirit. A mascot is supposed to energize the crowd and symbolize the team's strength, but the current leprechaun falls flat in achieving this.
4. Emily - 3/5 stars - I understand that the Notre Dame mascot holds historical significance and embraces the school's Irish heritage, but I can't help but feel it's time for an update. The leprechaun mascot feels dated and lacks the charm and energy that you would expect from a college mascot. While it may have appealed to previous generations, I believe a more dynamic and relatable mascot would better represent the spirit of the Fighting Irish. It's time to bring Notre Dame into the 21st century and capture the attention and excitement of the fans with a new mascot design.