Faith on the field: The enduring role of chaplains in Notre Dame Athletics

If you’ve ever been to a Notre Dame Athletics event, you’ve probably witnessed a vibrant team of student-athletes, support staff, coaches, and trainers. Among those wearing gold and blue is a priest, counting down at a huddle or cheering from the sidelines. These priests are known as team chaplains, a fixture of the team and a cherished member of the Athletics community.

For over a century, dedicated chaplains have nurtured the spiritual well-being of student-athletes at Notre Dame. This long-standing tradition, deeply intertwined with the University’s Catholic identity, provides invaluable support, guidance, and a sense of community to the Fighting Irish, at home and on the road. The exceptional privilege of having team chaplains for Notre Dame Athletics is supported, in large part, by the Rockne Athletics Fund.

The presence of Holy Cross Priests serving as chaplains to Notre Dame sports teams can be traced back to 1915, if not earlier. While their exact roles may have evolved over time, this early involvement laid the groundwork for today’s ongoing spiritual care.

The concept of a full-time chaplain for an athletic team is a more recent development. Rev. James (Jim) Riehle, C.S.C., is arguably recognized as the first to assume this dedicated role. He served as a full-time team chaplain for football, a testament to the growing understanding of the unique spiritual needs of student-athletes and their packed travel schedules.

Care for the whole person

The commitment to holistic development, encompassing mind, body, and spirit, is a cornerstone of the Notre Dame experience.

Today, team chaplains offer a wide range of spiritual and pastoral support to student-athletes and staff. Responsibilities extend far beyond the sidelines and include:

• Spiritual guidance: Chaplains are a constant, compassionate presence, offering counsel through the highs and lows of collegiate athletics.
• Liturgical services: Recognizing athletic teams’ demanding travel schedules, chaplains ensure that student-athletes have access to Mass and other liturgical services while on the road, maintaining spiritual practices no matter where they are.
• Honored traditions: Chaplains also uphold cherished traditions for their teams, like offering prayers for games ahead or giving out tokens of spiritual encouragement to players before competition.

Faith and competition

Team chaplains serve in harmony with Notre Dame Christian Athletes, a group of student-athletes who meet monthly to discuss their faith. Such alignment creates a robust network of spiritual support for student-athletes who seek to integrate their faith with athletic pursuits.

The concept of team chaplains in athletics is not unique to Catholic universities, however. For example, the recent Paris Olympics, at which 16 former and current Notre Dame student-athletes competed, featured 120 chaplains dedicated to offering spiritual support to athletes from around the world. This care highlighted the universal importance of spiritual care in high-performance environments.

Creating Possibilities

Gifts to the Rockne Athletics Fund provide the crucial support that enables chaplains to travel with teams, ensuring they can continue to provide consistent and unwavering care to student-athletes throughout their seasons. This commitment underscores Notre Dame’s dedication to developing well-rounded individuals who excel not only in competition but also in faith and character.

Learn more about the Rockne Athletics Fund and membership ›