Irish Athletes Honored by Big East Conference!

The Big East Conference honored three Notre Dame athletes with 2009-2010 Big East Scholar-Athlete Sports Excellence Award. Irish basketball player Tim Abromaitis, rower Sarah Keithley and tennis player Tyler Davis were among the 24 student athletes in the Big East to receive this honor. Abromaitis (Unionville, CT) posted a 3.73 GPA in the classroom and was one of the big surprises in the Big East this year, averaging 18.2 pts. per game earning Academic All-American honors. Keithley (Austin, TX) coxed a Big East Champion boat in three of her four seasons for the Irish while posting a 3.74 GPA in the classroom. And, Tyler Davis (Nashville, TN) earned All Big East Academic Honors for the third straight year while compiling a 4-1 mark in singles for the Irish. Congratulations to all three!

ND Professor Receives Sheedy Award

Jim Collins, Notre Dame professor in the Department of Film, Television and Theatre was named the 2010 Sheedy Excellence in Teaching Award winner in recognition of his work as a scholar and teacher. The Sheedy award, named after Rev. Charles E. Sheedy, CSC who was Dean of the College of Arts & Letters from 1951 to 1969, acknowledges a faculty member who has sustained excellence in research and instruction over a wide range of courses. This individual must also motivate and enrich students using innovative and creative teaching methods and influence teaching and learning within the department, College and University. Collins is author of “Architecture of Excess: Cultural Life in the Information Age” (1995) and “Uncommon Cultures: Popular Culture and Postmodernism” (1989), editor of “Hi-Pop: Making Culture into Popular Entertainment” (2002), and co-editor of “Film Theory Goes to the Movies” (1993). His most recent book, “Bring on the Books for Everybody: How Literary Culture Became Popular Culture,” was released last month. Congratulations Professor Collins!

2010 SHEEDY EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD WINNER

New Hotel Opens up across from Notre Dame

The Fairfield Inn & Suites at Notre Dame opens up Tuesday, June 22nd. Located across the street from the University of Notre Dame, in the Eddy Street Commons development, fans of The Fighting Irish will find pretty good room rates for the football season. The hotel is sold out for the Michigan game, but rooms are still available for the other Notre Dame Football Weekends. Here's a link to their website:

FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES AT NOTRE DAME

A Domer @ NASCAR!

Jimmy Small, Class of 2008 -- left the Notre Dame campus, two years ago, for the high banks of NASCAR. Small was recruited by NASCAR to join their Series Operations Team -- a pretty cool job for a kid right out of college. That's Jimmy pictured above with Adam Sandler and Kevin James -- these two were at Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup event at Michigan International Speedway , promoting their soon to be released film; 'Grown Ups.' One of Small's duties on "Race Day" is to direct all of the 'on-camera' appearances of celebrities engaged to perform, sing a National Anthem or give the command "Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!" Well, this Sunday, Jimmy was given the honor of "directing" Sandler & James in their 'now YOUTUBE legend' command to start your engines. As you watch the video -- you'll see Small's hand (in the lower right hand corner) directing these two characters. I'll leave the rest for your enjoyment.

LINK TO ADAM SANDLER & KEVIN JAMES -- NASCAR!

Incoming ND Athlete -- Named to Team USA

You can bet Muffet McGraw's smiling this morning. One of her prized incoming recruits, was just named by USA Basketball to the 12 member U18 National Team. Kayla McBride, out of Erie, PA is the fifth ND Women's Basketball Player to earn this honor in the last seven years. Kayla was selected to this team after six days of tryouts at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. She'll remain out there for the next two weeks, with her new teammates, as they prepare for the qualifying round of the FIBA U19 World Championships. The Americans must finish among the top four teams in the eight team qualifying round to earn the trip to Chile for the World Championship. The Team USA honor caps off a great high school career for McBride which earned her McDonald's All American, USA Today All American, Parade All American, ESPN RISE All American and Pennsylvania's Gatorade Player of the Year honors. She led her team to "back to back" Pennsylvania State Championships earning Kayla recognition as one of the top-25 players in America. I'm sure Muffet can't wait to have the 5'-11" McGraw join Skylar Diggs, in the Irish backcourt, for the next three seasons -- it's going to be fun!

Girl from Vietnam -- Hesburgh-Yusko Scholar!

The University of Notre Dame's inaugural class of Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars -- includes a young lady from Vietnam. Hien Luu, a senior at Conard High School in West Hartford, CT is one of 25 incoming Notre Dame students who have received this "first of it's kind" scholarship. The Hesburgh-Yusko scholarship includes an all-expenses paid summer experience each year, the first is next month when the twenty-five incoming freshmen, will go on a mountaineering experience in the Northern Cascades in Washington. Luu and her family left Vietnam for America in 1998. Here's a link to a wonderful story, in the Hartford Courant, about Hien Luu and her family:

VIETNAMESE GIRL RECEIVES HESBURGH-YUSKO SCHOLARSHIP

ND Grad's TV Show -- Debuts on Fox Today!

"Judge" Anthony Napolitano, Notre Dame Law Grad, debuts his new show "Freedom Watch" this morning at 10 AM EST -- on the Fox Business Channel. His first guests; Sarah Palin and Ron Paul. Here's a link to Judge Napolitano's website:

FREEDOM WATCH -- FOX BUSINESS CHANNEL

Irish Athletics -- Tops Again in Classroom!

The NCAA just released its sixth annual Academic Progress Rate (APR) statistics -- and, once again, all 26 of Notre Dame's varsity athletic teams exceeded the NCAA standards. (2010 NCAA APR REPORT - LINKED BELOW) In fact, eight Irish teams earned perfect scores! Five Men's teams; cross country, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field and golf -- and three Women's teams; rowing, soccer and tennis. The only school with more perfect scores than Notre Dame - Duke, they had ten. The NCAA's APR uses a series of formulas related to student-athlete retention and eligibility to measure the academic performances of all participants who receive grants-in-aid on every team at every NCAA Division I college and university. Congratulations Notre Dame Athletics! Notre Dame Football received a 978 NCAA APR score -- as compared to the NCAA APR scores for the Football Teams on Notre Dame's schedule this fall -- ranked below - from highest to lowest:
-Stanford: 976
-Navy: 973
-Boston College: 967
-USC: 965
-Army: 964
-Western Michigan: 956
-Pittsburgh: 950
-Utah: 949
-Michigan State: 941
-Tulsa: 939
-Michigan: 936
-Purdue: 930

2010 NCAA APR DATABASE

How will Notre Dame acknowledge USC games?

In the wake of today's announcement that USC must, in essence, forfeit every game that Reggie Bush played in during his three-year career with the Trojans - I wonder how Notre Dame will acknowledge these games in their record books? Do they add "three wins" to their overall total? Does Ty Willingham's and Charlie Weis's career coaching records change? It's going to be interesting to see how all of USC's opponents during the 2003, 2004 and 2005 seasons treat today's NCAA ruling.

San Francisco Giants Draft Golden Tate!

In the 50th round of the just completed Major League Baseball Draft - the San Francisco Giants selected former ND All-American and current Seattle Seahawk; Golden Tate. Tate was an "outfielder" in his spare time with the Irish baseball team. Will Golden leave football?

ND Victory March -- Key Evidence in Court Case

A recording of the Notre Dame Victory March has just become the key piece of evidence in a story that garnered national headlines in March. Jack McKenna, a 21-year old University of Maryland student was part of a "post game" celebration after Maryland's upset victory over top-ranked Duke in college basketball. Well, McKenna was roughed up by Police and the incident was caught on video. Come to find out, McKenna was "singing the Notre Dame Victory March" and apparently, the police took the words "Shake down the thunder..." as a threat -- which led to their actions caught on camera. Attorneys for McKenna apparently have a cell phone recording of McKenna signing the ND Fight Song and are using it as evidence. Here's a link to the original video and the news story of how the Victory March is being used in McKenna's court case. You can't make this up -- Promise!

LINK TO NOTRE DAME VICTORY MARCH AS EVIDENCE

The Ultimate Irish Tailgater!

If you're looking for a place to "tailgate" before an Irish Football Game this Fall - here's an option for you - The Notre Dame Football Hospitality Village. Tickets are available right now for you to entertain your family, friends or clients -- before kick-off of every home football game. Just click on this link for more information:

THE ULTIMATE IRISH TAILGATER

A Notre Dame Author You Should Follow

His name is Bryan Gruley and he's a 1979 graduate of the University of Notre Dame. Gruley is currently the Chicago Bureau Chief for the Wall Street Journal - but that's just his "day job!" Gruley continues to receive critical acclaim for his first novel; Starvation Lake: A Mystery -- which garnered him an Edgar Award nomination for "Best First Novel" by the Mystery Writers of America. And, just this past week, the Anthony Awards recognized Starvation Lake with two more nominations; Best First Novel and Best Paperback Original -- the award winners will be announced in October. Gruley's sequel, The Hanging Tree will hit the bookstores this August -- keep an eye out for it! Here's a link to Bryan's Blog where you can buy his books:

BRYAN GRULEY -- A NOTRE DAME AUTHOR

Follow a Fantasy FB Camper at Notre Dame!

NBC Sports Writer, Keith Arnold, is attending the Notre Dame Football Fantasy Camp this week and he's "blogging" about his experiences on NBC's Inside the Irish Blog. Today was "registration day" and Keith tells his story. Should be fun to follow him this week -- see the link:

ND FOOTBALL FANTASY CAMP BLOG

ND FB Recruit - Wins NJ State 110M Hurdles!

Notre Dame football recruit, Bennett Jackson, a wide receiver from Raritan High School, won the 2010 New Jersey Meet of Champions State Championship in the 110 Meter Hurdles! Here's a link to his race, he's in Lane Five, as well as a link to a highlight video from his senior season:

ND FOOTBALL RECRUIT -- JERSEY STATE CHAMPION 110 METER HURDLES

ND FOOTBALL RECRUIT -- FOOTBALL HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

ND Lacrosse Goalie -- Taken 7th in MLL's Draft!

Notre Dame All-American Lacrosse Goalie, Scott Rodgers -- was drafted 7th overall yesterday by the Major League Lacrosse's Toronto Nationals in their 10th Annual Collegiate Draft held at Yale University. The Nationals "traded up" to the top of the Second Round to get Rodgers -- who was recently named Most Outstanding Player in the 2010 NCAA Men's Lacrosse National Championships. Teammate Grant Krebs, was drafted 45th overall to the Boston Cannons. The ND Men's Lacrosse team is currently in Japan on a week long exhibition tour -- playing some of the "national" teams in Japan. Congratulations Scott and Grant!

MAJOR LEAGUE LACROSSE DRAFT -- RODGERS GOES SEVENTH TO TORONTO

The Coach Kelly Challenge!

Notre Dame Head Football Coach -- Brian Kelly & Family, recently donated $250,000 to the University of Notre Dame -- and with the donation, challenged the Notre Dame Family to follow their lead. And, if you do -- you'll get to wear the same "Kelly Green ND Lapel Pin" that Coach Kelly wears (photo above left). I went online today and made a donation -- please consider doing the same! To learn more about the Coach Kelly Challenge - click on the link below:

COACH KELLY CHALLENGE

Think You Can Do This? -- Think Again!

Notre Dame Linebacker Steve Filer - just might be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! Here's a YOUTUBE video that is garnering "legendary" status for Filer. I don't think you'll want to try this at home -- see link:

FILER'S POOL TRICK

R.I.P -- Coach John Wooden

Former UCLA Head Basketball Coach John Wooden passed away yesterday at the age of 99. Wooden often called "The Wizard of Westwood" -- set many, many coaching marks that will probably never be broken. Winning 10 National Championships in a 12 year span at UCLA is just one of them. He hails from the town of Hall, IN where he was born in 1910. At the age of 14 his family moved to Martinsville, IN where he led his high school to three consecutive Indiana State Championships as a player -- earning All State honors all three years. Wooden then went on to play at Purdue where he helped the Boilermakers win a National Championship in 1932 and All American honors three times. He's the first ever to be elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and as a coach. Coach Wooden even coached for ten years at South Bend Central High School. However, Notre Dame fans know him best from the games his Bruins played against Digger Phelps and the Irish. One of the most famous -- from a ND Fan's perspective -- is the game January 19, 1974 when the #2 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish stopped the #1 ranked Bruins record 88 game win streak by scoring the last eleven points of the game in the 71-70 Irish victory. The photo above is of Dwight Clay's game winning basket -- that's Adrian Dantley in the foreground. What's often forgot about UCLA's record streak is Notre Dame had the last victory against UCLA in 1971 -- before they went on their 88 game run. And, the Irish didn't make the Sports Illustrated cover commemorating this win -- the following Monday -- which bugs Digger to this day. Click on the link below to see the last five minutes of this game. Coach Wooden, you were a true gentleman!

NOTRE DAME ENDS UCLA'S RECORD WINNING STREAK

Former ND Alum Named Coach of NBA Hornets!

Former Irish Basketball Player, Monty Williams, Notre Dame Class of 1994 -- was hired late last night as the new Head Coach of the NBA's New Orleans Hornets! Williams becomes the "second" former ND hoops player to sit in the "head chair" on an NBA bench -- joining Adrian Dantley who was the Denver Nuggest "interim" Head Coach this past season. Williams, out of Potomac, MD came to ND as a 4.0 student and highly regarded forward. Unfortunately, Williams was diagnosed with a heart condition during his freshman season and he didn't play his sophomore or junior seasons -- but was cleared to play his senior season and a fifth year -- scoring 22.4 points a game for the Irish in the 1993-94 season. Williams was a first round pick of the New York Knicks in 1994 and played nine years in the NBA. His best game was a 30 point effort for the San Antonio Spurs -- one of five NBA teams he played for during his NBA career. Williams was hired as an Assistant Coach for the NBA Portland Trailblazers in 2005 -- and he's been with the Blazers ever since -- until he signed a three-year contract last night with the Hornets. Congratulations Monty!!! Here's a link to The Times Picayune article:

NBA HORNETS HIRE FORMER ND BASKETBALL PLAYER AS ITS HEAD COACH!

ESPN Ranks ND's Recruiting Class -- 11th

Head Coach Brian Kelly & Company have been hitting the recruiting trail hard, these past few months, seeking the talent needed to fit his style of play. And, so far so good. To date, nine high school "rising seniors" have verbally committed to the Irish -- even though the actual "Signing Day" isn't until February 2011. Just goes to show you how the recruiting game has changed. ESPN just released it's rankings of the verbal commitments to date and the Irish stand 11th in their ranking of college football recruiting. Headlining the Irish verbals are (Pictured L to R) Offensive Lineman; Matt Hegarty (New Mexico), Jordan Prestwood (Florida) and TE Ben Koyack (Pennsylvania). Koyack just won the Pennsylvania High School State Title in the Javelin. The first verbal commitment to this recruiting class came from Brad Carrico, who's a DE from Brady Quinn's old high school in Dublin, Ohio. Here's a link to the ESPN Rankings:

TOP TWENTY RECRUITING RANKINGS - CLASS OF 2011

Alex Montoya -- A Notre Dame story!

This is the story of one of the first San Diegans mainstreamed from special education to an integrated school environment in 1980. A triple amputee from birth, Alex Montoya, is truly "one of a kind." An author and motivational speaker - Alex is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (Class of 1996). Here is the promotional copy used by the Publisher of Alex's book "Swinging for the Fences." There are some odds that can't be beat, but Alex Montoya has yet to find them. Living his whole life with prosthetics has neither deterred nor discouraged Alex from achieving his dreams. From a young immigrant to the American dream, Montoya overcomes his obstacles with perseverance and a lot of laughter. From his tiring trials to become a citizen to fulfilling his dream of working in Major League Baseball, from his days at Notre Dame to his days in Hollywood, Alex Montoya's success is directly credited to his will. And his determined will, as he will tell you, was a conscious choice." When Alex isn't writing a book or giving a motivational speech, he serves as the Manager of Latino Relations for the San Diego Padres. Montoya has appeared in the major motion films Artificial Intelligence and minority Report. A former Olympic Torch Relay carrier, Montoya was named to San Diego Magazine’s "50 San Diegans To Watch" list in 2000. You can find Montoya's book "Swinging for the Fences" -- on sale in the Notre Dame Hammes Bookstore and at Amazon online. Here's a link to buy Alex's book:

SWINGING FOR THE FENCES -- AMAZON

ND Goalie -- Most Outstanding Player Award!

Notre Dame Senior, Scott Rodgers, was named the "Most Outstanding Player" for the 2010 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships! Rodgers finished the season with the highest save percentage in the country! Joining Rodgers on the All Tournament Team were teammates; Zach Brenneman and Kevin Ridgway. Congratulations!

Darius Walker -- Needs Our Help!

Former Notre Dame running back, Darius Walker -- ND Class of 2009 -- has set his sites on a new career for himself...talk show host! Oprah Winfrey is running a contest on her website "YOUR OWN SHOW" in which Darius has submitted an audition tape. Click on the link below and you'll see how you can help Darius get this gig!

DARIUS WALKER'S AUDITION FOR OPRAH

ND Lacrosse - Dream Ends in OT

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame lost five seconds into OT to Duke 6 - 5 in today's NCAA Men's Lacrosse National Championship Game. A "see-saw" game that saw no more than a one goal lead for either side -- but, it was Duke who scored the goal to tie the game in the 4th Quarter and the goal off the OT faceoff was the game winner. The eleven total goals is the lowest total for the Championship Game and a testament to the Irish defense and the goaltending of Notre Dame goalie Scott Rodgers. It was a valiant effort by the Irish and a "shot heard round the Lacrosse world!" It's time to thank these young men for giving the Notre Dame Nation some excitement these past two weeks! You brought great honor to your school and the GOLD HELMET!

Happy Memorial Day!

As you enjoy a Memorial Day meal today with family and friends -- please think about the families that aren't together today -- because a family member or two has lost a life -- or, is sitting somewhere in the world today fighting for our freedom. Say a prayer for them. Here's a video you must find time to watch today:

MEMORIAL DAY 2010

IT'S CHAMPIONSHIP MONDAY! -- 3:30 PM EST

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame take on the Duke Blue Devils this afternoon in the biggest game in the history of Notre Dame Lacrosse. To the winners -- the first National Championship in Lacrosse. I can't wait! The game is on ESPN and ESPN 360. I'm betting that ESPN and the NCAA will realize the largest TV audience ever today for a non-football or basketball National Championship telecast. The picture above is from the Notre Dame vs. Cornell Semi-Final Game Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium -- site of today's National Championship Game. Go IRISH!

WASHINGTON POST STORY ON TODAY'S GAME

ND Alum Wins Pro Boxing Debut!

Mike Lee, Notre Dame Class of 2009 -- made his professional boxing debut last night in Chicago, winning a unanimous decision over Emmitt Woods in a Light Heavyweight bout. Lee, a three time Bengal Bouts Champion who signed with Bob Arum and Top Rank Incorporated (photo) this past February, was very impressive in his first pro fight. Congratulations Mike!

LEE'S PRE-FIGHT PRESS CONFERENCE ON FRIDAY

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Monday!

The Fighting Irish continue to "shock the Lacrosse world" -- beating Cornell 12 - 7 and advancing to the National Championship game tomorrow at the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships. The Irish will take on a familiar foe, the Duke Blue Devils in the title game. Duke beat #1 seed Virginia 14 - 13 in their Semi-Final game. Notre Dame played Duke on the Blue Devils home field this past February with the Irish winning 11 - 7. It's going to be ND's defense and "THE WALL" 6'-4" 245 lb. Senior Goal Tender Scott Rodgers (pictured) vs. the offense of Duke -- should be a classic. To the winner goes the first Lacrosse National Championship in each respective school's history. The game will be televised on ESPN at 3:30 PM -- GO IRISH!

ESPN PREVIEW OF LACROSSE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

COACH CORRIGAN'S POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

Kevin Corrigan -- Talks Irish Lacrosse!

He's in his 22nd season as Head Coach of the University of Notre Dame Men's Lacrosse Team -- and his team is making it's second trip to the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships Final Four! The Irish take on Cornell in Baltimore tomorrow afternoon in front of the largest crowd ever to see a Notre Dame Lacrosse team play -- as more than 50,000 are expected to be sitting in the seats of M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Here is Coach Corrigan with Jack Nolan talking about tomorrow's game - click on link:

COACH CORRIGAN WITH UND.COM'S JACK NOLAN

Irish Lacrosse Plays Cornell Saturday!

Kevin Corrigan's Notre Dame Fighting Irish Lacrosse Team will play the #7 seed Cornell this Saturday in the first National Semi-Final game of the 2010 NCAA Men's Lacrosse National Championships this weekend in Baltimore. For the 'unseeded' Irish - Cornell will be the lowest seeded team they will have played so far. To date, the Irish have knocked off #6 seeded Princeton and the #3 seed Maryland on their way to the Final Four. The Irish were a controversial pick to even be in the tournament - many lacrosse "experts" were furious that Notre Dame was selected into the sixteen team field. They were so lightly regarded that after the Irish beat Maryland -- the Terrapins Coach resigned the next day. Yet, you can catch the "un-worthy" Fighting Irish on ESPN2 this Saturday afternoon at 4 PM EST -- in THE FINAL FOUR! The second National Semi-Final will pit the #1 seed Virginia against the #5 seed Duke. The winners of these two games will play in the National Championship game on Memorial Day (Monday) at 3:30 PM EST on ESPN. Here's a link to the NCAA's Lacrosse National Championships website. GO IRISH!

2010 NCAA MEN'S LACROSSE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Our Favorite Professional Golfer - Mark Baldwin

Mark Baldwin is a Notre Dame Alum (Class of 2006) and is a member of the Canadian PGA Tour. The NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG is following Mark as he goes about his journey -- pursuing the dream of playing on the PGA Tour. Which is something a Notre Dame grad has never done before. Baldwin heads to British Columbia on Sunday to prepare for next week's Times Colonist Open. You'll find a link to this tournament's website below -- so you can follow how Mark is playing. This past week Mark was in Louisiana participating in a unique Junior Golf program run by a couple of local PGA Pros. Mark produced a video that captured the "magic" these two members of the PGA of America are creating in the New Orleans area. Enjoy!

MARK BALDWIN -- LAKEWOOD JUNIOR GOLF PROGRAM

CANADIAN PGA TOUR - TIMES COLONIST OPEN

Golden Tate Singing!

Former Notre Dame All-American, Golden Tate was in California with a number of NFL Rookies yesterday to promote a NFL Trading Card deal with Panini and he was caught singing on camera. Thank goodness he can catch a football! I don't think American Idol will be calling. You be the judge:

GOLDEN TATE SINGING A TAYLOR SWIFT SONG

Brian Kelly on Live! with Regis & Kelly

University of Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Brian Kelly has been in the New York area the past couple of days visiting with ND Alumni Clubs -- and he found time to meet with Notre Dame Alum Regis Philbin. Here's a link to Coach Kelly's Tuesday appearance on the show:

COACH KELLY WITH REGIS

ND Alum Makes Pro Boxing Debut Saturday!

Mike Lee, a member of the University of Notre Dame's Class of 2009 -- makes his professional boxing debut this Saturday! Lee will be fighting a light heavy weight match in Chicago at the UIC Pavillion. The fight is being promoted by Top Rank and will be televised on FOX. Lee is a three time "Bengal Bouts" champion at Notre Dame -- where he graduated with a 3.8 GPA in finance. I found this interview with Lee at Live Sports Entertainment -- click here to read:

MIKE LEE'S PROFESSIONAL BOXING DEBUT

A Belated Happy Birthday to Father Ted!

University of Notre Dame's "Father Ted" -- Theodore Hesburgh, turned 93 years young yesterday (May 25th)! Or in other words, he's now thirty years old with sixty three years of experience! Father Ted has been a "gift" to Notre Dame and to the world -- one fun fact about Hesburgh is he has more than 150 honorary degrees which I believe is still a Guinness Book World Record. Here's an article in the National Catholic Reporter about Notre Dame's -- Father Ted's 93rd Birthday -- click on link:

FATHER TED TURNS 93

Cole Jacob Barker -- The Fighting Irish Spirit!

University of Notre Dame Alum, Jacob Cole Barker (Class of 2006), went to heaven a few weeks ago as he lost his six-year battle with cancer. His story should be told -- and I'm thankful that the Barker family agreed to sit down with the South Bend Tribune to tell it. That's Cole and his friend and former Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Charlie Weis in the picture. Please read this story -- IT IS A MUST READ -- here's a link:

JACOB COLE BARKER -- THE FIGHTING IRISH SPIRIT

Quinn & Ndukwe -- Speaking June 30th

Former high school buddies, roommates at Notre Dame and now NFL football players; Brady Quinn and Chinedum Ndukwe will be the featured speakers at the College Football Hall of Fame's Gridiron Legend's Luncheon Series -- June 30th in South Bend, IN. Brady, is now with the Denver Broncos and Chinedum is a starting safety with the Cincinnati Bengals. These best friends, led the Irish to "back to back" BCS Bowl Games in their last two years with the Irish. Go to the College Football Hall of Fame website for ticket information. Here's a link:

COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME WEBSITE

Notre Dame Tennis -- FINAL FOUR AGAIN!

The University of Notre Dame's Women's Tennis team beat Tennessee yesterday to advance to the NCAA Women's Tennis Championship's FINAL FOUR -- for the second straight year! Sophomore Kristy Frilling (Sidney, OH - pictured) who's ranked 16th nationally in singles, upset the #11 ranked Whoriskey of Tennessee -- clinching the victory for the Irish. The fifth-seeded Irish will now play eight seed Stanford -- Monday in Athens, GA on the University of Georgia campus. The other Final Four match has the #2 seed North Carolina taking on the #3 seed Florida. Go Irish - beat the Trees!

Notre Dame Lacrosse -- NCAA FINAL FOUR!

The University of Notre Dame's Men's Lacrosse team beat the #3 seeded Maryland Terrapins today 7-5 to advance to the FINAL FOUR of the NCAA Men's Lacrosse National Championship -- for the second time in school history! It's the second straight "upset" of a higher seeded team for the Irish! Last week the Irish beat the number #6 seed Princeton. It's important to note that the Irish were a "controversial pick" to even be in the sixteen team NCAA Championship -- look who's smiling now! The Irish will play the winner of the Cornell vs. Army game next Saturday (May 29th) -- in Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium -- the 71,000 seat home of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens and the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Final Four. Go Irish!

Lou Holtz -- Indiana Football Hall of Fame

Last night, Lou Holtz became the third football coach from the University of Notre Dame to be inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame -- joining Knute Rockne and Ara Parseghian. WNDU-TV caught up with Holtz while he was in town -- here's a link to two interviews Lou gave to fellow Indiana Football Hall of Famer, Jeff Jeffers:


LOU HOLTZ -- INDIANA FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

Ethical Stem Cell Research -- That's ND!

University of Notre Dame Professor David Hyde and his team of researchers have been looking for ways to obtain and use stem cells that would be morally acceptable. The prevailing notion is that embryonic stem cells taken from living human embryos (babies), that have been aborted, are necessary for stem cell research. This practice is an obvious conflict for Catholics and all who believe in the dignity of every human life -- from conception to birth -- since human embryos are human beings and their intentional destruction is murder. Scientists have been arguing that adult stem cells are not as adaptable as stem cells from human embryos. Thankfully -- Professor David Hyde disagrees and he points to the research his team at Notre Dame has done that proves these adult stem cells are adapting quite well. They've been taking mature stem cells from more than 100,000 Zebrafish. "All the fish are anesthetized before they're treated and most of the treatments involved the use of extremely bright light, which kills off their rod and cone photoreceptor cells in the retina." Making the Zebrafish blind. They know the Zebrafish are blind because they don't swim away from predatory fish. However, after inserting adult mature stem cells back into the eyes of the Zebrafish -- their VISION IS RESTORED. Hyde says Zebrafish have a similar eye structure to humans. "So, we're ready to start to think about are the processes that we've identified in Zebrafish, are they working properly in humans? Or, is there something that is blocking their ability to function in humans, which would then correlate to the inability in human retina to regenerate," Hyde says. Can you imagine if Notre Dame can restore sight for those who are blind?! Sounds like something this University should be "FIGHTING FOR!!!" Thank you David Hyde! Here's a TV commercial Notre Dame produced to tell this story:

FIGHTING TO RESTORE VISION -- NOTRE DAME

The ND Logo -- Miles Above Earth Today!

Michael Good (ND Class of 1984 & 1986) wore his "heart on his sleeve" today - miles above the Notre Dame campus. Good was conducting his third space walk this week -- as the Space Shuttle Atlantis was docked to the International Space Station. On Good's left wrist -- the famous interlocking Notre Dame logo! Photo courtesy of NASA. Pretty cool!

Coach Kelly Out Visiting ND Alumni Clubs

Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Brian Kelly, was in Iowa and California this week to speak to ND Alumni Clubs. You'll find three links to videos below - the first is a YouTube video of Coach Kelly's talk in Iowa. The second and third links are from his visit to Fresno, CA - where he found time for a quick TV interview with the local ABC and NBC affiliates. (I didn't know he was a "lefty!") Coach Kelly will be on the east coast next week meeting with ND Alumni Clubs in New Jersey and New York. Here are links to the interviews.

COACH KELLY IN IOWA

COACH KELLY IN FRESNO - ABC

COACH KELLY IN FRESNO - NBC

Do You Know Who's Wearing #9?

It's none other than #10 in your hearts and former Domer; Brady Quinn. There hasn't been much fanfare about Quinn and his new uniform number with the Broncos. Here's hoping the change in number and scenery brings much success to this young man. Go Irish!

SHREK's Last Stand -- a ND Story!

The movie character Shrek will be in theater's for the last time -- beginning tomorrow -- as "Shrek Forever After" begins its run. In an April 29th post on NOTRE DAME GO IRISH BLOG - we identified all of the Notre Dame connections to Shrek - and there are many (click on link below). Shrek has been a huge hit for DreamWorks; over $2.2 billion in Box Office revenue worldwide, 8 Tony nominations for Shrek the Musical, 4 Oscar nominations and one Oscar -- winning the first ever statuette for best animated feature. So, Go SHREK and Go Irish!

SHREK & NOTRE DAME