Great Story: Daddy / Daughter ND Weekend!

I received a story this past week from a Notre Dame fan who thought I would enjoy the "reflections" of one Sharon Tracy -- who wrote about the ND / USC football weekend she spent this past October with her Dad, Jay Dillon '66.  (photo above of Dad and daughter)

I liked the story so much, I sent a note off to Jay seeking permission to share this story with the entire Notre Dame family.  Jay was kind enough to say "YES."

As you'll learn when reading this story, Sharon did not attend her Dad's alma mater.  She and her two sisters "the Dillon girls" each attended Miami of Ohio.  And, as Sharon readily admits, she was not a Notre Dame fan going into this weekend with her Dad.

Well that changed, as you'll see in this wonderful document that captures a great relationship between a Dad and his daughter and Jay's sharing the "gift" of Notre Dame with one of his girls...

Thanks again to Sharon and Jay for allowing me to share this with all of you.

Enjoy!

LINK:  REFLECTIONS FROM A NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL WEEKEND

Must See Video: Steve Beurlein Talks ND!

One of Notre Dame's all-time great QB's Steve Beurlein is on campus this week working with the 41 "campers" participating in the Notre Dame Football Fantasy Camp.  During one of the introduction sessions, Beurlein got up and spoke to the group.  You're going to love his Lou Holtz story and impersonation -- A CLASSIC!

Enjoy!


LINK:  STEVE BEURLEIN

A Domer With Loftier Political Ambitions?

Notre Dame alum, Bob McDonnell '76, the Governor of Virginia -- also doubles as head of the Republican Governnor's Association.

This morning, the news media is putting the spotlight on Governor Scott Walker (Wisconsin) and McDonnell -- in light of Walker's recall election win last night.

Is McDonnell thinking Washington D.C. is his next stop?

Here's a few stories hitting the street late last night and early this morning:

LINK:  WASHINGTON EXAMINER

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST

LINK:  NATIONAL JOURNAL

Reds Draft Notre Dame Catcher in 6th Round!

Looks like Notre Dame junior catcher, Joe Hudson (Tampa, FL) will sign a professional contract with the Cincinnati Reds in the next day or so -- bypassing his senior season for a $178,300 bonus check.

Hudson, was drafted in the 6th Round -- the 202nd overall pick in yesterday's 2012 MLB Draft.

Congratulations Joe!

LINK:  HUDSON TO SIGN WITH REDS

Former Nicaragua Contra Leader & ND Student

Adolfo Calero, the former Nicaragua Contra leader died Sunday at the age of 80 from pneumonia.  Adolfo also led Coca-Cola's bottling operation in Nicaragua during his career.

Calero is best known for his involvement in the Iran-Contra scandal in the 80's with Oliver North.

Calero attended the University of Notre Dame in the 50's.

Here's a link to the New York Times story:


LINK:  ADOLFO CALERO PASSES

Notre Dame Asked to "Correct" Wikipedia

I'll admit I turn to Wikipedia more often that I should for critical information...

Well, the University of Notre Dame was asked to join a few other university's in "cleaning up" the information on WIKIPEDIA.  Sounds like an interesting project to me!

Here's the story:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S ROLE WITH WIKIPEDIA

Notre Dame Lacrosse 2012 Highlight Video

The gang at Fighting Irish Digital Media produced a highlight video of the 2012 season that Notre Dame fans will want to watch.  You'll see former NBA head basketball coach Jeff Van Gundy talking to the team before the NCAA Championships.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  2012 HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

OT: Minor League Manager's Classic Tirade

This is the greatest sports tirade in history.

The minor league manager's name is Phil Wellman and five years ago -- Phil kind of lost it with an argument he had with the home plate umpire...

The topper for me was when he "Army crawled" to the mound and threw the resin bag as a hand grenade towards the umpire (photo above).

This is a must see!

LINK:  A CLASSIC

LINK:  ESPN STORY

Mike Brey's Most Talented Recruiting Class...

Folks, it's going to be fun this next season at Purcell Pavillion.  Mike Brey's returning all five starters from his (22 - 12) NCAA Tournament team, he's adding a big man transfer from Michigan State in Garrick Sherman and he's bringing in three talented "long" freshmen:

LINK:  ZACH AUGUSTE 6'-9"

LINK:  CAMERON BIEDSCHEID 6'-7"

LINK:  AUSTIN BURGETT 6'-8"

LINK:  COACH BREY ON HIS RECRUITING CLASS

Becca Huffer Finishes Second in Pro Debut!

Becca Huffer, playing in her first golf tournament as a professional -- since her graduation last month from the University of Notre Dame -- was tied for the lead of the Colorado Women's Open on the 17th tee...

Unfortunately, a three-putt bogey from 45 feet on 17, and a par on 18, left her two strokes behind the winner.  Still -- it's a great start to a career Notre Dame fans are going to want to follow.

Huffer heads to the Broadmoor tomorrow to attempt to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open Championship -- we'll let you know how she did.

LINK:  HUFFER'S RUNNER-UP FINISH

Harrison Smith Signs Contract With Vikings!

Former Notre Dame football captain Harrison Smith, is the newest member of the MILLIONAIRES CLUB -- signing a four-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings Friday for an expected $7.1 million -- with approximately $6 million guaranteed.  Congratulations!

LINK:  BIG MONEY FOR HARRISON

Kentucky Wildcats to Play Brey's Fightin' Irish!

It was announced today that the defending National Champion Kentucky Wildcats will be coming to Purcell Pavillion on November 29th to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.   It's going to be fun!

LINK:  BIG NOVEMBER HOOPS GAME IN SOUTH BEND!

LINK:  COACH BREY TALKS KENTUCKY GAME

Orlando Woolridge Dead at the Age of 52

Sad, sad news...

Former Notre Dame All-American, Orlando Woolridge -- the 6th overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in the 1981 NBA Draft -- died last night at his parent's home in Louisiana from a chronic heart condition.

Orlando was one of the greatest BIG SKILL ATHLETES to ever wear a Notre Dame uniform -- with one of the greatest smiles ever in South Bend.  He was always fun to watch play...

LINK:  MIKE BREY ON ORLANDO

LINK:  ORLANDO WOOLRIDGE:  1959 - 2012

ND Alum in Second Place at Colorado Open!

Becca Huffer '12, who just graduated two weeks ago from the University of Notre Dame, birdied five of her first six holes in the second round of yesterday's Colorado Women's Open to move into second place!

Becca is making her PRO DEBUT this week!!!  As you'll see in the second link below -- Huffer will attempt to qualify for the LPGA Tour later this year.  They could use a DOMER on the LPGA TOUR!


LINK:  COLORADO WOMEN'S OPEN

LINK:  HUFFER MAKES PRO DEBUT

Vote for Notre Dame's "Cover Girl" Today!

Notre Dame Womens' Soccer player, Lindsay Brown is one of five young women who are involved in a contest to be on the October cover of Seventeen Magazine.  Brown, who has just finished up her junior year at Notre Dame, has quite a story -- which you'll see if you click on the links below.  (Photo above of Lindsay in Nepal last summer).

Let's get Lindsay her cover shot!

LINK:  VOTE HERE FOR LINDSAY

LINK:  LINDSAY BROWN -- WHAT WOULD YOU FIGHT FOR!

Domer Monty Williams Gets NBA's Top Pick!

Big night for the New Orleans Hornets and their head coach Monty Williams (photo above) -- as they won the NBA Draft Lottery and the rights to the first pick in the upcoming 2012 Draft.  Williams, a former Notre Dame hoops star, is expected to be adding Kentucky's freshman sensation Anthony Davis to his roster -- not a bad thing!

Here's a link to the Lottery selection and an interview of Coach Williams:

LINK:  HORNETS GET TOP PICK

Classy Move by Notre Dame Parent Martin Short

Comedian / Actor Martin Short -- who just happens to be the proud parent of two Notre Dame students; Oliver Patrick and Henry '12 -- was a guest this morning on NBC's Today Show with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kolb promoting his new movie Madagascar 3:  Europe's Most Wanted. 

Things were going fine until Kathie-Lee asked Martin why his long-time marriage to Nancy Dolman was so successful -- and, as you'll see, she didn't ask just one question about their relationship.  Unfortunately, Mrs. Gifford was unaware that Nancy died August 21, 2010 from cancer.

As you'll see -- Martin Short handled this in a very classy fashion.

LINK:  GIFFORD PUTS FOOT IN MOUTH -- BIG TIME

Mike Lee's Back in the Ring June 8 on ESPN!

University of Notre Dame alum Mike Lee '09, will be putting his undefeated professional boxing record on the line in a fight in Las Vegas, NV that will be televised on ESPN2 at 10 PM ET on Friday, June 8.  If you can't watch the fight in person (Hard Rock Casino Hotel) -- watch it on TV!

Good Luck Mike!

Working the Plan to a National Championship!

Notre Dame fans will enjoy watching these four Irish student-athletes re-live their 2012 Distance Medley Relay National Championship -- this is good stuff!  (Photo above of Jeremy Rae crossing the finish line!)

LINK:  THE PLAN TO WIN

Samardzija Wins "Bobblehead" Game Today!

You know you've hit the "big time" when your team runs a "bobblehead" promotion like the Chicago Cubs did today for former Notre Dame football All-American Jeff Samardzija (see photo).

Samardzija pitched seven strong innings before turning the ball over to reliever Jeff Camp in the 8th.  Jeff also knocked in a run with a base hit -- as he earned his fifth win of the season.  His ERA now stands at a sterling 3.09!

LINK:  SAMARDZIJA WINS AGAIN!