Whitney Houston Performing @ Notre Dame

The stunning news last night that Whitney Houston's life ended in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel -- left me a little numb.  I have to admit I found myself watching her performance of "I Look To You" on YOUTUBE, too many times to count last night -- see link below.

The University of Notre Dame has a small connection to Whitney.  Back in 1987, Houston performed "Didn't We Almost Have It All," inside Notre Dame Stadium, during the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics.  Here's the link:

LINK:  WHITNEY HOUSTON SINGS AT NOTRE DAME

LINK:  I LOOK TO YOU

Notre Dame Raises $204,682 for Research!

The #2 ranked Notre Dame women's basketball team's 21 game winning streak ended today, in the final 4 seconds, when West Virginia knocked down two clutch free throws to win 65 - 63.  Gutsy win for the Mountaineers.

Notre Dame announced during the second half -- that their PINK ZONE efforts raised $204,682 for breast cancer research -- most ever raised by our women's college basketball program!

Today's PINK ZONE halftime show honored hundreds of breast cancer survivors -- who ringed the Notre Dame basketball floor as Cathy Richardson sang her famous rendition of "Here Come the Irish" and Tim Stop performed a song he wrote for Haley Scott DeMaria's movie;  "Two Miles From Home" -- called "With All Your Heart Believe."

Not a dry-eye in the house...

LINK:  HERE COME THE IRISH -- PERFORMED BY CATHY RICHARDSON

LINK:  TIM STOP PERFORMS "WITH ALL YOUR HEART BELIEVE"

LINK:  NEWS STORY ON HALEY SCOTT'S MOVIE

Notre Dame on ESPNU Today at 3:30 PM ET

Muffet McGraw's #2 ranked Fighting Irish will take the court this afternoon at 3:30 PM ET to play the West Virginia Mountaineers.  Today will also mark the fourth annual PINK ZONE game for the Irish -- as ND joins the effort to raise funds for breast cancer research.  ESPNU will televise the game -- tip-off set for 3:30 PM ET. 

Notre Dame women's basketball has annually raised the most money for breast cancer awareness -- having raised more than $130,000 last season alone!

Where Are They Now? -- Rick Mirer

He was the local "golden boy" from Goshen, IN who came to Notre Dame with great fanfare.  His senior season at Goshen High School was one for the record books (3,973 yards and 30 TD's) the 2nd most in national prep history. 

Rick Mirer '93, left ND as a three-year starter at QB -- and the school record holder for most points scored running and throwing (350 pts.).  Mirer was the #2 overall draft pick (1993 NFL Draft) of the Seattle Seahawks.  Rick threw for 50 TD passes and ran for 9 more in his twelve-year NFL career.

Recently, the Notre Dame Alumni Association caught up with Rick in San Diego, CA -- where he's the owner/operator of Mirror Wine Company.  You'll enjoy this story!

LINK:  ND'S GOLDEN BOY