Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com FEBRUARY 2023 45 The Notre Dame spirit was apparent during this difficult time. "For the funeral, 22 players got on a bus from Notre Dame to attend services in Cincinnati," Doerger recalled. "The players along with Coach Faust gave me tremendous support. A lot of teammates told me, 'Because of your experience. I appreciate my father more, and I'm making an effort to get closer and ex- press my feelings of love toward him.'" In his 30-plus years at La Salle, Do- erger served in a variety of roles: • Taught sociology, psychology, reli- gion and physical education • Coached football, primarily as line coach • Coached basketball and track • Served as dean of students, atten- dance officer and guidance counselor "There are few men I've encountered that have had such a profound and last- ing impact on my life as Coach Doerger," former La Salle student-athlete Steve Culman said. "I was fortunate to have this man coach me in football and track — and more importantly life — for most of my time at La Salle. "He brought his game face to work ev- ery day and was able to inspire and mo- tivate us in incredible ways. He was truly a gentle giant who walked the walk." Doerger was an integral piece of the Lancers' drive to state football champi- onships in 2014, 2015 and 2016. During the 2019 season, he was largely dealing with severe illness and awaiting his liver transplant. Still, he would be with the team when he could. "He was back in between hospital stays; he came back and talked to us St. Xavier week," Coach McLaughlin said. "It was inspiration and giving awesome mes- sages to the kids." Coach Doerger was never far from the players' minds as they drove to another state title. They collected stacks of letters of support from the school community and dropped them off at Doerger's home. "They dropped a stack off on the porch, and I got it, and I started cry- ing," Doerger said. "I thought, 'I don't deserve this. I'm just a coach here.'" No, Coach, you were much, much more. ✦ Jim Lefebvre is an award-winning Notre Dame author and leads the Knute Rockne Memorial Society. He can be reached at: jlefebvre@blueandgold.com For more informa on, please visit: www.RockneSociety.org The Knute Rockne Memorial Society is dedicated to preserving and promo ng the life story of Coach Knute Rockne and all he stood for. Through its annual Rockne Awards, the Rockne Society recognizes and inspires great achievement in athle cs…and in life. Doerger was an educator, coach and counselor to hundreds in a long career at La Salle High School in Cincinnati. He passed away Dec. 23 at the age of 59. PHOTO COURTESY DOERGER FAMILY