MONOGRAM CLUB ANNUAL REVIEW 2013-14 i
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Renew Your Monogram Membership for 2015 The Notre Dame Monogram Club is comprised of varsity athletes and team support members who have earned the athletic insignia of the University of Notre Dame, as well as those who have been awarded an honorary Monogram for their extraordinary contributions to Irish athletics. Duespaying members receive a variety of benefits for
their continued dedication to supporting Notre Dame’s illustrious athletic heritage, as well as the missions of both the Monogram Club and the University.
$75 $150
BASIC DUES LEVEL Includes all benefits except football ticket application
$300
DUES WITH FOOTBALL TICKET APPLICATION Monogram winners who graduated from the University between 1966 and 2004
DUES WITH FOOTBALL TICKET APPLICATION Monogram winners who graduated from the University prior to 1965 or within the last 10 years (2005–14)
Membership dues must be received by December 31, 2014. To pay your dues, please send in the card included in this mailing, or visit alumni.nd.edu/monogramdues.
FOOTBALL TICKET ACCESS INFORMATION The University allots the Monogram Club 4,500 tickets for each home game. If demand exceeds the allotment, the Notre Dame Ticket Office holds a special Monogram Club lottery for each home game.
BENEFITS FOR FORMER FOOTBALL PLAYERS/ SENIOR FOOTBALL MANAGERS Former Notre Dame football Monogram winners/ senior football managers who are dues-paying members of the Monogram Club also receive the following additional benefits: • Friday night receptions prior to home football games in the Schivarelli Football Players’ Lounge at Notre Dame Stadium. • An invitation to the Blue-Gold Football Alumni Weekend in conjunction with the annual Blue-Gold Football Game. • Opportunity to form the pre-game tunnel with fellow football alumni at one selected football game each fall.
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WELCOME TO T H E M O N O G RAM ANNUAL REVI EW In the 127-year history of Notre Dame athletics, perhaps no time was defined by change for the Fighting Irish as much as 2013–14. Following 18 years in the BIG EAST Conference (and a 21-year run in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association), Notre Dame officially joined the Atlantic Coast Conference and Hockey East on July 1, 2013. After a 17-year relationship with adidas, the Fighting Irish’s partnership with Under Armour began on July 1, 2014. The 2013–14 year also marked the beginning of the Ryan Sachire (’00) era in Notre Dame men’s tennis, with the former All-American succeeding Bobby Bayliss, who retired after 26 seasons at the helm in South Bend. Bayliss, however, was not the only longtime coach to hang it up after a terrific career with the Irish. Joe Piane, skipper of the men's cross country and men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field programs, stepped down after 39 seasons. Head men’s swimming and diving coach Tim Welsh also retired, following a 29-year stint at Notre Dame. Both teams continue to be led by familiar faces, as associate coaches Alan Turner and Matt Tallman were named head coaches of those respective programs. (Note: In September, Welsh was called upon to serve as interim head women’s coach.) In January, head women’s soccer coach Randy Waldrum resigned after 15 seasons and two national championships to pursue a professional opportunity with the Houston Dash of the National Women's Soccer League. Theresa Romagnolo, who previously served as the head coach at Dartmouth, took the reins at Notre Dame in March. Amid these transitions, Notre Dame’s core goals remain unchanged. Court or field, classroom or laboratory, the Fighting Irish strive for excellence, and 2013–14 proved to be another outstanding year, both athletically and academically.
home a conference crown and advanced to the national semifinals for the third time in five seasons. What’s more, three student-athletes—fencers Lee Kiefer and Gerek Meinhardt and swimmer Emma Reaney—won individual NCAA titles over a span of three days in March. Seven student-athletes earned Academic AllAmerica recognition, two received NCAA postgraduate scholarships, and once again, Notre Dame topped the standings in Graduation Success Rate. Likewise, a little more than a year from celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2016, the Monogram Club’s focus is unwavering. From the postgraduate scholarships and career mentoring program to regional events in Ft. Worth, Nashville and North Carolina, the Monogram Club strives to support the growth of student-athletes and alumni members. Walk-ons and Heisman Trophy winners, 1947 football alumni and 2014 athletic training graduates, each Monogram Club member has represented Notre Dame and each is connected by a passion for the blue and gold. As you may have noticed on the front of this year’s annual review, the monogram has transformed quite a bit through the years. A number of different marks have been featured throughout the University’s history—many on uniforms, some in yearbooks, and others for commencement programs. Yet fundamentally, each features an interlocking ND. Like the logo has over time, the Notre Dame Monogram Club continues to evolve, but no matter the conferences, coaches or apparel contracts, the mission remains—to bridge the gap between legend and legacy, and for our 8,000 alumni members, serve as the path back to Our Lady’s University. - Josh Flynt (’11), Communications Associate
Men’s soccer captured its first national championship. Women’s basketball won an ACC title, 37 consecutive games, and reached its fourth consecutive Final Four. Men’s lacrosse also took 2 0 1 3 - 1 4 A N N U A L R E V I E W & 2 0 1 5 D U E S I N F O R M AT I O N
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L ETT ERS FROM M O NO G R A M LE A D E R S H I P
'95, Swimming President
'00, Baseball Executive Director
BRANT UST
H A L E Y S COT T D E M A R I A
G
reetings from the Board of Directors of the Monogram Club! As we review the 2013–14 academic year, we celebrate the accomplishments of our student-athletes and Monogram winners, while assessing the evolving needs of our membership and how to best address those changes moving forward. For example, in a changing economy, our membership looks for career help through the newly formed Monogram Career Network. Placing a greater emphasis on community service, we seek to find opportunities for our members to give back as well. And at the heart of our Club are the relationships we have formed with one another. Reflecting on the past year, we look to build and expand the opportunities we have to celebrate, socialize, worship, and gather in fellowship to honor Our Lady’s University and the deep passion we feel for our time as student-athletes. As the face of Notre Dame athletics changes—from coaches to athletic gear—so too has the leadership of the Monogram Club. When the first year of my presidency ended in the spring of 2014, the Board of Directors welcomed Brant Ust (’00, baseball) as our new Executive Director. As a board and a club, we feel fortunate to have Brant guiding us through the exciting changes ahead.
M
y first day as Executive Director of the Monogram Club was March 25, 2014—a day where I was welcomed back to the campus I once called home, and reminded of the special place and collection of people that define Notre Dame. It was shortly thereafter that I had the chance to meet and work with the Board of Directors during our spring meeting—where the core of the passion and dedication within the Monogram Club exists— and collectively, the directors serve as wonderful representatives of our membership. As has been mentioned already, I returned to Notre Dame amid a time of transitions, but again was reminded of the consistency of excellence in all that we ask of our current and former student-athletes, and the support provided by the University. Through a unified focus and belief, it was no coincidence that our teams achieved at historic levels in 2013–14. As we continue to develop new initiatives and programs, and as we begin preparing for the Monogram Club’s 100th anniversary, I am reminded of the Club’s core mission, established when Knute Rockne and Jesse Harper organized the first official meeting on March 25, 1916. Grounded in the same principles that guide Our Lady’s University, we will use these values as our compass as we get ready to reflect back on our first 100 years, and forge ahead to the next century. Thank you for your continued support of the Monogram Club.
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Mission
B R ID G I NG TH E G A P B E T W E E N LEG E ND A ND LEG ACY Through the generous dues contributions of our members, the Club is able to provide a number of benefits for current student-athletes and alumni Monogram winners. Here are a few of the programs and initiatives supported by Monogram Club dues:
$7.17 MILLION
Market value of the Brennan Boland Riehle Scholarship Fund (BBRSF). The BBRSF provides financial aid to sons and daughters of Monogram winners to attend the University of Notre Dame. Named in honor of Joe Boland, Rev. Thomas Brennan, C.S.C., and Rev. James Riehle, C.S.C., the BBRSF offers a minimum award of 75 percent of the student's need-based work and loan component of the financial-aid package.
$4.45 MILLION
Total scholarship assistance distributed to children of Monogram winners since the BBRSF was established in 1980. During the 2013–14 academic year, 40 Notre Dame students received $271,093 in financial aid, as beneficiaries of the BBRSF.
$181,337
Market value of the Catastrophic Relief Fund (CRF). The CRF is a needbased fund intended to assist Monogram winners faced with catastrophic problems of health and/or financial hardship.
$40,636
Money provided to purchase Monogram awards (letter jackets, stadium blankets, etc.) for current student-athletes in 2013–14.
$35,266
Funds allocated to provide current-student athletes with postseason gifts in 2013–14, including conference championship rings.
$10,000
Money allocated for the Club’s two annual postgraduate scholarship awards.
Among the students who received scholarship assistance through the BBRSF was Blaise Lezynski, a junior baseball Monogram winner, whose mother, Jacqueline Pagley Lezynski (’83) was a member of Notre Dame’s first volleyball team.
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Who We Are The Notre Dame Monogram Club is comprised of individuals who have earned the University's varsity athletic insignia for their athletic or team support endeavors or who have been honorary Monogram recipients. Approximately 8,000 living members, including former student-athletes, managers, athletic trainers, cheerleaders and video technicians Representing 26 current varsity teams, as well as wrestling and field hockey Monogram winners live in all nearly 30 countries
50 states and
18 members of the Fighting Irish coaching and team operations staff earned Monograms while attending Notre Dame
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1 On occasion, the Club awards honorary Monograms to individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to the betterment of Notre Dame athletics and the development of Fighting Irish studentathletes and graduates. In 2013–14, honorary recipients included: 1. Hockey head coach Jeff Jackson 2. Notre Dame women’s athletics pioneer Maureen Maloney (’77) 3. Football head coach Brian Kelly 4. Vice President for University Relations Lou Nanni ('84, '88) 5. Longtime Bengal Bouts coach, trainer and referee Tom Suddes (’71) 6. Vice President and General Counsel Marianne Corr (’78)
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Supporting the Notre Dame Mission The Notre Dame Monogram Club supports the primary goal of the University, which is the spiritual, intellectual and physical development of its students and alumni.
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ANNUAL MASS Each spring, at the Monogram Club’s Annual Mass, the Club honors those Monogram winners who have passed away over the course of the previous year. Based on information received from University records, the following individuals were remembered during the 2014 Annual Mass on April 12: • William R. Bell, Ph.D., M.D. (’57, trainer) • Ted J. Burgmeier (’78, football) • Philip J. Colella (’49, football) • Donald R. Dixon (’55, fencing) • Arthur F. Dobson Jr. (’69, fencing) • Jerome M. Dobyns (’50, fencing) • Joseph A. Doyle (’49, honorary) • Frank R. Finnegan Jr. (’60, manager) • Patrick J. Fisher (’35, football) • Allan J. Frenzel (’69, manager) • Francis E. Gaul (’49, football) • Anthony G. Girolami (’43, honorary) • Arch F. Gott (’37, track) POSTGAME MASS
• John H. Graif (’46, manager)
The Club’s postgame Masses provide a unique opportunity to gather as a Monogram family, give thanks and conclude a busy weekend of Fighting Irish fellowship. Rev. Paul Doyle, C.S.C. (‘65, ‘75), and football chaplain Rev. Mark Thesing, C.S.C. (‘81, ‘85, ‘92), celebrated Mass throughout the 2013 season.
• Joseph A. Laureman Jr. (’57, football) • Leo E. Linbeck Jr. (’56, baseball) • Robert E. Livingstone (’48, football) • John R. Loftus (’49, basketball) • John D. Malfa, M.D. (’54, fencing) • Hon. Robert E. Manning Jr. (’60, baseball)
BOSSY SCHOLARSHIPS Through the generosity of Dave Bossy (’77, hockey), the Monogram Club continues to partner with Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concerns to provide financial assistance to student-athletes in summer service projects. In 2014, psychology major Emily Frydrych (’15, cross country/track & field) worked with The Bridge reading program in Denver, Colo.; biology and theology major Patrick Krach (’15, track & field) served with Matthew 25 Clinic in Fort Wayne, Ind. Rower Catherine Wagner (’17) spent the summer serving for the elderly at Sacred Heart Home in Mobile, Ala., and preprofessional/psychology major Kayla Polcari (’15, track & field) served with the Sr. Maura Brannick Clinic in South Bend.
• John E. Mazur (’52, football) • John J. McDermott Jr. (’66, swimming) • Robert H. Michaud (’50, manager) • Nicholas S. Raich (’56, football) • Robert E. Ready (’55, football) • Asaph D. Schwapp (’09, football) • Albert J. Schwartz Sr. (’37, manager) • Robert C. Smith (’50, track) • Russell E. Smith (’60, manager) • Dean P. Studer (’57, football) • C. James Styers (’48, track) • Francis J. Tripucka (’49, football) • Raymond A. Zaleski (’49, manager)
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TROPHY AWARD Along with the Notre Dame Alumni Association, the Monogram Club annually sponsors The Trophy Award, given to the athletic program that has demonstrated its commitment to community service to Notre Dame and South Bend. In 2013-14, the Irish softball program earned this distinction for the second consecutive year.
POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS The Monogram Club presented its sixth annual postgraduate scholarship awards to cross country/track & field student-athlete Kelly Curran (Bloomington, Ill.) and track & field student-athlete Ted Glasnow (Newhall, Calif.) at the 2014 O.S.C.A.R.S. Curran will attend medical school, while Glasnow plans to enroll in law school.
TEAM HOSTING PROGRAM Through the Monogram Club’s team hosting program, Fighting Irish teams may obtain financial assistance to attend educational or cultural opportunities while traveling for competition. The team hosting program helped support a number of visits in 2013– 14, including the volleyball team’s trip to Monticello in Charlottesville, Va., the men’s soccer safari in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, and softball’s day at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla.
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GRADUATION STOLES For the first time ever, the Monogram Club and Athletics Department proudly recognized graduates with distinctive stoles at commencement in May 2014. Student-Athlete Advisory Council members and track & field seniors Jes Christian and Logan Renwick championed the effort, which provided graduating student-athletes, managers, cheerleaders, athletic trainers and video technicians with the opportunity to wear uniquely designed stoles. The blue stoles featured a gold-embroidered Notre Dame monogram on each side and “God, Country, Notre Dame” screened on the inside collar.
FOURTH QUARTER FAREWELL On Saturday before commencement, the Monogram Club welcomed graduating seniors and their families to the Notre Dame Stadium press box for the Fourth Quarter Farewell. The event provided the opportunity for graduates to meet and greet one last time with their fellow student-athletes, coaches and administrators, before embarking on their new endeavors. Featured speakers included senior deputy director of athletics Missy Conboy (’82, basketball) and 2013–14 student body president Alex Coccia (’14, fencing).
WALTER REED VISITS This past fall, members of the Monogram Club staff and board of directors had the honor of visiting the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. Brig. Gen. Bryan Fenton (’87, manager) organized the trip and also led the baseball team on a visit when the Irish were in the area for a series versus Maryland. During each visit, the Notre Dame groups spent time with the soldiers recovering from injuries sustained during active duty, and presented the Wounded Warriors with some Fighting Irish gear.
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Fellowship The Notre Dame Monogram Club provides its members the opportunity to foster and maintain relationships across different sports, generations and geographical locations.
SCHIVARELLI RECEPTIONS On Friday before each home football game, the Monogram Club hosted its traditional post-pep-rally receptions, welcoming former football players and senior football managers to the Schivarelli Football Players’ Lounge inside Notre Dame Stadium. The receptions featured a selection of appetizers and cash bar, and Monogram winners and their guests had a chance to visit the historic Fighting Irish locker room, take photos in front of the famous Play Like A Champion Today sign and walk out the tunnel down to the field.
PRE-GAME RECEPTIONS Sunny or snowy, the Monogram Room was a popular spot on Saturday afternoons in the fall. More than 4,500 Monogram winners and their guests enjoyed lunch, refreshments, and the opportunity to reconnect with teammates and friends throughout the season. The cheerleading squad visited each Saturday, where children and families had the opportunity to take photos with the Notre Dame leprechaun.
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REGIONAL EVENTS Once again, the Monogram Club hosted a number of regional fellowship opportunities. In October, over 160 Monogram winners and guests gathered at The Flying Saucer in Ft. Worth prior to the Shamrock Series pep rally on Friday afternoon. Never was the Irish’s arrival in the Atlantic Coast Conference more apparent than in late February, when seven teams competed in North Carolina in six days. Monogram winners gathered at Notre Dame’s USA Baseball-Irish Classic in Cary, prior to the men’s lacrosse game in Chapel Hill, and before the women’s basketball matchup with North Carolina State in Raleigh. Along with the Notre Dame Alumni Association, and ND Club of Nashville, the Monogram Club hosted a rally and reception at the Hard Rock Cafe prior to the women’s basketball Final Four matchup vs. Maryland.
DIGGER PHELPS JOINS RING OF HONOR
In May, more than 80 Monogram winners and guests enjoyed perfect weather at the Warren Golf Course for the Club’s seventh annual Riehle Open, held in honor of the late Rev. James Riehle, C.S.C. ('49), longtime executive director and athletics department chaplain.
In January, former Irish head coach Richard “Digger" Phelps was inducted into Notre Dame’s Ring of Honor, 40 years to the day his team snapped UCLA’s historic 88-game winning streak. Prior to the game, the Club hosted a reception in the Monogram Room, where nearly 250 guests, including former players, managers, trainers and other members of the Irish basketball family gathered to celebrate.
MONOGRAM FOOTBALL TUNNELS
BLUE-GOLD ALUMNI FLAG GAME
Football Monogram winners were invited to form an on-field tunnel prior to the Oklahoma game in September, while all dues-paying members created the tunnel before kickoff against Navy in November.
Monogram winners took the field for the annual Alumni Flag Game following the 85th Blue-Gold spring football game. This year’s flag game featured a squad of Monogram winners versus participants from the Notre Dame Football Fantasy Camp. With her shifty footwork at running back, and stellar defensive play, Monogram board member Kate Markgraf (’98, soccer) took home MVP honors in the 24-12 victory.
RIEHLE OPEN
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A Network of Life The club aspires to contribute, through the common bond of sport, to the social and professional enrichment of its members and provide a means for ongoing association with the University. BLUE-GOLD WEEKEND The Monogram Club introduced a new format for its Blue-Gold Football Alumni Dinner, welcoming former football players, managers and their families to a reception-style event in Purcell Pavilion on Friday evening. Student-athletes had the opportunity to network with those who donned the gold helmet years before they may have even been born. Guest speakers included two Irish football student-athletes and head coach Brian Kelly, who challenged his players to obtain three business cards before the end of the evening.
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CAREER MENTORING PROGRAM
SAAC LUNCHES
The Monogram Club Career Mentoring Program continues to connect current student-athletes with Monogram winners in their targeted fields of study. Partnering with the Notre Dame Career Center and Student Welfare & Development office, nearly 200 student-athletes have been matched with mentors since the program’s inception. In a recently created role, Student-Athlete Careers Program Director Stephanie Felicetti (’09, softball) has helped redefine how student-athletes prepare for life after graduation. Felicetti was instrumental in organizing the Fighting Irish Career Institute, which debuted in October with a panel of former student-athletes, including Monogram winners Linda Kohan (’09, softball) and Kaila Turner (’13, basketball), and Duke Preston, Notre Dame’s director of football player development and engagement.
During the Monogram Club’s fall, winter and spring board meetings, the Club teamed up with Notre Dame’s Student Welfare & Development office to host career networking luncheons with members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) and Rosenthal Leadership Academy in Club Naimoli. From “career speed dating” to “Monogram Club Bingo,” each luncheon featured a short icebreaker activity before student-athletes had some time for open networking.
MONOGRAM CAREER NETWORK In January, Monogram Club board members Will McCarthy (’95 & ’99, swimming) and Byron Spruell (’87 & ’89, football) spearheaded the development of the Monogram Career Network. The MCN is a network in which Notre Dame Monogram alumni can help student-athletes find internships and/ or full-time employment opportunities with firms that can accommodate their athletic requirements, and give proper consideration to gaps in their résumé that result from adherence to their athletic obligations.
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TEAM REUNIONS The 2013 football season coincided with national championship reunions for two Notre Dame football squads. During Michigan State weekend, more than 80 members of the 1973 team and head coach Ara Parseghian celebrated the 40th anniversary of their 11-0 season. In October, over 50 members of the 1988 squad, along with head coach Lou Holtz, gathered to commemorate 25 years since their national title. In 1957, the Fighting Irish stunned the college football world by defeating mighty Oklahoma, a team that had won 47 consecutive games. When the Sooners visited South Bend in late September 2013, 22 members of that Notre Dame team returned to campus for a special reunion.
GOOGLE HANGOUT In February, the Monogram Club partnered with the Student Welfare & Development office to host a Google Hangout with three Notre Dame Monogram winners. Mike Golic (’85, football & wrestling), Kate Markgraf (’98, soccer) and Eamon McAnaney (’91, lacrosse) joined the virtual conversation to discuss how Notre Dame helped shape their careers, their experience in the sports entertainment and broadcasting industry, and more about their professional transition after hanging up the jersey for the final time.
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AN EVENING WITH THE MONOGRAM CLUB Once again, An Evening With The Monogram Club, a program featuring the Annual Mass, Meeting and Dinner, followed April’s Blue-Gold game. Among the evening’s highlights were a reception-style dinner in Sports Heritage Hall, as well as remarks from University Vice President and Director of Athletics Jack Swarbrick (’76, honorary) and Monogram Club President Haley Scott DeMaria (’95, swimming).
“I want to thank you for being the proof of concept. For allowing us to help our student-athletes look forward and say, ‘This is the result. This is what we are about here. Using sport to try to help you develop, so you can have the same levels of success, the same impact, as the people who make up this organization.’" - Jack Swarbrick ’76
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Commitment to Excellence As an integral part of the Notre Dame family, the Monogram Club endeavors to uphold and enrich the great tradition of Notre Dame athletics.
MOOSE KRAUSE AWARD
LETTER JACKET CEREMONIES
During An Evening With The Monogram Club in April, Dr. Angelo Capozzi (’56, baseball) received the Club’s prestigious Moose Krause Distinguished Service Award. Capozzi, a former left-handed pitcher on the Irish baseball team, is the cofounder and medical director of Rotaplast, and has dedicated his life to helping children with cleft lip and palate. Since 1976, he has made more than 60 mission trips, and Rotaplast has operated on over 19,000 children around the world.
The Monogram Club recognizes first-time Monogram winners with a letter jacket ceremony held twice per year in Club Naimoli. Chicagoland Speedway president Scott Paddock (’90, basketball) delivered the keynote remarks at the fall ceremony, while Club president Haley Scott DeMaria (’95, swimming) spoke at the event in the spring.
“I’ve got a skill that not a lot of people have, and I feel I should put it to work as long as I can. Age is just a number.” - Dr. Angelo Capozzi (’56, baseball)
"The experience you will receive via your journey here at Notre Dame, the education you are receiving athletically, academically, culturally, spiritually and philosophically, will serve to shape and define the fabric of who you are and further enhance the foundation that supports you." - Scott Paddock (’90, basketball)
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POSTSEASON AWARDS The Monogram Club continued its tradition of providing student-athletes with their annual Monogram awards, including rings, stadium blankets and watches. The Club also purchased postseason gifts and championship rings, including those presented to the men’s soccer program at the team’s banquet in April. Additionally, the Club honored an important member of each athletic team through the Monogram Club MVP Award.
SERVICE TO COUNTRY In September, the Notre Dame softball team had the unique opportunity to host the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, a team comprised of veterans who lost limbs in post-9/11 conflicts. Their visit, during a football weekend, was highlighted by a doubleheader at Melissa Cook Stadium, including a matchup versus a Notre Dame celebrity squad. Among the Irish stars were a number of Monogram winners, including ESPN college basketball analyst LaPhonso Ellis (’92, basketball), WSBT sports director Pete Byrne (’99, manager), former Alumni Association executive director Chuck Lennon (’61, ’62, baseball) and Danielle Green (’99, basketball), a U.S. Army veteran who lost her lower left arm and hand in Iraq in 2004. At the end of the game, the scoreboard read 22-9 in favor of the Wounded Warrior squad, but everyone left the stadium feeling inspired on that afternoon. In June, Monogram Club board member Bryan Fenton (’87, manager) was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in the United States Army. Since being commissioned upon graduation from Notre Dame, Fenton has served in various locations, both in the United States and abroad, and participated in several military operations, including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. A number of proud Monogram winners had the opportunity to attend Fenton’s ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
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Q&A:
A CONVERSATION WITH THE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
student-athletes and coaches produced spectacular results this year, and to have that happen when we were going through a lot of changes is really great. I couldn’t be happier with the performance and the way everybody approached the year. Do you have a favorite Monogram Club event to attend during the year?
Jack Swarbrick (’76) enters his seventh year as vice president and director of athletics at his alma mater. This summer, he spoke with the Monogram Club about the state of Notre Dame athletics. How can the Monogram Club and former studentathletes support the five pillars of Notre Dame athletics, especially with regards to education and career development? What is the value of having Monogram members engaged with the University and athletics department? A big piece of it is to stay connected to the sport you played. Understand where the program is now and what the coach needs. And then look for opportunities to mentor, be present on campus, or support other programs. With a number of first-year head coaches, a new conference, new apparel contract, FieldTurf installation in Notre Dame Stadium, and the announcement of the Campus Crossroads project, 2013–14 was a year of changes and transitions for Notre Dame. Can you reflect briefly on all that has happened over the past couple years? The first thing I would say about these changes is that they all happened in a year when we had our best overall performance ever. That speaks to the ability of our coaches and student-athletes to block all that out, not worry about it, and just do the best they could do to represent Notre Dame. Our
I think my favorite event may be one I’ve never attended. Having attended my own children’s graduations in recent years, I haven’t been here for our graduation. The [Fourth Quarter Farewell] reception that we do for graduating studentathletes and the initiative to get the graduation stoles continue to make commencement an even more special experience. I love that. In the same way I love the letter jacket ceremony and what it has become. Both of those have a similar thread that runs through them. It’s about celebrating what’s unique about this place, not just with your teammates, but also with other student-athletes, alums and parents. You really enjoy connecting with former studentathletes when they are back on campus and at Irish sporting events. What is it like to see so many Monogram winners who have gone on to be successful after leaving Notre Dame? It’s the proof of concept. We can talk about it, but when our former student-athletes go out into the community and they become great parents, and great community members, and great professionals, it validates what we do. When we’re telling a high school junior that you make a “40-year decision, not a four-year decision” at Notre Dame, that’s empty, unless we have people who are living that 40-year promise. And we do. That is so great. We just need to continue to do a better and better job of figuring out how to pull on our alums’ experience and engage them effectively. I recently spoke to dinners of Monogram winners in New York and Chicago. The level of their achievement is extraordinary, and their interest in staying connected is likewise special. And as the Monogram Club does better and better each year, we’ve got to make sure to keep them closely tied to the [Notre Dame] family because they want to be, and we want them to be.
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Board of Directors 35
MONOGRAM WINNERS
14
DIRECTORS
02
DIRECTOR EMERITI
HALEY SCOTT
DICK
PRESIDENT
PAST PRESIDENT
Annapolis, MD Swimming '95
South Bend, IN Baseball '74, '77
KEVIN
BRANT
1ST VICE PRESIDENT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
West Hartford, CT Lacrosse '89
Granger, IN Baseball ’00
DEMARIA
O'CONNOR
NUSSBAUM
UST
TERRI
VITALE 2ND VICE PRESIDENT Lakewood Ranch, FL Tennis '94, '95
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Connect with the Club FACEBOOK
facebook.com/NotreDameMonogramClub
@NDMonogram
BLOG
@NDMonogram
ndmonogram.wordpress.com
YOUTUBE
youtube.com/NDMonogram
Search "Notre Dame Monogram Club" and request to join the group
Brant Ust (’00, baseball) Executive Director 574-631-5450 ust.2@nd.edu
Josh Flynt (’11) Communications Associate 574-631-8476 jflynt@nd.edu
Reggie Brooks (’93, football) Manager for Monogram/Football Alumni Relations 574-631-0446 rbrooks2@nd.edu
Karen Demeter External Affairs/Monogram Club Coordinator 574-631-5450 kdemeter@nd.edu
Mike Sullivan (’09, manager) Membership Coordinator 574-631-2909 msulli17@nd.edu
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and
To purchase new Monogram Club Under Armour merchandise, stop by our pre-game receptions in the Monogram Room, visit the Leep Varsity Shop at Purcell Pavilion, or check out NDMonogramClub.com
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