Notre Dame has a proud history in athletics. As we reflect on the 55-year anniversary of the Observer, virtually every sport could merit its own list of historical top 10 moments. From national championships to drought-breaking wins, to heroic individual performances, Notre Dame has left a shamrock-shaped stamp on the history of collegiate sports. So we’re here to celebrate the 55 years of the Observer with the top 10 moments of Notre Dame athletics in those five-and-a-half decades.
Creating this list was certainly an interesting task, as separating a bevy of praiseworthy accomplishments was incredibly difficult. National championships had to be weighted at a certain level, as did upsets. However, not every moment here is a championship-winning effort - some just were incredibly historic moments from a specific program, while others produced thrilling memories that captured the attention of the Notre Dame fanbase.
As we get into the list, a few honorable mentions are worth noting, as creating a top 10 list was impossible to accomplish without first considering the efforts that just missed this list. Such performances include the 1966 football National Championship, the men’s basketball team reaching back-to-back Elite Eights — coupled with an ACC title — in 2015 and 2016, and Cal Peterson setting an NCAA-record 87 saves in an eventual five-overtime loss and the famous Joe Montana Chicken Soup Game, in which the Irish claimed the 1979 Cotton Bowl on the shoulders of their ill quarterback. Finishing just off the list was the 2010 women’s soccer national championship — it was difficult to pick between three Irish titles in this sport, as all were dominant seasons and performances, but the 2010 championship moved Notre Dame into second all-time, joining UNC as the only other program with three or more women’s soccer championships.
With the honorable mentions having been given their shoutout, let’s delve into those accomplishments which made the top 10 list.
- Notre Dame Men’s and Women’s Golf Break Drought
In 2004, the Notre Dame men’s golf team broke a 38-year NCAA Tournament drought with an absolutely thrilling comeback in the Big East Championships. Trailing defending conference champions Virginia Tech by five strokes entering the final round of play, the Irish made up just one in the first nine holes. However, in a miraculous effort, the Irish lapped the Hokies by a ten-stroke margin on the back nine to claim the title and qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Making the victory more sweet was that it took place at Warren Golf Course — the home for the Irish golfers. Annie Brusky had the coverage in 2004.
In 2011, Notre Dame women’s golf added their own drought-breaking accomplishment, qualifying for the first NCAA tournament in program history. The victory was less dramatic, as Notre Dame led throughout the event and claimed a 13-shot victory. But the breakthrough under head coach Susan Holt paved the way for groundbreaking success for the program — the women’s golf team has gone on to make the NCAA Tournament in 10 of the past 12 years. Just over a decade ago, it was Vicky Jacobson detailing women’s golf outstanding accomplishment.
- Fencing Dynasty
In 2017, Notre Dame dominated the competition with a 25-point victory, with a record-setting 186 points. A year later, the Irish reloaded after being hit hard by graduation and notched a 185-point effort in the national championships to claim consecutive championships. In 2021, the Irish returned to the top with an otherworldly individual performance, claiming four of six individual titles. They broke their record by recording 201 points in the 2021 championships.
The title wins were reported on by Jack Concannon, Charlotte Edmonds and Jamison Cook.
- 1973 Sugar Bowl
There are a lot of classic games in the vaunted history of Notre Dame football, but the 1973 Sugar Bowl ranks among the best. Notre Dame led for the majority of the contest, but it was a back-and-forth affair. The game featured two missed extra points, a 93-yard kickoff return from the Irish, and a quarterback touchdown reception for a late 23-21 Alabama lead. Late in the game, the Irish would regain a 24-23 lead with just over four minutes to go on a field goal.
The Irish got a stop but were pinned on their own one-yard-line, facing a 3rd and 10. Risking a safety that would have lost the game, Notre Dame put the game in the hands of their offense by attempting a pass. In one of the most famous individual plays in Irish history, quarterback Tom Clements found backup tight end Robin Weber on a long pass to get the first down and help Notre Dame run out the clock. Notre Dame subsequently was named the national champion by the Associated Press.
- Notre Dame Hockey Cardiac Kids
The streak was even more unlikely after Notre Dame skidded to end the regular season, losing four of their final five games. Then the Irish beat Penn State in the Big 10 semis on a goal with 31 seconds to go, followed by an overtime victory to claim the conference title versus Ohio State. The momentum carried into the NCAA Tournament, with an overtime conquest of Michigan Tech, and a game-winner with 27 seconds to play against Providence.
Bumping this absurd streak up to #7 on the list was the Final Four victory for the Irish. Against rival Michigan, the Irish went down 2-0 early, but fought back and the score was eventually leveled at 3-3. Then, when overtime felt inevitable, Jake Evans converted a last-second offensive opportunity, scoring with six seconds to play. Evans’s iconic arms-raised celebration as the Irish celebrated a Frozen Four victory over a historic rival cemented the Cardiac Kids’ spot on this list.
- Yared Nuguse In 2019
With about a hundred meters to go, Nuguse was running in fourth place, attempting to maintain pace in a lead pack of five athletes. However, as it turned out, that pace became unnecessary, as Nuguse’s finishing kick was unbelievable. Trailing by several meters in the final 50, Nuguse quickly made up the ground and with a lean, he completed a huge comeback to become the national champion. Nuguse has gone on to set the NCAA record in the event (3:34.68) and met the Olympic standard, although a pre-race injury prevented him from competing in Tokyo. A fantastic career, punctuated by this outstanding effort as a sophomore in 2019 earned Nuguse the #6 spot on this list.
- Men’s Basketball Breaks’ UCLA’s 88-game winning streak
Down 11 points with under four minutes to play, the Irish didn’t appear likely candidates to prevent UCLA from stretching the streak to 89 games. Notre Dame also had trailed by 17 points on multiple occasions. However, a full-court press frazzled the Bruins, as, after an Irish basket, they failed to get the ball past midcourt twice, and Notre Dame converted both turnovers into points. Down by just five, the Irish continued to harass UCLA, inducing a pair of traveling calls and scoring two more baskets to trim the deficit to 70-69. Then, Notre Dame drew a charging foul and made the eventual game-winner with 29 seconds to play. They held UCLA scoreless over the final 3 minutes and 32 seconds, ending on a 12-0 run to shock the world. The victory came just 20 days after Notre Dame beat Alabama in the aforementioned 1973 Sugar Bowl, making it a celebratory month of athletic achievements in South Bend. Matt Lozar looked back on the victory for the Observer.
- Arike Ogunbowale’s back-to-back buzzer-beaters
The title game was lower scoring, but the Irish trailed by 13 at the half. They staged a furious third-quarter rally to tie the score, which remained the case down the stretch. Mississippi State missed a shot with 25 seconds to go, and the Irish corralled the rebound. But with seven seconds to play, the Irish turned it over, seemingly signaling the Irish’s doom. However, Notre Dame forced a turnover on a wild fast break attempt and got the ball back with three seconds to play. The Irish ran an inbounds play and Ogunbowale got the short pass, dribbled and launched a slightly off-balance three from close to the corner. The shot swished through and the Irish claimed their second national title. Ogunbowale’s heroics will forever go down as among the clutchest postseason efforts in the history of Notre Dame athletics.
- Molly Seidel’s landmark victories
Seidel continued to stun the world after her collegiate career. In her first-ever marathon, she made Team USA. The Olympic event was only her third-ever marathon — and she claimed the bronze medal. She was the first American woman to medal in the event in 17 years. In the world of athletics, Seidel remains a Fighting Irish and American legend.
- The 2001 Women’s Basketball Championship
After cruising through the early stages of the NCAA Tournament, the Irish faced some major adversity. They went down by 15 points in the Final Four, and Ivey played through a sprained ankle to lead a big comeback. Against Purdue in the title, the Irish again trailed by over ten points and they were down by eight with 12 minutes to play. They clawed their way back and took the title on a pair of Riley free throws with five seconds on the clock. The timing of the championship was key for the Irish, who had been struggling in football, where they were traditional powerhouses. The reaction from the South Bend community — mobbing Main Circle, both students and locals alike — really proved the significance of this championship.
- Notre Dame Football’s 1988 Season
’88 was the prime of the Lou Holtz era, and they proved it with four top-10 wins that season. After dominating three more opponents, the Irish went on the road and slammed No. 2 USC 27-10. That made for three major rivalry wins for the Irish, leaving them a Fiesta Bowl victory away from the title. There, the Irish made quick work of No. 3 West Virginia, jumping out to a huge advantage early on and cruising to a 34-21 victory. Soon, maybe the Irish will claim another title on the gridiron and the ’88 season will no longer be the top memory in Irish history, but for now, this amazing season remains a great memory and an all-time classic.
