Thursday, December 29, 2011
KeiVarae Russell Commits to Notre Dame!
KeiVarae Russell, one of the top running backs on the West Coast, announced his college choice today at 3 PM ET -- and he chose to wear the GOLD HELMET!
The US Army All-American and 7th ranked "athlete" in the country will play running back for the Irish!
You can watch the LIVE ANNOUNCEMENT at the link below:
LINK: KEIVARAE RUSSELL DECISION DAY -- LIVE ANNOUNCEMENT
LINK: NEWS STORY ABOUT KEIVARAE RUSSELL
LINK: KEIVARAE RECRUITING PROFILE
LINK: KEIVARAE INTERVIEW
Must Read: Matt Mulvey's "Red Hat Diaries"
He wears uniform #17 and he's been standing right next to Brian Kelly for every Notre Dame football game the past two seasons. You'll see him again today on ESPN, signaling in every IRISH offensive play.
For the past seven days, Matthew Mulvey (Senior out of Del Mar, CA) has been reporting on his experiences at the CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL in what he calls the "RED HAT DIARIES." You'll enjoy this!
LINK: THE RED HAT DIARIES
For the past seven days, Matthew Mulvey (Senior out of Del Mar, CA) has been reporting on his experiences at the CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL in what he calls the "RED HAT DIARIES." You'll enjoy this!
LINK: THE RED HAT DIARIES
Champs Sports Bowl: Weather Forecast
All you need to know is this -- the GOLD HELMETS will be in FULL SHINE mode prior to kick-off -- and when the lights go on in OrlaNDo's Citrus Bowl Stadium they will go into ULTRA SHINE mode. Great day for football with the temps in the mid to upper 60's. Irish caught a break with the game temps! Here's the link to the hourly forecast for today's Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando:
LINK: THE WEATHER CHANNEL -- CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL FORECAST
Champs Sports Bowl: The "Experts" Predict...
Took a lap around the web this morning to check in on the media experts and their predictions for the Champs Sports Bowl game this evening (5:30 PM ET) between Notre Dame and Florida State. Just click on the links below:
LINK: ESPN BLOG
LINK: ACC SPORTS JOURNAL
LINK: NBC SPORTS
LINK: CHICAGO TRIBUNE
LINK: ESPN
LINK: FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE
LINK: TAMPA BAY TIMES
LINK: OBSERVER
LINK: TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT
LINK: CHICAGO SUN TIMES
LINK: ASSOCIATED PRESS
LINK: CSN CHICAGO
LINK: PALM BEACH POST
LINK: ATHLON SPORTS
It's GAME DAY! Irish Beat Seminoles Today!
It's less than nine hours to kick-off when "HISTORY'S TEAM" takes on that school from northern Florida in the Champs Sports Bowl.
To get ND fans fired up for this game -- I take you back to a November in 1993 when #1 FSU visited then #2 ND. Folks all over the world tuned-in to NBC's telecast that day to see this introduction and Bob Costas at his best. Enjoy!
LINK: NBC'S INTRO TO ND'S GAME AGAINST FSU IN 1993
To get ND fans fired up for this game -- I take you back to a November in 1993 when #1 FSU visited then #2 ND. Folks all over the world tuned-in to NBC's telecast that day to see this introduction and Bob Costas at his best. Enjoy!
LINK: NBC'S INTRO TO ND'S GAME AGAINST FSU IN 1993
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Will Clements Be Penn State's Next Coach?
Don't be surprised if former Notre Dame QB Tom Clements is named, this week, the next head football coach at Penn State University.
Just hours ago, the rumored front-runner, Mike Munchak denied any interest in the position. Clements, the QB coach of the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers, has been very open in his desire to get this gig. Sure hope he does!
LINK: TOM CLEMENTS TO PENN STATE?
Just hours ago, the rumored front-runner, Mike Munchak denied any interest in the position. Clements, the QB coach of the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers, has been very open in his desire to get this gig. Sure hope he does!
LINK: TOM CLEMENTS TO PENN STATE?
Champs Sports Bowl: First Wednesday Update
The gang at UND.COM has been busy "having fun" down in OrlaNDo with the Fighting Irish. Here's a look at what the Irish did off the field yesterday. Get ready to ride a roller coaster!!!
LINK: IRISH IN ORLANDO
LINK: CHAMPS BOWL PRESS CONFERENCE
Irish Beat #22 Pitt @ Home -- 28 Straight Wins!
Playing their best game of the year -- Mike Brey's Fighting Irish defeated the #22 ranked Pitt Panthers last night.
WOW!
The win extends ND's home winning streak to 28 games and puts the IRISH in FIRST PLACE tie in the BIG EAST! Here's the game highlights along with Coach Brey's post game comments and what the two team's local papers had to say about the game. A BIG WIN FOR THE IRISH!
LINK: IRISH BEAT PITT
LINK: COACH BREY WITH MEDIA
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY
LINK: PITTSBURGH POST GAZETTE STORY
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Rumor: Michigan & ND to End Football Series
There's a rumor flying around this evening on the Michigan fan boards that an announcement could come, as soon as tomorrow, that the football series between Michigan and Notre Dame will end. Irish fans may recall an announcement last year that the two teams had agreed to a 25-year extension of the home & home series. Well, the rumor is the contract was never signed and Michigan wants out of the game.
I sure hope this is not the case... Stay tuned!
LINK: MICHIGAN vs. NOTRE DAME WIKIPEDIA
Great Piece On Irish Hockey: Onward to Victory!
The Fighting Irish will be playing hockey on New Year's Eve against Boston University at 7:05 PM ET on VERSUS. The folks at UND.COM produced a wonderful piece to entice you to TUNE-IN. You'll enjoy this!
LINK: ONWARD TO VICTORY
Champs Sports Bowl: Tuesday Irish Update
As we've come to expect, the folks at UND.COM caught Coach Kelly after practice. Here's a link to his interview:
LINK: COACH KELLY
LINK: COACH KELLY
Monday, December 26, 2011
ESPN's Gottlieb Tells His Notre Dame Story
Doug Gottlieb is an on-air personality at ESPN. You'll hear him on the radio and you'll see him talk college basketball and other sports from time to time on TV.
What some Notre Dame fans might now know about Gottlieb is he's a former Irish student-athlete. Unfortunately, Doug Gottlieb made some mistakes while at Notre Dame and he was asked to leave school.
Gottlieb recently gave a little more detail about his departure from ND. Here's a link to the Los Angeles Times story:
LINK: GOTTLIEB TALKS ABOUT HIS PROBLEMS AT ND
What some Notre Dame fans might now know about Gottlieb is he's a former Irish student-athlete. Unfortunately, Doug Gottlieb made some mistakes while at Notre Dame and he was asked to leave school.
Gottlieb recently gave a little more detail about his departure from ND. Here's a link to the Los Angeles Times story:
LINK: GOTTLIEB TALKS ABOUT HIS PROBLEMS AT ND
Champs Sports Bowl: Monday Irish Update
The gang at UND.COM are down in Orlando this week with the Fighting Irish football team as they gear up for Thursday's bowl game against Florida State. Here's a couple of their video stories today:
LINK: COACH KELLY AFTER PRACTICE
LINK: IRISH CONNECTION -- INSIDE BOWL PRACTICE
LINK: INSIDE NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL
Champs Sports Bowl: Coach Kelly & Media
The University of Notre Dame football team is in Orlando preparing for Thursday's bowl game against Florida State University. After Sunday's practice (Christmas Day) Coach Kelly spent a few minutes with the assembled media. Click on the link below:
LINK: COACH KELLY AFTER PRACTICE
Notre Dame's Most Popular Student-Athlete!
For the first time in the history of Notre Dame Athletics -- its most popular athlete with the media doesn't wear a GOLD HELMET.
This honor goes to a female student-athlete by the name of SKYLAR DIGGINS -- Father Ted must be beaming!
In the past five weeks, ESPN has produced two significant stories about Skylar that speaks to her playing ability, her popularity (cult status) and her beauty. In fact, they've even gone so far as calling her the "game changer" that women's basketball has been waiting for. Take a look:
LINK: BALANCING ACT
LINK: THE NEXT BIG THING
This honor goes to a female student-athlete by the name of SKYLAR DIGGINS -- Father Ted must be beaming!
In the past five weeks, ESPN has produced two significant stories about Skylar that speaks to her playing ability, her popularity (cult status) and her beauty. In fact, they've even gone so far as calling her the "game changer" that women's basketball has been waiting for. Take a look:
LINK: BALANCING ACT
LINK: THE NEXT BIG THING
Armando Allen Gets First Game Action in NFL
Former University of Notre Dame running back Armando Allen got his first taste of life in the National Football League, last night, gaining 40 yards on eleven carries for the Bears in their nationally televised game against the Packers at Lambeau Field. Allen, who was injured much of his senior season at ND, was signed by the Bears on September 5th to their practice squad and was placed on the active roster (earlier in the week) for this game. That's Armando in his new #25 in the photo.
I am very happy for ArmaNDo!
LINK: CHICAGO SUN TIMES STORY
LINK: BEARS ACTIVATE ARMANDO
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Notre Dame Football Takes Over OrlaNDo!
The folks at UND.COM along with Mike Golic, Jr., Brandon Newman and a number of their Irish football teammates have been chronicling their time in Orlando for the Champs Sports Bowl. Enjoy!
LINK: CHRISTMAS EVE IN ORLANDO
LINK: CHRISTMAS DAY IN ORLANDO
LINK: CHRISTMAS NIGHT IN ORLANDO
A ND Christmas Blessing From Father Jenkins
Here is the University of Notre Dame's 17th president -- Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., with his Christmas Blessing for the Notre Dame Family:
LINK: A CHRISTMAS BLESSING FROM NOTRE DAME
Merry Christmas to the Notre Dame Family!
Went looking around the web this morning for a recent video of the Notre Dame Glee Club singing a Christmas carol. Found this impromptu performance on campus (11/20/11) instead. ENJOY!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Our Team, Our Story: Champs Sports Bowl
The gang at UND.COM is keeping busy. Here's their first report from Orlando and the Champs Sports Bowl. Click on the link:
LINK: OUR TEAM OUR STORY -- NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL
IRISH Athletes Talk About Christmas Memories
A nice feature on a number of NOTRE DAME ATHLETES talking about Christmas, created by the gang at UND.COM.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
LINK: NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Latest News on Gunner Kiel's College Choice
Five-star QB Gunner Kiel is expected to announce his college choice in the next 24 hours -- though I wouldn't be surprised if this might wait for a few more days.
Folks at LSU believe he made his choice -- as rumors are flying around the web this morning that Kiel called LSU coach Les Miles, last night, to say he was committing to the Tigers. The sentiment of many ND fans, on the web, is he's probably BAYOU BOUND.
However, didn't ND fans think another Five-star recruit was headed to another school (three years ago) with an "S & U" in its name -- and he (Manti Teo) shocked most recruiting experts when he chose the FIGHTING IRISH instead! Stay tuned...
First Photo From Champs Sports Bowl: ND1
This photo of the Notre Dame Football Equipment Truck (AKA: ND1) was just "tweeted" from Orlando's Citrus Bowl -- site of next Thursday's CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL. Photo tweeted by @NDirishfan91 Ross Pepin. Here's a link to a blog story about ND's arrival in Orlando:
LINK: ND FOOTBALL ARRIVES IN ORLANDO
Santa Claus Comes Tomorrow!!!
I've spent twelve wonderful months working with a world-class team at Western Michigan University. In this job I was introduced to one of WMU's greatest assets -- a vocal jazz performance group called GOLD COMPANY. They are terrific!
Enjoy their rendition of JINGLE BELLS -- and share it with a friend who needs to SMILE TODAY!
Paint That Can Power the Planet -- ONLY ND!
A team of University of Notre Dame scientists have developed a paint that they believe can harness the power of the sun and turn it into electricity.
It's called SUN-BELIEVABLE PAINT.
Now, the description of what they've developed here, WHICH IS AMAZING, is just a little over my head. So, I'll leave it to the folks at the South Bend Tribune who have reported this story. Incredible!
LINK: HARNESSING THE SUN'S POWER
Cal-State All Star Game: AKA "Tee & Dee Show"
Tee Shepard and Deontay Greenberry -- both University of Notre Dame football commits -- put on a show last night in Clovis, CA in the CAL-STATE ALL STAR GAME.
The game matched some of the top players in high school football in the state of California -- and the stars of the game: TWO FUTURE ND FOOTBALL PLAYERS!
I won't spoil how well they played -- you can click on the links below for the details and game hightlights:
LINK: FRESNO STARS SHOW THE WAY!
LINK: VIDEO NEWS STORY
LINK: GAME HIGHLIGHTS
The game matched some of the top players in high school football in the state of California -- and the stars of the game: TWO FUTURE ND FOOTBALL PLAYERS!
I won't spoil how well they played -- you can click on the links below for the details and game hightlights:
LINK: FRESNO STARS SHOW THE WAY!
LINK: VIDEO NEWS STORY
LINK: GAME HIGHLIGHTS
Friday, December 23, 2011
The Irish Begin Arriving in OrlaNDo Today!
The Orlando Sentinel caught up with Coach Kelly today to talk about next Thursday's Champs Sports Bowl with Florida State University. The entire team will be in Orlando by tomorrow. You've got to love how that GOLD HELMET shines! Here's a link to all of the news coverage:
LINK: IRISH BEGIN ARRIVING IN ORLANDO
LINK: COACH KELLY AT AIRPORT
LINK: CHANNEL 47 - NEWS COVERAGE OF IRISH ARRIVAL
LINK: COACH KELLY WITH UND.COM
LINK: IRISH BEGIN ARRIVING IN ORLANDO
LINK: COACH KELLY AT AIRPORT
LINK: CHANNEL 47 - NEWS COVERAGE OF IRISH ARRIVAL
LINK: COACH KELLY WITH UND.COM
A Book You Should Add to Your ND Library!
I just started reading the book entitled; "Notre Dame: Where Have You Gone?" by the South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen and Sideline Communication's Paul Guido. It covers a subject many Notre Dame fans often wonder about -- what are the former players who donned the GOLD HELMET doing today? It's a MUST HAVE for Notre Dame fans! Here's how you can purchase a copy:
LINK: PURCHASE THE BOOK RIGHT HERE!
LINK: PURCHASE THE BOOK RIGHT HERE!
The Spirit of du lac
I've watched this video many, many times -- and it still gives me chills. Enjoy!
LINK: SPIRIT OF DU LAC
Thursday, December 22, 2011
I've Been Given the Gift of Notre Dame...
Earlier today, the University of Notre Dame officially announced that I would be joining their team as Senior Director of Marketing & Communications -- effective January 16, 2012.
A very humbling and special moment for my family and me.
A very humbling and special moment for my family and me.
Notre Dame's "on-boarding" process, which I began this morning, led me to a conference room where I would meet my teammates for the first time. While I awaited their arrival, I found myself staring at this quote -- etched into the room's glass wall:
“This college will be one of the most powerful means of doing good in the country.”
It was taken from a letter written by Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., just days after he founded Notre Dame in 1842.
Who would have ever dreamed an Irish Catholic kid from Mecosta County (Michigan), Chippewa Hills High School and Ferris State University would be given the opportunity of sharing the Notre Dame story with the world.
A story Fr. Sorin began crafting 169 years earlier...
Unfortunately, I'll be leaving an extremely talented team (led by Jim Thomas) at Western Michigan University -- and some wonderful alumni -- all who have made me feel part of the WMUFAMILY. It's been a magical year in Kalamazoo that I will never forget. THANK YOU!
Yes, I've been given the "GIFT" of the University of Notre Dame -- it will be an honor to serve HER mission!
LINK: I KNOW SHE'S SMILING IN HEAVEN TODAY
Barkley to Return to USC -- ND Football Happy!
If you listened to sports talk radio this afternoon you would have heard the 2012 Heisman winner was determined today when USC QB Matt Barkley said he would return for his senior season.
NOT SO FAST MY FRIENDS!
Now, the best thing to come out of today's news is the ND Football team should be thrilled with the prospects of having one more shot at USC with Barkley at the helm. I wouldn't want it any other way! Here's the story:
LINK: LA TIMES STORY
No Doubt He's a Notre Dame Man: Dayne Crist
Former Notre Dame QB Dayne Crist -- announced today that he would be playing at the University of Kansas next year for Charlie Weis. Crist, who was spotted at Twelve Oaks Mall (Novi, MI) yesterday with his girlfriend -- granted an interview with the Observer on Wednesday. Suffice to say -- he's a class act. You'll enjoy this story along with Eric Hansen's story at the South Bend Tribune:
LINK: A NOTRE DAME MAN
LINK: CRIST CHOOSES CHARLIE
Notre Dame to Honor Adrian Dantley!
Former two-time IRISH All American, Olympic Gold Medalist, National Player of the Year, Naismith National Basketball Hall of Famer, two-time NBA scoring champion and NBA Hall of Famer, Adrian Dantley -- will be honored by his alma mater on March 2nd when he's enshrined in Purcell Pavillion's RING OF HONOR. It's an honor well deserved! Here's a link to the story at UND.COM along with a video of his career produced by NBA-TV: You've just got to love the uniforms Digger designed for the Fighting Irish back in the day -- they were the coolest in college basketball!
LINK: DANTLEY TO BE HONORED
LINK: ADRIAN DANTLEY -- NBA VIDEO
LINK: DANTLEY TO BE HONORED
LINK: ADRIAN DANTLEY -- NBA VIDEO
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
USC Couldn't Steal This Dynamic Duo From ND!
Tee Shepard (my favorite recruit in this class) and Deontay Greenberry two of Notre Dame's most highly sought after recruits -- took a visit this weekend to that school in Los Angeles. For a day or so, ND fans were concerned that the Trojans may have convinced Tee and Deontay to de-commit from the IRISH. Fortunately, that does not seem to be the case! Here's the NBC Sports story on the cousins from northern California:
LINK: AN IRISH GUARANTEE
This Just Might Be Notre Dame's QB Recruit!
His name is Devin Fuller and he's one of the top players on the East Coast and Rivals #2 ranked QB in the country. He's got a big arm and some very fast feet. Fuller, out of Old Tappan HS in New Jersey, has yet to visit Notre Dame -- though the word is the IRISH are hot on his trail. Might tell us something about what our coaching staff thinks about our chances with Gunner Kiel. This young man would be EXCITING in a GOLD HELMET!
LINK: DEVIN FULLER HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
LINK: DEVIN FULLER RIVALS PROFILE
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Photo of the Day: ND-1 Heads to Florida!!!
The University of Notre Dame's football equipment truck (ND-1) left campus today for the drive to Orlando, FL and the Champs Sports Bowl. The Irish will arrive in Orlando on Saturday to begin final preparation for next Thursday's bowl game. ND fans between Indiana and Florida should keep an eye out for the truck!
The Irish Football Team Having Some Fun!
The University of Notre Dame football team celebrated their last night in South Bend -- before heading home and then on to Orlando for the Champs Sports Bowl -- at Strikes & Spares. Bowling, Go Karts, Putt-Putt and some shenanigans -- all in a good night of fun for the Irish! Here's a link to the highlights:
LINK: HAVING SOME FUN
Sports Illustrated's High School All-Americans
The editorial staff at Sports Illustrated announced their High School All-American team today and if you follow Notre Dame football recruiting you'll find a couple of familiar names on the list. Here's a link to the team:
LINK: SPORTS ILLUSTRATED'S HIGH SCHOOL ALL-AMERICANS
Monday, December 19, 2011
Troy Murphy Signs Contract With LA Lakers
Former Notre Dame basketball star Troy Murphy signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers today for $1.4 million. Modest by NBA standards, Murphy is coming off a season where he had a serious back injury and didn't play much at all. Here's a link to the story:
LINK: TROY MURPHY SIGNS WITH LAKERS
LINK: TROY MURPHY SIGNS WITH LAKERS
ESPN Blog Interview -- Manti Teo Stayin' @ ND
The folks at ESPN caught up with University of Notre Dame All-American Manti Teo to talk about his decision to return for his senior year with the Fighting Irish. It's a story that's been told a few times, but -- I don't mind reading it over and over... Here's the link:
LINK: ESPN'S INTERVIEW OF MANTI
LINK: ESPN'S INTERVIEW OF MANTI
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Irish Give Kentucky Their First Loss of Season
Muffet McGraw's 3rd ranked Fighting Irish beat the undefeated Kentucky Wildcats 92 - 83 today in front of a SOLD-OUT Purcell Pavillion! Here's a link to some of the post game coverage:
LINK: POST GAME PRESSER
LINK: GAME HIGHLIGHTS
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE
LINK: ESPN
Notre Dame on TV -- Sunday, December 18
If your NFL team isn't playing as well as you would like and you're looking for something else to watch -- ND fans have OPTIONS today! At 1:00 PM ET, Muffet's 3rd ranked Fighting Irish will take on the #7 ranked Kentucky Wildcats on ESPNU. Then at 4:00 PM ET -- the University of Notre Dame's Compton Family Ice Arena will play host to the Brian Boitano Skating Spectacular on NBC. This two-hour TV special includes the band Chicago, The Band of the Fighting Irish, South Bend's 14 year-old Isabela Nanni and other surprises! Here's a sneak peak at their rehearsal:
LINK: CHICAGO AND BOITANO
The Mornin' After Going Without A Field Goal...
Notre Dame fans watched our Irish go almost 16 minutes (end of first half and start of second half) without a field goal -- nearly half of the game -- in a 69 - 58 loss to Indiana yesterday in the Close The Gap Crossroads Classic. Add in eleven misses at the free throw line and you had a game that was tough to watch. Here's what the media has to say about our Irish basketball team along with Coach Brey's post game press conference:
LINK: COACH BREY PRESS CONFERENCE
LINK: INDIANAPOLIS STAR
LINK: ESPN BLOG
LINK: FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE
LINK: CHICAGO TRIBUNE
LINK: NEWS SENTINEL
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE
Swarbrick Talks Independence With SBT
University of Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick answered some questions from the folks at the South Bend Tribune on a variety of subjects; football independence, NBC, Big East, paying student-athletes and more. Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story:
LINK: SWARBRICK INTERVIEW
LINK: SWARBRICK INTERVIEW
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Irish vs. Indiana on ESPN2 Today at 4:30 PM ET
Mike Brey's Fighting Irish travel to Indianapolis today to play in the Close The Gap Crossroad Classic against the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers. ND fans can catch the game on ESPN2 at 4:30 PM ET. Here's some game notes:
LINK: NOTRE DAME TO PLAY INDIANA
LINK: NOTRE DAME TO PLAY INDIANA
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