Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Must See TV: Semper Fidelis Bowl @ 6 PM ET
Notre Dame fans will want to find the CBS SPORTS NETWORK on their cable system this afternoon -- because at 6 PM ET the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl will be televised.
This inaugural all-star game from Phoenix will feature a few future IRISH stars: Tee Shepard (wearing jersey #2 for the WEST), Deontay Greenberry (wearing jersey #1 for the WEST), Justin Ferguson (wearing jersey #10 for the EAST), Mark Harrell (wearing jersey #74 for the EAST), Sheldon Day (wearing jersey #91 for the EAST) and Ronnie Stanley (wearing jersey #79 for the WEST). Five of the six ND commits are in the photo above.
Should be great fun! Here's the link to the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl website along with a link to the CBS SPORTS NETWORK site -- and a tool to assist you in finding their channel in your area:
LINK: SEMPER FIDELIS ALL-AMERICAN BOWL
LINK: WHERE TO FIND THE CBS SPORTS NETWORK WHERE YOU LIVE
This inaugural all-star game from Phoenix will feature a few future IRISH stars: Tee Shepard (wearing jersey #2 for the WEST), Deontay Greenberry (wearing jersey #1 for the WEST), Justin Ferguson (wearing jersey #10 for the EAST), Mark Harrell (wearing jersey #74 for the EAST), Sheldon Day (wearing jersey #91 for the EAST) and Ronnie Stanley (wearing jersey #79 for the WEST). Five of the six ND commits are in the photo above.
Should be great fun! Here's the link to the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl website along with a link to the CBS SPORTS NETWORK site -- and a tool to assist you in finding their channel in your area:
LINK: SEMPER FIDELIS ALL-AMERICAN BOWL
LINK: WHERE TO FIND THE CBS SPORTS NETWORK WHERE YOU LIVE
Monday, January 2, 2012
OT: Oregon's Helmet for Rose Bowl Game
Folks, the gang at NIKE did not miss an opportunity today to show off their brand at the Rose Bowl.
I have to admit, this Oregon helmet looks pretty awesome -- kind of makes the Wisconsin helmet look like amateur hour...
We'll have to see how they look on TV this afternoon. I do like how the facemask is painted to match the helmet. Thought the IRISH should have done the same with its new helmet this year. Maybe next year?
You have to see the video below. There are concerns that the "glare" may cause problems for Oregon's receivers. Stay tuned!
LINK: VIDEO OF OREGON HELMET
LINK: FIRST LOOK OF OREGON GEAR ON FIELD
Live Video of Notre Dame's Snow Storm!
WOW! Just took a look at the live webcam of the Main Building (Golden Dome) on the University of Notre Dame campus at 10:38 AM. IT IS SNOWING in the BEND -- as the ol' "lake effect" is in full force! Here are three links to live webcams:
LINK: SNOW STORM -- LIVE SHOT OF GOLDEN DOME
LINK: WEBCAM OF SOUTH QUAD
LINK: WEBCAM OF NORTH QUAD
30 Notre Dame Football Players On NFL Rosters
Took a lap around the NFL today to see what former Notre Dame football stars were still employed by an NFL team and their playing status for the last weekend of the regular season. Here's the list of the 30 ex-Irish football stars still receiving an NFL paycheck this morning (Chris Stewart signed with the Arizona Cardinals on January 5th) -- 11 are on teams in the NFL PLAYOFFS:
Sunday, January 1, 2012
A New Year's Resolution for ND Fans
I've taken the liberty of offering up a New Year's Resolution for the entire Notre Dame Family -- a year we'll have an EXTRA DAY (this is a leap year) OF NOTRE DAME :
- SMILE -- we know we couldn't be as passionate about another school!
LINK: HAPPY NEW YEAR
Saturday, December 31, 2011
ND Hockey on VERSUS Today at 7 PM ET
Jeff Jackson's Fighting Irish will be in action this New Year's Eve at 7:05 PM ET on the VERSUS channel. The #5 ranked Irish will be taking on the #9 ranked Boston University Terriers. After the game, VERSUS will air "ONWARD TO VICTORY" an hour long show produced by the gang at UND.COM. Here's a link to the ONWARD TO VICTORY trailer...
LINK: ONWARD TO VICTORY
Muffet's Irish Put 128 Pts. on Mercer Last Night!
The #3 ranked Fighting Irish had a RECORD SETTING night in Atlanta against Mercer -- scoring 128 points! It was the first appearance for one of Muffet's teams in 15 years in the state of Georgia. I'm guessing they might not want to wait so long next time! Here are the records the Irish set last night:
- Most points in the first half: 72 points (Irish led 72 - 30 at half)
- Most points in a game: 128 points (previous record was 113)
- Most points in one half: 72 points
- Largest margin of victory: 86 points
- Highest Field Goal Percentage: 70.2% (tied the previous record)
- Most free throws made: 43
- Most free throws attempted: 52
Note: The 128 points is the 17th most scored in one game ALL-TIME in NCAA history. The 72 points scored in the first half are the 8th most scored ALL-TIME in NCAA history. It's the most points scored in a game this season in women's college basketball.
LINK: IRISH MAUL MERCER
A Look Back @ Notre Dame's 169th Year...
The University of Notre Dame released their 2011: Year In Review, last night. The report looks back at the previous 364 days of 2011 and a number of the accomplishments of the Notre Dame students, alumni, faculty and staff. Just click on the link below to see the report:
LINK: NOTRE DAME'S 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Ronald Darby Returns Kick-off for TD!
The Chesapeake Bowl (featuring high school all-stars from; Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, D.C., Virginia and West Virginia) was played tonight in Edgewater, MD -- and University of Notre Dame verbal commit, Ronald Darby followed up the opening play of the game -- a 90 yard kick-off return for a TD by the North's Nate Smith by taking the ensuing kick-off for a 75 yard TD for the South! Here's a link to the news article -- along with a link to the video:
LINK: DARBY RETURNS KICK-OFF FOR TD!
LINK: VIDEO OF DARBY'S KICK-OFF RETURN
LINK: DARBY RETURNS KICK-OFF FOR TD!
LINK: VIDEO OF DARBY'S KICK-OFF RETURN
Semper Fidelis Bowl -- ND Commits Playing
The University of Notre Dame will be well represented in Tuesday's inaugural Semper Fidelis Bowl in Phoenix. Here's a list of the high school stars playing in the game who have verbally committed to playing for the IRISH:
LINK: TEE SHEPARD
LINK: RONNIE STANLEY
LINK: JUSTIN FERGUSON
LINK: DEONTAY GREENBERRY
LINK: SHELDON DAY
LINK: MARK HARRELL
The Notre Dame Family Doing Florida Right
The day before the Irish took on Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl -- fifty members of the Notre Dame Family (alumni, cheerleaders and fans) went to work at the New Image Youth Center (Parramore, FL) painting, sanding, weeding, assembling new furniture and playing with the kids.
This community service project is just one of many -- that the Notre Dame Alumni Association will perform around the world each year. It's what sets ND apart from most institutions in this country.
Here's a link to the story:
LINK: NOTRE DAME GIVING BACK
Champs Sports Bowl: Mornin' After...
Have to admit I didn't sleep too well last night.
Yet, I wake up this morning -- once again -- knowing I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE A FAN OF ANY OTHER SCHOOL IN THE WORLD!
Here's what our friends in the media had to say about Florida State's 18 to 14 win over the Irish last night in the Champs Sports Bowl:
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- AL LESAR
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- ERIC HANSEN
LINK: ASSOCIATED PRESS
LINK: TAMPA BAY TIMES
LINK: NBC SPORTS
LINK: ESPN BLOG
LINK: PALM BEACH POST
LINK: THE OBSERVER
LINK: CHICAGO TRIBUNE
LINK: NEWS SENTINEL
LINK: ORLANDO SENTINEL
LINK: SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
LINK: CHICAGO SUN TIMES
LINK: FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE
LINK: SPORTING NEWS
LINK: THE LEDGER
LINK: FLORIDA TIMES UNION
LINK: TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Florida State Scores 15 in Fourth Quarter...
A difficult game for the Notre Dame Family as the Seminoles erase ND's 14 point to win the Champs Sports Bowl. Here's a link to the "low-lights" courtesy of our friends at ESPN and a link to Coach Kelly's post game comments.
LINK: CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL
LINK: COACH KELLY POST GAME
LINK: PLAYER INTERVIEWS AFTER GAME
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
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