How Navy saved Notre Dame after World War II – the team’s shared histories

Ah i see so the vaunted Notre Dame University is in fact a shameful war profiteer and owe their continued existence to war.How heartwarming.The message here is war is good right?Wrong.

to EdMahoney's point, not only will ND play Navy every year, but @ neutral site so Navy can reap the financial benefits ..

It's Fr. Edmund Joyce

To Brian Fitzgerald - Brian, You should have also added the fact that Notre Dame was so thankful to the U.S. Navy that they guaranteed that no matter what happened after the war that Notre Dame would play Navy every year for as long as Navy wished. Ed

By the way, the most famous naval candidate to complete officer candidate school at Notre Dame was the noted film star------KIRK DOUGLAS.

It should come as no surprise that the Navy sells more tickets, etc. for it's home games against Notre Dame than any other opponent, which are often scheduled to be played in large stadiums at neutral sights. The Navy's take on each game is greater than the total it provided to the University during the entire war. It's not about money; it's about honor and fidelity. My hat is off to these two great institutions whose traditions, ideals, and achievements are the pride of our nation. I pray for sunshine in Dublin for a Fighting Irish victory after great game without injuries or penalties! GO IRISH!!!

Stolen valor: If Notre Dame acknowledges their Irish Brigade "Fighting Irish" heritage then there's not a problem. But if they insist they have no such heritage, then calling themselves the "Fighting Irish" is no different than wearing a Medal of Honor you didn't earn.

First: no plagiarism. Notre Dame got its nickname from the Irish Brigade chaplains and soldiers who returned to the school after the Civil War. The 69th New York (aka the Irish Brigade) has long been known as the "Fighting Irish", this is well documented as the NY Times even referred to them as such in the 19th century. Second: the Navy was long beholding to the Irish. Senator David I. Walsh controlled their budget and was the sponsor of the Two Ocean Navy Act, which created the armada that saved democracay during World War II.

Go, Navy.

Notre Dame helped to introduce the "forward pass" to the national football audience. QB Gus Dorais passing to ends, George Gushurst and Knute Rockne. Not exactly a bunch of Irish American youths. But Gushurst did attend the Holy Cross Sisters' school in Lead, S. Dakota.