Former ND Student-Athlete on Today Show

Mariel Zagunis, a former Notre Dame National Champion, All-American and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist -- spent some time with NBC's Today Show this week in London. 

Catch her "fencing" with Al Roker -- good stuff here!

LINK:  ZAGUNIS TAKES ON ROKER

Ethan Johnson: A Notre Dame Man

He wore #90 for the IRISH these last four years -- starting 37 games for Notre Dame...

Yet, he put the game of football on hold -- to be with his ailing father -- that's Ethan Johnson's story.

The folks at WSBT-TV caught up with Ethan to talk about his Dad's struggles with a neurological disorder and his decision to be by his side, versus pursuing his NFL dream.

LINK:  ETHAN JOHNSON

Sklyar Diggins Interviews ICE CUBE

Skylar Diggins is doing a six-week internship this summer with ESPNW -- and her "JOB" led her to interviewing rapper, movie star, screen writer, producer -- ICE CUBE. 

You'll enjoy seeing the Notre Dame basketball star asking the questions.

LINK:  SKYLAR INTERVIEWS ICE CUBE

Scodro '12 Wins Third Pro Tournament!

This Notre Dame grad is on a roll...

Since Max Scodro's graduation from the University of Notre Dame in mid-May he's won three golf tournaments in his first four starts as a professional!!!

Max won the Arizona Open and Illinois Open in the past few weeks.

This week Max shot rounds of 64, 65 and 67 to win the Shwan Food/MGC Great Plains Open by four shots.  Here's the story:

LINK:  SCODRO WINS THIRD TOURNAMENT!

LINK:  MAX'S BLOG

NexGen Story: Transferring Into Notre Dame

Katie Ferrello is the subject of an article at a site called NEXGEN JOURNAL -- that speaks to the process of transferring from one college to another.

Ms. Ferrello just happens to be transferring into the University of Notre Dame.  Here is Katie's story:

LINK:  FOLLOWING HER HEART

The Top 25 Touchdowns in ND History!

The folks at Yahoo Sports just published this story that looks back at the top 25 touchdowns in the 125 year history of Notre Dame football.  This should start a conversation!

Any guess as to which one is #1?

LINK:  TOP 25 TD'S IN NOTRE DAME HISTORY

Former ND Student-Athlete to Carry U.S. Flag!

Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and former Notre Dame student-athlete Mariel Zagunis -- will carry the flag for the U.S. in Friday's Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games. 

Zagunis became the first American in 100 years to win an Olympic Gold Medal in Fencing when she stood on top of the podium at the 2004 Olympics.  She's favored to win a third Gold this year...

LINK:  ZAGUNIS TO CARRY THE FLAG

ND Compliance: Leave the Recruiting to Us!

The University of Notre Dame just produced this video to warn fans of the IRISH to leave the recruiting to the coaching staff.  A must watch!

LINK:  LEAVE THE RECRUITING TO US!

New Gloves for Notre Dame Football Team

Ryan Grooms -- Equipment Manager for the Notre Dame Fightin' Irish football program tweeted this photo of "one of the new pairs of gloves" the team will be wearing this season...

Incoming Irish Frosh Named World MVP!

Matt Kavanagh led the United States' U-19 Team to the Lacrosse World Championship this Saturday in Turku, Finland -- while capturing the MVP honors!  (Photo above of Matt cutting down the net!)

Here's a great story in Lacrosse Magazine about Matt's exploits in Finland -- along with a video interview.  Sounds like he'll fit right in with the IRISH this fall.  Going to be fun to watch him play.

LINK:  WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MVP

Jeff Samardzija Allows One Hit in Eight Innings!

Folks, Jeff Samardzija made a great decision to pick professional baseball.

Last night he threw a ONE-HITTER (an infield hit), blanking the Pittsburgh Pirates over his eight innings stint.  By far his best pitching performance in the major leagues.  The 2 - 0 Cubs win breaks a three game losing streak.

Jeff's ERA his last four starts -- 1.67

Here's a link to the game story and a video interview of Samardzija after the game:

LINK:  SAMARDZIJA'S ONE HITTER

ESPN Story: Justin Tuck Regains Focus

Former Notre Dame All-American and now two-time Super Bowl Champion, Justin Tuck -- apparently feels the need to re-focus his efforts...

Here's the story:

LINK:  JUSTIN TUCK FOCUSES

The NCAA Has Spoken...

The NCAA's Mark Emmert announced this morning that they will be imposing the following sanctions on Penn State University:

• A $60 million fine -- which will be used to establish an Endowment for victims of sexual abuse
• A four-year ban from any post season play for Penn State football
• A reduction of scholarships -- only 15 scholarships per year for the next four years
• All wins have been "vacated" from 1988 through 2011 -- dropping Joe Paterno's all-time wins from 409 to 298, dropping him from the #1 spot on the career all-time wins list to #12
• Six bowl game wins and two Big Ten Conference championships will also be erased from the Penn State record books
• Penn State's Athletic program will be put on NCAA Probation for a period of five years and must work with an "athletic-integrity" monitor of the NCAA's choosing during that period
• All Penn State football players will be able to TRANSFER to a school of their choosing and be eligible to play IMMEDIATELY
• And, the NCAA has reserved the right to conduct their own formal investigation after the legal process has taken its course -- to pursue actions against individuals involved...

The Big Ten Conference will be announcing their sanctions against Penn State University in a press conference slated for 11 AM ET today.


LINK:  VIDEO OF MARK EMMERT'S NEWS CONFERENCE 

LINK:  ESPN STORY

LINK:  LOU HOLTZ'S REACTION

LINK:  MIKE GOLIC AND MIKE GREENBERG REACTION

Joe Montana's Radio Interview With RIVALS

Former Notre Dame All-American and Super Bowl MVP Joe Montana spent eight minutes on the radio recently talking about his game against Houston in the Cotton Bowl and his days in San Francisco and the "WEST COAST OFFENSE."  Here's the link:

LINK:  MONTANA RADIO INTERVIEW

Clausen Changes Uniform Number in Carolina

Will it change his luck?

Former Notre Dame QB, Jimmy Clausen wore uniform #2 his first couple of years in the NFL -- with little to show for it.  So, when uniform #7 became available with the Carolina Panthers -- he jumped at the chance to switch to the number he wore with the IRISH.

Here's hoping SEVEN is a lucky number for Mr. Clausen!

LINK:  CLAUSEN SWITCHES UNIFORM NUMBERS

Theismann, Brown, Bettis, Holtz & Digger...

The Fighting Irish were well represented these past three days on the shores of Lake Tahoe at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship.  Joe Theismann, Tim Brown, Jerome Bettis, Skip Holtz and Digger Phelps were among the 80 players who competed for the championship.  Here's the final results for the former Notre Dame student-athletes and basketball coach:

• 6th Place:  Joe Theismann
• 43rd Place:  Tim Brown
• 44th Place:  Jerome Bettis
• 59th Place:  Skip Holtz
• 74th Place:  Digger Phelps

LINK:  FINAL SCORES

When Will We See This in College Football?

The NBA's David Stern threw out a "trial balloon" this week when he let the media know the "Association" is considering selling advertising on their game uniforms, and the uniforms sold at retail, for the 2013 - 2014 season.  He predicts this move could raise $100 million...


Having had the opportunity to work with David Stern -- I am willing to bet the decision has already been made to do just this.  When they do -- I expect the NHL will be next, followed by Major League Baseball and then the NFL.

I suspect college football won't be too far behind -- since they're already doing it with Adidas, NIKE, Under Armour, Bowl Game sponsors, etc.

I don't think the NBA jerseys will look like NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s -- but, once you open the door, you never know... 

LINK:  NBA CONSIDERING PLACING SPONSOR LOGO'S ON UNIFORMS

Hendrix: Out to Prove He's "That Guy!"

The most scrutinized position in college football is the guy who wears the GOLD HELMET behind center for the University of Notre Dame.  With only 41 DAYS before the IRISH kick-off the 2012 season at 9:30 AM ET in Dublin, Ireland -- the big question is "who's the QB?"

Four scholarship QB's will begin the final battle for the starting QB spot in about ten days.  Andrew Hendrix is one of those four and he's one of two who have live game experience.  The folks at the South Bend Tribune recently caught up with Hendrix -- you'll enjoy the interview:

LINK:  ANDREW HENDRIX

Theismann: 8th Place at Century Championship

Former Notre Dame All-American Joe Theismann is currently in 8th place at the 23rd Annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.  Theismann has 33 points in the "stableford" scoring system -- trailing the leader Mark Rypien, who has 43 points.

The golf tournament is televised on NBC -- so tune in tomorrow to watch the final round LIVE beginning at 3 PM ET.

LINK:  SCOREBOARD

WNBA's Devereaux Peters Talks Notre Dame

Former Notre Dame All-American Devereaux Peters was back in town this week and she took time out for a YOUTUBE interview.  Click on the link below:  (Photo:  That's former Notre Dame great Ruth Riley on the left guarding Devereaux.)

LINK:  DEVEREAUX PETERS BACK IN THE BEND