Buddhist Monks Creating Sand Mandala @ ND

Seven Tibetan Buddhist monks are currently at work on the campus of the University of Notre Dame creating a peace sand mandala.  If you're not aware of what a "sand madala" is -- here you go:

• The painting with colored sands is considered the most unique and exquisite of all artistic traditions of Buddhism. This Tibetan art form is called dul-tson-kuyil-khor, which means “mandala of colored powders.” The sand mandala represents many things, including the cycle of life – creation, beauty of existence and its impermanence, and finally, the return to the natural world for creation again.   

You can watch them create the PEACE SAND MANDALA -- LIVE by clicking on the link below.  It will take the MONKS FOUR DAYS to complete their work.  They will be working from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM the next four days -- check in on it live.


LINK:  CHECK IN ON THEIR PROGRESS -- RIGHT HERE

OT: Photo of NASCAR Tire Explosion Yesterday

This is an incredible photo of the TIRE being blown off the back of Paul Menard's Chevrolet at yesterday's NASCAR race at Homestead.  Click on the link below for the video of the explosion:

LINK:  NASCAR TIRE EXPLOSION

Big Time Winds Slam into South Bend Today

Here's video I took of the strong winds that slammed into South Bend this afternoon.  There are currently 36,000 homes without power in the Michiana area.

LINK:  OUTAGE MAP

No BCS Team Has Beat More Top 25 Teams!

Notre Dame has beaten three top twenty-five teams in the country -- no other college football program has beaten more top teams this season:

• Notre Dame 17 -- #13 Michigan State 13
• Notre Dame 37 -- #19 Arizona State 35
• Notre Dame 14 -- #23 USC 10

LINK:  TOP TWENTY RANKINGS

Michael Floyd's Best Game in the NFL!

Former Notre Dame All-American Michael Floyd had his best day in the NFL today -- catching six passes for 193 yards and a TD!

Here's the replay of the 91-yard TD catch!

LINK:  TD CATCH!

Notre Dame Engineering Students Helping Out

Notre Dame students in the College of Engineering spent their Saturday in a couple of parks in South Bend cleaning up debris along the river.  Here's the WNDU-TV story:

LINK:  CLEANING UP SOUTH BEND

The Pinstripe Bowl Will Be an Option for ND

With West Virginia and TCU both losing yesterday -- the BIG 12 conference, not to be confused with another big twelve conference of teams in the midwest -- will not have enough teams who will be bowl eligible...

Thus, the BIG 12's automatic spot at the PINSTRIPE BOWL on December 28th will be up for grabs.  You can bet the folks at Yankee Stadium (the site of the Pinstripe Bowl) will come looking for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame...

LINK:  PINSTRIPE BOWL TICKET INFORMATION

Our Dog Muffet's Tribute to Skylar Diggins

My wife Susan created an Adidas "headband" in honor of Skylar Diggin's RING OF HONOR induction ceremony today for our Sheltie puppy -- named Muffet McGraw...

Yeah, we're nuts...

Skylar Diggins "Home Forever" at Notre Dame

Skylar finished her talk at the RING OF HONOR ceremony today with these words -- after seeing her banner hanging from the rafters;  "I never wanted to leave this place -- and now, I never will."

Here is a video of the ceremony along with Skylar's speech.  Enjoy!

LINK:  SKYLAR DIGGINS

LINK:  THE VIDEO FROM MY SEAT

Notre Dame Says THANK YOU to Skylar Today!

Skylar is only six months removed from wearing a cap and gown inside Notre Dame Stadium -- leaving behind a four-year career that few have matched in the history of college sports.

Today, before Notre Dame's game against Valparaiso -- Skylar Diggins will be inducted into the RING OF HONOR.

I can't wait...

LINK:  SKYLAR'S DAY

Trent Dilfer's Daughter Maddie -- Signs NLI!

The Notre Dame women's volleyball program announced the signing today of four high school volleyball stars today -- three who earned Under Armour All-American honors.  Including the daughter of former NFL Super Bowl winning QB Trent Dilfer -- Maddie Dilfer.  (photo above)

• Maddie Dilfer (Saratoga, CA) -- 5'-11"
• Sam Fry (Cincinnati, OH)  -- 6'-2"
• Sydney Kuhn (Wichita, KS) -- 6'-2"
• Maddie Plumlee (Raleigh, NC)-- 6'-1" 

LINK:  OFFICIAL RELEASE

The "American Ride" Rolls into Notre Dame!

BYUtv's Stan Ellsworth rode his Harley Davidson to the campus of the University of Notre Dame to shoot an episode of his TV show "American Ride."  Irish fans will enjoy this -- MUST SEE TV!

LINK:  STAN ELLSWORTH VISITS NOTRE DAME

$43,000 to Attend Joe Montana's QB Camp

Former Notre Dame and San Francisco QB Joe Montana has agreed to sell a personal "three-hour" QB school for six people for $43,000 -- through a company called "Ifonly."

Here's the FOX NEWS STORY:

LINK:  JOE MONTANA

First Major ACC Honor for Notre Dame Student!

Harry Shipp, a senior forward out of Lake Forest, IL was named Offensive Player of the Year today for the Atlantic Coast Conference!  Shipp has 24 points on the season -- leading the Irish in scoring and the #1 ranking in the country!

In addition, Notre Dame head soccer coach Bobby Clarke was named the ACC Coach of the Year! 

Not a bad start for the Fighting Irish in the ACC!

LINK:  SHIPP AND CLARKE AWARDS!

America's Top HS Women's Player Picks ND!

The consensus #1 player in the country -- Brianna Turner (photo above) out of Pearland, TX leads a three-person recruiting class picked #3 in the country -- that will further stock the talent shelf for the Notre Dame Women's Basketball program:

• Turner, a 6'-3" forward WHO CAN DUNK A BASKETBALL -- is a huge get for Notre Dame!  She was recruited by every program in the country.  See her highlight video below.  

• Mychal Johnson, a 5'-8" guard out of St. Joseph HS, Huntington WV -- was the first to commit to Muffet.  She's good with the ball and off the ball.  A huge get for Notre Dame!  See her highlight video below.

• Kathryn Westbeld, a 6'-2" forward out of Fairmont HS in Kettering, OH is considered the #21 ranked player in the country by MaxPreps.  Another huge get for Notre Dame! See her highlight video below.

Here is some more information:

LINK:  MUFFET TALKS RECRUITS

LINK:  OFFICIAL RELEASE

LINK:  BRIANNA TURNER HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  MYCHAL JOHNSON HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  KATHRYN WESTBELD HIGHLIGHTS

Notre Dame Hoops Signs Two Forwards Today

Mike Brey announced the signing of two high school basketball stars today to National Letters of Intent.  Martin Geben (photo above) a 6'-9" power forward from Lithuania (via St. Marita Goretti HS -- Hagerstown, MD) and Bonzie Colson, Jr., a 6'-6" forward out of St. Andrew's School in Barrington, RI.

Here's the media coverage:

LINK:  BREY SIGNS TWO!

LINK:  OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Old Man Winter Appears at Notre Dame Today

You've got to love the talent of Notre Dame's official photographer Matt Cashore.  Look at this picture today!

"Billboard Bibbs" Bests Coach Alford's Record

Notre Dame's running backs coach Tony Alford, who played football for Colorado State University, saw his 24 year-old single game rushing record of 310 yards broken this past Saturday!

Coach Alford -- always the class act -- picked up the phone, after receiving permission from CSU, to congratulate "Billboard" Kapri Bibbs (pictured above) who gained 312 yards in the Rams 38 - 17 win over Nevada.

LINK:  ALFORD'S RECORD GOES DOWN!

Brian Kelly's Press Conference Today

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media to talk about Saturday night's performance against Pittsburgh, plans for this bye week and a look ahead to BYU.  Here's a link:

LINK:  COACH KELLY PRESSER

Big Win for Muffet's Lady Irish Over #18 MSU

The #6 ranked Fighting Irish didn't play their best game last night -- yet, it was good enough to beat Michigan State 81 - 62.  MSU returned their top six players from last year's NCAA Tournament team -- so it was a good early test for Notre Dame.  Here's what Muffet had to say after the game:

LINK:  MUFFET PRESSER