Dillon Hall (University of Notre Dame)

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Dillon Hall
Dillon Hall

Motto: It's OK to be Jealous
Established: 1931
Type: Residence Hall
Rector: Rev. Paul Doyle, CSC
Location: Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
Campus: South Quad
Undergraduate residents: 334
Colors: Red/Black
Mascot: Big Red, Princess Javelina
Website: Dillon Hall Website

Dillon Hall is one of the 27 Residence Halls on the campus of the University of Notre Dame and one of the 14 male dorms. Dillon is located directly west of Alumni Hall and is directly adjacent to South Dining Hall on the west. Dillon houses 334 undergraduate students.

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[edit] History

Dillon Hall is the largest Dormitory on the University of Notre Dame campus with around 340 residents. Named after Fr. Patrick Dillon, CSC, the Hall was completed in 1931. Dillon's chapel is dedicated to Knute Rockne's patron saint, St. Olaf.

Dillon Hall is known as "The Big Red," and few know from where the name comes. In fact, the dorm moniker used to be "the Big D," but when this title began to take on less-than-desirable connotations, the name was changed to "The Big Red," after the dorm's official color.

Dillon's main rival in recsports events has always been Alumni Hall, situated directly next door to Dillon. The Pinnacle of this rivalry is in mid Fall when both dorms sponsor Rivalry Week, a multievent competition to see which dorm is better. The week culminates in the Big Red Dawg Dance, where the winner of Rivalry Week is announced.

Dillon's signature event of every year is the Dillon Hall Pep Rally. The pep rally is a comedy/variety show performed outside of Dillon the Thursday before the first home football game of the fall. Former Dillon Hall resident and 2001 graduate, Joseph "Crackhead" Parker's antics of smashing plates over his head has become an annual tradition and beloved spetacle at the event.

As early as the 70s, Dillon had a tradition of shouting "Alumni Sucks." This was suppressed by the administration and almost disappeared. In 1999, however, Tony Rice spoke at the Dillon Pep Rally and shouted "Alumni," to which the men responded "sucks!" From that point on, it became anathema to use the chant anymore.

[edit] Current Rector

Dillon Hall's main entrance
Dillon Hall's main entrance

Fr. Paul Doyle, CSC is the current rector of Dillon Hall, assuming the position in 1997. A benevolent southerner from Lynchburg, Virginia, Fr. Doyle was ordained a Holy Cross priest in 1977. Prior to his appointment as rector. Fr. Doyle had such positions as Director of Old College, Notre Dame's residence for men considering the priesthood, as well as Assistant Superior of Moreau Seminary. From 1980-1985, he also served as pastor of the St Joseph's parish in South Bend. He is also the current chaplain for home football games.

[edit] Past Rectors

Prior to Fr. Paul Doyle, CSC serving as rector, Fr. Joseph Carey was rector. In the 1980s, Fr. Mark Poorman served as Rector.

[edit] Famous Residents

Famous residents, past and present, include:

A number of other football players lived in Dillon Hall, including defensive tackle Derek Landri of the Jacksonville Jaguars, tight end Anthony Fasano of the Dallas Cowboys, defensive back Ambrose Wooden, defensive lineman Trevor Laws, defensive lineman Victor Abiamiri of the Philadelphia Eagles, offensive lineman John Sullivan, and punter/kicker DJ Fitzpatrick.

[edit] References


[edit] External links