National Football Foundation

Notre Dame claimed their first MacArthur Bowl in 1964. Coached by College Football Hall of Famer Ara Parseghian, the Fighting Irish finished 9-1 after a 20-17 loss to the USC Trojans in the final game of the regular season. Notre Dame is one of two schools to claim the MacArthur Bowl despite not playing in a postseason bowl game. The 1964 Notre Dame team featured Hall of Fame quarterback John Huarte, Hall of Fame linebacker Jim Lynch, a 1966 NFF National Scholar-Athlete, and Hall of Fame defensive tackle Alan Page, the 2005 NFF Distinguished American Award recipient.  

Representing the pinnacle of team achievement in college sports, the trophy was the gift of an anonymous donor, who commissioned Tiffany & Co. to craft it from 400 ounces of silver, in honor of NFF founder General Douglas A. MacArthur. It took eight months to make, and the trophy features MacArthur's famous quote: "There is no substitute for victory."