ESPN's Five Things to Watch: Notre Dame

ESPN.COM college football writer, Brian Bennett, offered up five things to watch for with the Notre Dame football team this season. Here's the link -- along with two other stories that Bennett wrote on the Irish today at ESPN.COM:

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

BUZZ SURROUNDS COACH KELLY

RUN GAME NOT AN AFTERTHOUGHT

Desert to Dome: Almost Dome!

University of Notre Dame's Dean of the College of Science, Greg Crawford and his wife Renate -- are just four days away from home! They're currently pedaling through Illinois, on their way to Chicago for a couple of events this weekend. The Crawford's left Tucson, AZ on July 24th -- more than 2,000 miles ago. They'll arrive home to the University of Notre Dame's Main Building (THE GOLDEN DOME) on Monday!!! If you're on campus Monday -- get out and cheer them down Notre Dame Avenue! Here's a link to their blog and all of the wonderful stories about their journey:

DESERT TO DOME -- ALMOST DOME!

Notre Dame: ADHD Diagnosis Overused

From the late 1980s to the early 2000s, the rate of diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) soared 500 percent. Today 5 to 10 percent of all U.S. children between the ages of 6 and 18 have been diagnosed with ADHD. Research at the University of Notre Dame has concluded in many cases, diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in young children is wrong. Notre Dame economist William Evans (pictured), along with colleagues at North Carolina State University and the University of Minnesota, say approximately 1.1 million children from the late 1980s to the early part of this century could have been inappropriately diagnosed. Additionally, they say more than 800-thousand were given stimulant medication to address ADHD only because they were less mature than their peers. The researchers discovered that children who are “older for their grade” are less frequently diagnosed and treated for ADHD. Children born just after the cutoff date for enrollment and therefore relatively old for their grade had a significantly lower incidence of ADHD diagnosis and treatment than classmates born just before the cutoff and, therefore, young for their grade. All things being equal, such a disparity should not exist. The fact that it does suggests something other than the disorder is causing the increase in diagnosis. Full results of the research will be published in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Health Economics. Here's a link to the release from the University of Notre Dame:

NOTRE DAME: ADHD MISDIAGNOSED

A Few Football Tickets Still Available

Ever wanted to attend a Notre Dame Football game? Here's your chance! I spoke with the Notre Dame Ticket Office this morning and learned that "single seat" tickets still remain for the Stanford and Pittsburgh games -- and tickets for the Western Michigan, Utah and Tulsa games are still available. Just call the Notre Dame Ticket office at 574.631.7356 -- tickets go for $70 each.

Notre Dame Footbal Media Day: The Day After

Here's a compendium of stories that were generated from Brian Kelly's first Media Day as Head Coach of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. As you'll see, he's won over the media -- now he needs to win some football games:



CHICAGO SUN TIMES ARTICLE

CHICAGO TRIBUNE ARTICLE

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE ARTICLE

WNDU-TV COVERAGE

WSBT-TV COVERAGE

FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE ARTICLE

NBC's Notre Dame Web Portal

NBC calls it Notre Dame Central - it's their web portal to their coverage of Notre Dame football. On a Notre Dame Football Saturday you'll find live streaming content here that they don't run on the network broadcast. Here's a link to Notre Dame Central's story today about Michael Floyd along with a link to their video hub:

NBC'S NOTRE DAME CENTRAL - MICHAEL FLOYD STORY

NBC'S NOTRE DAME CENTRAL VIDEO HUB

The Notre Dame Book of Prayer

The Notre Dame Book of Prayer reflects the vibrant Catholic spirituality of Notre Dame and the sacred places on its beloved campus. It's an inspiring collection of prayers for every occasion. The book, published by Ave Maria Press, includes a forward from Notre Dame President Emeritus Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., and an afterward from University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. In addition to exclusive photos by University Photographer Matt Cashore ’04, the hardcover book includes 256 pages of traditional and contemporary prayers that reflect the rich heritage of the Catholic faith and the storied legacy of the University. In addition to traditional prayers from the Bible, the book includes personal essays and prayers written by University staff, faculty, alumni, students, and members of the Congregation of Holy Cross. The Notre Dame Book of Prayer is now available at the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore and may be purchased online. Here's a link to the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore site:

HAMMES NOTRE DAME BOOKSTORE

Where Are They Now? -- Mike McCoy

Former Notre Dame All-American, Mike McCoy, personifies what it means to be a "Notre Dame Man." The defensive tackle out of Erie, PA's Cathedral High School was one of the all-time greats at his position for the Irish. As a senior, he was a consensus All-American, named UPI's Lineman Of The Year and he finished an unheard of sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting -- proving his dominance from the defensive tackle position. McCoy was drafted "second overall" by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 1970 NFL Draft. He went on to an 11-year career in the NFL earning; All Pro honors, Packers Rookie of the Year, Packers Dodge NFL Man of the Year, Notre Dame Pro Player of the Year, etc. This December, The Charlotte Touchdown Club will honor Mike as the winner of the 2010 Bronko Nagurski ‘Legends’ Award, which recognizes the “best of the best” of defensive football players from the past 40 years. Yet, I'll bet he's most proud of what he's doing now with his life. Mike McCoy is President of Mike McCoy Ministries -- a ministry that works with school aged children in an effort to prevent suicides, fight drug addiction, curtail promiscuous behavior and assist them in making good life decisions. He's saving lives. McCoy travels to Catholic schools throughout the country and tells his own personal story about how alcohol consumption nearly took him down a path of construction at Notre Dame and early in his NFL career with the Packers. Last school-year, Mike spoke in 75 Catholic Schools in front of more than 10,000 students. This past February, McCoy began challenging students to commit to reading a chapter of Proverbs daily for two months. To date, almost two thousand students have accepted that challenge. Mike's upcoming travel schedule has him visiting schools in the following markets; Milwaukee, Houston, Detroit, Kansas City, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Indianapolis, etc. Mike McCoy is a Notre Dame Man. Please visit Mike's website to learn more about what he's doing for kids -- and how you can help his ministry. Here's a link:

MIKE MCCOY MINISTRIES

PHOTO OF THE DAY: MEDIA DAY AT ND!

Here's a picture courtesy of Twitter. The Chicago Tribune's Notre Dame beatwriter; Brian Hamilton -- just tweeted this photo -- of the 2010 Notre Dame Football team setting up for the team photo in Notre Dame Stadium.

First Look: Notre Dame's New Football Jersey

Here's a few photos just taken at Notre Dame's Media Day of Manti Teo in the Fighting Irish's new Adidas football jersey. Big changes in the look and what appears to be "comfort" (mesh material in the front and back) of the new Notre Dame Football jersey. It's definitely not the "authentic" game jersey being sold in the Notre Dame Bookstore.

Brian Kelly's Press Conference -- 11:30 AM EST

The video taken from Brian Kelly's Notre Dame Football Media Day Press Conference -- will be posted at 11:30 AM EST at www.und.com. Technical difficulties ruled the morning on the 5th floor of the Notre Dame Stadium PressBox -- not allowing for the planned live broadcast. Click on the link below for the "almost live" coverage at 11:30 AM EST:

BRIAN KELLY'S PRESS CONFERENCE

Technical Problems -- Delaying Broadcast

Just saw a "tweet" from www.und.com that they're experiencing "technical problems" with the live broadcast of Brian Kelly's press conference that started six minutes ago -- at Notre Dame. Keep checking their site -- I'm sure they're working like crazy trying to get this on. UPDATE: UND.COM JUST 'TWEETED' THAT THEY'LL HAVE THE PRESS CONFERENCE POSTED AT 11:30 AM EST -- AT THE LINK BELOW:

MEDIA DAY COVERAGE -- WWW.UND.COM

Notre Dame Ranked 19th in America

U.S. News & World Report just released its annual ranking (this morning) of the top colleges in America and the University of Notre Dame is ranked 19th. Here's a link to their 2011 ranking of the "Top-25" national universities:

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT'S RANKING OF BEST COLLEGES

Notre Dame Doctoral Students Win Big!

More than $1.5 million was awarded this season to Notre Dame doctoral students! Here's a link to the award winners:

EXTERNAL FELLOWSHIP WINNERS

New Award Announced: Paul Hornung Award

This morning at 11:00 AM EST -- the "watch list" for college football's newest award; the Paul Hornung Award, will be announced. The Paul Hornung Award is named after former Notre Dame 1956 Heisman Trophy Winner, Paul Hornung. The award will be given to the football player "who finds the most ways to help his team win this season." Hornung, known as "The Golden Boy," is one of the best "all around athletes" to ever play the game; he was a quarterback, running back, safety and place kicker throughout his Hall of Fame career. Voting for the first Paul Hornung Award winner will take place "after" the BCS Bowl Championship and will be awarded by one of Hornung's teammates with the Green Bay Packers; Bart Starr. Here's a link to a story about the Award and a second link to its official website:

PAUL HORNUNG AWARD

PAUL HORNUNG AWARD -- OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Reminder: Media Day Starts at 10 AM Today!

The "official" Notre Dame Football Media Day begins this morning at 10:00 AM EST -- with Head Coach Brian Kelly meeting with the assembled media. You can watch the action "LIVE" at www.und.com -- beginning at 10 AM sharp! This year's Notre Dame Media Guide cover (pictured) -- is a classic -- and it reflects Coach Kelly's desire to take the Fighting Irish back to its roots. All day long you'll find interviews with players and coaches at www.und.com - enjoy! Here's the link: WWW.UND.COM EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL PROBLEMS -- KEEP CHECKING TO SEE IF THEY GET THEM CORRECTED. I'm sure there are some "tech guys" sweating right now!

2010 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL - MEDIA DAY

PURCHASE THE 2010 FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE - HERE

Notre Dame Football Media Day - Tomorrow!

Tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM EST - Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Brian Kelly will step to the podium to "kick-off" the official Notre Dame Football Media Day. You can watch Coach Kelly's press conference live at www.und.com -- beginning at 10 AM EST. This site will also have updates throughout the day as they interview the Coaching Staff and Players. Here's a link to the site:

NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL MEDIA DAY - TUESDAY, AUGUST 17TH

NBC's 2010 Notre Dame Football Promo

University of Notre Dame's Brian Hardin just tweeted this "link" for Irish fans to be one of the first to see NBC's promotional spot for the upcoming ND Football season. I uploaded the video to YouTube saving Notre Dame fans the hassle of downloading the file. Just click on the link below! Go Irish!

NBC PROMOTIONAL SPOT

Irish to Play Indiana in Crossroads Classic

Notre Dame Athletic Director, Jack Swarbrick joined his fellow AD's at; Indiana University, Butler University and Purdue University in Indianapolis this morning to announce the Crossroads Classic -- a two-year commitment to play a doubleheader in December at Conseco Fieldhouse. This December 17th the Irish will play Indiana, while Butler will take on Purdue. The 2011 Crossroads Classic will be played on December 15th with Notre Dame tangling with Purdue. Stay tuned for ticket information. Here's a link to the press conference:

CROSSROADS CLASSIC PRESS CONFERENCE

Sam Young -- Could Be Cowboy Starter!

Former Notre Dame offensive tackle, Sam Young -- is running with the "first team" these days with the Dallas Cowboys. The sixth round draft pick is replacing Marc Colombo who's knee injury looks like it will require surgery. It's going to be interesting to see if Sam can hold on to the job until Colombo comes back. Here's a link to the story:

SAM YOUNG -- DALLAS COWBOYS RIGHT TACKLE