Name/Title
Navy vs Notre Dame [Photograph]Description
Original photograph from the scrapbook of Seaman Apprentice Orval Orchard Bartlow, who served aboard the USS Texas from 1928 to 1932. The photograph depicts a crowded Baltimore Memorial Stadium during the fifth game between the Navy and Notre Dame, held in on November 14, 1931. Notre Dame won 20-0.Context
Both Navy and Notre Dame fans consider this series a sacred tradition. Both schools have strong football traditions going back to the beginnings of the sport, but Notre Dame, like many colleges, faced severe financial difficulties during World War II, which were exacerbated by the fact that it was then still an all-male institution. The US Navy made Notre Dame a training center for V-12 candidates and paid enough for usage of the facilities to keep the University afloat. Notre Dame has since extended an open invitation for Navy to play the Fighting Irish in football and considers the game annual repayment on a debt of honor.