The next year, he arrived at Notre Dame as a student to play quarterback for the football team.

In 1898, he took on the job of directing the entire athletic department, including coaching the football and baseball teams, and introducing basketball to the university.

Hering gave the primary speech at the dedication ceremony of Notre Dame Stadium in 1930.

Hering is also recognized by the Fraternal Order of Eagles as the "Father of Mother's Day" for his work in promoting the establishment of a national holiday, having given public speeches supporting the idea as early as 1904.

[3] Hering died July 11, 1943, at his home in South Bend, Indiana, following several weeks of illness.