Must See: "Shipping Up To Boston" Tonight!

The Notre Dame hockey team's recent trip to Boston to play Boston College in historic Fenway Park was captured in a Fighting Irish Digital Media partnership with 3 Penny Films production called "Shipping Up To Boston" -- which will air this evening at 10 PM ET on the NBC Sports Network.

If you miss tonight's show -- the NBC Sports Network will "re-air" the show at these dates and times:

• January 23 at 1:30 AM ET
• January 29 at 12:30 AM ET
• February 8 at 10:30 PM ET

List of "The 50 Most Powerful Irish in America"

The 2014 list of the fifty most powerful Irish in America was just released by Irish Central and it includes a few names who have ties to the University of Notre Dame:

• #7  Don Keough -- the former President and COO of Coca-Cola is a past Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the University of Notre Dame (pictured above)
• #23  Brian Kelly -- head football coach at the University of Notre Dame
• #39  Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. -- president of the University of Notre Dame

LINK:  MOST POWERFUL IRISH AMERICANS

Domer Henry Evans -- A Story You MUST SEE !

Notre Dame alum Henry Evans' '84, life forever changed on October 29, 2002.  He was stricken with a stroke-like attack that overnight made him mute and quadriplegic.

Yet, Henry wouldn't let that stop him from living...

You must see / hear Henry's TedX presentation.  THIS IS MUST SEE!

LINK:  HENRY EVANS

A Domer's New Line of Work -- After the NFL

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Chinedum Ndukwe '07, has a new career after playing football for the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Ndukwe launched a new real estate and investment firm this past year called Kinglsey Wells Enterprises, L.L.C. -- and he's just made his first investment in a Cincinnati building project. 

Here's the story:

LINK:  LIFE AFTER THE NFL

Louis Nix's South Bend Tribune Interview

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Louis "Irish Chocolate" Nix III spoke with the South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen about his decision to sign early with an agent -- missing out on the IRISH's trip to New York City for the Pinstripe Bowl -- and what he's doing now...

LINK:  LOUIS NIX III

Coach Mike Brey's Hall of Fame Induction

Fans of Notre Dame's Mike Brey will enjoy his trip down "memory lane" as Coach returned to his alma mater last night to be inducted into the George Washington University Hall of Fame.  Enjoy!

LINK:  HALL OF FAME

"88 AND 1" Must See This Sunday on ESPN2

The folks at ESPN2 will air a show on Sunday night at 8 PM ET called "88 AND 1" -- a story about Notre Dame's 71 - 70 win over UCLA that broke the Bruin's 88 game winning streak...  I'll be curious to see if they also talk about the loss "before the streak" began -- another victory for the IRISH over UCLA.

88 AND 1 will be re-broadcast on ESPNU on the following dates/times:
·      Jan. 19 – 10 p.m. EST
·      Jan. 21 – 4 p.m. EST
·      Jan. 24 – 6 p.m. EST
·      Jan. 30 – 1 a.m. EST


Click on the link below to watch show's promotional trailer:

LINK:  88 AND 1

Updated Photos of Notre Dame's Basilica Floor

The University of Notre Dame's Basilica of the Sacred Heart is wrapping up the installation of a brand new "slate" floor this week.   The plan calls for the Basilica of the Sacred Heart to celebrate Mass again this Sunday -- can't wait to see the new floor and hear the new sound!

Watch VanGorder's Press Conference Replay

Notre Dame football's new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder will be formally introduced to the media this afternoon at 3 PM ET.  Here's a link to the PRESS CONFERENCE REPLAY if you'd like to watch!

LINK:  REPLAY PRESS CONFERENCE

Coach Kelly on Bill King Radio Show Today

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly was a guest this morning on the Bill King Radio Show.  He talked about a number of things -- namely, his plan to return to calling the plays on offense.  Here's the story:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY

Notre Dame Hires Brian VanGorder to Run "D"

The University of Notre Dame just announced that Brian VanGorder has been hired as their new Defensive Coordinator.  VanGorder comes to the Fighting Irish from the New York Jets where he was their linebacker's coach this past season.

Coach VanGorder first coached with and for Brian Kelly from 1989 to 1992 at Grand Valley.  Since then, VanGorder has served as the defensive coordinator at Georgia, the Atlanta Falcons and Auburn.

Here's a replay of Coach VanGorder's introductory news conference with Auburn back in 2012 -- along with a link to his accomplishments as a coach:

LINK:  BRIAN VANGORDER

LINK:  BRIAN VANGORDER WIKI

Two Domers Lead All NFL Rookie Jersey Sales!

WOW!

Dick's Sporting Goods has been tracking the sale of NFL jerseys for the past fifteen months -- and the top two selling jerseys among NFL rookies belong to #1:  Manti Te'o and #2 Tyler Eifert...

Think about that -- there were 254 players drafted by NFL teams last year -- and many more signed as free agents.  And, the top two on the sales list -- NOTRE DAME PLAYERS!

LINK:  JERSEY REPORT -- DICK'S SPORTING GOODS

Skylar Diggins On the Eastbay Catalog Cover!

Former Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins -- as you can see above -- is on the cover of the Eastbay catalog.

Great Friends: Brian Kelly & Jeff Quinn

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly and University at Buffalo head coach Jeff Quinn got together to talk a little football and their relationship.

Must see and must read!

LINK:  KELLY & QUINN

LINK:  BUFFALO NEWS STORY

Miami Herald: Nice Story on "Showman Tate"

Our man Golden Tate almost became "legend" for his fumble on the onside kick last night that gave New Orleans the ball back and the chance to tie the NFL Playoff game.  Thankfully for the former Notre Dame All-American the Seahawks won the game and they advance one step closer to the Super Bowl.

I found this Miami Herald story today about Golden -- you'll enjoy this!

LINK:  BRASH GOLDEN TATE

OT: Seahawks' "Fan Induced Earthquakes"

If you're tuned in to today's NFL Playoff Game on FOX between the New Orleans Saints and the Seattle Seahawks you're sure to hear about the equipment inside Seattle's CenturyLink Field that measures earthquakes...

If you're going to the game -- dress for rain!

It's going to be noisy!

LINK:  EARTHQUAKES IN SEATTLE

Golden Tate & Seahawks Feeling Unnoticed

Former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate had some things to say about the pending return of Percy Harvin to the Seahawks for today's NFL Playoff game with the New Orleans Saints... 

He's always a good quote!

LINK:  TATE SPEAKS

First ACC Road Game Today for Brey's Irish

'
The Notre Dame men's basketball team is in Atlanta, GA today to take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.  Tip-off is scheduled for NOON ET.  Georgia Tech announced it was a sell-out (8,600 seating capacity) -- so it should be fun to see how the Fighting Irish handle an ACC crowd on the road.

The game will be televised on the ACC Network.  I have a link below to their affiliate stations around the country -- click on that link to see if the game will be televised in your area.  Along with a link of Coach Brey talking about today's game.

GO IRISH!

LINK:  COACH BREY -- GAME PREVIEW

LINK:  ACC NETWORK -- AFFILIATES

Manti Te'o "Moving On" in San Diego

Found this story in the New York Daily News about former Notre Dame All-American Manti Te'o and his rookie season with the San Diego Chargers.  The Chargers play some guy named Peyton and his Broncos this Sunday at 4:40 PM ET.

You'll enjoy this story!

LINK:  MOVING ON

Two Dads Celebrate Their Kids ND Acceptance

It's a moment I'll never forget -- learning one of your kids was accepted to the University of Notre Dame...

I found this blog post written by Rick Becker who's son Ben recently received his acceptance letter to Notre Dame's Class of 2018.  Rick writes about his joy that day and the joy of another future Notre Dame dad.

One of Ben's future classmates will be a young woman out of New Jersey by the name of Sarah Christie -- who just happens to be the daughter of Governor Chris Christie.

See the story below:


LINK:  NOTRE DAME ACCEPTANCE LETTER

Notre Dame Grad Student on Jeopardy Today

Marika Kuspa -- a grad student in Notre Dame's College of Science will be a contestant on Jeopardy today!  Click on the link below -- you'll find Marika's intro at the 46 second mark:

LINK:  MARIKA KUSPA ON JEOPARDY

George Atkinson III Files for 2014 NFL Draft

Notre Dame student-athlete George Atkinson III has decided to take his game to the National Football League.  Here's the story:

LINK:  ATKINSON OFF TO NFL

CNN Story: College Athletes' Reading Levels

CNN's Sara Ganim conducted an investigation of the reading levels of some of the athletes at a few of the top public colleges in the country.  Domer Bubba Cunningham '84 and '88, the Athletic Director at the University of North Carolina is interviewed.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  THEY CAN'T READ

TV Ratings Down for BCS Championship Game

Just further proof why college football needs Notre Dame...

You had the Heisman Trophy winner leading an undefeated Florida State team against the SEC Champion Auburn Tigers.

Yet, ESPN's overnight TV ratings for Florida State vs. Auburn were down from last year's game between Notre Dame and Alabama -- the all-time record.  That's a shocker when you consider 90% of the country was hunkered down in their homes watching TV because of the record cold weather...


LINK:   TV RATINGS DOWN FOR BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Notre Dame's Final Rankings Don't Add Up !!!

Just took a look at the final college football polls released this morning -- the AP and USA Today Coaches Poll.  In the AP Poll Notre Dame is ranked #20, in the USA Today Poll Notre Dame is ranked #24.

Here's my frustration -- we deserved better...   The facts prove Notre Dame should have finished #18 in both polls -- at the very least.

In the AP Poll, #18 Texas A&M has four losses and they're ranked ahead of Notre Dame -- yet, they only have one victory all season against a Top-25 team in the final rankings and that's their bowl win over #23 Duke.  #19 USC has four losses and we beat them head to head...

Then you have the USA Today Coaches Poll -- where Notre Dame at #24 sits behind SIX teams who also have four losses:

• #18  Texas A&M (9-4)
• #19  USC (10-4)
• #20  Arizona State (9-4)
• #21  Wisconsin (9-4)
• #22  Duke (9-4)
• #23  Vanderbilt (9-4)
• #24  NOTRE DAME (9-4)

I've already addressed Texas A&M and their one win over a ranked team this season, and Notre Dame's head to head wins over USC and Arizona State...

Now, let's talk about Wisconsin, Duke and Vanderbilt... --

Wisconsin doesn't have a single win over a team ranked in the final Top-25 team this season.  And, they were beat by Arizona State -- who lost to Notre Dame.

Duke doesn't have a single win over a team ranked in the final Top-25 this season.

Vanderbilt doesn't have a single win over a team ranked in the final Top-25 this season.

And, NOTRE DAME HAS THREE WINS OVER TEAMS RANKED IN THE FINAL TOP-25 USA TODAY COACHES POLL:  #3 MICHIGAN STATE, #19 USC AND #20 ARIZONA STATE.

It doesn't add up.
 

LINK:  FINAL FOOTBALL POLLS

Only 284 Days Until Notre Dame Plays FSU !!!

I'm guessing the gang at ESPN's College GameDay already have this date circled on their calendar -- October 18, 2014 -- when Notre Dame travels to Tallahassee to take on the defending National Champions. 

It's been more than eleven years since the last time (and the first time) Notre Dame traveled to Doak Campbell Stadium to play Florida State -- remember that game?

See the link below:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME BEATS FLORIDA STATE

OT: Auburn Fan Has $50,000 Riding on Game

Mark Skiba's dad made a $100 bet for him in Las Vegas (January 30, 2013) on Auburn winning the National Championship.  The odds were 500 to 1 against this happening.

Think he's a little nervous today?

LINK:  AUBURN FAN COULD WIN BIG

Revisiting ND's Last Three National Titles !!!

As we await tonight's BCS National Championship game -- I thought the Notre Dame nation would enjoy a trip down memory lane.  Here's a look at the highlights of the Fighting Irish's last three National Championships in football.  Enjoy!

LINK:  1988 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP -- FIESTA BOWL

LINK:  1977 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP -- COTTON BOWL

LINK:  1973 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP -- SUGAR BOWL

Tuitt Tells Sports Illustrated He's Headed to NFL

Notre Dame student-athlete Stephon Tuitt told Sports Illustrated's Brian Hamilton that he is going to make himself eligible for the upcoming NFL Draft.  Here's the story:

LINK:  TUITT TO THE NFL

Must See: Coach Brey With Team After Duke !!!

The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media provide great coverage ALL THE TIME of our athletic teams here at the University of Notre Dame.  Yesterday's win over DUKE was no exception.  You must watch the locker room celebration.

LINK:  TEAM CELEBRATES WIN

The Media the Mornin' After Beating Duke

Took a lap around the web to see what the media had to say about Notre Dame's 79 - 77 win over #7 ranked Duke.  Just click on the links below:

LINK:  ESPN COLLEGE BASKETBALL BLOG

LINK:  CBS SPORTS RECAP

LINK:  THE HERALD-SUN

LINK:  ASSOCIATED PRESS

LINK:  NEWS OBSERVER

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Mike Brey's Post Gamer Presser After Duke Win

Mike Brey's Notre Dame teams are now 13 - 6 against TOP TEN RANKED TEAMS when they play at Purcell Pavilion.  Duke was the latest top ten team added to the win total.

Word on the web this morning is -- THIS IS THE FIRST TIME DUKE'S "COACH K" HAS LOST A GAME TO A TEAM COACHED BY ONE OF HIS FORMER ASSISTANTS."

Here's what Coach Brey had to say after the game:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME BEATS DUKE

Notre Dame Beats Duke in First ACC Game!

Mike Brey's Fighting Irish beat the #7 ranked team in the country this afternoon 79 - 77!  A true team win as all nine Notre Dame players who played in the game scored.  Notre Dame is now in a FIRST PLACE TIE in the Atlantic 10 Conference -- a game ahead of Duke.

LINK:  ESPN RECAP

LINK:  CBS SPORTS

SHE is a Domer Coaching Boxing in Chicago

Kimberly Hickey is a Notre Dame alum coaching boxing at Chicago's Leo Catholic High School.  Found this story at the DAILY DOMER -- it's a must see, must read story.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S FIGHTING IRISH

Notre Dame on TV Today -- MUST SEE TV !!!

The University of Notre Dame's men's basketball team and hockey team will be playing marquee games today against Duke and Boston College respectively.

First at 4 PM ET -- Mike Brey's Fighting Irish welcome the #7 ranked Duke Blue Devils to Purcell Pavilion for the first time in eighteen years.  The game will be televised on CBS.

Then at 7:30 PM ET -- Jeff Jackson's #14 ranked Fighting Irish will take the ice at FENWAY PARK (yes, Fenway Park) to play #6 ranked Boston College.  The game will be televised on the NBC Sports Network.

Should be a great pre-lude to the winter storm most of us in the Midwest will be facing this evening and tomorrow...

GO IRISH!

LINK:  DUKE vs. NOTRE DAME

LINK:  BOSTON COLLEGE vs. NOTRE DAME

Former ND Football Coach Headed to Texas?

That's the story running throughout the media this morning...

Charlie Strong, a former defensive line coach (1995 - 1998) at Notre Dame and now the head coach at Louisville is rumored to have been offered the head coaching job at the University of Texas.

I can see the t-shirts now:  TEXAS STRONG

LINK:  TEXAS-STRONG

NOW 3/4 of a MILLION UNIQUE FOLLOWERS!!!

Unique follower #750,000 -- a Notre Dame fan from Manhasset, NY -- visited the ND GO IRISH BLOG at 10:56 PM ET this evening!  

THANK YOU NOTRE DAME FANS!!!

As I always do when the site reaches a new milestone -- I pick out where the ND GO IRISH BLOG would rank in the United States if it were its own city.  Well here's the rank -- the 18th largest !!!

At the 750,000 mark the ND GO IRISH BLOG just passed my former hometown of DETROIT -- and it's now just behind our oldest son's former hometown of Charlotte, NC.  Here are the rankings:

#15:  Columbus, OH -- 809,798
#16:  Fort Worth, TX -- 777,992
#17:  Charlotte, NC -- 775,202
#18:  ND GO IRISH BLOG -- 750,000
#19:  Detroit, MI -- 701,745
#20:  El Paso, TX -- 672,538

OT: Rose Bowl Replaces Field for BCS Game

A sod farm near Palm Springs, CA has been growing three grass football fields for the Rose Bowl the past few months.  The first was installed after the last UCLA home game in November -- for Wednesday's 100th Rose Bowl.  The second, was installed hours after Wednesday's game -- they actually placed the new turf -- over top of the old turf (see photo above) for Monday's BCS National Championship game.

The third field was grown -- as a back-up plan...

You have to read these stories.

LINK:  PERFECTION

LINK:  THE PERFECT FIELD

The Duke Blue Devils Come to Notre Dame

ACC Basketball begins tomorrow when "Coach K" brings his #7 ranked basketball program to Notre Dame for the first time in eighteen seasons.  Duke features arguably the #1 freshman in the country Jabarri Parker (photo above) out of Chicago's Simeon High School.  Should be quite a challenge for the Fighting Irish!

LINK:  COACH BREY TALKS DUKE

LINK:  HERALD-SUN STORY

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Revisiting; Notre Dame 17 -- Michigan State 13

Over the next few months if you run into any Michigan State fan or any college football fan who doesn't love our Fighting Irish -- you're sure to hear the following:

"Michigan State should not have lost to Notre Dame -- there were a number of bad calls made by the referees that led to ND's victory.  Michigan State got "HOMERED" by Notre Dame."

Well, it's time to COUNTER this misinformation with some FACTS from the game:

1. The referees who worked this game were from the Big Ten Conference.  Last I checked, Michigan State was still a member of the Big Ten Conference.  The Spartans brought their own officials with them to Notre Dame Stadium that day.
2. Michigan State's offense generated 254 yards of total offense in the game and scored only 13 points -- their lowest offensive output for the season and their lowest scoring game of the season. 
3. Both teams were called for a number of penalties; Michigan State had 10 penalties in the game for 115 yards -- Notre Dame had 8 penalties for 86 yards.   Please note:  MSU also had 10 penalties called on them by Big Ten officials (just a couple of weeks later) at a home game against Indiana.  They won that game 42 - 28.  Notre Dame's 86 penalty yards were the most against the IRISH all season!

ND the "Gold Standard" for Attendance Records

Just take a look at these attendance records as you watch the highlights of the majority of the bowl games this season and see all of the empty seats.  Notre Dame is truly the "gold standard" when it comes to drawing fans to games.  Take a look at these attendance records:

• New Era Pinstripe Bowl -- largest crowd ever (Notre Dame vs. Rutgers)
• Michigan Stadium -- largest crowd ever (Notre Dame vs. Michigan)
• Sun Life Stadium -- largest crowd ever (Notre Dame vs. Alabama)
• Hyundai Sun Bowl -- largest crowd ever (Notre Dame vs. Miami)
• Spartan Stadium -- largest crowd ever (Notre Dame vs. Michigan State)
• Los Angeles Coliseum -- largest crowd ever (Notre Dame vs. USC)
• Soldier Field -- largest crowd ever (Notre Dame vs. USC)
• LaVell Edward Stadium -- largest crowd ever (Notre Dame vs. BYU)
• Oklahoma Memorial Stadium -- largest crowd ever (Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma)

Skylar Diggins' in Nike Cross Fit TV Spot

Former Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins has been cashing in on her hard work...

LINK:  NIKE CROSS-FIT TV SPOT

A Nice Video Profiling San Diego's Manti Te'o

The former Notre Dame All-American is featured in this video shot this past Sunday during San Diego's big win over Kansas City.  Enjoy!

LINK:  MANTI TE'O

Domer Hannah Storm -- Tournament of Roses

ABC's coverage of the 125th Tournament of Roses Parade will be hosted by Notre Dame alum Hannah Storm '83.  The show begins at 11 AM ET this morning!

LINK:  STORM TO HOST

A Slate Floor for Basilica of the Sacred Heart

The University of Notre Dame's Basilica of the Sacred Heart is getting a major makeover these next few weeks as a slate floor is being installed -- in replace of the carpet.  See the photos above.