Saturday, January 12, 2013

Coach Brian Kelly to Remain at Notre Dame !!!


In what can be best described as a "frustrating few days" for the Notre Dame Family -- an official statement was just released that said Coach Kelly would continue coaching the Fighting Irish -- bypassing a potential opportunity to coach in the NFL.

Most should find Jack Swarbrick's comments about the process -- surprising -- based on all of the speculation these past 72 hours or so...

I trust Notre Dame fans will be relieved with this news.

LINK:  COACH KELLY TO REMAIN AT NOTRE DAME

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  CBS SPORTS' -- JACK SWARBRICK COMMENTS

LINK:  NBC SPORTS' -- NOTRE DAME CENTRAL 

LINK:  WNDU-TV BREAKING NEWS

Walter Camp Awards Dinner Tonight...

University of Notre Dame's Brian Kelly and Manti Te'o will be receiving their Walter Camp Awards this evening at Yale University Commons in New Haven, CT.

The event begins at 5 PM and I suspect with all of the speculation surrounding Coach Kelly --- the ESPN gang will be covering this...

WATCH IT LIVE RIGHT NOW!

LINK:  WALTER CAMP AWARDS DINNER -- LIVE!

Notre Dame Athletic Success -- Impressive !!!


It's been quite a Fall Semester for the University of Notre Dame's student-athletes.  Take a look at the rankings of the Fighting Irish teams that were in action:
  • Football -- as high as #1 / finished #3
  • Hockey -- currently #2
  • Women's Basketball -- currently #2
  • Men's Soccer -- as high as #3 / finished #8
  • Women's Soccer -- finished #13
  • Women's Golf -- finished #14
  • Men's Basketball -- currently #16
  • Men's Swimming -- currently #18
  • Women's Swimming -- currently #20
  • Women's Volleyball -- as high as #25 

Friday, January 11, 2013

Why Notre Dame Has a Seat At the BCS Table


There was an ESPN writer who at one time worked for Sports Illustrated -- who took the University of Notre Dame to task early last fall for their influence over the college football industry...

Well, here's some "fun facts" that the NCAA and BCS Committee are staring at that might just answer those critics who wonder why Notre Dame has earned the respect it has...

BOWL ATTENDANCE:
  • For the first time, since they started tracking this in 2005 -- average bowl game attendance dipped below 50,000 
  • Yet, the last three bowl games that Notre Dame has played in -- the IRISH have set attendance records in all three:  Hyundai Sun Bowl, Champs Sports Bowl and Sun Life Stadium

TV VIEWERSHIP: 
  • No other school played in more of the Top 25 televised football games this season than Notre Dame.
 
 

The Skylar Diggins Interview -- A MUST SEE!

Kate Sullivan '02, interviewed Skylar Diggins for the Notre Dame Athletic Department -- the All-American has evolved into an "iconic" figure in the college sports landscape.  You'll enjoy this candid conversation.

LINK:  SKYLAR DIGGINS

Riddick & Motta to Play in Shrine Game


Notre Dame senior football players Theo Riddick and Zeke Motta have accepted invitations to play in the 88th Annual East West Shrine Game -- an All-Star game for college seniors played next Saturday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL

They will be playing on the WEST Team.

The game will be held Saturday, January 19th -- 4 PM ET -- with television coverage coming from the NFL Network.

LINK:  EAST WEST SHRINE GAME

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Notre Dame Finishes #1 in Colley Matrix Poll

The Fighting Irish finished #1 in the season's final computer poll from Colley Matrix -- because of their strength of schedule over Alabama.

Kind of puts a damper on the validity of the computer polls -- doesn't it...

Ironically, the creator of this poll is employed at the University of Alabama -- Huntsville.  His name is Wes Colley (photo), Senior Research Scientist at The Center for Modeling, Simulation and Analysis.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME #1

LINK:  WES COLLEY BIO

"Kelly the Talking Robot" -- Autism Research


The University of Notre Dame's research in Autism was profiled last night on the PBS NewsHour -- good work going on here!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S AUTISM RESEARCH

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Heaven's Team Picked Up a Notre Dame Man


Former Notre Dame All-American Mirko Jurkovic passed away this afternoon at 5:50 PM  ET -- losing a 28 month battle to colon cancer.

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal..."

LINK:  TRIBUTE TO MARKO JURKOVIC

LINK:  ESPN CHICAGO

Only 101 Days to Blue Gold Game...


Notre Dame Football's 83rd annual Blue Gold Game will be held on Saturday, April 20th.

LINK:  HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST YEAR'S BLUE GOLD GAME

This Didn't Take Long, Odds to Win NC in 2013


The Vegas odds makers came out yesterday with their picks to win the BCS National Championship in 2013.  And, our IRISH are in the 8th position.  Here's the top TWENTY:

  • Alabama:  5 to 1
  • Oregon:  8 to 1
  • Ohio State:  17 to 2
  • LSU:  12 to 1
  • Texas A&M:  12 to 1
  • Florida:  14 to 1
  • Florida State:  14 to 1
  • NOTRE DAME:  22 to 1
  • Clemson:  22 to 1
  • Louisville:  22 to 1
  • Miami:  25 to 1
  • Oklahoma:  25 to 1
  • South Carolina:  25 to 1
  • Georgia:  28 to 1
  • Nebraska:  28 to 1
  • Stanford:  30 to 1
  • Texas:  30 to 1
  • Michigan:  33 to 1
  • USC:  33 to 1
  • Oklahoma State:  40 to 1

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

From Near Death to Wearing ND's Gold Helmet

Arturo Martinez is a Notre Dame football player -- a walk-on defensive lineman -- who at the age of 14 had STAGE IV HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA.

You're going to want to know his story...

LINK:  ARTURO MARTINEZ

I Will Never Forget This Interview...


After last night's game -- Theo Riddick was interviewed in the Notre Dame locker room.  You'll want to fast forward this WNDU-TV report to the 1:37 mark.

I will always root for this young man.

LINK:  THEO RIDDICK

Notre Dame Priest Honored by CCUSA !!!


The University of Notre Dame's Vice President for Mission Engagement and Church Affairs -- Rev. Bill Lies, C.S.C. -- will be honored this Saturday with the "Keep the Dream Alive Award" from Catholic Charities USA!   

Congratulations to Fr. Bill !!!

LINK:  SIGNIFICANT AWARD FOR ND PRIEST

Muffet's IRISH Move up to #2 in AP Rankings!


The Notre Dame women's basketball team's win on Saturday over then #1 UCONN has vaulted the IRISH to the #2 spot behind Baylor in the AP Poll -- yet the Coaches Poll still has UCONN ahead of ND -- go figure...

LINK:  WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL RANKINGS

Final College Football Rankings Just Released


The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame ended up being ranked #3 in the final USAToday Coaches Poll and #4 in the final AP Poll for the 2012 college football season.

From 'un-ranked' to the final game of the season.

CONGRATULATIONS IRISH!


LINK:  FINAL FOOTBALL POLLS

Big Road Win for Coach Brey's Fighting Irish!


The #16 ranked Notre Dame men's basketball team traveled to Cincinnati last night to take on the #13 Bearcats and beat them 66 - 60 -- a huge road win for the IRISH!

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  CINCINNATI NEWSPAPER

The Mornin' After...


Yeah, we got hammered... 

Alabama was so dominant last night, they would have done the same thing to my other favorite football team -- the Detroit Lions.  (That's not saying much...)

Yet, I feel GREAT about our Notre Dame football program and the direction we're headed.

Here's why I'm excited:
  • We are a TOP TEN football program -- again -- and we're going to be for some time
  • We have a COACH who has proven he can build winning "CHAMPIONSHIP" programs
  • We have a QB who's going to be GREAT -- and will be a Heisman finalist before he's done
  • We have the most TALENT on our team since the days of Lou Holtz in the late 80's and early 90's -- combined with a coaching staff that can DEVELOP this talent
  • Everyone in our football program now knows -- WE CAN WIN -- and that is huge
  • The Notre Dame Family has been re-energized this season
  • And, we've been given a gift by the Alabama Crimson Tide -- EMBARRASSMENT -- a gift I believe will propel this team to a National Championship in the next three years.

What's also great is this -- the WORLD got to witness the power of the NOTRE DAME BRAND -- especially the "Y and Z" generations.  No other university can stir the hearts and souls of so many people around the globe.  It was fun to watch.

So what do we do now!
  1. Stay POSITIVE
  2. Remember where we've been and look FORWARD to where we're going
  3. And, be THANKFUL for all of the joy of these past 18 weeks -- it's been off the charts

I'd like to extend a BIG THANK YOU to Coach Kelly, his STAFF and to the 105 student-athletes who wore the GOLD HELMET last night in Sun Life Stadium -- you have AWAKEN THE ECHOES!

Remember -- it's only 235 days to kick-off of the 126th season of Notre Dame Football!


LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

Monday, January 7, 2013

Photos From ND's Game Day Party in Miami!






These photos have been sent to me courtesy of Samantha Ruttura -- who received the free ticket to tonight's BCS National Championship game courtesy of the YP team.

George Will -- "Luck of the IRISH"


Just found this article written by George Will -- one of the more respected journalist's in America today...

LINK:  LUCK OF THE IRISH

Coach Elliott to Receive a Kidney Transplant!


Notre Dame football coach Bob Elliott was given the great news the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.  The kidney is coming from his sister Betsy Stough -- you'll love how she told her brother Bob...

LINK:  KIDNEY TRANSPLANT FOR ND COACH

Lookout BAMA! -- HERE COME THE IRISH!



This is a 20' x 50' billboard that should be hanging at today's Game Day Party in Miami!


LINK:  NOTRE DAME AND ALABAMA -- FINAL PREPARATIONS

Miami's Hotel Intercontinental -- GO IRISH!

This video was sent to the ND GO IRISH BLOG by Fr. Ralph Haag, C.S.C. -- a Notre Dame priest who's down in South Florida for tonight's BCS National Championship game.

ESPN Feature -- "At Home With the Golics"


ESPN pushed out this story today on Mike Golic and his son's Mike Jr. and Jake at home for Christmas break -- before heading down to Florida for tonight's BCS National Championship game. 

Enjoy!

LINK:  THE GOLICS AT HOME

LINK:  JESSE PALMER TALKS MATCHUP

LINK:  DAVE POLLACK TALKS MATCHUP

Please Say a Prayer for Mirko Jurkovic Today


The former Notre Dame All-American football player is clinging on to life this morning after a 28 month battle with colon cancer. 

Mirko, an analyst for UND.COM sat with Jack Nolan -- just last week -- to talk about how HIS IRISH CAN BEAT BAMA tonight.

LINK:  MIRKO JURKOVIC -- TALKIN' IRISH FOOTBALL

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE STORY

Notre Dame vs. Alabama -- 11 Hours to Kick-off



The ND GO IRISH BLOG took a lap around the worldwide web this morning to see what the "media experts" have to say about tonight's BCS National Championship game between Notre Dame and Alabama. 

Please remember this IRISH FANS -- most of the media has been wrong all season, why would they stop now?


LINK:  NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

LINK:  LOS ANGELS TIMES

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

LINK:  NEW YORK TIMES

LINK:  NBC'S NOTRE DAME CENTRAL 

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  TUSCALOOSA NEWS

LINK:  JACKSON COUNTY NEWSPAPER

LINK:  MIAMI HERALD 

LINK:  SUN-SENTINEL

LINK:  YAHOO SPORTS

LINK:  CBS SPORTS

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  ESPN MATCHUPS

LINK:  COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATION BLOG

LINK:  THE SPORTING NEWS

LINK:  COMCAST SPORTS NET

LINK:  NBC SPORTS NETWORK

LINK:  ABC NEWS

LINK:  BLEACHER REPORT

LINK:  ASSOCIATED PRESS

LINK:  TAMPA BAY SBNATION

"Today is the Day -- We're Going to Win!!!"


These words were spoken by a football coach at a little school in the "middle of nowhere" -- but, they still resonate today -- nearly 80 years later...

What though the odds be great or small, Old Notre Dame will win over all!

GO IRISH -- BEAT BAMA!!!

LINK:  KNUTE ROCKNE'S SPEECH

Sunday, January 6, 2013

"Notre Dame Football is Back" -- WE KNOW IT!

Sports Illustrated's Michael Rosenberg penned this story today...

LINK:  "IT'S GOOD FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL..."

Notre Dame Fans Should Sleep Well Tonight!!!

Here's why:
  • Notre Dame's last four coaches who were in their THIRD SEASON and were playing for a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP -- won the TITLE!  Brian Kelly is in his third season.
  • There have been eight (8) BCS National Championship games where one head coach had no history of winning a BCS National Championship was up against a coach who had previously won one or more national titles.  The coach who had yet to win a national championship has won SEVEN TIMES!  Brian Kelly is playing in his first BCS title game -- Nick Saban has won three so far... 
  • And, Monday January 7th is the Feast Day for Saint Andre Bessette, C.S.C. Bessette is the first member of the Congregation of Holy Cross (the founders of the University of Notre Dame) to receive canonisation as a saint by the Catholic church.

BCS National Championship -- ND Day Five!

The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media put together a recap of what's been going on these last five days in Miami!

LINK:  DAY FIVE REPORT

Notre Dame's BCS Championship Team Photo!


This looks like a NATIONAL CHAMPION to me!

Notre Dame Football - ONE DAY AWAY!


The Notre Dame Football equipment truck is ready to paint a "12" on its side!

ESPN Interviews of Notre Dame Players


Here's some interviews of a few members of the Fighting Irish football team by the gang at ESPN.  Click on the player's name below:

LINK:  CIERRE WOOD

LINK:  KEI VARAE RUSSELL

LINK:  STEPHON TUITT

LINK:  MIKE GOLIC JR.

The Day Before the BCS National Championship


The Fighting Irish made a visit to Joe DiMaggio's Children Hospital and Coach Kelly held his last session with the media before tomorrow night's BCS National Championship game with Alabama. 

This game can't come fast enough!

LINK:  FOOTBALL TEAM VISITS HOSPITAL

LINK:  COACH KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE

TV Coverage of Notre Dame's BCS Pep Rally

Took a lap around the web this morning to look into the coverage of Notre Dame's Pep Rally last night in Miami -- an event that drew more than 40,000 fans (Miami police estimate)!

Click on the links below to the UND.COM coverage along with the news report from WNDU-TV:

LINK:  REPLAY OF PEP RALLY

LINK:  WNDU-TV'S COVERAGE

Why Notre Dame is Back on Top! -- WSJ


The Wall Street Journal has been covering the Notre Dame story a lot these days -- and I like it!  Here's the latest:

LINK:  WHY NOTRE DAME IS BACK ON TOP

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Notre Dame Fans in Denmark -- Viewing Party !!!


I received an email today from Notre Dame fan Matt Schaefer who is trying to pull together a viewing party for this "Tuesday morning" at an Irish pub called Tir Na Nog in Aarhus, Denmark.

If you're interested in attending -- please reach out to Matt at: schaeffe1@grinnell.edu

GO IRISH!

LINK:  TIR NA NOG OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Notre Dame Currently a 9.5 Pt. Underdog...


Just took a look at what the VEGAS GUYS are saying about Monday night's BCS National Championship game -- and here's what I learned:
  • Notre Dame is still a 9.5 point underdog
  • 70% of the betting public is backing the Fighting Irish on the point spread

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. ALABAMA POINT SPREAD

Notre Dame is 20 - 2 Last Twenty-two Games!

Notre Dame is tied with Alabama and Oregon with the best regular season record over the last 22 games in college football's FBS division  -- think about that!

The IRISH, Crimson Tide and Ducks are all 20 - 2 over this span of games these past two seasons.

Thousands of Notre Dame Fans at Pep Rally


The Miami Police have never seen anything like this -- just look at this photo just "tweeted" from Notre Dame's Pep Rally at the BCS National Championship Pep Rally.

Gunner Kiel Talks Freshman Season @ ND


Notre Dame's highly recruited Gunner Kiel was taking in the scene today at Sun Life Stadium when a reporter from the Chicago Tribune got him on camera for a quick interview.  Click on the link below.

LINK:  GUNNER KIEL

Brady Quinn in Miami Talkin' to UND.COM

Former Notre Dame All-American QB Brady Quinn is down in South Florida this weekend to see his Fightin' Irish play in the BCS National Championship game. 

Here's an interview he gave to the gang at Fighting Irish Digital Media:

LINK:  BRADY QUINN

Lou Holtz Speaking at ND BCS Pep Rally


The Notre Dame Family has gathered in South Beach tonight for a Saturday night National Championship Pep Rally.  Here's a photo of former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz (on the big screen) firing up the crowd!

LINK:  LOU BEFORE THE ND BCS PEP RALLY

Photo of the Day: FIVE OUT OF SIX!!!


The reaction on the floor and in the stands -- says it all.  #5 Notre Dame beats #1 and unbeaten UCONN on the road tonight!

Dick Vitale Just "Tweeted" This Photo...



Dickie V is in South Beach with the Notre Dame Family!  Pep Rally to start at 7 PM ET.

Notre Dame Beats #1 UCONN !!!


Muffet's Lady Irish just beat #1 ranked UCONN 73 - 72 on the road -- the fifth win for ND over the Huskies in their last six meetings!

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  HARTFORD COURANT STORY

LINK:  STORY

LINK:  BOX SCORE

LINK:  NOTRE DAME OVER #1 UCONN