Some Notre Dame fans are familiar with the impact of the military on the University of Notre Dame dating back as far as the Civil War era. The book Notre Dame and the Civil War by James M. Schmidt is an excellent account of the Civil War history and its impact on Notre Dame. Others will recall the “God, Country, Notre Dame” entrance to the Basilica which honors Notre Dame students who were killed in action during World War I.

More likely, almost every Notre Dame fan knows the impact that the Navy had on the University during World War II. At that time, the decision by the Navy to utilize Notre Dame as a training center helped keep the university struggling with enrollment afloat.

During this era, numerous athletes in all sports answered their nation’s call to arms in a global defense of freedom. Some college football fans are familiar with the stories of Nile Kinnick (Iowa), the 1939 Heisman Trophy winner, who was killed in a training mission while preparing for World War II. Others remember Chuck Bednarik (Penn) who flew 30 combat missions in World War II and would later be inducted into both the college and pro football Hall of Fame.

The post-World War II era of college football is considered by many as the “Golden Age” of college football.  No team dominated that period more than Notre Dame, as World War II veterans Frank Leahy and Moose Krause led the Irish to a 36-0-2 record from 1946-1949 and three National Championships.  Less remembered during that period were the 19 former Notre Dame Football players who were killed during World War II. Inching closer into the modern era, we have the story of former Notre Dame and NFL star Rocky Bleier’s service in Vietnam, further advancing Notre Dame’s history with military service.

Being fans of a school like Notre Dame, a university that exemplifies service to others, it seems only appropriate that we remember all Notre Dame students who answered their nation’s call this Memorial Day weekend.

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But, true to form, Spartans wasn’t their first name. As an agricultural college, they first competed as the Aggies. This was changed to the erudite and witty “Michigan Staters,” begging the question “What does a Stater do” – state the matter clearly, or change states of matter? The problem was solved after another week-long symposium of the greatest minds in applied science, who lighted upon “The Michigan State Sport Ons.” Aside from ending a team name in a preposition, this causes one to ask “Is there a sport-off;” either way, Sport Ons or Sport Offs just sound dirty. The solution was presented by local restaurateurs who hailed from Sparta in Greece. Thus were born the Michigan State Caterers – soon changed again to the Michigan State Spartans.

Ever since then, the Spartans have reveled in their tenuous Greek heritage. Recently, they have included a phrase on their uniforms and helmets: μολὼν λαβέ. This is where it gets complicated. The words are obviously ancient Greek, although the Michigan State players usually think it’s some kind of factory printing error. Pronounced like “molṑn labé” (causing Michigan State players to think they have an unsightly mole somewhere on their bodies) the phrase translates literally to “having arrived, take.” Legendarily, it was addressed by Leonidas, king of the Spartans, to Xerxes, Shahanshah of Persia. Xerxes had arrived in Greece for a little pillage and rapine. The Spartans stood in his way. Thus, “Molon Labe” is the ancient equivalent of “Come and Get It!”

And, oh my, the Persians did. Long story short: The Athenians defeated the Persians at Marathon (you’ve heard of that); the Persians went home, vowed revenge, and came back; the Spartans met them in September of 480bc at Thermopylae, a narrow pass in the mountains; Leonidas said “come and get it,” and over the course of three days, the Persians slaughtered the Spartans to a man.

Don’t put that phrase on my uniform! Sure, even though it was a strategic defeat, it was inspirational. But there are no parallels to the Michigan State Spartans – at least none that they should celebrate. First, they are invading Notre Dame, Indiana, not defending East Lansing, Michigan (because, really, who would want to). They are the aggressors; the inspirational advantage is with the Irish. Second, the Persian forces numbered some 100,000, while there were only 300 Spartans in the battle…along with 400 Thebans and 700 Thespians, who never get any credit except for dazzling stage performances. Either way, the Spartans were greatly outnumbered, just like the Irish, of whom there are 12,000; opposing are the forces of Michigan State, a top ten university – by size – with 50,000. Third, you can’t win for losing in football. Nor will it be inspirational for their fans if Michigan State holds the Irish scoreless for three quarters, while also scoring nothing, and then lets Notre Dame win 56-0 in the fourth (however, I do invite them to employ this very strategy). Finally, in ancient Greece everyone hated the Spartans. They enslaved local non-Spartans, and they fought destructive wars with Athens, Corinth, Argos, and Thebes, that ultimately resulted in their own decline. Wait…this sounds just like the Big 10; and come to think of it, you know you’re universally loathed when even the University of Michigan hates you. So maybe there is at least one parallel.

I understand what the Michigan State Spartans are going for with Molon Labe – Come and Get It. It’s similar to General Anthony McAuliffe in command of the American 101^st Airborne Division in the Second World War. As the Germans surrounded him during the Battle of the Bulge, the enemy commander offered McAuliffe the opportunity to surrender or be annihilated along with all of his troops. McAuliffe’s response read: “To the German Commander. NUTS! The American Commander.” That’s the kind of laconic bravery that is remembered through the ages. But it also helps that, unlike the Spartans, the Americans won.

And Anthony Clement McAuliffe was Irish Catholic.

So if Michigan State wants to say “μολὼν λαβέ,” I say “NUTS!” With a 48-28-1 record in our favor, if the Spartans think they’re going to beat the Irish, then they really are nuts. And later this season, when we include a phrase on our uniforms and helmets, it won’t be the last words of a defeated king; it will be the words that have inspired, and will continue to inspire for generations, in war and in peace: God, Country, Notre Dame.

EFS CSC

Padre’s book Father Sorin Says: The Founder Comments on Today’s Notre Dame is available on campus at the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore, and from the ancient Greek warrior-ladies at Amazon. It’s a must-read for every Fighting Irish fan; and it’s a try-to-read for Michigan State fans.

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The bond shared by Notre Dame and the United States Navy seems only natural. There is a shared admiration and reverence by those associated with Notre Dame for the dedication and service of the men and women in the armed forces.  The familiar words “God, Country, Notre Dame” are inscribed above the east door of the Sacred Heart Basilica and they could very well serve as the unofficial motto of students and alumni. These three words are also the title of President Emeritus Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh’s autobiography.

During World War II, the Navy established a Navy College Training Program on Notre Dame’s campus, a decision that, according to Father Hesburgh, may have helped save the University. It boosted Notre Dame’s economic status and enrollment, saving the university from decline, amidst the ongoing war.

“We were out of business during World War II,” noted 1952-87 Notre Dame president Rev. Theodore Hesburgh in a 1992 interview with the South Bend Tribune. “Navy came in and kept us afloat until the war was over.”

Hesburgh then made a vow that under his watch the football series between the two schools would be kept as long as Navy wanted it continued. And to this day, Navy has never wanted to back out.

Since the days of the officer-training program, Notre Dame’s relationship with the U.S. Naval Academy has only grown stronger. The Navy ROTC unit is currently the largest on campus, and considered one of the top NROTC programs in the country.

As the daughter of a man who is not only a Loyal Son of Notre Dame, but also a former Naval officer, I greatly appreciate this relationship between ND and the US Navy. What could be better? Two of the things I love the most working hand-in-hand together.

Here is a fantastic video documenting the history of “God, Country, Notre Dame” …

May you have a blessed 4th of July holiday. Please remember those who served and gave their lives for our freedom and those who serve today.

Happy Independence day!

Cheers!

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