ND Practice Report -- Saturday, July 17th

The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media were back at it today -- covering today's OPEN PRACTICE in front of Faculty & Staff at the University of Notre Dame.  Just click on the link below:

LINK:  TODAY'S PRACTICE

Coach Kelly Meets With the Media Saturday

Here is Coach Brian Kelly meeting with the media today after today's practice -- 14 days until the home opening game against Temple!

LINK:  COACH BRIAN KELLY

Danny Spond's Football Days Are Over...

Notre Dame starting OLB Danny Spond told his teammates that his days as a football player are over...

Sadly, Spond is dealing with a medical issue that will not allow him to continue to play football. 

Those that have met Danny will tell you he's one of the finest human beings you'll ever meet -- and I'm quite sure he's going to move on and be a huge success in any career he chooses.

It's just a shame he won't be wearing that GOLD HELMET this fall.

Here's the South Bend Tribune story:

LINK:  SPOND'S FOOTBALL CAREER IS OVER

Domer Zach Dubois' Music Video From ND

Notre Dame alum Zach Dubois '11, jump started his music career while a student at the University of Notre Dame.  Linked below is his latest music video "Beer for Breakfast" which you'll see some shots from a football weekend at Notre Dame. 

There's a second link to a story in the Elkhart Truth about Zach -- along with a link to his official website.

LINK:  MUSIC VIDEO

LINK:  HOMETOWN PERFORMER

LINK:  OFFICIAL WEBSITE

OT: Manti's Teammate -- You Must Read This!

A couple of weeks ago the story broke about Manti Te'o teaching San Diego Chargers' teammate D.J. Fluker how to swim.  Notre Dame fans may recall D.J. played for the Alabama Crismon Tide...

If you have eleven minutes today or tomorrow -- you need to read this story.  Warning:  Have some Kleenex near by!

LINK:  THE HOUSE...

David Robinson Predicts Growth Spurt for Son

Notre Dame freshman wide receiver Corey Robinson  (pictured here when he was 8 years-old) stands 6'-5" for the Fightin' Irish football team.  In a Yahoo Sports story -- Corey's dad, NBA great David Robinson, predicts his son will end up at 6'-8" when he's done growing.  Here's the story:

LINK:  FAMOUS DADS

Tyler Eifert on the Jim Rome Show Today

Former Notre Dame All-American tight end Tyler Eifert was a guest today on the Jim Rome Show.  He was asked about this year's Fightin' Irish -- enjoy!

When you listen to the interview -- you'll learn that Kyle Brandt (the guy interviewing Tyler) is the son of a Notre Dame alum who was an Irish Guard.  Kyle admitted he wanted to go to ND -- he ended up going to Princeton where he was a running back.

LINK:  TYLER EIFERT ON ROME

The Manti Te'o Love Story -- Chicago Sun-Times

Manti Te'o was back "home" on the Notre Dame campus yesterday -- visiting some of his old buddies -- while up the road in Chicago, his Chargers' teammates were preparing for tonight's exhibition game with the Bears.  Here's a story that was published today in the Chicago Sun-Times -- that I think you'll enjoy...

LINK:  A LOVE STORY

Sports Illustrated Released Their Top-25 Today

And, the Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame are ranked...

LINK:  TOP-25

ESPN on Campus Today @ Notre Dame

The folks from ESPN's College Football Live are broadcasting from the campus of Notre Dame today.   The College Football Live show airs at 5 PM ET -- TODAY on ESPN from Notre Dame.  Be sure to watch! 

There's a very funny video clip where Coach Kelly (subbing for Coach Alford) lines up the running backs to run through the "gauntlet" from the wrong direction -- not a good thing!

Here's a quick clip:

LINK:  GAUNTLET SET-UP THE WRONG WAY

Photo of Bookstore Gift Shop in the Morris Inn

Here's a photo just "tweeted" by the Notre Dame Bookstore showing their new location in the newly renovated Morris Inn.  The hotel opening is just days away!

Photo of the Notre Dame Wide Receivers

Here they are -- plenty of talent in this group!

Manti Te'o Talks About His Ankle Injury Today

Former Notre Dame All-American Manti Te'o met with the media today for the first time since his first NFL exhibition action and reports surfaced that he has an ankle injury.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  MANTI TE'O NEWS CONFERENCE

Photo of Shamrock Series Adidas Cleats

Here's the shoes the Fightin' Irish will be wearing at AT&T Stadium in October against the Arizona State Sun Devils.  This photo was "tweeted' by Ryan Grooms (Notre Dame's Football Equipment Manager)

Know Thy Opponent: 2013 Opposing Coaches

Took a lap around the worldwide web this evening -- seeking out the latest press conferences from each of Notre Dame's opposing coaches this season.  I'm going to try to do this every Tuesday night -- from here on out -- until the end of November.  Enjoy!


LINK:  TEMPLE HEAD COACH

LINK:  MICHIGAN HEAD COACH

LINK:  PURDUE HEAD COACH

LINK:  MICHIGAN STATE HEAD COACH

LINK:  OKLAHOMA HEAD COACH

LINK:  ARIZONA STATE HEAD COACH

LINK:  USC HEAD COACH

LINK:  NAVY HEAD COACH

LINK:  PITTSBURGH HEAD COACH

LINK:  BYU HEAD COACH

LINK:  STANFORD HEAD COACH

"There's No Place to Hide" -- Brian Kelly

Notre Dame fans will enjoy this story written by Yahoo! Sports' Dan Wetzel.  You'll read some things in this article that you haven't heard before -- refreshing.

LINK:  NO PLACE TO HIDE

Theo Riddick Update -- Lions Training Camp

Former Notre Dame running back Theo Riddick was in the news today -- discussing his desire to return kicks for the Detroit Lions -- I've also included a link to a story that ran before the Lions' first exhibition game last week:

LINK:  THEO RIDDICK

LINK:  RIDDICK "IMPRESSIVE"

Getting the Shamrock Series Helmets Ready!

This photos was "tweeted" yesterday by Ryan Grooms -- Equipment Manager, Notre Dame Football.  You can follow Ryan on Twitter @NDFBEquipment

Notre Dame Football's Practice Update

Here's a link to the video report from Monday's football practice at Notre Dame:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

Play Like a Champion Today -- Detroit CC !!!

Our youngest son Brady -- a 2010 graduate of Detroit Catholic Central -- found this story yesterday about his alma mater's implementation of the Play Like a Champion Today program for its athletic department.

Detroit Catholic Central is an athletic juggernaut in the state of Michigan -- winning 52 team state championships.  My son's senior year -- they won SIX STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS -- tying the national record!

Catholic Central's athletic director made the trek to Notre Dame this summer to learn about the Play Like a Champion Today program -- here's a link to the story along with a second link to the Play Like a Champion Today site:

LINK:  PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY

LINK:  OFFICIAL WEBSITE FOR PROGRAM