NOTRE DAME

ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT FIGHTING IRISH

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL | FENCING

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT i

Contents

2 Introduction 3 Academics 4 Athletics Advancement 5 Community Commitment 6 Compliance 7 Facilities 8 Honors and Awards 9 Marketing 10 Media 11 Mendelson Fund 12 Monogram Club 13 Student Welfare and Development 14 NACDA Cup: Rankings 15 Sports Summaries

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 1 THIS IS WHAT

A three-week period in late March basketball and Jeff Jackson in and early April of 2018 marked one hockey—were named national coach of the most remarkable stretches in of the year in their respective sports. University of Notre Dame athletics Meanwhile, Notre Dame student- WE history. athletes won another national First, the Irish fencing teams title in the classroom—for the 11th traveled to Penn State where they straight year posting the best overall dominated the combined NCAA Graduation Success Rate figure (98) Fencing Championship for the among Football Bowl Subdivision DO second straight year, leading the institutions. It marked the best ARIKE OGUNBOWALE competition from wire to wire. overall academic performance by Irish athletes in a decade. The next weekend, the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season Irish programs across the board champion Notre Dame women’s continued making meaningful basketball team journeyed to impacts on campus, in Michiana and Columbus, Ohio, where the Irish elsewhere in terms of community knocked off unbeaten and top- service. rated Connecticut in overtime in the And Notre Dame athletic facilities national semifinals, then came from continued to expand—with the 15 points down to beat Mississippi opening of the Campus Crossroads State in the title game. Both Project at , contests featured dramatic game- along with progress toward winning shots by Irish junior guard conclusion of the Harris Family Track Arike Ogunbowale. Stadium, a new practice facility—the Then, the following weekend, the Rolfs Athletic Hall (formerly the Big Ten Conference champion Irish Rolfs RecSports Center)—for men’s hockey squad headed to St. Paul, and women’s basketball and a new Minnesota, where Notre Dame indoor practice facility for football. recorded its fifth straight one- It was left to Ogunbowale to put win in defeating Michigan in the the Irish athletic year, the women’s national semifinals—before falling basketball title—and maybe the 2-1 against Minnesota Duluth in the Notre Dame athletic mantra—in NCAA championship game. perspective, in a live interview on The impact of those three ESPN: performances was such that all three “National champs, baby. This is what head coaches—Gia Kvaratskhelia in we do.” fencing, Muffet McGraw in women’s

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 2 ACADEMICS

Notre Dame’s institu- nation within their sports— tional research determined and 10 produced federal additional academic graduation rates that led all highlights based on the FBS institutions. NCAA-issued GSR and 4. Federal Rate: Notre Dame federal figures: graduated 96 percent of all 1. Eighteen of 22 Irish women competing in varsity athletic programs analyzed athletics to rank second posted GSR figures of 100 among its peer institutions percent, and 10 produced based on the federal cal- federal rate 100 scores. culations (behind Stanford at 97). Among men, Notre 2. For the 12th time in 13 Dame’s 92 percent federal years, Notre Dame ranked rate tied with Stanford for No. 1 on a percentage basis first place. Notre Dame in terms of number of GSR graduated 85 percent of its 100 scores, among all FBS black student-athletes, rank- schools. ing tied for third, and Irish 3. Eighteen of Notre Dame’s football players graduated 22 men’s and women’s pro- at a 90 percent rate to rank grams posted GSR numbers second behind Northwest- that ranked them best in the ern (92).

Notre Dame in November 2017 Boston College and Northwestern (11 for student-athletes who plan to claimed a share of the national each). Five Notre Dame men’s pursue professional careers in their championship for graduating student- teams—baseball, cross country, chosen sports following graduation. athletes in all sports—in the process fencing, soccer and tennis—registered ACC Honor Roll: 434 Notre Dame posting the top NCAA Graduation perfect 1,000 scores. Seven Irish student-athletes were honored— Success Rate (GSR) figure (98) for its women’s teams—basketball, golf, second most in the conference. student-athletes for the 11th straight lacrosse, softball, swimming and year. The GSR number for all Notre diving, tennis and volleyball—also Jessica Harris earned first-team Dame student-athletes rated the Irish earned perfect scores. Academic All-America honors on the first among the football-playing cross country/track and field team Thirteen Notre Dame teams posted institutions in the NCAA Football named by the College Sports multi-year APR scores in the top 10 Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division Information Directors of America percent of all squads in their respec- I-A). The 2017 NCAA figures were (CoSIDA). tive sports and received 2018 NCAA based on entering classes from 2007 APR Public Recognition Awards: through 2010. Men’s sports (6): baseball, cross Twelve Notre Dame athletic teams country, fencing, soccer, tennis, track earned 1,000 scores—more perfect and field; Women’s sports (7): scores than any other NCAA Football basketball, golf, lacrosse, softball, Bowl Subdivision school except swimming and diving, tennis, volley- one—in the annual set of Academic ball. Progress Rate statistics issued in May ACC post-graduate scholarships 2018 by the NCAA. Notre Dame’s went to Katie Uhler and Monica number of perfect scores of 1,000 has Flores (women’s soccer), Greer ranked either first or second among Martini (football) and John Sexton all FBS programs for 13 straight years. (men’s lacrosse). Sexton was among Leaders in the 2018 data were individuals chosen as Weaver-James- Stanford (16), Notre Dame (12), and Corrigan Honorary Award recipients

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 3 ATHLETICS ADVANCEMENT

In 2017-18, Notre Dame athletics an 88 percent increase in giving from , football offensive benefactors had the following last year’s totals coordinator and football defensive incredible impact on Fighting Irish coordinator) 239 gifts from men’s and women’s student-athletes and programs: track and field alumni in support of 3 new seven-figure endowed grant- the new Harris Family Track and Field in-aid gifts (to men’s golf, men’s $139.4M in total athletics funds gifted (cash gifts and pledges), a Stadium basketball and football programs) record year for athletics philanthropy 177 gifts from men’s and women’s 1st endowment of its kind estab- basketball alumni in support of the lished to support academic, health $83.3M committed to fully fund the construction of two new practice new basketball practice facility and wellness needs of underprivileged student-athletes facilities for men’s and women’s 57 student-athletes who partici- basketball, as well as football, men’s pated in summer study-abroad Donors impacted so many other soccer and women’s soccer programs in large part due to Rockne areas including gifts to support Athletics Fund support special events, international travel, $6.1M in donations to the Rockne new equipment, nutritional needs, Athletics Fund, including 12 new 35 student-athletes who received off-site training, networking opportu- members of the Jesse Harper Council funding for summer internships and nities and more (gifts of $50K or higher), providing externships through benefactor- expendable scholarship and financial established endowments support to all 26 varsity programs 4 new seven-figure endowed $198,000 in total funds raised for coaching position gifts (swimming athletics teams on Notre Dame Day, and diving head coach, track and field

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 4 COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

Extra Yard for Teachers/ Habitat for Humanity/Commu- taurants in a Education: The 2017 football nity: The athletics department robust sustain- season marked the third and Habitat for Humanity ability effort. consecutive year of an increas- celebrated their fourth year of Throughout ingly successful partnership partnership. Irish teams and the football among the Notre Dame staff members rolled up their season, Culti- athletics department, College sleeves to provide a forever vate Culinary Football Playoff Foundation and home for local Michiana rescued and Alliance for Catholic Education families. delivered in the Extra Yard for Teachers more than Each year former President initiative. 7,000 pounds Jimmy Carter and former of food from In 2017 this collaborative effort First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in Institute, Hurricane Relief, Wild Notre Dame Stadium and catalyzed 616 gifts that totaled conjunction with Habitat, select Boar Soccer Team, United Way, distributed it to numerous $514,424, representing a 29 one community in the world Fighting Irish Fighting Hunger, nonprofit organizations in St. percent increase over the previ- to build a number of houses Lou’s Lads’ Bread of Life Food Joseph County. ous year’s total. In addition, with hundreds of volunteers. Drive and Vet Tix Foundation. $600 was directed to public The community identified for Since May 2018, more than Bringing the Community to school programs through the this year’s Carter Work Project 1,800 pounds of food that Notre Dame: Notre Dame’s Donors Choose website. Those was St. Joseph County, . would otherwise have gone athletic facilities serve as donations, coupled with a Last spring, student-athletes, to waste have been rescued venues not only for student- generous $150,000 match by coaches and staff participated from the Guglielmino Athletics athletes, but also for local and the CFPF, resulted in a grand in the construction of multiple Complex. Members of the ath- national community partners, total of $665,024 raised for the homes in the Carter Work Proj- letics staff and student-athletes visiting international contin- campaign. ect neighborhood. from various varsity sports gents and various professional volunteered in processing over Each year Notre Dame has been Holy Cross Village/Tradition: In teams. Maximizing facility usage 1,000 meals for local nonprofit ranked No. 1 in dollars raised the spring of 2018, Notre Dame is a critical component of the organizations. among the 100 schools par- athletics forged a partnership department’s outreach strategy. ticipating. In three years, more with Holy Cross Village. Last football season the athlet- Notre Dame’s 19 athletics than $1.6 million has been raised Athletics staff members and ics department collaborated facility spaces played host to for the ACE program. student-athletes assisted with a with the Office of Sustainability. more than 250 non-varsity number of events including Each home game was desig- events and more than 350,000 Summer Camps and Camp prom, a birthday block party nated with a unique sustainabil- guests. These gatherings Scholarship Program/Excellence: and a guided tour of the Notre ity theme with a direct correla- included graduations, athletic During the 2018 summer camp Dame campus. tion to the newly renovated events, wedding receptions, season, 49 sessions were stadium. Sustainability staff Masses, seminars, career fairs offered and more than6,500 Mass Card, Cultivate Culinary members were showcased on and retreats. campers traveled to Notre and Sustainability/Faith: More the stadium video board, ribbon Dame to participate in the than 200 specially designed University Commencement: board, concourse monitors and camp program. More than 400 Mass cards have been distrib- Eight commencement ceremo- social media. counselors provided instruction. uted by Notre Dame athletics to nies were held in the Compton In addition to its signature The summer of 2018 marked the support colleagues across the Family Ice Arena, Joyce Center initiatives, the athletics depart- fourth year of the camp scholar- country as well as athletics Fieldhouse, Purcell Pavilion and ment participated in a number ship program. Ten camp schol- employees experiencing Notre Dame Stadium during of projects in order to address arships were presented to local tragedy, loss or a challenging 2018 graduation weekend. The immediate needs in local, students. To date, 27 students time. One Mass per semester athletics department hosted national and international representing five elementary has been celebrated to honor more than 5,000 graduates and communities. Those partner- schools have received scholar- those recipients. more than 40,000 guests in ships and efforts included those facilities. ships to the Notre Dame camp In 2017, athletics partnered with Harper Cancer Research of their choosing. Cultivate Culinary and Levy Res-

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 5 COMPLIANCE

Notre Dame was instrumen- • Requiring all teams to create CARA, countable athletic- tal in developing materials for a time management plan to related activities) provide adequate notice to their the Lead1 Association of • Increasing engagement from student-athletes when schedul- Athletic Directors in response to student-athletes and depart- ing expectations changed the NCAA membership’s ments (the ticket office used adoption of a student-athlete it for communication on game welfare time management plan. Notre Dame implementation of time management legislation: days; the business office soon On campus, Notre Dame’s will be using it for travel pro- compliance staff developed a • Created an institutional policy cedures; student welfare and policy for the creation and and supplemental resources development was active in annual review of the student- (including a visual one-pager scheduling SAAC community athlete-driven time manage- for Lead1 to distribute as best service and promoting career ment plan and worked with practices) to help educate rela- events) colleagues from information tive to the new rules, navigate technology and human sport-specific challenges and • Positive response from resources to implement ensure consistency when student-athletes, including Teamworks, a department-wide addressing time management designated team representa- system for calendaring, issues tives, with lots of feedback from communication, interactive them saying they like having • Created a new position in forms and travel planning. The everything in one place compliance to focus on time info below bullets those points management (many other with data: institutions spread responsibil- Data from a Division I SAAC ity throughout the office, often Time Commitments Survey, the causing confusion or inconsis- 2015 NCAA GOALS study and tencies) Time management annual review notes included: an NCAA 2016 sport-specific • Purchased a department-wide • 70 percent completion rate of end-of-year student-athlete time demands survey was used license for Teamworks software survey via Teamworks to develop new NCAA time (collaborative scheduling and management legislation with • Overall growth and progress in providing more advanced messaging platform) to improve the goal to “enhance the notice on schedules (predictability); students reported substan- in the areas Notre Dame stu- student-athlete experience by tial improvement in this area and have appreciated knowing in dents voiced as most important providing better balance in the advance so they can plan appropriately in helping them to balance their area of time demands.” lives outside of their sport: • Teams report increased communication and collaboration NCAA time demands survey predictability, efficiency and between student-athletes and coaches; there has been good included responses from 44,058 transparency dialogue about scheduling and changes as needed, which has Division I student-athletes, 3,071 built trust and further encouraged buy-in Teamworks at Notre Dame in head coaches, 192 athletics The Notre Dame compliance staff also participated in directors, 219 SWAs, 179 faculty 2017-18 featured: two internal audits (recruiting and equipment/awards athletics representatives and • More than 1,400 users, 65 with Notre Dame’s audit and advisory services) and one 1,855 others (mainly compliance percent student-athletes, 35 external audit with The Compliance Group, revamped staff). percent other members of the its continuing student-athlete eligibility process to Objectives of new legislation athletic department include two sets of progress-toward-degree threshold assurances and moved all student assistance fund and provide student-athletes more • Travel itineraries on which textbook scholarship requests to an online application time and ability to pursue teams could make live changes portal for student-athletes. That system permits sharing additional opportunities in and which were easily acces- of real-time data with financial aid and reporting on college outside their sport by: sible from phones individual or team requests. • Protecting an overnight win- • Increased awareness of dow during which no required demands on student-athletes activities can occur by making schedules visible to • Defining all required activities all relevant parties (coaches as RARA (required athletic- previously didn’t have a full related activity) and prohibiting appreciation for the big picture all RARA on days off of commitments outside of

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 6 FACILITIES

The past decade represents The Campus Crossroads Project Improvements to the stadium film rooms, team rooms, the most dynamic 10-year span included additions and changes include: practice locker rooms, coaches’ in history in terms of Notre to Notre Dame Stadium. It office suites and conference A renovated Notre Dame began with the conversion of rooms for each program. Dame athletic facility locker room, blending tradition the natural grass playing field to Identical practice space will improvements: and technology. synthetic turf in 2014 and ended allow both programs to practice 2008 with the completion of the sur- A renovated visitors’ locker simultaneously and include full LaBar Practice Complex rounding buildings, concourse room and a new field entrance replicas of the court in Purcell Football and bowl improvements—and for the visiting team. Pavilion and side baskets for Melissa Cook Stadium the renovation of the north end. An expanded Schivarelli additional drills. Adjacent to the Softball Lounge for recruiting, team courts on the lower level is a basketball performance center, The shared University spaces functions and various athletic 2009 include: department and football events. with shared strength and Purcell Pavilion conditioning space, a Gatorade O’Neill Hall (south end), Basketball and Volleyball nutrition area and an athletic which houses the music Here are athletic facility training area with two in-ground Outdoor track relocation department, music library, two improvements made in hydrotherapy tubs. Cross Country, Track and Field performance spaces and 2017-18: Foley’s. It also holds up the The baseball team room was A new indoor practice 2010 large video board that faces a project funded by former facility, complete with a full Alumni Stadium the playing field. baseball student-athlete John Soccer football field, is being con- Murphy. The Eck Baseball Duncan Hall (west side), the structed, and a second outdoor Stadium was built in 1991 and Arlotta Stadium largest of the three structures, turf field has been added. The Lacrosse had been slightly renovated which is home to the Duncan indoor facility will be completed through the years. The baseball Student Center, the Smith by July 2019. 2011 team room provided much- Center for Recreational Sports The Rolfs Athletic Hall needed team space to this and the Center for Career Hockey (formerly the Rolfs RecSports facility. Development. The Dahnke Center) is currently being Ballroom and the Rasmus The second phase of the 2012 renovated to accommodate the Family Club are used as Harris Family Track and Field Castellan Family men’s and women’s basketball premium hospitality space on Stadium is near completion and Fencing Center programs. The basketball football game days and as will provide spectator seating, Fencing practice facility features an event spaces throughout the restrooms and concessions and inner lobby for greeting visitors, a video scoreboard. 2013 year. Game management space identical practice courts, video/ McConnell Family Boathouse and seating for University Rowing leadership share the ninth floor, along with five suites for single 2014 game/corporate sales. Notre Dame Stadium Corbett Hall (east side), grass turf converted to which houses the Martin Digital synthetic turf Media Center, the anthropology 2017 and psychology departments, classrooms, and lab and office Murphy Family Team Room Baseball space. The Downes Club and Hank Family Forum provide Campus Crossroads/ premium hospitality on game Notre Dame Stadium days, and the press box and Football corporate club space share the ninth floor. 2018 Rolfs Athletic Hall Basketball Harris Family Track Stadium Cross Country, Track and Field

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 7 HONORS AND AWARDS

Nick Itkin (fencing, men’s 2017-18 Irish Draftees (rowing) and Danielle Patterson foil) won an NCAA individual (women’s basketball) and an championship in 2017-18, while award-winning team video

produced by Joe Coumos an NCAA individual runner-up honor went to Sabrina Massi- Baseball Hockey Men’s Lacrosse (men’s diving). (fencing, women’s foil). National Hockey Major League Lacrosse alas The Byron V. Kanaley Award League Arike Ogunbowale (women’s Matt Vierling John Sexton went to the senior monogram basketball) was selected as the Philadelphia Phillies Jake Pivonka Dallas Rattlers athletes who have been most 5th round (137th pick) New York Islanders 2nd round (18th pick) most outstanding performer in exemplary as students and 4th round (103rd pick) the NCAA Women’s Basketball Nick Podkul Carlson Milikin leaders: Sandra Yu (women’s Championship. She and her Toronto Blue Jays Spencer Stastney Ohio Machine soccer), Jonah Shainberg Nashville Predators teammates earned an ESPY for 7th round (206th pick) 4th round (36th pick) (fencing), Allison Miller 5th round (131st pick) the 2017-18 Play of the Year. Cole Daily (women’s tennis), Jessica Harris Jake Evans (cross country/track and field), Muffet McGraw (women’s Montreal Canadiens 22nd round (671st pick) Natalie Johnson (volleyball) basketball), Gia Kvaratskhelia 7th round, 2014 (signed and Matthew Habrowski (men’s (fencing) and April 2018) Jeff Jackson Men’s Soccer soccer), as chosen by the (hockey) all were chosen Andrew Oglevie Major League Soccer Faculty Board on Athletics. national coaches of the year in Buffalo Sabres Jon Gallagher their respective sports. McGraw (signed April 2018) The Francis Patrick O’Connor Women’s Basketball Atlanta United FC Award, presented to student- and Kvaratskhelia led their Jordan Gross 1st round (14th pick) 2017-18 Irish teams to NCAA Lili Thompson Arizona Coyotes athletes who display the true Harlem Globetrotters titles, while Jackson’s 2017-18 (signed April 2018) spirit of Notre Dame as exempli- Irish hockey team finished as fied by their contributions and Dennis Gilbert the NCAA runner-up. inspirations to their respective 3rd round, 2015 teams, went to Bo Brauer Cale Morris (hockey) (signed April 2018) (hockey), Jessica Harris (cross received the Mike Richter Award Women’s Soccer Football National Women’s country/track and field), (national goaltender of the National Football Bo Brauer Soccer League Caroline Holt (volleyball), year) and also was named Big League South Carolina Stingrays ECHL (signed Kathryn Westbeld (women’s Ten Conference Player of the Sandra Yu Quenton Nelson June 2018) Portland Thorns FC basketball) and Mikey Wynne Year, Big Ten Goaltender of the Indianapolis Colts 1st round (8th pick) (men’s lacrosse). Year and the Big Ten Tourna- 1st round (6th pick Luke Ripley Greenville Swamp ment Most Outstanding Player. The Community Champion Mike McGlinchey Rabbits ECHL Award, recognizing the contri- Amanda Sirico (women’s San Francisco 49ers (signed August 2018) 1st round (9th pick) butions of Notre Dame student- fencing) was named the Justin Wade athletes to the University Atlantic Coast Conference Durham Smythe Cleveland Monsters community and the community Fencer of the Year in epee. Miami Dolphins AHL 4th round (123rd pick) (signed October 2018) at large, went to Allison John Sexton (men’s Bartoszewicz (track and field), Dawson Cook lacrosse) received the USILA Equanimeous St. Florida Everblades Kyle Dedrick (men’s soccer), William C. Schmeisser Award Brown ECHL Kelly Hart (cross country/track (national defensive player of the 6th round (207th pick) (signed September and field),Shannon Hendricks year) and also was named ACC 2018) (women’s soccer) and Collin Defensive Player of the Year. Stoecker (baseball). The 17th Annual O.S.C.A.R.S. The Top Gun Award went to ming) and Bo Brauer (hockey) designed by Caroline Doyle (Outstanding Students Cel- and highlighted the many (women’s lacrosse), skits and Katie Uhler (women’s soccer), ebrating Awards and Recogni- the graduating senior with the talents and accomplishments of performances by Regina tions Showcase) were hosted by highest cumulative grade- Notre Dame student-athletes, O’Brien (fencing), Dennis Rob Whitacre (men’s swim- average. including an event program Gilbert (hockey), Jenn Groth

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 8 MARKETING AND TICKETING

The Notre Dame athletics into the highly experienced venues, One World Observatory, department will partner with branding, hospitality and expe- FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Legends and JMI Sports—two riential marketing teams at both Twickenham Stadium, Wimble- of the leading athletics market- companies. don Tennis Championships, ing and hospitality companies Tottenham Hotspur, Golden 1 The new partnership will include in the country—to oversee sales, Center, Manchester City FC, Los Notre Dame’s national football marketing, hospitality, media Angeles Angels, radio rights, which previously rights and branding services Rams, , NFL, had been a stand-alone agree- on a local and national level University of Southern Cali- ment for many years with the for Irish athletics. Through this fornia, Los Angeles Memorial Mutual Broadcasting System, unique partnership, Notre Dame Coliseum, 50 and Westwood One and most is determined to become an Indianapolis 500. recently with ISP and then IMG innovative leader in the packag- College. Notre Dame’s home sellout ing and presentation of its game- streak in football increased to day hospitality experience and Notre Dame previously had 263 games through the end of multimedia rights, as well as its been handling most of its the 2017 season. corporate sponsorship plans. athletic corporate sponsorships and marketing rights through The Notre Dame ticketing The University, through this Notre Dame Sports Properties, operation was recognized by its 12-year agreement, will seek to created in 2003. ticketing service provider create and implement unique Paciolan as the Innovative Team JMI Sports is a full-service col- programs and partnerships with of the Year. That came in great legiate marketing firm as well an elite group of companies part due to implementation of a as a highly regarded project and brands—delivering unprec- 3D seat selection process for manager for the development edented levels of engagement, season-ticket members and of collegiate and professional first-class hospitality experi- lottery fans. Paciolan is the sports facilities. JMI Sports ences and recognition, while ticketing software primarily adds Notre Dame to a list of also preserving traditions Notre used by the majority of col- signature partnerships, includ- Dame holds dear. leges. ing Clemson University, the JMI Sports brings extensive University of Kentucky and multimedia expertise to the the University of Georgia (with partnership with current IMG College) as well as the Ivy representation of premier League, the University of Penn- collegiate brands. Already a sylvania and Columbia Univer- partner with Notre Dame since sity. JMI Sports was founded in 2013, Legends was an integral 2006. part of executing the Campus Legends is led by industry Crossroads Project, developing veterans with an unparalleled capital gift and annual donation amount of collective experi- pricing models, packaging and ence in global planning, global marketing strategy, while also sales and hospitality, activating executing sales campaigns for across professional sports, col- new premium seating inventory. legiate, attractions, entertain- Recognizing the uniqueness ment, international and conven- of their agreement with Notre tions. Legends is the architect Dame, Legends and JMI Sports of premium sports and enter- will dedicate stand-alone tainment guest experiences— national, regional and local sales serving a list of clients that and marketing staff resources includes Yankee Stadium, AT&T to the partnership while tapping Stadium, nearly 40 Live Nation

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 9 MEDIA

Fighting Irish Media earned For FIM’s Echoes 2017: Notre three Emmys and three other Dame Football Awards Show in “best in the nation” awards in the “outstanding live non-game 2017-18 for a combination of production” category video production and publica- For FIM’s Into Focus and tions. Onward Notre Dame video One Emmy awarded in 2017 series in the “outstanding went to FIM for “Jess Harris: Into program series” category Focus” in the category of “out- standing achievement for sports Strong programming: feature segment.” THREE NOTRE DAME PUBLI- CATIONS EARNED NATIONAL Two other Emmys went to AWARDS FROM THE COLLEGE of Heart Profiles of Notre Dame Athletics / 2017 producer Jodain Massad for SPORTS INFORMATION DIREC- “outstanding crafts achieve- TORS OF AMERICA IN JUNE ment off-air: directing” and for 2018: “outstanding crafts achievement The 2017-18 version of off-air: writing—program (non- “Strong of Heart” was voted news).” “best in the nation” in the All three Emmys came from the special events program division Chicago/Midwest chapter of the (edited by John Heisler). It’s the National Academy of Television second time that annual Arts & Sciences. publication has received the top honor. Notre Dame’s football signing day show in February 2018 was The 2017-18 Notre Dame selected as the top event in the men’s basketball game program “outstanding live non-game pro- was named “best in the nation” duction” category of the Sports (produced by Alan Wasielewski, Video Group College Sports Robby Hamman and Tim Media Awards. O’Connor). The 2017 Notre Dame FIM ALSO RECEIVED FOUR football game program series OTHER SVG NOMINATIONS IN was rated “second in the nation” THE COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS (produced by Joanne Norell, COMPETITIONS: John Heisler and Scott Tingwald). For the Notre Dame-Ball State men’s basketball game in December 2017 in the “out- standing live game production” category

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 10 MENDELSON FUND

Since 2006, the Mendelson Fund for Athletic Excellence each year provides incremental, non-budgeted funding to Notre Dame Olympic sports programs for the development of their student-athletes’ performance.

These are projects funded in 2017-18 by the Mendelson endowment: SWIMMING AND DIVING $11,285 Swim Pro camera and Diving Scout system

VOLLEYBALL $19,484 Team room audio-visual upgrades

WOMEN’S GOLF $20,154 SAM Putt/University PPP custom putting system

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 11 MONOGRAM

CLUB Lt. Gen. Bryan Fenton (second from left) received the Monogram Club Moose Krause Award from Executive Director Brant Ust (left), President Kevin O’Connor and First Vice President Terri Vitale (right).

At the Monogram Club’s annual meeting in October, Terri Vitale (tennis ’94, ’95) officially began her presiden- tial term. The Monogram Club also welcomed three new directors: Ryan Harris (football ’07), Ruth Riley (basketball ’01, ’16) and Takashi Yoshii (tennis ’10). The Monogram Club presented its highest honor, the Edward “Moose” Krause Distinguished Service Award, to Lt. Gen. Bryan Fenton (man- ager ’87). Roger Valdiserri (honorary ’54) and Bobby Clark (honor- ary) were recipients of the Monogram Club’s Jesse Harper Award for their unparalleled commitment to the Notre Dame Athletics Department and University. The Monogram Club bestowed honorary monograms upon Jill Bodensteiner (’91, ’08), Patrick McCartan (’56, ’59), Joseph I. O’Neill III (’67) and Rev. Mark Thesing, C.S.C. for the women’s basketball The Monogram Club and the The Monogram Club (’81, ’85, ’92). NCAA Final Four and in St. Paul, football program welcomed presented 211 first-time mono- Minnesota, for the NCAA back several monogram winners gram winners with their jackets The club partnered with Frozen Four. for the Notre Dame Football at the fall and spring monogram several Notre Dame programs, Alumni Appreciation Weekend. jacket ceremonies. Allen Greene including football, softball, In addition to its on-campus The festivities took place over (baseball ’99), athletics director men’s golf, men’s soccer and programming, the Monogram Blue-Gold weekend and at Auburn University, was the men’s basketball, in playing host Career Network held summer featured social events, along featured alumni speaker at the to team reunions. events in Chicago, New York and Detroit. These receptions with a panel discussion to fall ceremony, while Derrick The Monogram Club played brought together monogram educate attendees on how to Mayes (football ’96), social host to 40th anniversary alumni and current student- remain engaged with the media training professional, celebrations for the 1977 athletes interning in and around Monogram Club and football addressed the honorees at the national championship football those respective cities. program. spring event. team and the 1977-78 men’s Through the Brennan- basketball NCAA Final Four Alex Kerschner (baseball ’18) Boland-Riehle Scholarship team. and Katie Uhler (soccer ’18) were the 2018 recipients of the Fund, the club in 2017-18 issued The club held regional events Monogram Club’s postgraduate $396,076 to 43 Notre Dame in more than 10 cities across the scholarship. They both received students who are children of —including $5,000 for their postgraduate active members. receptions in Columbus, Ohio, studies.

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 12 STUDENT WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

Rosenthal Leadership Summer Bridge and First-Year which included networking The Pass It On program Academy: Orientation: events following the fall and provided an opportunity for This program, named after First-year student-athletes winter career fair and Life After student-athletes to teach former Notre Dame director were given the opportunity to ND Lunches featuring notable leadership and personal skills to of athletics Dick Rosenthal, network with each other in a alumni Lt. Gen. Bryan Fenton 40 third- and fourth-graders at is designed to develop and social setting and receive tips (manager ’87), Melissa Knecht Perley Primary Fine Arts Acad- enhance strong leadership on for success from upperclass- (softball ’92), members of the emy. Twenty-three student- Notre Dame athletic teams men, athletic department staff Monogram Club board of direc- athletes from nine sports taught by providing targeted emerg- and campus partners on how to tors and Notre Dame athletics kid-friendly lessons such as ing and existing leaders with successfully transition into col- senior leadership. “Keeping Your Cool” and “Team progressive programming. The legiate life. Over Me.” 2017-18 Rosenthal Leadership Academy included 97 partici- Value-Based Decision Making: pants across all 26 Irish varsity Student-athletes from all 26 programs. sports were trained on forming healthy relationships, resolving Student-Athlete Advisory conflict and managing stress. Council (SAAC): Sixty athletes across all sports Career Development: worked to enrich the overall A committee of female profes- student-athlete experience by sionals in the athletic depart- contributing in areas of com- ment coordinated with espnW munity, camaraderie, career, to bring the espnW Campus communication and character. Conversations event to Notre SAAC chief operating officers Dame. The discussion—led by included Nate Richartz (track ESPN columnist and radio per- and field),Katie Uhler (women’s sonality Sarah Spain and senior soccer) and Reilly Kearney vice president of espnW and (rowing). women’s initiatives Laura Gen- Fighting Irish Fight for Life The Athletes For Athletes tile—was designed to inspire, partnered 18 Irish teams with event celebrated athletes of all Notre Dame Christian Athletes educate and support female 13 patients (ages 4-16) from skill levels and paired student- (NDCA): student-athletes. A panel of Beacon Children’s Hospital. The athletes with members of the Forty Notre Dame student-ath- former Notre Dame student- program kicked off with the South Bend community who letes, representing all 26 teams, athletes—Jes Christian (track National Letter of Intent Sign- have intellectual and devel- attended weekly meetings to and field ’14),Jill Krivacek ing Party where children were opmental disabilities. Notre provide a place of refuge to (women’s soccer ’07) and Kaila made official members of their Dame partnered with Special inspire spiritual growth and Turner (women’s basketball respective partner teams. Olympics Notre Dame, Special community. NDCA adopted a ’13)—discussed experiences as Olympics Michiana and Logan The annual Pediatric Christ- family for the Christmas season, female student-athletes and Center of South Bend to put on mas Party saw approximately made cards for children in the their transition into the profes- the event. 200 student-athletes from all oncology unit at Beacon Hos- sional world. 26 teams with 75 families from pital and spearheaded the One Student Welfare and Devel- Beacon Children’s Hospital and Shirt One Body initiative that opment partnered with the Saint Joseph Regional Medical encourages teams to donate Monogram Club and Center for Center. Heritage Hall was set issued gear to underserved Career Development to provide up with various activities by intermediate schools. career focused programming student-athletes.

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 13 NACDA CUP: RANKINGS

2017-18 Notre Dame finished in 43.5 from a 28th-place Notre Dame Directors’ 22nd place in the final finish in the NCAA Men’s Notre Dame standings of the 2017-18 Indoor Track and Field Cup History Championship Competitive Learfield Sports Division I 11th, 1993-94 22nd, 2006-07 Directors’ Cup all-sports from a 41st-place finish 24 30th, 1994-95 21st, 2007-08 Summary competition sponsored in the NCAA Women’s Most successful by the National Associa- Swimming and Diving 11th, 1995-96 21st, 2008-09 tion of Collegiate competitive season since Championship 14th, 1996-97 27th, 2009-10 joining ACC in 2013-14 Directors of Athletics. 16.5 from a 54th-place fin- 31st (tied), 1997-98 18th, 2010-11 Fall NCAA competition ish in the NCAA Women’s 16 teams qualified 25th, 1998-99 17th, 2011-12 for postseason earned the Irish 205 Indoor Track and Field points: Championship 21st, 1999-2000 9th, 2012-13 10 teams finished from its final No. 11 11th, 2000-01 3rd, 2013-14 66 Irish spring sports season ranked in top ranking in the USA Today produced 175.5 points: 13th, 2001-02 10th, 2014-15 25 poll football poll 50 each from Notre 13th (tied), 2002-03 17th, 2015-16 4 conference 64 from Notre Dame’s Dame’s second-round 19th, 2003-04 23rd, 2016-17 championships NCAA Women’s Soccer appearance in the NCAA Championship round-of-16 ACC Men’s Lacrosse Men’s Tennis Champion- 16th, 2004-05 22nd, 2017-18 appearance Tournament (wins over ship and from a regional 6th, 2005-06 Duke and Virginia) 50 from a second-round finalist slot in the NCAA appearance in the NCAA Softball Championship ACC women’s basketball Men’s Soccer Champion- regular season (tied 27 from a regional appear- ship with Louisville with 15-1 ance and 45th-place records) 25 from a first-round overall finish in the NCAA By the Rankings appearance in the NCAA Women’s Golf Champion- Here’s where Notre Dame teams in 2017-18 Big Ten hockey regular Women’s Volleyball ship finished in the final polls (top 50): season (17-6-1 record) Championship 25 from a first-round 1st, women’s 18th, women’s Big Ten Men’s Hockey appearance in the NCAA basketball (USA soccer (NSCAA) Tournament (wins over Winter sports at Notre Men’s Lacrosse Champi- Today) Penn State and Ohio Dame produced 423.5 19th, men’s onship State) points: 2nd, women’s fencing swimming and 23.5 from a 46th-place (fencing360.com) diving (CSCAA) 100 each from national 2 NCAA championships in the NCAA Women’s titles in the NCAA Wom- 2nd, hockey (USA 19th, women’s Outdoor Track and Field women’s basketball en’s Basketball Cham- Today) swimming and Championship pionship and the NCAA diving (CSCAA) fencing 3rd, men’s fencing Fencing Championship Stanford (1,442 (fencing360.com) 26th, men’s 1 NCAA runner-up 90 from a national runner- points) won the competi- tennis (ITA) 9th, men’s lacrosse finish up appearance in the tion, followed by UCLA (Inside Lacrosse) 33rd, women’s NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey (1,326), Florida (1,216), hockey indoor track and Championship USC (1,147) and Texas 11th, football (USA field (USTFCCA) Notre Dame has won (1,143.25). Atlantic Coast Today) 49.5 from a 23rd-place six NCAA titles in the last Conference institutions finish in the NCAA Men’s 18th, men’s soccer 10 years—the most in any held 12 of the top 63 Swimming and Diving (NSCAA) 10-year period in school spots in the standings. Championship history

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 14 SPORTS SUMMARIES

FOOTBALL WOMEN’S SWIMMING AND MEN’S FENCING MEN’S LACROSSE 10-3 DIVING 19-7 9-6 Overton Citrus Bowl champion 10-1 2nd in ACC Championship 1-3 (tie for 3rd) in ACC 3-1 in ACC NCAA champion ACC champion MEN’S SOCCER 7th in ACC Championship NCAA Championship first round 11-7-2 44th in NCAA Championship WOMEN’S FENCING 3-3-2 (4th place) in ACC 29-2 2nd in ACC Championship WOMEN’S LACROSSE ACC Championship semifinals MEN’S INDOOR TRACK AND 10-9 NCAA champion NCAA Championship second round FIELD 3-4 (5th) in ACC 9th in ACC Championship ACC Championship semifinals WOMEN’S SOCCER 28th in NCAA Championship BASEBALL 10-7-5 24-30 5-3-2 (tie for 5th) in ACC 12-18 (6th) in ACC Atlantic MEN’S GOLF WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK 6th in ACC Championship ACC Championship quarterfinals AND FIELD 0-2 in ACC Championship 10th in ACC Championship NCAA Championship round of 16 54th in NCAA Championship WOMEN’S GOLF SOFTBALL 10th in ACC Championship MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY 34-23 tie for 46th in NCAA Championship MEN’S BASKETBALL 13-10 (tie for 2nd) in ACC 7th in ACC Championship 12th in NCAA Madison Regional 21-15 ACC Championship semifinals 8-10 (tie for 10th) in ACC WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY NCAA Championship regional MEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK AND 6th in ACC Championship ACC Championship quarterfinals runner-up FIELD NIT second round 12th in ACC Championship VOLLEYBALL MEN’S TENNIS 22-10 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 19-14 WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK 12-8 (tie for 5th) in ACC 35-3 7-5 (tie for 4th) in ACC AND FIELD NCAA first round 15-1 (tie for 1st) in ACC ACC Championship semifinals 9th in ACC Championship ACC Championship runner-up NCAA Championship second round tie for 47th in NCAA Championship MEN’S SWIMMING AND NCAA champion DIVING WOMEN’S TENNIS ROWING 4th in ACC Championship 9-2 HOCKEY 11-15 2-2 in ACC 28-10-2 2-12 (14th) in ACC 3rd in ACC Championship 17-1-1 (1st) in Big Ten ACC Championship first round 25th in NCAA Championship Big Ten Tournament champion NCAA Championship runner-up

Five New Head Coaches Join Irish for 2018-19

MEN’S SOCCER WOMEN’S WOMEN’S TRACK AND VOLLEYBALL Chad Riley SOCCER TENNIS FIELD/CROSS Mike Johnson former Notre Dame Nate Norman Alison Silverio COUNTRY promoted from the player and assistant former Notre Dame former Georgia Tech Matt Sparks 2017-18 Irish volleyball coach, former head staff, former head player, promoted player, former head promoted from the coach at Dartmouth coach at Xavier from the 2017-18 Irish coach at Oregon 2017-18 Irish track and women’s soccer staff field/cross country staff

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 15

Department of Athletics (574) 631-6107 Athletics Business Office (574) 631-8112 Media Relations (574) 631-7516

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 18