Henderson -- Finalist for Player of the Year!

Notre Dame junior soccer star, Melissa Henderson -- was named as one of the three finalists for the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Award yesterday by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.  This award is given annually to the top player in women's soccer -- and the winner will be announced on January 7th at a news conference in downtown St. Louis at the Missouri Athletic Club followed by an awards dinner that evening at the M.A.C.  Henderson was named a first team All-American, Most Valuable Offensive Player in the NCAA Tournament, Big East Offensive Player of the Year and 1st Team all-Big East -- as she led the Irish to their third National Championship.  One "fun fact" about Henderson's career at Notre Dame -- the Irish are undefeated in the 45 games that Melissa has an assist -- including the National Championship game where her assist led to the winning goal!  Henderson is the third Notre Dame women's soccer player to be a finalist for the Hermann Award; Katie Thorlakson in 2005 and two-time Hermann Trophy Award winner -- Kerri Hanks who won the award in 2006 and 2008.  The other two finalists this year are;  Alex Morgan (California) and Christen Press (Stanford).  This next week -- Henderson and her Irish teammate Lauren Fowlkes are off to train with the United States's U23 Team from December 12th to the 19th at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.  Congratulations Melissa!!!  A ND GO IRISH BLOG "thank you" goes out to Dr. Jim Clancy for alerting us to this story.  Here's a link to the story at UND.COM.

LINK:  HENDERSON A FINALIST FOR NATIONAL POY

PHOTO OF THE DAY: New York's Times Square

The Notre Dame Women's Soccer Team just "tweeted" this photo taken in New York's Times Square -- that celebrates their recent National Championship!  Pretty awesome!

A JBL Sound System Installed @ Notre Dame?

The final touches of the recently completed renovation of the Purcell Pavillion at the University of Notre Dame included a state-of-the-art SOUND SYSTEM!  Here's a link to what was installed inside the arena:

LINK:  SOUND? -- NOT A PROBLEM AT NOTRE DAME

#1 Catholic University in the World!

Knowing the great pride that the University of Notre Dame takes in its "rankings" amongst its peer institutions -- I'm not quite sure how some will react to The World University Rankings that were just released by a group out of the United Kingdom.

Notre Dame was ranked as the #1 Catholic university in the world -- was that ever in question?!

However, the overall ranking of #63 in the world may not sit to well on the Golden Dome's 4th Floor -- and I see that as a great thing!!! 

168 years ago, in a letter that Fr. Sorin sent (December 5, 1842) to the Very Reverend Basil Moreau, CSC -- Founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross -- Sorin, made the following claim about the founding of Notre Dame du Lac:  

"Before long, it will develop on a large scale.... 

It will be one of the most powerful means for good in this country."

Well, Fr. Sorin -- your vision for Notre Dame has come true.  I'm sure if you could have a "do-over" 168 years later -- you would have substituted the word "world" for country.  No worries -- your associates have done just that for you!

Kind of puts this all into perspective -- doesn't it...

Here's the criteria and weighting the Times Higher Education used in their rankings of the Top 200 Universities in the World:

• Teaching — the learning environment (worth 30 per cent of the overall ranking score)
• Research — volume, income and reputation (worth 30 per cent)
• Citations — research influence (worth 32.5 per cent)
• Industry income — innovation (worth 2.5 per cent)
• International mix — staff and students (worth 5 per cent).

LINK:  THE TOP 200 UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD

NFL Draft Evaluations -- Floyd & Rudolph

Notre Dame Head Football Coach Brian Kelly announced earlier this week that his two "prized" juniors; Michael Floyd and Kyle Rudolph have petitioned the NFL for a "draft evaluation."  What this means is a panel of "pro football scouting experts" (NFL Draft Advisory Board) will determine the draft status of both players -- telling Floyd and Rudolph where they believe they'll go in the 2011 NFL Draft.   

You can bet that both players and their families are also talking with Charlie Weis about their draft status. 

The "wrinkle" this year is the negotiation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the NFL and NFLPA.  College underclassmen (Juniors and redshirt Sophomores) must declare for the NFL Draft by the second week of January and it's expected that the CBA will not be settled at that point.

It appears very likely that there will be a "lockout" this year -- delaying the start of the NFL season and impacting the "incomes" of the NFL players -- as the CBA is negotiated.  College players, thinking about coming out early, will have to determine if they want to risk the chance that there could be a prolonged delay to the start of the NFL season or even no season at all.  (the latter is highly unlikely)

You'll recall that twelve months ago -- the impending NFL/NFLPA CBA negotiation was one of the motivating factors for a number of underclassmen to declare early last year.  One of the issues on the negotiation table, is the pay scale for rookies.  It was widely assumed that the 2010 NFL Draft would be the "last time" NFL teams would pay out large sums of money to rookies in their first NFL contract.  Thus, players like Clausen and Tate had even more reason to believe leaving early last year was the right thing to do.  The college underclassmen this year have much different circumstances to assess. 

The good news is we will know one way or another by January 15th -- as to whether we'll have #3 and #9 back in gold helmets next season.  The bad news is the ND GO IRISH BLOG predicts -- they both will enter the 2011 NFL Draft.  

Here's some links to what's being said about Floyd and Rudolph's NFL Draft status along with a look back at Jimmy Clausen's evaluation process last year:
 
LINK:  KYLE RUDOLPH -- DRAFT STORY 

LINK:  MICHAEL FLOYD -- DRAFT STORY

LINK:  SCOUT INC'S TOP 32 FOR 2011 NFL DRAFT

LINK:  JIMMY CLAUSEN'S DRAFT EVALUATION

Sun Bowl Coaches Press Conference -- REPLAY

The Hyundai Sun Bowl Coaches Press Conference -- took place this afternoon -- in El Paso, TX with Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Brian Kelly and Miami's Interim Head Coach, Jeff Stoutland.  Here's a link to a replay of the press conference:

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE REPLAY

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Main Building in Snow!

Notre Dame student Amy Holsinger (@amyholsinger) just "tweeted" this photo of a "snow replica" -- of Notre Dame's Main Building.  Only at Notre Dame!

Irish Beat Providence In Front of 179 Fans...

Can you believe it -- Muffet McGraw's Fighting Irish played a Big East road game last night against Providence in front of an "announced" crowd of 179 fans.  WHAT???!!!  Here's a team (Notre Dame) that averages more than 8,000 in attendance for its home games -- 4th best in the country -- playing in front of 179 fans on the road...  C'MON PROVIDENCE!!!   Oh, by the way -- the 18th ranked Irish won the game 79-43.  Fun Fact of the Day:  Notre Dame is now 19-0 all time against Providence in women's basketball.  A ND GO IRISH BLOG Thank you to Dr. Jim Clancy for alerting us to this story.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune game story:

LINK:  IRISH ROLL OVER PROVIDENCE

"Domer" Hesse '75: Sprint's TV Pitchman!

Dan Hesse '75, the CEO of Sprint Nextel and a Notre Dame grad -- was appointed by President Obama yesterday to the President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee.  Hesse is best known for his "starring" role in Sprint's TV commercials -- here's a link:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME ALUM -- COMMERCIAL PITCHMAN!

College Football "Rudy Awards" -- Vote Today!

University of Notre Dame "walk on" David Ruffer is one of 55 college football players up for the Rudy Award -- named after former Irish movie legend, Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger.  Voting takes place online -- and it ends on December 13th.  So, please vote for Ruffer today!  A big thank-you to Cappy Gagnon '66 -- for bringing this story to the attention of the ND GO IRISH BLOG.  Here's the link:

LINK:  COLLEGE FOOTBALL'S "RUDY AWARD"

College Football Awards Show -- Tonight...

The annual ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show airs tonight on ESPN at 7 PM EST.  Notre Dame's David Ruffer is the only member of the Fighting Irish up for an award -- as he's one of the three finalists for the Lou Groza Award for college football's top kicker.  The "red carpet" show begins at 6 PM EST on ESPNU.  Good Luck David!!!!  Here's a link to a the winners of all of the awards -- over the years:

LINK:  PREVIOUS COLLEGE FOOTBALL AWARD WINNERS

2010 - 2011 Bowl Games -- Graduation Rates

Here's a look at every one of the 35 bowl games this season and the Graduation Success Rates (GSR) for each of the teams.   The GSR is the NCAA's calculation of the graduation rate of student athletes, over a six year period, after initial college enrollment.  It's an eye-opener.

Here's a ranking of the bowls by the "fewest graduated" amongst both teams:

1. Meinke Car Care Bowl:  South Florida (44 GSR) vs. Clemson (60 GSR)
2. Valero Alamo Bowl:  Oklahoma State (59 GSR) vs. Arizona (48 GSR)
3. Little Caesars Bowl:  Toledo (65 GSR) vs. Florida International (46 GSR)

Here's a ranking of the bowl games by the "most graduated" amongst both teams:

1. Hyundai Sun Bowl:  Notre Dame (96 GSR) vs. Miami, FL (81 GSR)
2. Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl:  Army (85 GSR) vs. SMU (76 GSR)
3. TicketCity Bowl:  Northwestern (95 GSR) vs. Texas Tcch (69 GSR)

A PROPOSAL FOR UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS:  It's about time that the NCAA, BCS and the Bowls get together and factor in the Graduation Success Rates (GSR) of all of the bowl eligible teams -- especially when determining what 6-6 teams get into bowl games.  This year, there were two bowl eligible teams that were "overlooked" by the bowls;  Temple; 8-4 record (56 GSR) and Western Michigan University; 6-6 record (59 GSR).

The ND GO IRISH BLOG's proposal is as follows;

• Any team that has a record better than 6-6 automatically "qualifies" for a bowl, if there are enough spots.  

• All of the teams with 6-6 records would be ranked, for selection into bowl games, by their current GSR score for their football team.  The team with the highest GSR would be ranked #1 among the 6-6 teams.  If there were six spots available to teams with 6-6 records and there were 8 teams to pick from -- the six teams with the highest GSR would qualify for a bowl game.  The two teams with the lowest GSR would not be playing in a bowl game.

If these rules were in effect this bowl season -- the following would have happened:

• Temple, with their 8-4 record -- would be playing in a bowl game.
• Western Michigan, with their 6-6 record and 59 GSR -- would be playing in a bowl game.
• Florida International, with their 6-6 record and 46 GSR -- would not be playing in a bowl game.
• Tennessee, with their 6-6 record and 53 GSR -- would not be playing in a bowl game.
• UTEP, with their 6-6 record and 57 GSR -- would have been the last team qualifying for a bowl game.

Here's the 2010 - 2011 Bowl Game Schedule 

along with the GSR for the teams in each Bowl Game:

New Mexico Bowl -- December 18th

• UTEP:  57 GSR
• BYU:  62 GSR

uDrove Humanitarian Bowl -- December 18th

• Fresno State:  52 GSR
• Northern Illinois:  67 GSR

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl -- December 18th

• Troy:  75 GSR
• Ohio:  71 GSR

Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl -- December 21st

• Southern Mississippi:  84 GSR
• Louisville:  63 GSR

  
MAACO Las Vegas Bowl -- December 22nd

• Utah:  62 GSR
• Boise State:  63 GSR

San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl -- December 23rd

• San Diego State:  55 GSR
• Naval Academy:  92 GSR

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl

• Hawaii:  46 GSR
• Tulsa:  66 GSR

Little Caesars Bowl -- December 26th

• Toledo:  65 GSR
• Florida International:  46 GSR

AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl -- December 27th

• Georgia Tech:  49 GSR
• Air Force Academy:  86 GSR

Champs Sports Bowl -- December 28th

• North Carolina State:  56 GSR
• West Virginia:  72 GSR

Insight Bowl -- December 28th

• Missouri:  71 GSR
• Iowa:  79 GSR

Military Bowl -- December 29th

• Maryland:  64 GSR
• East Carolina:  63 GSR

Texas Bowl -- December 29th

• Illinois:  76 GSR
• Baylor:  64 GSR

Valermo Alamo Bowl -- December 29th

• Oklahoma State:  59 GSR
• Arizona:  48 GSR

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl -- December 30th

• Army:  85 GSR
• SMU:  76 GSR

New Era Pinstripes Bowl -- December 30th

• Kansas State:  69 GSR
• Syracuse:  76 GSR

Franklin American Mortgage Music Bowl -- December 30th

• North Carolina:  75 GSR
• Tennessee:  53 GSR

Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl -- December 30th

• Washington:  82 GSR
• Nebraska:  68 GSR

Meineke Car Care Bowl -- December 31st

• South Florida:  46 GSR
• Clemson:  60 GSR

Hyundai Sun Bowl -- December 31st

• Miami, FL:  81 GSR
• Notre Dame:  96 GSR

Auto Zone Liberty Bowl -- December 31st

• UCF:  70 GSR
• Georgia:  68 GSR

Chick-fil-A Bowl -- December 31st

• Florida State:  64 GSR
• South Carolina:  57 GSR

TicketCity Bowl -- January 1st

• Northwestern:  95 GSR
• Texas Tech:  69 GSR

Outback Bowl -- January 1st

• Penn State:  84 GSR
• Florida:  67 GSR

Capital One Bowl -- January 1st

• Michigan State:  55 GSR
• Alabama:  67 GSR

Gator Bowl -- January 1st

• Michigan:  72 GSR
• Mississippi State:  64 GSR

Rose Bowl presented by VIZIO -- January 1st

• Wisconsin:  65 GSR
• TCU:  71 GSR

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl -- January 1st

• Oklahoma:  44 GSR
• UCONN:  77 GSR

Discover Orange Bowl -- January 3rd

• Virginia Tech:  79 GSR
• Stanford:  83 GSR

AllState Sugar Bowl -- January 4th

• Arkansas:  55 GSR
• Ohio State:  63 GSR

GoDaddy.com Bowl -- January 6th

• Miami, OH:  79 GSR
• Middle Tennessee:  55 GSR

AT&T Cotton Bowl -- January 7th 

• Texas A&M:  57 GSR
• LSU:  67 GSR

BBVA Compass Bowl -- January 8th

• Pittsburgh:  69 GSR
• Kentucky:  63 GSR

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl -- January 9th

• Boston College:  90 GSR
• Nevada:  66 GSR

Tostitos BCS National Championship Game -- January 10th

• Auburn:  63 GSR
• Oregon:  54 GSR

The Athletic Facilities Race -- Today's Reality

This is a little off topic and then again it isn't -- this is the reality for today's NCAA Division 1 athletic programs and our University of Notre Dame.

The University of Tennessee is in the process of raising money for a new Football Training Center.  To say their plans might be a "little over the top" -- would be an understatement.  You've just go to love their justification for such a facility;

As the UT-Knoxville campus continues to grow as a research and teaching institution, the need for academic space has become increasingly important. In an effort to address this issue, the University Master Plan has called for the antiquated Stokely Athletic Center (SAC) to be demolished in order to allow for an academic facility to be built in its place.  As a result, the University of Tennessee Athletic Department (UTAD) must relocate approximately 110 coaches and administrators.

If you don't think college football is "big business" -- you may change your mind after watching this:

LINK:  TENNESSEE'S FOOTBALL TRAINING CENTER

Notre Dame Receives $1.3 Million from US Army

The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) has awarded the University of Notre Dame's Colleges of Engineering and Science more than $1.3 million for the development of novel materials for improved battery technology.  The goal is to improve battery performance, reliability and safety for batteries that power military vehicles.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME "POWERS" THE US ARMY

Irish Basketball on TV Tonight -- 9:30 PM EST

Mike Brey's undefeated and 23rd ranked Fighting Irish Men's Basketball team is taking on John Calipari's 16th ranked Kentucky Wildcats on a so-called "neutral" floor tonight in Louisville, KY.  It's a matchup of "experience vs. talent" as Notre Dame's starting five (all seniors) take on Kentucky's talented freshman.  Be sure to tune in tonight at 9:30 PM EST on ESPN -- it's "OLD SCHOOL" versus "NEW SCHOOL."  Here's a few links to stories about tonight's game along with UND.COM's preview:

LINK:  ESPN CHICAGO -- PREVIEW

LINK:  WILDCATS THUNDER BLOG -- PREVIEW

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- PREVIEW

LINK:  UND.COM GAME NOTES -- PREVIEW

ESPN's Lame Attempt at a Sun Bowl Preview

You know it's quite sad when the "talking heads" at ESPN -- MAKE A JOKE -- about "renaming" the Hyundai Sun Bowl, because it has two of the teams with the highest graduation rates in college football (Notre Dame and Miami, FL) playing each other.

I felt sorry for former Notre Dame Hesiman Trophy winner, Tim Brown -- having to be associated with this crew.  Here's the link:

EDIT:  ESPN'S LAME ATTEMPT AT PREVIEWING THE SUN BOWL

Oregon Ducks WR -- Honors Declan Sullivan

D.J. Davis, a wide-receiver for the #1 ranked Oregon Ducks -- paid tribute to Notre Dame student, Declan Sullivan -- by wearing a photo of Declan in a protective covering attached to his belt.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  AN OREGON PLAYER'S TRIBUTE TO DECLAN

The "Leprechaun Legion" Blog Needs Our Help!

Dan Murphy a 2009 Notre Dame grad has entered his "Leprechaun Legion" Blog into the "Who's the Biggest Fan in the Big East" contest being sponsored by Volvo.  To vote for Dan as the BIGGEST FAN IN THE BIG EAST -- click on the link below.  The winner gets a Volvo, tickets to the Big East Championship tournament and a $10,000 check for their alma mater.  I told Dan that the ND GO IRISH BLOG gang would get behind him in this effort.  Go Irish!!! and Go Dan Murphy!!!

LINK:  BIGGEST FAN IN THE BIG EAST

LINK:  DAN MURPHY'S PROFILE

LINK:  LEPRECHAUN LEGION BLOG

Notre Dame's National Championship Teams

Since Lou Holtz's 1988 National Championship football team -- Notre Dame's Women's athletic teams have won FOUR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.  The Men's teams have zero.

Now, to be fair the Notre Dame Fencing Team (Men & Women) has won four "combined" National Championships in that time frame.

The above photo is of the eight foot tall "Grace Hall #1 sign" that is lit up every time a Notre Dame team is ranked #1 in the country.  This tradition started in 1973 when Grace Hall put up this sign after the football team beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl to win the 1973 National Championship.  That sign was lit again last Sunday night when Notre Dame's Fencing Team won the 2011 National Championship!

Here's a list of every Notre Dame National Championship team by year and by sport -- UPDATED on 4/4/11:

• 2011 National Champions:  Fencing (combined)
• 2010 National Champions:  Women's Soccer
• 2005 National Champions:  Fencing (combined)
• 2004 National Champions:  Women's Soccer
• 2003 National Champions:  Fencing (combined)
• 2001 National Champions:  Women's Basketball
• 1995 National Champions:  Women's Soccer
• 1994 National Champions:  Fencing (combined)
• 1988 National Champions:  Football
• 1987 National Champions:  Women's Fencing
• 1986 National Champions:  Men's Fencing
• 1978 National Champions:  Men's Fencing
• 1977 National Champions:  Football & Men's Fencing
• 1973 National Champions:  Football

NOTRE DAME ACCEPTS FIRST FEMALE STUDENTS: FALL OF 1973

• 1966 National Champions:  Football
• 1959 National Champions:  Tennis
• 1957 National Champions:  Cross Country
• 1949 National Champions:  Football
• 1947 National Champions:  Football
• 1946 National Champions:  Football
• 1944 National Champions:  Tennis &  Golf
• 1943 National Champions:  Football
• 1930 National Champions:  Football
• 1929 National Champions:  Football
• 1924 National Champions:  Football

NCAA All Tournament Team: Six from ND!

The 2010 Women's Soccer National Champions -- the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame -- was well represented on the All Tournament Team, with six team members among the eleven given this honor!  Notre Dame's Melissa Henderson (photo on right) was named Most Outstanding Offensive Player and Notre Dame's Jessica Schuveiller (photo on left) was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player.  CONGRATULATIONS!!! Here's the All Tournament Team:

• GK: Emily Oliver, Stanford
• GK: Katie Baumgardner, Ohio State
• D: Hannah Cerrone, Boston College
• D: Jessica Schuveiller, Notre Dame
• M: Courtney Barg, Notre Dame
• M: Mandy Laddish, Notre Dame
• F: Rose Augustin, Notre Dame
• F: Camille Levin, Stanford
• F: Christen Press, Stanford
• F: Adrianna Leon,  Notre Dame
• F: Melissa Henderson, Notre Dame
• Most Outstanding Offensive Player: Melissa Henderson, Notre Dame
• Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Jessica Schuveiller, Notre Dame

LINK:  2010 NCAA WOMEN'S SOCCER NATIONAL CHAMPIONS