A Great Place To Work -- Notre Dame Honored!

The University of Notre Dame has again earned Honor Roll distinctions in the Chronicle of Higher Education’s Great Colleges to Work For program. The Great Colleges program evaluates universities on the basis of a dozen criteria such as teaching environment, facilities, compensation and benefits, and the faculty and staffs’ sense of respect and appreciation. The program is three years old; Notre Dame has participated in the past two years, earning Honor Roll distinctions both years. The primary factor for awarding the Great Colleges designation is employee feedback on a survey about the workplace environment administered by the Great Colleges program partner, ModernThink L.L.C. The University of Notre Dame was just one of 39 schools to receive this honor. Click on the link below to see the list of schools. Congratulations Notre Dame!

THE GREAT COLLEGES PROGRAM

Here's the Proof -- Can Coach Kelly Sing?

I've seen comments all morning long from those in attendance at the Cub's game that Coach Kelly won't be leaving Notre Dame for America's Got Talent! anytime soon. Here's the link to a video of Coach Kelly's night at Wrigley Field -- you be the judge...enjoy!

COACH KELLY AT WRIGLEY

Nun Takes on USC's John Robinson!

Former USC Football Coach, John Robinson, was in town last week for his enshrinement into the College Football Hall of Fame. During his stay in South Bend he granted an interview with WNDU-TV. One of his stories was a classic. He recalls pulling up in their team bus to Notre Dame Stadium for the 1993 game. Robinson is the first guy off the bus, and he sees a nun standing there waiting to greet his team (so he thinks). Having gone to Catholic grammar and high school, Robinson immediately smiled and said "Hi sister, how are you?" The reaction wasn't what the coach expected. "We're going to beat the hell out of you people today," the nun replied. Well, she was right! The Irish beat the Trojans that day 31 - 13. Sounds like Brian Kelly should track this nun down and have her stand at the Visitor's lockerroom door for every home game! Here's a link to the video interview:

USC COACH ROBINSON'S RUN-IN WITH NUN AT ND

Samardzija: 7 - 1 with Iowa Cubs

After watching the Chicago Cubs play last night on ESPN, hoping to see Coach Kelly conduct "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" (I didn't see him on TV) -- I began wondering how a former Notre Dame All-American football player nicknamed "Shark" was doing with baseball? Well, he's doing quite well! Jeff was sent down by the Cubs to their top minor league team (Iowa Cubs) in April. They had him first come out of the bullpen as a closer -- but have since moved him into a starting role. He's 7 - 1 with the Iowa Cubs winning his last three starts. Samardzija has a ERA of 2.76 in 58.2 innings pitched -- striking out 58 while walking 38. His 2.76 ERA is best on the team among pitchers with more than 50 innings of work. Here's a link to the Iowa Cubs team website:

IOWA CUBS OFFICIAL SITE