This week, Notre Dame unveiled a fresh alternate version of its iconic Leprechaun logo, the first in a new series of sport-specific marks that will give each program its own twist on the classic design. The update sparked plenty of conversation on Twitter and forums, making it a great moment to look back on how Notre Dame came to be known as the Fighting Irish—a name rooted in Civil War heroics, football folklore, and even a street battle with the Ku Klux Klan – in the first place.
Roots in the Civil War
The roots precede football.