Photo of the Day! Condoleezza Rice at Masters

It's the greatest week in golf -- played at what I believe to be the greatest golf course in the world.

Notre Dame alum and Augusta National member Condoleezza Rice '75, is seen here in a golf car wearing the famous member's green jacket!

Samardzija Strikes Out Thirteen: Leads MLB!

Former Notre Dame All-American wide receiver Jeff Samardzija made his second start of the season for the Chicago Cubs today and he lasted 5 2/3 innings -- STRIKING OUT THIRTEEN in the process.

After two starts -- Jeff Samardzija leads all of Major League Baseball with 22 strikeouts in 13.2 innings pitched!

Unfortunately, he gave up a run in the fifth and three more in the sixth to the Atlanta Braves before being pulled out of the game.   The Cubs lost the game 5 - 1.

LINK:  BOX SCORE

LINK:  MAJOR LEAGUE STRIKEOUT LEADERS

Skylar Diggins' ESPN Blog -- FINAL FOUR

The University of Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins is authoring a BLOG during the NCAA Tournament for ESPNW.  Here is her latest blog post along with an ESPN interview she gave on stage at the Final Four Salute Dinner:

LINK:  SKYLAR'S BLOG POST

12 Hours to Notre Dame vs. UCONN IV

Will our IRISH beat Notre Dame beat UCONN for the fourth time this season and eighth time in their last nine meetings?  It's going to be fun!

Here's the media coverage this morning -- this will keep you occupied til' game time -- can't wait to watch this game!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S DAY THREE

LINK:  ESPN #1

LINK:  ESPN #2

LINK:  ESPN #3

LINK:  ESPN #4

LINK:  ESPN #5

LINK:  HARTFORD COURANT #1

LINK:  HARTFORD COURANT #2

LINK:  HARTFORD COURANT #3

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #1

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #2

LINK:  GAME PREVIEW

LINK:  TIMES PICAYUNE

OT: Brain Cancer Patient Goes 69 Yards for TD!

Jack Hoffman has brain cancer and he's only 7 years-old...

Yet it didn't stop him today from taking a hand-off and racing 69 yards for a TD in Nebraska's Spring Football game.

Hoffman led the Cornhuskers in rushing.


LINK:   A TOUCHDOWN RUN TO REMEMBER

Photo of the Day: Public Practice @ Final Four

This photo was "tweeted" by @ndwbb of the NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH at their public practice this afternoon.

Coach Brian Kelly Post Practice Presser Today

Notre Dame football is two weeks away from the 83rd Annual Blue Gold Game -- and after today's practice, Coach Kelly met with the media:

LINK:  COACH KELLY

Final Four Press Conference For Notre Dame

Notre Dame's Muffet McGraw, Skylar Diggins and Kayla McBride met with the media today -- 30 hours prior to its PRIME TIME matchup with UCONN tomorrow night:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME PRESS CONFERENCE

Vegas Pickin' UCONN Over Our Irish Tomorrow

It's as if Notre Dame's three wins this year over UCONN never happened -- two took place on the road in the State of Connecticut...

Oh well, -- UCONN was favored in the previous three IRISH WINS!

Our Lady Irish spent their first full day in New Orleans yesterday at the FINAL FOUR -- with some practice, some interviews and a dress up "Welcome Party" for all of the teams.  Our friends at Fighting Irish Digital Media were in attendance -- take a look:


LINK:  NOTRE DAME AT FINAL FOUR

A New Access Road to Notre Dame in August

The University of Notre Dame has begun construction this week on a new road -- and the closing of a section of a current road (Douglas Road) -- that will be completed by mid-August.

The new access road to campus will sit right straight across from the intersection of the Indiana Toll Road (Exit 77) entrance/exit and 933 (Michigan Avenue).  The new road will begin here and will wind its way to the western edge of Warren Golf Course - where it will reconnect to Douglas Road.

The South Bend Tribune ran this story today:

LINK:  THE CLOSING OF DOUGLAS ROAD

"The Doubters" -- There Are Many @ Final Four

Seems like every media story I read has UCONN beating our Fightin' Irish on Sunday night in the National Semi-Final game...

They conveniently "throw away" the previous three wins this season by Notre Dame over Geno's team in this manner -- "if only for a missed shot here or...  UCONN would have won these three previous meetings..."

The IRISH, on a 31 game winning streak -- THREE of them against UCONN -- are obviously wearing the Rodney Dangerfield masks on Bourbon Street this week...

I LOVE IT!


LINK:  UCONN TO WIN NATIONAL TITLE

LINK:  ESPNW PODCAST

First Video of Lady Irish Arriving @ Final Four

Here's the Fightin' Irish arriving at the Final Four in New Orleans this evening.  Click on photos to make them larger!


LINK:  VIDEO COVERAGE

LINK:  TIMES PICAYUNE -- NEW ORLEANS

Two National Awards for Lady Irish Hoops!

It was announced today that Muffet McGraw was named National Coach of the Year!  And, Jewell Loyd was named National Freshman of the Year! 

WOW!

The Irish left for New Orleans and the Final Four today at 5 PM ET -- here's a video report:

LINK:  FINAL FOUR BOUND!

Let the Talk Begin: ND vs. UCONN in Final Four

It's unfortunate that this game isn't on Tuesday night for all of the marbles...

It's also a shame that the three wins already against UCONN this season -- don't mean anything if we don't beat them for a FOURTH TIME -- something I'm sure has never happened to a Geno Auriemma team in his tenure in Storrs.

So -- the media's pickin' UCONN over our IRISH -- big surprise.

LINK:  ESPN -- KATE FAGAN

LINK:  ESPN -- EXPERTS PICK THE WINNER

LINK:  ESPN -- MICHELLE SMITH

LINK:  ESPN -- ND vs. UCONN IV

LINK:  HARTFORD COURANT

LINK:  HARTFORD COURANT #2

Notre Dame Football: Back at Practice Today

Here's the video from today's Spring Practice "inside" the Loftus Sports Center at the University of Notre Dame:

LINK:  SPRING PRACTICE VIDEO

The Future of ND Basketball Tonight on ESPN

The future of Notre Dame men's and women's basketball will be on display tonight in Chicago...

At 7 PM ET the McDonald's All-American Girls Game will be televised on ESPNU -- and it will feature two high school stars headed to South Bend to play for Muffet this fall;

• #12 -- Taya Reimer;  6'-3" Forward playing for the East Team
• #15 -- Lindsay Allan;  5'-8" Point Guard playing for the East Team

At 9:30 PM ET the McDonald's All-American Boys Game will be televised on ESPN -- and it will feature a high school star headed to South Bend to play for Mike Brey this fall:

• #11 -- Demetrius Jackson; 6'-1" Point Guard playing for the East Team

That's Demetrius Jackson -- to the far right in the photo above -- holding his Skills Competition trophy.

The Mornin' After the Irish are Final Four Bound

As is the custom here at the ND GO IRISH BLOG -- we take a romp around the worldwide web to see what the media has to say about our Fightin' Irish the morning after a big win. 

Here's the buzz after last night's victory over Duke to advance to a third straight FINAL FOUR:


LINK:  DUKE CHRONICLE

LINK:  DUKE CHRONICLE #2

LINK:  RALEIGH NEWS OBSERVER

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

THERE IS ONE MORE NET TO CUT DOWN...

Skylar Diggins just might be the greatest LEADER to ever wear a Notre Dame jersey -- in any sport.

FIGHTIN' IRISH: BACK WHERE THEY BELONG!

The Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame won their 30th straight game tonight -- earning a THIRD STRAIGHT TRIP to the FINAL FOUR. 

LINK:  POST GAME CELEBRATION

LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

Muffet & Skylar: THREE TIMES to Final Four!

The photo of the night...

IRISH Back to the FINAL FOUR -- AGAIN !!!

It wasn't pretty, it wasn't easy...  Can you say THREE-PEAT!

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat Duke tonight 87 - 76 to earn a THIRD STRAIGHT TRIP to the FINAL FOUR!

Now, it's time to play "that school in Storrs" for a fourth time on Sunday night around 9 PM ET...


LINK:  SKYLAR AND MUFFET INTERVIEW

LINK:  VIDEO OF POST GAME CELEBRATION

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  GRAHAM HAYS -- ESPN

LINK:  QUICK RECAP

LINK:  BOX SCORE

Video of Anders Lee Goal #1 in First NHL Game!

Former Notre Dame hockey captain, Anders Lee -- scores a goal in his first NHL hockey game!  Lee last played for the IRISH on Saturday in the NCAA Tournament -- here he is three days later on his sport's biggest stage...

That's Anders on the left - seconds after scoring the goal!

Lee scores on a "wrister" in the 1st period of the New York Islander's game with the Winnipeg Jets.  Catch Mom & Dad in the stands after his goal!  You'll also want to catch the Islander's head coach reaction to all of the questions from the New York media about Anders Lee...


LINK:  VIDEO REPLAY OF ANDERS' FIRST GOAL

LINK:  ANDERS LEE SCORES FIRST NHL GOAL!

Photos From NCAA Tournament Site in Norfolk

Here's a photo just "tweeted" by @NotreDameBand from the arena in Norfolk, VA -- site of tonight's battle between Notre Dame and Duke for a spot in the FINAL FOUR!

First Photos of Lady Irish Leaving Team Hotel

This photo was just "tweeted" seven minutes ago by @NotreDameBand -- as they play the VICTORY MARCH for the Fightin' Irish as they leave the hotel for tonight's game with Duke.

Jackson Wins McDonald's Skills Competition!

McDonald's All-American and future Notre Dame student-athlete, Demetrius Jackson -- won the McDonald's All-American Skills Competition last night.

Jackson, who will be playing for Mike Brey's Fighting Irish this next season -- was named a "CAPTAIN" for his East Team for Wednesday night's game.  You can see Demetrius in action at 9:30 PM ET on ESPN -- Wednesday, April 3, 2013.


LINK:  CHICAGO SUN-TIMES STORY

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE STORY

It's Notre Dame vs. Duke Tonight @ 7 PM ET

Muffet's Fightin' Irish face their toughest test so far in the NCAA Tournament tonight, when they take on the fifth ranked Duke Blue Devils.  The game will be televised on ESPN beginning at 7 PM ET.  The winner advances to next Saturday night's FINAL FOUR game in New Orleans against UCONN.

Tonight's game will serve as a "sneak preview" of what Notre Dame can expect next season when we join the Atlantic Coast Conference -- Duke (pictured above) won the ACC Tournament.

Here's a link to yesterday's press conference and a couple of links to previews of tonight's game:


LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  GAME PREVIEW

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE 

LINK:  DUKE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL VIDEOS

Samardzija Throws Eight Scoreless Innings!

Not a bad way to start a season...

Former Notre Dame All-American football star Jeff Samardzija made his OPENING DAY pitching debut for the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park in Pittsburgh against the Pirates -- and boy did he have a game!

The Cubs won the game 3 - 1.

How's this for a stat line:

• 8 innings pitched
• 2 hits
• 9 strikeouts
• 1 walk
• ZERO RUNS ALLOWED!
• VICTORY #1!

LINK:  SAMARDZIJA DOMINANT!

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN-TIMES STORY

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE STORY

LINK:  BOX SCORE

Notre Dame's Anders Lee Signs With Islanders

Notre Dame hockey captain, Anders Lee is off to the NHL...

The IRISH junior center -- a sixth round draft pick of the New York Islanders back in 2009 -- signed a two-year deal this morning and is already practicing with the team.  Lee is expected to be in uniform this week (possibly tomorrow night) and getting some ice time.

Congratulations!

LINK:  ANDERS LEE SIGNS WITH ISLANDERS

I Don't Want to Jinx Our Lady Irish...

But, the door has been opened WIDE to that coveted National Championship!

The #5 seeded Louisville Cardinals pulled off the upset of ALL-TIME in women's college basketball last night when they hit 16 three-pointers in their 82-81 win over what was thought to be "unbeatable" Baylor!

WOW!

So, here's what's ahead for the IRISH:

• Tuesday night -- we play #2 seed DUKE, a tough opponent -- win that game...
• And, we play UCONN for the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP -- yeah, it's a game early -- but this will be the game!  Can the IRISH BEAT UCONN FOUR TIMES in the same season?  
• Get past UCONN and you're probably looking at TENNESSEE or GEORGIA in the "second National Championship game."

Going to be fun!

LINK:  WHO'S THE FAVORITE NOW?

LINK:  LOUISVILLE BEATS BAYLOR!

Skylar Diggins -- All-Time Leading Scorer!

Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins scored 27 points today (22 in the first half) to become the ALL TIME LEADING SCORER in Irish women's hoops history -- as ND rolls over Kansas 93 - 63.

2,323 career points!

Notre Dame now moves on to a game Tuesday night against Duke for a third straight trip to the FINAL FOUR!

LINK:  GAME STORY

LINK:  SKYLAR TALKS RECORD 

LINK:  COACH MCGRAW AND JEWELL LOYD

LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  SKYLAR INTERVIEW -- REBECCA LOBO

Lady Irish Play @ NOON ET Today on ESPN

Happy Easter!

The #2 ranked Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame take on the 'un-ranked' Kansas Jayhawks in a SWEET SIXTEEN game today in Norfolk, VA.

Skylar Diggins and Kayla McBride met with the media yesterday to talk about today's game -- see the link below and along with a link to a game preview:

FYI:  Skylar Diggins is 26 pts. away from Notre Dame's all-time scoring record!
 

LINK:  MEDIA SESSION

LINK:  GAME PREVIEW

Happy Easter From Notre Dame!

Our team here in the Notre Dame Development Office videotaped the Voices of Faith gospel choir a few weeks ago.  This choir is a "student run" group.  Enjoy!

LINK:  HAPPY EASTER!

OT: Kids, Learn How to Throw a Baseball!

ESPN's Darren Rovell "tweeted" this fun fact yesterday when learning about Justin Verlander's new contract with the Detroit Tigers:

"An avg. bi-weekly paycheck of $1,967,213 assuming Verlander only gets paid during the season (183 days) as is customary."

Folks -- he will pitch in only 35 games this season -- the other 127 games he sits and watches from the bench.

Notre Dame's Most Accomplished Coach EVER

Mike DeCicco '49, died of congestive heart failure yesterday, at the age of 85.  Coach DeCicco's fencing teams won FIVE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS during his 34-year coaching tenure at Notre Dame. 

LINK:  A LEGEND PASSES ON

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Irish Hockey Plays St. Cloud State Today

Notre Dame begins play in the NCAA Tournament today -- down the Toll Road in Toledo, OH.  The #1 seeded Fightin' Irish (CCHA Champions) will be taking on the WCHA Champions from St. Cloud State.

There isn't any national TV coverage today -- everyone can watch it on ESPNU (tomorrow) at Noon ET.  Those who have access to WHME-TV 46 can watch it LIVE today beginning at 1:30 PM ET.

Here's the stat of the day -- Notre Dame a #1 seed is 2 - 4 against teams in the NCAA Tournament.  St. Cloud State a #4 seed is 9-7-1 against teams in the NCAA Tournament.  We have our hands full today!

Here is the media coverage this week from Fighting Irish Digital Media:

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  IRISH IN TOLEDO ON FRIDAY

Muffet's IRISH Play at Noon Sunday on ESPN

The #1 seeded and #2 ranked Notre Dame Fightin' Irish take on the Kansas Jayhawks -- for the first time ever -- in a SWEET SIXTEEN game Easter Sunday in Norfolk, VA.  The Jayhawks become the 197th different opponent in the history of women's basketball at Notre Dame.

The Jayhawks are 20 - 13 on the season and are led by Monica Engelman who is averaging 18 points a game in the tournament.  They start two 6'-3" forwards -- so they'll have a slight height advantage on the IRISH.  Here's what the Lawrence, KS media has to say about today's game:


LINK:  LEARN MORE HERE ABOUT THE JAYHAWKS

LINK:  JAYHAWKS LEAVE TO FACE ND

LINK:  UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN

Welcome Katie Paige to the Notre Dame Family!

This morning around 10:45 AM ET -- Katie Paige, a senior at Ann Arbor Pioneer HS -- signed her "acceptance letter" to attend the University of Notre Dame.  Katie chose to sign the letter at the Grotto.  A special moment!

That's Katie's dad Patrick -- proudly standing with a member of Notre Dame's Class of 2017.

Domer Plays Big for USA in Match With Mexico

Matt Besler '09, earned his "stars and stripes" this past Tuesday night when he played all ninety minutes for TEAM USA (his first start for USA in a World Cup Qualifier) in America's 0 - 0 tie with Mexico at Aztec Stadium in Mexico City.

Besler, an All-American with the IRISH -- is the first Notre Dame student-athlete to ever play in a World Cup qualifier for any nation.  Justin Morrow '10, is also a member of TEAM USA but he's yet to see the field in a World Cup Qualifier.

Congratulations Matt!

LINK: MATT BESLER -- NOTRE DAME ALUM

Coach Kelly "Post Practice" Press Conference

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today after the Wednesday morning practice.  During the session with the media he announced the transfer of a couple of players and confirmed the injuries to Chase Hounshell and Amir Carlisle.

LINK:  COACH KELLY

LINK:  PRACTICE VIDEO

Joe Montana Inducted Into California HOF

Former Notre Dame QB and Super Bowl MVP Joe Montana -- was just inducted into the California Hall of Fame.  Here's a link to an interview of Joe at the event.  The photo above shows Montana (on the left) with fellow Hall of Fame inductee Warren Beatty.

LINK:  MONTANA IN CALIFORNIA HALL OF FAME

Manti Te'o Runs a 4.69 Forty Today at ND...

The University of Notre Dame hosted a PRO DAY today for NFL Scouts to check in on former members of the Irish football program as they prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft.

THE STORY OF THE DAY:  The forty heard round the world!  What a difference a tenth of a second means for Manti -- could be millions...

Here's a link to the media coverage so far:


LINK:  MORE FROM PRO-DAY

LINK:  HIGHLIGHTS FROM TODAY'S PRO-DAY

LINK:  MANTI TEO MAKES AMENDS

LINK:  NFL.COM -- BIG DAY FOR MANTI

LINK:  YAHOO SPORTS

LINK:  CBS SPORTS 

LINK:  NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Manti Te'o and Jon Gruden Tonight at 7 PM ET

Folks, Manti Te'o will be under the microscope tonight with Jon Gruden -- it's good stuff!

Here's a link to sneak preview of what you'll see tonight at 7 PM ET on ESPN:


LINK:  JON GRUDEN WITH MANTI TE'O

Notre Dame's NFL Pro Day -- Adidas Gear

Adidas never misses an opportunity -- here's what the Notre Dame senior football players are wearing today inside the Loftus Athletics Complex at the NFL PRO DAY...

LINK:  NFL PRO DAY -- MANTI RUNS A 4.71 

The IRISH Spread the SPIRIT in Iowa City!

The University of Notre Dame's cheerleaders, leprechaun and pep band visited Regina Elementary School in Iowa City yesterday, while waiting for tonight's NCAA Tournament game -- pretty cool scene!

LINK:  THE FIGHTING IRISH SPIRIT

Muffet's IRISH on ESPN2 Tonight @ 9:40 ET

The NCAA Tournament continues this evening for the #2 ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame -- as they play a true "road game" tonight taking on the Iowa Hawkeyes (on their home floor) in a battle to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

LINK:  IOWA "NOTHING TO LOSE..."

LINK:  GAME PREVIEW

LINK:  PRE-GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  GAME NOTES