During Saturday’s Celebration of the life of former assistant coach Buckie Leach, the Notre Dame Fencing team announced it would dedicate the 2021-2022 season to his memory, and unveiled the memorial patch the team would wear in his honor:
Designed by Notre Dame Athletics’ Creative and Brand Program Director Tim O’Connor, the patch features Leach’s signature gold lamé blazer, worn especially to celebrate NCAA Championships, of which the Irish won three in his five seasons with the program.
“Buckie meant so much to all of us here at Notre Dame Fencing,” said Irish Head Coach Gia Kvaratskhelia. “He epitomized what the word ‘care’ means – he cared for the athletes’ health, well-being, and development as people. This is on top of his incredible professional accomplishments. We are honored to dedicate this season to Buckie and wear this symbol that so perfectly captures his spirit.”
“I was honored to be asked by the Fencing program to collaborate on this project,” said O’Connor. “I know how much Coach Leach meant to the program and to the larger fencing community. In learning more about him, I was struck by a story of him showing up at a team event wearing a gold lamé blazer. I thought that was a cool way to speak, graphically, to his personality. Hopefully, a few people will see this patch and it will bring a smile to their face.”
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