This winter there was one issue of succession more anticipated than who is to follow Logan Roy. The service of 2021 Notre Dame lacrosse player bagpiper, Tommy McNamara, ended last spring, and the question remained as to who he would choose as his successor.  The team has been led on the field each game by a player-bagpiper continuously for twenty-six years. It is one of the great traditions of the University of Notre Dame and of college lacrosse. It’s time to introduce our next bagpiper!

The line of succession

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

It begins 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 passed it on to Regis McDermott, who, in turn, passed it to Colt Power.  Power handed the duty to Ryan Mix, who then handed it to Eddie Glazener.  Eddie chose Will Young to carry on the tradition, who followed it faithfully until choosing Tommy McNamara, who served for three years until his graduation from the Mendoza School last year.

Now, Tommy McNamara has selected sophomore defenseman #27 Ross Burgmaster, whose duty it shall be to lead the team onto the field for the remainder of his time at Notre Dame, at which time he, too, shall chose his successor.

The tradition said simply

The team is led on the field onto the field by a teammate playing the bagpipes.  “Scotland the Brave” is the entrance song (although we have heard others), and this signals to the players it is go time. The 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. Then he has the responsibility of choosing the next bagpiper.  So it has gone for twenty-six years.

Introducing the new player bagpiper, Ross Burgmaster

Ross is a sophomore defenseman from Auburn, NY.  Ross comes from a lacrosse family, with two older brothers who have also played at the Division 1 level. He played in all 12 games of the Notre Dame 2021 season, a great accomplishment for a freshman.

He was also a great hockey player in high school, where he showed a lot of the attributes that make him a great lacrosse defenseman.

Ross graciously answered our questions about becoming the team bagpiper:

  • Will Young was asked by Eddie Glazener, and Will in turn asked Tommy. How did you feel when you were chosen to be the next bagpiper?It is an honor and a privilege to lead our team out with the bagpipes. I knew it was a difficult instrument to learn, but I was excited for the challenge. Through the ups and downs, my teammates have been a big motivation for me to honor the tradition.
  • How often do you practice playing the bagpipes and do you receive any instruction?I practice the bagpipes as often as possible, at least every other day. Usually, I practice the pipes in our locker room after a team practice or lift. When I first started, I received instruction from an elder woman named Betsy Buchanan back home in Auburn, NY. I am grateful for Betsy’s generosity and expertise, as she spent many hours helping me learn the basics. YouTube videos have also helped me.
  • Are you nervous about playing them at the first game this season?For sure.
  • Have you been able to talk to any of the past bagpipers about the experience and have any reached out to you to offer advice?Yes. Tommy has been helpful along the way. I have asked him a lot of questions. I talked to Eddie when he visited in the fall. He gave me some advice to practice as much as possible and told me, “just don’t suck,” so there’s that. All jokes aside, the bagpiper is responsible to figure it out – it’s all part of the tradition.
  • Quint Kessenich has been known to pick on the bagpipers from time to time on ESPN’s broadcast of Notre Dame games. Have you thought about how you will respond and are you ready for the attention?Haha no, I haven’t thought about it.
  • Last season, you played a lot as a freshman, showing the fans that the coaches had a lot of faith in your abilities. What advice can you give young defensemen to help them put themselves in a position to earn similar responsibilities?My advice to younger defensemen is to find creative ways to get better and have fun doing it. I have narrowed it down to five aspects I think are most important to emphasize:
  1. Be coachable: respect your coaches and listen to what they are teaching you.
  2. Defensive fundamentals: both on-ball and off-ball. Fundamentals are key at the next level. Find drills on Youtube for individual practice.
  3. Communication: Even if what you are saying is wrong, you and your teammates know what you are thinking and can learn from your mistakes. TALK!
  4. Watch film: Turn a game on TV and pick a singular defenseman to follow. Watch his every move (especially off-ball) and learn from him.
  5. Have fun and cherish the moment: The game introduces you to lifelong friendships & experiences. Take time to sit back and enjoy the moment, and never take an opportunity for granted!

Thank you, Ross!  We will all enjoy seeing you leading the team onto the field and carrying on the bagpiper tradition.

Up Next

The Fighting Irish open their season at home against the Detroit Mercy Titans this Saturday, February 19, at 7:00 p.m. (ACCNX).  They will be led onto the field Ross Burgmaster for the first time. Entrance is free of charge!

 

#GoIrish