Isabela Nanni -- the Daughter of Domers!

Isabela Nanni skipped past American Idol, X-Factor, The Voice and all of the other talent competitions on the planet -- to secure a "touring" gig with the band Chicago -- at the age of 14!!!

Isabela -- the oldest daughter of Lou and Carmen Nanni (both Domers) -- WOWED 10,000 people in attendance at halftime of a February Notre Dame women's basketball game when she played a song she wrote about breast cancer survivors called "Beautiful."  See the link below to that performance.

Life changed that moment for Ms. Nanni.

Since that day eight months ago -- ol' Isabela has hooked up with the band Chicago and has performed with them at a number of concert venues.  Over the next two months, Isabela will be touring again with Chicago -- traveling to NYC, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Louisville.  This Sunday, she'll perform with Chicago at a made for TV figure skating show that NBC is producing with Brian Boitano at Notre Dame's brand new Compton Family Ice Arena.  NBC will air this show over the holidays.

The Notre Dame family needs to keep an eye on this up and coming talent!!!

Here's a link to Isabela's official website --along with a link to videos of a number of her performances. 


LINK:  ISABELA NANNI -- OFFICIAL WEBSITE

LINK:  ISABELA NANNI -- PERFORMANCE VIDEOS

LINK:  BEAUTIFUL -- WRITTEN & PERFORMED BY ISABELA NANNI

The Holy War -- Coach Kelly on Boston College

University of Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media this afternoon for his weekly (in-season) press conference.  Up this Saturday are the Eagles of Boston College.  Here's what Coach Kelly had to say about the gang from Chestnut Hill:

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH THE MEDIA

Notre Dame Basketball on ESPNU -- Tonight!

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will be playing the University of Detroit tonight at 9 PM ET on ESPNU.  Be sure to tune in!

The Holy War -- Boston College Week for ND

The folks at the Boston Herald ran this first article I've seen this week on Saturday's game at Notre Dame Stadium between the Fighting Irish and the Boston College Eagles.  The Irish are 24 1/2 point favorites.  Here's a link to the story.

LINK:  HOLY WAR

Inside Notre Dame Football TV Show

The University of Notre Dame's "Inside Notre Dame Football" aired this Sunday -- here's a link to the show.

LINK:  INSIDE NOTRE DAME TV

Notre Dame Back in the Top 25 -- @ #24 in AP

The Associated Press Poll has the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish back in their Top 25 -- where they haven't been since the opening weekend of the 2011 college football season.  The Irish are ranked #24 in the AP Poll and #25 in the Coaches Poll -- here's a link to the rankings:

LINK:  COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP 25

Photo of the Day: Domer Catches Big Fish!

Now, Bill Laimbeer might not be your favorite Notre Dame athlete of all time -- and from what I've seen he hasn't been one to embrace the Irish -- but, he did catch a 75 1/2 lb. Cobia earlier this month off the coast of Marco Island, FL.  Fish doesn't look that big next to a 6' - 11" Laimbeer.  The world-record Cobia was caught in 2010 and weighed 121 lbs  Here's a link to the quick story:

LINK:  BILL LAIMBEER A FISHERMAN?

The Mornin' After the Irish Dominate Maryland

Took a lap around the web this morning to see what our friends in the media had to say about the Irish and their 45 - 21 win over the Terrapins of Maryland.  The game, the first ever in the Shamrock Series, drew more than 70,000 to FedEx Field (12,000 fans short of a sell-out) in the suburbs of Washington D.C.  Here's the media's take on the game:

LINK:  BALTIMORE SUN

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST #2

LINK:  TERRAPIN STATION BLOG

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES BLOG

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- AL LESAR

LINK:  WASHINGTON TIMES BLOG

LINK:  WASHINGTON EXAMINER

LINK:  CARROLL COUNTY TIMES

LINK:  HERALD MAIL

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  NBC 

ND Post Game Coverage -- Win Over Maryland

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame dominated the Maryland Terrapins 45 - 21, in the first game of the newly minted Shamrock Series.  Brian Kelly's offense rolled up over 500 yards in total offense for the fifth time this season.  Here's the UND.COM post game coverage:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME LOCKER ROOM CELEBRATION

LINK:  COACH KELLY POST GAME MEDIA SESSION

LINK:  PLAYER INTERVIEWS

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Shamrock Series Pre-Game Show @ 6:15 PM ET

Notre Dame football fans -- if you're looking for something to do to countdown the last two hours before kick-off -- here's a suggestion.  The gang at UND.COM will begin their SHAMROCK SERIES pre-game show live from FedEx Field at 6:15 PM ET.  Just click on the link below:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PRE-GAME SHOW

First Look at FedEx Field: End Zone Painted

Here's a photo taken of the end zone at FedEx Field -- home of the Washington Redskins.  Kick-off of the SHAMROCK SERIES 150 minutes away!

The Making of the Notre Dame Football Helmet

Notre Dame fans will enjoy watching this video of how Troy Lee Designs (CA) created the distinctive football helmet the Fighting Irish will wear tonight versus Maryland.  It's quite a process -- a MUST SEE VIDEO before tonight's Shamrock Series game at FedEx Field, home of the Washington Redskins:

LINK:  THE ICONIC FOOTBALL HELMET IN AMERICA

Always Wondered When ND Would Market This!

The University of Notre Dame and Adidas put together The Notre Dame Pack -- you'll see more information about this package in a story posted yesterday --  to celebrate tomorrow's game between the Irish and the Maryland Terrapins.  In the package was an OUNCE OF GOLD LEAF from the University of Notre Dame's Main Building (AKA -- THE GOLDEN DOME).

It's the very first time I've ever seen Notre Dame attempt to market the gold from the Dome -- the picture above is how they've packaged the gold dust taken from the Dome...

ND Football Gloves for Shamrock Series Game!

Paul Lukas at the Uni-Watch Blog received a present yesterday -- that has me quite envious!!!  Lukas (that's him in the picture showing off the gloves Notre Dame players will wear Saturday night against Maryland) wrote a story about his big surprise.  You'll enjoy this!


LINK:  A PRESENT FROM ND AND ADIDAS

Notre Dame's Shamrock Series Game Look!

Notre Dame football fans, here's what the Irish players will be wearing Saturday night "under the lights" at FedEx Field in their game with Maryland.  I can see why the Notre Dame players are excited about this uniform, helmet combination.   

After seeing this illustration -- I'm on board with the Notre Dame helmet facemask being a darker green color than the shamrock on the helmet.  The facemask matches the uniform jersey color...

Aaron Taylor Admits to Sexual Abuse as a Kid

Former Notre Dame All-America Aaron Taylor admitted today that he was a victim of sexual abuse as a five year-old kid by an older family member -- as the Jerry Sandusky / Penn State situation has the nation's attention.  Today, Aaron Taylor spoke out about his experience.  Here's a link to the radio broadcast.

LINK:  THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN TO KIDS!

Shamrock Series Week: Kelly With Media Today

University of Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today -- the last practice on campus before the Irish travel to Washington D.C. for a "home" game against Maryland Saturday night.  Here's a link to the media session:

LINK:  COACH KELLY AFTER PRACTICE

Photo of the Day -- The Notre Dame Pack!

 

I was sent these photos today by our oldest son Jimmy -- who just happened to turn 26 today!  Happy Birthday Jimmy!

Adidas has created a limited edition of what they're calling The Notre Dame Pack -- I think they could have come up with something better than that for a name, but it's really cool!!!  There are only eleven of these in the world.  Here's a link to all of the details of what is inside the box!

LINK:  THE NOTRE DAME PACK

Domer Mike Lee -- Back in the Ring -- Dec. 3!

University of Notre Dame alum Mike Lee '09 takes his undefeated professional record to Madison Square Garden on Saturday, December 3, 2011.  Irish fans can see Mike fight in person or on HBO's Pay Per View broadcast of the Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito Junior Middleweight Championship.

Lee, the three time ND Bengal Bouts Champ is now 7 - 0 as a pro, having won his last bout which was held in front of a huge crowd at Notre Dame's Purcell Pavillion -- the night before the Irish game against Michigan State.  Mike's currently training in Houston with Ronnie Shields. 

Here's a link to a video of Mike's last fight -- with some guy named "Regis" introducing a fellow Domer!

LINK:  MIKE'S FIGHT AT NOTRE DAME

Muffet Reloads -- The #3 Ranked Class in USA!

Muffet McGraw's Irish, coming off their runner-up finish at the 2011 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship -- just inked the #3 ranked recruiting class in the country!  In my mind, it's the greatest recruiting haul in Notre Dame Women's Basketball history!  Here are the three stars who will join the Fighting Irish next fall (that's Jewell Loyd in the photo).

• Jewell Loyd:  Guard -- ranked the #3 player in the country!
• Michaela Mabrey:  Guard -- ranked the #20 player in the country!
• Hannah Huffman:  Guard -- ranked the #27 player in the country!

LINK:  MUFFET'S CLASS RANKED #3