University of Notre Dame Athletics

Notre Dame competes at the NCAA Division I level, meaning big-time college sports with athletic scholarships and national television coverage. The Fighting Irish field 22 varsity sports with 754 total athletes, representing about 8.4% of the student body. Notre Dame distributes over $31.5 million in athletic scholarships annually. The university competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference for most sports, though football remains independent. Notre Dame football is legendary, with packed crowds at the 80,795-seat Notre Dame Stadium and a tradition dating back over a century. The Fighting Irish have historic rivalries with USC, Stanford, and Michigan that draw national attention. Basketball also commands respect, with both men's and women's programs regularly reaching March Madness. The athletic culture permeates campus life, with game days becoming campus-wide celebrations.