Leprechauns are small, bearded tricksters known for making shoes and mischief. Not anymore. Today’s Notre Dame leprechauns are more likely to be working with Navier-stokes equations and coding with C++ than cobbling shoes.
Two women engineers portray the Notre Dame leprechaun this year: McKenna Englhardt, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering; and Kylee Kazenski, a graduate student in computer science and Class of 2024 Notre Dame alumna.
Kylee is the third, and McKenna is the fourth female student to wear the green suit since Sophie Bouldoukian ’23 and Lynnette Wukie ’21.
Recently, they took time out from their busy schedules to answer a few questions.
Do you feel there’s any crossover in skills between being an engineer and being an ND leprechaun?
Kylee
As both a mascot and an engineer, you need to be adaptable and creative—between engineering innovative solutions to various problems or adjusting to gameplay, the crowd, and pop-up appearances.
You also need to have great collaborative skills. The four student mascots work together along with the cheerleaders, coaches, media, and other staff to create engaging social media content, plan big events, and bring new ideas to the ND fan experience.
McKenna
Project planning, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Those are skills I’ve developed through the engineering curriculum that translate into strengths as a leprechaun. While learning motion analysis in Solidworks is not directly helpful, of course, so much about engineering is learning how to learn.
We end up in so many different situations as leprechauns, an engineer’s openness to adapting and approaching each challenge with a fresh perspective goes a long way. Engineering is also a team sport, and as a leprechaun I get to work and interact with a wide range of people.
What appealed to you about portraying the leprechaun?
Kylee
I wanted to share my immense enthusiasm for the school and teams I love. During Notre Dame’s Welcome Week, when freshmen first arrive on campus, I had the opportunity as an undergrad to carry my dorm flag and lead chants for their team. This gave me some insight into what the role of leprechaun would be like, and it seemed like a fun way to give back to Notre Dame.
McKenna
It was the commitment, organization, and creativity of the team behind the leprechaun suit that stood out to me. Portraying the leprechaun is about so much more than being in the suit at some sporting events (while that is awesome in itself). The joy the role brings to others appealed to me. When I’m Leprechaun McKenna, the cheerful, effervescent side of my personality comes out. Fans have called me “Happy Pants” because of my bouncy walk, and that comes naturally when I put on the suit.
Is it a challenge to manage your outreach and game responsibilities as a leprechaun with your workload as an engineering student?
Kylee
As long as you are intentional about planning your time, it’s very manageable. I’m an assistant rector at Farley dormitory and a teaching assistant for the Operating Systems class. And on top of those responsibilities, I have my coursework and research in the Computer Vision Research Lab with Professor Flynn. Being an engineering student has helped me be more cognizant of how I spend my time.
McKenna
Like many Notre Dame students, I had developed good time management skills before college. For me, I learned these skills juggling a demanding competitive dance schedule. It is difficult when games happen to align with due dates for projects or exams. But even if I’m stressed about a test, I can still work to make at least one fan’s game experience better.
I’m fortunate that there are several other engineering students on the cheer team with similar schedules, so we’re able to support each other. Special shout-out to our department’s tutors for always being so helpful, late at night when I’m trying to figure out an assignment after a long day of practice or games.
Have you been surprised by the crowd’s response to the leprechaun?
Kylee
I knew that fans engaged with the leprechaun and would get excited, but I didn’t realize prior to taking on the role just how enthusiastic the fans could be. Getting to cheer on and yell with the fans as a Notre Dame leprechaun has really shown me the true energy of the Fighting Irish fans.
McKenna
People might be surprised to know how much talking about engineering I do while in my leprechaun suit. At least once a game, someone asks me what my major is, and when I say mechanical engineering, it sparks a conversation. Sometimes, they’re an engineer themselves or have a relative who works in the industry or even a friend who studied mechanical engineering here at Notre Dame. This allows me to share another aspect of myself as an ND student while also connecting us beyond our love of Notre Dame athletics.
What do you feel you represent as a Notre Dame leprechaun?
Kylee
Representing the Notre Dame leprechaun makes you an ambassador for the University of Notre Dame, and you represent the core values and mission of Our Lady’s community. McKenna and I, as well as Lynnette and Sophie previously, also become role models for girls. I feel the same about portraying the leprechaun as I do when I’m volunteering at youth science and engineering events—I’m empowering girls to pursue their biggest dreams.
McKenna
It’s an honor to be able to represent the University as a whole while portraying the leprechaun. The mission of this place means so much to so many people both on and off campus. While some may see a mascot as a little silly, it is incredible to feel fans’ connection to ND reflected in their interactions with us.
Every time I put on this suit, I know each thing I do holds greater meaning to others because of the care and excellence of this place in athletics, academics, and as a force for good in the world.
—Karla Cruise, Notre Dame Engineering