They Have Never Been 9 - 0 @ Notre Dame!

The Notre Dame women's softball team is off to the best start in school history!  The Irish are now 9 - 0 on the season after beating Marist and Liberty yesterday afternoon at the College of Charleston's Cougar Classic in Mount Pleasant, SC.  The win over Liberty was also the 900th win in the 23-year history of the women's softball program at Notre Dame!  The Irish will be back in action in Kissimmee, Florida this weekend -- for the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic.  A special thanks to ND GO IRISH regular contributor, Dr. Jim Clancy -- for making me aware of this story.  Here's a link to UND.COM's coverage of ND women's softball:

LINK:  BEST START IN SCHOOL HISTORY!

Irish Hoops on ESPNU -- Tonight at 7 PM EST!

Mike Brey's #9 Fighting Irish play their last home game of the season tonight against #14 Villanova -- in a game that can determine Notre Dame's Big East Tournament plans.  A win over the Wildcats tonight -- will clinch second place for the Irish and "byes" in the first two rounds of the tournament at Madison Square Garden.  Tonight's game is also the last time Ben Hansbrough and Ty Nash will wear the IRISH jersey at Purcell Pavillion.  The game will be televised by ESPNU -- starting at 7 PM EST.  Here's a link to UND.COM's -- preview of tonight's game:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. VILLANOVA

Mike Lee With First Round TKO Last Night!

Notre Dame grad, Mike Lee '09 -- remained undefeated as a professional boxer with his first round knockout last night of Pablo Gomez at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas.  The first round knockout was the second in a row for Lee -- who  knocked out Keith Denbow in November in a fight at Cowboys Stadium.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  MIKE LEE WINS AGAIN!

Austin Carr Press Conference

Last night -- the University of Notre Dame honored it's greatest basketball player of all-time.  The fact that it took 40 years to do it -- is a mute point now.  What was great to see is how much it meant to this Notre Dame Man.  Here's a link to a page at UND.COM where you can find Austin Carr's press conference:

LINK:  AUSTIN CARR -- NOTRE DAME'S BEST!

Abromaitis Scores 1,000th Point -- Irish Win!

Tim Abromaitis and Ben Hansbrough led a "sluggish" Irish team over Seton Hall 60 - 48.  The win puts #9 Notre Dame 23-5 on the season and 12-4 in the Big East.  With one more win in the Big East for the Irish or a Louisville loss -- ND will earn a "double-bye" in the upcoming Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden.  Here's a link to the BOX SCORE:

LINK:  BOX SCORE -- IRISH WIN AGAIN!

It Took 40 Years for ND To Do Him Right...

Notre Dame's greatest basketball player of all-time, Austin Carr -- was honored tonight, 40 years after he last wore an Irish uniform.  Carr, who still holds NCAA Tournament records for "career scoring average" -- more than 40 points a game -- and, for most points scored in a single game;  61 -- is one of the greatest college basketball players of all-time.   During the halftime ceremony, Notre Dame finally hung a banner in his honor (why did it take 40 years?) in their "Ring of Honor" and they named the Lower Concourse in Purcell Pavillion "Austin Carr Concourse."  Once a video is posted of his speech, we'll have it here.

LINK:  ND HONORS AUSTIN CARR

ND Basketball Tonight on ESPNU @ 7 PM EST!

The #9 Fighting Irish of Notre Dame take on the Pirates of Seton Hall tonight -- in a game that will honor Notre Dame's greatest basketball player of all-time at halftime.  Austin Carr -- will finally be placed in Notre Dame's Ring of Honor -- during the halftime ceremony.  You can tune in on ESPNU @ 7 PM!  Here's a link to the game preview:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME TAKES ON SETON HALL -- TONIGHT!

A Domer's Daughter -- What A Talent!

Isabela Nanni, the 14 year-old daughter of Lou and Carmen Nanni -- Lou '84, is Vice President for University Relations at the University of Notre Dame -- recently performed a song she wrote at halftime of ND Women's Basketball's "Pink Zone" game.   

The Pink Zone Basketball Game has become an annual effort by ND to raise money and awareness for breast cancer awareness. 

WNDU-TV caught up with Isabela for a wonderful interview about the motivation behind her song.  What a talented young lady!  Here's the link to the WNDU-TV story along with a link to the YOUTUBE video of her performance -- WOW!:

LINK:  ISABELLA NANNI -- WNDU-TV

LINK:  ISABELLA NANNI -- "BEAUTIFUL"

The Heisman "Watch List" -- Already Out!

And, to know surprise -- a "Notre Dame QB" is on the list...  It may surprise which Notre Dame QB is on the list.  Click on the link:

LINK:  A NOTRE DAME QB ON HEISMAN WATCH LIST

Duerson Still In the News...

This morning, CNN.COM published a story on the death, last week, of former Notre Dame All-American and University Trustee -- Dave Duerson.  As you probably know by now, Duerson asked his oldest son (in a note) to donate his brain to Boston University for research.  Here's a link to the CNN.COM story:

LINK:  DUERSON'S BRAIN

Weis Gets $2.6 Million From Gators...

Former Notre Dame Football Coach, Charlie Weis '78 reportedly signed a three-year deal with the Florida Gators worth $2.6 million with a car, $10,000 from Nike as part of an apparel contract -- and a $100,000 signing bonus.  It's a record salary for a Florida assistant coach.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  CHARLIE GETS $2.6 MILLION

LINK:  CHARLIE'S RECORD SALARY

ESPN's Spring Look at Notre Dame Football

The folks at ESPN -- published a story today on what to look for this Spring with Notre Dame Football.  Spring Practice begins on March 23rd.  Here's the link:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL -- PREVIEW

Kyle Rudolph -- NFL Combine Today

The annual NFL "casting call" is taking place this week in Indianapolis -- and former Notre Dame football star, Kyle Rudolph started the process today.  Offensive Lineman and Tight Ends were the stars of the show today.  Here's a few links to what the "experts" are saying about Kyle today:

LINK:  KYLE RUDOLPH -- HEIGHT, WEIGHT & HAND SIZE 

LINK:  PRO FOOTBALL TALK -- KYLE RUDOLPH

Harangody Traded to Cleveland Cavaliers

Former Notre Dame All-American Luke Harangody was traded today with a teammate -- from the Celtics to the Cleveland Cavaliers -- for a second round pick.  Here's a link to the breaking story:

LINK:  HARANGODY TO CLEVELAND

Notre Dame Wins 94-93 Over Providence!

The Irish won another road game in the Big East tonight -- despite giving up 52 points to an opposition player.  Marson Brooks big scoring night was the most ever given up by ND to an opponent -- in the 100+ year history of Irish basketball.  Yet, it wasn't enough for Providence to upset Notre Dame.  The #9 Irish are now 22-5 on the season and 11-4 in the Big East.  Here's a link to highlights of the game along with an audio link to Coach Brey's post game press conference:

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS -- IRISH VICTORY!

LINK:  COACH BREY'S PRESS CONFERENCE

Google -- A Forecaster for Wall Street?

Two Notre Dame associate professors Zhi Da and Paul Gao just won the 2010 Crowel First Prize for outstanding research for their paper "In Search of Attention."  The Crowel prize is awarded by the Quantitative Research Group at PanAgora Asset Management.  Their paper suggested tracking aggregate search frequency on Google to determine investor attention -- and to help predict the stock market.  Now, these two guys are "much smarter than me" -- so, I'm going to get out of the way here and let you link to what they're thinking:

LINK:  GOOGLE -- A STOCK MARKET PREDICTOR?

A Notre Dame Man -- Returns Home!

Notre Dame football fans may remember the name Joey Hiben -- he was a member of Charlie Weis' first recruiting class at Notre Dame.  Unfortunately, Joey decided to leave ND and transferred to the University of Minnesota...  Well, he's back at Notre Dame -- and he's throwing punches in the Bengal Bouts.  The folks at the South Bend Tribune caught up with Joey and published this story today -- you'll enjoy!

LINK:  JOEY HIBEN -- BENGAL BOUTS

Duerson Donates Brain to NFL for Research

Former Notre Dame All-American Dave Duerson -- who died this past week, left behind a note asking that his brain be donated to research for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).  Duerson's brain will be examined by Boston University's Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  DUERSON'S BRAIN TO BE STUDIED

Rudolph -- Hamstring Healed!

Chicago Tribune's Notre Dame beat reporter, Brian Hamilton -- caught up with former Notre Dame tight-end Kyle Rudolph -- to talk about his rehab after hamstring surgery and preparation for the upcoming NFL Draft.  "Draft experts" -- have Kyle rated as the #1 tight-end in the draft and a lock to go in the 1st Round.  Didn't they say that about Clausen too?  Oh, well -- here's a link to the article:

LINK:  KYLE RUDOLPH -- BACK TO NORMAL!

ND Football Assitant Named to Hall of Fame

Notre Dame football assistant coach, Tim Hinton -- will be inducted into the Harding High School Hall of Fame on April 8th.  Hinton, the running backs coach at Notre Dame -- was a former head football coach at Harding (OH) -- where he led them to a 78-40 record and five league championships.  Congratulations Coach Hinton!  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  COACH HINTON -- HALL OF FAMER!

A Domer Oversees 2/3rds of U.S. Bank Assets

His name is John Walsh '73 -- and he has one of the great business card titles;  "Office of Comptroller of the Currency" -- which means he oversees approximately 2/3rds of the commercial banking assets in the United States.  Think he might be good at math?  Here's a link to his bio:

LINK:  JOHN WALSH -- BIO

LAX National Championship Game -- Part II

The sixth ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame kicked off the 2011 college lacrosse season with a big win over the fifth ranked Duke Blue Devils -- in a rematch of the most recent National Championship game.  The game part of the Sunshine Classic in Jacksonville, FL -- and televised on ESPN -- saw the Irish break open a close game scoring five of the last six goals in a 12-7 victory!  A big win for the Irish over Duke!

LINK:  ESPN COVERAGE

Irish Play Mountaineers at 1 PM EST on CBS

Notre Dame hoops fans will have the opportunity to watch the Irish today on CBS -- as they travel to Morgantown, WV to take on Bob Huggins and his West Virginia Mountaineers.  The #7 Fighting Irish are on a seven-game winning streak and currently stand in 2nd place in the Big East.  Here's a link to UND.COM's preview of today's matchup.

LINK:  BIG GAME FOR THE IRISH

Dave Duerson Found Dead in Miami Home

Former Notre Dame All American, Dave Duerson -- was found dead last night in his Miami home. Duerson (age 50), who won a Super Bowl Championship in 1985 with the Chicago Bears and again in 1990 with the New York Giants -- was a former member of the Notre Dame Board of Trustees. Duerson is survived by four kids. Here's a link to the news story:

LINK: DAVE DUERSON FOUND DEAD

LINK:  ESPN STORY

Temple Has Press Conference To Announce...

Temple University -- the college home of Bill Cosby -- announced yesterday that they had signed a three game contract with the University of Notre Dame.  The announcement didn't come in the form of a press release -- it came in the form of an EVENT.  Yeah, Notre Dame football is irrelevant.  When was the last time you saw a school do this?  I'm sure Florida Gator football fans didn't like seeing Temple's new coach (Steve Addazio) praise Notre Dame.  The event was complete with a Leprechaun mascot -- and the ND gold helmet.  Enjoy.

LINK:  TEMPLE ANNOUNCES SERIES WITH NOTRE DAME

More National Respect for ND Basketball

Add the New York Times to the list of media outlets who are on the Notre Dame "bandwagon" -- as the Irish keep moving up the national polls.  If Ben Hansbrough was wearing a "gold helmet" -- he'd probably be in the Heisman Trophy discussion...  Why does this make me nervous?  The Irish go on the road this Saturday to take on a dangerous West Virginia team -- tip off is scheduled for 1:00 PM on CBS.

LINK:  NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE

Time Lapsed Video of 2010 Sun Bowl Game

Ran across this the other day -- thought everyone might enjoy taking a look back at the day the Irish rolled over Miami.  Enjoy!

LINK:  2010 SUN BOWL -- NOTRE DAME vs.  MIAMI

Ian Williams -- Talkin' ND and NFL...

Former Notre Dame nose tackle, Ian Williams -- has agreed to write a story each week, through the end of April -- for the South Bend Tribune.  Williams will talk about the NFL Draft process and just Notre Dame in general.  A big thank-you to ND GO IRISH BLOG regular contributor, Dr. Jim Clancy out of Philadelphia -- for alerting us to this story!  Here's the link:

LINK:  IAN WILLIAMS TALKIN' ND AND NFL

Crawling Out of the Shadow of Big Brother!

Ben Hansbrough's "big" brother Tyler, was the "king" of college basketball -- just a couple of years ago at North Carolina -- when he led the Tar Heels to the 2009 National Championship.  Now it's Ben's turn to be "king" -- and he has the IRISH on a roll right now.  Today's USA TODAY takes a look at Ben and his 7th ranked Fighting Irish teammates -- who have won seven in a row heading into Saturday's game at West Virginia.  You'll enjoy the story!  A ND GO IRISH BLOG thank-you to Denny Doyle of Novi, MI for alerting us to this story!

LINK:  BEN HANSBROUGH AND THE IRISH

Spring Practice Starts March 23rd!

The Fighting Irish football team will begin Spring Practice on Wednesday, March 23rd -- as they lead up to the Blue Gold Game on Saturday, April 16th.  The annual Notre Dame Football Coaches Clinic will be held March 24th to the 26th -- with former ND football assistant coach -- Urban Meyer, the featured speaker.  Here's a link to the Niles Daily Star article:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL -- SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Mike Brey on "Rome Is Burning"

The head basketball coach of the #7 Fighting Irish -- was a guest on Jim Rome's "Rome Is Burning" -- yesterday.  Here's a link to the interview.

LINK:  MIKE BREY WITH JIM ROME

Nate Montana Transfers to MONTANA!

This young man obviously has a dream to follow in the footsteps of his famous father -- and you can't fault him for that.  Notre Dame head football coach, Brian Kelly announced today that back-up QB Nate Montana has decided to transfer to the University of Montana to play football for the Grizzlies.  What I'm getting a kick out of is the University of Montana's "spin" on Nate's transfer to their school -- it's a big deal in Missoula, MT -- even though Nate has never started a football game in his life.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story along with a link to the story at Montana's athletics website:

LINK:  SBT:  MONTANA TO MONTANA

LINK:  JOE MONTANA VISITS MONTANA

Theismann -- Never Without an Opinion!

Former Notre Dame All-American and Super Bowl Champion -- Joe Theismann had a conversation recently with a writer from the Post-Tribune.  And, as it usually does with Theismann -- the subject of the Fighting Irish came up.  Joe, never short on opinions -- offered up his "two-cents" on the state of Notre Dame football.  Here's the link:

LINK:  JOE TALKS NOTRE DAME

PHOTO OF THE DAY: They're Back Together!

This past Wednesday, our Grandma Barb left for Heaven to join our Grandpa Ray -- see the story below.

Do you think these two might already be organizing a "Notre Dame Game Watch" -- from Heaven's skybox -- for Saturday, September 3rd -- when the Irish open up the 2011 season against the University of South Florida??!!

The Notre Dame Family -- Another In Heaven!

Forty or so years ago, my Grandpa and Grandma Doyle took my cousin Pat and me to my first Fighting Irish football game -- and my first ever visit to the Notre Dame campus...

Fast forward to Wednesday this week.

I was back on campus for the Notre Dame vs. Louisville basketball game -- what a win for the Irish!  At game's end I received a phone call from my Mom -- letting me know that my 96 year-old Grandma Doyle had just left for heaven.  The call was not a surprise, Grandma had slipped into a coma on Saturday -- and we were told it would be any day.  She died literally seconds after the final buzzer went off in OT.  I guess she needed to cheer the Irish on to victory -- one last time...

The photo is of Grandma Barb in 2007 -- she's with her great-grandson Jimmy Small '08 (my son), then a senior at the University of Notre Dame.  She was 93 years old (she was a beauty!) in this photo and stricken to a wheel chair.  But, she would have nothing to do with the wheelchair for this photo shoot.  She requested that we get her standing upright, next to her 6'-4" Irish Guard -- with the "golden dome" in the background.  I just wish it had been taken by a professional photographer -- not a hack like me.  It's still one of my two favorite photos of her.

Grandma Barb taught all eight of her grandkids the Notre Dame Victory March -- it was one of the things she felt an obligation to do.  She wasn't a grad, nor were any of her kids or grandkids -- Jimmy, is the first in our family to attend the University of Notre Dame.  Yet, she loved Notre Dame as much as anyone with a degree -- and through that love, she passed on the "gift" of Notre Dame to all of us.

This Monday -- "Valentine's Day -- at 11:00 AM EST, at a small Catholic church in Remus, MI (St. Michael's Parish) -- we will celebrate a life well lived.  If you think of it -- around that time -- please say a prayer of "thanksgiving" for your Grandparents and when you do -- please think of my Grandma Barbara E. Doyle.

Here's a poem I wrote about the impact Grandma Barb had on our lives -- that I'm sure will be read at one of the family gatherings these next few days.  I wanted to share it with all of you -- since we all share her love for Notre Dame.


SHE WAS ALWAYS THERE…

I’d rather go to Grandma’s House than any place I know,

Because Grandpa says “I’m his boy” and Grandma loves me so.

Growing up in her home -- we were all taught that poem.

These are the words we never wanted to write and this is the day we never wanted to see,

Since it’s about a woman whose star shined so bright -- who always loved “we.”

Our Grandma Barb was always there…

Whether it was a game, a graduation, a performance or a trip to the Mecosta County Fair.

She was our Mom, our Grandma, our sister, our aunt and our friend,

It was that way every moment you were with her – it was that way ‘til the end.

Since her days at Holy Redeemer, the violin was the instrument of choice,

She would often entertain us with great style and voice.

Our Grandma would kick your "fanny" in Bridge or, any other game with cards in hand,

Yet, it never truly bothered you – because you knew she was that grand.

Boy, could she knit an Irish sweater!,

And, make you smile and cry -- at the same time -- with one of her letters.

Grandma taught us to love Coca-Cola and A1 Steak Sauce,

And, never to allow a cat in or, ‘round your house.

She made it her duty to teach us the words to the greatest college fight song,

While making sure we got together every Holiday – that we always got along.

If you ever needed a babysitter, no distance was too far,

She would always drop everything -- and jump in her car.

Whether it was the Irish, her Catholic faith or the gold helmets they wore to great fame,

There was always that great passion for the University of Notre Dame.

You know she never missed a Detroit Tiger's game, whether on radio or TV,

She even tried to call Jim Leyland, their Manager -- when she didn’t agree.

Even her famous plastic Easter eggs, delivered a million dollar prize,

Though her daughter-in-law didn’t much like that surprise.

She always knew what to say, when and how loud,

We always knew it was from love – and because she was so proud.

Our Grandma Barb was always there…

Often with something pink on,

The graceful, soft shadow she cast – will never be gone.

Yes, we’d rather go to Grandma’s House than any place we know

Because Grandpa says “I’m his boy” and Grandma loves us so.

Yes, she did…




Please note -- I'm going to "go dark" with the ND GO IRISH BLOG for the next three days -- as I join my family to celebrate the life of one great lady.  I will be back Tuesday morning -- with more great stories to share about Notre Dame, I promise! 

Navy Can Still Cut Block -- NCAA Rules

One of the most voiced complaints made by Notre Dame coaches -- over the past few years, has been the Naval Academy's approach to blocking at the line of scrimmage.  Well, the NCAA Rules Committee met this week in Indianapolis to discuss potential rules changes -- and the subject of "blocking below the waste" is a topic.  It appears that the NCAA will adopt the NFL's rules regarding what's a legal block and what isn't -- see the attached article.  I'm sure some will think the NCAA hasn't gone far enough to protect the players with this pending rule change.  You be the judge:  A ND GO IRISH BLOG 'thank you' to regular contributor Dr. Jim Clancy for alerting us to this story.

LINK:  NEW NCAA RULES CHANGE FOR FOOTBALL

Big, Big, Big WIN for the Irish Last Night!

My friends at the University of Notre Dame treated me to "center court" seats -- five rows behind Digger, Coach Knight and Reece Davis -- as we watched one of the more exciting home basketball games for Notre Dame in some time.  ND's OT win over Louisville -- scoring the first 14 points in overtime -- put the 7th ranked Irish at 20-4 on the season and 9-3 in the Big East.  What got lost in the excitement of the win was the fact that NOTRE DAME MADE HISTORY LAST NIGHT.  In ND's 100 plus year history of college basketball -- this is the earliest date ever -- that the Irish have won 20 games in a season.  Think about that... 

Here's a link to some highlights from the game, overtime and an interview with Coach Brey after the game.  I've also added a link to the ESPN.COM story and South Bend Tribune story on the game and a link to the current Big East standings.  GO IRISH!   

As an added "treat" -- I was given the great honor of spending nearly three hours after the game with Digger, Coach Knight and Reece Davis at Parisi's Ristorante Italiano in South Bend.  What an enjoyable session of "storytelling" and great food!

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS 

LINK:  OVERTIME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  COACH BREY POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  PAT FORDE -- ESPN.COM -- NOTRE DAME STORY

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE: GAME STORY

LINK:  BIG EAST STANDINGS

Tom Clements -- Another Championship Ring!

Notre Dame fans won't soon forget Tom Clement's pass from the end-zone to Robin Weber in the 1973 Sugar Bowl against Bear Bryant's Crimson Tide -- clinching the win and a National Championship for the Fighting Irish!  This Sunday -- Tom wasn't starring on the field -- but his pupil was...  Clements is the QB coach of the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers.  He didn't get any mention during Sunday's game -- but, this NFL veteran (18 years as a NFL coach) -- was in the ear of his star QB, all game long.  Congratulations Tom -- you now have a National Championship ring -- and a Super Bowl ring.  Not many can say that!  Here's a link to a story about Clements and Rodgers relationship:

LINK:  TOM CLEMENTS -- HIS STAR PUPIL!

Irish Take on Louisville - ESPNU @ 7 PM EST

Mike Brey's #7 Fighting Irish take on Rick Pitino's #15 Louisville Cardinals tonight at a sold-out Purcell Pavillion -- and on ESPNU at 7 PM EST.  It's a big game for the Irish as they fight for the Big East Title and a top seed in the NCAA Tournament.  I'll be in the stands tonight -- rooting on the Irish and reminding Rick Pitino of his prediction (see the story below)!  Here's a link to UND.COM's preview of the game:

LINK:  IRISH HOOPS TONIGHT AGAINST LOUISVILLE

Rick Pitino: "We Will Beat Notre Dame..."

Louisville's "larger than life" head basketball coach, Rick Pitino -- told reporters after the Cardinals' win over DePaul Saturday, that they would "beat a good Notre Dame team..."  Well Rick -- good luck!  Your comment is sure to fire-up an already excited student-body and the #7 team in the country -- the FIGHTING IRISH OF NOTRE DAME.  The game will be televised live -- tomorrow night on ESPNU -- beginning @ 7 PM EST. Here's a link to his prediction:

LINK:  PITINO'S COMMENT 

Irish Football Getting Some National Respect...

Sports Illustrated's senior college football writer -- Stewart Mandel, wrote in his column today that he believes Notre Dame football is back.  "Earth to Mandel" -- we knew that five weeks ago -- but, it's nice to see you've jumped on the bandwagon.  Here's the story:

LINK:  THE IRISH ARE BACK!

Notre Dame's Women's A cappella Choir

I was looking for a John Scully video the other day and I ran across a group singing Here Come the Irish -- that I had never heard of before.  They're called HARMONIA and it's an all-female a cappella choir at the University of Notre Dame.  The members of the group are made up of Notre Dame and Saint Mary's students -- and they're really good!   Here's are links to some of their music -- we need to get them on NBC's The Sing Off next season!

LINK:  HERE COME THE IRISH -- HARMONIA

LINK:  HARMONIA -- YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Three Super Bowl MVP's -- Only a Domer!

Former Notre Dame QB, Joe Montana -- is the only player in NFL history to be named SUPER BOWL MVP three times!  There's been a few who've earned this honor twice -- but Montana's the one and only who's had the honor of saying three times "I'm going to Disney..."   Here's a link to every Super Bowl MVP:

LINK:  SUPER BOWL MVP'S

ND Fans -- Think "Player Development" Today!

It's Super Bowl Sunday in "snowy" Dallas, TX -- why does that make me smile!  And, Notre Dame fans won't be able to root for a former Irish star today -- as we don't have any players on the "active" roster for either the Green Bay Packers or Pittsburgh Steelers (at the time of this article it was being reported that Arnaz Battle would be not be activated by the Steelers for this game).  This is the second year in a row that we haven't had a Notre Dame football player -- playing in the Super Bowl.

So, the word of the day for Notre Dame Fans is; "PLAYER DEVELOPMENT."  I know it's two-words...

Here's why.   Did you know there are 15 players in today's Super Bowl game that hail from the Mid American Conference?  Four are from Central Michigan University -- yep, that "football power" in Mt. Pleasant, MI shares the honors of having the most former players in the Super Bowl with LSU, Ohio State and Tennessee.  We're going to want to steer clear of CMU grads today!!!

Do you think we recruited any of the fifteen players who went to play football in the Mid American Conference?  Not a chance -- so, how do we stay positive today?  We think PLAYER DEVELOPMENT and trust that Coach Kelly and staff -- who spent time in the MAC at Central Michigan University -- will develop our talented student-athletes to their full potential "on and off" the field.  Enjoy the game!

LINK:   THE MAC HAS 15 FORMER PLAYERS IN TODAY'S GAME

Tim Brown & Jerome Bettis -- Not This Year!

Former Notre Dame All-American and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown and All-American Jerome Bettis were just eliminated from consideration to join the NFL Hall of Fame's Class of 2011. 

John Scully's "Our Lady of the Lake" -- VIDEO!

Former Notre Dame All-American football player, John Scully -- who's also famous for writing and performing "Here Come the Irish" -- wrote a second song about his beloved alma mater.  It's called "Our Lady of the Lake" -- and I finally found this video of John performing it at the NYC Pep Rally at Lincoln Center -- with Cathy Richardson -- who's also the singing voice in "Here Come the Irish."  And, while I'm at it -- I can't help but share the link to the song they performed right after... Here are the links:

LINK:  JOHN SCULLY'S "OUR LADY OF THE LAKE"

LINK:  THE SECOND SONG...

Troy Niklas -- National Signing Day Feature!

The Orange County Register -- had a video crew follow around Notre Dame commit Troy Niklas -- as he made his college decision.  You'll enjoy this video.  Here's the link:

LINK:  TROY NIKLAS COMMITS TO THE IRISH!

Will ND Overtake USC Tonight in NFL HOF?

The NFL will announce tonight -- at 7 PM EST on the NFL Network -- the latest inductees into the NFL Hall of Fame.  Presently, Notre Dame has ten former players in the NFL Hall of Fame, second only to USC's eleven. Two former Notre Dame stars are among the seventeen finalists -- Tim Brown and Jerome Bettis.  Will they both get in tonight?  They both have to be on 80% of the ballots of the 44 members of the voting committee to be elected.  Here's a list of the ten "Domers" already in the NFL's Hall of Fame followed by a link to this year's finalists:

• Curly Lambeau -- Green Bay Packers
• John McNally -- Milwaukee Badgers
• George Trafton -- Chicago Bears
• Wayne Millner -- Washington Redskins
• George Connor -- Chicago Bears
• Paul Hornung -- Green Bay Packers
• Alan Page -- Minnesota Vikings
• Joe Montana -- San Francisco 49ers
• Nick Buoniconti -- Miami Dolphins
• Dave Casper -- Oakland Raiders

LINK:  A LIST OF THE FINALISTS FOR THE NFL HALL OF FAME

Vote For the IRISH!

The University of Notre Dame sent a team down of students to Wake Forest University this weekend to compete in The Marketing Summit.  And, to get you to go to the website promoting the summit -- the organizers are giving a check away for $1,000 to the school that generates the most votes.  So, VOTE FOR THE IRISH -- you'll find a poll on the right side of the page.  Click on the link:

LINK:  VOTE FOR THE IRISH!

A Video Notre Dame Fans Must Watch!

I was sent an email by one of the ND GO IRISH BLOG regulars, this afternoon, with a link to this video of highlights from the 2010 Notre Dame football season.  It is extremely well done!!!!  You'll enjoy! -- click on the link below:

LINK:  "TODAY'S THE DAY WE'RE GOING TO WIN"