Every week, 29 football teams don pads or flags to play fellow dorms in a game of interhall football. The games are fierce, competitive and hold special meaning to each dorm.
To a non-Notre Dame student or outsider, it might seem strange that students would spend hours of time practicing each week for an intramural football game. Interhall football players, however, have many reasons for their devotion to the sport.
"Interhall football is the best sport that Notre Dame offers" Fisher senior captain Matt Hart said..
Interhall football gives students an opportunity to be competitive athletes. For male students who played in high school, interhall football signifies a return to the glory days of high school football. For others, interhall competition allows them to find a new passion for football.
"Intramural gives us a unique opportunity that almost no college students have; namely, the chance to put on the pads and play in a legitimate football league once again" Alumni junior captain Tom O'Sullivan said.
As most female students have never had an opportunity to play football, interhall represents a chance to pick up a new sport.
For many players, however, the best part of interhall football is the dorm pride and unity it builds.
"In Pasquerilla West especially, we all become really good friends, no matter what class you're in," Pasquerilla West senior captain Meghan Schmitt said. "We absolutely love the bonding and look forward to practices with each other"
While only a small fraction of dorm residents play on the team, the entire dorm rallies behind them.. Dorm mascots attend the game to support the team, and signs are made for games each week. Dorm traditions unite interhall teams of past and present.
"We have carried some football traditions with us over the past four years, such as our pump up cheer, our Dillon Hall coaches and our dorm priest ringing his bell at every game, Ryan senior captain Maya Pillai said. "It is our hope that these continue for many years to come."
Contact Sarah Connors at sconnor1@nd.edu
