The Napolitanic Era

The Napolitanic Era is the fifth era of the unofficial interhall chronology. As the name implies, it is a reference to the "Napoleonic Era", a brief period of stable French control over continental Europe that was spearheaded by infamous general and statesman Napoleon Bonaparte.

The era begins in 1947 when John Scannell was succeeded as director of interhall athletics by longtime assistant and Bengal Bout commissioner Dominic Napolitano. It ends in 1959, the last season before a three-league format was implemented, which in turn created reporting complications that dogged the interhall leagues for over a decade. "Nappy", as he was often referred, ushered in an age of stability not seen since the Rockne Romana. The system was so stable that the working name for this period was the "Dull era". This was because a well-reported schedule and record of games made the work monotonous, even boring. The number of teams in the league did not change, nor did the relative number of unknown games. Even the interhall champion seemed to remain constant, as Dillon won the title five times in twelve seasons. 

While this era bears Napolitano's name, it's end does not coincide with his departure from directing the league. In fact, Nappy would continue to oversee interhall football throughout the Mod Interhall period and the even into the Co-Ed Era. He retired in 1979 after thirty-three seasons as league administrator. 

Key Developments

• The second Dillon Dynasty dominates interhall competition.

• Dominic Napolitano thrives in his first decade as director of interhall athletics.

• Matches against the Michigan City Prison football team mark the last of the off-campus competitions.

• Badin Hall compiles the first 7-0 record in league history. They are undefeated, untied, and unscored upon.

Notable people

• Dominic Napolitano - longtime director of interhall athletics and the Bengal Bouts at Notre Dame

• Frank Leahy Jr. - eldest son of legendary head coach Frank Leahy, 1956 Dillon QB

• Patrick Heenan - two-time interhall champion, CB for the Washington Redskins.

Teams established

• Farley Hall - 1947

• Fisher Hall - 1952?

• Pangborn Hall - 1955

• Keenan Hall - 1957

• Stanford Hall - 1957