Blue and Gold Illustrated

IRISH ECHOES JIM LEFEBVRE 50 NOV. 1, 2025 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED K nute Rockne's accomplishments as Notre Dame head football coach are legendary. He posted a record of 105-12-5, for a winning percentage of .881, the highest in history for any major college or pro coach. But that's just the start of the story. His charisma, his persona, his mag- netism brought a level of connection and celebrity almost unheard of before or since. Across the nation, everyone who followed football seemed inter- ested in what Rockne thought about one important topic or another. That impact, reaching far beyond the playing field, is a central theme of the special exhibit currently being pre- sented by The History Museum of South Bend. "Rockne: Life and Legacy" is being hailed as the most comprehensive por- trayal of Rock's life gathered in one place. From now through May 31, 2026, this once-in-a-lifetime showcase will honor the legendary coach who catapulted Notre Dame into the national spotlight. "This exhibit invites visitors to redis- cover Rockne as a visionary who under- stood how sports could unite people, shape identity, and tell a powerful Ameri- can story," noted Brian Harding, executive director of The History Museum. "As a museum dedicated to preserving the his- tory that defines our community, we're honored to explore how Rockne's influ- ence continues to echo through Notre Dame and American culture today." The exhibit features the most sig- nificant collection of Rockne artifacts ever assembled for public view. Visitors journey through Rockne's life — from his childhood in Norway and early years in Chicago, to his transformative role at the University of Notre Dame and his sud- den, tragic death in a 1931 plane crash. "Knute Rockne wasn't just a coach; he was a cultural figure who revolution- ized the game and brought Notre Dame onto the national stage," Harding said. "This exhibition allows fans and history buffs alike to explore his remarkable life through rare artifacts, photographs, and immersive storytelling." We at the Knute Rockne Memorial So- ciety were privileged to be part of that storytelling, serving as a primary histori- cal consultant to the exhibit. Much of the text is from our award-winning biography "Coach For A Nation: The Life and Times of Knute Rockne." We were also honored to kick off the exhibit's speaker series with a Sept. 14 presentation on Rockne's life. "Rockne: Life & Legacy" displays an extraordinary collection of personal and historical items, including: • Rockne's 1924 coaching contract. (Leading to the school's first national championship.) • The whistle Rockne used, and the iconic sweatshirt he wore in practice. • Original programs, photos and game tickets from the Rockne era. • The famed "Four Horsemen" news- paper article by Grantland Rice. • Artifacts tied to Rockne's players and team memorabilia. • The cufflinks Rockne wore in the tragic crash which claimed his life, and pieces from the actual aircraft, a Fokker F-10. • A restored 1933 Studebaker "Rockne 10" automobile, considered the finest surviving example in the world. In 2006 The History Museum, then known as the Northern Indiana Cen- ter for History, presented a Rockne ex- hibit, "Rockne: Crossing The Last Chalk Line." What was the thinking behind revisiting this epic figure? Perhaps the best explanation comes in the form of a quote from A.R. Erskine, former president of the Studebaker Corp., who also served as president of the Uni- versity of Notre Dame's board of trustees. Upon Rockne's death, Erskine de- scribed the legendary coach as "a great citizen who brought fame to South History Museum's Exhibit Explores Knute Rockne's Impact On South Bend, Notre Dame And The Nation The History Museum of South Bend, 897 Thomas Street, is presenting the "Rockne: Life and Legacy" exhibit through May 31, 2026. PHOTO BY RON ZIMMERMAN/KNUTE ROCKNE MEMORIAL SOCIETY Rockne was memorialized by South Bend's Studebaker Corp. with the 1933 Rockne model. PHOTO BY RON ZIMMERMAN/KNUTE ROCKNE MEMORIAL SOCIETY

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