Notre Dame Was An Easy Decision For Ratigan

2019 St. Joseph (Ind.) receiver Conor Ratigan‍ had always thought basketball was going to be the next step in his athletic career. 

The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder was hearing from several Division II and Division III programs for his talent on the hardwood but then Notre Dame invited him to camp over the summer. 

“Notre Dame asked me to go to the Elite Skills Camp, and they talked to me after the camp,” Ratigan told Irish Sports Daily. “I was invited on an unofficial visit to the Notre Dame-Pittsburgh game. I spoke to Coach Del Alexander. He said he’s coached a walk-on that won the Biletnikoff Award and he believed Notre Dame was a good place for me to go if I was given the opportunity. 

“Dave Peloquin, the Director of Player Personnel, kept in touch and let me know I had a preferred walk-on spot on Wednesday night.” 

It didn’t take long for Ratigan to decide on his future as he accepted the opportunity on the spot. 

“There’s no other school I’d want to go to over Notre Dame,” said Ratigan. 

Part of Ratigan’s love for Notre Dame is because of his father, Dr. Brian Ratigan, who played for the Irish from 1989-1992 and is now the head of orthopedic sports medicine for Notre Dame football and baseball.

“He was pretty ecstatic,” Ratigan stated. “Ever since he’s played there, he’s wanted someone else in the family to put on the gold helmet. For me to be able to do that is pretty cool. He was little emotional. It was really cool for me to see him be that excited about something I had done.”

The decision to give up basketball for football was tough, but ever since the summer, Ratigan had been leaning towards playing football in college if given the chance. 

“I fit football better because basketball players tend to be a little taller,” explained Ratigan. “I’m going to play school basketball this year but this football season has been pretty good for me at receiver and safety. My football recruitment kind of took off, and it’s been cool to see.” 

Ratigan also was receiving interest from two other schools and even had visits set up, but those won’t happen as he’s all Irish. 

“Northwestern and Miami (Ohio) had asked me to take an unofficial visit during the fall,” Ratigan said. “I had scheduled visits in the upcoming weeks to both schools, but I will cancel those now. Both schools were going to be the same situation as Notre Dame.” 

The St. Joseph standout will now focus on a postseason run, but also improving his speed before he gets to Notre Dame next summer. 

“I’m going to work on my speed,” said Ratigan. “I can jump high. I’ve been able to dunk since my freshman year, and that’s been one of my best attributes along with my agility. I think I can catch every ball thrown my way. I’m a solid possession receiver. 

“I’ll definitely improve my speed in college, and I’m excited to see how I’ll develop as a football player.”