Under Armour Era Begins at Midnight Tonight!

The most valuable shoe and apparel contract in the history of college sports -- begins at midnight tonight.

The University of Notre Dame and Under Armour's ten year relationship kicks-off this evening with an unveiling party at the Leep Varsity Shop located inside Purcell Pavilion.  Fans are expected to be lining up in the next couple of hours -- weather permitting!

LINK:  REVEAL PARTY AT NOTRE DAME

Lions' Beat Writer Thinks T.J. Makes Team

Former Notre Dame student-athlete T.J. Jones was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the Sixth Round of the 2014 NFL Draft.  As you'll see in this story -- a Lions' beat writer for the Detroit Free Press thinks T.J. will make the team.

LINK:  JONES A LION

I Missed This -- Skylar Scores 33 in OT WIN!

Last Sunday, former Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins scored more points in a WNBA game than any other Fighting Irish student-athlete in history.

Skylar scored 33 in the Tulsa Shock's 106 - 99 OT win over the Chicago Sky.  

Here's a link to a photo gallery from the game:

LINK:  SKYLAR'S BIG GAME

Media Reports on the Fighting Alumni's Big Win

Just before 9 PM ET in the city of Boston -- a number of former Notre Dame men's basketball players won a basketball game that carried a $500,000 first place check.  They upset a team that was considered the prohibitive favorite - a team with four former NBA players.

What though the odds be great or small -- ol' Notre Dame will win over all!

Here are the media stories the morning after the big upset win!!!

LINK:  IRISH WIN

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

Notre Dame's 75th & 76th NHL Entry Draftee

The University of Notre Dame's hockey program celebrated its 75th and 76th players drafted "all-time" in the NHL Entry Draft when Joe Wengwerth went 92nd overall to the Florida Panthers and Jake Evans went 207th overall to the Montreal Canadiens.

Wengwerth will enroll at Notre Dame the fall of 2015 -- playing this next season for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL.  Here's a link to his story -- posted yesterday.  LINK

Evans, out of Toronto -- will be playing for Jeff Jackson's Fighting Irish this upcoming season.  He scored 63 points in 49 games for St. Mike's Buzzers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League this past season -- earning first team OJHL all-prospect selection.

LINK:  CANADIENS SELECT EVANS

Notre Dame Alums Win $500,000 Tournament!

WOW!

The team of Notre Dame Fighting Irish Alumni basketball players won the inaugural The Basketball Tournament tonight and the $500,000 check that goes to the winning team!  The Fighting Alumni beat the prohibitive favorites Team Bartstool 72 - 68 -- a huge upset!!! 

What thought the odds be great or small...

The third story linked below was published this morning at the South Bend Tribune -- IT IS A MUST READ!

LINK:  ESPN GAME HIGHLIGHTS 

LINK:  GAME RECAP

LINK:  THE FIGHTING ALUMNI

LINK:  TEAM VIDEO

Under Armour Delivering ND Apparel to Media

Former NBC sideline reporter for Notre Dame Football -- Alex Flanagan, "tweeted" this picture of a package she received from Under Armour promoting their deal with the University of Notre Dame.

Got to love it!

Notre Dame Hockey Recruit Drafted by Panthers

The NHL's Florida Panthers just drafted future Notre Dame hockey forward Joe Wegwerth with the 92nd pick overall in the 2014 NHL Draft.

Wegwerth, from Burnsville, MN is expected to play this season for the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL and join the Fighting Irish for the 2015 - 2016 season.

Congratulations Joe!

LINK:  JOE WEGWERTH

Today is Day #62,672 in Notre Dame's History

Not that anyone is keeping track...

Domer Molly Huddle Wins U.S National Title!

Last night at the USA Track & Field Outdoor Championship -- former Notre Dame All-American Molly Huddle '06 won the 5,000 Meters in a time of 15:01.56

This is Molly's second national championship in the 5,000 meter run -- she last won it in 2011 with a time of 15:10.   

She is currently ranked #5 in the world in this event!

LINK:  RESULTS

LINK:  WORLD RANKINGS -- 5,000 METERS

Notre Dame ADIDAS Items -- BIG TIME SALE!

If you were wondering when the prices would drop on Notre Dame branded Adidas items -- it's happening now!

LINK:  ONLINE SALE

Domers Take in 2014 NFL Rookie Symposium

The 2014 NFL Rookie Class descended on Aurora, OH this past week for the NFL Rookie Symposium.  A number of our favorite Notre Dame players were in attendance -- here's a few stories about their experience:

The "bearded guy" in the photo is the Dallas Cowboys's first round draft pick Zack Martin at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

LINK:  ZACK MARTIN -- COWBOYS

LINK:  T.J. JONES -- LIONS

LINK:  TROY NIKLAS -- CARDINALS

Chris Watt Throws Out First Pitch for Padres

Former Notre Dame offensive lineman Chris Watt '13 -- now with the San Diego Chargers -- threw out the first pitch at a San Diego Padres' ball game at Petco Park.  Here's a link to the photo gallery:

LINK:  WATT'S PITCHING SKILLS

Fighting Alumni Play for $500 K Tomorrow!

A number of former Notre Dame basketball players "The Fighting Alumni" are playing tournament favorites "Team Barstool" in the championship game of The Basketball Tournament tomorrow night at 7 PM ET. 

The game -- which will be played at Boston University will be streamed live on Watch ESPN -- see game story linked below.

GO IRISH!

LINK:  FORMER IRISH STARS PLAYING FOR $500,000

Jerian Grant's Brother Taken in Second Round

Jerami Grant -- the younger brother of Notre Dame senior guard Jerian Grant -- was drafted 39th overall in the 2nd round of the 2014 NBA Draft tonight by the Philadelphia 76ers.

Jerami left early for the NBA having just completed his sophomore season with the Syracuse Orange.  At one point (five months ago) he was considered a "top-ten pick" and he goes in the second round.

Big brother Jerian has returned to Notre Dame for his final season...

Heisman Trophy Winner Tim Brown's Book

Former Notre Dame All-American, Heisman Trophy winner and NFL great Tim Brown -- has just published a book entitled "The Making of a Man" -- his life story.

Here's a link to Tim's interview about the book -- along with a second link to where you can buy it!

LINK:  TIM BROWN INTERVIEW

LINK:  BUY IT HERE!

Photo of Irish Chocolate and Alex Flanagan

Former Notre Dame student-athlete and now Houston Texan -- Louis Nix '14 and former NBC / Notre Dame sideline reporter Alex Flanagan got together today to take this photo. 

Apparently, Irish Chocolate is down to 328 lbs.

Notre Dame Wins the Capital One Cup !!!

The University of Notre Dame has won the Capital One Cup for Men's Athletics for the 2013 - 2014 academic year!  This is according to a "tweet" last night from ND Athletics' John Heisler.

The Capital One Cup is awarded annually to each of the best men's and women's Division I college athletics programs in the country. Points toward the Capital One Cup are earned and tracked throughout the year based on final standings of NCAA Championships and final official coaches' polls. One winning men's and one winning women's program will be crowned after the completion of the final NCAA spring championships. Capital One will award a combined $400,000 in student-athlete scholarships and the Capital One Cup trophy to the winning schools at the ESPY awards in July. 

A huge accomplishment for our Athletics Department!

LINK:  CHAMPIONS!

Big ND Announcement: Turbo Research Facility

The University of Notre Dame -- in partnership with General Electric, City of South Bend, State of Indiana, Great Lakes Capital and Indiana Michigan Power -- announced the construction of a $36 million research facility for gas turbine engines.

The 43,000 square foot facility will be built in South Bend's Ignition Park -- see the story below:

LINK:  NEW RESEARCH FACILITY

Domer Huffer Wins First Pro Golf Tournament!

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Becca Huffer '12 won the Michigan Open yesterday -- birdieing the last two holes (after nearly a four hour rain delay) to finish with an 11-under score for the tournament.

This is the first professional win for the former Fighting Irish team captain.  CONGRATULATIONS BECCA!  Click on the link below -- you'll see Becca's interview after winning the tournament:

I want to thank ND GO IRISH BLOG regular and former CEO of the Michigan Section of the PGA of America -- Ken Devine for alerting me to Becca's win.
 

LINK:  DOMER WINS TOURNAMENT

Georgia Comes to Notre Dame Stadium in 2017

A "home and home" football series was announced today between the University of Georgia and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.  The first game will be held at Notre Dame Stadium in 2017 -- marking only the second time in history that these two schools will meet in football -- they will meet again in Athens in 2019.

A more interesting stat is this -- the 2017 game at Notre Dame will be the first time in 52 years that Georgia plays a football game "north" of the MASON DIXON LINE...

Here's the latest photo of the new field turf installation going on right now inside Notre Dame Stadium.

Notre Dame / Under Armour: Midnight Madness

It's just a guess -- but I have to believe this is a first for a college campus -- a midnight apparel sale...

But, when you match Notre Dame with Under Armour -- it's only fitting that fans line up for a sale at the strike of midnight -- Tuesday, July 1st.

Only Notre Dame...

LINK:  MIDNIGHT MADNESS

OT: Photo of "Pure Michigan" Cloud

Only Mother Nature could pull this off...

Lions' Theo Riddick "Consensus MVP..."

Former Notre Dame running back Theo Riddick is being labeled "the consensus MVP of the off-season" for the Detroit Lions. 

Check these stories out:

LINK:  TEAM MVP

LINK:  LIONS INSIDER

T.J. Jones Undergoes Minor Shoulder Surgery

Notre Dame fans will remember T.J. Jones '14 playing through a shoulder injury much of last season -- that he re-injured during the bowl game at Yankee Stadium against Rutgers...

Well, the Detroit Lion wide receiver -- underwent what's being called "minor" surgery to repair an AC sprain.

See the story below:

LINK:  SHOULDER SURGERY

Notre Dame Picking the ACC: "A Smart Move"

NBC's Keith Arnold weighed in on a story written by Sports Illustrated's Stewart Mandel about the Big Ten's expansion plans -- and Notre Dame's decision to join up with the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Interesting read here...

LINK:  A SMART MOVE

Kelly Cares Gives Back to Grand Valley State

You have to like this story...

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly and his wife Paqui were back in the West Michigan area yesterday for a Kelly Cares Foundation golf event -- and as you'll see in the story linked below, it was time to give back to a community and a family that was good to them.

LINK:  GIFT TO GRAND VALLEY STATE

LINK:  STORY

Is This Why Samardzija Said No to Cubs Offer?

In eight starts this year at Chicago's Wrigley Field -- Samardzija has a 1.63 ERA.

Folks, in those eight starts -- he has a record of 1 - 3.

Last week is was reported that the former Notre Dame All-American wide receiver turned down an $85 million contract extension with the Cubs.  Think he wants to keep pitching at Wrigley in a Cubs uniform?

Last night Samardzija gave up one run in six innings (in a 6 - 1 Cub's loss) lowering his ERA to 2.53 on the season -- the 11th best ERA in all of Major League Baseball.

Sad fact:  Samardzija is one of only two starting pitchers -- among the top 30 with the lowest ERA in all of Major League Baseball -- with a losing record.

LINK:  SAME OLD STORY

See Rocket Ismail on ABC Tomorrow Night !!!

Former Notre Dame All-American Raghib "Rocket" Ismail will be joining the folks on the ABC TV show EXTREME WEIGHT LOSS -- tomorrow night (Tuesday) at 8:00 PM ET -- must see TV!

LINK:  TUNE-IN TEASER

July 4th -- "Under Armour Day" for ND Fans!

Just saw this today...

LINK:  UNDER ARMOUR AND ND

Photo of Golden Tate's Super Bowl Ring

183 diamonds make up the Super Bowl ring given to former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate.

Now, it might not be the most beautiful Super Bowl ring I've ever seen...

LINK:  GOLDEN'S SUPER RING

Chicago Blackhawks Returning to Notre Dame

The NHL's Chicago Blackhawks will make a return trip to the campus of the University of Notre Dame on Friday, September 19th to begin their 2014 training camp at the Compton Family Ice Arena.

Here's the story:

LINK:  BLACKHAWKS RETURN

Watch Domer Besler and Team USA at 6 PM ET

The USA vs. Portugal World Cup game begins at 6 PM ET -- though ESPN's coverage begins an hour earlier at 5 PM ET.

Former Notre Dame All-American Matt Besler (he wears uniform #5) is good to go tonight -- after being taken out at the 41 minute mark in the USA's 2 - 1 win over Ghana ten days ago because of a hamstring strain. 

A win today over Portugal will mark the first time in 84 years that America would have won two games in the opening round of a World Cup...

LINK:  GO USA!

Photo of Domer Ferreira at US Open This Week!

Fighting Irish sophomore student-athlete Jordan Ferreira is seen here on the practice tee at this weeks US Open -- in a photo taken by Claire Blakey, wife of long-time USGA Rules Official Lew Blakey '54.  Claire, thanks for sending the photo!

The Blakey's are down at Pinehurst this week for the Women's US Open.

Jordan shot 81 - 78 and failed to make the cut.

The First of Many Magazine Covers for Jaylon

Jaylon Smith is only a sophomore at Notre Dame and he's already pictured on the cover of Phil Steele's 2014 College Preview Magazine. 

The first of many for this talented student-athlete in the GOLD HELMET!

Michael Floyd "The NFL's Next Big Star..."

Former Notre Dame All-American Michael Floyd is being mentioned as "the next big star" in the National Football League -- pretty heady stuff...

LINK:  NEXT BIG THING

Samardzija Turns Down $85 Million Cubs' Offer

Former Notre Dame All-American wide receiver (turned major league baseball pitcher) Jeff Samardzija -- turned down a reported $85 million contract extension with the Chicago Cubs.

Looks like Jeff is heading to the trading block...

LINK:  CUBS AND THE SHARK

Bears Head Coach Talks Jimmy Clausen

Looks like former Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen is making a favorable impression with the Chicago Bears.  Click on the story below:

LINK:  CLAUSEN TO STICK

Besler Should Be Good to Go for Sunday

Former Notre Dame All-American Matt Besler '09 -- a starting "center back defender" on TEAM USA -- appears to be full go for Sunday's World Cup game against Portugal.  The Domer was injured in the 41st minute of America's 2 - 1 win over Ghana.

Ironically, his replacement scored the winning goal!

LINK:  INJURY UPDATE

LINK:  MATT BESLER -- HIS STORY

Latest Photo From Inside Notre Dame Stadium

Here's the latest picture of the work going on inside Notre Dame Stadium as they prep for the installation of field turf.

Pat Connaughton Signs Contract With Orioles!

Notre Dame two-sport star Pat Connaughton officially signed his contract with the Orioles and is now headed to Sarasota, FL to pitch for the Gulf Coast League Orioles.

Connaughton was taken in the 4th round by the Orioles in  2014 MLB Draft -- earlier this month -- earning a $428,000 bonus...

Pat will return to Notre Dame on July 30th to begin preparation for his senior season with Mike Brey's Fighting Irish.  You'll enjoy the video of Pat being drafted by the Orioles -- and the video from last night's Oriole's game where Pat was introduced on the field during the game:

LINK:  ORIOLES DRAFT CONNAUGHTON

LINK:  CAMDEN -- ON FIELD INTRODUCTION TO FANS

LINK:  CONNAUGHTON 

LINK:  MLB 2014 BONUS POOL

Reunion Weekend: Notre Dame Trivia!!!

Folks, this is a well produced and entertaining video you must see!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME TRIVIA

Coach Kelly Cooking at Meijer's in Mishawaka

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly was at the Meijer's in Mishawaka this week with a couple of his "rising" sophomore football stars:  Corey Robinson and Mike McGlinchey. 

Folks, McGlinchey is huge -- he should be the first guy off the bus wherever we play on the road next season...

You're going to want to watch this video of their appearance -- good fun:

LINK:  COACH KELLY AT MEIJER'S

Ruth Riley Announces Her Retirement Today

All-time Notre Dame basketball great Ruth Riley -- announced her retirement today.

Riley, who made her two final free-throws in her Notre Dame career to win a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP -- played 13 years in the WNBA winning two championships in Detroit...

She's a class act.

LINK:  RILEY RETIRES

LINK:  PHOTO GALLERY

Brady Quinn Blogs About His Future Plans

In the past 24 hours, former Notre Dame All-American Brady Quinn posted a story about his future plans...

Thought you'd enjoy finding out what he's thinking!

LINK:  BRADY QUINN'S BLOG

Domer's Injury Update From 2014 World Cup

Former Notre Dame All-American Matt Besler '09 had to leave Team USA's fWorld Cup game last night against Ghana at the 41 minute mark do to a reported hamstring injury.  Ironically, the American's winning goal came from his replacement John Brooks...

That's a photo of Matt (#5) heading the ball in last night's game.

Here's an update this morning on Besler's condidtion:

LINK:  BESLER INJURY

Domer Besler Gets World Cup Start Tonight!

Former Notre Dame All-American Matt Besler '09 got the start tonight on defense for TEAM USA against Ghana at the 2014 World Cup.  Besler led the IRISH to four straight trips to the NCAA Tournament.

Matt's brother Nick is a current member of Notre Dame's national championship team.

Here's the media coverage:

LINK:  BESLER -- TEAM USA

LINK:  HOMETOWN STAR

LINK:  CARRYING THE KC FLAG