IRISH Back to the FINAL FOUR -- AGAIN !!!

It wasn't pretty, it wasn't easy...  Can you say THREE-PEAT!

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat Duke tonight 87 - 76 to earn a THIRD STRAIGHT TRIP to the FINAL FOUR!

Now, it's time to play "that school in Storrs" for a fourth time on Sunday night around 9 PM ET...


LINK:  SKYLAR AND MUFFET INTERVIEW

LINK:  VIDEO OF POST GAME CELEBRATION

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  GRAHAM HAYS -- ESPN

LINK:  QUICK RECAP

LINK:  BOX SCORE

Video of Anders Lee Goal #1 in First NHL Game!

Former Notre Dame hockey captain, Anders Lee -- scores a goal in his first NHL hockey game!  Lee last played for the IRISH on Saturday in the NCAA Tournament -- here he is three days later on his sport's biggest stage...

That's Anders on the left - seconds after scoring the goal!

Lee scores on a "wrister" in the 1st period of the New York Islander's game with the Winnipeg Jets.  Catch Mom & Dad in the stands after his goal!  You'll also want to catch the Islander's head coach reaction to all of the questions from the New York media about Anders Lee...


LINK:  VIDEO REPLAY OF ANDERS' FIRST GOAL

LINK:  ANDERS LEE SCORES FIRST NHL GOAL!

Photos From NCAA Tournament Site in Norfolk

Here's a photo just "tweeted" by @NotreDameBand from the arena in Norfolk, VA -- site of tonight's battle between Notre Dame and Duke for a spot in the FINAL FOUR!

First Photos of Lady Irish Leaving Team Hotel

This photo was just "tweeted" seven minutes ago by @NotreDameBand -- as they play the VICTORY MARCH for the Fightin' Irish as they leave the hotel for tonight's game with Duke.

Jackson Wins McDonald's Skills Competition!

McDonald's All-American and future Notre Dame student-athlete, Demetrius Jackson -- won the McDonald's All-American Skills Competition last night.

Jackson, who will be playing for Mike Brey's Fighting Irish this next season -- was named a "CAPTAIN" for his East Team for Wednesday night's game.  You can see Demetrius in action at 9:30 PM ET on ESPN -- Wednesday, April 3, 2013.


LINK:  CHICAGO SUN-TIMES STORY

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE STORY

It's Notre Dame vs. Duke Tonight @ 7 PM ET

Muffet's Fightin' Irish face their toughest test so far in the NCAA Tournament tonight, when they take on the fifth ranked Duke Blue Devils.  The game will be televised on ESPN beginning at 7 PM ET.  The winner advances to next Saturday night's FINAL FOUR game in New Orleans against UCONN.

Tonight's game will serve as a "sneak preview" of what Notre Dame can expect next season when we join the Atlantic Coast Conference -- Duke (pictured above) won the ACC Tournament.

Here's a link to yesterday's press conference and a couple of links to previews of tonight's game:


LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  GAME PREVIEW

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE 

LINK:  DUKE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL VIDEOS

Samardzija Throws Eight Scoreless Innings!

Not a bad way to start a season...

Former Notre Dame All-American football star Jeff Samardzija made his OPENING DAY pitching debut for the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park in Pittsburgh against the Pirates -- and boy did he have a game!

The Cubs won the game 3 - 1.

How's this for a stat line:

• 8 innings pitched
• 2 hits
• 9 strikeouts
• 1 walk
• ZERO RUNS ALLOWED!
• VICTORY #1!

LINK:  SAMARDZIJA DOMINANT!

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN-TIMES STORY

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE STORY

LINK:  BOX SCORE

Notre Dame's Anders Lee Signs With Islanders

Notre Dame hockey captain, Anders Lee is off to the NHL...

The IRISH junior center -- a sixth round draft pick of the New York Islanders back in 2009 -- signed a two-year deal this morning and is already practicing with the team.  Lee is expected to be in uniform this week (possibly tomorrow night) and getting some ice time.

Congratulations!

LINK:  ANDERS LEE SIGNS WITH ISLANDERS

I Don't Want to Jinx Our Lady Irish...

But, the door has been opened WIDE to that coveted National Championship!

The #5 seeded Louisville Cardinals pulled off the upset of ALL-TIME in women's college basketball last night when they hit 16 three-pointers in their 82-81 win over what was thought to be "unbeatable" Baylor!

WOW!

So, here's what's ahead for the IRISH:

• Tuesday night -- we play #2 seed DUKE, a tough opponent -- win that game...
• And, we play UCONN for the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP -- yeah, it's a game early -- but this will be the game!  Can the IRISH BEAT UCONN FOUR TIMES in the same season?  
• Get past UCONN and you're probably looking at TENNESSEE or GEORGIA in the "second National Championship game."

Going to be fun!

LINK:  WHO'S THE FAVORITE NOW?

LINK:  LOUISVILLE BEATS BAYLOR!

Skylar Diggins -- All-Time Leading Scorer!

Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins scored 27 points today (22 in the first half) to become the ALL TIME LEADING SCORER in Irish women's hoops history -- as ND rolls over Kansas 93 - 63.

2,323 career points!

Notre Dame now moves on to a game Tuesday night against Duke for a third straight trip to the FINAL FOUR!

LINK:  GAME STORY

LINK:  SKYLAR TALKS RECORD 

LINK:  COACH MCGRAW AND JEWELL LOYD

LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  SKYLAR INTERVIEW -- REBECCA LOBO

Lady Irish Play @ NOON ET Today on ESPN

Happy Easter!

The #2 ranked Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame take on the 'un-ranked' Kansas Jayhawks in a SWEET SIXTEEN game today in Norfolk, VA.

Skylar Diggins and Kayla McBride met with the media yesterday to talk about today's game -- see the link below and along with a link to a game preview:

FYI:  Skylar Diggins is 26 pts. away from Notre Dame's all-time scoring record!
 

LINK:  MEDIA SESSION

LINK:  GAME PREVIEW

Happy Easter From Notre Dame!

Our team here in the Notre Dame Development Office videotaped the Voices of Faith gospel choir a few weeks ago.  This choir is a "student run" group.  Enjoy!

LINK:  HAPPY EASTER!

OT: Kids, Learn How to Throw a Baseball!

ESPN's Darren Rovell "tweeted" this fun fact yesterday when learning about Justin Verlander's new contract with the Detroit Tigers:

"An avg. bi-weekly paycheck of $1,967,213 assuming Verlander only gets paid during the season (183 days) as is customary."

Folks -- he will pitch in only 35 games this season -- the other 127 games he sits and watches from the bench.

Notre Dame's Most Accomplished Coach EVER

Mike DeCicco '49, died of congestive heart failure yesterday, at the age of 85.  Coach DeCicco's fencing teams won FIVE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS during his 34-year coaching tenure at Notre Dame. 

LINK:  A LEGEND PASSES ON

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Irish Hockey Plays St. Cloud State Today

Notre Dame begins play in the NCAA Tournament today -- down the Toll Road in Toledo, OH.  The #1 seeded Fightin' Irish (CCHA Champions) will be taking on the WCHA Champions from St. Cloud State.

There isn't any national TV coverage today -- everyone can watch it on ESPNU (tomorrow) at Noon ET.  Those who have access to WHME-TV 46 can watch it LIVE today beginning at 1:30 PM ET.

Here's the stat of the day -- Notre Dame a #1 seed is 2 - 4 against teams in the NCAA Tournament.  St. Cloud State a #4 seed is 9-7-1 against teams in the NCAA Tournament.  We have our hands full today!

Here is the media coverage this week from Fighting Irish Digital Media:

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  IRISH IN TOLEDO ON FRIDAY

Muffet's IRISH Play at Noon Sunday on ESPN

The #1 seeded and #2 ranked Notre Dame Fightin' Irish take on the Kansas Jayhawks -- for the first time ever -- in a SWEET SIXTEEN game Easter Sunday in Norfolk, VA.  The Jayhawks become the 197th different opponent in the history of women's basketball at Notre Dame.

The Jayhawks are 20 - 13 on the season and are led by Monica Engelman who is averaging 18 points a game in the tournament.  They start two 6'-3" forwards -- so they'll have a slight height advantage on the IRISH.  Here's what the Lawrence, KS media has to say about today's game:


LINK:  LEARN MORE HERE ABOUT THE JAYHAWKS

LINK:  JAYHAWKS LEAVE TO FACE ND

LINK:  UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN

Welcome Katie Paige to the Notre Dame Family!

This morning around 10:45 AM ET -- Katie Paige, a senior at Ann Arbor Pioneer HS -- signed her "acceptance letter" to attend the University of Notre Dame.  Katie chose to sign the letter at the Grotto.  A special moment!

That's Katie's dad Patrick -- proudly standing with a member of Notre Dame's Class of 2017.

Domer Plays Big for USA in Match With Mexico

Matt Besler '09, earned his "stars and stripes" this past Tuesday night when he played all ninety minutes for TEAM USA (his first start for USA in a World Cup Qualifier) in America's 0 - 0 tie with Mexico at Aztec Stadium in Mexico City.

Besler, an All-American with the IRISH -- is the first Notre Dame student-athlete to ever play in a World Cup qualifier for any nation.  Justin Morrow '10, is also a member of TEAM USA but he's yet to see the field in a World Cup Qualifier.

Congratulations Matt!

LINK: MATT BESLER -- NOTRE DAME ALUM

Coach Kelly "Post Practice" Press Conference

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today after the Wednesday morning practice.  During the session with the media he announced the transfer of a couple of players and confirmed the injuries to Chase Hounshell and Amir Carlisle.

LINK:  COACH KELLY

LINK:  PRACTICE VIDEO

Joe Montana Inducted Into California HOF

Former Notre Dame QB and Super Bowl MVP Joe Montana -- was just inducted into the California Hall of Fame.  Here's a link to an interview of Joe at the event.  The photo above shows Montana (on the left) with fellow Hall of Fame inductee Warren Beatty.

LINK:  MONTANA IN CALIFORNIA HALL OF FAME