Jimmy Clausen On NFL Network Tonight...

Former Notre Dame QB, Jimmy Clausen -- might be leading his Carolina Panthers to "slaughter" tonight against the Pittsburgh Steelers -- in Pittsburgh.  Clausen earned his first NFL win last week as a starting QB -- can he make it two in a row tonight?  Game starts at 8 PM EST.

LINK:  NFL NETWORK

Where Are They Now? -- Kelsey Wicks

Former Notre Dame basketball player, Kelsey Wicks (photo) -- goes by a new name these days;  Sister Joan of Arc.  Wicks, played for two years for Muffet McGraw's Irish -- before leaving the program during her sophomore season.  After leaving Notre Dame, Kelsey worked on refugee issues in Africa.  When she returned to America -- Kelsey received a scholarship to attend the University of Notre Dame Law School -- however, she chose to go down a much different path.  Wicks joined The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecelia in Nahville, TN ("The Nashville Dominicans") -- where she wears a traditional habit and adheres to a strict life of prayer, teaching and silence (sometimes).  And, Kelsey adopted her new name:  Sister Joan of Arc.   However, as you'll see in this stories linked below -- she hasn't given up her love for basketball.  Sister Joan of Arc, we're very proud of you!  Special thanks to ND GO IRISH BLOG contributor; Dr. Jim Clancy for tracking down this story.  I've also added a link to a youtube video of what life is like for The Nashville Dominicans:

LINK:  KELSEY WICKS -- SISTER JOAN OF ARC

LINK:  THE NASHVILLE DOMINICANS

LINK:  THE NASHVILLE DOMINICANS -- PROMOTIONAL VIDEO

A Notre Dame "Pioneer" Passes...

Goldie L. Ivory '56, who earned her Masters degree in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame and thought to be the first African American laywoman to earn a degree from the university -- died this past Friday.  With a name like "Goldie" -- who else should have such an honor!  Here's a link to Goldie's story in the South Bend Tribune:

LINK:  GOLDIE IVORY -- A NOTRE DAME PIONEER

Former Irish Hockey Player Receives Honor

Dr. Michael Collins '70 -- a former Notre Dame hockey player -- was awarded the 2011 Lou Lamoriello Award by the American Hockey Coaches Association.  Named in honor of the former Providence College player, coach, and administrator, the Lamoriello Award recognizes a former college hockey player or coach who goes on to a distinguished career in or out of the game of ice hockey.  Collins, an orthopedic surgeon based in Chicago -- earned two monograms playing hockey for the Fighting Irish.  Here's a link to a couple of stories concerning the honor:


LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY

LINK:  UND.COM STORY