Besides being considered arguably the greatest coach in college football history, Knute Rockne served as Notre Dame's athletic director from 1920 until his death in 1930.

Dedication Ceremony For Athletic Director Plaques Set For Saturday

Nov. 6, 2007

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Plaques honoring previous University of Notre Dame athletics directors will be dedicated at a ceremony to be held Nov. 10, prior to the Notre Dame-Air Force football game at Notre Dame Stadium.

The ceremony is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. EST Saturday on the North Tunnel Plaza just north of Notre Dame Stadium’s tunnel entrance. Plaques denoting the tenures of Notre Dame’s previous athletics directors have been placed on the wall surrounding the plaza. Two former athletics directors, Gene Corrigan and Dick Rosenthal, will speak as part of the program.

A November 2005 ceremony to honor Mike Wadsworth (Notre Dame athletics director from 1995-2000) posthumously involved installation of the plaque noting his years of service, and the remaining plaques were set in place this week. The plaques have been made possible through contributions of the Notre Dame Monogram Club – and Notre Dame athletics chaplain Rev. Bill Seetch, C.S.C., will bless them during the ceremony.

Present for the ceremony will be family members representing all previous Notre Dame athletics directors other than Jesse Harper (he was athletics director from 1913-17) and Wadsworth. Those individuals will be recognized on the field just prior to the Notre Dame-Air Force game and will be presented shadow box replicas of the original plaques by current athletics director Kevin White.

Here are the family representatives who will be part of the ceremonies:

  • Representing Knute Rockne (director of athletics from 1920-1930) is his son, Jack Rockne
  • Representing Elmer Layden (1934-1940) is his son, Elmer Layden, Jr.
  • Representing Hugh Devore (1945) is his grandson, Dr. George Devore
  • Representing Frank Leahy (1947-1948) is his grandson and former Irish football captain Ryan Leahy
  • Representing Edward “Moose” Krause (1949-1981) is his daughter, Mary Krause-Carrigan
  • Gene Corrigan (1981-1987)
  • Dick Rosenthal (1987-1995)

In all, there are approximately 75 members of the Rockne, Layden, Devore, Leahy, Krause, Corrigan and Rosenthal families expected to attend. Following the dedication a private brunch will be held at the Joyce Center for family members and other University staff.

— ND —