[Mick]

Notre Dame has been able to field top notch athletic teams without any conference affiliation.

They have millions of subway alumni, so to speak. The country is about 1/4th Catholic, but there's only two Catholic colleges who have D1/FBS football, Notre Dame and Boston College. For whatever reason, Notre Dame has a history of success (5th most wins all-time) and BC has far fewer, so ND captures their attention and gives ND the support of many, many non-alums.

[Mick]

Notre Dame has been able to field top notch athletic teams without any conference affiliation.

They have millions of subway alumni, so to speak. The country is about 1/4th Catholic, but there's only two Catholic colleges who have D1/FBS football, Notre Dame and Boston College. For whatever reason, Notre Dame has a history of success (5th most wins all-time) and BC has far fewer, so ND captures their attention and gives ND the support of many, many non-alums.