Reviving the Fighting Irish: Part II

Reviving the Fighting Irish:

The real significance of the words 'Fighting Irish' at Notre Dame

Part II:

Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies

May 10, 2010

As Notre Dame has become an increasingly elite institution, the term “Fighting Irish” has lost something of its past significance. At times, it represents little more than a leftover reminder of a nearly forgotten past. It does not have to be this way, though, and the relevance of the term “Fighting Irish” can be revived through efforts to make its meaning widely remembered and understood...

If our cultural legacy is to endure, we must revive our sense of respect for the “Fighting Irish” mentality that once brought success to our football team as well as our entire university. 

The privileged position that Notre Dame now holds must not blind us to the very reasons that we were able to reach this level of success. The health of our nation must not be compromised by the dilution of campus traditions or attempts to create an artificial culture. Rather, we must come to understand who we once were and what we currently are so that we can instill a sense of pride in all those carrying on the legacy of the “Fighting Irish.”

Efforts that could prove crucial for the preservation of our cultural legacy at Notre Dame range from simple acts such as respecting campus traditions carried on by the students, to larger ventures such as injecting future football seasons with fitting tributes to the “Fighting Irish.” 

First and foremost, we all must come to know and understand the history of our nation at a deeper level. This can be accomplished in part by educating our campus through efforts such as offering a “Notre Dame History” course for all incoming students and/or providing readily available materials to explain our history and traditions for all those who come to visit/study/work at the university. 

We must also look to our football program to set the tone for the future by embracing it as the single most powerful influence on our culture.

Flexible football scheduling provides ample opportunities to revive meaningful rivalries against historical opponents. If promoted and carried out successfully, neutral-site games in locations such as New York City and Dublin could also create remarkable occasions for us to honor the important historical connections between Notre Dame and the Irish in both Ireland and America. 

We could easily pay tribute to our storied past by hiring a historical advisor within the Athletic Department to conduct research and organize such events in meaningful ways.

No matter which specific course of action we take, though, we must make a more concerted effort to bring back a sense of responsibility and respect for our most vital traditions. Since we enjoy an advantageous position as a nationally relevant university with widespread media coverage, we must use our prominence to revive a better overall sense of our “Fighting Irish” heritage.

Collective memory, which plays an integral role within any nation, involves not only retaining information but actually understanding it and conveying it to others. Our ability to protect the cultural legacy of Notre Dame depends on an overall reinvigoration of our collective memory. As reflected by the evolution of the term “Fighting Irish,” elements of our cultural legacy have become far removed from their original meanings. In order to live up to our self-proclaimed title as the “Fighting Irish,” we must attempt to revive the connections between the Notre Dame Nation of today and the legacy of our past. 

In the pages that follow, I intend to provide material that will spark a sense of responsibility within all members of the Notre Dame Nation in hopes that we can see ourselves as guardians of our own cultural legacy.

(Part III to come Monday, June 11)