Marguerite Lucarelli ’93 Back on Campus

By Aaliyah Jones '24

Marguerite Schropp Lucarelli ’93, the director of photography for Sports Illustrated, returned to her alma mater, Saint Mary’s College, late last fall. The campus welcomed her back as a part of the Shannon Scholars Program to share her journey and insights with the college community. 

Lucarelli is the first in her family to attend Saint Mary’s. It holds a special place in her heart, as it marked the beginning of her academic path and became the backdrop for what she describes as the greatest years of her life. Serendipity led her to her career: a friend working as a photographer for The Observer became the pivotal connection in her first year that ignited Lucarelli’s passion. She enthusiastically contributed her photos to the tri-campus paper for all four years of college. Her dedication and skill were so evident that by senior year, Lucarelli was The Observer’s director of photography, 

Adding to her love and appreciation for the College, Lucarelli says Saint Mary’s provided a supportive environment, exemplified by the thoughtful actions of her former professor, Cara Lee Watson. Watson, an education professor, recognized and celebrated Lucarelli’s accomplishments. Placing a banner outside her office to honor Lucarelli’s appointment as The Observer’s director of photography, Watson showcased the College's commitment to uplifting the achievements and dreams of its students. Further, when an opportunity arose for Lucarelli to photograph Bill Clinton during his campaign stop on Notre Dame's campus, Watson excused her from student teaching that day.    

Although Lucarelli was an education major, her calling toward sports and photography became harder to ignore. She recalls a pivotal moment during her junior year. Assigned to photograph three consecutive Notre Dame football games for The Observer, Lucarelli spotted a Sports Illustrated photographer on the sidelines. Determined to learn from the best, she "subtly" followed him throughout each game. By the third game, the photographer called her out. Instead of reprimanding her, he recognized her confidence and urged her to apply for an internship at the magazine. Lucarelli did just that, spending the summer before her senior year at their offices in New York City. Her determination and skill were so remarkable that her editors offered her a job just two weeks before graduation, propelling her from a college student with a passion for photography to a professional career at one of the most prestigious publications in the industry. 

Integral to Lucarelli’s career is her unwavering commitment to acknowledging and celebrating women's achievements in sports photography. Recognizing the historical tendency for women in sports to be overshadowed by their male counterparts, Lucarelli uses her work as a platform to advocate for equality. Through her lens, she brings attention to the incredible accomplishments of female athletes, emphasizing the importance of covering their stories on par with those of male athletes. Lucarelli not only wants to see women athletes succeed but also the women of Saint Mary’s College. 

Her advice to students? “Take advantage of all the lectures, clubs, those types of things, to get involved as much as you can early.”

March 12, 2024