May 28. 2007 6:59AM

Ex-Irish star Demmerle dies
Former Notre Dame standout receiver Pete Demmerle, lost his battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) on Thursday at the age of 53.

He played from 1971 to 1974 and was a starting wide receiver for Ara Parseghian's national championship team in 1973.

A funeral mass will be celebrated Wednesday at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Greenwich, Conn.


A knee injury in his final college game reduced his chances at a pro career, although he was drafted by San Diego in the 13th round. Instead, he attended Fordham University Law School in 1976.

He joined the international law firm of LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae in 1979 as an associate tourney.

Demmerle received the 2003 Edward "Moose" Krause Monogram Club Member of the Year Award.

He was Notre Dame's leading receiver in '73 and '74 (43, then sixth-best in ND history), when he helped the Irish post a pair of season-ending bowl victories over Alabama. His three first-quarter catches and a later two-point conversion helped spark the 1973 team to the 24-23 Sugar Bowl victory over the Crimson Tide.