NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame cheerleading program announced its Leprechaun lineup for the 2022-23 school year on Monday, following a tryout last week.
Seniors Jake House and Jamison Cook, junior Ryan Coury, and sophomore Colin Mahoney were selected to don the green suit and Irish country hat next season. All four will be entering the role for the first time next year.
“Our staff is really looking forward to watching this next group of students grow as they portray the role of the Leprechaun,” head coach Delayna Myers said. “They are truly a great group and will represent our program well. I know they can’t wait to spread joy in our community!”
The 2022 tryouts resumed a more normal format, returning to the Pit in the Joyce Center for the first time since 2019.
RYAN COURY
Coury, a rising junior living in Dillon Hall, was selected to the Leprechaun class after his first tryout.
“Growing up, watching Notre Dame Football with my dad was the highlight of every autumn weekend, whether that be in South Bend or on TV,” Coury said. “Now, being able to impact that experience for the better means more than words can appropriately describe.”
The Finance major from Phoenix, Arizona, worked as a cameraperson for Fighting Irish Media and seeing the Leprechauns and cheer team’s integration into Athletics events was his inspiration to try out.
“At the end of the day, I simply love Notre Dame Athletics and wanted to give others a reason to do the same,” Coury said. “I spent the better part of last year working camera for our teams’ broadcasts and ultimately realized it’s a lot easier to rile a crowd up without a lens on your right shoulder.”
COLIN MAHONEY
Colin Mahoney, a rising sophomore from Omaha, Nebraska, is most looking forward to interacting with fans from varied backgrounds and bringing once-in-a-lifetime experiences to the Notre Dame family.
“In high school, I led my school’s student section, The Birdcage, which allowed me to realize my lively passion for school spirit,” Mahoney said. “I wanted to use my enthusiasm for athletics to advance Fr. Sorin’s mission for Notre Dame to be a powerful force for good in the world, and the Leprechaun role was the perfect opportunity to do so.”
Mahoney, a resident of Duncan Hall, is a Finance and ACMS major, has participated in the Notre Dame Investment Club, has served as Duncan Hall’s Liturgical Commissioner, and was a member of the Leprechaun Legion.
“It means an incredible deal to be entrusted as an ambassador for the university and to actively shape her identity within the community and across the globe,” Mahoney said.
JAKE HOUSE
House, a rising senior, was selected to portray the Leprechaun after serving as part of the Notre Dame Cheerleading team. The White Lake, Michigan, native, who flew back from his study abroad experience in Spain for the weekend to participate in the tryout, is part of the NROTC, the Naval Reserve officer training corps.
“Being the Leprechaun is a chance to welcome people into the Notre Dame community and show them what makes this place so special,” House said. “I was inspired to be the Leprechaun by the Leprechauns that came before. They have all been model Notre Dame students and great friends to everyone they meet.”
House, a resident of Dunne Hall, is a Romance Languages and Literatures major, who has visited 41 states and speaks three languages.
JAMISON COOK
Cook, a Marketing major with a minor in Journalism, Ethics, and Democracy, is a rising senior and will portray the Leprechaun next year after writing for the Observer and participating in interhall sports and the Leprechaun Legion.
“I tried out because I wanted the chance to welcome people to the University and show them what Notre Dame is all about,” Cook said. “I needed that nudge in the right direction when choosing a college and hope to do the same for others, whether its prospective students or student-athletes.”
Cook, a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, currently resides in Dunne Hall and has never lost a Wordle.
FOLLOW THE JOURNEY OF THE 2022-23 CLASS OF LEPRECHAUNS BY CHECKING OUT @NDTHELEPRECHAUN ON TWITTER AND @ND_THELEPRECHAUN ON INSTAGRAM.
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