Michael Brooks
The rivalry between the University of Notre Dame and the University of Miami football teams began in 1985 after Miami Hurricanes beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 58-7. This marked head coach Gerry Faust's last game at Notre Dame. The rivalry culminated in a showdown in 1988, which was dubbed Catholics vs. Convicts. The name originated from a t-shirt slogan created by Notre Dame students Joe Frederick and Michael Caponigro, which played on Notre Dame's Catholic background and the public perception of Miami's players as bad boys.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1988 |
| Date | October 15 |
| Teams | Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Miami Hurricanes |
| Team Allegiances | Catholics, Convicts |
| Team Stereotypes | Righteous, thugs, "bad boys", college football's "good old days" |
| T-shirt Creators | Joe Fredrick, Pat Walsh, Patrick Creadon |
| T-shirt Copyright Holder | Patrick Walsh |
| T-shirt Copyright Year | 1990 |
| Game Outcome | Notre Dame Victory, 31-30 |
| Location | South Bend |
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What You'll Learn
The 1985 Miami Hurricanes vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish game
The 1985 game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish was a significant moment in the history of the rivalry between the two football teams. The game marked the beginning of a heated and substantial rivalry, culminating in the infamous "Catholics vs. Convicts" showdown three years later in 1988.
In the 1985 matchup, the Miami Hurricanes delivered a crushing defeat to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, winning by a score of 58-7. This loss was a bitter pill for Notre Dame, marking head coach Gerry Faust's final game with the team. The rivalry between the two schools intensified after this lopsided victory for Miami, which was accused of running up the score.
The 1985 game set the stage for the highly anticipated 1988 showdown, which became known as "Catholics vs. Convicts." This nickname originated from a t-shirt slogan created by Notre Dame students, playing on the university's Catholic background and the public perception of Miami's players as college football's "bad boys," reinforced by the arrests of several Miami players.
The 1988 game, played on October 15, lived up to its billing as a classic. Both teams entered the contest undefeated, with Miami being the defending national champions and boasting a 36-game regular-season winning streak. Notre Dame, ranked #4, was also a force to be reckoned with, having won their last eight home games and five consecutive games overall.
The game itself was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to establish a comfortable lead. In the end, Notre Dame emerged victorious by a score of 31-30, thanks to a batted-down pass by their defender Pat Terrell in the closing seconds. This win was later voted as the "Greatest Victory in Notre Dame Stadium history" in a 2005 poll by the University of Notre Dame.
The rivalry between the Miami Hurricanes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, exemplified by the 1985 and 1988 games, has left an indelible mark on college football history, with the "Catholics vs. Convicts" moniker becoming one of the most well-known rivalries in the sport.
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The Catholics vs. Convicts t-shirts
The "Catholics vs. Convicts" T-shirts refer to a rivalry between the football teams of the University of Notre Dame and the University of Miami, which started in 1985 after Miami Hurricanes beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 58-7. The rivalry culminated in a showdown in 1988, which was dubbed "Catholics vs. Convicts". The name originated from a T-shirt slogan created by Notre Dame students Joe Frederick and Michael Caponigro, with the help of Patrick Creadon, who is the director of ESPN's documentary "Catholics vs. Convicts". The slogan played on Notre Dame's Catholic background and the public perception of Miami's players as college football's "bad boys", a reputation reinforced by the arrests of several Miami players.
The T-shirts, which were sold in the lead-up to the 1988 game, became extremely popular and gained national recognition. The saying "Catholics vs. Convicts" stuck, and the rivalry between the two universities became one of the most heated and substantial in college football. The T-shirts were initially created and sold by Frederick and Caponigro, who built an underground T-shirt empire on campus. However, they failed to trademark the phrase, and two other Notre Dame students, Victor Bierman and Alan Sorce, trademarked the phrase and sold about half a million dollars' worth of "Catholics vs. Convicts" shirts.
The "Catholics vs. Convicts" T-shirts have become iconic in the world of college football and continue to be sold and worn by fans of both teams. The rivalry between Notre Dame and Miami has endured, with the two teams meeting only three more times since 1990. The game in 1988, with its memorable nickname and intense competition, remains a significant moment in the history of college football.
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The public perception of Miami's players as bad boys
The rivalry between the University of Notre Dame and the University of Miami dates back to the 1950s, but it wasn't until the 1980s that it became a nationally recognised rivalry. The rivalry was dubbed "Catholics vs. Convicts" in 1988, a nickname that came from a t-shirt slogan created by Notre Dame students Joe Frederick and Michael Caponigro (other sources name the second student as Pat Walsh). The "Catholics" part referred to Notre Dame's Catholic background, while "convicts" played on the public perception of Miami's players as college football's "bad boys". This perception was reinforced by the arrests of several Miami players.
The rivalry intensified after a fight broke out between most of the players on each team, which then escalated in the locker room. Former ND linebacker Wes Pritchett recalled that "tempers were flaring" and that " [t]here had been a fight of 80-on-80 and guys in our locker room were fired up. They were throwing chairs. One of the coaches broke a chalkboard." ND won that game, which was dubbed "The Final Conflict".
The "Catholics vs. Convicts" game took place on 15 October 1988, with the Fighting Irish beating the Miami Hurricanes 31-30. This game was particularly significant as it was the last time Notre Dame won a title, and they were sitting at the top of college football that year. The rivalry culminated in a showdown in 1988, three years after the Miami Hurricanes beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 58-7, which marked head coach Gerry Faust's last game at Notre Dame.
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The 1988 game and its aftermath
The 15 October 1988 game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Miami Hurricanes was dubbed the "Catholics vs. Convicts" game due to a T-shirt slogan created by Notre Dame students Joe Frederick and Michael Caponigro (also reported as Pat Walsh). The slogan played on Notre Dame's Catholic background and the public perception of Miami's players as college football's "bad boys", reinforced by the arrests of several Miami players.
The T-shirts were sold by Walsh, who had built an "underground T-shirt empire" on campus. The saying became extremely popular and gained national recognition. It also led to a fight between most of the players on each team, which escalated to chairs being thrown and a chalkboard being broken in the locker room. The game was won by Notre Dame, 31-30, and they finished the season undefeated, winning the 1988 national championship.
The phrase "Catholics vs. Convicts" was later trademarked in 1990, and the T-shirts were sold with a new design that avoided copyright issues by not mentioning either school or using their logos. The shirts were sold off-campus, with local businesses buying them in bulk. The rivalry between the two teams continued, with Miami winning the national championship in the three seasons following 1988.
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The impact of the rivalry on college football
The rivalry between the University of Notre Dame and the University of Miami, popularly known as "Catholics vs. Convicts", has had a significant impact on college football. The rivalry began in 1985 after Miami Hurricanes beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 58-7, marking the last game for Notre Dame's head coach, Gerry Faust. However, the rivalry gained prominence in 1988, when two Notre Dame students, Joe Frederick and Pat Walsh, created a t-shirt with the slogan "Catholics vs. Convicts". The phrase referred to Notre Dame's Catholic background and the public perception of Miami's players as "bad boys" due to the arrests of several players.
The t-shirt sparked intense emotions and gained national recognition, adding fuel to the rivalry. The game itself, played on October 15, 1988, was highly anticipated, with both teams entering undefeated. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish won with a score of 31-30, marking a significant victory for the team and their fans. This win also had broader implications for the NCAA National Championship picture, as Notre Dame went on to win the national title that year.
The rivalry and the subsequent game had a lasting impact on the culture and reputation of both universities. The game is often remembered as one of the most intense and memorable in college football history, with players and coaches from both teams recalling the heated atmosphere. The rivalry also highlighted the contrasting brands and identities of the two schools, with Notre Dame representing a Catholic institution and Miami associated with a more rebellious image.
The impact of the rivalry extended beyond the football field, with the universities' athletic departments and administrators navigating the aftermath and managing the public perception of their respective institutions. Additionally, the rivalry intensified the competition between the two schools, influencing their athletic programs and fostering a sense of determination to excel in future matchups.
The "Catholics vs. Convicts" rivalry has left an indelible mark on college football, becoming a defining moment in the history of both universities. The rivalry and its outcome continue to be referenced and remembered by fans, alumni, and sports enthusiasts, with the t-shirt slogan remaining iconic even decades later. The impact of the rivalry also extended to the broader college football landscape, influencing the perception of other programs and contributing to the rich narrative of college football traditions and competitions.
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Frequently asked questions
The rivalry started in 1985 after the Miami Hurricanes beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 58-7. This loss marked head coach Gerry Faust's last game at Notre Dame. The rivalry culminated in a showdown in 1988, which was dubbed "Catholics vs. Convicts".
The name originated from a T-shirt slogan created by Notre Dame students Joe Frederick and Michael Caponigro (also referred to as Pat or Patrick Walsh). The slogan played on Notre Dame's Catholic background and the public perception of Miami's players as college football's "bad boys", a reputation that was reinforced by the arrests of several Miami players.
The saying became very popular in the days leading up to the kickoff and got national recognition. A fight ensued between most of the players on each team, which further fuelled the rivalry. The T-shirts were sold by local businesses and through mail orders.
Yes, a documentary titled "Catholics vs. Convicts" was released in 2016. It was directed by Patrick Creadon, a former Notre Dame undergraduate, and aired on ESPN. The documentary was nominated for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards.
