Because nothing says tradition like hoisting a Jeweled Shillelagh after pounding your rival… or politely dusting off a trophy no one remembers existed.
Notre Dame’s rivalries are legendary, but did you know the Irish have six official rivalry trophies? That’s right—six sacred objects passed down through generations of bruised linemen, deeply committed fans, and occasionally confused trophy interns.
Some are iconic. Some are obscure. All of them are gloriously specific. Let’s rank them using the most important metrics: trophy drama, rivalry energy, and how much we want to parade them down Eddy Street like a medieval war prize.
Author’s Note: I’m pressing pause on my usual Throwback Thursday series until football season kicks off—don’t worry, they’ll be back in full force once toe meets leather! In the meantime, I’m sharing some lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek posts to help us survive the long, football-less summer stretch.
This series is meant to be fun, satirical, and maybe just a little absurd. Think of it as emotional pre-season conditioning for Irish fans. Please take it with a grain of salt… and maybe a side of stadium nachos.
1. The Jeweled Shillelagh (vs. USC – 1926)
✅ The Beyoncé of rivalry trophies
✅ Bedazzled with ruby and emerald emblems representing each win
❌ Has been sticker-bombed by USC players like it’s a dorm fridge
ND–USC is tradition, glamor, and blood feud energy all rolled into one. The Jeweled Shillelagh is chaotic good—equal parts folklore and fashion accessory.
2. The Megaphone Trophy (vs. Michigan State – 1897)
✅ The oldest of the ND trophy rivalries
✅ Massive and very YELLABLE
❌ Spent years in a basement and deserves better
This trophy screams pep rally energy—and in a rivalry as dramatic and unpredictable as ND–MSU, it fits perfectly.
3. The Legends Trophy (vs. Stanford – 1925)
✅ A literal tree stump (respect)
✅ Understated class with Pac-12 chaos energy
❌ Doesn’t feature Stanford’s tree mascot, which feels like a missed fever dream
This game always feels weird, and this trophy leans into it. Rustic, symbolic, and probably smells like Palo Alto.
4. The Leahy Memorial Bowl (vs. Boston College – 1975)
✅ Named after Frank Leahy—legendary ND coach
✅ The “Holy War” of Catholic football
❌ BC fans won in 1993 and never let us forget it
The trophy is elegant, but the game is always emotionally messy. A perfect match.
5. The Rip Miller Trophy (vs. Navy – 1927)
✅ Honors Edgar “Rip” Miller, who coached at both schools
✅ Represents college football’s longest-running intersectional rivalry
❌ Always overshadowed by the flyover
This one’s about mutual respect, and it deserves more shine. Plus, it looks like something you’d win for solving the mystery of the Gipper.
6. The Shillelagh Trophy (vs. Purdue – 1896)
✅ The other shillelagh (yes, really)
✅ Made from blackthorn and oak
❌ Slight identity crisis: often confused with its USC cousin
It’s still a club-shaped stick—and therefore still extremely cool—but suffers from second-shillelagh syndrome.
Notre Dame doesn’t just chase titles—we collect storied sticks, shouting cones, and sacred symbols of football feuds. Whether you’re lifting a Jeweled Shillelagh or dusting off a tree stump, remember: these trophies tell stories. And also, sometimes, cause passive-aggressive Twitter wars.
May your rivalry games be victorious… and your trophy cases always overcrowded.
Cheers & GO IRISH!