A Notre Dame Man: How Mike DeCicco Made Notre Dame Fencing into an International Powerhouse

 This thesis, A Notre Dame Man: How Mike DeCicco Made Notre Dame Fencing into an International Powerhouse argues that Mike DeCicco was different from the coaches who came before him, due to his connections within the American and international fencing community, and his relationship with Father Hesburgh. A Notre Dame Man also contends that a Notre Dame team can succeed without a vocal fanbase, united by a Catholic identity. This thesis engages with histories of sport, ethnicity, class, and gender in twentieth-century American history.