Football Coach. He was innovative during his coaching career at the University of Notre Dame when football was still in its infancy, and was the first coach to initiate intersectional rivalries and build a national schedule. His record and legacy have never been duplicated. During 13 years as head coach, his teams collected 105 victories, 12 losses, 5 ties, and 6 national championships with five undefeated seasons. On vacation after the 1930 season, he decided to go to Los Angeles on a business trip. He boarded a Transcontinental-Western flight from Kansas City. Shortly after takeoff, the plane encountered a storm and all eight on board were killed as the plane crashed in a rural area near Bazaar, Kansas. The crew and passengers were aware of their fate. When his body was recovered, Rockne had a rosary clutched in his hand. His funeral service was held at Sacred Heart Church located on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. His body lay in state at his home on Wayne Street, and the procession to the church was witnessed by some 300,000 mourners. Upon arrival at Highland Cemetery in South Bend, six of his players from the previous year (Marty Brill, Tom Yarr, Frank Carideo, Marchy Schwartz, Tom Conley, and Larry Mullins) carried him to his final resting place.
Football Coach. He was innovative during his coaching career at the University of Notre Dame when football was still in its infancy, and was the first coach to initiate intersectional rivalries and build a national schedule. His record and legacy have never been duplicated. During 13 years as head coach, his teams collected 105 victories, 12 losses, 5 ties, and 6 national championships with five undefeated seasons. On vacation after the 1930 season, he decided to go to Los Angeles on a business trip. He boarded a Transcontinental-Western flight from Kansas City. Shortly after takeoff, the plane encountered a storm and all eight on board were killed as the plane crashed in a rural area near Bazaar, Kansas. The crew and passengers were aware of their fate. When his body was recovered, Rockne had a rosary clutched in his hand. His funeral service was held at Sacred Heart Church located on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. His body lay in state at his home on Wayne Street, and the procession to the church was witnessed by some 300,000 mourners. Upon arrival at Highland Cemetery in South Bend, six of his players from the previous year (Marty Brill, Tom Yarr, Frank Carideo, Marchy Schwartz, Tom Conley, and Larry Mullins) carried him to his final resting place.
Bio by: Donald Greyfield
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FATHER
Family Members
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Lars Knutson Rockne
1861–1912
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Martha P. Gjermo Rockne
1859–1944
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Bonnie Gwendoline Skiles Rockne
1891–1956 (m. 1915)
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Anne L. Rockne Leggett
1884–1963
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Martha Rockne Stiles
1890–1974
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Louise P. Rockne
1894–1959
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Florence Jeanette Rockne Fairfield
1899–1967
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William Dorais Rockne
1915–1960
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Knute Lars Rockne
1918–1988
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Mary Jeanne Rockne Kochendorfer
1920–1992
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John Vincent Rockne
1926–2008
Flowers
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