NBC's Notre Dame Pro Day Intro...

90 Years Ago Today -- Knute Rockne Killed...

 

This was the headline for the Chicago Daily News -- telling the death of the legendary football coach for the University of Notre Dame -- who perished in a plane crash in a Kansas field...

LINK:  KNUTE ROCKNE OBITUARY

OT: A Fire Took Away a Piece of My Life Today

 

This evening at 6:49 PM ET -- my cousin Kevin Sweeney (a ND GO IRISH BLOG regular) sent me a text with this video attached of a burning building...

It wasn't just any burning building it was a monument to my youth.  You see, my Grandpa and Grandma Doyle opened a brand new restaurant/bar in Mecosta County (Michigan) on the northern shore of Blue Lake -- on July 4, 1941 -- see add promoting it in a local newspaper.

 

 

I grew up just down the hill from Doyle's Supper Club -- what a wonderful place it was.  It was built from cedar logs hewn from the swamps in the area, because lumber was scarce during World War II. 

 

Here's what it looked like back in those early years...

 

 

I drank my first Coca-Cola, learned to love steak and a sauce called A.1. -- even met Olympic hero Jesse Owens -- inside these walls...  

 

I ran up that hill to Grandpa & Grandma's house -- which was adjacent to Doyle's Supper Club -- a million times.  Grandma was typically at home awaiting our arrival (the door was never locked) and Grandpa was next door -- tending bar and talking Notre Dame football to anyone who would listen...

____________________________________________________________________________

Here's a menu my brother Jay has --- from November 11, 1961. It was Grandpa Ray's birthday and a dozen of my dad's former Detroit Tiger teammates made a visit to Doyle's Supper Club that day and signed the cover of the menu for Gramp as a present -- see below (check out the prices);

 

 

So, it was shocking to learn this great log edifice was burning to the ground.  Over the last few hours I've received note after note from family and friends who also frequented these walls -- with messages like these...

• "We've had our annual company dinner here for the last 26 years..."
• "I had my first date here..."
  
• "Your Grandpa and my Dad were great friends..."
• "We celebrated our wedding reception here -- this is devastating..."
  
• "I drove up from Michigan State to have my first legal drink here and cousin RJ brought over my Uncle Ray (my Grandpa) to serve me that drink..."
• "I have called all my brothers and sister Maggie -- we're all devastated..."
• This note came from one of the Mayer's -- a family we loved like our own, that had 19 children -- many of whom worked at one time for my grandparents at Doyle's Supper Club. 
• "I wish I could spend an hour with you to tell you the story about the time my dad and Jim Bouton had a little to much to drink one night at Doyle's Supper Club..."

 

This special place has changed ownership over the years -- it's now called Blue Lake Tavern.  But, what never changed was how important this piece of real estate was to me, our family, our friends and the many I've never met in this rural region of the world.  

Yet, what has surprised me the most is how profound my grief is.  This was HOME and now she is in ashes...   Tough to swallow.

Memories are all that is left...

Yes, I'd rather go to Grandpa's house

Than any place I know

For Grandpa says I'm his boy

And, Grandma love me so...

 

This is a poem that Grandma Doyle would ALWAYS recite to her eight grandkids...

 

Today Show Story: Trey Mancini's Return!

 

The former Notre Dame baseball star and American League All-Star first baseman -- is making his return this week with the Baltimore Orioles after fighting a battle with colon cancer this past year...

ND Pro Day: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

ND Pro Day: Liam Eichenberg Media Session

ND Pro Day: Daelin Hayes Media Session

ND Pro Day: Ian Book Media Session

Domer Chris Watt's Media Session at Tulane

Notre Dame Offense -- Spring Hype Video

Domer Bryan Rust w/ Hat Trick Last Night!

OT: JV Team Saves a STATE TITLE for Varsity

 

This is a COVID story that had a HAPPY ending!

COVID took the Detroit Catholic Central High School "varsity" hockey team out of the Michigan High School State Championship last week -- only to find that their 'junior varsity" team was good enough to sub for them and win two games...

HERE IS THE STORY:  JV TEAM SAVES THE DAY

Well, the Varsity came out of quarantine -- and this happened last night -- SEE BELOW!  That's the heroic "JV" team in the State Champions photo!

 

Special thanks to ND GO IRISH BLOG regular (and my cousin) Denny Doyle for alerting me to this story.  Thanks Denny!

Our youngest son Brady is a proud graduate of Detroit Catholic Central! 

 

Notre Dame Players Talk Spring Practice 2021

Tim Brown's HOLE IN ONE at TPC Sawgrass 17

NFL Hall of Famer Tim Brown just got a hole in one on the iconic 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass during the @TimTebow Celebrity Golf Tournament! @FCN2go #TeamSideline @espn @tebowfoundation @PGATOUR @THEPLAYERSChamp pic.twitter.com/QnW9HnUGLK

— Heather Crawford (@HeatherFCN) March 27, 2021

The Heisman Trophy winner from Notre Dame picked up a hole-in-one today at one of the most famous par three holes on the planet -- playing in Tim Tebow's Celebrity Golf Tournament!

 

Spring Practice #1 -- A Few Highlights

Notre Dame Defense -- Spring Hype Video

Brian Kelly Talks Spring Practice #1 Today!

Walk Off Homer Leads Irish Over #7 Louisville

Free Agency: Where Will Golden Tate Sign?

Thought I'd look to see where the media pundits believe Golden Tate will end up signing with...

LINK:  THREE BEST OPTIONS

LINK:  MAYBE THE PACKERS?

Notre Dame to Vaccinate Sudents in April!

The University made this announcement today!

LINK:  VACCINATIONS

Replay: Interview of NASA's Mike Hopkins!

 

Notre Dame parent and NASA astronaut, Mike Hopkins joined us from the International Space Station today for this special interview.

It was awesome!  Enjoy!

Hey, Don't Miss This Today at 3:51 PM ET !!!

 

You are not going to want to miss this unique opportunity today at 3:51 PM ET -- we will be talking with Notre Dame parent and NASA Astronaut, Mike Hopkins.  Mike is currently orbiting earth in the International Space Station.

We will go LIVE at 3:51 PM ET and NASA tells us that Mike will join us at 3:55 PM ET sharp.  We'll then be able to talk with him until 4:22 PM ET --- when we'll lose the satellite signal from space.

Mike's son Lucas is a sophomore at Notre Dame -- and ironically, their orbit path will take them just north of campus, so we'll be able to see the Space Station at 8:44 PM ET and again at 10:22 PM ET -- tonight!

Watch the entire chat -- LIVE right here:  go.nd.edu/space

 

Notre Dame's Coach Balis "Wired for Sound"

Two Days Away! LIVE CHAT From Space!

 

 

We will be chatting LIVE from the International Space Station this Wednesday, beginning at 3:51 PM ET -- with astronaut and Notre Dame parent, Mike Hopkins!

 

You can watch it LIVE right here:  LIVE CHAT FROM SPACE

 

#15 Notre Dame Baseball Wins Another Series!

 

The win keeps Notre Dame in 1st place in the ACC's Atlantic Division with a 9 - 2 record.

LINK:  STANDINGS

Will Fuller's New Contract is for $10 Million...

Will Fuller's new one-year contract with the Miami Dolphin moves him up the list of all-time earnings among former Notre Dame student-athletes.

Here's a look at the current and former Notre Dame athletes (football, basketball, baseball and hockey) who have been (or will be) paid more that $20 million as a professional athlete:

• Ronnie Stanley:  $132,131,825 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2025
  
• Jeff Samardzija:  $116,341,666 -- current free agent
  
• Zack Martin:  $102,329,796 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2024 
• Jaylon Smith:  $75,022,000 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2025
  
• Anders Lee:  $71,894,038 -- guaranteed contract to 2026 
• AJ Pollock:  $68,841,944 -- guaranteed contract to 2023
• Kyle Rudolph:  $66,897,098 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2022
  
• Troy Murphy:  $66,000,000 
• Stephon Tuitt:  $64,760,551 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2022
• Harrison Smith:  $63,666,546 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2021
• Golden Tate:  $56,337,672 -- current free agent
• Romeo Okwara:  $47,258,474 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2023
  
• Bryant Young:  $44,000,000
• Justin Tuck:  $43,248,463 
  
• Quenton Nelson:  $37,902,910 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2022 
  
• John Sullivan:  $35,800,027
  
• Jerome Bettis:  $35,122,500
• Jeff Faine:  $34,456,892 
• Will Fuller:  $34,265,390 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2022
  
• Kyle Palmieri:  $30,192,154 -- guaranteed contract to 2021
  
• Matt Carroll:  $29,537,032 
• Mike McGlinchey:  $29,481,766 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2022
• Anthony Fasano:  $29,226,657
• Anthony Weaver:  $29,200,000
  
• Tim Brown:  $28,432,686
  
• Laphonso Ellis:  $27,939,000 
• Tyler Eifert:  $26,236,358 -- current free agent
  
• Joe Montana:  $26,000,000 
• Renaldo Wynn:  $25,100,000
  
• Ian Cole:  $23,049,694 -- guaranteed contract to 2021
• Pat Garrity:  $22,788,021
  
• Craig Counsell:  $22,086,667
• David Phelps:  $21,058,813 -- guaranteed contract to 2022

 

New NFL Teams For Notre Dame Players...

NFL free agent signings started this week and a few former Notre Dame stars have found new homes...

LINK:  ISAAC ROCHELL TO COLTS 

LINK:  NICK MARTIN TO RAIDERS

LINK:  WILL FULLER TO DOLPHINS

LINK:  KYLE RUDOLPH TO GIANTS

It Took 13 -- #15 Notre Dame Beats Duke!

Domer Rudolph Signs w/ New York Giants!

Former Notre Dame TE -- Kyle Rudolph, signed a two year $16 million contract with the New York Giants.  The new contract moves Kyle to #7 on the all-time list below...

Congrats Kyle!

Here's a look at the current and former Notre Dame athletes (football, basketball, baseball and hockey) who have been (or will be) paid more that $20 million as a professional athlete:

• Ronnie Stanley:  $132,131,825 -- not guaranteed, contract 2025
  
• Jeff Samardzija:  $116,341,666 -- current free agent
  
• Zack Martin:  $102,329,796 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2024 
• Jaylon Smith:  $75,022,000 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2025
  
• Anders Lee:  $71,894,038 -- guaranteed contract to 2026 
• AJ Pollock:  $68,841,944 -- guaranteed contract to 2023
• Kyle Rudolph:  $66,897,098 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2022
  
• Troy Murphy:  $66,000,000 
• Stephon Tuitt:  $64,760,551 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2022
• Harrison Smith:  $63,666,546 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2021
• Golden Tate:  $56,337,672 -- current free agent
• Romeo Okwara:  $47,258,474 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2023
  
• Bryant Young:  $44,000,000
• Justin Tuck:  $43,248,463 
  
• Quenton Nelson:  $37,902,910 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2022 
  
• John Sullivan:  $35,800,027
  
• Jerome Bettis:  $35,122,500
• Jeff Faine:  $34,456,892
• Kyle Palmieri:  $30,192,154 -- guaranteed contract to 2021
• Matt Carroll:  $29,537,032
  
• Tim Brown:  $28,432,686
• Laphonso Ellis:  $27,939,000 
• Tyler Eifert:  $26,236,358 -- current free agent
  
• Joe Montana:  $26,000,000 
• Ian Cole:  $23,049,694 -- guaranteed contract to 2021
• Pat Garrity:  $22,788,021
  
• Craig Counsell:  $22,086,667
• David Phelps:  $21,058,813 -- guaranteed contract to 2022
  

Pat McAfee On Will Fuller Signing w/ Miami

In Honor of March Madness -- ND's Best Team

 

This Notre Dame team was loaded with talent...

NCAA Runner-Up: Notre Dame Cross Country!

Brian Kelly Responds to Viral Dance Challenge

I never back down from a challenge, @ShaunCrawf20. ☘️#POTOFGOLD https://t.co/B3z3YI2JBK pic.twitter.com/skbusm8OiJ

— Brian Kelly (@CoachBrianKelly) March 17, 2021

Here's the story behind these dance moves...

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY DANCING

From the Vault: Chloe Singing Danny Boy!

Happy St. Patrick's Day From ND Listens!

A Good Friend of Notre Dame's New Release!

 

Chloe Agnew (of Celtic Woman fame) -- just released this morning a song she wrote called "Written On My Heart."

Chloe will be back again this April for Notre Dame Day (April 18th & 19th) -- performing a number of songs LIVE from campus...

Romeo Okwara: Now 12th Highest Paid!

The Detroit Lions just agreed to a three-year $39 million dollar contract with Romeo Okwara!

Congrats Romeo!

Here's a look at the TOP 27 current and former Notre Dame athletes (football, basketball, baseball and hockey) who have been (and will be) paid the most as a professional athlete:

• Ronnie Stanley:  $132,131,825 -- not guaranteed, contract 2025
  
• Jeff Samardzija:  $116,341,666 -- current free agent
  
• Zack Martin:  $102,329,796 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2024 
• Jaylon Smith:  $75,022,000 -- not guaranteed contract to 2025
  
• Anders Lee:  $71,894,038 -- guaranteed contract to 2026 
• AJ Pollock:  $68,841,944 -- guaranteed contract to 2023
  
• Troy Murphy:  $66,000,000 
• Stephon Tuitt:  $64,760,551 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2022
• Harrison Smith:  $63,666,546 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2021
• Golden Tate:  $56,337,672 -- current free agent
• Kyle Rudolph:  $50,897,098 -- current free agent
  
• Romeo Okwara:  $47,258,474 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2023
  
• Bryant Young:  $44,000,000
• Justin Tuck:  $43,248,463 
  
• Quenton Nelson:  $37,902,910 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2022 
• John Sullivan:  $35,800,027
  
• Jerome Bettis:  $35,122,500
• Jeff Faine:  $34,456,892
• Kyle Palmieri:  $30,192,154 -- guaranteed contract to 2021
• Matt Carroll:  $29,537,032
  
• Tim Brown:  $28,432,686
• Laphonso Ellis:  $27,939,000
  
• Joe Montana:  $26,000,000 
• Ian Cole:  $23,049,694 -- guaranteed contract to 2021
• Pat Garrity:  $22,788,021
  
• Craig Counsell:  $22,086,667

 

LINK:  DETROIT FREE PRESS STORY

Mike Tirico & Drew Brees / NBC's New ND Team

With Drew Brees announcing his NFL retirement yesterday -- it became official (as had been rumored) that he would replace Tony Dungy in the Notre Dame broadcast booth for NBC...

Don't forget -- Brees is a Boilermaker.

LINK:  NEW NOTRE DAME BROADCAST TEAM

#25 Notre Dame Completes Sweep of #21 UVA

 

Great pitching, great hitting and great defense -- the Fighting Irish are on a roll! 

The sweep moves Notre Dame (7 - 2) to the #15 ranking in the country!

 

LINK:  RANKINGS

#25 Notre Dame Beats #21 Virginia -- AGAIN!

Notre Dame Glee Club: Rocky Road to Dublin!

We’re thrilled to be back rehearsing this semester safely!! Many thanks to the Notre Dame Alumni Association for including us in their festivities!! Happy St. Patrick’s Day and Go Irish!!! ☘️

Posted by Notre Dame Glee Club on Saturday, March 13, 2021

#25 Notre Dame Wins Opener vs. #21 Virginia

Fighting Irish Foodies: Making Guinness Stew

 

Here is a replay of the second episode of Fighting Irish Foodies -- where the Executive Chef of Legends of Notre Dame, Josh Maron -- taught us all how to make Guinness Stew...

Getting the Opportunity to Play Notre Dame...

I always enjoy checking out the local media in a college town that will be playing Notre Dame in football for the very first time...

Here's the reaction in Mt. Pleasant, MI -- after it was released today that Central Michigan University would be playing Notre Dame inside Notre Dame Stadium in 2023.

LINK:  MORNING SUN -- MT. PLEASANT

Notre Dame's Student-Body President-Elect

Fighting Irish Foodies TODAY at 2:30 PM ET

 

Tune in today at 2:30 PM ET to learn how to make Guinness Stew!!!

LINK:  WATCH IT RIGHT HERE!

 

Indiana Governor Talks Notre Dame Today...

 

The Governor of Indiana spoke today about the COVID VACCINATION distribution centers the State of Indiana is setting up across the state.

Thought you'd enjoy hearing what he had to say about Notre Dame...

Notre Dame Knocks Down Buzzer Beater!

 

Notre Dame plays North Carolina tomorrow night at 9 PM ET on the ACC Network!

Virtual Tour of Notre Dame's Football Facilities

Two Notre Dame Events For Your Calendar!

 

 

This Thursday at 2:30 PM ET -- learn how to make Guinness Stew from Notre Dame Executive Chef Josh Maron.

 

Tune in LIVE at:  go.nd.edu/foodies

 

 

Then on Wednesday, March 24th at 3:55 PM ET -- tune in to watch a LIVE interview with Astronaut Mike Hopkins (a Notre Dame parent) from the International Space Station.

 

The interview will last around 25 minutes before we'll lose our satellite connection -- so be on time!

 

You can watch it LIVE at:  go.nd.edu/space

 

Notre Dame Takes Weekend Series!

14th Ranked Notre Dame Beats Miami 3 - 0

Notre Dame Baseball Beats Clemson 3 - 1

Irish Hockey Rolls Over Penn State 7 - 1

Notre Dame Finally Beats a Ranked Opponent!

  

It had been a stretch of 28 straight losses to ranked opponents -- since the Fighting Irish beat 16th ranked Wichita State at the Maui Invitational on November 22, 2017

Brady Quinn Interviews Texas A&M QB

Notre Dame Loses to #11 Seed Clemson

 

The #6 seeded Fighting Irish ended their season last night on a sour note -- losing to Clemson 68-63 in the ACC Tournament -- after leading most of the game...

Going to have to figure out how to close out games during the off season.

LIVE Chat w/ Notre Dame Dad in Outer Space!

 

We will know the "official time" for this LIVE CHAT -- once NASA charts the satellites available and the location of the Space Station.  We hope to have the time by the end of next week...

 

WHEN:  Wednesday, March 24th -- in the afternoon!

You will be able to watch the LIVE CHAT at:  go.nd.edu/space

Brey w/ Media After Another Loss Last Night

Montana on ESPN Yesterday "Don't Do It Joe!"

Justin Tuck Tells Some "Untold Stories"

Joe Theismann Talks Washington Football

Louis Nix Update: His Mom Talks to Media

Brian Kelly Talks About the Passing of Big Lou

Who Is Notre Dame Men's Basketball's G.O.A.T.

 

Here's my top THREE:

1. Austin Carr
2. Adrian Dantley
3. Kelly Tripucka