Mark Baldwin is "pursuing the dream" of competing on the PGA Tour. He's a 2006 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, out of Lanconia, New Hampshire. Baldwin, a four-year monogram winner for the Fighting Irish, is currently competing on the Canadian PGA Tour. While at Notre Dame, Baldwin earned All Big East Honors three times and won the Big East's Individual Title in 2005. In March, Baldwin shot a 66 at a Nationwide Tour "Monday" Qualifier -- earning medalist honors. He finished 50th at the Mexican PGA Championship in April. Mark has his own blog -- from which he reports on his journey... Click on the link below.
It's been voted by many as one of the top college football traditions -- the Irish Guard of Notre Dame. Started in 1949, at the request of then coach Frank Leahy - the Irish Guard (ten Notre Dame students) has led The Band of the Fighting Irish into stadiums all over America. Each member must stand at least 6'-2" tall -- and in full uniform, they stand more than 7' tall. After every home victory -- the Irish Guard perform their trademark "Victory Clog" in Notre Dame Stadium. You can also catch them in action 90 minutes before kick-off in front of Bond Hall -- performing their "Slow March" and the Irish Guard Inspection. Here's a link to the Irish Guard in action:
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 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!
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.
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.
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.
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."
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:
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:
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:
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
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 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!
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:
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...
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!
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...
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;