Muffet McGraw's Now a Hall of Famer!

This photo was taken Saturday night at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.  Notre Dame's Muffet McGraw was one of the honorees.  Congratulations Muffet!

Off Topic: Detroit Tiger Fans Won't Believe It!

My Dad (Jim Small) had the privilege of wearing the Detroit Tiger "old English D" back in the mid-50's.  Well, as life-long Tiger fan I learned something today that kind of floored me a little...

The "old English D" on the Detroit Tigers baseball cap -- does not match the "old English D" on their home uniform.  Can you believe it!!!

Take a look at the photos above -- you'll note the "old English D" on the Tigers baseball cap has "two bars" while the "old English D" on the uniform has "three bars."

The "old English D" did match until the 60's -- in fact the Detroit Tigers longtime Clubhouse Manager Jim Schmakel admits he was with the Detroit Tigers 15 years before he realized they didn't match.  The Tigers do not know why the two logos don't match.

What's up with that!!!???

Muffet McGraw Enters Hall of Fame Tonight!

Notre Dame women's basketball coach Muffet McGraw will be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame tonight -- congratulations Coach!  Here's a link to a Knoxville newspaper story today about Muffet's honor:

LINK:  ND'S HALL OF FAMER!

Phil Steele's Forecast for the Fighting Irish!

Phil Steele just published his take on the 2011 Fighting Irish -- thought you would enjoy what he had to say.  Here's the link:

LINK:  PHIL STEELE -- BULLISH ON THE IRISH

ND Board of Trustee Forced To Resign

Roxanne Martino, a 1977 graduate of the University of Notre Dame resigned this week from ND's Board of Trustees over a Cardinal Newman Society report that she had made donations to a couple of pro abortion rights groups.

Martino runs Aurora Investment Management -- a hedge fund company based in Chicago.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  ND BOARD OF TRUSTEE RESIGNATION

My Favorite Incoming Irish Football Player!

The folks at Irish Sports Daily reported this morning that incoming Notre Dame football player Joseph Schmidt turned down a FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIP from the University of Arizona this past month -- to remain a "preferred walk on" and the honor of paying $208,000 these next four years to wear the gold helmet!


The linebacker out of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California is now my favorite incoming freshman football player.  Here's a link to his high school highlight tape.


LINK:  JOSEPH SCHMIDT HIGHLIGHT TAPE

MICHIGAN vs. NOTRE DAME -- THROWBACKS

I like the Notre Dame uniform WAY BETTER than the school in Ann Arbor's!

Here's a link to more views of Notre Dame's "throwback" jersey:

LINK:  I LIKE IT!

"Rudy's" Nephew -- Baseball Star at ASU?

What's up with this?  Rudy's nephew chooses to play baseball at Arizona State University?

Rudy's nephew JOHNNY RUETTIGER wears #23 for the Sun Devils -- and he's one of their better players.  Drafted in the eighth round of the MLB Draft this week by the Orioles, Rudy is a 6'-2" outfielder out of the same high school as his famous uncle (Joliet Catholic).

He's currently on ESPN right now in the NCAA Tournament game against Texas.

LINK:  RUDY'S NEPHEW A SUN DEVIL

Notre Dame's Throwback Jersey Unveiled!

Here it is folks!  I LOVE IT -- WHITE SHOES AND ALL!!!  Here's how adidas describes the uniform design:

Paying homage to the rich football tradition of Notre Dame football, the Irish "Under the Lights" adidas uniform includes a white jersey with Kelly green lettering and two Kelly green shoulder stripes, old gold-colored pants, white socks with green stripes and white shoes. A large shamrock logo appears on the traditional gold helmet for the first time since the early 1960s. The years the Fighting Irish won National Championships are listed inside the bottom hem of the jersey.


Here's a link to a photo gallery:

LINK:  ND'S THROWBACK JERSEY

Tune In At Facebook For Uniform Unveiling!

The adidas Football US Facebook site will be unveiling the "throwback" football jerseys for Michigan and Notre Dame at 8 PM ET!

Adidas / Notre Dame Unveiling Friday Night!

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly "re-tweeted" this afternoon that Adidas would be having a special "unveiling" tomorrow involving Notre Dame.  Rumors persist on the internet that this could be the "throwback" uniform for the Michigan game -- or, a major uniform design change for Notre Dame this season.

Photo of the Day! -- Brian Kelly Tweet Photo

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly "tweeted" this photo this afternoon to promote next Tuesday's FOOTBALL 101 at Notre Dame Stadium.  This second annual event benefits Breast Cancer Awareness and is for women only!

Coach Kelly Named Top 100 Irish American!

The folks at Irish America magazine have selected Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly as one of the top 100 Irish Americans!  Here's a link to the honor:

LINK:  COACH KELLY HONORED!

Not Surprised: Reggie Bush Still With Heisman

USC running back Reggie Bush has yet to return his Heisman Trophy to the Heisman Trust.  Bush, who offered to forfeit his Heisman Trophy before it was stripped from him for his NCAA violations at USC -- has yet to actually give back the trophy.  It's only been nine months....

Here's a link to the story:

LINK:   BUSH STILL HOLDING ON TO HEISMAN

Irish Pitcher Drafted By Nationals Today!

For Notre Dame (graduating) senior baseball player Brian Dupra '11 -- the third time was the charm!

As a high school senior the right handed hurler was drafted in the 36th round by the Texas Rangers back in 2007.  He turned that down to play baseball at the University of Notre Dame.  Three years later in the 2010 MLB Draft the Detroit Tigers drafted him in the 11th round -- he turned the Tigers down to come back to ND for his senior season and to get his degree.  You don't see that every day!!!

Well, this afternoon the Irish alum was drafted in the seventh round by the Washington Nationals.  Congratulations Brian!  Here's a few of the stories:

LINK:  DUPRA DRAFTED BY NATIONALS 

LINK:  ND CAREER STATS

LINK:  DUPRA TAKEN IN SEVENTH ROUND

Nice Interview of Pat Terrell

The former Notre Dame football star was in town last week for the Notre Dame Football Fantasy Camp.  You'll enjoy Pat talking about Brian Kelly, his time aT ND and what he's up to these days.

LINK:  PAT TERRELL BACK HOME

Subway's Chief Marketing Officer is a Domer!

Tony Pace '79, is his name and he's given a great deal of credit for Subway's climb to the largest single brand restaurant chain in the world!  So when you see that next Subway TV commercial -- know there's a Domer behind that brand.  Here's a link to an Observer interview of Tony along with a video interview of former Notre Dame All-American and current NFL All Pro DE of the New York Giants, Justin Tuck during a Subway promotional visit.  You'll enjoy him talking about his time at ND:

LINK:  SUBWAY'S DOMER!

LINK:  JUSTIN TUCK AT SUBWAY

ND's Mike Lee's Next Pro Fight July 9th!

He's 5 - 0 as a pro and he's a 2009 graduate of the University of Notre Dame.  Mike Lee is back in the ring on July 9th on SHOWTIME. 

Rumors still persist that Mike will be be back "HOME" on Friday, September 16th at the University of Notre Dame's Purcell Pavillion -- for his next pro fight -- the night before the Michigan State football game.

LINK:  MIKE'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Photo of the Day: DiCaprio Representin'

Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio is often seen wearing a Notre Dame hat.  Well, he's sportin' the ND Monogram this week in Italy as he hangs with actress and model Blake Lively. 

Three Football Coaches Back at ND Last Night!

Ara Parseghian, Lou Holtz and Gerry Faust were back at Notre Dame last night with Regis Philbin -- as part of the Reunion Weekend this weekend at the University of Notre Dame.  The three ex-coaches were interviewed by Regis in front of a large crowd at Purcell Pavillion.  You're going to love Coach Parseghian's stories about being recognized in town.  Here's a link to Eric Hanson's South Bend Tribune story (special thanks to Philadelphia's Dr. Jim Clancy for making me aware of this story!):

LINK:  PARSEGHIAN, HOLTZ AND FAUST