A Letter from the Monogram Club President
This past year is one we will never forget. While it has been extremely challenging, it has also allowed us to come together like we never have before. This annual review provides an opportunity to look back at the many ways the Monogram Club family stayed connected before and after our lives were disrupted in the spring.
I enjoyed revisiting the events from last fall, especially those on home football weekends, and look forward to having gatherings like that again soon. A personal highlight occurred last October when I began my term as president of the Monogram Club. I am proud to serve as president of such a storied and tradition-rich organization that has been part of Our Lady’s University for over 100 years.
The success and longevity of the Monogram Club is a result of the passion and dedication displayed by membership throughout the years. The resources and engagement opportunities that the Monogram Club is able to offer are made possible through the generosity of our members. That is why I encourage you to make your annual contribution to the Rockne Athletics Fund. Not only do these gifts support the Monogram Club, they are especially important because they directly impact Fighting Irish teams and student-athletes during these unprecedented times.
Thank you for your support of Notre Dame Athletics and the Monogram Club!
Don Casey ('82, '83, swimming)
Make Your Annual Gift
Irish Impact Level – $75
Young/Senior Alumni Level – $150
For Monogram winners who graduated from the University prior to 1972 or within the last 10 years (2011-20). Includes football ticket lottery access.
Classic Level – $300
For Monogram winners who graduated from the University between 1972 and 2010. Includes football ticket lottery access.
Home Football Weekends
Annual Reception Weekend
The Monogram Club hosted its 2019 Annual Reception Weekend October 11-12.
Irish in Atlanta
Reunions
The Monogram Club and Athletics Advancement hosted the fourth annual Fighting Irish at the Super Bowl event January 31 – February 1 in Miami, Florida, site of Super Bowl LIV. Over 200 attendees, including Notre Dame football alumni, athletics administrators and guests of athletics, attended the two-day event. The first night featured a reception at Florida International University, while a brunch was held the following day aboard the Norwegian Escape. During brunch, Vice President and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics Jack Swarbrick ('76, honorary) led a panel discussion that featured former Fighting Irish gridiron greats Jaylon Smith ('19), Jeff Faine ('03) and Mike McCoy ('70).
Cara (Garvey) Coleman (’95, swimming) was named the 2019 recipient of the Edward “Moose” Krause Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor given by the Monogram Club. Coleman is a dedicated advocate for families and the vital role they play in the health care needs of children with disabilities. She has vast knowledge of this topic because of the experiences she and her family went through with her daughter Justice Hope. Justice was born in 2006 with agenesis corpus callosum and other medical issues, which prevented her from walking or talking and required extensive in-home medical care. Justice passed away in the spring of 2017 at the age of 11. During those 11 years, Coleman saw firsthand the essential care-giving responsibilities that is needed from families with disabled children. It was the challenge and extent of those responsibilities that caused Coleman to step back from practicing law and find different uses for her skills in advocacy for Justice’s individual level care and in systems level work. Not only did Coleman and her husband, Jason, develop their own repertoire of skills as direct caregivers for the medical needs of Justice, but she also developed new passions and voices as a health care professional.
Tim Welsh Receives Jesse Harper Award
The Monogram Club bestowed the Jesse Harper Award upon longtime Notre Dame swimming & diving head coach Tim Welsh (honorary) in the fall of 2019 during a reunion celebrating the 60th anniversary of the program. Former Monogram Club president Haley Scott DeMaria (’95, swimming) presented the award to her former coach during the reunion’s formal dinner inside Club Naimoli.
Jimmy Dunne Bestowed with Honorary Monogram
Jimmy Dunne ('78) received an honorary Monogram for his many contributions to Notre Dame Athletics. The surprise presentation took place Virginia weekend inside the Irish Athletics Center during a special dinner for the lead donors of the new indoor facility for football and soccer. Fittingly, Ron Powlus (’97, football) presented Dunne with his jacket for his efforts as “quarterback” of the donors who made the facility a reality.
Recognitions
Over 150 Notre Dame student-athletes and student support staff members were presented with their Monogram jackets at the fall 2019 Monogram Jacket Ceremony, which was held inside Downes Club at Corbett Family Hall. The ceremony honored first-time Monogram recipients from Notre Dame’s winter and spring sports along with student managers from those teams and the football program. Former Notre Dame men’s basketball standout, and current ACC Network analyst and studio anchor, Jordan Cornette (‘05) was the featured alumni speaker, while Hannah Dorney ('22, lacrosse) gave the student-athlete reflection.
The Monogram Club launched the Era Extended initiative series to deepen engagement with all of its members. A Monogram winner’s connection and commitment to the University of Notre Dame extends well beyond their time on campus, and Era Extended strives to deliver on the "four for forever" promise made to Fighting Irish student-athletes. The Monogram Club is driven by its members and Era Extended was developed based on feedback from the membership survey conducted in the winter. Along with introducing new initiatives, the Monogram Club will enhance certain existing programs, to ensure the series includes something for Monogram winners of all generations.
The Member-to-Member podcast, which is part of the Era Extended series, allows Monogram winners to share in-depth stories and personal experiences. Topics include: success in the business world, transitioning from a playing career, caring for the community, current events, stories from their Notre Dame days and much more.
New Member Onboarding
Another Era Extended offering is an onboarding program for recent graduates. The Monogram Club staff and board leadership team hosted a virtual onboarding session with its members from the class of 2020. The event provided the graduates with an opportunity to learn about the resources and support that is available to them as a Monogram winner.
In June, Notre Dame Athletics launched a platform for current and former student-athletes, coaches, staff members and others to share their stories and voices concerning social injustice. The StaND Together web site features action steps and powerful content from several Monogram winners, including a video from Reggie Brooks ('93, football), which you can watch below.
The first episode of the Member-to-Member podcast centered around social injustice. The episode featured Don Casey ('82, '83, swimming), Jes Christian ('14, track & field) and Reggie Brooks ('93, football).
In Memoriam
Monogram winners who passed away between October 13, 2019 and November 22, 2020.
George Atkinson III (football)
Lee Ayotte (’57, basketball)
Brad Bennett (’48, track & field)
Hal Benninghoff (honorary)
Brian Boulac (’63, ’65, football)
Jim Brogan (’59, fencing)
Fritz Bruening (’76, wrestling)
John Campagnone (’53, track & field)
Tom Carey (’55, football)
Bob Cianchetti (’49, baseball)
Bob Devine (’58, basketball)
Phil Dillenburger (’62, swimming & diving)
Steve Dreher (’64, ’70, fencing)
John Fannon (’56, basketball)
Joe Farrell (’64, football)
Joe Freebery (’69, football)
Armando Galardo (’54, football)
Jim Garrity (’59, swimming & diving)
John Geraghty (’64, football)
Fred Heroman (’64, cheer)
Beth Holtz (honorary)
Paul Hornung (‘57, football)
Jim Kane (’61, wrestling)
Don Kennedy (’54, tennis)
Joe Kernan (’68, baseball)
Bob Kessing (’49, manager)
Denny Kiliany ('69, football)
Bill Lesso (’53, fencing)
Hank Luepke (’57, basketball)
Don Lundergan (’45, ’51, track & field)
Colin MacDonald (’50, fencing)
John Mariani (’73, football)
Tim McCarthy (honorary)
Tom McHugh (’54, football)
John Meyer (’65, football)
Tim Michels (’81, lacrosse)
Thomas O’Brien (’93, lacrosse)
Tony Pacilio (’60, manager)
Robert Pelton, C.S.C. (’43, honorary)
Regis Philbin (’53, honorary)
Jim Porcari (’55, manager)
Bob Riley (’62, manager)
Joe Riley (’56, track & field)
Don Ross (’53, manager)
Ken Schuster (’49, football)
Dan Shannon (’55, football)
Jim Slattery (’50, manager)
Ed Sullivan (’42, football)
Dave Swoboda (’82, football)
Mark Tremblay (’54, baseball)
Bob Washington (’74, football)
Joe Yaeger (’56, baseball)