All-Time Irish Heroes

(Notre Dame Media Relations) In 1988 a young man born in Newark, NJ showed up on campus boasting incredible 4.12 speed in the 40.  Rocket Ismail’s nickname could not have…

(Photo: John Cordes/Icon Sportswire) As a senior in high school Tony Rice was the South Carolina player of the year and a Parade All-American.  He was the crown jewel in…

Ross Browner with friend Peter Zabroski. (Courtesy Photo) Ross Browner, Notre Dame defensive end from 1973-1977, was a two-time national champion, two-time unanimous All-American, and a College Football Hall of…

(Photo: Joseph Weiser) When Lou Holtz was growing up in East Liverpool, Ohio, he was taught by the Sisters of Notre Dame. Each day as the students in his school…

(Notre Dame Media Relations) In 1964, when Ara Parseghian was hired, another successful coach had been Notre Dame’s second choice. Dan Devine had been winning football games at Missouri since…

(Notre Dame Media Relations) In 1964 when Ara Parseghian had been hired, another successful head coach had been Notre Dame’s second choice.  Dan Devine had been winning football games at…

(Photo credit: Chad Ryan) By 1964, it had been ten years since Frank Leahy retired and 15 years since Notre Dame’s last National Championship. ND had not had a winning…

The Leahy monument,  Notre Dame Stadium (Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire) Frank Leahy, in many ways was a Knute Rockne protégé.  In 1928 Rockne recruited him out of South Dakota to play…

(WikiCommons) In a broad field of swaying prairie grass in a region of Kansas known as the Flinthills, on the cold morning of March 31, 1931, TWA flight 599 crashed…

Dick Rosenthal passed away June 11, 2024 at the age of 91. The opening paragraph of his obituary reads, "A devout Catholic, he was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather,…