Irish Chocolate Is At It Again -- I'm Glad!

Notre Dame defensive lineman Louis Nix (AKA "IRISH CHOCOLATE") was at it again with his burgeoning media career -- knocking out another video...

You'll laugh out loud watching a few ND football stars with a golf club in their hands -- good stuff here.

LINK:  IRISH CHOCOLATE -- VIDEO

Phil Steele Gives His Bowl Predictions...

Say it ain't so Phil...

Alright, here's a test for all Notre Dame football fans -- where is the BELK BOWL played?

You're going to have to click on the link below for the answer.

LINK:  STEELE'S NOTRE DAME BOWL PICK

Photo of Jimmy Clausen & His USC Girlfriend

Notre Dame fans, Jimmy Clausen is dating a former USC All-American volleyball player (Jess Gysin).  Can't say I blame him!

LINK:  JESS GYSIN VIDEO FOR IPURE

Mike Golic Jr., Talks With Coach Parseghian

Notre Dame football player Mike Golic, Jr spent some time with legendary Irish coach Ara Parseghian recently -- you'll enjoy this!

LINK:  COACH PARSEGHIAN WITH GOLIC JR.

Update: Domers Playing in US Women's Open

There are three golfers with ties to the University of Notre Dame's women's golf team playing this week at the 2012 U.S. Women's Open at Black Wolf Run outside of Kohler, WI.  The three are Becca Huffer '12,  Ashley Armstrong (rising sophomore) and incoming freshman Lindsey Weaver.  Photo above (LtoR) Becca Huffer, Lindsey Weaver and Ashley Armstrong

Yesterday's first round in HOT, HUMID conditions wasn't too kind to the three DOMERS.  Here's their scores:

• Becca Huffer:  79
• Lindsey Weaver:  79
• Ashley Armstrong:  80

Here's some of the key First Round stats for each of the IRISH stars -- you can follow today's rounds, of each of the Domers, by clicking on their name below:

Becca Huffer:

• Driving Distance:  245.5
• Fairways Hit:  13 of 14
• Greens in Regulation:  12 of 18
• Total Putts:  34
• Birdies:  3
• Pars:  7
• Bogeys:  6
• Double Bogeys:  2

Lindsey Weaver:

• Driving Distance:  236.5 yards 
• Fairways Hit:  12 of 14
• Greens in Regulation:  11 of 18
• Total Putts:  33
• Birdies:  3
• Pars:  7
• Bogeys:  6
• Double Bogeys:  2

Ashley Armstrong:

• Driving Distance:  235.5 yards
• Fairways Hit:  10 of 14
• Greens in Regulation:  11 of 18
• Total Putts:  35
• Birdies:  1
• Pars:  10
• Bogeys:  6
• Triple Bogey:  1

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S US OPEN ENTRIES

Incoming ND Frosh in Sports Illustrated!

Her name is Dani Aragon (Billings, MT) and she'll be enrolling at the University of Notre Dame this August as a member of the Fighting Irish Track & Field team.  Aragon will be joining her "big sister" Alexa who will be a "rising junior" on the track team at Notre Dame.

Dani was featured in the July 2nd edition of Sports Illustrated in their FACES IN THE CROWD section after qualifying for the World Junior Championships in Barcelona later this month with her time of 2:05.06 in the 800 meters.

Here's a few links to the story:

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

LINK:  BILLINGS GAZETTE

LINK:  NOTRE DAME INCOMING FRESHMAN

Image of the Day for the Notre Dame Nation!

Thought the Notre Dame Family would enjoy seeing this!  It was posted on Twitter by @TurningP2011

All-Time Record Temperatures @ Notre Dame!

Folks, it was 100 degrees today -- setting an all-time record for heat on July 4th at the University of Notre Dame.  That's ALL-TIME!

And, the tough news to take is this -- it's going to be warmer Thursday (tomorrow) 101 degrees and even warmer on Friday 103 degrees.

WOW!

LINK:  UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME WEATHER FORECAST

Happy Birthday #236 America!

On this July 4th -- our country's 236th birthday -- I encourage all of you to watch this music video (linked below) of the U.S. Army Chorus singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic.  It chokes me up every time!

LINK:  THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC

ND Football to Bring $30 Million to Ireland!

The biggest draw in college sports -- has to be Notre Dame football.  What other team can take their show across the Atlantic -- and bring 40,000 fans and $30,000,000 in cash -- to a country that doesn't play the game...

Here's a story on the economic impact the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will have on the Ireland economy.

LINK:  THE IRISH ARE COMING!

Shark Strikes Out a Career High Eleven Tonight!

Former Notre Dame All-American wide receiver Jeff Samardzija, struck out eleven tonight in the Cubs 4 - 1 win over the Atlanta Braves.  The eleven "K's" are a career high for Jeff.  Congratulations! 

Samardzija is now 6 - 7 on the season with a 4.77 ERA.

LINK:  THE SHARK STRIKES OUT ELEVEN

Muffet Signs Ten-Year Contract Extension!

She's not going anywhere else -- not that we ever thought she was...

The University of Notre Dame just announced that our Hall of Fame women's basketball coach, Muffet McGraw has signed a ten-year contract extension -- keeping her on the ND bench through the 2021 - 2022 season.

The contract extension is believe to be one of the longest -- if not the longest -- in the history of women's basketball.  It's well deserved!

LINK:  UND.COM STORY

LINK:  MUFFET IS NEVER LEAVING!

Chris Quinn Back in America from Russia

Former Notre Dame basketball star Chris Quinn just finished up a year playing professional basketball for a team out of Moscow, Russia -- and they won the EUROCUP!

Quinn signed a one-year $1.1 million dollar deal, last year, to play for BC Khimiki.

Here's a link to a story about Quinn's experience in Russia and a link to the post-game celebration of the EUROCUP:

LINK:  BACK IN AMERICA WITH A CHAMPIONSHIP

LINK:  VIDEO OF CHAMPIONSHIP CELEBRATION

Jed York Talks About the 49ers New Home!

Jed York '03, is the youngest CEO / Owner in the National Football League.  The Notre Dame alum has been busy these days building a new stadium in Santa Clara, CA for his San Francisco 49ers.  The $1.2 billion "monument to technology" hopes to bring the Super Bowl to northern California for the first time.

Here's the latest on the stadium's construction -- including the fight over $30 million in funding:


LINK:  GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY

LINK:  LIVE WEBCAM OF STADIUM CONSTRUCTION

LINK:  49ERS SUE SANTA CLARA 

LINK:  SANTA CLARA STADIUM -- OFFICIAL SITE

Brady's Girlfriend Competing @ Olympic Trials

Alicia Sacramone -- who has been dating former Notre Dame All-American Brady Quinn since 2009 -- is competing tonight and tomorrow in San Jose, CA at the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team Trials.

Sacramone, a former World Champion in the Vault -- is attempting to make the U.S. Team after tearing an achilles tendon less than eight months ago.  The U.S. Team will be announced on Sunday.

Here's a link to a recent story about Alicia's return to the sport and an interview of her talking about her beau Brady.

LINK:  BRADY QUINN'S GIRL

First Notre Dame Female U.S. Track Olympian!

Molly Huddle '06, became the first Notre Dame female athlete to make the United States Track & Field Olympic Team in history last night, as she finished 2nd in the 5,000 meter run!!!

Congratulations Molly!

LINK:  SHE'S GOING TO THE OLYMPICS!

Answering The Call to Priesthood at ND!

Daniel Passon, a St. Mary Catholic Central High School (Monroe, MI) grad, will be entering the University of Notre Dame this August on a full scholarship....

Yet his "commitment" to Notre Dame won't be cheered on websites, blogs, message boards, etc.

Daniel is one of two incoming freshmen who have been accepted into the University of Notre Dame's Old College -- the undergraduate seminary for the United States Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross.  This nine-year program will lead Daniel to the priesthood.

See the story below:


LINK:  HE'S ANSWERING THE CALL

Domer to Coach NBA's Top Draft Pick!

Former Notre Dame basketball star Monty Williams just "officially" learned he will be coaching the NBA's top draft pick Anthony Davis -- as the New Orleans Hornets just made their first pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.

YOU'D BE SMILING TOO!

Williams will be entering his third season at the helm of the Hornets.

LINK:  MONTY WILLIAMS GETS SOME TALENT TO COACH

Jack Swarbrick Talks With ND's Jack Nolan

Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick talks about the recent news that the BCS will launch a four-team playoff the next season.  He also address football independence and a few other issues.  You'll enjoy the frank conversation:

LINK:  JACK SWARBRICK TALKS

My Mom Left For Heaven This Morning...

It's with a heavy heart that I share with all of you the news that my Mom, Joan Barbara Small -- died unexpectedly this morning at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, MI.

Mom has been suffering with CREST SYNDROME, a blood disorder that slowly takes your life away -- we just didn't believe today was that day.

She arrives at Heaven's gates looking for a front row seat to every Notre Dame athletic contest -- you won't find a more devoted fan of the FIGHTING IRISH than my Mom.


Today is one of the few times I'm at a loss for words. 

My Mom was always there for me -- every day of my life -- I could always find my Mom when I needed her.  And, yet I wasn't there this morning when she passed away -- a time when she needed me.  How do you ever get over that?

I'm going to be heading "back home" to Mecosta County tomorrow to plan my Mom's funeral and to celebrate her life these next few days with family and friends.
 
I won't be posting on this blog again until Thursday.