ND Football: Handing Out the GOLD HELMETS

Notre Dame Football Equipment Manager Ryan Grooms handed out the GOLD HELMETS to the Fightin' Irish this week -- you'll enjoy his interaction with "early enrollee" Steve Elmer...

LINK:  THE GOLD HELMET

Coach Brian Kelly Ranked #4 on Coaches List

Athlon Sports published a ranking of the top COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACHES in America - and Notre Dame's Brian Kelly was ranked #4.  I think you'll be surprised who is #3...

LINK:  TOP COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACHES

A MUST READ by ND Mag Editor Kerry Temple

Every Thursday I have the honor of having lunch with Kerry Temple '74 (photo above), the long-time editor of the finest college magazine on the planet -- NOTRE DAME MAGAZINE.  From a booth in Legend's -- we typically enjoy a conversation about all that is Notre Dame...

A side note -- in my first ever conversation with Kerry I learned that we were born in the same hospital in Shreveport, LA.  He was the first and only human (at the time) that I had ever met from Shreveport.  I've since met another colleague here at Notre Dame (Angie Appleby Purcell) who was also born in that same hospital...

This morning, Michael Rodio (DAILY DOMER) shared with me a story Kerry had just written about Skylar Diggins -- it was so good I had to share it with all of you.

LINK:  THE STORY'S END

Manti Te'o Interview With Steve Mariucci

Former Notre Dame All-American Manti Te'o was recently interviewed for a NFL Network show called NFL Game Changers.  Manti was interviewed by former NFL coach Steve Mariucci.  Here's a link to that interview:

LINK:  MANTI TE'O -- NFL GAME CHANGERS

Brady Quinn Signs Contract With Seahawks

Former Notre Dame All-American QB Brady Quinn -- signed a contract with the Seattle Seahawks.  This will be NFL team #4 for Quinn as he's played for Cleveland, Denver, Kansas City and now Seattle.

The move to Seattle means he'll be playing for former USC coach Pete Carroll...

LINK:  QUINN TO SEATTLE

ND -- Last to Beat Both National Champions

The University of Notre Dame's men's and women's basketball teams (respectively) were the last teams to beat the NCAA National Champions from Louisville and UCONN this season...

Unfortunately, that doesn't get you a National Championship ring or banner.

Where Are They Now -- Coley O'Brien

The more "experienced" fans of Notre Dame football will remember a QB by the name of Coley O'Brien.  He was the man behind center in the GAME OF THE CENTURY back in 1966 with Michigan State.

You'll enjoy this interview:

LINK:  COLEY O'BRIEN

Notre Dame Leprechaun Tryouts This Friday

Do you have what it takes to be the "living" mascot here at the University of Notre Dame? 

Well, the annual tryouts for the Notre Dame Leprechaun will take place this Friday.  Here's a clip produced by Fighting Irish Digital Media concerning a Dillon Hall resident who will be one of the ND students trying out:

LINK:  THE NOTRE DAME LEPRECHAUN

First Time Outside for Notre Dame This Spring

The Fightin' Irish took advantage of the improving weather Saturday and they got outside for a portion of practice.  Here's the UND.COM video coverage:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL PRACTICE

Notre Dame Law Wins a National Title!

And, it took place in New Orleans...

A team of eight Notre Dame Law School students won the 2013 Student Trial Advocacy National Competition this weekend in New Orleans!  Team members: Brian Salvi, Shelia Prendergast, Michelle Pope, Kristian Weir, Brian Ellixson, Ted Koroshetz, Andrew Spica and Bryan Pasciak.

The IRISH were "undefeated" -- going 11- 0 in the Regional and National Finals.

Here were the other Law Schools that won their Regional Championship earning a trip to New Orleans for the National Championship:

• Georgetown University
• Washington University (St. Louis)
• University of Texas
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of California (Davis)
• Syracuse University
• Suffolk University
• Georgia State University
• Stetson University
• Loyola University
• William Mitchell College
• Campbell University
• Southwestern University

LINK:  NOTRE DAME WINS A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Thank You Skylar for FOUR GREAT YEARS!

It wasn't the ending she had worked for -- or, the ending we had hoped for...

Yet, I wake up this morning SMILING!  Smiling for the efforts of a TEAM that no one expected could go this far.  Smiling for a "leader" who willed her team to win after win this season and many during her career.  And, smiling for a program that is "excellence" personified.

Thank you Skylar Diggins for sharing your talent with Notre Dame.  You will never be forgotten.


LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

Photo of Fighting Irish Leaving Hotel for Arena!

This photo was just "tweeted" by @ndwbb -- shows the Lady Irish leaving their hotel for Final Four game tonight with UCONN.

Photo of the Day! Condoleezza Rice at Masters

It's the greatest week in golf -- played at what I believe to be the greatest golf course in the world.

Notre Dame alum and Augusta National member Condoleezza Rice '75, is seen here in a golf car wearing the famous member's green jacket!

Samardzija Strikes Out Thirteen: Leads MLB!

Former Notre Dame All-American wide receiver Jeff Samardzija made his second start of the season for the Chicago Cubs today and he lasted 5 2/3 innings -- STRIKING OUT THIRTEEN in the process.

After two starts -- Jeff Samardzija leads all of Major League Baseball with 22 strikeouts in 13.2 innings pitched!

Unfortunately, he gave up a run in the fifth and three more in the sixth to the Atlanta Braves before being pulled out of the game.   The Cubs lost the game 5 - 1.

LINK:  BOX SCORE

LINK:  MAJOR LEAGUE STRIKEOUT LEADERS

Skylar Diggins' ESPN Blog -- FINAL FOUR

The University of Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins is authoring a BLOG during the NCAA Tournament for ESPNW.  Here is her latest blog post along with an ESPN interview she gave on stage at the Final Four Salute Dinner:

LINK:  SKYLAR'S BLOG POST

12 Hours to Notre Dame vs. UCONN IV

Will our IRISH beat Notre Dame beat UCONN for the fourth time this season and eighth time in their last nine meetings?  It's going to be fun!

Here's the media coverage this morning -- this will keep you occupied til' game time -- can't wait to watch this game!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S DAY THREE

LINK:  ESPN #1

LINK:  ESPN #2

LINK:  ESPN #3

LINK:  ESPN #4

LINK:  ESPN #5

LINK:  HARTFORD COURANT #1

LINK:  HARTFORD COURANT #2

LINK:  HARTFORD COURANT #3

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #1

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #2

LINK:  GAME PREVIEW

LINK:  TIMES PICAYUNE

OT: Brain Cancer Patient Goes 69 Yards for TD!

Jack Hoffman has brain cancer and he's only 7 years-old...

Yet it didn't stop him today from taking a hand-off and racing 69 yards for a TD in Nebraska's Spring Football game.

Hoffman led the Cornhuskers in rushing.


LINK:   A TOUCHDOWN RUN TO REMEMBER

Photo of the Day: Public Practice @ Final Four

This photo was "tweeted" by @ndwbb of the NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH at their public practice this afternoon.

Coach Brian Kelly Post Practice Presser Today

Notre Dame football is two weeks away from the 83rd Annual Blue Gold Game -- and after today's practice, Coach Kelly met with the media:

LINK:  COACH KELLY

Final Four Press Conference For Notre Dame

Notre Dame's Muffet McGraw, Skylar Diggins and Kayla McBride met with the media today -- 30 hours prior to its PRIME TIME matchup with UCONN tomorrow night:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PRESS CONFERENCE