Notre Dame Women's Golf -- Big East Champs!

Three of Notre Dame's five team members -- BROKE PAR -- in today's final round!

So much for pressure...

It was the fifth and FINAL Big East Championship for the Women's golf program -- as they will be heading off to the ACC next season.  The ACC better watch out -- the three women who broke par today are freshmen;  Lindsey Weaver (Arizona) and Talia Campbell (Texas) and sophomore Ashley Armstrong (Illinois)...

Weaver and Campbell finished up the tournament at SIX UNDER PAR and were the Co-Medalists!  A record low score for the Big East Women's Golf Championship!!!

LINK:  BIG EAST TOURNAMENT CENTRAL

Bald & Beautiful -- Only Notre Dame!

The students here at Notre Dame held their annual St. Baldrick's Day fund-raiser for cancer research this past week.  You'll enjoy watching this video!

LINK:  BALD & BEAUTIFUL

134 Years Ago Today -- Notre Dame's Fire

It was approximately 11 AM -- this very morning -- 134 years ago (April 23, 1879) that a fire was first spotted in the roof of the University of Notre Dame's Main Building...

Three hours later the Main Building, St. Francis' Home, the Infirmary and Music Hall were in complete ruin.  I'll leave it to the historians to tell the rest of the story -- click on the link below:

LINK:  THE STORY OF NOTRE DAME'S FIRE

Manti Te'o Will Be Glad When This Week is Over

I trust Manti's advisors are telling him to avoid the media this week...

The scrutiny he's under is incredible -- I guess it goes with playing at NOTRE DAME, the biggest stage in college sport.

Here's the latest on Manti:

LINK:  PIONEER PRESS -- MINNEAPOLIS

LINK:  NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

LINK:  NEW YORK GIANTS WEBSITE

The STORY Behind the Play: "Irish Chocolate"

FIGHTIN' IRISH fans witnessed the first 355 lb. "Shotgun QB" formation in the 126 year history of Notre Dame football -- when Louis Nix went in to play quarterback in the 4th quarter of Saturday's Blue Gold Game.

Nix won a bet -- over an academic performance issue -- with Coach Kelly.  Here's the story:

LINK:  LOUIS NIX

The Blue Gold Post Game Show -- Replay

If you didn't check in online after the Blue Gold Game to watch the post game show on UND.COM -- here it is all fifty plus minutes of it.

You'll find some content -- unique to this show:

LINK:  BLUE GOLD GAME -- POST GAME SHOW

Strong and True -- Full Replay from NBC

If you missed the one hour TV special "Strong and True" which aired on the NBC Sports Network this past Saturday -- just prior to kick-off of the Blue Gold Game -- you can watch it right here!

This is going to turn out to be a great recruiting tool for the Fighting Irish football program!
 

LINK:  STRONG AND TRUE

Notre Dame Men's Lacrosse Ranked #1 Again!

For the second time this season -- Kevin Corrigan's Fightin' Irish are atop the Nike Division I Top Twenty Lacrosse Poll!

Look for the #1 sign to be lit atop Grace Hall this evening!


LINK:  TOP TWENTY RANKINGS

NBC's Coverage of ND's 84th Blue Gold Game

Here's what I could find this morning at Notre Dame Central on the MSNBC site -- concerning NBC's coverage of the 84th Annual Blue Gold Game:

LINK:  COACH KELLY POST GAME INTERVIEW

LINK:  LOUIS NIX & EVERETT GOLSON INTERVIEW

LINK:  BLUE GOLD GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  KEITH ARNOLD'S BLOG

The Mornin' After -- ND's 84th Blue Gold Game

The ND GO IRISH BLOG took it's regular lap around the worldwide web this morning to see what the media had to say about Notre Dame's Blue Gold Game yesterday afternoon.  Click on the links below:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- GRACE STORY

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- STOCKTON STORY

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE -- IRISH CHOCOLATE

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE

84th Blue Gold Game is in the Record Books

31,652 fans braved the 34 degree kick-off temperature and brisk wind -- to watch Notre Dame Football's annual scrimmage.  Here's some of the highlights -- along with the LOUIS NIX's "Chocolate Thunder" two-point conversion play and the post game presser:

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  LOUIS NIX CONVERSION PLAY

LINK:  POST GAME PRESSER

Blue Gold Game Today @ 1 PM ET on NBC

If you're not here in town today -- in our HIGH 30's / LOW 40's weather -- you can watch the 84th Annual BLUE GOLD GAME from the comfort of your living room!  Probably not a bad choice today!

Here's the TV SCHEDULE today on the NBC SPORTS NETWORK:

• NOON ET:  You can watch STRONG & TRUE -- this is MUST SEE TV
• 1:00 PM ET:  You can watch the BLUE GOLD GAME
• 3:00 PM ET:  You can watch the BLUE GOLD GAME POST GAME SHOW -- click here

"THE SHIRT" -- 2013 -- Unveiled @ Notre Dame

The highest selling item on any college campus is THE SHIRT -- and the latest edition was unveiled this afternoon on the campus of the University of Notre Dame by head football coach Brian Kelly (see video below). 

Notre Dame fans will recognize NED BOLCAR on the front, TIM BROWN, ROCKET ISMAIL, JOHNNY LUJACK and JOHN LATTNER on the back.

Quick reaction -- I LIKE!

If you'd like to buy THE SHIRT -- click on the bottom link below:

LINK:  THE SHIRT -- SEE THE STORY HERE 

LINK:  THE SHIRT -- OFFICIAL WEBSITE

LINK:  THE SHIRT -- BUY IT RIGHT HERE!

Notre Dame Helmet Decal -- Honoring Boston

The Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame will take the football field tomorrow afternoon in their GOLD HELMETS for the 84th Annual Blue Gold Game.

On the back of each player's helmet will be a decal (shown on left) that will honor the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing incident this week.

ESPN is LIVE @ Notre Dame All Day -- Tune In

The folks at ESPN are broadcasting LIVE -- all day long -- from Notre Dame Stadium.  It's their COLLEGE FOOTBALL LIVE -- SPRING BUS TOUR...

Here's the schedule they are promoting -- all ET:

• 10:40 AM:  Joe Tessitore and Jesse Palmer on Sports Center
• 12:20 PM:  Everett Golson on Sports Center
• 1:30 PM:  Brian Kelly on Sports Center
• 3:00 PM:  College Football Live -- from Notre Dame

Todd McShay Talks Manti Te'o on Mike & MIKE

ESPN's Todd McShay talks about the upcoming NFL Draft and our man Manti Te'o...


LINK:  McSHAY ON MANTI

Must See TV -- This Saturday on NBC at Noon!

The gang at NBC Sports Network will be televising a TV Special this Saturday at NOON ET -- just prior to their coverage of the 84th Annual BLUE GOLD GAME!  To get you fired up -- watch this!

Folks, I got the opportunity to see a sneak preview of the entire show this morning -- it is FANTASTIC!  If you can't watch it at noon ET tomorrow -- DVR this!!!

LINK:  STRONG AND TRUE -- THE TRAILER

Video of Jack Cooley's Proposal at Banquet

The Notre Dame Men's basketball team held their annual season ending banquet last night and senior power forward Jack Cooley stole the show...

LINK:  COOLEY'S MARRIAGE PROPOSAL

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY

OT: FBI Releases Photos of Bombing Suspects

The FBI just held a news conference where they released the following photos (above) and video of two suspects they believe planted the bomb devices in Boston.

If you know who these individuals are -- you are asked to call the FBI TIPLINE:  1.800.CALL.FBI


LINK:  VIDEO OF BOMBING SUSPECTS

LINK:  MORE PHOTOS OF SUSPECTS 

Notre Dame & NBC -- Deal Extended to 2025!

It was thee "landmark" television deal in college sports history when Notre Dame and NBC began their partnership back in 1991...

Today's announcement -- extends this relationship to 35 years!

There are a number of details in this agreement that I'll leave to the link below -- WOW!


LINK:  NOTRE DAME & NBC -- DEAL EXTENSION

Blue Gold Week: Coach Kelly With Media

It's BLUE GOLD WEEK here at Notre Dame and Coach Kelly met with the media this morning after Wednesday's practice.  Here's the video:

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH MEDIA

Notre Dame QB Everett Golson at the Piano

Notre Dame fans will enjoy this video today of QB Everett Golson -- at the keys of a piano...


LINK:  GOLSON ON THE PIANO

Zibby is Back Home With the Chicago Bears!

Former Notre Dame All-American safety -- Tommy Zbikowski will be playing for his "home team" this upcoming season and he couldn't be happier...

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE STORY

The Moment -- A Reality Show at Notre Dame!

The Moment a new reality show on the USA Network will air an episode shot at Notre Dame on May 2nd at 10 PM ET.  In this show -- a young man looks to earn a job on the Notre Dame football staff.  Here's a link to the video:

LINK:  THE MOMENT

Tulsa Shock Fans React to Drafting Skylar!

Thought you would enjoy the stories published today about the WNBA's Tulsa Shock drafting Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins third overall last night.  Here are the links!

The Notre Dame Club of Tulsa has to be excited!

LINK:  TULSA WORLD 

LINK:  SKYLAR INTERVIEW 

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

A Notre Dame Family's Inspirational Son...

John Jessup's story is one you typically read in a book or see in a movie.

The son of Scott and Janet Jessup (both Notre Dame grads) and a Marian High School senior -- had to make a decision you'd never wish upon anyone you know...

I'll let the folks at the South Bend Tribune tell John's story.


LINK:  JOHN JESSUP

Skylar Diggins Drafted by the TULSA Shock!

Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins was just drafted THIRD OVERALL this evening by the Tulsa Shock in the 2013 WNBA DRAFT!

Congratulations Skylar!

Diggins joins a Shock team that was 9 - 25 last season -- she will make them better!


LINK:  SKYLAR GOES THIRD TO TULSA

Video of Notre Dame "Walk-off" Home Run !!!

The Fighting Irish Women's Softball team scored 7 RUNS in their final at bat on Sunday in their game with Rutgers to win 8 - 6!

The last three runs came with two outs -- as Cassidy Whidden (photo above) hit a three-run walk-off homer!  Whidden hit a 'grand slam' the day before...


LINK:  WALK-OFF HOME RUN!

Dan Hicks Named Next ND TV Voice on NBC!

The husband of Notre Dame alumna Hannah Storm (ESPN anchor) -- Dan Hicks -- was named the VOICE OF NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL today by NBC.  Hicks will be a popular choice among ND football fans.  His first assignment -- Saturday's BLUE GOLD GAME.

You'll enjoy the Sports Illustrated story below:


LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE STORY

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED STORY

WNBA Draft Tonight on ESPN2 at 8:00 PM ET

"Former" Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins will learn this evening what basketball uniform she'll be wearing next...

Skylar is expected to go third in the WNBA Draft to the Tulsa Shock -- though there are rumblings that the Chicago Sky may decide to pick the "DOMER" with their second pick.

Fans of Skylar will enjoy tonight's DRAFT -- because you know they'll be telling her story often.

Skylar is attending the WNBA DRAFT which is being held in a studio at ESPN's Bristol, CT headquarters (as you can see in the photo above, she's already there).  Here's what the media has to say about Skylar's draft position:


LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  TULSA WORLD

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

LINK:  YAHOO SPORTS

ND Football Spring PractIce #12 Report

Approximately 1,000 football coaches descended on the campus of the University of Notre Dame these past couple of days for a coaching clinic.  They were able to view a couple of practices and hear from a number of NFL and college coaches (photos above) and the Fighting Irish staff about their craft.

Here is a look inside yesterday's scrimmage and Coach Kelly's post game press conference:


LINK:  SCRIMMAGE VIDEO

LINK:  COACH KELLY PRESS CONFERENCE

Father Ted to be Named a Navy Chaplain!

Father Ted Hesburgh will finally receive an appointment he's wanted for a long time...

LINK:  A NAVY CHAPLAIN

Notre Dame's Relay For Life Ends This Hour

More than a thousand Notre Dame students, faculty and staff spent last night inside the Compton Family Ice Arena -- walking to raise money for cancer research.  They started at 6:30 PM ET and they'll end in approximately 20 minutes at 9:00 AM ET.

Here's the media coverage:

LINK:  WNDU-TV

Samardzija's Becoming the Leader of the Cubs

Former Notre Dame football star Jeff Samardzija is quickly becoming the face and voice of the Chicago Cubs.  Just yesterday he was asked to comment about the actions of one of the Cubs' top prospects who was involved in a bench clearing brawl.

His response was that of a leader -- I'm quite sure the Cubs' Theo Epstein was impressed:

LINK:  SAMARDZIJA TELLS IT LIKE IT IS

LINK:  SOLER WIELDS BAT

NBC Notre Dame Football TV Show April 20th

The NBC Sports Network will air a show next Saturday (April 20th) at NOON ET about Notre Dame Football -- just prior to the BLUE GOLD GAME -- to get you fired up -- watch the video linked below:

LINK:  STRONG & TRUE

MUST SEE VIDEO! A Tradition of Excellence...

Notre Dame Women's Basketball -- three straight trips to the FINAL FOUR -- a tradition of excellence.  Lady Irish Hoops fans will enjoy this "inside access" to the program...

LINK:  A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

ND Football: Handing Out the GOLD HELMETS

Notre Dame Football Equipment Manager Ryan Grooms handed out the GOLD HELMETS to the Fightin' Irish this week -- you'll enjoy his interaction with "early enrollee" Steve Elmer...

LINK:  THE GOLD HELMET

Coach Brian Kelly Ranked #4 on Coaches List

Athlon Sports published a ranking of the top COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACHES in America - and Notre Dame's Brian Kelly was ranked #4.  I think you'll be surprised who is #3...

LINK:  TOP COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACHES

A MUST READ by ND Mag Editor Kerry Temple

Every Thursday I have the honor of having lunch with Kerry Temple '74 (photo above), the long-time editor of the finest college magazine on the planet -- NOTRE DAME MAGAZINE.  From a booth in Legend's -- we typically enjoy a conversation about all that is Notre Dame...

A side note -- in my first ever conversation with Kerry I learned that we were born in the same hospital in Shreveport, LA.  He was the first and only human (at the time) that I had ever met from Shreveport.  I've since met another colleague here at Notre Dame (Angie Appleby Purcell) who was also born in that same hospital...

This morning, Michael Rodio (DAILY DOMER) shared with me a story Kerry had just written about Skylar Diggins -- it was so good I had to share it with all of you.

LINK:  THE STORY'S END

Manti Te'o Interview With Steve Mariucci

Former Notre Dame All-American Manti Te'o was recently interviewed for a NFL Network show called NFL Game Changers.  Manti was interviewed by former NFL coach Steve Mariucci.  Here's a link to that interview:

LINK:  MANTI TE'O -- NFL GAME CHANGERS

Brady Quinn Signs Contract With Seahawks

Former Notre Dame All-American QB Brady Quinn -- signed a contract with the Seattle Seahawks.  This will be NFL team #4 for Quinn as he's played for Cleveland, Denver, Kansas City and now Seattle.

The move to Seattle means he'll be playing for former USC coach Pete Carroll...

LINK:  QUINN TO SEATTLE

ND -- Last to Beat Both National Champions

The University of Notre Dame's men's and women's basketball teams (respectively) were the last teams to beat the NCAA National Champions from Louisville and UCONN this season...

Unfortunately, that doesn't get you a National Championship ring or banner.

Where Are They Now -- Coley O'Brien

The more "experienced" fans of Notre Dame football will remember a QB by the name of Coley O'Brien.  He was the man behind center in the GAME OF THE CENTURY back in 1966 with Michigan State.

You'll enjoy this interview:

LINK:  COLEY O'BRIEN

Notre Dame Leprechaun Tryouts This Friday

Do you have what it takes to be the "living" mascot here at the University of Notre Dame? 

Well, the annual tryouts for the Notre Dame Leprechaun will take place this Friday.  Here's a clip produced by Fighting Irish Digital Media concerning a Dillon Hall resident who will be one of the ND students trying out:

LINK:  THE NOTRE DAME LEPRECHAUN

First Time Outside for Notre Dame This Spring

The Fightin' Irish took advantage of the improving weather Saturday and they got outside for a portion of practice.  Here's the UND.COM video coverage:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL PRACTICE

Notre Dame Law Wins a National Title!

And, it took place in New Orleans...

A team of eight Notre Dame Law School students won the 2013 Student Trial Advocacy National Competition this weekend in New Orleans!  Team members: Brian Salvi, Shelia Prendergast, Michelle Pope, Kristian Weir, Brian Ellixson, Ted Koroshetz, Andrew Spica and Bryan Pasciak.

The IRISH were "undefeated" -- going 11- 0 in the Regional and National Finals.

Here were the other Law Schools that won their Regional Championship earning a trip to New Orleans for the National Championship:

• Georgetown University
• Washington University (St. Louis)
• University of Texas
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of California (Davis)
• Syracuse University
• Suffolk University
• Georgia State University
• Stetson University
• Loyola University
• William Mitchell College
• Campbell University
• Southwestern University

LINK:  NOTRE DAME WINS A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Thank You Skylar for FOUR GREAT YEARS!

It wasn't the ending she had worked for -- or, the ending we had hoped for...

Yet, I wake up this morning SMILING!  Smiling for the efforts of a TEAM that no one expected could go this far.  Smiling for a "leader" who willed her team to win after win this season and many during her career.  And, smiling for a program that is "excellence" personified.

Thank you Skylar Diggins for sharing your talent with Notre Dame.  You will never be forgotten.


LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

Photo of Fighting Irish Leaving Hotel for Arena!

This photo was just "tweeted" by @ndwbb -- shows the Lady Irish leaving their hotel for Final Four game tonight with UCONN.