Pete Bevacqua on a Changing Era for College Athletics (Ep. 49)

At Notre Dame, “choose hard” has become more than a mantra for the football team. It speaks to something deeply rooted at this University: the belief that the more demanding path is often the one most worth pursuing. As the Fighting Irish prepare to open the season against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, that sense of purpose is once again bringing the Notre Dame family together.In this episode of For Good, Pete Bevacqua, the James E. Rohr Director of Athletics, shares how the “choose hard” mindset is shaping Notre Dame Athletics at a pivotal moment in college sports—from preserving Notre Dame’s distinctive independence to making transformational investments in the student-athlete experience, facilities, and partnerships.Join us as Pete reflects on the extraordinary convening power of Notre Dame Athletics, the inspiring young people at the heart of its programs, and why, amid all the uncertainty surrounding college sports, he remains hopeful about what comes next.Give the gift of Notre Dame: https://giveto.nd.edu/give?NDAC=10013&designation=notredamefund 00:00 — Notre Dame, College Athletics, and More, with Pete Bevacqua04:03 — Navigating a New Era in College Athletics11:02 — Rethinking the College Football Playoff18:11 — Inside the New Shields Family Hall25:40 — Why Notre Dame Partnered with SoFi32:02 — What Makes Marcus Freeman Special35:44 — Joining the NCAA Men’s Basketball Selection Committee37:01 — The Enduring Value of College Athletics at Notre Dame