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LINK:  SMARTEST NOTRE DAME FAN

Notre Dame's Second Coming of Rocket Ismail!

Folks, be sure to watch the video linked below.  In a couple of weeks -- a young man from the Southwest will be arriving on the campus of the University of Notre Dame with the skills of Rocket Ismail. 

Davonte Neal comes to town with 4.37 speed and "back to back" ARIZONA PLAYER OF THE YEAR awards!  He's a huge talent!

Mose pundits believe Davonte will end up in the slot on offense -- and will be running back kick-offs and punts SOON!  After watching the film -- he needs the football in his hands -- often.  This man's a GAME CHANGER!

FYI:  I suspect Coach Kelly "might" require Neal to wear a GOLD HELMET when he's on the field!


LINK:  THE NEXT NOTRE DAME ROCKET!

Must See TV on Saturday -- ESPN2 @ 2:30 PM

Kevin Corrigan's Fighting Irish of Notre Dame left campus yesterday for Foxborough, MA -- home of the New England Patriots and home of the 2012 NCAA Men's Lacrosse National Championship.  The #4 seeded IRISH take on #1 seed Loyola -- Saturday at Gillete Stadium -- those of us not able to make it to the game can catch the action LIVE on ESPN2 at 2:30 PM ET.

The winner of this game will take on the winner of the Duke vs. Maryland game -- on Memorial Day!

The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media are tracking the IRISH all weekend long.  Here's their report filed this morning:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME LACROSSE

"Never An Excuse To Quit" -- Joe Kernan '68

Loyal son of Notre Dame, Mayor of South Bend, Lieutenant Governor and Governor of the State of Indiana, professional baseball team owner and resident of the infamous HANOI HILTON -- Joe Kernan '68, was recently honored by the Notre Dame Monogram Club. 

The video that introduced Joe to the gathering is quite moving -- you'll enjoy watching! 

LINK:  LOYAL SON OF NOTRE DAME

Happy 95th Birthday Fr. Ted Hesburgh!

He turns 95 years YOUNG today! 

Happy Birthday Father Ted!

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY

Notre Dame Student-Athletes Graduate...

Folks, it's a story that you won't find on the ESPN network -- student-athletes graduating.  And, that's a shame.  Here's a link to a feature that our friends at Fighting Irish Digital Media put together that you're going to enjoy.  It's a story you'll only find here...

LINK:  NOTRE DAME GRADUATES IT'S STUDENTS -- ALL OF THEM

Notre Dame's Greg Crawford -- He's At It Again!

For the third consecutive "summer" -- University of Notre Dame's dean of the College of Science, Greg Crawford is on a "cross country" bike ride to raise money and awareness for Niemann-Pick Type C disease.

This year's route will take Greg from Boston (where he left on Monday) to his end destination of Pebble Beach, CA -- where he expects to arrive on June 22nd -- 3,250 miles later!  Here's a look at his RIDE SCHEDULE!

We'll be checking in on his ride every week -- though you can check in on him everyday at his blog -- see the link below:

LINK:  GREG CRAWFORD'S DAILY BLOG

Big East Home Run Derby Champ -- ALL IRISH!

Trey Mancini (Winter Haven, FL), a sophomore Notre Dame first baseman -- won the Big East Home Run Derby in Clearwater, FL on Tuesday night -- marking the second consecutive year a member of the IRISH baseball team won the hitting contest.  The folks at UND.COM were present -- as always -- with their cameras!

LINK:  HOME RUN DERBY CHAMP

ESPN Ranks Notre Dame's Top Ten Players

The good folks at ESPN took time out of their busy schedule to "rank" the top ten players on the Notre Dame football roster.   Surprisingly, our defense -- which is projected to be the strength of the team -- only placed four players in the TOP TEN.  Take a look!

LINK:  ESPN RANKS THE IRISH PLAYERS

Latest Reaction to Notre Dame's HHS Lawsuit

Took a lap around the web this afternoon to see what the media had to say this morning -- the day after the University of Notre Dame (for the first time in its 170 year history) filed a lawsuit against the federal government.  Just click on the links below:

LINK:  NEWSHOUNDS

LINK:  FOX NEWS

LINK:  NATIONAL CATHOLIC REGISTER

LINK:  THE CATHOLIC TRANSCRIPT

LINK:  THE BOSTON PILOT

Only Notre Dame: Leprechaun Tryouts!

For the first time in the history of the University of Notre Dame Leprechaun program -- THREE LEPRECHAUNS were selected!  The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media and some ND students produced this "inside look" at the selection process for one of the most ICONIC figures in college sports.  You'll like this!

LINK:  THE MAKING OF THE LEPRECHAUN

Media Opinions on Notre Dame's Lawsuit

The media pundits are now beginning to weigh in on the University of Notre Dame's decision to file a federal lawsuit this morning in opposition to the HHS mandate.

Here's what's being said this evening at MSNBC and FOX:

LINK:  MSNBC'S ANDREA MITCHELL

LINK:  FOX NEWS' ALL-STAR PANEL

Happy 89th Birthday Coach Ara Parseghian!

Today, Notre Dame all-time great, Ara Parseghian turned 89 years young!  Congratulations Coach!

6,300 YEARS of Great Service to Notre Dame!

Tonight, inside the "north dome" of the Joyce Center -- hundreds (and I mean HUNDREDS) of University of Notre Dame employees were honored for their years of service.  Employees with 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 40+ years at Notre Dame were recognized by Fr. Jenkins and his leadership team along with a number of the deans.

It was announced that the employees honored tonight represented 6,300 Years of service to the University of Notre Dame -- think about that!

One of my colleagues, Augie Freda (in photo) received one of the five major awards this evening -- as he was awarded the Presidential Leadership Award for his great work for the University of Notre Dame.  Augie Freda is well deserving of every honor he receives!

In addition, I had the great fortune of sitting next to "Notre Dame royalty" in the form of one Sally Almassy (photo with Augie).  Now, you may not know the name or face -- but, if you've ever called the University of Notre Dame's main phone number you'll know Sally's distinctive voice and delivery of; "THIS, IS THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME."

Sally was honored for her fifteen years of service to Notre Dame.  And, on the other side of me sat another colleague of mine, Jennielea Vidrich -- who was honored for TWENTY years of service to Notre Dame!

Congratulations to Augie, Sally, Jennielea and all of our colleagues at the University of Notre Dame -- you make this institution special!

Early Reaction to Notre Dame's HHS Lawsuit

Here's how the media is reporting the lawsuit Notre Dame filed this morning against the HHS mandate.  The federal lawsuit is believed to be the first complaint ever filed by Notre Dame against the federal government -- in the University's 170 year history.

LINK:  FOX NEWS

LINK:  MSNBC

LINK:  CNN

LINK:  ABC NEWS

LINK:  CBS NEWS

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST

LINK:  WALL STREET JOURNAL

Notre Dame Files Lawsuit Against HHS Mandate

The University of Notre Dame filled a lawsuit this morning in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana regarding the recent mandate from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  This mandate requires Notre Dame and other religious organizations to provide in their insurance plans -- abortion-inducing drugs, contraceptives and sterilization procedures, which are contrary to Catholic teaching.

Notre Dame's lawsuit was one of twelve filed this morning by 43 plaintiffs challenging the constitutionality of the regulation.  In the suit; Kathleen Sebelius (Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) is sued in her official capacity, as is Hilda Solis (Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor) and Timothy Geitner (Secretary of the U.S. Department of Treasury)

Here's a link to Notre Dame's official release along with a link to a copy of the actual complaint:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST HHS MANDATE 

LINK:  COPY OF NOTRE DAME'S COMPLAINT

Notre Dame's Women's Softball on ESPNU!

Irish fans -- please tune-in to ESPNU today at 5:30 PM ET as Notre Dame takes on perennial power Arizona in 100 degree heat in Tucson, AZ!  The IRISH need to beat Arizona twice to move on in the NCAA Tournament!

By the way, "WHEN" the IRISH win -- they will play a second game at 8 PM ET tonight against Arizona.  GO IRISH!

Here's a link to a preview of today's game(s):

LINK:  NOTRE DAME TAKES ON ARIZONA

Father Ted at ND's 167th Commencement!

He sat at "midfield" in the gold seats at Notre Dame Stadium during today's 167th Commencement exercises at the University of Notre Dame. As you can see in the photo above -- Fr. Hesburgh received a well deserved standing ovation from the Class of 2012 and their families.  Fr. Ted turns 95 years young on Friday (May 25th)!  Photo by Matt Cashore

Notre Dame Defeats Defending Nat'l Champs!

Kevin Corrigan's Fighting Irish beat the defending National Champion Virginia Cavaliers 12 - 10 to advance to National Championship Weekend (THE FINAL FOUR) in Boston Saturday.  The IRISH will play the #1 seed Loyola next Saturday for the chance to play for the National Championship on Memorial Day.

Here's a link to the game recap:

LINK:  IRISH BEAT VIRGINIA

Only Notre Dame: LAX Graduation in PA!

The University of Notre Dame's Men's Lacrosse Team held COMMENCEMENT exercises at a Catholic church in Pennsylvania for their 12 graduating seniors (photo above).  Only ND!

Here's a link to the Fighting Irish Digital Media's coverage of the ceremony:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME LACROSSE COMMENCEMENT

Photo of the Day -- ND's Commencement Mass

This beautiful photo was taken by Matt Cashore -- the University of Notre Dame's award-winning photographer -- at yesterday's Commencement Mass inside Purcell Pavillion.  It's a special moment for the Notre Dame graduates and their families.

Watch Notre Dame's Graduation LIVE Today!

The University of Notre Dame will be celebrating its 167th Commencement this morning from the "house that Rock built" -- Notre Dame Stadium.  And, you can watch it LIVE beginning at 9:00 AM ET until 11:30 AM ET -- at the link below!

Notre Dame moved their graduation ceremonies back outside to Notre Dame Stadium in 2010 because of the renovation of Purcell Pavillion -- the first time since 1959 -- and it was awesome!

Folks, if you're up and at 'em this morning you should watch this event -- it's really good.  The Academic Procession will begin at approximately 9:00 PM as the 2,000 graduates of the Class of 2012 will walk "out of the tunnel" into Notre Dame Stadium.  What a way to graduate!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S 167th COMMENCEMENT -- WATCH IT LIVE!

Notre Dame Football Game Replays on NBC!

With only 105 days to kick-off of the 2012 season -- the 125th Anniversary season of Notre Dame football -- here's a link to where you can find a full replay of every game televised by NBC the last few seasons.  Enjoy!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL ON NBC

Watch Notre Dame's Commencent Mass LIVE!

The 167th Commencement exercises at the University of Notre Dame are taking place this weekend.  One of the special moments for Notre Dame students, parents and families is the Commencement Mass which takes place TODAY at 4:30 PM ET.

You can watch it LIVE on the web -- beginning at 4:30 PM ET -- just click on the link below:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S COMMENCEMENT MASS

Notre Dame Lacrosse on ESPNU Sunday!

Kevin Corrigan's #4 Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will be playing #5 Virginia tomorrow afternoon in NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship Quarterfinal action.  The game will be televised on ESPNU beginning at NOON ET SUNDAY.

Here's some information about Sunday's game along with a second link to a video of the IRISH after today's practice!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME  vs. VIRGINIA

LINK:  IRISH SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS AFTER PRACTICE

Senior Week a Wonderful Notre Dame Tradition!

Approximately 2,000 young men and women are about to begin their "LAST" weekend as students at the University of Notre Dame.  If they're like our oldest son Jimmy -- it's a bittersweet time in their lives.  You're excited to move on to that next challenge -- yet, you've just spent the greatest four years of your life in a place you don't want to say good-bye to.

One of the many things that makes the NOTRE DAME EXPERIENCE so special is SENIOR WEEK.  The gang at the OBSERVER caught up with the Class of 2012's president to talk about what they have been doing -- click on the link below:

LINK:  SENIOR WEEK AT NOTRE DAME

Notre Dame & Cleveland Clinic Partnership!

Two of the most respected "brands" in the world have struck a partnership.  The University of Notre Dame and the Cleveland Clinic have agreed to develop and market medical technology and innovations.

This is big news!

(Photo of Robert Bernhard, Notre Dame's VP for Research)

LINK:  CLEVELAND CLINIC & NOTRE DAME

I Will Always Root For This Notre Dame Man!

Dayne Crist, now the starting QB of the Kansas Jayhawks -- is back at Notre Dame with his classmates preparing for Sunday's 167th Commencement at the University of Notre Dame.  The folks at WSBT-TV caught up with Dayne -- you'll enjoy this story:

LINK:  DAYNE CRIST -- BACK AT ND

O'Brien Named Notre Dame's Valedictorian!

Michael J. O'Brien (the name's right out of central casting) will be standing in front of the University of Notre Dame's Class of 2012, as its valedictorian, at Sunday's 167th Commencement ceremonies.  He's graduating with a perfect 4.0 as a political science major from the College of Arts & Letters.  A finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship and Gates Cambridge Scholarship -- O'Brien is headed off to the University of Chicago Law School this fall.

Here's a couple of links with more information about Michael:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S VALEDICTORIAN

LINK:  Q&A WITH O'BRIEN

Add Ring Designer to Justin Tuck's Resume!

The New York Giants unveiled their SUPER BOWL RINGS today and former Notre Dame All-American Justin Tuck had a hand in its design.  The link below will lead you to more detail on the Giants' super ring:

LINK:  NEW YORK GIANTS SUPER BOWL RINGS

Michigan's Athletic Director Talks Notre Dame

That school in Ann Arbor's Athletic Director David Brandon met with the media yesterday and one of the questions he fielded had to do with the Notre Dame football series.  Brandon offered up a bit of news that I've never heard before about how long the commitment is to playing each other.

Click on the link below to find out!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME & MICHIGAN -- IT STARTED 125 YEARS AGO

One of the Top Surprises of the Spring!

When you play QB and wear THE NOTRE DAME GOLD HELMET -- you're in the national spotlight.  This time's it's Everett Golson's turn to get some love from the media.  Here's where CBS Sports Bruce Feldman ranks Everett's spring performance:

LINK:  ONE OF THE TOP TEN SURPRISES

Casper Makes 50 Domers in Hall of Fame!

Former Notre Dame great, Dave Casper was elected today into the College Football Hall of Fame!  The former IRISH tight end will be the 44th ND football player enshrined in the Hall of Fame to go along with six former Notre Dame head coaches.

The 50 Hall of Famers represent the most of any college in the country!

LINK:  GREEN BAY POST GAZETTE

Big Time Recruit for IRISH Basketball!

The word this week that Scott Martin was granted a sixth year by the NCAA was a huge RECRUITING win for the Fighting Irish!  Martin was a BIG part of ND's run last year in the Big East and will be a key part of what's going to be an exciting upcoming season for IRISH basketball.

Yesterday afternoon, Coach Brey and Scott Martin met with the media to talk about his sixth year -- see the link below.

LINK:  SCOTT MARTIN'S SIXTH!

Coach Kelly Trades His Infamous Visor...

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly was the keynote speaker Saturday at Assumption College's 95th Commencement.  The former Assumption College student-athlete was also awarded an honorary degree in the process.  Here's a few links to the media coverage:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY BACK AT ASSUMPTION

LINK:  WORCESTER TELEGRAM

Big Weekend for IRISH Athletic Teams!

The Fighting Irish Men's Lacrosse team beat Yale (the hottest team in the country) by a convincing score of 13 - 7 -- advancing Notre Dame to an ELITE EIGHT game next Saturday with Virginia in the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships.  See a link to the highlights below.

Notre Dame's baseball team clinched a spot in the Big East Tournament (beginning May 23 in Clearwater, FL) with a series win over Rutgers this weekend. 

And, the IRISH Women's Rowing team won their NINTH CONSECUTIVE Big East Championship this weekend on Mercer Lake in Windsor, NJ.

LINK:  IRISH BEAT YALE BULLDOGS IN NCAA TOURNAMENT

LINK:  BIG EAST ROWING CHAMPIONSHIP -- RESULTS

IRISH vs. Yale Today on ESPNU @ 5:15 PM ET

Notre Dame's #1 ranked defense in the country will be taking on the Ivy League Champion Yale Bulldog's today in their first round game of the NCAA Men's Lacrosse National Championship tournament.  The game will be televised on ESPNU beginning at 5:15 PM ET.

Yale comes into today's game on a nine game winning streak.  Going to be a great game!

It's a HOME GAME for the #4 seeded IRISH - so, if you're looking for something to do on a beautiful Mother's Day -- head to campus!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

As a salute to my three favorite Mom's today; Joan Small, Margaret Manhard and Susan Small -- and all of the Mother's in the Notre Dame Family -- please click on the link below.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME OUR MOTHER

Chris Brown's 200 Meter Run 2012 State Meet

Notre Dame Football recruit Chris Brown (wide receiver) competed this weekend in the 2012 South Carolina State Track & Field Championships -- see the link below to the video of his race in the 200 meters.

I'm quite sure Brown's not very happy with the results -- since he's run faster, jumped higher and farther before.  The great news is this -- he can now set his sites on wearing the GOLD HELMET!

Chris Brown's 2012 State Meet Results:

• 100 Meters:  10.81 -- 2nd place
• 200 Meters:  21.60 -- 2nd place
• High Jump:  6' - 6" -- 2nd place
• Triple Jump:  49' - 05" -- State Champion

LINK:  200 METERS -- CHRIS BROWN  (ADVANCE VIDEO TO 42:30 MARK)

Brian Kelly Goes Back Home to Danvers, MA

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly was back home Thursday night in Danvers, MA -- speaking at St. John Prep's Alumni Foundation event.  Before the fun -- Coach Kelly met with the media.  Here's some of the coverage:

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  BOSTON HERALD

LINK:  SALEM NEWS

Does Anyone Know Why Floyd Picked #15?

ND GO IRISH BLOG regular "Tom Badguy" asked a great question today -- why did former Notre Dame All-American Michael Floyd choose jersey #15 to wear in the NFL?  I can't find anything on Michael Floyd's number selection.  Anyone know?

LINK:  BUY MICHAEL FLOYD'S JERSEY

Michael Floyd Looks Different in a White Helmet

Former Notre Dame All-American Michael Floyd, participated in his inaugural rookie mini-camp yesterday with the Arizona Cardinals -- here's a few links to the media reports.  FYI -- I prefer the GOLD HELMET on Michael and the #3!

LINK:  VIDEO OF FLOYD 

LINK:  HIS FIRST NFL PRACTICE

LINK:  THE REPUBLIC

LINK:  ARIZONA CARDINALS SITE

NCAA Gives Scott Martin a 6th Year With IRISH!

Word broke this evening that Notre Dame senior Scott Martin has been granted a sixth year of eligibility -- making next year's Fighting Irish that much better today!  After teammate Tim Abromaitis got turned down last month on his request for a sixth year -- I wasn't feeling too good about this...

GREAT NEWS for Notre Dame basketball!

LINK:  SCOTT MARTIN TAKES THE SIXTH!

LINK:  SCOTT MARTIN INTERVIEW

LINK:  MIKE BREY INTERVIEW

Notre Dame's Latest "Two Sports" Star

Notre Dame fans are going to enjoy watching this video of Brittany Mallory and the story of her joining the IRISH Women's Lacrosse team after the Final Four.  You'll get a kick out of seeing Mallory "going to the goal" and destroying anything in her path!

LINK:  SHE'S THE FIGHTING IRISH!

Will This Book Be "Ghost" Written?

Former Ohio State University QB Terrelle Pryor, met with the folks at ESPN to talk about his mistakes in Buckeye land -- and he let the world know he'll tell the full story "whenever I write my book..."

Maybe he should have told the NCAA the $20,000 to $40,000 -- he's rumored to have received from signing autographs -- was an "advance" for his book!

LINK:  IN THE BOOK

Sporting News Ranks All 124 FBS Coaches

The Sporting News ranked every single head coach from #1 to #124 in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision.  Notre Dame football fans will be interested in seeing where the following coaches are ranked -- unfortunately, one of these former Irish coaches is ranked dead last...

• Brian Kelly
• Charlie Weis
• Bob Davie
• Charley Molnar

LINK:  RANKINGS OF THE FOOTBALL COACHES

Are You Notre Dame Material? Take a Look!

The good folks at the Notre Dame Alumni Association just published this story about the incoming freshman class -- the CLASS of 2016.  If you've got a son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, niece, nephew or friend -- who's interested in attending the University of Notre Dame -- you should share this link:

LINK:  DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES!

The Top "FREAK" Athletes in College Football

CBS Sports' Bruce Feldman put together his FREAK LIST of the TOP TEN ATHLETES in College Football.  A Notre Dame student-athlete is on the honorable mention list.  Any guesses?

LINK:  TOP TEN FREAK ATHLETES IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Jimmy Clausen in the Middle of "Hair-Gate"

Over the past 24 hours -- former Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen has been complaining on TWITTER about a "haircut" he had at SUPERCUTS...

Well, the "tweets" have caught the attention of the national media and competing barber shops in the Charlotte area.  Thought you'd get a kick out of this.

LINK:  BAD HAIR DAY FOR CLAUSEN