Photo of the Day: New ND Face Masks!

Notre Dame defensive lineman, Chase Hounshell -- "tweeted" this photo today of the new face mask the Irish D-Line will be wearing next season.

I see a little Justin Tuck here -- it's close!

All's Well That Ends Well -- Davonte's IRISH!

It just goes to show you how tough the game of recruiting is...

Davonte Neal, the top "un-signed" high school football prospect in the nation was all set to announce his decision this morning at 11:30 AM ET -- in front of a live TV audience...

Only problem -- Davonte didn't show up.  He apparently was dealing with some "family issues" late into the night and morning -- and wasn't able to make the announcement at the scheduled time.

Thankfully around 4 PM ET today -- Davonte contacted Coach Kelly and told him the great news -- that he was going to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

Davonte Neal is a special talent -- he has the ability to change direction at full-speed, much like a young man did twenty-years ago in a GOLD HELMET -- named "Rocket."

Here's the initial media reaction to the news -- along with Coach Kelly's comments:

LINK:  COACH KELLY ON DAVONTE NEAL

LINK:  SI.COM

LINK:  SB NATION -- ARIZONA

LINK:  ESPN BLOG 

LINK:  ESPN -- MATT FORTUNA (ND BLOGGER)

LINK:  MAX PREPS

LINK:  DISGRUNTLED ARIZONA REPORTER

Watch Davonte Neal LIVE at 11 AM ET

America's top "unsigned" high school prep star, Davonte Neal, will be making his college choice this morning LIVE on FoxSports Arizona.  FoxSports' coverage begins at 11 AM ET -- with Neal's announcement expected around 11:30 AM ET.

The Chaparral High School (Scottsdale, AZ) star decided to make this announcement from the elementary school he attended; Kyrene de la Esperanza Elementary.

The four finalists in the Davonte Neal sweepstakes are;  Arizona, Arkansas, North Carolina and the University of Notre Dame.  Most feel it will be a choice between the home state Arizona Wildcats and our Fighting Irish.  TUNE IN!!!

LINK:  WATCH DAVONTE NEAL'S ANNOUNCEMENT LIVE -- RIGHT HERE!

Tucson Citizen Predicts Davonte Neal to ND!

The top "unsigned" high school football prospect in the country -- Davonte Neal -- makes his announcement tomorrow morning at 9:30 AM MST.  It's apparently a four team race:  Arizona, Arkansas, North Carolina and the University of Notre Dame.

Just 30 minutes ago the folks at the Tucson Citizen published a story where they're predicting Davonte will commit to the IRISH in the morning!  Here's hoping they're right!

If you haven't seen Davonte Neal's recruiting video -- YOU MUST -- he would be the closest thing to Rocket Ismail (in a GOLD HELMET) in the last twenty years.

LINK:  TUCSON CITIZEN STORY

LINK:  DAVONTE NEAL -- ONE GAME HIGHLIGHT PACKAGE

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Nice Story About Niele' Ivey - ND Hoops Asst.

Notre Dame women's assistant coach and former hoops star, Niele' Ivey was profiled in a newspaper story this weekend in her hometown of St. Louis (MO).  A nice story -- Irish fans will enjoy reading.

LINK:  NIELE' IVEY -- ALL CLASS

ND Men Win Track & Field Championships!

Notre Dame's Men's Team won the Big East Indoor Track & Field Championships today -- with the Atkinson twins playing a major role.  George Atkinson took 3rd in the 200 meters and 9th in the 60 meters while brother Josh took 5th in the 60 meters and 6th in the 200 Meters.

Notre Dame won three events: Patrick Feeney (Indianapolis, IN) won the 400 meters, Jeremy Rae (Fort Erie, ONT) won the Mile and Kevin Schipper (Leo, IN) won the pole vault!  CONGRATULATIONS IRISH!

LINK:  FINAL RESULTS

The Mornin' After ND's Improbable OT Win!

Mike Brey's "never say quit" Fighting Irish extended their Big East win streak to eight straight last night after erasing a twenty-point deficit, on the road, against Villanova to win in OT!

If you were following the "twitter" conversation -- amongst Notre Dame fans during the game -- the Irish' win streak was over...

Thank goodness cell phones and iPads aren't allowed on the IRISH bench!

Here's a look at what the media has to say after Notre Dame's 74 - 70 OT victory over Villanova:


LINK:  COACH BREY POST GAME PRESSER 

LINK:  IRISH vs. VILLANOVA GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST

LINK:  CBS SPORTS

LINK:  COMCAST SPORTS NET PHILADELPHIA

Down By Twenty -- IRISH DON'T BLINK!

The #23 Fighting Irish were down by twenty points in their game tonight on the road at Villanova...


No problem -- the IRISH win it in OVERTIME 74 - 70!

That's EIGHT-IN-A-ROW for the 2nd place team in the Big East -- the team we all thought COULDN'T...

Seven three-pointers for freshman sensation Pat Connaughton -- the MOST IMPROVED UNKNOWN player in the country.  That's him in the photo...

Congratulations Coach Brey and your FIGHTING IRISH -- the Notre Dame Nation is thrilled for you!


LINK:  ESPN BOX SCORE

#9 Irish LAX beats #2 Duke Today!

Not a bad way to start the Lacrosse season -- OUTDOORS @ NOTRE DAME -- as the Irish knocked off the Duke Blue Devils 7 - 3. 

Here's a link to UND.COM's coverage:

LINK:  IRISH BEAT DUKE

Irish Basketball on ESPNU Tonight -- 9 PM ET

The #23 ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame travel to Philadelphia tonight to take on Villanova.  Irish fans can watch the game live on ESPNU or on the web at ESPN3 -- tip-off scheduled for 9 AM ET. 

GO IRISH!

LINK:  MIKE BREY -- VILLANOVA PREVIEW

LINK:  WATCH THE IRISH LIVE ON THE WEB

Who Needs the Hook'em Horns Sign...

When you can have:  ND IN YOUR HANDS!

Saw this first in a photo of Irish football recruits at the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Phoenix last month.

Showing us how to make a ND in your hands is Nicky Baratti (out of Texas) -- who signed with the Irish on National Signing Day.  Thanks Nicky!

Try it yourself -- it's not as easy as it looks...

Domer Dens -- You Have Got to See This!

I thought I had a pretty cool Notre Dame "Man Cave" -- until I saw this new feature on UND.COM

WOW -- is all I can say about Dick Wilson's basement!

LINK: DOMER DENS -- WAIT 'TIL YOU SEE THIS

Kiper: Harrison Smith to Packers in 1st Round!

NFL Draft guru -- Mel Kiper, Jr. (who's a Notre Dame fan) -- has Irish football star Harrison Smith going to the Green Bay Packers in the FIRST ROUND of his latest mock draft.

Who would have thought this was even possible,  just two years ago, when Coach Weis and crew had him playing linebacker.

Harrison and his family must be so excited right now!  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH A NFL FIRST ROUNDER

The Hourly Investment to Attend Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame recently announced a 3.8% tuition rate increase for the upcoming academic year -- taking tuition to $42,971.  Add in room & board plus books and the projected investment to attend Notre Dame next year is:  $55,855.

Now, if you factor into the equation that students are on campus for 107 days per semester -- 214 for the full academic year -- the per hour investment to attend the University of Notre Dame is:

$10.87 

This compares to schools like the University of Michigan - which run around $6 an hour...

Seven In a Row! Irish Beat Rutgers 71 - 53

The Fighting Irish men's basketball team is proving to the basketball world that you don't need "McDonald's All-Americans" on your roster to play winning basketball!

During the game ESPNU put up a few statistics I was unaware of:

• Notre Dame has the fewest turnovers per game in the Big East
• Notre Dame has the "fifth" fewest turnovers per game in the nation
• And, Notre Dame has MADE more free throws this season then their opponents have taken

These are impressive stats!  Here's a couple of links to UND.COM's post game coverage along with ESPN's:

LINK:  MIKE BREY PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  NOTRE DAME - RUTGERS HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  ESPN GAME RAP

LINK:  BOX SCORE

Weigel: "Obama Is Misreading Catholics"

Conservative columnist George Weigel, who is often critical of Notre Dame -- has retracted some previous comments he made about Father Jenkins regarding the HHS controversy.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  DIVIDE AND CONQUER?

Irish Hoops on ESPNU Tonight @ 7 PM ET

Mike Brey's Fighting Irish will host Big East foe Rutgers tonight at Purcell Pavillion.  Notre Dame, on a six-game winning streak, will be looking to turn the tables on the Scarlet Knights who were the last team to beat the Irish back on January 16th.  Game tips off on ESPNU at 7 PM ET.

GO IRISH!

LINK:  COACH BREY'S (WEEKLY) BIG EAST TELECONFERENCE

LINK:  OBSERVER STORY

Why We Love Notre Dame, Courtesy of ESPN

ESPN.COM's Notre Dame "blogger" is Matt Fortuna -- and to honor Valentine's Day, Matt published a number of emails yesterday from ND fans as to why they love the University of Notre Dame.  I want to thank my teammate here at Notre Dame, Chas Grundy '02, for alerting me to this story:

LINK:  WHY WE LOVE NOTRE DAME

Skylar Diggins & The New York Times...

You've got to wonder when was the last time the New York Times Magazine profiled a Notre Dame athlete who didn't wear a gold helmet...

I'm guessing NEVER -- until now.

Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins -- the most famous student-athlete under the Golden Dome right now -- was featured in a profile in the New York Times Magazine -- that Irish fans will enjoy.

Here's the link:

LINK:  SKYLAR DIGGINS -- BIG TIME

Domer J.J. Philbin's "New Girl" on FOX

 

"Domer" J.J. Philbin, daughter of Regis Philbin, is one of the creator's of the Fox sitcom "New Girl."

I'm becoming a fan of the show...  VERY FUNNY!

LINK:  OFFICIAL WEBSITE