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SOUTH BEND, Ind. – In recognition of 50 years of women’s varsity athletics at the University of Notre Dame, the University announced on July 30, 2025 that it will launch the “Cheer Her Name” initiative to celebrate all the individuals who have and continue to contribute to the remarkable success of our women’s programs.
Throughout the course of the 2025-26 academic year, Notre Dame Athletics plans to shine a spotlight on the history and accomplishments of its women’s varsity sports programs and to engage with key stakeholders through special campus events, connecting student-athletes, alumni and fans.
“We are excited to launch this yearlong celebration of our women’s athletic programs at the University,” said University vice president and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics Pete Bevacqua. “I am looking forward to meeting and celebrating many of our past student-athletes from the past five decades over the next year and hope that this provides increased growth and exposure to our women’s programs at Notre Dame.”
The highlighted celebration of the year will take place on campus during the weekend of September 19-21 when Notre Dame Football hosts Purdue. An invitation was extended to all female former student-athletes and others who have supported Notre Dame women’s sports, to return to campus to be recognized and celebrated. A full calendar of weekend events includes the opportunity to attend several social and athletic events, including a Friday night reception followed by the Notre Dame Volleyball match vs. Michigan. An enhanced focus on the past and present accomplishments of Notre Dame Women’s Athletics will continue throughout the year.
Notre Dame currently has 13 women’s athletic programs. After the establishment of tennis in 1976, Notre Dame has added fencing, field hockey, basketball, volleyball, swimming and diving, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, indoor and outdoor track and field, lacrosse, and rowing through the years. In addition to numerous individual national titles, Fighting Irish women’s teams have won 16 national championships in fencing, soccer, and basketball. In the fall of 2022, the Notre Dame Monogram Club presented more than 250 honorary monograms to both the founders of the Women’s Athletic Association and the women who competed for Notre Dame during the first five years of coeducation between 1972-77.
If you are interested in contributing to the future success of Notre Dame’s athletics, including our women’s varsity athletic programs, please click here to learn more.
