Coach Kelly's Press Conference Friday @ Noon!

Notre Dame's 2013 Football Season "officially" kicks off this Friday at NOON ET -- as head coach Brian Kelly meets with the media to talk about the upcoming training camp and season.  As always, you can watch it LIVE HERE at the link below!

LINK:  LIVE FRIDAY @ NOON ET -- CLICK HERE

OT: Oregon Goes "Over the Top" on Facility

$68 million will get you quite a building...

Take a look at these photos of Oregon's new football facility.  The photo above is of the lobby...


LINK:  OREGON'S FOOTBALL FACILITY

LINK:  SI PHOTOS OF FACILITY

Making of the Notre Dame Helmet -- Must See!

Hydro-Graphics, Inc. -- is the company behind the cool lookin' college football helmets you started seeing the past couple of years. 

Especially Notre Dame's gold helmet!

This ESPN story shows a little about the company -- and you'll hear them talk about the Notre Dame GOLD HELMET.

LINK:  THE GOLD HELMET

NFL Training Camp Updates: ND Players

Took a lap around the worldwide web this evening to see how former Notre Dame football stars are doing in NFL training camps.  Just click on the name of your favorite Irish player:

LINK:  JUSTIN TUCK -- GIANTS

LINK:  IAN WILLIAMS -- 49ERS

LINK:  KYLE RUDOLPH -- VIKINGS

LINK:  MICHAEL FLOYD -- CARDINALS

LINK:  GOLDEN TATE -- SEAHAWKS

LINK:  KYLE McCARTHY -- CHIEFS

LINK:  TYLER EIFERT -- BENGALS

LINK:  MANTI TE'O -- CHARGERS 

LINK:  ANTHONY FASANO -- CHIEFS

LINK:  DAVID BRUTON -- BRONCOS

LINK:  THEO RIDDICK -- LIONS

LINK:  KAPRON LEWIS-MOORE -- RAVENS

LINK:  JOHN CARLSON -- VIKINGS

LINK:  BRADY QUINN -- SEAHAWKS

LINK:  MIKE GOLIC, JR. -- STEELERS

LINK:  TREVOR ROBINSON -- BENGALS

LINK:  JOHN SULLIVAN -- VIKINGS

LINK:  RYAN HARRIS -- TEXANS

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH -- VIKINGS 

LINK:  TOMMY ZBIKOWSKI -- BEARS

Jonas Gray '12 -- Back on the Field After Injury

Former Notre Dame running back Jonas Gray '12 is seen here in this photo at the Miami Dolphins training camp.  Gray is coming off of a torn ACL which cost him the entire 2012 NFL season.  Jonas signed with the Dolphins as a free agent after the 2012 NFL Draft and is now seeing the practice field for the first time.  Here's hoping he makes their 53 man roster!

Coach Kelly Talks 2013 Training Camp Plans

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with WatchND's Jack Nolan this week to talk about the Irish's upcoming training camp.  You'll enjoy this:

LINK:  COACH KELLY TALKS ABOUT HIS TEAM

Jeff Samardzija on the Trade Block in Chicago?

I truly can't believe the Chicago Cubs would be willing to trade the former Notre Dame All-American wide receiver -- who's currently 3rd in the National League in strikeouts with 146 in 144.1 innings pitched.

Last night he pitched seven scoreless innings of three-hit ball -- yet, the Cubs get shutout and the bullpen gives up five in their 5-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Reportedly, the buzz at Wrigley is they're worried that Jeff is going to test the free agency waters -- three years from now...  They have him under contract for three more years -- and they're worried about 2017?

Here's the media coverage:

LINK:  PRICE ON SAMARDZIJA SKY HIGH

LINK:  ESPN INTERVIEW

LINK:  SAMARDZIJA THROWS SEVEN SHUTOUT INNINGS

Temple Returned Some Tickets Today to ND

If you're still looking for a ticket for Notre Dame's home opener against Temple -- some tickets became available today.  You're going to want to call the ND Ticket Office first thing Tuesday morning!

Phone number for the Notre Dame Ticket Office:  574.631.7356 

The office opens up at 8:30 AM ET

No Big Bags Inside Notre Dame Stadium in 2013

Word broke today that fans will no longer be allowed to bring BIG BAGS into Notre Dame Stadium -- similar in size to the bags in the photo above.

Here's the official press release from Notre Dame:

LINK: NEW SAFETY POLICY AT NOTRE DAME STADIUM

Tory Jackson Off to Europe After School Closes

Having lived most of my life in Michigan, before taking the job at Notre Dame, I always had great respect for the athletes that Buena Vista High School turned out year after year.

My first encounter with Buena Vista was when I was 12 years-old, playing against them in a baseball tournament in St. Louis, MI.  They had "aluminum bats" -- first time I had ever seen an aluminum bat -- we were playing with wooden ones.  I'll never forget that.

Well, it was announced last week that Buena Vista High School was closing its doors -- and their head basketball coach Tory Jackson '10, former three year starter for Mike Brey's Fightin' Irish was out of a job.

In the past few days -- Tory signed a contract to play professional basketball in Europe.  Here's a link to a story concerning Buena Vista closing and Tory's plans -- and a second link to Tory's impact at Buena Vista.


LINK:  BUENA VISTA CLOSING

LINK:  A STORY ABOUT TORY JACKSON THE COACH

Te'o Helps Chargers Teammate Learn to Swim

D.J. Fluker, the hulking offensive tackle from Alabama and the Chargers' #1 draft pick -- is afraid of the water...

Well, that didn't stop Manti Te'o from teaching his San Diego teammate how to swim.  See the story:

LINK:  A HELPING TEAMMATE

When You Win -- The Recognition Follows

Over the past couple weeks, many of the national college football awards announced their "watch list" -- the top players in the country at their position -- and the Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame have been well represented:

BILETNIKOFF AWARD

• T.J. Jones
• Davaris Daniels

WALTER CAMP PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD

• Louis Nix, III
• Stephon Tuitt

BRONCO NAGURSKI AWARD

• Louis Nix, III
• Stephon Tuitt

BEDNARIK AWARD -- COLLEGE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

• Louis Nix, III
• Stephon Tuitt

MAXWELL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

• Louis Nix, III
• Stephon Tuitt

ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD

• Louis Nix, III
• Stephon Tuitt

OUTLAND TROPHY

•  Louis Nix, III

 

Vikings' Harrison Smith "Wired For Sound!"

I missed this.  A few weeks ago the Minnesota Vikings put a helmet cam on former Notre Dame captain Harrison Smith.  You'll enjoy this!

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH -- WIRED!

A Detroit News Story on the Lions' Theo Riddick

I'll never forget Theo's interview in the locker room after the National Championship game.  Here's an update from the Detroit News on the challenges facing Theo in making the Lions'  53 man roster:

LINK:  THEO RIDDICK

Cierre Wood Turning Heads With Texans!

Found this story this morning on former Irish running back Cierre Wood's status with the Houston Texans.

This writer thinks he makes the 53 man roster:

LINK:  CIERRE WOOD

Tyler Eifert Impressing the Bengals -- See This!

Former Notre Dame All-American tight end Tyler Eifert continues to impress all associated with the Cincinnati Bengals.  Here's a report from yesterday's training camp:

LINK:  EIFERT IMPRESSIVE!

Coach Kelly & Coach Martin at Patriots Practice

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly and offensive coordinator Chuck Martin were seen in a ESPN report yesterday at the New England Patriots training camp.  Here's a "screen grab" of the two.

Manti Caught Off Guard During Presser Today!

You can see that Manti Te'o is making a positive impression on his teammates in San Diego -- just watch this clip from today's press conference:

LINK:  MANTI TE'O -- ONE OF THE GUYS

SAP's Max Peer Visits Notre Dame Thursday

He's in the early stages of a 35,000 bike and canoe trip around the world...

Max Peer, in partnership with SAP University Alliances and Interaction Design Foundation -- arrived at the University of Notre Dame yesterday to meet with students and faculty along with Ann Rosenberg, Head of Global SAP University Alliances to talk about free access to top grade educational material.

As of this morning, Max has traveled 2,635 miles taking 6,112,741 pedal strokes!

You can find all of this on the link to his BIKE TOUR WEBSITE below:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S VIDEO OF MAX'S VISIT

LINK:  ABC-57 NEWS STORY ON MAX PEER

LINK:  BIKE TOUR OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Irish Wide Receiver: Swimmin' With the Sharks!

Notre Dame wide receiver T.J. Jones -- spent some time this summer swimming with sharks at the Florida Aquarium!  See the video feature below:

LINK:  T.J. JONES -- WITH THE SHARKS

Notre Dame to Start Fall Training Camp Away!

The Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame will be moving "off campus" to Marion, IN to Shiloh Park to begin their training for the 2013 college football season.  The "fun" begins August 5th.  Shilo Park is a conference / retreat center located a little over 100 miles from the Notre Dame campus.  

Coach Kelly made the announcement today -- see the story below:

LINK:  COACH KELLY TALKS SHILOH PARK

LINK:  NEW FIELDS AT SHILO PARK 

LINK:  OFFICIAL RELEASE 

LINK:  SHILO PARK WEBSITE

Pope Francis @ World Youth Day in Rio!

These are photos of Pope Francis' visit to World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro -- over 1 million Catholic youth have gathered for this year's event.

Notre Dame: "A Great College to Work For!"

The Chronicle of Higher Education just released its annual list of the top colleges to work for -- and for the FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR the University of Notre Dame was named to the "honor roll."

Having the honor of being an employee of this university -- I'm not surprised!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME -- FIVE PEAT!

OT: Jack Nicklaus' Grandson Motorcycle Crash

You will not believe that Nick O'Leary -- a football player at Florida State University and the grandson of hall of famer Jack Nicklaus -- walked away from this motorcycle crash.  Incredible!

LINK:  STORY

Robby Toma Signs with Arizona Cardinals

In the past 24 hours -- Robby Toma '13, signed a contract with the Arizona Cardinals and will compete for a spot on their 53 man roster.  Toma, the high school pal of Manti Te'o will be lining up alongside former teammate and Notre Dame All-American Michael Floyd. 

Good luck Robby!

LINK:  TOMA TO CARDINALS

ACC Commissioner Defends Deal with ND

Over the past few months a few coaches have openly questioned the deal the Atlantic Coast Conference struck with Notre Dame.  This past Sunday, ACC Commissioner Jack Swofford spoke about why the deal was important to make for their conference -- here's a link to the story:

LINK:  ACC TALKS NOTRE DAME DEAL

Single Game Tickets to ND Football On Sale!

If you're looking to see the Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame football team play a game this fall -- CALL BEGINNING AT 8:30 AM ET tomorrow morning!  The Notre Dame ticket office will be selling tickets to these games:

• August 31:  Temple -- you can buy up to four tickets
• October 8:  Arizona State -- game at Cowboys Stadium (you can buy up to eight end zone tickets)
• November 2: Navy -- you can buy up to eight tickets
• November 23:  BYI -- you can buy up to eight tickets

Here's the number to call:  574.631.7356

LINK:  LOUIS NIX'S -- TICKET SALES PITCH

Stanley Cup Champs to Train at Notre Dame!

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have picked the University of Notre Dame's Compton Family Ice Arena to train for four days in September (12th to the 15th).

The Stanley Cup Champions' General Manager is none other than Domer Stan Bowman '95, -- who's named after the Stanley Cup -- so I'm not surprised he's bringing his team "home" to Notre Dame.

Here's the story:

LINK:  STANLEY CUP CHAMPS AT NOTRE DAME

OT: You Can't Make This Stuff Up...

The University of Florida's Antonio Morrison (pictured) -- expected to be their starting middle linebacker this fall -- was arrested early this morning for BARKING AT A POLICE DOG and then resisting arrest.

Here's a link to the story below:

LINK:  GATOR BARKING AT DOG

Notre Dame Football Equipment Photos!

These two photos were recently "tweeted" by Ryan Grooms, Notre Dame's Football Equipment Manager.  The top photo is the shirt the Irish players will wear under their shoulder pads.  The bottom photo is a shot of the ND shoulder pads the freshmen will be wearing.  Ryan's twitter handle is @NDFBEquipment

#1 Selling NFL Rookie Jersey -- A 2nd Rd Pick

The power of the Notre Dame brand...

Former Fightin' Irish All-American Manti Te'o has the #1 selling NFL jersey among all of the rookies in this year's class -- I'm not surpised!

LINK:  MANTI TE'O'S TOP SELLING JERSEY

LINK:  BUY IT HERE!

Only 41 Days to Notre Dame's First Game!

Notre Dame's game against Temple is only forty-one days from today!

Class Action Lawsuit Against NCAA...

Six college football players joined a federal lawsuit against the NCAA this week.

Here's a link to the ESPN story -- which also announced that the NCAA would not re-up its contract with EA Sports and their popular college football video game.

LINK:  FEDERAL LAWSUIT

Domer & NBC Sports Blogger Ranks the Irish

Keith Arnold '02, a blogger at NBC's Notre Dame Central, just ranked the top 25 football players on the Irish roster.  Here's the list:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S TOP 25

Domer Rae wins Silver Medal at World Games

Notre Dame senior Jamie Rae, representing his home country of Canada at the World University Games, finished second in the 1,500 meters -- after a stumble in the last turn.

Listen to Rae talk about his race strategy:

LINK:  2ND AT WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES!

Photo of the Day: Eilar Hardy's ND Tattoo

Notre Dame football player Eilar Hardy -- showing off his "ink" in this photo.

South Bend Tribune's Response to Spurrier

I posted a story Wednesday about South Carolina's Steve Spurrier and his comments concerning Notre Dame and the respect we're given by the major conference commissioners.  Well, the South Bend Tribune's Al Lesar decided to respond to the "ol' bawl coach."

LINK:  THE NOTRE DAME BRAND

Cooley Playing Well in NBA Summer League

Former Notre Dame basketball player Jack Cooley '13 scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a NBA Summer League game last night for the Memphis Grizzlies.   He's now gone for a "double double" in back to back games!

LINK:  COOLEY SCORES 20

Brian Kelly Interview on ESPN RADIO Today

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly was a guest this afternoon on ESPN's Scott Van Pelt Radio Show -- talkin' the state of his football team and the upcoming season:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY INTERVIEW

Regis Philbin '53 Tries Out Google's Glasses

Domer Regis Philbin '53, was given a pair of the new Google Glasses to give them a try -- while visiting the gang at the Wall Street Journal -- you'll get a kick out of this.

Thanks to the gang at the DAILY DOMER for this story!

LINK:  DAILY DOMER

Incoming Domer: Gatorade Athlete of the Year!

Morgan Andrews was just named the GATORADE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR for all of high school women's sports! 

Andrews is the #1 ranked women's soccer recruit in the country and she'll be arriving in South Bend next month to play for Randy Waldrum's Fighting Irish.  Here's the media coverage coming out this afternoon:

LINK:  HER HOMETOWN PAPER

LINK:  USA TODAY

LINK:  US SOCCER

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

LINK:  UND

Spurrier Speaks to Notre Dame's Status...

The SEC had their big press junket last night and each of their football coaches took the podium to talk about the upcoming season -- and as you'll see in this story, a few other subjects as well.

The big news of the night came from Steve Spurrier, the head coach at South Carolina, who decided to take on our Fightin' Irish and their position "at the table with all of the conference commissioners.".  I'll let you read and see what he had to say:

LINK:  USA TODAY STORY

LINK:  ORLANDO SENTINEL STORY

LINK:  VIDEO OF SPURRIER

Domer Named Deloitte LLP Vice Chairman!

Former Notre Dame football co-captain, Byron Spruell '87 (he played offensive tackle for Lou Holtz in the late 80's) was just named vice chairman of Deloitte LLP, Central region managing principal and Chicago office managing principal. 

Congratulations Byron!

LINK:  SPRUELL JOINS "FIGHTING IRISH CLUB"

LINK:  OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Brady Quinn's 3rd & Goal Foundation

Seattle Seahawks QB and former Notre Dame All-American Brady Quinn '07, was the subject of a wonderful story today.  If you're a fan of Brady Quinn -- you'll want to read this!

LINK:  A PIVOTAL MOMENT

Looking for Notre Dame Football Tickets?

Pick up the phone JULY 23rd (beginning at 8:30 AM ET) and call the Notre Dame Ticket Office at 574.631.7356

Word on the street is you may still be able to buy a few tickets (face value) to the following games:

• August 31:  Temple
• September 21:  Michigan State
• October 5:  Arizona State @ Cowboys Stadium
• November 2:  Navy
• November 23:  BYU