Band of the Fighting Irish -- National Anthem

Here's a link to a YouTube video I found today from a game in Notre Dame Stadium this past September against Purdue - where the Band of the Fighting Irish played God Bless America and our National Anthem before kick-off.  Thought you'd enjoy this!

LINK:  PRE-GAME AT NOTRE DAME STADIUM

God, Country & Notre Dame -- Happy 4th!

This photo is of an archway on the east side of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the University of Notre Dame campus.  I found this story about the "Dodd Twins" -- who attended Notre Dame in the late 90's on an ROTC scholarship.  Thought you'd enjoy this story on INDEPENDENCE DAY 2011-- here in America!

LINK:  GOD, COUNTRY & NOTRE DAME

He Never Misses the Opportunity to Hate on ND

Folks his name is David Haugh and he's a sports columnist with the Chicago Tribune.  His column today was "typical Haugh" when it comes to Notre Dame.  Haugh worked at the South Bend Tribune earlier in his career -- spending ten years covering Notre Dame.  In 2003 he moved on to the Chicago Tribune -- where he's been ever since.

It must have been a slow news day for Mr. Haugh -- so he went to his HATE ON NOTRE DAME file to fill some space.  He pulled out four-letter words like "sham" and "punk" to refer to the University of Notre Dame today...

LINK:  THIS STORY'S BEEN TOLD 

Photos of the Day -- Manti Teo at Notre Dame

Manti Teo spent Friday at Notre Dame Stadium having his picture taken for the Irish Sports Report -- thought you'd enjoy of couple of the photos taken by the South Bend Tribune photo staff.

Toughest Job in America -- ND Football Coach

I'm quite sure Brian Kelly would confirm the headline of this story -- it's not a job for the meek of heart.  South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen caught up with Coach Kelly to take a look back at his first year on campus.  You'll enjoy this story:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY

It's Good To Be Skylar Diggins!

Has their ever been a more famous female athlete at the University of Notre Dame than Skylar Diggins?

I don't think so...

The good folks at the South Bend Tribune published a wonderful story today about ND's next superstar.  You'll enjoy the story:

LINK:  SKYLAR DIGGINS

Is Oregon the Next to Fall?

The media, not BANK NCAA is doing the investigative work these days policing college athletic programs.  Most recently, a Sports Illustrated writer (who's a Notre Dame grad) put the heat on Ohio State which led to Jim Tressel's forced resignation.  Eighteen months ago a Yahoo Sports story forced BANK NCAA to do something about the USC Trojans football program -- and Oregon might just be next!

Here's a link to Yahoo Sports interview with a "scouting service" in the Houston area -- who was paid $25,000 by the Oregon athletic program to secure the recruitment of top high school football players.  This isn't good for Chip Kelly and company...

LINK:  WILL CHIP KELLY BE LOOKING FOR A JOB SOON?

Photo of the Day -- The Middle of ND's D!

This photo was "tweeted" today by Notre Dame linebacker Manti Teo of the men in the middle of the Notre Dame defense.  Here are their names from left to right in the photo:  Darius Flemming, Manti Teo, Carlo Calabrese, Justin Utopo and Prince Shembo.

Domer Wins USA Track National Championship!

Former Notre Dame All-American Molly Huddle (don't you love her name!) won the 5000 Meters at the USA National Track & Field Championship -- for her first ever National Championship!  The victory, for the nine-time IRISH All-American and the current American record holder in the event, qualifies Molly to represent the United States at the IAAF World Championships in South Korea in late August.  Congratulations Molly!

Here's a link to Molly's interview after her big win!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S NATIONAL CHAMPION!

One Time ND Running Back -- Documentary

Dorsey Levens -- who's college football career began at the University of Notre Dame before his transfer to Georgia Tech -- has produced a documentary film about brain concussions called "Bell Rung."  Here's a link to the CNN.COM story:

LINK:  BELL RUNG -- THE DOCUMENTARY

Notre Dame Launches New Website

The University of Notre Dame launched a new website late this evening -- and I have to admit, I'm not doing back flips over the new design.  Maybe the final design will be displayed tomorrow?  Here's a link:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S NEW WEBSITE

Notre Dame's David Ruffer Needs Our Votes!

Phil Steele is running a poll on his website today looking for fans to vote for the top place kicker in college football.  Notre Dame's David Ruffer is one of the kickers in the poll -- click here to vote for Ruffer:

LINK:  DAVID RUFFER -- VOTE FOR HIM!

Michael Floyd's Plea Agreement Today

University of Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd pleaded guilty today in St. Joseph County Court to one count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.  Floyd was sentenced to one year of administrative probation which will require the following of him:

•  His driver's license will be suspended for 90 days -- meaning he can not drive a car
• After the 90 days are up he will be required to use an ignition interlock device in his car for six months which will monitor if there is alcohol on his breath.  If there is, the car will not start and Floyd will be in violation of his probation -- and I'm quite sure it will also signal the end of his football career at Notre Dame

Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune's story:


LINK:  FLOYD MAKES PLEA TODAY

USA Today Ranks ND #1 in Social Media

The folks at USA Today came out "today" with their ranking of the twenty best colleges in America for social media -- and the school on top....the University of Notre Dame!  Here's a link:

LINK:  TOP TWENTY SCHOOLS IN AMERICA FOR SOCIAL MEDIA

Irish Legends Golf Classic -- Media Coverage

Lou Holtz, Ara Parseghian and Brian Kelly could be found today on the links in southwest Michigan for their annual Irish Legends Golf Classic.  ESPN's Mark May and Reece Davis were the hosts of this event -- here's a link to the media's coverage of the fun today:

LINK:  WNDU-TV STORY #1

LINK:  WNDU-TV STORY #2

T.J. Tynan Drafted by the NHL's Blue Jackets

Three University of Notre Dame hockey players were drafted yesterday in day two of the 2011 NHL Draft.  The first Irish student-athlete to hear his name called was T.J. Tynan in the third round, 66th player overall -- by the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Six picks later, Steven Fogarty was selected by the New York Rangers and in the fourth round the New York Islanders took Robbie Russo with the 95th pick.  Here's a link to the UND.COM story:

LINK:  THREE IRISH ICERS DRAFTED BY NHL TEAMS

Grand Valley Dedicates Building to Kelly Family

Notre Dame Football Coach Brian Kelly was in Allendale, MI yesterday -- the home of his first head football coaching gig -- for the dedication of the Kelly Family Sports Center on the campus of Grand Valley State University.  Here's a link to the news coverage:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE 

LINK:  WZZM-TV GRAND RAPIDS

LINK:  GRAND RAPIDS PRESS

Irish Hoops Recruit Injured In Plane Crash

This is a sad story.  And, it's also a story you couldn't make up -- if you tried.

A plane crashed last night in northern Michigan -- killing Dr. Stephen Hatch and his wife Kim.  Dr. Hatch's son Austin -- a 6' - 6" basketball star who committed to Michigan over Notre Dame this past week -- was critically injured in the crash.

Here's the part of the story you just can't make up.  Eight years ago, Dr. Stephen Hatch was also flying a plane that crashed -- this crash killed his first wife Julie, daughter Lindsay and son Ian.  Dr. Hatch and Austin survived that crash.

Incredible.

Please say a prayer today for Austin.

Here are links to a few stories:

LINK:  PLANE CRASH

LINK:  AUSTIN HATCH & FAMILY

LINK:  AUSTIN'S HIGH SCHOOL COACH INTERVIEW

LINK:  AUSTIN'S CARING BRIDGE BLOG -- UPDATES

Brian Kelly in Grand Rapids Yesterday

Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly was in Grand Rapids yesterday for the Irish Eyes Golf Outing at Thousand Oaks Golf Club.  While he was there to play some golf and raise some money for the Kelly Cares Foundation -- he also found time to meet with the media.  Here's the coverage:

LINK:  GRAND RAPIDS PRESS

Lemming & Eric Hansen Talk ND Recruiting

The University of Notre Dame football coaching staff is recruiting -- all of the time.  Recruiting expert Tom Lemming and the South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen give their perspective of Notre Dame football's recruiting prospects in this article.  Here's the link:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL RECRUITING