"Welcome to Notre Dame..."

The University of Notre Dame introduced its new head baseball coach this week -- Mik Aoki. Aoki is the 20th head baseball coach in the history of Notre Dame baseball. I knew this fact from the press release that Notre Dame sent out to the media. Now, I could have just picked up the phone and called Cappy Gagnon -- who just happens to be the foremost authority on Notre Dame baseball in the world. A 1966 graduate of Notre Dame, Cappy Gagnon returned to his alma mater in March 1996 to assume his current post as coordinator of stadium personnel. In that role, he is responsible for overseeing the 857 ushers who handle crowd management for football games at Notre Dame Stadium. When you hear one of them say "Welcome to Notre Dame" -- that's Cappy's influence. Cappy has had an interesting and distinguished career. Gagnon has previously served as assistant director of training at THE POLICE FOUNDATION, a Washington, D.C.-based police think tank; the executive assistant/director of special programs for the Sheriff of Los Angeles County; and the technical services manager for the Olympia (Wash.) Police Department. While with the L.A. Sheriff's Department, he received the Exemplary Service Award, two commendations from the National Association of Counties, and a commendation from the L.A. Human Rights Commission. Because of his service on the nine-member Los Angeles County "Blue Ribbon Commission on the Homeless," he received a commendation from the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. Gagnon also worked for Gavin de Becker as a security supervisor, providing protective services for more than 30 of the most prominent public figures in the entertainment industry. In that capacity, he supervised security of many of the entertainers who performed at President Ronald Reagan's first inauguration in 1981. Gagnon also was the security escort and provided all the advance work for more than 100 venues for Cher's 1990 world tour. A noted baseball historian, Gagnon served two years (1984-85) as the president of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), a worldwide group of 7,000 baseball historians. He also wrote Notre Dame Baseball Greats (cover above), published by Arcadia Press (2004) -- a link to buy the book online is below. One of my favorite Cappy Gagnon stories is when Bobby Bowden brought his Seminoles into Notre Dame Stadium to play the Irish (not sure of the season). Now, it was well known that the Seminoles had a "grave yard" outside their football practice field in which they ceremoniously 'buried' a clump of grass from every away football field they were victorious. They called these clumps "scalps." Well Cappy wasn't going to allow that to happen at Notre Dame! So, the game is over, the Seminoles had beaten the Irish that day - and one of the Seminoles' star players had just reached down to take a "scalp" out of Notre Dame Stadium. Only to find someone grabbing his wrist -- telling him "politely" to put that grass down -- he did -- that someone was Mr. Cappy Gagnon. The scene was caught by a photographer who later presented the series of photos to Cappy - which you'll find framed on his office wall. The topper was the next day when this athlete was interviewed about the game and he mentioned that the Irish "weren't that tough, but their ushers sure were!" If you ever have the honor of crossing paths with Cappy Gagnon -- and I hope you do -- you'll quickly learn he's a class act, a wonderful representative of his alma mater and a NOTRE DAME MAN! Buy his book!

AMAZON: NOTRE DAME BASEBALL GREATS

Desert to Dome -- Starts TODAY!

University of Notre Dame's Dean of the College of Science -- Greg Crawford and his wife Renate -- begin their 2,200 mile bike ride from the Desert (Tucson, AZ) to the Dome (Notre Dame, IN) TODAY! The Crawford's are "bringing home" the relationship between the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation and the University of Notre Dame -- as the two have joined forces to find a cure for Neimann-Pick Type C. A disease that took the lives of three of Coach Ara Parseghian's grandchildren at a young age. The journey will be documented on their blog -- link below -- so please be sure to check in on them over the next four weeks. They expect to ride onto campus on August 23rd. Those of you along their route (the map is on the blog) please make an effort to cheer them on -- either on the side of the road or at one of the Notre Dame Club events scheduled. SAFE TRAVELS!

OFFICIAL DESERT TO DOME BLOG

More Than 10,000 Unique Visitors!

This morning, the NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG went over the 10,000 unique visitors mark -- in less than six months! Notre Dame fans from all 50 States and more than 40 countries, around the globe, have made ND GO IRISH BLOG part of their daily "Notre Dame fix." Thank you! In honor of reaching the 10,000 Unique Visitor benchmark -- I've changed the design of the site. I hope you like! Go Irish!

You Have to Watch this Video!

Notre Dame Football players, Michael Floyd and Mike Ragone decided to take their "skills" to Melissa Cook Stadium on the University of Notre Dame campus. Little did they know what they were getting into as they stood at the plate and faced Irish hurler Jody Valdivia (pictured). Valdivia (Anaheim Hills, CA) set a school record this year for most wins in a season (32) while striking out more than 240 batters. You can now add two more to Jody's total -- though it appears Ragone was given a gift at the end! Take a look:

CAN YOU HIT THIS!

Brian Kelly to Sing at Wrigley -- Sunday Night!

University of Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Brian Kelly, will be the guest conductor of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" this Sunday night -- during the seventh inning stretch of the Cubs vs. Cardinals game. The game will be nationally televised by ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball crew (8 PM EST) - don't be surprised if Kelly does an interview with them during the game. He will be interviewed by WGN Radio during the sixth inning. If you get there early, you'll see Coach throwing out the ceremonial first pitch as well. Here's a link to Ozzy Osborne, leading the Cubs fans in this wonderful tradition - let's hope Coach Kelly sounds better than Ozzy!!!!

OZZY SINGS AT WRIGLEY

HERE'S THE VIDEO OF COACH KELLY'S DAY AT WRIGLEY

"Catholics vs. Convicts" -- A Renewal

The University of Miami's Athletic Director, Kirby Hocut, "let the cat out of the bag" yesterday when he announced that they had agreed to a three game series with the Fighting Irish. The schedule calls for a "neutral site" game at Chicago's Soldier Field in 2012 and then a game at Notre Dame in 2016 followed by a game at Miami in 2017. Notre Dame fans will recall that the series was not renewed in 1990 after bad blood between the schools (photo). To set the stage -- here's Rocket Ismail's classic story about his first Miami vs. Notre Dame game at Notre Dame Stadium:

STORY TIME WITH ROCKET ISMAIL

"Domer" Schedules Second Pro Fight

Top Rank Boxing announced this week that former three-time Notre Dame Bengal Bouts champion and 2009 Notre Dame grad -- Mike Lee, will be fighting his second professional bout on August 14th. Lee, who earned a win in his first pro fight -- a unanimous decision over Emmit Woods on May 29th -- will be taking on Keith Debow in a light-heavyweight bout at the Laredo Energy Center in Laredo, TX. Mike is currently in Houston training with Ronnie Shields. Shields is no slouch, he's worked with Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Pernell Whitaker -- to name just a few. Good Luck Mike!

TOP RANK BOXING WEBSITE

Desert to Dome -- Starts Saturday!

Dean Greg Crawford and his wife Renate's bike ride from Tucson to South Bend -- to "bring home" the relationship between the Ara Parseghian Medial Research Foundation and the University of Notre Dame -- begins Saturday, July 24th. Following them on their 2,200 mile journey is a "chase van" (pictured here in front of the Main Building) -- click on photo to enlarge. The ND GO IRISH BLOG will be following the Crawford's on their ride home to Notre Dame -- a ride that is expected to end on August 23rd. If you live along their route -- see the route on the linked site below -- be sure to say hello, honk a horn, YELL GO IRISH! -- even sign the chase van. And, if you're so moved, make a donation to this worthy cause. Safe travels!!!

DESERT TO DOME

The Home of the Most Heisman Trophies!

In light of USC's decision yesterday to return Reggie Bush's Heisman Trophy -- leaving USC with six Heisman Trophies -- does that now mean that Notre Dame is the only school with seven Heisman Trophy "winners?" The Heisman Trust is rumored to be meeting next week to decide just that. At the very least -- Notre Dame is, once again, the only college campus in America where you'll find seven Heisman trophies! I'd like to believe that USC's actions make it that much easier for the Heisman Trust to follow suit and rescind Bush's Heisman Trophy. Makes you wonder now if Bush and his family feel that the home and the other perks they received, was worth it. Here's a link to the story concerning USC removing the trophy as well as a second story discussing the Heisman Trust's plans:

USC RETURNS HEISMAN TROPHY

HEISMAN TRUST TO MEET

Who Takes Haden's Spot in the Booth?

With the news yesterday that Pat Haden, NBC color analyst, will be named the next Athletic Director at USC -- effective August 3rd -- there is an opening in the Notre Dame telecast booth. It's going to be interesting to see who NBC will select for this position. I would like to see a "pro Notre Dame" voice sitting alongside Tom Hammond. My top choices: Joe Theismann, Rocket Ismail, Jerome Bettis or Steve Beurlein. Here's a link to an article that lists many more prospects for the position:

WHO IS NEXT?

"I'm Done With Coaching"

These were the words of one Tyrone Willingham, who was recently interviewed by a Jacksonville newspaper. Many thought that was the case after his second season with the Irish. The 56 year-old former Notre Dame Head Coach hasn't been seen much since his firing from Washington. Ty says he "is retired" -- I'm guessing he's just playing a little more golf these days! Here's a link to the article:

WILLINGHAM DONE WITH COACHING?

ND Priest Named Holy Cross Superior General!

The Rev. Richard V. Warner, a 1962 grad of Notre Dame, has been named the 12th superior general of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Warner will lead the worldwide ministries of Holy Cross from its headquarters in Rome. He takes on these duties this week. Congratulations Father Warner! Here's a link to a photo and news release on this apointment:

REV. RICHARD V. WARNER

Irish -- 66 to 1 Odds to Win BCS Championship

The "experts" in Las Vegas have spoken -- and they've placed the odds of Notre Dame winning the BCS Championship in 2011 at 66 to 1. This is according to the oddsmakers at online sportsbook Sports Interaction. Here is a link to their analysis of the Fighting Irish:

THE SPREAD

Theismann Finishes 16th -- Tolliver Wins

The American Century Championship -- a golf tournament played on the shores of Lake Tahoe -- annually brings together stars from the entertainment and sport communities. This made for TV event, had five "Notre Damers" in the field -- with Joe Theismann, Steve Beurlein, Jerome Bettis (pictured), Digger Phelps and Lou Holtz teeing it up. Theismann had the best finish, winding up 16th, while Beurlein finished 51st, Bettis 56th, Digger 72nd and Lou pulled out of the last round. Billy Joe Tolliver ran away from the field, setting a Stabelford Scoring record for the event and winning for the third time.

Theismann Tied for 13th!

Joe Theismann is the "low Notre Damer" at this week's American Century Golf Championship in Lake Tahoe. Theismann (pictured), in 13th place, is one of five athletes/coaches, playing in the tournament who have ties to the University of Notre Dame. Steve Beurlein, Jerome Bettis, Digger Phelps and Lou Holtz are the others. Beurlein is currently 51st, Bettis is 55th, Phelps (recovering from prostate cancer surgery) is 70th and Lou is in 78th place going into today's final round. You can watch the tournament live on NBC today from 3 PM to 6 PM EST.

LIVE LEADERBOARD

ND All Americans Differ on Independence

Former Notre Dame All American football players Joe Theismann and Gerry DiNardo were recently interviewed for a Detroit News article about Notre Dame's football independence. Theismann was very clear in his feelings about Notre Dame remaining independent -- "It would be a very sad day for me personally if Notre Dame were to join a conference." Not surprisingly, DiNardo toed the company line (DiNardo is a Big Ten Network analyst), saying "The reason I believe Notre Dame should be affiliated with a conference because it gives them a chance to be the best..." NOTE TO GERRY -- Notre Dame doesn't need to join the Big Ten or any conference for that matter -- "for the chance" to be the best!!! Here's a link to the article:

NOTRE DAME'S FOOTBALL INDEPENDENCE

A Domer (Who Can't Sing) to the Rescue!

Jimmy Small, ND Class of 2008, joined NASCAR's Series Operations group just a couple of weeks after his Graduation from Notre Dame. ( That's him pictured at a recent NASCAR race with Kevin James and Adam Sandler). Well, last night Jimmy was at Gateway International Raceway -- five miles outside of St. Louis, MO. -- working the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. One of his "pre-race" duties for NASCAR is to ensure that the Driver Introductions, Invocation, National Anthem and the "Drivers Start Your Engine" command are performed on time for the television broadcast. Last night, the National Anthem was to be performed on an electric guitar (sans the singing) by a well known lead singer of a rock band. The rock star is standing on stage, with his guitar, awaiting the signal from Jimmy to start. It's three minutes and counting until the National Anthem is to be performed -- AND THE POWER GOES OUT. The rock star can't play his electric guitar! Jimmy runs up to him -- and tells him "You're going to have to sing the National Anthem!" The response; "Dude, I can't -- I don't know all of the words." Well, Jimmy immediately yells into his headset "WE NEED A NATIONAL ANTHEM SINGER NOW!" Within seconds a Gateway International Raceway representative says "We have an ex-cheerleader on staff who can sing, we'll find her." Looks like the crisis has been avoided -- until he hears over the headset: "She can't sing -- she doesn't know all the words." It's now less than two minutes before the National Anthem is to be performed on live television and Jimmy makes the snap decision; I KNOW ALL THE WORDS -- I'LL SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM! Mind you, his only singing experience, since his third-grade choir's Christmas concert at St. Patrick Elementary, is with his buddies on GUITAR HERO -- trust me, he can't sing! So, he informs everyone that he'll sing the National Anthem. He jumps up on stage and grabs a portable battery powered microphone -- and gets ready to sing. As he tells it; "I am shaking like you can't believe -- yet, I'm thinking this is going to be a story that will be told for years and years..." He's literally FIVE SECONDS away from becoming YOUTUBE legend for the worst rendition of the National Anthem in the history of this great country -- when the POWER COMES BACK ON! However, it's already been announced "and now, singing the National Anthem, from NASCAR, Jimmy Small..." Thankfully, Jimmy gets a signal that the power is back and he immediately waves for the "rock star" to jump back on stage to take Jimmy's place -- and he plays the National Anthem on his electric guitar without a problem. CRISIS AVOIDED! For those of you watching the race live on the SPEED CHANNEL last night - you never saw this, because they run the live broadcast on a slight delay. It allows them to edit language and other things they don't want to air on live television. If you were watching the race, you also know that the power went back out -- right after the National Anthem and never came back on -- forcing NASCAR to reschedule the race to this afternoon at 1:30 PM EST. Here's hoping the "rock star" will come back and perform the National Anthem again today - keeping Jimmy away from the microphone! I guess the lesson here is we need to teach the National Anthem in all of our schools in America! FYI: In the spirit of "full disclosure" -- Jimmy is the oldest son of this blogger!

Notre Dame Chemists Receive $5.5 Million Grant

Dr. Mayland Chang, a researcher in the University of Notre Dame's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry received a $5.5 million grant to develop drugs designed to fight serious bacterial infections. The National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases awarded the grant to Chang. The research team includes three other researchers at Notre Dame and a researcher in Spain. Here's a link to Dr. Chang's biography:

DR. MAYLAND CHANG -- NOTRE DAME

Tim Brown - College Football Hall of Fame!

Former Notre Dame All American and Heisman Trophy winner -- Tim Brown, will be coming home this weekend to South Bend for his enshrinement into the College Football Hall of Fame. Brown will become the 49th Notre Dame Football player to be so honored -- the most of any school in the country. The festivities begin tomorrow -- so if you're in the South Bend area, think about attending a few of them. Here's a link to the schedule:

HALL OF FAME INDUCTION SCHEDULE

ESPN Classic to Air "Game of the Century"

The infamous "Game of the Century -- the 10 - 10 Tie" between Notre Dame and Michigan State, in 1966, will be commemorated with a special two hour show on ESPN Classic -- Tuesday, July 20th from 4 PM to 6 PM EST. MSU's Bubba Smith and Notre Dame's Rocky Bleier will be commentating and the entire second half will be shown. If you can't see it - be sure to TIVO or RECORD it.