Notre Dame College announced yesterday that it will close after the spring semester. The small private college in South Euclid, Ohio has been facing some financial troubles, and has no other choice but to close its doors. The school had tried to several measures to remain in operation, but nothing solidified. So after 100 years of educating students, the school will host it’s final graduating class ever this spring.
While the move to close Notre Dame College will affect all students, it has a big impact on the football team. The Falcons just signed 17 recruits earlier this month, and now those players will have to find a new place to go to school and play college football. In total, 90 players from the school will be eligible to enter the transfer portal.
The Falcons began their football program in 2009. In that time, they won four MEC titles, and went to the NCAA DII Football semi finals in 2018. Losing the Falcons is also a blow to the MEC as they lose one of its more successful college football programs. The conference will now go back down to ten teams.
The last game ever played at Mueller Field will be go down as a 28-25 victory against Wheeling University. If there can be a bright spot in this situation, I guess that would be it. The Falcons also played a historic game against West Virginia Wesleyan at home in 2023 in a 87-9 blowout against the Bobcats.
It’s a shame to see the prestigious college shutting down. They’ve made some historical strides during their existence. Notre Dame College started out as an all-women’s intstitution in 1922, and remained that way until 2001. But as one door closes, another one will open. Football players and coaching staff alike now have to act quickly to work on their next chapter.