OT -- The Butler Bulldogs are Flying High!!

Here's a photo of the Butler Bulldog -- their mascot -- posing with the pilots on their flight to Houston.  Looks like the DOG will be on TV again Monday night!  Congratulations Butler -- OUR IRISH could learn something from you!!!

The Fighting Irish @ The Final Four!

Here's some interesting "behind the scenes" videos of the Fighting Irish getting ready for tomorrow's game against UCONN -- produced by the Women's Basketball Media Relations Team at ND.  Enjoy!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME IN INDY

LINK:  DAY 1 @ THE FINAL FOUR!

Irish Men's Golf -- A Fashion Statement?

Just saw this photo of Notre Dame's Chris Walker -- sporting the "knee high" socks on the golf course.  Do you think Chris might have lost a bet?  WOW!!!

Skylar Diggins -- All American!!!

Here is a video from this morning's announcement that Skylar Diggins was named to State Farm Coaches All American team.  Skylar is the third Notre Dame women's basketball player in history to be named to this ten member team (Ruth Riley 2001 - Jacqueline Bateast 2005).  Thanks to the gang at UND.COM for their quick turn around on this breaking story.  CONGRATULATIONS SKYLAR!!!

LINK:  SKYLAR DIGGINS -- ALL AMERICAN!

Will Coach Kelly Get a Jumbotron @ ND?

Coach Kelly made some news this week when he met with some students at Siegfried Hall on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.   Besides talking about some uniform changes for the Irish this fall -- he was asked a question whether he would like to see a "jumbotron" in Notre Dame Stadium.  His answer:  "YES..."

Last June, a Notre Dame alum -- who's an architect -- posted these architectural renderings (click on them to enlarge) of how he would re-design Notre Dame Stadium.  As you can see -- a JUMBOTRON is part of his proposed re-design in the south end of the Stadium -- opposite "Touchdown Jesus."  And, a few private suites to add to the Stadium's seating capacity.  What do you think?

Coach Brey -- Piling Up the National Awards!

University of Notre Dame Men's Basketball Coach -- Mike Brey, is going to need a bigger office on campus to showcase all of the hardware he's won over the past few weeks.  Yesterday, the Associated Press named Coach Brey their National Coach of the Year.  Ten days ago, the National Basketball Writers Association named him their National Coach of the Year -- as did Yahoo! Sports a few weeks prior.

Coach Brey has been awarded SEVEN (7) NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR HONORS this post season!

He was also named the Big East Coach of the Year -- the third time in the last five years.  Congratulations Coach!

LINK:  AP -- NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR

LINK:  USBWA -- NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR

LINK:  YAHOO! SPORTS -- NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR

LINK:  UND.COM -- VIDEO FEATURE

PHOTOS OF THE DAY: Irish @ Final Four!

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The Notre Dame Women's Basketball team is in Indianapolis for the Final Four -- last night, the teams walked the "red carpet" to attend an event called "Cirque du Salute."  These photos (courtesy of the Indianapolis Star) show the IRISH -- out of uniform -- not too shabby!!!  FYI:  Did you notice the  "Leprechaun" on top of the last photo -- an omen?!

Brothers' Atkinson -- Speed in the 'Bend!

When you find three minutes this weekend -- you're going to want to take a look at this highlight video of George Atkinson III.  George and his twin brother Josh are out of California -- and they'll both be playing for the Fighting Irish this fall.  (That's Josh on the left and George on the right in the photo.) George is an athlete who could play WR or RB in Brian Kelly's offense -- because he never gets tackled!!!  George has run the 100 Meters in 10.59 and the 200 Meters in 21.3.

Josh is expected to line up at defensive back for the Irish.  His best time in the 100 Meters is 10.57 -- and a 21.65 in the 200 Meters.  Josh's 100 Meter time was the 18th fastest in the country last year and George's was the 28th -- amongst the junior class in the USA.  Josh never received the level of national acclaim as George did -- but, I think that's going to change when he gets to South Bend.  These two young men are just what the "doctor" ordered for Notre Dame football.  They're going to be fun to watch!!!  Please click on the links below.

LINK:  GEORGE ATKINSON III -- HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  GEORGE ATKINSON III -- TRACK TIMES

LINK:  JOSH ATKINSON -- TRACK TIMES

LINK:  NATIONAL RANKINGS -- 100 METER DASH