Notre Dame Student-Athletes Graduate...

Folks, it's a story that you won't find on the ESPN network -- student-athletes graduating.  And, that's a shame.  Here's a link to a feature that our friends at Fighting Irish Digital Media put together that you're going to enjoy.  It's a story you'll only find here...

LINK:  NOTRE DAME GRADUATES IT'S STUDENTS -- ALL OF THEM

Notre Dame's Greg Crawford -- He's At It Again!

For the third consecutive "summer" -- University of Notre Dame's dean of the College of Science, Greg Crawford is on a "cross country" bike ride to raise money and awareness for Niemann-Pick Type C disease.

This year's route will take Greg from Boston (where he left on Monday) to his end destination of Pebble Beach, CA -- where he expects to arrive on June 22nd -- 3,250 miles later!  Here's a look at his RIDE SCHEDULE!

We'll be checking in on his ride every week -- though you can check in on him everyday at his blog -- see the link below:

LINK:  GREG CRAWFORD'S DAILY BLOG

Big East Home Run Derby Champ -- ALL IRISH!

Trey Mancini (Winter Haven, FL), a sophomore Notre Dame first baseman -- won the Big East Home Run Derby in Clearwater, FL on Tuesday night -- marking the second consecutive year a member of the IRISH baseball team won the hitting contest.  The folks at UND.COM were present -- as always -- with their cameras!

LINK:  HOME RUN DERBY CHAMP

ESPN Ranks Notre Dame's Top Ten Players

The good folks at ESPN took time out of their busy schedule to "rank" the top ten players on the Notre Dame football roster.   Surprisingly, our defense -- which is projected to be the strength of the team -- only placed four players in the TOP TEN.  Take a look!

LINK:  ESPN RANKS THE IRISH PLAYERS

Latest Reaction to Notre Dame's HHS Lawsuit

Took a lap around the web this afternoon to see what the media had to say this morning -- the day after the University of Notre Dame (for the first time in its 170 year history) filed a lawsuit against the federal government.  Just click on the links below:

LINK:  NEWSHOUNDS

LINK:  FOX NEWS

LINK:  NATIONAL CATHOLIC REGISTER

LINK:  THE CATHOLIC TRANSCRIPT

LINK:  THE BOSTON PILOT

Only Notre Dame: Leprechaun Tryouts!

For the first time in the history of the University of Notre Dame Leprechaun program -- THREE LEPRECHAUNS were selected!  The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media and some ND students produced this "inside look" at the selection process for one of the most ICONIC figures in college sports.  You'll like this!

LINK:  THE MAKING OF THE LEPRECHAUN

Media Opinions on Notre Dame's Lawsuit

The media pundits are now beginning to weigh in on the University of Notre Dame's decision to file a federal lawsuit this morning in opposition to the HHS mandate.

Here's what's being said this evening at MSNBC and FOX:

LINK:  MSNBC'S ANDREA MITCHELL

LINK:  FOX NEWS' ALL-STAR PANEL

Happy 89th Birthday Coach Ara Parseghian!

Today, Notre Dame all-time great, Ara Parseghian turned 89 years young!  Congratulations Coach!

6,300 YEARS of Great Service to Notre Dame!

Tonight, inside the "north dome" of the Joyce Center -- hundreds (and I mean HUNDREDS) of University of Notre Dame employees were honored for their years of service.  Employees with 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 40+ years at Notre Dame were recognized by Fr. Jenkins and his leadership team along with a number of the deans.

It was announced that the employees honored tonight represented 6,300 Years of service to the University of Notre Dame -- think about that!

One of my colleagues, Augie Freda (in photo) received one of the five major awards this evening -- as he was awarded the Presidential Leadership Award for his great work for the University of Notre Dame.  Augie Freda is well deserving of every honor he receives!

In addition, I had the great fortune of sitting next to "Notre Dame royalty" in the form of one Sally Almassy (photo with Augie).  Now, you may not know the name or face -- but, if you've ever called the University of Notre Dame's main phone number you'll know Sally's distinctive voice and delivery of; "THIS, IS THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME."

Sally was honored for her fifteen years of service to Notre Dame.  And, on the other side of me sat another colleague of mine, Jennielea Vidrich -- who was honored for TWENTY years of service to Notre Dame!

Congratulations to Augie, Sally, Jennielea and all of our colleagues at the University of Notre Dame -- you make this institution special!

Early Reaction to Notre Dame's HHS Lawsuit

Here's how the media is reporting the lawsuit Notre Dame filed this morning against the HHS mandate.  The federal lawsuit is believed to be the first complaint ever filed by Notre Dame against the federal government -- in the University's 170 year history.

LINK:  FOX NEWS

LINK:  MSNBC

LINK:  CNN

LINK:  ABC NEWS

LINK:  CBS NEWS

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST

LINK:  WALL STREET JOURNAL

Notre Dame Files Lawsuit Against HHS Mandate

The University of Notre Dame filled a lawsuit this morning in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana regarding the recent mandate from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  This mandate requires Notre Dame and other religious organizations to provide in their insurance plans -- abortion-inducing drugs, contraceptives and sterilization procedures, which are contrary to Catholic teaching.

Notre Dame's lawsuit was one of twelve filed this morning by 43 plaintiffs challenging the constitutionality of the regulation.  In the suit; Kathleen Sebelius (Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) is sued in her official capacity, as is Hilda Solis (Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor) and Timothy Geitner (Secretary of the U.S. Department of Treasury)

Here's a link to Notre Dame's official release along with a link to a copy of the actual complaint:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST HHS MANDATE 

LINK:  COPY OF NOTRE DAME'S COMPLAINT

Notre Dame's Women's Softball on ESPNU!

Irish fans -- please tune-in to ESPNU today at 5:30 PM ET as Notre Dame takes on perennial power Arizona in 100 degree heat in Tucson, AZ!  The IRISH need to beat Arizona twice to move on in the NCAA Tournament!

By the way, "WHEN" the IRISH win -- they will play a second game at 8 PM ET tonight against Arizona.  GO IRISH!

Here's a link to a preview of today's game(s):

LINK:  NOTRE DAME TAKES ON ARIZONA

Father Ted at ND's 167th Commencement!

He sat at "midfield" in the gold seats at Notre Dame Stadium during today's 167th Commencement exercises at the University of Notre Dame. As you can see in the photo above -- Fr. Hesburgh received a well deserved standing ovation from the Class of 2012 and their families.  Fr. Ted turns 95 years young on Friday (May 25th)!  Photo by Matt Cashore

Notre Dame Defeats Defending Nat'l Champs!

Kevin Corrigan's Fighting Irish beat the defending National Champion Virginia Cavaliers 12 - 10 to advance to National Championship Weekend (THE FINAL FOUR) in Boston Saturday.  The IRISH will play the #1 seed Loyola next Saturday for the chance to play for the National Championship on Memorial Day.

Here's a link to the game recap:

LINK:  IRISH BEAT VIRGINIA

Only Notre Dame: LAX Graduation in PA!

The University of Notre Dame's Men's Lacrosse Team held COMMENCEMENT exercises at a Catholic church in Pennsylvania for their 12 graduating seniors (photo above).  Only ND!

Here's a link to the Fighting Irish Digital Media's coverage of the ceremony:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME LACROSSE COMMENCEMENT

Photo of the Day -- ND's Commencement Mass

This beautiful photo was taken by Matt Cashore -- the University of Notre Dame's award-winning photographer -- at yesterday's Commencement Mass inside Purcell Pavillion.  It's a special moment for the Notre Dame graduates and their families.

Watch Notre Dame's Graduation LIVE Today!

The University of Notre Dame will be celebrating its 167th Commencement this morning from the "house that Rock built" -- Notre Dame Stadium.  And, you can watch it LIVE beginning at 9:00 AM ET until 11:30 AM ET -- at the link below!

Notre Dame moved their graduation ceremonies back outside to Notre Dame Stadium in 2010 because of the renovation of Purcell Pavillion -- the first time since 1959 -- and it was awesome!

Folks, if you're up and at 'em this morning you should watch this event -- it's really good.  The Academic Procession will begin at approximately 9:00 PM as the 2,000 graduates of the Class of 2012 will walk "out of the tunnel" into Notre Dame Stadium.  What a way to graduate!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S 167th COMMENCEMENT -- WATCH IT LIVE!

Notre Dame Football Game Replays on NBC!

With only 105 days to kick-off of the 2012 season -- the 125th Anniversary season of Notre Dame football -- here's a link to where you can find a full replay of every game televised by NBC the last few seasons.  Enjoy!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL ON NBC

Watch Notre Dame's Commencent Mass LIVE!

The 167th Commencement exercises at the University of Notre Dame are taking place this weekend.  One of the special moments for Notre Dame students, parents and families is the Commencement Mass which takes place TODAY at 4:30 PM ET.

You can watch it LIVE on the web -- beginning at 4:30 PM ET -- just click on the link below:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S COMMENCEMENT MASS

Notre Dame Lacrosse on ESPNU Sunday!

Kevin Corrigan's #4 Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will be playing #5 Virginia tomorrow afternoon in NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship Quarterfinal action.  The game will be televised on ESPNU beginning at NOON ET SUNDAY.

Here's some information about Sunday's game along with a second link to a video of the IRISH after today's practice!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME  vs. VIRGINIA

LINK:  IRISH SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS AFTER PRACTICE