2010 Mr. Bookstore

I'm late in reporting on this -- my bad! The 2010 Bookstore Basketball Tournament ended on Blue-Gold Weekend -- with a team led by the son of a former ND basketball player and ND swimmer, winning the championship. Tim Andree, 6'-8" (a walk-on for Mike Brey's squad) -- and a senior, was eligible to play this year since he is graduating. Andree's team; Alexander's Grille (the team pictured) won the tournament -- beating "He Went to Jared" -- and in the process he earned Co-Mr. Basketball honors. Andree's Dad (same name) played basketball at Notre Dame under Irish coach Digger Phelps from 1979-83. Tim's mother, the former Laureen Langen, was a member of the Irish women's swim team from 1980-84. In addition, a week later -- Andree was awarded the 2010 Monogram Club Postgraduate Scholarship for his 3.51 GPA. Andree will be attending Law School in the Fall.

BOOKSTORE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Joanna Philbin -- "the daughters"

Joanna, who just happens to be the daughter of Regis Philbin (ND Class of '53), was in Manhattan last night for the book party for the release of her first book; "the daughters." The book centers on the lives of three 14 year-old girls who were born into families with famous parents. Philbin signed a three book deal with Little Brown. Joanna did her undergrad at Brown University and received a MFA in Creative Writing and a Law Degree from the University of Notre Dame. The book is available at Amazon. Here's a link to the Facebook page created for "the daughters."

THE DAUGHTERS - BY JOANNA PHILBIN

Golden Tate Turning Heads in Seattle!

He now wears #81 for the Seattle Seahawks -- and it didn't take long for his new teammates and coaches to notice the new kid in town. Golden Tate participated in the Seahawks Minicamp this past weekend. Here's a link to a story on what they're saying about their second round draft choice out of Notre Dame, a link to a Seahawks video that has former Notre Dame All-American John Carlson interviewed -- and NFL TV's Draft Coverage of Seattle's "Golden" selection:

SEAHAWKS TV

NFL DRAFT ANNOUNCEMENT OF GOLDEN TATE TO SEAHAWKS

GOLDEN'S TURNING HEADS

The Top "Pre-Game Tradition"

It shouldn't be a surprise to Notre Dame fans -- it's the slapping of the Play Like a Champion Today sign in the Notre Dame Locker room. The blog -- Bleacher Report announced it's TOP 25 Pre-Game Traditions in College Football today and they have this on top. Here is the "wikipedia" definition of Play Like a Champion Today: Play Like A Champion Today is hand-painted in blue letters on a 36" by 48" sign located in a stairwell between the home team locker room and the tunnel to the field of Notre Dame Stadium. It is a tradition by Fighting Irish players to touch it on their way out of the locker room. A commercial for the university once featured alumni touching a sign before preparing for other "fields of play" (courtroom, surgery room, etc.). It is one of the most recognized motivational signs in college sports.The original sign that hangs in the Notre Dame Tunnel was painted by Laurie Wenger for Coach Lou Holtz. Here's the top 25:

THE TOP 25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PRE-GAME TRADITIONS

Let's Help This ND Grad Secure a Pepsi Grant!

Notre Dame grad, Hy Pham '09, is in Medical School outside of Pittsburgh and he's developed a community service project that will teach kids in the Pittsburgh area how to stay healthy. To fund this effort, he's applied to Pepsi - they're giving away grants each month to worthy projects. Part of the Pepsi process is a contest -- and the ten best ideas (most votes at the end of the month) secure funding for their project. Here's the note Pham sent to Cappy Gagnon, ND Class of '66:

"I am writing to you today to ask for a favor. One of my classmates and I have been working on a community service project and we are trying to help secure funding for it. Our biggest potential source of funding could be from PEPSI. They're actually giving away grants each month, but to acquire one, we there's a contest that requires us to get votes from people across the nation. The way it works is that the top ten ideas at each grant level by the end of the month will win these grants.

What I am asking is if you could vote for us and if there's any chance for you to pass along the message to those you know. People may have to register an account through the pepsi website so that may take a minute or two, but after that, voting should only take a second by clicking on a link. The rules allow you to vote for an idea once each day, but you can vote for that idea everyday until the end of the month on May 31st.

For more details on our project, you can go to our own website www.medschool4kids.com or you can visit the page that PEPSI has reserved for us. You will have access to vote in either places, but yes, the direct link for registering and voting on the pepsi website is: www.refresheverything.com/medschool4kids

In a short summary, what I am trying to do is to create an educational program teaching young kids (ages 8-11) how to be and stay healthy, and our curriculum is going to be structured like a "mini-medical school for kids". Through our interaction, we hope to share valuable science and health knowledge as well as to pass along our passion for learning. We will also make sure to do our best to express the importance of having a positive attitude, goals, and dreams, and in doing so, to also empower and inspire the kids to live well-balanced, healthy lives. Speaking on our behalf, we truly do want to make a lasting, positive impact on kids and the community, and with your help and funding from PEPSI, I know we can."

Here's the link to the Pepsi site - please visit today and help out Hy Pham and his efforts to help kids in the Pittsburgh community!

MEDSCHOOL4KIDS.COM

If You Have a ND Photo You'd Like to Share...

Please feel free to email me any of your favorite Notre Dame photos -- and I'll be sure to add them to the ND GO IRISH BLOG SLIDESHOW. Just email them to me at; jim.small@ndgoirish.com

Music & Notre Dame

Notre Dame's Department of Music just released a video of it's program -- and launched a new website. Please click on both links below and enjoy...

THE MUSIC OF NOTRE DAME

ND'S MUSIC WEBSITE

Irish Win Third Straight Big East Title!

The Fighting Irish Men's Track & Field Team won their third straight Big East Outdoor Track & Field Championship today on the University of Cincinnati campus. Leading the Irish was Daniel Clark who won the 1500, Kevin Schipper who won the Pole Vault and Denes Veres (pictured) who won the Shot Put with a new Notre Dame record! Congratulations to Coach Joe Piane and his irish!

Notre Dame All Access -- for ESPN

Someone "high up" at Notre Dame must have sent a memo to the Notre Dame Football program to allow ESPN any access it desires -- as the Irish have apparently "turned the other cheek" with ESPN. You'll recall ESPN talent Dana Jacobson made some derogatory comments towards Notre Dame and Jesus during a roast for Mike & Mike a number of months ago. Anyway, ESPN had inside access to Brian Kelly's staff meeting and inside the "GUG" for the Irish training table, academic areas and team meetings. Here's a link to the story:

ALL ACCESS TO NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

Clausen Has a New Number!

Jimmy Clausen walked onto the Carolina Panthers practice field yesterday wearing a new helmet and sporting a brand new number -- #2. It was the first day of the mandatory mini-camp for the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte. Clausen arrived at camp with the "groceries" that the Panthers NFL All-Pro receiver Steve Smith requested he bring. See the link to the story...



CLAUSEN BRINGS THE GOODS

Freekbass and "WE ARE ND"

I've been doing my absolute best to publish "positive" stories on Notre Dame here at the ND GO IRISH BLOG. However, I may have to break from the norm here and let you decide if I'm off "bass" here with my "luke warm" critique of funk bassist Freekbass & Tobotius's rendition of "We Are ND." Brian Kelly, Mike Golic, the Leprechaun, etc. -- all appear in the music video. Maybe I'm just too old! But, when I hear the words from the "greatest college fight song in the land" in this song, it doesn't sit right with me. Other than that -- I'm okay with it. Although it does come off a little like Notre Dame's (PG-13) version of the music video former ND All-American Orlando Woolride's son -- Renaldo Wooldridge performed for the Tennessee Volunteers' Eric Berry's Heisman Trophy campaign last year. Here's a link to the music video released by Notre Dame's Department of Education yesterday and Eric Berry's video -- you decide!

FREEKBASS & NOTRE DAME

ERIC BERRY'S HEISMAN VIDEO

Regis in Drag!

Regis Philbin, Notre Dame Class of 1953 (and host of Live with Regis & Kelly) -- was walking the streets of New York today in "drag" (that's Regis in the photo) -- as part of a salute to Broadway. The 78 year-old Philbin is a great sport! Click on the link below of the video of Regis in a dress...

REGIS IN DRAG

SHREK & Notre Dame

Some may be wondering; "what does the movie Shrek have to do with Notre Dame? Well, more than you probably ever imagined! You see, Shrek was produced by a handful of former "Domers." And, these ND Alums took it upon themselves to "sprinkle" in a little Notre Dame humor into the characters and the story. Here are just a few of the Notre Dame references in all of the Shrek movies;


--The Golden Dome worked into the design on the back of Shrek's vest
--Shrek resembles a Professor in Notre Dame's Chemistry Dept. (who will remain nameless) -- Though he knows who he is and I'm sure he just loves this characterization!
--Lord Farquad is a reference to a Notre Dame dorm called Carroll Hall, also known as Far Quad -- since it's located "far away" from the center of campus
--The palace resembles Hesburgh Library
--Dulac, the name of the perfect town in the Shrek movies -- is also part of the University's name; the University of Notre Dame du Lac and also what the student's "rule book" is called on campus

I've also been told that the Notre Dame "Fighting Irish" logo is "hidden" in each movie -- I've yet to verify if this is true or not. Anyway, the "last" Shrek Movie hits the theaters on May 21st. Go see it - and catch a little glimpse of Notre Dame!

SHREK - THE FINAL CHAPTER

Your Chance to Play Like a Champion Today!

Ever dream about slapping the Play Like a Champion Today sign and running out of the Tunnel into Notre Dame Stadium in a ND uniform? Here's your chance -- the 2010 Notre Dame Football Fantasy Camp will run from June 7th to June 10th. Just click on the Camp Information Link below -- but, before you do -- everyone must watch the video from the ND Football Fantasy Camps -- Enjoy!

ND FOOTBALL FANTASY VIDEO -- A MUST WATCH!

2010 ND FOOTBALL FANTASY CAMP INFO

This Might Be Notre Dame's Most Loyal Fan!

Notre Dame Class of 66' -- Cappy Gagnon, sent me this photograph this afternoon. It was taken of a Notre Dame fan who was walking into Notre Dame Stadium this Saturday for the Blue-Gold Game. If you're like me, you've been accused of wearing your love for Notre Dame on "your sleeve..." -- but, this takes it to a whole new level! I would say he's COMMITTED to the Irish!

ND Football Players Find New Teams

Over the past few days, a number of former ND Football players found a new helmet to wear. In the NFL Draft, Jimmy Clausen was picked by the Carolina Panthers and Golden Tate was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the Second Round, Sam Young went to the Dallas Cowboys and Eric Olsen was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the Sixth Round. Signing Free Agent NFL Contracts; Paul Duncan and Kyle McCarthy with the Miami Dolphins and Sergio Brown signed with the New England Patriots where he'll join his former coach, Corwin Brown. James Aldridge was invited to a tryout at the Miami Dolphins rookie camp, Robbie Parris will attend the Cleveland Browns rookie camp and David Grimes will be joining former coach Charlie Weis at the Kansas City Chiefs rookie camp.

The Undertones -- Perform at The Shirt Unveiling

Here's a sampling of songs that the University of Notre Dame's A cappella Choir -- the Undertones -- performed at Friday's unveiling ceremony of THE SHIRT. Click on the Link:

THE UNDERTONES

Notre Dame Glee Club at THE SHIRT Unveiling

Here's the Notre Dame Glee Club singing the 'Greatest College Fight Song in the Land' -- the Notre Dame Victory March -- at Friday's unveiling of THE SHIRT 2010. Click on the link and sing-a-long!

Link: NOTRE DAME VICTORY MARCH

THE SHIRT Unveiling at Notre Dame

On Friday, ND GO IRISH BLOG was in attendance at the unveiling ceremony of THE SHIRT 2010. Brendan Doyle (Holland, MI) is pictured here with a ND Cheerleader and "Diz" the new ND Leprechaun at the unveiling of THE SHIRT. Here's a number of videos of all of the activities involved leading up to the unveiling of THE SHIRT. Enjoy! Click on the links below:

COACH KELLY UNVEILING THE SHIRT

UNVEILING EVENT -- THE SHIRT 2010

NOTRE DAME'S IRISH DANCERS PERFORM

NOTRE DAME'S BAGPIPE BAND

Video of Golic Wearing USC Jersey

Just got back from Blue-Gold Weekend at Notre Dame. Had a wonderful time with the family -- if only the weather was better! Mike Golic was in town signing his book at the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore and wearing Anthony Munoz's USC jersey -- to pay off a bet with his ESPN Radio partner, Mike Greenberg. Here's a video of Golic's Saturday at Notre Dame. Click on the Link:

GOLIC IN THE ENEMY'S COLORS

Clausen & Tate Go In Second Round

The wait is over for Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate -- and they ended up a "country apart" as Clausen was drafted by the Carolina Panthers with the 46th pick and Tate went to the Seattle Seahawks and our "Pal Pete" with the 60th pick. Clausen ended up in a pretty good spot, with head coach John Fox who's a good friend of Charlie Weis and an offense similar to what the Irish ran in South Bend. Congratulations!

Jimmy Clausen Not Drafted in First Round!

Well, three years ago he stood at a podium at the College Football Hall of Fame (on Blue-Gold Weekend) as the consensus #1 player, at his position. in America. And he committed to play THEE POSITION IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL -- Quarterback at Notre Dame. This past season he played most of the year with torn ligaments in his toe (which required surgery) and he still threw 28 TD passes and only 4 interceptions. He left Notre Dame with one year of eligibility -- because he was convinced that he was a First Round pick -- a high First Round pick. That didn't happen. It's become painfully obvious, he should have stayed and played one more year at Notre Dame. The threat of a "Rookie Salary Cap" had something to do with this -- unfortunately, when you don't go in the First Round -- your concern isn't a salary cap. Who gave these two boys the advice that led them to leave ND early? I thought watching Brady Quinn drop to the 22nd pick was brutal -- it pales in comparison to what's transpired today. I guess it's a fitting end to Notre Dame Football these past few years. By the way, the drop to a 2nd Round Pick is a significant hit to the pocketbook. Clausen, at best can expect to receive a $2 million signing bonus. Compare that to what's expected to be a $50 million bonus for Bradford and $10 million or so for Tim Tebow. To add insult to injury, Golden Tate didn't get drafted either... What a shame.

Coach Kelly on ESPN'S "The Herd" This AM

Notre Dame Head Football Coach was on the radio this morning with ESPN's Colin Cowherd. You'll enjoy the interview. Here's a link to ESPN Radio and then click on the Brian Kelly interview:

COACH KELLY ON THE HERD

In Town for Blue-Gold Weekend?

Here's what you might want to do on Friday:

Noon: Head over to the Courtney Tennis Courts (on campus) and Cheer on the Irish at the Men's & Women's Big East Tennis Championships

4:00 PM: The Shirt Unveiling in front of the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore

6:30 PM: Irish Sports Daily Event at Backstage Grill in South Bend (Former ND Football Players and Coaches being interviewed on Stage)

8:00 PM: Bookstore Basketball -- games will start around 7 PM and run for a few hours at the courts just west of the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore

Have Fun!

Will We Hear "The University of Notre Dame?"

Announced from the podium by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, during tonight's "First Round" of the 2010 NFL Draft? I believe Jimmy Clausen and family is counting on it - and Golden Tate and family are hoping for it. Lots of rumors floating around about what the Steelers are going to do with Ben Roethlisberger -- if they trade him away today, some think the Steelers could be looking to draft Clausen. A few "experts" say he'll fall all the way to #30 and the Minnesota Vikings. All I hope for Jimmy is he doesn't get the "Brady Quinn" treatment tonight -- sliding down that Draft Board. The smart decision was to stay home in California - and not face the potential humility of waiting in that room (with all the cameras on you) for your name to be called. I believe Golden Tate has to hope that a team will decide to "trade up" late in the first round to draft him. If he doesn't go in the first round, I believe he'll be among the first ten picks in tomorrow's Second Round. It's going to be "good TV" tonight -- here's the TV Schedule for the 2010 NFL Draft:

Thursday, April 22
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: “Path to the Draft” (NFL Network)
1-7:30 p.m.: “Total Access Pre-Draft” (NFL Network)
3-4 p.m.: “SportsCenter Special: On the Clock” (ESPN)
4-4:30 p.m.: “NFL Live” (ESPN)
4:30-7:30 p.m. “SportsCenter Special: On the Clock” (ESPN)
7:30-11 p.m.: NFL Draft, Round 1, (ESPN / NFL Network)
11 p.m.-midnight: “Total Access Post-Draft” (NFL Network)

Friday, April 23
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: “Path to the Draft” (NFL Network)
1-6 p.m.: “Total Access Pre-Draft” (NFL Network)
3-4 p.m.: “SportsCenter Special: On the Clock” (ESPN)
4-4:30 p.m.: “NFL Live” (ESPN)
4:30-6 p.m. “SportsCenter Special: On the Clock” (ESPN)
6-10:30 p.m.: NFL Draft, Rounds 2-3 (ESPN / NFL Network)
10:30-11:30 p.m.: “Total Access Post-Draft” (NFL Network)

Saturday, April 24
9-10 a.m. “SportsCenter Special: On the Clock” (ESPN)
9-10 a.m.: “Total Access Pre-Draft” (NFL Network)
10 a.m.-6 p.m.: NFL Draft, Rounds 4-7 (ESPN / NFL Network)
6-7:30 p.m.: “Total Access Post-Draft” (NFL Network)

Sunday, April 25
1-3 p.m.: “SportsCenter Draft Wrap-Up Special” (ESPN)
6-7 p.m.: “Path to the Draft” (NFL Network)
7-8 p.m.: “Total Access Draft Recap” (NFL Network)

Notre Dame Announces 2010 Pep Rally Locations

Locations for the first four pep rallies for the 2010 University of Notre Dame football season have been determined – and include multiple locations around the campus. The traditional, season-opening Dillon Hall pep rally will be held on Friday, Sept. 3, in front of Dillon Hall on the South Quad of the University of Notre Dame campus. That rally comes prior to Notre Dame’s first game of the 2010 football season on Sept. 4 at Notre Dame Stadium against Purdue. The Sept. 10 rally prior to the Irish home game against Michigan the following day will be held at Irish Green, south of the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center on the very south edge of campus. The Notre Dame-Stanford rally on Sept. 24 will be held indoors at Purcell Pavilion in the Joyce Center. A Notre Dame-Boston College students-only rally Oct. 1, prior to the Irish road game at Boston College, will be held at Stepan Center. The sites for four other Friday home-game pep rallies – Oct. 8 (Pittsburgh), Oct. 15 (Western Michigan), Oct. 29 (Tulsa) and Nov. 12 (Utah) – will be determined at a later date.

BLUE-GOLD WEEKEND -- Official Events

Last year, the University of Notre Dame launched a ND GAMEDAY website -- and it was really well done! Well, they've just updated the ND GAMEDAY site for the BLUE-GOLD WEEKEND on campus. Click on the LINK below:

2010 BLUE-GOLD WEEKEND EVENTS

BLUE-GOLD WEEKEND -- IT'S ALMOST HERE!

For many, this is one of the best weekend's of the year -- and it definitely is for my family. We started the tradition five years ago to make the trek to South Bend for the Blue-Gold Game. The gang has come from as far away as; Florida, Colorado, Tennessee, New York, etc., to join in the festivities. We typically arrive on Friday and stay til' Sunday morning. The oldest to attend would be our Grandma Barb, who attended two years ago, at the age of 93! Here's a shot of Denny Doyle and Kevin Sweeney "running out of the tunnel" into Notre Dame Stadium -- at one of our Blue-Gold Weekend trips. These two Irish fans will be in attendance this weekend along with our "Official Photographer" Mike Doyle -- and a number of others from our Clan. You'll find us at THE SHIRT unveiling on Friday afternoon at the Bookstore -- then on to the Backstage Grille for Irish Sports Daily's "shin dig" (which begins around 6 PM) and then we'll probably head back to campus to see a few Bookstore Basketball Games. Saturday morning means breakfast at South Dining Hall and then you'll see us in the parking lot - tailgating prior to "kick-off." Denny and Kevin have agreed to an "autograph session" at our tailgate from 10 AM to 11 AM. Hope to see a few of you this weekend!

ND Students to Shave Heads Today!

Starting today at 4 PM @ LaFortune (Notre Dame's "Student Union") and running to 10 PM, for the next three days-- Notre Dame students will make a $10 donation to have their HEADS SHAVED to support the St. Baldrick Foundation and it's work with children stricken with cancer. Last year Notre Dame raised $26,500 from this event. Notre Dame QB Dayne Crist announced yesterday that he will be having his head shaved as will a number of his teammates. Crist also challenged other ND athletes to do the same. Here's a link to their website:

THE BALD & THE BEAUTIFUL

Golic To Wear USC Jersey to Pay Off Bet

It was announced this morning that former ND Football Player and Co-Host of ESPN's "Mike & MIKE" -- Mike Golic, will be wearing a USC Trojan Football Jersey at the University of Notre Dame's Blue-Gold Weekend. Each year, hosts Greenberg and Golic, place a fun wager on their NCAA basketball brackets. And, Golic lost. So, if you see Golic on Saturday, walking around campus with a USC jersey on -- you'll know why. Also, Mike Golic will be at the Notre Dame Bookstore at 9:30 AM on Saturday, signing copies of their book: "Mike & Mike's Rules for Sports and Life."

Did Clausen and Tate Leave Too Early?

The 2010 NFL Draft is two days a way and I'm sure the families of Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate are anxiously wondering if their sons names will be called during Thursday night's First Round. I found this article this morning, on the NFL.com site -- and I don't think it's a story Jimmy Clausen will want to read. I don't want to believe Clausen's talent will translate into "out of the First Round." Yet, it begs the question -- did Clausen and Tate both leave too early? See the story:

CLAUSEN SLIDING OUT OF FIRST ROUND?

Recruiting Rankings -- Do They Pan Out?

Found this story yesterday at CNNSI.com and it speaks to a subject I believe is often overlooked. Ever "really listen" to the player introductions on Sunday Night and Monday Night Football? If you do, you'll be surprised at where many of the NFL "starters" played their college ball. You'll hear schools like; Alcorn State, Troy, Idaho State, Western Michigan, etc. -- not schools typically recruiting "five and four star" talent. Yet, these talented athletes, made it to the NFL. Well, with two days to go to this year's NFL Draft -- CNNSI.com looked at the "recruiting rankings" of the top projected players. Click on the link:

RECRUITING RANKINGS OF TOP PLAYERS IN 2010 NFL DRAFT

Robotic Blue-Gold Game This Friday at ND

If you're looking for something 'unique' to do on Friday evening in South Bend -- you should head over to the Stepan Center and attend the second annual "Robotic Blue-Gold Game." Kick-off is set for 7 PM. If you check the PHOTO OF THE DAY on this site -- you can see, Coach Kelly is already looking at whether or not a Robot QB has any eligibility left. Click on this link for more information -- and to see video of last year's game:

ROBOTIC "BLUE-GOLD" GAME

VIDEO COVERAGE OF LAST YEAR'S ROBOTIC BLUE-GOLD GAME

Notre Dame Baseball Players on MLB Rosters

The University of Notre Dame has placed a number of its student athletes onto Major League Baseball rosters over the years. Probably the most successful would be Carl Yastrzemski (even though he attended Notre Dame on a basketball scholarship), who played for the Boston Red Sox and was an 18 time American League All Star. Yaz's best season was in 1967 when he was named the American League's MVP after becoming the last hitter to achieve the "Triple Crown" -- leading the American League in; batting average, home runs and runs batted in that season. He retired with more than 3,000 hits and 400 home runs -- the first to achieve that mark in Major League history. A "first ballot" Hall of Famer, Yastrzemski's uniform #8 was retired by the Red Sox. Of the four former ND student athletes on Major League rosters -- Craig Counsell, infielder for the Milwaukee Brewers -- had the best day yesterday, hitting a GRAND SLAM in the Brewers 11 - 7 win over the Nationals (LINK TO VIDEO BELOW). Here's the list of former Notre Dame student athletes currently in the Major Leagues right now:

-Brad Lidge (Pitcher), Philadelphia Phillies
-Jeff Samardzia (Pitcher), Chicago Cubs
-Craig Counsell (Infielder), Milwaukee Brewers
-Aaron Heilman (Pitcher), Arizona Diamondbacks

VIDEO OF CRAIG COUNSELL'S GRAND SLAM

Terry Hanratty Talks Ara, Recruiting & ND

I find it ironic that next weekend, Conor Hanratty (Conor on right)-- son of former ND All American Terry Hanratty, will be visiting the University of Notre Dame with a scholarship offer in hand. Some believe Conor, one of the top OL on the East Coast, might commit this next weekend (Blue-Gold Game) to his Dad's Alma Mater -- here's hoping he does! Back in 2008, Conor's Dad spoke to a gathering in Milwaukee honoring Ara Parseghian -- and while doing so, he talked about his own recruiting process. Click on the Link:

HANRATTY ON PARSEGHIAN AND RECRUITING

CONOR HANRATTY PROFILE

Coach Kelly "Mic'd Up" at Practice Today

Found this at www.und.com -- it's six minutes long and it's good stuff. Coach Kelly agreed to wear a microphone at today's practice. You'll see him in action working on "footwork drills" with his QB's. Click on the link to the video:

COACH KELLY AT PRACTICE

Blue-Gold Game to be Televised LIVE

It was announced today that next Saturday's Notre Dame Blue-Gold Game -- kickoff at 1:30 PM EST -- will be televised live on the web, for the first time ever. You can find the game at www.und.com. Notre Dame will debut it's "ACTION CAM" -- an overhead camera that will provide a unique perspective "above the field" of the game action. Reggie Brooks, Mirko Jurkovic and Jack Nolan will provide the commentary.

Notre Dame to Test Skycam at Blue-Gold Game

If you're planning on attending the Blue-Gold Game next Saturday you will witness a "first" at Notre Dame Stadium -- a Skycam. ND's Official Athletic Website, www.und.com, will be "testing" the use of a Skycam (photo above) -- a camera suspended by a series of cables over the field -- during the game. NBC is expected to have some technical advisors in attendance -- looking to see if they want to use the camera for their telecasts this fall. Ironically, NBC was the first to use a Skycam for a football broadcast when they had the XFL television contract in 2001.

Notre Dame Releases Hockey Arena Plans

Construction's already started on the University of Notre Dame's (on campus) $53 million dollar Hockey "Cathedral." NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG published an artist rendering of the facility a couple of weeks ago -- now, Notre Dame has released this video that showcases what will become the finest college hockey building in America. Click on the link below -- and then click on the Hockey Video:

NOTRE DAME'S HOCKEY CATHEDRAL

Coach Brian Kelly to Visit a Few ND Clubs

The Notre Dame Alumni Association announced that Brian Kelly would be attending a number of ND Alumni Association Events over the next six weeks. If you're a ND Fan in one of these areas, but not a ND Alum - please contact the respective Notre Dame Alumni Clubs about attending -- they're usually quite accommodating. Here's the schedule:
-April 26th: ND Club of Cleveland - Luncheon
-May 11th: ND Club of St. Louis - Dinner
-May 18th: ND Club of Cedar Rapids/Iowa City - Luncheon
-May 18th: ND Club of Denver - Dinner
-May 19th: ND Club of Fresno(Central CA) - Luncheon
-May 23rd: ND Club of Jersey Shore - Dinner
-May 24th: ND Club of Staten Island - Luncheon
-May 24th: ND Club of Mid-Hudson Valley - Dinner

Clausen Attends "Gruden's QB Camp"

Folks, if you have three minutes, this is worth the look. Jimmy Clausen was one of four QB's that ESPN set up with Jon Gruden to spend a day with him and talk about playing the QB position in the NFL. Gruden, now an Analyst on Monday Night Football, led the Tampa Bay Buccanneers to a victory in Super Bowl XXXVII. A huge fan of Notre Dame, Gruden was generally regarded as one the top developers of QB's in the NFL. Jim, his Dad, was on Dan Devine's coaching staff at ND when Jon was student at South Bend's Clay High School. The other QB's Gruden met with were; Tebow, McCoy and Bradford. Here's a link to the video -- watch it!

CLAUSEN AT GRUDEN'S QB CAMP

ND Valedictorian deftly handles MSNBC "hack"

I'm very proud today of Katie Washington, Notre Dame's Class of 2010 Valedictorian. Katie, who just happens to be the first African American Valedictorian at Notre Dame -- is a 'WORLD CLASS' representative of her family and our Lady's University. Yesterday, MSNBC interviewed Katie in front of the Golden Dome -- and after about 30 seconds of "you must be excited..." -- they go for the "lack of minorities question" at Notre Dame. It was very obvious that MSNBC was looking to create a "news story" out of Katie's moment. As you'll see in the video (link below), Katie didn't take the bait. Shame on MSNBC and that reporter. Unfortunately, our media has turned to the news creation business, not the news reporting business. Katie, that MSNBC reporter could learn a thing or two from you!

MSNBC INTERVIEW OF ND VALEDICTORIAN

Knute Rockne -- Greatest Motivator of All Time

His name is often used to describe the quality of a locker room pre-game speech - a "Knute Rockne Speech." Here's one of Rockne's famous pre-game speeches from the Notre Dame Archives. Click on link to video:

KNUTE ROCKNE AT HIS BEST

Judge Napolitano -- Notre Dame Law Grad

If you watch the Fox News Channel -- you'll often see "Judge" Andrew Napolitano, who just happens to be a graduate of Notre Dame's Law School and a best selling author. He's written five books with the most recent being "Lies the Government Told You: Myth, Power and Deception in American History." Besides his TV gig with Fox, you can also hear Judge Napolitano on Fox News Radio with his daily radio show "Brian and the Judge."

JUDGE NAPOLITANO'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE

The Shirt -- Unveiling on April 23rd!

In 1990 it began as a simple fund raising project for a ND student in need. Since then it's become the #1 selling item in any college bookstore in America. Typical sale totals will run upwards of 135,000 to as many as 150,000 t-shirts sold. It's color is the subject of chat room and message board debate -- and it's only at Notre Dame. The Shirt 2010 Project will be unveiled on Friday, April 23rd in front of the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore. Coach Brian Kelly will be the featured speaker along with Mike Golic, Sr. -- from ESPN's "Mike & Mike" show. The fun begins at 4:00 PM with the unveiling set for 5:45 PM. Here's a link to the official website of THE SHIRT along with history and a link to pre-order a shirt or two:

THE SHIRT 2010 PROJECT

HISTORY OF THE SHIRT

PRE ORDERING OF THE SHIRT 2010

CommUniversity Day

Yesterday the University of Notre Dame gave back to the South Bend community in their second annual "CommUniversity Day" -- as more than 700 Notre Dame students volunteered to work on 40 projects throughout the city. There were also activities on the Notre Dame campus for the community. See the South Bend Tribune story:

COMMUNIVERSITY DAY