Rust Leads Penguins to Stanley Cup Final

Former Notre Dame hockey star Bryan Rust scored both of Pittsburgh's goals last night in their 2 - 1 GAME SEVEN WIN over the Tampa Bay Lightning!

LINK:  HOW RUST SCORED HIS GOALS

Story: Our Dog Muffet -- Lost and Found Today

If you're a pet owner -- you'll understand what my family went through this afternoon...

About 2:30 PM ET today our dog Muffet (yes, she's named after Coach McGraw) came up missing.  She's a three year-old Sheltie -- photo above of her on the day we brought her home in August of 2013.

Well, after a drive and walk around the ND campus -- a trip to the Grotto -- and many car searches around the area just south of the Notre Dame campus, it appeared she was a goner.

Until -- my cell phone rang at 9:43 PM ET and on the other end was my neighbor Polly Pajakowski with this news;  "Come on down to the outside bar at Brother's Bar & Grill, they've found Muffet !!!"

Well, I made a beeline for Brother's -- only to see a group of people standing around and no Muffet -- I have to admit for a second I thought I must have not heard Polly correctly...

However, I was soon introduced to my four newest super heroes;

• Will Nord
• Susan Nord
• Stephanie Nijak
• Polina Guimaraes

The four of them were part of a "group of about 12" who cornered Muffet out on Angela Boulevard at the Eddy Street intersection -- around 2:45 PM ET today.  They caught Muffet -- which is a miracle in itself since she's quicker than Rocket Ismail -- and immediately took her up to Will's apartment in the Foundry on Eddy Street.

Here's where the story gets interesting.  Will was moving out of his apartment today.  He's a junior at IUSB -- on their golf team --- from Newport Beach, CA.  Susan, Will's Mom was in town to help facilitate the move.

They immediately called Animal Control to report that they had found a dog -- the guy who answered the phone said "we're too busy, we'll come by tomorrow."  Susan didn't like this reaction so she started having thoughts about taking Muffet back to California with her -- instead of putting her in the dog pound.  Will immediately called the folks at the Foundry to see if he could stay an extra night (they said YES) so he would have time to post photos of Muffet in spots on Eddy Street in the morning...

Then fate struck -- three of our neighbors; Chris and Polly Pajakowski and Charlie Hayes and his Sheltie "Reggie" -- were sitting at a table at the outside bar area at Brother's when Susan, Stephanie and Polina walked by and saw Reggie -- who looks a little like Muffet.

Susan Nord stopped and said "we found a dog today that looks a lot like your dog..."

Well --- that little news nugget set off a quick train reaction and three minutes later, I'm in Will's apartment being reunited with Muffet.

I can't thank Will, Susan, Stephanie, Polina, Chris, Polly, Rocky Geans, Charlie and "Reggie" for the roles they played in this seven hour search and rescue mission.  And, I must thank the guy at Animal Control who was too busy to pick up Muffet today.

Charlie Hayes -- upon hearing the news that Muffet was missing -- headed out on his own to find her.  Chris Pajakowski and Rocky Geans took off on their bikes and searched the Notre Dame campus.  What great friends and neighbors we have.

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!

Now I can sleep!!!

Coach Kelly in Toronto Today -- Talking ND FB

Notre Dame Head Football Coach Brian Kelly was in Toronto, Canada today talking to a group of Alumni and fans -- and found some time to meet with The Sports Network's Sports Center show -- see link below:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY

Texas' Mascot's 100th Anniversary Year vs ND

The Texas Longhorns' BEVO the mascot -- will begin its 100th Year Anniversary with their game this September against our Fighting Irish.  BEVO XV will make his debut...

LINK:  BEVO XV TO DEBUT vs. NOTRE DAME

Sneak Peek: Texas' New Nike Football Shoes

Color me -- unimpressed...

ND Lacrosse vs. North Carolina on ESPN2

The Fighting Irish take on the Tar Heels of North Carolina today at NOON ET on ESPN2 -- the winner moves on to next weekend's FINAL FOUR WEEKEND in Philadelphia!

GO IRISH!

A ND Fan Learns She's Going to See Her First!

At 86 years old, this ND fan learned she's going to her 1st @NDFootball game.

Her reaction to the news?

Priceless.https://t.co/P4g9JmmU0Y

— The Fighting Irish (@FightingIrish) May 18, 2016

She's an 86 years-old Fighting Irish fan from Los Angeles -- and her grand kids just surprised her with a trip to see her first Notre Dame game!!!

PRICELESS!

"Domer to Be" Leads Arapahoe to State Final

Charlie Leonard '20 (pictured above) -- who will be wearing the Notre Dame gold LAX helmet next season -- and his #3 ranked Arapahoe Warriors High School Lacrosse Team beat #2 ranked Mountain Vista 9 - 8 last night in the Colorado State Semi-Finals of the Boy's Lacrosse State Championship.


Arapahoe HS now earn the right to play #1 ranked Regis Jesuit at Denver's Sports Authority Stadium at Mile High tomorrow night at 7 PM local time.

LINK:  GAME STORY

LINK:  DENVER POST STORY

A "Domer to Be" Class of 2020 -- A Great Story

Folks, I often find myself feeling quite inadequate when I compare my story with the stories of many of our students here at the University of Notre Dame...

Jake Drysdale '20 -- will be enrolling at Notre Dame this August.  Here is Jake's story:

LINK:  JAKE DRYSDALE

Domer Riley Sheahan Surprises Cancer Patient

Former Notre Dame hockey star Riley Sheahan -- now with the Detroit Red Wings -- surprised a 22 year-old cancer patient at her Prom this weekend.

LINK:  STORY

General Dempsey's Commencement Speech

Speaker John Boehner's Commencement Talk

The former Speaker of the House spoke at the University of Notre Dame's 171st Commencement Sunday...

Vice President Joe Biden's Commencement Talk

The Vice President spoke at the University of Notre Dame's 171st Commencement Sunday...

Photos from Notre Dame's Commencement

 

Here's a few members of Notre Dame Football's Team 127 -- on graduation day.  Note the big guy in the middle -- that's #6 overall NFL draft pick Ronnie Stanley.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's plane flying over Notre Dame Stadium -- just minutes before Commencement.

University of Notre Dame's Baccalaureate Mass

These were taken by my ultra-talented Notre Dame colleagues Matt Cashore and Barbara Johnston -- at last night's Baccalaureate Mass at the University of Notre Dame.

You can purchase these photos -- and more from Commencement Weekend 2016 at the University of Notre Dame -- at the link below:

LINK:  PHOTOS 

Notre Dame's 2016 Commencement -- Replay

Skylar, Devereaux and Natalie Together Again

The three former Fighting Irish hoops stars were together again tonight in Indianapolis -- as Skylar Diggin's Dallas Wings won their first game in franchise history over Devereaux Peters and Natalie Achonwa's Indiana Fever 90 - 79.

Skylar didn't play -- as she works to get back on the floor after her major knee surgery...

The bottom photo took place after the game -- as the three former Notre Dame stars met with the crowd.  

LINK:  BOX SCORE

Incoming Domer Wins FOUR State Titles Today

Tony Pride Jr., who has committed to play for the Fighting Irish this fall -- finished his high school sports career today in GREAT fashion!

In a little more than 3 hours this morning -- Tony won all four of his races at the South Carolina High School Track & Field State Championship:

• 100 Meters:  10.55
• 200 Meters:  21.28
• 400 Meters:  48.28
• 4 x 100 Meter Relay:  42.20 (team time -- ran anchor leg)

ESPNW Story: Skylar Diggins -- The Brand...

You will want to read the accompanying story...

LINK:  SKYLAR DIGGINS

ND Day Replay: 27 Music / Dance Performances

Here's a look back at all of the music and dance performances that took place during our Notre Dame Day broadcast.  If you'd like to watch them in their entirety - click on the link below:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME DAY 2016