Notre Dame Band to Perform at Carnegie Hall!

The University of Notre Dame Band will perform -- for the very first time -- on the world famous Carnegie Hall stage. The concert, scheduled for May 17th will be a musical milestone for the Notre Dame Band and will leave a legacy of new music. Renowned composers Joseph Turrin and Samuel Hazo were both commissioned to write new works for the occasion. Turrin’s “Fanfare and Prelude” and Hazo’s “Siorai September” will each have their premiere performances at Carnegie Hall by the Notre Dame Band. Performing at Carnegie Hall is an accomplishment more than 165 years in the making for the Notre Dame Band and this concert will be a celebration of Notre Dame, its talented student musicians, and the loyal sons and daughters of the University that have sustained the Band of the Fighting Irish for the past century and a half. Here's a video of the Notre Dame Band from their 2004 performance at another famous venue - the Sydney Opera House.

NOTRE DAME BAND IN CONCERT

Mike Brey -- Chairman of Rules Committee

Notre Dame Head Basketball Coach, Mike Brey, has been elected Chairman of the NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee. In this role, Coach Brey will stay in touch with rules issues during the season and to compare ideas and gauge opinions on potential rules changes with colleagues in conference and region. Maybe he can change a rule or two that will guarantee the Irish make the FINAL FOUR!

Coach Kelly --Honored by Friends of Jaclyn

Notre Dame Head Football Coach Brian Kelly will be in Washington D.C. this Saturday evening to be honored at the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation dinner. Kelly was selected by the charitable organization based on his exceptional leadership and involvement with the foundation’s “Adopt‐A‐Child” program. The Foundation was inspired by Jaclyn Murphy, who was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor, in March 2004 when she was nine-years-old. The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation matches a child with cancer and a college sports team. In essence, the college team "adopts" the child. Kelly participated in the program in 2009 as head coach at the University of Cincinnati. The Bearcats adopted Mitch Stone, a 12‐year‐old boy battling a pediatric brain tumor. A Cincinnati native who was in the sixth grade at Maddux Elementary School when the Bearcats adopted Stone became as much a member of the Cincinnati football team as any of the players. The Bearcats became the first NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision team to adopt a child through Friends of Jaclyn. Jaclyn Murphy is now 14 -- here's an HBO Sports story on her -- and what this foundation does. IT IS A MUST WATCH - WHEN YOU GET TO THE SITE, LOCATE THE "HBO SPORTS ON FOJ" LINK -- FOR THE VIDEO.

JACLYN'S STORY

What are they doing now? -- Tim Andree

While writing the story on Tim Andree (Mr. Bookstore) - I found myself wondering what his Dad (also Tim Andree) was up to these days. Well, Tim Andree, Sr. is doing just fine! He's the CEO of Dentsu Holdings USA, a global advertising agency. A product of Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, MI -- Andree was a 1979 McDonald's All American, prior to joining Digger's Fighting Irish squad. After leaving ND, Andree pursued a pro basketball career in Europe and Japan (he was a 5th Round Draft pick of the Chicago Bulls) before putting his Notre Dame degree to work. Here's an interview Andree did this past year with Fast Company.

FAST COMPANY'S INTERVIEW OF TIM ANDREE

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.