ESPN Journalist Wes Morgan was in Grand Rapids, MI with Coach Kelly this past Friday -- as he joined the Notre Dame Club of Grand Rapids for their 27th Annual Golf & Scholarship Invitational at Centennial Country Club. Kelly played golf in the afternoon and then he spoke at the dinner that evening. Here's a link to Morgan's ESPN Blog article:
There are strong rumors on the internet that Pat Haden, NBC color analyst for their Notre Dame Football telecasts is the leading candidate to replace embattled USC AD, Mike Garrett. Haden is a former QB at USC and Rhodes Scholar. Although he chose to play for USC over the Irish, Haden readily admits that his mother wanted him to go to Notre Dame and always lights a candle in her memory at the Grotto whenever he is on campus. Pat is currently a member of USC's Board of Trustees.
It was announced today that University of Notre Dame Women's Basketball Coach -- Muffet McGraw will be enshrined in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame next year. Muffet, who led the Irish to their only National Championship in 2001, has won more than 600 games as a head coach. Congratulations Muffet!
Riley Sheahan, first round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings -- and former Irish Hockey player -- performed his stick handling magic for the YOUTUBE cameras as a 15 year-old. Here's a link to the story and video on the Detroit Red Wings' official website:
It's been rumored for weeks that Notre Dame Head Football Coach Brian Kelly accepted an invitation to play in the 21st American Century Championship at Lake Tahoe. Yet, his name isn't on the 'official' list of participants -- even though they promote the fact that he's playing in the event for the first time this year. This is the "made for TV" golf tournament that is made up of former athletes, coaches and actors -- who play in what's called a modified Stableford Scoring Format. Each double eagle, eagle, birdie, par, bogey or double bogey has an assigned point total. The player who scores the most points -- wins the tournament. The event runs from July 13th to the 18th on the shores of Lake Tahoe at Edgewood Tahoe. NBC televises the action -- former Notre Dame greats; Jerome Bettis, Lou Holtz, Digger Phelps and Joe Theismann have committed to play. You'll also have the opportunity to see Charles Barkley swing a golf club (pictured). Once we learn if Coach Kelly is officially playing -- we'll post it on the blog. Here's a link to the tournament's website:
Luke Harangody wasted little time in putting on a show for the Boston Celtics and their fans. The second round pick out of Notre Dame scored 23 points on 9 for 13 shooting in their Summer League opener today in Las Vegas. Congrats Luke!
The Notre Dame Club of Grand Rapids is hosting its 27th Annual Golf & Scholarship Invitational at Centennial Country Club. As of Friday, a few spots in the morning scramble (7:30 AM Shot Gun Start) were available -- and some tickets to see Coach Brian Kelly speak at the dinner that evening. If interested, please contact Bob Belmonte at bbelmonte@appliedimaging.com -- it should be fun!
Notre Dame Head Football Coach was a guest on The Huge Show -- a sports radio program on WBBL 107.3 FM in west Michigan. You'll love his answer to the question: "Will you win a National Championship at Notre Dame?" -- Here's a link to the interview:
Rumors persist that former Notre Dame All American Bobby Taylor, is working out in Houston, TX -- preparing to make a comeback. Taylor, now 36 years-old, last played in the NFL for the Seattle Seahwaks in the 2004 season. Prior to his one season with the Seahawks, Taylor played for the Philadelphia Eagles, the team that drafted him in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft. A corner, the 6'-3" Taylor was named NFL All Pro after the 2002 season -- and is reportedly seeking to make a NFL roster this time as a safety. Well liked by teammates, Taylor received the Ed Block Courage Award in 1998. The Ed Block Courage Award is an annual award presented to selected players in the National Football League (NFL), who are voted by their teammates as role models of inspiration, sportsmanship, and courage. Out of Longview, Texas -- Taylor received the Jack Tatum Trophy in 2004 as the top defensive back in college football. He's the only Notre Dame football player to be so honored. Bobby's Dad, Robert Taylor, won a Gold & Silver Medal in the 1972 Summer Olympics. While it's not entirely crazy to think a 36-year old could play in the NFL (Brett Favre??) -- playing a "back" position in an NFL defense, at this age, would be unique. We wish you well Bobby Taylor!
Matthew Hegarty out of Aztec, New Mexico -- sat down with WSBT 960 AM's SportsBeat Weekly Show to talk about his commitment to Notre Dame. Hegarty is a Five-star recruit -- meaning he's one of the absolute best at his position (Left Tackle) in America. Matt was the MVP at last summer's University of Oklahoma's Top Prospect Camp (Video Below). Here's a link to his interview with Weekly SportsBeat:
I found this story this morning -- "How many more days of independence will Notre Dame celebrate?" It's a good read and I thought you would enjoy:
Notre Dame Professor John D'Arcy, an internet security expert -- boy, do I distrust the word EXPERT -- believes that GOOGLE and China may have kissed and made up. Some may recall that GOOGLE and China have been in a fight over China's censorship of the internet. Well, China is expected to announce this next week whether they will renew GOOGLE's license to operate in their country. China is the world's largest internet market -- as they are for many goods and services these days. The Chinese government's decision will have far reaching ramifications for companies around the world -- stay tuned! Here's a link to the story:
The NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG is only five months old -- but, in that short time more than 8,000 unique Notre Dame fans have paid a visit! You come from all 50 States and more than 30 countries around the world. Pretty amazing how a little school "in the middle of nowhere" can drive such passion. Today alone, Notre Dame fans from 44 States stopped in to check in on their Irish. Thanks for making this great fun and GO IRISH!
No, it's not April Fool's Day - it's the first of July, not April. ESPN College Football Live's Mark May has apparently visited a Priest and confessed his sins - because he's done a "180 on the Irish" and predicts 10 win this season. Here's a link to the video:
PayScale just released their annual "College Salary Report" and it ranks a degree from the University of Notre Dame as the "ninth most valuable" in America. PayScale, which collects pay information from individuals using its online pay comparison tools, analyzed its trove of 1.4 million reports on U.S. college graduates for Bloomberg Businessweek and put a price tag on the college diplomas handed out during recent commencement ceremonies. The rankings list the net 30-year return on investment (ROI) of undergraduate degrees from various colleges and universities. With a typical college degree from the schools in this report, a graduate will earn a gross income of about $1.95 million over a 30-year career, netting about $670,000 more than a high school graduate. Notre Dame graduates out-earned high school graduates by $1.4 million, making it the ninth most valuable undergraduate degree in the nation. Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune article:
Notre Dame Head Football Coach Brian Kelly was a guest yesterday on the Paul Finebaum Radio Show. Finebaum's show airs in the heart of SEC Country -- so Coach Kelly was behind enemy lines with this one. Here's a link to the interview.
Here's a photo of the "Authentic Game Jersey" being sold in the Notre Dame Hammes Bookstore -- "designed to match" the uniform worn by the Irish on Game Day. So, it's truly not the same jersey the Irish will wear on Saturday's in Notre Dame Stadium. As you can see the home jersey has a new neck line, the ND Monogram logo on the sleeves and the Adidas logo front and center. I believe the Official Jersey will have a much larger ND Monogram on the sleeves and the player's names on the back -- and maybe even the ND Monogram at the top of the neckline on the back of the jersey. You'll recall the photos from Blue & Gold Weekend of a jersey that Coach Kelly signed for a fund raiser, I believe that's the official jersey the team will wear -- see link below.
Former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate made the national news a couple of weeks ago with his early morning visit to a Top Pot doughnut shop before it was officially opened for the day, to treat himself to a maple bar. Tate's apology to the store owner -- turned into a clever ad campaign for the Seattle based and Seattle Seahawk's official marketing partner. This photo of an actual store sign suggesting "...please wait until we are open" -- is a nod to Golden Tate's actions. Here's hoping they sell many, many maple bars and ol' Golden learns a valuable lesson. He's very lucky the store owner is a Seahawks fan.
Former Notre Dame basketball great, Orlando Woolridge, was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame this weekend. Woolridge, who grew up in the small town of Mansfield, LA -- about 40 miles south of Shreveport -- was a member of the most talented team in the history of Notre Dame basketball; the 1977 - 1978 Final Four Irish. Owning one of the most unique names in the history of Notre Dame Athletics -- Orlando earned second team All American honors his senior year. Woolridge's exploits at Notre Dame were awarded with being drafted 6th overall, in the 1981 NBA Draft, by the Chicago Bulls. During his thirteen-year career in the NBA, Orlando played for the Bulls, Nets, Lakers, Nuggets, Pistons, Bucks and Sixers. Woolridge led the NBA in scoring during the 1990 - 1991 season -- averaging 25.1 points per game -- before an eye injury sidelined him for almost half of the season. Unfortunately, Orlando's two talented sons didn't follow Dad to Notre Dame. Renaldo, is a 6'-8" forward for the University of Tennessee Volunteers and 6'-2" Royce will play his collegiate basketball at the University of Kansas this upcoming season. Congratulations Orlando!
Mike McCoy, former Notre Dame All-American defensive tackle will receive the Bronco Nagurski "Legends" Award from the Charlotte Touchdown Club -- December 6, 2010 at their annual dinner. The Bronco Nagurski "Legends" Award recognizes the "best of the best" defensive football players in the last 40 years. McCoy was a consensus All-American at Notre Dame and was the second overall pick in the 1970 NFL Draft of the Green Bay Packers. McCoy's efforts on and off the field have earned him the following acclaim; Packers Rookie of the Year, All Pro Player, Dodge NFL Man of the Year, and was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. McCoy was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the Council on Sports for a Drug Free America and by former Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh to the Pennsylvania Council for Physical Fitness. McCoy served as the chaplain of the Atlanta Braves and currently serves on several community outreach boards. Congratulations to a true son of Notre Dame!