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:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL TEAM'S ARRIVAL

Coach Weis Had Emergency Surgery Today

Former Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Charlie Weis '78 - was taken to a Kansas City Hospital after the Chief's third straight win yesterday.  Chief's Head Coach Todd Haley released a statement that the issue is "not life threatening."  ESPN is reporting he had emergency Gall Bladder surgery -- and Weis's agent just confirmed that Coach Weis was diagnosed with the infection on Friday and chose to wait until after the game -- and did have surgery this morning.  Say some prayers for Coach Weis.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  COACH WEIS SURGERY

Legendary Hollywood Columnist (ND Student)

Legendary Hollywood reporter and former Notre Dame student, Jim Bacon passed away September 19th at the age of 96.  Bacon's colorful career was the subject of a 1999 E! True Hollywood Story -- as he was quite a Hollywood character.  During his 75-year career as a newspaperman, columnist and author, Bacon was a confidant of Marilyn Monroe, hung out with John Wayne, knocked back drinks with Frank Sinatra (photo of Bacon and Sinatra) and the Rat Pack, traded cigars with Winston Churchill and met eight U.S. presidents.  He spent 23 years with AP, followed by 18 years at the Herald Examiner. Most recently, he wrote a weekly column, recalling memories from Hollywood’s glory days, for Beverly Hills 213, where his last column appeared June 6.  He also authored three best-selling books: “Hollywood Is a Four Letter Town,” “Made in Hollywood” and Jackie Gleason’s autobiography “How Sweet It Is,” which he co-authored.  Bacon belonged to an era when hard-drinking columnists mixed freely with Hollywood royalty.  In “Four Letter Town,” he claimed an affair with Marilyn Monroe.  Pretending to be the coroner, he made his way through a police barricade to get Lana Turner’s first-hand account of the fatal stabbing of her lover Johnny Stompanato by her daughter Cheryl Crane.  He accompanied Elizabeth Taylor’s physician to her home to break the news of the death of her third husband, Mike Todd, in a plane crash.  Bacon also broke the story of John Wayne’s cancer, and he was the first to debunk Clifford Irving’s hoax, “The Autobiography of Howard Hughes.”

LINK:  JIM BACON'S OBIT

ND Alum Brings Stanley Cup to Notre Dame!

Stan Bowman '95, is VP -- General Manager of the Stanley Cup Champion, Chicago Blackhawks.  This past Saturday, Stan brought the Stanley Cup home to his alma mater -- Notre Dame.  Here's a link to a WNDU-TV's interview with Stan on the Notre Dame Stadium sidelines.  Hockey fans will know the Bowman name -- Stan's Dad is legendary NHL Coach; Scotty Bowman -- who was a Special Advisor to the Blackhawks this past season.  This was Stan's first Stanley Cup -- he's now only 11 behind his Dad!

LINK:  THE STANLEY CUP COMES TO NOTRE DAME

The Ups & Downs of Notre Dame Fans

Being a Notre Dame football fan has had a few more "downs" than "ups" these last few seasons -- so, the folks at WNDU-TV decided to look into the psychology of being a Notre Dame fan.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  BEING A NOTRE DAME FAN

ND Alum -- In The Amazing Race on CBS!

Thomas Wolfard '02, and his girlfriend Jill Haney (click on Link: Meet Tom & Jill) are contestants on CBS's globe-trotting reality show The Amazing Race.  The show kicked off its 17th season last night and Wolfard and Haney won the first race!  The couple from Marina Del Rey, CA (click on Link: Season Premiere replay) beat the other ten teams in the race through England.  The highlight of the first show is certain to become YOUTUBE LEGEND -- Brooke Roberts and Claire Champlin (co-hosts of Home Shopping Network) had a little problem with a watermelon catapult device.  YOU MUST SEE:

LINK:  SEASON PREMIERE

LINK:  MEET TOM & JILL

LINK:  WATERMELON ATTACK

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Notre Dame Cheerleader

While visiting the Grotto before Saturday's game I took this photo of a Notre Dame Cheerleader - her name is Erin and she's from the Class of 2030.  

A Lifelong Fan's First Visit to Notre Dame

"One of the greatest weekend's of my life..." -- these were the words of one John Pisano of Long Island, NY on his first trip to the University of Notre Dame.  Pisano, a retired NYPD officer and former member of the NYPD football team, received the "gold carpet" treatment this weekend at Notre Dame.  Fortunately, the camera crew at NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG was there to capture all of the moments.  Here's a link to a couple of videos -- first, a video of March Out of the Band of the Fighting Irish on Friday -- you also might see a former ND All-American and Super Bowl MVP in the crowd.  And, a nine-minute  video of all of John's fun over the 36 hours he was at Notre Dame.  A MUST WATCH -- enjoy!

LINK:  MARCH OUT -- THE BAND OF THE FIGHTING IRISH

LINK:  A FIRST VISIT TO NOTRE DAME

The Magic That Is Notre Dame

This weekend I had the great pleasure of "showing off" Notre Dame to my friend John Pisano, a retired New York Police Officer -- on his first ever trip to "America's Holy Land."  We rolled onto campus at 9:45 AM EST on Friday and we left last night at 9:15 PM EST -- having seen about all you could in our 36 hour visit.  (Look for a video later today on the ND GO IRISH BLOG YOUTUBE CHANNEL) Yet, it's a breakfast at South Dining Hall yesterday morning that reaffirmed the "MAGIC" that is Notre Dame.  We've made it a tradition to stop in for breakfast at South Dining Hall before every Notre Dame home football game -- if you haven't visited this building, you must!  There's not a college dining hall like it in America.  Well, John and I are sitting alone at one of the long wood tables in South when two gentlemen join us, a few seats down.  They were in their Notre Dame gear -- like all of us -- but it was their multiple ND "tattoos" on their face that set them apart from the rest.  Specifically, the ND Monogram logo (the interlocking ND) that was applied BACKWARDS to both of their faces.  Having my camera in tow, I introduce myself to the two and ask to take a photo of their faces for my blog -- telling them that my visitors will enjoy seeing the mis-application of one of the more famous "marks" in the world, the Notre Dame logo!  So, I take a picture and we start talking...  I learn that they're Notre Dame fans who have been making this "pilgrimage" (their description) to an Irish football game -- every season -- for the past eighteen years from their homes in Connecticut.  Jack Barrett (Cheshire, CT) and Neil Stonge (Oakville, CT) -- like many of us,  didn't have the honor of attending Notre Dame as students.  They're self proclaimed proud members of the "Subway Alumni" -- the millions of us around the world who live and die with the Irish each week. They tell me that the tattoos are something they always do on game day and that they "always screw up putting on the ND logo tattoo."  "Just can't figure out how to put that on right" -- as they both laugh.  I introduce Jack and Neil to my friend John -- letting them know this was his first ever trip to Notre Dame.  Jack immediately asks us "where are your seats?"  And we tell him we have two tickets in Section 129, just below the Press Box -- well Jack replies; "those are kind of high up aren't they?"  We confirm they're in the upper bowl, but there's "not a bad seat in the Stadium."  Then, Jack asks "would you like to sit closer to the field?"  Come to find out, Jack and Neil's tickets are in the GOLD SEATS at Notre Dame Stadium.  These are the ten rows of individual seats that are gold colored that run between the 20's on both sidelines of the House that Rock Built.  The best seats in the Stadium.  Two of their friends from their Lions Club (they try to bring two new buddies each year from the club) had to back out at the last minute and they offered these tickets to John and me.  Well, it didn't take a "New York Minute" for us to say YES and Jack handed over the tickets...  (We gave our tickets in the Upper Bowl to a ND Usher and asked him to give them to two ND fans looking for tickets)  What a treat and what a vantage point for my friend John to  experience his first football game at Notre Dame Stadium!  To memorialize the occasion I took a picture of John, Jack and Neil (LtoR in the photo) at halftime from their seats -- FYI:  I should have taken the photo before the game when all of us were smiling and a little warmer!  Jack and Neil -- thank you for making my friend John's first visit to Notre Dame -- something he'll never forget!!!  And, thank you for playing a part in what I call the 'magic that is Notre Dame' -- our fans are like no other.  We'll be "family" forever (because of Notre Dame) and I look forward to seeing you two next season.  We're going to win that game!!!

Game Day @ Notre Dame!

I'm posting this morning from the Fairfield Inn -- New Buffalo, MI.  It's a town on the Lake Michigan shoreline, just a little north and due west of Notre Dame.  Spent all day yesterday with my friend John Pisano (photo) - a retired NYPD officer from Long Island, NY - on his first visit to the Notre Dame campus!  What a day we had!  I'll post a video recap of our visit to the Locker Room, Press Box, Field, Quarterback Luncheon, Pep Rally, etc. -- on Sunday.  To those not as fortunate as John and I today -- sitting in Notre Dame Stadium -- here's where you can tune-in to the Irish leading up to the 3:41 PM EST kick-off for today's game against Stanford:

9 AM EST to KICK-OFF:  Listen to WSBT 960 AM's Notre Dame coverage -- Click Here

11 AM EST:  Watch Notre Dame Stadium Fill Up -- Click Here to a Live Webcam

2:30 PM EST:  Watch NBC's Pre-Game Show Online -- Click Here

A Scoreboard in Purcell Pavillion!

It's bigger than life and it changes the look and feel of the newly renovated Purcell Pavillion -- home of Notre Dame Basketball.  Yes, it's a scoreboard -- it's big, it's beautiful and it makes a major change to the look and feel of the arena.  Thought you'd enjoy seeing a photo of the scoreboard's large video screens.

Kelly's Thursday Press Conference

Coach Kelly met with the media last night after practice. Here's what he had to say. Click on the link below:

LINK: COACH KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE

Football Weekend Weather

Looks like a decent weather forecast for a Notre Dame Football Weekend. Tomorrow morning might be "iffy" but beyond that -- it should be good through Sunday. Here's a link to the latest forecast from WNDU-TV:

LINK: FOOTBALL WEEKEND FORECAST

Stanford's Harbaugh -- Talks Notre Dame

Stanford University Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh is interviewed about their game this Saturday against our Fighting Irish. Here's a link to Stanford's ALL ACCESS web channel:

LINK: STANFORD'S VIEW OF THE IRISH

Irish to Play @ Dublin's Aviva Stadium

It was announced yesterday that the Notre Dame vs. Navy football game, set for September 1, 2012 - will be played at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Opened this past May, Aviva Stadium is the home to the Irish national soccer team and the Irish union rugby team. It's hailed as one of the finest stadiums in the world -- though its capacity is quite modest at 51,000. Looks like a great place to kick-off the 2012 season! Here's a link to the Aviva Stadium website:

LINK: AVIVA STADIUM TO HOST THE IRISH!