Otters embody ND greatness
Courtney Kerrigan
By COURTNEY KERRIGAN
Scene Writer
Sorin Hall. It's a legend in itself. It has been the home of such great Notre Dame heroes as Knute Rockne and the Gipper (George Gipp), and many other little known, but very important men. Every Sorin Otter, as well as every Notre Dame student, aspires to live up to the level of greatness of these Notre Dame legends.
Everyone has heard that Sorin Hall has a rich history, but most aren't aware of the enormous role that the Otters played in the history of Notre Dame.
In 1888, Father Edward Sorin, on his 50th anniversary of being a priest, blessed the cornerstone of Sorin Hall, the first Catholic college dorm. Construction began that year, and so began the story of Sorin Hall and the University of Notre Dame. The first floor of Sorin housed the law school, which at that time was still in its infant stages.
In 1897, University President Father Morrissey decided to add two large additions to the dorm, doubling the occupancy and indicating the substantial growth that the University was to undergo in the next few decades.
In 1905, the covered porch was added as a direct consequence of an incident — one that is supposedly still common today — in which a student dumped water from the upper floor onto the head of a famous law professor. On this porch hangs a sign that renames the dorm "Sorin College" and is a remnant of the famous year of 1969, when Sorin antiwar demonstrators seceded from the University. Many Otters still proudly refer to their dorm as "Sorin College," in remembrance of the rebellion and reform that Sorin instigated at that time.
Sorin Hall has had many famous rectors. Father Morrissey and Father Burns, who went on to become presidents of the University, once made their homes in Sorin. Father Pat Haggerty, who administered last rites to George Gipp ("win one for the Gipper") was also an Otter. Others include Gus Dorais, Frank Leahy, Paul Horning, Rocky Bleier, Pete Demerlee, Ken Macaffee, Tom Clements, Dave Casper, Babby Leopold, Steve Beuerlein and of course, the ever-famous and most beloved, Knute Rockne.
Today, Sorin Hall is still going strong with their rector, Father Steve Newton, CSC, leading the way. The assistant rector since 1996, Sean Seymore, is a PhD candidate in chemistry. Co-presidents Larry Burchett and John Taggart and the other 153 residents of Sorin Hall keep traditions, such as the Sorin Talent Show, alive and well. University President Father Monk Malloy, CSC, in-residence, is also a 1963 graduate of Notre Dame, and a former varsity basketball player. All of these men continue a tradition in Sorin that has lasted 112 years since the dorm was built and will last forever in the hearts of the Otters.
All Scene Stories for Monday, February 28, 2000
