NY Times Interviews Declan Sullivan's Family

It's a day that will never be forgotten at the University of Notre Dame...

Declan Sullivan's family agreed to an interview with the New York Times -- you'll want to read this.  

LINK:  DECLAN'S MOM & DAD

Father Ted & Manti Te'o -- Only Notre Dame!

This photo was "tweeted" by @simonchun of Fr. Ted Hesburgh, C.S.C. -- blessing Notre Dame All-American LB Manti Te'o after practice yesterday. 

Irish Player Charities Rally -- January 5th

Former Notre Dame QB's Rick Mirer, Brady Quinn and Tony Rice will headline an event on January 5th at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six in Fort Lauderdale, FL from 1 PM to 4 PM for IRISH FANS!

Sounds like great fun!  Click on the link below:

LINK:  IRISH PLAYER CHARITIES RALLY

Watch Skylar and the Lady Irish at 2 PM ET!

If you're looking for something to do this afternoon -- and you have a strong internet connection -- think about tuning in to Notre Dame Women's basketball game TODAY at 2 PM ET with Purdue. 

It's a matchup of the #5 IRISH vs. the # 11 Boilermakers -- should be a good one!

GO IRISH!

LINK:  WATCH IT LIVE -- RIGHT HERE!

Notre Dame Students -- Helping Out Alabama

Many will remember the tornadoes that ripped through the state of Alabama in 2011 -- they were devastating.  What many didn't know was a number of Notre Dame students made the trek down to Tuscaloosa to help out.  Here's the story:

LINK:  DOING THE RIGHT THING

Notre Dame Fan Selling A Piece of History...

A story ran in the Detroit News yesterday about a Notre Dame fan who is looking to sell some carpet from the locker room inside Notre Dame Stadium.  He's looking for at least $15,000.

Here's the story:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME CARPET

If You Want to Track Alabama Up to Kick-off

Here's the place...

LINK:  ALABAMA -- ALL THE TIME

Kiper Hands Out His College Football Awards

Notre Dame fans will not be surprised with the team Mel Kiper selects as his "most surprising" -- and his coach of the year...

LINK:  MEL KIPER

BCS BOUND -- THANKS TO YPmobile !!!

I received an email last week from YPmobile alerting me that they were giving me TWO TICKETS to the BCS National Championship game FOR FREE to root on the IRISH -- after selecting the ND GO IRISH BLOG for the "YP Ultimate Fan Blogger Giveaway!"

Thank you YP team!!!


Unfortunately, I can't make it down the for the game -- so, here's what I've done with the two tickets: 

• First, I surprised my son Jimmy '08 with one of the tickets as a Christmas present -- he was heading to MIAMI anyway in hopes he could find a way into Sun Life Stadium to see the IRISH...
•  Then I reached out to ND Parent and Super Fan Tommy Ruttura to see if he needed an extra ticket to the game.  The Ruttura's were kind enough to allow me to rent their condo (here in South Bend) this fall while our home was being built.  Come to find out, they've been searching for a ticket so their daughter Samantha could go to the game -- so the second ticket went to the Ruttura family...

Yesterday morning -- Jimmy, who will be driving from Charlotte to Miami for the game -- downloaded the YP Local Search & Gas Prices to his iPhone (it works with Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone 7, iPad, etc.) -- it's really a cool app.  What's perfect is Jimmy can now find the cheapest gas prices on the eleven hour drive to Miami and find the best restaurants along the way -- from his iPhone!

I have to admit I've been a "Google guy" for sometime now -- but after spending some time at the YP SITE -- I now have a new resource to find restaurants, theaters, where to get a hair cut and who's offering deals.  The YP gang has found a way to present the information in a fast, friendly format -- it's really smart.  Google could learn something from these guys.

Check these out for yourself:

LINK:  YP FACEBOOK PAGE

LINK:  YP SITE

LINK:  YPMobile

Irish Chocolate -- He's One of a Kind...

ESPN's Rick Reilly is spending many a moment these days writing about Notre Dame.  His story last night centered on Louis Nix -- the self proclaimed "Irish Chocolate" nose guard for the Fightin' Irish.

Enjoy!

LINK:  IRISH CHOCOLATE

Former Notre Dame Coach Gerry Faust

CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd tracked down former Notre Dame football coach Gerry Faust to talk about his time in South Bend...

I'll always root for Coach Faust!

LINK:  GERRY FAUST

Ivan Maisel's Story on Coach Brian Kelly

You'll enjoy this story...

LINK:  COACH KELLY'S BEST SALES PITCH

The Dominating Notre Dame Defense!

The IRISH defense has not allowed a TD on a play originating outside of the Red Zone in the last 628 plays -- think about that!  The next longest streak in college football is Vanderbilt at 387 plays.

Take a look at these defensive statistics racked up by the FIGHTING IRISH!

LINK:  THE #1 DEFENSE IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

The "Little Blue Nuns" -- We Can't Lose!

The legend of the "Little Blue Nun" began back in 1977 when some Alabama radio station wrote a song about how they "lost the National Championship to Notre Dame because a LITTLE BLUE NUN voted for the IRISH..." -- leapfrogging ND over Alabama to win the mythical national championship.

Well, I wonder what the BAMA fans will say after watching this classic video...

LINK:  THE LITTLE BLUE NUNS SINGING THE NOTRE DAME VICTORY MARCH

USA Today Story on ND Defensive Line

They just might be the best defensive line in the country -- USA Today takes a look at why they are so special...

LINK:  ND'S DEFENSIVE FRONT

Merry Christmas From Notre Dame, IN

My first Christmas morning a few blocks from the campus of the University of Notre Dame.  We celebrated Christmas Vigil Mass last night at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart -- the photo above is the nativity scene in the Lady Chapel.

Here's a few more Christmas songs performed by students at the University of Notre Dame -- courtesy of the DAILY DOMER.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

LINK:  VOICES OF FAITH

LINK:  ECHOES

Dayne Crist Talks Notre Dame...

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Dayne Crist '12 was interviewed by CBS Sports' Bruce Feldman about his time with the IRISH and the success they've had this season...

I'll always root for this young man!

LINK:  DAYNE CRIST

Twas' the Night Before Christmas...

Enjoy a few Christmas songs performed by Notre Dame students -- courtesy of the DAILY DOMER!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME GLEE CLUB

LINK:  HAROMONIA

LINK:  MARIACHI ND

Missed This Interview of T.J. Jones...

Notre Dame wide-receiver T.J. Jones lost his father Andre Jones this past off-season.  Andre was a member of Notre Dame's 1988 National Championship team -- and here we are 24 years later and another member of the Jones' family is playing for a championship.

You'll enjoy this interview:

LINK:  T.J. JONES

The STORY Behind the P.L.A.C.T. Sign @ ND

It's quite possibly the most famous sign in all of American sport and the woman who painted it the first time is not that well known...

Her name is Laurie Wenger and she retired from the University of Notre Dame in 2009...

ND GO IRISH BLOG regular Mike Doyle alerted me to this Rick Reilly story about the Play Like A Champion Today sign:

LINK:  THE MOST FAMOUS SIGN IN SPORT

The Rachner's Travel Channel Video...

Rich and Rick Rachner -- you won't find more passionate Notre Dame football fans than these two...

You'll enjoy their video that they submitted to the Travel Channel for their contest:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME SUPER FANS!

Tim Brando and Dan Hawkins Talk Notre Dame

Folks, Tim Brando has been down on the IRISH all season -- and his view on Notre Dame's chances against Alabama should come as no surprise.  On his radio show today he talked with former Colorado football coach Dan Hawkins about the game.

LINK:  TIM BRANDO

Notre Dame Gameday iPhone App

Every iPhone should have one of these...

LINK:  NOTRE DAME GAMEDAY IPHONE APP

Notre Dame to Host NFL "Boot Camp" in April

Two former Notre Dame football stars; Jeff Faine and Brady Quinn have teamed up to develop the NFL Business Management Program which will be held on the campus of the University of Notre Dame April 18 - 21.

Click on the link below to learn more:

LINK:  NFL BOOT CAMP AT NOTRE DAME

Undefeated -- A Look @ Notre Dame's Season

Here is a video produced by a Notre Dame fan that was posted on YouTube of the entire season -- real good stuff here!

LINK:  THE PERFECT SEASON

Be the FIRST TO SEE -- Notre Dame's TV Spot

The BCS National Championship game will be the LARGEST TV AUDIENCE in the history of cable television -- and to celebrate, Notre Dame has created a special 30 second TV SPOT just for this game!

If you'd like to be one of the first to see Notre Dame's TV spot -- click on the link below and sign-up!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S BCS TV SPOT

NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL UPDATE...

Here's a link to UND.COM's coverage of Notre Dame football's activities leading up to the January 7th BCS National Championship game.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

Matt Swinton's Notre Dame Story -- MUST SEE

I met this young man this past April -- just weeks before his graduation from the University of Notre Dame.  Matt Swinton '12,  is someone you'll never forget -- and his story is a NOTRE DAME STORY for the ages.

This story is what Notre Dame is all about...

LINK:  MATT SWINTON'S DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

ND Football Takes 100 Kids Shopping Monday

The University of Notre Dame Football Team and the Kelly Cares Foundation -- "gave back" on Monday night taking 100 South Bend elementary students on a shopping spree at a local Meijer's and dinner after... 

Very nice story!

LINK:  ND FOOTBALL -- GIVING BACK

Kelly's FIFTH COACH OF THE YEAR Honor

Brian Kelly was just named the Associated Press College Football Coach of the Year -- his FIFTH of the off-season between the undefeated season and the BCS National Championship game!

Notre Dame fans are going to LOVE this video of Coach Kelly with Lou Holtz and Ara Parseghian -- click on the link!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME COACHES ON VIDEO

Know Thy Opponent: Saban Meets With Media

Alabama's Crimson Tide returned to practice today for their January 7th meeting with our Fighting Irish. 

After practice, Nick Saban met with the media -- here's a link to the session:

LINK:  COACH SABAN WITH MEDIA

The Rise of ND Football Via ESPN's PTI...

The folks at ESPN's Pardon The Interruption produced a THREE-PART SERIES showing all of their discussion on Notre Dame football since Bob Davie's departure in 2001...

Tune in here to the TWELVE YEAR HISTORY of Notre Dame Football through the lens of ESPN's PTI:

LINK:  ND FOOTBALL HISTORY

Notre Dame Fans -- A MUST WATCH VIDEO!

I'm going to watch this a FEW TIMES between now and January 7th...  Boy, do we have some talented fans of the FIGHTING IRISH!

IF THIS DOESN'T FIRE YOU UP -- NOTHING WILL!!!

GO IRISH!

LINK:  MUST SEE VIDEO -- ND FANS!

Zach Martin and Louis "Irish Chocolate" Nix...

Are coming back to wear the GOLD HELMET next season!  Just like this year when Manti Te'o and Tyler Eifert bypassed a NFL paycheck to come back to Notre Dame -- the same can be said for Martin and Nix.  This is huge news!

(Photo above of Fr. John Jenkins, C.S.C., president of the University of Notre Dame shaking hands with Zach Martin in Dublin, Ireland)

See their interviews!

LINK:  MARTIN AND NIX -- HERE COME THE IRISH!

"Being the Best Football Team on January 7th"

This was Coach Brian Kelly's main message to the media today as he discussed Notre Dame's preparation for the BCS National Championship game. 

To catch the media session in its entirety -- click on the video below!

LINK:  MEDIA SESSION -- BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

BCS Press Conference LIVE @ 11:30 AM ET

The BCS National Championship Press Conference airs TODAY at 11:30 AM ET -- you can watch it LIVE at the link below. 

LINK:  BCS PRESS CONFERENCE

Notre Dame's UNDEFEATED Season on DVD!

You're going to want to click on the image above -- every Notre Dame fan needs this in their collection!

Palm Beach Post Story: "America's Team?"

The Palm Beach Post penned a story this week about Notre Dame and its grip on American sport.  Thought IRISH fans would enjoy this read:

LINK:  AMERICA'S TEAM

How Notre Dame Graduates Student-Athletes

There is a different standard for student-athletes at the University of Notre Dame.  You'll want to watch this -- and so should some athletic departments around the country...

LINK:  NOTRE DAME GRADUATES

ESPN's Rece Davis Talks Notre Dame...

Now, we need to do something about Coach Kelly's choice of tie and suit for photos like these!

The South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen caught up with Alabama alum and ESPN personality Rece Davis to talk about the BCS National Championship...

LINK:  DAVIS ON THE IRISH

Notre Dame Alum to Host Fighting Irish for BCS

The mayor of Fort Lauderdale, FL -- the home base for the Fighting Irish during the BCS National Championship -- is Jack Seiler, Notre Dame Class of 1985.  Seiler was recently interviewed by ESPN...

(Photo above of Jack in Orange Bowl jacket shaking Brian Kelly's hand when they invited Cincinnati to play in their game.  ND fans will recall, Kelly took the ND job a few weeks later)

LINK:  JACK SEILER INTERVIEW -- PART ONE

Brady Quinn Subject of Rick Reilly Story...

Former Notre Dame All-American Brady Quinn was interviewed recently by Rick Reilly in a story about the "murder/suicide" of his Kansas City Chief teammate Jovan Belcher. 

Brady Quinn is all class.

LINK:  WHEN HELP IS THE HARDEST WORD...

Fourth "Brother Duo" in NBA History...

I'm watching former Notre Dame basketball star Ben Hansbrough play in the NBA against the Detroit Pistons -- and his teammate is big brother Tyler...

The Hansbrough brothers are only the fourth brother duo to play on the same team in NBA history.  Pretty special for them!

Ben played in Europe last year and literally "walked-on" to the Indiana Pacers this season -- playing his way on to their roster and into the rotation.  Congratulations Ben!

LINK:  TYLER DEFENDS LITTLE BROTHER BEN

OT: Doyle's Supper Club Making a Comeback!

Now, it has a new name -- BLUE LAKE TAVERN -- but, it will always be DOYLE'S SUPPER CLUB to our family and friends..

ND GO IRISH BLOG regular Mike Doyle (who's my cousin) sent me a video (linked below) of the work that's being done to Grandpa Ray's old business.  He built Doyle's Supper Club on a vista above the "North Shore" of beautiful Blue Lake in Mecosta County (MI) back in 1939 -- and sold it in 1973...

Many fond memories of this place.

The bar has had a few starts and stops since then -- by a number of owners -- but it looks like this new owner is making a significant investment into the Blue Lake Tavern.  Here's hoping he has a great run!

LINK:  BLUE LAKE TAVERN

Notre Dame Hoops vs. Purdue Today: ESPN 2

Mike Brey's #22 ranked Fighting Irish take on Purdue this afternoon at 4:30 PM ET in Indianapolis at the Crossroads Classic.  The game will be televised on ESPN 2!

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE STORY

Our Man REGIS Defends His Alma Mater !!!

University of Notre Dame alum Regis Philbin '53, was on with Skip Bayless and Steven A. Smith on ESPN's First Take yesterday -- to defend his Fightin' Irish!

LINK:  REGIS WITH SKIP AND STEVEN A.

Blake Dudley -- Let's Get Him to Miami!

Folks, I just ran across this story about Blake Dudley a 14 year-old young man from Dowagiac, MI who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy and LOVES THE FIGHTING IRISH.

You're going to want to know his story.

LINK:  BLAKE DUDLEY

LINK:  MAKE A GIFT TO GET BLAKE TO MIAMI!

33rd Unanimous All-American in ND History!

Manti Te'o just became the thirty-third football player in the 125 year history of Notre Dame football to be named a unanimous All-American.  Here's a link to the story!

LINK:  IT'S UNANIMOUS!

Domer Skip Holtz Takes Louisiana Tech Job

Former Notre Dame student-athlete and assistant football coach -- Skip Holtz '87 -- has apparently accepted the head coaching position at Louisiana Tech University.   Holtz was recently fired after leading the University of South Florida Bulls to a 3 - 9 season.

Skip has a 88 - 71 record in his thirteen year career as a  head football coach at UCONN, East Carolina and USF.  We wish Skip well!

LINK:  ESPN STORY

Bob Diaco's Broyles Award Acceptance Speech

Notre Dame's defensive coordinator Bob Diaco -- was recently named the Top Assistant Coach in college football, receiving the BROYLES AWARD for that honor. 

Notre Dame fans will enjoy his acceptance speech -- linked below:

LINK:  COACH DIACO

LINK:  NBC SPORTS STORY