HAPPY EASTER to the Notre Dame Family!

Thought I'd share a link to one of my favorite Notre Dame websites this morning -- PRAY ND.  If you've never been to this site, find the time sometime today.  Here's the link:

LINK:  HAPPY EASTER TO THE NOTRE DAME FAMILY!

Tulsa's Bowl Rings -- Refer to Victory Over ND

The University of Tulsa handed out their "bling" to this year's football team -- and the big topic of discussion was the ring given to the players and coaches.   As you'll see in the pictures --  the ring commemorated more than the Golden Hurricane's win over Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl.  I'll leave the photo to do the explaining...

Here's a link to the Tulsa World story:  A WIN THEY'LL NEVER FORGET

The "Mike and MIKE Bowl" -- I Missed This!

The renewal of the Notre Dame vs. Northwestern football series took a unique path in how it was introduced to the sports world.  ESPN Radio's Mike and MIKE Show had the honors of announcing that ND and NW would play each other in 2014 and again in 2018 live -- on their show.  I missed all the fun that took place -- so I thought I'd provide a link to Greeny and Golic's segment with Coach Kelly and Coach Fitzgerald.  Here you go:

LINK:  THE MIKE AND MIKE BOWL

Brian Kelly Ranked 13th Best College Coach

The folks at College Football News recently ranked the top college football coaches in America and our man Brian Kelly made their Top 15.  Here's a link to the story and what they had to say about Notre Dame's head football coach.  Here's hoping his ranking is LUCKY for the IRISH this year!

LINK:  COACH KELLY PICKED #13

What's Jimmy Clausen Thinking?

A year ago, Jimmy Clausen was thought to be a sure-fire first round NFL draft pick.  He left Notre Dame early to cash in on the big bucks that goes with being an early pick in the annual NFL talent auction.  Most draft experts felt Jimmy was a lock to be the first QB taken in the draft -- probably among the top ten picks.  It was the right decision to leave Notre Dame early...

Unfortunately, someone forgot to tell this to the guys running the draft for each of the NFL teams in the first round -- as Jimmy fell to the 48th pick (second round) to the Carolina Panthers.  This cost Clausen more than $40 million in his first NFL contract negotiation.

The best decision Clausen and his handlers made was not to have him sitting in the NFL Draft's "green room" -- like Brady Quinn three-years prior.

Notre Dame fans will recall these same NFL draft experts "spinning" that Clausen ended up in the perfect situation for a rookie QB.  The Carolina Panthers offered Jimmy a good offensive line, strong running game a talented wide receiver and the opportunity to play early.

Once again, all of the experts were wrong -- as Carolina's season went BAD FAST.  Clausen was forced to play early and he didn't play well.  For the season, Clausen threw for 1,558 yards, three TD's and nine interceptions.  He completed 52.5% of his passes for a QB rating of 58.4.  He started 10 games winning just one -- as the Panthers went 2-14 for the season, securing the #1 pick in next Thursday's NFL Draft.

Now, a year later -- all of the people who made the decision to draft  Clausen are gone in Carolina.  And, those same NFL Draft experts believe the Panthers may take Auburn's Cam Newton -- the Heisman Trophy winning QB -- with their first overall pick.  Can't be easy for Clausen.

Here's a link to some of the more recent stories about what Carolina might do with the #1 pick Thursday -- and it's impact on Clausen:

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  CHARLOTTE OBSERVER

LINK:  NBC

Notre Dame's Top Student -- From Michigan!

Edward Larkin was selected as the University of Notre Dame's Class of 2011's Valedictorian.  The East Lansing, MI native carries a 4.0 GPA in Biological Sciences and a supplementary major in Classical Civilization.  Here's a link to a ND Newswire story on Larkin's honor.

LINK:  ND'S CLASS OF 2011 -- VALEDICTORIAN

Ever Wonder How Many Days To ND Football?

The folks at AgencyND -- the talented "in-house" ad agency at the University of Notre Dame, created a "widget" that counts down the days, hours, minutes and seconds to every kick-off for the 2011 football season.  Thought you'd enjoy seeing this.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  COUNTDOWNS TO NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

The One Game He Won't Root For the IRISH!

Every Saturday morning in the fall since 2005 -- Notre Dame football fans can always count on Louis Leo Holtz picking the Irish to beat their opponent on ESPN's College Gameday.  Well, that might change 134 days from today.

On Saturday, September 3, 2011 -- Skip Holtz will bring the Bulls of the University of South Florida back to his alma mater to take on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.  And earlier that day -- I fully expect Lou Holtz will pick the Bulls to upset his beloved Irish for the first time ever on College Gameday.  Irish fans, brace yourself -- because I also expect Mark May to pick ND to win that day!

Lacrosse History This Week -- ND #1

The University of Notre Dame's men's lacrosse team made history this week -- as they were voted #1 in college lacrosse for the first time in school history!  The undefeated IRISH -- the only undefeated team in college lacrosse -- were ranked #1 in both major lacrosse polls; Nike/Inside Lacrosse Poll and the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Coaches Poll.

The "cool" thing about the number #1 ranking of the Irish is this -- this sport has been dominated by schools on the east coast.  In fact, Notre Dame is the "furthest school west" to ever be ranked #1 in lacrosse.  Here are links to the polls along with a link to a South Bend Tribune story:

LINK:  INSIDE LACROSSE POLL

LINK:  UNITED STATES INTERCOLLEGIATE LACROSSE COACHES POLL

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY

NFL Draft -- One Week Away For IRISH Nine

Nine members of this year's Fighting Irish football team will know next week if there's going to be an opportunity to play in the NFL.  For players like Kyle Rudolph and Ian Williams -- the question's not "IF" it's where.  For the balance of the Irish -- it's not so clear cut if the NFL is going to come calling.  Here's a link to a story in the Bleacher Report that lists where each of the nine ND student-athletes stand in the NFL Draft process.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PLAYERS -- IS THERE AN NFL IN THEIR FUTURE?

Jewell Loyd's Press Conference Yesterday

The folks at the CSLInsider were present yesterday at Jewell Loyd's press conference where she selected the University of Notre Dame over UCONN and Tennessee.  The 5'-9" guard is one of the top players in the country in the Class of 2012 -- she's a huge "get" for Muffet's Irish!  Here's a link to the story and video of her press conference.

LINK:  JEWELL LOYD GOES IRISH!!!

Coach Kelly With WNDU's Jeff Jeffers

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly, sat down with WNDU-TV's Jeff Jeffer's yesterday to talk about the Blue Gold game.  Here's a link to the interview:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY INTERVIEW

Muffet's Irish -- Get their Jewell!

One of the top players in the country, Jewell Loyd committed to the University of Notre Dame women's basketball program today!  Loyd, who plays for Niles West High School is the 6th ranked player in the country in the Class of 2012 -- and she chose the Irish over UCONN and Tennessee in a press conference at her high school.  Here's a link to the story and a recruiting profile:

LINK:  JEWELL LOYD PICKS NOTRE DAME!

LINK:  JEWELL LOYD RECRUITING PROFILE

Forbes: ND Does Quite Well On Their Own...

The folks at Forbes finally put a "positive" twist on Notre Dame Athletics -- pointing out that they could make "millions more" if they joined a conference.  Yet, they're still one of only 14 NCAA Athletic programs that turn a profit annually.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  HOW DOES ND DO FINANCIALLY?

The Best Boxer In NFL History...

That's the headline in an article this morning about former Notre Dame football star Tommy Zbikowski and his return to the boxing ring during the NFL lockout.  Zibby has another fight this Saturday at a casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma.  Thought you'd enjoy this Wall Street Journal article.  Here's the link:

LINK:  TOMMY Z

Here's What ND Learned From Investigation...

The University of Notre Dame outlined its findings this morning from a nearly six-month investigation of the Declan Sullivan tragedy.  Here are the key points stressed in this conference:

1. The weather was last checked by the ND staff at 2:46 PM ET on October 27th -- the eighth time they had checked the wind that day -- prior to practice
2. The scissors lift blew over at 4:54 PM ET
3. The wind gust that blew the scissors lift over was estimated as a 53 mph wind gust

The major finding was this -- the data that Notre Dame was looking at online regarding weather -- was updated every hour at approximately 54 minutes after the hour.  Thus, when the football staff was last looking at a weather update at 2:46 PM ET -- they were looking at a weather report from actually 1:54 PM ET.  If, the ND staff had checked the weather reports at approximately 2:55 PM ET instead of 2:46 PM ET -- they would have seen wind gusts exceeding 35 mph -- and probably would have lowered the scissors lifts at practice.

A sad day for the Sullivan family and the Notre Dame family.

Here's a link to the University of Notre Dame's report:  DECLAN SULLIVAN TRAGEDY FINDINGS

Former Domer Sam Young -- Back at ND

Former Irish offensive lineman Sam Young, now with the Dallas Cowboys -- was in town for the Blue Gold game this weekend.  The gang at 960 WSBT-AM caught up with him on the sideline.  Sharp young man -- here's a link to the interview:

LINK:  SAM YOUNG INTERVIEW

The NBC VERSUS -- BLUE GOLD Highlights

Here's the game highlights from yesterday's BLUE GOLD game at Notre Dame Stadium.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

NBC's Keith Arnold VERSUS Sideline Interview

Notre Dame fans will enjoy this interview that took place during the BLUE GOLD game yesterday afternoon.  Keith Arnold is the ND beat writer at NBC.  Here's the link:

LINK:  KEITH ARNOLD INTERVIEW

Fastest Player in America -- COMMITS IRISH!

He's been timed as fast as 4.31 in the 40 yard dash -- he was being recruited by every major football program in America -- and yesterday morning he decided the University of Notre Dame was the place to take his talents.

His name is Ronald Darby and he hails from Potomac High School in Oxford Hills, Maryland.  Recruiting expert Tom Lemming calls him "the fastest player in the country."

Here's a few links to stories about Darby and his commitment to Notre Dame:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- DARBY COMMITS TO ND!

LINK:  ESPN -- "POTOMAC'S SPEED DEMON"

LINK:  RIVALS -- "BORN TO RUN"

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST

LINK:  MAX PREPS

LINK:  HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  ESPN RISE -- FASTEST 60 METER TIME IN THE COUNTRY

LINK:  NATIONAL RANKINGS -- 200 METERS

LINK:  NATIONAL RANKINGS -- 60 METERS