The Rockne Football by Dick O’Donnell
The Rockne Football by Dick O’Donnell he Rockne football has been It is also the only known ball the prized possession of the signed by Rockne and the Notre O’Donnell family of Whit- Dame football squad of 1930, Ting, Indiana, since December 29, Rockne’s final season as a coach 1930. It is the only football known before he perished in a tragic air- to exist that was used in the dedi- plane crash in early 1931. cation game of Notre Dame Stadi- um on October 11, 1930. Knute Rockne is, in the opinion of many, the greatest college football The ball is signed by legendary coach of all time. He compiled head coach Knute K. Rockne, his a record of 105-12-5, including assistant coaches, and members three National Championships. of the Notre Dame team of 1930, His football innovations included: which won the National Champi- perfecting the forward pass, the onship with a record of 10-0, their safety helmet, and nationalizing second national title in two years. intercollegient football. And he Additionally, the team logos of was a visionary of football stadium both Notre Dame and its oppo- design and construction. nent, Navy, are printed on the ball. Provenance – So How Did We Get the Ball? y Dad, Hubert O’Donnell, campus club (student chapter). In Near the end of 1930 season, Mayor who was 18-years-old addition to signatures from Rockne, Boyle and his wife, who were associ- at the time, his assistant coaches, and Notre ated with the alumni chapter of the Mand his sister Helen, Dame team players, the ball includes Calumet Club of Notre Dame, asked 27, won the ball after the scores from each game that their son, Austin, coming in first place season.
[Show full text]