Helmet Wars -- The Next Generation...

A Missouri based designer by the name of Charles Sollars had some fun recently -- designing new football helmets for all of the teams in the SEC, Big Ten, Pac 12 and Big East.  Here's a look at some of the "best of Sollars:"

I wonder what Sollars would do to the Notre Dame helmet.  Charles, if you're reading this -- please send us your helmet design concept for the Fighting Irish...

(Click on the helmets to enlarge.)

How Would This Guy Look in a GOLD HELMET!

His name is Daniel Rodriguez and he's looking for a Division I football program to call "home."

As you'll see in the story linked below -- Daniel Rodriguez is a war hero (Bronze Star and Purple Heart) who's back home in America to chase his dream of playing college football.  

I'll be rooting for this young man.  Check these links out!

LINK:  FIND A SPOT FOR HIM COACH KELLY!

LINK:  RECRUITING VIDEO

The #1 Ranked Recruiting Class in the Country!

The University of Notre Dame's top ranked Women's Soccer program announced their 2012 recruiting class today.  And, Top Drawer Soccer ranked the Irish recruiting class #1 in the nation!

You'll enjoy hearing head coach Randy Waldrum talk about the newest members of his FIGHTING IRISH program.  Photo is of Cari Roccaro (East Islip HS, NY) the #5 ranked player in the country!



LINK:  COACH WALDRUM INTRODUCES THE NEWEST IRISH!

LINK:  RECRUITING RANKINGS -- TOP DRAWER SOCCER

Justin Tuck -- Super Bowl Champion!!!

Former Notre Dame football star Justin Tuck '05, and his Super Bowl XLVI champion New York Giants' teammates took part in a massive celebration today in Manhattan!  Congratulations Justin!

LINK:  JUSTIN TUCK ADDRESSES THE NEW YORK GIANTS' FANS!

Mike Lee Fans -- You'll Enjoy This Interview!

University of Notre Dame alum, Mike Lee '09 -- who's currently 8 - 0 as a professional boxer -- sat down last night with the folks at WTTW-TV's Chicago Tonight show.  Notre Dame fans will enjoy this interview!

LINK:  MIKE LEE

IRISH IDOL: You Must See This 33 Month-Old!

From time to time, the ND GO IRISH BLOG searches the worldwide web for talented artists who have a passion for the University of Notre Dame.  Today, we found a 33 month-old young man who loves the Fighting Irish -- YOU MUST WATCH THIS if you need to SMILE today!

LINK:  SINGING THE GREATEST FIGHT SONG ON THE PLANET!

Notre Dame's Response to HHS Decision...

I haven't seen Notre Dame's official response get much play in the mainstream media...

The Obama administration's Department of Health and Human Services announced on January 20th that they would require Catholic-affiliated institutions to cover contraceptives and sterilization in their employee health care plans.  A law in direct conflict with the teachings of the Catholic church.

That same day, the University of Notre Dame's president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., released a statement in opposition to the Obama administration's controversial decision (see link below).

The public opposition to the Obama administration's decision was escalated in Catholic churches all over the country this weekend -- as Bishop's across America expressed their concerns via letters they had read during Sunday Mass.

Earlier today, MSNBC's Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski "debated" with Rev. Al Sharpton about what they're calling the "Obama Catholic Ruling" -- during their Morning Joe show.  Linked below:


LINK:  FR. JENKINS' RESPONSE 

LINK:  SCARBOROUGH & BRZEZINSKI DEBATE SHARPTON

Irish Ranked #26 in Two Top Hoops Polls

Five wins over ranked opponents -- not a single team in the TOP 25 today can make that claim...

Yet, the IRISH are sitting at #26 looking up at all of the rest.

I'm sure Coach Brey will gladly trade a TOP 25 ranking for a bid to the NCAA TOURNAMENT next month.  Here's a link to today's Top 25 polls:

LINK:  TOP 25 RANKINGS

Justin Tuck -- Talks After Super Bowl Win!

Former University of Notre Dame football star, Justin Tuck -- talks about his four years at Notre Dame and Super Bowl victory #2! -- with the gang from WNDU-TV -- later he joined a couple of teammates on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.  Enjoy!

LINK:  JUSTIN TUCK

LINK:  JUSTIN TUCK WITH JIMMY FALLON

Giants' Justin Tuck -- Two Super Sacks!

And, he forced a SAFETY on the Patriots first offensive play of the game!

The former DOMER led his G-MEN teammates to their second SUPER BOWL win over the Patriots 21 - 17.  Congratulations Justin!

Justin is the ELEVENTH former Notre Dame football star to earn MULTIPLE SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONSHIPS!

Here's a link to his late game sack of Tom Brady.  Admit it -- it's nice to see a former Notre Dame star slamming a former Michigan QB to the turf!

LINK:  JUSTIN TUCK'S FINAL SACK OF SUPER BOWL XLVI!

Indy Star Advertisement Today -- Saluting ND!

Thought Notre Dame fans everywhere would enjoy seeing this ad that ran in today's Indianapolis Star saluting our two former Irish stars playing in SUPER BOWL XLVI -- Sergio Brown '10 and Justin Tuck '05.

ONLY NOTRE DAME.

A Domer's Daughter: Isabela Nanni's Latest

She's the ND GO IRISH BLOG's favorite 14 year-old singer, songwriter...

Isabela Nanni, daughter of "DOMERS" Lou and Carmen Nanni -- performs her latest song "LIBERTY" -- in this YouTube video.

Enjoy!

LINK:  ISABELA NANNI 

LINK:  OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Sketch of the Day: Gregori's Sketch Pads

The University of Notre Dame's "artist in residence" from 1874 - 1891, Luigi Gregori -- has forty-five (45) of his working sketches on display at ND's Snite Museum of Art -- for the first time.  Here's a link to a South Bend Tribune story.

LINK:  GREGORI ON DISPLAY

Notre Dame Super Bowl Trivia

The folks at Blue Gold Illustrated ran a story that tested our knowledge of the SUPER BOWL and Notre Dame.  Thought you'd enjoy this today!

LINK:  TAKE THE NOTRE DAME SUPER BOWL TEST!

Mornin' After Beating Another Ranked Team

 

It's becoming habit -- a nice one I might add...

Mike Brey's Fighting Irish have now beaten FIVE RANKED OPPONENTS this season -- no other team in college basketball can make that claim.  Think about that.

Not a single McDonald's All-American wears the Irish jersey, our top player is lost for the season after only playing four games -- yet, we (TEAM) continue to beat INDIVIDUALS better than us.

Here's what the media has to say today about yesterday's beat down of Marquette!

LINK:  MILWAUKEE JOURNAL

LINK:  MILWAUKEE JOURNAL #2

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #1

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #2

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

A Star Is Born Today -- Pat Connaughton!

He wears #24 for Mike Brey's Fighting Irish and his best sport might just be baseball (drafted out of high school by the San Diego Padres) -- but today, Pat Connaughton was one of the top college basketball players in the country!

• 23 points
• 5 for 8 from behind the three-point line
• 11 rebounds
• 3 assists
• 1 steal
• 2 blocks
• And, he OWNED every loose ball he was around!

Not bad for a 6' - 5" freshman out of St. John's Prep in Arlington, MA.

Congratulations Pat -- you're excelling on one of the biggest stages in sport!

IRISH WIN -- What A Home Court Advantage!

Mike Brey's Fighting Irish -- are not afraid...

They have beaten FIVE RANKED TEAMS this season -- the MOST BY ONE TEAM IN AMERICA!  And, they've done this with their leading scorer, sitting in street clothes, on the bench.

Today, the 14th ranked Marquette Golden Eagles came to Purcell Pavillion on a seven game winning streak.  Two hours later, they walked out on the short end of a 76 - 59 score.  HUGE WIN for the IRISH!

LINK:  ESPN GAME STORY

LINK:  COACH BREY PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Off Topic -- But You Have to See This!

The folks promoting CHRONICLE (the movie) -- sent three "flying people" into the air over New York City yesterday.  You have to see this!

How might we execute something like this at Notre Dame?  Please send me your thoughts at;  jim.small@ndgoirish.com

LINK:  FLYING PEOPLE OVER NEW YORK!

National Signing Day -- Behind the Camera!

Notre Dame football fans will enjoy this story created by the gang at Fighting Irish Digital Media -- as they turned the cameras "in the other direction..."

LINK:  NATIONAL SIGNING DAY AT ND!

#1 Offense vs. #1 Defense: Today at 1 PM ET!

Something has to give...

At 1 PM ET today at the University of Notre Dame's Purcell Pavillion -- the #1 offense in the Big East Conference (Marquette) takes on the #1 defense in the Big East (Notre Dame).  If you can't sit in the stands like me today (YEAH!) -- you can watch it LIVE on CBS.

The #14 ranked Marquette Golden Eagles have won seven in a row -- but that ends today!

The folks at UND.COM caught up with Coach Mike Brey this week to talk about today's big game.

LINK:  MARQUETTE PREVIEW

ND's New Shamrock Series Jersey & Helmet...

The word around campus is Notre Dame will "shock the world" with their helmet and jersey combo for next year's SHAMROCK SERIES game (in Chicago) against the Miami Hurricanes.  Those in the know have said;

"You won't believe what Adidas has come up with for Notre Dame football..."

I don't expect to see any photos leaked to the media -- anytime soon.  Stay tuned!

It Didn't Take Long...

Michigan State University's Mark Dantonio fired the first shot across the bow of the new guy in Columbus...

Urban Meyer (former ND football assistant), who's made a good living out of turning recruits committed to other schools -- to his -- wasted little time in doing the same to his fellow coaches in the Big Ten & Notre Dame.  Here's a link to how Mr. Dantonio feels about this.

LINK:  UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR

Domer Tom Clements Named Packers OC!

The Green Bay Packers announced today that former Notre Dame All-American QB, Tom Clements -- has been named their offensive coordinator.  Clements has been the Packers QB coach the past six seasons and is given a great deal of credit for the development of Aaron Rodgers into one of the best QB's on the planet.  Congratulations Tom!

LINK:  CLEMENTS NAMED OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Photo of the Day: Michael Floyd & Gatorade

 

Former University of Notre Dame football star Michael Floyd, was in Indianapolis yesterday (that's him on the treadmill) to meet with the folks at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute to get a better understanding of how his body works in order to prepare for the upcoming NFL Combine, NFL Draft and his rookie season.  Looks like fun!

Recruiting Rankings: Where They Rank ND

Took a lap around the numerous recruiting sites this morning to see how the "experts" rank the University of Notre Dame's annual high school football talent grab.  You'll see the Irish are ranked as high as 10th and as low as 22nd in the country.

LINK:  ESPN (INSIDERS SUBSCRIBERS ONLY)

LINK:  MAX PREPS

LINK:  RIVALS

LINK:  SCOUT

Chuck Martin -- He Gets It...

On a day when we secured the signatures of sixteen of the top high school football players in the country -- many IRISH fans turned their attention to the one that got away...

That's life.  If it was easy, there wouldn't be a need for a place like the University of Notre Dame.

Notre Dame's offensive coordinator, Chuck Martin -- gets it. 

I encourage all of you to watch Jack Nolan's interview of Coach Martin.  You'll feel much better for it.

LINK:  COACH MARTIN INTERVIEW

Coach Kelly Introduces ND's Recruiting Class

Sixteen high school football stars -- and one transfer from USC -- will make up the new faces on the 125th football team in the history of the University of Notre Dame.  Coach Kelly met with the media this afternoon to talk about his new players on National Signing Day for college football.

LINK:  COACH KELLY -- NATIONAL SIGNING DAY

Notre Dame's National Signing Day Coverage

Folks, you need to tune-in on the web to UND.COM's -- LIVE COVERAGE ALL MORNING -- of National Signing Day for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football program.  The live coverage begins at 7 AM ET -- TODAY!  You can expect to hear from Coach Kelly and his coaching staff throughout the morning commenting on all of the future Irish football stars.

Rough Schedule this AM:

• Coach Kelly is expected to appear three times today on the show.  First time -- around 8:30 AM
• Coach Kelly's Press Conference is scheduled for 1 PM ET -- Today 

You will find all of this coverage only on UND.COM

LINK:  WATCH IT LIVE -- RIGHT NOW!

"STRONG OF HEART" -- Teddy's Story

I wrote about this story many months ago on this very blog...

Today, the gang at UND.COM and Fighting Irish Digital Media shared Teddy Roger's story -- a story for all of the Notre Dame Family to see...

Nowhere else but Notre Dame.

LINK:  A NOTRE DAME STORY

Muffet's Irish Beat #14 Rutgers by 30!

The #2 ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame keep on rollin'...

Tonight, they were in New Jersey taking on the #14 ranked Rutgers Scarlet Knight and they beat them by 30 points!  The largest margin of victory ever for the IRISH against a Rutgers' women's basketball team. 

NINETEEN WINS IN A ROW!  It's a special season...

LINK:  ESPN BOX SCORE

National Signing Day Commitment Schedule

Here's the projected National Signing Day Schedule for players we expect to sign with the IRISH and players we still have an outside chance with.  ESPNU will be running a National Signing Day Special tomorrow (beginning at 9 AM ET) as will the gang at UND.COM.  The Notre Dame Signing Day coverage will begin at 7:00 AM ET at UND.COM -- click here!  Here's the schedule:

7:00 AM:
Will Mahone
CJ Prosise
Mark Harrell
Romeo Okwara
John Turner

8:00 AM:
Scott Daly

9:00 AM:
Elijah Shumate
Ken Ekanem

10:00 AM:
Deontay Greenberry
Ronnie Stanley
Nicky Baratti

11:00 AM:
KeiVarae Russell

12:00 PM:
Nelson Agholor  -- USC, FLORIDA STATE or NOTRE DAME

12:45 PM:
Brian Poole -- FLORIDA or NOTRE DAME

2:30 PM:
Ronald Darby -- FLORIDA STATE or NOTRE DAME

The Game of Recruiting -- Anything Goes...

The NCAA's decision this week to allow UCONN's Ryan Boatright to play basketball after he and his mother admitted to taking $8,000 in cash, airplane tickets and a car -- just goes to show you why some coaches don't concern themselves with these things called NCAA RECRUITING RULES.

Another case in point -- here's the drama being played out in Louisiana over the recruitment of Landon Collins, one of the top safeties in the country.  Here's a link to the latest development:

LINK:  DID SABAN OFFER TO HIRE A RECRUIT'S GIRLFRIEND?

Impressive Stat of the Day!

Last night, the folks at ESPN ran this stat along the bottom of the TV screen.  Notre Dame is now 5 - 2 in their last seven games against ranked opponents on the ROAD.  That's Notre Dame Men's Basketball they're talking about!  IMPRESSIVE!

Irish Beat #19 UCONN 50 - 48 on the Road!

What was expected to be a down year for the Fighting Irish -- now looks more like a Notre Dame team that could be headed to the NCAA TOURNAMENT!

For the fourth time in a few weeks, NOTRE DAME has beaten a ranked opponent -- the second time on the road!  The Irish have beaten #12 Pittsburgh, #10 Louisville, #1 Syracuse and now #19 UCONN.

The Irish have now won four of the last five against UCONN.

IMPRESSIVE WIN!

LINK:  BOX SCORE

LINK:  NOTRE DAME LOCKER ROOM

LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  ESPN (IT'S ALL ABOUT UCONN) HIGHLIGHTS

$8,000 in Cash, Airplane Tickets and a Car...

That's the benefits that UCONN freshman basketball player Ryan Boatright and his mother "admitted to" receiving for committing to play basketball for Jim Calhoun's program.

And, he's playing today against the IRISH -- serving only a nine game suspension for the $8,000 in cash, free airplane tickets and car... 

You can't make this stuff up.

So, what's the lesson learned here:  You might as well take the money, tickets and cars -- because if you get caught, you'll only miss a few games... 

UNBELIEVABLE.

LINK:  UCONN PLAYER REINSTATED -- NCAA REPORT

ND's "Mad Bomber" -- Daryle Lamonica

ND GO IRISH BLOG friend Cappy Gagnon -- was kind enough to forward me this YOUTUBE video this morning of former Irish QB Daryle Lamonica, from his days in the AFL and NFL.  Lamonica, a three-year starter for Notre Dame -- left his professional football career as one of the all-time greats.  Take a look at this resume:

• 78.4% winning percentage as a NFL starter (66 - 16 - 4) -- 2nd best all-time!
• 90% wining percentage a a AFL starter (40 - 4 - 1) 1st all-time!
• 2 Time AFL MVP:  1967 & 1969
• 3 Time AFL All-Star:  1965, 1967, 1969
• 2 Time NFL Pro Bowl:  1970 & 1972
• 3 Time AFL Champion:  1964, 1965, 1967

Please note:  the photo above was from Super Bowl II -- Lamonica threw 2 TD passes in the game.

LINK:  DARYLE LAMONICA HIGHLIGHTS

Best Selling Domer -- Takes Questions...

Former University of Notre Dame track star Nicholas Sparks '88 -- has been busy writing BEST SELLER AFTER BEST SELLER -- since his days in South Bend.  Six of his books have been adapted to movies; Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John and The Last Song. Two more are in various stages of development. The Lucky One will be released as a film April 20, 2012. "Safe Haven" is expected to be in theaters February 2013.

ABC purchased the TV rights to a Spark's archangel love story drama called The Watchers -- which will be his first foray into a television series.  We'll have to keep an eye out for this...

A few weeks ago, the folks at CNN.COM were able to get Nicholas to sit down and take some questions from his fans.  Enjoy!

LINK:  NICHOLAS SPARKS TAKES QUESTIONS

George Atkinson III Takes 7th in 60m Dash

University of Notre Dame's George Atkinson III competed this afternoon in the Men's 60 Meter Dash at the Indiana University Relays in Bloomington, IN.  Atkinson III, who showed off his speed during his rookie football season with the IRISH (running back two kick-offs for TD's), finished 7th in a time of 6.92 seconds.  He ran a 6.88 in the Semi-Finals.  His brother Josh Atkinson, finished 13th with a time of 6.97 in the Semi-Finals.  Photo:  You've just got to love the ND Leprechaun in the background on this TD against USC.

LINK:  INDIANA UNIVERSITY RELAYS

Is this the "NEXT" Great Hoops Star @ ND?

The name is Demetrius Jackson and he plays basketball at nearby Marian High School (Mishawaka, IN).  He's ranked by Rivals as one of the TOP TEN point guards in the country and it appears to be a battle between Michigan State, Butler and Notre Dame for his commitment.  THE VIDEO BELOW IS MUST SEE! 

GO IRISH!

LINK:  A SLAM DUNK YOU MUST SEE

LINK:  HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Harrison Smith Playing in Senior Bowl Today!

Notre Dame fans can see former Irish football captain, Harrison Smith, wear his GOLD HELMET for the last time today at 4 PM ET on the NFL NETWORK -- as he suits up for the NORTH in the Senior Bowl.  Good luck Harrison!

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH -- ESPN INTERVIEW

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE STORY

Will There Be More Wearing the Gold Helmet?

National Signing Day is next Wednesday (February 1) and as of this very moment, the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame can expect to add a class of seventeen talented high school stars.  Three of them are already on campus taking classes;  Gunner Kiel, Tee Shepard and Sheldon Day. 

Here's some of the accolades/achievements bestowed on these young men:

• Top QB in the country -- Gunner Kiel
• Top DB in the country -- Tee Shepard
• California's Mr. Football -- Deontay Greenberry
• Top Long Snapper in the country -- Scott Daly
• Top Triple Jumper in the country -- Chris Brown
• High School All-American honors:  Gunner Kiel, Tee Shepard, Deontay Greenberry, Sheldon Day, Elijah Shumate, KeiVarae Russell, Mark Harrell, Ronnie Stanley, Jarron Jones, Justin Ferguson

Here's a look at a highlight video of every player who's verbally committed to ND:

LINK:  GUNNER KEIL, QB

LINK:  TEE SHEPARD, DB

LINK:  SHELDON DAY, DL

LINK:  DEONTAY GREENBERRY, WR

LINK:  JARRON JONES, DL / OL

LINK:  WILLIAM MAHONE, RB

LINK:  KEIVARAE RUSSELL, RB / WR

LINK:  ELIJAH SHUMATE, DB

LINK:  RONNIE STANLEY, OL

LINK:  NICKY BARATTI, DB

LINK:  CHRIS BROWN, WR

LINK:  JUSTIN FERGUSON, WR

LINK:  MARK HARRELL, OL

LINK:  ROMEO OKWARA, DL

LINK:  C.J. PROSISE, DB

LINK:  JOHN TURNER, DB

LINK:  SCOTT DALY, LS

Are You Smarter Than an NFL QB?

Over the next few months we're going to be hearing about NFL hopefuls and their "WONDERLIC SCORES."  Some of the more famous Wonderlic scores among QB's:

• Ryan Fitzpatrick:  48
• Blaine Gabbert:  42 
• Alex Smith:  40
• Eli Manning:  39
• Colin Kaepernick:  38
• Matt Stafford:  38
• Tony Romo:  37
• Sam Bradford:  36
• Aaron Rodgers:  35
• Matt Leinart:  35
• Christian Ponder:  35
• Tom Brady:  33
• Matt Ryan:  32
• Matt Schaub:  31
• Rick Mirer:  31
• Phillip Rivers:  30
• Brady Quinn:  29
• Andy Dalton:  29
• John Elway:  29
• Mark Sanchez:  28
• Peyton Manning:  28
• Drew Brees:  28
• Josh Freeman:  27
• Joe Flacco:  27
• Ryan Mallett:  26 
• Carson Palmer:  26
• Jay Cutler:  26
• Ben Roethlisberger:  25
• Colt McCoy:  25
• Jamarcus Russell:  24
• Jimmy Clausen:  23
• Tim Tebow:  22
• Brett Favre:  22
• Cam Newton:  21 
• Michael Vick:  20
• Jake Locker:  20
• Dan Marino:  16
• Terry Bradshaw:  15
• Jim Kelly:  15
• Randall Cunningham:  15
• Donovan McNabb:  14
• Jeff George:  10
• Chris Leak:  8
• Terrelle Pryor:  7
• Vince Young:  6

LINK:  TAKE THE TEST!

Harrison Smith Impressing @ Senior Bowl!

Former University of Notre Dame football captain, Harrison Smith -- is turning NFL heads this week at the Senior Bowl.  So much so, that the ESPN gang decided to report on this!  HINT:  Quite a testament to Coach Longo and his team!

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH -- NFL'S FIRST TEST!

The Best Campus in College Football!

The folks at Bleacher Report came out today with their rankings of the top-50 college football campuses in America -- and, to no surprise here -- the University of Notre Dame campus was picked #1!   Special thanks to ND GO IRISH BLOG regular contributor Ken Devine for alerting me to this!

Here's a link to their rankings of the top 50:

LINK:  TOP FOOTBALL CAMPUS IN AMERICA!