Skylar Diggins -- All-Time Leading Scorer!

Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins scored 27 points today (22 in the first half) to become the ALL TIME LEADING SCORER in Irish women's hoops history -- as ND rolls over Kansas 93 - 63.

2,323 career points!

Notre Dame now moves on to a game Tuesday night against Duke for a third straight trip to the FINAL FOUR!

LINK:  GAME STORY

LINK:  SKYLAR TALKS RECORD 

LINK:  COACH MCGRAW AND JEWELL LOYD

LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  SKYLAR INTERVIEW -- REBECCA LOBO

Lady Irish Play @ NOON ET Today on ESPN

Happy Easter!

The #2 ranked Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame take on the 'un-ranked' Kansas Jayhawks in a SWEET SIXTEEN game today in Norfolk, VA.

Skylar Diggins and Kayla McBride met with the media yesterday to talk about today's game -- see the link below and along with a link to a game preview:

FYI:  Skylar Diggins is 26 pts. away from Notre Dame's all-time scoring record!
 

LINK:  MEDIA SESSION

LINK:  GAME PREVIEW

Happy Easter From Notre Dame!

Our team here in the Notre Dame Development Office videotaped the Voices of Faith gospel choir a few weeks ago.  This choir is a "student run" group.  Enjoy!

LINK:  HAPPY EASTER!

OT: Kids, Learn How to Throw a Baseball!

ESPN's Darren Rovell "tweeted" this fun fact yesterday when learning about Justin Verlander's new contract with the Detroit Tigers:

"An avg. bi-weekly paycheck of $1,967,213 assuming Verlander only gets paid during the season (183 days) as is customary."

Folks -- he will pitch in only 35 games this season -- the other 127 games he sits and watches from the bench.

Notre Dame's Most Accomplished Coach EVER

Mike DeCicco '49, died of congestive heart failure yesterday, at the age of 85.  Coach DeCicco's fencing teams won FIVE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS during his 34-year coaching tenure at Notre Dame. 

LINK:  A LEGEND PASSES ON

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Irish Hockey Plays St. Cloud State Today

Notre Dame begins play in the NCAA Tournament today -- down the Toll Road in Toledo, OH.  The #1 seeded Fightin' Irish (CCHA Champions) will be taking on the WCHA Champions from St. Cloud State.

There isn't any national TV coverage today -- everyone can watch it on ESPNU (tomorrow) at Noon ET.  Those who have access to WHME-TV 46 can watch it LIVE today beginning at 1:30 PM ET.

Here's the stat of the day -- Notre Dame a #1 seed is 2 - 4 against teams in the NCAA Tournament.  St. Cloud State a #4 seed is 9-7-1 against teams in the NCAA Tournament.  We have our hands full today!

Here is the media coverage this week from Fighting Irish Digital Media:

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  IRISH IN TOLEDO ON FRIDAY

Muffet's IRISH Play at Noon Sunday on ESPN

The #1 seeded and #2 ranked Notre Dame Fightin' Irish take on the Kansas Jayhawks -- for the first time ever -- in a SWEET SIXTEEN game Easter Sunday in Norfolk, VA.  The Jayhawks become the 197th different opponent in the history of women's basketball at Notre Dame.

The Jayhawks are 20 - 13 on the season and are led by Monica Engelman who is averaging 18 points a game in the tournament.  They start two 6'-3" forwards -- so they'll have a slight height advantage on the IRISH.  Here's what the Lawrence, KS media has to say about today's game:


LINK:  LEARN MORE HERE ABOUT THE JAYHAWKS

LINK:  JAYHAWKS LEAVE TO FACE ND

LINK:  UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN

Welcome Katie Paige to the Notre Dame Family!

This morning around 10:45 AM ET -- Katie Paige, a senior at Ann Arbor Pioneer HS -- signed her "acceptance letter" to attend the University of Notre Dame.  Katie chose to sign the letter at the Grotto.  A special moment!

That's Katie's dad Patrick -- proudly standing with a member of Notre Dame's Class of 2017.

Domer Plays Big for USA in Match With Mexico

Matt Besler '09, earned his "stars and stripes" this past Tuesday night when he played all ninety minutes for TEAM USA (his first start for USA in a World Cup Qualifier) in America's 0 - 0 tie with Mexico at Aztec Stadium in Mexico City.

Besler, an All-American with the IRISH -- is the first Notre Dame student-athlete to ever play in a World Cup qualifier for any nation.  Justin Morrow '10, is also a member of TEAM USA but he's yet to see the field in a World Cup Qualifier.

Congratulations Matt!

LINK: MATT BESLER -- NOTRE DAME ALUM

Coach Kelly "Post Practice" Press Conference

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today after the Wednesday morning practice.  During the session with the media he announced the transfer of a couple of players and confirmed the injuries to Chase Hounshell and Amir Carlisle.

LINK:  COACH KELLY

LINK:  PRACTICE VIDEO

Joe Montana Inducted Into California HOF

Former Notre Dame QB and Super Bowl MVP Joe Montana -- was just inducted into the California Hall of Fame.  Here's a link to an interview of Joe at the event.  The photo above shows Montana (on the left) with fellow Hall of Fame inductee Warren Beatty.

LINK:  MONTANA IN CALIFORNIA HALL OF FAME

Manti Te'o Runs a 4.69 Forty Today at ND...

The University of Notre Dame hosted a PRO DAY today for NFL Scouts to check in on former members of the Irish football program as they prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft.

THE STORY OF THE DAY:  The forty heard round the world!  What a difference a tenth of a second means for Manti -- could be millions...

Here's a link to the media coverage so far:


LINK:  MORE FROM PRO-DAY

LINK:  HIGHLIGHTS FROM TODAY'S PRO-DAY

LINK:  MANTI TEO MAKES AMENDS

LINK:  NFL.COM -- BIG DAY FOR MANTI

LINK:  YAHOO SPORTS

LINK:  CBS SPORTS 

LINK:  NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Manti Te'o and Jon Gruden Tonight at 7 PM ET

Folks, Manti Te'o will be under the microscope tonight with Jon Gruden -- it's good stuff!

Here's a link to sneak preview of what you'll see tonight at 7 PM ET on ESPN:


LINK:  JON GRUDEN WITH MANTI TE'O

Notre Dame's NFL Pro Day -- Adidas Gear

Adidas never misses an opportunity -- here's what the Notre Dame senior football players are wearing today inside the Loftus Athletics Complex at the NFL PRO DAY...

LINK:  NFL PRO DAY -- MANTI RUNS A 4.71 

The IRISH Spread the SPIRIT in Iowa City!

The University of Notre Dame's cheerleaders, leprechaun and pep band visited Regina Elementary School in Iowa City yesterday, while waiting for tonight's NCAA Tournament game -- pretty cool scene!

LINK:  THE FIGHTING IRISH SPIRIT

Muffet's IRISH on ESPN2 Tonight @ 9:40 ET

The NCAA Tournament continues this evening for the #2 ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame -- as they play a true "road game" tonight taking on the Iowa Hawkeyes (on their home floor) in a battle to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

LINK:  IOWA "NOTHING TO LOSE..."

LINK:  GAME PREVIEW

LINK:  PRE-GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  GAME NOTES

Spring Practice -- Video Highlights From Today

Thought you'd enjoy this video -- especially the pace and spirit from today's action!

LINK:  ND FOOTBALL

A Tradition of Excellence: ND Womens' Hoops

Here's a short video produced by Notre Dame for the women's basketball team as they prepare for the NCAA Women's National Championship.  Enjoy!

LINK:  A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

Pro Football Talk's Latest NFL Mock Draft

Notre Dame football fans will enjoy this look at the upcoming NFL Draft:

LINK:  FIRST ROUND TALENT IN SOUTH BEND

It's Time to Light Up the GRACE HALL #1 Sign!

The Notre Dame Men's Lacrosse team is the #1 ranked team in the country this morning!  The latest poll just came out and Kevin Corrigan's IRISH are #1!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME #1 IN THE COUNTRY!

Irish Hockey a #1 Seed in NCAA Tournament

The newly crowned CCHA Playoff Champions were awarded a #1 seed last night in the upcoming run to the NCAA's FROZEN FOUR.  Notre Dame will play St. Cloud State in Toledo, OH this Saturday in the single elimination tournament.

Here's a link to the teams selected to compete in the NCAA Men's Hockey National Championship -- along with some reaction from Coach JacksoN:

LINK:  THE ICY ROAD TO THE FROZEN FOUR

LINK:  COACH JACKSON REACTION

Notre Dame Beats UT Martin 97 - 64 in NCAA

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame won their first game of the NCAA Tournament by 33 -- as they put away University Tennessee Martin in Iowa City.

Freshman Jewell Loyd led the IRISH with 27 points on 10 for 15 shooting from the floor.  Notre Dame will play the winner of the Miami, FL vs. Iowa game on Tuesday night.

LINK:  ESPN COVERAGE

LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE 

LINK:  BOX SCORE

Skylar Diggins' NCCA Tourney Blog for ESPNW

Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins is back with the gang at ESPNW -- publishing a blog about her experiences for what IRISH fans hope will be a long NCAA run.  Here's yesterday's blog post:

LINK:  SKYLAR DIGGINS' BLOG

Notre Dame Wins Last-Ever CCHA Mason Cup!

Jeff Jackson's #9 ranked Fighting Irish hockey team won the last ever MASON CUP today over Michigan by the score of 3 - 1 -- as the CCHA played it's final game at Joe Louis Arena after 42 years.  It's the third CCHA TITLE for Notre Dame.

IRISH goalie STEVEN SUMMERHAYS was OUTSTANDING --- making some huge saves in the third period!

Notre Dame as the CCHA Champion gets an automatic bid to the NCAA National Championship -- which begins next week.  The IRISH will go into the tournament having won nine straight games!

Michigan -- which had won nine straight -- had to beat ND to earn a bid to the NCAA Championship.  The IRISH put an end to Michigan's 22 year streak of making the NCAA tournament.

The NCAA Hockey National Championship field will be announced this evening at 9 PM ET on ESPNU.


LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS 

LINK:  POST GAME CELEBRATION 

The Dance Begins @ 5 PM Today for Lady Irish

Muffet McGraw's Fightin' Irish tip off their annual run for a National Championship today in Iowa City at 5:05 PM ET against the University of Tennessee Martin.  UTM has two 20+ point scorers in their starting line-up who are in the TOP TEN in the country in scoring.  No other team in the country can make this claim...

Should be an interesting match-up.  The game will be televised LIVE on ESPN2.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. UTM

Homecoming: Zbikowski is a Chicago Bear!!!

Former Notre Dame football star Tommy Zbikowski -- signed a one-year contract today to play safety for the Chicago Bears.  Zibby grew up in the Chicago suburbs -- so it's pretty cool!

LINK:  ZIBBY IS A BEAR

First Day of Full Contact -- Notre Dame Football

Coach Kelly met with the media today after this morning's first Spring Practice with full pads on.  Here's what he had to say:

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH MEDIA

Notre Dame Beats Ohio State to Advance!

The Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame did two things today -- they beat Ohio State 3 - 1 earning a trip to tomorrow afternoon's CCHA Final against the winner of the Miami of Ohio vs. Michigan game this evening.  And, they definitely clinched a spot in the NCAA Tournament...

Here's a link to the highlights, post game press conference and post game coverage:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME BEAT OHIO STATE

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE 

LINK:  POST GAME

A First in the History of the Catholic Church

Two Popes in one photo!

LINK:  NEWS STORY

Notre Dame's NCAA Tournament Run Over...

The IRISH led 18 - 14 -- ten minutes into the game with Iowa State last night...

Then, it was over.


LINK:  MIKE BREY POST GAME PRESSER

Notre Dame Plays Ohio State Today in Motown

The last CCHA FINAL FOUR will be played today and tomorrow in Hockeytown -- as the Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame play Ohio State at 1:05 PM ET and Miami of Ohio and Michigan play at 4:35 PM ET.  The winners play tomorrow at 2:05 PM ET.

LINK:  CCHA PREVIEW

The Dance Starts Tonight For Our IRISH!

Tip-off is scheduled for 9:45 PM ET tonight on CBS -- as the Notre Dame Fightin' Irish begin NCAA Tournament play against Iowa State at the University of Dayton Arena.  Here's a link to the pre-game coverage:

LINK:  PRACTICE REPORT

LINK:  COACH BREY WITH MEDIA

LINK:  GAME PREVIEW -- THE MATCH-UP

LINK:  PLAYER INTERVIEWS

Mike Brey Sends IRISH Jersey to the President

The President of the United States took a verbal jab at the University of Notre Dame's basketball jersey on ESPN this week -- so, Mike Brey is sending that jersey to the White House.

The New Morris Inn -- Virtual Tour -- Must See!

The University of Notre Dame's Morris Inn is undergoing a significant renovation/expansion project that is going to produce a world-class hotel for on-campus guests.  You'll enjoy this "fly through" virtual tour of what the Morris Inn will look like this September when it re-opens its doors -- along with a second link to the LIVE WEBCAM following the construction project:

LINK:  VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE MORRIS INN

LINK:  LIVE WEBCAM

Notre Dame Football Practice Video: Must See

The gang at Fighting Irish Digital Media just pushed out their first video from yesterday's first Spring Practice -- for Notre Dame football...

LINK:  FIRST SPRING PRACTICE

Domer Chris Quinn Back in the NBA Today

The Cleveland Cavaliers announced today that they've signed former Notre Dame basketball star Chris Quinn to a contract.  Quinn has been playing in the NBA's Development League for the Tulsa 66ers.  Here's the story:

LINK:  CHRIS QUINN BACK IN THE NBA

Photo of the Day ---- Spring Is Here at ND!

It may not look like it outside -- but Spring has returned to Notre Dame -- as the Fighting Irish football team hit the practice field for the first day of Spring Practice.   

Looks like Stephon Tuitt (#7) has hit the weight room!  


LINK:  PHOTOS FROM TODAY'S FIRST PRACTICE

ND's Newest Building -- Open for Business!

The Stayer Center for Executive Education opened its doors this past week -- and let me tell you -- this building is spectacular!  Here's a link to a short little slide show of Notre Dame's newest campus facility.   

The photo above is of a stained glass window in the St. Matthew Chapel inside the Stayer Center.

LINK:  THE STAYER CENTER -- SLIDE SHOW

#1 AGAIN! -- Can You Say "FOUR-PEAT!!!!"

Bloomberg Businessweek just released their rankings of the top undergraduate Business Schools in the country and for the FOURTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR -- the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business is ranked #1!

I believe this is the first time a university has been ranked #1 -- four consecutive years!


LINK:  OFFICIAL RELEASE

LINK:  BUSINESS SCHOOL RANKINGS

Spring Practice #1 -- Coach Kelly With Media

The first practice of the Spring Season, here at the University of Notre Dame, took place at 8 AM ET "inside" at Meyo Field inside the Loftus Sports Center.  After practice, Brian Kelly met with the media to talk about his Fighting Irish football team:

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH THE MEDIA

Notre Dame Football's Spring Roster Released

The University of Notre Dame begins their Spring Practice season tomorrow -- as they prepare for the upcoming Blue Gold Game on Saturday, April 20th.

Some of the highlights:

• Louis Nix weighs 357 lbs.
• Stephon Tuitt 6'-6" and 322 lbs.
• Eleven players tip the scales at 300 +

LINK:  OFFICIAL SPRING FOOTBALL ROSTER

Coach Brian Kelly Met With the Media Today

The University of Notre Dame football team begins Spring Practice this week -- leading up to the 83rd Annual Blue Gold Game on April 20th.  To kick things off, Coach Kelly met with the media at NOON ET today -- here's the follow-up media coverage:


LINK:  REPLAY OF PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  AN INTERVIEW WITH COACH KELLY

LINK:  ESPN NOTRE DAME BLOG

LINK:  NBC NOTRE DAME CENTRAL

Media Reaction to Notre Dame's Chances...

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame begin their quest for a third straight trip to the Final Four via Iowa City, IA  "When" they make it -- they will probably be the only team not to play a game on their home court in the NCAA tournament.

Game I'm most concerned about -- the potential to have to play Iowa on their home court in a Second Round game -- the #2 team in the tournament did not deserve that...

It didn't take long for the media to weigh-in on what lies ahead for the IRISH:

LINK:  ESPN EXPERT PICKS

LINK:  GRAHAM HAYS

LINK:  MECHELLE VOEPEL

LINK:  CHARLIE CREME

LINK:  SPORTING NEWS

Coach Kelly Makes Visit to Breezy Point, NY

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly made the trip to Breezy Point, Queens this past week to visit the ravages of Hurricane Sandy.  Coach Kelly and his Kelly Cares Foundation has pledged financial help to the Catholic Club -- a popular community center that was destroyed in the storm.

Nice story...

LINK:  COACH KELLY GIVING BACK...

Lady IRISH Off to Iowa City to Play UT Martin

The only #1 seed to have to go on the road to play ALL of their games to make it to New Orleans for the FINAL FOUR -- the Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame.

The other #1 seeds; Baylor, Stanford and UCONN will play their first two games at home...

The (31-1) IRISH will begin their NCAA Championship run in Iowa City, IA this Sunday at 5:05 PM ET against the #16 seed (19-14) University of Tennessee Martin.

GO IRISH!

LINK:  COACH MCGRAW

LINK:  PLAYER REACTION

LINK:  NCAA TOURNAMENT BRACKET

LINK:  UTM WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SITE

Taya Reimer -- McDonald's National POY Award!

She'll be wearing "blue and gold" next fall in Purcell Pavillion -- Taya Reimer was just named the National Player of the Year by McDonald's!  The 6'-3" forward will be joining the IRISH this next season -- along with three other top high school stars.

Congratulations Taya!

LINK:  REIMER NAMED NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR!

Can Anyone Beat Griner and the Baylor Bears?

That was the question poised to a few "experts" over at ESPN -- on the eve of the NCAA Selection Show -- that will air on their channels this evening at 7 PM ET.  Here's what they had to say:

LINK:  CAN ANYONE BEAT BAYLOR?