Quinn & Zbikowski Switch NFL Teams...

Former Irish football stars; Brady Quinn and Tom Zbikowski signed with new NFL teams in the past 24 hours. 

Yesterday, Zbikowski signed a three-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts after starting his career in Baltimore. Today, Quinn agreed to a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs (terms not disclosed) after spending seasons in Cleveland and Denver.  Here's hoping the moves turn out great for both!

LINK:  QUINN SIGNS WITH CHIEFS

LINK:  ZIBBY SIGNS WITH COLTS

Sollars' Notre Dame Football Helmet Designs

I love Charles Sollars' helmet designs -- but, Charles -- I think you could do better for our IRISH! 

Give us something as cool and hot as you designed for; Alabama, LSU, Illinois, Mizzou...

Here's a link to fourteen helmet designs he came up with for Notre Dame -- along with a second link to helmet designs for a few other teams:

LINK:  NEW HELMET DESIGN FOR THE IRISH

LINK:  OTHER SOLLARS HELMET DESIGNS

The Mornin' After a Bizarre End to a Season

 

I was up 'til after 2 AM ET -- trying to make sense of what happened to our IRISH...  And, I can't.

Xavier 67 - Notre Dame 63

So, I thought I'd leave it up to Coach Brey, the players and the "experts" in the media.  Here you go:

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  IRISH LOCKER ROOM -- AFTER GAME

LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  CINCINNATI.COM STORY

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

Referee's Calls -- Determines Final Outcome

Folks, it's truly a shame that with less than 3 seconds left in the game -- and the IRISH down two at the free throw line...

A referee's whistle -- ends the 2011 - 2012 basketball season for our Fighting Irish.

I don't know if it rivals the call made by the first base umpire taking the PERFECT GAME away from the Detroit Tigers' pitcher two seasons ago -- but, it's usually an "un-written" rule that you let the PLAYERS PLAY at the end of the game -- especially an NCAA Tournament game.

Not tonight.  Big East referee Mike Stuart (who's one of the best in the business) made two "back to back" calls that decided the outcome of the game:

• With Eric Atkins at the free throw line with 2.8 seconds remaining and the IRISH down by 2, Stuart blows the whistle after Atkins made the first free throw -- calling Jerian Grant for a violation -- even though he's almost 20' away from the basket.  Taking the point away from Notre Dame and giving the ball to Xavier...

• Then, on the in-bounds play that followed -- Stuart blows the whistle before the ball is thrown in, calling an INTENTIONAL FOUL on our IRISH -- awarding two free throws and the ball out of bounds to Xavier -- GAME OVER...

Mike Stuart took CONTROL AWAY FROM THE PLAYERS -- of the final 2.8 seconds of the basketball game -- ultimately making the decision that Xavier WOULD WIN and our IRISH WOULD GO HOME...

Ironically, I found this interview of Mike Stuart (January 2011) talking about the end of games (see cover photo of Stuart above) where he makes this quote -- and I swear I'm not making this up -- click on the article below:

“That game was really a great game where both teams competed at their highest level, and they decided the game,” he said. “At the end of the day, that is our goal.” -- Mike Stuart.

YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS UP!!!

Sleepless in South Bend...

LINK:  MIKE STUART -- LETTING "PLAYERS DECIDE THE GAME..."

Introducing the SHAMROCKS of NOTRE DAME!

The University of Notre Dame -- for the first time in its 169 year history -- will be growing shamrocks on campus this spring...

The exact locations of where the SHAMROCKS of NOTRE DAME will be planted has not been revealed as of yet -- but, as you might expect -- you can buy these same shamrocks (as of today) in the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore.

The store just has a few shamrocks in stock -- with plans to have many more in store for the BLUE GOLD WEEKEND.   They're also going to be offering this online -- with the ability to ship the SHAMROCKS of NOTRE DAME to your home.  They showed me the box they'll ship them in and you can turn the plant upside down in the box and the dirt doesn't come out -- IMPRESSIVE to say the least.

Each SHAMROCKS of NOTRE DAME plant comes in a ceramic pot complete with a "story card" that speaks to this new "living tradition," about to begin this spring, on the University of Notre Dame campus.

I bought two SHAMROCKS of NOTRE DAME plants to give to my Mom and Mother-in-Law for St. Patrick's Day -- they're both huge ND fans who will now have a "story to tell" about "their shamrocks from Notre Dame..."

What's cool is this -- Notre Dame alums, parents, fans and friends will have the opportunity to always have a "living piece of Notre Dame" growing in their yard, home or office -- and a STORY TO TELL.  It's going to be a great gift item...

I've also learned that all proceeds from the sale of the SHAMROCKS of NOTRE DAME will go to the University's Annual Fund which annually provides financial aid for deserving students, enhances academic and student life, advances the university's Catholic mission and funds other areas of greatest need.

The Real March Madness Begins Tonight!

Mike Brey's Fighting Irish have been getting ready for a couple of days now in Greensboro, NC for tonight's scheduled 9:45 PM ET tip-off with Xavier.  The NCAA now calls this a "second round" game since they 'play-ins' were created last season... 

It's still a FIRST ROUND game to me -- a game the IRISH will win!

Last night, the folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media and UND.COM posted a few stories from the tournament site that IRISH fans will enjoy.  I must admit, I'm now a big fan of Garrick Sherman who's in his transfer season from Michigan State -- after learning what he had to do just to "practice" with his teammates in Greensboro -- it's in one of the stories below...

LINK:  COACH BREY WITH JACK NOLAN 

LINK:  COACH BREY NCAA PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  PLAYERS NCAA PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  DAY ONE @ NCAA TOURNAMENT

To Get You Fired Up for Spring Practice!

The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media spent some time with the IRISH at a winter workout...

With the official start of Spring Practice -- just six days away -- thought this would get NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL fans excited.  Enjoy!

LINK:  WINTER WORKOUT FOR THE IRISH

2012 ND vs. Michigan -- UNDER THE LIGHTS!

The University of Notre Dame announced today that their game on September 22 with the University of Michigan, will be played UNDER THE LIGHTS -- in prime time on NBC.  Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET.

All other games at Notre Dame Stadium will have a 3:30 PM ET kick-off this season.  The Shamrock Series game between Notre Dame and the University of Miami will be a 7:30 PM ET kick-off at Chicago's Soldier Field.

Amir Carlisle: NCAA Ruled ELIGIBLE TO PLAY!

Amir Carlisle, who transferred into Notre Dame for the spring semester from the University of Southern California -- was ruled ELIGIBLE to play this fall for the Fighting Irish!

Here's a link to highlights of USC's win over Colorado this past season -- a game in which Amir had 90 yards rushing and  31 yards receiving:

LINK:  AMIR CARLISLE

Notre Dame: Tee Shepard Headin' Home...

News just broke that Tee Shepard, one of Notre Dame's top rated recruits -- who had enrolled early -- has left school to return home to Fresno, CA.  This was just announced by university spokesman, Brian Hardin.

LINK:  WNDU STORY

Graduation Success Rate: NCAA Men's Teams

Did some homework as to how well the 64 teams in the 2012 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship -- graduate their student-athletes.  The NCAA has been reporting the Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of every athletic team at every member school since 2004 -- you'll find the results below.

Seven schools in this year's NCAA Tournament scored a PERFECT GSR SCORE, graduating 100 percent of their student-athletes;  University of Notre Dame, Duke University, Davidson College, Brigham Young University, Harvard University, Creighton University and Belmont University.

Thirteen (13) schools in this year's NCAA Tournament GRADUATE LESS THAN HALF of their student-athletes in the NCAA Tournament -- they are:

• UCONN:  graduates 25%
• New Mexico State:  graduates 28%
• Mississippi Valley State:  graduates 35%
• University of Florida:  graduates 38%
• Southern Mississippi University:  graduates 42% 
• University of Colorado:  graduates 43%
• Norfolk State:  graduates 43%
• Temple University:  graduates 43%
• University of South Florida:  graduates 44%
• University of Michigan:  graduates 45%
• Long Beach State:  graduates 45%
• Iowa State:  graduates 45%
• Indiana University:  graduates 47% 

Here's a "re-seeding" of each NCAA Tournament Region -- by GSR:

SOUTH REGION
#1:  Duke -- 100 GSR
#2:  Notre Dame -- 100 GSR
#3:  Xavier -- 93 GSR
#4:  Wichita State -- 92 GSR
#5:  Lehigh:  85 GSR
#6:  Kentucky:  69 GSR
#7:  UNLV:  67 GSR
#8:  VCU:  67 GSR
#9:  Baylor:  56 GSR
#10:  South Dakota State:  50 GSR
#11:  Indiana:  47 GSR
#12:  Iowa State:  45 GSR
#13:  Colorado:  43 GSR
#14:  Mississippi Valley State:  35 GSR
#15:  New Mexico State:  28 GSR
#16:  UCONN:  25 GSR

WEST REGION
#1:  Davidson:  100 GSR
#2:  BYU:  100 GSR
#3:  Marquette:  91 GSR
#4:  LIU Brooklyn:  91 GSR
#5:  Michigan State:  82 GSR
#6:  Missouri:  67 GSR
#7:  Saint Louis:  67 GSR
#8:  Colorado State:  64 GSR
#9:  New Mexico:  57 GSR
#10:  Louisville:  56 GSR
#11:  Murray State:  56 GSR
#12:  Memphis:  55 GSR
#13:  Virginia:  50 GSR
#14:  Long Beach State:  45 GSR
#15:  Norfolk State:  43 GSR
#16:  Florida:  38 GSR

EAST REGION
#1:  Harvard:  100 GSR
#2:  Vanderbilt:  93 GSR
#3:  Loyola (MD):  92 GSR
#4:  West Virginia:  83 GSR
#5:  Montana:  75 GSR
#6:  Gonzaga:  73 GSR
#7:  Florida State:  67 GSR
#8:  Texas:  67 GSR
#9:  St. Bonaventure:  65 GSR
#10:  Ohio State:  57 GSR
#11:  UNC-Asheville:  57 GSR
#12:  Cincinnati:  56 GSR
#13:  Syracuse:  54 GSR
#14:  Wisconsin:  50 GSR
#15:  Kansas State:  50 GSR
#16:  Southern Mississippi:  42 GSR

MIDWEST REGION
#1:  Creighton:  100 GSR
#2:  Belmont:  100 GSR
#3:  Kansas:  91 GSR
#4:  North Carolina:  89 GSR
#5:  Detroit Mercy:  89 GSR
#6:  Vermont:  86 GSR
#7:  Saint Mary's:  82 GSR
#8:  North Carolina State:  80 GSR
#9:  Ohio:  79 GSR
#10:  Georgetown:  70 GSR
#11:  Alabama:  67 GSR
#12:  San Diego State:  62 GSR 
#13   Purdue:  50 GSR
#14:  Michigan:  45 GSR
#15:  South Florida:  44 GSR
#16:  Temple:  43 GSR

LINK:  NCAA GSR DATABASE 

Minnesota Vikings: Bookend IRISH Tight Ends!

Former Notre Dame football star John Carlson -- returned "home" today when he signed a five-year $25 million contract ($11 million guaranteed) with the Minnesota Vikings.

Carlson, who's played the last four seasons in Seattle with the Seahawks -- will be joining another former Notre Dame TE star on the Vikings roster, by the name of Kyle Rudolph.

LINK:  JOHN CARLSON -- A VIKING!

Charlie's Still Thinking About Notre Dame...

Found this article on Kansas Jayhawks head football coach Charlie Weis '78 -- who you'll see just can't stop thinking about his time in South Bend.  Here's the link below:

LINK:  CHARLIE'S NEW HOME

Notre Dame Business School Among Top 25!

The U.S. News & World Report released their rankings today of the business "grad" schools in America and the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business's MBA program was ranked #25!

Last year the IRISH were ranked #37 in this ranking -- drawing the notice of the U.S. News & World Report's editorial staff as the "most improved business school."  Congratulations!

The University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business -- undergraduate program -- has been voted #1 in the country by U.S. News & World Report for the past two years!

LINK:  U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

LINK:  ND #25

The Irish React to #1 Seed and Their Bracket

The good folks at UND.COM and Fighting Irish Digital Media were at Purcell Pavillion last night as Notre Dame awaited word on where they would be seeded and who they would play in the upcoming 2012 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship.  You'll enjoy their coverage!  (Where is ND selling those green Adidas jackets?)

LINK:  MUFFET McGRAW

LINK:  SKYLAR DIGGINS

LINK:  DEVEREAUX PETERS

LINK:  NATALIE NOVOSEL

LINK:  BRITTANY MALLORY

Muffet's IRISH a #1 NCAA Seed -- Play Sunday!

The Notre Dame women's basketball team received a #2 overall ranking from the NCAA -- meaning they don't have to face Baylor until the National Championship game!  Now, the "experts" at ESPN are not so complimentary of our IRISH (see below) -- which I think is GREAT!

Let's prove them wrong!

The fun begins this Sunday at Purcell Pavillion at 2:30 PM ET -- when the Irish will play #16 Liberty.  The winner of that game will face the winner of California vs. Iowa -- Tuesday night at Purcell.

GO IRISH!

LINK:  WOMEN'S NCAA BRACKET

LINK:  THE EXPERTS ARE NOT KIND TO OUR IRISH!

Irish Baseball Defeat #11 LSU on the Road!

In front of more than 10,000 fans yesterday in Baton Rouge, LA -- the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame defeated perennial national power LSU, 7 -1.  (photo of LSU's Alex Box Stadium)

LSU had won eight in a row -- before ND Sean Fitzgerald (Sophomore) threw eight strong innings only giving up one run.  BIG WIN FOR THE IRISH!

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  BATON ROUGE NEWSPAPER STORY

LINK:  SEAN FITZGERALD INTERVIEW

LINK:  ND HEAD COACH MIK AOKI -- INTERVIEW

Notre Dame Tracked Thursday's Solar Storm

I learned something today...

The University of Notre Dame has 64 "detectors" in a field the size of two football fields on the north end of campus -- to track the effects from the sun (Cosmic Ray Astrophysics).  It's called Project GRAND -- Gamma Ray Astrophysics at Notre Dame. (photo above)

If you'd like to learn more -- here's a story from the South Bend Tribune -- and a link to the Project GRAND site...


LINK:  TRACKING THE SOLAR SPACE

LINK:  ND'S PROJECT GRAND

Irish to Play Xavier Friday in Greensboro, NC

The "committee" gave the IRISH a #7 seed -- what I would have expected after losing three of our last four games...

To pile on -- our "friends" at ESPN just published a BPI ranking that said Notre Dame was the highest rated seed who "did not deserve to be in the field of 68 teams."  Ironically, Xavier -- ND's first round opponent was the next highest seeded team on that list...

Oh well, let's beat XAVIER Friday night and then let's go play Duke (in their backyard) and beat them on Sunday!

LINK:  SOUTH REGION -- BRACKET

LINK:  COACH BREY -- SELECTION SUNDAY SHOW

LINK:  JACK COOLEY -- SELECTION SUNDAY SHOW

OT: Bonnies Win the Atlantic 10, On to NCAA!

Our daughter Kara chose to attend St. Bonaventure University -- over the University of Notre Dame -- six years ago, last month -- not that I remember that moment...

Ever since that day -- another school in the "middle of nowhere" -- captured a piece of our family's heart.  So, it's with great joy that I write this blog post about the BONNIES big win today over Xavier to win the Atlantic 10 Championship -- but more importantly, a trip to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship!  

CONGRATULATIONS ST. BONA and CONGRATULATIONS KARA!!!

LINK:  THE BONNIES ARE DANCING!

P.S.  Kara, your DAD will still be rooting for the IRISH if they play the Bonnies in the NCAA!  :)