End Zone Stripes Are In -- Notre Dame Stadium

Drove by the Rockne Gate at Notre Dame Stadium -- this afternoon -- and took this photo.  I could see the diaganol stripes in the endzone are in place -- unfortunately, this photo does not do it justice.

From outside the tunnel gate -- the field looks awesome!

Here's the latest photo from inside Notre Dame Stadium -- much better!

Here's the story behind the end-zone stripes at Notre Dame Stadium.  There are nine stripes in each endzone -- totaling 18.  They are each set at an angle of 42 degrees -- all pointing towards Notre Dame's iconic Golden Dome.  

They signify the year 1842 -- the year the University of Notre Dame du Lac was founded.

 

SBT's Lesar Talks ND Football Independence

A group called CINESPORT -- never heard of them -- interviewed the South Bend Tribune's Al Lesar about the future of Notre Dame's football independence.  Here's a link to the video interview:

LINK:  INDEPENDENCE

OT: Nike's "Passing of the Baton" to Rory

You've got to hand it to Nike -- they "just do it..."

LINK:  NIKE

Justin Tuck's New Start With Oakland Raiders

The Mercury News caught up with former Notre Dame All-American Justin Tuck as he gets ready for his first Training Camp with the Oakland Raiders...

The photo above is of Tuck's distinctive face mask -- now on the "silver and black" helmet of the Raiders.

LINK:  TUCK

Harrison Smith Predicts How Many Irish Wins!

Former Notre Dame football captain Harrison Smith was interviewed walking into Vikings Training Camp the other day and he was asked a question about how many wins will our Fighting Irish have this season...

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH

Story on the Pittsburgh Steelers' Stephon Tuitt

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Stephon Tuitt is featured in this article about the Steelers' defensive line...

LINK:  TUITT

Coach Kelly Hosts FB Camp in Washington D.C.

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly was in Washington D.C. this week hosting a football camp at St. Johns College High School.

The folks at the Washington Times caught up with Coach Kelly for a quick interview...

LINK:  COACH KELLY

Photo of Kona Schwenke at KC Chiefs Practice

Here's a photo of Kona Schwenke (#93) today at the Kansas City Chiefs practice today...

Michael Floyd "One of the Top 25 Players..."

Under the age of 25 in the NFL...

So says the gang at ESPN -- click on the link below:

LINK:  MICHAEL FLOYD

Field Turf's Notre Dame Promotion Video

I'm going to take a guess that they don't do this often for their Field Turf installations...

LINK:  FIELD TURF PROMO VIDEO

The Five Best End Zone Paint Schemes...

You'll be surprised who's number #1 in this list of the "five most creative end zone paint schemes."

Now, you also must consider the source...

LINK:  END ZONE PAINT SCHEMES

ND Player Updates -- First Day of Training Camp

A number of Notre Dame football players suited up for the first day of NFL Training Camp with their respective teams today.  Here's what I could find on a number of former Fighting Irish football stars -- as you'll see, an alarming number of them were placed on the NFL's "PUP List."

That Notre Dame degree is so, so important!

LINK:  CHRIS WATT -- SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

LINK:  KYLE RUDOLPH -- MINNESOTA VIKINGS

LINK:  LOUIS NIX -- HOUSTON TEXANS

LINK:  STEPHON TUITT -- PITTSBURGH STEELERS

LINK:  GOLDEN TATE & T.J. JONES -- DETROIT LIONS

LINK:  PRINCE SHEMBO -- ATLANTA FALCONS

LINK:  ZEKE MOTTA -- ATLANTA FALCONS

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH -- MINNESOTA VIKINGS

LINK:  JIMMY CLAUSEN -- CHICAGO BEARS

LINK:  THEO RIDDICK -- DETROIT LIONS

LINK:  JOHN CARLSON & TROY NIKLAS -- ARIZONA CARDINALS

LINK:  KAPRON LEWIS-MOORE -- BALTIMORE RAVENS

LINK:  SERGIO BROWN -- INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

LINK:  ZACK MARTIN -- DALLAS COWBOYS

LINK:  DAVID BRUTON -- DENVER BRONCOS

LINK:  BENNETT JACKSON -- NEW YORK GIANTS

LINK:  ROBERT HUGHES -- ARIZONA CARDINALS

LINK:  IAN WILLIAMS -- SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

LINK:  MANTI TEO -- SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

LINK:  ANTHONY FASANO -- KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Aerial Photo of Notre Dame Stadium Field Turf

My understanding is these were taken by Joe Raymond -- South Bend Tribune free-lance photographer

Notre Dame Coaches' Under Armour Gear

The Fighting Irish football staff will return to the Guglielmino Athletics Complex next Monday as they gear up for the start of fall training camp on August 3rd -- the day players report.

Here's a photo of their new gear from Under Armour -- awaiting their arrival.

The photo was "tweeted" today by Ryan Grooms @NDFBEquipment

The "PRIME TIME" Fighting Irish of Notre Dame

Folks, it looks like seven of Notre Dame's football games this season will be televised in "prime time" on Saturday nights this fall.  I don't think any team has ever had this much prime time TV coverage in one season before...

Only Notre Dame!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. NAVY IN PRIME TIME

The ND Monogram is in Place at the Stadium!

Here's the latest photos from the installation of Field Turf at Notre Dame Stadium.

They are moving fast!

Coach Kelly & Staff Visits Under Armour Today

The Notre Dame Football staff made the trek to Maryland today to visit the folks at Under Armour.  Here's a couple of photos "tweeted" by Coach Kelly...

The Field Turf is Down at Notre Dame Stadium

Here's the photo from today!  Next up -- the sidelines!!!

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...

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!

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!

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

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

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

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