Sunday, May 22, 2011

It's Notre Dame vs. Duke Today at 2:30 PM EST


In a rematch of last year's National Championship game -- the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame take on the Duke Blue Devils at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA with the winner advancing to the Division 1 Men's Lacrosse FINAL FOUR next weekend in Baltimore.  The game will be televised LIVE on ESPNU.  The Irish beat Duke earlier this season 12 - 7.   Here's a link to a preview of today's matchup:  GO IRISH!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. DUKE

Saturday, May 21, 2011

ND's Coach Alford Doing the Right Thing


The Pacheco family in Sarasota is struggling today -- their eight year old daughter was hit and killed in a car accident Monday evening -- trying to cross a street.  One of the first on the scene was Notre Dame football coach Tony Alford, who was in town recruiting for the Fighting Irish.  I'm going to leave the rest of the story to the South Bend Tribune -- here's the link:

LINK:  THANK YOU COACH ALFORD

Tom Lemming Updates ND Football Recruiting

The folks at Weekday SportsBeat at 960 AM in South Bend had high school football recruiting guru Tom Lemming as a guest yesterday.  Lemming spoke about ND's current recruiting class and future prospects and his new Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl which will take place in Phoenix during the Fiesta Bowl Week activities.  Here's the link:


LINK:  LEMMING TALKS NOTRE DAME

LINK:  SEMPER FIDELIS ALL-AMERICAN BOWL

ND's Live Web Broadcast of Commencement


If you're looking for something "engaging" on the worldwide web this weekend you just might want to tune in to the University of Notre Dame's live web stream of events taking place this 2011 Commencement Weekend.  If you have never seen the Commencement Mass at Notre Dame -- you just might want to tune-in today at 4:40 PM.  IT IS THAT SPECIAL.   Here's the schedule of live events:

Today / Saturday Schedule:
  • 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM -- Graduate School Commencement Ceremony  
  • 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM -- ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
  • 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM -- Service Send-off Ceremony
  • 4:40 PM to 6:30 PM --  Commencement Mass and Academic Procession

HERE'S THE LINK TO TUNE-IN TODAY:  LIVE WEB STREAM


Tomorrow / Sunday Schedule:
  • 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM -- University Commencement and Academic Procession, LIVE from Notre Dame Stadium

HERE'S THE LINK TO TUNE-IN SUNDAY:  LIVE WEB STREAM

Friday, May 20, 2011

Domer Finishes Run Across America Today!


Jeff Grabosky became the 43rd individual to ever run from "coast to coast" this afternoon at 1:50 PM EST.  The 3,709 mile run took 120 days for this member of the ND Class of 2005 -- ending on Long Island, NY at the Atlantic Ocean!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Here's a link to Jeff's website:  JEFF RUNS AMERICA

Jack Swarbrick Talks Notre Dame Athletics


University of Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick met with the Observer (ND's school newspaper) to talk about the future of ND's Athletic Department.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  NEXT FOR NOTRE DAME!

Michigan's Throwback Jersey For ND Game

Irish fans may recall that Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly let the word out early about the uniforms that Michigan would be wearing in their first ever night game against ND on September 10th.

I was told by a friend close to Michigan AD David Brandon that he was not very happy (an understatement) with Coach Kelly and Notre Dame that they scooped the Wolverines.

Here's what their jerseys might look like -- there is a NCAA rule that you must have an 8" inch number on the jersey front.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Coach Kelly Makes Gift to Alabama Residents


I'm not surprised that Brian Kelly would feel the need to help out Alabama.  ND fans will feel good after reading this story about Coach Kelly who was in Bama to meet with a Notre Dame Club:

LINK:  KELLY MAKES GIFTS TO ALABAMA

Isn't the SEC Already Paying Their Athletes?


I find this discussion to be the final leap by Athletic Directors and College Presidents to the "dark side." 

Should athletes be paid over and above their scholarship? 

How can schools in the Big East, Mid American Conference, Conference USA,  etc., financially justify paying their athletes over and above the scholarships, coaching salaries, travel, etc., when they don't fill their stadiums every Saturday?  Is BANK NCAA coming to the rescue?  Here's a link to the conversation:

LINK:  IS THIS GOOD FOR COLLEGE ATHLETICS?

Irish Hoops Recruit Picked As A Big Surprise!


Pat Connaughton committed to play for Mike Brey and the Fighting Irish this past recruiting season -- and he's been picked by ESPN experts as one of the BIGGEST SURPRISES out of the Class of 2011.  (Pat is also an ALL-STAR baseball pitcher).   Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  ONE OF THE BIGGEST SURPRISES

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Jeff Samardzija Goes to 3 - 0 With the Cubs!

Former Notre Dame football and baseball star Jeff Samardzija pitched two scoreless innings tonight in the Cubs win over the Marlins.  Samardzija struck out three and gave up one hit -- getting his third win on the season -- in relief of Cub's starter Ryan Dempster.

Jeff has now appeared in seventeen games for the Cubs this season -- giving up zero runs in 13 of those appearances!  His ERA is now at 2.96 for the season.  Here's a link to Jeff's updated season stats:

LINK:  JEFF SAMARDZIJA STATS

The 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses


Notre Dame fans won't be pleased where the campus of the University of Notre Dame ended up on this list.  You be the judge:

LINK:  50 MOST BEAUTIFUL CAMPUSES

Ryan Grant Fulfills His Promise to WI School


Former Notre Dame running back and current Green Bay Packer, Ryan Grant, fulfilled a promise he made to Burlington Catholic Central High School that he would pay for their high school prom.  Here's a link to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story and the deal he cut with the school:

LINK:  RYAN GRANT'S A MAN OF HIS WORD

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Notre Dame Says "NO" to Made In China

The only school in America that has told their Licensees -- NO PRODUCTS CARRYING OUR MARKS MADE IN CHINA -- is the University of Notre Dame.  ND fans will find this story quite interesting:

LINK:  THIS DECISION WAS MADE TEN YEARS AGO

Monday, May 16, 2011

Lou Nanni -- A Notre Dame Man!

I found this article this evening in the South Bend Tribune.  It speaks a little about a man I've gotten to know over the past twelve months.  His name is Lou Nanni '84 and he's the Vice President for University Relations at the University of Notre Dame.  He has one of the greatest jobs on this planet -- and Notre Dame couldn't have found a more deserving MAN for this role.

Lou's convictions (as you'll see in this South Bend Tribune story) makes Notre Dame -- NOTRE DAME, to many.  Enjoy!

LINK:  WALKING THE WALK

Majority Leader Boehner -- Tells a Faust Story

John Boehner, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives was given an honorary degree this weekend at Catholic University.  During his speech to the graduates he spoke of a call he received from former Notre Dame football coach Gerry Faust.  Thought IRISH fans would get a kick out of this:

LINK:  BOEHNER AND COACH FAUST

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Darby's National Championship Win -- Video


Here's a video of Ronald Darby's winning the 200 meters at the New Balance Indoor Nationals -- the win makes him National Champion in this event!  Darby, who has already verbally committed to play for the Fighting Irish after his upcoming senior season, has one of the fastest times in the world in this event.  Here's the link to the video:

LINK:  DARBY'S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RUN

ILLUSTRATION OF THE DAY






Thought you would enjoy this!

A Sixteen Mile Bike Ride to Work @ ND


His name is Rich Forrester and he lives in Buchannan, MI -- sixteen miles from his workplace at the University of Notre Dame.  A route he'll bike from time to time.  The South Bend Tribune caught up with Rich and his bike, here's the story:

LINK:  RICH FORRESTER AND HIS BIKE

Tyler Eiffert Goes Home -- A Nice Story


The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette caught up with Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eiffert while he's home between semesters.  You'll enjoy this story:

LINK:  EIFFERT GOES HOME

Saturday, May 14, 2011

ND Offers a HS Sophomore Star in Georgia!


Brian Kelly & Company have definitely changed Notre Dame's approach to recruiting.  Charlie Weis typically offered 35 to 40 kids and never until after their junior season.  Well, there's a new sheriff in town and he's offering every talented football player in the country whether they're in ninth, tenth or eleventh grade.

Trey Johnson, a sophomore linebacker out of Central Gwinnett High School in Lawrencevill, GA -- is the latest underclassmen to be offered by the IRISH.  Here's a link to his highlight video from this past season:

LINK:  TREY JOHNSON -- IRISH OFFER!

Notre Dame Lacrosse on ESPNU Today!


The fourth seeded Fighting Irish of Notre Dame Men's Lacrosse team kicks off action in the NCAA Division 1 Men's Lacrosse Championships against unseeded Penn at 2:30 PM EST on ESPNU.  The First Round game is a "home" game for the Irish at Arlotta Stadium.  Here's a link to the media notes on today's game:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. PENN -- NCAA TOURNAMENT

NATIONAL CHAMPS IN THE CLASSROOM!


The University of Notre Dame dominated the 2010 NCAA Graduation Success Rate -- National Rankings -- AGAIN!

MEN'S TEAMS -- NINE ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!
-- Baseball at 100 tied for first with Boston College, Stanford, the U.S. Air Force Academy, Virginia and Wake Forest.
-- Men's basketball at 100 tied for first with BYU, Illinois, Marshall, Utah State, Wake Forest and Western Kentucky.
-- Men's cross country/track and field at 100 tied for first - with Central Florida, Miami (Fla.), Rice, Stanford, Tulane and Virginia Tech.
-- Men's fencing at 100 tied for first with Boston College, North Carolina, Rutgers and Stanford.
-- Men's golf at 100 tied for first with 39 other schools.
-- Men's lacrosse at 100 tied for first with Duke.
-- Men's soccer at 100 tied for first with Northwestern.
-- Men's swimming at 100 tied for first with nine other schools.
-- Football at 96 finished first - ahead of Duke and Northwestern at 95.
-- Hockey at 95 ranked second - behind the U.S. Air Force Academy at 96.



WOMEN'S TEAMS -- ELEVEN ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!
-- Women's basketball at 100 tied for first with 29 other schools.
-- Women's cross country/track and field at 100 tied for first - with10 other schools.
-- Women's crew/rowing at 100 tied for first with Boston College, Duke, North Carolina, USC and Stanford.
-- Women's fencing at 100 tied for first with Boston College, Duke, North Carolina, Northwestern, Rutgers, Stanford and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
-- Women's golf at 100 tied for first with 62 other schools.
-- Women's lacrosse at 100 tied for first with Boston College, Connecticut, Duke, Northwestern, Ohio State, the U.S. Naval Academy, Vanderbilt and Virginia.
-- Women's soccer at 100 tied for first with 25 other schools.
-- Softball at 100 tied for first with 17 other schools.
-- Women's swimming at 100 tied for first with 28 other schools.
-- Women's tennis at 100 finished tied for first with 67 other schools.
-- Women's volleyball at 100 ranked tied for first with 42 other schools.


 
Here's a link to the story:  NATIONAL CHAMPS IN THE CLASSROOM!

Friday, May 13, 2011

CA Candidate Plays the "Rudy" Card In TV Spot


You can't make this stuff up!  A Californian by the name of Dan Adler hired Sean Astin (Rudy) to help him in his run for the U.S. Congress.  You've got to wonder why this former Creative Artists and Disney executive is using "Notre Dame" to sell Los Angeles area voters in the 36th District. 

Is he brilliant?

Thought Irish fans would get a kick out of this:

LINK:  PLAYING THE RUDY CARD

Irish Recruit -- 200 Meter National Champion!

The Fighting Irish received a commitment last month from Ronald Darby -- who just happens to be the NATIONAL CHAMPION in the Indoor 200 Meters.  Darby is also one of the top defensive backs in the Class of 2012 and will bring a "little speed" to the Bend.  Here's a link to his interview after winning the national title:

LINK:  RONALD DARBY -- NATIONAL CHAMPION

Notre Dame Offers a Freshman Football Star!

To show you how the game of recruiting has changed in college football -- word leaked yesterday that the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish had made a verbal offer to a high school freshman football star in Florida!  His name is Sony Michel -- and as an eighth grader he was clocked in the 100 meters at 10.9.  He's scheduled to graduate from American Heritage High School in Plantation, FL in June of 2014.  

Besides Notre Dame -- Florida State and Miami, FL have already made offers.  Here's a link to highlights of his eighth grade football season and his recent freshman football season.

LINK:  SONY MICHEL AS AN EIGHTH GRADER

LINK:  SONY MICHEL AS A NINTH GRADER

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Davis & May to Join the Irish Golf Legends!


ESPN College Football Gameday hosts Reece Davis (Alabama) and Mark May (Pittsburgh) have agreed to host the Irish Golf Legends golf tournament on Monday, June 27th.  The fifth annual event honors the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation, Lou Holtz Charitable Foundation and the Kelly Cares Foundation.  Here's some more information:

LINK:  IRISH GOLF LEGENDS 

LINK:  OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Mendoza College of Business Ten Top Tens!

BusinessWeek ranked how well the undergraduate business schools in the country teach 14 specialty areas: quantitative methods, operations management, ethics, sustainability, calculus, microeconomics, macroeconomics, accounting, financial management, marketing management, business law, and corporate strategy, as well as entrepreneurship and international business, which were added this year.

The University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business (which is the #1 ranked undergraduate business school in America two years running) ranked in the top 10 in ten of the fourteen specialty areas!  Only ND and Emory University can claim this many top ten rankings.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME LEADS THE WAY!

Irish Softball Big East Regular Season Champs!

It took a grand slam from senior catcher Alexia Clay (pictured)  in the final at bat against UCONN, as the Irish scored five times in the top of the seventh to overcome an 11-9 deficit to win the Big East regular season title!  ESPN's Graham Hays wrote a story today about the Big East Championships this weekend in Louisville -- here's a link.  Go IRISH!

LINK:  IRISH WIN REGULAR SEASON TITLE!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Notre Dame Coach Kelly on WFAN in New York


Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly was a guest this afternoon on WFAN in NYC.  You'll enjoy listening to the podcast -- he's on the air for just under five minutes:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY ON WFAN

Carleton Scott to Leave ND Early for NBA Draft!


In what I would call "shocking news" -- University of Notre Dame graduating senior, Carleton Scott -- decided to forgo his final year of eligibility with the IRISH to enter the 2011 NBA Draft.  Scott, who will graduate with the Class of 2011 May 22nd in South Bend, had til midnight last night to make his decision.

Here's what's shocking.  Only the players drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft have guaranteed contracts -- meaning you'd have to be one of the top 30 players drafted.  Only 60 players are drafted in total.   

Scott is currently ranked #120 in the NBA Draft by ESPN. 

I'm guessing Carleton's decided to play in Europe for one of the professional leagues there.  Salaries range from $150,000 to $750,000 annually in Europe, depending on what you can negotiate.

Here's a link to a few of the news stories surrounding his decision:

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day!


Here's a link to the University of Notre Dame Liturgical Choir singing "Notre Dame Our Mother."  Thought this was the perfect post for Mother's Day.  Enjoy!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME OUR MOTHER!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Irish Move Up in ESPN's 'Way Too Early' Poll


Pre-season polls make news and our friends at ESPN have more than most.  Here's a link to ESPN college football writer Brian Bennett's blog post on why he voted the Irish into his top-twenty along with a link to the actual poll -- which you'll see is typical for ESPN, not factual about Notre Dame:

LINK:  ESPN'S POST SPRING WAY TOO EARLY POLL

LINK:  BRIAN BENNETT'S BLOG POST ON THE IRISH

A Notre Dame Football Promotional Video

Looks like Coach Kelly's enthusiasm is rubbing off on others at Notre Dame.  Here's a link to a video posted on the Notre Dame Football Facebook page.  You might need a Facebook account to view this.  Here's the link:

LINK:   COACH KELLY "MOTIVATING"

ND Hockey Team Takes Tour of New Home!


The Compton Family Center -- the new home of Notre Dame Hockey received its first visit by the Fighting Irish who will call it home.  Jeff Jackson's Irish received a tour of the facility -- which opens November 19th against Boston College.  The only team member who didn't take the tour was Jackson himself -- who stood outside.  The Head Coach has decided he doesn't want to step foot into the building until it is completely done.  Here's a link to the WNDU-TV coverage of the tour:

LINK:  ND'S NEW HOCKEY CATHEDRAL

Friday, May 6, 2011

Top Undrafted Player -- Ian Williams Per CBS


CBS Sports' Chad Reuter did a story today on the top "un-drafted" college football players and Notre Dame nose tackle Ian Williams is at the head of his class.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  IAN WILLIAMS -- TOP UNDRAFTED PLAYER!

ESPN's Talkin' Heads -- Talk Notre Dame

The folks at ESPN can't help themselves -- they ranked the Fighting Irish #17 in their preseason poll for the 2011 season -- but, they still don't want to believe we're back.  One of these days they might want to do their homework and have all of their facts straight about Notre Dame.  You may have to check your "blood pressure" from time to time.  Here's the link:

LINK:  ESPN'S TAKE ON NOTRE DAME

OT -- Photo of the Day!


The Ohio State University Marching Band has been working on some new formations for the upcoming 2011 football season.  Thought you'd enjoy this "sneak preview."

Mike Lee Profiled in USA Today -- Today!


Former three-time "Bengal Bouts" Champion and ND Alum Mike Lee was profiled today in USA Today.  Irish fans will recall that Mike chose to put his ND degree aside to pursue the Light Heavyweight Championship of the World.  You'll enjoy this story:

LINK:  THE FIGHTER!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

The Haka Dance @ Notre Dame's O.S.C.A.R.S.


Notre Dame football player Kona Schwenke led a group of Irish athletes on stage last night at the O.S.C.A.R.S. -- the talent show that ND Athletics puts on each year.  You'll enjoy this!

LINK:  HAKA DANCE AT NOTRE DAME

Jackie Cooper Dismissed From Notre Dame

Child actor Jackie Cooper passed away Tuesday at the age of 88.  He was the first child actor (age 9)  ever to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for the movie Skippy in 1931. 

What you probably never knew about Jackie Cooper was that he attended the U.S. Navy training program at the University of Notre Dame -- and that he was dismissed from the program.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  COOPER DISMISSED FROM NOTRE DAME

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

The Atkinson Family -- A "Must See" Interview!


Former Oakland Raider great George Atkinson II and his two sons George III and Josh were recently interviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle / SportsNet.  You'll enjoy the interview about the TWINS picking Notre Dame:

LINK:  SPEED IS ON THE WAY!

Notre Dame Goes "Centerplate" for Food


The University of Notre Dame announced a few months ago that they were considering outsourcing their food service needs for Notre Dame Stadium and the other sports venues on campus.  Well, they weren't kidding.  Yesterday the university announced that they had hired CENTERPLATE, the largest food supplier to the NFL, to handle the hospitality needs of Irish fans.  Centerplate has been awarded the hospitality contracts to 12 Super Bowls, 20 World Series, 100 major bowl games, etc., -- so they just might be able to handle Notre Dame!  Here's a link to the announcement and a link to the Centerplate website:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME GOES CENTERPLATE

LINK:  CENTERPLATE OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Former Bills Jim Kelly's Nephew an Irish QB?


Former Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly has a talented nephew named Chad Kelly who also wears #12 and plays QB.  Chad is gaining some interest from a number of the top schools in the country -- and the Irish jumped into the picture recently.  Here's a link to a Buffalo News story about his recruitment along with a second link to a highlight video of him.  The kid's a talent:

LINK:  JIM KELLY'S NEPHEW -- IRISH RECRUITING

LINK:  CHAD KELLY'S HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Monday, May 2, 2011

Dave Duerson Found to Have Brain Trauma


Boston University researchers just announced that former Notre Dame football star, Dave Duerson had developed the same trauma-induced disease found in more than 20 deceased players.  Irish fans will recall that Duerson shot himself in the chest on February 17th -- in order to preserve his brain for research.  Here's a link to the New York Times article:

LINK:  DAVE DUERSON -- BRAIN TRAUMA

Sunday, May 1, 2011

OT -- Photo of the Day!


If you know a Buckeye fan -- you might want to send them a link to this photo of a billboard on I-94 in Michigan close to the Ohio border.

Washington Post Video Interview of Darby


Ronald Darby, who committed to Brian Kelly's Fighting Irish of Notre Dame was featured today in a video interview at the Washington Post's website.  His track coach was interviewed -- and he mentioned that Darby's indoor 200 meter time is the 2nd fastest in the world right now.  Here's a link to the feature on Ronald Darby:

LINK:  RONALD DARBY INTERVIEW

Is Jimmy Clausen Up to the Challenge?


It sure didn't take long for the "young QB's" in Carolina to be sitting on a bench next to each other!  Jimmy Clausen and Cam Newton participated in a kick-ball game for charity yesterday -- the Charlotte Observer was there and they asked a number of questions of Jimmy.  Thought you'd enjoy the interview:

LINK:  JIMMY CLAUSEN -- WILL HE BE THE MAN IN CAROLINA?

How Long Will the Wait be for Ian Williams?

Ran across this writer's look at the "Ten Best Players Undrafted" and he picked Notre Dame's Ian Williams as the #1 player that was not drafted yesterday.  See the link below.

Typically a player like Williams, who didn't get drafted, would have signed a free-agent deal last night with a NFL team.  With the NFL Lock Out still in play -- teams cant' talk to Ian right now.  The good news is Williams and his agent, have plenty of time to research every team and see where he would fit in best. 

The same goes for Chris Stewart, Armando Allen, Darrin Walls and the other Irish seniors who would like to play in the NFL.  It's time to do your homework and prepare to put yourself in the best position to make a team.

LINK:  THE TEN BEST -- UNDRAFTED

Kyle Rudolph Interview with VIKINGS.COM


The #43 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Kyle Rudolph, was in Minneapolis yesterday to meet with the media.  Here is a link to one of his interviews:

LINK:  KYLE RUDOLPH -- MEETS WITH THE MINNEAPOLIS MEDIA