Jack Swarbrick Talks With ND's Jack Nolan

Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick talks about the recent news that the BCS will launch a four-team playoff the next season.  He also address football independence and a few other issues.  You'll enjoy the frank conversation:

LINK:  JACK SWARBRICK TALKS

My Mom Left For Heaven This Morning...

It's with a heavy heart that I share with all of you the news that my Mom, Joan Barbara Small -- died unexpectedly this morning at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, MI.

Mom has been suffering with CREST SYNDROME, a blood disorder that slowly takes your life away -- we just didn't believe today was that day.

She arrives at Heaven's gates looking for a front row seat to every Notre Dame athletic contest -- you won't find a more devoted fan of the FIGHTING IRISH than my Mom.


Today is one of the few times I'm at a loss for words. 

My Mom was always there for me -- every day of my life -- I could always find my Mom when I needed her.  And, yet I wasn't there this morning when she passed away -- a time when she needed me.  How do you ever get over that?

I'm going to be heading "back home" to Mecosta County tomorrow to plan my Mom's funeral and to celebrate her life these next few days with family and friends.
 
I won't be posting on this blog again until Thursday.

Tony Rice Picks Notre Dame's Starting QB

Former Notre Dame football star Tony Rice made it very clear who he believes should be "in the shotgun" this September for the Fighting Irish.  I'm sure Coach Kelly appreciates this!

LINK:  HE'S BETTER THAN ME

Lou Holtz's Commencement Address

Former Notre Dame all-time great football coach Lou Holtz -- was the Commencement speaker at the University of Portland this past month.  Many of you may not know that the Holy Cross Congregation (the founders of the University of Notre Dame) also founded the University of Portland.

Coach Holtz was at his best -- you'll enjoy.

LINK:  COACH HOLTZ AT UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND

Irish Chocolate Interviews Coach Kelly

Folks, he's becoming one of my all-time favorite football players...

Louis Nix is a big-time personality who is going to be a big-time football player this fall for the IRISH.  When Mr. Nix -- AKA "IRISH CHOCOLATE'S" -- playing days are over, I can see him with a network gig doing sports or his own talk show...

This week he caught up with Coach Kelly outside the Guglielmino Athletics Complex -- you'll enjoy this.

LINK:  IRISH CHOCOLATE INTERVIEWS COACH KELLY

Look Who Was Out Front Talking to the Media

The meetings that have been taking place in Chicago to discuss a four-team playoff for the BCS -- just wrapped up with a press conference.

And, wouldn't you know -- the man out front talking to the group was Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick -- with the Commissioners of each of the BCS Conferences standing behind him.  I find it quite interesting that the only school represented at the meetings -- the University of Notre Dame -- had its representative standing at the microphone, speaking for the group...

This must be upsetting for the folks in Ann Arbor, Los Angeles, Tuscaloosa, Columbus, Austin, Norman, Tallahassee, Gainesville, Happy Valley and Lincoln...

I trust they get the message.


LINK:  SWARBRICK OUT FRONT

LINK:  A CONSENSUS

ND Launches Initiative for Global Development

The University of Notre Dame's Initiative for Global Development held its first day-long Forum on Global Development in Washington D.C. this past November.  U.S. Senators, Congressmen and other leaders met to talk about global issues in what turned out to be a lively exchange of ideas.

Here's a couple of links to check out -- the first a video on what the Initiative for Global Development is all about -- and a second link to a video from the Forum:

LINK:  GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

LINK:  FORUM ON GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

IMG Agency to Launch HS Football Team in FL

IMG Sports will be launching a high school football program at its Academy in Bradenton, FL -- and I can't think the high school football coaches in Florida and around the country can't be too excited about this.

IMG already has a tennis academy and golf academy at this location -- which attracts some of the top young talent in both sports from around the world.  What will it do for football?

Will these athletes be "one and done" in football -- since they will have spent four years working with "sports agents?"

This will be interesting.

LINK:  IMG TO LAUNCH A FOOTBALL FACTORY

LINK:  IMG NEWS RELEASE

Urban Meyer Can Walk if NCAA Violations...

Only at the Ohio State University...

The details were released today on the big contract the one-time Notre Dame football assistant signed with tOSU earlier this year.  One of the key points in Urban Meyer's contract was this -- "If further NCAA violations were to come to light in Buckeye land, Coach Meyer could walk away from the deal and Ohio State would still have to pay him $1.5 million for each year left in his contract..."

I wonder what happens if further NCAA violations come to light at the University of Florida?

LINK:  URBAN'S CONTRACT DETAILS

The Original Fighting Irish -- The Inspiration...

I met Revere La Noue two years ago while working on a project for the University of Notre Dame.  Revere, a former Notre Dame student-athlete, has taken his many talents and channeled them into a burgeoning art career from his Durham, NC gallery.

His work called "The Original Fighting Irish" -- is truly magical.  The folks at NBC captured the inspiration behind this work in the the video linked below.  If you're a fan of the FIGHTING IRISH this is a MUST SEE story!

In addition, I've added a link to Revere's Mascot Gallery -- where you can peruse his entire collection of work.  Enjoy!

LINK:  THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE ORIGINAL FIGHTING IRISH

LINK:  THE MASCOT GALLERY

Two Notre Dame Priests in Paris -- Michigan!

This morning at 8 AM ET -- two University of Notre Dame priests; Rev. Ralph Haag, C.S.C. and Rev. Bill Dailey, C.S.C. celebrated Father's Day Mass at St. Anne's in Paris, Michigan with our close family friend Rev. Loc Trinh.  (Top Photo L to R:  Fr. Loc, Fr. Ralph and Fr. Bill)

Domer to Domer: Bertrand Interviews Davonte

Former Notre Dame football player (and NFL star) Bertrand Berry interviewed Davonte Neal last night about his move to South Bend this weekend to start his IRISH career!

You'll love Bertrand's singing of the Victory March and this interview -- GOOD STUFF!  (That's Bertrand getting his biceps measured).

LINK:  SCROLL DOWN TO DAVONTE NEAL INTERVIEW

OT: Wallenda's Walk Across Niagara Falls

Nick Wallenda's 26 minute walk over Niagara Falls took place last night in front of a LIVE TV audience -- and I missed it!!!

I'm up at The Resorts of Tullymore spending time with my Dad for Father's Day and I brought a couple associates of mine along from the University of Notre Dame.  Our dinner conversation was so "engaging" last night we all completely forgot about Wallenda's walk...  Oh well, thanks for YOUTUBE!

Our youngest son Brady '14, attends Niagara University and our daughter Kara '10, attended St. Bonaventure University -- so our trips to see them in college have taken us to Niagara Falls many, many times these past six years or so.

If you haven't had the opportunity to see Niagara Falls -- it should be on your "bucket list."


LINK:  NICK WALLENDA'S WALK

Football 101: Notre Dame "Style"

More that 600 women participated in Notre Dame Football 101 this past Tuesday evening -- and as you'll see in the video there were thousands of smiles, laughs and dances...

Be sure to click on the photo of all of this fun!

LINK:  ONLY NOTRE DAME

Keeping Up With the Competition -- Big Money!

Don't look now but there's a new athletic facility coming to a town near you...

The folks at ESPN.COM just profiled 24 significant building projects taking place on college campuses that involve new and expanding athletic facilities.  Many of these projects involve Notre Dame opponents.

As they say -- college sports appears to be recession proof -- let's sure hope so!

Photo above is of that "school in southern California" who's getting a $110 million football facility...

LINK:  THE ARMS RACE IN COLLEGE ATHLETICS

National Champs in the Classroom -- Again!

The University of Notre Dame's student-athletes once again were named NATIONAL CHAMPIONS in the classroom -- with SEVENTEEN sports teams receiving 2012 Academic Progress Rate public recognition from the NCAA!  Here's the top five:

#1:  University of Notre Dame  (17)
#2:  Duke  (13)
#3:  Boston College  (10)
#3:  Northwestern  (10)
#3:  Stanford  (10)

LINK:  NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!
 

Beth Cunningham, Back Home @ Notre Dame

Notre Dame women's hoop legend Beth Cunningham has come back home...

Cunningham, Notre Dame's all-time leading scorer and two time All American was the head women's coach at Virginia Commonwealth University the past nine seasons.  She's joining Muffet's staff as Associate Coach, working with wing players, conducting game strategy and scouting reports.

The gang at Fighting Irish Digital Media caught up with Beth -- here's the link:

LINK:  CUNNINGHAM'S BACK HOME

Notre Dame's at the BCS Table in Chicago!

Notre Dame Athletic Director, Jack Swarbrick was in Chicago today meeting with his peers in the BCS to talk about a Playoff system for college football.  Speculation has run rampant that the IRISH might be forced to give up its independence to ensure it could play for a national championship...

After today's meeting, Swarbrick was interviewed by the Chicago Tribune -- and the tone was quite positive as you'll see in the story linked below:

LINK:  WILL INDEPENDENCE BE AN OPTION!

Domer Vaulting for U.S. Olympic Team Spot!

Mary Saxer, a 2009 graduate of the University of Notre Dame will be competing at the U.S. Olympic Trials later this month for a spot on the 2012 United States Olympic Team -- and she's got a great shot!

Saxer's a pole vaulter and she's just "inches" away from a height that has MEDALED at the last Olympic games.

Keep an eye out for Mary's name when NBC broadcasts their coverage of the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials between June 22 and July 1.

LINK:  SHE COULD BE AN OLYMPIAN

Tuck's Latest Facemask Fashion Statement!

Former Notre Dame All-American Justin Tuck will be wearing a new facemask this upcoming NFL season (see photo above) with the New York Giants.  Tuck is trying to avoid offensive lineman grabbing his mask and twisting it - causing injury to his neck.  It's pretty cool!

LINK:  TUCK'S NEW FACEMASK