2011-12 Notre Dame Athletics Annual Report by Chris Masters

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contents

Year in Review

RecSports

Academics

Compliance

Student Welfare & Development

Sports Performance

Facilities

Youth & Community Programs

Media Relations

Event Marketing & Ticket Operations

Fighting Irish Digital Media

Seasons in Review/Honors and Awards

Monogram Club

External Affairs

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Appendix

from the

director The pages that follow chronicle another year of great success at the University of Notre Dame – a year of conference championships, strong achievement at NCAA Championships, an overall winning percentage of better than 60 percent in head-to-head competition, and countless individual awards and recognitions. I invite you to take the time to review the many competitive achievements that are recounted here. At Notre Dame, we take special pride in the accomplishments that our student-athletes and coach-educators achieve. During the past year, 2011–12, that level of achievement, both in the classroom and on the field, once again was extraordinary. I am proud each day of the way in which we carry out the mission of our University. When it comes to success in the classroom, few institutions can match the level of consistency that we achieve across the board from year to year. Since the NCAA first began tracking federal graduation rate, Graduation Success Rate (GSR) and Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores, no school has been consistently at or near the top of the rankings more than Notre Dame: • In the NCAA’s report of GSR numbers in October 2011, 18 of our 22 athletic programs compiled graduation rates of 100 percent and none were below 93 percent. • None of the 120 Football Bowl Subdivision programs had a higher percentage of 100 GSR scores than Notre Dame’s .818 percentage. That marked the sixth time in seven years that we ranked first in percentage of teams with 100 scores. • Among our 22 sports, nine recorded perfect scores in the federal graduation rate analysis. • For the second consecutive year, a program-best 17 teams were honored by the NCAA with APR public recognition awards for their latest multi-year scores that ranked in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports. We once again led the nation with the most teams honored. The 17 Irish programs honored this year for their achievements were baseball, men’s basketball, men’s cross country, women’s cross country, men’s golf, women’s golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, softball, men’s swimming and diving, women’s swimming and diving, men’s tennis, men’s

indoor track and field, women’s indoor track and field, men’s outdoor track and field and women’s outdoor track and field. Two student-athletes, linebacker Manti Te’o and Andrew Hills, a member of our track and field team, earned Capital One Academic All-America honors. We rank second all-time with the 223 Academic All-Americans we have produced, clearly a great testament to the importance we place on the term “studentathlete” here at Notre Dame. Three of our 22 sports (women golf, men’s indoor track and field and men’s outdoor track and field) that compete in the BIG EAST Conference were honored with the league’s Academic Team Excellence Award recognizing the highest collective grade-point averages in each conference sport. Over the course of two semesters, our women’s golf team maintained a 3.715 grade index to lead the way as 22 of our teams had better than a 3.00 grade-point average during the academic year. Community service continues to play a key role in the total development of our student-athletes. Our student-athletes embrace the challenges that a rigorous academic course load and competing at the highest levels of intercollegiate athletics bring. And while dedicating the necessary focus, time and energy to achieve in those areas, they continue to amaze me with the spirit of serving others they consistently display. Last year, our student-athletes performed an all-time high of 8,178.5 community service hours that was more than 900 hours more than the previous year (7,226.5) and nearly double what was performed in 2009-10 (4,828). All 26 of our athletic teams participated in community service last year; the more than 8,000 volunteer hours they accumulated is the equivalent of 340 consecutive 24-hour days of service. Some of the community service highlights of the year were: • Irish Experience Programs - Comprised of the Irish Experience Camp, the Irish Experience League and Irish Experience Days, the Irish Experience shares Notre Dame’s goal of human and community development with the greater South Bend community and around the world. The Irish Experience Camp brings children from throughout the South Bend community to Notre Dame’s campus for an enriching experience built around the school’s

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five pillars of success. The Irish Experience League allows the Notre Dame community to take the fun, spirit and values inherent in Notre Dame sports to the community. The Irish Experience Days offer Notre Dame student-athletes and teams community service opportunities throughout the South Bend community. The Irish Experience Road Show allows leaders to take the spirit and values of Notre Dame to children around the country via off-site Notre Dame multi-sport clinics that are infused with the spirit and values of the five pillars and the Play Like A Champion Today philosophy. • Fighting Irish Fight For Life - Ten teams were paired with 10 children and their families from the Memorial Hematology/Oncology Pediatric Unit where they built relationships with the families to help support them through the hardships of the illnesses and treatments. • Rebuild Tuscaloosa - Twenty-four student-athletes and six administrators traveled to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for fall break in October to help with the cleanup efforts from the tornado that decimated the Tuscaloosa community. The trip, called Fight for Tide, worked in collaboration with Project Team Up, an initiative to rebuild communities that partnered with Alabama head football coach Nick Saban’s foundation Nick’s Kids. Throughout the week, the studentathletes from seven Irish teams cleared storm debris on lots where new houses will be built. They also developed a bond with the Alabama softball team, as the Tide came out and worked hand in hand with the Irish student-athletes. • I’Stepped Up - Seventy student-athletes worked one on one with children at Perley Primary in South Bend to help tutor and prepare them for the ISTEP test.

national level with a third-place finish at the NCAAs. The year also was highlighted by several of our student-athletes earning All-America honors. Among the first-team honorees were Tyler Eifert (football), Skylar Diggins (women’s basketball), Enzo Castellani (men’s fencing), John Kemp (men’s lacrosse), Kevin Randall (men’s lacrosse) and Molly Bruggeman (rowing). Our men’s distance medley relay team of Johnathan Shawel, Chris Giesting, Randall Babb and Jeremy Rae brought home an NCAA crown at the indoor track and field championships. Two individuals — Diggins and Tyler Brenneman (men’s lacrosse) — were the recipients of national awards. Skylar won the Nancy Lieberman Award as the nation’s top point guard, while Tyler received the NCAA’s Elite 89 award as he posted the top grade-point average among all players at the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship. I feel fortunate to serve this University and to have the opportunity to work with so many outstanding coaches and student-athletes. I am proud each and every day of what they accomplish on the playing field and in the classroom and how unselfishly they represent Notre Dame.

Jack Swarbrick Vice President Director of Athletics University of Notre Dame

• Life Works Dream Teams - More than 100 student-athletes served in Dream Teams in various schools in the South Bend area. With the Dream Teams, student-athletes would team up in groups of four or five student-athletes and meet once a week in a classroom to teach a class full of kids about goal setting, overcoming obstacles and work ethic. On the fields and courts, our women’s basketball team enjoyed another magical NCAA Championships run and for the second straight year played in the national championship game, while our men’s lacrosse team earned a spot in the NCAA semifinals for the second time in three years. Our fencing team continued its dominance at the

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in memoriam athletics 2011–12

he was instrumental in developing that fabled high school program before moving to South Bend. A 1951 graduate of St. Thomas University where he was a standout hockey and baseball player, Smith became an assistant coach at South St. Paul in 1953 and took over as head coach in 1958. He remained there until 1968, turning in a record of 201-69-11 before leaving to start the hockey program at Notre Dame.

Charles W. “Lefty” Smith Jr.

CCHA championship game that season. Among players on that team was former Irish head coach Dave Poulin (current vice president of hockey operations for the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs). Smith remained the head coach through the 1986-87 season and retired with a career record of 307-320-30. During his tenure, all 126 players who played for him completed their collegiate eligibility and earned college degrees.

Charles W. “Lefty” Smith Jr., the patriarch of Notre Dame ice hockey after bringing the Irish program into the modern era beginning in 1968-69 and spending 19 seasons as Irish head coach, died Jan. 3, 2012, of natural causes in his South Bend, Ind., home. He was 81. After his final season as Notre Dame head coach in 1986-87, Smith became facilities manager at the University’s Loftus Sports Center (now part of the Guglielmino Athletics Complex) until retiring from that role on Dec. 31, 2011 (he had been the athletics department’s longest-tenured employee at the time of his retirement). He took part in the ceremonial opening face-off in October 2011 at the first game in the new Compton Family Ice Arena and rink that bears his name. 4

Smith came to Notre Dame in 1968 to help start the varsity hockey program and remained the head coach of the Irish for 19 seasons before retiring from coaching in 1987 with 307 career victories. Under his tutelage, Notre Dame produced six All-Americans—Eddie Bumbacco (1973), Bill Nyrop (1973), Jack Brownschidle (1976, 1977), Brian Walsh (1977), Greg Meredith (1980) and Kirt Bjork (1983)—and finished second in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) twice (1972-73, 197677). He was named WCHA coach of the year following the 1972-73 season. In 1981-82, the Irish moved to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) where Smith guided the Irish to the Great Lakes Invitational Championship and the

Smith served two years as president of the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) and also coached the Central team at the 1978 National Sports Festival. Eight members of that team would go on to be members of the gold medal-winning 1980 United States Olympic team. In 1992 he was inducted into the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame and in 2003 was named a “Legend of Hockey” by the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation. He also played an integral role in bringing the International Special Olympics to Notre Dame in 1987 and oversaw 22,000 volunteers and 6,000 Special Olympic athletes from 72 nations during the 12-day event. Smith and longtime Irish assistant Tim McNeill combined to start the Irish Youth Hockey League that first brought youth hockey to the South Bend area. Born Jan. 5, 1930, Smith got his start in coaching in South St. Paul, Minn., where athletics annual report

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He was named the Irish hockey coach by longtime Notre Dame athletics director Edward “Moose” Krause on Feb. 9, 1968— taking over a program that had been competing on the club level for the previous five seasons. His appointment coincided with the opening of the Athletic and Convocation Center (later renamed the Joyce Center) that would be the home of Notre Dame hockey until the Compton Family Ice Arena opened in October 2011.

contest, hockey Monogram winners and their families gathered at Legends for a post-game welcome reception.

Smith was an original member of the Algonquin Table, a group that met regularly for lunch at the former University Club on campus. The eclectic bunch moved to Legends when the University Club was razed in 2007 for a construction project.

During the weekend, attendees received tours of the Compton Family Ice Arena and participated in an open skate on Lefty Smith Rink, while 28 former players from five decades of Notre Dame hockey suited up for an alumni game at the facility.

The Life and Legacy of Charles “Lefty” Smith Celebrated During Lefty Fest Weekend More than 250 members of the Notre Dame hockey community—including 80 former players, coaches, managers and trainers— gathered on campus Feb. 3-4, 2012, to celebrate the life and legacy of Charles W. “Lefty” Smith during a series of “Lefty Fest” weekend events. Some 37 members of Lefty Smith’s family participated in the festivities, while seven of his children participated in the ceremonial first puck drop prior to the Notre Dame hockey team’s Friday night game against Bowling Green. Following the

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// Lefty Smith’s sons, Michael and Tom, drop the first puck to start the Lefty Fest activities held on February 3, 2012 at the Compton Family Ice Arena.

“It was great to skate in this brand-new building,” said Phil Wittliff (’71). “It was just so good to see everybody—I played both club and varsity, so it’s nice to be back with all the guys I played with.” The Blue and White teams played to a spirited 10-10 tie before moving on to the former Joyce Center hockey arena later for a special Mass led by Notre Dame hockey chaplain Rev. Tom Gaughan, C.S.C. (’80). After the Mass, guests ventured upstairs for a dinner in the Monogram Room, emceed by Bob Nagle. During the dinner program, Nagle sat down with All-Americans Brian Walsh (’77) and Greg Meredith (’80), Minnesota men’s hockey head coach Don Lucia (’81) and Dr. Mike Collins (’71) for a conversation about Lefty’s role in their lives as both a coach and a mentor.

“Lefty created an extended family through his time as our coach—an extraordinary group of talented people, talented hockey players, but more than that, just great human beings,” Meredith said. “I am so glad to be a part of that brotherhood and a part of that family.” The dinner also included special recognition for the Boler and McCormack families, whose generosity made the Lefty Smith Rink possible. The Bolers and McCormacks dropped the ceremonial first puck before Saturday’s hockey game. “Beyond being just a hockey coach, I’ve never seen a man who was so compassionate, so full of life and so engaged,” Matt Boler (’88) said. “He truly loved his players, he loved his friends and family—he’s a seminal character of Notre Dame, and that’s why we felt he needed to be remembered and celebrated within the University.” At the first intermission of Saturday’s contest, former Notre Dame players, managers, and trainers—led by former assistant coach Tim McNeill (1968-77)— were celebrated in a special on-ice recognition. Following the game, Lefty Fest guests wrapped up the weekend with a reception in O’Brien’s Pub.

Can go anywhere NCAA Final Four

The Notre Dame men’s lacrosse team earned its third

The Irish women’s basketball team advanced to its second

NCAA Final Four appearance in program history in 2012 and second in the last three years. En route to the national semifinals, the Irish defeated Yale 13-7, and Virginia 12-10, before losing to eventual national champion Loyola 7-5.

straight NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four and fourth appearance in program history in 2012. Notre Dame played in the title game for the second time in as many seasons, defeating Connecticut 83-75 in overtime in the semifinals and then falling to Baylor 80-61 in the championship contest.

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athletics annual report

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in the news Adrian Dantley Inducted Into Notre Dame Ring Of Honor Former Irish basketball great and U.S. Olympian Adrian Dantley, the 1976 national college basketball player of the year and a member of the Naismith National Basketball Hall of Fame, became the fourth inductee into the Notre Dame Basketball Ring of Honor on March 2, 2012. The ceremony took place during halftime of the final Irish regular-season home game against Providence at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center. Dantley, who enjoyed a stellar three-year career in an Irish uniform from 1973-76, joined former inductees Austin Carr, Luke Harangody and Ruth Riley in the Ring of Honor. Named the national player of the year as a junior in 1975-76 by the United States Basketball Writers Association, Dantley was a two-time first team All-American in 1974-75 and 1975-76. He also was a member of the United States Olympic basketball team that won the gold medal in Montreal in 1976. Dantley was named to Notre Dame’s All-Century Team in conjunction with the school’s yearlong celebration of the 100th season of the program during the 2004-05 campaign. He averaged 18.3 points per game as a starting forward as a freshman for the Irish in 1973-74. Dantley finished second nationally in scoring as a sophomore with a 30.4 average, ranked

fourth nationally in scoring as a junior in ’75-’76 with a 28.6 average and served as captain of Digger Phelps’ Irish team as a junior. He played on teams that finished 26-3, 19-10 and 23-6, and earned mention on NCAA all-regional teams as a sophomore and junior. Dantley ranks third on the Irish career scoring list (behind Carr and Luke Harangody) with 2,223 points. He posted a 25.8 career scoring average and a 9.8 career rebound average and made more free throws (615) than any player in Irish history. After passing up his senior season to make himself available for the NBA Draft, Dantley returned to finish his degree requirements at Notre Dame by 1978. The sixth overall pick in the ’76 NBA Draft by Buffalo Braves, he was named the NBA rookie of the year in ’77 with a 20.3 scoring average and a 7.6 rebound mark. Dantley played 15 seasons in the NBA, averaging

24.3 points per game. He led the league five times in free throws made in a season and led the NBA in scoring in ’81 at 30.7 and ’84 at 30.6. He twice was a second-team all-NBA pick.

He was an assistant coach at Towson State for two seasons from 1993-95 and was an assistant for eight seasons with the Denver Nuggets. He briefly served as the Nuggets’ head coach during the 2009-10 season.

His 23,177 career points ranks 21st all-time in the NBA. In all but four seasons as a professional, Dantley averaged 20 points or better, including topping the 30-point mark four straight years (1981-84). The six-time NBA All-Star (1980-82, 1984-86) was named NBA Comeback Player of the Year in 1984, the year he led the league in scoring (30.6).

A scholastic All-America player at DeMatha Catholic High School (Md.), he was born Feb. 28, 1956, in Washington, D.C. Dantley became the sixth individual with Notre Dame connections to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in ’08. He joined George E. Keogan (enshrined in 1961), Elmer H. Ripley (1973), Edward “Moose” Krause (1976), Raymond J. Meyer (1979) and J. Walter Kennedy (1981).

Dantley played with Buffalo in ’76-’77, with Los Angeles and Indiana in ’77-’78, with the Lakers in ’78-’79, then seven years with Utah (’79-’80 through ‘85-’86), and Detroit in ’86-’87 and ’87-’88. He was traded from Detroit to Dallas midway through the ’88-’89 season, played all of ’89-’90 in Dallas and later played with Milwaukee Bucks at the end of the ’90-’91 campaign.

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Ruth Riley Becomes Seventh Notre Dame Alum Inducted Into Capital One Academic All-America® Hall of Fame Former Notre Dame women’s basketball center Ruth Riley, arguably the most decorated student-athlete in Fighting Irish history, was inducted into the Capital One Academic All-America Hall of Fame, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), on June 25, 2012, in St. Louis, Mo. Her induction marked the second straight year that Notre Dame has had one of its former studentathletes inducted into the Capital One Academic All-America Hall of Fame. Riley became the seventh former Notre Dame student-athlete to be selected for induction and the second female, following another women’s basketball player, Dr. Carol Lally Shields, into the Hall of Fame

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(Shields was enshrined as an honorary member in 2011). With seven each, Notre Dame and UCLA are the schools with the most Academic All-America Hall of Fame members, while Notre Dame joins Connecticut as the only schools with two women’s basketball players to earn induction into the Academic All-America Hall of Fame. Riley joined four other inductees as members of the Academic All-America Hall of Fame Class of 2012. In addition to the former Fighting Irish standout, this year’s class also included U.S. Secretary of Education and former Harvard basketball player Arne Duncan (’87), former University of Oklahoma basketball standout Alvan Adams (’98), University of Southern California swimming great and Olympic gold medalist John Nabor (’77) and Slippery Rock University soccer standout Dr. Todd Olsen (’86).

Since the Hall of Fame’s inception in 1988 (and counting this year’s class), 122 individuals have been selected for the honor. Coincidentally, St. Louis (the site of the 2012 induction ceremony) also was the site of Riley’s greatest collegiate success as she led Notre Dame to the 2001 NCAA national championship, the first women’s basketball title in school history. In addition to Shields, the other Notre Dame representatives in the Capital One Academic All-America Hall of Fame include former football players Bob Burger (2006 inductee), Robert Thomas (1996 inductee), Dave Casper (1993 inductee) and Joe Theismann (1990 inductee), as well as basketball standout John Paxson (2005 inductee). A 2010 inductee into Notre Dame’s prestigious Ring of Honor, few Notre Dame alumni were as accomplished as Riley during their careers at the University both as a student and athlete. Even fewer have enjoyed as successful a playing career in the professional ranks as she has.

The only player in Notre Dame women’s basketball history to score 2,000 career points and grab 1,000 career rebounds, Riley was a two-time first team Academic All-American in both 2000 and ’01. She was selected as the Verizon Women’s Basketball Academic All-American of the Year in her senior season and capped that off by being named the 2000-01 national Verizon Academic All-America Team Member of the Year for the University (Division I) Division. A two-time Associated Press first-team All-American in 2000 and 2001 (and thirdteam selection in 1999), the Macy, Ind., native was selected as the ’01 BIG EAST Player of the Year and the AP and Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year after helping lead the Irish to a 34-2 record. She ranks as the program’s all-time leader in seven categories including rebounds (1,007), blocked shots (370—currently 16th in NCAA history), and field goal percentage (.632—now 15th in NCAA history). In fact, Riley still stands third on the school’s all-time career scoring list with 2,072 points and holds the Notre Dame single-

game scoring record with 41 points in a January 1998 win over Providence. Riley earned NCAA Women’s Final Four Most Outstanding Player accolades after scoring 28 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and blocking seven shots in the title-game victory over Purdue as she nailed two game-winning free throws with 5.8 seconds remaining in the contest. In her final season in a Fighting Irish uniform, she averaged 18.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. In 14 career NCAA Championship games (in which she led Notre Dame to the Sweet 16 three times), Riley averaged 19.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.8 blocks, and at the time of her graduation she held the tournament’s career mark with 39 blocked shots. An eight-time Dean’s List selection at Notre Dame, Riley graduated in May ’01 with a 3.64 grade-point average in psychology and sociology from the College of Arts and Letters. She also was selected as the BIG EAST women’s basketball scholarathlete of the year and the BIG EAST women’s scholar-athlete of the year for

// Ruth Riley with members of the 2012 Capital One Academic All-America Hall of Fame Class. Dick Enberg (middle) served as the evening’s emcee.

all sports. Riley received the University’s highest scholar-athlete honor when she was awarded the Byron V. Kanaley Award. She also was the recipient of an NCAA postgraduate scholarship and was awarded the NCAA’s Top VIII Award. As a collegian, she helped the United States to the silver medal at the 1999 World University Games in Spain. In 2006, Riley was named one of the 25 greatest women’s college basketball players of the past 25 years, according to ESPN.com.

Off the court since her graduation, Riley has been actively involved in the community both locally and nationally. The recipient of the 2011 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award presented by the WNBA, she has represented the interests of the league’s players since 2005 as first vice president of the WNBA Players Association. In ’06, she traveled with the NBA and WNBA to Nigeria to join in the fight against malaria and has spent the past

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In 2009, Riley was appointed by President George W. Bush to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and received the Henry P. Iba Citizen Athlete Award in 2010, presented annually to one male and one female athlete who exemplify a high degree of citizenship. She also is the author of a children’s book, The Spirit of Basketball, which was published in 2005.

An 11-year WNBA veteran, Riley was the fifth overall pick by the Miami Sol in the ’01 WNBA Draft and is currently a member of the Chicago Sky. In 2003, she was named the Most Valuable Player of the WNBA Finals after leading the Detroit Shock to the title, making her one of only two women’s basketball players ever to be named Finals MVP at both the college and professional levels. Riley also earned a second WNBA crown with the Shock in 2006 and returned to the league finals two years later with the San Antonio Silver Stars. In 2005, she was selected for the Eastern Conference team in the WNBA All-Star Game. During her professional career, Riley also struck gold with the U.S. Senior National Team in 2004 at the Olympics in Athens, Greece, placing her among a select group of seven players who have earned an NCAA title, WNBA crown and Olympic gold medal in their careers.

five years as the national spokesperson for the “Nothing but Nets” program, which helps raise money to purchase bed nets to prevent the disease from spreading. She has also worked with the TRIAD Trust, a non profit group dedicated to reducing the number of AIDS-related deaths, and has traveled to Kenya, Mali and South Africa with the group as part of a healthy women campaign to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.

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Tony Yelovich Receives Award For National Girls and Women In Sports Day Tony Yelovich, longtime assistant athletics director for Olympic sports game management, was the surprise recipient on Jan. 23, 2012, of an award in honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day that was presented on behalf of Notre Dame and the BIG EAST Conference. The accolade, which was presented during halftime of the Notre DameTennessee women’s basketball game, was awarded to acknowledge the contributions toward and support of girls’ and women’s athletics.

A member of the Notre Dame community for more than 25 years before his retirement on March 31, 2012, Yelovich served on the Irish football staff before moving into an administrative position in the fall of 1994. In that position, Yelovich worked with every women’s sport at Notre Dame and saw that all their needs for home competitions were met. He also can be found at nearly every athletic contest that takes place at the University. During his tenure, Yelovich also served as sport administrator for several female sport programs and was admired for the unparalleled relationships and bonds he formed with the student-athletes.

A standout in the classroom, Casper earned postgraduate scholarships from the NCAA and the National Football Foundation after the 1973 season. The NCAA presented him its prestigious Silver Anniversary Award in 1999 for career achievements. With a 3.6 grade-point average, he earned first-team CoSIDA Academic All-America honors in 1973 (following second-team notice in ’72) —then in 1993 he was chosen to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame.

Tim Brown Honored With NCAA Silver Anniversary Award The NCAA honored former Irish great and 1987 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown in January 2012 with one of that organization’s highest honors. Brown was one of six recipients of a Silver Anniversary Award that annually recognizes distinguished individuals on the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of their collegiate athletics careers. Irish vice president and director of athletics Jack Swarbrick presented Brown with his award in Indianapolis, Ind., as part of the Honors Celebration that was held in conjunction with the annual NCAA Convention. In addition to Brown, the other awardees included Doris Burke (former Providence basketball player, now with ESPN), Kevin Johnson (former Cal and NBA Phoenix Suns basketball player, now mayor of Sacramento), Sean Payton (former Eastern Illinois football player, and now NFL New Orleans Saints head coach), Amy Perko (former Wake Forest basketball player, now executive director of the Knight Commission) and David Robinson (former Navy basketball standout and NBA San Antonio Spurs star, now founder of Carver Academy in San Antonio). The first wide receiver to be awarded the Heisman Trophy, Brown became the seventh Notre Dame player to be heralded as the most outstanding player in the nation in 1987. He set 19 school records during his Irish career. Brown’s head coach, Lou Holtz, called Brown the most intelligent football player he had ever been around and was later quoted as saying, “I can’t imagine that there’s anyone else who can have such a major effect on a football game in as many ways as Tim Brown can.” For his career, Brown averaged 116.8 all-purpose yards per game and totaled 22 touchdowns. He totaled a then-school 12

Casper Gets the Call To the Hall

record 2,493 receiving yards with 12 receiving TDs and averaged 18.2 yards per catch. Brown averaged 23.4 yards on 69 career kickoff returns with three returned for TDs and averaged 13.2 yards on 36 punt returns and three TDs. The two-time All-American (1986, then unanimous in 1987) set a single-season record with 1,937 all-purpose yards as a junior in 1986. As a senior, Brown ranked sixth nationally with 167.9 all-purpose yards per game and also was awarded the Walter Camp Award. Brown led all Irish receivers as a sophomore in 1985 with 25 catches for 397 yards and three TDs and started 10 games. As a freshman, he set the freshman record with 28 receptions (since broken by Duval Kamara in 2007 and Michael Floyd in 2008). Selected in the first round (sixth overall) in the 1988 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Raiders, Brown played 16 seasons with the franchise, earning him the title “Mr. Raider.” He holds the NFL rookie record for most combined yards gained (2,317) and became the oldest player to return a punt for a touchdown in 2001. A member of the

NFL 1990s All-Decade team, he was named to nine Pro Bowls and hauled in an NFL record 75 receptions in 10 straight seasons. Brown graduated from Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology in 1988. Brown serves as the national chairman and spokesperson for Athletes and Entertainers for Kids and 9-1-1 For Kids. Each year, Brown hosts the Tim Brown Charity Golf Classic to benefit 9-1-1 For Kids, and the Mentor Mini Camp at the Raiders’ headquarters for 100 fatherless boys. Previous NCAA Silver Anniversary awardwinners from Notre Dame have included Dick Rosenthal (1979), Aubrey Lewis (1983), Jim Lynch (1992), Alan Page (1992), Bill Hurd (1994), Joe Theismann (1996), Dave Casper (1999), Bob Thomas (1999), Ken MacAfee (2003) and Greg Meredith (2005). Current Notre Dame volleyball coach Debbie Brown also was the recipient of the award in 2003.

Former Irish All-American David Casper was named to the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame in May 2012.

title on a consensus basis after a 24-23 victory over top-rated and unbeaten Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. He caught three passes for 75 yards in that contest.

A 1973 consensus All-American, he will be one of 14 former college players and three coaches who are part of the 2012 College Football Hall of Fame Class that will be inducted at the 55th annual awards dinner on Dec. 4, 2012, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. The players and coaches will be enshrined in the summer of 2013.

Casper played his first two seasons at offensive left tackle in 1971 and ’72 (he started his final four games as a sophomore, then won honorable mention All-America honors in 1972 from Associated Press), then switched to tight end as a senior. Former Irish coach Ara Parseghian called Casper the best athlete he ever coached.

Casper becomes the 44th former Notre Dame player inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. The Irish have six former coaches in the hall and the 50 total enshrinees are the most of any NCAA institution, the most recent being Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown in 2009. Born in Bemidji, Minn., Casper played his first three years of high school football at St. Edward Central Catholic High School in Elgin, Ill., and his senior campaign at Chilton High School in Chilton, Wis. His Chilton team in 1969 outscored its opponents 363-0. The 6-3, 243-pound Irish tight end served as co-captain of the 1973 Notre Dame team that finished 11-0 and won the national

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athletics annual report

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Casper finished with 21 career catches for 335 yards and four touchdowns, with all but two of those receptions coming in his senior campaign in ’73. He was a participant in the 1974 College All-Star Game and the Hula Bowl. Selected Notre Dame’s offensive MVP in ’73, he also played earlier in his Notre Dame career as a linebacker, defensive tackle and split end. In 1973, Casper earned first-team All-America recognition from United Press International, the American Football Coaches Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, Football Writers Association of America and the Walter Camp Football Foundation, plus secondteam honors from AP. In 2003 the Walter Camp Football Foundation named him its Alumnus of the Year.

Casper began a long run of outstanding Notre Dame tight ends that also has included Irish all-stars Ken MacAfee, Tony Hunter, Mark Bavaro, Derek Brown, Irv Smith, Anthony Fasano, John Carlson and Kyle Rudolph, as well as current Irish tight end Tyler Eifert, a 2011 first-team All-America selection. A second-round pick of the Oakland Raiders in the 1974 NFL Draft (45th overall pick), Casper played 11 seasons professionally with Oakland (1974-80), Houston (198083), Minnesota (1983) and the Los Angeles Raiders (1984). He was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002. An NFL Pro Bowl pick in five consecutive seasons (1976-80), Casper was named to the Sports Illustrated Silver Anniversary Super Bowl Dream Team and to the NFL 1970s All-Decade team. He was a four-time All-Pro pick (1976-79). He helped the Raiders to a victory in Super Bowl XI (32-14 over Minnesota on Jan. 9, 1977, in Pasadena). Casper now joins former Irish standouts Wayne Millner, George Connor, Paul Hornung and Alan Page in an exclusive group as members of both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Casper’s pro career featured 378 receptions for 5,216 yards and 52 TDs. His top seasons included 62 catches (fifth in the NFL) for 852 yards and nine TDs in 1978 and 57 for 771 and three TDs in 1978 (both years with the Raiders). He played in 147 NFL games.

He worked as a color commentator on NFL games for NBC Sports in 1987-88—and he joined the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. Casper received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Notre Dame in 1974 as a cum laude graduate. He was a member of the Omicron Delta Epsilon honor society in economics. Now living in Alamo, Calif., the 60-year-old Casper serves as a financial advisor for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance.

inspiring and transforming culture through sports) Hall of Fame in Lake Forest, Ill.

play over 100 career rounds. During the ’11-’12 campaign, she won her first career tournament, winning the Hoosier Fall Invitational by three strokes at famed Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Ind. During her career, she turned in 12 top-10 finishes and 28 top-25 finishes while 123 of her 129 career rounds (95.3%) counted toward team scoring.

He also is involved with fund-raising projects through several Notre Dame alumni clubs—and he works with the Cristo Rey Network (24 Catholic college prep schools for urban young people with limited educational options).

Huffer became just the third Notre Dame women’s golfer and the third women’s golfer in the BIG EAST to be named all-BIG EAST in all four seasons of competition. A two-time Notre Dame Monogram Club Most Valuable Player (2010, 2012), Huffer served as team captain as a senior and helped the Irish to a second-place team finish at the BIG EAST Championship by turning in a fifth-place finish.

Casper is a member of the Sports Faith International (a Chicagobased initiative dedicated to

Five Honored With BIG EAST Sport Excellence Awards Five Notre Dame student-athletes— Skylar Diggins (women’s basketball), Becca Huffer (women’s golf), Shannon Mathews (women’s tennis), Blas Moros (men’s tennis) and Kevin Randall (men’s lacrosse)—were among the 24 winners of the 2011–12 BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Awards, which recognize academic and athletic achievement as well as community service. The Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Awards are given to one student-athlete in each BIG EAST-sponsored sport based on academic credentials, athletic accolades or performances and volunteer service to the community. Student-athletes who have attained junior academic standing and a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 are eligible. The winners were chosen by the BIG EAST Faculty Athletics Representative Council. The five honorees matched the most ever for Notre Dame and it ranked second among all BIG EAST schools for the 2011–12 academic year.

Skylar Diggins Diggins was a consensus first-team All-America selection and a finalist for every major national player-of-the-year award in 2011–12, taking home the Nancy Lieberman Award as the nation’s top point guard. She also was chosen as the BIG EAST Conference Player of the Year (the third Notre Dame player to be so honored and the first since 2005) and was a unanimous first-team all-conference selection for the second consecutive year. This past season, Diggins became the first Fighting Irish player and just the fourth NCAA Division I player in the past decade (since 2001-02) to register 600 points, 200 assists and 100 steals in a single season. She also was the only BIG EAST player to rank among the top five in the conference in three of the five major statistical categories, leading the BIG EAST in both assists (5.7 apg. – 16th in nation) and steals (2.6 spg. – 55th in nation; school-record 102 steals overall), while placing fourth in scoring (16.8 ppg. – 70th in nation) and adding a conference-best 2.16 assist-turnover ratio (10th in nation) for

good measure. What’s more, Diggins wrapped up this past year’s BIG EAST regular season statistical titles in assists (5.8 apg.), steals (2.6 spg.), and assist-turnover ratio (2.3). Off the court, she has been a leader in the community through her involvement with the Notre Dame women’s basketball program’s unique “Heart of the Irish” service initiative that raised more than $300,000 in donations for various charities in the South Bend area. A management-entrepreneurship major in Notre Dame’s top-ranked Mendoza College of Business, Diggins also earned a citation of merit from Notre Dame’s Rosenthal Leadership Academy during the 2011–12 academic year, and has been named to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team the past three years.

Selected to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team in four consecutive seasons, the Denver, Colo., native finished her Notre Dame career with a 3.54 grade-point average in industrial design. She was the winner of the Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley’s Rockne Student-Athlete Award in 2012. In her major, she won the prestigious Radwan and Allan Riley Prize for her design thesis. She was one of five team members that helped the Notre Dame women’s golf team turn in three consecutive record-setting team grade-point averages over the last

three semesters. The women’s golf team combined for a 3.776 GPA in the spring of ’12. Off the course, Huffer was involved in the women’s golf team’s community service efforts throughout her career. During her Irish career, she participated in Notre Dame’s Dream Teams Program, working as a mentor to local elementary school children at Warren, Lincoln and McKinley Primary Schools since her freshman year. Huffer, along with her teammates, visited the Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa, Ariz., while the Irish hosted the Clover Cup Tournament in March.

to the all-BIG EAST team and 2011 BIG EAST Championship Most Outstanding Player, Mathews’ 202 combined singles and doubles victories places her 10th on the all-time list. Off the court, Mathews has been tabbed an ITA Scholar-Athlete on three occasions and a BIG EAST All-Academic Team member four times. She graduated from the Mendoza College of Business with a degree in finance and computer applications while carrying a 3.483 cumulative GPA. Mathews also took part in the Notre Dame Pediatric Christmas Party during her junior and senior years and assisted with the Special Olympics in 2010.

Shannon Mathews

Blas Moros

Mathews became the 15th All-American in program history this season after qualifying for the NCAA Doubles Championship as a No. 5-8 seed along with partner Kristy Frilling. The 2012 BIG EAST Player of the Year, Mathews finished the season with a 21-10 record in singles with five victories over ranked opponents and 31-10 in doubles with 12 wins over ranked foes, while climbing to career-high rankings of 32nd in the ITA singles poll and first in doubles.

Moros posted a 26-12 record in 2012, including a 20-6 mark in dual matches. He helped the Fighting Irish to a third-place finish at the 2012 BIG EAST Championship and a second-round appearance in the NCAA Championship.

For her career, Mathews ranks 18th in singles victories with 94 and eighth in doubles victories with 108. A four-time selection

Moros also has excelled in the classroom as he boasts a 3.521 cumulative GPA. He is part of Notre Dame’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the Rosenthal Leadership Academy. Among his community service projects, Moros has participated in the Notre Dame

Becca Huffer Huffer closed out her Notre Dame women’s golf career by leading the Irish to their fifthstraight appearance in the NCAA Central Regionals in May. She led the team with a 75.34 stroke average this past season and closed her career with a 75.19 career mark, the lowest average for any Irish golfer to

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Skylar Diggins Women’s Basketball  Junior, Guard South Bend, Ind./ Washington H.S. athletics annual report

Becca Huffer Women’s Golf  Senior Denver, Colo./ Littleton H.S. 2011–12

Shannon Mathews Women’s Tennis  Senior Birmingham, Mich./ Cranbrook-Kingswood H.S.

Blas Moros Men’s Tennis  Junior Boca Raton, Fla./ Pine Crest H.S.

Kevin Randall Men’s Lacrosse  Senior, Defenseman Penfield, N.Y./ Penfield H.S.

Pediatric Christmas Party for pediatric patients in the South Bend area and the Michiana Walk for Down Syndrome. He also volunteered his time on multiple occasions to speak at a local elementary school on various topics, including goal setting, overcoming adversity, getting out of your comfort zone and other character development and life skills. Moros has taken part in numerous tennis clinics for the local community.

Kevin Randall Randall copped first-team All-America honors from the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) in 2012 along with being named to the USILA Scholar All-America Team. He was selected as the 2012 BIG EAST Defenseman of the Year in

addition to earning unanimous first-team all-league accolades. He was a key reason why the Notre Dame defense finished the season ranked first nationally by allowing just 6.31 goals per game. The Fighting Irish also boasted the nation’s top man-down defense (.892). Notre Dame was a national semifinalist and concluded the campaign with a 13-3 record and ranked third in the final Nike/ Inside Lacrosse media poll. The Charlotte Hounds selected Randall during January’s Major League Lacrosse Draft. Randall, an Irish team captain, graduated in May 2012 with a degree in civil engineering from Notre Dame’s College of Engineering. He finished with a final cumulative GPA of 3.561. Randall was a finalist for the 2012

Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award as he excelled not only on the field, but also in the classroom and community. Randall copped multiple selections to the BIG EAST Academic All-Star Team and he and the rest of his Fighting Irish teammates were involved with numerous community service projects in the South Bend/Notre Dame area. Randall participated in Notre Dame’s Playing for Peace rally, which was held to help promote awareness for lasting peace in Sudan. He mentored local youths weekly while participating in the Irish Experience League and at St. Augustine’s Parish in South Bend. He also worked mentoring students at Jefferson Intermediate School in South Bend.

A BIG EAST First Tim Abromaitis became the first-ever three-time recipient of the American Eagle BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete of the Year award in March. Despite having suffered a season-ending ACL injury in late November 2011, Abromaitis made history in receiving one of the league’s most prestigious awards for a third time. The two-time Irish caption distinguished himself on the basketball court and in the classroom like few players in the

107-year history of the men’s basketball program at Notre Dame. A three-time Dean’s List honoree, Abromaitis earned his undergraduate degree in finance with a 3.73 grade-point average in May 2010 from the Mendoza College of Business. He completed the degree in just three years, and then earned an MBA in a one-year intensified program. He graduated from that program in May 2011 with a 3.617 GPA. A two-time first-team Capital One Academic All-America selection in ’10 and ’11, Abromaitis also was the recipient of the BIG EAST

Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award for men’s basketball in both 2010 and 2011. Abromaitis became the third player in BIG EAST history in ’11 to win the men’s basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year in back-to-back years. Connecticut’s Emeka Okafor was a two-time recipient in both 2003 and 2004, while Seton Hall’s Arturas Karnishovas was the honoree in both 1993 and 1994. Abromaitis was a third-team all-BIG EAST selection in ’11 and earned a spot on the honorable mention team in ’10. He was an all-BIG EAST first-team pick in the preseason this past fall. A member of the 2011 USA Men’s World University Basketball Team in August ’11, Abromaitis is one of 52 players in Notre Dame history to reach the 1,000point plateau. In 83 career outings that included 62 starts, he scored 1,137 career points for a 13.7 scoring average.

Simply the Best … Distance Medley Relay Team Wins NCAA Title The Irish men’s distance medley relay team of Johnathan Shawel, Chris Giesting, Randall Babb and Jeremy Rae etched their names in Notre Dame track and field history at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Nampa, Idaho, in March, as the foursome brought home the school’s first-ever indoor relay title. The team captured the title by holding off second-place Indiana by just .19 seconds and finished with a time of 9:35.48. The DMR team joined Rick Wohlhuter (600 yards) in 1970 and Tom McMannon (55m hurdles) in 1972 as the only Irish track and field student-athletes to win indoor national titles. The late Ryan Shay (10,000m) in 2001 was the last Notre Dame track and field student-athlete to win an NCAA title at the outdoor championships.

athletics annual report

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athletics annual report

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Nobody Leaves Notre Dame No. 1 Notre Dame 67, Syracuse 58 Jan. 21, 2012 Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center

Twenty-five years had elapsed since Notre Dame had beaten a No. 1-ranked team, but on Jan. 21, 2012, Syracuse became the seventh victim to fall at Purcell Pavilion. Mike Brey’s youthful Irish squad rekindled the magic when it handed the Orange its first loss of the season after starting 20-0 before a sellout crowd of 9,149. The live ESPN telecast was the third-most viewed sports cable rating for the week of Jan. 16-22.

athletics annual report

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athletics annual report

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Skylar Diggins Earns Nation’s Top Point Guard Honor

Striking Out Cancer Notre Dame softball head coach Deanna Gumpf and her 6-year old daughter, Tatum, presented a check for $25,355.62 to the

Capping off a sensational junior season, All-America guard Skylar Diggins received the 2012 Nancy Lieberman Award during a luncheon at the Detroit Athletic Club. The award is presented annually to the nation’s top NCAA Division I point guard by the Rotary Club of Detroit, with Diggins being the first Notre Dame player chosen for the honor that debuted in 2000.

Notre Dame held the nation’s previous record by raising $12,046 in 2011 and shattered that mark by more than double in ’12.

Sportswriters from across the country selected Diggins from a group of eight final nominees, with the award presented to the player who best exhibits the traits of floor leadership, play-making and ball-handling skills that personified Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman during her legendary playing career. Lieberman, a 1996 inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, was on hand to present her namesake award to Diggins.

Tatum was diagnosed with leukemia in the summer of 2010 and is now on her way to a full recovery. Tatum continues to make regular visits to Memorial Hospital for treatments and checkups.

Beasts of BIG EAST Golf her peers. The Elite 89 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s championships. Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above who have participated in their sport for at least two years with their schools. They must be an active member of the team, traveling and competing at the championship.

Tyler Brenneman Wins Elite 89 Award Irish men’s lacrosse midfielder Tyler Brenneman was honored as the recipient of the Elite 89 award for the 2012 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship.

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program at Memorial’s Children Hospital in South Bend in June 2012. The donation was made possible through Notre Dame’s efforts during this past season’s NFCA StrikeOut Cancer initiative, as the Irish raised more money than any other school in the nation for the second straight year.

An award founded by the NCAA, the Elite 89 recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or

Brenneman, a sophomore economics and political science major, has a 3.782 GPA. He played in 11 games in 2012, totaling three points on one goal and two assists. Brenneman became the first Notre Dame men’s lacrosse player to win the award and the second Irish athlete overall (women’s tennis player Colleen Rielley was the recipient of the honor in 2010).

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Senior Max Scodro and freshman Ashley Armstrong took home medalist honors at their respective BIG EAST golf championships in the spring at the Reunion Resort in Orlando, Fla., in the spring 2012. Scodro helped his Irish team to a 16-stroke victory as Notre Dame claimed the men’s team crown for the second straight year and eighth time in program history. The Chicago, Ill., native, who won the BIG EAST individual crown in 2011, shot a six-under par 210 for the three rounds. He made history by becoming the first Irish golfer to win multiple conference crowns and the first BIG EAST golfer to win back-to-back crowns since 1984.

The Irish played host to Syracuse in April during their StrikeOut Cancer weekend, donning orange-clad uniforms and accessories auctioned off after the game. Syracuse sported all-orange attire and auctioned off its uniforms while donating the money toward Notre Dame’s efforts. The program held a trivia night at Juday Creek Golf Course in Granger, Ind., on the eve of its StrikeOut Cancer weekend and netted nearly $14,000 at the event. The Irish also auctioned off football tickets and a variety of Notre Dame memorabilia to help the cause.

total, but won the crown on the third hole of the sudden-death playoff. Armstrong had a share of the tournament lead throughout all three rounds and became the fifth Irish women’s golfer to win or share BIG EAST medalist honors.

In her rookie season, Armstrong won her BIG EAST title in a three-hole playoff. At the end of the 54-hole tournament, she was tied for first following a seven-over par 223

athletics annual report

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Irish at the Open Three golfers with ties to the Notre Dame women’s golf program—graduate Becca Huffer (’12), sophomore Ashley Armstong (’15) and incoming freshman Lindsey Weaver (’16) made their first-ever appearances at the U.S. Women’s Open at the Blackwolf Run Course in Kohler, Wis., in July. Weaver was the top finisher among Irish golfers as she tied for 131st in the field of 156 golfers with a 16-over par total of 160. After firing a seven-over par 79 in the opening round, Weaver shot a nine-over mark of 81 on the second day. Huffer was second among the Notre Dame contingent as she tied for 133rd with a 17-over par 161. The Denver, Colo., native

who turned pro in May after her collegiate career ended followed an opening-round 79 with a 10-over par 82 to close out her first appearance in the Open.

prior Olympic Games (15 summer, one winter) that featured competitors with Fighting Irish ties, beginning with the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. As an added note, female athletes have been responsible for earning each of Notre Dame’s 14 Olympic medals since 2000.

Armstrong, the 2012 BIG EAST rookie of the year, finished one stroke behind Huffer with an 18-over par 162 and tied for 142nd overall. She opened her first U.S. Open with an eight-over par 80 on the first day and then followed it up with a 10-over par 82 on the second day of competition.

Here’s a sport-by-sport recap of each Fighting Irish athlete’s performance at the 2012 London Olympics: WOMEN’S SOCCER

Boxx started and played all 90 minutes as the United States won its third consecutive Olympic gold medal (and fourth in five tries) with a 2-1 victory over Japan before a record crowd of 80,203 at Wembley Stadium in London. The former Notre Dame standout was making just her second appearance of these Olympics after being sidelined with a hamstring injury 17 minutes into the Americans’ opener against France (a 4-2 win), but Boxx showed few lingering effects from her injury, providing a calm and veteran presence at the critical holding midfield position for the United States, while allowing her midfield partner Carli Lloyd to push forward into an attacking role, leading to Lloyd’s decisive two goals for the Americans.

// From left to right: Becca Huffer, Lindsey Weaver and Ashley Armstrong

Notre Dame Well Represented at XXX Olympiad in London When the flame was extinguished at the Closing Ceremony for the Games of the XXX Olympiad at the Olympic Stadium in London, England, it capped off an unprecedented run of success by Notre Dame athletes in Olympic competition. A recordsetting 11 Fighting Irish athletes participated in the 2012 Summer Olympics, taking home a record-setting five medals (one gold, four bronze), which put Notre Dame in a tie for 14th place among all colleges that fielded athletes at the London Games. Three of this year’s Fighting Irish Olympic medals came in women’s soccer, with American Shannon Boxx (’99) becoming the first Notre Dame athlete to earn three Olympic gold medals, while Canadians Candace Chapman (’05) and Melissa Tancredi (’04) led their country to the bronze medal, Canada’s first medal of any kind in a traditional team sport since 1936 (silver medal in men’s basketball).

In addition, senior fencer Courtney Hurley and alum Kelley Hurley (’10) contributed to the record-setting Notre Dame medal count in London, each earning a bronze for the U.S. in the women’s team epee competition. It was the first time the United States had ever won a medal in that event, and the first time an American team of either

gender won a team epee medal since 1932, when the U.S. men took bronze. Notre Dame athletes have earned 14 medals (including eight golds) in the past six Olympiads (four summer, two winter) dating back to 2000, after collecting 11 medals (two golds) combined in 16

athletics annual report

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The victory not only avenged the U.S. penalty-kick shootout loss to Japan in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup final, but it also elevated Boxx into uncharted territory in Notre Dame athletics history, as the first Fighting Irish athlete ever to earn three Olympic gold medals (she also was a member of the victorious American squads in 2004 and 2008). What’s more, Boxx’s three Olympic medals are tied for the second-most by a Notre Dame athlete with her former U.S. and Fighting Irish teammate Kate (Sobrero) Markgraf (‘98) and fencer Mariel Zagunis, behind only legendary track and field athlete/coach Alex Wilson (’32), who earned four medals in two Olympiads for his native Canada

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(bronze in 4x400-meter relay in both 1928 and 1932, as well as silver in the 800 meters and bronze in the 400 meters in 1932). Meanwhile, Canada completed one of the most remarkable one-year turnarounds in international women’s soccer history, getting a goal in second-half injury time to defeat France, 1-0 in the bronze medal match at City of Coventry Stadium in Coventry, England. Led by four goals from Tancredi and veteran leadership from Chapman, the Canadians, who went winless in three outings at last year’s World Cup, not only posted their best-ever finish in an international tournament (topping their fourth-place showing at the 2003 World Cup), but they also earned Canada’s first Olympic medal in a traditional team sport (other than rowing or equestrian) since 1936, when the Canadian men’s basketball team took the silver medal at the Berlin Olympics. Tancredi started all six matches for Canada, playing into the 77th minute of the bronze-medal match before departing. Chapman came on as a substitute in the 84th minute against France, making her first appearance since suffering a calf injury late in Canada’s opener against Japan (a 2-1 loss). The Notre Dame duo comprises two of the cornerstone members of the Canadian Women’s National Team, with Chapman being one of six players in the nation’s history with at least 100 caps (the bronze medal match was her 114th international appearance, a count that includes 103 career starts), while Tancredi garnered her 88th cap and made her 72nd international start in that contest. Tancredi also finished among the Olympic tournament scoring leaders with her four goals (including both scores in a 2-2 draw against Sweden in the group-stage finale that clinched a medal-round berth for her nation), two behind her Canadian teammate, Christine Sinclair in the race for the adidas Golden

Boot. Tancredi also had two assists in the tournament, both coming to Sinclair as part of the latter’s hat trick in a memorable 4-3 loss to the United States in the Olympic semifinals, a match decided on a U.S. goal with seconds remaining in the second half of extra time. WOMEN’S FENCING

Courtney Hurley was the hero for the United States in its women’s team epee bronze-medal match against Russia (the world’s second-ranked team), scoring the winning touch 16 seconds into overtime against Anna Sivkova, as the U.S. earned its first medal of any kind (team or individual) in women’s epee, and the first U.S. team epee medal by either gender since the American men earned the bronze at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics (the women’s team epee event debuted at the 1996 Atlanta Games). The bronze medal came the hard way for the United States, which defeated the world’s fourth-ranked team, Italy in the quarterfinals, 45-35, and then had to bounce back following a tough 45-36 loss to South Korea in the semifinals. Courtney Hurley, a three-time All-American and the 2011 NCAA individual champion during her Notre Dame career to date, competed in all three U.S. team matches on Saturday, August 4, 2012, posting a combined 4-4-1 record (45-39 aggregate scoring total), including a stunning 8-3 win over Italy’s Bianca Del Carretto that turned the quarterfinal squarely in the Americans’ favor. Meanwhile, Kelley Hurley was named a replacement fencer for the bronze-medal match against Russia, despite not having competed during the entire Olympics to that point. Nevertheless, the threetime Notre Dame All-American and 2008 NCAA individual champion held her own with a medal at stake, going 1-2 (9-10 aggregate scoring total), including

a critical 4-1 victory over Sivkova in the fifth of the nine-bout match. Courtney Hurley followed that win with a 4-2 victory over Lyubov Shutova, and the Hurleys’ combined 8-3 run over the two bouts highlighted the United States rally after the Americans trailed 15-11 through the first four bouts. Courtney Hurley also participated in the women’s individual epee competition, but was eliminated in the round of 32 by Laura Flessel-Colovic of France, 15-12. The current top-ranked American epeeist, Hurley opened an early 5-3 lead against Flessel-Colovic, but the Frenchwoman answered with four of the next six touches to tie the bout at 7-7 at the end of the first

period. Hurley then erased a two-touch deficit in the second period to square the contest at 11-all. However, FlesselColovic closed the bout on a 4-1 run to eliminate Hurley. Freshman foilist Lee Kiefer (Lexington, Ky./Dunbar), the youngest U.S. fencer at this year’s Olympics at age 18, also saw action in both team and individual events, beginning with her quarterfinal showing in women’s individual foil. After receiving an opening-round bye, Kiefer defeated Canada’s Monica Peterson, 15-10 in the round of 32. She then trailed South Korea’s Gil Ok Jung, 11-8 in period three of her round-of-16 match before reeling off four consecutive touches and seven of the final nine touches in the bout to earn the 15-13 victory. Kiefer’s run through the tournament came to an end in the quarterfinals against Italy’s Arianna Errigo (the eventual silver medalist), who took a quick 9-4 lead on the Fighting Irish rookie. Kiefer battled back with four of the next five touches to pull within two (10-8) late in the first period. However, Errigo claimed five of the final seven touches for a 15-10 victory. Kiefer then took part in the women’s team foil competition, helping the United // Former Irish All-American and two-time Olympic gold medalist Mariel Zagunis was the flag-bearer for the United States at the Opening Ceremonies.

// On the left: Veteran Olympian Shannon Boxx (’99) became the first Notre Dame athlete to win three gold medals.

States finish in sixth place. Kiefer posted a combined 3-5-1 (36-35 aggregate scoring total) in the Americans’ three matches during the competition.

eight rebounds) in a 64-60 loss to Group B winner (and eventual silver medalist) France, and 11 points in a 79-73 win over the world’s sixth-ranked team, Brazil, during the preliminary round, a victory that clinched Canada’s quarterfinal berth (its first since a fourth-place finish at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics) and was that country’s first-ever win against its South American rival.

The Americans lost their quarterfinal match to South Korea, 45-31, with Kiefer going 0-3 against Gil Ok Jung (4-1), Hee Sook Jeon (7-1) and Hyun Hee Nam (6-4). The United States then bounced back in its first classification match, defeating Japan, 44-22, behind a 2-1 performance by Kiefer—she shut out Chieko Sugawara (5-0) and Kanae Ikehata (6-0) and dropped a close 6-4 decision to Kyomi Hirata. In the fifth/sixth-place match, the Americans lost to Poland, 45-39, with Kiefer posting a 1-1-1 record in that match, defeating Karolina Chlewinska (7-2) and tying Sylvia Gruchala (5-5), while falling to Martyna Synoradzka (5-3). Two-time defending Olympic gold medalwinning sabreist Mariel Zagunis, the American flag-bearer for the Opening Ceremony, finished in fourth place at this year’s individual sabre event. The Beaverton, Ore., native rolled to the semifinals with wins over Dian Permatasari of Indonesia (15-7), Seira Nakayama of Japan (15-9) and Min Zhu of China (15-6), and appeared poised to return to the gold-medal bout, leading her semifinal contest with South Korea’s Jiyeon Kim, 8-2 after the first period and 12-6 midway through the second. However, Kim rallied and scored nine of the final 10 points to upset Zagunis, 15-13, dropping the American into the bronze-medal contest. Zagunis had only one hour to regroup before competing for the bronze against Olga Kharlan of the Ukraine. Again, Zagunis took an early lead, going ahead 4-1, but Kharlan came back to tie the score before Zagunis regained a 9-7 advantage. Kharlan then had the final response; scoring eight of the last nine points to claim a 15-10 win.

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WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD

medal match against Germany. Much like the semifinal against Italy, the U.S. ran into MEN’S FENCING

After having originally qualified as a replacement fencer for the United States men’s foil team, Notre Dame senior Gerek Meinhardt was added to the lineup for the Olympic competition, helping the Americans to a fourth-place finish. It tied the best placement by the U.S. in the men’s team foil event since 1932, when the Americans earned the most recent of their three team medals in that competition, a bronze in Los Angeles. A two-time first-team All-American and the 2010 NCAA individual foil champion since coming to Notre Dame in 2009, Meinhardt did not need much time to make his mark for the United States—in his second quarterfinal bout (and the Americans’ seventh of nine) against France’s Victor Sintes (a bronze medalist at the 2011 World Championships), Meinhardt registered a stunning 11-1 victory, as the Americans rallied from a six-touch deficit over the final three bouts to defeat France, 45-39. The United States then met the world’s top-ranked team, Italy, in the semifinals and came up on the short end of a 45-24 decision, sending the Americans in a bronzeathletics annual report

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trouble early and could not manage to claw its way back, falling to the Germans, 45-27. Meinhardt finished with a 2-6 record (25-37 aggregate scoring total) for his eight bouts, having coming on as the replacement fencer midway through the quarterfinal against France. WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Notre Dame junior forward Natalie Achonwa helped Canada reach the Olympic quarterfinals for the first time in 28 years before her team bowed out of the tournament to the eventual gold medalist United States, 91-48. Achonwa, the second-youngest women’s basketball player at this year’s Olympics at age 19, came off the bench in all six games for Canada, averaging 7.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. She also ranked among the top four on the Canadian roster in rebounds (second), assists (third), steals (third - 0.8 spg.), field-goal percentage (third - .385) and points (fourth). What’s more, Achonwa posted two double-figure scoring efforts during the tournament—14 points (and a game-high

Former 10-time Notre Dame All-America distance runner Molly Huddle (‘06) placed 11th in the 5,000-meter final in 15:20.29. Competing in her first Olympic Games, Huddle (the American record holder at the distance in 14:44.75) looked to challenge the best finish ever by a U.S. runner in the event (ninth by Lynn Jennings in 1996 and Kara Goucher in 2008), qualifying for the final with a season-best 15:02.25 in the preliminaries. However, the Olympic 5,000meter final was run at a much slower and more tactical pace, with the 15-person field bunched tightly until the final three laps of the 12.5-lap race. Ironically, Huddle’s time in her qualifying heat would have won the final by a full two seconds, with Ethiopia’s Meseret Defar winning the gold in 15:04.25. MEN’S TRACK & FIELD

Representing Nigeria for the second consecutive Olympiad, former Notre Dame hurdler Selim Nurudeen (‘05) advanced to the semifinals in the 110-meter high hurdles, successfully building upon his performance at the 2008 Beijing Games, when he reached the quarterfinals. A 15-time all-BIG EAST Conference and twotime All-America pick at Notre Dame, Nurudeen ran a personal-best 13.51 to finish second in his preliminary heat and move on in the competition. He nearly duplicated his personal-best time in the semifinals, covering the course in 13.55 seconds to finish fifth in his semifinal heat, but not high enough to advance to the final. 25

noteworthy Women’s Basketball • Beth (Morgan) Cunningham, Notre Dame’s career scoring leader in women’s basketball with 2,322 points, was named associate women’s basketball coach. Cunningham (’97) spent the last 11 years as head coach at Virginia Commonwealth University. She led the Irish to the program’s first-ever NCAA Final Four appearance in 1997. • Point guard Skylar Diggins was selected to the USA Basketball 3x3 National Team that competed Aug. 23-26 at the inaugural FIBA 3x3 World Championships in Athens, Greece. It marked the fourth time in the last five years that the Irish standout suited up for a USA Basketball team in international competition. • Incoming freshman guard Michaela Mabrey was named to the 12-player USA Women’s U18 National Team that represented the United States at the eightteam FIBA Americas U18 Championship in Gurabo, Puerto Rico, Aug. 15-19.

Men’s Cross Country • Freshman Jake Kildoo finished fifth in 25:05.8 in the junior men’s 8K race at the USA Cross Country Championships in St. Louis, Mo., in February, and qualified for a spot on Team USA at the North America, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Cross Country Championships in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in March. Kildoo went on

to finish ninth at the international meet and helped USA to the team title.

Women’s Cross Country • Incoming freshman Mollie Seidel, a four-time Wisconsin first-team all-state honoree, was named the 2011–12 Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year. Seidel went undefeated as a senior en route to winning her fourth consecutive Division 3 individual state crown and the National Foot Locker Cross Country Championship.

Football • Head coach Brian Kelly gave the commencement address at Assumption College, his alma mater, on May 14 before the school’s 653 graduates. In addition, the Irish coach established a $250,000 endowment for football players at the NCAA Division II school. • Four Irish football players— Patrick Coughlan (running back), Sean Cw ynar (defensive tackle), Matthew Mulvey (quarterback) and David Ruffer (kicker) were named to the 2012 Hampshire Honor Society. Recognized by the National Football Foundations, the NFF Hampshire Honor Society is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who each maintained a cumulative 3.2 grade-point average or better throughout their college careers. Members must have been starters or significant substitutes in their last year

Women’s Lacrosse • Former Irish All-American Jill Byers (’09) was named assistant women’s lacrosse coach in late June. Notre Dame’s all-time career scoring leaders, she also is currently a member of the U.S. Women’s National Lacrosse Team.

Rowing

of athletic eligibility and must have met all NCAA-mandated progress toward degree requirements and graduation. • Former Irish head coach Lou Holtz was one of the inductees into the AT&T Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame on April 20 in Arlington, Texas.

Hockey • Rising sophomore Robbie Russo and incoming freshmen Thomas DePauli, Steven Fogart y and Mario Lucia were among a group of 46 players that were invited to attend the 2012 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp that was held in Lake Placid, N.Y., from August 4-11. All participants are candidates for the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship that will be held in Ufa, Russia, from Dec. 26, 2012, to Jan. 5, 2013. • Sophomores Stephen Johns and T.J. T ynan were named to the 22-man USA roster for the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championships that took place in Calgary and Edmonton, Canada, from Dec. 26, 2011, to Jan. 5, 2012.

Men’s Lacrosse • Incoming freshman Matt K avanaugh was named MVP of the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Under-19 World Championships as he helped Team USA to the tournament crown.

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• First-team All-American Molly Bruggerman was chosen to the U-23 U.S. Team that rowed in the World Championships in Trakai, Lithuania, July 11-15.

Men’s Soccer • Two-time Irish men’s soccer captain Greg Dalby returned to campus in March when he was named assistant men’s soccer coach. A 2007 graduate and two-time All-American, Dalby spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach at Davidson College.

Men’s Swimming

individual medley in 2:15.51. The other participants in the meet included Bridget Casey, Kim Holden, Christen McDonough, Amy Prestinario, and Lauren Stauder.

Men’s Tennis

• All-American Fr ank Dyer was one of 12 Irish men’s swimmers to compete at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha, Neb. Dyer recorded the highest finish in any event for a Notre Dame swimmer as he finished 13th in the 400meter freestyle with a time 3:52.74. The other men’s swimmers who competed at the trials were Bill Bass, Colin Babcock, Brennan Jacobson, Christopher Johnson, James McEldrew, Cameron Miller, Wesley Mullins, Patrick Olson, Zachary Stephens, Mason Weber and John Williamson.

• Longtime Irish men’s tennis coach Bobby Bayliss received special recognition in his hometown of Richmond, Va., in May as he was honored by The Pride of RPS: Living Legacies program. The program, which was established by the Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation to recognize and applaud alumni of Richmond Public Schools who exemplify the criteria of leading extraordinary, honorable lives as inspirational leaders. Bayliss was among eight individuals honored in 2012.

Women’s Swimming

Women’s Tennis

• Irish All-Americans Emma Reaney and Kelly Ryan led a delegation of seven women’s swimmers at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha, Neb. Reaney earned the best finish for a Notre Dame swimmer as she placed 13th in the semifinals of the 200

• Kelcy Tefft (’09), a two-time All-American and Notre Dame’s career leader in combined singles and doubles wins with 265, was reunited with head coach Jay Louderback when she was named assistant coach in August 2011.

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Track and Field • Freshmen K alia Barber and Jake Kildoo as well as incoming freshman Dani Ar agon competed in Barcelona, Spain, at the IAAF World Junior Championships, July 10-15. Barber earned a bronze medal in the 400meter hurdles. • Six members of the Notre Dame track and field team participated in the 2012 USA Junior Outdoor Championships in June— Jade Barber (100-meter hurdles), K alie Barber (400-meter hurdles), Jack Kildoo (10,000 meters), Keith Mesidor (long jump), Emily Morris (shot put) and Dominick Padovano

(discus).

Volleyball • Sophomore Maggie Brindock was one of 48 student-athletes selected by USA Volleyball to participate in the U.S. Women’s National A2 National Team Program in June.

academics

Irish Athletes Dominate NCAA Graduation Ratings

Student-athletes at the University of Notre Dame embody the best traits of what collegiate athletics represent. On the field and in the classroom, they exhibit the tenacity to overcome personal and team challenges, the leadership to motivate and inspire and the stewardship to share their talents and skills with others. Notre Dame’s commitment to integrity and national excellence requires the University’s student-athletes to welcome the demanding responsibilities that come with being Irish student-athletes, and they continue to be the national standard-bearer on a variety of levels.

For the third year in a row Notre Dame leads the nation in all five Graduation Success Rate categories—for all studentathletes (at 99), male student-athletes (98), female student-athletes (100), black student-athletes (98) and football studentathletes (97, up one point from 2010). Notre Dame also ranked first in several categories measured by the Department of Education, whose formula differs slightly from that of the NCAA. Under the federal government’s measurements, which count all student-athletes who transfer from or leave an institution for any reason as non-graduates, Notre Dame graduated a four-year average of 91 percent of its student-athletes, just ahead of Stanford at 90. Notre Dame graduated 96 percent of all women competing in varsity athletics,

to rank first among its peer institutions based on the federal calculations (ahead of Stanford and Rice at 94). Among men, Notre Dame’s 87 percent federal rate also was first, ahead of Stanford and Northwestern at 86. Notre Dame graduated 85 percent of its black student-athletes, ranking tied for second nationally (behind

Rice) based on the federal rate, and Irish football players graduated at an 83 percent rate, to rank fifth. Notre Dame’s institutional research ranked Irish student-athletes number one in eight of 10 major categories of the two studies, ranking second in one and fifth in the other.

Federal Rate & Graduation Success Rate (GSR) Trends NCAA Grad Rates 2006 ® 2011 Category

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

All SAs

Fed.

2nd at 89

3rd at 89

2nd at 89

2nd at 90

1st at 91

GSR

2nd at 98

1st at 98

1st at 99

Fed.

1st at 87

3rd at 85

2nd at 87

1st at 88

1st at 87

GSR

2nd at 97

1st at 98

Fed.

2nd at 94

1st at 94

1st at 93

1st at 94

1st at 97

1st at 96

GSR

2nd at 99

1st at 100

Fed.

6th at 84

8th at 75

1st at 84

1st at 85

2nd at 86

2nd at 85

GSR

3rd at 95

4th at 91

2nd at 96

1st at 97

1st at 98

Fed.

6th at 84

6th at 79

4th at 85

3rd at 85

4th at 85

5th at 83

GSR

3rd at 95

3rd at 93

2nd at 94

1st at 96

1st at 97

Male SAs Female SAs Black SAs Football SAs

§The Graduation Rate “Rank” compares Notre Dame’s rate to the rates of other NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision institutions.

Individual Notre Dame Sports Lead the Way in 2011 Graduation Rates Nineteen of the University of Notre Dame’s men’s and women’s athletic programs posted Graduation Success Rate numbers that ranked them best in the nation within their sports (including 18 perfect 100 scores)— and 11 produced federal graduation rates that led all NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) institutions (including nine perfect 100 scores), according to institutional research based on 2011 graduation-rate figures released by the NCAA. GSR statistics for Irish women’s sports featured all 11 perfect 100 scores—in basketball, cross country/track, crew/rowing, fencing, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis and volleyball. GSR statistics for Irish men’s sports featured seven perfect 100 scores—in baseball, basketball, cross country/track, fencing, golf, soccer and swimming—plus a 97 in football that ranked number one, 95 in both hockey and lacrosse and a 93 in tennis. All 11 Irish women’s programs had GSR rates ranking them first within their sports among the NCAA FBS subset of 120 schools. Eight Irish men’s programs had GSR rates ranking them first within their sports, while one program finished second and another tied for third:

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athletics annual report

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Women’s

Women’s swimming at 100 tied for first with 21 other schools.

Women’s basketball at 100 tied for first with 32 other schools.

Women’s cross country/ track and field at 100 tied for first with 16 other schools.

Women’s tennis at 100 finished tied for first with 70 other schools. Women’s volleyball at 100 ranked tied for first with 45 other schools.

Women’s crew/rowing at 100 tied for first with Boston College, North Carolina, USC, Stanford and Syracuse.

Women’s fencing at 100 tied for first with Boston College, Duke, North Carolina and Northwestern.

Women’s golf at 100 tied for first with 56 other schools.

Women’s lacrosse at 100 tied for first with 11 other schools.

Women’s soccer at 100 tied for first with 21 other schools.

Women’s softball at 100 tied for first with 27 other schools.

Men’s Baseball at 100 tied for first with Boston College, Stanford, the U.S. Air Force Academy and Wake Forest. Men’s basketball at 100 tied for first with BYU, Duke, Illinois, Marshall, Utah State, Wake Forest and Western Kentucky.

Men’s cross country/track and field at 100 tied for first—with New Mexico State, Rice, Rutgers, Stanford and Virginia Tech.

Men’s fencing at 100 tied for first with Boston College, North Carolina and Stanford.

Men’s golf at 100 tied for first with 36 other schools. Men’s soccer at 100 tied for first with Connecticut, Marshall, Northwestern and Wake Forest. Men’s swimming at 100 tied for first with nine other schools.

Men’s hockey at 95 ranked second—behind the U.S. Air Force Academy at 97.

17 Irish Teams Receive 2011 Academic Progress Rate Awards from the NCAA

Men’s lacrosse at 95 stood third

The University of Notre Dame ranked number one once again among all 120 Football Bowl Subdivision institutions with 17 of its athletics programs receiving 2012 Academic Progress Rate public recognition awards, honoring Division I sports teams for their latest multi-year APR scores. These 17 Irish teams posted multi-year APR scores in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports. The public recognition honors are part of the broad Division I academic reform effort. These awards are based on the recent APR numbers that represent the combination of scores from the 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 academic years.

(tied with North Carolina), behind Duke and the U.S. Naval Academy (both at 96).

Football at 97 finished first— ahead of Northwestern (94) and Boston College, Duke and Rice (all at 93).

Six Irish women’s programs had perfect 100 federal rates ranking them first within their sports among the NCAA FBS subset, while one program finished third and another tied for third. Five Irish men’s programs had federal rates ranking them first within their sports (three with perfect 100 scores) among the NCAA FBS subset, while one program finished second, another fourth and two finished in fifth place. The federal figures showed that—among Notre Dame’s women’s sports—cross country/track, crew/rowing, golf, lacrosse, tennis and volleyball achieved 100 percent scores. Women’s swimming scored 96 and women’s softball 93 among other Irish raw federal scores. Among Notre Dame’s men’s sports—cross country/track, fencing, and golf achieved 100 percent federal scores. Swimming scored 95, hockey 91 and lacrosse 90 among other Irish men’s raw federal scores: Men’s fencing at 100 tied for first

Women’s cross country/track and field at 100 ranked tied for

with Stanford.

first—with Boston College, Oregon State and Rice.

Men’s golf at 100 ranked tied for

Women’s crew/rowing at 100 finished first ahead of Syracuse (95), North Carolina (94), Oregon State (93) and Stanford (92).

Women’s golf at 100 tied for

followed by Boston College (71), Michigan (68) and Western Michigan (65).

Women’s tennis at 100 tied for first with 15 other schools. Women’s volleyball at 100 tied for first with Arkansas, Boston College, Bowling Green, Hawaii, Iowa State, Stanford and Western Kentucky.

Men’s cross country/track and field at 100 ranked tied for first—with Duke, Idaho, New Mexico State, SMU and Virginia Tech.

Men’s swimming at 95 stood second behind Miami (Fla.) at 100.

Women’s swimming at 96 tied for third (with Missouri) behind Iowa State and Stanford (at 100).

Women’s fencing at 80 stood third behind Northwestern (100) and Ohio State (93).

Men’s soccer at 81 ranked fourth, behind Duke (93), Northwestern (86) and Michigan (82).

The APR provides a real-time look at a team’s academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-

cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field.

Football at 83 ranked fifth, behind Boston College (87), Northwestern (86), Rice (84) and Stanford (84).

tied for fifth (with Rice and Stanford) behind Utah State (100), TCU (89), BYU (83) and Oregon (83).

Women’s lacrosse at 100 tied

7 6 5 5 5 5

Women’s Sports (7):

Men’s lacrosse finished tied

Men’s hockey at 91 ranked first—

Wake Forest Rice Illinois Miami (Fla.) Ohio State Tulane

baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field.

Men’s basketball at 80 ranked

for first place at 90 with North Carolina—followed by Ohio State (85) Duke (83) and Virginia (83).

Notre Dame 17 Duke 13 Boston College 10 Northwestern 10 Stanford 10 Texas 7

athlete. The APR includes both retention at an institution and academic eligibility in its calculation and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport. The effort is part of a publicrecognition program the Division I Board of Directors approved in January 2006. A record 954 teams were publicly recognized this year for high achievement representing 560 women’s teams and 394 men’s or mixed squads. Last year in 2011, 909 teams were honored. In 2007, 839 teams were recognized, followed by 712 in 2008, 767 in 2009, and 841 in 2010. Top performing APRs this year ranged from 978 to a perfect 1,000 with the majority of teams earning a perfect APR. Five national champions from the 2010-11 school year, including the Notre Dame women’s soccer team, are included in this year’s award’s list. The BIG EAST Conference had 70 of its teams —by far the most among all FBS conferences— honored by the NCAA.

Men’s Sports (10):

first with 19 other schools.

first with 16 other schools.

for first with North Carolina and Virginia.

Here are the 17 Notre Dame programs honored this year for the multi-year achievement:

This is the second consecutive year that a program-best 17 Irish teams were honored with the award. Prior to 2011, 15 programs were recognized in 2010 after 14 programs were honored in 2009. Eleven Irish teams earned recognition each of the previous two years, in both 2007 and 2008. Here are the former Division I football-playing institutions that ranked in the top 10 this year, in terms of programs honored:

Women’s softball at 93 stood tied for eighth (with Nebraska) behind Michigan, Ohio State, Purdue and Tulsa (all at 100), and Alabama, Stanford and Virginia (all at 94).

Baseball at 71 stood tied for eighth (with Minnesota) behind Boston College (88), Toledo (83), Northwestern (82), Michigan (81), Virginia Tech (81), Stanford (79) and Vanderbilt (75).

Women’s basketball at 86 stood tied for 10th (with Iowa and Texas Tech) behind Wake Forest (100), Washington (93), Ohio State, Rice and Stanford (all at 92), Mississippi and Mississippi State (at 91) and Florida and South Carolina (90).

The federal graduation rate methodology used by the Department of Education counts all student-athletes who transfer from or leave an institution for any reason as non-graduates from their initial school, even if they leave in good academic standing.

Women’s soccer at 89 ranked tied for 10th, behind Duke, Maryland, Michigan State and Penn State (all at 100), Northwestern and Rice (96), Syracuse (92), Southern Mississippi (91) and Buffalo (90). Illinois, Purdue, Stanford, Temple and Wisconsin also stood at 89.

athletics annual report

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athletics annual report

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Team/Individual Grade-Point Averages Following the fall 2011 semester, over 61 percent of Notre Dame’s student-athletes (424 individuals) boasted at least a 3.0 grade-point average, while more than 66 percent (437) owned that distinction after the spring term. Over 21 percent of Irish student-athletes (146) achieved at least a 3.4 GPA for the fall, while nearly 24 percent (155) hit that standard in the spring. Over 12 percent (83) achieved Dean’s List status in the fall, while over 14 percent (95) earned those honors in the spring. Sixteen Notre Dame student-athletes attained perfect 4.0 GPAs in the fall, while 21 recorded that mark in the spring.

The Irish women’s golf team repeated its 2010-11 distinction as the Notre Dame team with the highest combined GPA. The Irish golfers combined for an annual GPA of 3.715—the highest annual team mark on record. That Notre Dame team boasted a 3.655 GPA in the fall and a 3.776 mark in the spring. The spring figure ranks as the highest team GPA ever recorded and signaled the first time a team has achieved a semester team GPA equal to or above 3.700. During the 2011–12 season, 21 of 26 teams posted GPAs at or above 3.0, including 21 of 26 in the fall semester and 21 of 24 in the spring (men’s and women’s cross country are not included in the spring figures).

Two Irish teams attained their highest semester GPA in 2011–12: women’s golf (3.655 in the spring, 3.776 in the fall), and men’s golf (3.604 in the spring).

2011–12 BIG EAST Academic All-Stars The BIG EAST Conference annually recognizes student-athletes who achieve an annual gradepoint average of 3.0 or higher as conference academic all-stars. During 2011–12, 321 of the 480 Irish student-athletes who compete in the BIG EAST – an impressive 67 percent – netted that distinction.

2011–12 BIG EAST Team Academic Excellence Award Winners

// Irish student-athletes (l to r) Fraderica Miller, Kapron Lewis Moore and Ethan Johnson participate in commencement ceremonies May 20, 2012.

Irish Teams Exceed NCAA Academic Progress Rate Standards Twelve University of Notre Dame athletic teams earned perfect 1,000 scores—more perfect scores than any other Football Bowl Subdivision school registered—in the eighth annual set of Academic Progress Rate statistics issued by the NCAA. All 26 Irish athletics programs again exceeded the NCAA’s APR standards. Notre Dame’s 12 perfect scores of 1,000 led all FBS programs. Boston College and Duke tied for second with nine each, followed by Northwestern (eight), Vanderbilt (eight), Stanford (seven), North Carolina (five), Rice (five) and Texas (five). The 2012 report released by the NCAA features a four-year compilation of APR data from the 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 academic years. The APR uses a

series of formulas related to student-athlete retention and eligibility to measure the academic performances of all participants who receive grants-in-aid on every team at every NCAA Division I college and university. Eight Notre Dame’s men’s teams— basketball, cross country, golf, hockey, lacrosse, tennis, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field—registered perfect 1,000 scores. In addition, four Irish women’s teams—cross country, golf, softball, and swimming and diving—also earned perfect scores. Eleven other Notre Dame teams produced scores of 991 or better: women’s rowing (998), men’s swimming and diving (997), women’s lacrosse (997), women’s soccer (997), women’s indoor track and field (997), women’s outdoor track and field (997), baseball (995), women’s volleyball (994), men’s soccer (993), women’s tennis (992) and men’s fencing (991).

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Notre Dame had three of its 22 teams that compete in BIG EAST sports recognized with the 2011–12 BIG EAST Team Academic Excellence Award. The award recognizes teams with the highest annual grade-point average in each conference sport. The Irish men’s indoor track and field, men’s outdoor track and field, and women’s golf teams were recipients of the fifth annual awards. The women’s golf team carried a Notre Dame teams’ best annual grade-point average of 3.715.

2011–12 BIG EAST ScholarAthlete Sport Excellence Award Winners Five Irish student-athletes were awarded the BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award from the conference’s Faculty Athletics Representatives. These awards are given to one student-athlete in each BIG EAST-sponsored sport based on academic credentials, athletic accolades or performances and volunteer service to

athletics annual report

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the community. The five honorees matched the most ever for Notre Dame, and the University ranked second among all BIG EAST schools for the 2011–12 academic year. Those honored in 2011–12 were: Skylar Diggins, women’s basketball Rebecca Huffer, women’s golf Shannon Mathews, women’s tennis Blas Moros, men’s tennis Kevin Randall, men’s lacrosse

ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS One of only two schools with more than 200 student-athletes who have earned Academic All-American distinction, Notre Dame added two to that total in 2011– 12. Since the program’s inception in 1952, Notre Dame has produced 223 Academic All-Americans, second behind Nebraska. Those honored in 2011–12 were: Andrew Hills, track & field (M), 3rd Team Manti Te’o, football, 2nd Team

student welfare and development Community Service Notre Dame student-athletes impact nearly every corner of the Michiana community with their impressive array of service projects, leaving positive imprints on the lives of those they touch.

Notre Dame student-athletes face a myriad of challenges as they attempt to excel in the classroom, compete at the highest level in the national spotlight and serve their communities as role models and advocates. The office of student welfare and development helps student-athletes learn to navigate those demands and understand their responsibilities by providing a series of educational programming and resources aimed at steering those who participate in athletics toward positive decision-making in their studies, their team commitments and their lives.

athletics annual report

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During 2011–12, Irish student-athletes volunteered a record-setting 8,000 hours, topping the previous year’s total by more than 1,000 hours. They donated their energy, compassion and skills to elementary/middle schools, nonprofit organizations and other worthy causes, both locally and nationally. The following is a sampling of where Notre Dame studentathletes lent their time and talent: Adopt a Family Aidan Project Bald & Beautiful Big Brothers & Big Sisters Bike for Hospice Boys & Girls Club Brown Intermediate Center for the Homeless

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Children’s Dispensary Coaches vs. Cancer events CommUniversity Day Darden Primary Early Childhood Development Center Educational Talent Search Shadow an Athlete Day Elkhart East Concord Elementary Fighting Irish Fight for Life Food Bank of Northern Indiana Friends of the Orphans Habitat for Humanity Hall of Fame Parade Hannah & Friends Healthwin Hearth Juday Creek Holy Cross Convent Holy Cross Village Holy Half Marathon Hope Ministries Irish Experience Leagues Jefferson Intermediate Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk Knights of Columbus Kroc Center

LifeWorks Lincoln Primary Logan Center Lydick Early Childhood Ministry Make a Wish Foundation Martin Luther King Center March of Dimes McKinley Primary Memorial Hospital Michiana Down Syndrome Walk Monroe Primary North Liberty Elementary Perley Primary Rebuild Tuscaloosa Trip Reducing Obesity Coalition Family Fest Relay for Life Salvation Army She’s the First Sister Maura Health Center Special Olympics Starlight Children’s Foundation St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Take Ten United Way Upward Bound Warren Primary

Rebuild Tuscaloosa

Career Boot Camp

On April 27, 2011, a devastating tornado, which boasted winds in excess of 190 miles per hour, leveled parts of the city of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and killed over 40 of its citizens, including six University of Alabama students. During fall break in October 2011, 24 student-athletes and four Notre Dame athletics administrators traveled south to take part in the relief and cleanup efforts coordinated by Project Team Up and the City of Tuscaloosa. The Notre Dame contingent’s visit was sponsored by Barry and Joan Gluck, the Monogram Club, the Center for Social Concerns, the Notre Dame Alumni Clubs of Louisville and Alabama, St. Francis University Catholic Church and the University of Alabama Athletic Department.

During 2011–12, the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) sponsored a Career Boot Camp and Seminar. Former Irish football captain George Kunz, a 1969 graduate, 11-year NFL veteran and successful entrepreneur, served as keynote speaker. The day’s activities also included information sessions and networking opportunities with representatives from GE, Credit Suisse, DeLoitte, Finish Line, KPMG, Morgan Stanley, the Peace Corps, Stryker, Target, Vistakon and Zimmer.

Career Development Notre Dame student-athletes understand that their education will provide them the tools they need for fulfilling careers after their playing days come to a close. The office of student welfare and development works closely with the Notre Dame Career Center to help students prepare for that eventuality by office development programs and workshops in the following areas:

First-Year Orientation During annual orientation activities, the office of student welfare and development welcomes incoming student-athletes and their parents to the Notre Dame athletics family with a session deigned to provide an overview of what it means to be a member of an Irish varsity team. Over 300 parents, family members and first-year studentathletes attended the 2011–12 program.

Positive Transition Seminars Notre Dame student-athletes in their sophomore, junior and senior years annually attend symposiums to help them learn how to make successful transitions to life after college athletics. In 2011–12, sessions included: • Aaron Davis Presentations, Inc.

Trophy Award During 2011–12, the Irish women’s cross country team completed 684.5 hours of community service, an average of 28.52 hours per student-athlete, to earn the coveted Trophy Award, presented to the Irish squad that ranks first in volunteer hours. The Notre Dame runners participated in a wide range of activities and programs, including Adopt a Family, Bald & Beautiful, Big Sisters’ Tutoring, College Mentors Program, LifeWorks Dream Teams at McKinley Primary, Food Drive, Holy Half Marathon, Habitat for Humanity, I Stepped Up at Perley Primary, Irish Experience League at the Martin Luther King Center, Christmas Party with Memorial Hospital Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit, Salvation Army, Special Olympics, Upward Bound, Boys & Girls Club, Holy Cross Village, Early Childhood Development Center, Sister Maura Bannick Health Center, Healthlink, Young Life and Hannah & Friends.

• • • • • •

Networking Interviewing preparation Résumé creation and review Business etiquette Externships Internships

“What’s Your Definition of Success?” • 180 Communications

“Branding You” • Velvet Suite Marketing

“Champion Leadership: Elevate Your Game to Win in Life”

Mentoring Programs Notre Dame student-athletes also can learn firsthand about careers that interest them by participating in mentoring programs provided through the Notre Dame Alumni Association, the Monogram Club and student welfare and development.

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Safety and Awareness Training Student welfare and development provides programs deemed mandatory by the offices of the University president, student affairs, and athletics director to help ensure that Notre Dame’s student-athletes develop into strong, mature, balanced and caring individuals. These programs include: • Alcohol and Drug Awareness Seminars – Educational programs developed to help student-athletes make good decisions. Spring and winter sports attend in the fall, and fall teams attend in the spring, Nationally-recognized experts Linda Hancock and Michael Green led the sessions. • Sexual Assault / Rape Prevention Education – In conjunction with the Gender Relations Center and the University Counseling Center, student welfare and development presents this information to all members of Irish men’s teams before the end of the first semester. • Harm Reduction and Safety Education – Members of Irish women’s teams receive information through a program in conjunction with the Notre Dame Security Police.

athletics annual report

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Rosenthal Leadership Academy

O.S.C.A.R.S. (Outstanding Student-Athletes Celebrating Achievements and Recognition Showcase)

Created in 2002 through a gift from former Notre Dame athletics director Dick Rosenthal, the Rosenthal Leadership Academy offers a year-long program of seminars and workshops for selected sophomore, junior and senior studentathletes. The series is designed to help them develop leadership strategies, initiatives and skills.

The O.S.C.A.R.S. is the year-ending marquee social-celebratory event for Irish student-athletes. Created by the StudentAthlete Advisory Council and student welfare and development, the O.S.C.A.R.S. was established to showcase the many accomplishments of Notre Dame studentathletes. In its 11th year, the red-carpet gala serves to unite all students, administrators and faculty involved in Fighting Irish athletics.

One hundred forty-six Irish student-athletes participated in 2011–12, and five were chosen by their coaches and peers as Leaders of Distinction. Those honored were: • • • • •

Notre Dame Christian Athletes This student-led group, which is advised by both the office of student welfare and development and Campus Ministry, meets weekly to share fellowship in faith. In 2011–12, Notre Dame Christian Athletes played host to a screening of the documentary film “Nefarious: Merchant of Souls,” which depicts the global sex trade industry. Exodus City, an anti-human trafficking organization, sponsored the event, which was attended by approximately 300 students, faculty and staff. Other sponsors included the Notre Dame Center for Social Concerns, student welfare and development, Iron Sharpens Iron, NDeight and Peace Fellowship. NDCA also entertained students from McKinley and Perley primary schools for two Friday night events at the Compton Family Ice Arena. The first evening included a skate night, and the second gathering gave the children, student-athletes and staff the opportunity to attend an Irish hockey game together.

The top award winners at the 2012 O.S.C.A.R.S. included the following:

Randy Babb, men’s track and field Maddie Buttinger, women’s track and field Kristen Dealy, volleyball Shannon Mathews, women’s tennis Megan Sullivan, women’s lacrosse

Top Gun Award Allison Schroeder, women’s track and field

Patrick O’Connor Award Michael George, cheerleading Alyce Kanabrocki, rowing Frenchy Silva, volleyball

SAAC Each year, representatives from Notre Dame’s varsity athletic teams and support groups serve on the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), a group which works with the athletics administration in a variety of areas. SAAC gives student-athletes an opportunity to more effectively communicate with the athletics department administration, coaching staffs, and Faculty Board on Athletics, while providing suggestions and feedback on programs designed to serve student-athlete needs. Perhaps best known for its creation of the annual year-ending gala O.S.C.A.R.S. (Outstanding Student-Athletes Celebrating Achievements and Recognition Showcase), SAAC also produces a number of other opportunities for service and growth.

Christopher Zorich Award

This year’s Student Athlete Advisory Council also devised a new structure for selection of members and inclusion of all student-athletes.

The Trophy Award

2011–12 Student-Athlete Advisory Council • Katie Allare, women’s golf • Randy Babb, men’s cross country • Courtney Barg and Jessica Schuveiller (secretary), women’s soccer • Jordan Berry and Marshall Sherman, men’s swimming and diving • Jacob Brems and Andrew Gleason, men’s lacrosse • Andrew Carreon, men’s golf • Tommy Chase and Will Hudgins, baseball • Alex Coccia, men’s fencing • Kelly Driscoll and Jaimie Morrison, women’s lacrosse • Mike Johnson and Sean Lorenz (Monogram Club liaison), hockey • Kapron Lewis-Moore and Ethan Johnson (vice president), football • Kim Lisiak and Emily Barton, women’s swimming and diving • Chrissie McGaffigan, women’s tennis

Women’s cross country

• Fraderica Miller (president), women’s basketball • Blas Moros, men’s tennis • Stephanie O’Neill and Morgan Kelley (Center for Social Concerns liaison), rowing • Marie Roof, volleyball • Allison Rzepcynski and David Jones, cheerleading • Kevin Schipper, men’s track and field • Allison Schroeder, women’s track and field • Marta Stepien, women’s fencing • Kelsey Thornton, softball • Grant Van De Casteele (BIG EAST liaison), men’s soccer • Rachel Velarde, women’s cross country • Kelli Zeese, managers

athletics annual report

Alex Coccia, men’s fencing Gregory Klazura, men’s soccer Sean Lorenz, hockey Marta Stepien, women’s fencing

2011–12

Chuck Linster Award Devin Blankinship, cheerleading

Byron V. Kanaley Award Timothy Abromitis, men’s basketball Kristen Dealy, volleyball Gregory Klazura, men’s soccer Shannon Mathews, women’s tennis Kevin Randall, men’s lacrosse

athletics annual report

2011–12

facilities

games and camps, the CFIA has provided space for the following groups and activities: • Irish Youth Hockey League • Michiana High School Hockey League • Irish Figure Skating Club • Notre Dame RecSports • Notre Dame Women’s Club Hockey • Notre Dame Synchronized Skating • River City Challenged Athletes Sled Hockey • Notre Dame physical education classes • Nine major youth hockey tournaments, featuring 245 teams and more than 4,000 players from around the country • Drop-in hockey and public skating sessions • Instructional classes in skating and curling

The addition of the Compton Family Ice Arena to Notre Dame’s impressive athletic facilities landscape ensured that Irish studentathletes, fans, faculty, staff, visitors and other competitors have access to topnotch venues for an array of activities.

In December, the CFIA played host to “The Brian Boitano Skating Spectacular,” which featured several of the world’s top professional skaters performing to the live music of the band Chicago and the Notre Dame Marching Band. The show was taped and televised nationally as a holiday special later that month on NBC.

Compton Family Ice Arena Notre Dame’s sparkling new $50 million Compton Family Ice Arena opened its doors to rave reviews from fans, players and coaches on Oct. 21, 2011, and a standing room only crowd of 5,022 watched the Irish beat Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 5-2 to christen what most experts consider the finest facility in college hockey. Located on the most southern edge of campus, just north of Edison Road, the long-awaited venue includes two sheets of ice – the 200’ by 90’ Charles “Lefty” Smith Jr. Rink that serves as the home of the Notre Dame hockey team and the 200’ by 100’ Olympic-size sheet that offers ice to all patrons of the facility. 40

athletics annual report

2011–12

The Irish home rink, with 4,500 chairbacked seats and 522 standing-room-only spaces, is named after longtime Notre Dame hockey coach Lefty Smith, who died January 4, 2012, just 11 weeks after dropping the ceremonial puck in the first game in the new facility, and just a month prior to a hockey reunion weekend designated to honor Smith and his contributions to the program. The facility also houses the Irish team locker room, a team room, strength and conditioning areas, a training room, visiting team and youth locker rooms, hockey offices and meeting rooms, press facilities, concessions areas, a Daktronics four-sided, center-hung video/scoreboard and an exclusive club area, named O’Brien’s, with an Irish pub theme. athletics annual report

2011–12

Construction on the Compton Family Ice Arena began in March 2010, and the first steel beams were installed just four months later. At the project’s official blessing ceremony, Sept. 11, 2010, University vice president and director of athletics Jack Swarbrick announced that the building’s name would honor and reflect the generosity of the Kevin and Gayla Compton family, the lead donors of the new building initiative. The Comptons are part of the ownership group of the National Hockey League’s San Jose Sharks.

Three academic departments used the CFIA during the University’s 2012 commencement exercises, and the classes of 1957 and 1967 held their class dinners in O’Brien’s during reunion weekend. Design and construction of the Compton Family Ice Arena was under the auspices of the office of Barton Malow, a national design and construction services firm, and its project partner, Rossetti Architects, both of Southfield, Mich. The official dedication of the Compton Family Ice Arena occurred Nov. 18 when the Irish beat Boston College, the eventual 2012 NCAA champion, 3-2 with just 1.1 seconds left in overtime.

During its first year of use, the state-ofthe-art Compton Family Ice Arena (CFIA) has been the site of a variety of events, serving both the Notre Dame and Michiana communities. In addition to Irish hockey 41

Postseason Competitions at the University of Notre Dame Several Notre Dame athletics facilities served as sites for conference and NCAA postseason events in 2011–12. • The Irish hockey team played host for first-round CCHA playoff games in the Compton Family Ice Arena in March. • The 2012 BIG EAST Softball Championships took place in Melissa Cook Stadium in May. • The Notre Dame men’s soccer team played a first-round NCAA Championships game in Alumni Stadium in November. • Purcell Pavilion welcomed 2012 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championships fans for first- and second-round action in March and led the nation in ticket sales for the event with 12,500. The Irish eventually finished in the runner-up slot at the Final Four in Denver. • The Notre Dame men’s lacrosse team began its run to the NCAA Final Four with a firstround win at Arlotta Stadium in May.

The Charles and Marie Doherty Batting Cages More than 100 members of the Irish softball family attended dedication ceremonies Nov. 19, 2011, for the dedication and blessing of the Charles and Marie Doherty Batting Cages, a state-of-the-art facility funded by Paul and Linda Demo, the parents of former softball student-athlete Melissa Cook.

Youth Competitions at the University of Notre Dame In addition to those involved in the myriad of youth and high school hockey games at the Compton Family Ice Arena, several other young competitors had a chance to play and practice at Notre Dame’s state-ofthe-art facilities during 2011–12. Frank Eck Baseball Stadium

Cook, a 1994 Notre Dame graduate, was one of four people involved in a March 2002 construction accident at the John Hancock Building in Chicago that claimed their lives. The Demos contributed a considerable portion of the settlement from the accident to the Notre Dame athletics department to construct Melissa Cook Stadium in 2008 and have remained fervent supporters of the Notre Dame softball program over the past 10 years.

• Crossroads Baseball, Past Times Baseball and Triple Play sponsored tournaments.

The batting cages are named after Linda Demo’s parents – Charles and Marie Doherty – who attended numerous Notre Dame softball games during Cook’s career with the Irish in 1991 and 1992.

• Over 300 youth basketball teams competed in a March tournament sponsored by Michiana Youth Basketball (MBA), using five of the basketball courts located throughout the facility.

athletics annual report

2011–12

• Shaker Heights (Ohio), Andrean, John Adams and Penn high schools, as well as Holy Cross College, played games at The Eck. • Ohio University and the South Bend Silver Hawks used the facility for practices. Purcell Pavilion

athletics annual report

2011–12

Lacrosse

• The second annual Midwest Catholic Lacrosse Tournament at Arlotta Stadium featured 12 boys’ teams from the Midwest, including high schools in Chicago, St. Louis, South Bend and Cleveland. • Three local high school boys’ and girls’ teams played at least one game in Arlotta Stadium in 2012. Swimming

• Twelve teams from across the state competed in the three-day Indiana YMCA Meet at the Rolfs Aquatic Center. The organization hopes to return to the venue in 2013.

Professional Events at the Irish Athletic Facilities Former Notre Dame Bengal Bout champion Mike Lee, a 2009 graduate of the Mendoza College of Business, returned to his alma mater as the featured event in “Fight Like a Champion,” a professional boxing event held Sept. 16 in Purcell Pavilion.

Lee, a light heavyweight from Wheaton, Ill., won a unanimous four-round decision before 3,000-plus fans as the main event of the evening’s fight card. Profits from the event were donated to the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation and the Robinson Community Learning Center in South Bend—two nonprofit organizations with strong ties to the University. Over 6,000 fans attended the Harlem Globetrotters’ annual visit to South Bend and the Purcell Pavilion in January.

New Beginnings … The Castellan Family Fencing Center, located in the Joyce Center, opened in October 2012. Home to the men’s and women’s varsity fencing teams, the facility provides locker rooms, a team room, a conference room, coaches’ offices, an armory and a manager’s office. The theming throughout the area honors former Notre Dame All-Americans, Olympians who fenced for the University and NCAA championship teams and their coaches. Two trophy cases feature the fencing program’s eight national championships. Concetta and C. Patrick Castellan ’68, their sons Matthew ’04 and Christopher ’07 (both former Irish fencers) and daughter Caroline, a Georgetown University graduate, provided the lead gift for the facility.

On the Horizon … Notre Dame’s external affairs staff continues to work on securing funding and support for other athletics capital priorities, including: • • • •

The rowing boathouse The indoor tennis complex The track stadium A basketball practice facility

media relations

The Notre Dame media relations office serves as the primary distributor of sports program information. The department proves to be one of the busiest throughout the year promoting the achievements of more than 700 varsity student-athletes and coaches. One of the office’s major endeavors is to guarantee that the information provided to the media, as well as to alumni and fans, is accurate, timely and detailed. The department’s personnel are on site for every home sporting event to provide comprehensive statistical data, game notes and historical information to writers, radio and television announcers and Web site personnel, aiding in their coverage of the contest.

The success Irish athletic teams experience on and off the field draws great interest from media outlets and fans both nationally and worldwide. With the evolution and ever-changing world of digital and social media, the demand for information and content relative to all Irish programs is at an all-time high.

Not only does the media relations office serve as the intermediary between the University’s 26 athletics programs and local and national media, but it also strives to enhance publicity and showcase the

National Exposure Notre Dame coaches and student-athletes continually find themselves in the national spotlight, thanks to the University’s popularity and the storied tradition of its athletic program. Some of the highlights of the 2011–12 year included: • Onward To Victory – Notre Dame

Hockey aired on NBC Sports Network in

December 2011. It was a one-hour feature that gave viewers an inside look into the Irish hockey program that included retrospectives from its early days to its current status as one of the top college hockey programs in the country. The show was produced by Emmy Award-winning NASCAR Media Group and gave a glimpse into the evolution of the program and where it has come during its history as a Division I program. The feature followed the current team and its move from the old Joyce Center rink to the new, stateof-the-art Compton Family Ice Arena and the dedication game on Nov. 18 that culminated with a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against third-ranked Boston College. Viewers were able to see and hear the Notre Dame players and coaches

athletics annual report

2011–12

athletics annual report

2011–12

accomplishments of all Notre Dame student-athletes on the field, in the classroom and within the surrounding community. Additionally, the goal of the department is to provide the best media coverage of Notre Dame student-athletes, coaching staffs and administration by facilitating the requests made by various print, television, radio and electronic media members. The department also administers an expanding array of services to meet the ever-growing and ever-changing needs of media and fans. It also serves as the chief public division of Notre Dame athletics, upholding image as a top priority. The department frequently works in conjunction with the Irish athletics marketing and event division and Notre Dame Sports Properties to make sure those athletic events are seen and/or heard by fans across the country and the world.

talk about the events leading up to the mid-season move into CFIA as they were wired for sound, while cameras were imbedded on the team bench, in the locker room and in team meetings.

win at Hofstra through the BIG EAST season-opening win versus Rutgers. The 30-minute feature also included footage of a triple-overtime victory against Denver and a win over Ohio State.

also produced a piece on former fencer Teddy Hodges for Notre Dame’s athletics Web site und.com. Hodges, who battled back from a heart transplant after suffering from viral myocarditis, an infection that targeted his heart, was featured in the Notre Dame athletics’ 2010 edition of the Strong of Heart book series. The annual publication, which is edited by senior associate athletics director John Heisler, features written pieces by nationally known and campus authors on the inspiring lives of students, alumni, supporters and friends of the University.

• The media relations office also launched

• The NASCAR Media Group

• 3 Penny Films, a pioneer in producing reality/documentary television and Web content for major university athletics programs, produced a piece on the Notre Dame men’s lacrosse program titled Notre Dame Lacrosse: Inside the Walls of Arlotta. NBC Sports Network aired the special in April 2012. The program followed head coach Kevin Corrigan and his ’12 Irish squad from the March 10 overtime

Irish UNDerground,

the official blog of

Notre Dame athletics.

Television Notre Dame athletic teams receive plenty of television exposure and coverage on a variety of broadcasts and cable television networks. Here is a recap of where the Irish appeared in 2011–12: Football

NBC Sports televised Notre Dame home games for the 21st consecutive season in 2011, in a relationship that began in 1991 and currently extends through the 2015 campaign. In 2011, NBC broadcast six games nationally from Notre Dame Stadium as well as a seventh contest against Maryland at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., in prime time. NBC’s telecasts also were distributed internationally via Eurosport. ABC Sports provided coverage of Irish road games at Pittsburgh, Wake Forest and Stanford

Coaches’ and Athletic Directors Shows The Brian Kelly Show once again was broadcast live from Legends on the Notre Dame campus on Thursday nights during the football season and aired live on WSBT–AM and WQXNT–AM in Indianapolis. Und.com also televised the show live. The show was also carried on Friday nights and Saturday mornings on College Sports Nation on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio.

Men’s Basketball

(a national prime-time broadcast). ESPN carried road games at Michigan and Purdue as well as Notre Dame’s matchup against Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl. In addition, replays after every Irish home game aired on more than 20 affiliates nationwide reaching more than 57 million homes. Men’s Basketball

Once again, the BIG EAST Conference was committed to televising every league game. Notre Dame had two games televised by CBS, four on ESPN, seven on ESPN2, seven on ESPNU, two on ESPN3 and one on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network. Women’s Basketball

The popularity of the Irish women’s basketball program resulted in an unprecedented number of games that were televised throughout the season. Notre Dame appeared once on CBS, five times on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU, three times on the CBS Sports Network and once on the Big Ten Network.

Hockey

Men’s Swimming and Diving —

Notre Dame had 16 games televised during the season—five on CBS Sports Network, seven on Comcast, two on NBC Sports Network/Versus, one on Fox Sports Detroit Plus and one on the Big Ten Network.

Four times on BIG EAST.tv Twice on BIG EAST.tv, ESPNU and OCSports

Volleyball —

Coaches’ Shows Olympic Sports Additional television appearances by Notre Dame Olympic sports programs included: Four times on BIG EAST. tv, three times on Bright House Sports Network and once on Cox Sports Television Baseball —

Seven times on ESPNU and once on both ESPN2 and ESPN3

Men’s Lacrosse —

Three times on CBS Sports Network and once on ESPNU

Women’s Lacrosse —

Men’s Soccer —

Inside Notre Dame Football with Brian Kelly and Inside Notre Dame Basketball with Mike Brey once again reached more homes nationwide than any other coaches’ television show network in the country. The shows aired on 25 affiliate networks reaching nearly 70 million households. Affiliates included Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Yes and SNY (New York), NESN (New England), Sun Sports (Florida), MASN (Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.), Fox Sports Midwest, Fox Sports Pittsburgh, SportsTime Ohio and WNDU–TV (South Bend).

Once on Fox Soccer

Channel Once on ESPNU, CBS Sports Network and Fox Soccer Channel Women’s Soccer —

Twice on BIG EAST.tv and five times on ESPNU Softball —

The Notre Dame men’s basketball network consisted of 10 stations throughout the Midwest, including WLS in Chicago, WXNT–AM in Indianapolis, WNUY–FM in Fort Wayne and WSBT–FM in South Bend. All games could be heard nationwide on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio and worldwide on und.com.

Radio Irish fans once again could listen to Irish football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, hockey and baseball games in athletics annual report

2011–12

several radio markets as well as und.com throughout their respective seasons.

Women’s Basketball

Football

Notre Dame fans throughout the country could hear broadcasts of every home and away game on more than 140 stations, making it the largest college radio network in the nation. Play-by-play announcer Don Criqui and former Irish running back Allen Pinkett once again anchored the broadcasts for ISP, the exclusive owner of the national radio rights for Notre Dame football.

athletics annual report

Jack Nolan returned for his 30th year announcing Irish basketball games and his sixth as the playby-play broadcaster for the Irish. He was joined throughout the year on the broadcasts by former Irish standouts LaPhonso Ellis and Jordan Cornette as well as former Notre Dame associate head coach Sean Kearney.

2011–12

Local sportscaster Bob Nagle once again served as the play by play voice for all women’s basketball games that were carried on Pulse FM (96.9/92.1) in the Michiana area.

The Mike Brey Radio Show took place at O’Rourke’s Public House, located in Eddy Street Commons, across from the Notre Dame campus. The show aired live on und.com and also was broadcast on College Sports Nation on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio every Friday night and Saturday morning during the season. The Jack Swarbrick Show aired on WLS–AM in Chicago, WXNT–AM in Indianapolis and WSBT in South Bend from September through March. Swarbrick co-hosts the show with Dave Juday, veteran anchor for ESPN 1000 in Chicago. The duo interview a variety of Notre Dame coaches and student-athletes as well as other highprofile guests from the sports community.

Awards The Notre Dame media relations office received several accolades from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) during the 2011–12 school year. The men’s soccer media guide and cover were voted best in the nation as was the Irish rowing guide, while the fencing guide earned second-place accolades.

Hockey

Real Country 99.9 FM again was the home of the Irish hockey team with Darin Pritchett providing the play by play for all broadcasts.

fighting irish digital media

In July 2011, Notre Dame athletics launched Fighting Irish Digital Media (FIDM) to provide relevant and timely content and information to Irish fans across the world by producing audio and video for television, radio and digital distribution through Internetprotocol television (IPTV), computers, tablets, smartphones and social media channels. FIDM aims to become the most distributed and strategically valued collegiate media network in the world, reflecting the University’s mission of educating the mind and heart. The three core ingredients to Fighting Irish Digital Media’s success are compelling content, production capability and global distribution.

for distribution and interact with fans through social media. In 2010-11, FIDM also augmented its student-based work force, hiring students to shoot and produce live games. Through a collaborative effort with the Notre Dame film, television, and theatre department, students in an Internet television production class created video, including Fighting Irish Xtra (a weekly sports recap) and other on-demand programming, for distribution on UND.com. In fall 2012, FIDM moved into a new 3,000-squarefoot production facility in the Joyce Center Fieldhouse which houses a studio, control room, edit suites and staff workspace. This investment will provide the capability to better manage the digital video lifecycle from capture to distribution to archive.

Compelling Content: Great stories, both on and off the field, abound on campus. Fighting Irish Digital Media’s exclusive access brought these stories to life last year through four featured programs: Irish Connection (a behind-the-scenes look at Notre Dame athletic teams), Student. Athlete. Irish. (a series that focuses on student-athletes away from the competitive arena) and Inside Notre Dame Football and Notre Dame Basketball (Brian Kelly and Mike Brey coaches shows). FIDM also streamed live to viewers world-wide through und.com 106 games in a variety of sports, press conferences, game radio simulcasts, football postgame shows and the annual football signing day show.

Production Capability: Fighting Irish Digital Media

Global Distribution: Fighting Irish Digital Media utilized multiple distribution tiers for programming including the NBC Sports Network, Comcast Regional Sports Networks, a national television and radio affiliate network, UND.com, YouTube and other social media platforms. FIDM produced two shows that premiered on the NBC Sports Network—Onward to Victory: Notre Dame Hockey (a show providing viewers access to the opening of the Compton Family Ice Arena and the facility dedication game against Boston College) and Inside Notre Dame Lacrosse: Arlotta’s Walls (a show depicting the Irish men’s lacrosse team and its unique approach to competition and campus life).

staff totals 10 individuals who produce video, package content

The Notre Dame Football Replay, which consisted of the seven games aired by NBC, aired on 21 affiliates nationwide and was available in over 50 million homes.

FIDM’s broadband delivery hub, underwent a site redesign in September 2011 to make it more user-friendly and video-centric. Notre Dame’s social media presence grew significantly during 2011–12.

UND.com,

– each consisting of 13 episodes – aired on 25 affiliates and were available in 54 million homes nationwide, making it the largest coaches’ television show network in the country. The shows were carried on the following regional cable sports networks: Comcast SportsNet Chicago, YES, SNY, NESN (New England), Sun Sports (Florida), MASN (Baltimore and Washington, D.C.), Fox Sports Midwest, Fox Sports Pittsburgh and SportsTime Ohio. The programs also were broadcast over the air locally by WNDU–TV.

athletics annual report

2011–12

athletics annual report

2011–12

www.facebook.com/fightingirish

230,000 likes – 1600% annual increase www.twitter.com/fightingirish

37,000 followers – 200% annual increase

Inside Notre Dame Football and Inside Notre Dame Basketball

FIDM – By the Numbers

Both the athletic department and football Facebook pages now have over 230,000 likes, the athletics Twitter account has close to 40,000 followers and the Notre Dame athletics YouTube channel has eclipsed 1,700 subscribers and one million annual video views. The athletic department Facebook page, Twitter account and YouTube channel were rebranded in June 2012 to create brand consistency as official sites of the Fighting Irish. FIDM also established a presence on Pinterest, Instagram and Chill to broaden its social media reach.

www.und.com

154 live event broadcasts 216,000 total live viewers 956 on-demand videos produced 3,252,000 on-demand videos viewed www.youtube.com/NotreDameAthletics

1,700 subscribers 1,030,000 videos viewed

956 On-Demand Videos Produced

106 Live Games on und.com

-12

2 y -1

Jun

2 Ap

2 r-1

r-1

b-1

-12

1 c-1

J an

1 v -1

# Produced

-12

2 y -1

Jun

r-1

2 r-1

b-1

-12

1 c-1

1 v -1

J an

1 t-1

1 p-1

g-1

Digital On-Demand Programs Launched

t-1

100

120

p-1

20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

g-1

140

UND

4.29 On-Demand Views

und.com live broadcast viewers

800,000

100,000 90,000 80,000

600,000 Irish Connection (ICON) – 45 episodes

70,000

Student. Athlete. Irish. (SAI) – 14 features

60,000 50,000

400,000

40,000 30,000

200,000

20,000 10,000

Fighting Irish Xtra (FiX) – 12 episodes

Jun

r Ap

r Ma

b Fe

c De

J an

v No

t Oc

p Se

2011–12

2010-11 Total

2010-11

Domer Dens – 2 episodes

Top 5 On-Demand Videos

-12

Jun

2 y -1

2 r-1

2 b-1

-12

1 c-1

J an

1 v -1

1 t-1

1 p-1

1 g-1 Au

2011–12 Total

athletics annual report

2011–12

Top 5 Live Event Broadcasts

New Helmet Feature

10/19/11 39,603

48,780 Football Signing Day 02/03/12

Football Practice Report

08/10/11 37,871

Men’s Basketball vs Sam Houston State

11/16/11

Football USC Pep Rally

10/21/11 23,049

Blue-Gold Game Post-game Show

04/21/12 4,670

Football Practice Report

08/19/11 19,115

Men’s Basketball vs Delaware State

11/18/11

Brian Kelly Press Conference

09/11/11 18,909

Brian Kelly Press Conference

08/23/11 3,967

athletics annual report

2011–12

5,843

4,639

monogram club

Contributions and Gift Giving Over the past eight years, the Monogram Club and its members have pledged approximately $2 million to the Notre Dame athletics department to help fund the construction of Alumni Stadium (soccer), Arlotta Stadium (lacrosse) and the outdoor track and field venue, as well as renovations to Notre Dame Stadium. In 2011–12, the club funded a $100,000 renovation project to install the next decade of the Ring of Names in Sports Heritage Hall (Monogram winners from 2000-09). Every Monogram winner from three centuries of Notre Dame athletics is included in the unique Joyce Center display. In addition, the club continues to make significant financial contributions to enhance other opportunities and programs for both past and present student-athletes. The 2011–12 academic year featured these initiatives: • The Monogram Club provided close to $80,000 for post-season gifts and awards to deserving teams, including national championship rings for the Notre Dame men’s track distance medley relay team.

• Thanks to a contribution of more than $50,000 from the Monogram Club, Irish student-athletes continued to receive their annual Monogram awards (jacket, ring, stadium blanket or watch).

of the financial aid package. In 2011–12, 32 students received $304,650 in aid. Since the fund began in 1980, close to $4 million in scholarship funds has been distributed to over 200 undergraduates.

• Notre Dame athletics teams enjoyed Monogram Club-funded cultural experiences while competing on the road through the team-hosting program. In 2011–12, the club funded a number of these outings, including a trip to Walt Disney World for the women’s lacrosse team, admission to a luau for women’s tennis during the team’s trip to Hawaii and Broadway shows for the women’s soccer, women’s basketball, cheerleading and fencing programs during road dates in New York.

• Christopher Iverson, a member of the Notre Dame student manager program, and Stephanie Myers, a Fighting Irish fencer, received the 2012 Monogram Club postgraduate scholarships awards. Established in 2009 to recognize outstanding academic achievement, service and leadership, the program provides two senior Monogram winners one-time, non-renewable grants of $5,000 to pursue postgraduate studies.

• The Monogram Club provided financial tuition assistance to qualified Notre Dame undergraduates who are children of duespaying members through the BrennanBoland-Riehle Scholarship Fund (BBRSF). As one of the more significant endowed scholarship funds that the University administers (market value currently is more than $6 million), the BBRSF offers a minimum award of 75 percent of the student’s normal work and loan component

• Thanks to the continued generosity of two-time hockey Monogram winner Dave Bossy (’77), four Notre Dame studentathletes once again spent their summers in service learning programs, implemented through the Center for Social Concerns. • The club also provided its annual contribution of $15,000 to update the display cases in the Joyce Center’s Sports Heritage Hall.

More than 4,000 dues-paying members of the Notre Dame Monogram Club remain connected to the University through the organization’s mission of promoting spirit, unity, leadership and sportsmanship. Founded in 1916 by former Irish athletics director and head football coach Jesse Harper, the Monogram Club is comprised of individuals who have earned the Notre Dame varsity athletic insignia for their athletic endeavors, team support contributions or as honorary recipients. Members cross gender, age, race, geographical and sport lines, but share a commitment to the University’s rich heritage of athletic and intellectual achievements. // The Monogram Club funded the women’s lacrosse team’s trip to Walt Disney World in 2012, as part of the team hosting program, which affords Notre Dame athletics teams the opportunity to enjoy unique experiences while traveling.

athletics annual report

// The members of the Notre Dame track and field team who earned their first Monograms in 2011 were presented with letter jackets at the Monogram Club’s spring sport ceremony in October.

2011–12

athletics annual report

2011–12

// The Monogram Club hosted former All-American Adrian Dantley (’76, basketball) during his induction into the Purcell Pavilion Ring of Honor in March 2012.

NBA All-Star, became the fourth inductee into the Purcell Pavilion’s Ring of Honor in March. Former Indiana governor Joe Kernan, a 1968 Notre Dame graduate and former Irish baseball student-athlete, received the prestigious Moose Krause Distinguished Service Award during the club’s annual mass, meeting and dinner in April. Kernan has served his country and community for the past six decades as both a naval officer and government official. In May 1972, the former U.S. Navy flight officer was shot down over North Vietnam and held as a prisoner of war for nearly 11 months. For his service, Kernan received numerous awards, including the Navy Commendation Medal, two Purple Hearts and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He served as mayor of South Bend from 1987-96, and was elected lieutenant governor of Indiana in 1996. He assumed the governorship in September 2003 upon the death of Gov. Frank O’Bannon.

// Director of Academic Services for Student-Athletes Pat Holmes (’79) received an honorary Monogram from the club at the men’s basketball banquet in April 2012. // Legendary Notre Dame football head coach Ara Parseghian (center) celebrated the 45th anniversary of his 1966 national championship squad at the team’s reunion in September 2011.

Outreach, Fellowship and Mentoring

the Notre Dame Alumni Association’s annual Alumni Sports Weekend.

The Notre Dame Monogram Club continues to expand its outreach efforts to engage both former and current student-athletes in service, scholarship, support, recognition and camaraderie. The following is a list of 2011–12 activities:

• During the Blue-Gold Weekend in April, the Monogram Club organized receptions and dinner functions for Monogram winners and their guests.

• The club continued to hold receptions for football Monogram winners in the Schivarelli Football Players’ Lounge at Notre Dame Stadium on home football Friday nights and staged a pre-game event for all dues-paying Monogram members in the Monogram Room on home football Saturdays. The club also sponsored postgame Masses in the Monogram Room for dues-paying members and their families following each contest. • Football Monogram winners were invited to form an on-field tunnel prior to the 2011 Notre Dame-USC football game, while all Monogram winners were asked to do the same at the 2011 Boston College football contest. • The club sponsored a reception in the Schivarelli Players’ Lounge prior to the Jan. 14, 2012, men’s basketball game versus Connecticut for more than 100 Monogram winners and their families who attended

• The club provided reunion support for numerous Notre Dame varsity athletics programs, including funding for the 45th reunion of the 1966 national championship football team. • More than 100 Monogram winners and their guests returned to campus for the club’s annual Riehle Open golf event, summer Mass and cookout. • The Monogram Club welcomed Monogram winners and their guests at four regional events in conjunction with away games in 2011–12:

– The Monogram Club manned a table at the Alumni Association’s pep rally festivities for the Irish women’s basketball team at the NCAA Final Four in Denver and presented Monogram Club gear and prizes to former studentathletes in attendance.

– In February, 64 guests arrived for a pre-game reception prior to the Notre Dame-Villanova men’s basketball game at Chickie’s and Pete’s Restaurant in South Philadelphia.

Recognition and Awards The Monogram Club welcomed former Notre Dame All-Americans Matt Besler (’09, soccer) and Adrian Dantley (’76, basketball) to campus during 2011–12 to recognize and celebrate their career achievements. Besler was honored for becoming the first former Notre Dame student-athlete to be selected as a Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star, while Dantley, an Olympic gold medalist and six-time

The Notre Dame Monogram Club awarded honorary Monograms to four individuals in 2011–12: John R. “Rees” LaBar (’53), Notre Dame athletics supporter Deanna Gumpf, Notre Dame head softball coach Tricia Bellia, Notre Dame Faculty Board on Athletics Chair Pat Holmes (’79), Notre Dame director of academic services for student-athletes

– The club partnered with the Notre Dame Club of Boston during the Memorial Day weekend to host Monogram winners and Notre Dame alumni at the Renaissance Boston Patriot Place Hotel in Foxboro, Mass., prior to the men’s lacrosse team’s NCAA Final Four contest against Loyola (Md.).

• The club continued to develop Monogram Club Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts, which now connect more than 3,000 users with the club through the realm of social media.

– More than 80 attended a Saturday evening pre-game tailgate in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with the Notre Dame Maryland football game at FedEx Field in November.

• The Monogram Club expanded its student-athlete mentoring program, in collaboration with the Notre Dame Career Center and the student welfare and development office, to pair student-athletes with Monogram Club members throughout the country for professional networking purposes. Since 2009, more than 150 Notre Dame student-athletes have been matched with mentors. athletics annual report

2011–12

Monogram Club Board of Directors President: Dick Nussbaum (’74, ’77, baseball)

First Vice President: Haley Scott DeMaria (’95, swimming) Second Vice President: Kevin O’Connor (’89, lacrosse)

Treasurer: Ken Haffey (’78, student manager) Secretary: Mike Frantz (’73, football)

Legal Counsel: Mike Heaton (’68, ’71, football, golf) Past President: Joe Restic (’78, football)

Directors through 2013: Mike Brown (’01, cheerleading), Don Casey (’82, swimming), Andrea Loman (’03, softball), Kevin McShane (’90, football), Chris Parent (’93, lacrosse)

Directors through 2014: Tom Arkell (’94, ’97, hockey), Carolyn Cooper (’06, volleyball), Bryan Fenton (’87, student manager), Byron Spruell (’87, ’89, football), Chris Stevens (’74, basketball Directors through 2015: Michael Bathon (’86, fencing), Laura Dougherty Ely (’85, basketball), Dennis Lahey (’65, wrestling), Lance Legree (’01, football), Jen Sharron Richardson (’01, softball)

Advisors: Marty Allen (’58, student manager), Don Bouffard (’66, student manager), Jim Carroll (’65, football), Julie Pierson Doyle (’85, volleyball), Tom Galloway (‘87 football), Pat Garrity (’98, basketball), Marc Kelly (’82, basketball), Chuck Lennon (’61, ’62, baseball), Kate Sobrero Markgraf (’98, soccer), Van Pearcy (’85, ’87, football, track), Michael Richerson (’85, football), Jim Tyler (’86, cross country, track), Terri Vitale (’94, ’95, tennis), Kerrie Wagner (’89, golf)

// Former Indiana governor Joe Kernan (’68, baseball) received the club’s 2012 Moose Krause Distinguished Service Award in April. Kernan (center) is pictured along with Monogram Club second vice president Kevin O’Connor (’89, lacrosse), president Dick Nussbaum (’74, ’77, baseball), executive director Beth Hunter and first vice president Haley Scott DeMaria (’95, swimming).

Director Emeritus: Jim Murphy (’49, track)

athletics annual report

2011–12

external affairs

The Rev. Edmund P. Joyce Athletics Grants-in-Aid Programs Named in honor of one of the most transformative figures in college athletics, the Rev. Edmund P. Joyce Athletics Grants-in-Aid Program provides invaluable support to both the academic and competitive experiences of Irish student-athletes. Members of the Joyce GIA Program each provide an annual, expendable $40,000 gift to the University, a generous donation that helps fund one year of a Notre Dame student-athlete’s tuition, room and board, and books. These resources enable Irish student-athletes to experience a rigorous scholarly curriculum, develop their spiritual lives, engage actively in the community and participate in firstrate athletic competition. The Joyce GIA Program helps ensure student-athletes receive the full Notre Dame experience and compete in an environment based on integrity and rooted in excellence both on and off the field. Members enjoy distinctive and exclusive rewards of appreciation, most notably the chance to interact with the student-

Dedication, resolve, perseverance, focus, intensity, sacrifice—these words exemplify what student-athletes and coaches must possess in abundance if they want to achieve success— to reach the pinnacle of their respective sport. But that road to glory can be made just a bit easier to navigate when they have access to the tools that help fuel the drive. Generous benefactors, who work with the office of external affairs, support a variety of initiatives that fund athletic scholarships and related costs, operating expenses, construction, and renovation projects and special needs, ensuring that Irish studentathletes and coaches can follow the right path to showcase the University of Notre Dame and its commitment to spirituality, academics, community service and excellence on a national stage throughout their lives.

athletes receiving Joyce Grants-in-Aid. Benefactors are recognized during a home football weekend with a series of events that celebrate—in the spirit of Father Joyce— the lifelong impact these scholarships make on student-athletes’ lives. A former executive vice president of the University, the late Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C., served alongside former University president Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., for 35 years, and overseeing Irish athletics was just one of the many significant

responsibilities under his direction. Joyce, who died in 2004, played a prominent role in shaping the national collegiate athletic landscape during his long tenure, offering vision, integrity, opportunity and financial stability as benchmarks of his philosophy. Joyce Grants-in-Aid Members Ken and Joyce Adamson Ed and Becky Delahanty Peter and Carol Derrico Larry and Tracy Dorsey Jim and Connie Fischer Frank and Heidi Fuhrer Tim Hasara and Amy DeWein Jack Hickey John and Eileen Huarte Mike and Karen Leep Ted and Tracy McCourtney Doug and Karen Mick Jim and Laura Mooney Mike and Margaret Mountford Peter and Marcella Murphy Vince and Lenda Naimoli Ed and Barbara O’Toole Hunter Perret and Candyce Gagnard Perret Jim and Katy Quinn Peter Schivarelli Bill and Peg Stoutenburgh Jim and Darla Wainscott Tom and Peggy Whalen Kary and Donna Yergler // Joyce GIA member Peter Schivarelli (football ’71, second from left) and Denise Valenza (far right) receive a personalized jersey during the 2012 recognition weekend. Presenting the jersey were former Secretary of State Dr. Condoleeza Rice (’75) and University Vice President and Director of Athletics Jack Swarbrick (’76), far left.

// Joyce Grants-in-Aid Program members get an intimate question-and-answer session with Irish football coach Brian Kelly.

// Joyce GIA members Mike and Karen Leep pose with their grant-in-aid recipient, Irish women’s basketball student-athlete Skylar Diggins (left), and the keynote speaker for Recognition Weekend 2011, Notre Dame alumna and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, M.A. ’75 (second from right).

athletics annual report

2011–12

athletics annual report

2011–12

The Rockne Heritage Fund The Rockne Heritage Fund (RHF) celebrated its 10th year of providing financial support to Notre Dame’s 26 varsity sports by once again contributing over $1.25 million toward scholarship assistance for all student-athletes as well as athletic operating expenses. Although no minimum gift is required to participate in the Rockne Heritage Fund, just over half of its members belong at the Director’s Circle traditional level ($1,500 minimum) or the Irish Legends’ level ($5,000$25,000). Those members are invited to the annual recognition weekend during a Notre Dame home football game and qualify for an attractive football ticket benefit. In 2011, former Irish football standout Rocky Bleier (’68), a member of the 1966 national championship team and a four-time Super Bowl winner with the Pittsburgh Steelers, served as guest speaker for the event, while Irish Legends members

athletics annual report

2011–12

athletics annual report

2011–12

also attended a question-and-answer session with University vice president and athletics director Jack Swarbrick. Members of the Rockne Heritage Fund include alumni, parents and other friends of the University. Every contributor is invited to the annual Blue-Gold game and the RHF tailgate.

The Rockne Heritage Fund honors the legacy of former Irish football coach Knute Rockne, who changed the face of college athletics during his time as coach, athletic director and chemistry professor at Notre Dame. During his 13 years as head coach, Rockne produced five national championships and 20 first team All-Americans. Although he coached his last game in 1930, Rockne is still recognized as one of the most successful coaches in college history and is often credited with making Notre Dame a household name in the United States.

Football Experience Weekends Prospective athletics contributors and leadership benefactors learn what it takes to “play like a champion” when they visit campus for a Notre Dame Football Experience Weekend. During four home football weekends, members of this exclusive group join the athletics external affairs staff for an up-close and personal view of what being a part of Irish athletics entails. Weekend activities include:

The Locker Room Fund Since 2004, former student-athletes, coaches and student managers have pledged over $3 million, with cash receipts of $2.4 million, to the Locker Room Fund, a program which affords benefactors who donate $25,000 a naming opportunity for Notre Dame studentathlete lockers in baseball, football, men’s and women’s golf, hockey, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer and softball. The lockers of 119 Irish varsity student-athletes, including 91 in the football locker room, now sport an engraved nameplate that recognizes the donor’s gift. The Locker Room Fund began as a way to help defray construction costs of the Guglielmino Athletics Complex and was expanded to include other varsity sports as their respective facilities were either renovated or built anew. Plans call for the concept to eventually encompass men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s fencing, rowing, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track and volleyball. Benefactors have pledged $125,000 for men’s and women’s golf lockers at the new indoor practice facility at the Warren Golf Course, while 27 individuals have donated over $100,000 for softball lockers at Melissa Cook Stadium. Five former Notre Dame soccer players and two teams have sponsored seven lockers at Alumni Stadium, while commitments have been secured for 14 lockers in three other sports—five hockey, eight men’s lacrosse and one baseball.

• Game day access to the Notre Dame Stadium locker room where guests can view the pre-game set up, take pictures and slap the “Play Like A Champion Today” sign before running through the north tunnel onto the field

Joseph T. Mendelson Endowment for Athletics Excellence Established in 2006, the Joseph T, Mendelson Endowment for Athletics Excellence provides incremental and non-budgeted funding for Notre Dame’s Olympic sports programs. The fund, whose market value stands at approximately $2.04 million, generates annual income that can assist Irish Olympic sport coaches in taking advantage of opportunities to help grow their sport and support their student-athletes in a variety of ways. In 2011-2012, the Mendelson Fund provided over $30,000 in support of digital software and video equipment for women’s lacrosse ($5,960) and power towers for men’s and women’s swimming ($24,000).

• A private reception with University vice president and athletics director Jack Swarbrick and members of his senior staff

Rev. James Riehle, C.S.C., Student Section The Compton Family Ice Arena student section, located at the end of the facility’s west side, honors the memory and spirit of the late Rev. James Riehle, C.S.C., who served his alma mater for over 40 years in a variety of capacities, including as the Notre Dame athletics department chaplain and Monogram Club executive director. Riehle, who died in 2008, was a longtime friend of former Notre Dame hockey coach Charles “Lefty” Smith and an ardent supporter of the Irish hockey program.

• Interactive presentations about the Notre Dame experience with Irish head coaches and student-athletes • The opportunity to watch pre-game festivities from the Notre Dame Stadium sidelines • Tours of Notre Dame’s historic and stateof-the-art athletic facilities

The space provides seats for 1,200 students and creates a raucous and boisterous environment to boost the efforts of the Irish hockey team and make the Lefty Smith Rink a tough place for opponents to play.

• Press box seating during the game

Patrons who donate $1,000 to the Father Riehle Student Section may have their names permanently displayed on a seat there.

2011–12 Locker Room Gif ts Sport New Lockers Pledged Football 4 (total 91) Hockey 2 (total 5) Men’s Lacrosse 1 (total 8) Baseball 1 (total 1) Men’s and Women’s Soccer 0 (total 6) Men’s and Women’s Golf 0 (total 4) Softball 0 (total 4) Totals

8 (total 119)

To date, 106 individual donors have contributed more than $108,000 to this effort, resulting in the naming of 88 seats. Ten participants have named multiple seats and 43 individuals have made partial contributions to honor other individuals. Plans call for raising over $1 million to eventually sponsor each of the 1,200 seats.

Cash Receipts $86,51 1 $45,000 $12,500 $10,000 $11,500 $12,500 $5,200

The names of those who sponsor a seat will be listed on a recognition board at the concourse level, behind the student section.

$183,211 athletics annual report

2011–12

athletics annual report

2011–12

recsports

An Activity for Everyone

Fitness

RecSports offers a plethora of activities to members of the University community who are looking to stay fit, learn a new skill or just have fun.

The roster of fitness classes at RecSports provides an activity at every level for those looking to improve their health, fitness and overall wellness.

Aquatics In aquatics, 36 programs (454 classes) attracted 744 participants in 2011–12. Over the last two years, enrollment in RecSports’ popular learn-to-swim classes has increased 41 percent. St. Joseph Beach added paddle boarding to its array of activities, adding two new stand-up paddle boards for instructional lessons and equipment rental.

Over 4,000 participated in a RecSports group fitness activity, including 165 classes and 167 personal training packages (an increase of 30 percent from a year ago). Fitness introduced six new classes: Pure Barre, Prayer Postures Yoga, Low Impact Fitness, Power Strength, TurboKick and Cardio Core and two special populations classes: Yoga Heal for cancer survivors and Low Impact Fitness for individuals with arthritis. In addition, a new, free drop-in fitness class series, Sat-Away, was offered on Saturdays of away Irish football games. In 2011–12, more than 240 new participants (a 44 percent jump from the previous year) joined WalkND, Notre Dame’s official walking club. Membership is free to students, faculty, staff, their families and retirees, and members receive weekly emails with health tips, monthly contests and chances to win fitness-inspired giveaways. WalkND is a joint partnership between RecSports and Notre Dame’s office of human resources. RecSports also partnered with the Notre Dame women’s basketball team and the College of Science for a 24-hour Spin-a-thon to raise money for the Pink Zone benefit. Held in the cycling studio at the Rockne Memorial, the event attracted 350 riders and raised more than $13,000. During Notre Dame’s An Tostal week, RecSports hosted a two-hour Zumba-thon outside of the South Dining Hall to provide fun and fitness outdoors for students as well as raise money for the Notre Dame Relay for Life. RecSports produced a Halloween “blast-fromthe-past” at the Rolfs Sports Recreation Center as fitness instructors taught the steps to Michael Jackson’s famous “Thriller” dance to a wide variety of participants. Prizes were offered in contests for the best “look-alike,” dance moves and “hee-hee.”

RecSports ranks as perhaps the most popular and frequently used department on the University of Notre Dame campus, as students, faculty, staff, retirees and affiliated family members continue to benefit from its wide-ranging offerings of programs and activities.

RecSports also sponsored three blood drives, attracting 267 total donors, during the year.

In 2011–12, RecSports offered 372 programs to help meet the ever-changing health and wellness needs of the Irish community. Over 28,000 participants played in 2,654 games, attended 3,068 classes and/or used the RecSports facilities 393,021 times. Administratively, RecSports updated its risk management manual with new policies and procedures. Emergency response notebooks, containing codes to handle medical, security, facility, evacuation and shelter situations, were placed in all RecSports-managed facilities and activity spaces, and staff training is ongoing. RecSports also purchased new radios to enhance communications at fields and recreation venues.

athletics annual report

Intramurals It’s no secret that Notre Dame students appreciate sports—they like to watch and they love to play. More than 10,000 participants joined at least one of the 40 intramural programs offered through

2011–12

athletics annual report

2011–12

RecSports in 2011–12. Over the course of the year, 1,086 teams competed in 2,109 games. In 2011–12, RecSports renamed the men’s and women’s interhall all-sports trophies to honor two men who provided vision,

leadership and direction to the program for over two decades. Alumni Hall won the O’Leary Cup, named for Rich O’Leary, who served as director of intramurals and sports clubs from 1995-2009 and also spent several seasons as the Irish varsity lacrosse coach. O’Leary died of cancer in 2009. 63

82nd Annual Bengal Bouts Tournament

McGlinn Hall claimed the Kelly Cup, which honors Dr. Thomas W. Kelly, who included a 1979-95 stint as director of RecSports among his more than 40 years of service to the University of Notre Dame and its athletics and physical education departments.

For the third consecutive year, the men’s boxing club raised over $100,000 and created a $150,000 endowment fund to support the Holy Cross Missions in Bangladesh and help cover the club’s future operating expenses.

In fall 2011, RecSports instituted an “intramurals game of the week” feature on its Facebook site. Participants and fans were encouraged to vote for their favorite team matchups throughout the season.

Special Events More than 1,300 Notre Dame faculty, staff, students and family members raised $8,500 for local charities by participating in five events sponsored or co-sponsored by RecSports in 2011–12. April’s annual Bikefest activity morphed into an Outdoor Sports Festival on the South Quad in front of the Rockne Memorial to raise awareness about those activities available in the Notre Dame community. The event featured an outdoor climbing wall and bicycle maintenance area with professional bike mechanics and instructional space available to demonstrate different facets of the sport. Activity areas also were created for fishing, disc golf and climbing.

Club Sports Participation in club sports increased 14 percent in 2011–12 as 1,355 students joined 41 clubs that provided them with opportunities to compete against similar teams across the region and the nation. Those club teams took part in 2,262 practices and 545 competitions—and traveled over 88,500 miles. The men’s volleyball club team claimed its first-ever national title by defeating Cal-Berkeley during the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation (NCVF) Championships in Kansas City. Notre Dame’s Rob Bauer, a junior from Naperville, Ill., was named first-team All-America and national player of the year. 64

The cycling club received the 2012 Notre Dame Club of the Year Award, which is presented by the office of student affairs to the student club, athletic or otherwise, that excels in representing the values and mission of the University. One of 300 campus clubs, the cycling club worked closely with many South Bend community schools, created innovative sponsorships and fundraising efforts and played host to the sport’s regional championships. The group also raised $2,000 for the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation during its March race in South Bend. In addition, club members participated in the Relay for Life and Pink Zone fundraisers.

participated in the national tournament at Florida State University where the Irish finished 12th. Notre Dame’s Maisie O’Malley, an American studies major from Chicago, earned second-team all-tournament honors. In its first year of competition, the women’s volleyball club defeated seven consecutive opponents in the Division I AAA National Championship in Kansas City before falling to Gonzaga in the title game. Lauren Jepson, a 2012 graduate from Buffalo, N.Y., and Kaitlyn Howard, a Chicago native who graduated from the Mendoza College of Business in May, were named to the all-tournament team.

Notre Dame’s women’s water polo club team won its conference title and athletics annual report

2011–12

Beginning in the fall of 2011, RecSports collaborated with the South Bend Community School Corporation to provide students with disabilities opportunities to “intern” at the front desks at the Rolfs Sports Recreation Center, the Rockne Memorial and the Rolfs Aquatic Center and gain valuable skills to prepare them for the workforce.

Family Programming More than 1,900 participants, an increase of 25 percent over 2010-11, attended at least one of the 17 Even Fridays or Family FIRST activities that included bowling, swimming, picnicking, climbing and fitness.

athletics annual report

2011–12

Facility Usage RecSports staff oversees three facilities in Notre Dame’s athletic blueprint— the Rolfs Sports Recreation Center, the Rockne Memorial and the Rolfs Aquatic Center. Here are 2011–12 usage figures for those areas:

Rolfs Sports Recreation Center • 245,676 recreational users • site of October’s Irish Health Fair and March’s student health fair, “How the Health Are You?” • site of graduation ceremonies for two academic departments

Rolfs Aquatic Center • 10,128 recreational users • site of Collegiate Club Water Polo Conference Championships in March • instituted new diving registration website

Rockne Memorial • 137,217 recreational users • women’s faculty shower room renovated • wood surfaces refinished

compliance The five-member Notre Dame compliance staff works tirelessly with current and prospective student-athletes and their parents, University administrators, coaches, faculty, staff, fans, benefactors and others to ensure that Notre Dame’s stellar reputation in the field of college athletes continues from year to year.

Notre Dame’s athletics compliance office structures its efforts on the University’s four core values of accountability, integrity, leadership in excellence and leadership in mission and teamwork, thereby helping the athletics department maintain its unwavering commitment to successfully combining athletics and academics and influencing the direction of NCAA rules and regulations to benefit all of intercollegiate athletics.

Working on behalf of 26 varsity teams and almost 750 student-athletes, the department coordinates the University’s NCAA compliance efforts through ongoing educational programs, the monitoring of activities and practices and regular reviews of existing practices and processes. In 2011–12, the compliance office also shared Notre Dame’s voice and input on dozens of new proposals and concepts under consideration by the NCAA during its extensive review of intercollegiate athletic reform. Compliance administers the StudentAthlete Opportunity Fund, an NCAA

athletics annual report

2011–12

athletics annual report

2011–12

account received annually by each member institution to assistant student-athletes who have demonstrated financial need. Notre Dame received over $400,000 from the fund in 2011–12. The compliance office utilized over $200,000 for student-athlete academic support, including the purchase of laptops and course supplies such as calculators and cameras and the payment of summer school grants-in-aid for 30 student-athletes. Over $150,000 of the fund was allotted to provide non-academic personal assistance (including emergency travel, clothing assistance, medical insurance or expenses) for 100 studentathletes in need of such financial aid. In addition to assisting with studentathlete financial needs, the compliance office advocates for coaches and studentathletes in a number of circumstances. During a typical year, compliance staff members file numerous waivers seeking some type of exception to an NCAA rule.

During 2011–12, the compliance staff filed 86 waivers, of which the NCAA approved 83. The compliance office implemented a “green” initiative during 2011–12 by replacing hard copy forms for studentathletes with online versions supported by software provider JumpForward. That effort saved approximately 18,000 pieces of paper as student-athletes completed over 7,5000 NCAA compliance forms online during a two-month period. The move to online submission also creates more efficiency and helps the compliance staff improve its ability to audit the forms. Additional online forms were introduced to coaching staff members, who completed nearly 1,300 forms related to 500 prospective student-athletes’ recruiting visits to Notre Dame. Recruiting phone call logs, contacts and evaluations and team countable hour records also are submitted and monitored online.

sports performance Now in its third year of operations, the sports performance department continues to collaborate with a variety of athletic support service areas to ensure Notre Dame student-athletes are well prepared for the challenges they face. Bringing those separate components under the sports performance umbrella reflects a proactive approach to meeting the various needs of Notre Dame’s student-athletes, optimally reaping dividends for the 26 Irish varsity teams. Notre Dame’s sports medicine professionals include physicians, athletic trainers and physical therapists who attend to medical needs that may arise during the year. This group also works together to provide every student-athlete with thorough neurological, cardiovascular, muscularskeletal, respiratory and nutritional screenings to identify potential issues that

For student-athletes to reach their maximum potential on the field and in the classroom, they must have ready access to top-of-the-line medical care, athletic training/rehabilitation services, strength and conditioning programs, nutritional support and equipment/athletic wear.

athletics annual report

2011–12

athletics annual report

2011–12

may require preventative measures and treatment. Last year several Irish women’s teams participated in an ACL prevention pilot program designed to recognize student-athletes who may be at a greater risk for that type of injury and then create a plan to help reduce that chance. Chiropractic care, including massage therapy, has become more commonplace in the sports medicine arena and is now readily available for Notre Dame student-athletes. The sports performance department includes 15 certified athletic trainers, including three who work specifically with football; 10 strength and conditioning coaches (three who concentrate on football); two sports dieticians/nutritionists and five equipment managers (two who are assigned to football).

youth and community programs

Each summer thousands of young athletes live in Notre Dame residence halls while attending camp in their chosen sport. Camp offerings for boys include baseball, basketball, diving, fencing, football, golf, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field/cross country, while girls can choose from basketball, diving, fencing, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field/cross country and volleyball. Co-ed camps are available in diving, fencing, swimming, tennis and track and field/cross country as well as day programs in basketball and soccer. Several sports also offer “team” camps. Attendance in the summer of 2012 was at an all-time high.

In 2011, the athletics department created the youth and community programs division to oversee Notre Dame’s traditional summer sports camps and develop additional initiatives to share its pillars of excellence, education, faith, tradition and community with young people in Michiana and around the world.

athletics annual report

2011–12

A new outreach effort, Irish Experience, connected several Notre Dame studentathletes as well as other students with community children and their families through their common interest in sports. Fifty students in grades 5-8 from the northeast and west side neighborhoods in South Bend participated in the initial Irish Experience Camp during the summer of 2011, and the concept was extended to an Irish Experience League for students in grades 1-8 during the 2011–12 school year. Students participated in youth sports activities at the Martin Luther King Center and the Kroc Center on

athletics annual report

2011–12

Sundays and also visited the University campus on several occasions. The department also has partnered with the Play Like A Champion Today™ Program (PLACT), which trains youth coaches and sports leaders on how to provide a positive, healthy and developmental experience for young athletes.

event marketing & ticket operations

Ticket Operations For the second consecutive year, more than one million Notre Dame fans—including students, alumni, faculty, staff, supporters and friends—attended games played by the 11 Irish sports that require a ticket for admission. Since the athletics department implemented a ticketing policy to include football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, baseball, hockey, softball and volleyball, attendance at those events continues to climb. Thirty-one events were classified as sellouts in 2011–12: 11 in hockey, eight in women’s basketball, six in football, five in men’s basketball and one in men’s lacrosse. Nationally, the Irish women’s basketball team ranked fifth with a school-record average crowd of 8,571 and a season attendance total of 154,275. Notre Dame also led the country in ticket sales for the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship first and second rounds by attracting over 12,500 fans to the action in Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center. The Notre Dame women’s soccer team averaged 1,570 fans per game, a figure that ranked eighth nationally.

Now playing in the Compton Family Ice Arena, which most observers consider the best college hockey facility in the nation, the Irish hockey team averaged 4,593 fans per game and cracked the nation’s top 20 in attendance (18th). That figure included several early-season contests at the smaller Joyce Center arena.

In 2011–12, the Notre Dame Ticket Office successfully launched a long-awaited online option for the annual football ticket lottery. The highly acclaimed pilot program, which was instituted the previous year, was made available to all participants in 2012, and more than 52 percent utilized the online service, saving tens of thousands of checks, sheets of paper and stamps.

Marketing

varsity sports with a custom team poster. During 2011–12, the marketing staff worked with individual teams to create special events to involve the community, including a youth clinic with the women’s swimming team, a McDonald’s breakfast affair with the Irish tennis squads and Legion Day at the Meyo Invitational with Notre Dame men’s and women’s track student-athletes.

Notre Dame’s ticketing and event marketing staff promoted, sold and worked more than 200 events during the 2011–12 season and helped make attending an Irish game a fun-filled, family experience. The office’s promotional efforts for the opening and official dedication of the Compton Family Ice Arena earned its members special recognition from the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA) at the organization’s June 2012 convention in Dallas. The team received a silver medal for single-game promotion (the CFIA dedication game against Boston College) and a gold for new revenue idea (O’Brien’s located in the club level of the Compton Family Ice Arena). The staff also created a significant marketing initiative that celebrated each of the 26 Irish

athletics annual report

2011–12

athletics annual report

2011–12

In addition, several Notre Dame teams raised more than $240,000 to help in the fight against cancer. The Irish women’s basketball team led the way by amassing $204,000 with its Pink Zone event, while softball and baseball participated in Strike Out Cancer. The Notre Dame volleyball team generated funds with its Dig Pink project, while the Irish women’s lacrosse squad sponsored Lax for the Cure.

Corporate Partners Notre Dame, one of the most powerful and recognizable brands in sports, offers its official corporate partners a comprehensive marketing/advertising plan that connects their vision and reach with the University’s reputation for excellence, quality and integrity.

National and Regional Marketing Partners Bank of America, Comcast and Sirius/XM Satellite Radio remained national marketing partners with Notre Dame in 2011–12, while Meijer and UPS were regional marketing partners. CBTS, O’Rourke’s, Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center and South Bend Orthopaedics were promotional partners. These companies received:

• Limited promotional rights • Advertising in Notre Dame athletics media productions, including radio and television shows, publications and Internet

Team Notre Dame Team Notre Dame provides select national companies a variety of tangible and intangible benefits for their businesses, customers and clients. In 2011–12, adidas, Coca-Cola, Gatorade, McDonald’s, Sprint and Xerox received the following as members of Team Notre Dame. • Use of “official” designation for their own national promotional/advertising purposes • National advertising during NBC Sports’ seven telecasts of Irish football games (six home games, including one primetime night game, and one off-site contest in prime time) 74

• National advertising during IMG College radio broadcasts of all Notre Dame home and away football games • Advertising in Notre Dame athletics media productions including radio and television shows, publications, Internet and on-site venues • Category exclusivity • Tickets to and corporate hospitality at Notre Dame athletic events

TRACK

• Game tickets and VIP hospitality experiences at Notre Dame football and men’s basketball games

D & FIEL

Kevin

Schipper Senior

2011-2012 Schedule 12/2 12/16-12/17 1/13-1/14 1/21 1/27-1/28 2/3-2/4 2/10-2/11 2/18-2/19 3/2-3/3 3/9-3/10 3/22-3/23 3/23-3/24 3/30-3/31 4/6-4/7 4/14 4/19-4/21 4/19-4/21 4/26-4/28 4/27-4/28 5/4-5/6 5/11-5/12 5/24-26 6/6-6/9

Blue & Gold Meet @ GVSU Holiday Open @ GVSU Bob Eubanks Open Notre Dame Invitational @ Indiana Relays Meyo Invitational @ GVSU Big Meet BIG EAST Championships (New York, N.Y.) Alex Wilson Invitational NCAA Indoor Championships (Nampa, Idaho) @ Alabama Relays @ Victor Lopez Invitational @ Purdue Poehlein Invitational @ Stanford Invitational @ Louisville Border Battle @ Mt. SAC Relays @ Polytan Invitational @ Drake Relays @ Hillsdale Gina RElays BIG EAST Championships (Tampa, Fla.) @ Grand Valley Last Chance NCAA East Preliminary Round (Jacksonville, Fla.) NCAA Outdoor Championships (Des Moines, Iowa)

Andrew

Hills

Senior

Rachel

Velarde

Senior

For more information visit

Maddie

Buttinger Senior

All home meets are held at Loftus Sports Center and admission is FREE.

athletics annual report

t @NotreDameXCTF

2011–12

athletics annual report

2011–12

baseball

Men’s

H onors

(31-27 / 14-13 BIG EAST) BIG EAST Championship Semifinalist

[22-12, 13-5 BIG EAST] NCA A Championship Second Round BIG EAST Championship Semifinalist

awards

•• Notre Dame recorded a 22-12 mark and earned an at-large berth in the NCAA Championship as the No. 7 seed in the South Region. The Irish made their 32nd all-time appearance in the March event and third straight. It was the eighth berth in the NCAAs in 12 seasons under head coach Mike Brey.

Will Hudgins // SR., RHP ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award ·· Second Team ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Mideast Region ·· MLB Draft—22nd Round by Washington Nationals ·· Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· College Sports Madness First Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Mar. 19, May 14) ·· BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week (Mar. 12) ·· C ollege Sports Madness National Pitcher of the Week (Mar. 19) ·· College Sports Madness BIG EAST Player of the Week (Mar. 19)

Joe Hudson // JR., C ·· Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· College Sports Madness Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· Johnny Bench Award Semifinalist ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Mar. 26) ·· Johnny Bench Award Watch List CollegeBaseballInsider.com Northeast Player of the Week (Feb. 20) ·· BIG EAST Player of the Week (Feb. 20) ·· Perfect Game’s 28th-best BIG EAST prospect ·· MLB Draft – Sixth Round by Cincinnati Reds Eric Jagielo // SO., 3B ·· Second Team ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Mideast Region ·· Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· College Sports Madness First Team All-BIG EAST Trey Mancini // SO., 1B ·· BIG EAST All-Tournament Team ·· Third Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Tournament Home Run Derby Champion ·· BIG EAST Player of the Week (Apr. 23) ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Feb. 27) Adam Norton // JR., RHP ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (May 7) Steve Sabatino // SR., LHP ·· MLB Draft – 26th Round by St. Louis Cardinals Dan Slania // SO., RHP ·· Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Feb. 27) ·· Perfect Game’s 17th-best BIG EAST prospect Joe Spano // SR., LHP ·· Signed Free Agent Contract With Toronto Blue Jays

•• Notre Dame extended its post-season streak to 13 consecutive seasons. The current streak marks the longest in school history.

H onors

awards

Eric Atkins // So., Guard ·· Notre Dame Outstanding Playmaker Award ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Feb. 6) Tim Abromaitis // GS, Forward ·· Byron V. Kanaley Award ·· BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award ·· Notre Dame Captains’ Award

B A S E B A L L H ighlights •• Notre Dame captured five of its nine BIG EAST series, including four of its last six. The Irish had not collected more conference series victories in one season since 2006. •• Notre Dame picked up multiple victories and advanced to the BIG EAST tournament semifinals for the first time since 2009. •• Notre Dame was the youngest team in the BIG EAST. The Irish led the conference in most starts by true freshmen (177), most starts by different true freshmen (11) and highest average of true freshman starters per game (3.05). •• Notre Dame played 18 games decided by one run. The Irish went 11-7 in those outings. The 11 victories by a single run were tied for the most in single-season school history (1990, 1981). •• Will Hudgins was named all-BIG EAST second team following his only season as a starting pitcher. He went 5-3 and led the league with

a 2.06 ERA. Hudgins was the first Irish starter to complete a season with an ERA in the neighborhood of 2.00 since David Phelps, now a starting pitcher for the New York Yankees, posted a 1.88 ERA in 2007. He struck out 90 and walked 24 in 96.1 innings. •• Hudgins made 78 career appearances (fourth in school history) and finished with a 15-4 career record and 2.88 ERA. Only two pitchers in the history of Irish baseball (Aaron Heilman, 2.49 ERA, 393.2 IP; Tom Price, 2.84 ERA, 390.0 IP) have a lower career ERA with more innings pitched. His career winning percentage of .789 stands ninth all-time (minimum 16 career decisions). •• Adam Norton led the NCAA in fewest walks per nine innings (0.64) and ranked third

in the country in strikeout-to-walk ratio (8.71). He owns the school record for both fewest career walks per nine innings and strikeout-towalk ratio. •• Dan Slania led the BIG EAST in saves (12), games finished (29), appearances (31) and relief appearances (31). He went 3-0 with a 2.03 ERA in 31.0 innings. Slania owns a 2.20 career ERA, which is the best in school history (minimum 60.0 innings pitched). His 12 saves in 2012 ranked tied for third in single-season school history, while his 16 career saves rank fifth all-time.

Mike Brey // Head Coach ·· Jim Phelan Coach of the Year ·· NABC District V Coach of the Year Pat Connaughton // Fr., Guard/Forward ·· BIG EAST Rookie of the Week (Feb. 6) Jack Cooley // Jr., Forward ·· BIG EAST Most Improved Player ·· Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Player of the Week (Feb. 13) ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Dec. 12, Dec. 26, Jan. 9, Jan. 23, Feb. 20) ·· Notre Dame Most Improved Player Award Alex Dragicevich // So., Guard ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Jan. 2) H E AD COACH

Mike Brey A SS I STANT COACH E S

Anthony Solomon Rod Balanis Martin Ingelsby

H E AD COACH

Mik Aoki A S S I STANT COACH es

CAP TAI N S

Joe Hastings Chuck Ristano Jesse Woods

Tim Abromaitis Eric Atkins Scott Martin

CAP TAI N S

athletics annual report

2011–12

athletics annual report

Jerian Grant // So., Guard ·· BIG EAST All-Rookie Team ·· BIG EAST Rookie of the Week (Nov. 21) ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Jan. 30) ·· Kyle Macy Freshman All-America Team ·· Notre Dame Newcomer of the Year Award Scott Martin // Sr., Guard ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award

Tommy Chase Will Hudgins

basketball

men ’ s bas k etball H ighlights

Tommy Chase // SR., INF ·· Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District V Team ·· Fan’s Choice Award Finalist presented by TD Ameritrade ·· Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup Finalist ·· Ray Siegfried Award for Leadership Excellence ·· Christopher Zorich Award

Sean Fitzgerald // SO., RHP ·· College Baseball 360 Primetime Performers (Mar. 13)

men’s

2011–12

•• The Irish finished third in the final BIG EAST regular season standings with a 13-5 mark, the second-most regular season wins in program history. Notre Dame registered 10 or more league wins for the third consecutive campaign and eighth time in the last 12 seasons. •• Notre Dame stood 11-8 overall and 3-3 overall following a loss to Rutgers on Jan. 16, 2012, but was 11-4 in its final 15 outings. Included in that was a school-record nine-game BIG EAST win streak—the longest conference win streak in school history and the third-longest for an Irish team under Brey. •• Notre Dame’s 67-58 win at Purcell Pavilion over No. 1 Syracuse on Jan. 21, 2012, was the 10th all-time against a top-ranked team and first in 25 years since the Irish beat North Carolina 60-58 in 1987. Eight of those victories have come against top-ranked teams in the Associated Press, the poll that the NCAA uses to recognize wins. Notre Dame is 7-3 all-time at home against top-ranked teams and recorded an NCAA record sixth straight when it defeated the Orange. •• Brey’s squad earned a trip to the BIG EAST Championship semifinals for the third consecutive year and fifth time in program history. Notre Dame is the only school to advance to the conference tournament semifinal game in each of the last three seasons. •• Notre Dame had its 29-game home win streak snapped when the Irish lost to Connecticut (67-53) on Jan. 14, 2012, but are an amazing 35-1 in their last 36 home games. Since 2006, Notre Dame owns the third-best winning percentage nationally at home (.935) with a 100-7 mark. Its 47-6 (.887) BIG EAST regular season home record tops all league opponents over the last six seasons •• Tim Abromaitis was named the BIG EAST ScholarAthlete of the Year for the third straight year and became the only player in league to earn the award on three occasions. Jack Cooley, a second team all-BIG EAST honoree, was the recipient of the conference’s Most Improved Player award. Jerian Grant earned a spot on the all-rookie team.

basketball

women’s

(35-4, 15-1 BIG EAST) • NCA A National Runner-Up • NCA A Raleigh Regional Champion • BIG EAST Champion BIG EAST Championship Runner-Up • Junkanoo Jam (Freeport Division) Champion • Preseason WNIT Runner-Up Final Associated Press Poll Ranking — 4th • Final ESPN/USA Today Poll Ranking — 2nd

basketball

H onors

awards

Natalie Achonwa // So., Forward ·· NCAA Raleigh Regional All-Tournament Team ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Feb. 6) Skylar Diggins // Jr., Guard ·· Nancy Lieberman Award Recipient ·· WBCA Coaches’ All-America Team ·· Associated Press All-America First Team ·· John R. Wooden Award All-America Team ·· USBWA All-America Team ·· WBCA/State Farm Wade Trophy Finalist ·· Naismith Trophy Finalist ·· John R. Wooden Award Finalist ·· USBWA Player of the Year Finalist ·· WBCA Coaches’ All-Region I Team ·· BIG EAST Player of the Year ·· All-BIG EAST First Team (unanimous) ·· NCAA Women’s Final Four All-Tournament Team ·· NCAA Raleigh Regional Most Outstanding Player ·· Junkanoo Jam (Freeport Division) AllTournament Team ·· Preseason WNIT All-Tournament Team ·· BIG EAST Player of the Week (Nov. 21, Jan. 9, Feb. 28) ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Nov. 28, Jan. 2, Jan. 30, Feb. 13) ·· Notre Dame Woody Miller Player of the Year Award (as selected by media) ·· BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award

women ’ s bas k etball H ighlights •• Notre Dame advanced to the NCAA national championship game for the second consecutive season, something only five other schools in the 31-year history of the tournament have managed to do. The Irish also made their fourth trip to the NCAA Women’s Final Four, becoming the seventh school to pull off that feat. •• Notre Dame secured its first outright BIG EAST Conference regular season title (and its second overall, following a shared championship in 2001), finishing two games ahead of conference runners-up Connecticut and St. John’s. •• The Irish defeated Connecticut in three of four matchups (including their NCAA Women’s Final Four meeting for the second year in a row), becoming the first school to defeat the Huskies three times in the same season since 1992-93.

•• For the second consecutive season, the Irish defeated both Tennessee and Connecticut, becoming the second team in NCAA history to accomplish that. •• Notre Dame set or tied 22 single-season school records, including marks for wins (35) and wins over ranked opponents (15). Among the notable victories were an 80-49 rout of No. 5 Maryland in the NCAA Raleigh Regional final (biggest win against a top-10 opponent) and a 72-44 win over No. 7/9 Tennessee (fewest points allowed against a top-10 opponent and fewest points Tennessee scored in the Pat Summitt era). •• Notre Dame finished among the top 13 in the nation in 11 NCAA categories, including top-five marks for scoring offense (2nd – 78.9 ppg.), scoring margin (3rd – +26.0 ppg.), field goal percentage (4th – .468), assists (4th – 17.9 apg.) and attendance (5th – 8,571).

•• Junior guard Skylar Diggins was a consensus first team All-America selection and earned the Nancy Lieberman Award (nation’s top point guard). Senior guard Natalie Novosel and fifth-year senior forward Devereaux Peters both garnered honorable mention All-America accolades for the second consecutive season.

Whitney Holloway // Fr., Guard ·· Notre Dame Spirit Award Brittany Mallory // GS, Guard ·· Notre Dame Defensive Player of the Year Award

H E AD COACH

Muffet McGraw

•• Peters became the highest WNBA Draft pick in school history, going third overall to the Minnesota Lynx, while Novosel was the No. 8 overall pick by the Washington Mystics. It marked the first time Notre Dame had two first-round WNBA Draft selections in the same season.

A S SOCIATE H E AD COACH

Jonathan Tsipis A S SOCIATE COACH

Kayla McBride // So., Guard ·· NCAA Raleigh Regional All-Tournament Team ·· BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament Team ·· Notre Dame Most Improved Player Award Muffet McGraw // Head Coach ·· WBCA Region I Coach of the Year ·· WBCA National Coach of the Year Finalist ·· Naismith National Coach of the Year Finalist ·· USBWA National Coach of the Year Candidate Fraderica Miller // Sr., Guard ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award Natalie Novosel // Sr., Guard ·· Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award All-America First Team ·· Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention ·· WBCA Coaches’ All-America Team Finalist (honorable mention) ·· Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award Finalist ·· WBCA Coaches’ All-Region I Team ·· All-BIG EAST First Team ·· Junkanoo Jam (Freeport Division) MVP ·· NCAA Raleigh Regional All-Tournament Team ·· Preseason WNIT All-Tournament Team ·· BIG EAST Player of the Week (Dec. 19) ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Jan. 16) ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club Co-MVP Award ·· WNBA Draft Pick – First Round (8th overall) by Washington Mystics Devereaux Peters // GS, Forward ·· Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention ·· WBCA Coaches’ All-America Team Finalist (honorable mention) ·· WBCA National Defensive Player of the Year Finalist ·· WBCA Coaches’ All-Region I Team ·· BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year ·· All-BIG EAST First Team ·· BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament Team ·· BIG EAST Player of the Week (Jan. 23) ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Jan. 30, Feb. 20) ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club Co-MVP Award ·· WNBA Draft Pick – First Round (3rd overall) by Minnesota Lynx Markisha Wright // Fr., Forward ·· BIG EAST Freshman of the Week (Jan. 2)

Carol Owens A SS I STANT COACH

Niele Ivey CAP TAI N S

Brittany Mallory Natalie Novosel Devereaux Peters

athletics annual report

2011–12

athletics annual report

2011–12

cross country

men’s

NCA A Championship – 24th NCA A Great Lakes Regional – 4th, BIG EAST Championship – 6th National Catholic Invitational Champion, Final USTFCCCA Ranking – 25th

NCA A Championship – 22nd, NCA A Great Lakes Regional – 5th, BIG EAST Championship – 6th Wisconsin Invitational – 15th, National Catholic Invitational Champion Final USTFCCCA Ranking – 28th, O.S.C.A.R.S. – Trophy Award

woMen’s

cross country

women ’ s cross country H ighlights •• The Irish advanced to the NCAA Championship for the 10th time since 1993 after earning an at-large spot in the field following a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional. An Irish individual or team has competed at the NCAA Championship 14 times since 1993. Notre Dame finished 22nd in the 31-team field and earned a No. 28 ranking in the final USTFCCCA poll. •• Two Irish student-athletes earned all-region honors at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional. Jessica Rydberg (10th) and Gabby Gonzales (13th) both finished in the top 15 for Notre Dame.

H onors H onors

•• The Irish advanced to the NCAA Championship for the 22nd time in 28 seasons under head coach Joe Piane. Notre Dame earned an at-large spot in the field after placing fourth at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional. It marked the 22nd consecutive season either a Notre Dame individual or team competed at the NCAA Championship. Notre Dame finished 24th in the 31-team field and earned a No. 25 ranking in the final USTFCCCA poll. •• The Irish were a mainstay in the USTFCCCA top-25 poll, beginning the year ranked 23rd in the preseason poll, and staying in the top 30 every week but two throughout the course of the year.

H E AD COACH

Joe Piane

•• Three student-athletes earned all-region honors at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional. Jordan Carlson (15th), Jeremy Rae (17th) and Martin Grady (20th) all finished in the top 20 for Notre Dame. In all, the Irish had five runners in the top 35 to place fourth at the meet with 119 points and earned an at-large slot in the NCAA Championship. •• Grady (10th) and Rae (12th) both earned all-BIG EAST scrolls in helping the Irish finish sixth at the BIG EAST Championship. Going against several nationally ranked squads, the Irish had five runners finish in the top 40 to help the Irish score 119 points, just three out of fifth place.

Alexa Aragon // So. ·· NCAA Championship Participant

awards

Kelly Curran // So. ·· NCAA Championship Participant

Jordan Carlson // Sr. ·· All-Great Lakes Region ·· NCAA Championship Participant ·· USTFCCCA All-Academic ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award

men ’ s cross country H ighlights •• The Irish opened the year with a second-place finish at the Crusader Invitational. They then won the National Catholic Championship and took 11th and 19th, respectively, at the elite Notre Dame and Wisconsin Invitationals, before heading to the BIG EAST Championship. •• In the JV race at the National Catholic Championship, Tom Pesch and Jeff MacMillan finished first and second, respectively. In the main race at the National Catholic Championship, Grady finished second. •• Carlson picked up several academic awards at season’s end, earning a spot on the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team and winning the Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award for men’s cross country.

Emily Frydrych // Fr. ·· NCAA Championship Participant Gabby Gonzales // Fr. ·· All-Great Lakes Region ·· NCAA Championship Participant

Martin Grady // So. ·· National Catholic Invitational Runner-Up ·· All-BIG EAST Conference ·· All-Great Lakes Region ·· NCAA Championship Participant

Jeff MacMillan // Jr. ·· National Catholic Invitational JV Race Runner-Up

Jessica Rydberg // Jr. ·· Valparaiso Crusader Invitational Runner-Up ·· National Catholic Invitational Champion ·· BIG EAST Female Cross Country Athlete of the Week (Sept. 20) ·· All-Great Lakes Region ·· NCAA Championship Participant ·· USTFCCCA All-Academic

J.P. Malette // Jr. ·· NCAA Championship Participant

Allison Schroeder // Sr. ·· National Catholic Invitational JV Race Runner-Up

Kelly Lynch // Sr. ·· NCAA Championship Participant

Joe Miller // Sr. ·· NCAA Championship Participant

Katherine Stultz // Fr. ·· National Catholic Invitational JV Race Champion

Tom Pesch // Sr. ·· National Catholic Invitational JV Race Champion

Rebecca Tracy // Jr. ·· NCAA Championship Participant

Jeremy Rae // Jr. ·· All-BIG EAST Conference ·· All-Great Lakes Region ·· NCAA Championship Participant ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award

Rachel Velarde // Sr. ·· NCAA Championship Participant ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award

Walter Schafer // So. ·· NCAA Championship Participant

•• Notre Dame opened the year with a second-place finish at the Crusader Invitational, before winning the National Catholic Championship. After finishing fifth at the elite Notre Dame Invitational, the squad took 15th at the highly decorated Wisconsin Invitational. •• In the JV race at the National Catholic Championship, Katherine Stultz and Allison Schroeder finished first and second, respectively. •• Schroeder, who is attending Ohio State’s College of Medicine in the fall of 2012, won the American Eagle Outfitters Michael Tranghese Postgraduate Leadership Award in May. She was given a $5,000 scholarship that can be used toward her postgraduate work. Schroeder was awarded the Top Gun award at the O.S.C.A.R.S. awards show in May and shared the Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award for women’s track and field. She finished up at Notre Dame with a 3.926 GPA and was named to the Dean’s List all eight semesters.

H E AD COACH

Tim Connelly CAP TAI N S

Rebecca Tracy Rachel Velarde

CAP TAI N S

Jordan Carlson J.P. Malette

awards

•• Rydberg turned in quite a year for the Irish, finishing 18th at the BIG EAST Championship in addition to her all-region honor. After missing her sophomore year with an injury, Rydberg finished second at the season-opening Crusader Invitational and then won the National Catholic Championship on the Notre Dame Golf Course. After her win, Rydberg was named BIG EAST Female Cross Country Athlete of the Week on Sept. 20. A standout in the classroom, she also was named to the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team.

athletics annual report

2011–12

athletics annual report

2011–12

fencing

Men’s

(29-6) NCA A Third-Place Finisher • Midwest Fencing Conference Champion Final National Ranking – 4th

(25-6) NCA A Third-Place Finisher • Midwest Fencing Conference Third-Place Finisher Final National Ranking – 3rd

women’s

fencing

men ’ s fencing H ighlights •• Despite losing two fencers to Olympic Games qualifying – Gerek Meinhardt and Ariel DeSmet – Notre Dame men’s fencing finished the season with an overall record of 29-6, while qualifying the maximum six fencers for the NCAA Championship. •• Meinhardt earned his second consecutive spot on the U.S. Olympic Team, claiming the alternate spot for the men’s foil team for the 2012 London Games after finishing the qualifying schedule as the fourth-ranked foil fencer in the United States. •• Between the men’s and women’s team, the Irish again qualified the maximum 12 fencers for NCAA competition. It is the ninth time in program history that Notre Dame has sent the maximum number of qualifiers to the NCAA. Since 2000 the Irish have sent more fencers (153) than any other school to the championship. •• Reggie Bentley, Enzo Castellani, Jason Choy, Kevin Hassett, James Kaull and Michael Rossi represented the Irish men’s team at the 2012 NCAA Championship; as the team finished in third place overall. Castellani paced the team, finishing as a first team All-American following his fourth-place showing in foil. Bentley (fifth, foil), Kaull (seventh, epee) and Hassett (seventh, sabre) all earned spots as second team All-Americans with their respective top-eight finishes. H ead Coach

Janusz Bednarski A ssistant Coaches

Gia Kvaratskhelia Ian Farr Captains

Reggie Bentley Keith Feldman

•• Despite a second-place finish as an overall team, the men’s squad won its third consecutive Midwest Fencing Conference (MFC) Championship title, finishing first in two of the three weapon classes (foil, sabre) to claim 660 points. In each of the title bouts, the Irish knocked off Ohio State, winning by a 5-2 count in foil before claiming a 5-3 victory in sabre. The epee squad finished runner-up to the Buckeyes, dropping a 5-1 decision in the championship bout. •• Individually, Castellani claimed the gold medal at MFCs, while both Rossi and Choy reached the podium with thirdplace finishes in epee and sabre, respectively. Kaull (fifth), Keith Feldman (tie-sixth), Alexander Coccia (tie-sixth) and Grant Hodges (seventh) also earned top-10 results at the event. •• For the second straight year, the Irish competed in the Squad Championships, a tournament which features team draws consisting of international scoring that sees squads race for 45 total touches. The Irish men’s foil team of Castellani, Hodges and Nicholas Crebs claimed the gold medal at the tournament, while the men’s sabre team of Choy, Coccia, Feldman and Hassett won bronze.

H onors

awards

Gabriel Acuna // Fr., Foil ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 11th-Place Finisher ·· Third Team All-MFC Reggie Bentley // Sr., Foil ·· NCAA 5th-Place Finisher ·· Second Team All-American ·· NCAA Midwest Regional Runner-Up ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award Enzo Castellani // Sr., Foil ·· NCAA 3rd-Place Finisher ·· First Team All-American ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 3rd-Place Finisher ·· Midwest Fencing Conference Champion ·· First Team All-MFC ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award Jason Choy // Jr., Sabre ·· NCAA 14th-Place Finisher ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 5th-Place Finisher ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 3rd-Place Finisher ·· First Team All-MFC Alexander Coccia // So., Sabre ·· Christopher Zorich Award ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 9th-Place Finisher ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 6th-Place Finisher ·· Second Team All-MFC Nicholas Crebs // Sr., Foil ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 11th-Place Finisher ·· Third Team All-MFC Keith Feldman // Sr., Sabre ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 3rd-Place Finisher ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 6th-Place Finisher ·· Second Team All-MFC

Kevin Hassett // So., Sabre ·· NCAA 7th-Place Finisher ·· Second Team All-American ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 6th-Place Finisher ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 8th-Place Finisher ·· Second Team All-MFC Grant Hodges // Jr., Foil ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 9th-Place Finisher ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 7th-Place Finisher ·· Second Team All-MFC James Kaull // Jr., Epee ·· NCAA 7th-Place Finisher ·· Second Team All-American ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 7th-Place Finisher ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 5th-Place Finisher ·· Second Team All-MFC

awards

Beatriz Almeida // Sr., Sabre ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 10th-Place Finisher ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 7th-Place Finisher ·· Second Team All-MFC Nicole Ameli // Fr., Epee ·· NCAA 11th-Place Finisher ·· Third Team All-American ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 5th-Place Finisher Rachel Beck // So., Foil ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 9th-Place Finisher ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 8th-Place Finisher ·· Second Team All-MFC Adriana Camacho // So., Foil ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 6th-Place Finisher ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 5th-Place Finisher ·· Second Team All-MFC Channing Foster // Fr., Epee ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 9th-Place Finisher

Nickolas Kubik // So., Foil ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 5th-Place Finisher

Danielle Guilfoyle // Jr., Sabre ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 14th-Place Finisher

William Meckling // Fr., Sabre ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 11th-Place Finisher ·· Third Team All-MFC

Grace Hartman // Jr., Foil ·· NCAA 5th-Place Finisher ·· Second Team All-American ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 3rd-Place Finisher ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 15th-Place Finisher ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award

Gerek Meinhardt // Jr., Foil ·· 2012 London Olympics Qualifier Ryan Murphy // So., Foil ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 15th-Place Finisher Jack Piasio // Jr., Epee ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 8th-Place Finisher ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 12th-Place Finisher ·· Third Team All-MFC Dale Purdy // Fr., Epee ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 9th-Place Finisher ·· Michael Rossi // So., Epee ·· NCAA 23rd-Place Finisher ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 6th-Place Finisher ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 3rd-Place Finisher ·· First Team All-MFC

athletics annual report

2011–12

Courtney Hurley // Jr., Epee ·· 2012 London Olympic Qualifier

Lian Osier // Jr., Sabre ·· NCAA 8th-Place Finisher ·· Second Team All-American ·· NCAA Midwest Regional Runner-Up ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 6th-Place Finisher ·· Second Team All-MFC Kathryn Palazzoto // Jr., Sabre ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 8th-Place Finisher ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 9th-Place Finisher ·· Third Team All-MFC Radmila Sarkisova // Sr., Foil ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 7th-Place Finisher ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 12th-Place Finisher ·· Third Team All-MFC ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award Ashley Severson // Fr., Epee ·· NCAA 5th-Place Finisher ·· Second Team All-American ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 3rd-Place Finisher ·· Midwest Fencing Conference Runner-Up ·· First Team All-MFC Marta Stepien // Jr., Sabre ·· Christopher Zorich Award ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 13th-Place Finisher Madison Zeiss // Fr., Foil ·· NCAA 8th-Place Finisher ·· Second Team All-American ·· NCAA Midwest Regional Runner-Up ·· Midwest Fencing Conference Champion ·· First Team All-MFC

H ead Coach

Lee Kiefer // Incoming Freshman., Foil ·· 2012 London Olympic Qualifier

Janusz Bednarski

Darsie Malynn // Sr., Foil ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 10th-Place Finisher ·· Third Team All-MFC

A ssistant Coaches

Stephanie Meyers // Sr., Epee ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club Postgraduate Scholarship Abigail Nichols // Jr., Sabre ·· NCAA 15th-Place Finisher ·· NCAA Midwest Regional 7th-Place Finisher ·· Midwest Fencing Conference 5th-Place Finisher ·· Second Team All-MFC

athletics annual report

2011–12

Gia Kvaratskhelia Ian Farr Marek Stepien Captains

Lian Osier Radmila Sarkisova Diane Zielinski

women ’ s fencing H ighlights •• Much like the men’s team, the women’s fencing squad had to replace former two-time NCAA medalist Courtney Hurley as she looked to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics. Despite her absence, the women put together a 25-6 regular season and also qualified the maximum six fencers for NCAA competition. •• Over the past four seasons, the Irish women have put together a stellar 119-8 record during the regular season, including posting undefeated seasons in both 2010 and 2011. •• Hurley did qualify for her first Olympic Games, entering as the top-ranked women’s epee fencer in the United States after the qualifying schedule concluded. She is joined by former Irish fencers Kelley Hurley (sister, epee) and Mariel Zagunis (sabre, two-time gold medalist) as well as incoming freshman Lee Kiefer (foil) on Team USA. •• Between the men’s and women’s team, the Irish again qualified the maximum 12 fencers for NCAA competition. It is the ninth time in program history that Notre Dame had reached that limit. Since 2000, the Irish have sent more fencers (153) than any other school to the NCAAs.

•• Only one fencer returned to the NCAAs from the 2011 squad, Lian Osier. She, along with Grace Hartman and Madison Zeiss in foil and Ashley Severson in epee, each earned second team All-America distinction. Severson and Hartman led the way, finishing fifth overall in their respective weapons, while Zeiss and Osier each finished eighth. Nicole Ameli earned third team All-American after concluding in 11th. •• Prior to heading to NCAA competition, Zeiss earned conference gold by winning the Midwest Fencing Conference (MFC) Championship title in foil. Severson also earned a spot on the podium after finishing runner-up in epee, while Camacho (fifth), Osier (sixth), Beatriz Almeida (seventh), Rachel Beck (eighth), Kathryn Palazzoto (ninth) and Darsie Malynn (10th) also earned top-10 results. •• For the second straight year, the Irish competed in the Squad Championships, a tournament which features team draws consisting of international scoring that sees squads race for 45 total touches. The women sent only one team to the competition with the foil unit of Zeiss, Beck, Camacho and Hartman finishing with the silver medal.

football

(8-5) Champs Sports Bowl Participant

H onors

awards

George Atkinson III // Fr., Running Back/Kick Returner ·· Phil Steele Second Team Freshman All-American ·· SI.com Honorable Mention All-American ·· FBS Independent Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 18, Oct. 23) ·· College Football Performance Awards ·· National Kickoff Returner of the Week (Sept. 18, Oct. 23) Robert Blanton // Sr., Cornerback ·· Notre Dame’s Back of the Year Award ·· College Football Performance Awards ·· Honorable Mention Defensive Back (Sept. 18) ·· FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 18) ·· NFL Draft Pick – Fifth Round (139th overall) by Minnesota Vikings Kyle Brindza // Fr., Kicker/Punter ·· College Football Performance Awards ·· Honorable Mention Kickoff Specialist (Oct. 23) Braxston Cave // Sr., Center ·· Rimington Trophy Watch List

football H ighlights •• The Irish offense eclipsed 500 yards of total offense in five games, equal to the combined number of 500-yard games Notre Dame tallied in the previous five seasons. The Irish scored at least 45 points in three games in 2011, the most by a Notre Dame offense in a single season since 1996. •• Notre Dame’s defense held 12 of 13 teams below their season scoring average and held 11 of 13 schools under their season rushing average. The Irish defense ranked in the top 50 in scoring defense (24th, 20.7), total defense (30th, 344.7), rushing defense (47th, 138.9) and passing defense (38th, 205.8). It was only the second time since 2003 and fourth time in the last 15 seasons a Notre Dame defense ranked in the top 50 in all four categories. •• Junior tight end Tyler Eifert was named a first team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and was one of three finalists for the John Mackey Award, presented annually to

the top college football tight end. Eifert led all tight ends in the FBS with 63 receptions for 803 yards. •• Junior linebacker Manti Te’o was named a second team All-American by five outlets, including Associated Press and Walter Camp. Te’o was a finalist for the Lott Trophy (top defensive player with character) and Butkus Award (top college linebacker) after leading the Irish with 128 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss. •• Te’o was also named to Capital One/ CoSIDA Academic All-America second team and was the Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley’s Rockne Student-Athlete of the Year. •• Senior wide receiver Michael Floyd was the recipient of the Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP award for the second straight season after recording a school record 100 receptions in 2011 for 1,147 yards and nine touchdowns.

•• Floyd was one of two Notre Dame players selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Floyd was chosen by the Arizona Cardinals with the 13th overall selection and safety Harrison Smith was taken with the 29th overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings. It marked the first time since 1994 that Notre Dame had multiple first-round selections in the NFL Draft.

time in the last 16 years Notre Dame posted consecutive seasons with at least eight wins. •• Notre Dame was one of 24 schools that lost its first two games in 2011 but was one of only three teams (Georgia and Western Kentucky the others) to rebound and have a winning season. Since 2001, 275 FBS teams started 0-2 and Notre Dame became only the 27th school that won at least eight of its next 10 games.

•• The Fighting Irish football team finished with an 8-5 record and participated in the Champs Sports Bowl. Notre Dame won eight of nine games in the middle of the H E AD COACH season to match Brian Kelly its win total from 2010. The Irish A S S I STANT COACH es claimed eight Bob Diaco Kerry Cooks victories for the Charley Molnar Mike Denbrock second straight Tony Alford Mike Elston season under head coach Brian CAP TAI N S Kelly, making it Harrison Smith only the second

Tim Hinton Chuck Martin Ed Warinner

Austin Collinsworth // So., Safety ·· Notre Dame Special Teams Player of the Year Award ·· Independent Special Teams Player of the Week (Nov. 7) Tyler Eifert // Jr., Tight End ·· Walter Camp First Team All-American ·· Associated Press Second Team All-American ·· Phil Steele Third team All-American ·· Rivals Third team All-American ·· Pro Football Weekly Honorable Mention All-American ·· SI.com Honorable Mention All-American ·· Mackey Award Finalist ·· Mackey Award Semifinalist ·· Mackey Award Watch List ·· Sporting News’ Midseason All-America First Team ·· Phil Steele Midseason All-America First Team ·· College Football Performance Awards ·· Honorable Mention Tight End (Sept. 5, Oct. 9, Oct. 23, Nov. 6, Nov. 27) ·· National Tight End of the Week (Sept. 25, Nov. 13) ·· FBS Independent Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 25) Darius Fleming // Sr., Outside Linebacker ·· Notre Dame Lineman of the Year Award ·· Butkus Award Watch List ·· NFL Draft Pick – Fifth Round (165th overall) by San Francisco 49ers

Michael Floyd // Sr., Wide Receiver ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award ·· Phil Steele Second Team All-American ·· Pro Football Weekly Honorable Mention All-American ·· SI.com Honorable Mention All-American ·· Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist ·· Phil Steele Midseason All-America Second Team ·· Biletnikoff Award Watch List ·· Walter Camp Award Watch List ·· Maxwell Award Watch List ·· College Football Performance Awards ·· Honorable Mention Wide Receiver (Sept. 5) ·· FBS Independent Co-Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 5) ·· FBS Independent Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 12, Oct. 31) ·· NFL Draft Pick – First Round (13th overall) by Arizona Cardinals

David Ruffer // GS, Kicker ·· FBS Independent Special Teams Player of the Week (Nov. 14, Nov. 21) ·· College Football Performance Awards ·· Honorable Mention Place Kicker (Nov. 20) ·· Lou Groza Award Watch List

Dan Fox // Jr., Inside Linebacker ·· Notre Dame Defensive Newcomer of the Year Award

Manti Te’o // Jr., Inside Linebacker ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award ·· Associated Press Second Team All-American ·· Walter Camp Second Team All-American ·· SI.com Second Team All-American ·· Phil Steele Second Team All-American ·· Rivals Second Team All-American ·· Lott Trophy Finalist ·· Butkus Award Finalist ·· Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team ·· Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District V Team ·· Lombardi Award Semifinalist ·· Lott Trophy Semifinalist ·· Butkus Award Semifinalist ·· Phil Steele Midseason All-America First Team ·· FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 3, Oct. 31, Nov. 21) ·· College Football Performance Awards ·· Honorable Mention Linebacker (Oct. 30) ·· Bednarik Award Watch List ·· Butkus Award Watch List ·· Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List ·· Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Everett Golson // Fr., Quarterback ·· Notre Dame Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year Award Jonas Gray // Sr., Running Back ·· Notre Dame Offensive Newcomer of the Year ·· College Football Performance Awards ·· Honorable Mention Running Back (Oct. 30) Ethan Johnson // Sr., Defensive End ·· Hendricks Award Watch List Kapron Lewis-Moore // Sr., Defensive En ·· Hendricks Award Watch List Aaron Lynch // Fr., Defensive End ·· Phil Steele First Team Freshman All-American ·· ESPN.com Scouts Inc. No. 3 Freshman AllAmerican ·· CFN All-Freshman Team Honorable Mention Zack Martin // Jr., Offensive Tackle ·· Notre Dame’s Guardian of the Year Award ·· Outland Trophy Watch List Brandon Newman // Sr., Nose Guard ·· Notre Dame’s Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year Award Louis Nix III // So., Nose Guard ·· CFN All-Sophomore Team Honorable Mention Tommy Rees // So., Quarterback ·· CFN All-Sophomore Team Honorable Mention ·· FBS Independent Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 11, Nov. 14) ·· College Football Performance Awards ·· Honorable Mention Quarterback (Oct. 9)

Jamoris Slaughter // Sr., Safety ·· FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 11) Harrison Smith // GS, Safety ·· Notre Dame Nick Pietrosante Award ·· Independent Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 7) ·· Phil Steele Midseason All-America Third Team ·· Nagurski Trophy Watch List ·· Thorpe Award Watch List ·· NFL Draft Pick – First Round (29th overall) by Minnesota Vikings

Robby Toma // Jr., Wide Receiver ·· Notre Dame Next Man In Award Stephen Tuitt // Fr., Defensive End ·· Phil Steele Third team Freshman All-American Cierre Wood // Jr., Running Back ·· FBS Independent Co-Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 3) ·· College Football Performance Awards ·· Honorable Mention Running Back (Oct. 2) ·· Walker Award Watch List ·· Hornung Award Watch List

Offensive captain chosen on game-by-game basis

athletics annual report

2011–12

athletics annual report

2011–12

golf

men’s

[66-62-3] • BIG EAST Champion • The Match Play Champion Battle at the Warren Champion • Gopher Invitational – 3rd Place Fighting Irish Gridiron Golf Classic – 5th Place • NCA A Central Regionals – T-6th

golf

H onors

awards

Andrew Carreon // So. ·· Fighting Irish Gridiron Golf Classic (T-11th of 70) ·· Battle at the Warren (T-12th of 36) Ryan Coughlin // Sr. ·· Battle at the Warren (T-4th of 36) Jim Kubinski // Head Coach ·· BIG EAST Coach of the Year Paul McNamara III // Jr. ·· All-BIG EAST Team ·· BIG EAST Championship (5th of 60) ·· Battle at the Warren (T-4th of 36) Niall Platt // So. ·· All-BIG EAST Team ·· BIG EAST Championship (10th of 60) ·· Gopher Invitational (T-8th of 75) ·· Linger Longer Invitational (T-14th of 72) ·· Battle at the Warren (2nd of 36) ·· BIG EAST Golfer of the Week (Feb. 15)

men ’ s golf H ighlights •• The Notre Dame men’s golf team captured the BIG EAST Championship for the second consecutive season and fourth time under the direction of head coach Jim Kubinski in 2012, using an 852 (-12) to pull away for a 16-shot victory. It was the widest margin of victory at a BIG EAST Championship since the ’02 Championship that saw Virginia Tech win by 17 shots. •• Individually, senior Max Scodro earned BIG EAST Player of the Year

honors for the second straight year after leading the conference in stroke average (71.25) and claiming individual medalist honors for the second consecutive season at the conference championship with his 210 (-6). He became the first BIG EAST golfer to claim back-to-back medalist finishes since Pat Fogarty of St. John’s won three straight from ’84-’86. Additionally, Kubinski received BIG EAST Coach of the Year honors for the second year in a row and Scodro

was joined by Chris Walker, Paul McNamara III and Niall Platt on the all-BIG EAST team after each placed in the top 10 at the conference tournament. •• The Irish earned the conference’s automatic bid into the NCAA Regionals for the second straight year, playing in the NCAA Central Regional at the U-M Golf Course in Ann Arbor, Mich. Despite missing out on qualifying for the NCAA Championship by one spot, Notre Dame earned its highest finish

since the regional format was adopted after placing tied for sixth at 859 (+7). Additionally, Scodro earned the highest regional individual finish in Irish history after concluding tied for seventh at 208 (-5). •• Scodro finished his Irish career as arguably the most decorated golfer in program history, concluding with the lowest career stroke average (73.25) and earning both PING and Golfweek honorable mention All-America status.

athletics annual report

2011–12

He became the first Notre Dame golfer to be selected an All-American since John Lundgren was chosen honorable mention in 1980. Additionally, Scodro became just the second Notre Dame golfer—along with Cole Isban—to be named a PING All-Midwest Region team selection on multiple occasions. •• As a team, the Irish were named to the Golf Coaches Association of America All-Academic Team.

athletics annual report

2011–12

H E AD COACH

Jim Kubinski A SS I STANT COACH es

Steve Colnitis CAP TAI N S

Max Scodro Tom Usher Chris Walker

Max Scodro // Sr. ·· BIG EAST Player of the Year ·· BIG EAST Medalist (1st of 60) ·· NCAA Central Regional (T-7th of 75) ·· PING All-Midwest Region ·· GCAA PING Division I All-American Honorable Mention ·· GolfWeek Division I All-American Honorable Mention ·· All-BIG EAST Team ·· NCAA Central Regionals (T-7th of 75) ·· Gopher Invitational (T-6th of 75) ·· Illini Invitational (T-11th of 75) ·· Fighting Irish Gridiron Golf Classic (4th of 70) ·· The Invitational at Kiawah Island (T-7th of 75) ·· Schenkel Invitational (T-13th of 81) ·· Linger Longer Invitational (T-4th of 72) ·· Battle at the Warren (3rd of 36) ·· Golf World 50 College Players To Watch List ·· BIG EAST Golfer of the Month (September) ·· BIG EAST Golfer of the Week (March 21 and March 28) ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award Tom Usher // Sr. ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award ·· Battle at the Warren (1st of 36) ·· Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar Chris Walker // Sr. ·· All-BIG EAST Team ·· BIG EAST Championship (T-3rd of 60) ·· Illini Invitational (T-15th of 75) ·· Battle at the Warren (T-4th of 36)

golf

women’s

[61-84-3] • NCA A Central Regional – 15th • BIG EAST Championship – 2nd place • Hoosier Fall Invitational – 2nd place Landfall Tradition – 10th place • LSU Tiger Classic – 10th place • Notre Dame Clover Cup Tournament – 5th place Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic – 10th place • Golfstat – 49th • Golfweek – 50th

[19-18-3, 12-13-3-0 CCHA] Final Rank – 18th USCHO.com CCHA Quarterfinalist

hockey

women ’ s golf H ighlights •• For the fifth consecutive year, the Notre Dame women’s golf team advanced to the NCAA Central Regional, this year held at Ohio State’s Scarlet Course. The Irish were 15th in the 24-team field with a 54-hole total of 936. Individually, senior Becca Huffer and freshman Ashley Armstrong were the team’s top finishers as they tied for 26th with 12-over par totals of 228. •• The Irish finished second at the BIG EAST Championship held in April at the Reunion Resort and Golf Club in Orlando, Fla. Notre Dame (911) finished one stroke behind South Florida (910) for the team title. Armstrong became the fifth Notre Dame women’s golfer to capture the individual title, firing a seven-over par total of 223 to tie Louisville’s Emily Haas for first. The Flossmoor, Ill., native then won the title on the third hole of a sudden-death playoff. She joins co-winners Katie Brophy in 2003 and Karen Lotta in 2005 plus individual winners Annie Brophy in 2008 and Lisa Maunu in 2009 as Notre Dame’s individual BIG EAST champions. •• The BIG EAST Conference honored three members of the women’s golf team for the 201011 season. Armstrong was selected all-BIG EAST and was named the conference’s freshman golfer of the year. Sophomore Kristina Nhim was an all-BIG EAST selection for the second consecutive season. Rounding out the trio was senior Huffer who was selected all-BIG EAST for the fourth consecutive year. Huffer joins former Irish golfers Noriko Nakazaki and Brophy as one of just three Notre Dame and BIG EAST women’s golfers to be named all-BIG EAST all four years of their careers. •• While the Irish women’s golfers had a strong year on the course; they were lights out in the classroom. At the year-end awards show the women’s golf team won the award for the highest team grade-point average over the previous two semesters (spring of 2011 and fall of 2011). They recorded a 3.638 mark in the spring of ’11 and followed that with a 3.655 grade point in the fall. At that time, it was the highest team grade-point average for a semester by any Irish team since the University began keeping those records. •• For the third consecutive semester, the Irish golfers set a record for the best team grade-point average among all Notre Dame teams. The spring of 2012 saw the Irish team gpa for the semester soar to a 3.776 grade-point average with four members of the squad earning Dean’s List accolades.

H onors

Patrick Gaul // Sr., Center ·· Charles “Lefty” Smith Coaches’ Award Stephen Johns // So., Defenseman ·· William Donald Nyrop Top Defensive Player Award ·· Member of 2011–12 U.S. World Junior National Team Mike Johnson // Jr., Goaltender ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Scholar-Athlete Award ·· CCHA all-Academic Team ·· CCHA Goaltender of the Week (Nov. 21)

H onors

awards

Anders Lee // So., Center ·· Honorable Mention all-CCHA ·· Hobey Baker Award Nominee ·· RBC Financial Group CCHA Player of the Month (Oct. 2011) ·· Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA) ·· Honorable Mention Player of the Month (Oct. 2011)

Katie Allare // Sr. ·· NGCA All-American Scholar ·· Hoosier Fall Invitational (t-36th of 77) Ashley Armstrong // Fr. ·· BIG EAST Freshmen of the Year ·· All-BIG EAST Team ·· BIG EAST Championship Medalist (1st of 40) ·· NGCA All-American Scholar ·· BIG EAST Golfer of the Week (April 11) ·· Darius Rucker Invitational (t-14th of 81) ·· LSU Tiger Classic (t-14th of 78) ·· Notre Dame Clover Cup (t-16th of 71) ·· Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic (t-13th of 90)

•• The Irish finished the 2011–12 season with a 19-18-3 overall record and were 12-13-3-0 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, finishing eighth in the conference. They defeated Ohio State, 2-0 and 4-2, in the first round of the CCHA playoffs before dropping a two-game series at Michigan, 2-1 in two overtimes and 3-1, in the CCHA quarterfinals. Notre Dame was ranked 18th in the final USCHO.com poll.

Becca Huffer // Sr. ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award ·· All-BIG EAST Team ·· BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award ·· NGCA All-American Scholar ·· BIG EAST Championship (5th of 40) ·· Hoosier Fall Invitational (1st of 77) ·· Landfall Tradition (t-10th of 77) ·· Notre Dame Clover Cup (t-8th of 71) Kristina Nhim // So. ·· NGCA All-American Scholar ·· All-BIG EAST Team ·· BIG EAST Championship (t-6th of 40) ·· Landfall Tradition (t-16th of 77) ·· Notre Dame Clover Cup (t-15th of 71) Kelli Oride // Fr. ·· BIG EAST Championship (t-19th of 40) ·· Hoosier Fall Invitational (t-4th of 77)

Sean Lorenz // Sr., Defenseman ·· Christopher Zorich Award ·· Finalist for 2011–12 Lowes Senior CLASS Award ·· College Hockey Humanitarian Award Nominee

hoc k ey H ighlights

Jeff Jackson A S SOCIATE H E AD COACH

Paul Pooley H E AD COACH

A S SOCIATE COACH

Susan Holt

Andy Slaggert

A S S I STANT COACH es

CAP TAI N S

Kyle Lynne Veltri

Sean Lorenz Billy Maday

CAP TAI N S

ALTE R NATE CAP TAI N

Anders Lee

athletics annual report

2011–12

athletics annual report

•• Sophomore center T.J. Tynan became the first Notre Dame player to win or share the CCHA scoring championship during 2011–12 as he tied for the league lead in scoring with nine goals and 20 assists for 29 points in 28 conference games. He was a first team all-CCHA selection. Overall, Tynan led Notre Dame in scoring for the second season in a row as he collected 13 goals with 28 assists for 41 points in 39 games. •• Notre Dame officially moved into the brand-new Compton Family Ice Arena on Oct. 21, 2011, delighting the sellout crowd of 5,022 with a 5-2 win over Rensselaer (RPI). Sophomore Anders Lee scored the first goal in the new building at 9:21 of the first period on the way to his

H E AD COACH

Becca Huffer

awards

2011–12

second career hat trick. Watching hockey at the Compton Family Ice Arena became the popular thing at Notre Dame during 2011–12, as the Irish averaged 4,739 fans per game. That total included 11 sellouts of 5,022 in the 19 games played at the new building.

Robbie Russo // Fr., Defenseman ·· CCHA All-Rookie Team ·· Notre Dame Rookie of the Year Steven Summerhays // So., Goaltender ·· Notre Dame Most Improved Player Award T.J. Tynan // So., Center ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award ·· Notre Dame Offensive Player of the Year ·· Notre Dame Perani Cup Winner ·· Hobey Baker Award Nominee ·· First Team All-CCHA ·· CCHA All-Rookie Team ·· 2011–12 CCHA Scoring Co-Champion ·· CCHA Player of the Week (Nov. 14) ·· Member of 2011–12 U.S. World Junior National Team

•• On Oct. 5, 2011, it was announced that Notre Dame would become a member of Hockey East Association at the start of the 2013-14 season. The conference change was due to the start of the Big Ten hockey conference in ’13-’14 that caused the breakup of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association as they are today. Along with the new conference affiliation, it was announced that the NBC Sports Network would begin televising Notre Dame home hockey games beginning with the 2013-14 season.

•• The patriarch of the Notre Dame hockey program, former head coach Charles “Lefty” Smith, the first coach in the Division I era of Irish hockey, passed away on Jan. 3, 2012, at the age of 81. His legacy to the Notre Dame hockey program will live on as the Irish play their games on the rink named in his honor—the Charles “Lefty” Smith Rink at the Compton Family Ice Arena.

lacrosse

Men’s

[13-3, 6-0 BIG EAST] BIG EAST Regular Season Champion • USILA Ranking – 5th Nike/Inside Lacrosse Ranking – 3rd • NCA A Championship Semifinalist

[13-5, 6-2 BIG EAST] • IWLCA Final Ranking – 9th deBeer Media Poll Final Ranking – 8th • BIG EAST Semifinals NCA A Championship First Round

Matt Miller // Jr., Defenseman ·· Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· USILA Honorable Mention All-American

H onors

awards

Tyler Brenneman // So., Midfielder ·· NCAA Elite 89 Award Kevin Corrigan // Head Coach ·· BIG EAST Coach of the Year Ryan Foley // Jr., Midfielder ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (April 30)

men ’ s lacrosse H ighlights •• Notre Dame advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Championship for the third time in program history and for the second time in three seasons by defeating defending national champion Virginia, 12-10, in the quarterfinals. The Irish topped Yale, 13-7, in the first round. Notre Dame fell to eventual national champion Loyola, 7-5, in the national semifinals. Junior goalie John Kemp was named to the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team. •• The Irish made their seventh straight NCAA Championship appearance, which established a program record for consecutive NCAA trips. Notre Dame H E AD COACH

Kevin Corrigan A S S I STANT COACH es

Gerry Byrne Brian Fisher CAP TAI N S

Nicholas Beattie Max Pfeifer Kevin Randall

has advanced to at least the NCAA quarterfinals four times in the last five seasons. •• The Fighting Irish put together a 10-game win streak, which matched the second-longest in program history. Notre Dame’s 13 total victories on the season were the fourth-most in school history.

Westy Hopkins // So., Attackman ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (April 9) John Kemp // Jr., Goaltender ·· USILA First Team All-American ·· NCAA All-Tournament Team ·· BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year ·· First Team All-BIG EAST ·· Tewaaraton Award Nominee ·· BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week (Feb. 20, April 16 and April 30) Jim Marlatt // So., Midfielder ·· First Team All-BIG EAST ·· USILA Honorable Mention All-American ·· BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week (March 12) ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (April 2)

•• The Irish defense finished the season ranked first nationally by allowing just 6.31 goals per game. Notre Dame is the only team in the country to finish each of the last six seasons ranked in the top five in team defense. The Irish also finished first in man-down defense (.892). Kemp concluded the season ranked first nationally in both

goals-against average (6.27) and save percentage (.637). •• Four Irish players earned AllAmerica honors from the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA). Kemp and senior defenseman Kevin Randall were first team selections, while junior defenseman Matt Miller and sophomore midfielder Jim Marlatt copped honorable mention accolades. •• Notre Dame won the BIG EAST regular season title with a perfect 6-0 league record. It was the first BIG EAST crown for the Irish.

Max Pfeifer // Sr., Midfielder ·· Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Feb. 20) Kevin Randall // Sr., Defenseman ·· BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year ·· First Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award ·· USILA First Team All-American ·· USILA Scholar All-American ·· Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award Finalist ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (March 5) ·· Major League Lacrosse Draft Pick – Charlotte Hounds ·· Byron V. Kanaley Award Sean Rogers // Sr., Attackman ·· First Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week (March 5 and April 23) ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (March 19 and March 26) Bobby Smith // Sr., Longstick Midfielder ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (April 2)

•• Notre Dame garnered three major BIG EAST Conference awards. Randall was named the league’s defensive player of the year, while Kemp was selected goalkeeper of the year and Kevin Corrigan received the coach-of-the-year award. Joining Randall and Kemp on the all-league first team were Sean Rogers and Marlatt. Miller and Max Pfeifer copped second team honors. •• Randall was one of 10 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. He also was named to the USILA Scholar All-America Team and selected in the Major League Lacrosse Draft.

athletics annual report

2011–12

H onors

women’s

lacrosse

awards

Ellie Hilling // Jr., Goalkeeper ·· BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week (March 5) ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (April 23) Jaimie Morrison // Jr., Attack ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (March 19) Lindsay Powell // So., Midfield/Attack ·· IWLCA West/Midwest Second Team All-Region ·· Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (April 30) Margaret Smith // So., Midfielder ·· IWLCA Third Team All-American ·· Synapse Sports Third Team All-American ·· IWLCA West/Midwest First Team All-Region ·· First Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Feb. 27, March 12, April 2) Jordy Shoemaker // Sr., Midfielder/Defender ·· 2012 IWLCA North/South Senior All-Star Game Participant Barbara Sullivan // Fr., Defender ·· Synapse Sports All-Rookie Team ·· IWLCA West/Midwest First Team All-Region ·· Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (April 9) Megan Sullivan // Sr., Midfielder/Defender ·· IWLCA West/Midwest Second Team All-Region ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award ·· Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (April 23) ·· Leader of Distinction Award ·· 2012 IWLCA North/South Senior All-Star Game Participant Maggie Tamasitis // Sr., Attack ·· IWLCA Second Team All-American ·· Synapse Sports Third Team All-American ·· IWLCA West/Midwest First Team All-Region ·· Tewaaraton Award Nominee ·· First Team All-BIG EAST ·· WomensLax.com Player of the Week (Feb. 20) ·· BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week (Feb. 20) ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (March 12, March 26, April 16) ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award

athletics annual report

2011–12

W O M E N ’ S L A C R O S S E H ighlights •• Under first year head coach Christine Halfpenny, the Irish had a breakout 2012 season, advancing to both the BIG EAST and NCAA Championships on their way to a 13-5 record after beginning the year 9-0. The 13 regular season wins were best in school history. The Irish have played in all six BIG EAST tournaments, and advanced to their seventh NCAA Championship since the program’s inception in 1997. •• Five players earned all-BIG EAST and IWLCA West/Midwest All-Region honors, while two players garnered IWLCA All-America citations. Sophomore Margaret H ead Coach

Christine Halfpenny A ssistant Coaches

Sarah Dalton Nick Williams Captains

Jordy Shoemaker Megan Sullivan Maggie Tamasitis

Smith and senior Maggie Tamasitis each earned first team all-BIG EAST and all-region honors, while Tamasitis was named second team All-American and Smith was tabbed as a third team All-America honoree. Freshman standout Barbara Sullivan was named second team all-BIG EAST and first team all-region, while sophomore Lindsay Powell and senior Megan Sullivan were selected second team all-BIG EAST and all-region. •• Tamasitis cemented her place in Irish lore with a remarkable senior season that saw her break the school record for assists in a half, game, season and career. She broke BIG EAST records for assists in a game and for a season in BIG EAST contests only. On April 14,

Tamasitis dished out a school and BIG EAST-record eight assists in a win at Connecticut. The performance put her into a tie for sixth all-time in Division I history for a single game. •• Following the season, several Irish student-athletes continued representing the Irish on the field. Jordy Shoemaker and Sullivan were selected to the North squad in the prestigious North/South All-Star game that was played the night before the All-American banquet in June, while Sullivan and Smith advanced to the final round of tryouts for the 2012-14 U.S. women’s national team. •• The Irish won five games against ranked teams in 2012, picking up victories over No. 6 Stanford, No. 10 Ohio State, No. 16 Cornell, No. 18 Vanderbilt and No. 12 Georgetown. They also broke several team offensive records in a 22-2 Senior Day win over Cincinnati.

rowing

women’s

CRCA /USRowing Coaches Poll – 17th NCA A Championship – 15th BIG EAST Champion

rowing

H onors

awards

Paige Aiello // Jr. ·· NCAA Third Finals Participant Second Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Champion Second Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Second Varsity Eight (March 29) Carlee Beckler // Fr. ·· BIG EAST Champion Third Varsity Eight Teresa Blumenstein // Jr. ·· NCAA Third Finals Participant Second Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Champion Second Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Second Varsity Eight (March 29) Erin Boxberger // Fr. ·· NCAA Third Finals Participant Varsity Eight ·· Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Champion Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Varsity Eight (May 2) Valerie Brencher // Sr. ·· BIG EAST Champion Third Varsity Eight Molly Bruggeman // So. ·· NCAA Third Finals Participant Varsity Eight ·· CRCA First Team Pocock All-American ·· CRCA All-Central Region First Team ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Varsity Eight (May 2) Madelynn Conlin // Fr. ·· BIG EAST Champion Second Varsity Four Leah Corachea // So. ·· BIG EAST Champion Third Varsity Four

rowing H ighlights •• Notre Dame rowing qualified for the NCAA Championship as a team for the third time under the direction of head coach Martin Stone, earning a spot in the 16-team championship field in 2012 following a season that saw the squad post several important wins, including capturing the BIG EAST Championship. The Irish finished 15th at the event, which was held on Mercer Lake in West Windsor, N.J., led by the varsity four boat earning a spot in the petite finals and an eighth-place finish. The second varsity eight concluded in 13th, while the varsity eight finished 15th. H ead Coach

Martin Stone A ssociate H ead Coach

Joe Schlosberg A ssistant Coach

Marnie Stahl

•• The Irish again took care of business at the BIG EAST Championship, claiming their ninth consecutive conference title. The 2012 championship, which also took place on Mercer Lake, saw Notre Dame earn five of the six grand finals on the day—varsity eight, second varsity eight, third varsity eight, second varsity four, third varsity four—to pull away for the title with 111 points. •• In claiming its ninth-straight conference championship, the Irish continue to build on the longest active title streak in the league. The longest streak prior to Notre Dame’s was when the Irish women’s swimming and diving team claimed top honors in 14 consecutive BIG EAST championship meets before placing second in 2011. •• Six Notre Dame rowers were selected to the all-BIG EAST Team. Olivia Kacsits, Morgan Kelley and Stephanie O’Neill all placed on the

first team, while Erin Boxberger, Courtney Gaberino and Ailish Sheehan garnered second team distinction. Additionally, Stone and his coaching staff were named BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year for the fifth time since ’06. •• Despite not rowing at the BIG EAST Championship, Molly Bruggeman became the first Notre Dame All-American since Amanda Polk in ’08 after being named a CRCA first team All-American following the season. Additionally, she earned a spot on the CRCA Central All-Region team alongside Kelley. •• Off the water, six Notre Dame rowers earned recognition as CRCA Scholar-Athletes. Abby Meyers represented the lone individual from the varsity eight, while Kelsey Haddad and Teresa Rubinger represented the second varsity eight and Danni Schneider, Joanna Poinsatte and Sarah McShane were selected from the varsity four.

athletics annual report

2011–12

Greer Cully // Fr. ·· BIG EAST Champion Third Varsity Four Kiersten DeHaven // So. ·· BIG EAST Champion Third Varsity Eight ·· Rosenthal Leadership Academy Participant Christina Dines // So. ·· NCAA Third Finals Participant Second Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Champion Second Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Second Varsity Eight (March 29) Rose Doerfler // Fr. ·· NCAA Third Finals Participant Second Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Champion Second Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Second Varsity Eight (March 29) Courtney Gaberino // So. ·· NCAA Third Finals Participant Varsity Eight ·· Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Champion Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Varsity Eight (May 2)

athletics annual report

2011–12

Kelsey Haddad // Jr. ·· NCAA Third Finals Participant Second Varsity Eight ·· CRCA National Scholar-Athlete ·· BIG EAST Champion Second Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Second Varsity Eight (March 29) Sarah Hart // Fr. ·· BIG EAST Champion Third Varsity Eight Ching-Ting Hwang // Sr. ·· BIG EAST Champion Third Varsity Eight ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award Hayley Johnson // Fr. ·· BIG EAST Champion Third Varsity Four Olivia Kacsits // So. ·· NCAA Third Finals Participant Varsity Eight ·· First Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Champion Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Varsity Eight (May 2) Alyce Kanabrocki // Jr. ·· Francis Patrick O’Connor Award Morgan Kelley // Sr. ·· NCAA Third Finals Participant Varsity Eight ·· CRCA All-Central Region Second Team ·· First Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Champion Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Varsity Eight (May 2) Anna Kottkamp // Fr. ·· NCAA Third Finals Participant Second Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Champion Second Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Second Varsity Eight (March 29) Analisa LaMair-Orosco // Jr. ·· BIG EAST Champion Third Varsity Eight Elizabeth Linnemanstons // So. ·· BIG EAST Champion Third Varsity Eight Madeline Loper // Fr. ·· BIG EAST Champion Third Varsity Four Becca MacDonald // Fr. ·· BIG EAST Champion Third Varsity Eight Erin McConnell // Sr. ·· NCAA Third Finals Participant Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Champion Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Varsity Eight (May 2) Christine McGough // Fr. ·· BIG EAST Champion Third Varsity Four Sarah McShane // Jr. ·· CRCA National Scholar-Athlete Abby Meyers // Jr. ·· NCAA Third Finals Varsity Eight ·· CRCA National Scholar-Athlete ·· BIG EAST Champion Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Varsity Eight (May 2) Kathryn Monahan // Jr. ·· BIG EAST Champion Second Varsity Four

Kelsey Murphy // Jr. ·· BIG EAST Champion Third Varsity Eight Stephanie O’Neill // Jr. ·· NCAA Third Finals Participant Varsity Eight ·· First Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Champion Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Varsity Eight (May 2) Joanna Poinsatte // Jr. ·· NCAA Petite Finals Varsity Four ·· CRCA National Scholar-Athlete ·· BIG EAST Champion Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Varsity Four (April 19 and 25) Mikaela Prego // Fr. ·· BIG EAST Champion Second Varsity Four Teresa Rubinger // So. ·· NCAA Third Finals Participant Second Varsity Eight ·· CRCA National Scholar-Athlete ·· BIG EAST Champion Second Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Second Varsity Eight (March 29) Danni Schneider // Jr. ·· NCAA Petite Finals Varsity Four ·· CRCA National Scholar-Athlete ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Varsity Four (April 19 and 25) Kelsey Sekanick // So. ·· NCAA Petite Finals Varsity Four ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Varsity Four (April 19 and 25) Ailish Sheehan // Fr. ·· NCAA Third Finals Participant Varsity Eight ·· Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Champion Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Varsity Eight (May 2) Anna Sliwinski // Fr. ·· BIG EAST Champion Second Varsity Four Katie Suyo // Sr. ·· NCAA Petite Finals Varsity Four ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Varsity Four (April 19 and 25) Lauren Tharp // Fr. ·· NCAA Third Finals Participant Second Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Champion Second Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Second Varsity Eight (March 29) Stella Willoughby // Fr. ·· NCAA Petite Finals Varsity Four ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Varsity Four (April 19 and 25) Stephanie Winsch // Fr. ·· BIG EAST Champion Second Varsity Four Ingrid Woelfel // Jr. ·· NCAA Third Finals Participant Second Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Champion Second Varsity Eight ·· BIG EAST Crew of the Week – Second Varsity Eight (March 29)

soccer

men’s

[9-5-4, 5-3-1 BIG EAST]

[10-8-3, 6-3-2 BIG EAST] NCA A Championship – First Round Notre Dame adidas Invitational Champion

H onors

awards

Ryan Finley // Jr., Forward ·· Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· Third Team All-Great Lakes Region ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Sept. 5 and Nov. 1) Brendan King // Sr., Midfielder ·· Major League Soccer SuperDraft Pick – Second Round (27th overall) by Portland Timbers Greg Klazura // Sr., Defender ·· Byron V. Kanaley Award ·· Christopher Zorich Award ·· Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award Finalist ·· Second Team NSCAA Scholar All-Region ·· BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 26) ·· Soccer America Team of the Week (Sept. 28) ·· Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft Pick – Second Round (21st overall) by Vancouver Whitecaps ·· Notre Dame Spirit Award Michael Knapp // Sr., Defender ·· Second Team NSCAA Scholar All-Region

men ’ s soccer H ighlights •• Notre Dame’s 2-1 triumph over Bucknell on Sept. 11, 2011, moved head coach Bobby Clark to the top of the program’s wins list with 129 victories. Clark surpassed Rich Hunter, who was Notre Dame’s first varsity head coach from 1977-83. Clark has compiled a 136-64-34 record (.654) during his 11 seasons with the Fighting Irish. •• Three Irish players garnered all-BIG EAST accolades. Headlining the honorees H E AD COACH

Bobby Clark A S S I STANT COACH es

BJ Craig Chad Riley CAP TAI N S

Greg Klazura Aaron Maund Dillon Powers

Aaron Maund // Sr., Defender ·· First Team All-BIG EAST ·· Second Team All-Great Lakes Region ·· Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week (Sept. 26) ·· Mike Berticelli All-Tournament Team ·· Major League Soccer SuperDraft Pick – First Round (12th overall) by Toronto FC

was senior defender Aaron Maund, who was a first team selection. Juniors Ryan Finley, a forward, and Dillon Powers, a midfielder, were named to the all-league second team. •• Maund, Powers and Finley earned All-Great Lakes Region honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Maund and Powers were selected to the second team, while Powers was a third team honoree.

•• Powers earned a spot on the NSCAA Scholar All-America second team, while Fighting Irish seniors

Greg Klazura, Michael Knapp, Adam Mena and Chris Sutton were selected to the NSCAA Scholar All-North/Central Region second team. •• Klazura was one of 10 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in the men’s soccer division. •• Notre Dame defeated No. 3 Louisville, 1-0, in a nationally televised game on Fox Soccer Channel. It marked the first time the network broadcast a home Fighting Irish men’s match. •• The Irish had a penchant for working overtime during the 2011 campaign as they competed in seven overtime contests. Notre Dame went 1-2-4 in those matches.

Adam Mena // Sr., Midfielder ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award ·· College Soccer News Team of the Week (Sept. 19) ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Sept. 19) ·· Second Team NSCAA Scholar All-Region ·· BIG EAST Institutional Scholar-Athlete Award Dillon Powers // Jr., Midfielder ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award ·· Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· Second Team All-Great Lakes Region ·· Mike Berticelli All-Tournament Team ·· adidas/IU Credit Union Classic All-Tournament Team ·· Second Team NSCAA Scholar All-American Harrison Shipp // So., Forward ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award ·· Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week (Oct. 24) ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Oct. 24) Chris Sutton // Sr., Midfielder ·· adidas/IU Credit Union Classic All-Tournament Team ·· Second Team NSCAA Scholar All-Region Grant Van De Casteele // Jr., Defender ·· BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 19) Will Walsh // Sr., Goalkeeper ·· BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Aug. 29 and Sept. 26) ·· Mike Berticelli Tournament Goalkeeping MVP ·· Mike Berticelli All-Tournament Team

•• Maund and Brendan King were selected in the 2012 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft. Toronto FC picked Maund in the first round (12th overall pick), while King, a midfielder, went to the Portland Timbers in the second round (27th overall). The Vancouver Whitecaps selected Klazura in the second round (21st overall) of the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft. •• Former Notre Dame All-American Matt Besler was voted a 2011 MLS All-Star. The Sporting Kansas City defender received nearly three times as many votes via AT&T text voting than any other MLS player. Besler became the first Irish alum to be named an MLS All-Star. Besler and the MLS All-Stars fell to Manchester United inside Red Bull Arena.

athletics annual report

2011–12

woMen’s

soccer

awards

Courtney Barg // Sr., Midfielder ·· NSCAA All-Northeast Region Third Team ·· NSCAA Scholar All-Central Region First Team ·· Capital One/Cosida Academic All-District V Team Lauren Bohaboy // Fr., Forward ·· BIG EAST All-Rookie Team ·· Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week ·· Our Game Magazine Players To Watch ·· BIG EAST Rookie of the Week ·· Fox Soccer Channel Player of the Match Molly Campbell // Sr., Defender/Midfielder ·· Capital One Academic All-District V Team Maddie Fox // Jr., Goalkeeper ·· Chicagoland Soccer News Player of the Week Melissa Henderson // Sr., Forward ·· WPS Draft Pick – First Round (2nd overall) by Sky Blue FC ·· NSCAA All-America Third Team ·· NSCAA All-Northeast Region First Team ·· First Team All-BIG EAST ·· Soccer News Net National Player of the Week ·· Three-Time Soccer America National Team of the Week ·· Two-Time Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week ·· Two-Time Our Game Magazine Players To Watch ·· CollegeSoccer360 Primetime Performer ·· Two-Time Chicagoland Soccer News Player of the Week ·· Dallas Soccer News Player of the Week ·· Notre Dame adidas Invitational Offensive MVP ·· Two-Time BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week ·· Three-Time BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll Mandy Laddish // So., Midfielder ·· Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· Notre Dame adidas Invitational All-Tournament Team Adriana Leon // So., Forward ·· Notre Dame adidas Invitational All-Tournament Team Jessica Schuveiller // Sr., Defender ·· NSCAA All-Northeast Region Third Team ·· First Team All-BIG EAST ·· Soccer America National Team of the Week ·· Our Game Magazine Players To Watch ·· BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week ·· Notre Dame adidas Invitational Defensive MVP ·· Two-Time BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award Elizabeth Tucker // So., Midfielder ·· Capital One Academic All-District V Team Team ·· NSCAA Team Academic Award ·· BIG EAST Fair Play Award

athletics annual report

2011–12

women ’ s soccer H ighlights •• Notre Dame advanced to the NCAA Championship for the 19th consecutive season, extending a streak that is currently the secondlongest active run of its kind in the nation. It’s also tied for the third-longest streak of NCAA Championship appearances in the event’s 30-year history. •• The Irish finished with a 10-8-3 record, with seven of their eight losses coming by one goal, including five at the hands of top 25 opponents (all ranked 17th or higher when they faced Notre Dame). Of those defeats, three came on the road (two in overtime and the third in the final three minutes of regulation). H E AD COACH

Randy Waldrum A SS I STANT COACH es

Dawn Greathouse Ken Nuber CAP TAI N S

Courtney Barg Melissa Henderson Jessica Schuveiller

•• Senior forward Melissa Henderson was a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) third team All-American after collecting second team honors in 2010. What’s more, Henderson was selected in the first round (second overall) of the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) Draft by Sky Blue FC. That league subsequently folded in the spring of 2012, and Henderson signed to play with the Boston Breakers of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Elite Division. •• A pair of Irish senior captains— Henderson and defender Jessica Schuveiller—nabbed first team all-BIG EAST Conference honors, while sophomore midfielder Mandy Laddish was a second team all-league pick. Freshman forward Lauren Bohaboy also earned recognition from the conference

coaches as a member of the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team. •• Notre Dame had three players named to the Capital One Academic All-District V Team in 2011. Senior midfielder Courtney Barg and sophomore midfielder Elizabeth Tucker were first team selections and appeared on the national ballot, while senior defender Molly Campbell was a third team honoree, copping academic all-district laurels for the third consecutive season. •• The Irish earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award for the 2010-11 academic year (presented in fall of 2011), after compiling a 3.283 composite team grade-point average. •• In January 2012, head coach Randy Waldrum was named the skipper for the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team, the highest American youth national squad. Waldrum will continue to be the head coach at Notre Dame, while adding on his duties with the U.S. U23 program.

softball

[40-16 / 16-3 BIG EAST] NCA A Championship Participant • BIG EAST Championship Runner-Up BIG EAST Regular Season Runner-Up

[6-4] NCA A Championship – 28th • BIG EAST Champion Final CollegeSwimming.com Ranking – Receiving votes

Men’s

swimming & diving

men ’ s swimming & diving H ighlights •• For the first time in program history, Notre Dame sent multiple swimmers to the NCAA Championship as Frank Dyer and Bill Bass represented the Irish at the season finale in Federal Way, Wash. Even more, Dyer became the first All-American in the storied program’s 53 seasons with a thrilling fourth-place showing in the 200 free while earning the first swimming points ever for the Irish at the NCAA Championship.

H onors

awards

Amy Buntin // Jr., Catcher ·· Second Team NFCA All-America ·· Second Team NFCA All-Great Lakes Region ·· Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award ·· BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament Team ·· BIG EAST Honor Roll (April 2, April 23) Katey Haus // Fr., Third Base ·· BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament Team ·· BIG EAST Honor Roll (March 19) Alexa Maldonado // Sr., Outfield ·· Second Team NFCA All-Great Lakes Region ·· First Team All-BIG EAST ·· Carolina Classic All-Tournament Team Dani Miller // Sr., First Base ·· First Team NFCA All-Great Lakes Region ·· First Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Player of the Week (Feb. 27) ·· Carolina Classic All-Tournament Team ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award Brittany O’Donnell // Jr., Pitcher ·· BIG EAST Honor Roll (March 5) Kelsey Thornton // Jr., Outfield ·· BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament Team Laura Winter // So., Pitcher ·· Second Team NFCA All-Great Lakes Region ·· BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year ·· First Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament Team ·· BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week (April 23) ·· BIG EAST Honor Roll (April 2)

softball H ighlights •• The Irish finished second in the BIG EAST Conference regular season standings and advanced to the final game of the league tournament before falling to Louisville in extra innings. The squad posted a 17-game winning streak as part of a late-season run and finished 40-16 overall (18-3 BIG EAST) to clinch its fourth straight 40-win season. •• Notre Dame’s bid into the NCAA Championship was the 14th straight for Notre Dame and 11th in as many seasons under the direction of head coach Deanna Gumpf, who won her 450th career contest when the Irish defeated DePaul on April 21. •• During Notre Dame’s 17-game winning streak, the Irish outscored opponents by a 110-27 margin with the pitching corps posting a 1.50 ERA. Kelsey Thornton posted a team-best .442 batting avg. and Dani Miller contributed nine home runs over that stretch. Laura Winter was brilliant from the circle, winning 13 consecutive games—including a no-hitter over DePaul and six shutouts—and carried a 1.23 ERA with 100 strikeouts and five walks in 85.2 innings of work.

•• Winter was named BIG EAST Conference Pitcher of the Year and was one of six Notre Dame players that earned an all-BIG EAST citation after being recognized as a first team performer for the second time in as many seasons. Alexa Maldonado and Miller joined Winter on the first team while Chloe Saganowich, Amy Buntin and Thornton were named to the second team. Winter led the league with 13 conference victories and ranked second with a 1.21 ERA while Maldonado copped her third all-league citation and became the 10th Irish player ever to be named to the first team on three occasions.

the season, Winter went 19.2 innings without allowing an earned run and lasted 26.2 innings without issuing a walk. •• Notre Dame swept its three-game league series with DePaul (April 21-22), the first sweep of the Blue Demons since 2006. Winter tossed her second career no-hitter with a 3-0 blanking of DePaul in the opening game of the series. Winter held DePaul to one earned run in 20.2 innings of action in the three-game set. •• Notre Dame led the NFCA’s Strike Out Cancer initiative for the second straight year by raising over $25,000 for South Bend Memorial Hospital.

•• Miller finished the campaign ranked second in both single-season (16) and career (48) home runs. •• Prior to giving up an earned run to St. John’s in the semifinals of the BIG EAST Championship, Winter went 30.0 innings without allowing an earned run from the circle. Earlier in

H ead Coach

Deanna Gumpf

•• Bass, who won a pair of races at the BIG EAST Championship, was named the meet’s Most Outstanding Swimmer as Irish skipper Tim Welsh was named BIG EAST Swimming Coach of the Year. The awards gave Notre Dame a clean sweep of the league’s postseason hardware, as Nick Nemetz was named Diver of the Year and Caiming Xie was tabbed Diving Coach of the Year. •• Dyer, who was the 16th-seeded swimmer in the 500 free heading into the NCAA Championship, had to wait until the sixth heat of the prelims to clock a 4:17.97 for a school record at the national meet. The performance was 19th overall, one spot away from being an alternate for the evening’s finals. As a comparison, Dyer placed 44th overall in the 500 free (4:27.25) during his first NCAA Championship appearance as a freshman in 2011.

Kristina Ganeff Lizzy Lemire

Alexa Maldonado Dani Miller Kasey O’Connor Kristina Wright

awards

John Andrade // Fr. ·· Notre Dame Most Improved Award Colin Babcock // So. ·· All-BIG EAST – 800 free relay ·· Notre Dame Captains’ Award ·· Notre Dame Charles Blanchard Award Bill Bass // Jr. ·· NCAA Championships – Participant ·· BIG EAST Most Outstanding Swimmer ·· BIG EAST Champion – 200 individual medley, 100 fly ·· All-BIG EAST – 400 free relay, 200 free relay, 400 medley relay, 200 medley relay, 200 individual medley, 100 fly, 200 fly ·· Notre Dame Most Improved Award ·· CSCAA Scholar All-American Frank Dyer // So. ·· NCAA Championships – All-American – 200 free ·· BIG EAST Champion – 500 free ·· All-BIG EAST – 800 free relay, 400 free relay, 200 free relay, 400 medley relay, 500 free, 200 free, 100 free ·· BIG EAST Swimmer of the Week (Oct. 25) ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award Kevin Hughes // Fr.

•• Williamson wowed the crowd with a school and Trees Pool record of 1:44.74 to take home the gold in the 200 fly at the league meet.

Captains

H onors

·· All-BIG EAST – 1,650 free •• Nemetz stole the spotlight for two straight nights at the BIG EAST Diving Championship by winning the 1-meter diving title one day after Brennan Jacobsen // Fr. taking home gold in the 3-meter event. Nemetz is the second Irish diver ·· BIG EAST Champion – 1,650 free - and the first freshman - to sweep the 1- and 3-meter events at a BIG ·· All-BIG EAST – 500 free, 1,650 free EAST Championship. The Irish placed at least four divers in the top eight of the 1-meter event at the BIG EAST Championship for the third time in program history. H ead Coach

•• Zachary Stephens parlayed his Rolfs Aquatic Center record in the 200 breast with a school record by going 1:57.06 in the prelims and 1:57.44 in the finals for the bronze at the BIG EAST Championship.

A ssistant Coaches

athletics annual report

•• Brennan Jacobsen and John Williamson each copped individual titles on the final day of competition as Notre Dame held off a scrappy Louisville squad en route to winning its fifth BIG EAST Conference swimming and diving title. Notre Dame totaled 887 points for its first league crown since 2009, as two-time defending champion Louisville (859.5) was second in front of Pittsburgh (520) and West Virginia (509.5) among the 10-team field.

Christopher Johnson // Jr. ·· All-BIG EAST – 400 medley relay, 200 medley relay, 100 breast

Tim Welsh H ead Divin g Coach

Caiming Xie A ssociate H ead Coach

Michael Kreft // Fr. ·· All-BIG EAST – 3-meter diving John McGinley // Jr. ·· All-BIG EAST – 800 free relay, 400 free relay, 200 free relay Cameron Miller // Fr. ·· All-BIG EAST – 200 medley relay Wesley Mullins // Jr. ·· Notre Dame Most Improved Award Patrick Murphy // Fr. ·· Notre Dame Beeler-Hipp Award Bertie Nel // So. ·· All-BIG EAST – 400 medley relay, 200 medley relay Nick Nemetz // Fr. ·· BIG EAST Most Outstanding Diver ·· BIG EAST Champion – 3-meter diving, 1-meter diving ·· All-BIG EAST – 3-meter diving, 1-meter diving Kevin Overholt // Jr. ·· All-BIG EAST – 800 free relay, 400 free relay, 200 free relay Kevin Rahill // Sr. ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award Zachary Stephens // Fr. ·· All-BIG EAST – 200 breast ·· Notre Dame Most Improved Award Tim Welsh // Head coach ·· BIG EAST Men’s Swimming Coach of the Year Jonathan Whitcomb // Sr. ··Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award Jonathan Williamson // Fr. ··BIG EAST Champion – 200 fly ··All-BIG EAST – 200 fly ··Notre Dame Saco Del Toro Award Caiming Xie // diving coach ··BIG EAST Diving Coach of the Year

Matt Tallman Captains

Christopher Johnson Marshall Sherman 2011–12

athletics annual report

2011–12

swimming & diving

women’s

[6-6] BIG EAST Championship Runner-Up NCA A Swimming & Diving Championship – 22nd

[21-9, 3-1 BIG EAST] BIG EAST Championship – Third Place Campbell/ITA Ranking – 29th

Men’s

tennis

men ’ s tennis H ighlights •• For the 21st time in 22 years, the Notre Dame men’s tennis team advanced to the NCAA Tournament. There they knocked off No. 40 Vanderbilt in thrilling fashion, before losing to No. 5 Ohio State in the second round. The Irish concluded the year with a 21-9 mark, including earning wins over nine ranked foes. Notre Dame ended the year ranked 29th by the ITA after routinely appearing in the top 30 for much of the year. Sophomore Greg Andrews and seniors Niall Fitzgerald and Casey Watt all earned spots at the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships, as Andrews competed in the singles portion, while Fitzgerald and Watt teamed up in the doubles portion.

H onors

•• Just a year removed from being named BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, sophomore Andrews turned in a remarkable 2012 campaign, culminating in being named BIG EAST Men’s Tennis Player of the Year and earning a spot in the NCAA Singles Championship. Andrews ended the year ranked No. 54 in the country after putting together a 35-10 singles record during 2011–12, including a 26-5 record during the spring season. During the spring season, Andrews was named BIG EAST Men’s Tennis Player of the Week three times. At the end of the season, Andrews was named the ITA’s Midwest Player to Watch.

awards

Suzanne Bessire // Fr. ·· BIG EAST Champion – 400 free relay ·· All-BIG EAST – 200 free, 800 free relay Hannah Bowen // Fr. ·· All-BIG EAST – 200 free relay Allison Casareto // Fr. ·· All-BIG EAST – 1-meter diving Jenny Chiang // Jr. ·· BIG EAST Champion – 3-meter diving ·· All-BIG EAST – 1-meter diving Sarah Dotzel // So. ·· All-BIG EAST – 200 medley relay Kim Holden // Jr. ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award ·· BIG EAST Champion – 400 medley relay ·· All-BIG EAST – 100 back, 100 fly, 200 medley relay Amy Prestinario // Sr. ·· BIG EAST Champion – 400 free relay, 400 medley relay ·· All-BIG EAST – 100 free, 200 medley relay, ·· 200 free relay, 800 free relay Emma Reaney // Fr. ·· Honorable Mention All-American – 100 breast, 200 breast, 200 IM ·· BIG EAST Champion – 100 breast, 200 individual medley, 400 medley relay, 400 free relay ·· All-BIG EAST – 200 breast, 200 medley relay, 800 free relay ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award Kelly Ryan // So. ·· All-American – 200 back ·· BIG EAST Champion – 100 free, 200 back, 400 free relay, 400 medley relay ·· All-BIG EAST – 200 free, 200 free relay, 800 free relay Lauren Scott // Jr. ·· All-BIG EAST – 200 free relay

women ’ s swimming & diving H ighlights •• The squad turned in a strong year, culminating in four All-America scrolls and a 22nd-place finish at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship in Auburn, Ala. Sophomore Kelly Ryan earned All-America honors in the 200 backstroke after finishing seventh, while freshman Emma Reaney earned honorable mention All-America accolades in the 200 IM (9th), 200 breaststroke (14th) and 100 breaststroke (11th). The Irish also finished second at the BIG EAST Championship, as 10 student-athletes earned 33 all-BIG EAST scrolls in 14 H ead Coach

Brian Barnes D ivin g Coach

Caiming Xie A ssistant Coach

Kate Kovenock Captains

Amy Prestinario Lauren Scott

events. The dual season ended with the Irish putting together a 6-6 mark against some elite competition. •• Reaney put together a heck of a rookie campaign for the Irish, winning four BIG EAST gold medals en route to earning seven all-BIG EAST certificates. In addition to the three honorable mention All-America scrolls, the Lawrence, Kan., native smashed the school record in the 200 IM on multiple occasions. After an impressive meet at Ohio State, Reaney appeared in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd” on Jan. 16, 2012. She was named BIG EAST Women’s Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Week a conference-record three times during the course of the regular season.

H onors

•• Junior diver Jenny Chiang continued adding to her already impressive career as she won the 3-meter dive at the BIG EAST meet for the third time. She became only the second diver in Notre Dame history to win three golds in one event. Chiang took third in the 1-meter dive, to pick up her fifth all-BIG EAST scroll in three years.

awards

Greg Andrews // So. ·· Notre Dame Monogram MVP Award ·· BIG EAST Men’s Tennis Player of the Year ·· All-BIG EAST ·· Final National Singles Ranking: No. 54 ·· BIG EAST Player of the Week (Jan. 24) ·· BIG EAST Player of the Week (Feb. 14) ·· BIG EAST Player of the Week (April 17) Niall Fitzgerald // Sr. ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award ·· Final National Doubles Ranking: No. 57

•• The Irish continued their impressive streaks in the relay events at the BIG EAST meet, as the 400 free and medley relay squads won titles again. The 400 free team of Reaney, Ryan, Amy Prestinario and Suzanne Bessire took first, which was the second year in a row the Irish had won the 400 free title. The foursome of Reaney, Kim Holden, Ryan and Prestinario gave the Irish three consecutive titles in the event. The 200 free relay (second), 200 medley relay (third) and the 800 free relay (third) squads also earned all-BIG EAST honors.

Sam Keeton // Sr. ·· All-BIG EAST Blas Moros // Jr. ·· BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award Casey Watt // Sr. ·· All-BIG EAST ·· USTA/ITA Regional Singles Championships – Semifinalist ·· Final National Doubles Ranking: No. 57

•• The Irish turned in an impressive showing in October at the Midwest Singles/Doubles Championship that was held in Columbus, Ohio. Notre Dame had six singles players and three doubles teams advance to the round of 32, and two singles teams and two doubles duos advance to the round of eight. Watt advanced all the way to the semifinals of the singles bracket before falling to No. 1 seed Blaz Rola of Ohio State. •• Notre Dame finished third at the 2012 BIG EAST Championship, and placed three members on the all-BIG EAST team. In addition to his Player of the Year hardware, Andrews earned a spot on the team along with seniors Sam Keeton and Watt.

H ead Coach

Bobby Bayliss A ssociate H ead Coach

Ryan Sachire Captains

Niall Fitzgerald Sam Keeton

athletics annual report

2011–12

athletics annual report

2011–12

tennis

women’s

[21-8] BIG EAST Champion Campbell/ITA Ranking – 17th

NCA A Indoor Championship – 12th BIG EAST Indoor Champion BIG EAST Outdoor Champion

women ’ s tennis H ighlights

H onors

•• For the fifth time in the past six seasons, the Notre Dame women’s tennis team reached the 20-win mark, finishing with a record of 21-8 including a perfect 8-0 in BIG EAST matchups en route to capturing the BIG EAST Championship for the fifth-consecutive season. The squad also qualified for the NCAA Team Championship for the 17th consecutive year under the direction of head coach Jay Louderback, reaching the second round after claiming a 4-0 win over Hawaii in the opening round. •• Kristy Frilling became the most decorated All-American in women’s tennis history. She earned the fifth such honor of her career following a successful doubles campaign that saw her, along with fellow senior and co-captain Shannon Mathews, put together a 30-10 season as the duo secured 12 wins against nationally ranked opposition. The tandem also reached the finals of the ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championship and earned a No. 5-8 seed in the 2012 NCAA Doubles Championship. Frilling moved ahead of Michelle Dasso, a four-time honoree, for the most All-America citations. Meanwhile, Mathews became the 15th player in Notre Dame history to earn All-America honors in doubles. •• Mathews and Frilling represent the first Irish tandem to reach the finals of the ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championship since now-assistant and ’09 graduate Kelcy Tefft teamed with Frilling during the ’08 campaign. On the road to reaching the championship match, Mathews and Frilling claimed three victories, including defeating the No. 1 team in the country of Mallory Burdette and Nicole Gibbs from Stanford, to secure their spot in the finals. •• In addition to the All-American accolades, Mathews became the 2012 BIG EAST Player of the Year following a season that saw her go 21-10 in singles matches along with winning five matches over nationally ranked opponents. She, along with Frilling and sophomore Britney Sanders, also earned a spot on the all-BIG EAST Team as a result of their play during the year. •• Louderback also earned distinction from the BIG EAST, winning coach-of-the-year honors for the 10th time in his career and third consecutive season following the team’s fifth straight run to the BIG EAST title.

H ead Coach

Jay Louderback

awards

George Atkinson III // Fr. ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (100m) ·· All-BIG EAST Indoor Team – 400m Josh Atkinson // Fr. ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (100m)

men ’ s trac k & field H ighlights •• The men’s distance medley relay team brought home more gold to the Golden Dome, as Johnathan Shawel, Chris Giesting, Randall Babb and Jeremy Rae finished first in the event at the NCAA Indoor Championship. They became the first Irish relay team and only the third event to win an indoor national title. It was the first NCAA title for Notre Dame since Tom McMannon’s 55m hurdles crown in 1972.

H onors

•• Senior Kevin Schipper closed out a brilliant Irish pole vault career with two more BIG EAST titles and two NCAA national appearances. The Leo, Ind., native finished fourth at the NCAA Indoor Championship to earn his first indoor—and second overall— All-America scroll. He closes out his career with six BIG EAST pole vault titles, seven all-BIG EAST scrolls, three appearances in the NCAA Championship and two All-America citations. Schipper also earned two BIG EAST Men’s Field Athlete of the Week awards during the 2011–12 season.

awards

Kristy Frilling // Sr. ·· ITA Doubles All-American ·· All-BIG EAST ·· ITA National Individual Indoor Doubles Runner-Up ·· ITA Midwest Regional Doubles Champion ·· BIG EAST Tournament Most Outstanding Player ·· BIG EAST Player of the Week (Feb. 21)

•• On the strength of the men’s distance medley relay team and Schipper, the Irish finished 12th at the NCAA Indoor Championship with 15 points.

Jennifer Kellner // So. ·· BIG EAST Player of the Week (March 13) ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award

•• The Irish men had seven student-athletes qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championship, and 14 men qualify for the NCAA Outdoor East preliminary round, with Patrick Feeney, Shawel, Martin Grady, Schipper, Brendan Dougherty, Mitchell Lorenz and Chris Giesting all advancing to nationals.

Jay Louderback ·· BIG EAST Coach of the Year Shannon Mathews // Sr. ·· BIG EAST Player of the Year ·· BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award ·· ITA Doubles All-American ·· All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST Institutional Scholar-Athlete Award ·· ITA National Individual Indoor Doubles Runner-Up ·· ITA Midwest Regional Doubles Champion ·· BIG EAST Player of the Month (October) ·· BIG EAST Player of the Week (Jan. 31, March 6, April 17) ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award ·· Byron V. Kanaley Award ·· Leader of Distinction Award

•• Notre Dame won both the BIG EAST indoor and outdoor crowns in 2012, dominating both meets. During the indoor season, three individuals won titles, while 10 men earned all-BIG EAST citations. During the outdoor season, the Irish won six individual events and a relay as 11 student-athletes were named all-BIG EAST. Giesting, a freshman, won the 200 and 400m titles, earning the league’s Most Outstanding Track Performer award. •• At the historic Meyo Invitational in February, Rae went under 4:00 in the elite Meyo Mile race for the second consecutive year. The Fort Erie, Ontario, product won the event in 3:59.62 last year and did himself one better this year, winning the race in 3:59.31.

Britney Sanders // So. ·· All-BIG EAST

A ssistant Coach

Kelcy Tefft Captains

Kristy Frilling Shannon Mathews

100

Men’s

athletics annual report

2011–12

athletics annual report

H ead Coach

Joe Piane A ssistant Coaches

Tim Connelly Adam Beltran Sean Carlson Captains

Andrew Hills Kevin Schipper

2011–12

Jim Garnham Alan Turner

Randall Babb // Sr. ·· National Champion – Distance Medley Relay ·· All-BIG EAST Indoor Team – 800m and 4x800m Relay ·· BIG EAST Outdoor Champion – 4x800m Relay ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Team – 4x800m Relay ·· Leader of Distinction Award Andrew Brock // So. ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (Shot Put) ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Team – Shot Put Jordan Carlson // Sr. ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (3,000m Steeplechase) ·· USTFCCA All-Academic Team Brendan Dougherty // Jr. ·· NCAA Nationals Participant (4x400m Relay) ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (4x400m Relay) ·· All-BIG EAST Indoor Team – 4x400m Relay Jack Favorite // So. ·· BIG EAST Outdoor Champion – 4x800m Relay ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Team – 4x800m Relay Patrick Feeney // So. ·· NCAA Nationals Participant (4x400m Relay, 400m) ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (400m, 4x400m Relay) ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Team – 400m ·· BIG EAST Indoor Champion – 400m ·· All-BIG EAST Indoor Team – 4x400m Relay, 400m Chris Giesting // Fr. ·· NCAA Nationals Participant (4x400m Relay) ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (400m, 4x400m Relay) ·· BIG EAST Most Outstanding Track Performer (Outdoor) ·· BIG EAST Outdoor Champion – 200m and 400 m ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Team – 200m and 400 m ·· National Champion – Distance Medley Relay ·· USTFCCCA First Team All-American – Distance Medley Relay ·· All-BIG EAST Indoor Team – 500m and 4x400m Relay ·· BIG EAST Men’s Track Athlete of the Week (Dec. 6) ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award ted glasnow // jr. ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Team – Decathlon ·· USTFCCA All-Academic Team Martin Grady // So. ·· NCAA Nationals Participant (10,000m) ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (10,000m) ·· USTFCCA All-Academic Team

track & field

Andrew Hills // Sr. ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (Hammer Throw) ·· BIG EAST Outdoor Champion – Hammer Throw ·· Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-America Men’s At-Large Third Team ·· Capital One/CoSIDA Academic Men’s At-Large All-District V Team ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award ·· USTFCCA All-Academic Team Mitchell Lorenz // Sr. ·· NCAA Nationals Participant (4x400m Relay) ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (4x400m Relay) ·· All-BIG EAST Indoor Team – 4x400m Relay ·· USTFCCA All-Academic Team Joe Piane {Head Coach} and Staff ·· BIG EAST Men’s Coaching Staff of the Year Jeremy Rae // Jr. ·· National Champion (Indoor) – Distance Medley Relay ·· USTFCCCA First Team All-American – Distance Medley Relay ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (1,500m) ·· BIG EAST Indoor Champion – Mile ·· All-BIG EAST Indoor Team – 4x800m Relay, Mile ·· BIG EAST Men’s Track Athlete of the Week (April 10) ·· BIG EAST Outdoor Champion – 1,500m and 4x800m Relay ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Champion – 1,500m and 4x800m Relay Logan Renwick // So. ·· BIG EAST Outdoor Champion – Triple Jump ·· Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District V First Team Kevin Schipper // Sr. ·· USTFCCCA All-American (Indoor) – Pole Vault ·· NCAA Nationals Participant (Pole Vault) ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (Pole Vault) ·· BIG EAST Outdoor Champion – Pole Vault ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Team – Pole Vault ·· BIG EAST Indoor Champion – Pole Vault ·· BIG EAST Men’s Field Athlete of the Week (April 17, April 24) ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award Johnathan Shawel // Sr. ·· National Champion (Indoor) – Distance Medley Relay ·· USTFCCCA First Team All-American – Distance Medley Relay ·· NCAA Nationals Participant (1,500m) ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (1,500m) ·· All-BIG EAST Indoor Team – 1,000m and 4x800m Relay ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Team – 1,500m, 4x800m Relay ·· BIG EAST Outdoor Champion – 4x800m Relay Zac Suriano // Sr. ·· All-BIG EAST Indoor Team – 4x800m Relay Anthony Thomas // Jr. ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (Discus Throw) ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Team – Discus ·· USTFCCA All-Academic Team

101

track & field

H onors

women’s

awards

Alexa Aragon // So. ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (1,500 m) ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Team – 4x800m Relay ·· All-BIG EAST Indoor Team – 4x800m Relay ·· USTFCCA All-Academic Team Jade Barber // Fr. ·· NCAA Nationals Participant (4x400m Relay) ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (4x100m and 4x400m Relays) ·· BIG EAST Outdoor Champion – 4x100m Relay ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Team – 100m Hurdles, 4x100m Relay and 4x400m Relay Kaila Barber // Fr. ·· NCAA Nationals Participant (400m Hurdles) ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (4x100m Relay, 400m Hurdles) ·· BIG EAST Outdoor Champion – 4x100m Relay ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Team – 400m, 4x100m and 4x400m Relays ·· BIG EAST Women’s Track Athlete of the Week (Dec. 6) Michelle Brown // So. ·· NCAA Nationals Participant (4x400m Relay) ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (4x100m and 4x400m Relays) ·· BIG EAST Outdoor Champion – 4x100m Relay ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Team – 4x400m Relay Kelly Burke // So. ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (Pole Vault)

102

NCA A Indoor Championships – T-38th BIG EAST Indoor Championship – 4th BIG EAST Outdoor Runner-Up

Maddie Buttinger // Sr. ·· USTFCCCA All-American (Indoor) – Pentathlon ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (High Jump) ·· All-BIG EAST Indoor Team – Pentathlon ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award ·· Leader of Distinction Award Kelly Curran // So. ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (1,500m) ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Team – 1,500m and 4x800m Relay ·· All-BIG EAST Indoor Team – 4x800m Relay ·· USTFCCA All-Academic Team Natalie Geiger // Jr. ·· NCAA Nationals Participant (4x400m Relay) ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (4x400m Relay) ·· USTFCCA All-Academic Team Gabby Gonzales // Fr. ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (10,000m) ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Team – 10,000m ·· USTFCCA All-Academic Team Emily Morris // Fr. ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (Shot Put) ·· USTFCCA All-Academic Team Jessica Rydberg // Jr. ·· NCAA Nationals Participant (10,000m) ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (10,000m) ·· USTFCCA All-Academic Team

McKinzie Schulz // So. ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (3,000m Steeplechase) ·· All-BIG EAST Indoor Team – 4x800m Relay Nevada Sorenson // Jr. ·· BIG EAST Indoor Champion – 60m Hurdles Rebecca Tracy // Jr. ·· NCAA Nationals Participant (1,500m) ·· USTFCCCA Second Team All-American – 1,500m ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (1,500m) ·· BIG EAST Outdoor Champion – 1,500m ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Team – 4x800m Relay, 1,500m ·· All-BIG EAST Indoor Team – 4x800m Relay ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award ·· USTFCCA All-Academic Team

W omen ’ s trac k & field H ighlights •• The Irish women had seven student-athletes qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championship, with junior 1,500m runner Rebecca Tracy earning second team All-America honors with a 12th-place finish. Notre Dame also had 15 women qualify for the NCAA Outdoor East preliminary round, with Tracy, Jessica Rydberg, Kaila Barber, Megan Yanik, Jade Barber, Michelle Brown and Natalie Geiger securing spots at nationals.

Aijah Urssery // So. ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (100 and 200m and 4x100m Relay) ·· BIG EAST Outdoor Champion – 4x100m Relay ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Team – 100m, 4x100m Relay Rachel Velarde // Sr. ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (10,000m)

•• Senior Maddie Buttinger had a career year during the indoor season, earning All-America accolades after breaking the school record and finishing third in the pentathlon at the NCAA Indoor Championship. The Waterloo, Ontario, native also earned all-BIG EAST accolades after finishing second at the BIG EAST Indoor Championship in the event.

Megan Yanik // So. ·· NCAA Nationals Participant (4x400m Relay and 400m Hurdles) ·· NCAA East Preliminary Round Participant (4x400m Relay and 400m Hurdles) ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Team – 4x400m Relay ·· USTFCCA All-Academic Team

Allison Schroeder // Sr. ·· All-BIG EAST Outdoor Team – 4x800m Relay ·· Top Gun Award ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award

•• The squad showed great improvement during the 2012 season as the team finished fourth at the BIG EAST Indoor Championship and second at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championship. The finishes were greatly improved from 2011’s eighth- and 10th-place performances, respectively, at the BIG EAST meets.

athletics annual report

2011–12

athletics annual report

2011–12

•• Six student-athletes won BIG EAST events this year. During the indoor season, Nevada Sorenson won the 60m hurdles, while Tracy (1,500m) and the 4x100m relay team (K. Barber, J. Barber, Brown, Aijah Urssery) won at the outdoor meet. •• Earning all-conference honors during the indoor season were Buttinger (pentathlon) and Nevada Sorenson (60m hurdles), as well as the 4x800m relay team of Kelly Curran, Alexa Aragon, McKinzie Schulz and Tracy, who finished second.

H ead Coach

Joe Piane A ssistant Coaches

Tim Connelly Adam Beltran Sean Carlson

Jim Garnham Alan Turner

Captains

Maddie Buttinger Rachel Velarde

•• During the outdoor season, Gabby Gonzales (10,000m), K. Barber (400m hurdles, 4x400m relay, 4x100m relay), J. Barber (100m hurdles, 4x400m relay, 4x100m relay), Brown (4x400m relay, 4x100m relay), Urssery (4x100m relay, 100m), Rebecca Tracy (1,500m, 4x800m relay), Curran (1,500m, 4x800m relay), Aragon (4x800m relay), Allison Schroeder (4x800m relay) and Yanik (4x400m relay) were honored with all-BIG EAST accolades.

103

volleyball

[17-13, 8-6 BIG EAST] BIG EAST Championship Runner-Up InnTowner Invitational Champion

volleyball H ighlights

H onors

•• The 21st consecutive winning season in program history was posted by the 2011 Irish squad after finishing with a 17-13 overall record (8-6 BIG EAST). Notre Dame advanced to the final match of the BIG EAST Championship and claimed the team title at Wisconsin’s InnTowner Invitational.

•• Jeni Houser was named MVP of the Golden Dome Invitational after leading all players at the four-team event in hitting (.348), kills/set (3.82) and points/set (4.36). Houser, a second-team all-BIG EAST selection, matched a career-high with 19 kills against Portland as Notre Dame went 2-1 on the weekend.

•• Seeded fifth heading into the BIG EAST Championship, the Irish knocked off a pair of higherseeded opponents before falling to Cincinnati in the title bout, 3-0. The Irish avenged regular season losses to Syracuse and Louisville in the first two rounds of the BIG EAST Championship.

•• A highly efficient and balanced offensive output from Notre Dame helped produce a 3-0 win over visiting Lipscomb as the Irish hit .549 as a squad, committing just two errors on 91 swings with 52 kills. With the effort from above the net, Notre Dame set a program record for hitting percentage in a three-set match. The previous best (.539) was set against Marquette in 1986. It was also the first time the Irish hit over .500 in a contest since a 3-0 win versus DePaul in 2005.

awards

Toni Alugbue // Fr., Middle Blocker ·· Golden Dome Invitational All-Tournament Team ·· BIG EAST Honor Roll (Oct. 10, Oct. 17) Maggie Brindock // So., Setter ·· U.S. Volleyball A2 National Team Kristen Dealy // Sr., Outside Hitter ·· Byron V. Kanaley Award ·· Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST All-Tournament Team ·· InnTowner Invitational MVP ·· BIG EAST Honor Roll (Sept. 19) ·· Leader of Distinction Award Hilary Eppink // Jr., Rightside Hitter ·· Shamrock Invitational All-Tournament Team ·· InnTowner All-Tournament Team Jeni Houser // Fr., Rightside Hitter ·· Second Team All-BIG EAST ·· BIG EAST All-Tournament Team ·· Stanford Invitational All-Tournament Team ·· Golden Dome Invitational MVP ·· BIG EAST Honor Roll (Nov. 7) Andrea McHugh // So., Outside Hitter ·· Shamrock Invitational All-Tournament Team ·· Golden Dome Invitational All-Tournament Team ·· BIG EAST Player of the Week (Aug. 29) ·· BIG EAST Honor Roll (Sept. 12) Frenchy Silva // Sr., Libero ·· Francis Patrick O’Connor Award ·· Shamrock Invitational All-Tournament Team ·· InnTowner All-Tournament Team ·· Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP Award ·· Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award

•• Kristen Dealy was named to the BIG EAST Championship all-tournament for the fourth time in as many seasons, becoming only the second player in league history to cop the honor four times. Dealy was also a second team all-BIG EAST performer. •• Dealy became the eighth Irish player ever to join the 1,000-kill / 1,000-dig club and the first since Adrianna Stasiuk did so in 2007. •• A 22-dig performance against Butler put Frenchy Silva over the 1,000-mark for her career. What’s more, Silva’s 3.35 digs/set average is third all-time and Dealy’s 3.06 digs/ set clip ranks fifth. That makes the duo the only classmates ever to rank among the top 10 in digs/set.

•• One day after redeeming a 2010 loss to Western Michigan, Notre Dame swept host Wisconsin to claim the team title at the InnTowner Invitational. Dealy earned MVP honors with Silva and Hilary Eppink earning all-tournament nods. The win on Wisconsin’s home floor was the first ever for the Irish, also giving Notre Dame its first back-to-back wins over the Badgers in the history of the 10-match series. •• Sammie Brown became the 11th player in Notre Dame history to record at least 1,000 assists in a career, doing so with a 32-assist effort against Portland.

appendix 2011–12 Notre Dame Monogram Club MVP WINNERS

2011–12 Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley Rockne Student-Athlete Award WINNERS

Baseball

Men’s Soccer

Baseball

Men’s Soccer

Will Hudgins

Dillon Powers

Will Hudgins

Men’s Basketball

Women’s Soccer

Men’s Basketball

Adam Mena Harrison Shipp

Scott Martin

Jessica Schuveiller

Tim Abromaitis

Women’s Basketball

Softball

Women’s Basketball

Natalie Novosel Devereaux Peters

Amy Buntin

Fraderica Miller Men’s Cross Country

Men’s Cross Country

Men’s Swimming & Diving

Jeremy Rae

Frank Dyer

Men’s Fencing

Women’s Swimming & Diving

Enzo Castellani

Emma Reaney

Women’s Fencing

Grace Hartman

Men’s Tennis

Greg Andrews

Football

Michael Floyd

Women’s Tennis

Shannon Mathews

Men’s Golf

Max Scodro Women’s Golf

Becca Huffer

Men’s Tr ack & Field

Chris Giesting Kevin Schipper Women’s Tr ack & Field

T.J. Tynan

Maddie Buttinger Rebecca Tracy

Women’s Lacrosse

Volleyball

Meg Sullivan

Frenchy Silva

Hockey

Women’s Soccer

Jessica Schuveiller Softball

Dani Miller

Jordan Carlson

Men’s Swimming & Diving

Women’s Cross Country

Kevin Rahill Jordan Whitcomb

Rachel Velarde Men’s Fencing

Reggie Bentley Women’s Fencing

Radmila Sarkisova Football

Darius Fleming Men’s Golf

Women’s Swimming & Diving

Kim Holden Men’s Tennis

Niall Fitzgerald Women’s Tennis

Kristy Frilling

Tom Usher

Men’s Tr ack & Field

Women’s Golf

Andrew Hills Kevin Schipper

Becca Huffer Hockey

Mike Johnson Women’s Lacrosse

Maggie Tamasitis

Women’s Tr ack & Field

Maddie Buttinger Allison Schroeder Volleyball

Frenchy Silva

Rowing

Ching-Ting Hwang

Leaders of Distinction W INNERS Women’s Lacrosse

Women’s Tr ack & Field

Megan Sullivan

Madelaine Buttinger

Women’s Tennis

Volleyball

Shannon Mathews

Kristen Dealy

H E AD COACH

Debbie Brown A ssociate H ead Coach

Men’s Tr ack & Field

Robin Davis

Randall Babb

A ssistant Coach

Christy Pfeffenberger Captains

Kristen Dealy Frenchy Silva

104

athletics annual report

2011–12

athletics annual report

2011–12

105

Byron V. K analey Award WINNERs 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980

106

Edgar Miller (Football) Paul J. Harrington (Track) Joseph Griffin (Track) Francis Crowe (Basketball) Not awarded Frank Carideo (Football) Thomas Burns (Basketball) Charles Jaskwich (Football) Joseph Young (Track) Dominic Vairo (Football) Francis Layden (Track) John Lautar (Football) Raymond Meyer (Basketball) Joseph Rice (Track) Herschel Ellis (Baseball) Ralph Pinelli (Baseball) Robert Hargrave (Football) John Hickey (Baseball) Not awarded Not awarded Not awarded Robert McBride (Football) George Sullivan (Football) Louis J. Burns (Fencing) Robert Lally (Football) Robert O’Connell (Football) James Walsh (Fencing) Robert O’Neil (Football) James Harrington (Track) Thomas Carey (Football) Donald Sniegowski (Baseball) John Smyth (Basketball) John McCarthy (Basketball) Norman Odyniec (Football) Kenneth Adamson (Football) Donald Ralph (Tennis) Albert Highducheck (Golf) Gerard Gray Jr. (Football) Joseph Lehmann (Football) William Boyle (Track) Edward T. Dean (Track) Pedro Rossello (Tennis) John Haynes Jr. (Fencing) Thomas Bourke (Swimming) Robert Arnzen (Basketball) William Hurd (Track) George Kunz (Football) Michael Oriard (Football) Douglas Daher (Fencing) Ronald Schmitz (Baseball) Joseph Utz (Track) Kevin Hoene (Hockey) Richard Waugh (Fencing) Gary Novak (Basketball) John Hathaway (Fencing) Mark Kronholm (Hockey) Paul E. Angelo (Fencing) Mark Brenneman (Football) Robert Strata (Baseball) Randy Stehlik (Tennis) Dan Heffernan (Wrestling) Robert Ebel (Swimming) David Vinson (Football) Mike Padden (Wrestling) Joe Restic (Football) Carol Lally (Basketball) Greg Meredith (Hockey) Tom Michalek (Hockey)

1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

2000

Bob Burger (Football) Maggie Lally (Basketball) Kevin Lovejoy (Soccer) John Krimm (Football) Jeanine Blatt (Swimming) Richard Chryst (Baseball) Steven Dziabis (Track) Katherine Ray (Field Hockey) Terese Henken (Volleyball) James Dee (Baseball) Brian Casey (Swimming) Bill Courtney (Cross Country) Greg Dingens (Football) John Krug (Wrestling) Mary Struckhoff (Field Hockey) John Loughran (Baseball) David Lennert (Fencing) Tom Mick (Track) Andrea Bonny (Swimming) Terry Proksch (Softball) Theresa Rice (Cross Country) Eric Madsen (Baseball) Lisa Kuhns (Basketball) Pat Eilers (Football) Scott Paddock (Basketball) Alice Lohrer (Tennis) Krissi Davis (Basketball) Kim Parella (Tennis) Ryan Wenger (Tennis) Kathy Vernetti (Softball) Charles Hofmann (Soccer) David DiLucia (Tennis) Heidi Piper (Fencing) Molly Lennon (Soccer) Alicia Turner (Volleyball) Robert Williamson (Lacrosse) James Zurcher (Tennis) Maura Gallagher (Fencing) Julie Harris (Volleyball) Kathryn Leary (Basketball) Michael Palmer (Soccer) Timothy Ruddy (Football) Grzegorz Wozniak (Fencing) Elizabeth Caruso (Fencing) Chris Dean (Soccer) Wendy Crabtree (Tennis) Claudette de Bruin (Fencing) Marcus Thorne (Football) Bill Lester (Fencing) Katie Marten (Softball) Pete Miller (Basketball) Jen Renola (Soccer) Linda Gallo (Swimming) Pat Garrity (Basketball) Jaimie Lee (Volleyball) Steve Noble (Hockey) Errol Williams (Track & Field) Mike Brown (Track & Field) Kerry Callahan (Lacrosse) Jennifer Hall (Tennis) Phil Murphy (Soccer) Andy Warford (Tennis) Elizabeth Barger (Swimming) Ray Fitzpatrick (Swimming) Jeff Perconte (Baseball) Jenny Streiffer (Soccer) Katrina Ten Eyck (Rowing)

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Mike Naumann (Baseball) Matt Hedden (Swimming) Connor LaRose (Soccer) Ruth Riley (Basketball) Michael Koss (Swimming) Steve Ratay (Golf) Nina Vaughan (Tennis) Jarrah Myers (Softball) Keara Coughlin (Volleyball) Ashley Dryer (Soccer) Andreas Forstner (Soccer) Alexis Madrid (Softball) Vanessa Pruzinsky (Soccer) Alicia Salas (Tennis) Kristen Kinder (Volleyball) Shannon Byrne (Golf) Luis Haddock (Tennis) Emily Loomis (Volleyball) Brent D’Amico (Tennis) Alicja Kryczalo (Fencing) Lauren Connelly (Tennis) Megan Duffy (Basketball) Stephanie Madia (Cross

Country /Track & Field) Annie Schefter (Soccer) Tom Thornton (Baseball) Ted Brown (Swimming) Greg Dalby (Soccer) Maryann Erigha (Track & Field) Kim Lorenzen (Soccer) Meghan Murphy (Lacrosse) Brook Buck (Tennis) Rachel Cota (Fencing) Greg Howard (Fencing) Katie Laing (Softball) Adrianna Stasiuk (Volleyball) Dan VeNard (Hockey) Matt Besler (Soccer) Lauren Buck (Rowing) Peter Christman (Lacrosse) Erik Condra (Hockey) Adrienne Nott (Fencing) Heidi Rocha (Cross Country / Track & Field) Kelcy Tefft (Tennis) Mike Anello (Football) Kevin Deeth (Hockey) Kali Krisik (Tennis) Melissa Lechlitner (Basketball) Christine Lux (Softball) John Lytle (Swimming) Jeb Brovsky (Soccer) Tyler Davis (Tennis) Lauren Fowlkes (Soccer) Cole Johnson (Baseball) Erin Marrone (Softball) Chris Stewart (Football) Tim Abromaitis (Men’s Basketball) Kristen Dealy (Volleyball) Greg Klazura (Men’s Soccer) Shannon Mathews

(Women’s Tennis) Kevin Randall (Men’s Lacrosse)

athletics annual report

2011–12

Francis Patrick O’Connor Award WINNERS 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

athletics annual report

Coquese Washington (Basketball) Edwin Hartwell (Baseball) Christy Faustmann (Tennis) Grzegorz Wozniak (Fencing) Jean Joseph (Soccer) Haley Scott (Swimming) Holyn Lord (Tennis) Not awarded Molly McCarthy (Volleyball) Steve Noble (Hockey) Sheila McMillen (Basketball) Brian Patterson (Tennis) Matt Nussbaum (Baseball) Kelly Zalinski (Tennis) Michael Brown (Cheerleader) Michelle Dasso (Tennis) Reggie McKnight (Soccer) Grant Irons (Football) Carrie Nixon (Swimming) Katie Cunha (Tennis) Steve Sollmann (Baseball) Kim Carpenter (Soccer) Greg Martin (Soccer) Sarah Jane Connelly (Tennis) Chris Thomas (Basketball) Megan Duffy (Basketball) Chris Quinn (Basketball) Amanda Cinalli (Soccer) T. J. Jindra (Hockey) Brook Buck (Tennis) Caitlin McKinney (Lacrosse) Sheeva Parbhu (Tennis) Erik Condra (Hockey) Justine Stremick (Volleyball) Megan Fesl (Volleyball) Avery Zuck (Fencing) Ellen Bartindale (Soccer) Tom Kopko (Basketball) Michael George (Cheerleading) Alyce Kanabrocki (Rowing) Frenchy Silva (Volleyball)

2011–12

Christopher Zorich Award WINNERS 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Matt Johnson (Soccer) Errol Williams (Track & Field) Lindsay Treadwell (Volleyball) Jarious Jackson (Football) Ruth Riley (Basketball) Mia Sarkesian (Soccer) Betsy Lazzeri (Track & Field) Neil Komadoski (Hockey) Derek Curry (Football) Tom Thornton (Baseball) Chris Trick (Hockey) Meghan Murphy (Lacrosse) Meghan Boyle (Rowing) Ryan Cunn (Lacrosse) Claire Gallerano (Soccer) Maria Romano (Rowing) Mary Kate McNamara (Rowing) Dan Scolaro (Lacrosse) Carrie Dew (Soccer) Luke Lucyk (Hockey) Heidi Rocha (Cross Country / Track & Field) Kevin Deeth (Hockey) Kali Krisik (Tennis) Zach Schirtz (Fencing) Erica Williamson (Basketball) Maggie Zentgraf (Lacrosse) Jeb Brovsky (Soccer) Lindsay Brown (Soccer) Ben Ryan (Hockey) Tommy Chase (Baseball) Alex Coccia (Men’s Fencing) Gregory Klazura (Men’s Soccer) Sean Lorenz (Hockey) Marta Stepien (Women’s Fencing)

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2011–12 Rosenthal Leadership Academy ATTENDEES Greg Andrews (Men’s Tennis) Meredith Angell (Cheerleading) Eric Atkins (Men’s Basketball) Randy Babb (Men’s Cross Country/

Track & Field) Colin Babcock (Men’s Swimming & Diving) Courtney Barg (Women’s Soccer) Emily Barton (Women’s Swimming & Diving) Nick Beattie (Men’s Lacrosse) Ryan Belecanech (Men’s Swimming & Diving) Frederick Bentley (Men’s Fencing) Jordan Berry (Men’s Swimming & Diving) Teresa Blumenstein (Rowing) Jaclyn Bowe (Softball) Jake Brems (Men’s Lacrosse) Kaitlyn Brosco (Women’s Lacrosse) Molly Bruggeman (Rowing) Amy Buntin (Softball) Maddie Buttinger (Women’s Track & Field) Sam Calabrese (Hockey) Jordan Carlson (Men’s Cross Country/

Track & Field) Madeline Casanova (Womens’ Track & Field) Braxston Cave (Football) Tommy Chase (Baseball) Jason Choy (Men’s Fencing) Alex Coccia (Fencing) Anthony Cossell (Cheerleading) Kristen Dealy (Volleyball) Kiersten Dehaven (Rowing) Skylar Diggins (Women’s Basketball) William Dotterweich (Cheerleading) Sarah Dotzel (Women’s Swimming & Diving) Frank Dyer (Men’s Swimming) Keith Feldman (Men’s Fencing) Sean Fitzgerald (Baseball) Niall Fitzgerald (Men’s Tennis) Kristy Frilling (Women’s Tennis) Erin Garfield (Cheerleading) Patrick Gaul (Hockey) Jenny Granger (Women’s Lacrosse) Jazmin Hall (Women’s Soccer) Grace Hartman (Women’s Fencing) Ellie Hilling (Women’s Lacrosse) Andrew Hills (Men’s Track & Field) Molly Hirt (Women’s Cross Country/

Track & Field) Grant Hodges (Men’s Fencing) Kim Holden (Women’s Swimming & Diving) Westley Hopkins (Men’s Lacrosse) Will Hudgins (Baseball) Joe Hudson (Baseball) Becca Huffer (Women’s Golf) Ching-Ting Hwang (Rowing) Eric Jagielo (Baseball) Mike Johnson (Hockey) Chris Johnson (Men’s Swimming & Diving) David Jones (Cheerleading) Olivia Kacsits (Rowing) James Kaull (Men’s Fencing) Sam Keeton (Men’s Tennis) Morgan Kelley (Rowing) Jennifer Kellner (Women’s Tennis) John Kemp (Men’s Lacrosse) Mandy Laddish (Women’s Soccer) Nick Larson (Hockey) Anders Lee (Hockey) Olivia Lee (Cheerleading) Sean Lorenz (Hockey)

108

Billy Maday (Hockey) Nicole Madrilejo (Cheerleading) Alexa Maldonado (Softball) Trey Mancini (Baseball) Shannon Mathews (Women’s Tennis) Erin McConnell (Rowing) Chrissie McGaffigan (Women’s Tennis) Adam Mena (Men’s Soccer) Phenix Messersmith (Fencing) Abby Meyers (Rowing) Matt Miller (Men’s Lacrosse) Fraderica Miller (Women’s Basketball) Dani Miller (Softball) Joe Miller (Men’s Cross Country/

Anne Robles (Cheerleading) Marie Roof (Volleyball) Michael Rossi (Men’s Fencing) Kelly Ryan (Women’s Swimming & Diving) Jessica Rydberg (Women’s Cross Country/

Track & Field) Blas Moros (Men’s Tennis) Kecia Morway (Women’s Soccer) Zeke Motta (Football) Kelsey Murphy (Rowing) Kristina Nhim (Women’s Golf) Adam Norton (Baseball) Bob Novak (Men’s Soccer) Maggie O’Brien (Cheerleading) Liam O’Connor (Men’s Lacrosse) Kasey O’Connor (Softball) Brittany O’Donnell (Softball) Stephen O’Hara (Men’s Lacrosse) Danny O’Leary (Men’s Soccer) Stephanie O’Neill (Rowing) Lian Osier (Women’s Fencing) Max Pfeifer (Men’s Lacrosse) Jack Piasio (Men’s Fencing) Dillon Powers (Men’s Soccer) Amy Prestinario (Women’s Swimming & Diving) Alex Priede (Men’s Soccer) Patrick Rauh (Cheerleading) Kyle Richard (Men’s Soccer)

Frenchy Silva (Volleyball) Bobby Smith (Men’s Lacrosse) Mary Katheryn Snyder (Cheerleading) Nevada Sorenson (Women’s Track & Field) Joe Spano (Baseball) Danny Spond (Football) Marta Stepien (Women’s Fencing) Megan Sullivan (Women’s Lacrosse) Chris Sutton (Men’s Soccer) Maggie Tamasitis (Women’s Lacrosse) Eric Tilley (Men’s Soccer) Robby Toma (Football) Rebecca Tracy (Women’s Track & Field) Elizabeth Tucker (Women’s Soccer) William Tudor (Cheerleading) Anna VanEgmond (Rowing) Rachel Velarde (Women’s Cross Country/

Track & Field) Allison Rzepczynski (Cheerleading) Steve Sabatino (Baseball) Radmila Sarkisova (Women’s Fencing) Jessica Schuveiller (Women’s Soccer) Lauren Scott (Women’s Swimming & Diving) Riley Sheahan (Hockey) Marshall Sherman (Men’s Swimming

& Diving)

Track & Field) Erin Ward (Cheerleading) Mason Weber (Men’s Swimming & Diving) Brandon West (Cheerleading) Kristina Wright (Softball) Diane Zielinski (Women’s Fencing)

2011–12 BIG EAST Academic All-Stars Baseball

Breck Ashdown Ryan Bull Alex Carter Tommy Chase Pat Connaughton Frank Desico Sean Fitzgerald Donnie Hissa Mac Hudgins Will Hudgins Blaise Lezynski Ryan Ritchter Alex Robinson John Rodgers Steve Sabatino Matt Ternowchek Patrick Veerkamp Men’s Basketball

Tim Abromaitis Pat Connaughton Alex Dragicevich Scott Martin Women’s Basketball

Skylar Diggins Whitney Holloway

Brittany Mallory Fraderica Miller Natalie Novosel Men’s Cross Country/ Tr ack & Field

Randall Babb Steve Blazer Mike Bradley Andrew Brock Jordan Carlson Max Cruz Robert Devine Nick Dunn Jack Favorite Johnny Fuller Eddy Gibbons Chris Giesting Ted Glasnow Patrick Glass Mitchell Gormley Martin Grady Andrew Hills Jason Hoard Kevin Jacobs Jake Kildoo Patrick Krach Peter Kristiansen

Patrick Lesiewicz Mitchell Lorenz Kelly Lynch Robert McCurrie Joe Miller Doug Onuscheck Dominick Padovano Thomas Pesch Jeremy Rae Logan Renwick Kevin Schipper Mike Smigelski Jordan Stumph Peter Sullivan Zac Suriano Anthony Thomas Women’s Cross Country/ Tr ack & Field

Elizabeth Andruszkiewicz Alexa Aragon Mason Bashaw Sasha Blanchard Gena Bleyer Maddie Buttinger Madeline Casanova Jessie Christian Kelly Curran

athletics annual report

2011–12

Colt Power Kevin Randall Michael Rogers Kyle Runyon John Scioscia Michael Shepardson Bobby Smith Ryan Smith Andy Will Henry Williams

Chrissy Finkel Emily Frydrych Jenny Fucillo Natalie Geiger Gabby Gonzales Kaileen Healy Megan Heeder Molly Hirt Kendra Jennings Kari Johnson Amber Lalla Lauren Leniart Karen Lesiewicz Carly Loeffel Meghan Moore Katie Moran Emily Morris Ann Polcari Kayla Polcari Meg Ryan Angela Ryck Jessica Rydberg Allison Schroeder Nevada Sorenson Katherine Stultz Susanna Sullivan Rebecca Tracy Aijah Urssery Rachel Velarde Colleen Wade Jaclyn Winkel Megan Yanik

Women’s Lacrosse

McKenzie Brown Adele Bruggeman Emily Conner Kristin DeRespiris Elizabeth Driscoll Kelly Driscoll Caitlin Gargan Julia Giorgio Jenny Granger Brittany Mallory Jaimie Morrison Flannery Nangle Kate Newall Lindsay Powell Molly Shawhan Jordy Shoemaker Megan Sullivan Maggie Tamasitis Rowing

Men’s Golf

Andrew Carreon Ryan Coughlin Patrick Grahek Edward Hjerpe Andrew Lane Paul McNamara Niall Platt Max Scodro Tom Usher Peyton Vitter Chris Walker Tyler Wingo Women’s Golf

Katie Allare Ashley Armstrong Becca Huffer Kristina Nhim Kelli Oride Men’s Lacrosse

Ben Ashenburg Nicholas Beattie Jake Brems Tyler Brenneman Pat Cotter Alex Eaton Andrew Gleason Westy Hopkins Conor Kelly Jim Marlatt Connor McCollough Matt Miller Ryan Mix Jack Near Liam O’Connor Stephen O’Hara

athletics annual report

Paige Aiello Carlee Beckler Stephanie Boggs Erin Boxberger Elena Brindley Molly Bruggeman Madelynn Conlin Kiersten Dehaven Christina Dines Rose Doerfler Courtney Gaberino Kelly Gawne Kelsey Haddad Lucy Hewitt Ching-Ting Hwang Hayley Johnson Olivia Kacsits Alyce Kanabrocki Morgan Kelley Anna Kottkamp Analisa LaMair-Orosco Elizabeth Linnemanstons Madeline Loper Becca Macdonald Erin McConnell Christine McGough Sarah McShane Abby Meyers Kathryn Monahan Kelsey Murphy Stephanie O’Neill Carolyn Perez Joanna Poinsatte Mikaela Prego Kendra Rask Teresa Rubinger Meghan Salomon Kelsey Sekanick Anna Sliwinski

2011–12

Katie Suyo Carly Syta Lauren Tharp Sarah Thompson Anna VanEgmond Stephanie Winsch Ingrid Woelfel Men’s Soccer

Kyle Craft Ryan Finley Robby Gallegos Trevor Gonzales Michael Knapp Max Lachowecki Adam LaPlaca Brendan Lesch Adam Mena Connor Miller Luke Mishu Dillon Powers Alex Priede Michael Rose Harrison Shipp Chris Sutton Eric Tilley Grant Van De Casteele Will Walsh Women’s Soccer

Courtney Barg Ellen Bartindale Nicole Borner Molly Campbell Haley Chamberlain Maddie Fox Brynn Gerstle Ellen Jantsch Mandy Laddish Kecia Morway Nicole Rodriguez Jessica Schuveiller Sammy Scofield Elizabeth Tucker Tayler Turner Softball

Jackie Bowe Katey Haus Kathryn Lux Dani Miller Brittany O’Donnell Chloe Saganowich Jenna Simon Lauren Stuhr Monica Torres Men’s Swimming & Diving

John Andrade Colin Babcock Bill Bass Ryan Belecanech Jordan Berry Joshua Choi Conor Evans Tylor Gauger Kevin Hughes Christopher Johnson Broderick Kelley Ryan Koter

Michael Kreft John McGinley Patrick Murphy Bertie Nel Nick Nemetz Kevin Overholt Petar Petrovic Sean Rademaker Kevin Rahill Marshall Sherman Patrick Sullivan Ted Wagner Mason Weber Johnathan Whitcomb

Niall Fitzgerald Michael Fredericka Wyatt McCoy Michael Moore Blas Moros

Women’s Swimming & Diving

Toni Alugbue Maggie Brindock Sam Brown Sammie Brown Kristen Dealy Andrea McHugh Andie Olsen Kathleen Severyn Frenchy Silva Nicole Smith Meg Vonderhaar

Emily Barton Allison Casareto Jenny Chiang Sarah Dotzel Erin Foley Gracie Fredlake Molly Geraghty Kim Holden Kimmie Lisiak Jaime Malandra Mikelle Masciantonio Christen McDonough Emma Reaney Kelly Ryan Lauren Scott Melissa Scott

Women’s Tennis

Kristy Friling Jennifer Kellner JoHanna Manningham Shannon Mathews Chrissie McGaffigan Julie Sabacinski Volleyball

Men’s Tennis

Greg Andrews Ryan Bandy Dougie Barnard Daven Brodess Matt Dooley

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Notre Dame All-Americans (30)

2011–12 Capital one academic all-americans (2)

Nicole Ameli

Frank Dyer

John Kemp

Ashley Severson

Women’s Fencing (Epee) Freshman Las Vegas, Nev.

Men’s Swimming & Diving (200 Free) Sophomore Loudonville, N.Y.

Men’s Lacrosse (Goalie) Junior Potomac, Md.

Women’s Fencing (Epee) Freshman Franklin Lakes, N.J.

Randall Babb

Tyler Eifert

Shannon Mathews

Jonathan Shawel

Men’s Track & Field (Indoor Distance Medley Relay) Senior Wheaton, Ill.

Football (Tight End) Junior Fort Wayne, Ind.

Women’s Tennis (Doubles) Senior Birmingham, Mich.

Men’s Track & Field (Indoor Distance Medley Relay) Senior Placentia, Calif.

Kristy Frilling

Lian Osier

Women’s Tennis (Doubles) Senior Sidney, Ohio

Women’s Fencing (Sabre) Junior Battle Ground, Wash.

Chris Giesting

Jeremy Rae

Men’s Track & Field (Indoor Distance Medley Relay) Junior Fort Erie, Ontario

Maggie Tamasitis

Softball (Catcher) Junior Franklin, Tenn.

Men’s Track & Field (Indoor Distance Medley Relay) Freshman Batesville, Ind.

Maddie Buttinger

Grace Hartman

Kevin Randall

Manti Te’o

Women’s Track & Field (Pentathlon) Senior Waterloo, Ontario

Women’s Fencing (Foil) Junior St. Paul, Minn.

Men’s Lacrosse (Defense) Senior Penfield, N.Y.

Football (Inside Linebacker) Junior Laie, Hawaii

Molly Bruggeman

Kevin Hassett

Kelly Ryan

Rebecca Tracy

Rowing Sophomore Dayton, Ohio

Men’s Fencing (Sabre) Sophomore Beaverton, Ore.

Women’s Swimming & Diving (200 Back) Sophomore Hinsdale, Ill.

Women’s Track & Field (1,500m) Junior Pinetop, Ariz.

Enzo Castellani

Melissa Henderson

Men’s Fencing (Foil) Senior Keller, Texas

Women’s Soccer (Forward) Senior Garland, Texas

Skylar Diggins

James Kaull

Women’s Basketball (Guard) Junior South Bend, Ind.

Men’s Fencing (Epee) Junior Washington, D.C.

Reggie Bentley

Men’s Fencing (Foil) Senior Little Rock, Ark. Amy Buntin

Andrew Hills

Manti Te’o

Track & Field 3.81, Mathematics Senior Toledo, Ohio

Football 3.35, Design Junior Laie, Hawaii

Margaret Smith

Women’s Lacrosse (Midfield) Sophomore Westminster, Md.

Women’s Lacrosse (Attack) Senior Boyertown, Pa.

Madison Zeiss

Women’s Fencing (Foil) Freshman Los Angeles, Calif.

Kevin Schipper

Men’s Track & Field (Pole Vault) Senior Leo, Ind.

2011–12 BIG EAST CONFERENCE Schol ar-Athlete Sport EXCELLENCE AWARDS Skylar Diggins

Shannon Mathews

Kevin Randall

Women’s Basketball

Women’s Tennis

Men’s Lacrosse

Becca Huffer

Blas Moros

Women’s Golf

Men’s Tennis

2011–12 BIG EAST CONFERENCE team academic excellence awards Women’s Golf Men’s Indoor Track & Field Men’s Outdoor Track & Field

Notre Dame’s All-America / Academic All-America Double Honorees Notre Dame student-athletes have earned All-America and Academic All-America honors in the same academic year 71 times (by 58 individuals), including women’s soccer player Lauren Fowlkes and men’s fencer Reggie Bentley 2010–11. Here is the complete list of this elite group of high achievers: Football (16 Individuals / 17 times; Year refers to fall season) Dan Shannon (’54) Don Schaefer (’55) Bob Lehmann (’63) Jim Lynch (’66) Tom Regner (’66) Jim Smithberger (’67) George Kunz (’68) Jim Reilly (’69) Tom Gatewood (’70, ’71) Joe Theismann (’70) Greg Marx (’72) Dave Casper (’73) Pete Demmerle (’74) Ken MacAfee (’77) John Krimm (’81) Tim Ruddy (’93)

Men’s Cross Country /

years refer to fall season)

refer to fall season) Mike McWilliams (’95 track) Jeff Hojnacki (’97 track) Jason Rexing (’96 CC / ’97 track) Errol Williams (’98 track) Mike Brown (’98 track & field) Ryan Shay (’01 CC / ’02 track) Luke Watson (’01 CC / ’02 and ’03 track) Todd Mobley (’03 CC) Tim Moore (’05 CC) Thomas Chamney (’06 and ’07 track) Todd Ptacek (’06 CC / ’07 track) Patrick Smyth (’08 CC / ’09 track)

Jen Renola (’95, ’96)

J. P. Gagne (’03) Steve Sollmann (’03) Men’s Basketball (4/6) Bob Arnzen (’67, ’68) Kelly Tripucka (’79) John Paxson (’82, ’83) Pat Garrity (’98) Softball (4/6)

Monica Gonzalez (’01) Brittany Bock (’07, ’08) Lauren Fowlkes (’09, ’10) Men’s Fencing (2/3) Bill Lester (’96, ’97) Reggie Bentley (’11) Men’s Soccer (2) Ryan Miller (’07) Matt Besler (’08) Each with one (5/6)

Baseball (3) Dan Peltier (’89)

Women’s Soccer (4/7,

Tr ack & Field (12 / 14; cross country years

Women’s Cross Country / Tr ack & Field (3)

Andy Zurcher (men’s tennis, ’94)

Alison Klemmer (’99 track)

Ruth Riley (women’s basketball, ’00, ’01)

Lauren King (’03 CC) Stephanie Madia (’05 CC / ’06 track)

Jen Hall (women’s tennis, ’99) Lauren Brewster (volleyball, fall of ’05) Erik Condra (hockey, ’09)

Women’s Fencing (3/4) Heidi Piper (’91, ’92) Claudette deBruin (’96) Adrienne Nott (’08)

Katie Marten (’95, ’96) Jarrah Myers (’01, ’02) Jen Sharron (’01) Stephanie Brown (’06)

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athletics annual report

2011–12

athletics annual report

2011–12

Notes | The above individuals include 13 who pulled the All-America/Academic All-America honors in two different years: Tom Gatewood, Bob Arnzen, John Paxson, Heidi Piper, Katie Marten, Bill Lester, Jen Renola, Ruth Riley, Jarrah Myers, Luke Watson, Thomas Chamney, Brittany Bock and Lauren Fowlkes. Notre Dame has produced at least one student-athlete with the All-America/Academic All-America distinction in 12 of the past 13 years (26 total in that stretch). Six pairs of teammates have earned the double honors in the same season: football’s Jim Lynch and Tom Regner (’66) and Gatewood and Joe Theismann (’70); softball’s Myers and Jen Sharron (’01); track’s Ryan Shay and Luke Watson (’02) and Thomas Chamney and Todd Ptacek (’07); and baseball’s J. P. Gagne and Steve Sollmann (’03).

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2011–12 Student-Athlete Advisory Council Fraderica Miller

David Jones

Allison Rzepcynski

President Women’s Basketball

Cheerleading

Kapron Lewis-Moore

Kevin Schipper

Football

Men’s Track & Field

Kim Lisiak

Allison Schroeder

Women’s Swimming & Diving

Women’s Track & Field

Secretary Women’s Soccer

Chrissi McGaffigan

Marshall Sherman

Women’s Tennis

Men’s Swimming & Diving

Sean Lorenz

Blas Moros

Marta Stepien

Men’s Tennis

Women’s Fencing

Jaimie Morrison

Kelsey Thornton

Women’s Lacrosse

Softball

Stephanie O’Neill

Rachel Velarde

Women’s Cross Country

Marie Roof

Kelli Zeese

Volleyball

Manager

Ethan Johnson

Vice President Football Jessica Schuveiller

Monogram Club Liaison Hockey Grant Van De Casteele

BIG EAST Liaison Men’s Soccer Kelley Morgan

Center for Social Concerns Liaison Rowing Katie Allare

Women’s Golf Randy Babb

Men’s Cross Country Courtney Barg

Women’s Soccer Emily Barton

Athletic Department Directory ( All numbers are area code 574) Jack Swarbrick

Mike Harrity

Juli Schreiber

Vice President/ Director of Athletics 631-6107

Associate AD (student welfare and development) 631-8090

Assistant AD (planning and special projects) 631-7516

Missy Conboy

Jennifer Vining-Smith

Women’s Swimming & Diving

Senior Deputy AD 631-9647

Jordan Berry

Bill Scholl

Associate AD (sports performance) 631-8090

Deputy AD 631-4836

Josh Berlo

Men’s Swimming & Diving Jacob Brems

Men’s Lacrosse

Patricia Bellia

Joey Brooks

Men’s Basketball

Faculty Athletic Representative 631-3866

Andrew Carreon

John Heisler

Men’s Golf

Senior Associate AD (media and broadcast relations) 631-7527

Tommy Chase

Baseball Tom Nevala Alex Coccia

Men’s Fencing Kelly Driscoll

Senior Associate AD (operations and youth programming) 631-4843

Women’s Lacrosse

Assistant AD (compliance) 631-3248

Mike Karwoski

Athletics Ticket Office

631-7356 Senior Assistant AD (guest relations and event marketing) 631-7356

Athletic Media Relations

Jenny Borg

Athletic Training

Sports Medicine /

Assistant AD (internal operations) 631-5378

631-3304 Strength and Conditioning

Bernadette Cafarelli

Assistant AD (media relations) 631-8458 Monica Cundiff

Assistant AD (director of event management) 631-6095

Jill Bodensteiner Andrew Gleason

Men’s Lacrosse

Associate AD (compliance and legal affairs) 631-6721

Will Hudgins

Baseball Mike Johnson

Hockey Jim Fraleigh

Associate AD (marketing and community relations/facility administration) 631-5450

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Beth Hunter

Assistant AD (student-athlete alumni relations) 631-9722

Michael Danch

Associate AD (facilities) 631-5030

631-7516

Maureen McNamara

Assistant AD (athletics community relations) 631-7516

631-7890 Rockne Heritage Fund

Mary Rattenburg 631-4394 Joyce Center Operations

Tom Blicher 631-6689 Recreational Sports

Sally Derengoski 631-6690 Summer Camps Office

631-8237 / 7801

athletics annual report

2011–12