Priya Kapoor
The tradition of painting the Notre Dame football helmets each week has been a topic of debate for years. The helmets were painted with gold dust purchased from the O’Brien Paint Company in South Bend and mixed with lacquer and lacquer thinner. In 2011, the tradition of student managers painting the helmets each week was sacrificed for a superior helmet. The new helmets were shinier and had a more consistent look from helmet to helmet and week to week.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | Gold |
| Paint | Gold flake, gold leaf, lacquer, lacquer thinner |
| Who paints them | Student managers |
| How often they are painted | Weekly |
| When they are painted | Monday nights |
| Number of students painting | 80 |
| Paint supplier | O’Brien Paint Company in South Bend |
| Paint mix location | On campus |
| Paint recipe | Scribbled on a piece of paper |
| Paint colour change | 2011 |
| Paint colour change cause | Head coach Brian Kelly and vice president and James E. Rohr athletic director Jack Swarbrick wanted a more impactful golden colour |
| Paint colour change result | A gold helmet that was closer to the colour of the Golden Dome |
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What You'll Learn
The tradition of student managers painting the helmets ended in 2011
The tradition of student managers painting the Notre Dame football helmets each week ended in 2011. The end of this tradition was due to the introduction of new helmets, which were brighter and shinier, courtesy of Hydro Graphics Inc., an Oregon-based company. The new helmets debuted during a home night football game against USC.
The change was instigated by Irish head coach Brian Kelly and vice president and James E. Rohr athletic director Jack Swarbrick, who wanted a more impactful golden colour for the Notre Dame headgear. The new helmets featured a new shade of gold that was closer to the colour of the Golden Dome, which sits atop the University's Main Building. This dome is regilded periodically, and the gold that is removed is mixed with paint and applied to the helmets.
The tradition of including 23.9-karat gold flakes in the paint on the helmets continued with the new design, but the painting process became more detailed and could no longer be duplicated by student managers each week. The student managers remained involved with the maintenance of the helmets, including inspection, cleaning, and removing scuff marks.
The introduction of the new helmets ended a long-standing tradition at Notre Dame. Previously, student managers would mix the paint for the helmets on campus, using gold dust purchased from the O'Brien Paint Company in South Bend and mixing it with lacquer and lacquer thinner. This process added to the mysticism surrounding the helmets and was a source of pride for the university.
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The new paint process is too detailed to be duplicated by Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame's football team, the Fighting Irish, has a storied tradition of painting its helmets with 23.9-karat gold flakes sourced from the regilding of the Golden Dome that sits atop the University's Main Building. This tradition has contributed to the mystique surrounding the team and has been voted the greatest helmet in college football.
However, in recent years, there has been a growing sentiment that the colour of the helmets was not consistent and that the gold paint would chip off easily. This led to a collaborative effort between the football staff, the athletics department, and the head coach to find a solution. The new paint process, developed by Hydro Graphics Inc., an Oregon-based company, involves a detailed and intricate technique that cannot be easily duplicated by the university's student managers, who traditionally handled the painting process.
The new paint process involves a unique formula that incorporates the 23.9-karat gold flakes to achieve a consistent and vibrant golden colour. The process is designed to ensure that the helmets retain their iconic shine and lustre for an extended period. While the specific details of the new paint process are not publicly available, it is understood that it involves a multi-step procedure that requires specialised equipment and technical expertise.
The decision to adopt the new paint process was a difficult one, as it meant sacrificing the long-standing tradition of student managers painting the helmets each week. However, the football staff and university administration prioritised the quality and consistency of the helmet's appearance. The new paint process ensures that the helmets maintain their aesthetic appeal and durability throughout the season, enhancing the team's overall brand and image.
While some fans may mourn the loss of the traditional painting ritual, the new paint process has been widely praised for its visual impact and ability to provide a consistent look from helmet to helmet and week to week. The new helmets debuted in 2011, and since then, the Fighting Irish have continued to be known for their distinctive and iconic headgear, with their helmets now recognised as a "Gold Standard" in college football.
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The new helmets feature a new shade of gold
The Notre Dame football team has a rich history and is well-known for its iconic helmets. The gold in the paint of these helmets has traditionally been made from gold leaf and gold dust, which is the same gold that covers the golden dome atop the Main Building of the university.
Over the years, the colour of the helmets has varied, with some fans noting that the gold had become pale and dim, almost white. In 2011, the university introduced a new set of helmets with a new, brighter, shinier gold colour, courtesy of Hydro Graphics Inc. This change was driven by head coach Brian Kelly and athletic director Jack Swarbrick, who wanted a more impactful golden colour. The new shade of gold was created after an extensive process, with over 12 different versions tested. The final product included 23.9-karat gold flakes, ensuring a consistent golden hue.
The introduction of the new helmets also meant the end of a long-standing tradition of student managers painting the helmets each week. The new paint process was so intricate that it could not be replicated by the university, requiring the expertise of Hydro Graphics Inc. While some lamented the loss of tradition, the new helmets were praised for their sharp look and shine, creating a buzz among fans and sports enthusiasts.
The new gold standard for the Notre Dame helmets was a significant evolution in the team's iconic style, providing a more consistent and vibrant look that lived up to the university's golden legacy. The process of creating these helmets showcases the attention to detail and the pursuit of excellence that goes into every aspect of the Notre Dame football programme.
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The gold paint would chip off after one solid hit each game
The Notre Dame football team has a long tradition of painting their helmets with gold leaf and gold flakes. The gold used is 23.9-karat gold, and the tradition dates back decades. The gold leaf was sourced from the Golden Dome atop the University's Main Building, which was regilded around ten times in 131 years. When the gold was removed, it was mixed in with the paint used on the helmets.
However, the gold paint had a tendency to chip off easily. It is described as having chipped "after one solid hit each game". This issue persisted for years, and the colour was often inconsistent, with some helmets appearing pale or dim, and others having a chrome-like finish. This problem was eventually addressed in 2011, when the team debuted new, brighter, shinier helmets.
The new helmets were introduced to create a more consistent look from helmet to helmet and week to week. The new paint process was so detailed that it could not be replicated weekly by the student managers, bringing an end to the tradition of repainting the helmets each week. The new helmets were created by Hydro Graphics Inc., an Oregon-based company, and were designed to match the colour of the Golden Dome more closely.
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The new helmets are shinier and brighter
The Notre Dame football team has a rich history and is known for its iconic helmets. The gold and paint on the helmets have been a topic of debate for years, with fans and the athletic department expressing dissatisfaction with the colour. The helmets had become so pale that they almost looked white, and the gold paint would chip off after a single hit during a game.
In 2011, the team debuted new helmets that were brighter and shinier, thanks to a collaboration with Hydro Graphics Inc., an Oregon-based company. The new helmets featured a more impactful golden colour, and the tradition of including 23.9-karat gold flakes in the paint was continued. These gold flakes were collected from the Golden Dome that sits atop the University's Main Building during the regilding process. This change ensured that the helmets were a closer match to the Golden Dome's colour, providing a consistent look from helmet to helmet and week to week.
The new paint process is highly detailed and cannot be easily replicated, making it impossible to apply fresh paint each week. As a result, the tradition of student managers painting the helmets each week came to an end. While some lamented the loss of this tradition, the new helmets delivered a superior aesthetic with their reflective gold particles, enhancing the mystique surrounding the team.
The introduction of the new helmets was a well-thought-out decision, sacrificing a long-standing tradition for a more consistent and visually appealing look. The Notre Dame football team prioritised a superior helmet appearance, ensuring that their helmets stood out and maintained their status as iconic symbols of the team's excellence.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the tradition of student managers painting the helmets each week has been discontinued. The new paint process is so detailed that it cannot be duplicated by Notre Dame, so it is impossible to be applied each week.
The football staff, along with Notre Dame Athletics Director Jack Swarbrick and head coach Brian Kelly, felt it was more important to get the colour correct. The new helmets provide a consistent look from helmet to helmet and week to week.
The new paint process includes 23.9-karat gold flakes from the Golden Dome that sits atop the University's Main Building. The gold flakes are collected when the dome is regilded and included in the painting process by Hydro Graphics Inc.
