Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
For the past 20 years, millions of viewers tuning in for Notre Dame football games have been exposed to two-minute stories about Notre Dame's research impact. The "What Would You Fight For?" campaign, a partnership with NBC Sports, is the type of storytelling opportunity that most communicators can only dream about.
A panel moderated by NBC Sports host Mike Tirico explored reflections on the enduring influence of the stories and future evolution of this storytelling.
Panelists:
Rob Hyland - Coordinating Producer, NBC Sunday Night Football
Lindsay Schanzer '11 - Supervising Producer, NBC Sports
Meenal Datta - DeFlorio Collegiate Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Lauren Eglite '28 - Chemical Engineering Major
Chapters:
00:00:00 20 Years of What Would You Fight For?
00:02:12 Father Bob Dowd introduces Mike Tirico
00:06:47 Mike Tirico shares his history with Notre Dame
00:15:08 Mike Tirico introduces panelists Rob Hyland, Lindsay Schanzer, Professor Meenal Datta, and ND student Lauren Eglite
00:18:25 How did 'What Would You Fight For?' start?
00:20:44 The story behind 'Fighting to Cure Brain Cancer'
00:27:17 Why does the 'What Would You Fight For?' air at the end of halftime
00:28:45 ND student Lauren Eglite shares her personal connection to 'What Would You Fight For?'
00:36:49 What does it take to make a 'What Would You Fight For?' spot?
00:39:45 The challenge of telling research stories during a football game
00:42:31 Reaching stakeholders with research stories
00:44:24 What impact can Notre Dame have on the world?
00:45:49 What do these stories mean to alumni?
00:48:38 How do you send research to the International Space Station?
00:51:53 What does Notre Dame Football mean to 'What Would You Fight For?'
00:53:52 Audience Q&A
For the past 20 years, millions of viewers tuning in for Notre Dame football games have been exposed to two-minute stories about Notre Dame's research impact. The "What Would You Fight For?" campaign, a partnership with NBC Sports, is the type of storytelling opportunity that most communicators can only dream about.
A panel moderated by NBC Sports host Mike Tirico explored reflections on the enduring influence of the stories and future evolution of this storytelling.
Panelists:
Rob Hyland - Coordinating Producer, NBC Sunday Night Football
Lindsay Schanzer '11 - Supervising Producer, NBC Sports
Meenal Datta - DeFlorio Collegiate Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Lauren Eglite '28 - Chemical Engineering Major
Chapters:
00:00:00 20 Years of What Would You Fight For?
00:02:12 Father Bob Dowd introduces Mike Tirico
00:06:47 Mike Tirico shares his history with Notre Dame
00:15:08 Mike Tirico introduces panelists Rob Hyland, Lindsay Schanzer, Professor Meenal Datta, and ND student Lauren Eglite
00:18:25 How did 'What Would You Fight For?' start?
00:20:44 The story behind 'Fighting to Cure Brain Cancer'
00:27:17 Why does the 'What Would You Fight For?' air at the end of halftime
00:28:45 ND student Lauren Eglite shares her personal connection to 'What Would You Fight For?'
00:36:49 What does it take to make a 'What Would You Fight For?' spot?
00:39:45 The challenge of telling research stories during a football game
00:42:31 Reaching stakeholders with research stories
00:44:24 What impact can Notre Dame have on the world?
00:45:49 What do these stories mean to alumni?
00:48:38 How do you send research to the International Space Station?
00:51:53 What does Notre Dame Football mean to 'What Would You Fight For?'
00:53:52 Audience Q&A
