I've Been Given the Gift of Notre Dame...

Earlier today, the University of Notre Dame officially announced that I would be joining their team as Senior Director of Marketing & Communications -- effective January 16, 2012.

A very humbling and special moment for my family and me.

Notre Dame's "on-boarding" process, which I began this morning, led me to a conference room where I would meet my teammates for the first time.  While I awaited their arrival, I found myself staring at this quote -- etched into the room's glass wall:

“This college will be one of the most powerful means of doing good in the country.” 

It was taken from a letter written by Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., just days after he founded Notre Dame in 1842.

Who would have ever dreamed an Irish Catholic kid from Mecosta County (Michigan), Chippewa Hills High School and Ferris State University would be given the opportunity of sharing the Notre Dame story with the world.

A story Fr. Sorin began crafting 169 years earlier...

Unfortunately, I'll be leaving an extremely talented team (led by Jim Thomas) at Western Michigan University -- and some wonderful alumni -- all who have made me feel part of the WMUFAMILY.  It's been a magical year in Kalamazoo that I will never forget.  THANK YOU! 

Yes, I've been given the "GIFT" of the University of Notre Dame -- it will be an honor to serve HER mission!

  
LINK:  I KNOW SHE'S SMILING IN HEAVEN TODAY

Barkley to Return to USC -- ND Football Happy!

If you listened to sports talk radio this afternoon you would have heard the 2012 Heisman winner was determined today when USC QB Matt Barkley said he would return for his senior season.

NOT SO FAST MY FRIENDS!

Now, the best thing to come out of today's news is the ND Football team should be thrilled with the prospects of having one more shot at USC with Barkley at the helm.  I wouldn't want it any other way!  Here's the story:

LINK:  LA TIMES STORY

No Doubt He's a Notre Dame Man: Dayne Crist

Former Notre Dame QB Dayne Crist -- announced today that he would be playing at the University of Kansas next year for Charlie Weis.  Crist, who was spotted at Twelve Oaks Mall (Novi, MI) yesterday with his girlfriend -- granted an interview with the Observer on Wednesday.  Suffice to say -- he's a class act.  You'll enjoy this story along with Eric Hansen's story at the South Bend Tribune:

LINK:  A NOTRE DAME MAN

LINK:  CRIST CHOOSES CHARLIE

Notre Dame to Honor Adrian Dantley!

Former two-time IRISH All American, Olympic Gold Medalist, National Player of the Year, Naismith National Basketball Hall of Famer, two-time NBA scoring champion and NBA Hall of Famer, Adrian Dantley -- will be honored by his alma mater on March 2nd when he's enshrined in Purcell Pavillion's RING OF HONOR.  It's an honor well deserved!  Here's a link to the story at UND.COM along with a video of his career produced by NBA-TV:  You've just got to love the uniforms Digger designed for the Fighting Irish back in the day -- they were the coolest in college basketball!

LINK:  DANTLEY TO BE HONORED

LINK:  ADRIAN DANTLEY -- NBA VIDEO

USC Couldn't Steal This Dynamic Duo From ND!

Tee Shepard (my favorite recruit in this class) and Deontay Greenberry two of Notre Dame's most highly sought after recruits -- took a visit this weekend to that school in Los Angeles.  For a day or so, ND fans were concerned that the Trojans may have convinced Tee and Deontay to de-commit from the IRISH.  Fortunately, that does not seem to be the case!  Here's the NBC Sports story on the cousins from northern California:

LINK:  AN IRISH GUARANTEE

This Just Might Be Notre Dame's QB Recruit!

His name is Devin Fuller and he's one of the top players on the East Coast and Rivals #2 ranked QB in the country.  He's got a big arm and some very fast feet.  Fuller, out of Old Tappan HS in New Jersey, has yet to visit Notre Dame -- though the word is the IRISH are hot on his trail.  Might tell us something about what our coaching staff thinks about our chances with Gunner Kiel.  This young man would be EXCITING in a GOLD HELMET!

LINK:  DEVIN FULLER HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  DEVIN FULLER RIVALS PROFILE

Photo of the Day: ND-1 Heads to Florida!!!

The University of Notre Dame's football equipment truck (ND-1) left campus today for the drive to Orlando, FL and the Champs Sports Bowl.  The Irish will arrive in Orlando on Saturday to begin final preparation for next Thursday's bowl game.  ND fans between Indiana and Florida should keep an eye out for the truck! 

The Irish Football Team Having Some Fun!

The University of Notre Dame football team celebrated their last night in South Bend -- before heading home and then on to Orlando for the Champs Sports Bowl -- at Strikes & Spares.  Bowling, Go Karts, Putt-Putt and some shenanigans -- all in a good night of fun for the Irish!  Here's a link to the highlights:

LINK:  HAVING SOME FUN

Sports Illustrated's High School All-Americans

The editorial staff at Sports Illustrated announced their High School All-American team today and if you follow Notre Dame football recruiting you'll find a couple of familiar names on the list.  Here's a link to the team:

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED'S HIGH SCHOOL ALL-AMERICANS

Troy Murphy Signs Contract With LA Lakers

Former Notre Dame basketball star Troy Murphy signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers today for $1.4 million.  Modest by NBA standards, Murphy is coming off a season where he had a serious back injury and didn't play much at all.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  TROY MURPHY SIGNS WITH LAKERS

ESPN Blog Interview -- Manti Teo Stayin' @ ND

The folks at ESPN caught up with University of Notre Dame All-American Manti Teo to talk about his decision to return for his senior year with the Fighting Irish.  It's a story that's been told a few times, but -- I don't mind reading it over and over...  Here's the link:

LINK:  ESPN'S INTERVIEW OF MANTI

Irish Give Kentucky Their First Loss of Season

Muffet McGraw's 3rd ranked Fighting Irish beat the undefeated Kentucky Wildcats 92 - 83 today in front of a SOLD-OUT Purcell Pavillion!  Here's a link to some of the post game coverage:

LINK:  POST GAME PRESSER

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  ESPN

Notre Dame on TV -- Sunday, December 18

If your NFL team isn't playing as well as you would like and you're looking for something else to watch -- ND fans have OPTIONS today!  At 1:00 PM ET, Muffet's 3rd ranked Fighting Irish will take on the #7 ranked Kentucky Wildcats on ESPNU.  Then at 4:00 PM ET -- the University of Notre Dame's Compton Family Ice Arena will play host to the Brian Boitano Skating Spectacular on NBC.  This two-hour TV special includes the band Chicago, The Band of the Fighting Irish, South Bend's 14 year-old Isabela Nanni and other surprises!  Here's a sneak peak at their rehearsal:

LINK:  CHICAGO AND BOITANO

The Mornin' After Going Without A Field Goal...

Notre Dame fans watched our Irish go almost 16 minutes (end of first half and start of second half) without a field goal -- nearly half of the game -- in a 69 - 58 loss to Indiana yesterday in the Close The Gap Crossroads Classic.  Add in eleven misses at the free throw line and you had a game that was tough to watch.  Here's what the media has to say about our Irish basketball team along with Coach Brey's post game press conference:

LINK:  COACH BREY PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  INDIANAPOLIS STAR

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  NEWS SENTINEL

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Swarbrick Talks Independence With SBT

University of Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick answered some questions from the folks at the South Bend Tribune on a variety of subjects;  football independence, NBC, Big East, paying student-athletes and more.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story:

LINK:  SWARBRICK INTERVIEW

Irish vs. Indiana on ESPN2 Today at 4:30 PM ET

Mike Brey's Fighting Irish travel to Indianapolis today to play in the Close The Gap Crossroad Classic against the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers.  ND fans can catch the game on ESPN2 at 4:30 PM ET.  Here's some game notes:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME TO PLAY INDIANA

Rudy Settles Today with SEC -- $382,866

Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger -- wrote a check today to the Securities Exchange Commission for $382,866 to settle charges that he deceived investors who bought stock in his sports drink company.  Here's a link to the Chicago Sun Times story:

LINK:  RUDY WRITES BIG CHECK TO SEC

Photo of the Day -- Notre Dame Christmas Tree

The University of Notre Dame's Main Building (AKA Golden Dome) -- has this Christmas Tree on display.

Nowhere Else But Notre Dame -- The Video

ND GO IRISH BLOG Oakland Country correspondent, Rick Rachner -- passed on this link tonight to this video tribute to Notre Dame Women's Basketball program.  It's really good.  Enjoy!

LINK:  NOWHERE ELSE BUT NOTRE DAME!

Irish Get HUGE OT Commit Today in Las Vegas!

They say "what happens in Vegas...stays in Vegas..."

Well, at 5 PM ET -- what happened in Vegas was 6'-6" 285 lb. offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley chose the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame!  Stanley, out of Bishop Gorman HS had offers from USC, Oregon, etc., -- he's a huge get for the Irish!

Here's a link to his announcement video and Las Vegas Sun story:

LINK:  HE'S NOT STAYING IN VEGAS!

LINK:  LAS VEGAS SUN STORY