Rudolph -- Hamstring Healed!

Chicago Tribune's Notre Dame beat reporter, Brian Hamilton -- caught up with former Notre Dame tight-end Kyle Rudolph -- to talk about his rehab after hamstring surgery and preparation for the upcoming NFL Draft.  "Draft experts" -- have Kyle rated as the #1 tight-end in the draft and a lock to go in the 1st Round.  Didn't they say that about Clausen too?  Oh, well -- here's a link to the article:

LINK:  KYLE RUDOLPH -- BACK TO NORMAL!

ND Football Assitant Named to Hall of Fame

Notre Dame football assistant coach, Tim Hinton -- will be inducted into the Harding High School Hall of Fame on April 8th.  Hinton, the running backs coach at Notre Dame -- was a former head football coach at Harding (OH) -- where he led them to a 78-40 record and five league championships.  Congratulations Coach Hinton!  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  COACH HINTON -- HALL OF FAMER!

A Domer Oversees 2/3rds of U.S. Bank Assets

His name is John Walsh '73 -- and he has one of the great business card titles;  "Office of Comptroller of the Currency" -- which means he oversees approximately 2/3rds of the commercial banking assets in the United States.  Think he might be good at math?  Here's a link to his bio:

LINK:  JOHN WALSH -- BIO

LAX National Championship Game -- Part II

The sixth ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame kicked off the 2011 college lacrosse season with a big win over the fifth ranked Duke Blue Devils -- in a rematch of the most recent National Championship game.  The game part of the Sunshine Classic in Jacksonville, FL -- and televised on ESPN -- saw the Irish break open a close game scoring five of the last six goals in a 12-7 victory!  A big win for the Irish over Duke!

LINK:  ESPN COVERAGE

Irish Play Mountaineers at 1 PM EST on CBS

Notre Dame hoops fans will have the opportunity to watch the Irish today on CBS -- as they travel to Morgantown, WV to take on Bob Huggins and his West Virginia Mountaineers.  The #7 Fighting Irish are on a seven-game winning streak and currently stand in 2nd place in the Big East.  Here's a link to UND.COM's preview of today's matchup.

LINK:  BIG GAME FOR THE IRISH

Dave Duerson Found Dead in Miami Home

Former Notre Dame All American, Dave Duerson -- was found dead last night in his Miami home. Duerson (age 50), who won a Super Bowl Championship in 1985 with the Chicago Bears and again in 1990 with the New York Giants -- was a former member of the Notre Dame Board of Trustees. Duerson is survived by four kids. Here's a link to the news story:

LINK: DAVE DUERSON FOUND DEAD

LINK:  ESPN STORY

Temple Has Press Conference To Announce...

Temple University -- the college home of Bill Cosby -- announced yesterday that they had signed a three game contract with the University of Notre Dame.  The announcement didn't come in the form of a press release -- it came in the form of an EVENT.  Yeah, Notre Dame football is irrelevant.  When was the last time you saw a school do this?  I'm sure Florida Gator football fans didn't like seeing Temple's new coach (Steve Addazio) praise Notre Dame.  The event was complete with a Leprechaun mascot -- and the ND gold helmet.  Enjoy.

LINK:  TEMPLE ANNOUNCES SERIES WITH NOTRE DAME

More National Respect for ND Basketball

Add the New York Times to the list of media outlets who are on the Notre Dame "bandwagon" -- as the Irish keep moving up the national polls.  If Ben Hansbrough was wearing a "gold helmet" -- he'd probably be in the Heisman Trophy discussion...  Why does this make me nervous?  The Irish go on the road this Saturday to take on a dangerous West Virginia team -- tip off is scheduled for 1:00 PM on CBS.

LINK:  NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE

Time Lapsed Video of 2010 Sun Bowl Game

Ran across this the other day -- thought everyone might enjoy taking a look back at the day the Irish rolled over Miami.  Enjoy!

LINK:  2010 SUN BOWL -- NOTRE DAME vs.  MIAMI

Ian Williams -- Talkin' ND and NFL...

Former Notre Dame nose tackle, Ian Williams -- has agreed to write a story each week, through the end of April -- for the South Bend Tribune.  Williams will talk about the NFL Draft process and just Notre Dame in general.  A big thank-you to ND GO IRISH BLOG regular contributor, Dr. Jim Clancy out of Philadelphia -- for alerting us to this story!  Here's the link:

LINK:  IAN WILLIAMS TALKIN' ND AND NFL

Crawling Out of the Shadow of Big Brother!

Ben Hansbrough's "big" brother Tyler, was the "king" of college basketball -- just a couple of years ago at North Carolina -- when he led the Tar Heels to the 2009 National Championship.  Now it's Ben's turn to be "king" -- and he has the IRISH on a roll right now.  Today's USA TODAY takes a look at Ben and his 7th ranked Fighting Irish teammates -- who have won seven in a row heading into Saturday's game at West Virginia.  You'll enjoy the story!  A ND GO IRISH BLOG thank-you to Denny Doyle of Novi, MI for alerting us to this story!

LINK:  BEN HANSBROUGH AND THE IRISH

Spring Practice Starts March 23rd!

The Fighting Irish football team will begin Spring Practice on Wednesday, March 23rd -- as they lead up to the Blue Gold Game on Saturday, April 16th.  The annual Notre Dame Football Coaches Clinic will be held March 24th to the 26th -- with former ND football assistant coach -- Urban Meyer, the featured speaker.  Here's a link to the Niles Daily Star article:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL -- SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Mike Brey on "Rome Is Burning"

The head basketball coach of the #7 Fighting Irish -- was a guest on Jim Rome's "Rome Is Burning" -- yesterday.  Here's a link to the interview.

LINK:  MIKE BREY WITH JIM ROME

Nate Montana Transfers to MONTANA!

This young man obviously has a dream to follow in the footsteps of his famous father -- and you can't fault him for that.  Notre Dame head football coach, Brian Kelly announced today that back-up QB Nate Montana has decided to transfer to the University of Montana to play football for the Grizzlies.  What I'm getting a kick out of is the University of Montana's "spin" on Nate's transfer to their school -- it's a big deal in Missoula, MT -- even though Nate has never started a football game in his life.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story along with a link to the story at Montana's athletics website:

LINK:  SBT:  MONTANA TO MONTANA

LINK:  JOE MONTANA VISITS MONTANA

Theismann -- Never Without an Opinion!

Former Notre Dame All-American and Super Bowl Champion -- Joe Theismann had a conversation recently with a writer from the Post-Tribune.  And, as it usually does with Theismann -- the subject of the Fighting Irish came up.  Joe, never short on opinions -- offered up his "two-cents" on the state of Notre Dame football.  Here's the link:

LINK:  JOE TALKS NOTRE DAME

PHOTO OF THE DAY: They're Back Together!

This past Wednesday, our Grandma Barb left for Heaven to join our Grandpa Ray -- see the story below.

Do you think these two might already be organizing a "Notre Dame Game Watch" -- from Heaven's skybox -- for Saturday, September 3rd -- when the Irish open up the 2011 season against the University of South Florida??!!

The Notre Dame Family -- Another In Heaven!

Forty or so years ago, my Grandpa and Grandma Doyle took my cousin Pat and me to my first Fighting Irish football game -- and my first ever visit to the Notre Dame campus...

Fast forward to Wednesday this week.

I was back on campus for the Notre Dame vs. Louisville basketball game -- what a win for the Irish!  At game's end I received a phone call from my Mom -- letting me know that my 96 year-old Grandma Doyle had just left for heaven.  The call was not a surprise, Grandma had slipped into a coma on Saturday -- and we were told it would be any day.  She died literally seconds after the final buzzer went off in OT.  I guess she needed to cheer the Irish on to victory -- one last time...

The photo is of Grandma Barb in 2007 -- she's with her great-grandson Jimmy Small '08 (my son), then a senior at the University of Notre Dame.  She was 93 years old (she was a beauty!) in this photo and stricken to a wheel chair.  But, she would have nothing to do with the wheelchair for this photo shoot.  She requested that we get her standing upright, next to her 6'-4" Irish Guard -- with the "golden dome" in the background.  I just wish it had been taken by a professional photographer -- not a hack like me.  It's still one of my two favorite photos of her.

Grandma Barb taught all eight of her grandkids the Notre Dame Victory March -- it was one of the things she felt an obligation to do.  She wasn't a grad, nor were any of her kids or grandkids -- Jimmy, is the first in our family to attend the University of Notre Dame.  Yet, she loved Notre Dame as much as anyone with a degree -- and through that love, she passed on the "gift" of Notre Dame to all of us.

This Monday -- "Valentine's Day -- at 11:00 AM EST, at a small Catholic church in Remus, MI (St. Michael's Parish) -- we will celebrate a life well lived.  If you think of it -- around that time -- please say a prayer of "thanksgiving" for your Grandparents and when you do -- please think of my Grandma Barbara E. Doyle.

Here's a poem I wrote about the impact Grandma Barb had on our lives -- that I'm sure will be read at one of the family gatherings these next few days.  I wanted to share it with all of you -- since we all share her love for Notre Dame.


SHE WAS ALWAYS THERE…

I’d rather go to Grandma’s House than any place I know,

Because Grandpa says “I’m his boy” and Grandma loves me so.

Growing up in her home -- we were all taught that poem.

These are the words we never wanted to write and this is the day we never wanted to see,

Since it’s about a woman whose star shined so bright -- who always loved “we.”

Our Grandma Barb was always there…

Whether it was a game, a graduation, a performance or a trip to the Mecosta County Fair.

She was our Mom, our Grandma, our sister, our aunt and our friend,

It was that way every moment you were with her – it was that way ‘til the end.

Since her days at Holy Redeemer, the violin was the instrument of choice,

She would often entertain us with great style and voice.

Our Grandma would kick your "fanny" in Bridge or, any other game with cards in hand,

Yet, it never truly bothered you – because you knew she was that grand.

Boy, could she knit an Irish sweater!,

And, make you smile and cry -- at the same time -- with one of her letters.

Grandma taught us to love Coca-Cola and A1 Steak Sauce,

And, never to allow a cat in or, ‘round your house.

She made it her duty to teach us the words to the greatest college fight song,

While making sure we got together every Holiday – that we always got along.

If you ever needed a babysitter, no distance was too far,

She would always drop everything -- and jump in her car.

Whether it was the Irish, her Catholic faith or the gold helmets they wore to great fame,

There was always that great passion for the University of Notre Dame.

You know she never missed a Detroit Tiger's game, whether on radio or TV,

She even tried to call Jim Leyland, their Manager -- when she didn’t agree.

Even her famous plastic Easter eggs, delivered a million dollar prize,

Though her daughter-in-law didn’t much like that surprise.

She always knew what to say, when and how loud,

We always knew it was from love – and because she was so proud.

Our Grandma Barb was always there…

Often with something pink on,

The graceful, soft shadow she cast – will never be gone.

Yes, we’d rather go to Grandma’s House than any place we know

Because Grandpa says “I’m his boy” and Grandma loves us so.

Yes, she did…




Please note -- I'm going to "go dark" with the ND GO IRISH BLOG for the next three days -- as I join my family to celebrate the life of one great lady.  I will be back Tuesday morning -- with more great stories to share about Notre Dame, I promise! 

Navy Can Still Cut Block -- NCAA Rules

One of the most voiced complaints made by Notre Dame coaches -- over the past few years, has been the Naval Academy's approach to blocking at the line of scrimmage.  Well, the NCAA Rules Committee met this week in Indianapolis to discuss potential rules changes -- and the subject of "blocking below the waste" is a topic.  It appears that the NCAA will adopt the NFL's rules regarding what's a legal block and what isn't -- see the attached article.  I'm sure some will think the NCAA hasn't gone far enough to protect the players with this pending rule change.  You be the judge:  A ND GO IRISH BLOG 'thank you' to regular contributor Dr. Jim Clancy for alerting us to this story.

LINK:  NEW NCAA RULES CHANGE FOR FOOTBALL

Big, Big, Big WIN for the Irish Last Night!

My friends at the University of Notre Dame treated me to "center court" seats -- five rows behind Digger, Coach Knight and Reece Davis -- as we watched one of the more exciting home basketball games for Notre Dame in some time.  ND's OT win over Louisville -- scoring the first 14 points in overtime -- put the 7th ranked Irish at 20-4 on the season and 9-3 in the Big East.  What got lost in the excitement of the win was the fact that NOTRE DAME MADE HISTORY LAST NIGHT.  In ND's 100 plus year history of college basketball -- this is the earliest date ever -- that the Irish have won 20 games in a season.  Think about that... 

Here's a link to some highlights from the game, overtime and an interview with Coach Brey after the game.  I've also added a link to the ESPN.COM story and South Bend Tribune story on the game and a link to the current Big East standings.  GO IRISH!   

As an added "treat" -- I was given the great honor of spending nearly three hours after the game with Digger, Coach Knight and Reece Davis at Parisi's Ristorante Italiano in South Bend.  What an enjoyable session of "storytelling" and great food!

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS 

LINK:  OVERTIME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  COACH BREY POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  PAT FORDE -- ESPN.COM -- NOTRE DAME STORY

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE: GAME STORY

LINK:  BIG EAST STANDINGS

Tom Clements -- Another Championship Ring!

Notre Dame fans won't soon forget Tom Clement's pass from the end-zone to Robin Weber in the 1973 Sugar Bowl against Bear Bryant's Crimson Tide -- clinching the win and a National Championship for the Fighting Irish!  This Sunday -- Tom wasn't starring on the field -- but his pupil was...  Clements is the QB coach of the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers.  He didn't get any mention during Sunday's game -- but, this NFL veteran (18 years as a NFL coach) -- was in the ear of his star QB, all game long.  Congratulations Tom -- you now have a National Championship ring -- and a Super Bowl ring.  Not many can say that!  Here's a link to a story about Clements and Rodgers relationship:

LINK:  TOM CLEMENTS -- HIS STAR PUPIL!