The Monogram Club presented former Notre Dame softball head coach, and honorary Monogram Club member, Deanna Gumpf with the Jesse Harper Award on April 4. The surprise presentation took place during an on-campus event celebrating Gumpf’s record-setting career at Notre Dame. Several of Gumpf’s former players along with her family, friends and members of the Notre Dame athletics community were in attendance.
The Jesse Harper Award recognizes Monogram Club members who have demonstrated a committed involvement with the Notre Dame Athletics Department and University. Former Fighting Irish softball student-athletes, and current Monogram Club board members, Sara Allen ’06 and Linda Wilson ’09 presented the award to their former coach. Gumpf is the first female recipient of the Jesse Harper Award and the seventh overall.
Gumpf spent 23 seasons leading the Fighting Irish softball program and compiled 882 victories, which are the most for any head coach in the history of Notre Dame athletics. She guided the Irish to the NCAA tournament in 21 of 22 seasons it was held (2020 postseason canceled due to COVID). Under Gumpf, Notre Dame won seven BIG EAST regular-season championships and four conference tournament titles. The success continued after the Fighting Irish moved to the ACC, which is one of the country’s top softball conferences. Gumpf and the Irish qualified for the ACC tournament every season and finished as the runner-up on two occasions.
The Notre Dame coaching staff earned nine prominent honors during Gumpf’s tenure. They were tabbed as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Mideast Region Coaching Staff of the Year in 2002 and 2004, the NFCA Mid-Atlantic Region Coaching Staff of the Year in 2014, 2016 and 2017 (co), and the BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year in 2002, 2004, 2011 and 2013.
During Gumpf’s tenure, 15 different Notre Dame student-athletes earned NFCA All-America honors. The Fighting Irish also had 103 NFCA all-region performers, eight conference players of the year, four conference pitchers of the year, two conference freshman of the year selections, 132 all-conference recipients and four USA Softball National Player of the Year finalists.
Along with her numerous coaching accomplishments, Gumpf has had an incredible impact in the local community. The softball program has received the Notre Dame Trophy Award, presented to a varsity athletics team exhibiting excellence in community service, seven of the last eight years, thanks primarily to the success of the program’s Strikeout Cancer initiative.
Established in 2011 in support of the Gumpf family after daughter Tatum was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the summer of 2010, proceeds from Strikeout Cancer benefit South Bend’s Memorial Children’s Hospital and children throughout the state of Indiana who have been diagnosed with cancer. Tatum has been in remission since the fall of 2012.
Gumpf’s time in the South Bend community is nearing 30 years. Prior to being named head coach, Gumpf spent four seasons as an assistant coach on the Fighting Irish staff under head coach Liz Miller (honorary). The Monogram Club presented Gumpf with an honorary Monogram in 2011.
About the Jesse Harper Award
The Notre Dame Monogram Club established the Jesse Harper Award during its 100th anniversary in 2016 as a way to continue to highlight the great accomplishments of its members. The award recognizes Monogram Club members who have demonstrated a committed involvement with the Notre Dame Athletics Department and University.
Recipients of the award shall be a Monogram Club member and exhibit one or more of the following:
• Exemplary performance in the spirit and ideals of the University of Notre Dame
• Demonstration of responsibility to and concern for his/her community
• Extraordinary commitment and involvement with youth
• Outstanding achievement in his/her post-Notre Dame career
The award bears Harper’s name as a way to recognize his many contributions to Notre Dame. Harper coached football (1913-17), basketball (1913-18) and baseball (1914-18) at Notre Dame in addition to serving two stints (1913-17, 1931-33) as the University’s athletics director. Harper holds a very special place in the rich history of the Monogram Club as he, along with Knute Rockne, founded the Club in 1916. Recipients of the Jesse Harper Award will reflect Harper’s dedication and commitment to Notre Dame, its athletics department and its student-athletes. Click here for a full list of Jesse Harper Award recipients.
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