ND Students & Staff okay in Chile

Its' been reported that anywhere from 24 to 32 Notre Dame students and staff members have been in Santiago, Chile for three weeks now getting acclimated to the country -- and they experienced yesterday's 8.8 magnitude earth quake. Thankfully all are safe -- in what was the fifth highest recorded earth quake of all time. Santiago is approximately 200 miles south of the quake's epicenter. Classes were scheduled to start this week for Notre Dame's International Studies Abroad program in Chile (March 3rd) -- at present, know one knows where or when these classes will begin.

Sunday Mass at Notre Dame on TV an on the web

CatholicTV broadcasts Notre Dame's 10 AM Mass from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart LIVE every Sunday. Check with your local cable operator to see if they have the Catholic TV Chanel. Here's a link to CatholicTV.com -- where you can also watch the Mass from Notre Dame live online:

CATHOLICTV.COM - NOTRE DAME MASS

Can the Irish Basketball Team make the NCAA?

With wins over 12th ranked Pitt on Wednesday night at home and 11th ranked Georgetown today, on the road, the Irish have had one of their best weeks as a basketball program in a long time. And, they've done this with All American Luke Harangody on the sidelines with a bruised knee. Games with Connecticut and Marquette remain -- before the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden. The Irish are going to need to win one of the two remaining games and probably two games in the Big East Tournament to make the NCAA Tournament. Go IRISH!

Irish Footballers in Indy at NFL Combine

Five members of the Fighting Irish Football Team are in Indianapolis this weekend at the NFL Combine -- the NFL's version of "show and tell." Jimmy Clausen, Golden Tate, Kyle McCarthy, Sam Young and Eric Olsen received invites to interview and workout in front of all of the NFL teams. Olsen finished tied for 3rd amongst Offensive Linemen in the bench press of 225 lbs. -- lifting it 35 times. Sam Young finished tenth -- with 29 lifts. Young was a little quicker in the 40 yard dash going 5.19 to Olsen's 5.22. Clausen is just in town meeting with teams while recovering from his off season toe surgery. Here's a link to the NFL's coverage of the Combine as well as links to each of the profiles of the ND players along with how they are performing:

NFL COMBINE WEBSITE

SAM YOUNG NFL PROFILE

ERIC OLSEN NFL PROFILE

KYLE MCCARTHY NFL PROFILE

JIMMY CLAUSEN NFL PROFILE

GOLDEN TATE NFL PROFILE

Notre Dame's Liturgical Choir -- a must hear...

The University of Notre Dame has a number of talented musical groups on campus. One that doesn't get the publicity I think they should is the Liturgical Choir. They are fantastic. You can hear them at 10 AM Mass on Sunday's at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. They're made up of 65 to 70 students. Every year, the choir will take their show on the road -- performing to audiences around the country. And, every four years, they'll take an international trip -- with recent performances in France, Italy and Spain. Here are some links to a concert on campus and a link to their website and how you can purchase their music.

NOTRE DAME OUR MOTHER

CONCERT IN THE BASILICA OF THE SACRED HEART

NOTRE DAME LITURGICAL CHOIR WEBSITE

Irish IDOL -- three new contestants

Every week at NOTRE DAME GO IRISH we search the world wide web for talented singers, of every age, and ask them to perform the Notre Dame Victory March. Here are our three latest contestants on Irish IDOL -- just click on the links below and enjoy!

ALICE

GRACIE

BRYNN

Fight Cards set for Bengal Bouts Finals

The 80th Annual Bengal Bouts finished up their Semi-Final Rounds last night at the Joyce Center -- leaving two fighters in each of the weight classes to go at it this Saturday night at 7 PM in the Finals. In the Heavyweight Final Will "At the Edge of Darkness" Burroughs will take on Kevin "The Long Beach Lumberjack" Crepeau. You've got to love the nicknames! Tickets are on sale at the University of Notre Dame's Ticket Office at the Joyce Center.

BENGAL BOUTS WEBSITE

The Undertones -- a cappella at Notre Dame!

In 1996 a few Notre Dame students got together and created an a cappella singing group -- and named themselves the Undertones. Since then, this group has recorded six albums, most recently in May of 2009 they released "12 Items or Less." The 2009 - 2010 edition of the Undertones is comprised of 12 Notre Dame students. NBC (the home of Notre Dame football) produced a show this past season called "The Sing Off" in which they brought in eight a cappella groups to compete for a grand prize of cash and a recording contract. One of the college groups -- from Tufts University -- made the Finals. Maybe we'll see the Undertones on NBC next year! The links below are to their website -- where you can buy their music and the second link is to a youtube video of their reunion concert this past year at Notre Dame. Enjoy!

UNDERTONES WEBSITE

UNDERTONES IN CONCERT

The Holy Cross Congregation has first Saint!

Blessed Brother Andre Bessette, of the Holy Cross Congregation - the founders of the University of Notre Dame -- was approved for sainthood, this past Friday, with formal canonization scheduled for Sunday, October 17th, 2010. Brother Andre, a Holy Cross Brother, is credited with thousands of miraculous healings. Born in Quebec, Blessed Brother Andre lived and worked in Canada (though he did spend some time in America) until his death in 1937. He is the first member of the Holy Cross Congregation to be approved for sainthood. The link below is a tribute to Brother Andre.

BLESSED BROTHER ANDRE

Al Haig - a Notre Dame student...

Alexander Haig, former Secretary of State and U.S. Army General -- died yesterday of complications from a staphylococcal infection while at John Hopkins Hospital. Haig graduated from West Point, but prior to his time as a Cadet, he attended the University of Notre Dame for two years. He's best known for his comment "I am in charge here" -- after the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan -- even though he was at best -- fifth in line to run the country.

Irish Lacrosse stuns #2 Duke!

The #9 ranked Fighting Irish opened their 2010 Lacrosse season on the road against #2 ranked Duke -- and upset the Blue Devils 11 - 7. It's the first time a ND Lacrosse squad has defeated a team ranked in the top 2 in the country. Not a bad way to start a season!

Irish Swimmer - fastest time in the country!

Samantha Maxwell, a Notre Dame junior from Chandler, AZ -- recorded the fastest time in the country yesterday in the 100 Breaststroke at the Big East Swimming & Diving Championship. Maxwell, an All American -- touched the wall in a time of 59.64 shattering the Big East record in this event. The Irish Women's and Men's teams are in first place - going into today's final sessions.

BIG EAST SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIP

Ross Browner voted Favorite Irish DE of All Time!

Former Notre Dame All-American, Ross Browner was voted the Favorite Irish Defensive End of All Time in a vote of NOTRE DAME GO IRISH blog visitors. Browner received 26% of the vote -- Alan Page finished second and current New York Giant DE Justin Tuck finished third. Browner was a force at Defensive End for the Irish in the mid 70's -- teaming with Willie Fry to form the most famous duo at this position in Notre Dame Football history. He was a four year starter -- and a unanimous All American choice his junior and senior seasons for the Irish. He won the Outland Trophy, Lombardi Award and won the Maxwell Award as the nation's best player -- the only lineman to win this award. He finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting his senior year. And, he was a member of two National Championship teams at Notre Dame. Browner was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999. A first round draft choice of the Cincinnati Bengals -- he was voted the team's MVP in 1978 and set a Super Bowl record for tackles by a defensive lineman in Super Bowl XVI. A true Notre Dame legend.

ROSS BROWNER HIGHLIGHTS

Celebrating 60 Years of African American Student Athletes at Notre Dame

This past November, the University of Notre Dame celebrated 60 years of African American student athletes -- with a tribute at a football game and a video to commemorate this occasion. Ironically, this year's Notre Dame's football recruiting class features a running back from California named Cameron Roberson -- who's Grandfather, Thomas Murray Turner, was one of the first African American's to graduate from Notre Dame in 1959. February is Black History Month in America -- please watch this wonderful video:

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS AT NOTRE DAME

Bengal Bouts start 80th year at Notre Dame

Preliminary rounds started this weekend for the 80th annual Bengal Bouts at the University of Notre Dame. 186 boxers faced off in 93 fights Saturday, with the winners heading to the Quarter Finals this Tuesday. This event annually raises tens of thousands of dollars for the Holy Cross Missions in Bangladesh.

THE BENGAL BOUTS

THE 2010 PRELIMINARY ROUNDS

Dave Casper voted favorite Irish TE of all time!

He's one of the best to ever play his position in college or the NFL. He's in the College Football Hall of Fame and the NFL Hall of Fame as well -- and, he was just voted the favorite Irish TE of all time in a vote here at NOTRE DAME GO IRISH. Casper won by five votes over former Notre Dame TE and NFL All Pro, Mark Bavaro. Casper garnered 21% of the 349 votes cast, Bavaro had 20%, Ken MacAfee was third with 17% and Anthony Fasano had one more vote than John Carlson finishing fourth with 10%. Former Heisman Trophy winner Leon Hart finished sixth - even though the position he played in college "END" -- wasn't called a TE back then.

Happy Valentine's Day - Notre Dame style!

Notre Dame is in the hearts of many. And, we're not afraid to flaunt it on special occasions -- especially at weddings. Watch this video of 75 year-old Anne Hunter -- her passion for the Irish should be an inspiration to us all. Happy Valentine's Day!

ANNE HUNTER

ND Bengal Bouts Champ turns Pro!

Mike Lee, a 2009 Notre Dame graduate -- and three time Bengal Bouts Champion turned pro today, after a successful Golden Gloves run since graduation. The light heavyweight was to make his announcement this morning at ND and then later at Harry Caray's in Chicago. He has signed with Bob Arum of Top Rank Boxing. Good Luck Mike! Here's a link to a news story about Mike earlier this year.

MIKE LEE TURNS PRO

BOB ARUM TALKS ABOUT LEE

Kelly to honor coaching legend Eddie Robinson

Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Brian Kelly, will be the keynote speaker tomorrow at the grand opening of the Eddie G. Robinson Museum in Grambling, La. Robinson is one of the all-time coaching greats winning a record 407 games in his 57 year coaching career at Grambling.

COACH KELLY KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Irish IDOL -- three more contestants...

Every week NOTRE DAME GO IRISH searches the world wide web for the best singers (or dancers) of the VICTORY MARCH. This week's show will not disappoint. It just goes to show you the passion for the FIGHTING IRISH is alive and well. Links below. Go Irish!


KATIE

NOTRE DAME BABIES

DUNCAN