From the Collection
SPECIAL PIECES OF NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL HISTORY
The following artifacts represent examples of historically significant pieces of Notre Dame football history that are in the collection of Andy Nickle. They offer direct and often personal connections with people and moments that shaped the storied program. Many of the Rockne pieces remained with the Rockne family until 1995.
Click images to enlarge.
Notre Dame vs. Michigan Football Program
(April 20–21, 1888)
Notre Dame’s first full football game was played on April 20, 1888, against the University of Michigan. This program covers that historic contest as well as a second game played by the same two teams the following day.
It is the only known surviving example and is regarded as the oldest piece of Notre Dame football memorabilia in existence.
Interestingly, in the month just prior to Notre Dame‘s first two games against Michigan, Knut Larsen Rokne was born in Norway.
The Notre Dame football team that took the field against the University of Michigan in April, 1888.
Last Known Words of Knute Rockne
(March 31, 1931)
On March 31, 1931, Knute Rockne sent this telegram from Kansas City, Missouri, to his wife, Bonnie, in Coral Gables, Florida shortly before he boarded the aircraft that would soon crash and take his life. The telegram represents the last known words of Notre Dame’s revered coach.
This item remained with the Rockne family until 1995.
Knute Rockne’s Wristwatch
The wristwatch Knute Rockne was wearing at the time of his death was recovered from the plane crash site. Badly damaged in the accident, this watch was specifically identified as Rockne’s in the coroner’s investigative report due to the personal engraving on its reverse.
This item remained with the Rockne family until 1995.
THE ROCKNE VICTROLA
The 1916 Victrola phonograph owned by Knute and Bonnie Rockne. It remained with the Rockne family until the death of Bonnie Rockne in 1956. The piece then passed to the Hickey family, where it remained until its acquisition for this collection in 2026. The Rockne name and the family’s St. Vincent Street address appear on a label inside the Victrola’s motor box compartment.
Also, pictured is the 78 RPM record of Knute Rockne's pep talk to Studebaker salesmen distributed by The Studebaker Corporation.
Knute Rockne comes alive as a 78 RPM featuring one of his pep talks to Studebaker salesmen is played on the coach's personal Victrola phonograph.
Knute Rockne United States Civil Service Application
(1907)
In 1907 Knute Rockne applied through the United States Civil Service Commission for an entry level postal clerk position in Chicago. His application and accompanying examination papers covering several subjects offer a unique and revealing glimpse into the life of the 18-year-old Rockne, years before his rise to national prominence.
Knute Rockne’s Zoology Notebook
(1912)
One of the more intriguing surviving artifacts from Rockne’s years as a student at Notre Dame is his 1912 Zoology class notebook. The notebook includes many pages of handwritten notes and several original drawings executed in Rockne’s own hand, offering a personal and unexpected view into his academic life.
This item remained with the Rockne family until 1995.
Knute Rockne Student Photo Album
Notre Dame student Knute Rockne‘s photo album contains approximately 100 photographs, many of Rockne himself and many which have never been previously published. The images document Rockne’s student years and provide rare visual insight into his life before becoming the iconic coach. The photos captured him during his time at Cedar Point, as a member of the Corby Hall baseball team, and numerous others with friends and fellow students.
This item remained with the Rockne family until 1995.
Autographed Photograph of George Gipp
An autographed photograph of George Gipp, widely regarded as the most famous player in Notre Dame football history, is extremely rare. Gipp’s legacy, both on and off the field, remains inseparable from the mythology of Notre Dame football.
Knute Rockne Contract of Employment
(1924)
This 1924 Contract of Employment between Knute Rockne and the University of Notre Dame formalized his position for a ten-year term at an annual salary of $10,000. The document reflects Rockne’s and the University’s relationship during the height of the legendary coach’s career.
This item remained with the Rockne family until 1995.
Notre Dame Football Banquet Program
(January 2, 1925)
The program for the banquet commemorating Notre Dame’s first national championship, won the previous day with a victory in the Rose Bowl, bears the uniquely assembled autographs of Knute Rockne, team captain Adam Walsh, and each of the members of the famed Four Horsemen backfield.
Knute Rockne Passport
(1928)
In 1928 Knute Rockne obtained this passport for use while serving as the face of the first organized cruise tour ever to originate from the United States. The “Knute Rockne Olympic Tour” carried travelers from New York to Europe and on to Amsterdam to attend the 1928 Olympic Games in the first organized cruise tour ever to originate from the United States.
This item remained with the Rockne family until 1995.
TELEGRAMS TO BONNIE ROCKNE FOLLOWING DEATH OF KNUTE ROCKNE
Following the death of Knute Rockne, many telegrams were sent to Bonnie Rockne. Interesting examples of those are ones from Transcontinental and Western Air, a Kansas funeral home director, and Notre Dame president Rev. Charles L. O'Donnell.
These items remained with the Rockne family until 1995.
KNUTE AND BONNNIE ROCKNE CONTRACTS WITH STUDEBAKER
PHOTOS OF GEORGE GIPP
Photos of George Gipp outside of formal teams photos are quite rare. These photos show Gipp at the train station with the team and carrying the ball in game action.
PROGRAMS OF MEMORABLE GAMES
Among the most memorable games in Notre Dame history are its first ever homecoming game in 1920 against Purdue, the 1921 game against Nebraska which was the first major intersectional opponent to visit South Bend, the program from the 1925 Rose Bowl game against Stanford and the program for the 1928 "Win one for the Gipper" game against Army in Yankee Stadium.
PHOTGRAPHS OF KNUTE ROCKNE FROM BEGINNING TO END
The photograph of young Knute Rockne taken with two sisters represents the youngest known image of the future legend. The photo was taken by a Chicago studio not long after the family arrived in the United States. The shown example was Rockne's personal copy.. The photo of Knute and Bonnie was taken at the racetrack in Miami just a few days before Knute's death and represents one of the last if not the last photo taken of him.
The photograph of young Knute Rockne with his sisters remained with the Rockne family until 1995.
KNUTE ROCKNE'S NOTRE DAME STUDENT TEXTBOOKS
Three textbooks used by Knute Rockne while a student at Notre Dame, including Webster's Speeches, 2) Manual of Laboratory Practice for Students of Pharmacy and 3) Elements of Electro-Chemistry. Each volume contains handwritten notes of Rockne. One book includes the signature of Rockne's faculty mentor Fr. Julius Nieuwland, C.S.C. who is still Notre Dame's most renowned professor.
These items remained with the Rockne family until 1995.
PHOTOGRAPHS OF NOTRE DAME STUDENT KNUTE ROCKNE
Few photographs of Notre Dame student Knute Rockne are known to exist. These images show Rockne in a variety of activities, including as the Notre Dame football team captain, a member of an interhall crew team and a participant in a widely attended marbles tournament.
These items remained with the Rockne family until 1995.
Rockne’s Typed Lecture Notes
Rockne's personal set of notes which list in detail the things his football talks would cover. The 21 pages, some on both sides, contain Rockne’s personal and strategic thinking on football and the football rules changes of 1922. The pages also include handwritten changes and additions by Rockne. Point #1 at start of lecture is "Football compared with Warfare".
One page includes Rockne‘s “Golden rules of football“ with a unique drawing and strategic breakdown of a football field in Rockne‘s hand.
These lecture notes, which remained with the Rockne family until 1995, can be viewed in their entirety here.
Knute Rockne Autographed Photo
Large 8" x 12" photograph of Knute Rockne with his signature and a personalized message to his friend Frank Hayes, a former Notre Dame classmate and one time President of the Notre Dame Club of Chicago. Rockne and Hayes partnered to acquire property in Wisconsin that would be used for the Rockne summer sports camp program.
The image in this photo was used to create the First Class postage stamp issued by the United States Postal Service to honor Rockne in 1988.
Studio Portrait of Knute Rockne
Large studio portrait of Knute Rockne by McDonald of South Bend. This example was Rockne‘s personal copy. This photo image first appeared in the 1915-16 Notre Dame Dome in the section on the Notre Dame track team of which Rockne was the coach.
This item remained with the Rockne family until 1995.
Memorial Resolutions of Tribute
Collection of memorial resolutions and citations of tribute to the life of Knute Rockne adopted by a variety of organizations and government bodies and delivered to Bonnie Rockne following the death of her husband.
These items remained with the Rockne family until 1995.
Rockne's Presentation At The 1923 Knute Rockne Coaching School
128 pages prepared by Knute Rockne for a three week coaching school he held at Notre Dame, beginning on August 1, 1923. The materials covered 10 separate lectures and go in great detail on a variety of topics from organization. strategy, implementing the forward pass, position play, diet, proper equipment, and self-care.
It was reported 115 coaches from more than 20 states were enrolled in the school as attendees traveled great distance to hear directly from highly admired Rockne.
The pages, which include handwritten notes and number of plays drawn in fountain pen, remained with the Rockne family until 1995. The pages can be viewed in their entirety here.
Letters from Knute Rockne to Son Bill
Two personal but stern letters from Knute Rockne to his son Bill who was then attending boarding school in Kansas City. The second letter is dated just days before the plane crash which would take Coach Rockne’s life.
These items remained with the Rockne family until 1995.
1930 Football Review Book Given To Bonnie Rockne
The 1930 Review containing handwritten personalized messages to Bonnie Rockne from 27 members of the 1930 national championship team (including future Hall of Famer’s) expressing memories and condolences following death of Knute Rockne.
1920 Notre Dame and DePauw Contract
1920 contract between Notre Dame and DePauw for a 1921 football game in South Bend, signed by Notre Dame athletic director Knute Rockne.
By the contract, DePauw was to receive $1,000 for playing the game in South Bend. Notre Dame easily prevailed over its in-state opponent in that 1921 game by a score of 57-10.
ROCKNE SIGNED CHRISTMAS SEALS
A sheet of 1930 Christmas Seals signed by Knute Rockne. Christmas Seals were a longtime fundraising tool in the fight against tuberculosis, particularly among children. Sheets autographed by prominent celebrities were sold to raise money for the cause.
1928 PHOTO OF ROCKNE AND RUTH
A 1928 photograph of Knute Rockne and Babe Ruth flanked by sports agent and promoter Christy Walsh and legendary coach Glenn “Pop” Warner. The photograph was taken at Yankee Stadium shortly before Rockne, Walsh, and Warner departed New York City on the “Knute Rockne Olympic Tour.”
PLANE CRASH SCRAPBOOK PAGES
Scrapbook pages assembled by a Kansas resident documenting a visit to the site of the 1931 plane crash that claimed the life of Knute Rockne. Local residents arrived by automobile and horseback, walked through the wreckage, took photographs, and carried away souvenirs from the crash site.
HISTORIC TELEGRAM TIED TO ROCKNE FUNERAL
(March 1, 1931)
A 1931 telegram from Jay Wyatt that led to the first nationally broadcast funeral service in American history—the funeral of Knute Rockne. Wyatt, a friend of Rockne and then working for Spaulding Sporting Goods, telegraphed Bonnie Rockne seeking permission to broadcast the services. She responded that the decision rested with University of Notre Dame President Rev. Charles O’Donnell. Permission was granted, and the historic broadcast took place.
The telegram remained with the Rockne family until 1995.
THE ROCKNE MODEL AUTOMOBILE
Following Knute Rockne’s death in 1931, The Studebaker Corporation, through its subsidiary Rockne Motors, produced the Rockne automobile.
Pictured are a Rockne model advertisement, a Rockne hood ornament, and a Rockne emblem used on the automobiles that bore his name.
KNUTE ROCKNE ALL-AMERICAN MOVIE SCRIPT
The movie script for Knute Rockne, All American used by actor Don Crisp, who portrayed University of Notre Dame President. The 1940 film helped cement the legendary status of Knute Rockne, George Gipp, and Notre Dame football in American culture.
FDR LETTER TO BONNIE ROCKNE
(October 1, 1940)
A letter from President Franklin D. Roosevelt to Bonnie Rockne paying tribute to her late husband. The letter was sent in conjunction with the premiere of Knute Rockne, All American and the observance of Knute Rockne Week.
This letter remained with the Rockne family until 1995.
FOUR HORSEMEN ON ED SULLIVAN SHOW
A photograph autographed by the Four Horsemen and inscribed to Notre Dame Athletic Director Ed “Moose” Krause. The image commemorates the group’s appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on October 31, 1954. Other guests included Mrs. Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey, Gene Tunney, Gene Sarazen, Doc Blanchard, and numerous other sports luminaries.
This photo remained with the Krause family until 2024.
1920 NOTRE DAME BASKETBALL CONTRACT
(October 26, 1920)
A 1920 contract signed by Knute Rockne, then Notre Dame’s athletic director, arranging a 1921 Notre Dame basketball game against Armor Institute. The handwritten portions of the contract were completed by Rockne himself. Notre Dame’s basketball coach at the time was Walter Halas, brother of future Chicago Bears founder and coach George Halas.
STUDENT SCRAPBOOK FULL OF ROCKNE AND GIPP
A 1920–21 Notre Dame student scrapbook containing numerous photographs and newspaper clippings relating to Knute Rockne, George Gipp, and Notre Dame football during one of the most celebrated eras in the university’s athletic history.
TELEGRAM FROM ROCKNE’S DOCTOR
(January 21, 1930)
A telegram from Dr. George Sensenich to his patient Knute Rockne. In colorful language, Sensenich cautions Rockne against overexerting himself during his recovery and warns him to avoid remedies promoted by medical “quacks.” At the time, Rockne was suffering from phlebitis, a condition that required him to coach from the sideline and prevented him from personally attending several Notre Dame road games during the 1929 season. Sensenich, a South Bend physician, later served as President of the American Medical Association.
The telegram remained with the Rockne family until 1995.
1924 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BANNER.
The large high quality banner made by Green Mountain Studios of Vermont is the only one of its kind known.
ELMER LAYDEN'S EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
(December 9, 1933)
In December 1933 Elmer Layden agreed to become Notre Dame's football coach and athletic director effective in 1934. Pursuant to a simple one page, three year contract the Four Horseman was to be paid $8,000 a year. Notre Dame compiled a 47-13-3 record while Layden was coach.
SWEATERS OF EARLY HEISMAN TROPHY WINNERS
The letter sweaters of Angelo Bertelli and Johnny Lattner and Johnny Lujack's All-American sweater represent three of Notre Dame‘s first four Heisman Trophy winners. They are reminders of the tremendous teams and players coached by Frank Leahy.
