Days before the college football season begins, the University of Notre Dame on Thursday unveiled an updated logo for its storied program — one that emphasizes football while downplaying the “fighting” part of the school’s nickname.
Since its debut on the cover of Time magazine on Nov. 20, 1964, the “Fighting Irish” logo had become synonymous with Notre Dame football as the school built one of the most successful programs in the sport’s history. Featuring a hostile-looking leprechaun with both fists up, as if prepared to spar, the logo was associated with the South Bend, Indiana, school as Notre Dame claimed football national championships in 1966, 1973, 1977 and 1988, and played in national-title games in 2012 and again last season.
“Its long-standing history represents the tenacious spirit of the Fighting Irish and their determination,” the school said in a news release.
In the new logo, which the university said was designed in-house, the mascot’s grimacing expression is the same, but his fists are down. Now, they’re holding onto a football as he runs forward.
University spokespeople did not immediately respond to comment. A Notre Dame press release noted the new logo’s creation was “inspired by photo, fundamentals and running styles from former and current student-athletes.” It is part of a rollout that will see other Notre Dame sports debut their own sport-specific logos.
Notre Dame, which opens the season Aug. 31 against Miami, is ranked sixth in The Associated Press preseason poll of media.
