Notre Dame Baraka Bouts

Baraka Bouts is the largest all-female boxing club at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN, offering a distinctive athletic experience that combines competitive training with meaningful community service. Founded in 1997, this student-led organization provides hundreds of women each academic year with the opportunity to participate in boxing instruction and competition during the September through November season. The club operates with a dual commitment to athletic excellence and social responsibility, creating an environment where participants develop boxing skills while contributing to global humanitarian efforts.

The organization hosts an annual tournament featuring quarterfinal, semifinal, and final bouts held in the Dankhe Ballroom, showcasing the talent and dedication of Notre Dame's female boxers. Beyond the ring, Baraka Bouts channels its resources toward supporting educational infrastructure at Holy Cross schools in Uganda, specifically St. Joseph's Hill Secondary School in Kyembogo and Lake View Secondary School in Jinja. Through ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations, the club has funded significant construction projects including dining facilities, science laboratories, and student dormitories that directly expand educational access for Ugandan youth.

The club's partnership with the Wolohan Family Foundation has amplified its impact, enabling the completion of multiple building projects that enhance learning environments for students in East Africa. Baraka Bouts represents a unique Notre Dame experience that merges athletic competition with service-oriented leadership, allowing participants to develop physical skills while making tangible contributions to educational advancement in underserved communities. The organization welcomes new members each fall and continues to expand its fundraising initiatives to support ongoing construction and resource projects at its partner schools.