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!