THE PHOTO OF THE NIGHT -- WINNING!

Young lady -- you led the IRISH to one of its guttiest wins of all time -- we're so proud of you and your teammates!  GO IRISH!!!!

Here's a link to what ESPN is sayin' right now...

LINK:  ESPN'S FIRST TAKE ON IRISH WIN!

Fourth Photo of the Night -- NEXT!!!!

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame -- move on to the National Championship game Tuesday night against Texas A&M.  ND beat UCONN 72 - 63!

Third Photo of the Night -- Skylar Diggans!

This young lady -- assumed the mantle of the top player in college basketball tonight -- and what a time to do just that!!!

Second Photo of the Night! -- The Fighting Irish!

The Lady Irish have been the toughest team in America the past two weeks -- THE FIGHTING IRISH ARE BACK!!!

First Photo of the Night! -- Sorry Geno!!!

 

UCONN Coach Geno Auriemma -- thinking about where he's going to watch the Irish play on Tuesday night!

TAKE THAT ESPN! -- IRISH ON TO TUESDAY!

We had to listen to the ESPN "UCONN SPECIAL -- for more than two hours -- yet, they can shut up now -- CUZ THE IRISH ARE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!!!  GO IRISH!!!!

If you'd like to watch the replay -- it's right here:

LINK:  REPLAY OF IRISH'S WIN OVER UCONN!!

LINK:  INDY STAR -- GAME RECAP

4 Hours to the IRISH BEAT DOWN of UCONN!

I can feel it!!!!

We're four hours from the very best 40 minute performance -- of this season --  in women's college basketball.  THE IRISH ARE GOING TO WIN!!!  Here's a last look at ND from yesterday and a preview of tonight's game -- from our friends at UND.COM:

LINK:  ND vs. UCONN -- GAME PREVIEW

LINK:  IRISH OPEN PRACTICE

LINK:  IRISH VISIT THE INDY ZOO

ND's Chief Investment Officer -- National Award!

Scott Malpass, ND's "money guy" -- will receive Institutional Investor's "Large Endowment Manager of the Year" award -- at an event in NYC on May 16th.  Malpass manages Notre Dame's $6.2 billion endowment -- the 14th largest in Higher Education and the largest at any Catholic university.  Here's a link to Institutional Investor's announcement:

LINK:  SCOTT MALPASS GETS TOP HONOR!

ND Blue Gold Game -- First Weather Forecast

Here's the first look at weather for the Blue Gold Weekend at Notre Dame.  It won't be cold -- but, it might be a little wet.  Here you go:

LINK:  EARLY WEATHER FORECAST -- BLUE GOLD WEEKEND

ND Tight Ends -- UND.COM Feature

Here's a link to a UND.COM feature on the Tight End position at the University of Notre Dame.  Enjoy!

LINK:  A POSITION OF EXCELLENCE

ND Football's "Party on the Patio"

During Saturday's practice -- the ND Football program hosted 35 women from the University who have played a role in the Notre Dame Football program.  UND.COM was on hand to tell the event's story.  Here's the link:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S "PARTY ON THE PATIO"

Final Press Conferences @ THE FINAL FOUR

The good folks at UND.COM were working hard again yesterday in Indianapolis -- covering the final Press Conferences before tonight's game against UCONN.  Remember to take a nap this afternoon -- the game tips off around 9:30 PM ET!  Here are the links:

LINK:  MUFFET McGRAW'S -- FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PLAYERS -- FINAL FOUR PRESS CONFERENCE

Final Four Headquarters -- 13 Hours to Tip-Off!

Tonight's the night Notre Dame beats UCONN in women's basketball.  We're going to find a way to control Maya Moore -- and we're going to dominate the backboards.  I can feel it.  This is not as talented a team as we're use to seeing from Auriemma -- and, we match up quite well.  The key is this -- we need to win the first five minutes of the game.

To get you ready for tonight's contest -- here's a look around the media world this AM -- and all that is being said about THE GAME.  Remember -- tip off is slated for around 9:30 PM ET on ESPN. 

GO IRISH!!!

LINK:  INDIANAPOLIS STAR -- STORY #1

LINK:  ESPNW BLOG

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  USA TODAY

LINK:  THE TIMES LEADER 

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST

LINK:  SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS

LINK:  ABC NEWS

LINK:  SEATTLE POST INTELLIGENCER

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

LINK:  HARTFORD CURRENT

OT -- The Butler Bulldogs are Flying High!!

Here's a photo of the Butler Bulldog -- their mascot -- posing with the pilots on their flight to Houston.  Looks like the DOG will be on TV again Monday night!  Congratulations Butler -- OUR IRISH could learn something from you!!!

The Fighting Irish @ The Final Four!

Here's some interesting "behind the scenes" videos of the Fighting Irish getting ready for tomorrow's game against UCONN -- produced by the Women's Basketball Media Relations Team at ND.  Enjoy!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME IN INDY

LINK:  DAY 1 @ THE FINAL FOUR!

Irish Men's Golf -- A Fashion Statement?

Just saw this photo of Notre Dame's Chris Walker -- sporting the "knee high" socks on the golf course.  Do you think Chris might have lost a bet?  WOW!!!

Skylar Diggins -- All American!!!

Here is a video from this morning's announcement that Skylar Diggins was named to State Farm Coaches All American team.  Skylar is the third Notre Dame women's basketball player in history to be named to this ten member team (Ruth Riley 2001 - Jacqueline Bateast 2005).  Thanks to the gang at UND.COM for their quick turn around on this breaking story.  CONGRATULATIONS SKYLAR!!!

LINK:  SKYLAR DIGGINS -- ALL AMERICAN!

Will Coach Kelly Get a Jumbotron @ ND?

Coach Kelly made some news this week when he met with some students at Siegfried Hall on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.   Besides talking about some uniform changes for the Irish this fall -- he was asked a question whether he would like to see a "jumbotron" in Notre Dame Stadium.  His answer:  "YES..."

Last June, a Notre Dame alum -- who's an architect -- posted these architectural renderings (click on them to enlarge) of how he would re-design Notre Dame Stadium.  As you can see -- a JUMBOTRON is part of his proposed re-design in the south end of the Stadium -- opposite "Touchdown Jesus."  And, a few private suites to add to the Stadium's seating capacity.  What do you think?

Coach Brey -- Piling Up the National Awards!

University of Notre Dame Men's Basketball Coach -- Mike Brey, is going to need a bigger office on campus to showcase all of the hardware he's won over the past few weeks.  Yesterday, the Associated Press named Coach Brey their National Coach of the Year.  Ten days ago, the National Basketball Writers Association named him their National Coach of the Year -- as did Yahoo! Sports a few weeks prior.

Coach Brey has been awarded SEVEN (7) NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR HONORS this post season!

He was also named the Big East Coach of the Year -- the third time in the last five years.  Congratulations Coach!

LINK:  AP -- NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR

LINK:  USBWA -- NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR

LINK:  YAHOO! SPORTS -- NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR

LINK:  UND.COM -- VIDEO FEATURE

PHOTOS OF THE DAY: Irish @ Final Four!

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The Notre Dame Women's Basketball team is in Indianapolis for the Final Four -- last night, the teams walked the "red carpet" to attend an event called "Cirque du Salute."  These photos (courtesy of the Indianapolis Star) show the IRISH -- out of uniform -- not too shabby!!!  FYI:  Did you notice the  "Leprechaun" on top of the last photo -- an omen?!

Brothers' Atkinson -- Speed in the 'Bend!

When you find three minutes this weekend -- you're going to want to take a look at this highlight video of George Atkinson III.  George and his twin brother Josh are out of California -- and they'll both be playing for the Fighting Irish this fall.  (That's Josh on the left and George on the right in the photo.) George is an athlete who could play WR or RB in Brian Kelly's offense -- because he never gets tackled!!!  George has run the 100 Meters in 10.59 and the 200 Meters in 21.3.

Josh is expected to line up at defensive back for the Irish.  His best time in the 100 Meters is 10.57 -- and a 21.65 in the 200 Meters.  Josh's 100 Meter time was the 18th fastest in the country last year and George's was the 28th -- amongst the junior class in the USA.  Josh never received the level of national acclaim as George did -- but, I think that's going to change when he gets to South Bend.  These two young men are just what the "doctor" ordered for Notre Dame football.  They're going to be fun to watch!!!  Please click on the links below.

LINK:  GEORGE ATKINSON III -- HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LINK:  GEORGE ATKINSON III -- TRACK TIMES

LINK:  JOSH ATKINSON -- TRACK TIMES

LINK:  NATIONAL RANKINGS -- 100 METER DASH

Now the "LITTLE HOUSE" in Ann Arbor!!!

At 8:12 AM ET on Thursday, March 31st -- the ND GO IRISH BLOG surpassed the "capacity" of the largest football stadium in the country -- now to be forever called the "LITTLE HOUSE" in Ann Arbor.

ND GO IRISH BLOG regulars will recall our most recent goal here was to surpass the 109,901 UNIQUE VISITOR mark -- Michigan Stadium's seating capacity -- well, we kind of "BLUE" by that number over the past 24 hours.

A Notre Dame fan from Tuscaloosa, AL logged on yesterday morning to become "UNIQUE VISITOR #109,902" -- making ND GO IRISH BLOG the largest "college venue" in America!!! 

As of 4:41 PM EST -- we now have had 120,643 UNIQUE VISITORS to the ND GO IRISH BLOG since its launch in January of 2011.  It's been an unbelievable 36 hour period for traffic to this site -- with more than 17,000 Notre Dame fans visiting this blog.  THANK YOU!

Irish Arrive in INDY for the FINAL FOUR!

The Women's Final Four's official activities began Thursday night -- even though the Irish don't play UCONN until Sunday evening at 9:30 PM ET.  The photo above shows the Fighting Irish arriving at their Indianapolis  hotel.  Here's a link to UND.COM's coverage of the FINAL FOUR -- and the motorcade bringing the IRISH to town!

LINK:  IRISH AT THE FINAL FOUR!

Spring Practice #6 -- Notre Dame Football

Coach Kelly met with the media after Friday morning's practice at the University of Notre Dame.  This was practice #6 of fifteen (including the Blue Gold Game) for the Fighting Irish during the Spring Season.  Here's a link to the interview along with a second link to a UND.COM feature on the Linebackers:

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH THE MEDIA

LINK:  ND LINEBACKERS

PHOTOS OF THE DAY: ND Shamrock Helmets

Here's what the "shamrock" logo looked like on ND helmets in 1959 (top photo) and 1960 (bottom photo) -- you'll note the shamrock design changed quite dramatically.  Who knows what ND was thinking with the top photo?  Rumor has it that Coach Kuharich put the upside down shamrock on the 1959 helmet to change the luck of the football program.  I wonder what shamrock design the Irish will go with for the Michigan game?

Zibby -- "I Want to be World Champion!"

Former Notre Dame football star, Tommy Zbikowski -- sat down for an interview with a boxing writer from Sports Illustrated this week to talk about his professional boxing career.   Zibby has had a couple of pro fights the past three weeks during the NFL "hiatus."  Thought you'd enjoy this!

LINK:  TOMMY Z -- WORLD CHAMPION DREAMS

ND Football Uniform Design to Rival Oregon's?

Coach Kelly dropped a couple of "bombshells" when he met with students at Siegfried Hall this week -- the first was the "OLD SCHOOL" look for the Irish when they play Michigan this September...

However, the biggest bomb might be his comment that the IRISH will unveil a uniform, later in the season, that even Oregon isn't doing.  WHAT?  Looks like Adidas must be putting some pressure on ND to get on board with a strategy that will sell gear.  Stay tuned!

The Plane Crash That Changed Notre Dame

80 years ago today -- March 31, 1931 -- a plane crash in Bazaar, Kansas forever changed the University of Notre Dame.  A man by the name of Knute Rockne -- was unfortunately on that plane -- and his death shocked a nation, let alone a school in the "middle of nowhere."

Much has been written, much has been said -- in the eighty years since Rockne's death.  What's a given is this -- his legacy of success in football and the willingness to play "anyone -- anywhere" -- shaped the brand we know today as the University of Notre Dame.

Here's a link to a story written by The Republic -- concerning Rockne's untimely death:

LINK:  KNUTE ROCKNE'S DEATH

Irish Going "Old School" Against Michigan...

Brian Kelly, let some ND students know at Siegfried Hall today that the IRISH were going to go "old school" in their game in September against Michigan.  The Irish will be donning the "gold helmets" with the SHAMROCK. 

ND vs. USC -- This Year Under the Lights!

The University of Notre Dame "officially" announced today -- that the game October 22nd between the Fighting Irish and the Trojans from the University of Southern California will be played at 7:30 PM ET in Notre Dame Stadium.  The game -- in PRIME TIME on NBC -- will be a huge ratings winner!

A Notre Dame Man -- Jim Seymour R.I.P.

One of Notre Dame's finest -- joined Heaven's team yesterday.  Jim Seymour '69 lost his battle with cancer.  Our prayers go out to his wife and kids.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story:

LINK:  JIM SEYMOUR

Spring Practice #5 -- Notre Dame Football

Here's a few links to UND.COM's coverage today of Notre Dame Football.  Just click on the links below:

LINK:  THE OFFENSIVE LINE

LINK:  ND QB -- HELMET CAM

LINK:  DEFENSIVE BACK FEATURE

A Knute Rockne Story You'll Like

I received an email this evening from Jeanette O'Toole -- who alerted me to her husband Tom's blog called "FIGHTING IRISH THOMAS."  Thought you'd enjoy Tom O'Toole's love of the IRISH -- and his blog story on Knute Rockne.  Thanks for the nice note Jeanette!

LINK:  FIGHTING IRISH THOMAS

Diggin's Diary -- Latest At ESPNW

The Dayton Regional's Most Outstanding Player -- Skylar Diggins, has been writing a daily diary for the folks at ESPNW -- here's a link to her post from yesterday:

LINK:  DIGGIN'S DIARY

Best 30 Hrs. In Notre Dame Sports History!

If you look at a 30 hour window of time -- from 3:15 PM on Sunday, March 27th to 9:15 PM on Monday, March 28th -- and what three Notre Dame athletic teams accomplished in their sport -- it might be the greatest 30 hours in Irish Athletics history!

First, Notre Dame's Fencing team won their eighth National Championship.  Then, a few hours later, Notre Dame's Men's Hockey team won their game earning a spot in the NCAA Frozen Four and then last night, Notre Dame's Women's Basketball team beat #1 seed Tennessee (the first time ever) to earn a spot in the NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four.

I challenge the ND sports historians to come up with a more productive 30 hour period in Notre Dame sports history!!!

Here's a few links to the GREATEST 30 HOURS IN NOTRE DAME SPORTS HISTORY!

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE -- FENCING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE -- HOCKEY FINAL FOUR BOUND

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE -- BASKETBALL FINAL FOUR BOUND

Tennessee WHO? -- IRISH ON TO FINAL FOUR!

Once upon a time -- Notre Dame couldn't beat a team whose band could only play one song.  Well, that ended tonight in Dayton.  The Fighting Irish led the #1 seed Lady Vols from "start to finish" -- bringing to end two streaks;  Tennessee's 25 game winning streak this season and ND's 20 game losing streak to Tennessee.  Final score:  ND 73 - TENN 59.

THE IRISH ARE ON THEIR WAY TO THE FINAL FOUR!!!!

Skylar Diggins -- was the best player on the floor tonight and Becka Bruszewski was the toughest.  And, for Irish fans -- having to listen to a PRO TENNESSEE broadcast from our "friends" at ESPN -- it was a good thing we won!!!

Here's a couple of links to ESPN's recap of the game -- and UND.COM's coverage of the celebration!!!

LINK:  CUTTIN' DOWN THE NETS

LINK:  ESPN BLOG  

LINK:  UND.COM -- POSTGAME CELEBRATION

Ben Hansbrough -- 2nd Team AP All-American

University of Notre Dame's Ben Hansbrough -- collected another honor today -- selection to the AP's All-America Second Team for Men's College Basketball.  The Big East Player of the Year -- will probably be receiving a few more honors over the next few weeks!  CONGRATULATIONS BEN!  Here's a link to the SportsIllustrated.COM story:

LINK:  HANSBROUGH NAMED AN ALL-AMERICAN

Urban Meyer -- Reports on Notre Dame Football

The former ND Assistant Coach -- was back on the Notre Dame campus for the first time since his days on the staff of Lou Holtz.  Meyer has since won a couple of National Championships for a school south of the "Mason Dixon Line."  It seemed kind of odd -- seeing him interviewing Brian Kelly.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  URBAN ON THE IRISH

Irish Women Take on Tennessee Vols Tonight!

Muffet McGraw's Fighting Irish take on Pat Summitt's Vols in a battle to see which team will head on to the FINAL FOUR in Indianapolis.  Tennessee is the #1 seed in the Dayton Regional and Notre Dame is the #2 seed -- should be a great ballgame!  IRISH FANS SHOULD NOTE:  Notre Dame has never beat Tennessee in women's basketball -- we're 0 - 20.  That's going to change tonight!!!  Tip off is scheduled for 7 PM ET on ESPN.  Here's a link to some of the stories pre-viewing tonight's matchup:


LINK:  GO VOLS EXTRA

LINK:  DAYTON HERALD

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  ROCKY TOP TALK

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Here Come The Irish -- NCAA Frozen Four!

Jeff Jackson's "young" Fighting Irish moved one step closer to Notre Dame's first national championship in hockey last night with a 2 - 1 win over New Hampshire in Manchester, NH.  The win means the Irish get to travel to the NCAA Frozen Four -- April 7th in Saint Paul, MN -- to take on another "home state" team as they play Minnesota Duluth in the National Semi-Final game.  ND goalie Mike Johnson had 37 saves and Billy Mayday scored the game winner with 5 seconds left in the second period.  Here's some video from last night's game from our friends at UND.COM and some of the game stories.  GO IRISH!

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  ON ICE & LOCKERROOM CELEBRATION

LINK:  FINAL 10 SECONDS OF THE GAME

LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  MANCHESTER EXAMINER

LINK:  NBC'S PRO HOCKEY TALK

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

ND Fencing Wins National Championship!

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame clinched their 8th National Championship this afternoon!  Here's a link to the LIVE web feed of the final events at the NCAA National Championships and a link to the 2011NCAA Fencing National Championship highlights.  Someone needs to design a "GOLD" Fencing Helmet for the Irish!!!  CONGRATULATIONS IRISH!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FENCING -- NATIONAL CHAMPS!

LINK:  VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Spring Practice #3 -- Saturday's Irish Recap!

I can't say enough nice things about what's happened over at UND.COM over the past year.  The coverage is so much better!!!  THANK YOU!  Here's a few links to their coverage of Notre Dame Football's third practice of the Spring, Coach Kelly's post practice media session and a look back at the 2011 Football Coaches Clinic at Notre Dame these past few days.  You're going to enjoy the practice video -- WOW!!!  Here you go:

LINK:  PRACTICE VIDEO

LINK:  COACH KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  COACHES CLINIC RECAP

IRISH Win In OT -- Play Again Tonight!

Jeff Jackson's Fighting Irish -- overcame a 2 - 0 first period deficit and a 3 - 1 deficit in the second period to tie the game early in the third -- taking the game into overtime.  Notre Dame freshman, Anders Lee's goal in OT -- was the game winner, leading the Irish to a 4 - 3 win over Merrimack College.  The win pits the Irish against New Hampshire -- in a game tonight (on New Hampshire's home ice) at 8 PM EDT.  The game will be televised on ESPNU -- LIVE -- beginning at 8 PM.  Here's a link to the game stories -- along with links to UND.COM's coverage:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  BOSTON GLOBE

LINK:  THE UNION LEADER

LINK:  BOSTON HERALD

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS -- UND.COM

LINK:  ON ICE CELEBRATION -- UND.COM

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE -- UND.COM

IRISH Destroy Sooners -- Volunteers Next!!!

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame defeated the Oklahoma Sooners yesterday afternoon by the score of 78 - 53, a beat down!!  The win advances the Irish to the ELITE EIGHT -- for the third time in school history -- and a game against Pat Summit and her Lady Vols.  The game will take place tomorrow -- Monday at 7 PM EDT on ESPN.  Here's a link to a few of the stories about yesterday's win -- and a link to UND.COM's converage:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- STORY #1

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- STORY #2

LINK:  THE NORMAN TRANSCRIPT

LINK:  KNOXVILLE NEWS

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS -- UND.COM

LINK:  PLAYERS PRESS CONFERENCE -- UND.COM

LINK  MUFFET'S PRESS CONFERENCE -- UND.COM