Henderson -- Honda Sports Award Recipient!

University of Notre Dame All-American soccer player, Melissa Henderson -- was honored with the Honda Sports Award -- which signifies her as the top athlete in women's college soccer!  The Honda Sports Award is awarded annually to the top student-athletes in 12 NCAA  sanctioned sports.  Melissa is the second Notre Dame athlete to ever receive this award for their sport -- and the previous winner was also a ND soccer player, Cindy Daws who took home the award in 1997.  Here is the USA Today story:

LINK:  HENDERSON NAMED TOP COLLEGE SOCCER PLAYER!

"Double Domer" Leads Cardinal Stritch U!

Dr. James P. Loftus -- who just happens to have his under graduate degree, and MBA from the University of Notre Dame -- was named the president of Cardinal Stritch University.  Cardinal Stritch (located in the Milwaukee area),  is the largest Fransican institution of higher learning in North America with its 6,900 students.  I wonder if "Mr. Loftus" is any relation to the Loftus that donated The Loftus Center (Notre Dame's indoor practice facility) -- I'm betting he is.  Congratulations Jamie!  Here's a link to the story of his hiring along with a link to the school's website:

LINK:  LOFTUS TAKES OVER CARDINAL STRITCH

LINK:  CARDINAL STRITCH UNIVERSITY

Sun Bowl: What if ND Wore These Shoes?

Found these Adidas shoes online and thought I'd start this ND GO IRISH BLOG Poll Question:  How would you feel if the Fighting Irish were to wear a "Notre Dame" edition (BLUE, GOLD AND WHITE) of these shoes -- for the Sun Bowl game?  See the POLL on the upper right portion of the blog's home page.

Coach Kelly's Monday Conversation...

University of Notre Dame football coach, Brian Kelly, met with UND.COM's Jack Nolan today to talk about the 2010 season and a few other subjects.  You'll enjoy the conversation:

LINK:  COACH KELLY'S CONVERSATION

Band of the Fighting Irish -- Wins "Heisman!"

The University of Notre Dame's Band of the Fighting Irish, was awarded the Sudler Trophy this past week -- the "Heisman Trophy" of awards for marching bands in America -- by the John Phillip Sousa Foundation.  The Sudler Trophy is the only national award for marching bands and is awarded annually to a university for its major influence in the establishment and maintenance of high standards of musical and marching performance.  The "formal" presentation will take place during halftime of a 2011 football game at Notre Dame Stadium.  A ND GO IRISH BLOG "thank you" to regular contributor; Dr. Jim Clancy -- for this story.  Here's a link to the Sousa Foundation website and a link to a halftime performance of the Band of the Fighting Irish from the Utah game this season:

LINK: JOHN PHILLIPS SOUSA FOUNDATION

LINK:  BAND OF THE FIGHTING IRISH -- UTAH HALFTIME

Where Are They Now? -- Chris Thomas

Notre Dame basketball fans will remember how big a deal it was when Chris Thomas committed to play for the Fighting Irish.  Thomas, Indiana's "Mr. Basketball" was the top point guard in the country and he picked Notre Dame over Duke, Michigan State, Indiana, Stanford and Purdue.  While at Notre Dame, Thomas received many honors, including; Big East Rookie of the Year, National Freshman of the Year, 2nd Team All Big East, etc.  After his sophomore season, Chris took a look at leaving school early for the NBA Draft, but after learning his draft status he returned to ND to play his last two seasons.  Unfortunately for Chris, he injured a knee prior to his senior season which required surgery -- and it never fully healed that season.  Thomas did leave Notre Dame as it's all-time assist leader, it's third all-time leading scorer and the distinction of recording the only "triple-double" in school history, against University of New Hampshire, when he scored 24 points, had 11 assists, and 11 steals in his very first college game at Notre Dame!  Chris was named to Notre Dame's 25 member All Century Team.  Since graduating from Notre Dame in 2005, Thomas has been playing pro basketball in Europe.  He's played for teams in Italy, Greece, Poland and Spain (the photo above is from Chris playing in Spain).  This season, Chris is back in Poland playing for Anwil Wloclawek -- where he's averaging 7.5 pts. after eight games this season.  Here's a link to his season stats and the team's profile on a euro pro basketball website:

LINK:  CHRIS THOMAS -- STATS THIS SEASON

LINK:  ANWIL WLOCLAWEK'S STARTING LINEUP

Santa Visits Notre Dame a Week Early!

The jolly man in the red and white suit visited the Hammes Bookstore yesterday, on the University of Notre Dame campus -- and Fr. Jenkins joined in the fun as well.  Santa's visit benefited the Boys and Girls Club of St. Joseph County.  Here's a link to WNDU-TV's story:

LINK:  SANTA AT NOTRE DAME

Notre Dame Players Meet with Media Today

A few members of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame football team met with the media today after the #1 Offense took on the #1 Defense today -- in their last practice before they concentrate solely on their Sun Bowl matchup with Miami during Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday's practices.  Here are the links:


LINK:  DAYNE CRIST INTERVIEW

LINK:  MANTI TEO INTERVIEW

LINK:  BRIAN SMITH INTERVIEW

LINK:  GARY GRAY INTERVIEW

Coach Diaco Meets with Media After Practice

University of Notre Dame defensive coordinator, Bob Diaco -- took questions from the media today for the first time since after the Navy game.  Coach Diaco's defensive crew "turned it around" BIG TIME -- since the game against the Midshipmen.  Here's the link:


LINK:  COACH BOB DIACO

For All You Fans of Field Turf @ Notre Dame

Here's a photo for you -- it's the field turf at Eastern Washington University -- where the "home team" beat Villanova 41-31 in a NCAA Football Championship Subdivision game last night. 

LINK:  YEAH, IT'S RED...

LINK:  WHAT THE FIELD LOOKS LIKE ON TV

The Big Ten -- Needs Notre Dame's Help!

If you're a regular here at ND GO IRISH BLOG, you will remember my blog post from Monday in which I commented on the Big Ten's new logo and the naming of their two divisions (the images above) -- I DIDN'T LIKE IT.

Well, I wasn't alone...

Here was what Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney had to say on Monday this week -- when they unveiled the work:

"When we announced football division alignments in September, other associated decisions had not yet been made. We wanted to take some time to listen, carefully consider, and make choices that would best honor our history and traditions, reflect our core values and characteristics, and tell our story," said Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany. "We involved many thoughtful, dedicated professionals and we listened to many ideas from our member schools, alumni and fans."

HERE'S WHAT BIG TEN COMMISSIONER DELANEY SAID THREE DAYS LATER...

Delany said during an interview with WGN AM-720 in Chicago on Thursday that the names Legends and Leaders were picked to highlight the conference’s rich history, and that “to a great extent it’s fallen on deaf ears.” Many fans have instead mocked the names and asked officials to reconsider, which Delany said could happen after the first of the year.

“I think we have enough experience with names, and expansion and development of divisions, to know that you never, rarely, get 90 percent approval rating,” Delany said during the interview. “But to get a 90 percent non-approval rating was, you know, really surprising.”

Please note:  The Big Ten had made a big deal about the hiring of 

Michael Bierut and Michael Gericke, from the design firm Pentagram,
to do this work.

I'm sure these two have had better weeks! 

So, the BIG TEN needs our help... 

As we all know, the Big Ten has been "needing Notre Dame" for a long time now.  And, time after time -- we've given them the "Heisman" (that's the stiff-arm) -- which I'm personally very grateful for!

Yet, here's our chance to give the Big Ten a piece of what they've been missing and needing all these years:  the "brain power and creative power" of the Notre Dame Family.  

So, if you're feeling the "Christmas spirit" -- please use the comment section below to offer up your suggestions as to what the Big Ten's "two divisions" should be called.

The ND GO IRISH BLOG -- will be sure to offer up these suggestions to the Big Ten Commissioner, as well as the gang at Pentagram -- who were probably paid a "few hundred thousand" for this work... We'll give our "expert opinions" for free!!!

Have Fun!

Three Irish LAX Players Taken in MLL Draft

Major League Lacrosse held its 2011 Supplemental Draft -- of players who are not currently on a team's 23-man protected roster and who have registered to enter the player pool -- on Tuesday in Toronto,  and three former members of Kevin Corrigan's Fighting Irish were drafted by teams;

• Regis McDermott:  played for the Irish from 2006-2009 -- taken by Toronto
• Joey Kemp: played for the Irish from 2005-2008 -- taken by Chesapeake
• Mike Podgajny:  played for the Irish from 2005-2008 -- taken by Denver

Major League Lacrosse will hold its 2011 Collegiate Draft on Friday, January 21st at 8:30 PM ET in Baltimore, Maryland.  Here's a link to McDermott's, Kemp's and Podgajny's career statistics at Notre Dame -- along with a link to the 2011 MLL Supplemental Draft's official site:

LINK:  REGIS McDERMOTT -- NOTRE DAME BIO

LINK:  JOEY KEMP -- NOTRE DAME BIO

LINK:  MIKE PODGAJNY -- NOTRE DAME BIO

LINK:  2011 MLL SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT

A New Notre Dame Book: "Strong of Heart"

The University of Notre Dame Athletics Department has just released a book entitled:  "Strong of Heart:  Profiles of Notre Dame Athletics 2010."  The soft-cover book, contains profiles and portraits of 20 individuals connected with Notre Dame athletics; Tim Abromaitis, Steve Boda, Paul and Linda Demo, Kevin Dugan, Pat Garrity, Danielle Green, Teddy Hodges, Joe Montana, Skylard Owens, Joe Piane, Ted Robinson, Adam Sargent, John Scully, Jen Sharron, Nicholas Sparks, Chris Stewart, Laurie Wenger, Monty Williams, Mariel Zagunis and Jimmy Zannino.  A portion of the proceeds from sales will benefit funds in the name of Matt James and Declan Sullivan, two members of the Notre Dame football family who were lost in the past year.  The 8 ½" x 11" --  90-page book is available for $19.95 through the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore, the Joyce Center/Purcell Pavilion Varsity Shops, or by calling the bookstore at 574-631-5757 or 574-631-6316.

Sun Bowl: El Paso's "Touch of Notre Dame"

Cathedral High School -- an all boys Catholic high school in El Paso, TX -- established in 1927, has taken on many of the traditions of the University of Notre Dame.  Here's a link to a story I know you'll enjoy, along with a link to the school's website:


LINK:  CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL'S LINK TO ND

LINK:  CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL'S WEBSITE

Today's Media Session -- Coach Kelly

Notre Dame head football coach, Brian Kelly -- met with the media for the first time in the last six days -- today at the Guglielmino Athletic Complex.  He talked about the new Notre Dame Football Awards Banquet (which will be held on January 22nd), yesterday's decision by the St. Joseph County Prosecuting Attorney, Miami preparation, the QB position, Dayne Crist, etc,.  Here's the story:

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH THE MEDIA TODAY

A "Notre Dame" Christmas for Cancer Patients

This past week the University of Notre Dame Athletic Department had its annual Christmas Party for 100 families from the Michiana area who have children battling cancer at Memorial Hospital.  Many Notre Dame student-athletes have "adopted" these kids as part of the "Fighting Irish Fight for Life" program.   You'll enjoy this video -- I posted this story earlier this week, but I didn't have a direct link to the video -- now we do!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME CHRISTMAS PARTY

"Domer" Cunningham Stays at Tulsa!!!

Fomer Notre Dame student and long-time administrator in the Irish athletic department, Bubba Cunningham '84 -- did a "180" yesterday afternoon and decided not to take the Athletic Director's position at the University of Kansas.  Cunningham instead, signed a contract extension with the University of Tulsa to remain as its Athletic Director.  What was rumored as a "done deal" on Tuesday -- is no more -- and the Kansas media is not to happy about this!  Current Deputy Athletic Director at Notre Dame, Bill Scholl was rumored to also be a candidate for the position at Kansas -- maybe he'll be their hire?  Here are the links to the stories:



LINK:  KANSAS DOESN'T GET DEAL DONE WITH CUNNINGHAM!

LINK:  CUNNINGHAM TO REMAIN AT TULSA

ND Students Head Home for Christmas!

Today is the the University of Notre Dame's last day of Final Exams for the Fall Semester -- the dorms will be closing, so students will be heading home for the Christmas break.  To get the Notre Dame Family "in the spirit" of Christmas -- here's a link to Notre Dame's Glee Club signing some Christmas carols.  Enjoy!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S GLEE CLUB -- CHRISTMAS CAROLS

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