Photo of the Day: Champs Sports Bowl Practice

The @und_video_crew just "tweeted" this photo of today's
Champs Sports Bowl football practice for the Fighting Irish.

Tough duty!

Champs Sports Bowl: Coach Kelly & Media

The University of Notre Dame football team is in Orlando preparing for Thursday's bowl game against Florida State University.  After Sunday's practice (Christmas Day) Coach Kelly spent a few minutes with the assembled media.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  COACH KELLY AFTER PRACTICE

Notre Dame's Most Popular Student-Athlete!

For the first time in the history of Notre Dame Athletics -- its most popular athlete with the media doesn't wear a GOLD HELMET.

This honor goes to a female student-athlete by the name of SKYLAR DIGGINS -- Father Ted must be beaming!

In the past five weeks, ESPN has produced two significant stories about Skylar that speaks to her playing ability, her popularity (cult status) and her beauty.  In fact, they've even gone so far as calling her the "game changer" that women's basketball has been waiting for.  Take a look:

LINK:  BALANCING ACT

LINK:  THE NEXT BIG THING

Armando Allen Gets First Game Action in NFL

Former University of Notre Dame running back Armando Allen got his first taste of life in the National Football League, last night, gaining 40 yards on eleven carries for the Bears in their nationally televised game against the Packers at Lambeau Field.  Allen, who was injured much of his senior season at ND, was signed by the Bears on September 5th to their practice squad and was placed on the active roster (earlier in the week) for this game.  That's Armando in his new #25 in the photo.

I am very happy for ArmaNDo!

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES STORY

LINK:  BEARS ACTIVATE ARMANDO

Notre Dame Football Takes Over OrlaNDo!

The folks at UND.COM along with Mike Golic, Jr., Brandon Newman and a number of their Irish football teammates have been chronicling their time in Orlando for the Champs Sports Bowl.  Enjoy!

LINK:  CHRISTMAS EVE IN ORLANDO

LINK:  CHRISTMAS DAY IN ORLANDO

LINK:  CHRISTMAS NIGHT IN ORLANDO

A ND Christmas Blessing From Father Jenkins

Here is the University of Notre Dame's 17th president -- Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., with his Christmas Blessing for the Notre Dame Family:

LINK:  A CHRISTMAS BLESSING FROM NOTRE DAME

Merry Christmas to the Notre Dame Family!

Went looking around the web this morning for a recent video of the Notre Dame Glee Club singing a Christmas carol.  Found this impromptu performance on campus (11/20/11) instead.  ENJOY!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Notre Dame's Cleats for Champs Sports Bowl!

Looks like Santa brought the ND football team new shoes for Christmas...

Adidas and the University of Notre Dame teamed up to create this "three-tone" shoe for the Fighting Irish.  I can say with great confidence that you've never seen a ND team play in shoes like these!

Photo of Champs Sports Bowl Practice -- ND!

The Fighting Irish held their first Champs Sports Bowl practice today in Orlando in 76 degree weather...

Our Team, Our Story: Champs Sports Bowl

The gang at UND.COM is keeping busy.  Here's their first report from Orlando and the Champs Sports Bowl.  Click on the link:

LINK: OUR TEAM OUR STORY -- NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

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