OT -- An Impressive Young MAN!

By way of the title of this blog -- the ND GO IRISH BLOG -- we don't normally speak to the good works of student-athletes who don't wear a gold helmet.  But, today -- I'm going to make an exception.

Kirk Cousins is the QB at Michigan State University.  This weekend he spoke at the Big Ten's Media Day -- and his message is such that if you have a young person in your home -- they need to see and hear what he had to say.  I'm going to be rooting for Mr. Cousins on every Saturday except September 17th.  Here's a link to the video:

LINK:  COUSINS SPEAKS AT BIG TEN MEDIA DAY

Golden Tate Representin' the Irish Out West!

Former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate -- and now Seattle Seahawk -- was wearing some "Blue & Gold" this past week in Tacoma, WA at a charity golf event.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  GOLDEN TATE

Photo of the Day! -- Rudolph Signs Contract

Former University of Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph signed his first NFL contract yesterday -- here's a picture he "tweeted" of this big moment.  Congratulations Kyle!

A Thank You to ND's Media Relations Dept.!

I've truly grown tired of hearing the media call someone a "redshirt freshman" or a "fifth year senior -- when describing one's eligibility status as a student-athlete.  At Notre Dame, the so called "fifth year seniors" are typically graduates of Notre Dame who have enrolled in grad school or law school.

The University of Notre Dame gets little to zero credit -- from the talking heads in the media -- for the fact that their so called "fifth year seniors" are actually college graduates taking grad or law school classes.

Notre Dame graduates its student-athletes in four years -- not five, six or never!

We've all seen the stories where a Notre Dame student-athlete is labeled as having "left school early" -- when they actually already graduated in four years and decided not to play their fifth year to pursue a career in the pro ranks.  The media "assumes" they left school early since you can't graduate on time if you're a Division I athlete -- because that's the case at most schools not called Notre Dame. 

I had made a post on January 28th of this year -- with a suggestion as to how the ND Media Relations Department should "label" the CLASS / ELIGIBILITY of all of its student athletes on all rosters, media guides, websites, news releases, etc., at the University of Notre Dame:

• Freshman (FR) -- are student athletes in their freshman academic year at Notre Dame
• Sophomores (SO) -- are student athletes in their sophomore academic year at Notre Dame
• Juniors (JR) -- are student athletes in their junior academic year at Notre Dame
• Seniors (SR) -- are student athletes in their senior academic year at Notre Dame
• Grad Student (GS) -- are student athletes who have already completed their undergraduate degree and are now in grad school or law school at Notre Dame and are playing out their five years of eligibility 

Well, wouldn't you know -- I noticed today that all of Notre Dame's 2011 "rosters" (SEE FOOTBALL ROSTER BELOW) now have all of the student-athletes who've graduated and are now in grad school -- listed as GS for grad students!!!

Here's a big THANK YOU to the University of Notre Dame's Media Relations team for taking the lead in setting the standard for proper recognition by all for the term "student-athlete!"  

The photo is of Notre Dame running back Robert Hughes who played four years for the Fighting Irish and graduated on time!  Hughes signed with the Chicago Bears this past week.


LINK:  NOTRE DAME 2011 FOOTBALL ROSTER

ND Kickoff Luncheon Tickets -- On Sale Now!

Every Friday at 11:30 AM on a Football Weekend at the University of Notre Dame -- thousands of fans gather at the Joyce Center's north dome for the ND Kickoff Luncheon.  It's the best way to kick-off a football weekend at Notre Dame -- and tickets went on sale this week.

Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly is always in attendance with a player or two -- and other special guests.  Here's a link to the order form for the luncheon tickets -- which go for $23 each.

LINK:  ND KICKOFF LUNCHEON -- ORDER FORM

Rocket Put His Money Where His Mouth -- WAS!

He has one of the greatest nicknames in college football history -- Raghib "Rocket" Ismail -- and it looks like he may have made a smart business investment!  For those of you who have followed Rocket's career since his CFL / NFL days -- you've probably learned that his athletic skills didn't translate too well in picking companies to invest in.

Looks like that's changed!

Rocket has invested in a company called BITE TECH.  They make "mouth guards" -- I can't believe I have two stories in one day on the ND GO IRISH BLOG about mouth guards!

Well, the folks at Rivals.com caught up with Rocket to talk with him about his latest venture and a potential career change you'll find quite surprising -- here's the link:

LINK:  ROCKET PUT HIS MONEY WHERE HIS MOUTH WAS!

Sponsor a Notre Dame Band Uniform -- Today!

The Band of the Fighting Irish is involved in a campaign to "sponsor" a Notre Dame Band Uniform.  A number of the band uniforms have been in use for ten seasons and are "fading and fraying."  With a gift of $250 you can purchase a new uniform for the greatest college marching band in the land!

Our oldest son Jimmy '08 was an Irish Guard in The Band of the Fighting Irish for the 2006 and 2007 football seasons.  We made a $250 donation in his name today! 

Here's a link to how you can make this donation -- and a second link to a video of The Band of the Fighting Irish in action at Yankee Stadium this past season!

LINK:  SPONSOR A BAND UNIFORM!

LINK:  THE BAND OF THE FIGHTING IRISH @ YANKEE STADIUM

ND Football Involved in Concussion Testing

The University of Notre Dame football program along with Stanford and Washington will have a number of their football players (22 Irish student athletes to be exact) wearing a special mouth guard that will monitor the punishment they take in practice and in games.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story.


LINK:  ND INVOLVED IN CONCUSSION TRIAL

First Pro Fight @ ND -- Tickets on Sale Now!

University of Notre Dame grad Mike Lee '09 -- will be returning "home" on Friday, September 16th for the first professional fight ever on the ND campus.  It's called FIGHT LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY -- and it should be a "must see" for many Irish fans, especially those coming into town a day early for the Michigan State football game.  TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE -- here's the link:

LINK:  MIKE LEE'S FIGHT -- TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Bettors Move Irish to Six Pt. Favorite Over UM

The Notre Dame vs. Michigan football game scheduled "under the lights" on 9.10.11 at Michigan Stadium opened with Michigan as a 2 point favorite.

The betting line now shows the IRISH as a SIX POINT Favorite.  I'm not a gambler, so I don't know how often you'll see an 8 point swing in a spread -- but that seems quite extreme.

What do the bettors know?   Here's a link:

LINK:  IRISH NOW A SIX POINT FAVORITE OVER MICHIGAN

Former Irish Athlete Turned U.S. Congressman

United States Congressman Mike Kelly '70 (R-PA) apparently played the "Notre Dame card" this morning in a speech he gave to his fellow Republican colleagues in the House.  Here's a POLITICO.COM story about Mike Kelly's speech -- scroll down the article to find the story about Kelly:

LINK:  KELLY:  PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY!

LINK:  MIKE KELLY -- WIKIPEDIA

Coach Dan Devine -- Finally Gets his Statue!

He's the only Notre Dame football coach who has won a National Championship who hasn't been honored with a statue outside a gate at Notre Dame Stadium.  Well, that comes to an end this October 8th when the University of Notre Dame unveils a lifesize statue of Coach Devine.  Congratulations to the Devine family -- I'm glad he's finally receiving this honor!  Here's a link to the story along with a link to a feature on Devine's "GREEN JERSEY" game against USC:

LINK:  DEVINE GETS A STATUE!

LINK:  WEARING THE GREEN AGAINST SC

Mike Lee & Coach Parseghian Tuesday at ND!

Notre Dame boxing champion, Mike Lee '09 -- will be hosting a press conference next Tuesday at the Naimoli Club at Purcell Pavillion on the University of Notre Dame campus.  Mike will be announcing his FIGHT LIKE A CHAMPION event which is scheduled for Friday, September 16th at ND!

The first professional fight ever on the University of Notre Dame campus!!!

Mike's guest at Tuesday's press conference will be none other than Notre Dame coaching legend Ara Parseghian.  The press conference starts at 10 AM -- and if you're in the area you just might want to show up!  Tickets are expected to go on sale this Friday at the Notre Dame Ticket Office -- remember it's the Friday night of the Michigan State football weekend so tickets will go fast!  I'll have a link to the ticket site, once it's made available.

Here's a link to Mike's interview after his KO earlier this month at the Home Depot Center and a recent radio interview he had with WGN:

LINK:  MIKE LEE INTERVIEW

LINK:  WGN RADIO INTERVIEW

"Where Can I Find ND Football Tickets?"

In the past six hours I've received numerous emails from Notre Dame football fans from around the country who were unsuccessful this morning in buying tickets from the Notre Dame Ticket Office (unsold tickets went on sale today) to the game of their choice.  Each email asked this question: "Where can we find Notre Dame Football tickets for sale at a good price for "blank" game?"

Well, that's a good question! :)

Here are my suggestions on what you might want to do:

1. You will find tickets for sale at STUBHUB.com - they won't be cheap, but you will find tickets to every home and away football game the Irish will play this year.  I have purchased tickets at STUBHUB before and have always had a good experience with them.  If you have to know before you go to ND that you have tickets to the game -- this is your best route.
2. Get to know a number of Notre Dame alums who have season tickets or someone who works at the University of Notre Dame -- a few of the departments on campus have tickets to every game.   Sometimes these tickets are not spoken for -- Michigan State and USC will be!  I've been able to secure many tickets to ND games, over the years, via this route.
3. Scout the various websites devoted to Notre Dame football on the internet.  The free site:  www.ndnation.com has had pages devoted, in the past, to the buying and selling of of football tickets.  The pay sites:  www.irishsportsdaily.com -- www.irishillustrated.com -- www.irisheyes.com -- will have subscribers selling their tickets to games they can't attend.  I've had good luck going this route in the past -- you just have to be checking these sites frequently because minutes after someone posts they have tickets to sell -- they're gone.
4. Keep calling the Notre Dame Ticket Office.  Usually in August, Notre Dame will start receiving the unsold tickets back from the opposition schools on the schedule.  These tickets will come back the week of the game as well -- always a good idea to call the Ticket Office on Monday afternoon of game week.  I've had some luck with this in the past as well.
5. Just make the trip to Notre Dame Stadium without tickets.  I've done this on many occasions over the years and I've made my best "deals" on tickets this way.  I've found if you stand at the edge of the parking lot between The Purcell Pavillion and Notre Dame Stadium holding a sign or fingers in the air -- you'll find ND alums who have extra tickets to sell.  It helps to have a ND shirt on or hat!  I have never, ever, been shut out of finding a ticket this way.  Just be patient -- and get there a couple hours before kick-off.  Also on Game Day at Notre Dame you'll find a line of people standing outside a "ticket window" on the East side of Notre Dame Stadium -- hours before kick-off.  If there are any un-sold tickets to the game -- they can be purchased here.  I've never tried this -- so I don't know the success rate of those standing in line.

Now, if you go the latter route -- and somehow you don't get tickets.  You can watch the game live on the big screens in the Joyce Center for FREE.  Many people prefer this route, especially on inclement days.

I hope this helps!

Michigan AD: "We'll Only Play ND..."

University of Michigan AD Dave Brandon let the world know that his team will only play one opponent "out of conference" on the road -- and that's the University of Notre Dame.

I'm sure Big Ten/Twelve Commissioner Jim Delany may have cringed a little when he heard this -- Big Ten/Twelve execs/fans don't like to publicly acknowledge the unique position Notre Dame holds in college football.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  ONLY ND ON THE ROAD

Irish Grads Sign With NFL Teams Today!

Here's the latest on where the graduating seniors at the University of Notre Dame have chosen to sign with -- as they begin their quest to play in the "LEAGUE."

• Ian Williams:  San Francisco 49'ers
• Darrin Walls:  Atlanta Falcons
• Chris Stewart:  New York Jets
• Brian Smith:  Cleveland Browns
• Kerry Neal:  Indianapolis Colts
• Armando Allen:  Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Robert Hughes:  Chicago Bears

Will the Irish Wear Green in the USC Game?

This photo was "tweeted" this morning by Notre Dame Football's equipment manager.  His message said "Look what arrived yesterday!"

Ian Williams to Sign Contract With San Fran!

University of Notre Dame defensive tackle Ian Williams "tweeted" this evening that he's agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49'ers -- who just happen to be run by "Domer" Jed York '03.  Williams should make if official tomorrow -- when undrafted free agents are expected to be able to sign contracts.  Congratulations Ian!


LINK:  IAN WILLIAMS TO THE 49'ERS

ESPN's Mark Schlabach Picks The Irish...

Mark Schlabach picked six teams to make a major move in college football this fall.  Fighting Irish fans will enjoy this story:

LINK:  IRISH ARE READY

Photo of the Day! -- Deontay Greenberry!

Notre Dame football "verbal" commitment -- Deontay Greenbery -- was in Orlando this weekend for the Gridiron Kings 7 - 7 Championship.  And, Deontay was representin' the IRISH!

Greenberry and his cousin Tee Shepherd (also a ND verbal commit) -- led the WEST to the Semi-Finals.

The Latest For Eight Irish NFL Hopefuls

The wait for Ian Williams, Darren Walls, Chris Stewart, Armando Allen, Robert Hughes, Brian Smith, Duval Kamara and Kerry Neal is almost over.  If the players sign the agreement tomorrow as expected -- teams will be able to sign their own free agents on Monday.  However, undrafted free agents will not be able to sign with their new teams until Tuesday.  The good news is this -- 23 UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS played in the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl.  Stay tuned!

Notre Dame Goes Solar Powered

The University of Notre Dame's Fitzpatrick Hall of Engineering has placed solar panels on the roof of their building.  These unique solar panels are expected to meet the building's electricity demands.  The solar installation was free to the university.  This is the third building on campus with solar panels on its roof.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story:

LINK:  GOING SOLAR

Gridiron Kings -- ND Recruits Featured In Story!

Deontay Greenberry and his cousin Tee Shepherd are both "verbally" committed to play football at the University of Notre Dame -- after their upcoming senior season.  Well, this weekend the Californians are in Orlando, FL joining two other "IRISH VERBALS" (Ronald Darby and C.J. Prosise) at the Gridiron Kings 7 on 7 tournament.  You'll enjoy this ESPN story.  The photo is of Tee Shepherd -- courtesy of ESPN.

LINK:  COUSINS LOOKING TO BE KINGS!

Poster Of The Day -- Mike Lee's ND Fight!

Here's the official promotional poster for Mike Lee's '09 seventh professional fight -- scheduled for Friday, September 16th at the University of Notre Dame's Purcell Pavillion.  Surprisingly, this will be the first professional fight ever at ND -- and it falls on the Michigan State football weekend.

I just wish Mike's opponent was the Michigan State football player who planted the flag at Notre Dame Stadium a few seasons ago!!!

Should sell-out soon!  I'll let you know when the tickets go on sale!!!

Manti Teo Talks With NBC!

Notre Dame fans will enjoy this interview of Manti Teo!  Click on the link below:

LINK:  WHEN TEO TALKS...

Mike Lee to Fight at ND's Purcell Pavillion

The University of Notre Dame's Purcell Pavillion will be hosting its first professional fight on Friday, September 16th when Mike Lee (Notre Dame's Class of 2009) will take the ring.  The next day, the Fighting Irish will be taking on the Michigan State Spartans at Notre Dame Stadium.  As soon as the tickets go on sale at the Notre Dame Ticket Office -- I'll provide a link here at the ND GO IRISH BLOG!

It's going to be great fun!!!

Domer Picked as a Navy Blue Angels' Pilot!

It's widely considered the highest profile pilot position in the world -- a Navy Blue Angels pilot -- and Navy Lt. John Hintz '02 (University of Notre Dame) was just selected to join this precision flying team!  Hintz joins a select group of pilots who have had the honor of wearing this uniform and flying the Blue Angels trademark blue and gold jet.  Congratulations John!  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  JOHN HINTZ A BLUE ANGEL! 

LINK:  BLUE ANGELS WEBSITE

LINK:  BLUE ANGELS PRESS RELEASE

Multiple Irish Players Named to Watch Lists

The talent returning to the Notre Dame football team is reflected in the number of Irish players named to the various "watch lists" of the national awards in college football.  The ten Notre Dame football players earning this recognition are as follows; Dayne Crist, Manti Teo, Darius Fleming, Braxston Cave, Harrison Smith, Michael Floyd, Zach Martin, David Ruffer, Cierre Wood and Tyler Eiffert:

LINK:  DAYNE CRIST

LINK:  MANTI TEO & DARIUS FLEMING

LINK:  BRAXSTON CAVE

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH

LINK:  MICHAEL FLOYD

LINK:  ZACH MARTIN

LINK:  LOU GROZA

LINK:  CIERRE WOOD

LINK:  TYLER EIFFERT

Irish Begin 2011 Football Practice -- Aug 6th!

The Fighting Irish will begin what many pundits believe will be one of the more promising football campaigns in South Bend in the last 15 years on August 6th!  Here's three key dates released today by ND:

1. Brian Kelly's Opening Press Conference:  August 5th 
2. First Practice:  August 6th
3. Media Day:  August 16th

ND Hoops Fans -- Check Out This New Website!

The Notre Dame women's basketball team just launched their own website -- thought you'd enjoy this!

I really like this!

LINK:  ND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SITE

ND's Aaron Lynch -- Getting Some Love!

The gang at ESPN.COM just came out with a list of ten incoming freshman stars ready to emerge in college football this fall.  University of Notre Dame freshman DE Aaron Lynch is on that list.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  AARON LYNCH -- ONE TO WATCH!

Tom Lemming Talkin' ND Football Recruiting

Football recruiting expert Tom Lemming spent some time with the folks at the South Bend Tribune to give his "two cents" on how Brian Kelly & Company are doing with recruiting.  Here's the link:

LINK:  ND FOOTBALL RECRUITING

Team USA's "Domer" -- World Cup Tomorrow!

Shannon Boxx '99 is a starting "central midfielder" for our Women's National Team in their match tomorrow with Japan for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup championship!  Shannon was a member of Notre Dame's 1995 National Championship team.

Boxx will be wearing #7 for the red, white and blue Sunday as the Americans go for their third world championship in women's soccer!  The fun begins at 2:30 PM ET on ESPN.  Here's a link to a UND.COM story on Shannon, a link to a recent interview and a link to a video profile of Shannon.  GO USA!

LINK:  ND'S TEAM USA STAR

LINK:  INTERVIEW WITH SHANNON BOXX

LINK:  TEAM USA VIDEO PROFILE OF SHANNON

USC Football Player a TMZ Subject -- Uh Oh!

Surgeon General's Warning:  You may not want your kids to click on this video link.

The folks at TMZ -- television's "gossip rag" equivalent -- caught up with USC running back Marc Tyler, who was out on the town with a couple of his buddies this past week in Los Angeles.  Tyler, who was a high school teammate of Jimmy Clausen's -- was a little "under the influence" during his cameo appearance on TMZ.  It's just a guess, but USC's AD Pat Haden might not be happy about this!

I kept looking for USC Head Coach Lane Kiffin in the background!  :)

It will be interesting to see if anything comes from this...

LINK:  USC RUNNING BACK ON TMZ

Domer's "Spouse" to Call ND's Opener on NBC!

NBC Sports' Dan Hicks -- who's married to Notre Dame alum Hannah Storm '83 (ESPN) -- announced today that he will be handling the "play by play" with Mike Mayock doing the "analysis" in the opener against the University of South Florida.  If you're like me -- a Notre Dame game without Tom Hammond at the microphone is a good thing!  Apparently Hammond has a conflict that weekend.

Golden Tate Taking Some Flap for "Tweet"

Former Notre Dame football star Golden Tate -- "tweeted" during the ESPY's the other night that he wondered why NASCAR's Jimmy Johnson was up for Male Athlete of the Year -- since NASCAR drivers can't be athletes...

Well, it didn't take long for Mr. Tate to take some heat.  Here's a link to the Yahoo! Sports story:

LINK:  TO TWEET OR NOT TO TWEET

Irish Still Looking For a Hockey Conference

Found this article today from the Kalamazoo Gazette -- where Western Michigan University's AD admits that she's been talking with Notre Dame about the changing landscape in college hockey.  Yesterday afternoon the National Collegiate Hockey Conference was unveiled with the announcement of six schools founding this conference:  University of North Dakota, University of Denver, Minnesota-Duluth, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Colorado College and Miami University.

Rumors persist that the Irish are talking with Hockey East and many believe that's where they'll end up.  Maybe with the WMU Broncos as a package deal?  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  IRISH HOCKEY'S FUTURE HOME

NBC's Keith Arnold Analyzes ND Recruiting

Notre Dame Central's Keith Arnold, posted a story today analyzing the football recruiting since Brian Kelly took over the reigns of the Fighting Irish program.  You'll enjoy his perspective:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL RECRUITING

Former Blue-Gray Sky Editor's Latest Work!

I just learned of this new annual publication by Maple Street Press called IRISH KICKOFF 2011 -- and it's produced by Pat Misch who authored the popular blog called Blue-Gray Sky.  If this magazine is half as good as Pat's work at BGS -- this is a must buy for Notre Dame fans.  Here's a link to their promotional website:

LINK:  IRISH KICKOFF 2011

Will the NCAA Buy This Domer's Story?

Former Notre Dame football player Gene Smith '77 -- who's best know these days as the embattled Athletic Director at that school in Columbus -- is doing his best these past few days defending the Ohio State University's "self imposed" sanctions in response to pending trouble with the NCAA.

Ohio State offered to "vacate" all of their victories last years and to go on probation for the next two years.  But, they would not give back any of their bowl money from last year's Sugar Bowl.
 
Here's some of the media coverage the past 24 hours on the troubles facing the Buckeyes -- you'll note the different perspectives:

LINK:  HOMETOWN PAPER -- COLUMBUS DISPATCH 

LINK:  HOME STATE PAPER -- CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER 

LINK:  FORBES

Notre Dame Comments on $2 Billion Campaign

The University of Notre Dame put the finishing touches on the seven year campaign entitled THE SPIRIT OF NOTRE DAME this past month.  Well, it can best be summed up that there's plenty of SPIRIT in South Bend these days!

For the first time ever, an American college or university -- without a medical school -- has raised more than $2 billion in a seven year campaign.

WOW!

The Chicago Tribune reported on the significance of this achievement in the article linked below:

LINK:  $2 BILLION -- THE SPIRIT LIVES!

ND "Verbal" Commit Catches Winning TD!

University of Notre Dame football "verbal" commitment Justin Ferguson caught the game winning TD at THE OPENING a Nike sponsored football showcase in Beaverton, OR this weekend.  In fact, he caught both TD passes in his team's championship win!  Ferguson is rated the 11th best WR in the country by ESPNU.  Here's a link to the ESPN.COM story:

LINK:  FERGUSON CATCHES GAME WINNER!

Darby Leads Off USA's World Record Relay!

Notre Dame football "verbal" commit Ronald Darby ran the lead-off leg this afternoon for the United States of America in the Medley Relay at the 2011 World Youth Track & Field Championships in Lille, France.  The USA team beat the previous youth world record (set back in 2001) by nearly one second!  Here's a link to the video of the race -- ND fans will enjoy this!  The four members of Team USA"s world record setting relay (in the order they ran): Ronald Darby, Aldrich Bailey, Najee Glass and Arman Hall.

LINK:  DARBY LEADS OFF WORLD RECORD!

Darby Finishes Third @ World Championships!

Notre Dame Fighting Irish football "verbal" commit Ronald Darby finished third in the 200 Meters today at the 2011 IAAF World Youth Track & Field Championships in Lille, France!  Darby's time of 21.08 (the same exact time he ran in the Semi-Finals yesterday), though not his personal best, is still one of the fastest times in the world this year for high school sprinters.  As a point of reference, Usain Bolt (current world record holder in the 200 Meters) ran a 20.40 at this same event in 2003.


Darby's "reaction time" of 0.137 was the fastest among the eight sprinters in the Finals -- Coach Kelly will be glad to see this -- and one of the fastest reaction times at the World Championships!

Congratulations Ronald!  Here's a link to the official results along with a link to the PHOTO FINISH photo!

LINK:  DARBY THIRD IN THE WORLD!

LINK:  OFFICIAL PHOTO FINISH

Lee Wins Fight! -- Goes to 6 - 0 with KO!

Notre Dame alum Mike Lee '09 added to his undefeated streak as a professional last night with a KO in the third round of his fight at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.  Lee probably thought the fight was over in the first when he knocked Mike Birthmark to the canvas with an overhand right to the head. Unfortunately for Birthmark, he got up!  It only took Lee two more rounds to finish off his opponent.  See the news coverage below.

Mike Lee's next fight is Friday, September 16th at the University of Notre Dame's Purcell Pavillion.  It will be the first professional fight on campus -- and it falls on the eve of the Irish's game with Michigan State.  Should be great fun!  Look for tickets soon at the Notre Dame Ticket Office.

LINK:  LEE WINS WITH KO!

Rockne's Irish Team Recruited a DE Yesterday

Former Notre Dame All-American Pete Duranko, who battled ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) since 2000, died last night.  A member of Notre Dame's 1966 National Championship team, Duranko later went on to a career in the NFL with the Denver Broncos.  He is survived by his wife of 43 years Janet and their two sons Greg and Nick.  RIP -- Mr. Duranko!

LINK:  PETE DURANKO -- A NOTRE DAME MAN

LINK:  DENVER POST STORY

LINK:  ALL THINGS BRONCOS

Darby Runs 21.08 @ World Championships!

University of Notre Dame football "verbal" commit Ronald Darby ran a 21.08 in his Semi-Final heat this afternoon at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Lille, France.  This places him as the second fastest qualifier going into tomorrow's Final Heat (six hundredths of a second behind the top qualifier from Jamaica).  Darby's Personal Best is 21.05 which he ran last month (fifth fastest among high school juniors in the country).  Here's a link to the results as well a link to the PHOTO FINISH of the race and the USA High School 200 Meter Rankings:

LINK:  WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS -- 200 METER SEMI-FINAL

LINK:  PHOTO FINISH -- 200 METER SEMI-FINAL 

LINK:  USA TRACK -- JUNIOR CLASS RANKINGS 200 METERS

Domer's First MLB Start for Red Sox Sunday!

Kyle Weiland was drafted by the Boston Red Sox out of the University of Notre Dame in 2008.  Three years later, the 24 year-old "Domer" will be getting his first major league start tomorrow against the Baltimore Orioles -- replacing John Lester who was put on the disabled list this week.  Here's a link to a few stories about Kyle's first start!

LINK:  MLB.COM STORY

LINK:  BOSTON GLOBE

LINK:  BOSTON HERALD

Mike Lee '09 Fights Tonight -- Watch it Live!

Notre Dame alum Mike Lee '09, enters the ring tonight for the sixth time as a professional at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.  The fight will be streamed LIVE on the web at TOPRANK.COM @ 9 PM ET tonight!!! 

The Atlantic published a nice story yesterday about Mike Lee and his impact on the boxing world -- as did the Orange County Register -- see the links below.  And, there's a link to Mike's interview in Los Angeles earlier this week -- talking about his fight tonight and his fight September 16th at Notre Dame!

LINK:  THE ATLANTIC -- MIKE LEE STORY

LINK:  ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER -- MIKE LEE STORY

LINK:  MIKE LEE INTERVIEW

LINK:  WATCH THE MIKE LEE FIGHT LIVE HERE AT 9 PM ET

Photo of the Day -- David Perkins' Hair Cut!

Notre Dame "verbal" commit -- David Perkins, let the folks know at Nike's "The Opening" football showcase that his "HEAD IS COMMITTED to the IRISH!"  Click on the photo to enlarge