Had to Share: A Life-Long Sufferer of Poison Ivy

Folks, I've had to deal with this nasty thing called "poison ivy" ever since I grew up in the woods of Michigan as a kid.  Without fail -- I'd come down with this rash every year.  I was told I was "alergic" to it.

I have to admit I start feeling "itchy" just thinking about this!

Anyway, I share with you a great story written by Kerry Temple '74 -- the award winning editor of Notre Dame Magazine -- about his battles with this evil plant.  Enjoy -- if you can!

LINK:  SUMMER'S CURSE

Golden Tate: "Most Impressive Player in Camp!"

Encouraging news out of Seattle Seahawks camp for former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate.  Golden is in his "contract year" and a productive season will mean big dollars next year!

LINK:  SEATTLE'S BEST PLAYER

Notre Dame's Unveiling to Football Team!

You'll enjoy this story on how the Fightin' Irish learned about their new Shamrock Series helmet, jersey, pants, gloves, base layer, socks, shoes...

LINK:  DRESSING THE IRISH!

The 100 Year Anniversary of "Dorais to Rockne"

The great grandsons of Gus Dorais '14 and Knute Rockne '14 reenacted the practicing of the "forward pass" on the beach at Cedar Point.  You'll enjoy Michael Rockne's reading of his famous great-grandpa's recollection of their time on the Cedar Point Beach and the 40 yard TD pass in Notre Dame's upset win over Army.

LINK:  CLICK ON THE VIDEO IN THIS STORY!

A "Super" Toy Truck for a Michiana Boy!

Austin Russelow -- a two year-old who suffers from cerebral palsy -- received a pretty cool present from a number of Notre Dame engineering students.  You'll want to watch this!

LINK:  A SUPER TOY

WatchND's First Practice Report from Fall Camp

Notre Dame's football team held their first practice of the 2013 season yesterday afternoon in Marion, IN.  The only media on hand was Notre Dame's own WatchND -- here's their report:

LINK:  PRACTICE #1 -- 2013 ND FOOTBALL

Coach Brian Kelly Talks Day 1 of Fall Camp

The Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame started their 126th football season today in Marion, IN -- as they took their show on the road to build team camaraderie.  Here's what Coach Kelly had to say about the first day of practice:

LINK:  COACH KELLY ON HIS IRISH

Notre Dame's Shamrock Series Game Helmet

Here's a photo "tweeted" this afternoon by Ryan Grooms -- Notre Dame's football equipment manager.  It's a close-up of the helmet design for this year's Shamrock Series game.  The shamrock on the helmet is chrome. You can follow Ryan on Twitter at:  @NDFBEquipment

Notre Dame's Shamrock Series Uniform Photos

Here's the photos and video promoting the helmet, jersey, base shirt, socks, shoes and gloves combination that Notre Dame will be wearing in their 2013 Shamrock Series game October 5th against Arizona State at the newly named AT&T Stadium -- home of the Dallas Cowboys.

Here's the link to the promotional video:

LINK:  IRISH THUNDER TROOPER

LINK:  OFFICIAL RELEASE FROM NOTRE DAME

Off to Europe With a New Team & Identity!

Muffet McGraw's Fightin' Irish are in Europe for the next ten days -- learning to play basketball without Skylar Diggins.  Notre Dame will play three (3) exhibition games in London, Madrid and Barcelona.  Tough duty!

This extra time together should prove invaluable as Muffet weaves in one of the top recruiting classes in the country.  I'm anxious to see how the freshmen play.  Unfortunately, sophomore sensation Jewell Loyd sprained her ankle and won't see any action...

LINK:  OFF TO EUROPE

Jonas Gray Leads the Dolphins in Rushing!

Former Notre Dame running back Jonas Gray played his first football game in almost two years tonight leading the Miami Dolphins with 41 yards rushing on 7 carries.  He also picked up another 35 yards on 4 catches -- totaling 76 yards in total offense in their exhibition game against the Cowboys.

Jonas' longest run went for 29 yards and his longest pass reception went for 18 yards.  It was great to see him having some success in his first NFL action.  Congratulations Jonas!

If you'd like to see Jonas' 29 yard run -- click on the second link below:

LINK:  GAME STATS

LINK:  JONAS'S 29 YARD RUN -- HIGHLIGHTS!

LINK:  DOLPHIN'S BEST RUNNING BACK?

OT: Manziel Being Investigated by NCAA

Ever since Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy he's been all over the news for his antics away from the field -- that continued this evening... 

News just broke that the NCAA is investigating a report that Manziel was paid "five figures" to sign some autographs back in January.  The photo above was posted by Manziel on Instagram back in January -- I'm guessin' this got someone's attention at the NCAA.

LINK:  MANZIEL UNDER INVESTIGATION

Theo Riddick Hurt @ Lions Practice Today

Former Notre Dame running back Theo Riddick injured his toe today during practice today at the Detroit Lions' practice facility.  Here's the story:

LINK:  RIDDICK INJURED TODAY

A Story You'll Love: A Notre Dame Walk-On

Today, a young man from Texas begins a new journey.  His name is Omar Hunter and at 3:30 PM ET he'll report for fall football camp at the University of Notre Dame.

Omar hails from Harlingen High School (Harlingen, TX) where he was their class president ALL FOUR YEARS and graduated FOURTH IN HIS CLASS.

Here's a couple of news stories about Omar's path to South Bend, along with a video of him singing our National Anthem and a video of his first touchdown run.  Pretty special young man.

LINK:   OMAR HUNTER

LINK:  OMAR HUNTER'S GOING TO NOTRE DAME

LINK:  OMAR SINGING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

LINK:  50 YARD TD RUN AS A SOPHOMORE

Catch Jonas Gray Tonight on NBC @ 8 PM ET

Former Notre Dame running back Jonas Gray will be playing in his first NFL game tonight since a knee injury back in 2011 with the Fightin' Irish.  Gray and his Dolphin teammates will take on America's "other team" the Dallas Cowboys TONIGHT at 8 PM ET on NBC.

Should be fun to see #32 carrying the ball again!  Here's some stories about Jonas:

LINK:  "I'VE GOT TO GIVE IT MY ALL"

LINK:  HE'S ON THE BUBBLE

Ricky Watters Introduced by Ricky Watters, Jr.

This is a pretty cool scene -- just found it on the web. Former Notre Dame running back Ricky Watters (National Champion, Super Bowl Champion) was introduced by his son Ricky Jr. at the Central Florida Hall of Fame ceremony.  It's from a couple of years ago -- but, you have to see this!

LINK:  RICKY WATTERS, JR.

"Notre Dame Needs to Stay There..."

This commentary was written by the South Bend Tribune's Al Lesar -- in follow-up to Coach Brian Kelly's press conference yesterday.

LINK:  PERCHED NEAR THE TOP

Moving the Fightin' Irish to Marion, IN For Camp

Here's a photo "tweeted" yesterday by Ryan Grooms, Notre Dame football's equipment manager -- of the number of trucks it's going to take to move the Fightin' Irish to Marion, IN -- for the first four days of training camp.

"Breaking In" the New Notre Dame Footballs

The photo above was "tweeted" by Notre Dame Football equipment manager Ryan Grooms.  Ryan and his team have been getting the new Wilson Notre Dame footballs ready for the Fightin' Irish!

If you look closely at the picture you can see the brushes, pads, etc., they use to rough up the new footballs so they're not to slippery for the players.
  
You can follow Ryan on Twitter @NDFBEquipment

Coach Brian Kelly Meets Media Today at Noon!

The 2013 Notre Dame football season officially kicks off today with Coach Brian Kelly's annual kick-off press conference with the local and national media.  The event will be carried LIVE on the internet beginning at NOON ET TODAY!  Just click on the link below to watch the replay:

LINK:  REPLAY OF PRESS CONFERENCE