Why is Notre Dame called the Fighting Irish? What we know ahead of OSU vs. ND
Ohio State has seen Notre Dame's culture up close and personal.
Saturday will be the eighth ever meeting between the two teams, with the Buckeyes trying to extend a five-game win streak against the Fighting Irish.
But with the tradition surrounding Notre Dame football, why is their athletic nickname the "Fighting Irish?"
What need to know about OSU vs ND game : Everything you need to know ahead of Ohio State's game against Notre Dame
Why Notre Dame calls themselves the 'Fighting Irish'
According to the Notre Dame Athletics website, the nickname's origination remains unclear.
The most accepted explanation is that journalists coined the nickname as a characterization of Notre Dame teams, "their never-say-die fighting spirit and the Irish qualities of grit, determination and tenacity," even while the term may have began as "an abusive expression tauntingly directed toward the athletes from the small, private, Catholic institution."
In 1929, the Notre Dame Scholastic called the "Fighting Irish" title as originally holding "no glory or prestige."
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“The years passed swiftly and the school began to take a place in the sports world …’Fighting Irish’ took on a new meaning. The unknown of a few years past has boldly taken a place among the leaders. The unkind appellation became symbolic of the struggle for supremacy of the field. …The team, while given in irony, has become our heritage. …So truly does it represent us that we unwilling to part with it …”
The nickname was officially adopted in 1927 after using "Catholics" in the 1800s and the Ramblers in the early 1920s.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Why is Notre Dame called the Fighting Irish?
