Sunday, January 31, 2016

X Games Silver Medalist Reps Domer's Jersey


Arielle Gold won the Silver Medal today at the 2016 X Games and she did so wearing the jersey of former Notre Dame student-athlete David Bruton!

Bruton landed in San Jose, CA this afternoon with his Broncos teammates as they prepare for next Sunday's Super Bowl 50!

Notre Dame Rolls Over Wake Forest Today!


Irish vs. Wake Forest on ACC Network: 1 PM ET


The #25 ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame play the Deamon Deacons of Wake Forest today at 1 PM ET -- in the friendly confines of Purcell Pavilion.

The game will be televised on the ACC Network -- here's a list of the ACC Network Affiliates around the country:

LINK:  ACC NETWORK AFFILIATES

Domer Eifert Wins "Military" Autograph Contest


NFL.COM: Top 5 Draft Picks by Position


Here's a story today on the top draft picks by position...

You'll notice two ND student-athletes -- Fuller & Prosise, who decided to leave early -- are not listed.

LINK:  TOP PICKS BY POSITION

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Domer Jaylon Smith's Surgery Video


OT: Our Mom's Courtside Seat at Ferris State

 

Our mom (Joan Small) loved two schools in her lifetime -- the University of Notre Dame and Ferris State University (the Harvard of Mecosta County!).

She left for heaven in June of 2012 -- just months after I took my position at ND. 

Mom worked for Ferris State University's on campus hotel for a number of years heading up their corporate sales efforts.  Oh, how she was proud of the Bulldogs.

Today, when the Ferris State Bulldogs men's basketball team takes on Saginaw Valley State -- my Mom's chair will be courtside.

That's Andy Bronkema --- head basketball coach at Ferris State -- sitting on my Mom's chair.  Andy's led the Bulldogs to a 16 - 3 record on the season and a #25 ranking in NCAA Division II.  Thanks Andy for sending me the photos!

Go Bulldogs!

OT: Super Bowl 50 End Zone Painting Screw Up


You can't make this up...

LINK:  END ZONE PAINTING

Tyler Eifert -- Doing the Right Thing This Week


Former Notre Dame All-American Tyler Eifert is playing in his first NFL Pro Bowl this weekend in Hawaii.  The Domer decided he wouldn't be traveling alone for this honor.

He took a life-long Notre Dame fan (who helped him recover from an injury) with him.

LINK:  MUST READ

Domer Eifert at NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii



You'll want to read this story -- associated with the video above...

LINK:  EIFERT AT PRO BOWL

Must See: Domer Harrison Smith's 1st Pro Bowl

 

The Vikings produced a slick video on former Notre Dame captain Harrison Smith -- who will be playing in his first NFL Pro Bowl at 7 PM ET on ESPN Sunday.

LINK:  VIDEO

LINK:  STORY

Alex Flanagan Interviews Sheldon Day


Former ND sideline reporter -- now with the NFL Network -- Alex Flanagan interviews former Notre Dame captain Sheldon Day at the Reese's Senior Bowl.

LINK:  SHELDON DAY

Friday, January 29, 2016

Brian Kelly Receives 6-Year Contract Extension

The University of Notre Dame announced today a six-year contract extension for head football coach Brian Kelly!

At the end of this new contract -- Coach Kelly will become the second longest tenured coach in Notre Dame football history:
  1. Knute Rockne:  13 seasons
  2. Brian Kelly: 12 seasons -- at end of new contract!
  3. Frank Leahy:  11 seasons
  4. Ara Parseghian:  11 seasons
  5. Lou Holtz:  11 seasons 
  6. Elmer Layded:  7 seasons
  7. Dan Devine:  6 seasons

Coach Kelly currently leads all active FBS head football coaches in career wins with 226!

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE STORY

Panthers' Seek Out Domer for $$$ Advice...


The Super Bowl 50 bound Carolina Panthers apparently seek out their long-snapper -- Notre Dame alum J.J. Jansen when the subjects of taxes and investments come up.

I'm not surprised...

LINK:  J.J. JANSEN

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Dallas' Head Coach Calls Him "Notre Dame"


This is a Fort Worth Telegram story about Notre Dame's Nick Martin -- who is in Mobile, AL at the Reese's Senior Bowl...

As you'll see this reporter is overlooking Sheldon Day -- I'm guessing that will change this Saturday when they see #91 knocking down a QB or two...

LINK:  MARTIN

Fighting Irish Take on Syracuse on ESPN 2


Tip off is scheduled for 7 PM ET inside Syracuse's Carrier Dome -- a tough place to shoot the basketball!  Game is televised on ESPN2.

#25 Notre Dame will be playing without Demetrius Jackson -- who is out with a torn hamstring.

GO IRISH!

LINK:  GAME NOTES

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Sheldon Day Practice Drill at Senior Bowl



Seven Notre Dame Student-Athletes Drafted!


Major League Soccer, National Women's Soccer League and Major League Lacrosse held their annual draft this past weekend -- and SEVEN NOTRE DAME student-athletes were drafted by teams:

Men's Lacrosse:
  • 3rd overall pick:  Matt Landis
  • 5th overall pick:  Matt Kavanagh

Women's Soccer:
  • 5th overall pick: Cari Roccaro
  • 19th overall pick:  Katie Naughton

Men's Soccer:
  • 25th overall pick:  Max Lachowecki
  • 28th overall pick:  Patrick Hodan
  • 60th overall pick:  Vince Cicciarelli

Baltimore Sun: "Best Team Not to Win a Title"


Notre Dame's #1 ranked Men's Lacrosse team has a target on its back...

LINK:  BALTIMORE SUN STORY

Sheldon Day & Nick Martin at Senior Bowl!


The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will be represented at this weeks Reese's Senior Bowl by Nick Martin and Sheldon Day...

LINK:  NFL NETWORK -- FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE REPORT

Sports Illustrated: Shaq Admits LSU Paid Him



As we close in on the last few days before National Signing Day -- my mind often wanders to why did this high school student pick a certain school over another school...

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Monday, January 25, 2016

OT: Elite Athletes Are Being Given Vitamin D


I was told eight years ago by a prominent Doctor that I needed to take more Vitamin D after reviewing my "Vitamin D Blood Level" results -- which were low.  He called it the "miracle vitamin."  I take it every single day...

Well, look what a number of professional and major college programs are recommending for their athletes to avoid injuries -- VITAMIN D.

I worked closely with a former ND student-athlete who trained for the NFL Draft at the IMG Academy a few years ago.  One of the things he was prescribed to begin taking was Vitamin D -- to prepare him for the Draft.

There is something here folks...

LINK:  WALL STREET JOURNAL STORY

Domer Skylar Diggins Pitching New Nike Gear


The folks in Beaverton selected former Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins to headline their latest apparel release...

LINK:  SKYLAR

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Domers in Super Bowl: Jansen, Bruton & Harris


Super Bowl 50 will feature three former Notre Dame stars -- two will play in the game:
  • David Bruton Jr. (Broncos) -- team captain / out with injury
  • Ryan Harris (Broncos) -- Right Tackle
  • J.J. Jansen (Panthers) -- Long Snapper 

Photo above:  That's Ryan Harris taking a selfie with his QB Peyton Manning.

Notre Dame Bench: 42 Pts -- Va Tech Team 41



The #3 Fighting Irish of Notre Dame beat Virginia Tech today 80 - 41.

The big story was the Notre Dame bench -- scoring 42 of Notre Dame's 80 points -- and outscoring Va Tech's entire team.


Joe Schmidt Reaching Out to Grieving Family


Notre Dame fans -- this is a must read...

LINK:  JOE SCHMIDT

Michael Floyd Talks NFC Championship Game


The former Notre Dame All-American will be front and center this evening as his Arizona Cardinals take on the Carolina Panthers for a trip to Super Bowl 50!

LINK:  MICHAEL FLOYD

Saturday, January 23, 2016

These Four Have Worn the ND Gold Helmet


Domers left to right;  Elijah Shumate, Brady Quinn, Romeo Okware and Chris Brown at today's East West Shrine Game.

Troy Murphy Inducted Into ND's Ring of Honor


"Notre Dame's" East West Shrine Game -- 4 PM

The folks at the East West Shrine Game have put together TEAM NOTRE DAME -- with three players, two alumni and a Domer Dad on the same sideline!

Team East has; Elijah Shumate, Chris Brown and Romeo Okwara playing their last game before the upcoming NFL Draft -- and coaching them are Charlie Weis '78, Brady Quinn '07 and Notre Dame parent Jon Bon Jovi.

Game is televised on the NFL Network beginning at 4 PM ET.

Here's Weis being interviewed by former ND/NBC sideline reporter Alex Flanagan...

LINK:  WEIS

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Indiana's All-Time HS Scorer -- Jackie Young!



Incoming Notre Dame women's basketball recruit, Jackie Young -- just set the all-time Indiana high school scoring record for girls AND BOYS!!!

The video above is point number 3,135 for this McDonald's All-American!

During tonight's ND women's basketball game against Syracuse -- the public address announcer made the announcement that Jackie had just broke the state scoring record.  Here's what the scoreboard looked like:




Coach Mike Brey After Win Over Virginia Tech


Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Domer Dad Bon Jovi & Brady Quinn Join Weis


Domer Dad Jon Bon Jovi and former Notre Dame All-American QB Brady Quinn are working this week on Charlie Weis' East Team coaching staff for the East West Shrine Game.

Here's the story...

LINK:  ND INFLUENCE AT SHRINE GAME

Coach Brey in Locker Room After Win Over VT!



Inside Look at ND's Win Over Duke Saturday!


Key Plays in Notre Dame's Win over VT!





Notre Dame beats Virginia Tech 83 - 81 to go 4 - 2 in the ACC and move up to a tie for 4th place in the conference.

LINK:  BOX SCORE

Domer Fleming Rescues Woman In Car Crash



Former Notre Dame student-athlete Darius Fleming played Saturday's NFL Playoff game with 22 stitches in his leg -- resulting from an injury he sustained after kicking in a car window of a "smoky" car to pull the woman out...

This happened two days prior to Saturday's game -- a mile from the Patriot's Foxboro Stadium.

Here's the story:

LINK:  DARIUS FLEMING

ND vs. Virginia Tech -- 1973 NIT Championship



Mike Brey's Fighting Irish host the 2nd place Virginia Tech Hokies in ACC action tonight -- a big game for Notre Dame.

The video above -- a game against Virginia Tech that broke my heart...

Must Read: Elijah Shumate's NFL Draft Diary


Former Notre Dame student-athlete Elijah Shumate is playing in the East West Shrine Game this Saturday.  His coach this week -- none other than former Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis '78.

You'll enjoy what Elijah has to say about this experience.

LINK:  ELIJAH SHUMATE

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Domer Mike Golic Jr. Earns ESPN Radio Gig!


Former Notre Dame student-athlete Mike Golic, Jr. '12 -- will be co-hosting a Saturday radio show (5 PM to 8 PM) on the ESPN Radio Network!

The show debuts on Saturday, January 30th.

Congratulations Michael!

LINK:  NEW ESPN RADIO PROGRAMS

Connaughton: "In My Mind I Will Pitch in MLB"


Thought you'd find this of interest...

LINK:  CONNAUGHTON ON BASEBALL

42 Years Ago Today: ND Breaks UCLA Streak!



Notre Dame beat UCLA 71 - 70 -- 42 years ago today -- to break their all-time record 88 game winning streak!  Digger's gang was down by 11 points with 3 minutes left in the game -- see the final minutes in the video above!

Special thanks to ND alum Bob Quakenbush '76 -- for alerting me to this special day!

Monday, January 18, 2016

Great Photo: MLK Jr. Mignight March at ND!


This is awesome -- photo taken early this AM of Notre Dame students marching from the Main Building...

#3 Notre Dame vs. #18 Tennessee -- ESPN2



Muffet's Fighting Irish host the Tennessee Volunteers tonight and the game will be televised on ESPN2 -- game starts at 7:00 PM ET.

LINK:  ESPN GAME PREVIEW

Boston Globe Story on Domer Darius Fleming


The former Fighting Irish linebacker is now in his fourth season with the Patriots -- he saw plenty of action in Saturday's Playoff win over Kansas City...

LINK:  FLEMING

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Coach K's Full Presser After Notre Dame Loss

Video

Michael Floyd Talks "Tipped Pass" Touchdown!


Here's the former Notre Dame All-American with the media after the Cardinal's OT win over the Packers talking about the "ricochet" TD pass...


LINK:  MICHAEL FLOYD