The Notre Dame logo mascot is a widely recognized symbol that represents the University of Notre Dame, a prestigious Catholic university located in Indiana, United States. The logo mascot, commonly known as the Fighting Irish, features a leprechaun wearing a green suit and hat, with a mischievous grin on his face. The leprechaun holds a shillelagh, which is a traditional Irish club, and is depicted in various athletic poses such as running, kicking, or punching. The main idea behind the Notre Dame logo mascot is to embody the spirit of the Fighting Irish, which symbolizes the determination, resilience, and strength of the university's athletic teams. The mascot has become a beloved and iconic figure that represents the university's rich history, culture, and traditions. The leprechaun mascot has evolved over time, with different iterations of the logo being introduced to reflect changing times and aesthetic preferences.
The University of Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish Leprechaun mascot has been voted as the fourth most offensive football team mascot in a survey conducted by the Illinois-based company Quality Logo Products.
The University of Notre Dame, however, has defended its use of the famous Leprechaun mascot, pointing to the institution s Irish and Irish American heritage. In both the upraised fists of the leprechaun mascot and the use of the word fighting, the intent is to recognize the determination of the Irish people and, symbolically, the university s athletes.
The leprechaun mascot has evolved over time, with different iterations of the logo being introduced to reflect changing times and aesthetic preferences. However, the core elements of the leprechaun mascot have remained consistent, including the green attire, mischievous expression, and the shillelagh. The use of a leprechaun as the logo mascot for Notre Dame has not been without controversy.
Notre Dame logo mascot
The Notre Dame Leprechaun was designed by sports artist Theodore W. Drake. He worked as a designer at Wilson Sporting Goods in Chicago where he created the logo for the University of Notre Dame in 1964 for $50.
Per an article in the 1960 campus news magazine, the Scholastic, a student named Terry Crawford became the first leprechaun to join the cheerleaders on the sidelines. The leprechaun outfit consisted of shoes that turned up at the toes, a bright green jacket, elf-like cap and green cotton pants. Then in 1961, a University of Notre Dame freshman, John Brandt got the job as the leprechaun mascot. He was chosen because he was short in stature, just 4 feet, 11 inches tall, and the uniform fit him best. The leprechaun was not the official mascot in those days. It was a live Irish terrier, Clashmore Mike, that was the official mascot and it was Brandt’s responsibility to lead the terrier dressed in a ND jacket around the Notre Dame Stadium field during breaks in football games. The dog lived with a Notre Dame Stadium groundskeeper and his wife in a house east of the campus. The crowds loved the idea of a leprechaun mascot so Brandt became something of a celebrity.
The Leprechaun was named the official mascot of the Fighting Irish in 1965 when the Leprechaun was registered as an official university mark and the terrier was retired.
The Fighting Irish logo features a side view (the Leprechaun must always face right) of the Leprechaun with his fists up, ready to battle anyone that comes his way. The Leprechaun represents the tenacious spirit and determination of the Fighting Irish.
We love the Leprechaun and have made his likeness in charms, cuff links, earrings, lapel pins, pendants, and tie tacks.
Some excerpts have been taken frrom Wikipedia and the Associated Press
The University of Notre Dame's Fighting Irish Leprechaun logo.
Some argue that it perpetuates stereotypes about Irish culture and that it is a caricature that does not accurately represent the university's values or the Irish-American community. However, proponents of the logo argue that it is a symbol of pride and unity, representing the fierce determination and competitive spirit of the university's athletic teams. Regardless of the ongoing debates surrounding the mascot, the Notre Dame logo remains a powerful symbol that is instantly recognizable to fans and alumni alike. It is a visual representation of the university's identity, heritage, and athletic prowess, and it continues to be a source of pride and inspiration for the Notre Dame community..
Reviews for "A Closer Look at the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Mascot"
1. John - 1/5 Rating
I was extremely disappointed with the new Notre Dame logo mascot. It looks nothing like the iconic Fighting Irish logo we all know and love. The new mascot lacks the fierce and determined expression that the old logo had. It feels more cartoony and childish, which is not what I associate with Notre Dame football. I hope they reconsider and bring back the classic logo that represents the strength and resilience of the team.
2. Sarah - 2/5 Rating
As a long-time fan of Notre Dame, I was hoping for a new logo mascot that would capture the spirit and tradition of the university. Unfortunately, the new logo falls flat. The design lacks the attention to detail and sophistication that I would expect from a prestigious institution like Notre Dame. It looks generic and unmemorable, rather than representing the unique character of the Fighting Irish. I hope they go back to the drawing board and come up with something that truly reflects the spirit of Notre Dame.
3. Michael - 2/5 Rating
I have always admired the strong identity of Notre Dame and their logo. However, the new mascot logo is a major letdown. It seems like a cheap attempt to appeal to a younger audience with its simplified and cartoonish design. The previous logo had a sense of tradition and toughness, but the new one feels generic and lacking in personality. I hope Notre Dame reconsiders this decision and returns to their iconic and powerful logo that represents their great history and legacy.
4. Emily - 1/5 Rating
The new Notre Dame logo mascot is a complete disaster. It completely loses the essence of what the Fighting Irish logo stood for. The new mascot looks like a weak imitation, lacking the strength and pride that made the original logo so iconic. It's disappointing to see a prestigious institution like Notre Dame water down their image in this way. I hope they realize their mistake and revert back to their original logo, which truly embodies the spirit of the Fighting Irish.