Former University of Notre Dame safety, Tommy Zbikowski -- showed off his improving speed this morning, intercepting a Flaco pass and going 60 yards for a TD. Zibby worked with a new trainer this off-season and the hard work appears to be paying off. Here's a link to the story:
Former Notre Dame offensive tackle and sixth round pick of the Dallas Cowboys, Sam Young -- is impressing his new coach. Here's an update on the Domer's first camp with the Cowboys:
Here's a story in today's Chicago Tribune concerning Notre Dame football player; Manti Teo. Teo, the highly sought after recruit out of Hawaii, started a number of games for the Irish last season as a freshman. Much has been speculated about when Manti will take his Mormon mission. Here are his thoughts, and his family's -- on this very subject:
Here's a photo of a "mock up" of seating choices for the University of Notre Dame's consideration for its new Hockey Stadium - the architects have called it a "Hockey Cathedral." The $53 million facility will be unmatched on any college campus in America. If you haven't been to campus in a few months you'll be surprised to see what's going up in the Southeast corner of the parking lot south of The Joyce Center!
Former Notre Dame All-American and Biletnikoff Award Winner -- Golden Tate, is putting on a show in Training Camp for his Seattle Seahawks teammates. Tate is "just making plays" as his new QB will attest. I won't be surprised if he's in the discussion, all season, for Rookie Of The Year honors in the NFL. Go Golden! Here's a link to an article from yesterday's practice - and a link to Golden's personal blog:
Dillon Powers (Plano, TX) a rising sophomore at the University of Notre Dame was named MVP of the "Milk Cup" -- an international soccer tournament held in Northern Ireland. Dillon led the United States U-20 national team to the championship with a 3-0 win over the host country, Northern Ireland. The US earlier beat China and Denmark to qualify for the Championship Match. Powers earned Big East All Rookie Team honors this past season for the Irish. Congratulations Dillon!
Bloomberg BusinessWeek just completed a ranking of where the CEO's of the top 100 US financial firms attended college, for their undergraduate education, and the school at the top of the list: The University of Notre Dame! Five "Domers" sit in the top chair at these largest companies; James Rohr of PNC Financial Services Group and Debra Cafaro (photo) of Ventas Inc. (one of only two women in the rankings), James Flaherty, HCP; Paul Reilly, Raymond James Financial; and Terrence Cavanaugh, Erie Indemnity. Tied for second; Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell and Colgate. Further evidence as to why the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business is ranked as the #1 undergraduate Business School in the country!
University of Florida grad, former Cincinnati Bengal, NBC Sports Analyst -- and father of a "freshman" football player at Notre Dame, Chris Collinsworth -- was a guest on Jim Rome's show today. And, Chris wore the cap of his new favorite team! Take a look for yourself:
CBS Sports College Football Recruiting Analyst, Tom Lemming, sat down with the boys at WSBT 960 AM for their Weekly SportsBeat Show. Lemming is considered one of the "deans" of college football recruiting -- having spent many years covering this topic. You'll enjoy his thoughts about Brian Kelly and his staff's recruiting prowess -- and where he would rank this recruiting class nationally. Just click on the link below:
University of Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Brian Kelly, agreed to sit down with an ESPN reporter yesterday to talk about the state of Notre Dame Football. You'll enjoy the interview. Click on the link below:
I posted a story about Notre Dame Alum (Class of 1979), Bryan Gruley, back on June 8th. At the time I was writing about his first book; Starvation Lake: A Mystery. Well Bryan, who "moonlights" as the Chicago Bureau Chief of the Wall Street Journal, sent me a note this morning announcing the release of his latest book: The Hanging Tree -- which is available today at Barnes & Noble, Borders and Amazon. To see some reviews of The Hanging Tree - click on the link below. I've also attached a link to Bryan's book tour schedule -- which begins today in Petoskey, MI. If you get a chance, please stop in and see Bryan -- and tell him the NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG sent you!
The 2010 Notre Dame Football season "officially" begins this Friday with its annual Media Day. Coaches and players will be made available to the media and you can watch it LIVE on www.und.com. Their live coverage begins at 11:30 AM EST!
Former Notre Dame football player, father of two current ND football players and co-host of ESPN's "Mike & MIKE" -- Mike Golic, took on a unique challenge yesterday. Golic decided to take on the NFL Conditioning Test that the Washington Redskins' Albert Haynesworth continues to fail. Now, it goes without saying that Mike Greenberg (Golic's on air partner) was the impetus of this challenge. He told Golic there was no way a "fat former NFL player" could finish this test. Now mind you, if Haynesworth (29 years-old) doesn't pass this test -- his $115 - $120 million contract can be voided. So, 47 year-old Golic decided to take on the test of running two 300 yard "shuttle runs" in less than 143 seconds -- LIVE on the ESPN show "NFL LIVE." I won't spoil the fun -- when you get to the linked site below, first click on the video of the two of them arguing on the show. Then click on the second video which is Golic taking on the conditioning test:
You're going to love the University of Notre Dame's new "Game Day" website! IT'S A MUST VISIT IF YOU'RE ATTENDING A NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL GAME THIS SEASON! Be sure to "click on" the "WHAT'S NEW FOR 2010" button -- which will take you to the new initiatives planned for Football Weekend's at Notre Dame. I'm very pleased to learn that the University is going to add "complimentary" shuttle service around campus-- a great idea! The first "Pep Rally" is set for South Quad on Friday, September 3rd -- it's the annual Dillon Hall Pep Rally, which was the best PEP RALLY last season! Here's a link to the Game Day site:
His athletic leaping ability is becoming YOUTUBE LEGEND -- we're talking about University of Notre Dame linebacker, Steve Filer. You'll recall he jumped out of a pool on to the pool deck (see below). The latest escapade of the 6'-3" 235 lb. OLB -- has him jumping over the "roped off" Notre Dame Monogram logo in their practice facility lockerroom. Take a look for yourself:
Well, so much for my prediction of Joe Theismann! For what it's worth -- the hiring executive at NBC Sports really must have a desire for selecting graduates from schools who despise Notre Dame! Haden is a USC grad -- and get this, Mayock is a Boston College grad. Mayock is one of the NFL Draft gurus employed by the NFL Network. I'm assuming he'll keep that gig as well. I guess Mayock's replacement will come from the University of Michigan. Oh well...
University of Notre Dame's Dean of the College of Science, Greg Crawford and his wife Renate (pictured) have rolled into Texas -- and they're still smiling! Here's a quick update as to what they've experienced in the Lone Star State so far:
You've undoubtedly seen photos or videos of large fish literally "jumping into boats" in some rivers in the United States. These fish are called Asian Carp and they seek to potentially destroy the ecosystem of the Great Lakes. The invasive Asian Carp species is worrying officials as it is currently flying and leaping its way up the Mississippi River towards the Great Lakes, specifically Lake Michigan. This fish invasion, if it occurs, would devastate the ecosystem of the Great Lakes, the largest body of fresh water in the world, and would destroy the $7 billion sport fishing industry. The Asian Carp is so feared because an invasion of them in other bodies of water have caused the native fish to die as the Asian Carp eats up to 40% of their body weight in a day, and they number in the hundreds of thousands. The fish can grow to about four feet long and weigh up to 100 pounds, and has been moving up the Mississippi River, destroying it for decades. An electrical barrier was set up to stop the Asian Carp entering the Great Lakes ecosystem, but they appear to have breached that fence and are now only kept out due to a lock for ships outside of Lake Michigan. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association recently awarded the University of Notre Dame $2.5 million to go toward finding a new way to keep the Asian Carp out without closing waterways connecting Chicago's canals to Lake Michigan. "This program is positioned to detect what species will next affect the Great Lakes," said Christopher Jerde, a research assistant professor at Notre Dame. "We will study food chains and webs, locations and economic issues." Jerde said despite the fact that Asian carp, which includes the bighead and silver varieties, have been found below the electric barriers designed to keep the fish inside the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and out of Lake Michigan, it's still not too late to prevent them from taking over the Great Lakes. Good Luck!!! Here's a link to a story about a massive Asian Carp just caught in the Chicago River:
Chris Badger (Provo, UT), a member of Coach Kelly's first recruiting class at Notre Dame, has decided to leave school to serve his Mormon mission beginning September 1st. Chris will be serving his two-year mission in Ecuador and will be returning to Notre Dame to enroll in classes in September 2012 - with four years of NCAA eligibility remaining. Badger was admitted to Notre Dame in January -- allowing him to participate in Spring Practice with his Irish teammates. We wish Chris safe travels and a great life experience. Your Notre Dame Family looks forward to your return!