Attending the Fourth Quarter Farewell on Saturday was a deeply moving and unforgettable experience for everyone involved in Notre Dame Fighting Irish Athletics. As the university honored the athletic graduates of the Class of 2025, their families, teammates, and coaches gathered in celebration, reflection, and heartfelt appreciation for the incredible journey that has shaped each student-athlete. From the shared moments of triumph on the field to the late nights of studying, healing, growing, and pushing the limits of human potential, the farewell ceremony marked the end of one remarkable chapter and the beginning of another for these dedicated individuals.
There is something truly unique about the student-athlete experience at Notre Dame. It is a demanding path that requires exceptional discipline, character, and resilience. Balancing academic excellence with elite-level athletic commitment is not for the faint of heart. It means early mornings, late nights, and a constant pursuit of self-improvement. The Fourth Quarter Farewell served not only as a time to celebrate these achievements but also to recognize the deep personal growth and enduring friendships forged through years of shared purpose.
The presence of families at the event brought an extra layer of warmth and depth to the occasion. Many parents and guardians traveled long distances to be there, their eyes filled with pride and emotion as they watched their sons and daughters honored for years of hard work. These families have been a vital support system from day one, offering encouragement, guidance, and unconditional love through wins, losses, injuries, setbacks, and triumphs. Their sacrifices often go unseen, but they are fundamental to the success of any student-athlete. The Fourth Quarter Farewell gave families a well-deserved spotlight, honoring the integral role they’ve played in this journey.
Coaches, too, stood proudly at the event, not just as mentors and strategists, but as individuals who helped shape the values and discipline of these young athletes. Throughout the years, they have been sources of tough love, inspiration, and unrelenting belief. They demanded excellence, pushed boundaries, and nurtured a culture that prioritized integrity, teamwork, and faith. Their presence at the farewell ceremony was a testament to the deep bonds that form between coach and athlete—bonds that often last a lifetime.
One of the most powerful moments of the evening came from Julia Carr of Notre Dame Women’s Lacrosse, whose reflection speech encapsulated the heart and soul of what it means to be a Fighting Irish student-athlete. Julia’s words were filled with gratitude, humility, and profound insight as she recalled the lessons learned and the relationships built during her time at Notre Dame. Her message resonated deeply with everyone in attendance, reminding all present that beyond the games, beyond the practices, and beyond the victories lies something even more valuable—the shared experience of growth, transformation, and purpose.
Julia spoke about the adversity that defines the student-athlete journey—not as a burden, but as a blessing. She highlighted how each challenge brought new opportunities for growth and how the tight-knit community at Notre Dame provided unwavering support. From intense practices in the heat of summer to long bus rides after tough losses, she reminded her peers that every moment mattered. Her voice carried the stories of countless athletes who may never be household names but whose dedication, grit, and heart have helped build and uphold the proud legacy of Notre Dame Athletics.
She also touched on the power of faith and the spiritual dimension of the Notre Dame experience. Many student-athletes find strength and meaning through the university’s Catholic mission, which emphasizes holistic development and moral courage. Julia reflected on how moments of prayer, service, and introspection were just as integral to her growth as her time on the lacrosse field. Her testimony was a beautiful illustration of how Notre Dame cultivates not just athletes, but principled leaders ready to serve the world.
As the Class of 2025 sat together, their faces lit with both joy and nostalgia, it was clear that this group had forged an unbreakable bond. They had trained together, competed together, struggled together, and ultimately triumphed together. They had become family. These were the athletes who lifted each other up during grueling workouts, who huddled before big games whispering words of encouragement, and who celebrated the small victories as fiercely as the big ones. This deep sense of camaraderie is what makes Notre Dame Athletics so special—it is not about individual stardom, but about collective strength, shared sacrifice, and unconditional support.
The event also served as a powerful moment of closure. For many student-athletes, the final season is filled with mixed emotions—pride in what’s been accomplished, sadness that the journey is ending, and excitement about the future. The Fourth Quarter Farewell offered a sacred space for processing these emotions, for saying goodbye to teammates, coaches, and the sacred grounds of their home fields, courts, and arenas. It was a time for tears and laughter, for reflection and celebration, for gratitude and hope.
The university community rallied around the Class of 2025, reminding them that though their playing days at Notre Dame may be over, they will always be part of the Fighting Irish family. Whether pursuing professional sports, graduate studies, business careers, medical school, public service, or other callings, these graduates carry with them the core values instilled through years of discipline, teamwork, and resilience. They are equipped not just with athletic prowess, but with leadership, empathy, and a powerful sense of purpose.
This graduating class has left an indelible mark on Notre Dame. They’ve earned championships, broken records, and elevated the standards of their respective programs. But perhaps even more importantly, they’ve inspired the next generation of student-athletes who will follow in their footsteps. The legacy of the Class of 2025 will endure not only in banners and statistics, but in the culture they’ve shaped and the hearts they’ve touched.
As the farewell concluded, hugs were exchanged, photos were taken, and quiet conversations filled the room. There was a collective sense of peace—a recognition that something beautiful had ended, but something equally meaningful was beginning. The graduates stood taller, not just as athletes, but as young adults ready to face the world with courage, humility, and a determination to make a difference.
The words of Julia Carr lingered in the air, her message echoing in the hearts of everyone who listened: “We may leave the field, but we never leave each other. The bond we share as Fighting Irish will carry us through every challenge ahead. And no matter where life takes us, we’ll always have this place, this family, and these memories to return to.”
In every way, the Fourth Quarter Farewell was a fitting tribute to a remarkable group of student-athletes. It honored the grit behind the glory, the people behind the points, and the journey behind the jersey. As the sun sets on their time at Notre Dame, the Class of 2025 moves forward carrying the legacy of what it means to fight with honor, to lead with heart, and to finish strong.
Congratulations to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Athletics Class of 2025. You have made your university proud, and the world now awaits the impact you will make beyond the field. Forever Irish, forever united, forever champions in the game of life.
