Latest "Tweet" From ND Student Managers

As you can see, they're still "un-packing" Notre Dame's semi-truck at the Hyundai Sun Bowl.  It's 3 1/2 hours before kick-off and about ninety minutes before the IRISH arrive! This photo was "tweeted" by Ryan Grooms, ND Equipment Manager at 10:26 AM EST from the Sun Bowl.

ND's Student Managers Just "Tweeted" This...

As you can see the Notre Dame football equipment staff and student managers are at the Hyundai Sun Bowl, 4 1/2 hours before kick-off!  They just tweeted this photo at 9:25 AM EST from the tunnel leading into the stadium -- notice the snow covered field.  GO IRISH!!!

First "Tweeted" Photo From Hyundai Sun Bowl

As you can see, the Hyundai Sun Bowl stadium field is covered in snow.  I'm sure the Miami Hurricanes are excited about this!!!  This photo was "tweeted" by the Hyundai Sun Bowl staff at 7:30 AM EST.

SUN BOWL -- Latest Weather Forecast

The weather forecast for today's 2 PM EST kick-off has been "all over the place" the past 72 hours.

El Paso's weather on Thursday saw snow showers and wind gusts upwards of 60 MPH!

The latest forecast from the Hyundai Sun Bowl Committee (just "tweeted" at 9:25 AM EST) -- 37 degrees at kick-off and winds out of the West gusting to 22 mph!   

Which will make this one of the "coldest" Sun Bowl's of all time!

LINK:  WEATHER CHANNEL FORECAST -- HYUNDAI SUN BOWL

LINK:  LIVE WEATHER RADAR -- EL PASO 

IT'S GAME DAY -- WHAT THE MEDIA IS SAYIN'

The ND GO IRISH BLOG will be posting all the stories leading up to kick-off -- now less than 14 hours away -- in this post.  It's GAME DAY at the Hyundai Sun Bowl and it's time to BEAT MIAMI!  The photo was taken today of the two Head Coaches at their last press conference before kick-off. Here's all of the links to stories coming out of El Paso, TX:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- AL LESAR COLUMN

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- THRILL IS BACK IN TEXAS

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- MICHAEL FLOYD'S LAST GAME?

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- REES AGING

LINK:  UND.COM -- DAILY DISH FROM THE DOME BLOG

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE -- REES'S LAST START FOR IRISH?

LINK:  CHICAGO BREAKING NEWS BLOG -- NFL EVALUATIONS ARE IN

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES -- NO REGRETS FOR IAN WILLIAMS

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES -- DIACO RECALLS HIS SUN BOWL GAME

LINK:  NBC'S NOTRE DAME CENTRAL  

LINK:  WNDU-TV'S COVERAGE

LINK:  MIAMI HERALD -- A RIVALRY RENEWED

LINK:  MIAMI HERALD -- HOLTZ & MAY PICK IRISH OVER CANES

LINK:  MIAMI HERALD -- SOME HURRICANES SEE SNOW FOR FIRST TIME 

LINK:  ESPN.COM -- FRONT PAGE STORY

LINK:  ESPN -- COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATION BLOG

LINK:  ESPN -- PAT FORDE COLUMN

LINK:  USA TODAY -- A HOME GAME FOR IRISH IN TEXAS? 

LINK:  SI.COM -- STEWART MANDEL COLUMN

LINK:  KVIA-TV -- EL PASO ABC AFFILIATE

The "Red Hat Diaries" -- Two Days Worth!

The ND GO IRISH BLOG has been following University of Notre Dame walk-on QB,  Brian Castello's diary in the South Bend Tribune.  Here's Castello's latest from the Hyundai Sun Bowl:

LINK:  THE RED HAT DIARIES -- DECEMBER 30TH 

LINK:  THE RED HAT DIARIES -- #1 ON DECEMBER 31ST

LINK:  THE RED HAT DIARIES -- #2 ON DECEMBER 31ST

IT'S GAME DAY! -- ND vs. Miami

We're 14 hours to kick-off and the gang at UND.COM is hopefully getting a little sleep right now.  I can't thank them enough for all of their great coverage of our Fighting Irish this season!  The photo above was taken Thursday evening at the Hyundai Sun Bowl Fan Fiesta by the El Paso Times.  Here's a few links to what the Irish were up to Thursday in El Paso, TX -- on the eve of the 77th annual Hyundai Sun Bowl:

LINK:  HYUNDAI SUN BOWL LUNCHEON -- BOTH TEAMS

LINK:  COACH KELLY'S PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  NOTRE DAME "WALK THROUGH" @ SUN BOWL

Hyundai Sun Bowl: ND vs. Miami -- THE FACTS

Well, we're less than twenty-four hours away from the Hyundai "Snow" Bowl between our Fighting Irish and the dreaded Hurricanes.  To get you "all of the facts" -- I've taken the liberty of breaking down how these two teams match up statistically.  We know that STATS LIE, but -- it's good reading as we count down the hours to kick-off Friday at 2 PM EST.  Here we go...

WHEN THE IRISH HAVE THE BALL:

Notre Dame's Total Offense Avg. -- vs. -- Miami's Total Defense Avg.

• Notre Dame is averaging 378.25 yards per game -- 63rd best in the country
• Miami is giving up an average of 317.17 yards per game -- 16th best in the country  

• Notre Dame is averaging 25.75 points per game -- 74th best in the country
• Miami is giving up an average of 19.67 points per game -- 21st best in the country

Notre Dame's Passing Offense -- vs. -- Miami's Passing Defense

• Notre Dame is averaging 257.42 yards per game -- 29th best in the country
• Miami is giving up an average of 146.33 yards per game -- 2nd best in the country

• Notre Dame has given up an average of 1.67 QB sacks per game -- 43rd best in the country
• Miami has sacked the QB an average of 3.08 times per game -- 6th best in the country

• Notre Dame has thrown 16 interceptions this season -- 104th worst in the country
• Miami has intercepted 16 passes this season -- 21st best in the country

Notre Dame's Rushing Offense -- vs. -- Miami's Rushing Defense

• Notre Dame is averaging 120.83 yards rushing per game -- 96th best in the country
• Miami is giving up an average of 170.83 yards rushing per game -- 81st best in the country

WHEN THE HURRICANES HAVE THE BALL:

Miami's Total Offense Avg. -- vs. -- Notre Dame's Total Defense Avg.

• Miami is averaging 422.58  yards per game -- 31st best in the country
• Notre Dame is giving up an average of 353.17 yards per game -- 46th best in the country

• Miami is averaging 27.08 points per game -- 58th best in the country
• Notre Dame is giving up an average of 20.5 points per game -- 20th best in the country

Miami's Passing Offense -- vs. -- Notre Dame's Passing Defense

• Miami is averaging 232.17 yards per game -- 49th best in the country
• Notre Dame is giving up an average of 206.42 yards per game -- 40th best in the country

• Miami has given up an average of 1.33 QB sacks per game -- 25th best in the country
• Notre Dame has sacked the QB an average of 2.17 times per game -- 47th best in the country

• Miami has thrown 23 interceptions this season -- THE MOST in the country
• Notre Dame has intercepted 14 passes this season -- 35th best in the country

Miami's Rushing Offense -- vs. -- Notre Dame's Rushing Defense

• Miami is averaging 190.42 yards rushing per game -- 26th best in the country
• Miami is giving up an average of 146.75 yards rushing per game -- 56th best in the country

SPECIAL TEAMS COMPARISONS

Miami Punting vs. Notre Dame's Punting

• Miami's Net Punting Average:  38.69 yards -- 19th best in the country
• Notre Dame's Net Punting Average:  36.11 yards -- 69th best in the country

Miami Punt Returns vs. Notre Dame Punt Returns

• Miami is averaging 4.81 yards per punt return -- 103rd best in the country
• Notre Dame is averaging 5.93 yards per punt return -- 96th best in the country

Miami Kick-off Returns vs. Notre Dame Kick-off Returns

• Miami is averaging 19.49 yards per kick-off return -- 104th best in the country
• Notre Dame is averaging 20.92 yards per kick-off return -- 83rd best in the country

MISCELLANEOUS STATISTICS

Penalties Per Game:

• Notre Dame averages 4.58 penalties per game -- 8th best in the country
• Miami averages 8.08 penalties per game -- 114th best in the country

Turnover Margin -- Season:

• Miami has a (-4) turn over margin for the season -- 80th worst in the country
• Notre Dame has a (-3) turn over margin for the season -- 74th worst in the country

BOWL ELIGIBLE TEAMS ON EACH TEAM'S SCHEDULE -- THIS YEAR:

• Notre Dame:  11 opponents had at least six wins -- 10 were bowl eligible 
• Miami:  7 opponents had at least six wins

Clausen to Return to ND for Degree!

Carolina Panther QB, Jimmy Clausen will be returning "home" to the Notre Dame campus in a couple of weeks to finish up the required classes to earn a sociology degree from the University of Notre Dame.  Glad to see this!  Here's a link to the story in the Charlotte Observer:

LINK:  CLAUSEN -- BACK TO SCHOOL!

Notre Dame Gear -- A Big Hit in El Paso!

I found it quite funny this morning -- that today's El Paso Times Photo Gallery's largest album was of photos taken of Notre Dame fans buying Irish merchandise.  The photos were taken at a "temporary" Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore that was set up in the Doubletree Hotel in downtown El Paso.  Here's a link to the gallery!

LINK:  THERE ARE NOTRE DAME FANS EVERYWHERE!

Hyundai Sun Bowl: Thursday Morning Media...

Here's the ND GO IRISH BLOG's daily look at what the media is saying this morning about tomorrow's Hyundai Sun Bowl between the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and the Miami Hurricanes.  The photo, courtesy of the El Paso Times, is of Kapron Lewis-Moore visiting with a patient at University Medical Center in El Paso.  Here are the links:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

LINK:  NBC -- NOTRE DAME CENTRAL

LINK:  EL PASO TIMES

The "Red Hat Diaries" -- It's Entertaining!

Notre Dame walk-on QB, Brian Castello -- is back again this morning giving Irish fans his take on what the Fighting Irish football team is experiencing in El Paso, TX as they prepare for tomorrow's Hyundai
Sun Bowl Game.  Here's the link to this South Bend Tribune feature:

LINK:  BRIAN CASTELLO -- THE "RED HAT DIARIES"

Irish Win Big East Opener Over Georgetown!

With a national TV audience tuning in on ESPN2 last night -- the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame won their Big East opener -- beating #9 Georgetown 69-55!  The convincing win puts Mike Brey's Irish squad at 12-1 for the season and will undoubtedly move them up from their current #15 ranking in the national polls.  Notre Dame's schedule doesn't get any easier this Saturday as they travel to Syracuse to take on the undefeated and #5 ranked Orangemen on New Year's Day.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune's story on last night's game along with links to Coach Brey's post game comments and game highlights -- courtesy of UND.COM:

LINK:  IRISH ROLL OVER HOYAS

LINK:  MIKE BREY POST GAME COMMENTS

LINK:  UND.COM GAME HIGHLIGHTS

ND's Coordinators Meet with Sun Bowl Media

University of Notre Dame's Charley Molnar and Bob Diaco met with the assembled media this morning in El Paso, TX for the Hyundai Sun Bowl.  Here are the links to their media sessions today:

LINK:  BOB DIACO -- ND DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

LINK:  CHARLEY MOLAR -- ND OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Coach Kelly's New Boots!

University of Notre Dame head football coach, Brian Kelly -- "tweeted" this photo earlier today to his 20,647 followers on Twitter -- from the Hyundai Sun Bowl.  It's a photo of Coach in his new Lucchese Boots!

Justin Tuck Named to 2011 NFL Pro Bowl!

Former Notre Dame football star, Justin Tuck was named last night by the NFL to play in the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl -- January 30th in Honolulu!  For Tuck, this will be his second appearance in the NFL's annual All-Star game.  Congratulations Justin!  Here's a link to the New York Giants website and their story about Tuck's selection:

LINK:  JUSTIN TUCK OFF TO HONOLULU!

Hegarty Named High School Player of the Week!

Notre Dame football verbal commit, Matthew Hegarty (Aztec, New Mexico) was named today by Sports Illustrated as the High School Player of the Week.  Hegarty committed to the Irish in April and is widely considered one of the best offensive lineman -- if not the best -- in the country.  Here's a link to the story and video:

LINK:  MATT HEGARTY -- HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE WEEK!

Irish BB Team on ESPN2 Tonight @ 7 PM EST

The #15 Fighting Irish Men's Basketball team tips off the Big East schedule tonight against the #9 ranked Georgetown Hoyas.  It's a home game for Notre Dame and it will be televised on ESPN2 beginning at 7 PM EST.  Both teams are 11-1 on the season -- a great early test for Mike Brey's boys!  Here's a link to UND.COM's story on tonight's matchup:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. GEORGETOWN

It's Only Had 1.8 Million Views -- the Rudy Play!

It's been 35 years and a MOVIE later -- but this YouTube video is the most watched Notre Dame moment on the web.  It's the actual game footage of the last few minutes of the ND vs. Georgia Tech game that became movie legend.  Here's a link to the story and video in the Seattle Post Intelligencer:

LINK:  THE RUDY PLAY

The "Red Hat Diaries" -- Hyundai Sun Bowl

Notre Dame senior "walk-on" QB, Brian Castello -- is writing a story each day this week from the Hyundai Sun Bowl for the South Bend Tribune.  Called the "Red Hat Diaries" in honor of the red hats that he and the back-up QB's at Notre Dame wear on game days.  You'll enjoy this:

LINK:  THE RED HAT DIARIES -- WEDNESDAY

Hyundai Sun Bowl: Wednesday Media Coverage

It's Hyundai Sun Bowl Week in El Paso, TX -- and with only two days left before Friday's 2 PM EST kick-off -- the Fighting Irish and Hurricanes still found time for some fun after yesterday's practices.  Here's a link to this morning's media coverage of the Fighting Irish!

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE 

LINK:  WNDU-TV

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  ON DOWN THE LINE BLOG

LINK:  ELKHART TRUTH

LINK:  TC PALM

LINK:  EL PASO TIMES:  COACHES PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  EL PASO TIMES:  EXTRA TICKETS SELL IN LESS THAN 1 MINUTE!

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish Visit Fort Bliss

The Notre Dame football team had an afternoon yesterday they won't soon forget!  The men and women at Fort Bliss hosted the Fighting Irish and the Hurricanes yesterday -- treating them to all of the "toys" of the military.  The photo is of Notre Dame junior, Mike Golic.  You'll enjoy the looks on all of the faces in this UND.COM video:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME AT FORT BLISS

Hyundai Sun Bowl: Coaches Press Conference

University of Notre Dame football coach, Brian Kelly and Miami's interim head coach Jeff Stoutland -- met with the media this morning to talk about this Friday's Hyundai Sun Bowl.  Here's a link:

LINK:  HYUNDAI SUN BOWL PRESS CONFERENCE

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Rudolph Back at Practice!

Well, he's not in uniform -- but Notre Dame tight end, Kyle Rudolph was seen at the Irish's Hyundai Sun Bowl practice yesterday -- running and stretching with the team.  Rudolph was lost for the season in October with a hamstring injury that required surgery.  This photo ran in a story today in the South Bend Tribune -- you'll see Kyle in line, behind Gary Gray, for ND's dynamic stretching exercises.  He's the guy not in uniform!

The "Red Hat Diaries" -- Good Stuff!

The South Bend Tribune has teamed up with Notre Dame walk-on QB Brian Castello -- the guy wearing #15, standing next to Coach Kelly, signaling in the plays each week -- to write a "diary" from the Hyundai Sun Bowl.  We'll link to it every day this week.  Here's Brian's first post:

LINK:  THE RED HAT DIARIES

LINK:  SUN BOWL TALENT SHOW

Hyundai Sun Bowl: Tuesday Media Coverage

Here's this morning's local news coverage from the Hyundai Sun Bowl.  Looks like you better be dressed for "snow or rain" if you're going to Friday's game!  Here are the links:

LINK:  FRIDAY'S WEATHER FORECAST

LINK:  KAMARA OUT OF GAME

LINK:  CHRIS STEWART STORY

LINK:  FLOYD AND RUDOLPH -- OFF TO NFL?

LINK:  BRIAN HAMILTON BLOG

LINK:  A FEW TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS MORNING

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S INJURIES THIS SEASON

LINK:  TOMMY REES STORY

LINK:  LOCAL BUSINESS BENEFITS FROM SUN BOWL

LINK:  SUN BOWL WEEK BEGINS

Hyundai Sun Bowl: Monday's Activities

The gang at UND.COM sure has done a great job this year keeping Notre Dame fans engaged.  Yesterday, they were at ND's first practice in El Paso and they also followed a group of 24 Notre Dame football players who visited a local hospital.  The photo of Notre Dame's practice yesterday at an 11,000 seat high school football field was  "tweeted" by Ben Ford of the Elkhart Truth.  Here's a link to the stories from Monday at the Hyundai Sun Bowl:

LINK:  MONDAY'S PRACTICE REPORT

LINK:  PLAYER INTERVIEWS

LINK:  IRISH VISIT EL PASO HOSPITAL

Brey's Irish Ranked #15 in Both Polls!

The 11-1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Men's Basketball team is now one of seven teams from the Big East ranked among the Top-Twenty in the latest Coaches Poll; Connecticut, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Villanova, Georgetown, Notre Dame and Louisville.  The Irish are back in action tomorrow night (Wednesday, January 29th) when they take on the #9 ranked 11-1 Georgetown Hoyas at the Purcell Pavillion.  Game starts at 7:00 PM EST on ESPN2.  Here's a link to the latest polls:

LINK:  THIS WEEK'S AP AND COACHES POLLS

Hyundai Sun Bowl -- Talent Show!

The gang at UND.COM was with the Notre Dame football team last night as they participated in a Sun Bowl dinner with the Miami Hurricanes.  The event included a "talent show" -- you'll enjoy!  Here's the link:

LINK:  HYUNDAI SUN BOWL -- TALENT SHOW

Sun Bowl: Teo, Utopo, Kona -- HAKA DANCE!

Last night the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team and the Miami Hurricanes squared off in a "talent contest" at a dinner both teams attended at the Hyundai Sun Bowl.  As you're about to see -- Manti Teo, Justin Utopo and Kona Schwenke -- "REPRESENTED" the Irish with a HAKA Dance.  You'll enjoy this!  Here's the link:


LINK:  TEO, UTOPO AND KONA -- REPRESENTIN' THE IRISH!

ND's First Female Drum Major -- El Paso Native!

Thirty years ago, Linda Lawson made Notre Dame history!  She was the first female Drum Major in The Band of the Fighting Irish!  This week, Lawson (an El Paso native) will serve as a volunteer member of the Sun Bowl's "band committee" -- giving her the opportunity to work again with her beloved Fighting Irish.  The Band of the Fighting Irish rolls into El Paso this Thursday.  Here's a link to a story at El Paso Inc., about Linda's time at Notre Dame:

LINK:  ND'S FIRST FEMALE DRUM MAJOR!

ND's "Beat Writers" -- Coverage of Sun Bowl

The ND GO IRISH BLOG will also be tracking the media coverage this week from the "regulars" who cover Notre Dame football.  The photo of Coach Kelly and his daughter Grace Kelly is courtesy of the Chicago Tribune. The media converged on El Paso, TX for the Hyundai Sun Bowl yesterday -- here are the links:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  WNDU-TV

El Paso's Media Coverage of Hyundai Sun Bowl

During bowl week in El Paso -- the ND GO IRISH BLOG will provide you with links to the stories being generated by the local media on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame's time in town for the Hyundai Sun Bowl.  As you can see in the photo -- Coach Brian Kelly didn't take long to get into the spirit!  Enjoy!

LINK:  FANS GREET TEAM'S ARRIVAL TO EL PASO

LINK:  BOWLING EVENT ON WEDNESDAY

LINK:  NO MORE TICKETS!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME TREATED TO BORDER HOSPITALITY

LINK:  PHOTO GALLERY -- NOTRE DAME'S ARRIVAL

LINK:  KVIA -- ABC TV

LINK:  KTSM -- NBC TV

LINK:  KFOX14 -- FOX TV

A ND Professor -- Helping Future NFL Players!

University of Notre Dame professor, Mayland Chang -- a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has received a grant from NFL Charities to develop therapeutics for the treatment of traumatic brain injury.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  ND'S CHANG ASSISTING THE NFL

A Notre Dame Student -- Doing Great Things!

Erin Rider, a senior student at the University of Notre Dame, spent this past summer teaching street children at Mother Theresa's Mission in Calcutta, India.  Yet, her efforts in India -- paid dividends for her elementary school in New York (the oldest Catholic elementary school in America).  Here's a link to a story that ran in the Poughkeepsie Journal this morning.  Way to go Erin!!!

LINK:  ERIN RIDER -- A ND STUDENT GIVING BACK!

Jenkins Defends Notre Dame's Actions

Over the past two weeks -- the University of Notre Dame has been widely criticized for its handling of the investigation into the allegations made by a Saint Mary's student against a Notre Dame football player.  On December 16th, the St. Joseph Country Prosecuting Attorney announced that he decided not to file criminal charges in this matter.  Ever since, the accuser's family has openly attacked the University of Notre Dame, in the national media, for their handling of this case.  Today, in a South Bend Tribune story -- University of Notre Dame president, Rev. John Jenkins -- broke his silence on this issue.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story, a link to the St. Joseph County Prosecuting Attorney's statement and ESPN's "spin:"

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY

LINK:  ST. JOSEPH COUNTY -- PROSECUTING ATTORNEY'S STATEMENT

LINK:  ESPN'S COVERAGE

IRISH ARRIVE IN EL PASO!!!

The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish arrived in El Paso, TX this morning for the 2010 Hyundai Sun Bowl.  The gang at UND.COM caught the Irish's arrival at the airport -- including Coach Kelly's "Sombrero Dance."  Here's a couple of links:

LINK:  HYUNDAI SUN BOWL WELCOMES THE IRISH!

LINK:  COACH KELLY AT EL PASO AIRPORT

Going to the Sun Bowl? -- Stay in America!

Ever since it was announced that the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame would be playing in El Paso, TX on New Year's Eve -- fans have been warned to stay on the American side of the border!  Ciudad Juarez (photo), a city of 1.5 million people that sits on the other side of the Rio Grande from El Paso -- has been declared "the most violent zone in the world -- outside of declared war zones."  Earlier this week a relative of an anti-crime crusader was gunned down in Juarez (see story below) -- so please, please, please do not cross the Mexican border if you're in El Paso this week!!!  I've also attached a travel warning from the US Government:

LINK:  VIOLENCE IN JUAREZ

LINK:  DON'T TRAVEL TO MEXICO! 

LINK:  ESPN -- YOU KNOW THEY HAD TO SAY SOMETHING

Have a Merry "Notre Dame" Christmas!

I'm going to shut down the ND GO IRISH BLOG for the next 48 hours to spend some time with my family as we celebrate Christmas.   

While I'm away, I encourage each of you to find three minutes and twenty-three seconds -- sometime over these next two days -- and watch the linked video below and share it with your family and friends.

I'll be back at it when our Fighting Irish arrive in El Paso, TX (Sunday) to take on the Hurricanes.

Go IRISH! and MERRY CHRISTMAS  to ALL!

LINK:  A VIDEO FOR OUR FREEDOM

Jimmy Clausen On NFL Network Tonight...

Former Notre Dame QB, Jimmy Clausen -- might be leading his Carolina Panthers to "slaughter" tonight against the Pittsburgh Steelers -- in Pittsburgh.  Clausen earned his first NFL win last week as a starting QB -- can he make it two in a row tonight?  Game starts at 8 PM EST.

LINK:  NFL NETWORK

Where Are They Now? -- Kelsey Wicks

Former Notre Dame basketball player, Kelsey Wicks (photo) -- goes by a new name these days;  Sister Joan of Arc.  Wicks, played for two years for Muffet McGraw's Irish -- before leaving the program during her sophomore season.  After leaving Notre Dame, Kelsey worked on refugee issues in Africa.  When she returned to America -- Kelsey received a scholarship to attend the University of Notre Dame Law School -- however, she chose to go down a much different path.  Wicks joined The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecelia in Nahville, TN ("The Nashville Dominicans") -- where she wears a traditional habit and adheres to a strict life of prayer, teaching and silence (sometimes).  And, Kelsey adopted her new name:  Sister Joan of Arc.   However, as you'll see in this stories linked below -- she hasn't given up her love for basketball.  Sister Joan of Arc, we're very proud of you!  Special thanks to ND GO IRISH BLOG contributor; Dr. Jim Clancy for tracking down this story.  I've also added a link to a youtube video of what life is like for The Nashville Dominicans:

LINK:  KELSEY WICKS -- SISTER JOAN OF ARC

LINK:  THE NASHVILLE DOMINICANS

LINK:  THE NASHVILLE DOMINICANS -- PROMOTIONAL VIDEO

A Notre Dame "Pioneer" Passes...

Goldie L. Ivory '56, who earned her Masters degree in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame and thought to be the first African American laywoman to earn a degree from the university -- died this past Friday.  With a name like "Goldie" -- who else should have such an honor!  Here's a link to Goldie's story in the South Bend Tribune:

LINK:  GOLDIE IVORY -- A NOTRE DAME PIONEER

Former Irish Hockey Player Receives Honor

Dr. Michael Collins '70 -- a former Notre Dame hockey player -- was awarded the 2011 Lou Lamoriello Award by the American Hockey Coaches Association.  Named in honor of the former Providence College player, coach, and administrator, the Lamoriello Award recognizes a former college hockey player or coach who goes on to a distinguished career in or out of the game of ice hockey.  Collins, an orthopedic surgeon based in Chicago -- earned two monograms playing hockey for the Fighting Irish.  Here's a link to a couple of stories concerning the honor:


LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY

LINK:  UND.COM STORY

Kyle Rudolph Taken in 1st Round...

The gang at Bleacher Report conducted a "mock" NFL Draft on Monday and Kyle Rudolph was a 1st round selection.  If you're like me -- you don't want to read this!!!  I won't tell you what pick or to what team -- here's the link:

LINK:  RUDOLPH GOES IN FIRST ROUND

Notre Dame Football -- Has Some Fun!

On Monday night -- after practicing for the Hyundai Sun Bowl on the Notre Dame campus -- the Fighting Irish Football team, staff and their families had a little fun in Mishawaka.  And, the gang at UND.COM went along for the ride.  Here's a link to the UND.COM story and the South Bend Tribune story -- along with a link to Strikes & Spares website:


LINK:  GETTING READY FOR MIAMI! 

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY

LINK:  STRIKES & SPARES WEBSITE

Ten Most Dramatic Bowl Games of All Time!

Found this story on the web this morning on the Ten Most Dramatic Bowl Games of All Time -- and the Irish played in two of the ten bowl games.  I won't spoil the surprise of what two bowl games that Notre Dame was involved in that made the list.  However, I will give you this HINT -- the Irish won both games -- and Lou wasn't involved!!!  Here's the link:

LINK:  TEN MOST DRAMATIC BOWL GAMES OF ALL TIME!

Sun Bowl: Last Media Session with Kelly

University of Notre Dame head football coach, Brian Kelly -- met with the media today for the last time -- on campus -- prior to the Sun Bowl.  Coach Kelly talks about what they've been doing with the players on the field and off -- and their plans for tomorrow before the team heads home for Christmas.  The team will meet back in El Paso, TX on December 26th -- to get ready for the New Year's Eve game with Miami.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH MEDIA -- LAST TIME BEFORE

Henderson -- Honda Sports Award Recipient!

University of Notre Dame All-American soccer player, Melissa Henderson -- was honored with the Honda Sports Award -- which signifies her as the top athlete in women's college soccer!  The Honda Sports Award is awarded annually to the top student-athletes in 12 NCAA  sanctioned sports.  Melissa is the second Notre Dame athlete to ever receive this award for their sport -- and the previous winner was also a ND soccer player, Cindy Daws who took home the award in 1997.  Here is the USA Today story:

LINK:  HENDERSON NAMED TOP COLLEGE SOCCER PLAYER!