Crystal
Hand-cut Irish crystal bowl, manufactured by Dublin Crystal in Dublin, Ireland
Irish Crystal & California Redwood
The Trophy
A work of art that embodies the spirit of two great universities.
Craftsmanship
Design & Construction
The Legends Trophy consists of Irish crystal and California redwood, representing the familiar symbols of the universities. Dublin Crystal manufactured the Irish crystal bowl in Dublin, Ireland, engraving on opposite sides of the bowl the block 'ND' and the block 'S'.
The three-tier redwood base includes brass plaques commemorating the score of each game played since 1925. Each year after the game, a new plaque is added to the base — a permanent record of the rivalry etched in brass.
Craftsmanship
Materials & Construction
Wood
Three-tier California redwood base, representing Stanford's home state
Engravings
Block 'ND' and block 'S' engraved on opposite sides of the crystal bowl
Plaques
Brass plaques on the base record the score of every game since 1925
Origin
Developed by the Notre Dame Alumni Clubs of Northern California
First Awarded
1989 — presented to Lou Holtz and Notre Dame after the football game
Legacy
More Than a Trophy
The importance of The Legends Trophy is perhaps best characterized when Tyrone Willingham kept it in his office while serving as Stanford's head coach. He reported that the purpose of the trophy was to impress potential Stanford football recruits as they sat in his office for an interview. He pointed to The Legends Trophy and said to the recruit: 'This is why you should come to Stanford; to beat Notre Dame.' That single story captures everything the trophy represents — not just a game, but a standard of excellence that both programs aspire to.
"This is why you should come to Stanford; to beat Notre Dame."
