Former Irish Pitcher Now Workin' the Beach!

Ryan Doherty -- all seven-feet of him -- used to throw a baseball for the University of Notre Dame and later, in the minors, for the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Ryan now plays professional beach volleyball.

And -- he's dominating!!!

In the four pro tournaments he's played in -- Doherty and his partner Casey Patterson have won three!  Their most recent win came yesterday on the Chicago lakeshore.  Here's a link to the Chicago Tribune story:

LINK:  IRISH BASEBALL STAR HITS THE BEACH

The Cross In The Woods -- Indian River, MI

If your travels ever take you through Northern Michigan on I-75 this is a "must see" destination.  The National Shrine of the Cross In The Woods is located outside of a town called Indian River -- has been since August 9, 1959. 

It was designated a national shrine by the U.S. Conference of Bishops in 2006.   The crucifix is 31 feet tall -- the largest crucifix in the world.  


Click on the link below to learn the story of this SHRINE.  I took this photo today on a trip back to South Bend from Mackinac Island.

LINK:  THE CROSS IN THE WOODS

Nice Story About ND Law School Student

Bryce Rucker played football for four years at Northwood University -- before pursuing a law degree at the University of Notre Dame.  He credits his success to an "after-school" program in the Battle Creek (MI) Public Schools called NEW LEVEL SPORTS.

LINK:  BRYCE RUCKER

Notre Dame's Monogram Club VIP Raffle

The University of Notre Dame's Monogram Club is holding a VIP Raffle for an incredible experience for TWO to the Michigan vs. Notre Dame game September 22nd.  You have to click on this link to see what I'm talking about!

LINK:  VIP RAFFLE

Brady Quinn Could Have Started for Charlie

Former Notre Dame head football coach Charlie Weis '79, let it be known (in a recent interview) that Brady Quinn could have been a starter for him in the NFL.


Weis was asked to weigh in on the Kansas City Chiefs QB situation.  Just click on the link below:

LINK:  CHARLIE TALKS BQ

OT: Made in America -- at the Winter Olympics

The story broke yesterday that the opening and closing ceremony uniforms that the U.S. Olympic Team would be wearing, in this month's Olympics in London -- were made in China.

The reaction in the social media space was so negative -- the U.S. Olympic Committee and Ralph Lauren felt they they had to announce the uniforms our Olympic Team wears at the Winter Olympics will be MADE IN AMERICA.

Something tells me this won't quiet the critics these next few weeks...

I think it would be smart to put the U.S. Olympic Team in t-shirts that say: "I'M MADE IN AMERICA" and ditch the uniforms.

LINK:  AMERICA -- MADE IN AMERICA

Adidas Puts New Shoes on Notre Dame!

Here's a photo of the Notre Dame football shoes that Adidas is providing Notre Dame this season.  Awesome!

Will This Domer be Romney's VP Choice?

The story broke this evening that former Secretary of State Condoleezaa Rice '75,  just might be the front runner to join Mitt Romney, as his running mate, in the upcoming Presidential election.

Condi denied any interest in running for office as recently as June 26th.  Stay tuned.

Condi Rice holds a master's degree in political science from the University of Notre Dame.

LINK:  IS CONDI RICE THE CHOICE?

LINK:  PEGGY NOONAN (WSJ) WEIGHS IN ON CONDI

Coach Jackson Talks Hockey @ Soldier Field

University of Notre Dame hockey coach Jeff Jackson sat down with the media yesterday to discuss what it's going to be like to take his IRISH to play a hockey game outdoors at Soldier Field on Sunday, February 17, 2013!

It's going to be fun!

LINK:  COACH JACKSON

LINK:  NOTRE DAME HOCKEY TO SOLDIER FIELD

OT: US Olympic Team Uniforms Made in China

The United States of America's Olympic Committee has been under fire for the uniform's appearance (mainly the beret) and now their approval of supplier / sponsor Ralph Lauren's decision to make Team USA's opening ceremony uniforms in China.

It's going to be interesting to watch how this story develops.

LINK:  ESPN STORY

Vote for the University of Notre Dame's Website!

The eduStyle Awards is recognizing the top "responsive" designed website in higher education this year for the first time -- and they've nominated five university sites for this honor.  The University of Notre Dame's newly designed website (nd.edu) is up for the award!

To ensure Notre Dame wins the competition -- I'm asking the Notre Dame family to go online today and vote!  The deadline is July 27th.   Here's the link below:

LINK:  VOTE HERE FOR NOTRE DAME

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Harangody Signs Extension with Cavaliers!

Former Notre Dame All-American Luke Harangody, signed a contract extension today with the Cleveland Cavaliers -- details were not disclosed.

Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  GODY STAYS WITH CAVS

The Band of the Fighting Irish -- Recognized!

The folks at the Huffington Post just released their list of the top 11 college marching bands in America and the 400 member Band of the Fighting Irish is on that list!

Click on the link below.

LINK:  ONE OF THE BEST

Nice Story About Flag Football Game @ ND!

This story skipped by me...

On Father's Day, three weeks ago -- a number of Dad's and their Son's played a game of touch football at Arlotta Stadium on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.

You'll enjoy ALL THE GOOD this game provided many.

LINK:  FLAG FOOTBALL AT NOTRE DAME

Notre Dame Grad School Alum Writes Book

Gwendolyn Oxenham, who holds a master's degree in creative writing from the University of Notre Dame also holds the distinction of being the youngest Division I athlete in NCAA history when she suited up for the Duke Blue Devils women's soccer team at the age of 16.

Oxenham just authored the book "Finding the Game" -- which details her love for the game of soccer.  If you'd like to buy a copy -- click on the link below

LINK:  BOOK REVIEW

LINK:  AMAZON -- BUY THE BOOK!

Notre Dame's Eifert On Mackey Watch List!

Notre Dame fans should not be surprised with this news -- Irish senior Tyler Eifert is on the Mackey Award Watch List for the top Tight End in the country.

Ironically, there are are also (2) former Notre Dame football players on the Watch List:  Mike Ragone (transferred to Kansas) and Joseph Fauria (transferred to UCLA).

LINK:  MACKEY AWARD WATCH LIST

Coach Kelly Mic'd Up During Spring Practice

Folks, you'll enjoy this video just posted by the gang at Fighting Irish Digital Media.  You'll see Coach Kelly in action -- at practice -- good stuff here.

LINK:  COACH KELLY LIVE

Eight ND Athletes Off to London Olympics!

The University of Notre Dame will be well represented, just 19 days from now, at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England -- with eight (8) current and former IRISH student-athletes competing!

Here's the eight Notre Dame stars with their sports and the countries they will be representing:

United States of America:

• Shannon Box -- Women's Soccer
• Molly Huddle -- Track & Field
• Courtney Hurley -- Fencing
• Lee Kiefer -- Fencing
• Mariel Zagunis -- Fencing

Canada: 

• Natalie Achonwa -- Women's Basketball
• Candace Chapman -- Women's Soccer
• Melissa Tancredi -- Women's Soccer

LINK:  FIGHTING IRISH HEADED TO LONDON

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