Notre Dame: Sights from 2017 graduation ceremony

The University of Notre Dame saw plenty of athletes graduate this year in what was a memorable commencement ceremony in South Bend.

Despite a protest headlining graduation, many Notre Dame alumni can look back and remember all the great times they had in South Bend. For the athletes who pushed out four years at this incredible university, congratulations.

Whether they’re heading for the pros, a new school, or taking on a career field outside of sports, all athletes who finished their college career at Notre Dame have a bright future ahead. With an institution so high regarded on their resume, these men and women now enter the “real world” on as strong of a note as they could’ve.

From coaches, staff members, parents, and fans, everyone is thrilled to see these players who’ve we’ve fallen in love with on the field, finish their Notre Dame career on the best note possible. No matter how they contributed on the field, court, arena, or pool, they ended as well as any other athlete.

Now, as they enter the next chapter of their lives, Slap the Sign looks at all the wonderful men and women who have given fans the ride of a lifetime during their four years at the greatest university in the world.

Mike Brey let the world know what his seniors have done over the last four years. As members of two Elite Eight runs, an ACC Championship, and four years of chaos, Steve Vasturia, V.J. Beachem and Austin Torres head off to the real world with the support of every Notre Dame basketball fan.

Notre Dame football had plenty of graduates in 2017. After four years of some of the craziest events the Fighting Irish have gone through, these players leave with lifelong fans. Whether they’re heading to the NFL, full-time jobs, grad school, another the MLB, these men will forever be remembered by Irish fans of all generations.

Notre Dame lacrosse played in their quarterfinal NCAA Tournament game less than 24 hours before graduation. So, they got their own special recognition as they set off to face Denver. Despite the loss, these players will forever be remembered as some of the best athletes South Bend has seen.

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There were many more athletes who heard their name called and received their deplomas this weekend. From everyone here at Slap the Sign and Notre Dame fans all over the world, we’d like to wish each and every member of the 2017 class a big congratulations. We know there is nothing but the best in your future endeavors.