Reigning college lacrosse national champion Notre Dame began its 2025 campaign on Wednesday night. Senior midfielder Ben Ramsey continued the 27-year-old tradition of the bagpipes.
It is one of the most iconic traditions in sports that people don’t know enough about!
The Fighting Irish officially adopted its nickname in 1927. A group of Irish immigrant soldiers fought for the Union during the Civil War in what came to be known as the Irish Brigade. The brigade’s beloved chaplain, Rev. William Corby, C.S.C, later became the third president of Notre Dame. Therein lies the tie.
Plus, the university is predominantly Catholic. As is the vast majority of Ireland.
Notre Dame has since become synonymous with the Irish, both figuratively and literally. Bagpipes — though more commonly associated with Scotland — are also a big part of culture and history in Ireland. Some early records date back to the 400s.
The bagpipes are also synonymous with college lacrosse in South Bend. Ramsey led his team onto the field for the first time on Wednesday as the official bagpiper of 2025.
The tradition began in 1996 when a few lacrosse teammates found out that one of their freshmen played bagpipes. Naturally, they asked him to lead the team onto the field before their first home game. And after sneaking the pipes into their team’s baggage, he did it before their first away game as well!
The Irish went on to win six straight games on the road that season so the tradition stuck.
Now, each year, each piper gets to pick his replacement as it carries on into the present.
Ben Ramsey, an All-American, was selected as the official piper of Notre Dame lacrosse for 2025 at the end of last season. He had about seven months to learn his new trade and sounded pretty good during his official debut on Wednesday!
Somewhat ironically, the Fighting Irish play ‘Scotland the Brave.’ It is the most recognizable song played on the bagpipes, so it makes sense, but Ireland is not Scotland so……..