Wednesday, July 23, 2014

OT: Stained Glass at Charlie Finley's Old Home


I attended a meeting today at the former home of Oakland A's owner Charlie Finley (a Notre Dame fan) in La Porte, IN -- here's some of the stained glass Charlie had installed...

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Domer Storm Interviews Under Armour CEO


You're going to want to watch this interview Notre Dame alum Hannah Storm '83, conducted with Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank.

This is must see!

LINK:  KEVIN PLANK

Fantasy Baseball's "Most Traded Player"


Is a former Notre Dame wide receiver...

LINK:  SAMARDZIJA

Another Photo of Field Turf Installation at ND


Notre Dame Stadium is going to look really nice when they are done!

Monday, July 21, 2014

Ricky Watters Jr. -- Performing in South Bend


Just learned of this tonight -- Ricky Watters Jr., son of former Notre Dame running back and Super Bowl Champion Ricky Watters will be performing in downtown South Bend at Fiddler's Hearth this Wednesday night at 9:30 PM ET.

Ricky is only 13 years-old...

See him being interviewed below -- along with a couple of his recent performances and a music video where Ricky's Dad wears his Notre Dame jersey:

LINK:  RICKY WATTERS, JR. INTERVIEW

LINK:  SINGING BRUNO MARS "IT WILL RAIN"

LINK:  SINGING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

LINK:  MUSIC VIDEO


Notre Dame Under Armour Soccer Cleats !!!


The Under Armour folks are at it again for Notre Dame -- here's a look at the women's soccer shoes...

Field Turf Being Installed Today at Notre Dame


Here it is -- the south endzone of Notre Dame Stadium has the first strip of Field Turf installed.

I you look closely you can see the slight 1/2% grade in elevation...

The bottom photo shows the "cutting in" of hash marks and numbers prior to placing in the turf.

ND's Campus Architect -- Video Chat Thursday


Folks, if you'd like to hear from one of the key people behind the "most beautiful campus" in America -- this Thursday's your chance!

Over the next five years -- the University will be adding at least ten more buildings to this campus -- this is your chance to get an "insider's perspective" as to what is planned!

Doug Marsh, Notre Dame's University Architect will be participating in an online chat this Thursday from NOON ET to 1 PM ET.  Only 100 spots are available -- so you need to register ASAP!

It's free and open to anyone!

LINK:  REGISTER HERE!

Sunday, July 20, 2014

The Highest Valued Ticket in College Football

Notre Dame...

And, it's not even close.  The folks at Forbes did some research on the price of tickets being sold in "secondary markets" for the 2014 football season and the most valued college football ticket is to see the University of Notre Dame play.

You'll be surprised who's ranked and who's not...

LINK:  FORBES RANKING

Domer Mike Lee '09 Fights in Chicago Friday!


Notre Dame alum Mike Lee '09, is back in the ring this Friday night in an ESPN Friday Night Fights at Chicago's UIC Pavilion.  This will be the "undefeated" Lee's (11 - 0) first fight since his six-round TKO of previously undefeated Peter Lawson in April.

If you're looking for something to do Friday night in Chicago -- head over and watch Mike's fight -- my understanding is 20% of the proceeds from this bout will be donated to Notre Dame.

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN-TIMES STORY

LINK:  BUY TICKETS HERE

A Great Story About Two Domers' Tribute...


Former Notre Dame football player Asaph Schwapp died from non-Hodgkin lymphoma (May 2013) at the age of 26...

Two of his former teammates and a few other Notre Dame alums decided to take on a TRIATHALON in his honor in San Francisco.  It's called the "Escape From Alacatraz" Triathalon and Mike Aello and Evan Sharpley competed for the memory of their friend.

You're going to want to read this story:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Domer Dad Bon Jovi Still Looking to Buy Bills


Rocker Jon Bon Jovi -- father of Notre Dame student-athlete Jesse Bongiovi -- is still seeking to purchase the NFL's Buffalo Bills.  Here's the latest:

In the photo above note the Notre Dame Leprechaun on Bon Jovi's guitar...

LINK:  BON JOVI

Skylar Scores 27 in 2014 WNBA All-Star Game


The former Notre Dame All-American put on quite a show last night in Phoenix -- leading her West team in scoring with 27 in their 125 - 124 OT loss to the East team in the 2014 WNBA All-Star game.  Here's the story:

LINK:  SKYLAR

LINK:  ESPN

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Domers Playing in Celebrity Golf Classic Today


If you're looking for an event to watch on TV this weekend you might want to check out the American Century Championship -- a celebrity golf tournament that airs on NBC today and tomorrow.
  • Saturday TV schedule: 3 PM ET to 6 PM ET
  • Sunday TV schedule: 3 PM ET to 6 PM ET

A few former Notre Dame stars are in the playing field;  Joe Theismann, Tyler Eifert, Jerome Bettis, Digger Phelps and Tim Brown.

After day one -- Tim Brown leads the Notre Dame contingent -- in this "Stableford Format" tournament -- here's the leaderboard:

LINK:  FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD

LINK:  CELEBRITIES FLOCK TO LAKE TAHOE

Only 43 Days to Notre Dame Football...


I can't wait!

Nine Notre Dame football players were named to "Watch Lists" for the various season ending awards.  Fighting Irish sophomore linebacker Jaylon Smith is on FIVE...

LINK:  WATCH LIST

Brady Quinn Attends NFL Films Boot Camp


Former Notre Dame All-American QB Brady Quinn attended an NFL Films boot camp for aspiring TV journalists a couple of weeks ago -- as you'll see in this Cleveland Plain Dealer story. 

I also learned that Quinn underwent back surgery this past November -- something I didn't know.

LINK:  CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER STORY

Manti Back Home for Event With Oregon QB


Former Notre Dame All-American Manti Te'o was back in Honolulu this week for an event at the Downtown Athletic Club with Oregon QB Marcus Mariota.  Here's a link to the news coverage:

LINK:  MANTI AND MARIOTA

Skylar Plays in Her First WNBA All-Star Game


Former Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins was voted a starter in today's WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix.  Tip-off time is set for 3:30 PM ET on ESPN.

Here is a link to Skylar talking about today's game and what she did to improve her game:

LINK:  SKYLAR DIGGINS TALKS ALL-STAR GAME

Friday, July 18, 2014

Notre Dame's New Track & Field Head Coach


Alan Turner was just named the new head Track & Field coach at the University of Notre Dame.

Congratulations Alan!

LINK:  TURNER

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Field Turf Additions -- Shipped to Notre Dame


The above photo was "tweeted" today by the gang at Field Turf.  Next stop -- Notre Dame Stadium!

The image below shows a "photo shopped" Notre Dame Stadium with the Field Turf installed -- courtesy of Dan Worthington.

Notre Dame Photos From ESPYS Last Night


Notre Dame soccer player Max Lachowecki (gray suit and bow tie) posted some photos last night on TWITTER:
  1. Top photo:  Max with Lisa Leslie (WNBA) and Jennie Finch (USA Softball) along with Notre Dame student-athletes Garrett McGrath (fencing) and Steve O'Hara (lacrosse) backstage at the ESPYS
  2. Middle photo:  Max with dance stars Jabbawockeez
  3. Bottom photo:  Max with Notre Dame women's basketball's Brianna Turner on the ESPYS red carpet

ESPYS: Brianna Turner On the Red Carpet


Notre Dame student-athlete Brianna Turner was at the ESPYS last night for being named Gatorade's High School Athlete of the Year.  Turner, the nation's #1 ranked girl's high school basketball player this past season -- is already enrolled at Notre Dame this summer...

Click on the link below and see Brianna in the 360 photo booth at the ESPYS:

LINK:  PHOTO BOOTH

Golden Tate and Max Lachowecki at ESPYS


Former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate was on the ESPYS stage last night when Max Lachowecki (Soccer) accepted the Capital One Cup for the Fighting Irish!

Here's a couple of links of Max Lachowecki in the 360 photo booth:

LINK:  MAX

LINK:  MAX II

ESPYS: Notre Dame Receives Capital One Cup


Here's the photo of the three Notre Dame student-athletes who were in attendance last night at the ESPYS to receive the Capital One Cup for the 2013-14 season.  It's the first time ever that Notre Dame has won this award!

Top photo L TO R:  Garrett McGrath (Fencing), Max Lachowecki (Soccer) and Steve O'Hara (Lacrosse)

ESPYS: Video Clip of Skylar Diggins & Drake


Skylar Diggins is everywhere...

Here she is making an appearance last night on the ESPYS -- see video linked below.  Apparently, Drake has a little crush on Skylar -- as you'll see in the Washington Post article linked below:

LINK:  SKYLAR

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Mike Brey Called Out for Fashion Faux Pas


I'm sure Notre Dame's men's basketball head coach Mike Brey will get a laugh out of this story...

LINK:  CHANGING COLLEGE HOOPS FASHION

Must See TV Tonight: The ESPY'S at 9 PM ET


Four Notre Dame student-athletes will walk the red carpet and will be on camera tonight at ESPN's annual awards show -- The ESPY'S.  The show starts at 9 PM ET on ESPN.

Here's what's in store:
  • Brianna Turner -- the #1 ranked high school women's basketball player, who's already enrolled at Notre Dame, was named Gatorade's National High School Athlete of the Year last night.  She'll be honored this evening during the ESPY'S
  • And, these three Fighting Irish student-athletes (Max Lachowecki -- tennis, Garrett McGrath -- fencing and Steve O'Hara -- lacrosse) were selected to represent Notre Dame tonight as we receive the 2013-14 CAPITAL ONE CUP men's sports national title.  The first time ND has ever won this award!

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Domer Named Gatorade's National HS AOY!


Brianna Turner was just named Gatorade's National High School Athlete of the Year tonight!!!

This makes "back to back" years for Notre Dame student-athletes receiving this award.  Last year Morgan Andrews (Notre Dame women's soccer) received this honor.  It's the third in five years for Notre Dame student-athletes -- as Skylar Diggins received this honor in 2009.

Turner, the nation's top women's high school basketball player was in Los Angeles tonight to receive the award.  Brianna is already enrolled at Notre Dame and will be counted on BIG TIME this season for Muffet's squad.

LINK:  HOUSTON CHRONICLE

LINK: HS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR!

LINK:  PRESS RELEASE FROM NOTRE DAME

Notre Dame Freshman's 8th Grade Letter to Self


Jonathan Bonner is one of Notre Dame's incoming freshman football players -- he's a DE / OLB recruit.  Today, Jonathan posted a letter on TWITTER that he wrote to himself in the 8th grade -- click on it above to enlarge!

As you'll see -- he was dreaming of going to Notre Dame four years ago...  Pretty special young man.

A Rainbow Over Notre Dame Today!


Got to love it!

If you follow @NotreDame on Twitter -- you will see photos like this...

Samardzija: A MLB All-Star Without a TEAM


Tonight's 2014 Major League All-Star Game from Minneapolis will feature a unique set of circumstances for former Notre Dame All-American wide receiver Jeff Samardzija.

Jeff will be introduced as a National League All-Star before the game -- then he'll head over to the American League dugout to watch the game...

Here's the story:

LINK:  SAMARDZIJA'S ALL-STAR EXPERIENCE

Monday, July 14, 2014

The Next 55 Days Can't Get Here Fast Enough!


The #1 winningest college football team in the world (NOTRE DAME) plays the #2 winningest college football team in the world (Michigan) in only 55 days...

Found this video today on the web -- ARE YOU READY FOR THIS!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. MICHIGAN

A Domer Spends "Three Minutes in the Chair"

Domer Jimmy Small '08 spent some time prior to Saturday night's Indy Car Race at Iowa Speedway doing an interview with the local NBC affiliate:

LINK:  THREE MINUTES IN THE CHAIR


ESPN Calls on Notre Dame's Rudy to Explain...


I guess it makes perfect sense for ESPN to turn to a movie character associated with the university which graduates the most student-athletes in the world...

Even though they have a TV contract with the SEC.

LINK:  RUDY EXPLAINS

The $500,000 Notre Dame Alums Talk Victory


You'll enjoy watching this story about the Notre Dame alums who laced up their basketball shoes one more time...

LINK:  FIGHTING ALUMNI

The Latest Photo From Notre Dame Stadium


Here's what I learned, over the weekend, about the installation of the new Field Turf playing field at Notre Dame Stadium:
  • The field -- will be practically FLAT.  There is only a "half of a percent" drop in elevation from midfield to sideline.
  • They are currently placing a "rubber" layer over top of the stone -- photo above -- similar to what the Seattle Seahawks did when they installed Field Turf at Century Link Field.
  • This is the last step before the new playing surface is installed.

College Football All-American to MLB All-Star


Just found this story this morning on former Notre Dame All-American wide receiver Jeff Samardzija -- enjoy!

LINK:  ALL-AMERICAN TO ALL-STAR

Own a Unique Piece of Notre Dame History!


An auction selling windows from Notre Dame's Main Building (AKA "the Golden Dome") will take place this Wednesday.  The proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanities Women Build project.

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY

A Few Tickets Left for 2014 Notre Dame Football


If you'd like to attend a Notre Dame Football game this season -- there are a few tickets left for the games with Rice, Northwestern and Louisville. 

SCHEDULE:
  • August 30th -- RICE
  • November 15th -- NORTHWESTERN
  • November 30th -- LOUISVILLE

LINK:  BUY TICKETS HERE!

Domer Bruton -- The Denver Bronco Biker...


I just found this story on former Notre Dame football player David Bruton -- who's a team captain with the NFL's Denver Broncos...

David has a passion for his motorcycle -- you'll want to see this story.

LINK:  THE BRONCO BIKER

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Our "Little Girl" Is Getting Married Today at ND!


In just less than eight hour from now (who's counting) I will have the great honor of walking our daughter Kara down the aisle at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart here at the University of Notre Dame.

I'll have three challenges to overcome:
  1. Not crying
  2. Not tripping
  3. Letting her go...

I hope you'll join me in saying a prayer today for the future Conor & Kara Walsh.  We are thrilled to "officially" welcome Conor into our family -- he's a special young man from a fantastic family.  And today -- he's the luckiest man on the face of the earth.

That's a picture of the two of them yesterday inside Notre Dame Stadium...

MARRY LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY!

LINK:  WEDDING STORY