Sorin Society: All Access

The NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG received permission this morning from the Sorin Society and Allen Pinkett (photo of Pinkett at the 1983 Liberty Bowl) to show this video of Allen's talk at the Sorin Society Reception after Saturday's loss to Stanford.  One of the many benefits of being a Sorin Society member is the opportunity to bring a guest to the post game reception (food and drinks) at the McKenna Hall conference center on the Notre Dame campus.  During the event, former Notre Dame All-American and radio analyst for Notre Dame football -- Allen Pinkett talks about the game and takes questions from the crowd.  Here's a link to a video of Pinkett talking Notre Dame football, at the event, and a link to the Sorin Society website:

LINK:  SORIN SOCIETY POST GAME RECEPTION -- ALL ACCESS

LINK:  SORIN SOCIETY WEBSITE

Bid on a Notre Dame Soccer Jersey Today!

The #5 ranked University of Notre Dame Women's Soccer Team will be wearing special Kicks Against Breast Cancer commemorative Adidas jerseys (pictured) in their games next weekend against Seton Hall and Rutgers.  The jerseys will be signed by the IRISH players and auctioned off to raise money for this national soccer initiative to raise money for breast cancer research.  Here's a link to the Auction Site:

LINK:  BUY A NOTRE DAME SOCCER JERSEY FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH!

Muffet Gets Commit From 6' 3" Post Player

Markisha Wright, a 6'-3" post player out of Des Moines East High School (Des Moines, IA) committed to the Irish this morning!  Markisha led East to the Iowa 4-A State Runner-up title last year as a junior.  She's ranked the 20th best at her position by ESPN.  Here's a story about Markisha's performance at the AAU National Championships this summer:

LINK:  ESPN STORY ON MARKISHA

THANK YOU! -- 30,000 Unique Visitors!

The Notre Dame Go Irish Blog went over the 30,000 unique visitors mark this morning!  Launched the last week of January -- this blog has attracted Notre Dame fans from all 50 States and 79 countries around the world!  It's been great fun sharing Notre Dame!  Thanks for making the Notre Dame Go Irish Blog one of your "NOTRE DAME VISITS" each week on the web.

Students Only Pep Rally Tonight at 8 PM EST

The Stepan Center will be rockin' tonight!  The Notre Dame student body will be hosting their own "student only" Pep Rally tonight for the Fighting Irish football team at the Stepan Center.  The doors will open at 6:30 PM and the rally is expected to start at 8 PM.  Go Irish!

Brian Kelly Radio Show -- 7 PM EST TONIGHT!

It's Thursday and that means the Brian Kelly Radio Show will be coming live to you from Legends of Notre Dame.  The show will air from 7 PM EST to 8 PM EST -- and here's where you can watch it or listen to it online:


LINK:  WATCH COACH KELLY'S SHOW ONLINE

LINK:  LISTEN TO COACH KELLY'S SHOW ONLINE

Coach Kelly Going Home...

He was the starting middle linebacker for the Assumption College Greyhounds (photo of Assumption's campus) -- twenty-seven years later -- he's grown up to be the Head Football Coach at the University of Notre Dame.  That's our Coach Kelly, and when he takes his team to Boston College tomorrow for Saturday's game -- he'll be heading home.  Here's a story from today's Worcester Telegram -- about Brian Kelly's return to where he grew up along with a link to the Assumption College website:

LINK:  HE'S AN ASSUMPTION GREYHOUND

LINK:  ASSUMPTION COLLEGE WEBSITE

WSJ Ranks Notre Dame's EMBA Program #6

The Wall Street Journal just released their 2010 rankings of the top Executive MBA programs in the country and the University of Notre Dame's was ranked 6th!  What I found most interesting is the "investment" to get an EMBA these days.  Believe it or not, Notre Dame's total program cost (per student) of $88,000 -- was the second lowest of the schools ranked in the top 10 in the Wall Street Journal's rankings.  Only the #10 ranked University of North Carolina's EMBA program was lower at $87,000. The Wall Street Journal didn't even rank Notre Dame's EMBA program among the top-25 in the country in their 2008 rankings -- another "feather in the cap" of the Mendoza College of Business!  The photo is of Notre Dame EMBA students on a trip to Beijing.  Here's the link to the rankings:

LINK:  THE TOP EXECUTIVE MBA PROGRAMS IN AMERICA

Scout Ranks ND Recruiting Class #2

ESPN's Scout recruiting service just released it's updated recruiting rankings and they've moved Notre Dame up to #2 in the country.  In the past week, the Irish have picked up one of the top DE's in the country (Stephon Tuitt - #74 in picture) and one of the top WR's in the country (Davaris Daniels).  Here's a link to Scout's rankings:

LINK:  IRISH HAVE THE #2 RANKED RECRUITING CLASS

Weather Forecast for Boston College Game

Here's the weather forecast for the Boston area -- looks like the rain will be gone before game time Saturday night.  Here's a link to live National Weather Service Radar for the Boston area:


LINK:  LIVE BOSTON WEATHER RADAR

ABC-TV Coverage Map: ND vs. BC

ESPN on ABC just released it's coverage map for Notre Dame's game against Boston College this Saturday night on ABC.  Game starts at 8 PM EST.  As you can see, only about half of the country (households) will see the Irish play on ABC.  Just click on the map to enlarge.

Notre Dame's "SUPERMAN" Silk Worms

The University of Notre Dame and Kraig Biocraft Laboratories (Lansing, MI) made a major announcement in the past hour.  Tiny, genetically altered silkworms in a laboratory at the University of Notre Dame are spinning a novel thread of artificially created spider silk.  The resulting thread is twice as strong as natural silkworm silk and 10 times as strong as steel.  The thread has a host of possible commercial applications in surgery, healing bandages, ligament repair, bulletproof vests, athletic clothing, improved automobile airbags, etc.  "We've succeeded in genetically engineering silkworms so they produce spider webs," boasted Malcolm J. Fraser Jr., a University of Notre Dame Biological Sciences Professor -- who led the research on this project along with researchers from Kraig Biocraft Laboratories and the University of Wyoming.  Here's a link to Notre Dame's news release along with a video of Professor Fraser talking about their discovery.  I must admit I never thought I would be writing about "silk worms" on my blog -- but it's pretty exciting news coming out of Notre Dame today!  Maybe we'll see a GOLD HELMET, manufactured from this material, on our football team some day!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S "SUPERMAN" SILK WORMS

Former Irish Kicker -- Back in NFL @ 46!

John Carney, who played for Notre Dame from 1984 to 1986 -- was signed by the Super Bowl Champion, New Orleans Saints yesterday to shore up their field goal kicking.  Carney, the third leading scorer in NFL history with 2,044 points, is 46 years young!  He's a two-time Pro Bowl kicker who was named by Sports Illustrated to Notre Dame's All-Time team.  Last season, Carney went over the 300 game mark in his career, becoming only the sixth player in NFL history to do so.  Here's a link to a story on Carney's signing.  Good Luck John!

LINK:  CARNEY BACK WITH SAINTS

Irish Golfer Smashes Scoring Record!

University of Notre Dame freshman, Nicole Zhang (Calgary, Canada) let the college golf world know that she'll be a force to be reckoned with as she wins the Mary Fossum Invitational at Michigan State University with a tournament record score!  Zhang, playing in her first college tournament, shot 69-67-71 on the par-72 course -- to finish NINE UNDER PAR.  Her 207 was the only score under par -- winning the tournament by nine strokes -- and leading the Irish to their first team win at this tournament in 16 tries.  Zhang's three day total broke the previous tournament record by seven shots!

Muffet Gets Top 100 Commit Last Night!

Madison Cable, a senior guard at Mt. Lebanon High School (Pittsburgh area) informed Notre Dame Women's Basketball Coach Muffet McGraw that she was committing to the Irish!  The 5'-11" Cable is ranked the #57 overall prospect in the country and will bring some length to the Notre Dame backcourt.  She led her high school team to their second straight State Championship last season scoring 30 in the final game.  Madison was on campus this past weekend for her official visit.  Here is a link to a story on Cable's commitment -- and a link to a story about her performance in last year's State Championship game:


LINK:  TOP 100 RECRUIT COMMITS TO IRISH

LINK:  CABLE SCORES 30 IN STATE FINAL

Rivals Ranks Notre Dame Recruiting Class #3

The commitment last night of wide receiver Davaris Daniels (pictured) to Brian Kelly's first full recruiting class has vaulted Notre Dame's incoming recruiting class to #3 in the country -- according to Rivals.  Daniels, the son of Washington Redskins DE Phillip Daniels (who's currently in his 15th season in the NFL), hails from Vernon Hills High School (Chicago suburbs) -- where he's ranked the #2 overall prospect in Illinois.  Here's the most current Rivals Top Ten College Football Recruiting Rankings -- along with a link below to their website:
#1:  Texas
#2:  Alabama
#3:  Notre Dame
#4:  LSU
#5:  Florida State
#6:  Oklahoma
#7:  Ohio State
#8:  Stanford
#9:  Florida
#10:  Mississippi

LINK:  RIVALS TOP TWENTY RECRUITING CLASSES

Learning a Teammate Took His Own Life...

The University of Notre Dame launched a wonderful website in 2007 called PRAY ND -- if you haven't had the chance to visit this site, you should.  Each day, the site will post a prayer for the day -- it's a wonderful way to start your day.  Last week, former Notre Dame QB, Brady Quinn '07, was asked to offer up a reflection on Living the Gospel Every Day.  While thinking about what to write -- Quinn learned one of his Bronco teammates (Kenny McKinley) allegedly committed suicide.  Here's a link to what Brady offered up to PRAY ND in reaction to McKinley's death: "Life is but a Breath"

LINK:  BRADY QUINN'S REFLECTION

LINK:  PRAY ND WEBSITE

Domers on NBA Training Camp Rosters

Just did a lap around the NBA to see where our former Notre Dame basketball stars are playing these days.  Today is the NBA's first official day of Training Camp for the 2010-2011 season -- and here's where your favorite Irish players are competing to stay or, earn a spot on an NBA roster.  Click on the player's name and you'll be directed to a recent story or bio:

-Luke Harangody - Boston Celtics
-Matt Carroll - Charlotte Bobcats
-Tory Jackson - Milwaukee Bucks (Free Agent Tryout)
-Troy Murphy - New Jersey Nets
-Chris Quinn - Philadelphia 76ers (Free Agent Tryout)

COACHES / FRONT OFFICE / TV-RADIO TEAM
-Monty Williams, Head Coach - New Orleans Hornets
-Adrian Dantley, Assistant Coach - Denver Nuggets
-Bill Laimbeer, Assistant Coach - Minnesota Timberwolves
-Kelly Tripucka, TV Analyst - New York Knicks
-Austin Carr, TV Analyst - Cleveland Cavaliers
-Tim Kempton, Radio Analyst - Phoenix Suns
-John Paxson, Executive VP - Chicago Bulls

LINK:  DATABASE OF ALL-TIME NOTRE DAME PLAYERS IN NBA

Where Are They Now? -- Alan Page

He's probably best known as #88 with the "Purple People Eaters" -- a Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings.  Or, as a dominant defensive end for the Fighting Irish's 1966 National Championship team -- which earned him College Football Hall of Fame honors.  But these days -- he's known as the "bow-tie" wearing Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.  Alan Page is a 1967 graduate of the University of Notre Dame who played 15 years in the NFL.  His football career is legendary -- yet, it's what he's done with his life after football that is what he's immensely proud of.  Page earned his law-degree during the off-seasons while playing with the Vikings.  He became a lawyer after his NFL days were over and moved up through the ranks as an Attorney General in Minnesota and on to their Supreme Court.  He's also probably the only Pro Football Hall of Famer who's run a marathon!  These days -- when he's not making law decisions on the Supreme Court -- Alan and his wife Diane oversee the Page Education Foundation, which they started in 1988.  To date, they've awarded grants to more than 4,100 students who in turn have given more than 300,000 hours to younger students.  When he retires from the Supreme Court, Page intends to become a public school teacher.  To say Alan Page is unique -- would be an understatement!  Here's a link to the Page Education Foundation website along with a 2008 interview with Justice Page:

LINK:  PAGE EDUCATION FOUNDATION

LINK:  JUSTICE PAGE INTERVIEW

The Notre Dame Pep Rally

It's one of the "must see" events for Notre Dame fans who make it to campus by 6 PM EST on Friday of a Football Weekend.  This is a video of this past Friday's Pep Rally which ESPN's Dick Vitale was the guest speaker.  Here's the link:

LINK:  THE NOTRE DAME PEP RALLY

Notre Dame's Quarterback Luncheon

Every Friday, on a home football weekend, the University of Notre Dame hosts a luncheon in the north dome of the Joyce Center.  It's typically a gathering of about 1,500 Notre Dame fans who are treated to lunch and a visit from the Head Football Coach, a current player, a former player, etc., in a set-up much like the Tonight Show.  Here's a link to a video I took from this past Friday's QB Luncheon:

LINK:  THE NOTRE DAME QUARTERBACK LUNCHEON

Team's Arrival to Notre Dame Campus

In all of my years of going to Notre Dame Football games this was a first for me -- watching the team's motorcade to the circle behind the Main Building (Golden Dome), see them depart from their buses, then assemble and walk to the Basilica.  Here's a video of their arrival to campus -- along with their traditional walk after Mass from the Basilica to Notre Dame Stadium:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL TEAM'S ARRIVAL

Coach Weis Had Emergency Surgery Today

Former Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Charlie Weis '78 - was taken to a Kansas City Hospital after the Chief's third straight win yesterday.  Chief's Head Coach Todd Haley released a statement that the issue is "not life threatening."  ESPN is reporting he had emergency Gall Bladder surgery -- and Weis's agent just confirmed that Coach Weis was diagnosed with the infection on Friday and chose to wait until after the game -- and did have surgery this morning.  Say some prayers for Coach Weis.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  COACH WEIS SURGERY

Legendary Hollywood Columnist (ND Student)

Legendary Hollywood reporter and former Notre Dame student, Jim Bacon passed away September 19th at the age of 96.  Bacon's colorful career was the subject of a 1999 E! True Hollywood Story -- as he was quite a Hollywood character.  During his 75-year career as a newspaperman, columnist and author, Bacon was a confidant of Marilyn Monroe, hung out with John Wayne, knocked back drinks with Frank Sinatra (photo of Bacon and Sinatra) and the Rat Pack, traded cigars with Winston Churchill and met eight U.S. presidents.  He spent 23 years with AP, followed by 18 years at the Herald Examiner. Most recently, he wrote a weekly column, recalling memories from Hollywood’s glory days, for Beverly Hills 213, where his last column appeared June 6.  He also authored three best-selling books: “Hollywood Is a Four Letter Town,” “Made in Hollywood” and Jackie Gleason’s autobiography “How Sweet It Is,” which he co-authored.  Bacon belonged to an era when hard-drinking columnists mixed freely with Hollywood royalty.  In “Four Letter Town,” he claimed an affair with Marilyn Monroe.  Pretending to be the coroner, he made his way through a police barricade to get Lana Turner’s first-hand account of the fatal stabbing of her lover Johnny Stompanato by her daughter Cheryl Crane.  He accompanied Elizabeth Taylor’s physician to her home to break the news of the death of her third husband, Mike Todd, in a plane crash.  Bacon also broke the story of John Wayne’s cancer, and he was the first to debunk Clifford Irving’s hoax, “The Autobiography of Howard Hughes.”

LINK:  JIM BACON'S OBIT

ND Alum Brings Stanley Cup to Notre Dame!

Stan Bowman '95, is VP -- General Manager of the Stanley Cup Champion, Chicago Blackhawks.  This past Saturday, Stan brought the Stanley Cup home to his alma mater -- Notre Dame.  Here's a link to a WNDU-TV's interview with Stan on the Notre Dame Stadium sidelines.  Hockey fans will know the Bowman name -- Stan's Dad is legendary NHL Coach; Scotty Bowman -- who was a Special Advisor to the Blackhawks this past season.  This was Stan's first Stanley Cup -- he's now only 11 behind his Dad!

LINK:  THE STANLEY CUP COMES TO NOTRE DAME

The Ups & Downs of Notre Dame Fans

Being a Notre Dame football fan has had a few more "downs" than "ups" these last few seasons -- so, the folks at WNDU-TV decided to look into the psychology of being a Notre Dame fan.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  BEING A NOTRE DAME FAN

ND Alum -- In The Amazing Race on CBS!

Thomas Wolfard '02, and his girlfriend Jill Haney (click on Link: Meet Tom & Jill) are contestants on CBS's globe-trotting reality show The Amazing Race.  The show kicked off its 17th season last night and Wolfard and Haney won the first race!  The couple from Marina Del Rey, CA (click on Link: Season Premiere replay) beat the other ten teams in the race through England.  The highlight of the first show is certain to become YOUTUBE LEGEND -- Brooke Roberts and Claire Champlin (co-hosts of Home Shopping Network) had a little problem with a watermelon catapult device.  YOU MUST SEE:

LINK:  SEASON PREMIERE

LINK:  MEET TOM & JILL

LINK:  WATERMELON ATTACK

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Notre Dame Cheerleader

While visiting the Grotto before Saturday's game I took this photo of a Notre Dame Cheerleader - her name is Erin and she's from the Class of 2030.  

A Lifelong Fan's First Visit to Notre Dame

"One of the greatest weekend's of my life..." -- these were the words of one John Pisano of Long Island, NY on his first trip to the University of Notre Dame.  Pisano, a retired NYPD officer and former member of the NYPD football team, received the "gold carpet" treatment this weekend at Notre Dame.  Fortunately, the camera crew at NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG was there to capture all of the moments.  Here's a link to a couple of videos -- first, a video of March Out of the Band of the Fighting Irish on Friday -- you also might see a former ND All-American and Super Bowl MVP in the crowd.  And, a nine-minute  video of all of John's fun over the 36 hours he was at Notre Dame.  A MUST WATCH -- enjoy!

LINK:  MARCH OUT -- THE BAND OF THE FIGHTING IRISH

LINK:  A FIRST VISIT TO NOTRE DAME

The Magic That Is Notre Dame

This weekend I had the great pleasure of "showing off" Notre Dame to my friend John Pisano, a retired New York Police Officer -- on his first ever trip to "America's Holy Land."  We rolled onto campus at 9:45 AM EST on Friday and we left last night at 9:15 PM EST -- having seen about all you could in our 36 hour visit.  (Look for a video later today on the ND GO IRISH BLOG YOUTUBE CHANNEL) Yet, it's a breakfast at South Dining Hall yesterday morning that reaffirmed the "MAGIC" that is Notre Dame.  We've made it a tradition to stop in for breakfast at South Dining Hall before every Notre Dame home football game -- if you haven't visited this building, you must!  There's not a college dining hall like it in America.  Well, John and I are sitting alone at one of the long wood tables in South when two gentlemen join us, a few seats down.  They were in their Notre Dame gear -- like all of us -- but it was their multiple ND "tattoos" on their face that set them apart from the rest.  Specifically, the ND Monogram logo (the interlocking ND) that was applied BACKWARDS to both of their faces.  Having my camera in tow, I introduce myself to the two and ask to take a photo of their faces for my blog -- telling them that my visitors will enjoy seeing the mis-application of one of the more famous "marks" in the world, the Notre Dame logo!  So, I take a picture and we start talking...  I learn that they're Notre Dame fans who have been making this "pilgrimage" (their description) to an Irish football game -- every season -- for the past eighteen years from their homes in Connecticut.  Jack Barrett (Cheshire, CT) and Neil Stonge (Oakville, CT) -- like many of us,  didn't have the honor of attending Notre Dame as students.  They're self proclaimed proud members of the "Subway Alumni" -- the millions of us around the world who live and die with the Irish each week. They tell me that the tattoos are something they always do on game day and that they "always screw up putting on the ND logo tattoo."  "Just can't figure out how to put that on right" -- as they both laugh.  I introduce Jack and Neil to my friend John -- letting them know this was his first ever trip to Notre Dame.  Jack immediately asks us "where are your seats?"  And we tell him we have two tickets in Section 129, just below the Press Box -- well Jack replies; "those are kind of high up aren't they?"  We confirm they're in the upper bowl, but there's "not a bad seat in the Stadium."  Then, Jack asks "would you like to sit closer to the field?"  Come to find out, Jack and Neil's tickets are in the GOLD SEATS at Notre Dame Stadium.  These are the ten rows of individual seats that are gold colored that run between the 20's on both sidelines of the House that Rock Built.  The best seats in the Stadium.  Two of their friends from their Lions Club (they try to bring two new buddies each year from the club) had to back out at the last minute and they offered these tickets to John and me.  Well, it didn't take a "New York Minute" for us to say YES and Jack handed over the tickets...  (We gave our tickets in the Upper Bowl to a ND Usher and asked him to give them to two ND fans looking for tickets)  What a treat and what a vantage point for my friend John to  experience his first football game at Notre Dame Stadium!  To memorialize the occasion I took a picture of John, Jack and Neil (LtoR in the photo) at halftime from their seats -- FYI:  I should have taken the photo before the game when all of us were smiling and a little warmer!  Jack and Neil -- thank you for making my friend John's first visit to Notre Dame -- something he'll never forget!!!  And, thank you for playing a part in what I call the 'magic that is Notre Dame' -- our fans are like no other.  We'll be "family" forever (because of Notre Dame) and I look forward to seeing you two next season.  We're going to win that game!!!

Game Day @ Notre Dame!

I'm posting this morning from the Fairfield Inn -- New Buffalo, MI.  It's a town on the Lake Michigan shoreline, just a little north and due west of Notre Dame.  Spent all day yesterday with my friend John Pisano (photo) - a retired NYPD officer from Long Island, NY - on his first visit to the Notre Dame campus!  What a day we had!  I'll post a video recap of our visit to the Locker Room, Press Box, Field, Quarterback Luncheon, Pep Rally, etc. -- on Sunday.  To those not as fortunate as John and I today -- sitting in Notre Dame Stadium -- here's where you can tune-in to the Irish leading up to the 3:41 PM EST kick-off for today's game against Stanford:

9 AM EST to KICK-OFF:  Listen to WSBT 960 AM's Notre Dame coverage -- Click Here

11 AM EST:  Watch Notre Dame Stadium Fill Up -- Click Here to a Live Webcam

2:30 PM EST:  Watch NBC's Pre-Game Show Online -- Click Here

A Scoreboard in Purcell Pavillion!

It's bigger than life and it changes the look and feel of the newly renovated Purcell Pavillion -- home of Notre Dame Basketball.  Yes, it's a scoreboard -- it's big, it's beautiful and it makes a major change to the look and feel of the arena.  Thought you'd enjoy seeing a photo of the scoreboard's large video screens.

Kelly's Thursday Press Conference

Coach Kelly met with the media last night after practice. Here's what he had to say. Click on the link below:

LINK: COACH KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE

Football Weekend Weather

Looks like a decent weather forecast for a Notre Dame Football Weekend. Tomorrow morning might be "iffy" but beyond that -- it should be good through Sunday. Here's a link to the latest forecast from WNDU-TV:

LINK: FOOTBALL WEEKEND FORECAST

Stanford's Harbaugh -- Talks Notre Dame

Stanford University Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh is interviewed about their game this Saturday against our Fighting Irish. Here's a link to Stanford's ALL ACCESS web channel:

LINK: STANFORD'S VIEW OF THE IRISH

Irish to Play @ Dublin's Aviva Stadium

It was announced yesterday that the Notre Dame vs. Navy football game, set for September 1, 2012 - will be played at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Opened this past May, Aviva Stadium is the home to the Irish national soccer team and the Irish union rugby team. It's hailed as one of the finest stadiums in the world -- though its capacity is quite modest at 51,000. Looks like a great place to kick-off the 2012 season! Here's a link to the Aviva Stadium website:

LINK: AVIVA STADIUM TO HOST THE IRISH!

Amazing Race to New York - ND Style!

Wouldn't you like to win two tickets to the Notre Dame vs. Army football game at Yankee Stadium?! Well, here's your chance. On Saturday, October 2nd -- the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore and Anthony Travel are sponsoring "The Race to New York" on the Notre Dame campus. Contestants will compete in an "Amazing Race" (CBS Show) style contest around the Notre Dame campus. You must enter as a "team of two" -- and the entry fee is a $50 donation to the United Way. The winners will receive:

* Round-trip airfare (for two) from South Bend Regional Airport to New York LaGuardia
* A two-night stay at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers
* Two tickets to Notre Dame vs. Army at Yankee Stadium

To learn more about "The Race to New York" -- click on the link below:

LINK: THE RACE TO NEW YORK

Golfweek Ranks ND's Warren G.C. -- 14th!

The University of Notre Dame's Warren Golf Course was just named by Golfweek Magazine as one of the Top 15 college golf courses in the country in GOLFWEEK'S BEST CAMPUS COURSES LIST! Opened in 2000, the Warren Golf Course was designed by Bill Coore and former Master's Champion; Ben Crenshaw. Here's a link to their ranking of the top-30 college golf courses in the country:

LINK: GOLFWEEK'S TOP 30 CAMPUS GOLF COURSES

ND's Fight Against Elephantiasis in Haiti

Table salt, what we take for granted here in America - can eliminate a debilitating disease commonly known as Elephantiasis. A disease that is one of the leading causes of disability in the world -- effects nearly one-third of the population in Haiti. The University of Notre Dame's Haiti Program received a boost this week when it was announced that Cargill was donating $20,000 towards the purchase of new salt -- to assist Notre Dame's efforts to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis) in Haiti. Here's a link to Notre Dame's press release:

LINK: CARGILL JOINS NOTRE DAME'S FIGHT IN HAITI

A Star in the Making?

Notre Dame sophomore, Theo Riddick had his coming out party this past Saturday night on national television. The converted running back caught ten passes for 128 yards and a TD from his new position -- wide receiver. The Irish now can boast four "game-changers" on the field at one time with; Riddick, Floyd, Allen & Rudolph -- let's hope this Saturday's the day we finally see a Brian Kelly offense hang 50 on a Notre Dame opponent! Here's a link to a WSBT-TV interview with Theo Riddick. Be sure to click on the "VIDEO" link in the box on the left when you get to their homepage.

LINK: THEO RIDDICK INTERVIEW

Reminder: Brian Kelly Radio Show -- Tonight!

It's Thursday -- and that means the Brian Kelly Radio Show airs from 7 PM EST to 8 PM EST tonight from Legends on the Notre Dame campus. Coach Kelly's radio show can be seen "live" on www.und.com and can be heard "live" on the web at the links below:





LINK: WATCH THE BRIAN KELLY RADIO SHOW -- LIVE

LINK: LISTEN TO THE BRIAN KELLY RADIO SHOW -- LIVE

Coach Kelly After Today's Practice

Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Brian Kelly, met with the media after today's practice -- Wednesday of Stanford week. Kelly's Irish will be taking on the #1 offense in America this week when Harbaugh brings his Cardinal to Notre Dame Stadium. Here's a link to the media session:

LINK: COACH KELLY MEETS WITH MEDIA

Mike Celizic -- Notre Dame Grad Passes...

Longtime MSNBC sports columnist, Mike Celizic '70, died this morning after a fourteen month battle with cancer. Celizic grew up in Leroy Township, Ohio, a rural community 30 miles east of Cleveland, and graduated from Painesville Riverside High, where he was co-captain of the football team and valedictorian. He earned a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Notre Dame, spending his sophomore year studying in Innsbruck, Austria. A one-time bureau chief in the New Jersey Statehouse, Celizic became a sportswriter in 1983 with The Record of Hackensack, N.J. and began his career as a columnist a year later. Since then, he’s covered every Olympic Summer Games since Los Angeles in 1984, as well as the 1988 Calgary Winter Games and the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games. He’s covered every major American sporting event, from the Final Four to the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup to major prize fights, the Masters to U.S. Open tennis. He also wrote the book "The Biggest Game of Them All" -- the 1966 Notre Dame vs. Michigan State game. Here's a link to a couple of stories about Mike and the last column he wrote for his NBC blog about battling cancer: "Adventures in Cancerland" -- A MUST READ:

LINK: MIKE'S LAST COLUMN

LINK: MIKE CELIZIC

LINK: FORMER RECORD EAGLE COLUMNIST DIES

Clausen on The Herd Radio Show

Former Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen spoke with ESPN's Colin Cowherd yesterday on his 23rd Birthday -- Happy Birthday Jimmy! Clausen talked about his on-going contact with Coach Weis and his first NFL start this Saturday against the Bengals. Cowerd also asked him about his thoughts on the Irish, etc. You'll also catch how well Colin Cowherd listens to his guests answers to his questions... When you click on the link, just scroll down the page to just below the photo of Clausen for the link to the interview:

LINK: CLAUSEN ON THE HERD

Notre Dame Hires Pro-Life Coordinator

The University of Notre Dame appointed Mary Daly, as it's Coordinator of Pro-Life Initiatives -- in response to a Task Force's recommendations to the University in the wake of President Obama's appearance at Notre Dame in 2009. Daly, a 2010 Notre Dame graduate, served as president of Notre Dame Right for Life and was a spokeswoman for NDResponse, a coalition opposed to the honoring of President Barack Obama. She will coordinate present efforts to implement the task force’s recommendations and will serve as a liaison between various university departments and offices to advance collaboration on life issues. Here's a link to the story:

LINK: NEW POSITION AT NOTRE DAME

Two Former Domers Start for Stanford

Two former Notre Dame football players will be in the starting line-up this Saturday for the 16th ranked Stanford Cardinal. Tight end Konrad Reuland and kicker Nate Whitaker both were recruited to Notre Dame by Coach Weis -- and transferred to Stanford after their freshman year. Reuland has five catches on the season for 56 yards and is still looking for his first TD -- not this week Konrad! Whitaker is three-for-three on his field goal attempts and 19 out of 21 on extra points this season for the high scoring Cardinal. THEY'RE AVERAGING 52 POINTS A GAME IN THEIR FIRST THREE WINS!