If you’re a Notre Dame fan or just a college football junkie, you’ve probably heard the name Pat Walsh pop up in two completely different contexts. One involves a legendary, bootleg t-shirt that nearly broke the internet before the internet was even a thing. The other involves a standout athlete who tore up the field—but not the football field.
So, what happened to Pat Walsh Notre Dame?
Honestly, it’s a tale of two guys, one massive rivalry, and a legacy that still gets talked about in South Bend bars today.
The T-Shirt That Defined a Rivalry
Let's go back to 1988. The Irish were preparing to face the Miami Hurricanes. Tensions weren't just high; they were nuclear. Notre Dame was the "wholesome" Catholic school, and Miami was the "outlaw" program that didn't care about your feelings.
Pat Walsh, a student at the time and a hopeful walk-on for the basketball team under Digger Phelps, had an idea. He and some buddies, including Patrick Creadon (who later directed the famous 30 for 30 documentary), decided to print some shirts.
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You know the slogan. Catholics vs. Convicts.
It was a total hit. They sold thousands. But here's what really happened: the school administration wasn't exactly thrilled about a student running a massive, unlicensed apparel business out of a dorm room. Basically, Walsh got into some hot water with the Dean of Students.
The fallout was real. While he didn't get expelled, the drama surrounding the "bootleg" shirts and the friction with the administration essentially cost him his spot on the basketball team. Digger Phelps had strict rules, and the "shirt guy" didn't fit the mold that year. It’s one of those "what if" moments in Notre Dame history—a guy who could have been a contributor on the hardwood ended up being the guy who branded the greatest rivalry of the 80s.
The Other Pat Walsh: The Lacrosse Star
Sometimes when people ask what happened to Pat Walsh Notre Dame, they’re actually thinking of the elite attackman who played in the early 2000s.
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This Patrick Walsh was a monster on the lacrosse field. We’re talking about a guy who was named the Great Western Lacrosse League Newcomer of the Year in 2003. He didn't just play; he dominated. He was the first freshman in over a decade to lead the Irish in scoring.
By the time he was a sophomore in 2004, he was a Third-Team All-American. He was putting up points against the best defenses in the country, including North Carolina and Maryland. If you were watching Notre Dame sports in the mid-2000s, this was the Walsh you knew. He didn't disappear into thin air; he graduated as one of the most decorated players in the history of the program.
Where is Pat Walsh Now?
The "Catholics vs. Convicts" Pat Walsh eventually moved on from the t-shirt business and the basketball heartbreak. He remained close with the program in spirit, especially after the ESPN documentary brought his story back to the forefront in 2016. He’s lived a relatively private life since his college days, though his name is forever etched in the lore of the 1988 National Championship season.
As for the lacrosse legend? He transitioned into the professional world like many ND alums. The discipline required to be a four-year starter and a multiple-time All-American usually translates pretty well to the "real world."
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Why the Confusion Still Happens
It’s easy to get these stories mixed up because Notre Dame is a place where legends overlap. You have a "Pat Walsh" associated with the most famous football game in school history, but he wasn't a football player. Then you have a "Pat Walsh" who was a world-class athlete, but he played lacrosse.
Key Takeaways for the ND Faithful:
- The 1988 Pat Walsh created the "Catholics vs. Convicts" shirt, which became a cultural phenomenon but cost him a chance to play basketball for the Irish.
- The 2003 Pat Walsh was a record-breaking lacrosse star and a perennial All-American.
- The term Catholics vs. Convicts was never officially sanctioned by the school, which is why Walsh faced disciplinary hurdles.
- Both men represent different eras of the "Fighting Irish" spirit—one through entrepreneurial (and slightly rebellious) grit, the other through pure athletic excellence.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the 1988 saga, the best move is to watch the 30 for 30 directed by Walsh's roommate. It gives a raw, human look at how a simple t-shirt idea turned into a national controversy that still defines the ND-Miami rivalry. For the lacrosse fans, the record books still hold Walsh's name near the top of the all-time assists list, a testament to his vision on the field.
To get the full picture of the 1988 season, you should research the specific disciplinary actions taken by the Notre Dame Office of Student Affairs during that era, as it highlights the school's strict stance on unlicensed merchandising. Additionally, checking the latest Notre Dame Lacrosse media guide will show you exactly where the younger Walsh stands in the program's history compared to modern stars.