EVENTS IN SOUTH BEND
State: Indiana
County: St. Joseph
Population: 101,168 (2010)
Time Zone: Eastern
Top Venues: Morris Performing Arts Center, Notre Dame Stadium
Teams: Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame is and likely always will be the big draw in South Bend, named for being on the southernmost bend of the St. Joseph’s River. There is a certain prestige that comes along with the program, and attending a game at Notre Dame Stadium is like no other experience in sport. Knute Rockne, the Four Horseman and seven Heisman Trophy winners are just part of what makes Notre Dame the most interesting and polarizing football team in collegiate football. The other part is their 11 national championships.
Notre Dame is very successful in other sports as well, with men’s basketball reaching the NCAA tournament 32 times and the women’s team reaching the final four in 2011 and 2012 and winning a national title in 2001. The university is the biggest employer in the city of South Bend and brings a large amount of tourism to the area.
Notre Dame isn’t the only game in town however, as the South Bend Silver Hawks have played in Coveleski Stadium since 1998. Currently a Single-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Silver Hawks have won five league titles and have seen players such as Brandon Webb and Justin Upton take the field.
Outside of sports, the Morris Performing Arts center hosts concerts, theatre and stand-up comedy from the biggest names in entertainment. The Morris PAC will feature performances from Steve Miller Band and Jerry Seinfeld in the summer of 2012.