Notre Dame Urban Legends

Notre Dame is home to many student urban legends. Here is a brief sample of the most popular ones.

  • The one thing that every Notre Dame student fears and avoids like the plague is stepping on the stairs of the Main Building prior to graduating. Legend has it that, if a student steps on the Main Building stairs before graduation, he or she will be forever cursed not to finish school.

  • Guys, watch out: if a girl you are not really interested in asks you to take a walk with her by the lakes, take a trip to the Grotto, or tries to kiss you under the Arch in Lyons Hall, don't do it. Legend has it that the first person who walks with you around the lakes, goes to the Grotto with you, or kisses you under the Arch is the person you will marry. So unless you're in it for the long run, don't go.

  • If you ever find yourself working alone one night in Washington Hall and you feel a chill run down your spine or hear a whisper in your ear, don't be alarmed—it's just the Gipper. The Gipper is Notre Dame's resident ghost. Once a field goal kicker, and, according to legend, somewhat of a party animal, the Gipp's school days were spent residing in Washington Hall. Back then, all students were subject to a curfew, and the penalties for breaking this curfew were much more severe than the slap on the wrist that students receive today. One night, after a roaring good time, the Gipper walked home in the rain and realized that he had forgotten his key to the front door of his dorm. Knowing that he would be seriously punished for breaking curfew, he spent the night in the rain on the steps of Washington Hall. Sadly, this night would lead to his death. The Gipper's time in the rain gave him pneumonia, and he died shortly thereafter.