Rockne: The Norwegian and Immigrant (1880-1910)

This episode explores the early years of young Knute from Voss, Norway, to his days as a young man in Chicago, until the fateful day some friends tell him of a small Catholic college in Indiana called Notre Dame.

Hosted by Alex Painter, a Notre Dame fan and historian. You can listen to Alex’s Notre Dame football podcast, “Onward to Victory,” on any podcasting service.

This podcast is presented by The History Museum of South Bend, Indiana, and is possible through the generous sponsorship of Andy and Tina Nickle.

Rockne: The Student-Athlete (1910-1914)

In this episode, we’ll dive into Knute Rockne’s college years at Notre Dame, exploring how he balanced his academics in chemistry, his budding athletic career, as well as other on-campus activities. On the football field, his pivotal role in the 1913 Army game and his work on perfecting the forward pass at Cedar Point with teammate Gus Dorais truly shaped his future. Join us as we continue Rockne's legendary journey toward an unmatched coaching legacy.

Hosted by Alex Painter, a Notre Dame fan and historian. You can listen to Alex’s Notre Dame football podcast, “Onward to Victory,” on any podcasting service.

This podcast is presented by The History Museum of South Bend, Indiana, and is possible through the generous sponsorship of Andy and Tina Nickle.

Rockne: Life after Graduation (1914-1918)

In this episode, we’ll explore Knute Rockne’s journey after his 1914 graduation from the University of Notre Dame, including his development as an assistant coach under Jesse Harper, his brief career in semiprofessional and early professional football, and his marriage to Bonnie Skiles. As college athletics faced uncertainty with America on the brink of World War I, Rockne found himself at a pivotal moment—rising to become Notre Dame’s head coach.

Hosted by Alex Painter, a Notre Dame fan and historian. You can listen to Alex’s Notre Dame football podcast, “Onward to Victory,” on any podcasting service.

This podcast is presented by The History Museum of South Bend, Indiana, and is possible through the generous sponsorship of Andy and Tina Nickle.

Rockne: The Head Coach, Part One (1918-1920)

In this episode, we’re diving headfirst into the exhilarating, unpredictable early years of Knute Rockne’s tenure as head coach of the Notre Dame football team. Rockne, a man of boundless energy and relentless ambition, wasted no time in making his mark—but his path to glory was anything but smooth. As we’ll uncover, his first seasons at the helm weren’t just about X’s and O’s; they were about managing personalities, navigating crises, and proving his mettle in a multitude of ways.

Hosted by Alex Painter, a Notre Dame fan and historian. You can listen to Alex’s Notre Dame football podcast, “Onward to Victory,” on any podcasting service.

This podcast is presented by The History Museum of South Bend, Indiana, and is possible through the generous sponsorship of Andy and Tina Nickle.

Episode 5: The Head Coach, Part Two (1921-1924)

In this episode, we dive into Knute Rockne’s pivotal seasons from 1921 to 1924 - years that would shape Notre Dame football forever. Still reeling from the loss of his star, George Gipp, Rockne looks to reinvent and elevate his program, daring to take on college football’s biggest names on the grandest stages.

Hosted by Alex Painter, a Notre Dame fan and historian. You can listen to Alex’s Notre Dame football podcast, “Onward to Victory,” on any podcasting service.

This podcast is presented by The History Museum of South Bend, Indiana, and is possible through the generous sponsorship of Andy and Tina Nickle.

Rockne: The Head Coach, Part Three (1925-1927)

In this episode, we explore Knute Rockne’s 1925 to 1927 seasons—years that cemented Notre Dame’s status as a national box office sensation and elevated its coach to full-fledged celebrity status. So prominent was Rockne’s star power that multiple programs tried to lure him away from South Bend during the offseason.

Hosted by Alex Painter, a Notre Dame fan and historian. You can listen to Alex’s Notre Dame football podcast, “Onward to Victory,” on any podcasting service.

This podcast is presented by The History Museum of South Bend, Indiana, and is possible through the generous sponsorship of Andy and Tina Nickle.

Rockne: The Head Coach, Part Four (1928-1929)

In this episode, we explore Knute Rockne’s and the University of Notre Dame football program’s 1928 and 1929 seasons. These years brought turbulence and transition; Rockne also endured the worst season of his Notre Dame tenure and, for the first time, he even faced a number of vocal critics within the Notre Dame fanbase and press. At the same time, his obligations beyond the football field increased - his business ventures expanding and demanding more of his time and attention.

Hosted by Alex Painter, a Notre Dame fan and historian. You can listen to Alex’s Notre Dame football podcast, “Onward to Victory,” on any podcasting service.

This podcast is presented by The History Museum of South Bend, Indiana, and is possible through the generous sponsorship of Andy and Tina Nickle.

Episode 8: Rockne: The Head Coach, Part Five (1930)

In this episode we pick up with Rockne as the elating 1929 National Championship season wrapped up and a new decade begins. Though lingering health concerns remain, Rockne faces 1930 with renewed energy, a full coaching staff, and a roster full of promise. As construction on Notre Dame’s long-awaited new stadium completes, he remains at the forefront of a rapidly evolving college football landscape, juggling coaching and his expanding national fame. Yet even in a year marked by progress and dominance, questions begin to surface about what might come next. With demands on his time mounting, from business ventures to national speaking tours, Rockne found himself increasingly pulled in multiple directions. This episode explores the pressures building behind the scenes, the landmark achievements that define the year, and a fateful flight in March, 1931, that would change everything.

Hosted by Alex Painter, a Notre Dame fan and historian. You can listen to Alex’s Notre Dame football podcast, “Onward to Victory,” on any podcasting service.

This podcast is presented by The History Museum of South Bend, Indiana, and is possible through the generous sponsorship of Andy and Tina Nickle.