Gift Endows Notre Dame Coach Position

(L to R) Patrick

A gift from a University of Notre Dame alumnus and his wife has allowed the school to endow its men’s tennis head coach position. The university says the $3 million gift from John and Kim Callaghan will provide stability for the program.

John Callaghan graduated from Notre Dame in 1978 and serves on the University’s Advisory Council for the Student-Athlete. His two children also attended Notre Dame and his son, Patrick, was a four-year member of the tennis team.

"Kim and I and our children, Patrick and Katie, feel fortunate to be able to give back, in this way, to the University of Notre Dame for all of the opportunities it has provided us in our lives," said Callaghan. "Patrick’s experience during his four years on the tennis team under the mentorship of Coach (Bob) Bayliss and Coach Sachire provided lifelong skills that extended far beyond the tennis courts of the Eck Center. We recognize that endowing the men’s coaching position will ensure the same mentoring experience for all men’s tennis student athletes in the future."

Ryan Sachire, who currently leads the Fighting Irish’s men’s tennis team, is the first official Callaghan Family Head Men’s Tennis Coach. 

"Any gift of this magnitude to the University is incredibly special, but the personal connection with John and Kim’s son Patrick, being a relatively recent men’s tennis student-athlete, makes this particular gesture unique and humbling," said Sachire. "I can’t thank them enough for this gift to our program, as it will continue to ensure that future members of the men’s tennis team will have the opportunity to pursue excellence on the court and in the classroom, and ultimately develop into tremendous leaders during their time at Notre Dame."