ND Grad "Space Walking" -- Right Now!

Michael Good, a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis is a "Double Domer." The Atlantis Space Shuttle, which is flying its 32 mission and last, left Kennedy Space Center Monday afternoon. Good holds a Bachelors (Class of 84) and Masters (Class of 86) from the University of Notre Dame in Aerospace Engineering. He can be found -- at this very moment -- "circling the earth" in one of the last shuttle missions for NASA as they deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier and a Russian-built Mini Research Module to the International Space Station. In his role as mission specialist, Good will perform at least three space walks, during this 12 day mission. A year ago (May 2009) Good made his first journey to space and conducted two successful space walks on that trip to make repairs to the Hubbel Space Telescope. He's one of three Notre Dame grads to fly the Space Shuttle. The links below show Good entering the International Space Station this week -- along with a link to a story about Good's May 2009 mission. God Speed and Go Irish!

THIRD SPACEWALK THIS WEEK -- FOR ND ALUM

MICHAEL GOOD -- FIGHTING IRISH ASTRONAUT

NBC's Brian Williams' Commencement Speech

If you have twenty-five minutes, you'll find it time well spent -- if you click on the link below to the video to Brian Williams' speech to the graduates of the University of Notre Dame's Class of 2010. He has a wonderful sense of humor.

NOTRE DAME'S 2010 COMMENCEMENT SPEEECH

2010 Graduation -- Notre Dame Stadium

This is a great view of what graduation looked like inside Notre Dame Stadium yesterday on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. It was the first time since 1959 that Notre Dame held this ceremony in the stadium. Here's a link to a "screensaver" of this photo for your computer. There is also a link to the University of Notre Dame's website - and a video interview with the Class of 2010 Valedictorian; Katie Washington -- it's very well done.

SCREENSAVER - NOTRE DAME 2010 GRADUATION

INTERVIEW WITH KATIE WASHINTON - ND VALEDICTORIAN

Irish Men's Lacrosse Upsets Princeton!

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame beat #6 seed Princeton (on the Tigers home field) yesterday in First Round play of the NCAA Tournament. Junior midfielder, David Earl (pictured), scored a career high five goals in the 8 - 5 win for the Irish! The win puts Notre Dame into the NCAA Championship Quarterfinals for the fifth time in school history. Next up; the third seeded Maryland Terrapins -- this Saturday, May 22nd -- again on Princeton's field. Game time isn't set yet - but, it will be televised live on ESPNU.

LINK TO STORY AND VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

NBC's Brian Williams ND Commencement Speaker

The University of Notre Dame's Class of 2010 will say farewell to the University this morning from historic Notre Dame Stadium. NBC News Anchor; Brian Williams will the the Commencement Speaker. You can watch the ceremony live this morning beginning at 9:30 AM EST on www.nd.edu. Click on the link below. Congratulations Class of 2010!



WATCH ND'S GRADUATION LIVE ON THE WEB -- CLICK HERE!

Notre Dame's Father Ted -- "Change I'd Make"

I was sitting in a hotel room this morning in Olean, NY -- our daughter is graduating from St. Bonaventure University tomorrow -- and the local Buffalo NBC TV affiliate aired an interview with Notre Dame's Father Hesburgh. Never one to shy away from taking on some of the more controversial issues of the day -- Father Ted discusses the change "he'd make before midnight" if he was the Pope. Click on the WNDU-TV interview below.

A CONVERSATION WITH FATHER TED

New Football Jerseys for Notre Dame?

The above photos of a Brian Kelly autographed Notre Dame Footbal jersey were taken at an "on-campus" raffle during Blue-Gold Weekend at Notre Dame. It's obviously not last year's jersey, nor any jersey we've ever seen worn before at Notre Dame. Are these the new football jerseys for Brian Kelly's Irish? The obvious changes; gone are the numbers on the sleeves - they have been replaced by the interlocking ND. I love that! You'll remember that Holtz made this design change to his team's uniforms. A second noticeable change is the interlocking ND behind the neck -- which appear a "little out of place" on this jersey since it looks like this jersey was designed to carry a nameplate. (Note the large space between the ND and the number) Will the Irish have names on their jerseys for the Purdue game? If they do, which I'm guessing they will -- I believe this will look pretty cool with the ND over top of the last name of the player, reminding them who they play for! The last change is the front neckline. Besides the prominent Adidas logo - ND Fans won't like this - you'll note the typical jersey neckline is replaced by more of a "plunging" design. Now, it's been rumored that the Irish will probably we wearing some type of "undershirt" as part of this uniform design and that this may carry a prominent ND or shamrock that will sit "above" the Adidas logo. THIS ALSO MEANS WE'LL HAVE TO BUY THE UNDERSHIRT TO HAVE THE FULL UNIFORM EXPERIENCE! Expect an official announcement from Notre Dame on the uniform in the next few weeks -- so they can begin selling them before the first game. All in all, I will love this uniform design -- if they add the player's last name. What do you think? That's the poll question this week -- "Would you like this jersey design for the Irish?

Sunday's ND Graduation -- Live on the Web!

The University of Notre Dame will celebrate its 164th graduation ceremony from a new campus location this year -- historic Notre Dame Stadium. It's the first time ND has held a graduation in the Stadium since 1959. And, you can watch this event live on the web -- beginning at 9:30 AM this Sunday, May 16th. Here's the link to the webcast:

WATCH NOTRE DAME'S GRADUATION CEREMONY LIVE

ND Football Player -- "All Internet Irish" Honors!

The decision on which University of Notre Dame athlete would be awarded "All Internet Irish" honors for 2010 -- was quite simple. This Irish linebacker was one of the "early adapters" to Twitter and he's become quite a prolific "tweeter" -- with 463 tweets and counting. And he has attracted more than 1,700 followers! Brian Smith is the 2010 recipient of the NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG'S "All Internet Irish" honors for Notre Dame Varsity Athletes. You can find Brian on Twitter with the name; BCSmith58. I'm sure Coach Kelly would rather you find Smith in the "backfield on top of a QB" -- but, it's May -- so give him a follow. Congratulations Brian!

ND Soccer Coach -- "All Internet Irish" Honors!

One would have thought that the NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG would have made the safe choice in awarding Notre Dame Head Football Coach Brian Kelly with "All Internet Irish" honors for 2010 with his 15,695 followers on Twitter and his 1,300 fans on Facebook. But, his 48 "tweets" fell short of this year's honoree -- Notre Dame Women's Soccer Head Coach; Randy Waldrum. Coach Waldrum has tweeted 182 times in the last few months and has displayed an acumen for this social media channel -- that exceeds his peers at Notre Dame. Thus, he's the recipient of the 2010 "All Internet Irish" award for Notre Dame Coaches. Now, we're guessing this honor won't match the excitement of winning the National Championship in 2004 -- or being named the Soccer America National Coach of the Year in 2009 -- but, it might make him smile today! Congratulations Coach Waldrum!

Eleven Receive -- "All Internet Irish" Honors!

In honor of the eleven National Championships in Notre Dame's Football history -- eleven "web stars" of Notre Dame athletics were selected to receive the NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG'S first annual "All Internet Irish" honors for 2010. They were awarded in the following categories: Subscription Sites, Free Web Sites, Blogs, Reporters, YouTube, Fan and Overall. Tomorrow, NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG will announce its winners of the "All Internet Irish" award to a Notre Dame Athlete and a Notre Dame Coach. We're already scouting for the 2011 "All Internet Irish" award winners -- so bring your best game to the web! Next year we're going to add a Facebook and Twitter category, so get going! Here are the 2010 winners by category:

SUBSCRIPTION WEBSITES
-Irish Sports Daily
-Irish Illustrated

FREE WEBSITES
-NDNATION.com
-DOMERDOMAIN.com
-GOLDHELMET.com

BLOGS
-Her Loyal Sons
-Subway Domer

REPORTERS
-Eric Hansen, South Bend Tribune
-Brian Hamilton, Chicago Tribune

YOUTUBE & FAN
-Jerry Kennedy, AKA "DAMEFAN"

OVERALL
-The Subway Alumni Show

Two ND Subscriber Sites -- "All Internet Irish"

The NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG is honoring two of the many subscription based websites that follow Notre Dame athletics with "All Internet Irish" honors for 2010 -- they are; Irish Sports Daily and Irish Illustrated. Mike Frank and his team at Irish Sports Daily have attracted a subscriber base in excess of 10,000 avid ND fans -- in this ESPN partnered venture. The Irish Illustrated team is led by Publisher; Jack Freeman and Editor; Pete Sampson -- they have thousands of subscribers as well. Both sites provide daily reporting on ND Sports -- and keep all of us "crazy about recruiting information," begging for more. Their daily coverage of Notre Dame Football is "flat out" the best you will find on the web. I personally subscribe to both of these sites and encourage those who haven't yet -- to join me. Here's a link to the two subscription based ND sites who've earned "All Internet Irish" honors this year:

IRISH SPORTS DAILY

IRISH ILLUSTRATED

Three Free ND Sites Named -- "All Internet Irish"

Three websites developed by fans and for fans of Notre Dame athletics; NDNATION.com, DOMERDOMAIN.com and GOLDHELMET.com have been awarded "All Internet Irish" honors for 2010 from NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG. All three of these sites offer "free" forums for Notre Dame fans, from all over the world, to participate in. Now, the conversation may not always positive about ND -- but's it's definitely passionate! I encourage everyone to get involved with these sites and join the discussion about Notre Dame! Here are the links to these three "All Internet Irish" sites:

NDNATION.com

DOMERDOMAIN.com

GOLDHELMET.com

Two Writers Receive -- "All Internet Irish" Honors!

Two Notre Dame beat reporters; the Chicago Tribune's Brian Hamilton and the South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen are being recognized for their fair (but not always friendly) coverage of the Fighting Irish via the web. Both have embraced technology; Hamilton and Hansen have active Twitter accounts, both are "blogging" about Notre Dame (Hamilton with the Chicago Breaking Sports blog and Hansen blogs with ESPN Chicago and South Bend Tribune) -- and can be found on their respective newspaper's websites. In addition, Hansen hosts a weekly podcast interview on the South Bend Tribune's website called SportsBeat and the GameDay SportsBeat show on WSBT-960 AM. It's the quality and quantity of reporting of these two Notre Dame beat writers -- on the web -- that has earned them the "ALL INTERNET IRISH" honors for Notre Dame Beat Reporters! Congratulations!

BRIAN HAMILTON'S BLOG

ERIC HANSEN'S TWITTER PAGE

Two Blogs Receive "All Internet Irish" Honors!

Two Notre Dame blogs; Her Loyal Sons and Subway Domer each received "ALL INTERNET IRISH" honors today! They represent the first two bloggers to receive this "prestigious" award from the NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG - for their excellent coverage and commentary on Notre Dame sports. If you haven't been to their respective sites or haven't been following them on Twitter -- you're missing out! Here's a link to each of their blogs. Congratulations!

HER LOYAL SONS

SUBWAY DOMER

14 ND Sports Teams Earn Academic Honors!

This should come as no surprise to Notre Dame fans! The University of Notre Dame again ranks among the national leaders among all 120 Football Bowl Subdivision institutions as the NCAA today honored Division I sports teams with 2010 public recognition awards for their latest multi-year Academic Progress Rate scores. These teams posted multi-year APR scores in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports. The public recognition awards are part of the broad Division I academic reform effort. These awards are based on the most recent APR numbers that represent the combination of scores from the 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 academic years. Notre Dame had 14 of its programs honored this year for the multi-year achievement -- men's basketball, men's cross country, men’s football, men's golf, men's ice hockey, men’s lacrosse, men's soccer, men’s tennis, men's indoor track and field, men's outdoor track and field, women's rowing, women's soccer, women's softball and women's tennis. Congratulations Irish!

The Subway Alumni Show - "All Internet Irish"

They are known as "Sprout and Eric" to their loyal Notre Dame fans (photo) and each week during the Irish Football season these two broadcast The Subway Alumni Show on the web. As they like to say, "it is for those who believe in sacred Saturdays of Notre Dame Football and beer. Lots of beer." Neither of them attended Notre Dame -- thus they named their "webishow" THE SUBWAY ALUMNI SHOW, for the millions of fans of Notre Dame who never attended the University. With fifty shows under their belt, Sprout and Eric have gotten better and better each week, in their coverage of Notre Dame Football. And, they're "still undefeated" as the unofficial coaches of Notre Dame football. It's their devotion and passion for Notre Dame Football that has earned them the NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG: "ALL INTERNET IRISH" honors for 2010. It's well earned! Make sure you visit their website and take a look at a few of their archived shows and be sure to tun in this fall. Here's a link:

THE SUBWAY ALUMNI SHOW

ND GO IRISH BLOG - Passed 4,000 Yesterday!

The NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG is only 14 weeks old -- and in that time period more than 4,000 unique Fighting Irish fans have visited this site at least once! Most have visited the site, many, many times. THANKS for making NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG one of your "ND homes" on the internet. Go IRISH!

NDGIB's - "All Internet Irish" Honors

Over the next few days, the NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG is going to be introducing its first ever "ALL INTERNET IRISH" honors. This award recognizes the individuals who have best displayed their passion for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame on the worldwide web. These Notre Dame fans have gone that "extra mile" for the Irish and would be considered to be among Brian Kelly's; "Right Kind of Guys" on the internet. If you have a nomination for "ALL INTERNET IRISH" - please send me an email at: jim.small@ndgoirish.com

The first to receive NDGIB's "ALL INTERNET IRISH" honors is "DAMEFAN" -- he's a big time fan of Notre Dame football and his unique style of posting on www.irishillustrated.com's Four Horsemen Lounge, have become internet legend. This past season, he took his game up a notch and started posting videos on YOUTUBE. That's him in the photo, it's a "screen grab" of DAMEFAN in action. You can search "damefan1" on YOUTUBE to find all of his videos. Here are a few of my favorites.

DAMEFAN -- NOTRE DAME vs. NEVADA

DAMEFAN -- NOTRE DAME vs. MICHIGAN

DAMEFAN -- NOTRE DAME vs. USC

DAMEFAN -- BRIAN KELLY COMING TO ND!

Golden Tate Interview

Former Notre Dame WR and Biletnikoff Award recipient -- as College Football's top receiver in 2009 -- Golden Tate was in the South Bend area yesterday and he spent a few minutes with the South Bend Tribune's Weekday Sportsbeat Show. Tate was a 2nd Round Draft pick, last month, of the Seattle Seahawks where he joins former Domers; Julius Jones and John Carlson. Here's a link to the interview:

GOLDEN TATE INTERVIEW

ND Men's Lacrosse in NCAA Tournament

Head Coach Kevin Corrigan and his Fighting Irish are heading to Princeton, NJ this weekend for their First Round contest against the 6th seeded Princeton Tigers. The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU at 2:30 PM EST this Sunday. The Irish will be taking on a Princeton team that won the Ivy League Tournament Championship. This will be the second meeting between the Tigers and Irish. It also makes it five straight trips to the NCAA Tournament for Notre Dame. Good Luck Irish!

ND Women's Lacrosse Ranked 14th in the Country!

And, they're headed to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year. The Fighting Irish (11-6) are coming off of a heart breaking loss in FOUR OVERTIMES to Syracuse in the Big East Tournament this past week. Notre Dame will be taking on Northwestern - who's ranked #2 and the winner's of the last five NCAA National Championships. The game will be played this Saturday at Northwestern's Lakeside Field. Good Luck IRISH!

Notre Dame's Chinese Speech Contest

The University of Notre Dame's Department of East Asia Languages and Cultures just completed its 2010 Chinese Speech Contest -- it's an innovative and somewhat entertaining competition. You just have to wonder how difficult it is to learn this language. The photo is the famous ND logo (on a ball cap) in Kanji, which are the Chinese characters used in the modern Japanese logographic writing system. Here's a link to a video of the competition.

ND'S CHINESE SPEECH CONTEST

ND Makes Major Research Investment

In the past twelve months, the University of Notre Dame has committed $80 million in what they're calling their Strategic Research Investments. The most recent investments represent nine more research initiatives for the University. Here's a link to a video produced by Notre Dame's Department of Education and to SRI's website -- that will explain where this money is going.

ND'S STRATEGIC RESEARCH INVESTMENTS

SRI's WEBSITE

"Five for Riley" - a ND Story

I read this story this AM on Mike Frank's Irish Sports Daily website (www.irishsportsdaily.com) and it affected me. You see, my wife and I have been very fortunate to have three healthy kids. Unfortunately, this Notre Dame family didn't have such good fortune. It's a story about two ND alums, Henry and Maggie Scroope and their son Henry John Scroope V. Young Henry only lived to be five months old -- and it was a life that was spent for the most part at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis. Here's a link to Mike Frank's site and his story about the Scroope family and their efforts to "give back" to Riley Hospital.

FIVE FOR RILEY

"The Bus" vs. "Dr. J" -- Tonight on the Golf Channel

Former Notre Dame great and Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl Champion, Jerome "The Bus" Bettis will be taking on NBA legend, Julius "Dr. J" Erving tonight on the Golf Channel's "Trump's Fabulous World of Golf" at 9:00 PM EST. This made for TV event, matches these two in an eighteen hole match with the winner receiving money for his charity -- and a trophy. They'll be playing Trump's course in West Palm Beach, FL. Click on the link below for a preview.

THE BUS vs. DR. J -- GOLF CHANNEL

Brian Kelly on Sports Radio in DC

Coach Brian Kelly was in Washington D.C. yesterday for the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation event - where he was honored for his involvement with this group. Before the event, Coach Kelly was interviewed by THE FAN 106.7 -- Sports Radio in D.C. Here's the interview -- click on the link:

COACH KELLY RADIO INTERVIEW

Happy Mother's Day!

The ND GO IRISH BLOG would like to wish all of the Mom's and Grandma's a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! And, to celebrate this special day - we've lined up the University of Notre Dame's Glee Club, the University of Notre Dame's Liturgical Choir and the Irish Trumpets of Notre Dame to perform; "Notre Dame Our Mother." Enjoy!

NOTRE DAME OUR MOTHER - GLEE CLUB

NOTRE DAME OUR MOTHER -- LITURGICAL CHOIR

NOTRE DAME OUR MOTHER - IRISH TRUMPETS

Follow Mark Baldwin -- ND Grad, Pro Golfer

Mark Baldwin is "pursuing the dream" of competing on the PGA Tour. He's a 2006 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, out of Lanconia, New Hampshire. Baldwin, a four-year monogram winner for the Fighting Irish, is currently competing on the Canadian PGA Tour. While at Notre Dame, Baldwin earned All Big East Honors three times and won the Big East's Individual Title in 2005. In March, Baldwin shot a 66 at a Nationwide Tour "Monday" Qualifier -- earning medalist honors. He finished 50th at the Mexican PGA Championship in April. Mark has his own blog -- from which he reports on his journey... Click on the link below.

MARK BALDWIN'S BLOG

The Irish Guard -- Uniquely Notre Dame

It's been voted by many as one of the top college football traditions -- the Irish Guard of Notre Dame. Started in 1949, at the request of then coach Frank Leahy - the Irish Guard (ten Notre Dame students) has led The Band of the Fighting Irish into stadiums all over America. Each member must stand at least 6'-2" tall -- and in full uniform, they stand more than 7' tall. After every home victory -- the Irish Guard perform their trademark "Victory Clog" in Notre Dame Stadium. You can also catch them in action 90 minutes before kick-off in front of Bond Hall -- performing their "Slow March" and the Irish Guard Inspection. Here's a link to the Irish Guard in action:

THE IRISH GUARD

Notre Dame Band to Perform at Carnegie Hall!

The University of Notre Dame Band will perform -- for the very first time -- on the world famous Carnegie Hall stage. The concert, scheduled for May 17th will be a musical milestone for the Notre Dame Band and will leave a legacy of new music. Renowned composers Joseph Turrin and Samuel Hazo were both commissioned to write new works for the occasion. Turrin’s “Fanfare and Prelude” and Hazo’s “Siorai September” will each have their premiere performances at Carnegie Hall by the Notre Dame Band. Performing at Carnegie Hall is an accomplishment more than 165 years in the making for the Notre Dame Band and this concert will be a celebration of Notre Dame, its talented student musicians, and the loyal sons and daughters of the University that have sustained the Band of the Fighting Irish for the past century and a half. Here's a video of the Notre Dame Band from their 2004 performance at another famous venue - the Sydney Opera House.

NOTRE DAME BAND IN CONCERT

Mike Brey -- Chairman of Rules Committee

Notre Dame Head Basketball Coach, Mike Brey, has been elected Chairman of the NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee. In this role, Coach Brey will stay in touch with rules issues during the season and to compare ideas and gauge opinions on potential rules changes with colleagues in conference and region. Maybe he can change a rule or two that will guarantee the Irish make the FINAL FOUR!

Coach Kelly --Honored by Friends of Jaclyn

Notre Dame Head Football Coach Brian Kelly will be in Washington D.C. this Saturday evening to be honored at the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation dinner. Kelly was selected by the charitable organization based on his exceptional leadership and involvement with the foundation’s “Adopt‐A‐Child” program. The Foundation was inspired by Jaclyn Murphy, who was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor, in March 2004 when she was nine-years-old. The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation matches a child with cancer and a college sports team. In essence, the college team "adopts" the child. Kelly participated in the program in 2009 as head coach at the University of Cincinnati. The Bearcats adopted Mitch Stone, a 12‐year‐old boy battling a pediatric brain tumor. A Cincinnati native who was in the sixth grade at Maddux Elementary School when the Bearcats adopted Stone became as much a member of the Cincinnati football team as any of the players. The Bearcats became the first NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision team to adopt a child through Friends of Jaclyn. Jaclyn Murphy is now 14 -- here's an HBO Sports story on her -- and what this foundation does. IT IS A MUST WATCH - WHEN YOU GET TO THE SITE, LOCATE THE "HBO SPORTS ON FOJ" LINK -- FOR THE VIDEO.

JACLYN'S STORY

What are they doing now? -- Tim Andree

While writing the story on Tim Andree (Mr. Bookstore) - I found myself wondering what his Dad (also Tim Andree) was up to these days. Well, Tim Andree, Sr. is doing just fine! He's the CEO of Dentsu Holdings USA, a global advertising agency. A product of Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, MI -- Andree was a 1979 McDonald's All American, prior to joining Digger's Fighting Irish squad. After leaving ND, Andree pursued a pro basketball career in Europe and Japan (he was a 5th Round Draft pick of the Chicago Bulls) before putting his Notre Dame degree to work. Here's an interview Andree did this past year with Fast Company.

FAST COMPANY'S INTERVIEW OF TIM ANDREE

2010 Mr. Bookstore

I'm late in reporting on this -- my bad! The 2010 Bookstore Basketball Tournament ended on Blue-Gold Weekend -- with a team led by the son of a former ND basketball player and ND swimmer, winning the championship. Tim Andree, 6'-8" (a walk-on for Mike Brey's squad) -- and a senior, was eligible to play this year since he is graduating. Andree's team; Alexander's Grille (the team pictured) won the tournament -- beating "He Went to Jared" -- and in the process he earned Co-Mr. Basketball honors. Andree's Dad (same name) played basketball at Notre Dame under Irish coach Digger Phelps from 1979-83. Tim's mother, the former Laureen Langen, was a member of the Irish women's swim team from 1980-84. In addition, a week later -- Andree was awarded the 2010 Monogram Club Postgraduate Scholarship for his 3.51 GPA. Andree will be attending Law School in the Fall.

BOOKSTORE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Joanna Philbin -- "the daughters"

Joanna, who just happens to be the daughter of Regis Philbin (ND Class of '53), was in Manhattan last night for the book party for the release of her first book; "the daughters." The book centers on the lives of three 14 year-old girls who were born into families with famous parents. Philbin signed a three book deal with Little Brown. Joanna did her undergrad at Brown University and received a MFA in Creative Writing and a Law Degree from the University of Notre Dame. The book is available at Amazon. Here's a link to the Facebook page created for "the daughters."

THE DAUGHTERS - BY JOANNA PHILBIN

Golden Tate Turning Heads in Seattle!

He now wears #81 for the Seattle Seahawks -- and it didn't take long for his new teammates and coaches to notice the new kid in town. Golden Tate participated in the Seahawks Minicamp this past weekend. Here's a link to a story on what they're saying about their second round draft choice out of Notre Dame, a link to a Seahawks video that has former Notre Dame All-American John Carlson interviewed -- and NFL TV's Draft Coverage of Seattle's "Golden" selection:

SEAHAWKS TV

NFL DRAFT ANNOUNCEMENT OF GOLDEN TATE TO SEAHAWKS

GOLDEN'S TURNING HEADS

The Top "Pre-Game Tradition"

It shouldn't be a surprise to Notre Dame fans -- it's the slapping of the Play Like a Champion Today sign in the Notre Dame Locker room. The blog -- Bleacher Report announced it's TOP 25 Pre-Game Traditions in College Football today and they have this on top. Here is the "wikipedia" definition of Play Like a Champion Today: Play Like A Champion Today is hand-painted in blue letters on a 36" by 48" sign located in a stairwell between the home team locker room and the tunnel to the field of Notre Dame Stadium. It is a tradition by Fighting Irish players to touch it on their way out of the locker room. A commercial for the university once featured alumni touching a sign before preparing for other "fields of play" (courtroom, surgery room, etc.). It is one of the most recognized motivational signs in college sports.The original sign that hangs in the Notre Dame Tunnel was painted by Laurie Wenger for Coach Lou Holtz. Here's the top 25:

THE TOP 25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PRE-GAME TRADITIONS

Let's Help This ND Grad Secure a Pepsi Grant!

Notre Dame grad, Hy Pham '09, is in Medical School outside of Pittsburgh and he's developed a community service project that will teach kids in the Pittsburgh area how to stay healthy. To fund this effort, he's applied to Pepsi - they're giving away grants each month to worthy projects. Part of the Pepsi process is a contest -- and the ten best ideas (most votes at the end of the month) secure funding for their project. Here's the note Pham sent to Cappy Gagnon, ND Class of '66:

"I am writing to you today to ask for a favor. One of my classmates and I have been working on a community service project and we are trying to help secure funding for it. Our biggest potential source of funding could be from PEPSI. They're actually giving away grants each month, but to acquire one, we there's a contest that requires us to get votes from people across the nation. The way it works is that the top ten ideas at each grant level by the end of the month will win these grants.

What I am asking is if you could vote for us and if there's any chance for you to pass along the message to those you know. People may have to register an account through the pepsi website so that may take a minute or two, but after that, voting should only take a second by clicking on a link. The rules allow you to vote for an idea once each day, but you can vote for that idea everyday until the end of the month on May 31st.

For more details on our project, you can go to our own website www.medschool4kids.com or you can visit the page that PEPSI has reserved for us. You will have access to vote in either places, but yes, the direct link for registering and voting on the pepsi website is: www.refresheverything.com/medschool4kids

In a short summary, what I am trying to do is to create an educational program teaching young kids (ages 8-11) how to be and stay healthy, and our curriculum is going to be structured like a "mini-medical school for kids". Through our interaction, we hope to share valuable science and health knowledge as well as to pass along our passion for learning. We will also make sure to do our best to express the importance of having a positive attitude, goals, and dreams, and in doing so, to also empower and inspire the kids to live well-balanced, healthy lives. Speaking on our behalf, we truly do want to make a lasting, positive impact on kids and the community, and with your help and funding from PEPSI, I know we can."

Here's the link to the Pepsi site - please visit today and help out Hy Pham and his efforts to help kids in the Pittsburgh community!

MEDSCHOOL4KIDS.COM

If You Have a ND Photo You'd Like to Share...

Please feel free to email me any of your favorite Notre Dame photos -- and I'll be sure to add them to the ND GO IRISH BLOG SLIDESHOW. Just email them to me at; jim.small@ndgoirish.com

Music & Notre Dame

Notre Dame's Department of Music just released a video of it's program -- and launched a new website. Please click on both links below and enjoy...

THE MUSIC OF NOTRE DAME

ND'S MUSIC WEBSITE

Irish Win Third Straight Big East Title!

The Fighting Irish Men's Track & Field Team won their third straight Big East Outdoor Track & Field Championship today on the University of Cincinnati campus. Leading the Irish was Daniel Clark who won the 1500, Kevin Schipper who won the Pole Vault and Denes Veres (pictured) who won the Shot Put with a new Notre Dame record! Congratulations to Coach Joe Piane and his irish!

Notre Dame All Access -- for ESPN

Someone "high up" at Notre Dame must have sent a memo to the Notre Dame Football program to allow ESPN any access it desires -- as the Irish have apparently "turned the other cheek" with ESPN. You'll recall ESPN talent Dana Jacobson made some derogatory comments towards Notre Dame and Jesus during a roast for Mike & Mike a number of months ago. Anyway, ESPN had inside access to Brian Kelly's staff meeting and inside the "GUG" for the Irish training table, academic areas and team meetings. Here's a link to the story:

ALL ACCESS TO NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

Clausen Has a New Number!

Jimmy Clausen walked onto the Carolina Panthers practice field yesterday wearing a new helmet and sporting a brand new number -- #2. It was the first day of the mandatory mini-camp for the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte. Clausen arrived at camp with the "groceries" that the Panthers NFL All-Pro receiver Steve Smith requested he bring. See the link to the story...



CLAUSEN BRINGS THE GOODS