Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Learning a Teammate Took His Own Life...


The University of Notre Dame launched a wonderful website in 2007 called PRAY ND -- if you haven't had the chance to visit this site, you should.  Each day, the site will post a prayer for the day -- it's a wonderful way to start your day.  Last week, former Notre Dame QB, Brady Quinn '07, was asked to offer up a reflection on Living the Gospel Every Day.  While thinking about what to write -- Quinn learned one of his Bronco teammates (Kenny McKinley) allegedly committed suicide.  Here's a link to what Brady offered up to PRAY ND in reaction to McKinley's death: "Life is but a Breath"

LINK:  BRADY QUINN'S REFLECTION

LINK:  PRAY ND WEBSITE

Domers on NBA Training Camp Rosters


Just did a lap around the NBA to see where our former Notre Dame basketball stars are playing these days.  Today is the NBA's first official day of Training Camp for the 2010-2011 season -- and here's where your favorite Irish players are competing to stay or, earn a spot on an NBA roster.  Click on the player's name and you'll be directed to a recent story or bio:

-Luke Harangody - Boston Celtics
-Matt Carroll - Charlotte Bobcats
-Tory Jackson - Milwaukee Bucks (Free Agent Tryout)
-Troy Murphy - New Jersey Nets
-Chris Quinn - Philadelphia 76ers (Free Agent Tryout)

COACHES / FRONT OFFICE / TV-RADIO TEAM
-Monty Williams, Head Coach - New Orleans Hornets
-Adrian Dantley, Assistant Coach - Denver Nuggets
-Bill Laimbeer, Assistant Coach - Minnesota Timberwolves
-Kelly Tripucka, TV Analyst - New York Knicks
-Austin Carr, TV Analyst - Cleveland Cavaliers
-Tim Kempton, Radio Analyst - Phoenix Suns
-John Paxson, Executive VP - Chicago Bulls

LINK:  DATABASE OF ALL-TIME NOTRE DAME PLAYERS IN NBA

Where Are They Now? -- Alan Page

He's probably best known as #88 with the "Purple People Eaters" -- a Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings.  Or, as a dominant defensive end for the Fighting Irish's 1966 National Championship team -- which earned him College Football Hall of Fame honors.  But these days -- he's known as the "bow-tie" wearing Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.  Alan Page is a 1967 graduate of the University of Notre Dame who played 15 years in the NFL.  His football career is legendary -- yet, it's what he's done with his life after football that is what he's immensely proud of.  Page earned his law-degree during the off-seasons while playing with the Vikings.  He became a lawyer after his NFL days were over and moved up through the ranks as an Attorney General in Minnesota and on to their Supreme Court.  He's also probably the only Pro Football Hall of Famer who's run a marathon!  These days -- when he's not making law decisions on the Supreme Court -- Alan and his wife Diane oversee the Page Education Foundation, which they started in 1988.  To date, they've awarded grants to more than 4,100 students who in turn have given more than 300,000 hours to younger students.  When he retires from the Supreme Court, Page intends to become a public school teacher.  To say Alan Page is unique -- would be an understatement!  Here's a link to the Page Education Foundation website along with a 2008 interview with Justice Page:

LINK:  PAGE EDUCATION FOUNDATION

LINK:  JUSTICE PAGE INTERVIEW

The Notre Dame Pep Rally

It's one of the "must see" events for Notre Dame fans who make it to campus by 6 PM EST on Friday of a Football Weekend.  This is a video of this past Friday's Pep Rally which ESPN's Dick Vitale was the guest speaker.  Here's the link:

LINK:  THE NOTRE DAME PEP RALLY

Notre Dame's Quarterback Luncheon


Every Friday, on a home football weekend, the University of Notre Dame hosts a luncheon in the north dome of the Joyce Center.  It's typically a gathering of about 1,500 Notre Dame fans who are treated to lunch and a visit from the Head Football Coach, a current player, a former player, etc., in a set-up much like the Tonight Show.  Here's a link to a video I took from this past Friday's QB Luncheon:

LINK:  THE NOTRE DAME QUARTERBACK LUNCHEON

Team's Arrival to Notre Dame Campus


In all of my years of going to Notre Dame Football games this was a first for me -- watching the team's motorcade to the circle behind the Main Building (Golden Dome), see them depart from their buses, then assemble and walk to the Basilica.  Here's a video of their arrival to campus -- along with their traditional walk after Mass from the Basilica to Notre Dame Stadium: