Darby Runs 21.08 @ World Championships!

University of Notre Dame football "verbal" commit Ronald Darby ran a 21.08 in his Semi-Final heat this afternoon at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Lille, France.  This places him as the second fastest qualifier going into tomorrow's Final Heat (six hundredths of a second behind the top qualifier from Jamaica).  Darby's Personal Best is 21.05 which he ran last month (fifth fastest among high school juniors in the country).  Here's a link to the results as well a link to the PHOTO FINISH of the race and the USA High School 200 Meter Rankings:

LINK:  WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS -- 200 METER SEMI-FINAL

LINK:  PHOTO FINISH -- 200 METER SEMI-FINAL 

LINK:  USA TRACK -- JUNIOR CLASS RANKINGS 200 METERS

Domer's First MLB Start for Red Sox Sunday!

Kyle Weiland was drafted by the Boston Red Sox out of the University of Notre Dame in 2008.  Three years later, the 24 year-old "Domer" will be getting his first major league start tomorrow against the Baltimore Orioles -- replacing John Lester who was put on the disabled list this week.  Here's a link to a few stories about Kyle's first start!

LINK:  MLB.COM STORY

LINK:  BOSTON GLOBE

LINK:  BOSTON HERALD

Mike Lee '09 Fights Tonight -- Watch it Live!

Notre Dame alum Mike Lee '09, enters the ring tonight for the sixth time as a professional at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.  The fight will be streamed LIVE on the web at TOPRANK.COM @ 9 PM ET tonight!!! 

The Atlantic published a nice story yesterday about Mike Lee and his impact on the boxing world -- as did the Orange County Register -- see the links below.  And, there's a link to Mike's interview in Los Angeles earlier this week -- talking about his fight tonight and his fight September 16th at Notre Dame!

LINK:  THE ATLANTIC -- MIKE LEE STORY

LINK:  ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER -- MIKE LEE STORY

LINK:  MIKE LEE INTERVIEW

LINK:  WATCH THE MIKE LEE FIGHT LIVE HERE AT 9 PM ET

Photo of the Day -- David Perkins' Hair Cut!

Notre Dame "verbal" commit -- David Perkins, let the folks know at Nike's "The Opening" football showcase that his "HEAD IS COMMITTED to the IRISH!"  Click on the photo to enlarge

Irish Verbal Commits -- Making Some Noise!

Five future Fighting Irish football players are putting their athletic talents on display this week in Oregon at Nike's "The Opening" showcase.  David Perkins (IN), Justin Ferguson (FL), Mark Harrell (NC),  Deontay Greenberry (CA) and Tee Shepherd (CA) -- are the five and you'll enjoy ESPN.COM's story about the Irish recruits and you'll see them in the video linked below as well.  (L to R:  Tee Shepherd, David Perkins, Justin Ferguson, Mark Harrell and Deontay Greenberry up front)

LINK:  HERE COME THE IRISH

LINK:  THE OPENING -- THE VIDEO

Darby Finishes Fourth at World Championships

Notre Dame football "verbal" commit, Ronald Darby is in Lille, France this week representing the United States of America at the IAAF World Youth Championships.  Yesterday Ronald ran the 100 Meters, finishing in 4th place in the Championship Final with a time of 10.61 -- see the link to the video below!

This morning, Darby won his heat in the 200 Meters with a time of 21.50 -- which advances him to the Semi-Finals tomorrow -- the Championship FINAL for the 200 Meters is Sunday.

The official results are linked below - as well as the PHOTO FINISH of Darby's 100 Meter Final and 200 Meter heat -- COOL PHOTOS!

LINK:  VIDEO OF 100 METER FINAL

LINK:  DARBY FINISHES FOURTH

LINK:  PHOTO FINISH OF 100 METERS

LINK:  200 METERS PRELIMS

LINK:  PHOTO FINISH OF 200 METERS

Notre Dame Football Ticket Lottery Results

Notre Dame football fans who entered the lottery this year for football tickets can find out if they have tickets by clicking on the link below.  Notre Dame will ask you for your "number" -- which was on your Lottery Ticket application -- to access this information.  If by chance you didn't write down your number (like me) you have two additional options:  look at your Notre Dame Magazine mailing label and take the numbers listed there (use only two of the zeros in front of your number) or, you can contact the Notre Dame Ticket Office at 574.631.7356

LINK:  ND FOOTBALL TICKET LOTTERY

USA Today Article -- Michael Floyd

The USA Today sports staff published a story today about Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd.  Didn't really learn much new, but it's always nice to read someone say nice things about the team's upcoming season.  Here's the link:

LINK:  USA TODAY STORY

90 Year Old Receives Notre Dame Degree!

Augustus Francis "Gus" Stuhldreher, who turned 90 years old last week, received an honorary bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame -- after leaving ND for World War II more than a half-century ago.

Notre Dame football fans will recognize the last name as one of the legendary "Four Horsemen" -- Gus wasn't one of the famous four -- that was first cousin Harry Stuhldreher.  This is a wonderful story written by the Akron Beacon Journal -- you'll want to read it!

LINK:  STUHLDREHER FINALLY GETS HIS DEGREE!

Mike Lee Fights Saturday Night @ 9 PM ET!

To get you ready for Notre Dame alum Mike Lee's sixth professional fight I've found two videos Irish fans will enjoy watching.  Video #1 is how Mike is introduced in the ring.  Video #2 is Mike's third round TKO -- both took place in the Dallas Cowboy's billion home in Texas.

Mike's fight Saturday will be streamed LIVE for FREE at TOPRANK.COM -- beginning at 9 PM ET.  See the link below to the site:

LINK:  MIKE LEE'S FIGHT INTRODUCTION

LINK:  MIKE LEE'S THIRD ROUND TKO!


LINK:  WATCH MIKE'S FIGHT -- LIVE -- 9 PM ET ON SATURDAY!

ND Football Tickets Go On Sale -- July 27th!

I've received some emails from Notre Dame fans asking me when the un-sold football tickets go on sale for the upcoming season -- well the date is Wednesday July 27th @ 8:30 AM ET.  To buy tickets you'll need to call the Notre Dame Ticket Office at this number:  574-631-7356

News broke this afternoon that the USC game and Michigan away game ticket requests rank among the 25 best of all time.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  LOTTERY TICKET RESULTS ONLINE!

Parseghian, Holtz & Kelly -- Great Video!

The good folks at UND.COM caught up with Notre Dame football coaches Parseghian, Holtz and Kelly -- who were interviewed by ESPN's Mark May and Reece Davis during the Irish Legends event.  Great stuff!

LINK:  IRISH LEGENDS -- VIDEO

Crist & Floyd on Maxwell Award "Watch List"

Two Notre Dame football players were among the sixty-six players named yesterday to the Maxwell Award's "Watch List."  Notre Dame QB Dayne Crist or WR Michael Floyd will hope to become the sixth former Irish football star to receive this honor as College Player of the Year:

2006:  Brady Quinn
1977:  Ross Browner
1966:  Jim Lynch
1953:  John Lattner
1952:  John Lattner
1949:  Leon Hart

LINK:  MAXWELL AWARD -- WATCH LIST

A Wonderful Story -- Katie Mattie ND '14

I just learned of this YouTube video this afternoon -- of Katie Mattie at her graduation from Ypsilanti High School last year.  As Katie tells it -- it was her life-long dream to attend the University of Notre Dame.  Well, as the story goes, Katie "rolled the dice" and applied to only one school.  The Ypsilanti HS Valedictorian / Class President was "wait listed" on two occasions (December 09' and April '10) by her "dream school" only to learn the day before her high school graduation that she had been finally accepted into the University of Notre Dame.

Well, Katie didn't tell anyone (not even Mom or Dad) when she got the news -- she decided to let everyone know the next night during the graduation ceremony.

If you listen closely to the video -- Katie's parents don't believe the principal is right when he introduces Katie and lets everyone know she'll be attending Notre Dame in the fall...  Great stuff!  There's a second link to an Ann Arbor News story about Katie...

LINK:  A NOTRE DAME STORY

LINK:  ANN ARBOR NEWS STORY

Notre Dame Super Fan -- Mark May?

Yeah, he's finally left the dark side...

ESPN's resident "Notre Dame skeptic" Mark May has finally come to his senses.  Here's a link to a video from yesterday's COLLEGE FOOTBALL LIVE on ESPN:

LINK:  MARK MAY -- ND SUPER FAN

Mike Lee's Press Conference -- Tomorrow

Notre Dame boxing champion, Mike Lee -- will be at the Wilshire Grand in downtown Los Angeles tomorrow at Noon PST for the final news conference leading up to his fight this Saturday night.  Lee, who's undefeated as a professional will be the featured undercard attraction in the Brandon Rios vs. Urbano Antillon World Lightweight Championship at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.  The fight will be televised on SHOWTIME.  If you'd like to watch tomorrow's press conference live -- click on the link below.  The photo above is Mike Lee with fellow Notre Dame alum "Rudy" Ruettiger.

LINK:  LIVE FEED TO PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  MIKE LEE'S BIO

Band of the Fighting Irish -- National Anthem

Here's a link to a YouTube video I found today from a game in Notre Dame Stadium this past September against Purdue - where the Band of the Fighting Irish played God Bless America and our National Anthem before kick-off.  Thought you'd enjoy this!

LINK:  PRE-GAME AT NOTRE DAME STADIUM

God, Country & Notre Dame -- Happy 4th!

This photo is of an archway on the east side of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the University of Notre Dame campus.  I found this story about the "Dodd Twins" -- who attended Notre Dame in the late 90's on an ROTC scholarship.  Thought you'd enjoy this story on INDEPENDENCE DAY 2011-- here in America!

LINK:  GOD, COUNTRY & NOTRE DAME

He Never Misses the Opportunity to Hate on ND

Folks his name is David Haugh and he's a sports columnist with the Chicago Tribune.  His column today was "typical Haugh" when it comes to Notre Dame.  Haugh worked at the South Bend Tribune earlier in his career -- spending ten years covering Notre Dame.  In 2003 he moved on to the Chicago Tribune -- where he's been ever since.

It must have been a slow news day for Mr. Haugh -- so he went to his HATE ON NOTRE DAME file to fill some space.  He pulled out four-letter words like "sham" and "punk" to refer to the University of Notre Dame today...

LINK:  THIS STORY'S BEEN TOLD 

Photos of the Day -- Manti Teo at Notre Dame

Manti Teo spent Friday at Notre Dame Stadium having his picture taken for the Irish Sports Report -- thought you'd enjoy of couple of the photos taken by the South Bend Tribune photo staff.

Toughest Job in America -- ND Football Coach

I'm quite sure Brian Kelly would confirm the headline of this story -- it's not a job for the meek of heart.  South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen caught up with Coach Kelly to take a look back at his first year on campus.  You'll enjoy this story:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY

It's Good To Be Skylar Diggins!

Has their ever been a more famous female athlete at the University of Notre Dame than Skylar Diggins?

I don't think so...

The good folks at the South Bend Tribune published a wonderful story today about ND's next superstar.  You'll enjoy the story:

LINK:  SKYLAR DIGGINS

Is Oregon the Next to Fall?

The media, not BANK NCAA is doing the investigative work these days policing college athletic programs.  Most recently, a Sports Illustrated writer (who's a Notre Dame grad) put the heat on Ohio State which led to Jim Tressel's forced resignation.  Eighteen months ago a Yahoo Sports story forced BANK NCAA to do something about the USC Trojans football program -- and Oregon might just be next!

Here's a link to Yahoo Sports interview with a "scouting service" in the Houston area -- who was paid $25,000 by the Oregon athletic program to secure the recruitment of top high school football players.  This isn't good for Chip Kelly and company...

LINK:  WILL CHIP KELLY BE LOOKING FOR A JOB SOON?

Photo of the Day -- The Middle of ND's D!

This photo was "tweeted" today by Notre Dame linebacker Manti Teo of the men in the middle of the Notre Dame defense.  Here are their names from left to right in the photo:  Darius Flemming, Manti Teo, Carlo Calabrese, Justin Utopo and Prince Shembo.

Domer Wins USA Track National Championship!

Former Notre Dame All-American Molly Huddle (don't you love her name!) won the 5000 Meters at the USA National Track & Field Championship -- for her first ever National Championship!  The victory, for the nine-time IRISH All-American and the current American record holder in the event, qualifies Molly to represent the United States at the IAAF World Championships in South Korea in late August.  Congratulations Molly!

Here's a link to Molly's interview after her big win!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S NATIONAL CHAMPION!

One Time ND Running Back -- Documentary

Dorsey Levens -- who's college football career began at the University of Notre Dame before his transfer to Georgia Tech -- has produced a documentary film about brain concussions called "Bell Rung."  Here's a link to the CNN.COM story:

LINK:  BELL RUNG -- THE DOCUMENTARY

Notre Dame Launches New Website

The University of Notre Dame launched a new website late this evening -- and I have to admit, I'm not doing back flips over the new design.  Maybe the final design will be displayed tomorrow?  Here's a link:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S NEW WEBSITE

Notre Dame's David Ruffer Needs Our Votes!

Phil Steele is running a poll on his website today looking for fans to vote for the top place kicker in college football.  Notre Dame's David Ruffer is one of the kickers in the poll -- click here to vote for Ruffer:

LINK:  DAVID RUFFER -- VOTE FOR HIM!

Michael Floyd's Plea Agreement Today

University of Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd pleaded guilty today in St. Joseph County Court to one count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.  Floyd was sentenced to one year of administrative probation which will require the following of him:

•  His driver's license will be suspended for 90 days -- meaning he can not drive a car
• After the 90 days are up he will be required to use an ignition interlock device in his car for six months which will monitor if there is alcohol on his breath.  If there is, the car will not start and Floyd will be in violation of his probation -- and I'm quite sure it will also signal the end of his football career at Notre Dame

Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune's story:


LINK:  FLOYD MAKES PLEA TODAY

USA Today Ranks ND #1 in Social Media

The folks at USA Today came out "today" with their ranking of the twenty best colleges in America for social media -- and the school on top....the University of Notre Dame!  Here's a link:

LINK:  TOP TWENTY SCHOOLS IN AMERICA FOR SOCIAL MEDIA

Irish Legends Golf Classic -- Media Coverage

Lou Holtz, Ara Parseghian and Brian Kelly could be found today on the links in southwest Michigan for their annual Irish Legends Golf Classic.  ESPN's Mark May and Reece Davis were the hosts of this event -- here's a link to the media's coverage of the fun today:

LINK:  WNDU-TV STORY #1

LINK:  WNDU-TV STORY #2

T.J. Tynan Drafted by the NHL's Blue Jackets

Three University of Notre Dame hockey players were drafted yesterday in day two of the 2011 NHL Draft.  The first Irish student-athlete to hear his name called was T.J. Tynan in the third round, 66th player overall -- by the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Six picks later, Steven Fogarty was selected by the New York Rangers and in the fourth round the New York Islanders took Robbie Russo with the 95th pick.  Here's a link to the UND.COM story:

LINK:  THREE IRISH ICERS DRAFTED BY NHL TEAMS

Grand Valley Dedicates Building to Kelly Family

Notre Dame Football Coach Brian Kelly was in Allendale, MI yesterday -- the home of his first head football coaching gig -- for the dedication of the Kelly Family Sports Center on the campus of Grand Valley State University.  Here's a link to the news coverage:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE 

LINK:  WZZM-TV GRAND RAPIDS

LINK:  GRAND RAPIDS PRESS

Irish Hoops Recruit Injured In Plane Crash

This is a sad story.  And, it's also a story you couldn't make up -- if you tried.

A plane crashed last night in northern Michigan -- killing Dr. Stephen Hatch and his wife Kim.  Dr. Hatch's son Austin -- a 6' - 6" basketball star who committed to Michigan over Notre Dame this past week -- was critically injured in the crash.

Here's the part of the story you just can't make up.  Eight years ago, Dr. Stephen Hatch was also flying a plane that crashed -- this crash killed his first wife Julie, daughter Lindsay and son Ian.  Dr. Hatch and Austin survived that crash.

Incredible.

Please say a prayer today for Austin.

Here are links to a few stories:

LINK:  PLANE CRASH

LINK:  AUSTIN HATCH & FAMILY

LINK:  AUSTIN'S HIGH SCHOOL COACH INTERVIEW

LINK:  AUSTIN'S CARING BRIDGE BLOG -- UPDATES

Brian Kelly in Grand Rapids Yesterday

Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly was in Grand Rapids yesterday for the Irish Eyes Golf Outing at Thousand Oaks Golf Club.  While he was there to play some golf and raise some money for the Kelly Cares Foundation -- he also found time to meet with the media.  Here's the coverage:

LINK:  GRAND RAPIDS PRESS

Lemming & Eric Hansen Talk ND Recruiting

The University of Notre Dame football coaching staff is recruiting -- all of the time.  Recruiting expert Tom Lemming and the South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen give their perspective of Notre Dame football's recruiting prospects in this article.  Here's the link:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL RECRUITING

Woo Leaving Notre Dame's Business School

The University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business is losing its long time leader -- Carolyn Woo.  Woo, who's led Mendoza since 1997 -- will be become CEO of Catholic Relief Services.

Under Woo's leadership - the Mendoza College of Business has become the #1 ranked undergraduate business school in America.  Here's a link to the stories:

LINK:  WOO-ED AWAY!

LINK:  NEW CEO 

The ND Throwback Jersey -- Order Now!

The Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore is now taking orders for the replica "throwback" jersey that the Irish are wearing in the night game September 10th against Michigan.

It's important to note that this is a "REPLICA" -- it is not the authentic game jersey the Irish will wear.  If you see the photo of the actual jersey (link below) -- you'll see the difference. 

Here's a link to order one -- along with a link to the first photo made available of the game jersey Notre Dame will wear:

LINK:  BUY THE ND THROWBACK

LINK:  FIRST PHOTO OF OFFICIAL ND THROWBACK

Vote For ND's Melissa Henderson - ESPY Award

University of Notre Dame "rising" senior -- Melissa Henderson is one of five college athletes nominated for an ESPY Award for Best Female College Athlete.  Henderson and her Irish teammates won the NCAA National Championship this season.  Here's a link to vote for Melissa:

LINK:  MELISSA HENDERSON -- VOTE FOR HER!

Domer Named Head Golf Coach at Michigan

Chris Witten '02, has been named the Head Golf Coach at the University of Michigan.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  WITTEN NAMED THAT SCHOOL IN ANN ARBOR'S GOLF COACH

Cierre Wood -- Training Video

The South Bend Tribune must have a "travel budget" these days as one of their writers traveled to Oxnard, CA to spend the early morning with Notre Dame running back Cierre Wood.  You'll enjoy watching this unique drill:

LINK:  CIERRE WOOD

Notre Dame's "Night Shoes" for Michigan!

This photo was "tweeted" by Notre Dame Football's equipment manager.  Thought you'd enjoy seeing what the Irish will be wearing on their feet -- under the lights for the first time at Michigan Stadium.

Hansbrough & Scott Go Undrafted -- NBA

Notre Dame seniors Ben Hansbrough and Carleton Scott -- learned this evening that their road to playing in the NBA just got a little longer.  Unfortunately, the two were not among the sixty players selected tonight by NBA teams in the 2011 NBA Draft.  Makes you wonder who was advising Carleton Scott to leave early -- with one year of eligibility left at ND!

Here's a link to the NBA Draft Board:

LINK:  2011 NBA DRAFT RESULTS

Rockne's Irish Recruited An OLB Today

I've been avoiding commenting on this story since I learned about it six hours ago...

Former Notre Dame OLB Andre Jones -- who's the father of current Irish WR Tailer "TJ" Jones -- died this morning from a brain aneurysm.  Only 42 years young -- Andre was a member of Notre Dame's 1988 National Championship team. 

I remember feeling so much joy for Andre Jones and his family when word got out that TJ had decided to commit to Dad's school.  For Andre to then see his son run out of that tunnel with the gold helmet on -- and to see him play in his first game as a freshman starter -- wearing "their #7"  --  what a special time for this family.

My prayers and I'm sure the prayers of the entire Notre Dame Family go out to Andre's wife Michelle and their five kids tonight -- what a loss...

LINK:  ANDRE JONES

LINK:  LIKE FATHER -- LIKE SON

Notre Dame Dominates Big Ten Awards Show!

I kid you not!

The Big Ten Network (BTN) held their fourth annual Awards Show last night and of the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish -- yeah, the irrelevant school in the Midwest -- dominated the awards given  in football.

The BTN gave away six awards last night for Big Ten Football -- and three of the awards involved the University of Notre Dame.  It's obvious -- the Big Ten's measuring stick is Notre Dame:

• Most Dominating Performance:  Dennard Robinson against Notre Dame
• Best Finish:  Michigan State's overtime win over Notre Dame
• Most Courageous Performance:  Mark Dantonio -- suffering heart attack after game with Notre Dame

Here's a link to the Big Ten Network story:

LINK:  ND DOMINATES BIG TEN AWARDS!

Notre Dame's Next Big Man on Campus!

Garrick Sherman, the former Michigan State big man -- just completed his transfer to the University of Notre Dame by enrolling into summer session.  The folks at UND.COM caught up with Garrick today -- here's a link to the interview:

LINK:  GARRICK SHERMAN -- NOTRE DAME'S NEXT BIG MAN!

Notre Dame's New Football Gloves for Team!

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are going to love these!  The "Leprechaun" is the design on the palm of the gloves.  These are HOT!

Eilar Hardy -- Committed to Notre Dame!

The good folks at "One Foot Down" a blog about Notre Dame football -- posted two photos today of incoming freshman safety Eilar Hardy out of Ohio.  He is committed!  Here's a link to the blog post -- where you can find the tattoo on the other arm!

LINK:  ONE FOOT DOWN