Monday, May 30, 2016

Domer Bryan Rust's First Stanley Cup Goal!

Memorial Day -- Battle Hymn of the Republic



A must read story of the tribute given Indiana soldier Joe Montgomery in 2007...

LINK:  ONE LAST TRIP HOME

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Domer Ingelsby Delaware's New Hoops Coach

http://bit.ly/1smlKYY
http://bit.ly/1smlKYY


Former Notre Dame assistant coach Martin Ingelsby '01 -- was introduced this week as the men's head basketball coach for the Delaware Blue Hens.

He was hired by a "Michigan grad" -- who leads the Blue Hens athletic program.

Friday, May 27, 2016

Domer Austin Carr Accepts Cleveland's Trophy


The Eastern Conference Champion Cleveland Cavaliers asked "Mr. Cavalier" -- Domer Austin Carr to accept their trophy tonight!

That's the Notre Dame All-Time great in the suit!

Carr, the Cavaliers TV analyst, teams up every night with my good friend and Cavalier's TV play-by-play guy Fred McLeod.  Enjoy the NBA Finals Freddie -- I hope you get that ring!!!

Rust Leads Penguins to Stanley Cup Final


Former Notre Dame hockey star Bryan Rust scored both of Pittsburgh's goals last night in their 2 - 1 GAME SEVEN WIN over the Tampa Bay Lightning!

LINK:  HOW RUST SCORED HIS GOALS

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Story: Our Dog Muffet -- Lost and Found Today


If you're a pet owner -- you'll understand what my family went through this afternoon...

About 2:30 PM ET today our dog Muffet (yes, she's named after Coach McGraw) came up missing.  She's a three year-old Sheltie -- photo above of her on the day we brought her home in August of 2013.

Well, after a drive and walk around the ND campus -- a trip to the Grotto -- and many car searches around the area just south of the Notre Dame campus, it appeared she was a goner.

Until -- my cell phone rang at 9:43 PM ET and on the other end was my neighbor Polly Pajakowski with this news;  "Come on down to the outside bar at Brother's Bar & Grill, they've found Muffet !!!"

Well, I made a beeline for Brother's -- only to see a group of people standing around and no Muffet -- I have to admit for a second I thought I must have not heard Polly correctly...

However, I was soon introduced to my four newest super heroes;
  • Will Nord
  • Susan Nord
  • Stephanie Nijak
  • Polina Guimaraes

The four of them were part of a "group of about 12" who cornered Muffet out on Angela Boulevard at the Eddy Street intersection -- around 2:45 PM ET today.  They caught Muffet -- which is a miracle in itself since she's quicker than Rocket Ismail -- and immediately took her up to Will's apartment in the Foundry on Eddy Street.

Here's where the story gets interesting.  Will was moving out of his apartment today.  He's a junior at IUSB -- on their golf team --- from Newport Beach, CA.  Susan, Will's Mom was in town to help facilitate the move.

They immediately called Animal Control to report that they had found a dog -- the guy who answered the phone said "we're too busy, we'll come by tomorrow."  Susan didn't like this reaction so she started having thoughts about taking Muffet back to California with her -- instead of putting her in the dog pound.  Will immediately called the folks at the Foundry to see if he could stay an extra night (they said YES) so he would have time to post photos of Muffet in spots on Eddy Street in the morning...

Then fate struck -- three of our neighbors; Chris and Polly Pajakowski and Charlie Hayes and his Sheltie "Reggie" -- were sitting at a table at the outside bar area at Brother's when Susan, Stephanie and Polina walked by and saw Reggie -- who looks a little like Muffet.

Susan Nord stopped and said "we found a dog today that looks a lot like your dog..."

Well --- that little news nugget set off a quick train reaction and three minutes later, I'm in Will's apartment being reunited with Muffet.

I can't thank Will, Susan, Stephanie, Polina, Chris, Polly, Rocky Geans, Charlie and "Reggie" for the roles they played in this seven hour search and rescue mission.  And, I must thank the guy at Animal Control who was too busy to pick up Muffet today.

Charlie Hayes -- upon hearing the news that Muffet was missing -- headed out on his own to find her.  Chris Pajakowski and Rocky Geans took off on their bikes and searched the Notre Dame campus.  What great friends and neighbors we have.

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!

Now I can sleep!!!

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Coach Kelly in Toronto Today -- Talking ND FB


Notre Dame Head Football Coach Brian Kelly was in Toronto, Canada today talking to a group of Alumni and fans -- and found some time to meet with The Sports Network's Sports Center show -- see link below:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Texas' Mascot's 100th Anniversary Year vs ND



The Texas Longhorns' BEVO the mascot -- will begin its 100th Year Anniversary with their game this September against our Fighting Irish.  BEVO XV will make his debut...

LINK:  BEVO XV TO DEBUT vs. NOTRE DAME

Sneak Peek: Texas' New Nike Football Shoes


Color me -- unimpressed...

Sunday, May 22, 2016

ND Lacrosse vs. North Carolina on ESPN2



The Fighting Irish take on the Tar Heels of North Carolina today at NOON ET on ESPN2 -- the winner moves on to next weekend's FINAL FOUR WEEKEND in Philadelphia!

GO IRISH!

Friday, May 20, 2016

A ND Fan Learns She's Going to See Her First!


She's an 86 years-old Fighting Irish fan from Los Angeles -- and her grand kids just surprised her with a trip to see her first Notre Dame game!!!

PRICELESS!

Thursday, May 19, 2016

"Domer to Be" Leads Arapahoe to State Final


Charlie Leonard '20 (pictured above) -- who will be wearing the Notre Dame gold LAX helmet next season -- and his #3 ranked Arapahoe Warriors High School Lacrosse Team beat #2 ranked Mountain Vista 9 - 8 last night in the Colorado State Semi-Finals of the Boy's Lacrosse State Championship.


Arapahoe HS now earn the right to play #1 ranked Regis Jesuit at Denver's Sports Authority Stadium at Mile High tomorrow night at 7 PM local time.

LINK:  GAME STORY

LINK:  DENVER POST STORY

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

A "Domer to Be" Class of 2020 -- A Great Story


Folks, I often find myself feeling quite inadequate when I compare my story with the stories of many of our students here at the University of Notre Dame...

Jake Drysdale '20 -- will be enrolling at Notre Dame this August.  Here is Jake's story:

LINK:  JAKE DRYSDALE

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Domer Riley Sheahan Surprises Cancer Patient



Former Notre Dame hockey star Riley Sheahan -- now with the Detroit Red Wings -- surprised a 22 year-old cancer patient at her Prom this weekend.

LINK:  STORY

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Photos from Notre Dame's Commencement



Here's a few members of Notre Dame Football's Team 127 -- on graduation day.  Note the big guy in the middle -- that's #6 overall NFL draft pick Ronnie Stanley.


U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's plane flying over Notre Dame Stadium -- just minutes before Commencement.

University of Notre Dame's Baccalaureate Mass



These were taken by my ultra-talented Notre Dame colleagues Matt Cashore and Barbara Johnston -- at last night's Baccalaureate Mass at the University of Notre Dame.

You can purchase these photos -- and more from Commencement Weekend 2016 at the University of Notre Dame -- at the link below:

LINK:  PHOTOS 

Notre Dame's 2016 Commencement -- Replay




Saturday, May 14, 2016

Skylar, Devereaux and Natalie Together Again


The three former Fighting Irish hoops stars were together again tonight in Indianapolis -- as Skylar Diggin's Dallas Wings won their first game in franchise history over Devereaux Peters and Natalie Achonwa's Indiana Fever 90 - 79.

Skylar didn't play -- as she works to get back on the floor after her major knee surgery...

The bottom photo took place after the game -- as the three former Notre Dame stars met with the crowd.  

LINK:  BOX SCORE

Incoming Domer Wins FOUR State Titles Today


Tony Pride Jr., who has committed to play for the Fighting Irish this fall -- finished his high school sports career today in GREAT fashion!

In a little more than 3 hours this morning -- Tony won all four of his races at the South Carolina High School Track & Field State Championship:

  • 100 Meters:  10.55
  • 200 Meters:  21.28
  • 400 Meters:  48.28
  • 4 x 100 Meter Relay:  42.20 (team time -- ran anchor leg)

Friday, May 13, 2016

ESPNW Story: Skylar Diggins -- The Brand...



You will want to read the accompanying story...

LINK:  SKYLAR DIGGINS

ND Day Replay: 27 Music / Dance Performances



Here's a look back at all of the music and dance performances that took place during our Notre Dame Day broadcast.  If you'd like to watch them in their entirety - click on the link below:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME DAY 2016

The Notre Dame "Student-Athlete" -- Must See!



Great storytelling by my friends at Fighting Irish Media...

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Jaylon Smith a Guest on Mike & MIKE Today


Here is a replay of Jaylon Smith's interview this morning on ESPN's Mike & MIKE Radio Show...

LINK:  JAYLON SMITH

Domer Jerian Grant Tells His Basketball Story


4th Highest Vertical in NBA Combine History


Another Notre Dame hoops star makes his mark at the NBA Combine...

Two "Prime Time" Home Games This Fall for ND


The University of Notre Dame announced the start times for its SIX home games for the 2016 football season.  Here's the detail:
  • September 10th -- NEVADA -- 3:30 PM ET
  • September 17th -- MICHIGAN STATE -- 7:30 PM ET
  • September 24th -- DUKE -- 3:30 PM ET
  • October 15th -- STANFORD -- 7:30 PM ET
  • October 29th -- MIAMI -- 3:30 PM ET
  • November 19th -- VIRGINIA TECH -- 3:30 PM ET

In addition, Notre Dame announced its 2017 football schedule.  See the link below:

LINK:  FOOTBALL SCHEDULE INFO

A Notre Dame Student Who "Learns Differently"



This is an amazing story -- a Notre Dame student who can't read or write...

ND Day Replay: Notre Dame Symphony



I love their arrangement of the Notre Dame Victory March towards the end!

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Elijah Shumate Already Making Plays in the NFL


Happy Mother's Day to Everyone We Call Mom!


My brother Jay and I had the great honor of calling this Lady pictured above -- Joan Barbara Small -- MOM!

She was our biggest cheerleader and our most ardent defender.

Mom left for Heaven in 2012.  Mother's Day has never quite been the same since.

Saturday, May 7, 2016

Former ND Student-Athlete Shot This Morning


Greg Bryant -- a former Notre Dame running back who transferred to University of Alabama at Birmingham, was found shot in a car he was driving (photo above) this morning -- in West Palm Beach, FL. on I-95.

Greg is going to need our prayers...

LINK:  PALM BEACH POST STORY

Photos of Domers at NFL Rookie Mini Camps

You will find more in-depth coverage of Ronnie Stanley, Will Fuller and Jaylon Smith's first day in a NFL Mini-Camp -- on the ND GO IRISH blog...

Nick Martin #66 Texans -- standing to the left of red jersey

C.J. Prosise -- Seahawks
KeiVarae Russell -- Chiefs Rookie Dinner
Sheldon Day -- Jaguars (still rockin' his ND shoes!)
Chris Brown #10 Dallas Cowboys -- next to Jaylon
Elijah Shumate #41 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jaylon Talks to Media at Cowboys Mini Camp


Nice to see him wearing a NFL jersey... 

Look over his left shoulder in the video linked below --- that is his brother's locker Ron Smith (right next to Jaylon's), who is also on the Cowboy's roster...

LINK:  JAYLON SMITH -- COWBOYS' MINI CAMP

Cowboys Hoping Jaylon's Ready for Playoffs


Video: Ronnie Stanley's First NFL Practice


The Ravens #1 pick is the subject of this video -- along with a link to a second article on his preference for steak over crab...

LINK:  FIRST NFL PRACTICE

LINK:  STEAK OVER CRAB