Mike Haywood Introduced as Pitt Head Coach

Former Notre Dame student-athlete and Offensive Coordinator -- Mike Haywood, was introduced yesterday afternoon as the 35th head coach in the history of the Pitt Panther football program.  Haywood a 1986 graduate of the University of Notre Dame -- becomes the first African American head football coach in Pitt's history.  During yesterday's press conference Haywood announced that he had "already cleaned out his office" at Miami of Ohio -- where he led the RedHawks to the Mid American Conference Championship this year -- and that he would begin "recruiting immediately."  Haywood will not be coaching Miami of Ohio in their upcoming GoDaddy.com Bowl game.  FYI:  NOTRE DAME PLAYS @ PITT ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2011.   Here's a link to the video from the press conference introducing Haywood -- along with links to stories from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Pitt University Athletics site.  Congratulations Mike!

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE -- INTRODUCING HAYWOOD 

LINK:  PITTSBURGH POST GAZETTE STORY

LINK:  PITT ATHLETICS OFFICIAL SITE

Kiper & McShay -- Best Bowl Matchups

ESPN'S Mel Kiper and Todd McShay did a segment today on the best "bowl matchups" this next month -- and surprise, surprise -- Notre Dame was involved in the conversation.  Here's a link:

LINK:  ESPN'S KIPER & McSHAY ON BEST BOWL MATCHUPS

Harvard, Yale and Notre Dame: Graduate!

The Chronicle of Higher Education, just came out this week with a study that compared graduation rates at public and private research universities in 2002 and 2008, surveying students who enrolled in 1996 and 2002, respectively.  And, the top three schools in America for graduating its students are:

• Harvard:  98%
• Yale:  97%
• Notre Dame:  96%

What's even more impressive about these results is that 33% of the universities showed a drop in graduation rates from 2002 to 2008.  A ND GO IRISH BLOG "thank you" to Notre Dame alum,  Jim Conway Jr, '69 -- for alerting us to this story.  Here's a link to the survey results:

LINK:  THEY GRADUATE THEIR STUDENTS!

Own a Piece of Notre Dame History!

Matt Cashore, who just happens to be the University of Notre Dame's award winning "official photographer" -- took a "panoramic" photo (above) of the Band of the Fighting Irish's historic performance in New York's Times Square on November 20th.  Please note -- this small image above -- doesn't do this three foot wide photo justice.  I learned yesterday morning that it was being made available for sale and I bought one immediately for my "Notre Dame" room at home.  This 12" x 36" print would make a great "Christmas" present for every Notre Dame student, alum and fan!  To purchase one or two -- just click on the link below titled "a piece of Notre Dame history."  I'm also providing a link to Matt's "portfolio" of a few of the "official" photos he's taken for the University of Notre Dame -- you're going to want to own every one!

LINK:  OWN A PIECE OF NOTRE DAME HISTORY

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S OFFICIAL PHOTO LIBRARY

Off Topic: A Little "Math Problem" @ Michigan

The much ballyhooed; "The Big Chill at The Big House" -- turned into "The Big Myth at The Big House" -- thanks to the "honest" folks at Guinness World Records.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, here's a quick refresh -- The University of Michigan hockey team took on the Michigan State University hockey team this past Saturday -- outdoors -- inside Michigan Stadium (photo).  And, the University of Michigan "announced" a world record crowd of 113,411 people attended the hockey game...

Well, they "mis-represented" the facts...

Representatives of the Guiness World Records were in attendance to "verify" the crowd and they reported -- the attendance was actually:  85,451.

Now, that's a difference of 27,960 spectators.

When a representative of the University of Michigan was asked about the discrepancy, he responded:  "The difference in figures may be attributed to different standards in counting. Michigan included people working the game such as media, staff and concession workers – but Guinness doesn’t include those people in the attendance figure."

REALLY????

As a "point of reference" -- I've seen it reported before -- that a typical football Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium, you'll have approximately "4,000 to 5,000" people inside the Stadium that didn't pay for their tickets; 

• 900 concession workers
• 400 home band members and 350 visiting band members
• 750 Ushers
• 60 First Aid
• 1,500 Media and Guests in the Press Box
• 100 Traffic and Stadium Police
• 150 Field Passes
• 90 Program Sellers
• 10 game officials
• 15 Grounds Crew
• 25 Housekeeping & 20 repair personnel
• 50 managers and trainers

For you "non-Michigan" math majors that adds up to "approximately" 4,420 in the "different standards in counting" method that the University of Michigan is claiming.

MAKES YOU WONDER WHAT IS THE "BIG HOUSE'S" TRUE CAPACITY?

Here's a LINK to Michigan's official website for The Big Chill -- as you'll see, they're still claiming a SELL OUT of 109,901...   Here's a second link to a local Detroit news story on the controversy:

LINK:  THE BIG MYTH @ THE BIG HOUSE

RUMOR NO MORE: "Domer" Haywood HIRED!

There's a rumor on the web this morning that's "picking up steam" -- and it involves former Notre Dame student-athlete and the Offensive Coordinator during the Charlie Weis era -- Mike Haywood.

See link to blog post below...

Rumor has it -- that the University of Pittsburgh reached an agreement with Haywood, late last night, to become their next head football coach -- replacing Dave Wannstedt.

Haywood just finished his second year as a head coach, leading the Miami of Ohio RedHawks to a 9-4 record, a  Mid American Conference Championship -- and a spot in the GoDaddy.com Bowl -- after going 1-11 in his first season!!!  This was the "biggest turnaround"-- in number of wins -- in college football this year!   I'm also posting a nice story from the Sporting News -- about Haywood's impact on the RedHawks program and a video I found of Mike Haywood talking about his coaching philosophy. We'll keep you posted on this story...  ESPN'S JOE SCHAD -- JUST CONFIRMED HAYWOOD'S BEEN HIRED (7:14 PM EST) -- CONGRATULATIONS MIKE!  See link to his quick post:

LINK:  HAYWOOD HIRED AS PITT HEAD COACH!

LINK:  PITTSBURGH POST GAZETTE  BLOG POST

LINK:  SPORTING NEWS STORY ON HAYWOOD

LINK:  MIKE HAYWOOD COACHING PHILOSOPHY

Notre Dame "Sister/Brother" Act at NORDAM

The Nordam Group -- one of the largest independently owned aerospace companies in the world, announced yesterday (link below) that former Notre Dame grads; Meredith Siegfried and her brother Hastings Siegfried have been promoted to President and Vice Chairman respectively -- in a company their late father (Ray Siegfried II) -- who was also a "DOMER" --  founded in 1969.

Notre Dame students and alums will recognize the "last name" -- as the same name that adorns Siegfried Hall (photo) at the University of Notre Dame -- they are one in the same!  

The Siegfried Family is a NOTRE DAME FAMILY -- "Grandpa" Robert Siegfried - Class of 1937 and his son, Ray Siegfried Class of 1965 -- made a gift to the University of Notre Dame that led to the building of Siegfried Hall in 1988.  In addition, the Ray and Milann Siegfried family and The NORDAM Group donated the MBA wing of the College of Business Administration in 1995.  And, in 1997 the family funded the Chair for Entrepreneurial Studies at Notre Dame.  Ray was also a long-time member of Notre Dame's Board of Trustees.

Please note:  Now I couldn't find any information on the genesis of the name NORDAM -- but, it sure looks like Ray Siegfried used some help from his  beloved "alma mater" NOTRE DAME to name his company...

For those of you who are interested, NORDAM designs, certifies and manufactures integrated propulsion systems, nacelles and thrust reversers for business jets.  In addition, NORDAM manufactures composite aircraft structures, interior shells, custom cabinetry, radomes, and aircraft transparencies such as cabin windows, wing tip lenses and simulator screens.  It is also one of the world’s largest third-party providers of maintenance, repair and overhaul services to the military, commercial airline and air freight markets.  The company employs approximately 2,000 people around the globe, with facilities in the U.S., United Kingdom, and Singapore.

You'll enjoy the story about the Siegfried "dynasty" and their impact on the Tulsa community...

LINK:  TWO TOP SPOTS GO TO DOMERS

LINK:  THE SIEGFRIED DYNASTY IN TULSA

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S SIEGFRIED HALL WEBSITE

LINK:  SIEGFRIED HALL "WIKI"

"Domer" Cunningham Takes Kansas AD Job...

Lawrence "Bubba" Cunningham, a 1984 graduate of the University of Notre Dame -- and long-time member of the Notre Dame's athletic administration -- is "rumored" to be announced today or tomorrow as the new Athletic Director at the University of Kansas.  Ironically, the rumored "other top candidate" for the position was current Notre Dame Deputy Athletic Director, Bill Scholl.

Bubba spent 15 years in the Notre Dame athletic department before departing to Ball State to become their Athletic Director in 2002.  In 2005, Cunningham was named the Athletic Director at the University of Tulsa -- where he's served the last five years.  Many ND fans will recall his decision to have his Tulsa football team wear the Declan Sullivan "helmet sticker" in their game at Notre Dame Stadium in October.  Congratulations Bubba!!!

Here's a link to a story in today's KUSPORTS.COM where you'll learn -- in "Bubba's" own words how he got his nickname -- funny stuff!  And, a link to a Washington Post story where they're reporting that Kansas is negotiating a contract with Cunningham.  HERE'S THE LATEST ON THE NEGOTIATIONS -- SEE LINK BELOW:

LINK:  CUNNINGHAM STILL IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH KANSAS

LINK:  BUBBA CUNNINGHAM TO KANSAS

LINK:  CUNNINGHAM IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH KANSAS

NFL Update -- Notre Dame Players

The 2010 NFL Season is winding down -- so, the ND GO IRISH BLOG decided to take a "lap" around the League and see how a few of our favorite Notre Dame football players are doing.  You'll note a number of season ending injuries to a few former Notre Dame stars -- two this weekend!  It's a good thing they have that Notre Dame degree!!!

LINK:  JIMMY CLAUSEN -- CAROLINA PANTHERS

LINK:  JUSTIN TUCK -- NEW YORK GIANTS

LINK:  KYLE McCARTHY -- DENVER BRONCOS

LINK:  BRADY QUINN -- DENVER BRONCOS

LINK:  CHINENDUM NDUKWE -- CINCINNATI BENGALS

LINK:  JOHN CARLSON -- SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

LINK:  GOLDEN TATE -- SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

LINK:  RYAN GRANT -- GREEN BAY PACKERS

LINK:  SERGIO BROWN -- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

LINK:  DAVID BRUTON -- DENVER BRONCOS 

LINK:  ANTHONY FASANO -- MIAMI DOLPHINS

LINK:  JULIUS JONES -- NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

LINK:  JEFF FAINE -- TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

LINK:  DEREK LANDRI -- CAROLINA PANTHERS

LINK:  RYAN HARRIS -- DENVER BRONCOS

LINK:  JOHN SULLIVAN -- MINNESOTA VIKINGS

LINK:  TOMMY ZBIKOWSKI -- BALTIMORE RAVENS

LINK:  MAURICE STOVALL -- TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

LINK:  VICTOR ABIAMIRI -- PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

LINK:  MARK LEVOIR -- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

LINK:  TREVOR LAWS -- PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

LINK:  COREY MAYS -- KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

LINK:  JORDAN BLACK -- HOUSTON TEXANS

LINK:  HUNTER SMITH -- WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Teo and Ruffer -- Second Team All Americans!

The University of Notre Dame's Manti Teo and David Ruffer were named today to SI.COM's All American 2nd Team!  Congratulations!  Here's a link:

LINK:  SI.COM -- ALL AMERICANS

Theismann Talks Notre Dame QB's

Former Notre Dame All-American QB, Joe Theismann -- spoke with the South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen about the QB position next year for the Irish.  Never without an opinion -- Theismann talks about Dayne Crist coming back from his knee injury, Rees and his experience -- and the QB position in general at Notre Dame.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story:

LINK:  WHO STARTS AT QB NEXT YEAR FOR THE IRISH?

Two "Domers" -- The Million Dollar Road Trip

Two Notre Dame brothers/alums; Patrick and Walter Hessert -- are now on DAY 163 of The Million Dollar Road Trip, celebrating and inspiring the American entrepreneurial spirit.  To date, they've raised over $114,000 in their travels across America!!!  The ND GO IRISH BLOG last checked in on these two when they were in NYC for Notre Dame's game at Yankee Stadium -- as you'll see, they just left Las Vegas and their next stop is Flagstaff, AZ.  Safe travels!!!  Here's a link to their blog:

LINK:  THE MILLION DOLLAR ROAD TRIP -- BLOG

Notre Dame to Honor Austin Carr!

It's about time...  If you're going to have a 'Ring of Honor' in Notre Dame's Purcell Pavillion -- to recognize Irish basketball stars -- the VERY FIRST player honored should have been Austin Carr.  Well,  on February 26th -- Austin Carr will finally get that recognition, as he'll join Luke Harangody and Ruth Riley in Notre Dame's Ring of Honor.

Austin Carr is the greatest basketball player in the history of the University of Notre Dame -- PERIOD!  Take a look at what he accomplished wearing the uniform of the Fighting Irish:

• 2,560 career points -- in just 3 seasons -- at the time, the fifth-all time in college history and Notre Dame's all-time scoring leader
• a 34.5 career scoring average at Notre Dame
• during his last two seasons at Notre Dame, Carr scored more than 1,000 points in both seasons -- joining Pete Maravich as the second player in college basketball history to accomplish this
• holds the single game scoring record for most points in an NCAA Tournament game;  61 points, and most field goals scored in a game; 25 -- folks this was before the 3-point line!
• holds the career scoring average record -- for the NCAA Tournament -- averaging 41.3 points a game in the seven games he played -- a record most experts believe will never be broken!
• named National Player of the Year and a consensus All-American in his senior season
• ESPN named him one of the Top 25 College Basketball Players of All Time!
• Inducted into the second class of the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007

Austin was the #1 overall selection in the 1971 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.  He played ten years in the NBA -- and even though he had severe foot and knee injuries that required surgeries, he averaged 15.4 points per game.  The Cleveland Cavaliers retired Carr's #34 jersey -- one of six they've retired in their history.  Affectionately known in Cleveland as "Mr. Cavalier" - Austin is currently the color analyst for the Cleveland Cavaliers television broadcast, serving alongside my good friend Fred McLeod.  Congratulations Austin!!!  A ND GO IRISH BLOG 'thank you' to Dr. Jim Clancy for alerting us to this story.  Here's a link to a video of Carr "starring" in a music video for the Cavaliers, when LeBron was still in town...

LINK:  AUSTIN CARR IN MUSIC VIDEO

Jill & Thomas -- You Did the Irish Proud!!!

More than 12 million people tuned into the final race last night of Season 17 of CBS's The Amazing Race -- and, many, many Notre Dame fans were part of that crowd as we cheered on OUR TEAM -- Jill Haney and her boyfriend, "Domer" Thomas Wolfard '02.  Unfortunately, they didn't reach the final finish line, first last night -- missing out on the $1 million prize that went to the winner of this globetrotting adventure race.  Here's a link to an interview with the two after The Amazing Race and a link to a replay of the final episode.  THOMAS and JILL -- you did Notre Dame proud!!!

LINK:  AN INTERVIEW WITH JILL AND THOMAS

LINK:  REPLAY OF THE FINAL RACE FOR $1 MILLION!

The Best of Nick Garner -- ND Player Interviews

Sports Talk 4 Kids' Nick Garner is back again this morning on the ND GO IRISH BLOG -- and today he's interviewing some current Notre Dame players and a couple of players you'll remember from the past.  You'll enjoy Derrick Mayes' response to Nick's question about what it was like to play in the Super Bowl:



LINK:  ROBERT BLANTON INTERVIEW

LINK:  TOMMY REES INTERVIEW

LINK:  MICHAEL FLOYD INTERVIEW

LINK:  SEAN CWYNAR INTERVIEW

LINK:  DERRICK MAYES INTERVIEW

LINK:  JOEY GETHERALL INTERVIEW

Justin Tuck & NY Giants -- Off to Detroit!!!

In what has easily become the video of the day -- and probably the year -- the Minnesota Metrodome roof collapsed at 6 AM this morning from the weight of 20 inches of snow.  See the link below.  Former Notre Dame defensive lineman, Justin Tuck, and his New York Giants teammates -- who have been stuck in Kansas City because of the snow storm -- are now off to Detroit's Ford Field to play their game against the Minnesota Vikings tomorrow night at 7:20 PM ET.  Here's the FOX-TV video of the roof collapse:

LINK:  METRODOME ROOM COLLAPSES

"Sports Talk 4 Kids" @ Notre Dame!

Well, I found this young man on the web this morning and I think I've found my new hero!!!  Nick Garner, is a sports reporter who hails from Southern California -- and as you'll see in the links below -- the kid's "got game!"  Hope he ends up as a student at the University of Notre Dame someday.  Here's a link to few stories that Nick produced -- on our favorite subject.  You'll enjoy the questions he asked Coach Kelly -- GREAT STUFF!  Tomorrow, we'll post a number of Nick's interviews of current and former Notre Dame players.  Enjoy!!

LINK:  NICK GARNER INTERVIEWS COACH BRIAN KELLY!

LINK:  NICK GARNER INTERVIEWS ND CHEERLEADER!

LINK:  NICK GARNER INTERVIEWS THE ND LEPRECHAUN! 

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL TRADITIONS!

ND Student's Family's -- Christmas Display!

This home might just be the "most decorated" Christmas house in America!  Matt Prygoski, a Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame -- returned home to Okemos, MI to help the family continue their nine-year tradition.  As you'll learn in the story, Matt put his "engineering" skills to good use!  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  THE PRYGOSKI'S -- A CHRISTMAS HOME

A Sports Editor Returns "Home" to ND...

Found this story this morning in the Pueblo Chieftan News -- a newspaper in southern Colorado -- about its Sports Editor's (Judy Hildner) return home to Notre Dame for the first time since the 50's.  Thought you would enjoy!

LINK:  GOING HOME TO NOTRE DAME

ND Alumni Club of Buffalo -- In The News!

It didn''t surprise me to learn of a story like this in today's Buffalo News -- as the "Senior" Notre Dame Alumni, in the Buffalo area, turn out every week between Thanksgiving and Christmas to help their community!  You'll enjoy the story:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME ALUMNI -- PACKAGING TOYS!