Noire Dame Original Mascot: The Noire Dame original mascot is an iconic symbol of strength, elegance, and empowerment. Designed to embody the spirit of the university, the mascot represents the values and traditions that the institution holds dear. The Noire Dame original mascot is depicted as a striking and regal figure, usually portrayed as a woman dressed in a flowing black gown. This choice of attire is intentional, as the color black represents power, mystery, and sophistication. The mascot is often shown with a crown or tiara on her head, symbolizing the prestigious nature of the university and its dedication to academic excellence. Additionally, the crown signifies the leadership and authority that the mascot embodies.
The leprechaun should not be scaled smaller than 100 pixels in height. Use good judgment and scale appropriately to make sure the integrity of the mark stays intact.
As a secondary mark to the Notre Dame monogram, the leprechaun should be featured in large format whenever possible and should never be scaled too small, to prevent lost of effectiveness. He has already shown a bellicose disposition but under the care of Moulton, who intends to train him, he may be taught to save his combativeness for the opposing team.
Additionally, the crown signifies the leadership and authority that the mascot embodies. The Noire Dame original mascot is also often depicted with a shield, highlighting the university's commitment to protecting and supporting its students and community. This symbolizes the institution's role as a guardian and advocate for higher education and the betterment of society.
Notre Dame used to have Irish Terriers as their mascots
As controversy once again brews over Notre Dame's divisive Fighting Irish Leprechaun mascot, it is fitting to remember a rather more wholesome mascot that encouraged Notre Dame teams in the first half of the 20th century.
According to researcher Marge Andre, the first Irish Terrier to serve as a mascot at the University of Notre Dame was Tipperary Terrence, who was presented to legendary UND football coach Knute K. Rockne in January 1924.
Sadly, Tipperary Terence was hit by a car and died not long after becoming mascot, giving way to his successor, the aptly named Tipperary Terrence II.
Knute Rockne. (Public Domain / US Library of Congress)
Tipperary Terence II arrived just in time for Notre Dame's compelling 13-7 victory over the Army Cadets in New York on October 18, 1924, and the legend of the Irish terrier was born.
"Terry" was present at Notre Dame's emphatic victory against Stanford at the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day, 1925, and witnessed three more championship victories in Rockne's last six years at the college.
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The tradition of Notre Dame's Irish Terrier continued after Tipperary Terrence. According to Notre Dame Archives, Charles Otis donated Brick Top Shaun Rhue (“Old Red”) to the university - the Irish Terrier was presented to Football Coach Heartley “Hunk” Anderson during the Navy game, which was played in Otis’s hometown of Cleveland on November 19, 1932.
The dog enjoyed a perfect start, witnessing a 60-20 victory over the University of Pennsylvania. However, that was as good as it got for Brick Top Shaun-Rhue, who disappeared in 1933 with Notre Dame struggling with a 3-5-1 record.
— ND Business (@NDBusiness) November 15, 2018#TBT On November 19, 1932, Charles Otis donates an Irish Terrier named Brick Top Shaun Rhue as a mascot for the football team. Shaun Rhue (Irish for “Old Red”) proves a bit of a rambler and disappears from campus altogether the following spring! pic.twitter.com/OA0OQ3Dl2Y
"It is thought that [Shaun Rhue] simply ran away from campus in the spring of 1933," Notre Dame Archives reports. "If so, Shaun Rhue may have never graced the sidelines of Notre Dame Stadium, but the idea of Irish Terriers as Notre Dame’s mascot would persist."
In the fall of 1935, William Butler presented Notre Dame with another Irish Terrier, Clashmore Mike, who would remain at Notre Dame for ten years and garner much publicity.
Clashmore Mike posed for photographs in newspapers and football programs and even had his own sports column in gameday programs.
In fact, every home football program at Notre Dame between 1936 and 1949 featured some sort of photograph, cartoon, or drawing of the Irish terrier mascot as his legend grew.
In a testament to the dog's stature, he was buried underneath the Notre Dame stadium when he died.
In 1935, Clashmore Mike, became the official @NDFootball mascot. Photo: Elmer Layden, Johnny Kelly, and Clashmore Mike. #NationalPuppyDay pic.twitter.com/MKB5ZhHg8h
— ND Business (@NDBusiness) March 23, 2017
Clashmore Mike also witnessed a period of incredible success during his time at Notre Dame and was present for two of the five National Championships won by legendary coach Frank Leahy.
Clashmore Mike II, his successor, witnessed three further championship wins and a 39-game unbeaten record.
Leahy reportedly used the terriers to his advantage, training them to run on the field of play to delay a game and earn his team an unofficial timeout.
While Notre Dame endured a fallow period following Leahy's retirement in 1953, the college brought Oklahoma's record-breaking 49-game unbeaten run to a shuddering halt in 1957 with a new Clashmore Mike in attendance.
Notre Dame's Irish terrier mascots arguably saved the best until last, signing off as the college's official mascot following Notre Dame's 51-0 slaughtering of the USC Trojans in the 1966 championship game.
Ara Parseghian's team, who also won a championship in 1964, is widely regarded as one of the greatest college teams of all time. What better way for the college's former lucky charm to sign off?
According to Notre Dame, the Clashmore Mike mascot last made an appearance on the cover of the 1963 Notre Dame Football Dope Book with coach Hugh Devore and captain Bob Lehmann.
In 1965, however, the University switched gears as the Fighting Irish Leprechaun was named the official mascot, which continues today.
* Originally published in 2021, updated in Aug 2023.
An Irish Terrier dog with handler Joe Dierickx inside the Stadium, c1954.
The Notre Dame Archives has two of the 1950s dog coats in its collections — one in green and one in blue.
The mascot's posture and demeanor convey a sense of confidence and strength. Her upright stance and poised expression exude a sense of resilience and determination, inspiring students and fans alike to persevere and reach for their goals. Overall, the Noire Dame original mascot serves as a unifying symbol for the university community. It represents the shared values and aspirations of the institution, fostering a sense of pride and camaraderie among students, alumni, and staff. Recognizing the importance of tradition and symbolism, Noire Dame has maintained the original mascot as a timeless representation of the university's identity and values. The mascot continues to inspire and uplift the university community, leaving a lasting impression on all who encounter it..
Reviews for "Noire Dame: A Mascot for All Seasons and Events"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with the Noire Dame original mascot. The design looked outdated and lacked creativity. It was just a generic, uninteresting character that did not represent the essence of the brand. I expected a mascot that could captivate and engage the audience, but this one fell flat. Overall, it didn't leave a lasting impression, and I felt like it was a missed opportunity to create something memorable.
2. John - 1/5 stars - The Noire Dame original mascot was a complete letdown. The design was poorly executed, and it felt like no thought was put into it. The mascot lacked personality and charm, making it difficult to connect with. The colors used were dull and unappealing, and the overall appearance was just uninteresting. It was a disappointment and did not live up to my expectations.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I have seen much better mascots than the Noire Dame original. The design seemed outdated and didn't align with the modern aesthetics of the brand. It didn't have a clear message or purpose, and the overall execution felt sloppy. It's a shame because a mascot can be a powerful tool for branding, but this one missed the mark. I hope they reconsider and invest in a more appealing and relevant mascot in the future.
4. Michael - 3/5 stars - While the Noire Dame original mascot wasn't terrible, it didn't stand out either. It felt like a generic character that could easily be forgotten. The design lacked originality and creativity, which made it blend in with other mascots. It needed more unique features or elements to make it memorable and leave a lasting impression. Overall, it was just average and didn't bring anything special to the table.
5. Rachel - 2/5 stars - The Noire Dame original mascot design felt uninspiring. It didn't have any wow factor or personality that could capture the audience's attention. The choice of colors and overall aesthetics was mediocre, and it didn't feel like it represented the brand well. It was a missed opportunity to create something memorable and engaging. I hope they consider redesigning it to make it more appealing and captivating for their audience.