Sunday, January 19, 2014
Notre Dame Celebrates Digger Phelps Today
Richard "Digger" Phelps will be inducted into Notre Dame's Ring of Honor in a ceremony at half-time of the Irish's ACC game tonight against Virginia Tech.
Many of his former basketball players are in town for what I expect will be an emotional evening for Digger and his family. I can't wait to see what Notre Dame will place on Digger's banner that will forever hang from the rafters -- will it be;
- The number 393 -- signifying his all-time wins record at Notre Dame?
- The number 78 -- signifying the year his Irish played in their only FINAL FOUR?
- Or, will it be the number 56 -- signifying the number of players who played four years for Digger and their 100% graduation rate!
Here's a story on the UND.COM about Digger called a "Dream Realized." You'll like this!
LINK: A DREAM REALIZED
The Final Four Minutes of ND Over UCLA
It was forty years ago this very day when the #2 ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame beat #1 UCLA to end their 88 game winning streak. The longest winning streak in collegiate sports history. The Irish also broke Bill Walton's personal winning streak that had reached more than 140 games -- Walton had not lost a game since his junior year in high school.
What we forget is this -- the IRISH were down 11 points with just a little more than three minutes left in the game -- and there isn't a three point line nor a shot clock and UCLA can hold the ball...
You have to watch the final four minutes to watch how the Irish pulled this off -- gives me goose bumps every time! (the photo above is of Dwight Clay's game winner with 23 seconds left)
LINK: THE WINNING STREAK IS OVER
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Notre Dame's Basilica Will NOT BE OPEN...
Just received word from the University of Notre Dame that the Basilica of the Sacred Heart will not re-open this weekend for Mass. The Basilica has been closed since December 26th to install a slate floor.
The release said this; "The expectation is to open the Basilica on Monday, Jan. 20."
I can't wait to see it in person!
(Just click on the photo to enlarge)
ND Athlete Named to "Top Bachelor 2014" List
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Notre Dame freshman student-athlete Corey Robinson was profiled in Town & Country magazine as one of the Top 40 Bachelors of 2014.
I'm sure he won't hear the end of this from the coaching staff, his teammates and classmates at Notre Dame!
Here's the top-40 list:
LINK: COREY ROBINSON
Rees, Shembo & Jackson Play Today at 4 PM ET
T.J. Jones was also invited to play in the game -- unfortunately, the shoulder injury he sustained in the Rutgers game kept him at home this week.
Here's a couple of reports on how the three players have been doing in practice this week in front of the NFL scouts -- along with a link to the West Team roster:
LINK: RATING THE PASSERS
LINK: SHEMBO AND JACKSON PRACTICE UPDATES
LINK: WEST TEAM ROSTER
They're Not At Notre Dame Anymore...
Former Notre Dame football coaches Bob Diaco and Ernest Jones -- were "rebuked" by the University of Connecticut's president for comments made by Jones to the UCONN football team.
LINK: TOUCHDOWN JESUS
OT: Lighting Strikes Christ Statue's Right Hand
A lighting strike this week in Rio de Janiero broke a finger of the right hand off their Christ the Redeemer statue. Thought you'd enjoy what Father Omar, the Rector of the Shrine, had to say about this...
LINK: LIGHTING DOES STRIKE TWICE
Golden Tate Talks Sunday's Game With 49ers
The former Notre Dame All-American is playing in his next "biggest game of his life" tomorrow evening (6:30 PM ET) when the Seattle Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers in a game where the winner moves on to play in the Super Bowl XLVIII.
Here's what he had to say to the media before practice.
LINK: GOLDEN TATE
Friday, January 17, 2014
Must See: "Shipping Up To Boston" Tonight!
The Notre Dame hockey team's recent trip to Boston to play Boston College in historic Fenway Park was captured in a Fighting Irish Digital Media partnership with 3 Penny Films production called "Shipping Up To Boston" -- which will air this evening at 10 PM ET on the NBC Sports Network.
If you miss tonight's show -- the NBC Sports Network will "re-air" the show at these dates and times:
- January 23 at 1:30 AM ET
- January 29 at 12:30 AM ET
- February 8 at 10:30 PM ET
List of "The 50 Most Powerful Irish in America"
The 2014 list of the fifty most powerful Irish in America was just released by Irish Central and it includes a few names who have ties to the University of Notre Dame:
- #7 Don Keough -- the former President and COO of Coca-Cola is a past Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the University of Notre Dame (pictured above)
- #23 Brian Kelly -- head football coach at the University of Notre Dame
- #39 Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. -- president of the University of Notre Dame
LINK: MOST POWERFUL IRISH AMERICANS
Domer Henry Evans -- A Story You MUST SEE !
Notre Dame alum Henry Evans' '84, life forever changed on October 29, 2002. He was stricken with a stroke-like attack that overnight made him mute and quadriplegic.
Yet, Henry wouldn't let that stop him from living...
You must see / hear Henry's TedX presentation. THIS IS MUST SEE!
LINK: HENRY EVANS
Thursday, January 16, 2014
A Domer's New Line of Work -- After the NFL
Ndukwe launched a new real estate and investment firm this past year called Kinglsey Wells Enterprises, L.L.C. -- and he's just made his first investment in a Cincinnati building project.
Here's the story:
LINK: LIFE AFTER THE NFL
Louis Nix's South Bend Tribune Interview
Former Notre Dame student-athlete Louis "Irish Chocolate" Nix III spoke with the South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen about his decision to sign early with an agent -- missing out on the IRISH's trip to New York City for the Pinstripe Bowl -- and what he's doing now...
LINK: LOUIS NIX III
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Coach Mike Brey's Hall of Fame Induction
LINK: HALL OF FAME
"88 AND 1" Must See This Sunday on ESPN2
The folks at ESPN2 will air a show on Sunday night at 8 PM ET called "88 AND 1" -- a story about Notre Dame's 71 - 70 win over UCLA that broke the Bruin's 88 game winning streak... I'll be curious to see if they also talk about the loss "before the streak" began -- another victory for the IRISH over UCLA.
88 AND 1 will be re-broadcast on ESPNU on the following dates/times:
· Jan. 19 – 10 p.m. EST
· Jan. 21 – 4 p.m. EST
· Jan. 24 – 6 p.m. EST
· Jan. 30 – 1 a.m. EST
Click on the link below to watch show's promotional trailer:
LINK: 88 AND 1
Updated Photos of Notre Dame's Basilica Floor
The University of Notre Dame's Basilica of the Sacred Heart is wrapping up the installation of a brand new "slate" floor this week. The plan calls for the Basilica of the Sacred Heart to celebrate Mass again this Sunday -- can't wait to see the new floor and hear the new sound!
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Watch VanGorder's Press Conference Replay
Notre Dame football's new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder will be formally introduced to the media this afternoon at 3 PM ET. Here's a link to the PRESS CONFERENCE REPLAY if you'd like to watch!
LINK: REPLAY PRESS CONFERENCE
Coach Kelly on Bill King Radio Show Today
Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly was a guest this morning on the Bill King Radio Show. He talked about a number of things -- namely, his plan to return to calling the plays on offense. Here's the story:
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY
Monday, January 13, 2014
Notre Dame Hires Brian VanGorder to Run "D"
The University of Notre Dame just announced that Brian VanGorder has been hired as their new Defensive Coordinator. VanGorder comes to the Fighting Irish from the New York Jets where he was their linebacker's coach this past season.
Coach VanGorder first coached with and for Brian Kelly from 1989 to 1992 at Grand Valley. Since then, VanGorder has served as the defensive coordinator at Georgia, the Atlanta Falcons and Auburn.
Here's a replay of Coach VanGorder's introductory news conference with Auburn back in 2012 -- along with a link to his accomplishments as a coach:
LINK: BRIAN VANGORDER
LINK: BRIAN VANGORDER WIKI
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Two Domers Lead All NFL Rookie Jersey Sales!
WOW!
Dick's Sporting Goods has been tracking the sale of NFL jerseys for the past fifteen months -- and the top two selling jerseys among NFL rookies belong to #1: Manti Te'o and #2 Tyler Eifert...
Think about that -- there were 254 players drafted by NFL teams last year -- and many more signed as free agents. And, the top two on the sales list -- NOTRE DAME PLAYERS!
LINK: JERSEY REPORT -- DICK'S SPORTING GOODS
Skylar Diggins On the Eastbay Catalog Cover!
Former Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins -- as you can see above -- is on the cover of the Eastbay catalog.
Great Friends: Brian Kelly & Jeff Quinn
Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly and University at Buffalo head coach Jeff Quinn got together to talk a little football and their relationship.
Must see and must read!
LINK: KELLY & QUINN
LINK: BUFFALO NEWS STORY
Miami Herald: Nice Story on "Showman Tate"
Our man Golden Tate almost became "legend" for his fumble on the onside kick last night that gave New Orleans the ball back and the chance to tie the NFL Playoff game. Thankfully for the former Notre Dame All-American the Seahawks won the game and they advance one step closer to the Super Bowl.
I found this Miami Herald story today about Golden -- you'll enjoy this!
LINK: BRASH GOLDEN TATE
Saturday, January 11, 2014
OT: Seahawks' "Fan Induced Earthquakes"
If you're tuned in to today's NFL Playoff Game on FOX between the New Orleans Saints and the Seattle Seahawks you're sure to hear about the equipment inside Seattle's CenturyLink Field that measures earthquakes...
If you're going to the game -- dress for rain!
It's going to be noisy!
LINK: EARTHQUAKES IN SEATTLE
Golden Tate & Seahawks Feeling Unnoticed
Former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate had some things to say about the pending return of Percy Harvin to the Seahawks for today's NFL Playoff game with the New Orleans Saints...
He's always a good quote!
LINK: TATE SPEAKS
First ACC Road Game Today for Brey's Irish
The Notre Dame men's basketball team is in Atlanta, GA today to take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Tip-off is scheduled for NOON ET. Georgia Tech announced it was a sell-out (8,600 seating capacity) -- so it should be fun to see how the Fighting Irish handle an ACC crowd on the road.
The game will be televised on the ACC Network. I have a link below to their affiliate stations around the country -- click on that link to see if the game will be televised in your area. Along with a link of Coach Brey talking about today's game.
GO IRISH!
LINK: COACH BREY -- GAME PREVIEW
LINK: ACC NETWORK -- AFFILIATES
Friday, January 10, 2014
Manti Te'o "Moving On" in San Diego
Found this story in the New York Daily News about former Notre Dame All-American Manti Te'o and his rookie season with the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers play some guy named Peyton and his Broncos this Sunday at 4:40 PM ET.
You'll enjoy this story!
LINK: MOVING ON
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Two Dads Celebrate Their Kids ND Acceptance
It's a moment I'll never forget -- learning one of your kids was accepted to the University of Notre Dame...
I found this blog post written by Rick Becker who's son Ben recently received his acceptance letter to Notre Dame's Class of 2018. Rick writes about his joy that day and the joy of another future Notre Dame dad.
One of Ben's future classmates will be a young woman out of New Jersey by the name of Sarah Christie -- who just happens to be the daughter of Governor Chris Christie.
See the story below:
LINK: NOTRE DAME ACCEPTANCE LETTER
Notre Dame Grad Student on Jeopardy Today
LINK: MARIKA KUSPA ON JEOPARDY
George Atkinson III Files for 2014 NFL Draft
Notre Dame student-athlete George Atkinson III has decided to take his game to the National Football League. Here's the story:
LINK: ATKINSON OFF TO NFL
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
CNN Story: College Athletes' Reading Levels
CNN's Sara Ganim conducted an investigation of the reading levels of some of the athletes at a few of the top public colleges in the country. Domer Bubba Cunningham '84 and '88, the Athletic Director at the University of North Carolina is interviewed. Click on the link below:
LINK: THEY CAN'T READ
TV Ratings Down for BCS Championship Game
Just further proof why college football needs Notre Dame...
You had the Heisman Trophy winner leading an undefeated Florida State team against the SEC Champion Auburn Tigers.
Yet, ESPN's overnight TV ratings for Florida State vs. Auburn were down from last year's game between Notre Dame and Alabama -- the all-time record. That's a shocker when you consider 90% of the country was hunkered down in their homes watching TV because of the record cold weather...
LINK: TV RATINGS DOWN FOR BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Notre Dame's Final Rankings Don't Add Up !!!
Just took a look at the final college football polls released this morning -- the AP and USA Today Coaches Poll. In the AP Poll Notre Dame is ranked #20, in the USA Today Poll Notre Dame is ranked #24.
Here's my frustration -- we deserved better... The facts prove Notre Dame should have finished #18 in both polls -- at the very least.
In the AP Poll, #18 Texas A&M has four losses and they're ranked ahead of Notre Dame -- yet, they only have one victory all season against a Top-25 team in the final rankings and that's their bowl win over #23 Duke. #19 USC has four losses and we beat them head to head...
Then you have the USA Today Coaches Poll -- where Notre Dame at #24 sits behind SIX teams who also have four losses:
- #18 Texas A&M (9-4)
- #19 USC (10-4)
- #20 Arizona State (9-4)
- #21 Wisconsin (9-4)
- #22 Duke (9-4)
- #23 Vanderbilt (9-4)
- #24 NOTRE DAME (9-4)
I've already addressed Texas A&M and their one win over a ranked team this season, and Notre Dame's head to head wins over USC and Arizona State...
Now, let's talk about Wisconsin, Duke and Vanderbilt... --
Wisconsin doesn't have a single win over a team ranked in the final Top-25 team this season. And, they were beat by Arizona State -- who lost to Notre Dame.
Duke doesn't have a single win over a team ranked in the final Top-25 this season.
Vanderbilt doesn't have a single win over a team ranked in the final Top-25 this season.
And, NOTRE DAME HAS THREE WINS OVER TEAMS RANKED IN THE FINAL TOP-25 USA TODAY COACHES POLL: #3 MICHIGAN STATE, #19 USC AND #20 ARIZONA STATE.
It doesn't add up.
LINK: FINAL FOOTBALL POLLS
Only 284 Days Until Notre Dame Plays FSU !!!
I'm guessing the gang at ESPN's College GameDay already have this date circled on their calendar -- October 18, 2014 -- when Notre Dame travels to Tallahassee to take on the defending National Champions.
It's been more than eleven years since the last time (and the first time) Notre Dame traveled to Doak Campbell Stadium to play Florida State -- remember that game?
See the link below:
LINK: NOTRE DAME BEATS FLORIDA STATE
Monday, January 6, 2014
OT: Auburn Fan Has $50,000 Riding on Game
Mark Skiba's dad made a $100 bet for him in Las Vegas (January 30, 2013) on Auburn winning the National Championship. The odds were 500 to 1 against this happening.
Think he's a little nervous today?
LINK: AUBURN FAN COULD WIN BIG
Revisiting ND's Last Three National Titles !!!
As we await tonight's BCS National Championship game -- I thought the Notre Dame nation would enjoy a trip down memory lane. Here's a look at the highlights of the Fighting Irish's last three National Championships in football. Enjoy!
LINK: 1988 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP -- FIESTA BOWL
LINK: 1977 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP -- COTTON BOWL
LINK: 1973 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP -- SUGAR BOWL
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Tuitt Tells Sports Illustrated He's Headed to NFL
Notre Dame student-athlete Stephon Tuitt told Sports Illustrated's Brian Hamilton that he is going to make himself eligible for the upcoming NFL Draft. Here's the story:
LINK: TUITT TO THE NFL
Must See: Coach Brey With Team After Duke !!!
The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media provide great coverage ALL THE TIME of our athletic teams here at the University of Notre Dame. Yesterday's win over DUKE was no exception. You must watch the locker room celebration.
LINK: TEAM CELEBRATES WIN
The Media the Mornin' After Beating Duke
Took a lap around the web to see what the media had to say about Notre Dame's 79 - 77 win over #7 ranked Duke. Just click on the links below:
LINK: ESPN COLLEGE BASKETBALL BLOG
LINK: CBS SPORTS RECAP
LINK: THE HERALD-SUN
LINK: ASSOCIATED PRESS
LINK: NEWS OBSERVER
LINK: CHICAGO TRIBUNE
LINK: SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE
Mike Brey's Post Gamer Presser After Duke Win
Word on the web this morning is -- THIS IS THE FIRST TIME DUKE'S "COACH K" HAS LOST A GAME TO A TEAM COACHED BY ONE OF HIS FORMER ASSISTANTS."
Here's what Coach Brey had to say after the game:
LINK: NOTRE DAME BEATS DUKE
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Notre Dame Beats Duke in First ACC Game!
Mike Brey's Fighting Irish beat the #7 ranked team in the country this afternoon 79 - 77! A true team win as all nine Notre Dame players who played in the game scored. Notre Dame is now in a FIRST PLACE TIE in the Atlantic 10 Conference -- a game ahead of Duke.
LINK: ESPN RECAP
LINK: CBS SPORTS
SHE is a Domer Coaching Boxing in Chicago
Kimberly Hickey is a Notre Dame alum coaching boxing at Chicago's Leo Catholic High School. Found this story at the DAILY DOMER -- it's a must see, must read story.
LINK: NOTRE DAME'S FIGHTING IRISH
Notre Dame on TV Today -- MUST SEE TV !!!
The University of Notre Dame's men's basketball team and hockey team will be playing marquee games today against Duke and Boston College respectively.
First at 4 PM ET -- Mike Brey's Fighting Irish welcome the #7 ranked Duke Blue Devils to Purcell Pavilion for the first time in eighteen years. The game will be televised on CBS.
Then at 7:30 PM ET -- Jeff Jackson's #14 ranked Fighting Irish will take the ice at FENWAY PARK (yes, Fenway Park) to play #6 ranked Boston College. The game will be televised on the NBC Sports Network.
Should be a great pre-lude to the winter storm most of us in the Midwest will be facing this evening and tomorrow...
GO IRISH!
LINK: DUKE vs. NOTRE DAME
LINK: BOSTON COLLEGE vs. NOTRE DAME
Former ND Football Coach Headed to Texas?
That's the story running throughout the media this morning...
Charlie Strong, a former defensive line coach (1995 - 1998) at Notre Dame and now the head coach at Louisville is rumored to have been offered the head coaching job at the University of Texas.
I can see the t-shirts now: TEXAS STRONG
LINK: TEXAS-STRONG
Friday, January 3, 2014
NOW 3/4 of a MILLION UNIQUE FOLLOWERS!!!
Unique follower #750,000 -- a Notre Dame fan from Manhasset, NY -- visited the ND GO IRISH BLOG at 10:56 PM ET this evening!
THANK YOU NOTRE DAME FANS!!!
As I always do when the site reaches a new milestone -- I pick out where the ND GO IRISH BLOG would rank in the United States if it were its own city. Well here's the rank -- the 18th largest !!!
At the 750,000 mark the ND GO IRISH BLOG just passed my former hometown of DETROIT -- and it's now just behind our oldest son's former hometown of Charlotte, NC. Here are the rankings:
#15: Columbus, OH -- 809,798
#16: Fort Worth, TX -- 777,992
#17: Charlotte, NC -- 775,202
#18: ND GO IRISH BLOG -- 750,000
#19: Detroit, MI -- 701,745
#20: El Paso, TX -- 672,538
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