Cheer Her Name: Celebrating 50 years of Notre Dame women’s varsity athletics

In recognition of 50 years of women’s varsity athletics at Notre Dame, the University announced “Cheer Her Name”—a celebration throughout the 2025-26 academic year of all those who contribute to the remarkable success of our women’s programs with special campus events that connect student-athletes, alumni, and fans.

“We are excited to launch this yearlong celebration of our women’s athletic programs at the University,” said Pete Bevacqua, University vice president and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics. “I am looking forward to meeting and celebrating many of our past student-athletes from the past five decades over the next year and hope that this provides increased growth and exposure to our women’s programs at Notre Dame.”

Notre Dame currently has 12 varsity women’s programs: tennis, fencing, basketball, volleyball, swimming and diving, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, indoor and outdoor track and field, lacrosse, and rowing.

In addition to numerous individual national titles, Fighting Irish women’s teams have won 16 national championships in fencing, soccer, and basketball.

“Loyal sons and daughters”

Fifty years ago, Notre Dame faithful cheered on the University’s first women’s varsity student-athletes with its renowned fight song, “Notre Dame Victory March.” It was in 2022 that the University amended the lyrics to recognize all its varsity student-athletes. What used to read as, “While her loyal sons are marching onward to victory,” now reads, “sons and daughters march on to victory.” This inclusion of “and daughters” signifies the University’s commitment to an inclusive culture and celebrates the many accomplishments of our women’s teams over the past half-century of competition.

We look forward to furthering this commitment through the “Cheer Her Name” initiative this year.
You can play a role in the next 50 years of Notre Dame Athletics with a gift to the Rockne Athletics Fund today. Through your support, you champion our student-athletes and help maintain the Notre Dame gold standard of excellence. You can power the Fighting Irish and Cheer Her Name with a gift to the Rockne Athletics Fund today ›

Read the full article and watch the video about Cheer Her Name ›