Forbes Ranks the University of Notre Dame #12

Forbes Magazine just came out with their ranking of the top universities in the country and the University of Notre Dame was ranked #12.  Forbes teamed up with the Washington D.C. based Center for College Affordability to establish this list. 

Here was the criteria:

1. Quality of teaching
2. Great career prospects
3. High graduation rates
4. Low levels of debt

LINK:  FORBES RANKING OF TOP COLLEGES

Brian Kelly on Weekday SportsBeat Today

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly was a guest this evening on WSBT 960 AM's Weekday SportsBeat.  Here's a link to the interview:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY -- RADIO INTERVIEW

Katenda's Story -- One Irish Fans Must Follow

A freak injury that severed his optic nerve, put in jeopardy the basketball career of Notre Dame freshman Eric Katenda...

The word on campus is he's adapting quite well to this challenge and just might be a contributor on this year's Irish team.  The folks at the South Bend Tribune caught up with Eric and Coach Brey to talk about the progress he's making.  I'll be rooting for this young man!!!

LINK:  KATENDA'S COME BACK

Notre Dame Fantasy Campers' Experience

If you've ever dreamed of running out of that TUNNEL wearing a GOLD HELMET -- you're not alone...

A few Irish fans got to do just that a "little late" in life this past month, you'll enjoy this video!  Special thanks to ND GO IRISH BLOG regular Tom Badguy for letting me know about this!
 

LINK:  RUNNING OUT THAT TUNNEL

Irish Duo Lead Women's Golf Tournament!

Notre Dame's Ashley Armstrong (Flossmoor, IL) and Kristina Nhim (Cypress, CA) fired a three-under 69 today in the opening round of the Pure Silk Collegiate Team Championship to lead the tournament!

Today's format was "alternate shot" and the IRISH were the only team under par.  Tomorrow's format is best ball followed by stroke play on Thursday.  There are 54 teams competing. 

GO IRISH!

LINK:  LIVE SCORING

LINK:  NEWS STORY

ND's Jack Swarbrick Meets With Bloggers

University of Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick met with a number of bloggers this past week -- thought you'd enjoy the conversation.

LINK:  SWARBRICK WITH BLOGGERS

Domer Scores Two Goals for Canada Today!

Former Notre Dame soccer star Melissa Tancredi '04, scored both goals today in Canada's 2-2 tie with Sweden today to clinch a spot in the Olympic Quarterfinals!  Way to go Melissa!

LINK:  TANCREDI LEADS CANADA

Hendrix, Golson or Kiel -- Who Starts Sept. 1st?

The University of Notre Dame will have a first time collegiate starter at QB when they kick-off their 2012 season in Ireland. 

Irish head coach Brian Kelly announced today that Tommy Rees and Carlo Calabrese would not be traveling with the team to Dublin.

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY

Golden Tate Turning Heads in Seattle

Former Biletnikoff Award winner and Notre Dame All-American, Golden Tate -- appears to be coming into his own at his third NFL training camp. 

The Seahawks are counting on Golden being a starter this season -- we'll keep an eye on his progress!

LINK:  GOLDEN TATE -- GOLDEN AGAIN

Vikings' QB Enjoys Throwing to Kyle Rudolph

Former Notre Dame star tight end, Kyle Rudolph -- is earning the trust of Minnesota Vikings second year QB Christian Ponder.  Notre Dame fans will not be surprised with this story:

LINK:  RUDOLPH GETTING OPEN

Harrison Smith Wants to Hit Somebody!

Former Notre Dame football captain and NFL First Rounder -- Harrison Smith, was featured in a story today in the Pioneer Press where he stated he was hoping the inability to hit someone in practice would not hurt his progress as a player...

Thought you'd enjoy seeing this story:

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH -- HITMAN

Kyle McCarthy Injures Knee, Out for Season

Not the way you want to start a new season with a new team...

Former Notre Dame safety, Kyle McCarthy hurt his knee -- standing on the sidelines during practice this weekend with the Kansas City Chiefs.  The injury is so severe, Kyle will require season ending surgery. 

The Chiefs "waived" McCarthy this morning -- clearing the way for him to be placed on the injured reserve list for the season.

GET WELL QUICK KYLE!

Just goes to show you how important that Notre Dame degree is as a "back-up" plan.

LINK:  McCARTHY OUT FOR SEASON

Federal Judge Rules Against HHS Mandate

A Federal Judge in Denver ruled on Friday that the Department of Health & Human Services can not fine business owners who object to the mandate on religious grounds. 

It's the first time that a federal court has ruled on the constitutionality, of the mandate, since it was announced last August. 

The University of Notre Dame filed its own lawsuit against the HHS mandate back on May 21st in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.

LINK:  FEDERAL JUDGE RULES AGAINST MANDATE

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S LAWSUIT

Notre Dame Pep Rally Locations Announced...

The University of Notre Dame announced the locations for the 2012 Pep Rallies this fall -- and a new location has joined the mix!


The Pep Rally scheduled for Friday, September 21 will be held between Touchdown Jesus (Hesburgh Library) and Notre Dame Stadium -- should be quite the backdrop!!!

The first on-campus Pep Rally will be Friday, September 7th in the South Quad in front of the Rockne Memorial Building -- all other Pep Rally's will be held indoors at the Purcell Pavillion.

LINK:  PEP RALLY LOCATIONS

Follow Notre Dame Athletes @ the Olympics

The gang at UND.COM has created a website that is tracking all of the current and former Notre Dame student-athletes competing in London at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

The big news this morning is incoming Irish freshman fencer Lee Keifer (athlete on left in photo) had advanced to the QUARTERFINALS of the Women's Foil after winning her first two matches -- before losing this morning to the eventual silver medalist from Italy.  Lee is currently ranked #4 in the world!!!

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST STORY

LINK:  NOTRE DAME OLYMPIC CENTRAL

OT: Lochte Can't Wear "Grill" on Medal Stand

Team USA's Ryan Lochte dominated the 400 IM today winning the GOLD MEDAL.  Lochte, who likes to wear one of his "GRILLS" on the medal stand was told by IOC officials he couldn't wear the "bling" if he wanted to receive the medal.  Here's the story:

LINK:  NO BLING ALLOWED IN LONDON

LINK:  RYAN LOCHTE'S GRILL

Charlie Weis Back in South Bend Today

Former Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis '79, was back in South Bend today with his wife Maura and daughter Hannah to visit the community they built for individuals with development issues.

Charlie and Maura have decided that Hannah should live here -- so next June, Hannah will be moving into a third house they will be building at the Hannah & Friends Farm.  Here's the story along with an interview of Charlie by the gang at WNDU-TV.

LINK:  HANNAH'S NEXT HOME

OT: Call Me Maybe Video -- US Swim Team

The 2012 Summer Olympic begin this morning and the GOLD RUSH for the best swim team in the world is soon to commence.  To get ready, TEAM AMERICA had some fun creating this music video.  GO USA!

LINK:  CALL ME MAYBE

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