College lacrosse has a wonderful history of traditions. In recent years, the one that has come to be most associated with the spirit of men’s college lacrosse it that of the Notre Dame player-bagpiper. This year the tradition continues with a new wrinkle, but let us first recount the story of the bagpiper and speak with the player with the honor and responsibility of adding a new chapter.

The lore

This is the written account of the line of the team bagpiper:

It began in 1996 with Sean Meehan, who first led the team onto the field. Sean chose Chad DeBolt, who played until he passed on the tradition to Dan Hickey. Dan presented the bagpipes to Regis McDermott, who, in turn, passed them to Colt Power. Power handed the duty to Ryan Mix, who then appointed Eddie Glazener. Eddie chose Will Young, who followed it faithfully until selecting Tommy McNamara, who after his time nominated Ross Burgmaster. Ross had the unique privilege of being joined as the team bagpiper by Brian Tevlin. Ross and Brian together heralded the Fighting Irish’s first national championship in 2023.

As is his duty, Ross Burgmaster selected the next piper to bring in the next year of this great tradition, senior midfielder #24 Ben Ramsey. It shall be Ben’s duty to lead the team onto the field during his final year at the school, after which he will choose the next in line.

credit: Fred Assaf

The tradition put simply

The team is led onto the field every game by a teammate playing the bagpipes. “Scotland the Brave” is the customary entrance song (although we have heard others), and this signals to the players and fans that it is time to get serious. The team bagpiper is chosen by the previous team bagpiper, and it is the new bagpiper’s responsibility to learn the instrument and carry on the duties until his time at Notre Dame is over. He then has the responsibility of choosing the next bagpiper. So it has gone for thirty years.

Introducing Ben Ramsey, team bagpiper

Ramsey is a senior midfielder at the University of Notre Dame. Ben primarily plays the short-stick defensive midfielder (SSDM) role. But he is no ordinary player.  Ben is a two-time USILA All-American, an Inside Lacrosse All-American, a member 2024 NCAA All-Tournament Team, a member of the All-ACC Team,  a selection in every 2025 preseason All-American team, and has been placed on the 2025 Tewaaraton Award watch list, the Heisman Trophy of lacrosse. Ben is also a captain of this Notre Dame lacrosse team.

Ben is from from Palo Alto, California. He has played in every game the Irish have had since he stepped on campus (12 his Freshman year, 16 his sophomore year, and 17 his junior year). During his time on the team he has been a huge asset on defense, totaling 26 caused turnovers and accumulating 65 ground balls. He is also a notable scoring threat, having landed 9 goals and 4 assists from his primarily defensive role.

Our 18 Stripes conversation with the new lacrosse bagpiper!

Ross Burgmaster added a new wrinkle to the story of the bagpiper. In this tradition, the pipes are simply given to a player, typically an underclassman, at the end of the season. The player then has the duty and honor to learn the instrument, to grow into the role, and to serve for many years. Ross looked at the responsibility differently. He designated a senior captain. A player who would only lead with the bagpipes for one year, but who would lead from the front in all ways. This year an underclassman will not have to bear the what can be a difficult burden for a young player (the bagpipes are a difficult instrument).  The challenge will go to a senior.

This is a fascinating new feature of this tradition that has fans excited. Ben Ramsey took the time to answer our questions about this honor:

Tommy McNamara was asked by Will Young, and Tommy asked Ross Burgmaster. You were chosen next by Ross, but your circumstances seem very unique in the nearly three decade history of this tradition. How did you, as a senior, come to be selected?

I am humbled by Ross’ decision to ask me for two reasons. Firstly, Ross mentioned that he knew I would take the job seriously. Secondly, Ross said that he thought it would be cool to switch it up because he found that having the bagpipes for three years is a long time. He essentially wanted to allow some of the younger guys to have more time to develop before they received the pipes. 

How hard has it been to learn to play the bagpipes and have you received any instruction?

It has been a very cool learning experience. It has been so similar to sports but also so different, as the dynamics of music is a completely foreign concept to me. I reached out to the Notre Dame Bagpipe Club for help, and the head of the club, Sebastian Benedetto, offered to give me lessons. So I worked with him twice a week for most of the fall to learn the bagpipes from the ground up.

The fans love the tradition and the piper gets singled out quite a bit on the television broadcasts. Are you nervous about playing and leading the team for the first time this season?

I am really excited for the whole experience but I am definitely nervous. Funny enough some of my preparation recently got put on hold because I picked up an injury. Thankfully I am back to playing now and was already in a good spot. I am honored to be able to carry on this tradition and can’t wait to get the season started. 

We noticed at the National Championship weekend that the community of Notre Dame Lacrosse bagpipers is very close.  What advice have they given you?

They have been amazing. They mainly have just been really supportive and willing to answer any questions. They have been there to just help with the process of learning and building the skills and lung strength to get ready to play.

We remember you being a versatile midfielder as a high school player. How did it come about that you became a near full-time SSDM for the Irish?

I had a feeling that I would be put at SSDM when I came into college as I knew that was a typical route for a freshman midfielder like me. I was also willing to do whatever they asked of me as a freshman and when that ended up being SSDM I really bought into the role and I ended up being pretty good at it.

The Notre Dame roster is quite long, and casual fans don’t have the opportunity to get to know everyone who makes the team what it is. Who do you think the fans should be prepared to know because you think they will have a breakout year, and which of your teammates, whose importance may be on the practice field and far from the spotlight of gameday, do you want the fans to know about?

I think Notre Dame fans should be on the lookout for Will Maheras. He has been playing really well at the offensive midfield position and I am really excited to see what he does. Michael Ridgeway is a guy who may or may not see playing time but throughout my four years has helped me so much as a SSDM. We often are matched up in practice and he has consistently challenged me to be better because he is such a competitor and team focused guy. His passion for helping the team has been amazing this year and I can’t thank him enough for his hard work. 

You have played a big role on the team since your freshman year. Do you have any advice for younger players hoping to have the same success?

My biggest advice is to fully buy-in to whatever role you are placed in when you arrive on campus. Obviously we all have ambitions, but no matter what role you are in, we are all able to contribute in extremely valuable ways. Other advice I would give is to simplify your life as much as possible so that early in your career you can place most of your focus on athletics and academics. 

Thank you, Ben, for taking the time to speak with us!

Ben and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish open their season at home hosting Cleveland State, Wednesday, February 12 at 6:00 pm (ACCNX).

 

Last note:  CityLax, a wonderful lacrosse program helping kids in NYC is being sponsored this year by Irish players Chris Kavanagh and Shawn Lyght.  Please consider helping their good work!  donate

ND-ATL 2.0