The Shirt is more than a just a shirt. It was an idea that originated in 1990 to raise money for a student-led spring festival. The Shirt became an instant hit with students, fans, and alumni, and its success uniting the Notre Dame family has surpassed anyone's expectations. Proceeds from sales of The Shirt now benefit Notre Dame clubs and organizations, The Shirt Charity Fund, and the Student Experience Fund. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the rich tradition that is The Shirt.

The phrase on The Shirt 2019, “Built on Tradition,” portrays a message that transcends celebrating a gloried past. It is acknowledging a more prosperous future to come– one with new traditions built on those that have lasted 132 years.

Notre Dame Football historically has sat atop the collection of college football's most storied programs. Over the past 30 years, The Shirt has enhanced the program’s unique connection with its fanbase. What is special about both The Shirt and Notre Dame Football is that we truly have “built our tradition” together.

When creating The Shirt 2019, the main priority was to illustrate the connection between past, present and future. The Shirt 2019 exemplifies classical characteristics with the incorporation of a subtle, modern pop; this is evident on the back with a vintage Notre Dame Football player standing in an abstracted version of a renovated Notre Dame Stadium. The design team highlighted this traditional feel with a muted color palette to emphasize the vintage nature of The Shirt and used as much of The Shirt 2019’s heathered navy color in its design as possible.

The front of the shirt is simple but pleasing with its line-work football, pop of green from the shamrock, and vintage typefaces. A retro font was chosen to be carried through the front and the back of The Shirt 2019, as members of The Shirt Project had drawn inspiration from writing within Notre Dame Stadium after a tour of the complex.

In addition to The Shirt 2019, we decided to add a commemorative item to celebrate The Shirt's 30th anniversary.  The commemorative crewneck pays homage to the original "The Shirt" created by Brennan Harvath in 1990 -- made extra special by the fact that he was able to be here to unveil it in person at The Shirt Unveiling!

You can order your The Shirt 2019 or Commemorative Crewneck today here!