Snedden was a piper aboard British ships, and trained a Reserve Pipe Band in England before immigrating to the U.S., Scholastic reported.

Starting in the late 1950s, John Fyfe, a native of Glasgow, Scotland and an employee of the LOBUND Laboratory Notre Dame, provided members with training on the proper way to dress, march and comport themselves in public.

These traditions include the Victory Clog to the tune "Damhsa Bua" performed after every Irish football win.[3][page needed].

[4] Members of the Irish Guard must demonstrate a refined marching technique, a dedication to university ideals, and, most importantly, stature and poise.

This policy change ended the decades-long tradition that allowed any Notre Dame student in good standing to tryout for the Irish Guard.