Logos are woven into the fabric of college athletics as much as anything else.

For Notre Dame, they are synonymous with their gold helmets, Fighting Irish mantra and of course the iconic Leprechaun.

SOUTH BEND, IN - APRIL 22:  A detailed view of a Notre Dame Fighting Irish Wilson football with the Fighting Irish logo is seen around some equipment during the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Blue-Gold Spring Game on April 22, 2017, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN.  (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish brand is one of the most recognisable in all of sports
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The logo that keeps his fists closed, up in the air ready to rumble at all times, known simply as the Leprechaun, is receiving a significant makeover.

The storied university has unveiled a sleeker look for the Leprechaun ahead of the college football season—this time with a football in his hands. No longer looking for a fight, he’s now aiming for the end zone.

The football version of the logo is the first in a series of sports-specific leprechauns that will represent each sport that the university sponsors.

“The Leprechaun represents the tenacious and determined spirit of the Fighting Irish, a relentless desire to seize every opportunity with unity, clarity and purpose though the odds be great or small,” Notre Dame said in a statement.

“This logo, drawn from a legacy known around the world, represents Fighting Irish Football.”

What are people saying?

The reviews have been mixed between fans and alumni. As with most things, some like it, some don’t.

“I don’t hate the idea and what they are going for but it seems a bit rushed and a little lacking in terms of uniqueness – it almost looks like it was made by AI,” one recent alumnus said

“I would have liked them to either come up with something new or revitalize an older logo that they haven’t used in a while. This one seems like a cash grab to sell apparel.”

An older alumnus begged to differ.

“I don’t mind it. It looks like a nod to previous logos – they used to do this with all sports, have the leprechaun swimming, playing tennis, golf, et cetera for each prospective sport but they got away from it,” the die-hard alumnus said.

X/@NDFOOTBALL
Notre Dame has unveiled a much sleeker design than its previous version[/caption]
SOUTH BEND, IN - JANUARY 21: A Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan holds up the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Leprechaun  sign during a mens college basketball game between the Boston College Eagles and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on January 21, 2023 at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, IN.   (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Some fans believed the longtime logo was due for an upgrade
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The live Leprechaun can be seen prowling the sidelines at Notre Dame football games
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“My only complaint is the leprechaun looks too small, but I guess all leprechauns are.”

“Love it! But the original can never be beat,” one fan chimed in on X.

“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Fighting Irish logo is the best in all of sports. Alternate logo? Sure,” another fan suggested.

“Hate it. Stop modernizing storied logos,” one more fan added.

The Leprechaun has been the school’s logo since 1964, with this version being the main staple since 1967. Change can be hard—but if the wins pile up, fans probably won’t care.

Now, if something were to happen to the iconic gold helmets that the football team wears, then the uproar would be much louder.

13 OCT 2007: The Notre Dame leprechaun during the Boston College Eagles 27-14 win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Altenburger /Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images)
The live Leprechaun is synonymous with Notre Dame Football
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: A detail view of a Notre Dame Fighting Irish players helmet showing the CFP logo during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic against the Clemson Tigers at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C.  Cox/Getty Images)
Notre Dame’s gold helmets are a staple of college football

Luckily for the rabid fan base and strong alumni, those aren’t going anywhere.

For now, all head coach Marcus Freeman is worried about is the 2025 season, hoping to keep last year’s momentum rolling.

Last season, the Fighting Irish made it all the way to the national championship for the first time since 2012.

They fell just short to Ohio State, but look to be even stronger this year.

Notre Dame (6) opens up the season with a huge Top 10 showdown in Miami against the Hurricanes (10) on August 31.

Then they host Texas A&M on September 13, which will be a rematch of last season’s game, when the Fighting Irish beat the Aggies 23-13 in College Station, Texas.