OT: A Young Man I'm Quite Proud Of...

If you're a long-time follower of the ND GO IRISH BLOG you may remember the stories of Nick Becker -- a young man with Down syndrome here in South Bend.

LINK:  THE SWISH HEARD ROUND SOUTH BEND

LINK:  A DAD, HIS SON AND NOTRE DAME

Well, Rick Becker (AKA Nick's Dad) sent me a note this morning about their speech to the St. Joseph County Right to Life Dinner this past week here in South Bend. 

Here's the coverage of Nick & Rick's testimony in the Catholic Register.


LINK:  MUST READ

Domers Diggins & Smith Tie the Knot!

Former Notre Dame "All-Everything" Skylar Diggins married her college sweetheart, Daniel Smith -- former Fighting Irish wide receiver.

Congratulations!

LINK:  MORE WEDDING PICS 

 

First look at Skylar's new name on back of jersey!

Scully & ND Glee Club: Here Come the Irish

The Golic's Talk the Notre Dame Trail

An Open Letter from a Coach to His Player

DeShone Kizer's Opening Press Conference

Kizer met with the media in Cleveland yesterday...

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE

Fox Sports: Way too Early 2018 NFL Mock Draft

Do you think NFL folks believe Notre Dame has the best LEFT SIDE O-LINE in college football?

LINK:  2018 NFL MOCK DRAFT

Notre Dame Lacrosse Plays for ACC Title Today

Kevin Corrigan's Fighting Irish play North Carolina today for the ACC Championship on ESPU -- LIVE at Noon ET!

Here's the game story:  GO IRISH!

Notre Dame Players Signing With NFL Teams

Here's the list (below) of Notre Dame football players signing free agent deals with NFL teams -- click on their names to read the stories.

You may recall Romeo Okwara signed as a "free agent" (this time last year) with the New York Giants.  Okwara went on to earn significant playing time in his rookie season...

I will bet -- the same happens with James Onwualu with the Chargers.  I know for a fact that SEVENTEEN NFL TEAMS called James today -- trying to get him to sign an NFL free agent deal with them.  They all know he will out work every player in their training camp...

The journey begins next week.

• James Onwualu -- Los Angeles Chargers

• Jarron Jones -- New York Giants

• Cole Luke -- Carolina Panthers

2017 NFL Draft Rookie Pay Scale Chart

Here's what the NFL teams can pay their 2017 draft picks.  See every player drafted and the value of their first NFL contract at the link below.

NOTRE DAME PLAYERS DRAFTED -- 2017 DRAFT CLASS -- only money guaranteed is the signing bonus:

DeShone Kizer -- pick #52

• Signing bonus: $1,748,230
• Total 4-year contract value:  $4,961,316
• First year salary:  $902,507

Isaac Rochell -- pick #225

• Signing bonus:  $88,099
• Total 4-year contract value:  $2,443,009
• First year salary:  $487,002

LINK:  WHAT EVERY NFL ROOKIE WILL MAKE

Isaac Rochell Picked by Chargers at #225

Isaac Rochell was drafted in the 7th round by the Los Angeles CHARGERS...

LINK:  INTERVIEW

Browns "Welcome Home" DeShone Kizer!

"Welcome home, young man!"
"Glad to be home!"#BrownsDraft pic.twitter.com/ws9joGcvKG

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 29, 2017

Kizer Drafted #52 Overall to Cleveland Browns

LINK:  CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER

Where Does Kizer Go Today in NFL DRAFT?

Here's the latest NFL mock drafts for the 2nd round of the 2017 NFL Draft -- that's DeShone with his sister in Philly last night on the NFL Draft Red Carpet...

LINK:  CBS SPORTS

LINK:  NFL TRADE RUMORS

LINK:  PACKERS?

Does Kizer Get Drafted in NFL's First Round?

If you ask the folks doing MOCK DRAFTS for NFL.COM -- it doesn't look good for DeShone Kizer getting drafted tonight...

Did he make a mistake leaving school early?  We'll find out in a matter of hours.

LINK:  LATEST MOCK DRAFTS

From ND Day -- Hamilton Cast's Performance!

Heaven Opened Its Gates To A Good One...

When you see this post -- I'll be at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Canton, MI -- celebrating the relatively short life of Susan Doyle.  Susan is the 46 year-old wife of my "first cousin" Denny Doyle.

Susan left for Heaven Friday morning at 1:45 AM ET -- after a three-year battle with breast cancer.  Cancer sucks -- it took a great young woman's life -- way too soon.

Now, I will admit Susan was more of a fan of "those schools in Michigan" (not everyone's perfect) -- but, as you can see in the photo above, Denny represented the Fighting Irish at all times!

I ask our Notre Dame family if you could please say a prayer today for Susan and my cousin Denny -- he's going to miss his bride.  She was the kind of girl I hope my sons will marry someday.

Susan Doyle -- we will see you again...

Corey Robinson Pens a Piece for SI

Notre Dame's student-body President Corey Robinson -- authored A piece for Sports Illustrated that is linked below.  Thought you would enjoy reading this...

My neighbor and ND GO IRISH BLOG regular Chris Pajakowski was kind enough to alert me to this article.  Thanks Chris!

LINK:  COREY ROBINSON

OT: This is What Life is All About...

The Last Four Hours of Notre Dame Day!

Highlights:

• Theismann interviews Brandon Wimbush
• Danielle Green
• Hamilton's Joseph Morales performs
• Hamilton's Joseph Morales' "My Shot" rap
• Hamilton's Ari Afsar performs
• A song from Hamilton
• The Fighting Irish 40rty!
• PEMCO
• Trumpets at the Grotto

Monday Morning at Notre Dame Day!

Monday Afternoon at Notre Dame Day!

Mid Morning / Afternon on Monday at ND Day!

Sunday Night at Notre Dame Day!

OT: Hamilton Cast to Perform at Notre Dame!

It happens tonight!!!

Ari Asfar (Eliza Hamilton) and Joseph Morales (Alexander Hamilton) will be interviewed and perform THREE SONGS -- LIVE during our Notre Dame Day broadcast!

Their schedule is as follows:

LIVE interview on our Notre Dame Day Facebook LIVE set -- you can catch it right here:

• 7:03 PM ET:  Patrick Vassel, Supervising Director of Hamilton
• 7:08 PM ET:  Ari Asfar, plays the role of Eliza Hamilton
• 7:13 PM ET:  Joseph Morales, plays the role of Alexander Hamilton

WATCH IT LIVE RIGHT HERE:  HAMILTON

LIVE interview and performances on our Notre Dame Day Broadcast -- you can watch each performance right here:

• 8:09 PM ET:  Patrick Vassel, Ari Asfar & Joseph Morales interview
• 8:30 PM ET:  Joseph Morales (live performance)
• 8:35 PM ET:  Ari Asfar (live performance) 
• 8:40 PM ET:  Ari & Joseph perform a song from Hamilton!

WATCH THE PERFORMANCES LIVE RIGHT HERE:  HAMILTON

Fighting Irish 40rty -- Finals Tonight at 9:31 PM

You are not going to want to miss this -- Notre Dame students will race two members of the Notre Dame Football team -- under the lights in NOTRE DAME STADIUM at 9:31 PM ET.

LINK:  WATCH IT LIVE RIGHT HERE!

Georgia's DAWGNATION Writer Visits ND

Thought you'd like to see how excited the Georgia Bulldogs are to be playing at Notre Dame September 9th.

The writer was impressed by his first visit to Notre Dame...

LINK:  TRULY A SPECIAL PLACE

LINK:  DAWGNATION FACEBOOK PAGE

Notre Dame Day Kicks-Off Today at 6:42 PM ET

Folks, this is the fourth year we've produced a 29 hour LIVE broadcast during Notre Dame Day -- and this is truly, the best ever!

We know who the  @NDTheLeprechaun will choose! Who will you choose to support this year? ☘ @ProudtobeND #NDday pic.twitter.com/3TtekZhmCG

— Notre Dame Cheer ☘ (@NDCheerTeam) April 10, 2017

Here's what you'll see -- YOU JUST HAVE TO TUNE IN!

• Four Super Bowl Champions -- on our broadcast team!
• a LIVE performance from two members of the Chicago cast of Hamilton!
• the owner of the Washington Redskins -- who happens to be a ND Dad!
• the Major General who heads up U.S. Special Operations in the Pacific!
• the oldest living Heisman Trophy winner!
• an ESPY award winner!
• two female ND student-athletes who are currently ranked #1 in the world!
• Lou Holtz, Gerry Faust, Muffet McGraw...
• a ND student whose company has made $ millions and he's just a freshman!
• a man who walked across America this past year!
• 27 LIVE Musical Performances
• OVER 300 LIVE INTERVIEWS!

YOU CAN WATCH ALL 29 HOURS LIVE -- AT THE LINK BELOW:

LINK:  LIVE -- ND DAY TELECAST  

LINK:  YOUR TV GUIDE FOR ALL 29 HOURS!

Highlights -- Notre Dame Blue Gold Game!

I LOVE THIS YEAR'S SHIRT!

I will admit, I haven't bought THE SHIRT the last two years -- that will not be the case this year!

Classy, clean design.

LOVE IT!

Theismann to Interview Wimbush Monday Night

We just put the finishing touches on our annual 29 hour "global celebration of all things Notre Dame -- NOTRE DAME DAY!

You are not going to want to miss this year's show!

THE FUN BEGINS AT 6:42 PM ET -- SUNDAY, APRIL 23RD!

LINK:  WATCH IT LIVE RIGHT HERE

Coach Kelly Talks ND Blue Gold Game Format

Greer Martini & Coach Lea "Wired for Sound"

OT: MLB's First "Switch" Pitcher -- Must See!

10 Days Out from NFL Draft -- Latest on Kizer

Took a lap around the worldwide web to see where the "experts" think Notre Dame QB DeShone Kizer will end up being drafted...

LINK:  PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

LINK:  BLEACHER REPORT

LINK:  CBS SPORTS

Domer Ties Major League Baseball Record!

7th CAREER HOME RUN!@NDBaseball's Trey Mancini (@Orioles) ties MLB record for most HRs in a player's 1st 12 games.pic.twitter.com/tNkGqMgj8Q

— The Fighting Irish (@FightingIrish) April 16, 2017

Former Notre Dame baseball player Trey Mancini (now with the Baltimore Orioles) -- continued his historic display of power, hitting his SEVENTH HOME RUN in his FIRST TWELVE MLB GAMES!

It ties a Major League Baseball record!

Trey will be interviewed next Monday at NOON ET during our Notre Dame Day broadcast!

You can watch his interview LIVE at:  http://notredameday.nd.edu

HAPPY EASTER from Notre Dame!

Full Replay: Kizer at Jon Gruden's QB Camp

Must Read: Former ND Football Player's Story

All I will say is this -- you are going to need some Kleenex... 

Please read the story about one-time ND student-athlete Konrad Reuland -- before watching the video...

LINK:  KONRAD & CAREW

"Best of Kizer with Jon Gruden" -- via ESPN

Gruden's QB Camp -- DeShone Kizer on Field

Gruden Compares Kizer's Arm to Brett Favre's

Lindsay Allen Taken 14th Overall in WNBA Draft

Domer Bill Laimbeer (New York Liberty Head Coach) drafted Notre Dame's Lindsay Allen today with the 14th overall pick in the WNBA Draft.

Off to the Big Apple for Lindsay!

LINK:  WNBA DRAFT RESULTS

Muffet McGraw -- a Notre Dame Treasure...

Daughter. Sister. Mom. Wife. Coach. Mentor. Role Model.

No matter the role, @MuffetMcGraw has made a lasting impact on those around her. 🍀🏀 pic.twitter.com/5N8h5nlnHf

— NOTRE DAME WBB (@ndwbb) April 11, 2017

Notre Dame Football -- It's All About Attitude...

Bonzie Colson Announces He'll Be Back!

You can "double-click" on the image to enlarge -- if you're having a hard time reading the type.

View of Video Board Inside Notre Dame Stadium

If you look down at the south end of Notre Dame Stadium in this photo -- you'll see the video board is being installed...

Domer Sheahan Scores Last Goal at the Joe!

Former Notre Dame hockey star Riley Sheahan scored two goals -- the first and the last -- in the FINAL NHL HOCKEY GAME at Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit.

Ironically, the players on the assist of the last goal ever at THE JOE -- a Wolverine to a Spartan to a GOLDEN DOMER!

As you'll see in the story -- the goals had plenty of meaning for Sheahan!

LINK:  STORY

Notre Dame NO HITS #24 North Carolina!

Notre Dame's Katie Beriont (Colts Neck, NJ) -- pitched the first no-hitter for for the Irish in five years!

It was all part of a double-header sweep for Deanna Gumpf's Fighting Irish -- they go for the weekend sweep today!

Stepherson: Further Proof of "Body by Balis"

The top photo is what two months of Notre Dame's new strength and conditioning program looks like for  Notre Dame rising freshman receiver Kevin Stepherson -- look at the increase in his vertical!!!

• 12 lb weight increase
• 21% decrease in Body Fat 
• 11" increase in vertical jump

LINK:  MORE PLAYER PHOTOS