Saturday, October 29, 2011
The Media's Take on ND's 56 - 14 Win Today
Just made a visit to a number of websites who cover Notre Dame football. Thought you'd enjoy what these media types had to say about the 56- 14 win over Navy. The game was over at halftime...
LINK: BALTIMORE SUN
LINK: WASHINGTON POST
LINK: NBC SPORTS
LINK: CHICAGO SUN TIMES
LINK: ESPN BLOG
LINK: CHICAGO TRIBUNE
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- AL LESAR
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- TOM MOOR
Navy Week: Kick-Off Luncheon at Notre Dame
The Notre Dame Nation gathered this afternoon at "the Joyce" for the traditional Friday football luncheon. Here's a link to UND.COM's coverage of the highlights...
LINK: ND FOOTBALL KICK-OFF LUNCHEON
Don't Dismiss the Irish -- a CNN Story Today
Found this article on CNN.COM today -- Notre Dame fans will enjoy what the writer has to say...
LINK: DON'T DISMISS THE FIGHTING IRISH
Friday, October 28, 2011
A Notre Dame Man -- Jeff Faine
When he played for the Irish, he absolutely dominated the men across from him...
Nine years later, Jeff Faine is still playing the game, now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but, it's what he's doing away from the gridiron that will make ND fans most proud. Jeff Faine is a hero -- to many. Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story about Jeff's return home during the Bucs bye week.
LINK: JEFF FAINE -- GIVING BACK
Think Coach Kelly Would Like a "Do Over?"
I commented to a friend the other day that it would be nice if Coach Kelly stopped using the phrase "I've been a head coach for 21 years..." It's getting old.
Coach, we all know this isn't your first rodeo. The best advice right now comes from legendary Raider Al Davis -- "JUST WIN BABY!"
Well, last night Coach Kelly might have said something FOR THE FIRST TIME, to the media, that he is now regretting (see Chicago Tribune article below). In essence, Coach Kelly took a shot at the players who were recruited by the previous regime -- never a good thing to do from my perspective. Especially, when they dominate your starting line-up...
It's going to be an interesting 24 hours in the Notre Dame football program.
LINK: COACH KELLY COMMENTS
LINK: VIDEO OF COACH KELLY'S MEDIA SESSION
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Will We See Field Turf @ Notre Dame?
Coach Kelly has been campaigning for a new field turf at Notre Dame Stadium. Well, here's a solution to consider. It's called Desso GrassMaster and this surface combines "tradition with technology." Meaning, real grass mixed in with artificial grass.
Green Bay Packer fans, Philadelphia Eagle fans, Denver Bronco fans -- have all been watching their teams play on this surface for the past few years.
In fact, the Denver Broncos field was named the "BEST PROFESSIONAL SPORTS FIELD IN AMERICA." Folks that's real grass in the picture that grows and has to be cut!
Here's a couple of links to the technology behind this playing surface.
LINK: NOTRE DAME STADIUM'S NEXT PLAYING SURFACE?
LINK: TECHNOLOGY BEHIND REINFORCED GRASS
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Notre Dame's Morris Inn To Expand!
The University of Notre Dame announced a $32 million expansion of the Morris Inn -- the university's on-campus hotel. The expansion, which will begin next year -- calls for the tear down of the south wing, a 300 seat banquet facility and a move from 92 rooms to 140 rooms, etc. Here's a link to the Chicago Tribune story:
LINK: MORRIS INN TO GET A NEW LOOK
LINK: MORRIS INN TO GET A NEW LOOK
Joe Montana's Not Happy With Notre Dame
I'm going to write this off as a Dad who wanted success for his son at Notre Dame -- and does not want to accept that his kid wasn't ready for prime time in the GOLD HELMET. Here's hoping he comes back to the FAMILY.
LINK: MONTANA TAKES SHOT AT HIS ALMA MATER
Are the Irish Really Headed to the ACC?
Former Notre Dame Athletic Director, former ACC Commissioner and father to Irish Lacrosse Head Coach Kevin Corrigan -- Gene Corrigan -- tells the media today that the Irish are considering a move to the Atlantic Coast Conference for EVERY SPORT! Here's the link to the story:
LINK: IRISH HEADING TO ACC?
LINK: IRISH HEADING TO ACC?
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
The Story the Sports Media Won't Tell...
The University of Notre Dame was named NATIONAL CHAMPIONS for STUDENT ATHLETES -- with 18 of their 22 varsity sports teams earning PERFECT GRADUATION SUCCESS RATE SCORES of 100! This marks the sixth time in the last seven years that Notre Dame's student-athletes were America's best.
I'm still waiting for the "SPORTS LEADER" to tell this story...
LINK: NOTRE DAME IS NUMBER ONE!
I'm still waiting for the "SPORTS LEADER" to tell this story...
LINK: NOTRE DAME IS NUMBER ONE!
SI's Peter King Takes ND to Task for Helmets
Earth to Peter King -- Notre Dame has had "specs" of gold in their helmets for years! In an effort to "pile on ND" -- which seems to be the easy thing to do for the mainstream media these past 48 hours... Here's a link to Peter King calling out the Irish for their helmets:
LINK: EARTH TO PETER KING
Monday, October 24, 2011
Colin Cowherd Defends Brian Kelly Today
ESPN "talkin' head" called out a Notre Dame faculty member by the name of "MATT" today who had sent him an email earlier this morning blaming Coach Kelly for the loss to USC. Here's a link to video of Cowherd defending Kelly:
LINK: COWHERD A KELLY FAN
LINK: COWHERD A KELLY FAN
Lou Holtz & Jerome Bettis on Golf Channel!
ND fans are going to want to tune in to the Golf Channel tomorrow night (Tuesday, October 25th) at 8 PM ET to catch former Notre Dame greats Lou Holtz and Jerome Bettis getting some golf tips from the pros. Here's a sneak peek at what you're going to see!
LINK: JEROME GETTING A GOLF LESSON
Irish Olympic Sports -- Weekend Update
There was a few other things going on this past weekend at the University of Notre Dame other than what took place under the lights on NBC. Here's the UND.COM feature...
LINK: IRISH UPDATE
LINK: IRISH UPDATE
Coach Kelly After the Game & Day After...
Here's what head coach Brian Kelly ("he's been doing it 21 years") had to say about the disappointing loss Saturday night to USC. He met with the media right after the game and then he met with Jack Nolan Sunday morning. Here are the links:
LINK: COACH KELLY ON SUNDAY
LINK: COACH KELLY POST GAME PRESSER -- USC
Sunday, October 23, 2011
The Morning After the GOLDEN Nightmare...
Don't be surprised if you see Notre Dame football go into an offensive formation on the opponent's one-yard line where a "safety" is stationed fifteen yards behind the line of scrimmage. This safety is there to ensure that the opponent doesn't take our fumble 99 yards for a score...
Twice in one season -- the Irish fumble on the doorstep (ONE YARD LINE) and the opponent takes it the length of the field for a score -- UNBELIEVABLE...
This morning, Irish fans are crying -- while the rest of the world is laughing.
I'm so disappointed for our football team -- the night was set up for greatness -- and we laid a GOLDEN EGG...
Here's the media's take on the GOLDEN NIGHTMARE:
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE
LINK: LOS ANGELES TIMES
LINK: CHICAGO TRIBUNE
LINK: ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
LINK: CHICAGO SUN TIMES
LINK: ESPN CHICAGO
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Turnover Jesus -- Notre Dame Football
18 turnovers in seven games -- ranking Notre Dame #117 out of 120 teams in America for most turnovers.
In our three losses this season -- we've turned it over 13 times -- while gaining only 3 turnovers. A MINUS TEN IN TURNOVERS!
Simply stated, the Irish are the sloppiest, talented team in college football.
BRUTAL...
In our three losses this season -- we've turned it over 13 times -- while gaining only 3 turnovers. A MINUS TEN IN TURNOVERS!
Simply stated, the Irish are the sloppiest, talented team in college football.
BRUTAL...
A BLACK JERSEY Rumor Going Around ND!!!
There's plenty of talk going around the internet at this hour that the FIGHTING IRISH will become the BLACK IRISH tonight against USC! The rumor is Notre Dame will don black jerseys with green numbers - which I assume will be outlined in gold -- for tonight's game against the Trojans.
It's only six hours away from kick-off -- I suspect the Irish will not wear their intended game jersey until it's time to run out of the TUNNEL! Stay tuned!!!
Notre Dame Football Weekend: ND vs. USC
Here's video of Friday's festivities on the University of Notre Dame campus -- as the Irish lead up to the prime-time kick-off against USC on NBC. Game time is set for 7:30 PM ET -- please note if you have the VERSUS channel you can catch a 30 minute pre-game show beginning at 7 PM ET. The photo above is of a "wooden" Trojan Horse that the ND student body built -- bringing back memories to 1977...
LINK: KICK-OFF LUNCHEON -- FRIDAY AFTERNOON
LINK: PEP RALLY -- USC
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- PHOTO GALLERY
Live Webcam From Notre Dame Stadium
Notre Dame football fans can check in all afternoon -- leading up to kick-off for tonight's game against USC -- to a live webcam located inside Notre Dame Stadium. Here's the link:
LINK: LIVE WEBCAM FROM NOTRE DAME STADIUM
It's Less than 8 Hours to Kick-Off: USC vs. ND
I can't wait to see those GOLD HELMETS -- and whatever color jersey we wear today -- come running out of that tunnel tonight on NBC! Thought I'd take one last lap around the world this afternoon to see what the experts are saying about tonight's game. GO IRISH!!!
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- STORY #1
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- STORY #2
LINK: LOS ANGELES TIMES
LINK: ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER -- STORY #1
LINK: CHICAGO SUN TIMES
LINK: CHICAGO TRIBUNE
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- STORY #1
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- STORY #2
LINK: LOS ANGELES TIMES
LINK: ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER -- STORY #1
LINK: CHICAGO SUN TIMES
LINK: CHICAGO TRIBUNE
America's Top HS QB @ Notre Dame Today!
The last name Kiel is part of Notre Dame football lore... Will it be again?
In a surprising move, Gunner Kiel -- got to love that first name -- will be visiting Notre Dame today for the USC game. Kiel had committed to Indiana over the summer and most thought he was going to be a Hoosier. Well, as a "talking head" at ESPN might say "Not So Fast My Friend..." Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story:
LINK: GUNNER IN TOWN
The "COMPTON" Opens With Irish Victory!
5,022 people had the distinct honor of witnessing the first Notre Dame Hockey game and VICTORY last night! Anders Lee scored the first goal, the last goal and one in between -- netting the first HAT TRICK in Compton history. Here's the South Bend Tribune's coverage of ND's 5 - 2 win over Renssalaer:
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY
Friday, October 21, 2011
Great Moments in the ND vs. USC Rivalry
Did some digging on YouTube this morning to find some of these gems from the Notre Dame vs. USC rivalry. Now, they're all NOTRE DAME MOMENTS -- would you expect anything else!!!
LINK: TONY RICE GOES 65 AGAINST USC
LINK: STAN SMAGALA'S INTERCEPTION TD
LINK: REGGIE BROOKS GOES 55 AGAINST USC
LINK: ND VS. USC 2010
LINK: 1977 GREEN JERSEY GAME
LINK: ND TWO POINT CONVERSION 1977
LINK: ND ROUTS #5 USC IN 1995
LINK: ND COMEBACK IN 1999
I Must Admit I Miss "TOUCHDOWN IRISH"
In my lifetime, the greatest radio voice ever for Notre Dame Football was Tony Roberts. I can still hear him say "He's got one man to beat, TOUCHDOWN IRISH!" Did a little digging this morning and found some clips of this man's talent. I miss you Tony Roberts!
LINK: TOUCHDOWN IRISH
LINK: TONY RICE AND TONY ROBERTS
LINK: ROCKET'S FIRST TD RETURN AGAINST MICHIGAN
LINK: ROCKET'S SECOND RETURN AGAINST MICHIGAN
LINK: HARRY O'S FIELD GOAL TO BEAT MICHIGAN
LINK: TOUCHDOWN IRISH
LINK: TONY RICE AND TONY ROBERTS
LINK: ROCKET'S FIRST TD RETURN AGAINST MICHIGAN
LINK: ROCKET'S SECOND RETURN AGAINST MICHIGAN
LINK: HARRY O'S FIELD GOAL TO BEAT MICHIGAN
A Must See Video for Notre Dame Football Fans!
My son Jimmy sent this link to me this morning. Every ND football fan should watch this before tomorrow night's kick-off against USC. GO IRISH!
LINK: WE ARE THE WARRIORS
LINK: WE ARE THE WARRIORS
USC vs. NOTRE DAME -- Experts Pick Winner
Took another lap around the world wide web this morning to check in on who the "media experts" are picking to win the USC vs. Notre Dame game tomorrow. Here's what I've found:
LINK: ESPN'S -- MATT FORTUNA
LINK: ESPN'S -- TED MILLER
LINK: BLEACHER REPORT'S -- ERIC BOWMAN
LINK: OBSERVER -- STAFF
LINK: ESPN COLLEGE GAME DAY
LINK: ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Tom Lemming Calls It One of the Best Ever...
The University of Notre Dame will be hosting some of the top high school football talent in the country today, tomorrow and Sunday -- so says recruiting expert Tom Lemming. In fact, Lemming is calling it one of the greatest collections of school boy talent ever. Here's a link to Lemming's story at Max Preps:
LINK: BIG RECRUITING WEEKEND FOR ND
LINK: BIG RECRUITING WEEKEND FOR ND
ESPN Blogger Admits He Was Wrong About ND
Ted Miller has been covering college football since 1997 -- so says his bio at ESPN.COM. The bio also said he started covering Auburn football and then he moved west to cover Washington and the PAC 12. Are there any college football fans in that time zone?
Well, Mr. Miller came out with his prediction for tomorrow's game between ND and USC and he made the statement that USC's offense was way better than ND's. Notre Dame fans know that this isn't true -- so they took him to task...
In the end, Mr. Miller admitted he had not properly done his research on the subject -- and that he was wrong. You've got to at least give him credit for admitting his mistake...
Ted, I hope you learned this lesson: If you're going to take on the "BIG BOY" in college football -- you better do your homework first...
LINK: ESPN BLOGGER ADMITS WRONG
Well, Mr. Miller came out with his prediction for tomorrow's game between ND and USC and he made the statement that USC's offense was way better than ND's. Notre Dame fans know that this isn't true -- so they took him to task...
In the end, Mr. Miller admitted he had not properly done his research on the subject -- and that he was wrong. You've got to at least give him credit for admitting his mistake...
Ted, I hope you learned this lesson: If you're going to take on the "BIG BOY" in college football -- you better do your homework first...
LINK: ESPN BLOGGER ADMITS WRONG
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Hey Geno, Stick to Women's Basketball!!!
Geno Auriemma decided to turn today's Big East Women's Basketball Media Day as "bash on Notre Dame football" day. Auriemma used this platform to blame Notre Dame for the woes facing the Big East Conference. Here's a link to Mrs. Auriemma -- excuse me, Mr.
LINK: WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH CALLING OUT ND FOOTBALL
LINK: WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH CALLING OUT ND FOOTBALL
USC Week: Notre Dame's Thursday Update
Here's what Coach Kelly had to say after practice -- about Saturday's prime time kick-off on NBC!
LINK: COACH KELLY AFTER PRACTICE
LINK: COACH KELLY AFTER PRACTICE
USC Student Newspaper -- Talks ND Rivalry
Thought Notre Dame fans would enjoy reading this story that ran in yesterday's Daily Trojan -- the student newspaper at USC. It speaks to the long-standing rivalry between Notre Dame and USC and how it got started.
LINK: THE WIVES MADE IT HAPPEN
LINK: THE WIVES MADE IT HAPPEN
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Story of the Year -- New ND Helmet Paint!
This is going to pop on TV Saturday night! The Fighting Irish are going to debut a NEW GOLD football helmet for the USC game. The NBC cameras should have fun with this! The new helmet has the 23.9 karat gold flakes in the paint from the DOME -- but, they won't ever have to be painted again -- so that tradition is gone. But, I'll take this NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL HELMET any day! WOW!!!
The folks at UND.COM introduced the helmet tonight -- here's the story! And, Coach Kelly talked about the helmet with the media after practice today...
LINK: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD FOR FOOTBALL HELMETS!
LINK: COACH KELLY TALKS ABOUT THE NEW HELMET COLOR!
LINK: NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS FACEBOOK PAGE -- PICTURES OF HELMET
USC Week: Notre Dame Player Interviews
Manti Teo, Harrison Smith, Michael Floyd and Tommy Rees met with the media this afternoon to talk about Saturday night's clash with USC. Here are the links to the interviews:
LINK: MANTI TEO & HARRISON SMITH
LINK: TOMMY REES & MICHAEL FLOYD
LINK: MANTI TEO & HARRISON SMITH
LINK: TOMMY REES & MICHAEL FLOYD
First Look @ Weekend Weather -- ND vs. USC
Looks like a good weather forecast for the first night kick-off at Notre Dame Stadium in 21 years! Here's a link to the weather forecast from the gang at WNDU-TV:
LINK: WEATHER FORECAST ND vs. USC
ESPN's Matchup Report for ND vs USC
Here is how the "experts" at ESPN "matchup" the position groups, special teams and head coach for Saturday night's game between USC and NOTRE DAME:
Mike Lee In Second Subway TV Commercial
Professional boxer (undefeated boxer I might add!) Mike Lee '09 is now starring in his "second" TV commercial for Subway. Mike and fellow "domer" Justin Tuck (New York Giants) are paid pitchmen for Subway. Just click on the arrow to get it started!
"The Fighting Back" -- Back @ Notre Dame!
Rocky Bleier '68 returned to his alma mater this week to speak at the Rockne Heritage Fund reception. Bleier's story of his life after Notre Dame has been well documented in a movie, book and countless magazine and newspaper articles. Rocky is one of the finest public speakers you will ever run across -- this is a MUST SEE SPEECH! Special thanks to ND GO IRISH BLOG regular Ken Devine for alerting me to this video. Here's the link:
LINK: ROCKY BLEIER -- BACK AT ND
LINK: ROCKY BLEIER -- BACK AT ND
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
They Used the Leprechaun Logo for 45 Years
However, those days are about over...
Chapman High School in Chapman, KS has been using the ND Leprechaun logo since 1967 -- but the University of Notre Dame has said "cease and desist." This comes on the heels of the school re-opening after a tornado tore down the school in 2008... Here's a link to the story:
LINK: CHAPMAN HIGH SCHOOL
Chapman High School in Chapman, KS has been using the ND Leprechaun logo since 1967 -- but the University of Notre Dame has said "cease and desist." This comes on the heels of the school re-opening after a tornado tore down the school in 2008... Here's a link to the story:
LINK: CHAPMAN HIGH SCHOOL
USC Week -- Coach Kelly's Tuesday Presser
University of Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today at noon to discuss Saturday's game with USC. Here's a link to UND.COM's coverage:
LINK: COACH KELLY MEDIA CONFERENCE
A Hole-In-One Story -- Involves a ND Alum
My wife Susan and I were in the Charlotte, NC area yesterday to visit our oldest son, Jimmy. He's a 2008 graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a former Irish Guard. Jimmy's employed at NASCAR.
Monday afternoon the three of us headed off to Verdict Ridge Country Club, about a thirty minute drive north of Charlotte -- just west of Lake Norman. Verdict Ridge -- is the perfect name for a golf club founded by a well known Carolina attorney (Eddie Knox). It was a beautiful 80 degree day with "Carolina blue sky" everywhere you looked...
Verdict Ridge is a very nice track cut through the woods and hills -- that leaves you feeling "guilty" for enjoying this golf experience too much... That's their promotional story.
Well, let's just say that the first 12 holes Jimmy was getting a "golf lesson" from his old-man. At one point I asked Jimmy what ball he was playing so I could "buy stock" in that company before the NYSE's closing bell that day... He lost at least a dozen balls on the first 12 holes -- NO EXAGGERATION!
So, we arrive to #13 a 141 yard par three. The pin was located in the front third of the green. I had the honors and hit an eight iron, just left of the flag, about 30 feet behind the hole -- a good shot. Jimmy, playing his new "used" NIKE irons he inherited from his Dad that day -- pulled out a wedge -- yeah, he hits it a long way, it just doesn't always land in the correct area code.
Now I must admit, I was watching his left foot during his golf swing on this par three. Jimmy has a habit of moving his left foot during the down swing -- instead of using it as a firm foundation to swing against. If you were critiquing a baseball player you would say he's "stepping in the bucket."
So, when I looked up to find the flight of his ball I lost it in the sun...
But, Mom has it in her sights -- and she non-chalantly says "I think it went in..."
Well, I didn't believe it -- nor, did Jimmy. So, after Mom hits her tee-shot, we hop in the carts and head to the green. I arrive first at the scene and see only my ball. Now, I have to admit -- my wife has a very poor track record of knowing where her own golf ball ends up after she hits it -- so I'm not buying the "balls in the hole" story...
Jimmy, is the second to arrive to the green and he's looking everywhere but the hole... Well, he finally gets up enough nerve to look into the cup -- and THERE WAS HIS PRECEPT ball! His first hole-in-one! The USGA places the odds of hitting a hole-in-one at: 1 in 30,000.
But, the story's not over...
So, now we head to the next tee -- a par four dog-leg left. The group ahead of us was still in the fairway, so we had a few minutes to wait. We're all excited for Jimmy -- and he's grinning 'ear to ear' at his feat. He made the comment, "I didn't think I'd ever get a hole-in-one..." I tell him "hang on to that ball, we'll send it in to Bridgestone for their hole-in-one award..."
The fairway clears and Jimmy has the honors -- for the first and only time that day!!!
Now, most humans would probably have locked up their hole-in-one golf ball for posterity sake -- at least that's what Mom & Dad thought. Not Jimmy -- he sets that hole-in-one golf ball on the tee and proceeds to hit it straight right -- DEEP -- into the North Carolina forest.
He looks at me and says "that was my hole-in-one ball..." I couldn't believe it.
Well, my wife and I hit our tee shots and we make a bee-line over to where we think his ball last "left the planet..."
Now to say these wood are thick would be an understatement -- add a few hundred "picker bushes" to the mix and you'll see what we're up against. All three of us "headed into this battle with nature" with the goal of finding that special ball...
I wish this story had a happy ending -- unfortunately, it does not.
We didn't leave the forest with that golf ball. I came out of the "battle" with blood on my right hand from two cuts and a stream of blood on my left leg for the effort -- don't mess with Carolina picker bushes!
A SPECIAL NOTE to the members of Verdict Ridge Country Club -- if you're playing #14 in the next few days and you feel the need to take on the forest along the right side of that hole -- please take a look for a PRECEPT golf ball. If you find it, please put it in your pocket and send me an email at jim.small@ndgoirish.com -- you'll make a Domer happy!
The photo above is the last time this golf ball was seen in captivity...
Monday afternoon the three of us headed off to Verdict Ridge Country Club, about a thirty minute drive north of Charlotte -- just west of Lake Norman. Verdict Ridge -- is the perfect name for a golf club founded by a well known Carolina attorney (Eddie Knox). It was a beautiful 80 degree day with "Carolina blue sky" everywhere you looked...
Verdict Ridge is a very nice track cut through the woods and hills -- that leaves you feeling "guilty" for enjoying this golf experience too much... That's their promotional story.
Well, let's just say that the first 12 holes Jimmy was getting a "golf lesson" from his old-man. At one point I asked Jimmy what ball he was playing so I could "buy stock" in that company before the NYSE's closing bell that day... He lost at least a dozen balls on the first 12 holes -- NO EXAGGERATION!
So, we arrive to #13 a 141 yard par three. The pin was located in the front third of the green. I had the honors and hit an eight iron, just left of the flag, about 30 feet behind the hole -- a good shot. Jimmy, playing his new "used" NIKE irons he inherited from his Dad that day -- pulled out a wedge -- yeah, he hits it a long way, it just doesn't always land in the correct area code.
Now I must admit, I was watching his left foot during his golf swing on this par three. Jimmy has a habit of moving his left foot during the down swing -- instead of using it as a firm foundation to swing against. If you were critiquing a baseball player you would say he's "stepping in the bucket."
So, when I looked up to find the flight of his ball I lost it in the sun...
But, Mom has it in her sights -- and she non-chalantly says "I think it went in..."
Well, I didn't believe it -- nor, did Jimmy. So, after Mom hits her tee-shot, we hop in the carts and head to the green. I arrive first at the scene and see only my ball. Now, I have to admit -- my wife has a very poor track record of knowing where her own golf ball ends up after she hits it -- so I'm not buying the "balls in the hole" story...
Jimmy, is the second to arrive to the green and he's looking everywhere but the hole... Well, he finally gets up enough nerve to look into the cup -- and THERE WAS HIS PRECEPT ball! His first hole-in-one! The USGA places the odds of hitting a hole-in-one at: 1 in 30,000.
But, the story's not over...
So, now we head to the next tee -- a par four dog-leg left. The group ahead of us was still in the fairway, so we had a few minutes to wait. We're all excited for Jimmy -- and he's grinning 'ear to ear' at his feat. He made the comment, "I didn't think I'd ever get a hole-in-one..." I tell him "hang on to that ball, we'll send it in to Bridgestone for their hole-in-one award..."
The fairway clears and Jimmy has the honors -- for the first and only time that day!!!
Now, most humans would probably have locked up their hole-in-one golf ball for posterity sake -- at least that's what Mom & Dad thought. Not Jimmy -- he sets that hole-in-one golf ball on the tee and proceeds to hit it straight right -- DEEP -- into the North Carolina forest.
He looks at me and says "that was my hole-in-one ball..." I couldn't believe it.
Well, my wife and I hit our tee shots and we make a bee-line over to where we think his ball last "left the planet..."
Now to say these wood are thick would be an understatement -- add a few hundred "picker bushes" to the mix and you'll see what we're up against. All three of us "headed into this battle with nature" with the goal of finding that special ball...
I wish this story had a happy ending -- unfortunately, it does not.
We didn't leave the forest with that golf ball. I came out of the "battle" with blood on my right hand from two cuts and a stream of blood on my left leg for the effort -- don't mess with Carolina picker bushes!
A SPECIAL NOTE to the members of Verdict Ridge Country Club -- if you're playing #14 in the next few days and you feel the need to take on the forest along the right side of that hole -- please take a look for a PRECEPT golf ball. If you find it, please put it in your pocket and send me an email at jim.small@ndgoirish.com -- you'll make a Domer happy!
The photo above is the last time this golf ball was seen in captivity...
The Doors Open Friday Night -- It's a Beauty!
A $53 million investment in the hockey program at Notre Dame.
This Friday night, the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will take the ice for the first time in the brand spanking new Compton Family Ice Arena -- AKA "The Hockey Cathedral."
Here's a link to a UND.COM feature.
LINK: IRISH HOCKEY'S NEW HOME!
ESPN Power Rankings Has Irish at #23
It's a start...
Ever since the ten turnover nightmare, the Irish have been digging themselves out of a self-inflicted hole called 0 and 2. While still not cracking the Top 25 AP or Coaches Poll -- a Notre Dame win Saturday night and we'll back. Here's a link to ESPN's "power rankings."
LINK: ESPN COLLEGE FOOTBALL POWER RANKINGS
Ever since the ten turnover nightmare, the Irish have been digging themselves out of a self-inflicted hole called 0 and 2. While still not cracking the Top 25 AP or Coaches Poll -- a Notre Dame win Saturday night and we'll back. Here's a link to ESPN's "power rankings."
LINK: ESPN COLLEGE FOOTBALL POWER RANKINGS
Monday, October 17, 2011
Here's Lane Kiffin on 710 AM Talkin' Irish...
University of Southern California head football coach Lane Kiffin was on the radio today in Los Angeles talkin' with Mark Willard about Saturday's game with our IRISH. Here's a link to the interview on 710 AM:
LINK: LANE KIFFIN ON THE RADIO
LINK: LANE KIFFIN ON THE RADIO
A New Video Feature @ ND -- IRISH UPDATE
The folks at UND.COM have "upped their game" big time over the past twelve months -- knocking out plenty of new content on a consistent basis! I really like what they're doing.
Here's a new program called IRISH UPDATE -- which will be a weekly effort showcasing the 'olympic' sports at Notre Dame.
LINK: IRISH UPDATE
Here's a new program called IRISH UPDATE -- which will be a weekly effort showcasing the 'olympic' sports at Notre Dame.
LINK: IRISH UPDATE
Five Days to USC -- But Who's Counting...
It's the week Notre Dame and USC fans get excited for every season. Had the Irish not have "given away" their first two games of the season, this would have been THEE GAME in college football. The boys in Vegas have ND has 8.5 pt. favorites over the Trojans. Here's a few stories coming out of the "left coast:"
LINK: SUNDAY PRACTICE AT USC
LINK: SB NATION -- LOS ANGELES
LINK: LA TIMES
LINK: ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
LINK: ESPN LA
LINK: NBC SPORTS
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Rocket Relives His Two TD Returns @ Michigan
You just got to love Rocket Ismail -- Notre Dame needs to hire him... He sure can tell a story.
LINK: IRISH CONNECTION
LINK: IRISH CONNECTION
Notre Dame's Path to #1 All-Time Winning %
Folks, with little to do on a non-ND football weekend, I thought I'd work on a "math problem" for our Irish. As many of you may know, our football team's woes over the past twenty seasons has dropped us behind that school in Ann Arbor in "ALL-TIME WINNING PERCENTAGE."
We can reclaim that title this season! Here's how we get that done:
Current All-Time Winning Percentage as of October 16, 2011:
- Michigan: .73522%
- NOTRE DAME: .73232%
Now, here's what we need to happen yet this season. Michigan needs to lose 4 of their next 5 games. Here's how that happens:
- Purdue at Michigan -- Michigan wins
- Michigan at Iowa -- Iowa wins
- Michigan at Illinois -- Illinois wins
- Nebraska at Michigan -- Nebraska wins
- Ohio State at Michigan -- Ohio State wins
And, the Irish win all of their last six games!
Here's what the All-Time Winning % will look like at the end of the 2011 regular season:
- NOTRE DAME: .73367%
- Michigan: .73306%
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