1954 season
57th season of men's interhall football, 8th season of the Napolitanic Era
57th season of men's interhall football, 8th season of the Napolitanic Era
League Director: Dominic Napolitano
Duration of season:
Total teams: 13
Games scheduled: 37
Interhall champion: Badin (7-0)
Unknown games: 3
A quick TD pass from quarterback Jerry Ryan to Bob Costello 90 seconds before the final gun gave Badin a 6-0 triumph over St. Ed's and the interhall grid title. The slow-moving defensive struggle, on Nov. 21, was characterized by a muddy turf on Cartier Field that stymied both offensive machines, forcing the action to focus between the two 30-yard lines.
In capturing the crown in the Western division, Badin notched its seventh shutout in as many games and overcame the loss of their All-Interhall quarterback, Dick Rust. The Eastern champs also experienced a similar fate in the second quarter when their field general, Tom Mulcahy, fractured his ankle while cutting sharply on a keep-it play.
In case of a deadlock, it had been decided to grant the traditional gold football awards to the team with the greatest number of first downs. But with 2:40 remaining in the game, both squads had chewed their way to five first downs.
At this point, the Badin brigade began their march. Converted fullback Ryan connected with Eddie Cosgrove for a first down on the St. Ed's 35. A pass interference penalty on the next play dealt a fatal blow to St. Ed's.
Ryan's aerial spiraled far over the reach of its intended receiver, but the penalty renewed the Badin drive placing the ball on St. Ed's 20. Capitalizing on this break, Ryan again took to the airways, hitting Costello on the three and he crashed into the end zone for the lone score.
Jerry Brann, John Reynolds, and Joe Kurseja spearheaded the Badin defense that stifled St. Ed's. The Easterners did not penetrate past the Badin 30. John Fauntleroy sparked the only flicker in the St. Ed's offense when he broke loose for a 20-yard sprint.
Unknown author, Notre Dame Scholastic Issue No. 8, 3 December 1954In a slow moving defensive struggle, Badin managed to eke out a 6-0 triumph over St. Ed's for the hall championship. The victory culminated the interhall football season. A muddy turf dampened the hopes of having a high scoring game.
The final outcome of the game was not decided until the closing seconds of play. Halfback Jerry Ryan threw to Ed Costello on the three yard line who bulled his way over for the score and the interhall grid title. Joe Kurseja and John Reynolds formed the defense that stifled St. Ed's. John Fauntleroy sparked the only flicker of offense that St. Ed's could muster.
Badin finished the season of play undefeated and unscored upon, an unusual feat for an interhall eleven. Piloted by an All-Interhall quarterback Dick Rust, the Badinites defeated Dillon for the Western Division title. St. Ed's qualified for the championship game by romping over Farley.
Unknown author, Dome Yearbook, Class of 1955Preseason
Sorin Hall fields their first hall football team in eleven years.
365 players sign up for the season.
Season
Frank Leahy Jr., eldest son of head coach Frank Leahy, plays quarterback for Farley Hall.
Postseason
Badin Hall compiles the first 7–0 record in league history. They finish undefeated, untied, and unscored upon.
St. Edward's has officially lost their last four interhall championship games. Additionally, they tied Dillon in the 1941 title game, bring their non-winning streak to five.
1954 Badin RG/LOLB
I played RG and LOLB on the 1954 Badin Champs. At that time we had to change dorms by class each year and Hall teams had to reorganize. Our success resulted from 2 factors 1) our coach & 2) a number of us had played for St, Ed's the prior year. Gene O'Connor gave us play-books and installed audibles---both innovations for Interhall. He later coached for a HS in Buffalo while in law school. He became a US Attorney and ran for Congress. He was atty.. for American Football Coaches Assn. for 30 years and was made an honorary member. Until a few years ago he scouted opponents for the NFL Bills. We played on Cartier Field ,not the stadium ,for Championship game. However, my most vivid Interhall recollection comes from my freshman year (1952) when I played on a make-up team against the prison in Mich. City. Word was passed that if you wanted to play, show up at the Circle at 10 am on Sunday. with one's gear. I did. We organized on the bus trip there. With no stands the field was surrounded by inmates ( even the refs were inmates). Our team was called "Outside". I was only 18 and playing against mature men. "Inside" won by 10 pts. The inmates rooted for us because their players got off work for practice... I intercepted a pass in second half, when they sent in younger players, and was hit by 3 inmates. After the game we were given oranges for our trip back to campus. Quite a day, as I'm leaving out details.
Anecdote provided 12 July 2025
1954 Breen-Phillips (QB), 1955 Morrissey (QB), 1956-57 Off-Campus (QB)
You brought up some fun memories of my ND years. I played QB for interhall teams from 1954 – 58. One year we went to the finals which yielded the finest moment, playing the championship game in the Stadium.
I can remember the high quality of the interhall teams, many guys that could have played college ball at smaller schools or even major schools, but academics were too demanding. I played with HS all-Americans, and some varsity players that didn’t make the cut.
Strangely, I don’t recall any serious injuries, just nicks and bruises to the players. I chuckle at the football gear we had, especially the leather helmets with the blue crosses on top. Of course, there were no face masks in those days.
Good times were had by all and strong fellowships were formed. The Interhall program filled a void in continuing the sport we had played in elementary and high school, in one of the greatest football environments ever.