Gus Welsh's Notre Dame Story -- Must Read!

Folks, I ran across this story this morning at the DAILY DOMER -- Notre Dame's daily storytelling platform.  And, I will admit -- I wiped away a tear or two.


LINK:  GUS WELSH -- A NOTRE DAME STORY

Skylar Diggins Scores 24 on ND's Senior Night

She will walk away from Notre Dame, in a few weeks, as one of the greatest ever to wear an IRISH jersey -- in any sport.

Skylar Diggins played her "second to last" game in front of the home crowd at Purcell Pavilion tonight - and she put on a first half show, scoring 20 points keeping the #2 ranked Fightin' Irish in the game with #22 Syracuse.  Here are the highlights of Notre Dame's 79 - 68 win!

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Mike Broghammer Wins Semi-Finals Bout!

Former Notre Dame scholarship basketball player Mike Broghammer -- won his semi-final fight, this evening, in the heavyweight division of the BENGAL BOUTS.  Broghammer -- who joined the Notre Dame Boxing Club when a chronic injury would not allow him to continue playing basketball for the IRISH -- won a 2nd round TKO over Sean "Too Tall" Lischke - a grad student here at ND -- to advance to Friday night's finals at Purcell Pavilion.

Notre Dame head basketball coach Mike Brey was in attendance along with a number of his former teammates -- you'll see how excited Coach Brey gets when Broghammer knocked down Lischke for the first time in the 2nd round.

Here's the first knockdown -- Broghammer in blue trunks:

Here's the second knockdown:

Fr. Pete McCormick -- Notre Dame Priest

He's a Holy Cross Priest, Rector of Keough Hall and Chaplain for Notre Dame men's basketball team.  You'll enjoy his story.

Ironically, Fr. Pete was in my office this afternoon for a meeting...

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S FR. PETE

Notre Dame Gets Some "Pub" in Adidas Spot

Adidas just released a new TV spot featuring the Washington Redskin's RGIII -- and, they threw some love to Notre Dame as well...

LINK:  ADIDAS NEW TV SPOT

Sport's Illustrated's Peter King on Manti Te'o

You'll want to read this column written by SI's Peter King.  King writes about a conversation he had with an NFL exec about Manti and some other things...  You'll enjoy this.

LINK:  PETER KING ON MANTI TE'O

Big Day for Manti Te'o at NFL Scouting Combine

Notre Dame All-American Manti Te'o will be on the Lucas Oil Stadium turf today running and jumping around in front of scouts from every NFL team.  Manti won't be participating in the bench press today due to a "shoulder stinger" -- according to NFL sources.  Notre Dame's Pro Day on campus is set for March 26th.  Manti will lift then...

Kapron Lewis-Moore is also participating this morning...

If you'd like to track how Manti's doing -- just click on the link below to his results - or, click on the link to the LIVE feed from the NFL Network TV coverage...

LINK:  MANTI TE'O RESULTS

LINK:  LIVE COVERAGE OF NFL SCOUTING COMBINE

Notre Dame Players' NFL Combine Results

Here's a quick look at all of the former Notre Dame football stars performing this weekend at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.  Just click on their name below to see how they're doing:

LINK:  CIERRE WOOD

LINK:  THEO RIDDICK

LINK:  BRAXTON CAVE

LINK:  TYLER EIFERT

LINK:  MANTI TE'O

LINK:  KAPRON LEWIS-MOORE

LINK:  ZEKE MOTTA

LINK:  JAMORIS SLAUGHTER

Cierre Wood at the NFL Scouting Combine

Former Notre Dame running back Cierre Wood -- met with the media yesterday at the NFL Scouting Combine.  I'll refrain from comment...

LINK:  CIERRE WOOD

Manti Te'o Meets the NFL Media Today

It was a smart move by "Team Manti" having him meet with the media before he begins the four day marathon also known as the NFL Scouting Combine.  Here's a link to his presser along with links to what's being said about his performance in front of the media:

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO

LINK:  NFL.COM COVERAGE

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE 

LINK:  FORBES 

LINK:  YAHOO 

LINK:  NFL NATION BLOG

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  INDY STAR 

LINK:  NFL NEWS

LINK:  CBS SPORTS

LINK:  ALABAMA.COM

Tyler Eifert -- NFL Scouting Combine Results

Here's a look at where Notre Dame All-American Tyler Eifert stands after Day Two of his personal workouts during the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine -- along with how he stacks up against the other Tight Ends competing:

• BENCH:  22 reps of 225 lbs -- 4th among TE's
• 40 TIME:  4.68 seconds -- 4th among TE's
• VERTICAL: 35.5 inches -- 3rd among TE's
• BROAD:  9' - 11" -- 3rd among TE's
• 3 CONE DRILL:  6.92 seconds -- 1st among TE's
• 20 YARD SHUTTLE:  4.32 seconds -- 3rd among TE's
• 60 YARD SHUTTLE:  11.52 seconds -- 2nd among TE's

LINK:  TYLER EIFERT -- TRACK HIM HERE!

Unfortunately, This Is The Story This Week...

Notre Dame All-American Manti Te'o doesn't deserve this...

LINK:  NFL.COM STORY

LINK:  MANTI TO MEET WITH MEDIA TODAY

NFL Contracts For Notre Dame Graduates

Ran across this site this evening -- first time I've seen this information...

LINK:  SALARIES OF NOTRE DAME PLAYERS IN NFL

MRI Scanners at NFL Scouting Combine

If you ever wondered to what extent NFL teams will go to do their homework on their draft picks -- all you need to know is this.  There are three MRI mobile units at Lucas Oil Stadium -- site of the NFL Scouting Combine and there are 14 other MRI scanners available in the area for teams to send players for exams..  See the story...

LINK:  DOING THEIR HOMEWORK

2013 NFL Scouting Combine -- Top 32 Players

CBS Sports' Pete Prisco published his top 32 players and you'll see only one former Notre Dame football star on the list.  Just click on the link below -- photo on the left of Tyler Eifert training in Florida:

LINK:  THE TOP 32

Quarter-Finals of Notre Dame's Bengal Bouts!

I've always wanted to see the Bengal Bouts first hand and I did just that this evening at Notre Dame.  WOW -- is all I can say!

It's "fight after fight" as the Bengal Bouts organizers have two rings running constantly throughout the evening.  Each bout is scheduled for three (3), ninety second rounds.

Folks, if you haven't had the opportunity to take in this 80+ year tradition at the University of Notre Dame -- YOU MUST!  Here's some video I took from one of tonight's fights.  ENJOY!

In the video above -- Jack Healey, in the Blue Trunks, won by unanimous decision.

2013 NFL Scouting Combine Primer...

Seven former Notre Dame football players will be "down state" in Indianapolis this weekend for the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine.  To no surprise here -- one of the big stories will be our guy Manti and how he handles the interview sessions with NFL teams -- a big part of this weekend's activities.

I believe Manti Te'o will represent himself quite nicely...

As always, the ND GO IRISH BLOG will keep you up to date as to how the Notre Dame Fightin' Irish are performing.

LINK:  NFL PRIMER -- MOST SCRUTINIZED PLAYER

Domer Dennis Wolfe '92 Wins Grammy Award!

Dennis Wolfe '92, was awarded a GRAMMY at The 55th Annual Grammy Awards -- which was televised on CBS a week ago Sunday.  Wolfe, a music producer, won the Grammy for the Best Historical Album -- for his work with the Beach Boys and their album box set "The Smile Sessions."

(In the photo above -- Dennis is standing on the far right -- to his left is Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys.)

The Irish Win A Game You Won't Believe!

Folks, I know I wasn't alone yelling at the TV set for the first fifteen minutes of tonight's game against Pittsburgh.   And, I'm guessing many of you had seen enough and changed the channel -- I can't blame you.

Notre Dame is down 19 - 3 fourteen minutes into the first half and there's not a person on this planet who thinks the IRISH win this game -- it was HORRENDOUS...

• Notre Dame missed 18 of its first 19 shots
• It was nine minutes into the game until Notre Dame made their first basket!
• The Irish were on a pace to score less than 10 points for the entire game -- THINK ABOUT THAT!

Yet, NOTRE DAME WINS by NINE!  51 - 42 -- you can't make this up!

Over the last 26 minutes -- ND outscores Pittsburgh 48 - 23 -- and they get a HUGE WIN on the road over a higher ranked opponent.

BIG, BIG, BIG WIN!

LINK:  COACH BREY -- POST GAME

LINK:  ESPN STORY

LINK:  NOTRE DAME GAME HIGHLIGHTS 

LINK:  PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE STORY 

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY

Manti Te'o Focused On Preparing For Combine

An ESPN reporter filed this story today on Manti and what he's been up to down in Bradenton, FL where he and Tyler Eifert are training for the NFL Scouting Combine at the IMG ACADEMY...

LINK:  TE'O -- ALL BUSINESS

LINK:  USA TODAY STORY

Irish Men's Hoops on ESPN Tonight at 7 PM ET

Mike Brey's #21 ranked Fightin' Irish are in Pittsburgh today getting ready to take on the #16 Pittsburgh Panthers in a game televised on ESPN beginning at 7 PM ET.  Both teams are rebounding from tough losses on Saturday -- should be a good one!

LINK:  ND vs. PITT PREVIEW

Manti, Eifert and Others Do The Harlem Shake!

Former Notre Dame All-Americans Manti Te'o and Tyler Eifert have been in Florida since mid-January training for the NFL Scouting Combine at the IMG ACADEMY -- with a number of other college football stars.  As you can see in this video - it's not all hard work!

LINK:  NFL HOPEFULS DO THE HARLEM SHAKE

ND Hockey Unveils New Gold Helmet Today!

The Fighting Irish unveiled a hockey helmet today that was painted with the same paint as the Irish football helmets -- the new GOLD STANDARD for Notre Dame hockey -- in a 2 - 1 win over #3 Miami of Ohio at Chicago's Soldier Field in front of a 52,501 hockey fans!

You'll enjoy watching the highlights -- be sure to check-out the great looking jersey and helmets!!!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME BEATS #3 MIAMI

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE PHOTO GALLERY

LINK:  WNDU-TV STORY

Fr. Bill Dailey, C.S.C. on MSNBC This Morning

Notre Dame Law School faculty member and Holy Cross priest -- Rev. William Dailey, C.S.C. was back on the Up w/ Chris Hayes Show this morning on MSNBC.  Here's a few links to today's discussion about the Catholic Church:

LINK:  SEGMENT #1:  HOW DO WE JUDGE A PAPACY?

LINK:  SEGMENT #2:  THE CHURCH'S CHANGING ROLE

LINK:  SEGMENT #3:  DEALING WITH SCANDAL

LINK:  SEGMENT #4:  RESTORING CONFIDENCE IN VATICAN

#3 Notre Dame Hammers #4 Duke in the Snow!

In "snowy" Durham, NC -- the #3 ranked Fighting Irish beat #4 Duke 13 - 5 today in their first lacrosse game of the 2013 season!

Freshman Matt Kavanagh, the #1 ranked kid coming out of "post-graduate" schools last year, lived up to the hype scoring FOUR GOALS in his first game for Notre Dame!

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  INSIDE LACROSSE STORY

ND Alum Selected for CNN Fit Nation Triathlon

Doug Mogle '08, a teacher at The Lovett School in Atlanta, GA was selected to participate in CNN's FIT NATION TRIATHLON CHALLENGE.  Doug and five others will be competing with Dr. Sanjay Gupta at the Nautica Malibu Triathlon on September 8, 2013.

You'll want to know Doug's story -- click on the Meet the Six Contestants video link below -- and then click on Doug's blog post at CNN entitled "A Favorite T-shirt"

LINK:  MEET THE SIX CONTESTANTS

LINK:  A FAVORITE T-SHIRT

Photos of Ice Rink on Chicago's Soldier Field

LINK:  TIME LAPSED VIDEO -- MUST SEE

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will be skating on Chicago's legendary Soldier Field tomorrow when they play Miami of Ohio in the OfficeMax Hockey City Classic.  It's the first hockey game ever at Soldier Field.  They will drop the puck at 1:00 PM ET.

Notre Dame Priest -- Guest on MSNBC Show

This Sunday, February 17th, University of Notre Dame Law School faculty member and Holy Cross priest -- the Rev. Bill Dailey, C.S.C. -- will be a studio guest on the UP with CHRIS HAYES Show on MSNBC.

I'm sure Father Bill will be asked about Pope Benedict XVI and who's next in line -- among other things.

So, be sure to tune-in at 8 AM ET this Sunday -- Father Bill makes for good TV.


LINK:  UP WITH CHRIS HAYES

Like Father -- Like Daughter: All Americans!

Taya Reimer (Indianapolis, IN) -- who signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball for the University of Notre Dame this past November -- was selected to play in the McDonald's All American game.

What's cool about this news is Taya's Dad, Ben Davis, also played in this game -- making them the first "father / daughter" combo to play in the McDonald's All American game.

Joining Taya on the East Squad will be future Irish teammate Lindsay Allen -- a 5'-7" guard out of Mitchellville, MD.  Allen led the USA U17 team to the gold medal at this summer's World Championships in Amsterdam!

(Pictured:  Taya Reimer)


LINK:  ESPN STORY

LINK:  LINDSAY ALLEN -- McDONALD'S ALL AMERICAN

LINK:  TAYA REIMER -- McDONALD'S ALL AMERICAN

Future Domer's a "BIG MAC" All-American!

Demetrius Jackson -- who signed a National Letter of Intent in November with the Fighting Irish -- has been selected to play in the McDonald's All American game.  The talented guard "next door" (Mishawaka, IN) will become the fifteenth player in Notre Dame men's basketball history to play in this game -- here are the others:

• Tracy Jackson -- 1977
• Tim Andree -- 1979
• John Paxson -- 1979
• Tom Sluby -- 1980
• Barry Spencer -- 1980
• Ken Barlow -- 1982
• Tim Kempton -- 1982
• David Rivers -- 1984
• Keith Robinson -- 1986
• LaPhonso Ellis -- 1988
• Ryan Humphrey -- 1997
• Chris Thomas -- 2001
• Torin Francis -- 2002
• Luke Zeller -- 2005

The game will be held at Chicago's United Center on Wednesday April 3rd -- and will be televised LIVE on ESPN beginning at 9:30 PM ET.


LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY

LINK:  ESPN STORY

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING EXPERT

Photo of the Day: Torii Hunter in ND Gear!

It's Spring Training in Lakeland, FL today for the American League Champion Detroit Tigers -- and the proud papa of a "soon to be" Notre Dame student-athlete was reppin' the Fightin' Irish!

The "Harlem Shake" -- Notre Dame Style!

Last night -- around 11 PM ET -- a number of students at the University of Notre Dame performed the latest dance craze sweeping YOUTUBE and the morning TV shows -- it's called the HARLEM SHAKE.

Enjoy!

LINK:  THE HARLEM SHAKE @ NOTRE DAME

Another OT Win for the Irish Over DePaul

The IRISH led by as many as 12 points in the second half -- but couldn't hold off a late rally by DePaul to take the game into overtime.  The third game in the last four for Notre Dame to go extra time.  Fortunately, the IRISH have won all three of those games and are now 20 - 5 on the season.

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY

ND Student Who Made $18,000 Shot: His Story

This is a "must-read" story for entire Notre Dame family -- click on the link below:

LINK:  CASEY MURDOCK'S STORY

Gatorade Player of the Year Signs with ND!

Notre Dame women's soccer coach Randy Waldrum announced today the signing of six of the top high school soccer players in the country -- including the #1 ranked player Morgan Andrews (photo holding the Gatorade POY trophy)!

Morgan did "double duty" kicking field goals for her high school football team.  She made a 33 yard field goal to beat their arch-rival -- on a day she played soccer and football -- see the story below!

Here's a link to an ESPN story on Andrews, a link to a hometown paper story and a link to Notre Dame's official release.

LINK:  AMERICA'S TOP PLAYER

LINK:  KICKS WINNING FIELD GOAL!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S CLASS

Cardinal Turkson to Celebrate Mass at ND!!!

He's one of the Cardinals being discussed as a leading candidate to replace Pope Benedict XVI -- and, he's scheduled to be at the University of Notre Dame the first weekend in March!

Cardinal Peter Turkson the Archbishop of Cape Coast -- Ghana -- is expected to be celebrating the 10 AM Mass at the Basilica of Sacred Heart on Sunday, March 3rd.

LINK:  BRITISH BOOKMAKERS NAME HIM THE FAVORITE

LINK:  ONE OF THE FAVORITES

LINK:  TWO CARDINALS IN THE RUNNING

Irish a #6 Seed in First Look at NCAA Bracket

ESPN's Joe Lunardi -- their resident "bracketologist" -- just released his first look at what he projects as the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament field this March.  You'll see NOTRE DAME gets a first round match-up with Illinois...

LINK:  NCAA BRACKET

Can't Watch This Enough -- Five OT Thriller!

The gang at Fighting Irish Digital Media produced this piece on the FIVE OT WIN Saturday night over #11 Louisville.  It was a huge win -- on many fronts -- for Notre Dame.  I'm also attaching a link to a New York Times story about the game...

Enjoy!

LINK:  FIVE OT THRILLER

LINK:  NEW YORK TIMES STORY

Photo of the Day: Coach Kelly at Pebble Beach

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly is seen here walking down a fairway with San Francisco 49ers' Jim Harbaugh during Sunday's final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.  Coach Kelly and his PGA Tour playing partner James Driscoll finished in 23rd place.

OT -- A Story You Must See...

I learned of this story during a meeting at Notre Dame this afternoon.

Two Oregon high school basketball players, on opposing teams -- created a moment that will touch your soul...

Enjoy.

LINK:  A STORY YOU MUST SEE

The Mornin' After ND's Historic Hoops Win!!!

It was a NOTRE DAME MOMENT...

The IRISH took FIVE OVERTIMES -- over a two day period -- to beat #11 Louisville 104 - 101 last night.  Here's what the media has to say about "Sunday morning's" historic win for Notre Dame:

LINK:  EAMONN BRENNAN -- ESPN

LINK:  DICK VITALE -- ESPN

LINK:  SCOTT GLEESON -- USA TODAY

LINK:  ERIC ANGEVINE -- NBC 

LINK:  C.L. BROWN -- LOUISVILLE COURIER JOURNAL

LINK:  MIKE DeCOURCY -- SPORTING NEWS

LINK:  BRIAN HAMILTON -- CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  TOM NOIE -- SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  TOM COYNE -- ASSOCIATED PRESS

LINK:  WSBT -- INTERVIEW OF JERIAN GRANT

LINK:  WSBT -- INTERVIEW OF ERIC ATKINS

LINK:  WSBT -- IRISH FANS STORM COURT

TOOK 5 OT's -- WHAT A WIN FOR THE IRISH!

The folks sitting in front of us left -- with three minutes to go in regulation time -- saying "We've had enough of this..."

Those of us that stayed -- WITNESSED HISTORY!

The first regular season game to go five overtimes in BIG EAST HISTORY -- and the first five overtime game in the 115 year history of Notre Dame basketball.

And, the IRISH WIN 104 - 101 over the 11th ranked Louisville Cardinals !

Here's some of the quick highlights:

• Jerian Grant scores 12 straight points in 28.6 seconds at the end of regulation to put the game in overtime -- after not making a shot from the floor in the first 39 minutes of the game!
• In OT -- coming off the bench in the second OT period, Garrick Sherman scores 17 points and grabs six rebounds
• Four Irish players foul out -- including three starters
• And we needed every scholarship player to finish this game out...

FOLKS -- YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO JACK NOLAN'S CALL OF THE GAME -- it's the link called GAME HIGHLIGHTS.  A classic!

LINK:  ESPN COVERAGE 

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

2nd Anniversary of Grandma Barb's Death...

Woke up this morning thinking about my Grandma Barb Doyle...

It was two years ago today -- about 9:40 PM ET -- that I received the phone call from my Mom that Grandma had left for heaven.

I was sitting in a South Bend restaurant at a table with Bobby Knight, Digger Phelps, Rece Davis and some friends of mine from Notre Dame -- minutes after the IRISH had beat Louisville in overtime.

And now, here we are two years later and ESPN's in town again for a Notre Dame basketball game with Louisville.

Tip-off is slated for around 9 PM an I'll be in the seats cheering on the IRISH and saying a Hail Mary for my Grandma.

I miss you Grandma...

The photo above is of my Grandma Barb Doyle at the age of 93 -- standing with her great-grandson Jimmy -- our oldest.

Coach Kelly Day 3 @ Pebble Beach Pro-Am

The Third Round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am  is almost in the books and Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly and his PGA Tour playing partner James Driscoll are currently TIED FOR ELEVENTH with a NINETEEN UNDER score!

The top 25 scores and ties -- will play tomorrow in Sunday's final round -- looks like Coach Kelly will make the cut!

You'll want to tune-in to CBS at 3:00 PM ET to watch the final round.

LINK:  LIVE LEADERBOARD

Notre Dame Student Makes Shot for $18,000!

Casey Murdock '13, a senior finance major at the University of Notre Dame made a half-court shot today, during ESPN's College GameDay Show, to win a check from State Farm Insurance for $18,000 !!!

You have to see the video!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME STUDENT MAKES HALF-COURT SHOT

LINK:  ESPN GAMEDAY AT NOTRE DAME

College GameDay -- Only Sixth Time in History!

ESPN's College GameDay crew is back on the Notre Dame campus this weekend to cover tonight's game between Louisville and our Fighting Irish. 

This marks only the SIXTH TIME in history that ESPN's College GameDay has been on the same campus -- for two separate sports -- during the same academic year.  

Irish fans will recall that College GameDay was here for the Stanford football game.

Here are the six college campuses:

• Oklahoma State
• Texas
• Ohio State
• Florida State
• Michigan
• Notre Dame

LINK:  STORY