“Tradition never graduates”
“Tradition never graduates” (or “tradition doesn’t graduate”) is a saying used by many successful school sports programs. The students graduate, but the tradition of success doesn’t.
“Tradition doesn’t graduate” has been cited in print since at least 1996. The University of Notre Dame has been especially associated with “tradition never graduates.”
7 June 1996, Akron (OH) Beacon Journal, “Springfield sticks with its tradition,” pg. C1:
“We always tell the kids that tradition doesn’t graduate,” said Springfield coach Ray Fowler, whose 28-3 club meets neighborhood rival Ellet at 3:30 pm.
1 October 1997, Elyria (OH) Chronicle-Telegram, “EC retains first-place tie” by Paul Heyse, pg. B6, col. 3:
ELYRIA—A trademark of a winning program is one where tradition never graduates.
7 November 1997, Wichita (KS) Eagle, “El Dorado ready for next test in dream season,” pg. 6C:
Tradition is so important to Liberal coach Gary Cornelsen that before this season started, he gave his players T-shirts saying “Tradition doesn’t graduate.”
9 June 1999, Cherry Hill (NJ) Courier Post, “Streak leads Washington Township to No. 1” by Greg Sawicki, pg. E5:
“We have a sign that hangs in our gym that says ‘Tradition never graduates,’” Shaw said.
1 February 2002, Doylestown (PA) Intelligencer, “LC maintains winning tradition” by Todd Thorpe, pg. C3, col. 4:
Written across the back of the yellow T-shirts worn as warmups or Lansdale Catholic’s girls basketball team is the inscription, “Tradition never graduates.”
Google Books
Coachisms:
Winning words from the country’s finest coaches
By Randy Howe
Guilford, CT: Lyons Press
2005
Pg. 21:
Tradition never graduates.
Volleyball coach Scott Sieling, Jefferson High School (Minnesota)
Google Books
Wins, Losses, and Lessons: An Autobiography
By Lou Holtz
New York, NY: Harper Entertainment
2007, ©2006.
Pg. ?:
I know everyone talks about Notre Dame’s tradition, and I was aware of it, but I also believe tradition never graduates.
OCLC WorldCat record
Tradition never graduates : the spirit of Notre Dame football
Author: Matt Lapiska; Paul Doyle, Jr.; Genius Entertainment.; Bombo Sports & Entertainment (Firm)
Publisher: Santa Monica, CA : Genius Entertainment, ©2007.
Edition/Format: DVD video : NTSC color broadcast system : English
Summary: For the first time ever, take a behind-the-scenes ride with Charlie Weis, his 2006 Notre Dame team, and their biggest fans as they experience the ups and downs of their march to reestablish Notre Dame to its position atop the world of college football.
Notre Dame Magazine
Tradition Never Graduates
BY James L. Rossiter, M.D., ’83
Published: June 12, 2009
As I passed by a milestone I once thought was as distant as the stars — my 25th anniversary of graduating from Notre Dame — I am reminded of my own Notre Dame heritage. While it is important to “Play Like A Champion Today,” which I have on a plaque in my office, the banner I always see before I leave my home is “Tradition Never Graduates.”
Google Books
Perfect Phrases for Sports Coaches:
Hundreds of ready-to-use winning phrases for any sport—on and off the field
By Ralph L. Pim
New York, NY: McGraw-Hill
2010
Pg. 168:
The faces may change, the uniforms may be different, but tradition never graduates.