Irish Hoops Recruit Injured In Plane Crash

This is a sad story.  And, it's also a story you couldn't make up -- if you tried.

A plane crashed last night in northern Michigan -- killing Dr. Stephen Hatch and his wife Kim.  Dr. Hatch's son Austin -- a 6' - 6" basketball star who committed to Michigan over Notre Dame this past week -- was critically injured in the crash.

Here's the part of the story you just can't make up.  Eight years ago, Dr. Stephen Hatch was also flying a plane that crashed -- this crash killed his first wife Julie, daughter Lindsay and son Ian.  Dr. Hatch and Austin survived that crash.

Incredible.

Please say a prayer today for Austin.

Here are links to a few stories:

LINK:  PLANE CRASH

LINK:  AUSTIN HATCH & FAMILY

LINK:  AUSTIN'S HIGH SCHOOL COACH INTERVIEW

LINK:  AUSTIN'S CARING BRIDGE BLOG -- UPDATES

Brian Kelly in Grand Rapids Yesterday

Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly was in Grand Rapids yesterday for the Irish Eyes Golf Outing at Thousand Oaks Golf Club.  While he was there to play some golf and raise some money for the Kelly Cares Foundation -- he also found time to meet with the media.  Here's the coverage:

LINK:  GRAND RAPIDS PRESS

Lemming & Eric Hansen Talk ND Recruiting

The University of Notre Dame football coaching staff is recruiting -- all of the time.  Recruiting expert Tom Lemming and the South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen give their perspective of Notre Dame football's recruiting prospects in this article.  Here's the link:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL RECRUITING

Woo Leaving Notre Dame's Business School

The University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business is losing its long time leader -- Carolyn Woo.  Woo, who's led Mendoza since 1997 -- will be become CEO of Catholic Relief Services.

Under Woo's leadership - the Mendoza College of Business has become the #1 ranked undergraduate business school in America.  Here's a link to the stories:

LINK:  WOO-ED AWAY!

LINK:  NEW CEO 

The ND Throwback Jersey -- Order Now!

The Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore is now taking orders for the replica "throwback" jersey that the Irish are wearing in the night game September 10th against Michigan.

It's important to note that this is a "REPLICA" -- it is not the authentic game jersey the Irish will wear.  If you see the photo of the actual jersey (link below) -- you'll see the difference. 

Here's a link to order one -- along with a link to the first photo made available of the game jersey Notre Dame will wear:

LINK:  BUY THE ND THROWBACK

LINK:  FIRST PHOTO OF OFFICIAL ND THROWBACK