The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish athletics brand is built around two distinct visual systems: the interlocking ND monogram as the primary identifier, and a set of “spirit marks” including the leprechaun, shamrock and wordmarks that represent the team’s fighting character and Irish heritage. The athletics department’s official brand guidelines describe the monogram and the blue-and-gold palette as the primary identifiers that “represent the tradition, legacy, and excellence” of the program, while the spirit assets are meant to communicate “determination, grit, and underdog mentality.” [1]
Design and History
The Notre Dame monogram, an interlocking N and D, has deep roots at the university. Its history dates to 1899, when it was referenced in the constitution of the Athletic Association of the University as the “official athletic insignia.” [2] Over the decades, the monogram appeared in many forms. By the early 2010s, the university’s licensing department offered as many as 20 different ND logos in various forms and colors. [2]
In 2015, the athletic department standardized the mark. Working with California-based design firm Innovation Protocol, a committee of athletics administrators created well-defined standards for the monogram, leprechaun and shamrock. The result was a single redesigned ND monogram that replaced the roughly 20 versions previously offered. The official brand guidelines note that the monogram was “standardized in 2015” and “pays homage to the marks of the past while establishing a single mark to define Notre Dame athletics for years to come.” [3] [2]
The Fighting Irish leprechaun, a secondary spirit mark, first appeared on the cover of the November 20, 1964 edition of Time magazine, featuring first-year head football coach Ara Parseghian. The image developed for that cover was eventually designed into the logo familiar to fans. [4] The original leprechaun logo was designed in 1964 by Theodore “Ted” Drake, an Elkhart, Indiana-based cartoonist and graphic artist. [5] The leprechaun was named the official mascot in 1965. [6]
In August 2025, Notre Dame unveiled the first in a series of sports-specific leprechaun marks, starting with a football version. The new mark was designed in-house by Fighting Irish Media, with input from athletic programs, and was “inspired by photo, fundamentals and running styles from former and current student-athletes.” [4] The university stated the new design was not a replacement for the traditional leprechaun logo, which continues to be used for all athletic teams alongside the new sport-specific designs. [7] More sport-specific marks were planned for release during the 2025-26 school year. [4]
Meaning and Symbolism
The university’s official brand guidelines describe the leprechaun’s “long-standing history” as representing “the tenacious spirit of the Fighting Irish and their determination.” [8] The green shamrock is described as a secondary spirit mark “representing the Irish heritage of Notre Dame.” [9]
The official colors of Notre Dame athletics are blue and gold. The university’s brand guidelines specify Notre Dame Blue as Pantone 289 and Standard Dome Gold as Pantone 117, with Irish Green (Pantone 348) used as an accent color in the spirit palette. [10] The origin of the school colors traces to the university’s founding in 1842, when the original colors were yellow and blue, symbolizing light and truth. Sometime after the Dome and Statue of Mary atop the Main Building was gilded, gold and blue became the official colors. [11]
Typography and Design
Leahy is the official typeface for all Notre Dame uniforms and facility signage. According to the athletics brand guidelines, the typeface “has been constructed based off of a traditional collegiate letter style and is only available in uppercase.” For marketing purposes, the university uses Factoria, a contemporary slab serif typeface, and Gotham, a sans serif typeface for larger amounts of content. [12]
The official wordmarks, including “Notre Dame” and “Fighting Irish,” should only be displayed using the Leahy typeface and should not be paired with any other typeface as an official lockup. [13]
Logo Index is an independent educational archive covering logos, visual identities and graphic design history. All trademarks and brand assets remain the property of their respective owners.
