In Game
Notre Dame is home to one of the best college football game days anywhere, and while the basketball games here may pale in comparison, they are still a great time for any college sports fan. The fans at Notre Dame are diehards when it comes to basketball. Even though the Fighting Irish doesn’t have the same amount of success in basketball as football, you’ll still experience a packed house more often than not. The Joyce Center can get quite loud on game days so come prepared to get loud and join in the madness.
The Joyce Center also is home to several historical displays and exhibits that let you know you’re watching a game in a special place. The arena is home to Heritage Hall, which houses a variety of different trophies won by the Fighting Irish over the years. There are also several banners celebrating the men’s and women’s basketball team’s many accomplishments hanging from the rafters of the arena. Everywhere you look on the concourse, you’ll see nods to the Irish and their history giving the arena a unique feel.
Notre Dame is also home to a beautiful campus and a fun college town feels. No trip to Notre Dame is complete without walking the campus and checking out the famous landmarks such as Touchdown Jesus and the Golden Dome. There are also plenty of nearby bars and restaurants to visit as well including O’Rourke’s Public House, Brother’s Bar & Grill, and Rocco’s.
A trip to Notre Dame is a pilgrimage all college sports fans should make at least once, and if you can’t attend a football game then a men’s basketball game is the next best option.
Things to check out
Heritage Hall
Take some time before the game to check out Heritage Hall. Heritage Hall, located near section 109, is home to trophies from a variety of different sports. It’s a must-see for any Notre Dame or college sports fan, so arrive early and check it out.
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Cheer, Cheer For Old Notre Dame Signn
When arriving at the Joyce Center, take a look at the Cheer, Cheer For Old Notre Dame sign. The sign sets the tone for the game and does a good job of greeting fans as they enter the arena.
Banners
Hanging from the rafters of the Joyce Center are banners honoring all of the Fighting Irish basketball team’s accomplishments. The banner honoring Notre Dame’s 1978 Final Four run is the focal piece, so take a minute to view the banners and remember all of your favorite Fighting Irish basketball memories.
The Leprechaun
The Leprechaun entertains the crowd and keeps the energy high at every Notre Dame basketball game. He’s a big part of any Fighting Irish sporting event, so be on alert for the Leprechaun at the game.
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Notre Dame Pep Band
The Fighting Irish have tons of school songs, which helps set the tone and create a fantastic atmosphere inside the Joyce Center. The pep band does an excellent job of playing all of these tunes and creating a fun atmosphere, so enjoy the music of the pep band when attending a Notre Dame basketball game.
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Cheerleaders
The Notre Dame cheerleaders pump up the crowd with their cheers and do a good job of getting everyone up and out of their seats at crucial times. Join in on the cheers and chants inside the arena to get the full Notre Dame game day experience.
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Fight Songs
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The Notre Dame Victory Song
Rally sons of Notre Dame:
Sing her glory and sound her fame,
Raise her Gold and Blue,
And cheer with voices true:
Rah, rah, for Notre Dame.We will fight in ev-ry game,
Strong of heart and true to her name.
We will ne’er forget her
And will cheer her ever,
Loyal to Notre Dame.Cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame,
Wake up the echoes cheering her name,
Send a volley cheer on high,
Shake down the thunder from the sky.
What though the odds be great or small
Old Notre Dame will win over all,
While her loyal sons are marching
Onward to victory. -
Hike, Notre Dame
The march is on
No brain or brawn,
Can stop the charge of fighting men,
Loud sings the cry,
A grim defy,
Of hard attack let loose again. O it’s hike, hike, hike to victory,
The call to rise and strike,
For Notre Dame men are winning,
When Notre Dame hears hike, hike, hike.Chorus:
Hark to the cheering
Songs rising high,
Hark, hark to the roar,
As her ranks go marching by!
Shoulder to shoulder,
Chanting her glorious name,
Burn high your fires,
And sing along for Notre Dame. -
When Irish Go Marching By
Rah! Rah! Rah!
Up! Notre Dame men answer the cry
Gathering foemen fling to the sky
Fight! Fight! Fight!
Brave hosts advancing challenging your name
March to the battle, Notre Dame!Chorus:
And when the Irish backs go marching by
The cheering thousands shout their battle cry:
For Notre Dame men are marching into the game,
Fighting the fight for you, Notre Dame
And when the Irish line goes smashing through
They’ll sweep the foemen’s ranks away;
When Notre Dame men fight for Gold and Blue,
Then Notre Dame men will win the day. -
Notre Dame, Our Mother
Alma Mater
Notre Dame, our Mother
Tender, strong and true
Proudly in the heavens,
Gleams thy gold and blue.
Glory’s mantle cloaks thee
Golden is thy fame,
And our hearts forever,
Praise thee, Notre Dame.
And our hearts forever,
Love thee, Notre Dame. -
Down the Line
On down the line!
Beside the glory of her name.
On down the line!
Beneath the colors of an ancient fame.
On down the line!
Another day for her proclaim.
Old Gold and Blue;
You’re going through-
Go down the line for Notre Dame. -
1812 Overture
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Celtic Chant
Rally sons of Notre Dame: Sing her glory and sound her fame, Raise her Gold and Blue
And cheer with voices true:
Rah, rah, for Notre Dame
We will fight in ev-ry game, Strong of heart and true to her name
We will ne’er forget her
And will cheer her ever Loyal to Notre DameCheer, cheer for old Notre Dame,
Wake up the echoes cheering her name, Send a volley cheer on high,
Shake down the thunder from the sky.
What though the odds be great or small
Old Notre Dame will win over all,
While her loyal sons are marching Onward to victory. -
Damhsa Bua
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Rakes of Mallow
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Here come the Irish!
Well I remember the leaves a fallin’
And far off music like pipes a callin’And I remember the golden morning
I saw the long ranks as they were formingAnd there’s a magic in the sound of their name
Here come the Irish of Notre DameThe pilgrims follow by the sacred waters
And arm in arm go the sons and daughtersThe drums are rolling and forward bound
They’re calling spirits up from the groundAnd there’s a magic in the sound of their name
Here come the Irish of Notre Dame
