Domers: A Year at Notre Dame

by Kevin Coyne

What is it about Notre Dame that has, since its founding 150 years ago, made it such a mythic place in the American imagination? To find out, Kevin Coyne spent a year there, going to all the football games but staying for all the other days too - from freshmen orientation to graduation. In between he attended classes, masses, pep rallies, and parties; hung out with virtually every group of students on campus - from pre-meds to ardent pro-life activists to varsity football players to budding philosophers.

Coyne was also a fly on the wall as the faculty debated "whither Notre Dame?" and its academic future; he sat in on the previously sacrosanct trustee meetings, to which no outsider had ever been admitted; and he spent time with the university's president debating how Notre Dame can uphold, in these cynical times, its belief that a "true education integrates faith and reason."

Genres: Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Kevin Coyne was a singer, composer, writer and painter. The former Virgin Records "anti-star" was born January 27th 1944 in Derby, UK; he died in his adopted home of Nuremberg, Germany, December 2nd 2004.

"A national treasure who keeps getting better"

Reviews

[Candice · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a Domer, I think I am supposed to like this book . . . but I felt there was nothing about it that spoke to the truly amazing facets of the place, the institution, and the people of Notre Dame that I love so much. It was dry and frankly, difficult for me to get through. I read it just after graduation, when I was homesick for my home away from home, and I never once got the sense of place from the book that I had being there. I worried about the people who would read this book and think that was Notre Dame to a tee. But then again, I don't think any outsider could ever truly define or understand what it means to be a Domer, and maybe that's kind of the point.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was in college, the question went around "What one book should I read if I want to understand you?" and my answer, once I came up with one, was Domers. Coyne was on campus and involved in every way possible throughout the 1992-93 school year, and these are his keen insights and reflections. He covers the Dome, football, dorm masses, the Basilica, Father Hesburgh, interhall sports, chemical engineering, ROTC, and everything in between in a valiant—and successful, I think—effort to capture the spirit of my beloved alma mater. This is the first time I've read it since graduating in May of 2002 and it still strikes a wondrous, magical chord with me. If you want to know me, know my school. If you want to know my school, and most especially its beautiful and indomitable spirit, read this book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

ND is a wonderful, unique place--and I realize outsiders find some aspects of our "college experience", well, a little wacky at times...say no more. Coyne does a good job of accurately explaining the ND mystique. In particular, he does an excellent job describing several of our many eccentricities in a relatively objective manner. He can be harsh about some things, but there's not one part of the book that I found exagerrated, dishonest, or unfair.

Overall, reading (and rereading) "Domers" just makes me happy!

[Dan Myers · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is getting a little dated now, but it's a great quasi-insider view of the life of undergraduates at Notre Dame. Really ought to be required reading for new faculty (in fact, when I was chairing the department of sociology at ND, I bought for all my new people). Demystifies some of the domer-doings, and further mystifies others!

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

TERRIFIC. It's a must read for students, prospectives, fans, alumni, detractors, USC fans, or anyone who who has ever puzzled over the fervor/intense loyalty/mystique of ND. This book explains it all.

[Julianne Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very true to my experience there. Fun to learn more about the university's history and traditions!