ND Hockey on VERSUS Today at 7 PM ET

Jeff Jackson's Fighting Irish will be in action this New Year's Eve at 7:05 PM ET on the VERSUS channel.  The #5 ranked Irish will be taking on the #9 ranked Boston University Terriers.  After the game, VERSUS will air "ONWARD TO VICTORY" an hour long show produced by the gang at UND.COM.  Here's a link to the ONWARD TO VICTORY trailer...

LINK:  ONWARD TO VICTORY

Photo of the Day: "Tee, Dee & ND"

Here's the two cousins from northern California who have had the recruiting world "buzzing" the past couple of weeks.  Both are playing in the Semper Fidelis Bowl. Tee Shepard #2 and Deontay Greenberry #1.  These two will look good in their NOTRE DAME GOLD HELMETS next fall!

Muffet's Irish Put 128 Pts. on Mercer Last Night!

The #3 ranked Fighting Irish had a RECORD SETTING night in Atlanta against Mercer -- scoring 128 points! It was the first appearance for one of Muffet's teams in 15 years in the state of Georgia.  I'm guessing they might not want to wait so long next time!  Here are the records the Irish set last night:

• Most points in the first half:  72 points  (Irish led 72 - 30 at half)
• Most points in a game:  128 points  (previous record was 113) 
• Most points in one half:  72 points 
• Largest margin of victory:  86 points
• Highest Field Goal Percentage:  70.2%  (tied the previous record)
• Most free throws made:  43
• Most free throws attempted:  52

Note:  The 128 points is the 17th most scored in one game ALL-TIME in NCAA history.  The 72 points scored in the first half are the 8th most scored ALL-TIME in NCAA history.  It's the most points scored in a game this season in women's college basketball.

LINK:  IRISH MAUL MERCER

A Look Back @ Notre Dame's 169th Year...

The University of Notre Dame released their 2011: Year In Review, last night.  The report looks back at the previous 364 days of 2011 and a number of the accomplishments of the Notre Dame students, alumni, faculty and staff.  Just click on the link below to see the report:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S 2011

Ronald Darby Returns Kick-off for TD!

The Chesapeake Bowl (featuring high school all-stars from; Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, D.C., Virginia and West Virginia) was played tonight in Edgewater, MD -- and University of Notre Dame verbal commit, Ronald Darby followed up the opening play of the game -- a 90 yard kick-off return for a TD by the North's Nate Smith by taking the ensuing kick-off for a 75 yard TD for the South!  Here's a link to the news article -- along with a link to the video:

LINK:  DARBY RETURNS KICK-OFF FOR TD!

LINK:  VIDEO OF DARBY'S KICK-OFF RETURN

Semper Fidelis Bowl -- ND Commits Playing

The University of Notre Dame will be well represented in Tuesday's inaugural Semper Fidelis Bowl in Phoenix.  Here's a list of the high school stars playing in the game who have verbally committed to playing for the IRISH:

LINK:  TEE SHEPARD

LINK:  RONNIE STANLEY

LINK:  JUSTIN FERGUSON

LINK:  DEONTAY GREENBERRY

LINK:  SHELDON DAY 

LINK:  MARK HARRELL

The Notre Dame Family Doing Florida Right

The day before the Irish took on Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl -- fifty members of the Notre Dame Family (alumni, cheerleaders and fans) went to work at the New Image Youth Center (Parramore, FL) painting, sanding, weeding, assembling new furniture and playing with the kids.

This community service project is just one of many -- that the Notre Dame Alumni Association will perform around the world each year.  It's what sets ND apart from most institutions in this country.

Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME GIVING BACK

Champs Sports Bowl: Mornin' After...

Have to admit I didn't sleep too well last night.

Yet, I wake up this morning -- once again -- knowing I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE A FAN OF ANY OTHER SCHOOL IN THE WORLD!

Here's what our friends in the media had to say about Florida State's 18 to 14 win over the Irish last night in the Champs Sports Bowl:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- AL LESAR

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- ERIC HANSEN

LINK:  ASSOCIATED PRESS

LINK:  TAMPA BAY TIMES

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  PALM BEACH POST

LINK:  THE OBSERVER

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  NEWS SENTINEL

LINK:  ORLANDO SENTINEL

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE

LINK:  SPORTING NEWS

LINK:  THE LEDGER

LINK:  FLORIDA TIMES UNION

LINK:  TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT

Florida State Scores 15 in Fourth Quarter...

A difficult game for the Notre Dame Family as the Seminoles erase ND's 14 point to win the Champs Sports Bowl.  Here's a link to the "low-lights" courtesy of our friends at ESPN and a link to Coach Kelly's post game comments.


LINK:  CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL

LINK:  COACH KELLY POST GAME 

LINK:  PLAYER INTERVIEWS AFTER GAME

Champs Sports Bowl: ND Team Photos

The top photo of the Irish warming up was just "tweeted" from the Champs Sports Bowl  -- the bottom two photos  of the Irish leaving their team hotel, and the official team photo, were just put up on FACEBOOK by Notre Dame Athletics.  CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO ENLARGE.  GO IRISH!

KeiVarae Russell Commits to Notre Dame!

KeiVarae Russell, one of the top running backs on the West Coast, announced his college choice today at 3 PM ET -- and he chose to wear the GOLD HELMET!

The US Army All-American and 7th ranked "athlete" in the country will play running back for the Irish!

You can watch the LIVE ANNOUNCEMENT at the link below:

LINK:  KEIVARAE RUSSELL DECISION DAY -- LIVE ANNOUNCEMENT

LINK:  NEWS STORY ABOUT KEIVARAE RUSSELL

LINK:  KEIVARAE RECRUITING PROFILE

LINK:  KEIVARAE INTERVIEW

Notre Dame's Champs Sports Bowl JERSEY!

The University of Notre Dame's Football Equipment Manager Ryan Grooms just "tweeted" these photos of the jersey the Fighting Irish will be wearing against Florida State in today's Champs Sports Bowl game.

Must Read: Matt Mulvey's "Red Hat Diaries"

He wears uniform #17 and he's been standing right next to Brian Kelly for every Notre Dame football game the past two seasons.  You'll see him again today on ESPN, signaling in every IRISH offensive play.

For the past seven days, Matthew Mulvey (Senior out of Del Mar, CA)  has been reporting on his experiences at the CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL in what he calls the "RED HAT DIARIES."  You'll enjoy this!

LINK:  THE RED HAT DIARIES

Champs Sports Bowl: Weather Forecast

All you need to know is this -- the GOLD HELMETS will be in FULL SHINE mode prior to kick-off -- and when the lights go on in OrlaNDo's Citrus Bowl Stadium they will go into ULTRA SHINE mode.  Great day for football with the temps in the mid to upper 60's.  Irish caught a break with the game temps!  Here's the link to the hourly forecast for today's Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando:

LINK:  THE WEATHER CHANNEL -- CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL FORECAST

Champs Sports Bowl: The "Experts" Predict...

Took a lap around the web this morning to check in on the media experts and their predictions for the Champs Sports Bowl game this evening (5:30 PM ET) between Notre Dame and Florida State.  Just click on the links below:


LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  ACC SPORTS JOURNAL

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  TAMPA BAY TIMES

LINK:  OBSERVER

LINK:  TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  ASSOCIATED PRESS

LINK:  CSN CHICAGO

LINK:  PALM BEACH POST

LINK:  ATHLON SPORTS

It's GAME DAY! Irish Beat Seminoles Today!

It's less than nine hours to kick-off when "HISTORY'S TEAM" takes on that school from northern Florida in the Champs Sports Bowl.

To get ND fans fired up for this game -- I take you back to a November in 1993 when #1 FSU visited then #2 ND.  Folks all over the world tuned-in to NBC's telecast that day to see this introduction and Bob Costas at his best.  Enjoy!

LINK:  NBC'S INTRO TO ND'S GAME AGAINST FSU IN 1993

Will Clements Be Penn State's Next Coach?

Don't be surprised if former Notre Dame QB Tom Clements is named, this week, the next head football coach at Penn State University.

Just hours ago, the rumored front-runner, Mike Munchak denied any interest in the position.  Clements, the QB coach of the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers, has been very open in his desire to get this gig.  Sure hope he does!


LINK:  TOM CLEMENTS TO PENN STATE?

Champs Sports Bowl: First Wednesday Update

The gang at UND.COM has been busy "having fun" down in OrlaNDo with the Fighting Irish.  Here's a look at what the Irish did off the field yesterday.  Get ready to ride a roller coaster!!!

LINK:  IRISH IN ORLANDO

LINK:  CHAMPS BOWL PRESS CONFERENCE

Irish Beat #22 Pitt @ Home -- 28 Straight Wins!

Playing their best game of the year -- Mike Brey's Fighting Irish defeated the #22 ranked Pitt Panthers last night. 

WOW!

The win extends ND's home winning streak to 28 games and puts the IRISH in FIRST PLACE tie in the BIG EAST!  Here's the game highlights along with Coach Brey's post game comments and what the two team's local papers had to say about the game.  A BIG WIN FOR THE IRISH!

LINK:  IRISH BEAT PITT

LINK:  COACH BREY WITH MEDIA

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY

LINK:  PITTSBURGH POST GAZETTE STORY

Rumor: Michigan & ND to End Football Series

There's a rumor flying around this evening on the Michigan fan boards that an announcement could come, as soon as tomorrow, that the football series between Michigan and Notre Dame will end.  Irish fans may recall an announcement last year that the two teams had agreed to a 25-year extension of the home & home series.  Well, the rumor is the contract was never signed and Michigan wants out of the game.

I sure hope this is not the case...  Stay tuned!

LINK:  MICHIGAN vs. NOTRE DAME WIKIPEDIA

Great Piece On Irish Hockey: Onward to Victory!

The Fighting Irish will be playing hockey on New Year's Eve against Boston University at 7:05 PM ET on VERSUS.  The folks at UND.COM produced a wonderful piece to entice you to TUNE-IN.  You'll enjoy this!

LINK:  ONWARD TO VICTORY

Champs Sports Bowl: Tuesday Irish Update

As we've come to expect, the folks at UND.COM caught Coach Kelly after practice.  Here's a link to his interview:

LINK:  COACH KELLY

ESPN's Gottlieb Tells His Notre Dame Story

Doug Gottlieb is an on-air personality at ESPN.  You'll hear him on the radio and you'll see him talk college basketball and other sports from time to time on TV.

What some Notre Dame fans might now know about Gottlieb is he's a former Irish student-athlete.  Unfortunately, Doug Gottlieb made some mistakes while at Notre Dame and he was asked to leave school.

Gottlieb recently gave a little more detail about his departure from ND.  Here's a link to the Los Angeles Times story:

LINK:  GOTTLIEB TALKS ABOUT HIS PROBLEMS AT ND

Champs Sports Bowl: Monday Irish Update

The gang at UND.COM are down in Orlando this week with the Fighting Irish football team as they gear up for Thursday's bowl game against Florida State.  Here's a couple of their video stories today:

LINK:  COACH KELLY AFTER PRACTICE

LINK:  IRISH CONNECTION -- INSIDE BOWL PRACTICE

LINK:  INSIDE NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

Photo of the Day: Champs Sports Bowl Practice

The @und_video_crew just "tweeted" this photo of today's
Champs Sports Bowl football practice for the Fighting Irish.

Tough duty!

Champs Sports Bowl: Coach Kelly & Media

The University of Notre Dame football team is in Orlando preparing for Thursday's bowl game against Florida State University.  After Sunday's practice (Christmas Day) Coach Kelly spent a few minutes with the assembled media.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  COACH KELLY AFTER PRACTICE

Notre Dame's Most Popular Student-Athlete!

For the first time in the history of Notre Dame Athletics -- its most popular athlete with the media doesn't wear a GOLD HELMET.

This honor goes to a female student-athlete by the name of SKYLAR DIGGINS -- Father Ted must be beaming!

In the past five weeks, ESPN has produced two significant stories about Skylar that speaks to her playing ability, her popularity (cult status) and her beauty.  In fact, they've even gone so far as calling her the "game changer" that women's basketball has been waiting for.  Take a look:

LINK:  BALANCING ACT

LINK:  THE NEXT BIG THING

Armando Allen Gets First Game Action in NFL

Former University of Notre Dame running back Armando Allen got his first taste of life in the National Football League, last night, gaining 40 yards on eleven carries for the Bears in their nationally televised game against the Packers at Lambeau Field.  Allen, who was injured much of his senior season at ND, was signed by the Bears on September 5th to their practice squad and was placed on the active roster (earlier in the week) for this game.  That's Armando in his new #25 in the photo.

I am very happy for ArmaNDo!

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES STORY

LINK:  BEARS ACTIVATE ARMANDO

Notre Dame Football Takes Over OrlaNDo!

The folks at UND.COM along with Mike Golic, Jr., Brandon Newman and a number of their Irish football teammates have been chronicling their time in Orlando for the Champs Sports Bowl.  Enjoy!

LINK:  CHRISTMAS EVE IN ORLANDO

LINK:  CHRISTMAS DAY IN ORLANDO

LINK:  CHRISTMAS NIGHT IN ORLANDO

A ND Christmas Blessing From Father Jenkins

Here is the University of Notre Dame's 17th president -- Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., with his Christmas Blessing for the Notre Dame Family:

LINK:  A CHRISTMAS BLESSING FROM NOTRE DAME

Merry Christmas to the Notre Dame Family!

Went looking around the web this morning for a recent video of the Notre Dame Glee Club singing a Christmas carol.  Found this impromptu performance on campus (11/20/11) instead.  ENJOY!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Notre Dame's Cleats for Champs Sports Bowl!

Looks like Santa brought the ND football team new shoes for Christmas...

Adidas and the University of Notre Dame teamed up to create this "three-tone" shoe for the Fighting Irish.  I can say with great confidence that you've never seen a ND team play in shoes like these!

Photo of Champs Sports Bowl Practice -- ND!

The Fighting Irish held their first Champs Sports Bowl practice today in Orlando in 76 degree weather...

Our Team, Our Story: Champs Sports Bowl

The gang at UND.COM is keeping busy.  Here's their first report from Orlando and the Champs Sports Bowl.  Click on the link:

LINK: OUR TEAM OUR STORY -- NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

IRISH Athletes Talk About Christmas Memories

A nice feature on a number of NOTRE DAME ATHLETES talking about Christmas, created by the gang at UND.COM.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

LINK:  NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Latest News on Gunner Kiel's College Choice

Five-star QB Gunner Kiel is expected to announce his college choice in the next 24 hours -- though I wouldn't be surprised if this might wait for a few more days.

Folks at LSU believe he made his choice -- as rumors are flying around the web this morning that Kiel called LSU coach Les Miles, last night, to say he was committing to the Tigers.  The sentiment of many ND fans, on the web, is he's probably BAYOU BOUND.

However, didn't ND fans think another Five-star recruit was headed to another school (three years ago) with an "S & U" in its name -- and he (Manti Teo) shocked most recruiting experts when he chose the FIGHTING IRISH instead!  Stay tuned...

First Photo From Champs Sports Bowl: ND1

This photo of the Notre Dame Football Equipment Truck (AKA: ND1) was just "tweeted" from Orlando's Citrus Bowl -- site of next Thursday's CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL.  Photo tweeted by @NDirishfan91 Ross Pepin.  Here's a link to a blog story about ND's arrival in Orlando:

LINK:  ND FOOTBALL ARRIVES IN ORLANDO

Santa Claus Comes Tomorrow!!!

I've spent twelve wonderful months working with a world-class team at Western Michigan University.  In this job I was introduced to one of WMU's greatest assets -- a vocal jazz performance group called GOLD COMPANY.  They are terrific!

Enjoy their rendition of JINGLE BELLS -- and share it with a friend who needs to SMILE TODAY!

Paint That Can Power the Planet -- ONLY ND!

A team of University of Notre Dame scientists have developed a paint that they believe can harness the power of the sun and turn it into electricity.

It's called SUN-BELIEVABLE PAINT.

Now, the description of what they've developed here, WHICH IS AMAZING, is just a little over my head.  So, I'll leave it to the folks at the South Bend Tribune who have reported this story.  Incredible!

LINK:  HARNESSING THE SUN'S POWER

Cal-State All Star Game: AKA "Tee & Dee Show"

Tee Shepard and Deontay Greenberry -- both University of Notre Dame football commits -- put on a show last night in Clovis, CA in the CAL-STATE ALL STAR GAME.

The game matched some of the top players in high school football in the state of California -- and the stars of the game:  TWO FUTURE ND FOOTBALL PLAYERS!

I won't spoil how well they played -- you can click on the links below for the details and game hightlights:

LINK:  FRESNO STARS SHOW THE WAY!

LINK:  VIDEO NEWS STORY 

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

The Irish Begin Arriving in OrlaNDo Today!

The Orlando Sentinel caught up with Coach Kelly today to talk about next Thursday's Champs Sports Bowl with Florida State University.  The entire team will be in Orlando by tomorrow.  You've got to love how that GOLD HELMET shines!  Here's a link to all of the news coverage:

LINK:  IRISH BEGIN ARRIVING IN ORLANDO

LINK:  COACH KELLY AT AIRPORT

LINK:  CHANNEL 47 - NEWS COVERAGE OF IRISH ARRIVAL

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH UND.COM

A Book You Should Add to Your ND Library!

I just started reading the book entitled; "Notre Dame: Where Have You Gone?" by the South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen and Sideline Communication's Paul Guido.  It covers a subject many Notre Dame fans often wonder about -- what are the former players who donned the GOLD HELMET doing today?  It's a MUST HAVE for Notre Dame fans!  Here's how you can purchase a copy:

LINK:  PURCHASE THE BOOK RIGHT HERE!

The Spirit of du lac

I've watched this video many, many times -- and it still gives me chills.  Enjoy!

LINK:  SPIRIT OF DU LAC

I've Been Given the Gift of Notre Dame...

Earlier today, the University of Notre Dame officially announced that I would be joining their team as Senior Director of Marketing & Communications -- effective January 16, 2012.

A very humbling and special moment for my family and me.

Notre Dame's "on-boarding" process, which I began this morning, led me to a conference room where I would meet my teammates for the first time.  While I awaited their arrival, I found myself staring at this quote -- etched into the room's glass wall:

“This college will be one of the most powerful means of doing good in the country.” 

It was taken from a letter written by Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., just days after he founded Notre Dame in 1842.

Who would have ever dreamed an Irish Catholic kid from Mecosta County (Michigan), Chippewa Hills High School and Ferris State University would be given the opportunity of sharing the Notre Dame story with the world.

A story Fr. Sorin began crafting 169 years earlier...

Unfortunately, I'll be leaving an extremely talented team (led by Jim Thomas) at Western Michigan University -- and some wonderful alumni -- all who have made me feel part of the WMUFAMILY.  It's been a magical year in Kalamazoo that I will never forget.  THANK YOU! 

Yes, I've been given the "GIFT" of the University of Notre Dame -- it will be an honor to serve HER mission!

  
LINK:  I KNOW SHE'S SMILING IN HEAVEN TODAY

Barkley to Return to USC -- ND Football Happy!

If you listened to sports talk radio this afternoon you would have heard the 2012 Heisman winner was determined today when USC QB Matt Barkley said he would return for his senior season.

NOT SO FAST MY FRIENDS!

Now, the best thing to come out of today's news is the ND Football team should be thrilled with the prospects of having one more shot at USC with Barkley at the helm.  I wouldn't want it any other way!  Here's the story:

LINK:  LA TIMES STORY

No Doubt He's a Notre Dame Man: Dayne Crist

Former Notre Dame QB Dayne Crist -- announced today that he would be playing at the University of Kansas next year for Charlie Weis.  Crist, who was spotted at Twelve Oaks Mall (Novi, MI) yesterday with his girlfriend -- granted an interview with the Observer on Wednesday.  Suffice to say -- he's a class act.  You'll enjoy this story along with Eric Hansen's story at the South Bend Tribune:

LINK:  A NOTRE DAME MAN

LINK:  CRIST CHOOSES CHARLIE

Notre Dame to Honor Adrian Dantley!

Former two-time IRISH All American, Olympic Gold Medalist, National Player of the Year, Naismith National Basketball Hall of Famer, two-time NBA scoring champion and NBA Hall of Famer, Adrian Dantley -- will be honored by his alma mater on March 2nd when he's enshrined in Purcell Pavillion's RING OF HONOR.  It's an honor well deserved!  Here's a link to the story at UND.COM along with a video of his career produced by NBA-TV:  You've just got to love the uniforms Digger designed for the Fighting Irish back in the day -- they were the coolest in college basketball!

LINK:  DANTLEY TO BE HONORED

LINK:  ADRIAN DANTLEY -- NBA VIDEO

USC Couldn't Steal This Dynamic Duo From ND!

Tee Shepard (my favorite recruit in this class) and Deontay Greenberry two of Notre Dame's most highly sought after recruits -- took a visit this weekend to that school in Los Angeles.  For a day or so, ND fans were concerned that the Trojans may have convinced Tee and Deontay to de-commit from the IRISH.  Fortunately, that does not seem to be the case!  Here's the NBC Sports story on the cousins from northern California:

LINK:  AN IRISH GUARANTEE

This Just Might Be Notre Dame's QB Recruit!

His name is Devin Fuller and he's one of the top players on the East Coast and Rivals #2 ranked QB in the country.  He's got a big arm and some very fast feet.  Fuller, out of Old Tappan HS in New Jersey, has yet to visit Notre Dame -- though the word is the IRISH are hot on his trail.  Might tell us something about what our coaching staff thinks about our chances with Gunner Kiel.  This young man would be EXCITING in a GOLD HELMET!

LINK:  DEVIN FULLER HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  DEVIN FULLER RIVALS PROFILE