At a place like Notre Dame, change is slow (for better or for worse). One thing that hasn’t changed much (at least to the untrained eye) is the current leprechaun logo. Notre Dame, in my opinion, has also not used the leprechaun logo nearly as much as other schools use their mascot logos when it comes to things like apparel and other marketing tools.
That is going to change this year — and this change will happen for all of Notre Dame Athletics. First up — football.
From the ND press release:
Notre
Dame Athletics Unveils Initial Sports-Specific Leprechaun Mark
SOUTH BEND, IN – The University of Notre Dame Athletics Department has unveiled the first in a series of sports-specific leprechaun marks. As the 2025 Notre Dame Football season begins later this month, the athletic department has released the Football Leprechaun mark that will be followed by more sport-specific marks representing each unique sport in which the Fighting Irish compete at the varsity level.
The new mark was designed in-house by Fighting Irish Media, with input from the many around our athletic programs and inspired by photo, fundamentals and running styles from former and current student-athletes.
The Fighting Irish Leprechaun logo first appeared on the cover of the November 20, 1964, edition of Time, featuring first-year Notre Dame head football coach Ara Parseghian. The image developed for the cover eventually was designed into the logo that Irish athletic fans across the nation are accustomed to seeing on clothing, memorabilia and more.
The Notre Dame Leprechaun is a secondary spirit mark of Notre Dame athletics. Its long-standing history represents the tenacious spirit of the Fighting Irish and their determination. The Leprechaun is recognized around the world today as the mascot of Notre Dame athletics dating back to its design in the early 1960s.
There will be more team-specific marks released during the 2025-26 school year and in the future athletic seasons to come.
The Notre Dame Football Leprechaun mark will be seen on the Irish sidelines this season and in the future. In partnership with Under Armour, new Fighting Irish athletic attire will feature the leprechaun this season and is available now.
