A Notre Dame Author You Should Follow

His name is Bryan Gruley and he's a 1979 graduate of the University of Notre Dame. Gruley is currently the Chicago Bureau Chief for the Wall Street Journal - but that's just his "day job!" Gruley continues to receive critical acclaim for his first novel; Starvation Lake: A Mystery -- which garnered him an Edgar Award nomination for "Best First Novel" by the Mystery Writers of America. And, just this past week, the Anthony Awards recognized Starvation Lake with two more nominations; Best First Novel and Best Paperback Original -- the award winners will be announced in October. Gruley's sequel, The Hanging Tree will hit the bookstores this August -- keep an eye out for it! Here's a link to Bryan's Blog where you can buy his books:

BRYAN GRULEY -- A NOTRE DAME AUTHOR

Follow a Fantasy FB Camper at Notre Dame!

NBC Sports Writer, Keith Arnold, is attending the Notre Dame Football Fantasy Camp this week and he's "blogging" about his experiences on NBC's Inside the Irish Blog. Today was "registration day" and Keith tells his story. Should be fun to follow him this week -- see the link:

ND FOOTBALL FANTASY CAMP BLOG

ND FB Recruit - Wins NJ State 110M Hurdles!

Notre Dame football recruit, Bennett Jackson, a wide receiver from Raritan High School, won the 2010 New Jersey Meet of Champions State Championship in the 110 Meter Hurdles! Here's a link to his race, he's in Lane Five, as well as a link to a highlight video from his senior season:

ND FOOTBALL RECRUIT -- JERSEY STATE CHAMPION 110 METER HURDLES

ND FOOTBALL RECRUIT -- FOOTBALL HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

ND Lacrosse Goalie -- Taken 7th in MLL's Draft!

Notre Dame All-American Lacrosse Goalie, Scott Rodgers -- was drafted 7th overall yesterday by the Major League Lacrosse's Toronto Nationals in their 10th Annual Collegiate Draft held at Yale University. The Nationals "traded up" to the top of the Second Round to get Rodgers -- who was recently named Most Outstanding Player in the 2010 NCAA Men's Lacrosse National Championships. Teammate Grant Krebs, was drafted 45th overall to the Boston Cannons. The ND Men's Lacrosse team is currently in Japan on a week long exhibition tour -- playing some of the "national" teams in Japan. Congratulations Scott and Grant!

MAJOR LEAGUE LACROSSE DRAFT -- RODGERS GOES SEVENTH TO TORONTO

The Coach Kelly Challenge!

Notre Dame Head Football Coach -- Brian Kelly & Family, recently donated $250,000 to the University of Notre Dame -- and with the donation, challenged the Notre Dame Family to follow their lead. And, if you do -- you'll get to wear the same "Kelly Green ND Lapel Pin" that Coach Kelly wears (photo above left). I went online today and made a donation -- please consider doing the same! To learn more about the Coach Kelly Challenge - click on the link below:

COACH KELLY CHALLENGE

Think You Can Do This? -- Think Again!

Notre Dame Linebacker Steve Filer - just might be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! Here's a YOUTUBE video that is garnering "legendary" status for Filer. I don't think you'll want to try this at home -- see link:

FILER'S POOL TRICK

R.I.P -- Coach John Wooden

Former UCLA Head Basketball Coach John Wooden passed away yesterday at the age of 99. Wooden often called "The Wizard of Westwood" -- set many, many coaching marks that will probably never be broken. Winning 10 National Championships in a 12 year span at UCLA is just one of them. He hails from the town of Hall, IN where he was born in 1910. At the age of 14 his family moved to Martinsville, IN where he led his high school to three consecutive Indiana State Championships as a player -- earning All State honors all three years. Wooden then went on to play at Purdue where he helped the Boilermakers win a National Championship in 1932 and All American honors three times. He's the first ever to be elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and as a coach. Coach Wooden even coached for ten years at South Bend Central High School. However, Notre Dame fans know him best from the games his Bruins played against Digger Phelps and the Irish. One of the most famous -- from a ND Fan's perspective -- is the game January 19, 1974 when the #2 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish stopped the #1 ranked Bruins record 88 game win streak by scoring the last eleven points of the game in the 71-70 Irish victory. The photo above is of Dwight Clay's game winning basket -- that's Adrian Dantley in the foreground. What's often forgot about UCLA's record streak is Notre Dame had the last victory against UCLA in 1971 -- before they went on their 88 game run. And, the Irish didn't make the Sports Illustrated cover commemorating this win -- the following Monday -- which bugs Digger to this day. Click on the link below to see the last five minutes of this game. Coach Wooden, you were a true gentleman!

NOTRE DAME ENDS UCLA'S RECORD WINNING STREAK

Former ND Alum Named Coach of NBA Hornets!

Former Irish Basketball Player, Monty Williams, Notre Dame Class of 1994 -- was hired late last night as the new Head Coach of the NBA's New Orleans Hornets! Williams becomes the "second" former ND hoops player to sit in the "head chair" on an NBA bench -- joining Adrian Dantley who was the Denver Nuggest "interim" Head Coach this past season. Williams, out of Potomac, MD came to ND as a 4.0 student and highly regarded forward. Unfortunately, Williams was diagnosed with a heart condition during his freshman season and he didn't play his sophomore or junior seasons -- but was cleared to play his senior season and a fifth year -- scoring 22.4 points a game for the Irish in the 1993-94 season. Williams was a first round pick of the New York Knicks in 1994 and played nine years in the NBA. His best game was a 30 point effort for the San Antonio Spurs -- one of five NBA teams he played for during his NBA career. Williams was hired as an Assistant Coach for the NBA Portland Trailblazers in 2005 -- and he's been with the Blazers ever since -- until he signed a three-year contract last night with the Hornets. Congratulations Monty!!! Here's a link to The Times Picayune article:

NBA HORNETS HIRE FORMER ND BASKETBALL PLAYER AS ITS HEAD COACH!

ESPN Ranks ND's Recruiting Class -- 11th

Head Coach Brian Kelly & Company have been hitting the recruiting trail hard, these past few months, seeking the talent needed to fit his style of play. And, so far so good. To date, nine high school "rising seniors" have verbally committed to the Irish -- even though the actual "Signing Day" isn't until February 2011. Just goes to show you how the recruiting game has changed. ESPN just released it's rankings of the verbal commitments to date and the Irish stand 11th in their ranking of college football recruiting. Headlining the Irish verbals are (Pictured L to R) Offensive Lineman; Matt Hegarty (New Mexico), Jordan Prestwood (Florida) and TE Ben Koyack (Pennsylvania). Koyack just won the Pennsylvania High School State Title in the Javelin. The first verbal commitment to this recruiting class came from Brad Carrico, who's a DE from Brady Quinn's old high school in Dublin, Ohio. Here's a link to the ESPN Rankings:

TOP TWENTY RECRUITING RANKINGS - CLASS OF 2011

Alex Montoya -- A Notre Dame story!

This is the story of one of the first San Diegans mainstreamed from special education to an integrated school environment in 1980. A triple amputee from birth, Alex Montoya, is truly "one of a kind." An author and motivational speaker - Alex is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (Class of 1996). Here is the promotional copy used by the Publisher of Alex's book "Swinging for the Fences." There are some odds that can't be beat, but Alex Montoya has yet to find them. Living his whole life with prosthetics has neither deterred nor discouraged Alex from achieving his dreams. From a young immigrant to the American dream, Montoya overcomes his obstacles with perseverance and a lot of laughter. From his tiring trials to become a citizen to fulfilling his dream of working in Major League Baseball, from his days at Notre Dame to his days in Hollywood, Alex Montoya's success is directly credited to his will. And his determined will, as he will tell you, was a conscious choice." When Alex isn't writing a book or giving a motivational speech, he serves as the Manager of Latino Relations for the San Diego Padres. Montoya has appeared in the major motion films Artificial Intelligence and minority Report. A former Olympic Torch Relay carrier, Montoya was named to San Diego Magazine’s "50 San Diegans To Watch" list in 2000. You can find Montoya's book "Swinging for the Fences" -- on sale in the Notre Dame Hammes Bookstore and at Amazon online. Here's a link to buy Alex's book:

SWINGING FOR THE FENCES -- AMAZON

ND Goalie -- Most Outstanding Player Award!

Notre Dame Senior, Scott Rodgers, was named the "Most Outstanding Player" for the 2010 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships! Rodgers finished the season with the highest save percentage in the country! Joining Rodgers on the All Tournament Team were teammates; Zach Brenneman and Kevin Ridgway. Congratulations!

Darius Walker -- Needs Our Help!

Former Notre Dame running back, Darius Walker -- ND Class of 2009 -- has set his sites on a new career for himself...talk show host! Oprah Winfrey is running a contest on her website "YOUR OWN SHOW" in which Darius has submitted an audition tape. Click on the link below and you'll see how you can help Darius get this gig!

DARIUS WALKER'S AUDITION FOR OPRAH

ND Lacrosse - Dream Ends in OT

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame lost five seconds into OT to Duke 6 - 5 in today's NCAA Men's Lacrosse National Championship Game. A "see-saw" game that saw no more than a one goal lead for either side -- but, it was Duke who scored the goal to tie the game in the 4th Quarter and the goal off the OT faceoff was the game winner. The eleven total goals is the lowest total for the Championship Game and a testament to the Irish defense and the goaltending of Notre Dame goalie Scott Rodgers. It was a valiant effort by the Irish and a "shot heard round the Lacrosse world!" It's time to thank these young men for giving the Notre Dame Nation some excitement these past two weeks! You brought great honor to your school and the GOLD HELMET!

Happy Memorial Day!

As you enjoy a Memorial Day meal today with family and friends -- please think about the families that aren't together today -- because a family member or two has lost a life -- or, is sitting somewhere in the world today fighting for our freedom. Say a prayer for them. Here's a video you must find time to watch today:

MEMORIAL DAY 2010

IT'S CHAMPIONSHIP MONDAY! -- 3:30 PM EST

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame take on the Duke Blue Devils this afternoon in the biggest game in the history of Notre Dame Lacrosse. To the winners -- the first National Championship in Lacrosse. I can't wait! The game is on ESPN and ESPN 360. I'm betting that ESPN and the NCAA will realize the largest TV audience ever today for a non-football or basketball National Championship telecast. The picture above is from the Notre Dame vs. Cornell Semi-Final Game Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium -- site of today's National Championship Game. Go IRISH!

WASHINGTON POST STORY ON TODAY'S GAME

ND Alum Wins Pro Boxing Debut!

Mike Lee, Notre Dame Class of 2009 -- made his professional boxing debut last night in Chicago, winning a unanimous decision over Emmitt Woods in a Light Heavyweight bout. Lee, a three time Bengal Bouts Champion who signed with Bob Arum and Top Rank Incorporated (photo) this past February, was very impressive in his first pro fight. Congratulations Mike!

LEE'S PRE-FIGHT PRESS CONFERENCE ON FRIDAY

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Monday!

The Fighting Irish continue to "shock the Lacrosse world" -- beating Cornell 12 - 7 and advancing to the National Championship game tomorrow at the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships. The Irish will take on a familiar foe, the Duke Blue Devils in the title game. Duke beat #1 seed Virginia 14 - 13 in their Semi-Final game. Notre Dame played Duke on the Blue Devils home field this past February with the Irish winning 11 - 7. It's going to be ND's defense and "THE WALL" 6'-4" 245 lb. Senior Goal Tender Scott Rodgers (pictured) vs. the offense of Duke -- should be a classic. To the winner goes the first Lacrosse National Championship in each respective school's history. The game will be televised on ESPN at 3:30 PM -- GO IRISH!

ESPN PREVIEW OF LACROSSE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

COACH CORRIGAN'S POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

Kevin Corrigan -- Talks Irish Lacrosse!

He's in his 22nd season as Head Coach of the University of Notre Dame Men's Lacrosse Team -- and his team is making it's second trip to the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships Final Four! The Irish take on Cornell in Baltimore tomorrow afternoon in front of the largest crowd ever to see a Notre Dame Lacrosse team play -- as more than 50,000 are expected to be sitting in the seats of M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Here is Coach Corrigan with Jack Nolan talking about tomorrow's game - click on link:

COACH CORRIGAN WITH UND.COM'S JACK NOLAN

Irish Lacrosse Plays Cornell Saturday!

Kevin Corrigan's Notre Dame Fighting Irish Lacrosse Team will play the #7 seed Cornell this Saturday in the first National Semi-Final game of the 2010 NCAA Men's Lacrosse National Championships this weekend in Baltimore. For the 'unseeded' Irish - Cornell will be the lowest seeded team they will have played so far. To date, the Irish have knocked off #6 seeded Princeton and the #3 seed Maryland on their way to the Final Four. The Irish were a controversial pick to even be in the tournament - many lacrosse "experts" were furious that Notre Dame was selected into the sixteen team field. They were so lightly regarded that after the Irish beat Maryland -- the Terrapins Coach resigned the next day. Yet, you can catch the "un-worthy" Fighting Irish on ESPN2 this Saturday afternoon at 4 PM EST -- in THE FINAL FOUR! The second National Semi-Final will pit the #1 seed Virginia against the #5 seed Duke. The winners of these two games will play in the National Championship game on Memorial Day (Monday) at 3:30 PM EST on ESPN. Here's a link to the NCAA's Lacrosse National Championships website. GO IRISH!

2010 NCAA MEN'S LACROSSE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Our Favorite Professional Golfer - Mark Baldwin

Mark Baldwin is a Notre Dame Alum (Class of 2006) and is a member of the Canadian PGA Tour. The NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG is following Mark as he goes about his journey -- pursuing the dream of playing on the PGA Tour. Which is something a Notre Dame grad has never done before. Baldwin heads to British Columbia on Sunday to prepare for next week's Times Colonist Open. You'll find a link to this tournament's website below -- so you can follow how Mark is playing. This past week Mark was in Louisiana participating in a unique Junior Golf program run by a couple of local PGA Pros. Mark produced a video that captured the "magic" these two members of the PGA of America are creating in the New Orleans area. Enjoy!

MARK BALDWIN -- LAKEWOOD JUNIOR GOLF PROGRAM

CANADIAN PGA TOUR - TIMES COLONIST OPEN