An Interesting Preview of Notre Dame Football

Julian Okwara w/Media After Lions' Game

 

The former Notre Dame defensive end played a number of snaps last night in the Lions' exhibition loss to the Buffalo Bills.  Julian put plenty of pressure on the Bill's QB's throughout the game...

Julian's press session starts at:  22:52 mark of the video above

OT: When Does ND Football Play Here vs. Iowa!

 

If I'm Jack Swarbrick and NBC -- I'm taking a Shamrock Series game to the "Field of Dreams" and playing a football game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in prime time...

Can you imagine seeing that "gold helmet" walking out of the corn rows onto that field at night...

A "made for Peacock" moment like none other -- until we play a game in St. Peter's Square (Vatican)...

Once Again: Domer Advances in U.S. Amateur

Davis Chatfield has advanced to the Sweet 16 of the U.S. Amateur being played at historic Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, PA.  He tees off this morning at 9:50 AM ET -- and you can track his match at the link below.

TV coverage is as follows for today's round:

• 11 AM ET to NOON ET -- on Peacock
• NOON ET to 2 PM ET -- on Golf Channel
  

Davis will be returning to the Fighting Irish this fall for his fifth year -- courtesy of the NCAA's decision to allow student-athletes an additional year of eligibility due to COVID.  

Here is a link to a story Davis wrote for Golf Digest about a great lesson he learned at Notre Dame.  GOLF DIGEST STORY

Go Irish!

LINK:  U.S. OPEN SCORING

Brian Kelly's Latest Press Conference

 

The Dick Corbett Head Football Coach at the University of Notre Dame -- met with the media after Thursday's practice...

Notre Dame's Joe Wilkins "Mic'd Up"

Missed This: Finebaum Talks Notre Dame...

Once Again -- Notre Dame Plays Top Schedule

Just took a look at the release of the first College Football Coaches Poll for the 2021 season -- to see which school is taking on the most ranked opponents in the TOP TWENTY.  Here are the Top 20 teams "re-ranked" in the order of games against other top 20 teams this season.

This is the story -- much in the media choose not talk about -- when they start ranting about Notre Dame needing to join a conference.  

WHY -- so we can play an easier schedule?

1. NOTRE DAME* -- 4 opponents (avg. rank: #12)
   
2. ALABAMA -- 4 opponents (avg. rank: #12)
3. INDIANA -- 4 opponents (avg. rank: #13)
4. PENN STATE -- 4 opponents (avg. rank: #14)
   
5. IOWA -- 4 opponents (avg. rank: #15)
   
6. IOWA STATE -- 3 opponents 
7. FLORIDA -- 3 opponents
8. LSU -- 3 opponents
9. WISCONSIN -- 3 opponents
   
10. OKLAHOMA -- 2 opponents
    
11. OHIO STATE -- 2 opponents 
12. GEORGIA -- 2 opponents
13. TEXAS A&M -- 2 opponents
14. NORTH CAROLINA -- 2 opponents
15. CINCINNATI -- 2 opponents
16. MIAMI -- 2 opponents
17. TEXAS -- 2 opponents
    
18. CLEMSON -- 1 opponent
19. OREGON -- 1 opponent
20. USC -- 1 opponent

 

*Notre Dame is ranked as the toughest schedule among the TOP TWENTY -- winning the tie-breaker with Alabama, since the Fighting Irish play two teams in the TOP TEN versus just one for Bama...

Brian Kelly's Fall Camp Opening Presser

Ian Book Talks Camp Progress w/ Saints

Notre Dame's all-time leader in wins for a starting QB -- is a week or so into his NFL career...

LINK:  BOOK W/ MEDIA

Notre Dame's Shamrock Series Uniform

Access Hollywood & Today Show -- Lee Kiefer

 

The Notre Dame grad won the first GOLD MEDAL EVER in her sport in American history...

By Golly Molly -- You Can't Make This Up!

I've been without a laptop for the past seven days -- sorry I've been amiss in reporting on Notre Dame!

The Olympic games proved quite successful for the Fighting Irish with a number of former student-athletes winning medals over the few weeks in Tokyo.

But, one story sticks out for me -- MOLLY SEIDEL.

Who has ever competed for just the THIRD TIME ever in their event -- and runs away with an Olympic Medal?  NO ONE, until Molly Seidel.  Here's some of the coverage of her Olympic journey...

 

 

Custom Golf Car Build -- Latest Update

 

View of the rear seat frame and gold (powder coated) grab bar installation

 

 

View of the custom dash installation (before gold accents)

 

View of battery and speakers (before painting)

 

View of steering wheel before blue half-wrap and ND Monogram

 

The folks at Excessive Golf Carts (Prosper, TX) are continuing to build out a Notre Dame themed custom golf car for me.  Here is their Instagram page, where you can see a number of their finished builds:  EXCESSIVE

They're telling me we're about 3 weeks away -- so, I should have it here before the first football game! 

In case you missed it, here was the first update on golf car build:  UPDATE #1

ESPN Feature: Olympians' Skylar and Jewell

Thought you'd enjoy reading this ESPN feature on two former Fighting Irish All-Americans!

LINK:  OLYMPIC BACKCOURT

OT: USA Olympics Gear = "Dots and Stripes"

I absolutely loved the concept of the golf shirt that the American team wore during Sunday's final round -- not the execution. (click on above image to enlarge)

You have to ask why did Adidas and their Tokyo based designer Hiroko Takahashi place "dots" instead of STARS on this shirt?

Huge miss!

Photos of Ian Book at Saints' Training Camp

 

 
 

Two Domers Win Olympic Bronze in Foil!

Gerek Meinhardt (furthest right in photo) and Nick Itkin (second from left) won an Olympic Bronze Medal in the Olympic Foil...   It's the second Olympic medal for the United States in this event since 1932.

Meinhardt '13 is married to Olympic Gold medalist and fellow Domer Lee Kiefer '17.  Itkin '22 is a two-time NCAA Champion and a rising senior at the University of Notre Dame.

Congrats!

Notre Dame Athletes & Coaches at Olympics

Interviews of Notre Dame Stars in the NFL

Took a lap around the worldwide web and found a number of former Notre Dame stars taking questions from reporters at the start of NFL Training Camp begins for them...

LINK:  CHASE CLAYPOOL 

LINK:  AARON BANKS 

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH

Romeo Okwara Meets w/ Detroit Media

 

Fast forward the video to the 6:00 minute mark to watch former Notre Dame star Romeo Okwara...

Brady Quinn Talks Cam Newton

Notre Dame Stadium's New P.A. Announcer...

It was announced yesterday that Chris Ackles will be the "new voice" of Notre Dame Stadium -- replacing Mike Collins.  

Ackles, a lifelong Notre Dame fan, currently announces for the Chicago White Sox.

Rumored "Look" for Game with Wisconsin

 

 

Rumor has it that this will be the jersey that Notre Dame will wear this September 25th in Chicago vs. Wisconsin...

 

It's also rumored that Notre Dame's helmet will mirror the Green Bay Packers -- since this was the uniform designed for the game at Lambeau that was cancelled due the pandemic.  The helmet would be Notre Dame Gold with two blue stripes and a white stripe down the middle and blue ND Monograms on each side. And, the face mask would be painted blue.

 

If that's the case -- I'm guessing the Notre Dame gold football pants will have the same blue and white striping down each side.

Stay tuned.

Tokyo Olympics Update -- Meinhardt Upset!

Much was written yesterday about the GOLD MEDAL won by Lee Kiefer -- whose husband is Gerek Meinhardt..

Well, Gerek -- the #2 ranked athlete in the world in the FOIL, was upset in his first match by the 124th ranked player in the world...

Here's the Washington Post story.

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST

Notre Dame Feature on Lee Kiefer in 2017

Photo of the Day: Lee Kiefer '17 Gold Medalist

The former Fighting Irish star just won an Olympic Gold Medal -- the first ever for an American (man or woman) in Foil!

Lee's husband, Gerek Meinhardt '13 is currently ranked #2 in the world in Foil -- and he begins his Olympic journey tonight at 10:35 PM ET

OLYMPIC FUN FACT:  America has won only three Olympic Gold Medals in history in Fencing -- and all three have been won by former Notre Dame student-athletes!

• 2004:  Mariel Zagunis, Sabre Olympic Gold Medalist
• 2008:  Mariel Zagunis, Sabre Olympic Gold Medalist
• 2021:  Lee Kiefer, Foil Olympic Gold Medalist
  

Notre Dame's "Power Couple" at Olympics!

 

Just minutes ago -- Lee Kiefer just became the first American ever to win an Olympic Gold Medal in the Foil!  

Here's the moment it happened:  OLYMPIC HISTORY

Her husband (and fellow Domer) Gerek Meinhardt is currently ranked #2 in the World -- he begins his quest for a Gold Medal in the Foil this evening at 10:35 PM ET

Kiefer Wins First Ever GOLD MEDAL for USA!

No American has ever won an OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL before or, an individual medal of any color for that matter -- men or women -- in FOIL.

Notre Dame alum Lee Kiefer makes history!!!

Brady Quinn Talks NIL on Dan Patrick Show...

Pat Connaughton on Dan Patrick Show...

Olympics Start Tonight -- Cheer on Our Irish!

The Opening Ceremonies for the 2021 Olympic Games in Japan -- started this morning LIVE at 7 AM ET on NBC.  The "encore" TV coverage begins this evening at 7:30 PM ET -- again on NBC.

The University of Notre Dame will be well represented in Tokyo these next few months -- with a total of 24 athletes and coaches on Olympic & Paralympic Teams!

Here's the list of all of the athletes and coaches who currently call or did call -- Notre Dame home:

TEAM USA (17):

• Yared Nuguse -- Track & Field Team
• Molly Seidel -- Track & Field Team
• Sam Grewe -- Track & Field  -- PARALYMPIAN
  
• Skylar Diggins-Smith -- Basketball
• Jewell Loyd -- Basketball
• Jackie Young -- Basketball
• Molly Bruggemann -- Rowing
• Kevin Hurley -- Fencing
• Nick Itkin -- Fencing
  
• Gerek Meinhardt -- Fencing
• Lee Kiefer -- Fencing
• Sabrina Massislas -- Fencing
• Mariel Zagunis -- Fencing
• Francesca Russo -- Fencing
• Angie Akers -- Beach Volleyball (coach)
• Bucky Leach -- Fencing (coach)
• Christian Rascioni -- Fencing (coach)
  

 

TEAM CANADA (1):

• Natalie Achonwa -- Basketball
  

 

TEAM HONG KONG (1):

• Kaylin Hsieh -- Fencing 

 

TEAM MONTENGRO (1):

• Ilija Tadic -- Fencing
  

 

TEAM PANAMA (2):

• Tyler Christianson -- Swimming
• Mike Litzinger -- Swimming (coach)
  

 

TEAM POLAND (1):

• Ewa Nelip  -- Fencing 

TEAM SINGAPORE (1):

• Anita Berhier -- Fencing

 

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S TRACKING OF OLYMPIANS

Marcus Freeman at Rockne Gala in Chicago

Notre Dame Club of Chicago's 2021 Rockne Gala from Notre Dame Club of Chicago on Vimeo.

A Custom Golf Car -- The Build Begins!

I joined the Development Team at the University of Notre Dame back in January of 2012 -- in December that same year, we moved into our new home just a couple of blocks away...

In that new home, we specifically designed an area in the garage to park a golf car -- that was more than eight years ago.  I've been waiting a long time to finally have that golf car built!

This past February, I started the process of talking with custom golf car builders who could help create my long dreamed Notre Dame themed golf car.  Surprisingly, most every company I spoke with had been severely impacted by COVID.  They've been unable to acquire used golf cars from golf courses (they are hanging on to them for another year) limiting their ability to find inventory for custom golf car builds.

So, I had to expand my search beyond Indiana, Michigan and Illinois -- which led me to seeking out one of the top players in this space, EXCESSIVE CARTS out of the Dallas, TX.  Rob & Stacie Wallach have built quite a business out of "tricking out" new and used golf cars -- and, they've agreed to build my golf car.

The custom golf car (pictured above) is one of the many that Excessive Carts has built for customers around the world.

Back in April, we began the process of designing the golf car and doing our best to try to match the helmet paint color of our Notre Dame Football team -- it's a color you can't order at any paint store.  It's made exclusively for Notre Dame by Finish Line Industries and their company Hydro Graphics, Inc.

So -- we had to look around to try to find the closest match to that exquisite GOLD HELMET.  We ended up choosing a powder coat color called GOLD GLITZ from a company called Columbia Coatings in Columbia, TN -- this took a lot longer than I had hoped...

That takes us to today -- Rob & Stacie just sent this video clip of the first golf car parts that have been powder coated in the Gold Glitz color and delivered to their production floor -- here's the video...

 

The plan, is to keep you updated with the build of this golf car over the next few weeks -- here at the ND GO IRISH BLOG. As you can see in the photo below -- they've just begun the build!  My hope is to have the completed golf car delivered to South Bend in mid to late August.

 

 

 

The bottom photo is the MadJax 4" Lift Kit powder coated in Gold Glitz

 

 

 

 

Replay: Milwaukee Buck's NBA Champ Parade

 

Our guy Pat Connaughton is introduced to the thousands in attendance at the 2:02:18 mark.

You will also find Pat in the parade for the first time at the 35:50 mark.

Pat Connaughton: NBA Finals Victory Presser

ACC Commissioner Talks Notre Dame Football

 

Jim Phillips, the new Commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference is well acquainted with the University of Notre Dame.  He is a parent of two Notre Dame students and he's a former member of the Notre Dame Athletics staff -- serving as an Associate Director of Athletics for the Fighting Irish from 2000-2004...

Watch the Bucks Parade Today at NOON ET

The Milwaukee Bucks will be celebrating their NBA Championship today at NOON ET -- you can watch it all LIVE right here at the LINK below -- be sure to keep an eye out for Pat Connaughton!!!

LINK:  MILWAUKEE BUCKS PARADE

Must See: Monty Williams Post Game Presser

 

This is a special man...

Our NBA Champ's Post Game Interview...

Our Guy Pat Connaughton -- NBA CHAMPION!

Notre Dame's Pat Connaughton -- front row and center of NBA Championship photo!  Click on photo to enlarge...

Extremely Proud of This Notre Dame Graduate

 

This is what a class act does -- minutes after losing a chance at an NBA Championship as a head coach...

 Monty Williams -- you are a wonderful human being.

Notre Dame's "Shake Down the Thunder Shoe"

Got to love this new shoe from Under Armour that has a gold lightning strike on the heel...

Big Night for Pat Connaughton & Milwaukee!

 

What a night it could be for the fans of the Milwaukee Bucks.  The city is building a second "watch party" area, just north of the Fiserv Forum on a vacant site where a hotel is to be constructed.  

They are expecting a total of 65,000 people will be "outside" the arena watching the game -- see photo below from ND GO IRISH BLOG regular Brian Couch '84

Here's hoping they get a win and our guy Pat Connaughton earns a RING!  

Sorry Monty -- Pat is a good friend.

Monty Talks Preparation for Elimination Game

 

Fast forward the video to the 11:56 mark to watch Monty Williams' press conference...

Fived Named to Athlon's All-American Teams

 

Five members of the 2021 Notre Dame Football Team have been named to Athlon's Preseason All-America Teams...

Monty Williams Talks Game 5 Loss to Bucks

 

The former Notre Dame star is definitely going to have to get his team "to the other side of hard" as they head to Milwaukee down 3-2 in NBA Finals.

Great Story About Former Lou Holtz Player...

You're going to want to know this man with a Notre Dame degree...

 LINK:  BILLY WAGASY

Connaughton After Huge NBA Game #5 Win!

Monty Williams Talks Tonight's Game #5