PHOTO OF THE DAY: ND Coaches Clinic

The "guest speakers" at the University of Notre Dame Football Coaches Clinic this weekend are seen here in this picture with Coach Brian Kelly;  Urban Meyer and Chip Kelly.  A big "thank you" goes out to Coach Kelly for "tweeting" this photo!

Spring Practice Update -- Friday, March 25th

The gang at UND.COM was at practice again -- this morning at the University of Notre Dame -- as Brian Kelly's crew was back on the indoor field for Spring Practice #2.  Here's a link to a feature they produced on the QB competition -- along with links to interviews with the two top returning QB's on the roster (Crist and Rees): 

LINK:  QB COMPETITION AT NOTRE DAME

LINK:  DAYNE CRIST INTERVIEW

LINK:  TOMMY REES INTERVIEW

Jeff Samardzija On Opening Day Cub's Roster!

Former Notre Dame football and baseball star, Jeff Samardzija -- will be in the Chicago Cubs bullpen when the season starts next weekend.  Here's a link to ESPN's story:

LINK:  THE SHARK MAKES THE CUBS ROSTER

The NCAA Is Really the Name of a Bank in Indy

The news the past few months out of Columbus (OH), Auburn (AL) and Eugene (OR) -- and the lack of any action out of the NCAA proves my point -- the NCAA is just the name of a "bank" located in Indianapolis, IN.

Five Ohio State athletes -- sell merchandise given to them to a "shady character" in Columbus.  We now know that their head coach knew about it last April -- yet, they all are eligible to play in their BCS Bowl Game.  Why you ask (?) -- just take a look at the deposit slips at BANK NCAA.

Auburn's starting QB's family seeks $150,000 + for their son's signature on a scholarship offer -- and the proof is there that it happened -- yet, BANK NCAA lets him play in the National Championship game.   Why you ask (?) -- just take a look at the deposit slips at BANK NCAA.

Oregon, the other team in the National Championship game this past January -- paid $25,000 to a Houston based "recruiting service" shortly after a star high-school player by the name of Seastrunk signed a National Letter of Intent with the Ducks -- in February of 2010.  Will Lyles was the recipient of the $25,000 and he was the kid's "personal trainer."   The check wasn't sent to Lyles from a "booster" -- it was sent directly to him by Oregon's Athletic Department.  FYI -- Oregon had sent Lyles a check for $16,500 the previous year as well.

Life must be good for "personal trainers" around the country of athletes being recruited by Oregon!

Yet, once again -- the Ducks were allowed to play in the National Championship Game.  Why (?) -- just take a look at the deposit slips at BANK NCAA.

Folks -- it's quite obvious that BANK NCAA only makes rulings when they don't impact their savings account.  If they had ruled on these three teams before the bowl games -- ratings might have dropped -- which would have impacted future contract negotiations (BANK DEPOSITS) with the TV networks.
 
So, BANK NCAA will wait, wait, wait and wait -- to charge any penalties to their account holders -- until after the CHECKS HAVE CLEARED.

Thus -- the message to athletic departments is this:  If you're willing to go "all-in" to win a National Championship -- meaning, break any rule you want.  You can -- and you won't be penalized until years after you've won that Championship -- after the checks have cleared BANK NCAA.

Sad -- but true.

Notre Dame To Go Dark This Weekend!

In honor of Earth Day -- the University of Notre Dame will "turn off the lights" on the "Golden Dome" and "Touchdown Jesus" for a sixty hour period this weekend.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  TURN OFF THE LIGHTS!

ND Fencing in 1st Place at NCAA -- Day 1

The #1 ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame are in first place after Day 1 of the NCAA Championships.  Notre Dame is seeking its ninth National Championship in Fencing.  Here's a link to the NCAA coverage of the event:

LINK:  NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS -- ND IN FIRST PLACE!