Five Domers on MLB OPENING DAY Rosters!

Major League Baseball is officially back today -- and five former Notre Dame student-athletes are on major league rosters;  Jeff Samardzija (Cubs), David Phelps (Yankees), John Axford (Indians), Jeff Manship (Phillies) and A.J. Pollock (Diamondbacks).

Samardzija made history this afternoon for the Cubs.  He pitched seven scoreless innings against the Pirates today -- yet the Cubs lost 1 - 0 in ten innings.  Samardzija is the first Chicago Cubs pitcher to throw "back to back" scoreless starts on Opening Day in 80 years!

To learn more about each of these former Irish stars -- click on their name below:

LINK:  JEFF SAMARDZIJA -- PITCHER

LINK:  DAVID PHELPS -- PITCHER

LINK:  JOHN AXFORD -- PITCHER

LINK:  JEFF MANSHIP -- PITCHER

LINK:  A.J. POLLOCK -- OUTFIELDER

Samardzija's Opening Day Start Tomorrow!

Former Notre Dame All-American Jeff Samardzija takes the mound tomorrow for his second straight Opening Day start for the Chicago Cubs -- and ironically it happens again at PNC Park in Pittsburgh against the Pirates.

First pitch is thrown at 1:05 PM ET -- here's some stories about Jeff's start tomorrow:

LINK:  2ND STRAIGHT OPENER

LINK:  CSN CHICAGO

HBO's Real Sports: Graduating College Athletes

Bryant Gumbel's Real Sports on HBO produced a story this past week on what a number of universities have been doing to graduate their student-athletes -- namely; University of North Carolina, University of Michigan, University of Oklahoma, Baylor University, Iowa State University and the University of Memphis.

If you get the chance -- go to HBO and watch the entire show.  It's an eye-opener...  Plus, there is a second link here to an article I found in a North Carolina newspaper about this HBO story:

LINK:  TRAILER

LINK:  NEWS OBSERVER

NCAA Regionals: ND Met With the Media Today

Muffet and her Fighting Irish met with the media today to talk about tomorrow night's game against Baylor for a trip to Nashville and the FINAL FOUR.  Here's the replay:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME NCAA PRESSER

FIGHTING FOR LIFE: The Bobby Russell Story

Notre Dame fans are going to want to watch this story...

LINK:  BOBBY RUSSELL

Up Next: Odyssey and the Baylor Bears

She's only 42 points away from setting the all-time points record for a single season for women's college basketball...

Standing in Odyseey's Sims way is the defense of Jewell Loyd, Kayla McBride and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

Here is what the media has to say about tomorrow night's NCAA Regional Final between Notre Dame (35 - 0) and the Baylor Bears (32 - 4).  The fun begins at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN.

LINK:  ESPNW -- CHARLIE CREME

LINK:  ESPN'S LOBO & LAWSON

LINK:  ESPN'S WHITE & MOWINS

ND's Post Game Press Conference Today

The Fighting Irish met with the media after today's 89 - 72 win over Oklahoma State.  Here is the replay of the press conference:

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE

Mike Brey Stars in Northwestern Mutual TV Spot

Notre Dame men's basketball coach Mike Brey is featured in a Northwestern Mutual TV commercial that's airing during the NCAA tournament.  Just click on the link below to watch:

LINK:  MIKE BREY

Elite Eight Bound -- IRISH Beat Cowgirls 89 - 72

Notre Dame, with a quick 14 - 0 run, took control of the game early and they never trailed in a seventeen point win over Oklahoma State this afternoon.  The win puts the Fighting Irish into the NCAA Regional Final on Monday night against Baylor -- the last team to beat Notre Dame at Purcell Pavilion.

Here are the highlights and a few early media reports on today's game:

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS FROM ND

LINK:  ESPN RECAP

LINK:  THE OKLAHOMAN

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Coach Kelly Met With Media Today at ND

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today after Spring practice #8.  He updated the media on Jarret Grace's surgery and the status of his team...

LINK:  COACH KELLY

ND Football Spring Practice #8 Video Highlghts

Here's what Notre Dame football was up to today -- inside -- the Loftus Complex.  The gang at Fighting Irish Digital Media was in attendance -- so we have this report!

LINK:  PRACTICE VIDEO

Notre Dame Hockey on ESPNU at 9 PM ET

The NCAA Hockey Tournament begins tonight for Jeff Jackson's Fighting Irish and you can watch it LIVE on ESPNU beginning at 9 PM ET.  Yesterday afternoon Notre Dame met with the media to talk about St. Cloud State -- click on the link below to watch a replay of the press conference:

LINK:  PRESSER

Notre Dame on ESPN Today at 2:35 PM ET

Muffet McGraw's Fighting Irish are playing at home today in the SWEET SIXTEEN against Oklahoma State on ESPN -- the game tips off at 2:35 PM ET.  Here's what the media has to say about this afternoon's game:

LINK:  THE OKLAHOMAN

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  ESPN

Photo of Louis "Irish Chocolate" Nix on Skates!

Louis Nix III is a good sport.  Last night the former Notre Dame student-athlete participated in the Relay For Life cancer fundraising event at Compton Ice Arena.  As you'll see the 340 lb. defensive lineman painted his face, grew some colorful ears and put on some ice skates!

ESPN "Experts" Pick Winner of ND vs. OSU

Notre Dame plays Oklahoma State in a Sweet Sixteen basketball game Saturday on ESPN at Purcell Pavilion.  Four ESPN basketball pundits picked their winners of each of the games Saturday and Sunday.  Click on the link below to find out how they see the IRISH doing:

LINK:  PICKIN' THE WINNERS

Notre Dame Hockey Begins NCAA Tourney Run

Jeff Jackson's Fighting Irish are in St. Paul, MN this weekend to play their first NCAA Hockey National Championship tournament game tomorrow night against St. Cloud State.  Here's a preview of tomorrow night's game:

LINK:  ND HOCKEY

Muffet's Irish Met With the Media Today

The Fighting Irish are "HOME" this weekend to play in the NCAA's SWEET SIXTEEN.  First up, a game against Oklahoma State tomorrow at 2:30 PM ET.  The media met with Notre Dame this afternoon -- here's a link to the press conference:

Photo above of the new floor installed for the NCAA Tournament.

LINK:  PLAYERS

LINK:  COACH MCGRAW

Six ND Freshmen Met With the Media Today

I challenge you to find six better interviews from any other freshman football class in America.  The Notre Dame student-athlete -- they're different.

LINK:  IMPRESSIVE

MUST SEE! -- NOTRE DAME DAY TEASER

The University of Notre Dame will be celebrating NOTRE DAME DAY this coming April 27th.  Here's a promotional video to tease you to join-in!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME DAY

Slam Magazine Interview of Incoming Hoopster

Mychal Johnson an incoming Notre Dame hoops recruit from West Virginia was interviewed yesterday by Slam Magazine.  Johnson and her teammates just won their FOURTH STRAIGHT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP (six in a row for the school!) -- you'll enjoy this interview.

Fans of Kansas' freshman basketball sensation Andrew Wiggins might be surprised to learn that he was Mychal's date to the prom her junior year.

LINK:  SLAM MAGAZINE

Incoming Notre Dame QB Talks With Media

DeShone Kizer from Toledo Central Catholic High School has big plans for his future at Notre Dame.  Click on the story linked below:

LINK:  DESHONE KIZER

Joe Montana Seeded as #1 NFL QB of All-Time

Former Notre Dame QB Joe Montana is seeded as the "greatest NFL QB of All-Time" -- and as you'll see in the story -- arguably the greatest NFL player of all-time!  See the story and bracket linked below:

LINK:  MONTANA #1

LINK:  NFL BRACKETOLOGY

Brady Quinn Heading to the Detroit Lions?

Former Notre Dame All-American QB Brady Quinn is rumored to be a candidate to become Matthew Stafford's back-up with the Detoit Lions.

If Quinn were to head to Motown -- he would become the fourth former Notre Dame football player on the Lions' roster -- joining; Golden Tate, Theo Riddick and Joe Fauria (who played two years at ND before transferring to UCLA).

Here's the story:

LINK:  BRADY QUINN TO LIONS

Is He the Best Corner in College Football?

Notre Dame "junior to be" KeiVarae Russell has 26 career starts in his first two seasons wearing the GOLD HELMET -- the most of anyone in our football program right now...

Russell has lofty ambitions -- see this South Bend Tribune story.

LINK:  KEIVARAE RUSSELL

Photo of Skylar Diggins in VOGUE Magazine!

Skylar Diggins, the former Notre Dame All-American, is the most photographed woman in sport right now.  Here she is featured in the current issue of Vogue.

LINK:  SKYLAR IN THE MEDIA

Video From Today's ND Spring Football Practice

The Fighting Irish were back indoors this morning for Spring Practice #6 for Notre Dame Football.  Here's the video captured by the gang at Fighting Irish Digital Media.

LINK:  PRACTICE REPORT

Video of Notre Dame Coaches -- COACHING

Notre Dame fans will enjoy the "inside" access from this video of the Notre Dame coaches "coaching-up" their players.  Enjoy!

LINK:  COACHING

Coach VanGorder Interview After Practice Today

Notre Dame's new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder was interviewed after practice today -- you'll enjoy his comments along with a peak at a new drill we haven't seen before...

LINK:  BRIAN VANGORDER

Louis Nix Showing off His "Six Pack"

I am telling you -- Louis Nix will have a TV gig before too long...

LINK:  LOUIS NIX

Labor Union for Northwestern Football Players

This afternoon, the National Labor Relations Board approved that football players at Northwestern University qualify as "employees"-- thus, they can "unionize."

I trust this also allows the IRS to come after each of these "employees" to pay income tax on the value of their "income" -- AKA scholarships.

LINK:  UNION?

Notre Dame Football: Tune-In Tease

The NBC Sports Network will air a documentary film April 7th @ 6:30 PM ET on Notre Dame Spring Football.  You can catch a quick glimpse of the film -- right here...

LINK:  STRONG AND TRUE

Know Thy Opponent: Oklahoma State Cowgirls

Muffet's Fighting Irish play #5 seed Oklahoma State this Saturday in the "Sweet-Sixteen" at Notre Dame's Purcell Pavilion.  Here's some "fun facts" about the Cowgirls:

• Oklahoma State has won their two games in the NCAA Tournament -- but they came into the tournament having lost seven of their last thirteen games.
• Oklahoma State and Notre Dame have one common opponent in Michigan State.  The Cowgirls beat MSU 63 - 57 -- Notre Dame beat the Spartans 81 - 62.
• Oklahoma State finished third in the Big 12 behind Baylor and West Virginia.
• Oklahoma State is led by guard/forward Brittney Martin (pictured above) who scored 20 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in their win over Purdue and point guard Tiffany Bias who will garner some All-American mentions (Bias sprained her ankle in the game against Purdue)
• Oklahoma State starts:  LaShawn Jones (6'-3"),  Kendra Scuttles (6'-1"),  Liz Donohoe (6'-0"), Brittney Martin (6'-0") and Tiffany Bias (5'-6")

LINK:  HIGHLIGHTS OF OKLAHOMA STATE OVER PURDUE

Arizona State Coach Talks About Muffet's Irish

The Arizona State Sun Devils' head coach Charli Turner Thorne spoke with the media after her team became victim #34 for the undefeated Fighting Irish last night.  Here's what she had to say:

LINK:  AZ CENTRAL STORY

Notre Dame Roommates Battle for National Title

Can you imagine having to face your roommate for a NCAA National Championship?

It happened this past weekend when Notre Dame roommates Lee Keifer and Madison Zeiss faced each other for the NCAA Title in the Foil.  Keifer (Versailles, KY) , who won this event at as a freshman -- did it again as a sophomore, beating her close friend and junior roommate Zeiss (Los Angeles, CA).

Here's the story:

LINK:  ROOMMATES

Sweet-Sixteen Bound! ND Over Arizona State!

It wasn't easy and it wasn't particularly pretty -- but the Fighting Irish are now 34 - 0 on the season after overcoming a tough first half to pull away to beat Arizona State 84 - 67 to earn a trip back "home" to play a "Sweet-Sixteen" game at Purcell Pavilion!

Here are the game highlights:

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  ESPN RECAP

Robert Morris Hoops Coach Talks Notre Dame

Muffet's Fighting Irish won their first round NCAA Tournament game yesterday afternoon over an out matched Robert Morris team 93 - 42.  After the game -- RM's Coach Bustaglia talked about Notre Dame and his team...

LINK:  COACH INTERVIEW

Spring Practice #5 Report From Notre Dame!

The Notre Dame football coaches clinic is going on in South Bend this weekend and those in attendance were treated to a first-hand look this morning at the Fighting Irish.  Here's the video recap of today's practice -- followed by a link to Coach Kelly's post practice media session:

Jaylon Smith #9 flashes his athletic talent in the photo above!

LINK:  PRACTICE REPORT

LINK:  COACH KELLY PRESSER

Louis Nix -- Will Have a TV Gig Before Long...

The folks at the NFL Network didn't take long to start featuring former Notre Dame student-athlete Louis "Irish Chocolate" Nix on a frequent basis...  Here is their most recent effort:

LINK:  IRISH CHOCOLATE

Notre Dame Beats Robert Morrris by 51 Points!

The march to a fourth-straight FINAL FOUR began today in Toledo, OH for Muffet's gang against an over matched Robert Morris.  The game was over at half when the IRISH led 50 - 15 as Notre Dame finished them off by the score of 93 - 42.

Up next, Arizona State on Monday night at 6:30 PM ET.

Here are the highlights and post game comments:

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  MUFFET POSTGAME

Every NFL Team @ Notre Dame's NFL Pro Day

Sixteen former Notre Dame student-athletes performed drills in front of representatives from every NFL Team yesterday in the Loftus Sports Complex.  The folks at WatchND were there with their cameras -- along with members of the media to watch Notre Dame's 2014 NFL PRO DAY.  Here's all the coverage linked below:

LINK:  WATCHND

LINK:  NFL WEBSITE

LINK:  ASSOCIATED PRESS

LINK:  NFL NETWORK

LINK:  ELKHART TRUTH

Watch ND Hockey on NBCSN Today at 5 PM ET!

Jeff Jackson's #10 ranked Fighting Irish are playing #7 UMass Lowell this afternoon in the Semi-Final game of the Hockey East Tournament.  The puck drops at 5 PM ET and you can watch the game LIVE on the NBC Sports Network.  Here's what the media is saying about today's game:

GO IRISH!

LINK:  GAME PREVIEW

LINK:  MATCHUP

LINK:  USCHO

Brianna Turner -- National Player of the Year!

Gatorade awarded it's National Player of the Year yesterday -- for women's high school basketball -- to incoming Notre Dame student-athlete Brianna Turner! 

Congrats Brianna!

LINK:  GATORADE'S NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR!

Notre Dame's New Women's Soccer Coach

Theresa Romagnolo was introduced yesterday as the Head Women's Soccer Coach at the University of Notre Dame.  Romagnolo was most recently the head coach at Dartmouth, prior to that she coached at Stanford and San Diego.

LINK:  NEW WOMEN'S COACH

LINK:  OFFICIAL RELEASE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY

Coach Kelly With Media After Practice #3

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame were in pads today for the first time during as they prepare for next month's Blue Gold Game.  After practice, Coach Kelly met with the media -- here's a replay:

LINK:  COACH KELLY

Do You Leave ND Early to Go in 2nd Round?

Saw this Mock Draft with the two Notre Dame players who left early to be eligible for the NFL Draft -- going in Round Two to the Patriots...

LINK:  MOCK DRAFT

Detroit Lion's Golden Tate -- "Giving Back"

It's "Golden Tate Day" here at the ND GO IRISH BLOG...

The Domer is already a "darling" with the Detroit media.  Here's a story about Golden giving back to those in need.

LINK:  A GIVING GOLDEN

Golden Tate to Detroit -- Story in Golf Digest...

Apparently the Detroit Lions used the game of golf to lure former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate to sign a contract with them.  Here's the story in Golf Digest:

By the way -- Golden plays golf "cross-handed."

LINK:  GOLDEN GOLF

Notre Dame Plays the 4th Toughest Schedule

The 2014 Notre Dame football schedule is projected to be the fourth most difficult in college football according to guru Phil Steele.  Here is his rankings of the TOP TEN most difficult schedules -- all of the schools are ranked behind the link below:

1. Arkansas
2. Virginia
3. Tennessee
4. NOTRE DAME
5. Texas A&M
6. Kentucky
7. Iowa State
8. Syracuse
9. Rutgers
10. Wake Forest

LINK:  ALL SCHEDULES RANKED

The Media Talks About the NCAA "Unbeatens"

Took a lap around the worldwide web this afternoon to see what they're saying about Notre Dame's chances to remain unbeaten through the NCAA Women's National Championship. 

Click on the links below:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  ESPNW #1

LINK:  ESPNW #2

LINK:  ASSOCIATED PRESS

LINK:  ROCKY TOP TALK