May 15, 2014
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – When the Class of 2014 enters Notre Dame Stadium for the university’s 169th commencement exercises on Sunday morning, there will be the traditional academic regalia–caps (some of them decorated), gowns, and tassels. The weather forecast suggests there will probably be a few sunglasses too. For the first time ever, the Monogram Club and athletics department are also proud to recognize student-athletes with distinctive graduation stoles.
As previously announced at the O.S.C.A.R.S. (Outstanding Students Celebrating Achievements & Recognitions Showcase) on April 30, graduating student-athletes, managers, cheerleaders, athletic trainers and video technicians will have the opportunity to wear a uniquely designed stole recognizing their accomplishments and contributions to Notre Dame Athletics.
The blue stoles feature a gold embroidered Notre Dame monogram on each side and “God, Country, Notre Dame” screened on the inside collar.
Track & field seniors and Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) members Jes Christian and Logan Renwick championed the initiative, motivated by an effort to recognize the exceptional Notre Dame careers of their fellow student-athletes.
“We wanted the stoles to be a symbol of the achievement that graduating as a student-athlete is at Notre Dame,” Renwick said. “They’re supposed to symbolize the full journey we’ve had from receiving our first monogram at the letter jacket ceremony to commencement, to commemorate the [Notre Dame] experience, and signify all the thanks that we have to the University for giving us everything as student-athletes.”
After receiving approval for the special stoles, Renwick and Christian approached the Monogram Club and athletics department with the idea.
“I spoke to Logan about this before we even started and I said, ‘You know, there are so many stoles and cords for academic honors, but there’s nothing for student-athletes,’ and that’s an honor in and of itself to be able to achieve both academic success and athletic success,” Christian said.
Whether on the court or in the pool, in the training room or on the sidelines, Notre Dame student-athletes, managers, cheerleaders, athletic trainers and video technicians have long represented the values of the University. They have hung up their cleats, and turned in their last papers, and this weekend, will have one final opportunity to stand out as contributors to the proud Fighting Irish athletics tradition and as distinguished graduates of the University of Notre Dame.
The 2014 University Commencement Ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 18 at Notre Dame Stadium.