Knute Rockne Memorial Society

05/02/2026

O I l up

12/09/2025

Want to enjoy a season in which there was no cabal or committee working to sideline Notre Dame? When the Fighting Irish went coast to coast, becoming the first football team of any kind to play games in New York City, Chicago and southern California in the same season.

Join Knute Rockne…The Four Horsemen…The Seven Mules…The Shock Troops. At Cartier Field. The Polo Grounds. Princeton. Pittsburgh. And finally the Rose Bowl, against Pop Warner and Ernie Nevers. A consensus national championship.

“Loyal Sons: The Story of The Four Horsemen and Notre Dame Football’s 1924 Champions” tells the whole story in rich detail and makes a great gift. Order your copy – inscribed and signed by the author – TODAY to ensure delivery by Christmas.

Your purchase supports the Knute Rockne Memorial Society in its work to preserve and promote this tremendous history. ORDER HERE: https://rocknesociety.org/shop/

09/14/2025

Paying tribute to Rock on A&M game day.

Remember, I present at The History Museum of South Bend at 2 pm Sunday. “Rockne: A Life Well Lived.”

09/09/2025

Join us next Friday, Sept. 19, for the Rockne Awards at The History Museum, 897 Thomas St., South Bend. Starts at 11:00 a.m. Registration at: www.RockneSociety.org/shop
https://mailchi.mp/a0abc4024ae6/news-from-the-knute-rockne-memorial-society?e=967d2d8df3

08/25/2025

Coach Jeff Jackson, who ended a 20-year run as Notre Dame head hockey coach this spring, will receive the Rockne LEADERSHIP Award at the ninth annual Knute Rockne "Spirit of Sports" Awards Celebration on Friday, Sept. 19 at The History Museum of South Bend.
To reserve General Admission or a VIP Reserved Table for the event, please visit: www.RockneSociety.org/shop
When he was named Notre Dame head coach in 2005, Jackson was already a two-time NCAA champion, having led Lake Superior State to the national title in 1992 and 1994. And he had played a key role in building the U.S. National Team Development program, an initiative that has launched the careers of countless U.S. hockey stars.
At Notre Dame, Jackson took a team coming off a 5-26-7 disaster and built the Irish into a major player on the national stage. He led the Irish to 12 of their 13 all-time NCAA Tournament appearances, including four trips to the Frozen Four and national championship game appearances in 2008 and 2018.
At the 2008 tourney in Denver, freshman Calle Ridderwall scored an electrifying goal in overtime to send top-seed Michigan packing and propel the Irish into the title tilt vs. Boston College. A decade later in St. Paul, the semi-final opponent was again the mighty Wolverines. This time, Jake Evans scored with 5.2 seconds left in regulation to break a 3-3 tie. In the final against Minnesota-Duluth, the Irish battled fiercely, falling, 2-1.
Under Jackson, Notre Dame won three conference regular-season titles and five conference tournament championships, including both in ND’s inaugural Big 10 season in 2017-18. He won the Spencer T. Penrose Award as national coach of the year in 2007 and 2018. This spring, he was honored with the 2025 Distinguished Achievement Award from USA Hockey,
In his final season this past March, Jackson led the Irish to a Big Ten quarter-final upset of Minnesota, two games to one, in which he surpassed 600 career victories. He finished with a career record of 601-343-98, including 419-291-74 at Notre Dame.
Jackson’s legacy also includes the centerpiece of Notre Dame hockey – the Compton Family Ice Arena, among the most spectacular venues in the sport.
Moreover, Jackson was known for making his players well-prepared for success, on and off the ice.

08/22/2025

Four weeks from today, on Friday, Sept. 19, the Knute Rockne Memorial Society will honor Coach Richard "Digger" Phelps with the 2025 Rockne LIVING LEGEND Award at the ninth annual Knute Rockne "Spirit of Sports" Awards Celebration.

The event is being held at The History Museum of South Bend, in conjunction with the Museum's special exhibit, "Rockne: Life and Legacy." It begins with Social Hour and Buffet Dining at 11 a.m., with the Awards Program starting at 12:15 p.m.

Reserve your General Admission or VIP Reserved Table by visiting: www.RockneSociety.org/shop

Phelps coached the Fighting Irish for 20 seasons (1971-91), reaching 14 NCAA Tournaments, including the 1978 Final Four.

He is central to one of the greatest moments in Notre Dame athletic history. On Jan. 19, 1974, his team scored the final 12 points of the game in the final 3 1/2 minutes to upset No. 1 UCLA and end the Bruins' NCAA record 88-game winning streak. John Wooden's team had won the previous seven straight NCAA titles.

Six more times in Digger's career, the Irish knocked off the nation's top-ranked team. He finished with an ND career record of 393-195. And he energized the Irish fan base like few before or since.

Come and join us to recognize this living Notre Dame legend.

08/08/2025

Notre Dame All-American and Pro Football Hall of Famer Bryant Young will receive the Rockne CHAMPION Award at the ninth annual Knute Rockne "Spirit of Sports" Awards Celebration on Friday, Sept. 19, at The History Museum of South Bend.

Young, a defensive lineman from Bloom High School in Chicago Heights, Ill., was named first team All-American for the 11-1 Fighting Irish in 1993 when Lou Holtz’ team finished No. 2 in the nation.

He went on to a stellar NFL career, all 14 years with the San Francisco 49ers, to earn a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Young was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and was placed on the NFL All-1990s Team. After suffering a severely broken leg in 1997, he earned the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year Award in 1998, and received the George Halas Award for overcoming adversity.

Bryant finished his career with 89.5 sacks, and was named to the 49ers All-Time Team. Eight times, he earned the team’s Len Eshmont Award for “inspiration and courageous play.”

Bryant and his family have been involved in the fight against pediatric cancer after losing their son Colby to the disease at age 15 in 2016. Another son, Bryce, is a sophomore defensive lineman for the current Irish.

To reserve your General Admission or VIP Table for the Rockne Awards, please visit: www.RockneSociety.org/shop

06/10/2025

Need a Father's Day gift for that special Notre Dame dad? Order NOW to receive in time. The national award-winning story of Notre Dame's 1924 National Champions.
Visit www.RockneSociety.org/shop to order an autographed, inscribed copy.

01/13/2025

We are expanding our social media presence and invite all to follow the Knute Rockne Memorial Society on BlueSky.

An educational non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of Coach Knute Rockne and all that he represented. Presenter of the annual Knute Rockne "Spirit of Sports" Awards.

01/01/2025

100 years ago today, on Jan. 1, 1925, Coach Rockne's squad finished a perfect 10-0 season with a 27-10 victory over Pop Warner and Stanford in the Rose Bowl game. securing the national championship for Notre Dame.

A capacity crowd and coast-to-coast radio audience were impressed by the gritty performance of Stanford fullback Ernie Nevers, who continually pounded against the Fighting Irish line.

But Notre Dame made the most of its opportunities, despite scoring only one offensive touchdown. Ed Hunsinger returned a fumbled punt for one touchdown, and Elmer Layden had two long interceptions returns for scores.

Here's my recap of the game for Blue & Gold Illustrated, excerpted from the pages of my award-winning book, Loyal Sons: The Story of The Four Horsemen and Notre Dame Football's 1924 Champions. Order your inscribed, autographed copy of the Special Centennial Commemorative Edition at www.RockneSociety.org/shop/

12/24/2024

Wishing all friends and followers of the Knute Rockne Memorial Society a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

And please consider a year-end, tax-deductible donation of $100 to join our newest donor level, The 1924 Club. Details:

For one-time, tax-deductible donation of $100 to the Knute Rockne Memorial Society, receive a 2-year membership in The 1924 Club. See full membership details below.