Sunday, April 6, 2014
Domer Dad Gets "SILVER SLUGGER" Award!
Torii Hunter Sr., father of Notre Dame wide receiver Torii Hunter, Jr. -- was given his "second" SILVER SLUGGER award (alongside Miguel Cabrera) before the Tiger's game against the Orioles on Friday. The honor is given to the top three hitting outfielders in the American League from the 2013 season.
Hunter hit .304 with 17 homers and 84 RBI in 2013 at the age of 37!
Torii Sr. -- hit-less the first two games of the season -- has gone 5 for 8 since receiving the award with two home runs, a double and six rbi!
LINK: TORII HUNTER SR. -- FRIDAY'S GAME
LINK: TORII HUNTER SR. -- SATURDAY'S GAME
"Coach" Achonwa WIRED at the FINAL FOUR!
After listening to this -- I won't be surprised if Natalie Achonwa is on Muffet's coaching staff before too long...
Enjoy!
LINK: ACHONWA
Kayla McBride & Jewell Loyd -- All Americans!
It's the first time in school history that Notre Dame has two players voted first team All-American!
Kayla McBride and Jewell Loyd were honored yesterday in Nashville for their selection to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association All-American first team. Notre Dame's two selections to the team fell one short of UCONN's three...
Congratulations Kayla and Jewell!
LINK: WNDU-TV STORY
Know Thy Opponent: The Fighting Turtles of MD
The Maryland Terrapins gave Notre Dame all they could handle in a game in College Park in late January. In that game the Fighting Irish blew a 22 point first half lead -- hanging on for a four point victory 87 - 83 -- the closest a team has come to beating Notre Dame this season.
In that game, Natalie Achonwa only played 21 minutes, scoring 7 points and grabbing 3 rebounds.
The Terrapins are bigger and probably more athletic than our IRISH -- it's going to be a tough test for Muffet's squad without Achnowa's 20 points and 10 boards per game in the NCAA Tournament. Yet, I still like our chances!
Here's what I could find about Maryland -- just click on the links below:
LINK: THOMAS LEADS TERPS
LINK: PARTY CRASHERS
LINK: FAMILIAR OPPONENTS
LINK: MAJORING IN CHEMISTRY
ESPN Takes On: Who is Muffet McGraw?
"Back to Back" National Coach of the Year honors for Notre Dame's Muffet McGraw -- the third in her 27-year career leading the Fighting Irish -- and ESPN is asking the question; "Who is Muffet McGraw?"
You'll enjoy this!
LINK: MUFFET MCGRAW
Final Four Sunday is Here for the Fighting Irish!
It's less than ten hours to tip-off of Notre Dame's national semi-final game tonight against Maryland -- the game will be televised on ESPN beginning at 6:30 PM ET.
I took a lap around the worldwide-web to get you ready with all of the important "pre-tip" knowledge you'll need for tonight's game. Just click on the links below:
GO IRISH!
LINK: FINAL FOUR PRESSER
LINK: PLAYER INTERVIEWS
LINK: ESPN'S HAYS
LINK: ESPN'S HAYS #2
LINK: ESPN -- NOTRE DAME ADJUSTMENTS
Domer's First 100 Days on the Job in Iowa...
Notre Dame alum Jimmy Small '08, was the subject of this story about his first 100 days on the job at Iowa Speedway. Just click on the link below:
LINK: FIRST 100 DAYS
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Photo: Manti Te'o Back Home at Notre Dame
The ND GO IRISH BLOG was sent this photo by Notre Dame parent Patrick Paige (Ann Arbor, MI) of former Fighting Irish All-American Manti Te'o with some students in the lobby of the Morris Inn Thursday night.
(Photo l to r: Oliver Silva, Meghan Maraghy, Manti Te'o, Katie Paige, Claire O'Neill and Mari Mendoza)
Everett Golson Interview Yesterday at ND
Notre Dame QB Everett Golson, offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley and linebacker Joe Schmidt met with the media yesterday afternoon -- just click on the link below to watch:
LINK: EVERETT GOLSON
Muffet's Irish Have a Fun Friday at Final Four
It was a day where the Notre Dame Fighting Irish "dressed-up" and enjoyed the spoils of being one of four teams still playing college basketball this weekend in Nashville...
As always, Fighting Irish Digital Media was in attendance -- just click on the link below to enjoy!
LINK: FINAL FOUR SALUTE
ND Alum: McDonald's All American Coach
Notre Dame alum Frank Allocco, the head basketball coach at prep powerhouse De La Salle High School in Concord, CA -- where he's won two state championships -- coached the West Team to a 105 - 102 win this week at the McDonald's All-American game at Chicago's United Center.
Notre Dame football fans may remember Frank's days as a QB for Ara Parseghian -- and a member of the 1973 national championship team. Allocco also played basketball for Digger Phelps while at ND.
Allocco, the National High School Coach of the Year (2000), California State Coach of the Year (2010 and 2011) and the National Catholic High School Coach of the Year (2012) agreed to publish a daily diary of his experience working with the best high school basketball players in America. You'll find the links to the Diary below.
Allocco is the only high school coach in California state history to win a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP at two different schools!
I want to thank one of my colleagues at Notre Dame, Craig Horvath -- for alerting me to this story!
LINK: DAY 2
LINK: DAY 3
LINK: DAY 4
LINK: DAY 5
Friday, April 4, 2014
Coach Kelly's Media Session After Practice
Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media after today's practice. Here's a link to the media session.
LINK: COACH KELLY
ND's Business School -- FIVE-PEAT as #1 !!!!!
Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business was just named the #1 undergraduate business school in America for the FIFTH STRAIGHT YEAR by BloombergBusinessWeek!
Just read the headline to the article -- linked below...
LINK: FIVE-PEAT!
Friday Morning at the Final Four in Nashville
Took a lap around the worldwide web this morning to see what's being said about our Fighting Irish as they arrived in Nashville last night for their fourth straight FINAL FOUR. Here's what I could find:
LINK: ESPN PRIMER
LINK: "EXPERT" PICKS
LINK: GAME PREVIEW
LINK: PURSUIT OF PROTECTION
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #1
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #2
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Notre Dame Has Arrived at the FINAL FOUR!
The 36 - 0 Notre Dame Fighting Irish have arrived in Nashville this evening for the NCAA Final Four -- their fourth straight year! Here's some photos "tweeted" by the Women's Final Four Twitter account along with a link to WATCHND's coverage of the Fighting Irish in Nashville:
LINK: TEAM'S ARRIVAL
Photos of Kathryn Westbeld: McDonald's Game
LINK: BOX SCORE
Seven Domers Drafted in This NFL Mock Draft
Here's a computer simulation of the upcoming 2014 NFL Draft that has seven former Notre Dame student-athletes being drafted by teams. I won't ruin the surprise:
LINK: NFL DRAFT
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Brianna Turner Named McDonald's Game MVP!
Notre Dame women's basketball's incoming Gatorade National Player of the Year, Brianna Turner -- played tonight in the McDonald's All-American game at Chicago's United Center with the top players in the country and she walked away with the game MVP!
Brianna is the second Notre Dame hoops recruit to receive this honor -- the first, a young lady named Skylar Diggins...
Brianna had a "double-double," scored the winning bucket for the West Team with 53 seconds left and then for good measure blocked a shot late in the game to ensure the victory!
Congratulations Brianna!
LINK: ESPN GAME STORY
Notre Dame Football Assistant Coaches Talk
The gang at Fighting Irish Digital Media caught up with a number of the Notre Dame football assistant coaches today; Tony Alford, Kerry Cooks, Matt LaFleur and Mike Elston. Enjoy!
LINK: NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL COACHES
Positive Weather Forecast for Blue Gold Game!
This is the current weather forecast from ACCU-WEATHER (as of Wednesday, April 9th) of what we can expect here at Notre Dame for the BLUE GOLD GAME.
LINK: WEATHER FORECAST
Watch Turner & Westbeld Tonight on ESPNU
The McDonald's High School All-American game will be played tonight at 7:00 PM ET on ESPNU -- and Fighting Irish fans will want to keep an eye-on future Notre Dame student-athletes; Brianna Turner (on left) and Kathryn Westbeld (on right) seen in the photo above at the All-American banquet last night.
Brianna 6'-3" -- the Gatorade National Player of the Year will be playing for the West Squad and wearing uniform #11. Kathryn 6'-2" -- will be playing for the East Squad.
LINK: BRIANNA TURNER
LINK: KATHRYN WESTBELD
Notre Dame Knows Their Final Four Opponent
The team that gave Notre Dame its most difficult test of the season -- the Maryland Terrapins (pictured above) -- beat the higher seeded Louisville Cardinals (in the Cards own gym) last night to advance to Sunday's Final Four game against our Fighting Irish.
These two teams last met January 27th in College Park, MD -- with the IRISH prevailing 87 - 83. This is one of only two times this season where an opponent kept the deficit to under 10 points against the IRISH. Natalie Achonwa scored 7 points and grabbed 3 rebounds in that game (playing only 21 minutes of the game) -- see box score below.
Here's the challenge -- Maryland has a big, talented line-up led by a 6'-2" All-American Alyssa Thomas who put up 29 points in the first game against our Irish. Here's their starting line-up last night against Louisville:
- Alicia DeVaughn: 6'-4" -- scored 16 against ND
- Brionna Jones: 6'-3" -- didn't start against ND -- but scored 6 off bench
- Alyssa Thomas: 6'-2" -- scored 29 against ND
- Lexie Brown: 5'-9" -- scored 9 points against ND
- Katie Rutan: 5'-9" -- didn't score
LINK: ESPN PREVIEW STORY
LINK: BOX SCORE FROM FIRST GAME: ND vs. MARYLAND
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Under Armour's Marketing to Notre Dame Fans
Folks, Under Armour will be a much different partner for the University of Notre Dame -- in a great way. Here's a perfect example -- here we are, three months out from the start of their partnership with ND and Under Armour is soliciting fans to sign-up to be "in the know" as to what they're planning for Notre Dame.
I love it.
If you want to sign-up -- click on the link below:
LINK: BE IN THE KNOW
Must See: Mike Brey's "April Fool's Day" Prank
Former Notre Dame student-athlete turned broadcaster Jordan Cornette was pranked today by his former head coach Mike Brey. This is pretty good!
LINK: APRIL FOOL'S PRANK
Loyd & McBride -- Must Lead the Irish Now...
With the serious knee injury (a torn ACL -- just reported by Notre Dame at 2:30 PM ET) to Natalie Achonwa -- Notre Dame's "do-it-all" All-American sophomore Jewell Loyd is going to have to replicate her effort last night where she took the game into her own hands.
And, Notre Dame's other All-American Kayla McBride needs to stay on the floor...
Here is a link to ESPN's Graham Hays story about last night's effort from the IRISH:
LINK: ESPN STORY
The Mornin' After Notre Dame's Big Win!
The Fighting Irish are FINAL FOUR bound for the fourth straight year! They will play the winner of tonight's Maryland vs. Louisville game this Sunday in Nashville.
Now, we wait until we hear the results of what looked to be a very serious knee injury to Notre Dame senior Natalie Achonwa. You'll see a video linked below (ESPN COVERAGE) where Natalie was interviewed after the game.
LINK: ESPN COVERAGE
LINK: POST GAME CELEBRATION
LINK: MUFFET POST GAME
LINK: GAME HIGHLIGHTS
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE
Monday, March 31, 2014
Five Domers on MLB OPENING DAY Rosters!
Major League Baseball is officially back today -- and five former Notre Dame student-athletes are on major league rosters; Jeff Samardzija (Cubs), David Phelps (Yankees), John Axford (Indians), Jeff Manship (Phillies) and A.J. Pollock (Diamondbacks).
Samardzija made history this afternoon for the Cubs. He pitched seven scoreless innings against the Pirates today -- yet the Cubs lost 1 - 0 in ten innings. Samardzija is the first Chicago Cubs pitcher to throw "back to back" scoreless starts on Opening Day in 80 years!
To learn more about each of these former Irish stars -- click on their name below:
LINK: JEFF SAMARDZIJA -- PITCHER
LINK: DAVID PHELPS -- PITCHER
LINK: JOHN AXFORD -- PITCHER
LINK: JEFF MANSHIP -- PITCHER
LINK: A.J. POLLOCK -- OUTFIELDER
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Samardzija's Opening Day Start Tomorrow!
Former Notre Dame All-American Jeff Samardzija takes the mound tomorrow for his second straight Opening Day start for the Chicago Cubs -- and ironically it happens again at PNC Park in Pittsburgh against the Pirates.
First pitch is thrown at 1:05 PM ET -- here's some stories about Jeff's start tomorrow:
LINK: 2ND STRAIGHT OPENER
LINK: CSN CHICAGO
First pitch is thrown at 1:05 PM ET -- here's some stories about Jeff's start tomorrow:
LINK: 2ND STRAIGHT OPENER
LINK: CSN CHICAGO
HBO's Real Sports: Graduating College Athletes
If you get the chance -- go to HBO and watch the entire show. It's an eye-opener... Plus, there is a second link here to an article I found in a North Carolina newspaper about this HBO story:
LINK: TRAILER
LINK: NEWS OBSERVER
NCAA Regionals: ND Met With the Media Today
Muffet and her Fighting Irish met with the media today to talk about tomorrow night's game against Baylor for a trip to Nashville and the FINAL FOUR. Here's the replay:
LINK: NOTRE DAME NCAA PRESSER
Up Next: Odyssey and the Baylor Bears
She's only 42 points away from setting the all-time points record for a single season for women's college basketball...
Standing in Odyseey's Sims way is the defense of Jewell Loyd, Kayla McBride and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.
Here is what the media has to say about tomorrow night's NCAA Regional Final between Notre Dame (35 - 0) and the Baylor Bears (32 - 4). The fun begins at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN.
LINK: ESPNW -- CHARLIE CREME
LINK: ESPN'S LOBO & LAWSON
LINK: ESPN'S WHITE & MOWINS
Saturday, March 29, 2014
ND's Post Game Press Conference Today
The Fighting Irish met with the media after today's 89 - 72 win over Oklahoma State. Here is the replay of the press conference:
LINK: PRESS CONFERENCE
LINK: PRESS CONFERENCE
Mike Brey Stars in Northwestern Mutual TV Spot
Notre Dame men's basketball coach Mike Brey is featured in a Northwestern Mutual TV commercial that's airing during the NCAA tournament. Just click on the link below to watch:
LINK: MIKE BREY
LINK: MIKE BREY
Elite Eight Bound -- IRISH Beat Cowgirls 89 - 72
Notre Dame, with a quick 14 - 0 run, took control of the game early and they never trailed in a seventeen point win over Oklahoma State this afternoon. The win puts the Fighting Irish into the NCAA Regional Final on Monday night against Baylor -- the last team to beat Notre Dame at Purcell Pavilion.
Here are the highlights and a few early media reports on today's game:
LINK: GAME HIGHLIGHTS FROM ND
LINK: ESPN RECAP
LINK: THE OKLAHOMAN
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE
Coach Kelly Met With Media Today at ND
Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today after Spring practice #8. He updated the media on Jarret Grace's surgery and the status of his team...
LINK: COACH KELLY
ND Football Spring Practice #8 Video Highlghts
Here's what Notre Dame football was up to today -- inside -- the Loftus Complex. The gang at Fighting Irish Digital Media was in attendance -- so we have this report!
LINK: PRACTICE VIDEO
Notre Dame Hockey on ESPNU at 9 PM ET
The NCAA Hockey Tournament begins tonight for Jeff Jackson's Fighting Irish and you can watch it LIVE on ESPNU beginning at 9 PM ET. Yesterday afternoon Notre Dame met with the media to talk about St. Cloud State -- click on the link below to watch a replay of the press conference:
LINK: PRESSER
Notre Dame on ESPN Today at 2:35 PM ET
Muffet McGraw's Fighting Irish are playing at home today in the SWEET SIXTEEN against Oklahoma State on ESPN -- the game tips off at 2:35 PM ET. Here's what the media has to say about this afternoon's game:
LINK: THE OKLAHOMAN
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE
LINK: ESPN
LINK: THE OKLAHOMAN
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE
LINK: ESPN
Friday, March 28, 2014
ESPN "Experts" Pick Winner of ND vs. OSU
Notre Dame plays Oklahoma State in a Sweet Sixteen basketball game Saturday on ESPN at Purcell Pavilion. Four ESPN basketball pundits picked their winners of each of the games Saturday and Sunday. Click on the link below to find out how they see the IRISH doing:
LINK: PICKIN' THE WINNERS
Notre Dame Hockey Begins NCAA Tourney Run
Jeff Jackson's Fighting Irish are in St. Paul, MN this weekend to play their first NCAA Hockey National Championship tournament game tomorrow night against St. Cloud State. Here's a preview of tomorrow night's game:
LINK: ND HOCKEY
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