IRISH Athletes Talk About Christmas Memories

A nice feature on a number of NOTRE DAME ATHLETES talking about Christmas, created by the gang at UND.COM.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

LINK:  NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Latest News on Gunner Kiel's College Choice

Five-star QB Gunner Kiel is expected to announce his college choice in the next 24 hours -- though I wouldn't be surprised if this might wait for a few more days.

Folks at LSU believe he made his choice -- as rumors are flying around the web this morning that Kiel called LSU coach Les Miles, last night, to say he was committing to the Tigers.  The sentiment of many ND fans, on the web, is he's probably BAYOU BOUND.

However, didn't ND fans think another Five-star recruit was headed to another school (three years ago) with an "S & U" in its name -- and he (Manti Teo) shocked most recruiting experts when he chose the FIGHTING IRISH instead!  Stay tuned...

First Photo From Champs Sports Bowl: ND1

This photo of the Notre Dame Football Equipment Truck (AKA: ND1) was just "tweeted" from Orlando's Citrus Bowl -- site of next Thursday's CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL.  Photo tweeted by @NDirishfan91 Ross Pepin.  Here's a link to a blog story about ND's arrival in Orlando:

LINK:  ND FOOTBALL ARRIVES IN ORLANDO

Santa Claus Comes Tomorrow!!!

I've spent twelve wonderful months working with a world-class team at Western Michigan University.  In this job I was introduced to one of WMU's greatest assets -- a vocal jazz performance group called GOLD COMPANY.  They are terrific!

Enjoy their rendition of JINGLE BELLS -- and share it with a friend who needs to SMILE TODAY!

Paint That Can Power the Planet -- ONLY ND!

A team of University of Notre Dame scientists have developed a paint that they believe can harness the power of the sun and turn it into electricity.

It's called SUN-BELIEVABLE PAINT.

Now, the description of what they've developed here, WHICH IS AMAZING, is just a little over my head.  So, I'll leave it to the folks at the South Bend Tribune who have reported this story.  Incredible!

LINK:  HARNESSING THE SUN'S POWER

Cal-State All Star Game: AKA "Tee & Dee Show"

Tee Shepard and Deontay Greenberry -- both University of Notre Dame football commits -- put on a show last night in Clovis, CA in the CAL-STATE ALL STAR GAME.

The game matched some of the top players in high school football in the state of California -- and the stars of the game:  TWO FUTURE ND FOOTBALL PLAYERS!

I won't spoil how well they played -- you can click on the links below for the details and game hightlights:

LINK:  FRESNO STARS SHOW THE WAY!

LINK:  VIDEO NEWS STORY 

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

The Irish Begin Arriving in OrlaNDo Today!

The Orlando Sentinel caught up with Coach Kelly today to talk about next Thursday's Champs Sports Bowl with Florida State University.  The entire team will be in Orlando by tomorrow.  You've got to love how that GOLD HELMET shines!  Here's a link to all of the news coverage:

LINK:  IRISH BEGIN ARRIVING IN ORLANDO

LINK:  COACH KELLY AT AIRPORT

LINK:  CHANNEL 47 - NEWS COVERAGE OF IRISH ARRIVAL

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH UND.COM

A Book You Should Add to Your ND Library!

I just started reading the book entitled; "Notre Dame: Where Have You Gone?" by the South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen and Sideline Communication's Paul Guido.  It covers a subject many Notre Dame fans often wonder about -- what are the former players who donned the GOLD HELMET doing today?  It's a MUST HAVE for Notre Dame fans!  Here's how you can purchase a copy:

LINK:  PURCHASE THE BOOK RIGHT HERE!

The Spirit of du lac

I've watched this video many, many times -- and it still gives me chills.  Enjoy!

LINK:  SPIRIT OF DU LAC

I've Been Given the Gift of Notre Dame...

Earlier today, the University of Notre Dame officially announced that I would be joining their team as Senior Director of Marketing & Communications -- effective January 16, 2012.

A very humbling and special moment for my family and me.

Notre Dame's "on-boarding" process, which I began this morning, led me to a conference room where I would meet my teammates for the first time.  While I awaited their arrival, I found myself staring at this quote -- etched into the room's glass wall:

“This college will be one of the most powerful means of doing good in the country.” 

It was taken from a letter written by Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., just days after he founded Notre Dame in 1842.

Who would have ever dreamed an Irish Catholic kid from Mecosta County (Michigan), Chippewa Hills High School and Ferris State University would be given the opportunity of sharing the Notre Dame story with the world.

A story Fr. Sorin began crafting 169 years earlier...

Unfortunately, I'll be leaving an extremely talented team (led by Jim Thomas) at Western Michigan University -- and some wonderful alumni -- all who have made me feel part of the WMUFAMILY.  It's been a magical year in Kalamazoo that I will never forget.  THANK YOU! 

Yes, I've been given the "GIFT" of the University of Notre Dame -- it will be an honor to serve HER mission!

  
LINK:  I KNOW SHE'S SMILING IN HEAVEN TODAY

Barkley to Return to USC -- ND Football Happy!

If you listened to sports talk radio this afternoon you would have heard the 2012 Heisman winner was determined today when USC QB Matt Barkley said he would return for his senior season.

NOT SO FAST MY FRIENDS!

Now, the best thing to come out of today's news is the ND Football team should be thrilled with the prospects of having one more shot at USC with Barkley at the helm.  I wouldn't want it any other way!  Here's the story:

LINK:  LA TIMES STORY

No Doubt He's a Notre Dame Man: Dayne Crist

Former Notre Dame QB Dayne Crist -- announced today that he would be playing at the University of Kansas next year for Charlie Weis.  Crist, who was spotted at Twelve Oaks Mall (Novi, MI) yesterday with his girlfriend -- granted an interview with the Observer on Wednesday.  Suffice to say -- he's a class act.  You'll enjoy this story along with Eric Hansen's story at the South Bend Tribune:

LINK:  A NOTRE DAME MAN

LINK:  CRIST CHOOSES CHARLIE

Notre Dame to Honor Adrian Dantley!

Former two-time IRISH All American, Olympic Gold Medalist, National Player of the Year, Naismith National Basketball Hall of Famer, two-time NBA scoring champion and NBA Hall of Famer, Adrian Dantley -- will be honored by his alma mater on March 2nd when he's enshrined in Purcell Pavillion's RING OF HONOR.  It's an honor well deserved!  Here's a link to the story at UND.COM along with a video of his career produced by NBA-TV:  You've just got to love the uniforms Digger designed for the Fighting Irish back in the day -- they were the coolest in college basketball!

LINK:  DANTLEY TO BE HONORED

LINK:  ADRIAN DANTLEY -- NBA VIDEO

USC Couldn't Steal This Dynamic Duo From ND!

Tee Shepard (my favorite recruit in this class) and Deontay Greenberry two of Notre Dame's most highly sought after recruits -- took a visit this weekend to that school in Los Angeles.  For a day or so, ND fans were concerned that the Trojans may have convinced Tee and Deontay to de-commit from the IRISH.  Fortunately, that does not seem to be the case!  Here's the NBC Sports story on the cousins from northern California:

LINK:  AN IRISH GUARANTEE

This Just Might Be Notre Dame's QB Recruit!

His name is Devin Fuller and he's one of the top players on the East Coast and Rivals #2 ranked QB in the country.  He's got a big arm and some very fast feet.  Fuller, out of Old Tappan HS in New Jersey, has yet to visit Notre Dame -- though the word is the IRISH are hot on his trail.  Might tell us something about what our coaching staff thinks about our chances with Gunner Kiel.  This young man would be EXCITING in a GOLD HELMET!

LINK:  DEVIN FULLER HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  DEVIN FULLER RIVALS PROFILE

Photo of the Day: ND-1 Heads to Florida!!!

The University of Notre Dame's football equipment truck (ND-1) left campus today for the drive to Orlando, FL and the Champs Sports Bowl.  The Irish will arrive in Orlando on Saturday to begin final preparation for next Thursday's bowl game.  ND fans between Indiana and Florida should keep an eye out for the truck! 

The Irish Football Team Having Some Fun!

The University of Notre Dame football team celebrated their last night in South Bend -- before heading home and then on to Orlando for the Champs Sports Bowl -- at Strikes & Spares.  Bowling, Go Karts, Putt-Putt and some shenanigans -- all in a good night of fun for the Irish!  Here's a link to the highlights:

LINK:  HAVING SOME FUN

Sports Illustrated's High School All-Americans

The editorial staff at Sports Illustrated announced their High School All-American team today and if you follow Notre Dame football recruiting you'll find a couple of familiar names on the list.  Here's a link to the team:

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED'S HIGH SCHOOL ALL-AMERICANS

Troy Murphy Signs Contract With LA Lakers

Former Notre Dame basketball star Troy Murphy signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers today for $1.4 million.  Modest by NBA standards, Murphy is coming off a season where he had a serious back injury and didn't play much at all.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  TROY MURPHY SIGNS WITH LAKERS

ESPN Blog Interview -- Manti Teo Stayin' @ ND

The folks at ESPN caught up with University of Notre Dame All-American Manti Teo to talk about his decision to return for his senior year with the Fighting Irish.  It's a story that's been told a few times, but -- I don't mind reading it over and over...  Here's the link:

LINK:  ESPN'S INTERVIEW OF MANTI