OT: Marquette Coach's Victory Dance

Marquette University's Buzz Williams almost caused a mini-riot after their 61 - 60 victory over West Virginia in Morgantown last night -- when he did a "victory dance" at center court.  Probably not the right thing to do -- which he admitted later.  Here's the video:

LINK:  MARQUETTE COACH VICTORY DANCE

Notre Dame Hockey Blanks MSU 2 - 0 !!!

Jeff Jackson's Fighting Irish shutout the Michigan State Spartans last night -- ending a five game losing streak.  Here's a link to game highlights and an interview with Coach Jackson:

LINK:  IRISH vs. SPARTANS HIGHLIGHTS

OT: Oregon Admits to Breaking the Rules...

Ever since the University of Southern California failed to take the path of admitting WRONG to their failure to control the benefits flowing to Reggie Bush and family -- and the subsequent NCAA penalties...

Schools are now "turning themselves in" for their transgressions -- in hopes the NCAA will go easy on them...

Yesterday, Oregon joined that list.  Chip Kelly's staff got caught giving a recruiting service a $25,000 bonus for the commitment of a highly rated running back.  What will the NCAA do?

LINK:  OREGON'S ADMITS TO THEIR SIN

Notre Dame Football Stars @ NFL COMBINE

 

The NFL has descended on Indianapolis for the next few days as more than three hundred of the top college football players (who are "draft eligible") will perform in front of every NFL Team at the annual SCOUTING COMBINE. 

Over the weekend, the ND GO IRISH BLOG will track how six of our former players are doing pursuing the next chapter of their lives.  Enjoy!

LINK:  TWO IRISH PLAYERS AMONG BEST AT THEIR POSITION

LINK:  ROBERT BLANTON -- COMBINE PROFILE

LINK:  TAYLOR DEVER -- COMBINE PROFILE

LINK:  DARIUS FLEMING -- COMBINE PROFILE

LINK:  MICHAEL FLOYD -- COMBINE PROFILE

LINK:  JONAS GRAY -- COMBINE PROFILE

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH -- COMBINE PROFILE

Irish Hoops on ESPN2 -- Saturday @ NOON!

Mike Brey's #18 Fighting Irish travel to the "world's most famous arena" -- MADISON SQUARE GARDEN -- to take on the St. John Red Storm.  Tip-off on ESPN2 is scheduled for NOON ET.

Here's a link to Notre Dame's men's head basketball coach, Mike Brey, talking about Saturday's contest:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. ST. JOHN'S

Notre Dame to Explore Conceptions of Truth

The University of Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study will be hosting a global conference on the nature of TRUTH.  Leading TRUTH experts will be coming to campus April 12 - 14.  Should be quite a conversation -- I wonder how you'll know if anyone is not "telling the truth."

LINK:  A TRUTH CONFERENCE

ND Alum Named Chief of Spinal Surgery!

Lawrence G. Lenke, MD '82 was named Chief of Spinal Surgery in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.  Lenke will be heading up one of the finest spinal surgery units in the world.  Congratulations Larry!

LINK:  CHIEF OF SPINAL SURGERY

Notre Dame Researchers: Great Lakes Issue

To rid the Great Lakes of invasive species -- zebra mussels, spiny water fleas, etc., -- researchers at the University of Notre Dame have pegged the investment at $200 million to protect the $7 billion fishery.  The photo above is of zebra mussels.

LINK:  GREAT PROBLEM -- GREAT LAKES

Former Irish Soccer Star Makes MLS Roster!

Found this great article today about recent Notre Dame grad Greg Klazura making the MLS' Vancouver Whitecaps.  Notre Dame fans will enjoy reading this story!  That's a photo of Greg in the blue jersey...

LINK:  THE FIGHTING IRISH SPIRIT

ND to Build Environmental Research Park

The University of Notre Dame and St. Joseph County Parks have reached an agreement to turn 28 acres of underdeveloped land in St. Patrick's County Park (sounds like the perfect name for a park...) into an environmental research and education facility.

The facility will be called the Notre Dame Linked Experimental Ecosystem Facility (ND LEEF) at St. Patrick's County Park.  The University will be monitoring the effects of climate change, land use and invasive species in different ecosystems -- specifically water sources.

The University of Notre Dame is making a $1 million investment in this project.

ND LEEF will be using cutting-edge sensor technology so students and researchers can monitor experiments in real-time.  No time for sleep!

LINK:  ND LEEF

Jarious Jackson -- He's Still Playin' the Game!

A former Notre Dame QB -- that some believe would have been a perfect fit for Brian Kelly's offense -- Jarious Jackson, signed a two-year contract today with the Toronoto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.

Jackson, who starred at QB for the Irish back in 1998 & 1999 -- is 34 years old and still playing the game!

I have to admit, I completely forgot that Jarious was still in professional football.  Quite an accomplishment!

LINK:  JARIOUS JACKSON SIGNS WITH ARGOS

LINK:  CBC SPORTS

That's NINE in a Row -- But Who's Counting!

For the first time in school history -- the Notre Dame men's basketball team has won nine straight Big East basketball games.  Mike Brey's #18 ranked Fighting Irish held the West Virginia Mountaineers to only SIXTEEN POINTS in the second half -- routing Huggin's boys 71 - 44.

What looked like a game at the half -- the Irish only led by two (30 - 28) -- was over, ten minutes later.

LINK:  ESPN HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  COACH BREY POST GAME

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Digger, Bob & Reece in Town Tonight!

 

It's a good sign for Notre Dame basketball that late in February -- ESPN sends its "A TEAM" to televise your game.  Tonight Mike Brey's Fighting Irish take on Bob Huggins and his West Virginia Mountaineers in front of a national TV audience.  ESPN2 will carry the game LIVE beginning at 7 PM ET.

Notre Dame fans will recall the Irish came from behind late in the game to win at Morgantown a couple of weeks ago -- should be a great ballgame.

LINK:  COACH BREY AND HIS IRISH

Brady In Hot Water Over GQ Tebow Comments

Former Notre Dame All-American QB Brady Quinn is the subject of a GQ magazine story that has the sports world "buzzing" this evening.  Apparently, Brady said some negative things about his Denver Broncos' teammate Tim Tebow -- words that Quinn is now claiming were an "inaccurate portrayal of my comments."

I guess you can't rip on a QB that had a 46% completion percentage and a QB rating of 72.9 -- which was the 28th lowest QB rating in the NFL of the 34 QB's who played enough downs this past season to qualify -- WHEN YOU ARE HIS BACK-UP!

Here's what Brady's dealing with right now:

LINK:  NFL.COM NEWS

LINK:  NEW YORK TIMES

LINK:  NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

LINK:  CHANNEL 7 IN DENVER

LINK:  DENVER POST

Photo of the Day: New ND Face Masks!

Notre Dame defensive lineman, Chase Hounshell -- "tweeted" this photo today of the new face mask the Irish D-Line will be wearing next season.

I see a little Justin Tuck here -- it's close!

All's Well That Ends Well -- Davonte's IRISH!

It just goes to show you how tough the game of recruiting is...

Davonte Neal, the top "un-signed" high school football prospect in the nation was all set to announce his decision this morning at 11:30 AM ET -- in front of a live TV audience...

Only problem -- Davonte didn't show up.  He apparently was dealing with some "family issues" late into the night and morning -- and wasn't able to make the announcement at the scheduled time.

Thankfully around 4 PM ET today -- Davonte contacted Coach Kelly and told him the great news -- that he was going to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

Davonte Neal is a special talent -- he has the ability to change direction at full-speed, much like a young man did twenty-years ago in a GOLD HELMET -- named "Rocket."

Here's the initial media reaction to the news -- along with Coach Kelly's comments:

LINK:  COACH KELLY ON DAVONTE NEAL

LINK:  SI.COM

LINK:  SB NATION -- ARIZONA

LINK:  ESPN BLOG 

LINK:  ESPN -- MATT FORTUNA (ND BLOGGER)

LINK:  MAX PREPS

LINK:  DISGRUNTLED ARIZONA REPORTER

Watch Davonte Neal LIVE at 11 AM ET

America's top "unsigned" high school prep star, Davonte Neal, will be making his college choice this morning LIVE on FoxSports Arizona.  FoxSports' coverage begins at 11 AM ET -- with Neal's announcement expected around 11:30 AM ET.

The Chaparral High School (Scottsdale, AZ) star decided to make this announcement from the elementary school he attended; Kyrene de la Esperanza Elementary.

The four finalists in the Davonte Neal sweepstakes are;  Arizona, Arkansas, North Carolina and the University of Notre Dame.  Most feel it will be a choice between the home state Arizona Wildcats and our Fighting Irish.  TUNE IN!!!

LINK:  WATCH DAVONTE NEAL'S ANNOUNCEMENT LIVE -- RIGHT HERE!

Tucson Citizen Predicts Davonte Neal to ND!

The top "unsigned" high school football prospect in the country -- Davonte Neal -- makes his announcement tomorrow morning at 9:30 AM MST.  It's apparently a four team race:  Arizona, Arkansas, North Carolina and the University of Notre Dame.

Just 30 minutes ago the folks at the Tucson Citizen published a story where they're predicting Davonte will commit to the IRISH in the morning!  Here's hoping they're right!

If you haven't seen Davonte Neal's recruiting video -- YOU MUST -- he would be the closest thing to Rocket Ismail (in a GOLD HELMET) in the last twenty years.

LINK:  TUCSON CITIZEN STORY

LINK:  DAVONTE NEAL -- ONE GAME HIGHLIGHT PACKAGE

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Nice Story About Niele' Ivey - ND Hoops Asst.

Notre Dame women's assistant coach and former hoops star, Niele' Ivey was profiled in a newspaper story this weekend in her hometown of St. Louis (MO).  A nice story -- Irish fans will enjoy reading.

LINK:  NIELE' IVEY -- ALL CLASS

ND Men Win Track & Field Championships!

Notre Dame's Men's Team won the Big East Indoor Track & Field Championships today -- with the Atkinson twins playing a major role.  George Atkinson took 3rd in the 200 meters and 9th in the 60 meters while brother Josh took 5th in the 60 meters and 6th in the 200 Meters.

Notre Dame won three events: Patrick Feeney (Indianapolis, IN) won the 400 meters, Jeremy Rae (Fort Erie, ONT) won the Mile and Kevin Schipper (Leo, IN) won the pole vault!  CONGRATULATIONS IRISH!

LINK:  FINAL RESULTS

The Mornin' After ND's Improbable OT Win!

Mike Brey's "never say quit" Fighting Irish extended their Big East win streak to eight straight last night after erasing a twenty-point deficit, on the road, against Villanova to win in OT!

If you were following the "twitter" conversation -- amongst Notre Dame fans during the game -- the Irish' win streak was over...

Thank goodness cell phones and iPads aren't allowed on the IRISH bench!

Here's a look at what the media has to say after Notre Dame's 74 - 70 OT victory over Villanova:


LINK:  COACH BREY POST GAME PRESSER 

LINK:  IRISH vs. VILLANOVA GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST

LINK:  CBS SPORTS

LINK:  COMCAST SPORTS NET PHILADELPHIA

Down By Twenty -- IRISH DON'T BLINK!

The #23 Fighting Irish were down by twenty points in their game tonight on the road at Villanova...


No problem -- the IRISH win it in OVERTIME 74 - 70!

That's EIGHT-IN-A-ROW for the 2nd place team in the Big East -- the team we all thought COULDN'T...

Seven three-pointers for freshman sensation Pat Connaughton -- the MOST IMPROVED UNKNOWN player in the country.  That's him in the photo...

Congratulations Coach Brey and your FIGHTING IRISH -- the Notre Dame Nation is thrilled for you!


LINK:  ESPN BOX SCORE

#9 Irish LAX beats #2 Duke Today!

Not a bad way to start the Lacrosse season -- OUTDOORS @ NOTRE DAME -- as the Irish knocked off the Duke Blue Devils 7 - 3. 

Here's a link to UND.COM's coverage:

LINK:  IRISH BEAT DUKE

Irish Basketball on ESPNU Tonight -- 9 PM ET

The #23 ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame travel to Philadelphia tonight to take on Villanova.  Irish fans can watch the game live on ESPNU or on the web at ESPN3 -- tip-off scheduled for 9 AM ET. 

GO IRISH!

LINK:  MIKE BREY -- VILLANOVA PREVIEW

LINK:  WATCH THE IRISH LIVE ON THE WEB

Who Needs the Hook'em Horns Sign...

When you can have:  ND IN YOUR HANDS!

Saw this first in a photo of Irish football recruits at the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Phoenix last month.

Showing us how to make a ND in your hands is Nicky Baratti (out of Texas) -- who signed with the Irish on National Signing Day.  Thanks Nicky!

Try it yourself -- it's not as easy as it looks...

Domer Dens -- You Have Got to See This!

I thought I had a pretty cool Notre Dame "Man Cave" -- until I saw this new feature on UND.COM

WOW -- is all I can say about Dick Wilson's basement!

LINK: DOMER DENS -- WAIT 'TIL YOU SEE THIS

Kiper: Harrison Smith to Packers in 1st Round!

NFL Draft guru -- Mel Kiper, Jr. (who's a Notre Dame fan) -- has Irish football star Harrison Smith going to the Green Bay Packers in the FIRST ROUND of his latest mock draft.

Who would have thought this was even possible,  just two years ago, when Coach Weis and crew had him playing linebacker.

Harrison and his family must be so excited right now!  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH A NFL FIRST ROUNDER

The Hourly Investment to Attend Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame recently announced a 3.8% tuition rate increase for the upcoming academic year -- taking tuition to $42,971.  Add in room & board plus books and the projected investment to attend Notre Dame next year is:  $55,855.

Now, if you factor into the equation that students are on campus for 107 days per semester -- 214 for the full academic year -- the per hour investment to attend the University of Notre Dame is:

$10.87 

This compares to schools like the University of Michigan - which run around $6 an hour...

Seven In a Row! Irish Beat Rutgers 71 - 53

The Fighting Irish men's basketball team is proving to the basketball world that you don't need "McDonald's All-Americans" on your roster to play winning basketball!

During the game ESPNU put up a few statistics I was unaware of:

• Notre Dame has the fewest turnovers per game in the Big East
• Notre Dame has the "fifth" fewest turnovers per game in the nation
• And, Notre Dame has MADE more free throws this season then their opponents have taken

These are impressive stats!  Here's a couple of links to UND.COM's post game coverage along with ESPN's:

LINK:  MIKE BREY PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  NOTRE DAME - RUTGERS HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  ESPN GAME RAP

LINK:  BOX SCORE

Weigel: "Obama Is Misreading Catholics"

Conservative columnist George Weigel, who is often critical of Notre Dame -- has retracted some previous comments he made about Father Jenkins regarding the HHS controversy.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  DIVIDE AND CONQUER?

Irish Hoops on ESPNU Tonight @ 7 PM ET

Mike Brey's Fighting Irish will host Big East foe Rutgers tonight at Purcell Pavillion.  Notre Dame, on a six-game winning streak, will be looking to turn the tables on the Scarlet Knights who were the last team to beat the Irish back on January 16th.  Game tips off on ESPNU at 7 PM ET.

GO IRISH!

LINK:  COACH BREY'S (WEEKLY) BIG EAST TELECONFERENCE

LINK:  OBSERVER STORY

Why We Love Notre Dame, Courtesy of ESPN

ESPN.COM's Notre Dame "blogger" is Matt Fortuna -- and to honor Valentine's Day, Matt published a number of emails yesterday from ND fans as to why they love the University of Notre Dame.  I want to thank my teammate here at Notre Dame, Chas Grundy '02, for alerting me to this story:

LINK:  WHY WE LOVE NOTRE DAME

Skylar Diggins & The New York Times...

You've got to wonder when was the last time the New York Times Magazine profiled a Notre Dame athlete who didn't wear a gold helmet...

I'm guessing NEVER -- until now.

Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins -- the most famous student-athlete under the Golden Dome right now -- was featured in a profile in the New York Times Magazine -- that Irish fans will enjoy.

Here's the link:

LINK:  SKYLAR DIGGINS -- BIG TIME

Domer J.J. Philbin's "New Girl" on FOX

 

"Domer" J.J. Philbin, daughter of Regis Philbin, is one of the creator's of the Fox sitcom "New Girl."

I'm becoming a fan of the show...  VERY FUNNY!

LINK:  OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Does CBS' Bruce Feldman Know Something?

CBS Sports' senior college football columnist Bruce Feldman came out today with his "Top 10 Most Intriguing Redshirt Freshman" -- or, as Notre Dame would say "sophomore's with four years of eligibility remaining."

And, at the very top of that list is EVERETT GOLSON, QB -- University of Notre Dame.

Bruce is obviously hearing what many close to the Notre Dame football program have been saying for the past few months -- Everett Golson is the REAL DEAL.

It's going to be an interesting SPRING here at Notre Dame.

LINK:  TOP 10 MOST INTRIGUING REDSHIRT FRESHMEN

The Man & Mind Behind Notre Dame Magazine

His name is Kerry Temple '74, and he's the award winning editor (since 1995) of the top college magazine on the planet -- Notre Dame Magazine.

I had the great pleasure this afternoon to sit down with Kerry for a couple of hours to talk about Notre Dame.

Ironically, we learned we have something in common beyond our love for Notre Dame and telling stories.  We were both born in the same hospital in Shreveport, LA!

Notre Dame Magazine -- is a true literary treasure.  

Kerry did give me a little scoop today that the Spring issue will feature a FASHION SECTION for the first time ever.  It sounds like Kerry and TEAM (Carol Schaal '91, John Munczunski, John Nagy '00, Kerry Prugh and Julie Ettl) had some great fun creating this issue -- as did some Notre Dame students who were commissioned as models for photo shoots.

Notre Dame Magazine has a circulation of 150,000 -- if you're not one of them, you need to be!  Here's a link to the magazine's website along with a link to how you can subscribe.   This is a "must have" for fans of the University of Notre Dame:

LINK:  SUBSCRIBE TODAY TO NOTRE DAME MAGAZINE

LINK:  NOTRE DAME MAGAZINE WEBSITE

Blue Gold Game Only 67 Days Away!

One of the more anticipated Blue Gold Games in recent history is only 67 days a way!

Notre Dame fans will be looking forward to seeing the QB competition, DB competition and who's going to step forward and take over Michael Floyd's spot on the roster.  Should be fun!

To get you excited -- here's the Notre Dame Football highlight video from this past season

LINK:  2011 SEASON HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

NDGIB: The 62nd Largest City in America!

At 9:16 PM ET this evening -- a Notre Dame fan from Chicago, IL became UNIQUE "RESIDENT" #300,000 here at the ND GO IRISH BLOG!

To put this in perspective -- there are only 61 cities in the USA who have a population of more than 300,000.

Here's a list of the next five largest "population centers" in America:

1. Santa Ana, CA -- 324,538
2. St. Louis, MO -- 319,924
3. Pittsburgh, PA -- 305,704
4. Corpus Christi, TX -- 305,215
5. Riverside, CA -- 303,871
6. ND GO IRISH BLOG -- 300,000
7. Cincinnati, OH -- 296,943

Thank you for making the ND GO IRISH BLOG your NOTRE DAME HOMETOWN on the web!

Notre Dame's Fr. Bill Dailey on MSNBC...

The University of Notre Dame's Rev. Bill Dailey, C.S.C., was a guest on MSNBC's Up With Chris Hayes show Sunday morning.

Fr. Bill was asked to weigh in on the "subject of the day" in Washington D.C. -- the Obama administrations proposed "compromise" to force Catholic institutions to offer contraceptive services to employees.

You're going to enjoy Fr. Bill's debate with the folks at MSNBC.

In addition, twenty-five members of the University of Notre Dame faculty -- led by the university’s top ethics expert, and including some of the school’s most eminent scholars -- have signed a statement declaring that President Barack Obama’s latest version of his administration’s mandate that all health insurance plans in the United States must cover sterilizations and all FDA-approved contraceptives, including those that cause abortions, is “a grave violation of religious freedom and cannot stand."

Here's the links:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME ON MSNBC

LINK:  NOTRE DAME STANDS UP TO OBAMA

Mike Brey's Irish Finally Crack the Top 25!

The folks at CBSSPORTS.com came out with their updated Top-25 ranking this morning and the Irish have gone from being unranked to #18 in the country.  The CBS SPORTS poll is the first published each week. Here's a link to their ranking:

LINK:  IRISH RANKED IN TOP 25

Inside Notre Dame Basketball

The gang at Fighting Irish Digital Media are doing a bang-up job this season covering Notre Dame Athletics.  Here's their show Inside Notre Dame Basketball (Jack Nolan & Coach Brey).  Enjoy!

LINK:  INSIDE ND BASKETBALL #9

Whitney Houston Performing @ Notre Dame

The stunning news last night that Whitney Houston's life ended in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel -- left me a little numb.  I have to admit I found myself watching her performance of "I Look To You" on YOUTUBE, too many times to count last night -- see link below.

The University of Notre Dame has a small connection to Whitney.  Back in 1987, Houston performed "Didn't We Almost Have It All," inside Notre Dame Stadium, during the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics.  Here's the link:

LINK:  WHITNEY HOUSTON SINGS AT NOTRE DAME

LINK:  I LOOK TO YOU

Notre Dame Raises $204,682 for Research!

The #2 ranked Notre Dame women's basketball team's 21 game winning streak ended today, in the final 4 seconds, when West Virginia knocked down two clutch free throws to win 65 - 63.  Gutsy win for the Mountaineers.

Notre Dame announced during the second half -- that their PINK ZONE efforts raised $204,682 for breast cancer research -- most ever raised by our women's college basketball program!

Today's PINK ZONE halftime show honored hundreds of breast cancer survivors -- who ringed the Notre Dame basketball floor as Cathy Richardson sang her famous rendition of "Here Come the Irish" and Tim Stop performed a song he wrote for Haley Scott DeMaria's movie;  "Two Miles From Home" -- called "With All Your Heart Believe."

Not a dry-eye in the house...

LINK:  HERE COME THE IRISH -- PERFORMED BY CATHY RICHARDSON

LINK:  TIM STOP PERFORMS "WITH ALL YOUR HEART BELIEVE"

LINK:  NEWS STORY ON HALEY SCOTT'S MOVIE

Notre Dame on ESPNU Today at 3:30 PM ET

Muffet McGraw's #2 ranked Fighting Irish will take the court this afternoon at 3:30 PM ET to play the West Virginia Mountaineers.  Today will also mark the fourth annual PINK ZONE game for the Irish -- as ND joins the effort to raise funds for breast cancer research.  ESPNU will televise the game -- tip-off set for 3:30 PM ET. 

Notre Dame women's basketball has annually raised the most money for breast cancer awareness -- having raised more than $130,000 last season alone!

Where Are They Now? -- Rick Mirer

He was the local "golden boy" from Goshen, IN who came to Notre Dame with great fanfare.  His senior season at Goshen High School was one for the record books (3,973 yards and 30 TD's) the 2nd most in national prep history. 

Rick Mirer '93, left ND as a three-year starter at QB -- and the school record holder for most points scored running and throwing (350 pts.).  Mirer was the #2 overall draft pick (1993 NFL Draft) of the Seattle Seahawks.  Rick threw for 50 TD passes and ran for 9 more in his twelve-year NFL career.

Recently, the Notre Dame Alumni Association caught up with Rick in San Diego, CA -- where he's the owner/operator of Mirror Wine Company.  You'll enjoy this story!

LINK:  ND'S GOLDEN BOY

"SUPER" Performances by ND Football Stars!

Eight of the last Ten SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS have had at least one Notre Dame football player on its roster.  Of the 46 SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS all-time:  32 have had at least one former ND star on their roster.

Think about that.

36 former Notre Dame football stars have won at least one SUPER BOWL RING.

10 former ND football players have won "multiple" Super Bowl Rings:

• Mark Bavaro, New York Giants
• Rocky Bleier, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Nick Buoniconti, Miami Dolphins
• Eric Dorsey, New York Giants
• David Givens, New England Patriots
• Terry Hanratty, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Bob Kuechenberg, Miami Dolphins
• Joe Montana, San Francisco 49'ers
• Steve Sylvester, Oakland Raiders
• Justin Tuck, New York Giants

Not too shabby!

Latest Out of Washington D.C. for Catholics

The Catholic Bishops and the University of Notre Dame have responded to the proposed "alterations" to the Obama administration's demand that Catholic institutions offer and pay for contraceptive coverage for employees.  Suffice to say -- more needs to be done.  Here's the latest:

LINK:  FATHER JENKIN'S LATEST RESPONSE

LINK:  NOTRE DAME LAW PROFESSOR'S RESPONSE

LINK:  WALL STREET JOURNAL STORY

LINK:  CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY

LINK:  FOX NEWS STORY

The Beat Goes On! Irish Over Depaul!

Mike Brey's Fighting Irish are now (at 2:28 PM ET) TIED FOR SECOND in the Big East with Marquette!

The latest victim -- the DePaul Blue Demons -- who gave the Irish all they wanted today.  Yet, the Irish prevailed 84 - 76 behind 22 POINTS from both Jack Cooley and Jerian Grant -- earning their sixth straight win.  Notre Dame is now 17 - 8 on the season and 9 - 3 in the Big East.

LINK:  BIG EAST GAME STATS

LINK:  COACH BREY -- POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  POST GAME -- IRISH LOCKER ROOM

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Notre Dame vs. Navy -- Football in Ireland

Heard this week on campus that tickets (NOT TIED TO TRAVEL PACKAGES) for the Notre Dame vs. Navy game in Dublin, will go on sale on March 1st at the Navy Athletics site.  This is a 'home' game for the Naval Academy -- so, they will have the majority of tickets for sale.  Presently, ND fans can buy "travel packages" from Anthony Travel that include football tickets. 

So, my advice -- get to the NAVAL ACADEMY sports site at 12:01 AM on March 1st.  Here's a link to their ticket site:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. NAVY IN IRELAND -- TICKET SITE