Notre Dame vs. Navy -- Football in Ireland

Heard this week on campus that tickets (NOT TIED TO TRAVEL PACKAGES) for the Notre Dame vs. Navy game in Dublin, will go on sale on March 1st at the Navy Athletics site.  This is a 'home' game for the Naval Academy -- so, they will have the majority of tickets for sale.  Presently, ND fans can buy "travel packages" from Anthony Travel that include football tickets. 

So, my advice -- get to the NAVAL ACADEMY sports site at 12:01 AM on March 1st.  Here's a link to their ticket site:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. NAVY IN IRELAND -- TICKET SITE

Meet Brian Kelly's New Coaching Staff @ ND!

The nine (9) assistant coaches who will make up Coach Brian Kelly's football staff -- and will lead the 125th football team in the history of the University of Notre Dame -- met with the media today.  You'll enjoy hearing from the three new coaches -- and the coaches returning who are coaching new position groups.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY'S NOTRE DAME COACHING STAFF

Coach Kelly Meets With the Media Today

University of Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today for the first time since National Signing Day to talk about the changes made in his coaching staff.  Three new coaches and some new assignments for the returning staff -- were all officially announced today.  Here's the video:

LINK:  COACH BRIAN KELLY WITH MEDIA

Looks Like Obama Administration Will Cave...

There's breaking news right now that the Obama administration will "likely compromise" on law regarding religiously affiliated employers to provide contraceptive coverage.  Stay tuned.

LINK:  THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE

Sports Illustrated Ranks the Irish #11!

The folks at CNNSI.com published their weekly Power Rankings and our Fighting Irish are ranked #11 in the country.  Can you believe it!

Here's a link to the rankings: 

COLLEGE BASKETBALL POWER RANKINGS

The Mornin' After a Big Win in Morgantown!

Mike Brey's Fighting Irish won another Big East road game last night -- not an easy thing to do!

The 55 - 51 win over West Virginia was the fifth straight win for the Irish and put them in sole possession of third place in the Big East Conference -- behind Syracuse and Marquette -- two teams the IRISH have already beat!

Here's a link to UND.COM's post game coverage -- along with what the media around the country are saying this morning about our Fighting Irish:

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  COACH BREY POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  CHARLESTON (WV) GAZETTE 

LINK:  WHEELING (WV) INTELLIGENCER

LINK:  THE OBSERVER

LINK:  DAILY ATHENAEUM (WV)

LINK:  CHARLESTON (WV) GAZETTE #2

Five Straight Wins! -- The IRISH Win @ WV!

Can you believe it!

Mike Brey's Fighting Irish go into Morgantown tonight and beat West Virginia 55 - 51, to move into sole possession of 3rd place in the Big East Conference.

The team many of us gave up on in December -- is now one of the hottest teams in America.  FIVE STRAIGHT BIG EAST WINS!  Road wins @Louisville, @UCONN, @ Seton Hall and @West Virginia.

Looks like the IRISH will earn a spot in the NCAA tournament -- never in my wildest dreams did I believe this was possible...

WOW!

LINK:  BOX SCORE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

WE ARE THE WARRIORS! -- Must See ND FANS!

I linked this video this past season -- good stuff!  We are the Warriors of Notre Dame!

LINK:  WE ARE THE WARRIORS

The Prince of Wales & Notre Dame

Now, we're going to need to work with Prince Charles on how to properly pronounce NOTRE DAME (see video linked below) -- or, maybe we should learn from him?  They did invent the English language -- didn't they?

However, it's pretty cool to see the Brit's "royal family" engaged with the University of Notre Dame.

This past month, the Patronage Award was presented to his Royal Higness Charles, Prince of Wales through the Richard H. Driehaus Prize at the University of Notre Dame during a ceremony at St. Jame's Palace in London

The Patronage Award (the first of its kind) is a one-time honor to recognize the Prince’s tireless commitment to traditional architecture and sustainable urban design.  A bronze miniature of the Tower of the Winds along with a check for $150,000 was given to Prince Charles and his foundation.

Here's a link to Prince Charles acceptance speech at this Notre Dame event:

LINK:  A ROYAL MOMENT FOR NOTRE DAME

This Didn't Take Long -- Top 100 Recruits...

Rivals came out with their Top 100 recruits for the Class of 2013 and, #49 on the list is Notre Dame "verbal" commit Steve Elmer a 6' - 6" 305 lb., offensive lineman out of Midland, MI.  Here's a link to the list:

LINK:  RIVALS TOP 100 -- CLASS OF 2013

LINK:  STEVE ELMER'S RECRUITING PROFILE

Irish Hoops on ESPNU Tonight @ 9 PM ET

Mike Brey's Fighting Irish take their four game winning streak to Morgantown, WV tonight to take on the Mountaineers.  The Irish are 8 - 8 (all-time) in games played at West Virginia.  Tune in at 9 PM ET on ESPNU -- or, you can go to the web and watch it on ESPN3.com

LINKS:  GAME NOTES

Helmet Wars -- The Next Generation...

A Missouri based designer by the name of Charles Sollars had some fun recently -- designing new football helmets for all of the teams in the SEC, Big Ten, Pac 12 and Big East.  Here's a look at some of the "best of Sollars:"

I wonder what Sollars would do to the Notre Dame helmet.  Charles, if you're reading this -- please send us your helmet design concept for the Fighting Irish...

(Click on the helmets to enlarge.)

How Would This Guy Look in a GOLD HELMET!

His name is Daniel Rodriguez and he's looking for a Division I football program to call "home."

As you'll see in the story linked below -- Daniel Rodriguez is a war hero (Bronze Star and Purple Heart) who's back home in America to chase his dream of playing college football.  

I'll be rooting for this young man.  Check these links out!

LINK:  FIND A SPOT FOR HIM COACH KELLY!

LINK:  RECRUITING VIDEO

The #1 Ranked Recruiting Class in the Country!

The University of Notre Dame's top ranked Women's Soccer program announced their 2012 recruiting class today.  And, Top Drawer Soccer ranked the Irish recruiting class #1 in the nation!

You'll enjoy hearing head coach Randy Waldrum talk about the newest members of his FIGHTING IRISH program.  Photo is of Cari Roccaro (East Islip HS, NY) the #5 ranked player in the country!



LINK:  COACH WALDRUM INTRODUCES THE NEWEST IRISH!

LINK:  RECRUITING RANKINGS -- TOP DRAWER SOCCER

Justin Tuck -- Super Bowl Champion!!!

Former Notre Dame football star Justin Tuck '05, and his Super Bowl XLVI champion New York Giants' teammates took part in a massive celebration today in Manhattan!  Congratulations Justin!

LINK:  JUSTIN TUCK ADDRESSES THE NEW YORK GIANTS' FANS!

Mike Lee Fans -- You'll Enjoy This Interview!

University of Notre Dame alum, Mike Lee '09 -- who's currently 8 - 0 as a professional boxer -- sat down last night with the folks at WTTW-TV's Chicago Tonight show.  Notre Dame fans will enjoy this interview!

LINK:  MIKE LEE

IRISH IDOL: You Must See This 33 Month-Old!

From time to time, the ND GO IRISH BLOG searches the worldwide web for talented artists who have a passion for the University of Notre Dame.  Today, we found a 33 month-old young man who loves the Fighting Irish -- YOU MUST WATCH THIS if you need to SMILE today!

LINK:  SINGING THE GREATEST FIGHT SONG ON THE PLANET!

Notre Dame's Response to HHS Decision...

I haven't seen Notre Dame's official response get much play in the mainstream media...

The Obama administration's Department of Health and Human Services announced on January 20th that they would require Catholic-affiliated institutions to cover contraceptives and sterilization in their employee health care plans.  A law in direct conflict with the teachings of the Catholic church.

That same day, the University of Notre Dame's president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., released a statement in opposition to the Obama administration's controversial decision (see link below).

The public opposition to the Obama administration's decision was escalated in Catholic churches all over the country this weekend -- as Bishop's across America expressed their concerns via letters they had read during Sunday Mass.

Earlier today, MSNBC's Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski "debated" with Rev. Al Sharpton about what they're calling the "Obama Catholic Ruling" -- during their Morning Joe show.  Linked below:


LINK:  FR. JENKINS' RESPONSE 

LINK:  SCARBOROUGH & BRZEZINSKI DEBATE SHARPTON

Irish Ranked #26 in Two Top Hoops Polls

Five wins over ranked opponents -- not a single team in the TOP 25 today can make that claim...

Yet, the IRISH are sitting at #26 looking up at all of the rest.

I'm sure Coach Brey will gladly trade a TOP 25 ranking for a bid to the NCAA TOURNAMENT next month.  Here's a link to today's Top 25 polls:

LINK:  TOP 25 RANKINGS

Justin Tuck -- Talks After Super Bowl Win!

Former University of Notre Dame football star, Justin Tuck -- talks about his four years at Notre Dame and Super Bowl victory #2! -- with the gang from WNDU-TV -- later he joined a couple of teammates on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.  Enjoy!

LINK:  JUSTIN TUCK

LINK:  JUSTIN TUCK WITH JIMMY FALLON