Fun Begins for Notre Dame's Equipment Staff

The boxes came rolling into campus yesterday -- as the historic Notre Dame / Under Armour deal commenced this morning.  Here's a photo of just a "few" of the boxes of new shoes, apparel and gear that the Notre Dame Football team will be wearing this summer and fall.

Notre Dame & Under Armour -- DAY #1 !!!

The most lucrative shoe and apparel deal in college sports history kicked off last night at midnight despite TORNADO WARNINGS in the area of Notre Dame's campus -- crazy!

Here's a photo of the Notre Dame fans who wanted to be the FIRST to wear the new gear from Under Armour.

Storm Rips Through Notre Dame Last Night

Here is a photo of a downed tree this morning on Notre Dame Avenue that temporarily closed the entrance to campus. The on-campus nine-hole golf course took a major beating from the storm as did Cedar Grove Cemetery. 

The Michiana area took a big hit last night as winds upwards of 80 mph ripped through the area.  Here's a couple of links to photos of the storm damage in the South Bend area:

LINK:  STORM DAMAGE

LINK:  MORE PHOTOS OF DAMAGE

Under Armour Era Begins at Midnight Tonight!

The most valuable shoe and apparel contract in the history of college sports -- begins at midnight tonight.

The University of Notre Dame and Under Armour's ten year relationship kicks-off this evening with an unveiling party at the Leep Varsity Shop located inside Purcell Pavilion.  Fans are expected to be lining up in the next couple of hours -- weather permitting!

LINK:  REVEAL PARTY AT NOTRE DAME

Lions' Beat Writer Thinks T.J. Makes Team

Former Notre Dame student-athlete T.J. Jones was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the Sixth Round of the 2014 NFL Draft.  As you'll see in this story -- a Lions' beat writer for the Detroit Free Press thinks T.J. will make the team.

LINK:  JONES A LION

I Missed This -- Skylar Scores 33 in OT WIN!

Last Sunday, former Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins scored more points in a WNBA game than any other Fighting Irish student-athlete in history.

Skylar scored 33 in the Tulsa Shock's 106 - 99 OT win over the Chicago Sky.  

Here's a link to a photo gallery from the game:

LINK:  SKYLAR'S BIG GAME

Media Reports on the Fighting Alumni's Big Win

Just before 9 PM ET in the city of Boston -- a number of former Notre Dame men's basketball players won a basketball game that carried a $500,000 first place check.  They upset a team that was considered the prohibitive favorite - a team with four former NBA players.

What though the odds be great or small -- ol' Notre Dame will win over all!

Here are the media stories the morning after the big upset win!!!

LINK:  IRISH WIN

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

Notre Dame's 75th & 76th NHL Entry Draftee

The University of Notre Dame's hockey program celebrated its 75th and 76th players drafted "all-time" in the NHL Entry Draft when Joe Wengwerth went 92nd overall to the Florida Panthers and Jake Evans went 207th overall to the Montreal Canadiens.

Wengwerth will enroll at Notre Dame the fall of 2015 -- playing this next season for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL.  Here's a link to his story -- posted yesterday.  LINK

Evans, out of Toronto -- will be playing for Jeff Jackson's Fighting Irish this upcoming season.  He scored 63 points in 49 games for St. Mike's Buzzers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League this past season -- earning first team OJHL all-prospect selection.

LINK:  CANADIENS SELECT EVANS

Notre Dame Alums Win $500,000 Tournament!

WOW!

The team of Notre Dame Fighting Irish Alumni basketball players won the inaugural The Basketball Tournament tonight and the $500,000 check that goes to the winning team!  The Fighting Alumni beat the prohibitive favorites Team Bartstool 72 - 68 -- a huge upset!!! 

What thought the odds be great or small...

The third story linked below was published this morning at the South Bend Tribune -- IT IS A MUST READ!

LINK:  ESPN GAME HIGHLIGHTS 

LINK:  GAME RECAP

LINK:  THE FIGHTING ALUMNI

LINK:  TEAM VIDEO

Under Armour Delivering ND Apparel to Media

Former NBC sideline reporter for Notre Dame Football -- Alex Flanagan, "tweeted" this picture of a package she received from Under Armour promoting their deal with the University of Notre Dame.

Got to love it!

Notre Dame Hockey Recruit Drafted by Panthers

The NHL's Florida Panthers just drafted future Notre Dame hockey forward Joe Wegwerth with the 92nd pick overall in the 2014 NHL Draft.

Wegwerth, from Burnsville, MN is expected to play this season for the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL and join the Fighting Irish for the 2015 - 2016 season.

Congratulations Joe!

LINK:  JOE WEGWERTH

Today is Day #62,672 in Notre Dame's History

Not that anyone is keeping track...

Domer Molly Huddle Wins U.S National Title!

Last night at the USA Track & Field Outdoor Championship -- former Notre Dame All-American Molly Huddle '06 won the 5,000 Meters in a time of 15:01.56

This is Molly's second national championship in the 5,000 meter run -- she last won it in 2011 with a time of 15:10.   

She is currently ranked #5 in the world in this event!

LINK:  RESULTS

LINK:  WORLD RANKINGS -- 5,000 METERS

Notre Dame ADIDAS Items -- BIG TIME SALE!

If you were wondering when the prices would drop on Notre Dame branded Adidas items -- it's happening now!

LINK:  ONLINE SALE

Domers Take in 2014 NFL Rookie Symposium

The 2014 NFL Rookie Class descended on Aurora, OH this past week for the NFL Rookie Symposium.  A number of our favorite Notre Dame players were in attendance -- here's a few stories about their experience:

The "bearded guy" in the photo is the Dallas Cowboys's first round draft pick Zack Martin at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

LINK:  ZACK MARTIN -- COWBOYS

LINK:  T.J. JONES -- LIONS

LINK:  TROY NIKLAS -- CARDINALS

Chris Watt Throws Out First Pitch for Padres

Former Notre Dame offensive lineman Chris Watt '13 -- now with the San Diego Chargers -- threw out the first pitch at a San Diego Padres' ball game at Petco Park.  Here's a link to the photo gallery:

LINK:  WATT'S PITCHING SKILLS

Fighting Alumni Play for $500 K Tomorrow!

A number of former Notre Dame basketball players "The Fighting Alumni" are playing tournament favorites "Team Barstool" in the championship game of The Basketball Tournament tomorrow night at 7 PM ET. 

The game -- which will be played at Boston University will be streamed live on Watch ESPN -- see game story linked below.

GO IRISH!

LINK:  FORMER IRISH STARS PLAYING FOR $500,000

Jerian Grant's Brother Taken in Second Round

Jerami Grant -- the younger brother of Notre Dame senior guard Jerian Grant -- was drafted 39th overall in the 2nd round of the 2014 NBA Draft tonight by the Philadelphia 76ers.

Jerami left early for the NBA having just completed his sophomore season with the Syracuse Orange.  At one point (five months ago) he was considered a "top-ten pick" and he goes in the second round.

Big brother Jerian has returned to Notre Dame for his final season...

Heisman Trophy Winner Tim Brown's Book

Former Notre Dame All-American, Heisman Trophy winner and NFL great Tim Brown -- has just published a book entitled "The Making of a Man" -- his life story.

Here's a link to Tim's interview about the book -- along with a second link to where you can buy it!

LINK:  TIM BROWN INTERVIEW

LINK:  BUY IT HERE!

Photo of Irish Chocolate and Alex Flanagan

Former Notre Dame student-athlete and now Houston Texan -- Louis Nix '14 and former NBC / Notre Dame sideline reporter Alex Flanagan got together today to take this photo. 

Apparently, Irish Chocolate is down to 328 lbs.