Brian Kelly, Notre Dame’s head-coach, and wife Paqui, have jointly announced a donation of $250,000 to the university. The large donation will go towards furthering cancer research and other initiatives at the college.

The coach said that the donation “reflects our commitment to seeing Notre Dame succeed, on and off the gridiron”.

The money will be divided between cancer research at the acclaimed Josie Harper Cancer Research Institute, buying teaching materials for the Hesburgh Libraries, and channeling funding towards the Robinson Community Learning Center.

The coach has also asked the team’s supporters to consider doing likewise and make a donation to the school.

He said "Notre Dame is changing the world through great discoveries in research, by educating the leaders of tomorrow and by improving our local communities. I ask you to join me in supporting Notre Dame to show your own passion for what matters to you," he said.

The activities of the university’s cancer research center have a personal importance for the coach: his wife, Pacqui, was twice successfully treated for breast cancer.

The coach, who took over as Notre Dame’s head-coach in late 2009, has a long and distinguished track record in football coaching: previous university teams under his leadership include the University of Cincinnati, Central Michigan University and Grand Valley State University.