Is the University of Notre Dame Haunted?

Is the University of Notre Dame haunted? Pat and Rebecca explore one of the most haunted colleges in the United States, the University of Notre Dame. Students and employees claim that Washington Hall is haunted by the ghost of The Gipper and that the founder, Father Edward Sorin, still keeps watch over the school to this day. Is this university haunted?

Questions Explored in this Episode

What is the history of the land of the University? When did Father Sorin arrive in the US and why did he decide to build a university in South Bend, Indiana? How old is Notre Dame? What happened when a fire burned down almost the whole school in 1879? What building is the most haunted on campus? Who haunts Washington Hall? Why do people believe Father Sorin haunts the Main Building and the South Dining Hall? What sensations do students claim to feel from paranormal activity? Is Notre Dame haunted?

Washington Hall at University of Notre DameVote on the Episode

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Listener Mail and Questions

This week’s listener mail is the rest of the letter from a listener. This time we learn about her smell-lucination of her grandmother’s perfume. Have a spooky story or question of your own (or someone you know)? Send your story or question to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 630-448-2138 and we might read or share it on the podcast. You could be on a future episode of Ghostly!

GCSC 4/30: Portrait of Rev. Edward Sorin, CSC, c1880s.History of Notre Dame

Pat explores the history of the University of Notre Dame. Originally belonging to the Miami tribe and then later the Potawatomi tribe, the land was eventually taken over by French Catholic priests looking to start a school. He also talks about the fire in 1879 and how it rebuilt. And we can’t talk about Notre Dame without talking Fighting Irish football and it’s two most famous players, George “Gipper” Gipp and Rudy.

George “The Gipper” Gipp – Football Player at Notre DameThe Debate

Rebecca and Pat debate if the University of Notre Dame is haunted. While many believe that the Gipper haunts Washington Hall, there are other candidates as well. Several people have also claimed to see Father Sorin’s ghost in several buildings over the years. What do you believe?

Poll Results

Find out what listeners said for the Near Death Experience episode – Are Near Death Experiences Paranormal? Still need to listen to our previous episodes? Check them out here.

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Sources for this Week’s Episode
University of Notre Dame: https://www.nd.edu/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Notre_Dame
Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/topic/University-of-Notre-Dame
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Hall_(University_of_Notre_Dame)
ND Observer: https://ndsmcobserver.com/2012/08/notre-dame-ghost-breeding-ground/
https://ndsmcobserver.com/2006/10/gipp-ghosts-haunt-campus-lore/
Sports Planning Guide: https://sportsplanningguide.com/ghosts-lurk-in-football-stadiums-with-haunted-histories/
mLive: https://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/2014/10/spirit_of_flint_athlete_haunts.html
nd.edu: https://www3.nd.edu/~washhall/ghost.html
ND Magazine: https://magazine.nd.edu/stories/haunt-thee-notre-dame/
The Tab: https://thetab.com/us/notre-dame/2016/10/27/notre-dames-allegedly-haunted-past-3314
YouTube – The Strangest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwEELS4o8jE&t=306s

Music for this episode was performed by Michael Rivers
Intro: “III. Allegro moderato from Gargoyles” by Lowell Liebermann
Outro: “Dream Images (Love-Death Music)” by George Crumb
Bumper: “Ghost Waltz” by Lowell Liebermann

“Pat Facts” and “Ghost Story” themes by Mondo
“Time for a Debate” theme by Gail Gallagher gailgallaghermusic.com