Final Four Headquarters -- 13 Hours to Tip-Off!

Tonight's the night Notre Dame beats UCONN in women's basketball.  We're going to find a way to control Maya Moore -- and we're going to dominate the backboards.  I can feel it.  This is not as talented a team as we're use to seeing from Auriemma -- and, we match up quite well.  The key is this -- we need to win the first five minutes of the game.

To get you ready for tonight's contest -- here's a look around the media world this AM -- and all that is being said about THE GAME.  Remember -- tip off is slated for around 9:30 PM ET on ESPN. 

GO IRISH!!!

LINK:  INDIANAPOLIS STAR -- STORY #1

LINK:  ESPNW BLOG

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  USA TODAY

LINK:  THE TIMES LEADER 

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST

LINK:  SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS

LINK:  ABC NEWS

LINK:  SEATTLE POST INTELLIGENCER

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

LINK:  HARTFORD CURRENT

OT -- The Butler Bulldogs are Flying High!!

Here's a photo of the Butler Bulldog -- their mascot -- posing with the pilots on their flight to Houston.  Looks like the DOG will be on TV again Monday night!  Congratulations Butler -- OUR IRISH could learn something from you!!!

The Fighting Irish @ The Final Four!

Here's some interesting "behind the scenes" videos of the Fighting Irish getting ready for tomorrow's game against UCONN -- produced by the Women's Basketball Media Relations Team at ND.  Enjoy!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME IN INDY

LINK:  DAY 1 @ THE FINAL FOUR!

Irish Men's Golf -- A Fashion Statement?

Just saw this photo of Notre Dame's Chris Walker -- sporting the "knee high" socks on the golf course.  Do you think Chris might have lost a bet?  WOW!!!

Skylar Diggins -- All American!!!

Here is a video from this morning's announcement that Skylar Diggins was named to State Farm Coaches All American team.  Skylar is the third Notre Dame women's basketball player in history to be named to this ten member team (Ruth Riley 2001 - Jacqueline Bateast 2005).  Thanks to the gang at UND.COM for their quick turn around on this breaking story.  CONGRATULATIONS SKYLAR!!!

LINK:  SKYLAR DIGGINS -- ALL AMERICAN!

Will Coach Kelly Get a Jumbotron @ ND?

Coach Kelly made some news this week when he met with some students at Siegfried Hall on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.   Besides talking about some uniform changes for the Irish this fall -- he was asked a question whether he would like to see a "jumbotron" in Notre Dame Stadium.  His answer:  "YES..."

Last June, a Notre Dame alum -- who's an architect -- posted these architectural renderings (click on them to enlarge) of how he would re-design Notre Dame Stadium.  As you can see -- a JUMBOTRON is part of his proposed re-design in the south end of the Stadium -- opposite "Touchdown Jesus."  And, a few private suites to add to the Stadium's seating capacity.  What do you think?

Coach Brey -- Piling Up the National Awards!

University of Notre Dame Men's Basketball Coach -- Mike Brey, is going to need a bigger office on campus to showcase all of the hardware he's won over the past few weeks.  Yesterday, the Associated Press named Coach Brey their National Coach of the Year.  Ten days ago, the National Basketball Writers Association named him their National Coach of the Year -- as did Yahoo! Sports a few weeks prior.

Coach Brey has been awarded SEVEN (7) NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR HONORS this post season!

He was also named the Big East Coach of the Year -- the third time in the last five years.  Congratulations Coach!

LINK:  AP -- NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR

LINK:  USBWA -- NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR

LINK:  YAHOO! SPORTS -- NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR

LINK:  UND.COM -- VIDEO FEATURE

PHOTOS OF THE DAY: Irish @ Final Four!

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The Notre Dame Women's Basketball team is in Indianapolis for the Final Four -- last night, the teams walked the "red carpet" to attend an event called "Cirque du Salute."  These photos (courtesy of the Indianapolis Star) show the IRISH -- out of uniform -- not too shabby!!!  FYI:  Did you notice the  "Leprechaun" on top of the last photo -- an omen?!

Brothers' Atkinson -- Speed in the 'Bend!

When you find three minutes this weekend -- you're going to want to take a look at this highlight video of George Atkinson III.  George and his twin brother Josh are out of California -- and they'll both be playing for the Fighting Irish this fall.  (That's Josh on the left and George on the right in the photo.) George is an athlete who could play WR or RB in Brian Kelly's offense -- because he never gets tackled!!!  George has run the 100 Meters in 10.59 and the 200 Meters in 21.3.

Josh is expected to line up at defensive back for the Irish.  His best time in the 100 Meters is 10.57 -- and a 21.65 in the 200 Meters.  Josh's 100 Meter time was the 18th fastest in the country last year and George's was the 28th -- amongst the junior class in the USA.  Josh never received the level of national acclaim as George did -- but, I think that's going to change when he gets to South Bend.  These two young men are just what the "doctor" ordered for Notre Dame football.  They're going to be fun to watch!!!  Please click on the links below.

LINK:  GEORGE ATKINSON III -- HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  GEORGE ATKINSON III -- TRACK TIMES

LINK:  JOSH ATKINSON -- TRACK TIMES

LINK:  NATIONAL RANKINGS -- 100 METER DASH

Now the "LITTLE HOUSE" in Ann Arbor!!!

At 8:12 AM ET on Thursday, March 31st -- the ND GO IRISH BLOG surpassed the "capacity" of the largest football stadium in the country -- now to be forever called the "LITTLE HOUSE" in Ann Arbor.

ND GO IRISH BLOG regulars will recall our most recent goal here was to surpass the 109,901 UNIQUE VISITOR mark -- Michigan Stadium's seating capacity -- well, we kind of "BLUE" by that number over the past 24 hours.

A Notre Dame fan from Tuscaloosa, AL logged on yesterday morning to become "UNIQUE VISITOR #109,902" -- making ND GO IRISH BLOG the largest "college venue" in America!!! 

As of 4:41 PM EST -- we now have had 120,643 UNIQUE VISITORS to the ND GO IRISH BLOG since its launch in January of 2011.  It's been an unbelievable 36 hour period for traffic to this site -- with more than 17,000 Notre Dame fans visiting this blog.  THANK YOU!

Irish Arrive in INDY for the FINAL FOUR!

The Women's Final Four's official activities began Thursday night -- even though the Irish don't play UCONN until Sunday evening at 9:30 PM ET.  The photo above shows the Fighting Irish arriving at their Indianapolis  hotel.  Here's a link to UND.COM's coverage of the FINAL FOUR -- and the motorcade bringing the IRISH to town!

LINK:  IRISH AT THE FINAL FOUR!

Spring Practice #6 -- Notre Dame Football

Coach Kelly met with the media after Friday morning's practice at the University of Notre Dame.  This was practice #6 of fifteen (including the Blue Gold Game) for the Fighting Irish during the Spring Season.  Here's a link to the interview along with a second link to a UND.COM feature on the Linebackers:

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH THE MEDIA

LINK:  ND LINEBACKERS

PHOTOS OF THE DAY: ND Shamrock Helmets

Here's what the "shamrock" logo looked like on ND helmets in 1959 (top photo) and 1960 (bottom photo) -- you'll note the shamrock design changed quite dramatically.  Who knows what ND was thinking with the top photo?  Rumor has it that Coach Kuharich put the upside down shamrock on the 1959 helmet to change the luck of the football program.  I wonder what shamrock design the Irish will go with for the Michigan game?

Zibby -- "I Want to be World Champion!"

Former Notre Dame football star, Tommy Zbikowski -- sat down for an interview with a boxing writer from Sports Illustrated this week to talk about his professional boxing career.   Zibby has had a couple of pro fights the past three weeks during the NFL "hiatus."  Thought you'd enjoy this!

LINK:  TOMMY Z -- WORLD CHAMPION DREAMS

ND Football Uniform Design to Rival Oregon's?

Coach Kelly dropped a couple of "bombshells" when he met with students at Siegfried Hall this week -- the first was the "OLD SCHOOL" look for the Irish when they play Michigan this September...

However, the biggest bomb might be his comment that the IRISH will unveil a uniform, later in the season, that even Oregon isn't doing.  WHAT?  Looks like Adidas must be putting some pressure on ND to get on board with a strategy that will sell gear.  Stay tuned!

The Plane Crash That Changed Notre Dame

80 years ago today -- March 31, 1931 -- a plane crash in Bazaar, Kansas forever changed the University of Notre Dame.  A man by the name of Knute Rockne -- was unfortunately on that plane -- and his death shocked a nation, let alone a school in the "middle of nowhere."

Much has been written, much has been said -- in the eighty years since Rockne's death.  What's a given is this -- his legacy of success in football and the willingness to play "anyone -- anywhere" -- shaped the brand we know today as the University of Notre Dame.

Here's a link to a story written by The Republic -- concerning Rockne's untimely death:

LINK:  KNUTE ROCKNE'S DEATH

Irish Going "Old School" Against Michigan...

Brian Kelly, let some ND students know at Siegfried Hall today that the IRISH were going to go "old school" in their game in September against Michigan.  The Irish will be donning the "gold helmets" with the SHAMROCK. 

ND vs. USC -- This Year Under the Lights!

The University of Notre Dame "officially" announced today -- that the game October 22nd between the Fighting Irish and the Trojans from the University of Southern California will be played at 7:30 PM ET in Notre Dame Stadium.  The game -- in PRIME TIME on NBC -- will be a huge ratings winner!

A Notre Dame Man -- Jim Seymour R.I.P.

One of Notre Dame's finest -- joined Heaven's team yesterday.  Jim Seymour '69 lost his battle with cancer.  Our prayers go out to his wife and kids.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story:

LINK:  JIM SEYMOUR

Spring Practice #5 -- Notre Dame Football

Here's a few links to UND.COM's coverage today of Notre Dame Football.  Just click on the links below:

LINK:  THE OFFENSIVE LINE

LINK:  ND QB -- HELMET CAM

LINK:  DEFENSIVE BACK FEATURE