A Belated Happy Birthday to Father Ted!

University of Notre Dame's "Father Ted" -- Theodore Hesburgh, turned 93 years young yesterday (May 25th)! Or in other words, he's now thirty years old with sixty three years of experience! Father Ted has been a "gift" to Notre Dame and to the world -- one fun fact about Hesburgh is he has more than 150 honorary degrees which I believe is still a Guinness Book World Record. Here's an article in the National Catholic Reporter about Notre Dame's -- Father Ted's 93rd Birthday -- click on link:

FATHER TED TURNS 93

Cole Jacob Barker -- The Fighting Irish Spirit!

University of Notre Dame Alum, Jacob Cole Barker (Class of 2006), went to heaven a few weeks ago as he lost his six-year battle with cancer. His story should be told -- and I'm thankful that the Barker family agreed to sit down with the South Bend Tribune to tell it. That's Cole and his friend and former Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Charlie Weis in the picture. Please read this story -- IT IS A MUST READ -- here's a link:

JACOB COLE BARKER -- THE FIGHTING IRISH SPIRIT

Quinn & Ndukwe -- Speaking June 30th

Former high school buddies, roommates at Notre Dame and now NFL football players; Brady Quinn and Chinedum Ndukwe will be the featured speakers at the College Football Hall of Fame's Gridiron Legend's Luncheon Series -- June 30th in South Bend, IN. Brady, is now with the Denver Broncos and Chinedum is a starting safety with the Cincinnati Bengals. These best friends, led the Irish to "back to back" BCS Bowl Games in their last two years with the Irish. Go to the College Football Hall of Fame website for ticket information. Here's a link:

COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME WEBSITE

Notre Dame Tennis -- FINAL FOUR AGAIN!

The University of Notre Dame's Women's Tennis team beat Tennessee yesterday to advance to the NCAA Women's Tennis Championship's FINAL FOUR -- for the second straight year! Sophomore Kristy Frilling (Sidney, OH - pictured) who's ranked 16th nationally in singles, upset the #11 ranked Whoriskey of Tennessee -- clinching the victory for the Irish. The fifth-seeded Irish will now play eight seed Stanford -- Monday in Athens, GA on the University of Georgia campus. The other Final Four match has the #2 seed North Carolina taking on the #3 seed Florida. Go Irish - beat the Trees!

Notre Dame Lacrosse -- NCAA FINAL FOUR!

The University of Notre Dame's Men's Lacrosse team beat the #3 seeded Maryland Terrapins today 7-5 to advance to the FINAL FOUR of the NCAA Men's Lacrosse National Championship -- for the second time in school history! It's the second straight "upset" of a higher seeded team for the Irish! Last week the Irish beat the number #6 seed Princeton. It's important to note that the Irish were a "controversial pick" to even be in the sixteen team NCAA Championship -- look who's smiling now! The Irish will play the winner of the Cornell vs. Army game next Saturday (May 29th) -- in Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium -- the 71,000 seat home of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens and the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Final Four. Go Irish!

Lou Holtz -- Indiana Football Hall of Fame

Last night, Lou Holtz became the third football coach from the University of Notre Dame to be inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame -- joining Knute Rockne and Ara Parseghian. WNDU-TV caught up with Holtz while he was in town -- here's a link to two interviews Lou gave to fellow Indiana Football Hall of Famer, Jeff Jeffers:


LOU HOLTZ -- INDIANA FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

Ethical Stem Cell Research -- That's ND!

University of Notre Dame Professor David Hyde and his team of researchers have been looking for ways to obtain and use stem cells that would be morally acceptable. The prevailing notion is that embryonic stem cells taken from living human embryos (babies), that have been aborted, are necessary for stem cell research. This practice is an obvious conflict for Catholics and all who believe in the dignity of every human life -- from conception to birth -- since human embryos are human beings and their intentional destruction is murder. Scientists have been arguing that adult stem cells are not as adaptable as stem cells from human embryos. Thankfully -- Professor David Hyde disagrees and he points to the research his team at Notre Dame has done that proves these adult stem cells are adapting quite well. They've been taking mature stem cells from more than 100,000 Zebrafish. "All the fish are anesthetized before they're treated and most of the treatments involved the use of extremely bright light, which kills off their rod and cone photoreceptor cells in the retina." Making the Zebrafish blind. They know the Zebrafish are blind because they don't swim away from predatory fish. However, after inserting adult mature stem cells back into the eyes of the Zebrafish -- their VISION IS RESTORED. Hyde says Zebrafish have a similar eye structure to humans. "So, we're ready to start to think about are the processes that we've identified in Zebrafish, are they working properly in humans? Or, is there something that is blocking their ability to function in humans, which would then correlate to the inability in human retina to regenerate," Hyde says. Can you imagine if Notre Dame can restore sight for those who are blind?! Sounds like something this University should be "FIGHTING FOR!!!" Thank you David Hyde! Here's a TV commercial Notre Dame produced to tell this story:

FIGHTING TO RESTORE VISION -- NOTRE DAME

The ND Logo -- Miles Above Earth Today!

Michael Good (ND Class of 1984 & 1986) wore his "heart on his sleeve" today - miles above the Notre Dame campus. Good was conducting his third space walk this week -- as the Space Shuttle Atlantis was docked to the International Space Station. On Good's left wrist -- the famous interlocking Notre Dame logo! Photo courtesy of NASA. Pretty cool!

Coach Kelly Out Visiting ND Alumni Clubs

Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Brian Kelly, was in Iowa and California this week to speak to ND Alumni Clubs. You'll find three links to videos below - the first is a YouTube video of Coach Kelly's talk in Iowa. The second and third links are from his visit to Fresno, CA - where he found time for a quick TV interview with the local ABC and NBC affiliates. (I didn't know he was a "lefty!") Coach Kelly will be on the east coast next week meeting with ND Alumni Clubs in New Jersey and New York. Here are links to the interviews.

COACH KELLY IN IOWA

COACH KELLY IN FRESNO - ABC

COACH KELLY IN FRESNO - NBC

Do You Know Who's Wearing #9?

It's none other than #10 in your hearts and former Domer; Brady Quinn. There hasn't been much fanfare about Quinn and his new uniform number with the Broncos. Here's hoping the change in number and scenery brings much success to this young man. Go Irish!

SHREK's Last Stand -- a ND Story!

The movie character Shrek will be in theater's for the last time -- beginning tomorrow -- as "Shrek Forever After" begins its run. In an April 29th post on NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG - we identified all of the Notre Dame connections to Shrek - and there are many (click on link below). Shrek has been a huge hit for DreamWorks; over $2.2 billion in Box Office revenue worldwide, 8 Tony nominations for Shrek the Musical, 4 Oscar nominations and one Oscar -- winning the first ever statuette for best animated feature. So, Go SHREK and Go Irish!

SHREK & NOTRE DAME

ND Grad "Space Walking" -- Right Now!

Michael Good, a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis is a "Double Domer." The Atlantis Space Shuttle, which is flying its 32 mission and last, left Kennedy Space Center Monday afternoon. Good holds a Bachelors (Class of 84) and Masters (Class of 86) from the University of Notre Dame in Aerospace Engineering. He can be found -- at this very moment -- "circling the earth" in one of the last shuttle missions for NASA as they deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier and a Russian-built Mini Research Module to the International Space Station. In his role as mission specialist, Good will perform at least three space walks, during this 12 day mission. A year ago (May 2009) Good made his first journey to space and conducted two successful space walks on that trip to make repairs to the Hubbel Space Telescope. He's one of three Notre Dame grads to fly the Space Shuttle. The links below show Good entering the International Space Station this week -- along with a link to a story about Good's May 2009 mission. God Speed and Go Irish!

THIRD SPACEWALK THIS WEEK -- FOR ND ALUM

MICHAEL GOOD -- FIGHTING IRISH ASTRONAUT

NBC's Brian Williams' Commencement Speech

If you have twenty-five minutes, you'll find it time well spent -- if you click on the link below to the video to Brian Williams' speech to the graduates of the University of Notre Dame's Class of 2010. He has a wonderful sense of humor.

NOTRE DAME'S 2010 COMMENCEMENT SPEEECH

2010 Graduation -- Notre Dame Stadium

This is a great view of what graduation looked like inside Notre Dame Stadium yesterday on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. It was the first time since 1959 that Notre Dame held this ceremony in the stadium. Here's a link to a "screensaver" of this photo for your computer. There is also a link to the University of Notre Dame's website - and a video interview with the Class of 2010 Valedictorian; Katie Washington -- it's very well done.

SCREENSAVER - NOTRE DAME 2010 GRADUATION

INTERVIEW WITH KATIE WASHINTON - ND VALEDICTORIAN

Irish Men's Lacrosse Upsets Princeton!

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame beat #6 seed Princeton (on the Tigers home field) yesterday in First Round play of the NCAA Tournament. Junior midfielder, David Earl (pictured), scored a career high five goals in the 8 - 5 win for the Irish! The win puts Notre Dame into the NCAA Championship Quarterfinals for the fifth time in school history. Next up; the third seeded Maryland Terrapins -- this Saturday, May 22nd -- again on Princeton's field. Game time isn't set yet - but, it will be televised live on ESPNU.

LINK TO STORY AND VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

NBC's Brian Williams ND Commencement Speaker

The University of Notre Dame's Class of 2010 will say farewell to the University this morning from historic Notre Dame Stadium. NBC News Anchor; Brian Williams will the the Commencement Speaker. You can watch the ceremony live this morning beginning at 9:30 AM EST on www.nd.edu. Click on the link below. Congratulations Class of 2010!



WATCH ND'S GRADUATION LIVE ON THE WEB -- CLICK HERE!

Notre Dame's Father Ted -- "Change I'd Make"

I was sitting in a hotel room this morning in Olean, NY -- our daughter is graduating from St. Bonaventure University tomorrow -- and the local Buffalo NBC TV affiliate aired an interview with Notre Dame's Father Hesburgh. Never one to shy away from taking on some of the more controversial issues of the day -- Father Ted discusses the change "he'd make before midnight" if he was the Pope. Click on the WNDU-TV interview below.

A CONVERSATION WITH FATHER TED

New Football Jerseys for Notre Dame?

The above photos of a Brian Kelly autographed Notre Dame Footbal jersey were taken at an "on-campus" raffle during Blue-Gold Weekend at Notre Dame. It's obviously not last year's jersey, nor any jersey we've ever seen worn before at Notre Dame. Are these the new football jerseys for Brian Kelly's Irish? The obvious changes; gone are the numbers on the sleeves - they have been replaced by the interlocking ND. I love that! You'll remember that Holtz made this design change to his team's uniforms. A second noticeable change is the interlocking ND behind the neck -- which appear a "little out of place" on this jersey since it looks like this jersey was designed to carry a nameplate. (Note the large space between the ND and the number) Will the Irish have names on their jerseys for the Purdue game? If they do, which I'm guessing they will -- I believe this will look pretty cool with the ND over top of the last name of the player, reminding them who they play for! The last change is the front neckline. Besides the prominent Adidas logo - ND Fans won't like this - you'll note the typical jersey neckline is replaced by more of a "plunging" design. Now, it's been rumored that the Irish will probably we wearing some type of "undershirt" as part of this uniform design and that this may carry a prominent ND or shamrock that will sit "above" the Adidas logo. THIS ALSO MEANS WE'LL HAVE TO BUY THE UNDERSHIRT TO HAVE THE FULL UNIFORM EXPERIENCE! Expect an official announcement from Notre Dame on the uniform in the next few weeks -- so they can begin selling them before the first game. All in all, I will love this uniform design -- if they add the player's last name. What do you think? That's the poll question this week -- "Would you like this jersey design for the Irish?

Sunday's ND Graduation -- Live on the Web!

The University of Notre Dame will celebrate its 164th graduation ceremony from a new campus location this year -- historic Notre Dame Stadium. It's the first time ND has held a graduation in the Stadium since 1959. And, you can watch this event live on the web -- beginning at 9:30 AM this Sunday, May 16th. Here's the link to the webcast:

WATCH NOTRE DAME'S GRADUATION CEREMONY LIVE

ND Football Player -- "All Internet Irish" Honors!

The decision on which University of Notre Dame athlete would be awarded "All Internet Irish" honors for 2010 -- was quite simple. This Irish linebacker was one of the "early adapters" to Twitter and he's become quite a prolific "tweeter" -- with 463 tweets and counting. And he has attracted more than 1,700 followers! Brian Smith is the 2010 recipient of the NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG'S "All Internet Irish" honors for Notre Dame Varsity Athletes. You can find Brian on Twitter with the name; BCSmith58. I'm sure Coach Kelly would rather you find Smith in the "backfield on top of a QB" -- but, it's May -- so give him a follow. Congratulations Brian!