Rockne Memorial
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About "The Rock"
The Rockne Memorial is the prominent semi-Gothic building that stands on the west side of campus on South Quad, covering nearly an acre of ground and providing many opportunities for recreational enjoyment. Even with the inception of Smith Center for Recreational Sports in 2018, Rockne is still a bustling stage for many forms of club sports, intramurals, fitness classes, aquatic instruction, and general recreation, as well as life-saving classes.
Dedicated to the memory of Notre Dame’s legendary football coach, Knute Rockne, the Rockne Memorial is one of the most complete recreational facilities on campus. Built in 1939 from the donations of alumni and friends of the University, Rockne Memorial provides recreational facilities for the students, faculty, staff, retirees, and their families. Amenities include a state-of-the-art cardio room, Olympic weight lifting space/platforms, 25-yard swimming pool and warm-up pool fit with observation decks, racquetball and squash courts, and locker rooms for men, women, and families. The upper level features a gymnasium, featuring two basketball courts. Finally, the main lobby of Rockne Memorial contains the athletic trophies and mementos accumulated by Notre Dame teams under Rockne and his successors, as well as a bronze bust of Rockne himself to greet patrons and campus visitors. The Friday before Game Day, many Notre Dame fans will visit Knute’s statue to rub his nose for good luck.
Why does the Rockne Memorial close for heat? That's a great question!
The Rockne Memorial Building was built in 1938 and does not have central air conditioning. Due to its beautiful terrazzo interior, and the location of the pool in the middle of the building, the Rockne retains heat exceptionally well. This is perfect for the cold South Bend winters, however, it also makes the temperatures inside the building climb during the summer months. Throughout the summer, RecSports staff diligently monitors the interior heat index of the building to ensure the safety of all staff and participants, and once that temperature gets too high, it is most important that we close the building for those same safety concerns.
We know that Rockne Memorial closing can be disappointing, and sometimes even disruptive to your workout routine. We appreciate your patience with us as we navigate heat waves and hot summer weather. If you're still looking to get some movement in your day, we encourage you to visit the Smith Center for Recreational Sports during our summer operating hours. Also know that even though we are closed, we continue to monitor the heat index inside the building so that when it becomes safe to play again, we can open as soon as possible.
Non-standard Hours
Modified Hours
Fall 2026
Mon-Thurs:
5:45 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Fri:
5:45 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sat:
9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sun:
Noon - 9:00 p.m.
Family Hours
Sat: 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sun: Noon - 4:00 p.m.
