The "Graduation Gift" to South Bend Business

This weekend more than 2,500 individuals will receive a diploma from the University of Notre Dame.  A special moment for them and their families...

What often goes unnoticed is the impact a COMMENCEMENT WEEKEND at Notre Dame means for area businesses.  Here's a story published today where the Executive Director of Visit South Bend Mishawaka speaks to the volume of visitors who come to town for weekends, like the one ahead...

LINK:  THE GRADUATION GIFT

Day #62,260 -- is in the Books at Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame was founded on November 27, 1842...

Today marks day number 62,260 in the storied history of our favorite school.

But, who's counting...   Just me.

OT: Minnesota Vikings New Stadium Design

Let's just say this -- it must be great fun to be an architect and given a clean sheet of paper to design a new football stadium...

Here's what the Minnesota Vikings are looking to replace the METRODOME with (watch the promotional video linked below).  Pretty nice!

LINK:  THE VIKINGS PROPOSED NEW HOME

A Yacht Named "Fighting Irish" For Sale...

Ran across this tonight -- WOW -- is all I can say about this 145' long yacht named FIGTHING IRISH...

Just click on the photos to enlarge!


LINK:  THE FIGHTING IRISH

Video of Hoke Saying IRISH "Chickening Out..."

Well, the game in September against Michigan got a little more "fun" in the past 24 hours as the video was released of the Wolverine's head coach Brady Hoke saying that Notre Dame "chickened out..."

And, he also went on to say "they'll continue to play Michigan State and Purdue..."

Brady Hoke might just want to do some reading up on the history of the Michigan vs. Notre Dame rivalry -- and check in on who didn't want to play who over the past 125 years...

Now this is from a head coach who has the following schools on his schedule the next four seasons;

• Central Michigan University
• Akron University
• Appalachian State
• Miami of Ohio
• UNLV
• Hawaii
• Ball State

Oh, how I hope we put a whipping on this school!


LINK:  HOKE CALLING OUT NOTRE DAME

Manti Given a Starting Role With Chargers

The San Diege Chargers' head coach Mike McCoy said that Manti Te'o would assume the starting "Mike" linebacker position when the veterans begin practicing with the team...

LINK:  ESPN STORY

LINK:  MANTI TE'O GIVEN A STARTING POSITION

Notre Dame Ranked in Top Five in SI Poll

Well, I've seen two pre-season polls and this one is the most optimistic about Notre Dame's chances in 2013...

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED'S RANKINGS

Cierre Wood -- Houston Texans Rookie Camp

Looks like former Notre Dame running back Cierre Wood (#43) may have picked the best team for a "free agent" running back to make an NFL roster -- click on the links below from the Houston Texans rookie mini-camp this week:

LINK:  CIERRE WOOD

LINK:  AUSTIN CHRONICLE STORY

Tyler Eifert "Shines" at Bengals Rookie Camp

This will come as little surprise to Notre Dame fans...

The Cincinnati Bengals #1 pick Tyler Eifert -- put on a show at their Rookie Camp.  Sure wish he was still wearing a GOLD HELMET!  Here's a few of the stories below -- don't miss the Fort Wayne TV coverage that includes interviews with Eifert and John Goodman:

LINK:  EIFERT

LINK:  COACH LEWIS LOVES HIS ROOKIES

LINK:  EIFERT IMPRESSES

LINK:  FORT WAYNE TV STATION -- EIFERT AND GOODMAN

Not Surprised, a "Domer" Created Mother's Day

His name is Frank Hering and he proposed a "national day to honor Mother's" on February 7, 1904.  Hering played football at Notre Dame before graduating in 1889 with a Bachelors degree in English.  After graduation he taught English at ND while coaching basketball, baseball and track.  Here's the story about the "Father of Mother's Day."

The document above is the actual certificate -- that led to Mother's Day.

LINK:  ND GRAD CREATES MOTHER'S DAY!

A Notre Dame Fan Put This Video Together...

His name is Grant Broton -- and he put this great video together.  Can't wait 'til next season!

ENJOY!

LINK:  2012 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

Notre Dame Glee Club Singing "Ave Maria"

Thought you'd enjoy these two videos of the Notre Dame Glee Club -- in the first video they sing "Ave Maria" and the second is their unique version of "Here Come The Irish."  Enjoy!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME GLEE CLUB

Photos of Theo Riddick at Lions Rookie Camp

Former Notre Dame running back / wide receiver Theo Riddick was in MOTOWN this past week starting his quest to wear a NFL uniform.

The Greatest Upset of All Time -- That Wasn't!

If you were watching Notre Dame's Men's Lacrosse NCAA Tournament game yesterday afternoon on ESPNU against the University of Detroit -- you heard the announcing crew at halftime and after the third quarter saying; "this will be the greatest upset of all-time in collegiate lacrosse..."

In NCAA Tournament history -- teams who scored ONE GOAL OR LESS in the first half were 0 - 52 -- Notre Dame was down 5 - 1 at halftime.

After three quarters the IRISH were down 7 - 3.

"What though the odds be great or small..."

You've got to watch this video!

LINK:  WHAT THOUGH THE ODDS

Happy Mother's Day From Notre Dame!

This is a sad Mother's Day for my brother Jay and me...

Our mom, Joan Small, left for heaven eleven months ago.  So we find ourselves this Sunday morning having to remember our mom and all of the things she did for us over our lifetime.  We do so with tears in our eyes...

I'm guessing the tears we'll leave us one day -- but never the memories.  Oh, how she loved Notre Dame...

Thank you mom for always giving us your best, for loving us every day -- we miss you dearly.

On this Mother's Day I'd like to share with you a blessing from the University of Notre Dame's Fr. Bill Lies, C.S.C. (and a few surprises).  Our team created this to share with the Notre Dame family everywhere.  I hope you'll enjoy this:

LINK:  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY FROM NOTRE DAME

Toughing It Out -- Just Like a Football Player

Former Notre Dame All-American wide receiver Jeff Samardzija was the subject of a story by the folks at ESPN concerning a game he recently pitched against the Reds when he fielded a "come-backer" off the tip of a finger on his throwing hand...

You'll also gain some insight on why Jeff chose a career in baseball over football.

LINK:  HE MADE A GREAT CHOICE!

Joe Doyle '49 -- A Notre Dame Man -- RIP

I never had the honor of meeting Joe Doyle '49 -- but, I have always known of him...

Yesterday afternoon at the age of 92, Doyle died at South Bend's Memorial Hospital.    For thirty years -- from 1951 to his retirement in 1981 -- Doyle was the Sports Editor of the South Bend Tribune.  

In the photo above, Doyle is on the far left...

LINK:  JOE DOYLE REMEMBERED

Manti Te'o Post Practice Press Conference

So, the #38 pick in the 2013 NFL DRAFT has his own press conference after his Rookie Camp press conference with the San Diego Chargers...  Welcome to the life of Manti Te'o...

LINK:  MANTI'S FIRST POST PRACTICE PRESSER

Sports Illustrated Selects ND's Steve Elmer

The folks at Sports Illustrated selected their "Ten Most Impressive Early Enrollees" in college football and Notre Dame's Steve Elmer made the list!  Take a look:

That's Elemer #79 in the photo above...
 

LINK:  ELMER ONE OF THE BEST!

First Look -- Manti In His New Football Jersey

Here's what Manti Te'o looks like in his San Diego Chargers uniform today at rookie camp.


LINK:  FIRST DAY AS A NFL PLAYER

LINK:  "FELT LIKE A FRESHMAN"

LINK:  UT-SAN DIEGO NEWSPAPER STORY