Former ND Alum Named Coach of NBA Hornets!

Former Irish Basketball Player, Monty Williams, Notre Dame Class of 1994 -- was hired late last night as the new Head Coach of the NBA's New Orleans Hornets! Williams becomes the "second" former ND hoops player to sit in the "head chair" on an NBA bench -- joining Adrian Dantley who was the Denver Nuggest "interim" Head Coach this past season. Williams, out of Potomac, MD came to ND as a 4.0 student and highly regarded forward. Unfortunately, Williams was diagnosed with a heart condition during his freshman season and he didn't play his sophomore or junior seasons -- but was cleared to play his senior season and a fifth year -- scoring 22.4 points a game for the Irish in the 1993-94 season. Williams was a first round pick of the New York Knicks in 1994 and played nine years in the NBA. His best game was a 30 point effort for the San Antonio Spurs -- one of five NBA teams he played for during his NBA career. Williams was hired as an Assistant Coach for the NBA Portland Trailblazers in 2005 -- and he's been with the Blazers ever since -- until he signed a three-year contract last night with the Hornets. Congratulations Monty!!! Here's a link to The Times Picayune article:

NBA HORNETS HIRE FORMER ND BASKETBALL PLAYER AS ITS HEAD COACH!

ESPN Ranks ND's Recruiting Class -- 11th

Head Coach Brian Kelly & Company have been hitting the recruiting trail hard, these past few months, seeking the talent needed to fit his style of play. And, so far so good. To date, nine high school "rising seniors" have verbally committed to the Irish -- even though the actual "Signing Day" isn't until February 2011. Just goes to show you how the recruiting game has changed. ESPN just released it's rankings of the verbal commitments to date and the Irish stand 11th in their ranking of college football recruiting. Headlining the Irish verbals are (Pictured L to R) Offensive Lineman; Matt Hegarty (New Mexico), Jordan Prestwood (Florida) and TE Ben Koyack (Pennsylvania). Koyack just won the Pennsylvania High School State Title in the Javelin. The first verbal commitment to this recruiting class came from Brad Carrico, who's a DE from Brady Quinn's old high school in Dublin, Ohio. Here's a link to the ESPN Rankings:

TOP TWENTY RECRUITING RANKINGS - CLASS OF 2011

Alex Montoya -- A Notre Dame story!

This is the story of one of the first San Diegans mainstreamed from special education to an integrated school environment in 1980. A triple amputee from birth, Alex Montoya, is truly "one of a kind." An author and motivational speaker - Alex is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (Class of 1996). Here is the promotional copy used by the Publisher of Alex's book "Swinging for the Fences." There are some odds that can't be beat, but Alex Montoya has yet to find them. Living his whole life with prosthetics has neither deterred nor discouraged Alex from achieving his dreams. From a young immigrant to the American dream, Montoya overcomes his obstacles with perseverance and a lot of laughter. From his tiring trials to become a citizen to fulfilling his dream of working in Major League Baseball, from his days at Notre Dame to his days in Hollywood, Alex Montoya's success is directly credited to his will. And his determined will, as he will tell you, was a conscious choice." When Alex isn't writing a book or giving a motivational speech, he serves as the Manager of Latino Relations for the San Diego Padres. Montoya has appeared in the major motion films Artificial Intelligence and minority Report. A former Olympic Torch Relay carrier, Montoya was named to San Diego Magazine’s "50 San Diegans To Watch" list in 2000. You can find Montoya's book "Swinging for the Fences" -- on sale in the Notre Dame Hammes Bookstore and at Amazon online. Here's a link to buy Alex's book:

SWINGING FOR THE FENCES -- AMAZON

ND Goalie -- Most Outstanding Player Award!

Notre Dame Senior, Scott Rodgers, was named the "Most Outstanding Player" for the 2010 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships! Rodgers finished the season with the highest save percentage in the country! Joining Rodgers on the All Tournament Team were teammates; Zach Brenneman and Kevin Ridgway. Congratulations!

Darius Walker -- Needs Our Help!

Former Notre Dame running back, Darius Walker -- ND Class of 2009 -- has set his sites on a new career for himself...talk show host! Oprah Winfrey is running a contest on her website "YOUR OWN SHOW" in which Darius has submitted an audition tape. Click on the link below and you'll see how you can help Darius get this gig!

DARIUS WALKER'S AUDITION FOR OPRAH

ND Lacrosse - Dream Ends in OT

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame lost five seconds into OT to Duke 6 - 5 in today's NCAA Men's Lacrosse National Championship Game. A "see-saw" game that saw no more than a one goal lead for either side -- but, it was Duke who scored the goal to tie the game in the 4th Quarter and the goal off the OT faceoff was the game winner. The eleven total goals is the lowest total for the Championship Game and a testament to the Irish defense and the goaltending of Notre Dame goalie Scott Rodgers. It was a valiant effort by the Irish and a "shot heard round the Lacrosse world!" It's time to thank these young men for giving the Notre Dame Nation some excitement these past two weeks! You brought great honor to your school and the GOLD HELMET!

Happy Memorial Day!

As you enjoy a Memorial Day meal today with family and friends -- please think about the families that aren't together today -- because a family member or two has lost a life -- or, is sitting somewhere in the world today fighting for our freedom. Say a prayer for them. Here's a video you must find time to watch today:

MEMORIAL DAY 2010

IT'S CHAMPIONSHIP MONDAY! -- 3:30 PM EST

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame take on the Duke Blue Devils this afternoon in the biggest game in the history of Notre Dame Lacrosse. To the winners -- the first National Championship in Lacrosse. I can't wait! The game is on ESPN and ESPN 360. I'm betting that ESPN and the NCAA will realize the largest TV audience ever today for a non-football or basketball National Championship telecast. The picture above is from the Notre Dame vs. Cornell Semi-Final Game Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium -- site of today's National Championship Game. Go IRISH!

WASHINGTON POST STORY ON TODAY'S GAME

ND Alum Wins Pro Boxing Debut!

Mike Lee, Notre Dame Class of 2009 -- made his professional boxing debut last night in Chicago, winning a unanimous decision over Emmitt Woods in a Light Heavyweight bout. Lee, a three time Bengal Bouts Champion who signed with Bob Arum and Top Rank Incorporated (photo) this past February, was very impressive in his first pro fight. Congratulations Mike!

LEE'S PRE-FIGHT PRESS CONFERENCE ON FRIDAY

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Monday!

The Fighting Irish continue to "shock the Lacrosse world" -- beating Cornell 12 - 7 and advancing to the National Championship game tomorrow at the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships. The Irish will take on a familiar foe, the Duke Blue Devils in the title game. Duke beat #1 seed Virginia 14 - 13 in their Semi-Final game. Notre Dame played Duke on the Blue Devils home field this past February with the Irish winning 11 - 7. It's going to be ND's defense and "THE WALL" 6'-4" 245 lb. Senior Goal Tender Scott Rodgers (pictured) vs. the offense of Duke -- should be a classic. To the winner goes the first Lacrosse National Championship in each respective school's history. The game will be televised on ESPN at 3:30 PM -- GO IRISH!

ESPN PREVIEW OF LACROSSE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

COACH CORRIGAN'S POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

Kevin Corrigan -- Talks Irish Lacrosse!

He's in his 22nd season as Head Coach of the University of Notre Dame Men's Lacrosse Team -- and his team is making it's second trip to the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships Final Four! The Irish take on Cornell in Baltimore tomorrow afternoon in front of the largest crowd ever to see a Notre Dame Lacrosse team play -- as more than 50,000 are expected to be sitting in the seats of M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Here is Coach Corrigan with Jack Nolan talking about tomorrow's game - click on link:

COACH CORRIGAN WITH UND.COM'S JACK NOLAN

Irish Lacrosse Plays Cornell Saturday!

Kevin Corrigan's Notre Dame Fighting Irish Lacrosse Team will play the #7 seed Cornell this Saturday in the first National Semi-Final game of the 2010 NCAA Men's Lacrosse National Championships this weekend in Baltimore. For the 'unseeded' Irish - Cornell will be the lowest seeded team they will have played so far. To date, the Irish have knocked off #6 seeded Princeton and the #3 seed Maryland on their way to the Final Four. The Irish were a controversial pick to even be in the tournament - many lacrosse "experts" were furious that Notre Dame was selected into the sixteen team field. They were so lightly regarded that after the Irish beat Maryland -- the Terrapins Coach resigned the next day. Yet, you can catch the "un-worthy" Fighting Irish on ESPN2 this Saturday afternoon at 4 PM EST -- in THE FINAL FOUR! The second National Semi-Final will pit the #1 seed Virginia against the #5 seed Duke. The winners of these two games will play in the National Championship game on Memorial Day (Monday) at 3:30 PM EST on ESPN. Here's a link to the NCAA's Lacrosse National Championships website. GO IRISH!

2010 NCAA MEN'S LACROSSE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Our Favorite Professional Golfer - Mark Baldwin

Mark Baldwin is a Notre Dame Alum (Class of 2006) and is a member of the Canadian PGA Tour. The NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG is following Mark as he goes about his journey -- pursuing the dream of playing on the PGA Tour. Which is something a Notre Dame grad has never done before. Baldwin heads to British Columbia on Sunday to prepare for next week's Times Colonist Open. You'll find a link to this tournament's website below -- so you can follow how Mark is playing. This past week Mark was in Louisiana participating in a unique Junior Golf program run by a couple of local PGA Pros. Mark produced a video that captured the "magic" these two members of the PGA of America are creating in the New Orleans area. Enjoy!

MARK BALDWIN -- LAKEWOOD JUNIOR GOLF PROGRAM

CANADIAN PGA TOUR - TIMES COLONIST OPEN

Golden Tate Singing!

Former Notre Dame All-American, Golden Tate was in California with a number of NFL Rookies yesterday to promote a NFL Trading Card deal with Panini and he was caught singing on camera. Thank goodness he can catch a football! I don't think American Idol will be calling. You be the judge:

GOLDEN TATE SINGING A TAYLOR SWIFT SONG

Brian Kelly on Live! with Regis & Kelly

University of Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Brian Kelly has been in the New York area the past couple of days visiting with ND Alumni Clubs -- and he found time to meet with Notre Dame Alum Regis Philbin. Here's a link to Coach Kelly's Tuesday appearance on the show:

COACH KELLY WITH REGIS

ND Alum Makes Pro Boxing Debut Saturday!

Mike Lee, a member of the University of Notre Dame's Class of 2009 -- makes his professional boxing debut this Saturday! Lee will be fighting a light heavy weight match in Chicago at the UIC Pavillion. The fight is being promoted by Top Rank and will be televised on FOX. Lee is a three time "Bengal Bouts" champion at Notre Dame -- where he graduated with a 3.8 GPA in finance. I found this interview with Lee at Live Sports Entertainment -- click here to read:

MIKE LEE'S PROFESSIONAL BOXING DEBUT

A Belated Happy Birthday to Father Ted!

University of Notre Dame's "Father Ted" -- Theodore Hesburgh, turned 93 years young yesterday (May 25th)! Or in other words, he's now thirty years old with sixty three years of experience! Father Ted has been a "gift" to Notre Dame and to the world -- one fun fact about Hesburgh is he has more than 150 honorary degrees which I believe is still a Guinness Book World Record. Here's an article in the National Catholic Reporter about Notre Dame's -- Father Ted's 93rd Birthday -- click on link:

FATHER TED TURNS 93

Cole Jacob Barker -- The Fighting Irish Spirit!

University of Notre Dame Alum, Jacob Cole Barker (Class of 2006), went to heaven a few weeks ago as he lost his six-year battle with cancer. His story should be told -- and I'm thankful that the Barker family agreed to sit down with the South Bend Tribune to tell it. That's Cole and his friend and former Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Charlie Weis in the picture. Please read this story -- IT IS A MUST READ -- here's a link:

JACOB COLE BARKER -- THE FIGHTING IRISH SPIRIT

Quinn & Ndukwe -- Speaking June 30th

Former high school buddies, roommates at Notre Dame and now NFL football players; Brady Quinn and Chinedum Ndukwe will be the featured speakers at the College Football Hall of Fame's Gridiron Legend's Luncheon Series -- June 30th in South Bend, IN. Brady, is now with the Denver Broncos and Chinedum is a starting safety with the Cincinnati Bengals. These best friends, led the Irish to "back to back" BCS Bowl Games in their last two years with the Irish. Go to the College Football Hall of Fame website for ticket information. Here's a link:

COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME WEBSITE

Notre Dame Tennis -- FINAL FOUR AGAIN!

The University of Notre Dame's Women's Tennis team beat Tennessee yesterday to advance to the NCAA Women's Tennis Championship's FINAL FOUR -- for the second straight year! Sophomore Kristy Frilling (Sidney, OH - pictured) who's ranked 16th nationally in singles, upset the #11 ranked Whoriskey of Tennessee -- clinching the victory for the Irish. The fifth-seeded Irish will now play eight seed Stanford -- Monday in Athens, GA on the University of Georgia campus. The other Final Four match has the #2 seed North Carolina taking on the #3 seed Florida. Go Irish - beat the Trees!