09/18/13 Unbeknownst to many, there’s a strong connection between Culver Military Academy in Culver, Ind., and legendary Notre Dame Football coach Knute Rockne.
Award-winning author, speaker, and sports historian Jim Lefebvre will explore that connection as one part of a presentation in Culver on Monday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Culver Academies Museum & Gift Shop at 102 S. Main in downtown Culver.
The event coincides with the release of Lefebvre’s new book, “Coach For A Nation: The Life and Times of Knute Rockne” (coachforanation.com), the first comprehensive biography of the coach; the author is kicking off a coast to coast tour speaking about Rockne and his book.
Rockne, it seemed, was always on the go. There were the travels with his team, of course (in 1924, for example, Notre Dame became the first football team to play games in New York City, Chicago, and southern California in the same season), but Rockne also traveled the nation instructing young coaches on how to operate a successful athletic program. His coaching clinics–held at such far-flung locales as the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia; Superior State Teachers College in northern Wisconsin; and Oregon Agricultural College in Corvallis–were legendary gatherings in which the famous coach shared his knowledge and methods.
At the Sept. 23 event, Lefebvre will explore Culver’s important role in the beginning of those coaching clinics.
His 2008 book, “Loyal Sons: The Story of The Four Horsemen and Notre Dame Football’s 1924 Champions” received three national honors for excellence, including an IPPY (Independent Publisher Book Awards). He is founder and editor of the website “Forever Irish,” which celebrates the heritage of Notre Dame football, at www.NDFootballHistory.com. He has been a guest on dozens of radio and TV shows from coast to coast and has spoken to numerous groups of Notre Dame alumni and other football enthusiasts. Jim also edits the e-newsletter Irish Echoes.
He will share with local audiences a multimedia presentation featuring hundreds of images as well as Rockne’s inspiring words will help tell the story of this remarkable American’s life.
The event is free and open to the public. Email museum@culver.org or call 574-842-8176 with questions.
