Kelly Cares Gives Back to Grand Valley State

You have to like this story...

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly and his wife Paqui were back in the West Michigan area yesterday for a Kelly Cares Foundation golf event -- and as you'll see in the story linked below, it was time to give back to a community and a family that was good to them.

LINK:  GIFT TO GRAND VALLEY STATE

LINK:  STORY

Is This Why Samardzija Said No to Cubs Offer?

In eight starts this year at Chicago's Wrigley Field -- Samardzija has a 1.63 ERA.

Folks, in those eight starts -- he has a record of 1 - 3.

Last week is was reported that the former Notre Dame All-American wide receiver turned down an $85 million contract extension with the Cubs.  Think he wants to keep pitching at Wrigley in a Cubs uniform?

Last night Samardzija gave up one run in six innings (in a 6 - 1 Cub's loss) lowering his ERA to 2.53 on the season -- the 11th best ERA in all of Major League Baseball.

Sad fact:  Samardzija is one of only two starting pitchers -- among the top 30 with the lowest ERA in all of Major League Baseball -- with a losing record.

LINK:  SAME OLD STORY

See Rocket Ismail on ABC Tomorrow Night !!!

Former Notre Dame All-American Raghib "Rocket" Ismail will be joining the folks on the ABC TV show EXTREME WEIGHT LOSS -- tomorrow night (Tuesday) at 8:00 PM ET -- must see TV!

LINK:  TUNE-IN TEASER

July 4th -- "Under Armour Day" for ND Fans!

Just saw this today...

LINK:  UNDER ARMOUR AND ND

Photo of Golden Tate's Super Bowl Ring

183 diamonds make up the Super Bowl ring given to former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate.

Now, it might not be the most beautiful Super Bowl ring I've ever seen...

LINK:  GOLDEN'S SUPER RING

Chicago Blackhawks Returning to Notre Dame

The NHL's Chicago Blackhawks will make a return trip to the campus of the University of Notre Dame on Friday, September 19th to begin their 2014 training camp at the Compton Family Ice Arena.

Here's the story:

LINK:  BLACKHAWKS RETURN

Watch Domer Besler and Team USA at 6 PM ET

The USA vs. Portugal World Cup game begins at 6 PM ET -- though ESPN's coverage begins an hour earlier at 5 PM ET.

Former Notre Dame All-American Matt Besler (he wears uniform #5) is good to go tonight -- after being taken out at the 41 minute mark in the USA's 2 - 1 win over Ghana ten days ago because of a hamstring strain. 

A win today over Portugal will mark the first time in 84 years that America would have won two games in the opening round of a World Cup...

LINK:  GO USA!

Photo of Domer Ferreira at US Open This Week!

Fighting Irish sophomore student-athlete Jordan Ferreira is seen here on the practice tee at this weeks US Open -- in a photo taken by Claire Blakey, wife of long-time USGA Rules Official Lew Blakey '54.  Claire, thanks for sending the photo!

The Blakey's are down at Pinehurst this week for the Women's US Open.

Jordan shot 81 - 78 and failed to make the cut.

The First of Many Magazine Covers for Jaylon

Jaylon Smith is only a sophomore at Notre Dame and he's already pictured on the cover of Phil Steele's 2014 College Preview Magazine. 

The first of many for this talented student-athlete in the GOLD HELMET!

Michael Floyd "The NFL's Next Big Star..."

Former Notre Dame All-American Michael Floyd is being mentioned as "the next big star" in the National Football League -- pretty heady stuff...

LINK:  NEXT BIG THING

Samardzija Turns Down $85 Million Cubs' Offer

Former Notre Dame All-American wide receiver (turned major league baseball pitcher) Jeff Samardzija -- turned down a reported $85 million contract extension with the Chicago Cubs.

Looks like Jeff is heading to the trading block...

LINK:  CUBS AND THE SHARK

Bears Head Coach Talks Jimmy Clausen

Looks like former Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen is making a favorable impression with the Chicago Bears.  Click on the story below:

LINK:  CLAUSEN TO STICK

Besler Should Be Good to Go for Sunday

Former Notre Dame All-American Matt Besler '09 -- a starting "center back defender" on TEAM USA -- appears to be full go for Sunday's World Cup game against Portugal.  The Domer was injured in the 41st minute of America's 2 - 1 win over Ghana.

Ironically, his replacement scored the winning goal!

LINK:  INJURY UPDATE

LINK:  MATT BESLER -- HIS STORY

Latest Photo From Inside Notre Dame Stadium

Here's the latest picture of the work going on inside Notre Dame Stadium as they prep for the installation of field turf.

Pat Connaughton Signs Contract With Orioles!

Notre Dame two-sport star Pat Connaughton officially signed his contract with the Orioles and is now headed to Sarasota, FL to pitch for the Gulf Coast League Orioles.

Connaughton was taken in the 4th round by the Orioles in  2014 MLB Draft -- earlier this month -- earning a $428,000 bonus...

Pat will return to Notre Dame on July 30th to begin preparation for his senior season with Mike Brey's Fighting Irish.  You'll enjoy the video of Pat being drafted by the Orioles -- and the video from last night's Oriole's game where Pat was introduced on the field during the game:

LINK:  ORIOLES DRAFT CONNAUGHTON

LINK:  CAMDEN -- ON FIELD INTRODUCTION TO FANS

LINK:  CONNAUGHTON 

LINK:  MLB 2014 BONUS POOL

Reunion Weekend: Notre Dame Trivia!!!

Folks, this is a well produced and entertaining video you must see!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME TRIVIA

Coach Kelly Cooking at Meijer's in Mishawaka

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly was at the Meijer's in Mishawaka this week with a couple of his "rising" sophomore football stars:  Corey Robinson and Mike McGlinchey. 

Folks, McGlinchey is huge -- he should be the first guy off the bus wherever we play on the road next season...

You're going to want to watch this video of their appearance -- good fun:

LINK:  COACH KELLY AT MEIJER'S

Ruth Riley Announces Her Retirement Today

All-time Notre Dame basketball great Ruth Riley -- announced her retirement today.

Riley, who made her two final free-throws in her Notre Dame career to win a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP -- played 13 years in the WNBA winning two championships in Detroit...

She's a class act.

LINK:  RILEY RETIRES

LINK:  PHOTO GALLERY

Brady Quinn Blogs About His Future Plans

In the past 24 hours, former Notre Dame All-American Brady Quinn posted a story about his future plans...

Thought you'd enjoy finding out what he's thinking!

LINK:  BRADY QUINN'S BLOG

Domer's Injury Update From 2014 World Cup

Former Notre Dame All-American Matt Besler '09 had to leave Team USA's fWorld Cup game last night against Ghana at the 41 minute mark do to a reported hamstring injury.  Ironically, the American's winning goal came from his replacement John Brooks...

That's a photo of Matt (#5) heading the ball in last night's game.

Here's an update this morning on Besler's condidtion:

LINK:  BESLER INJURY