Golson Working Again With George Whitfield

You've got to wonder what QB guru George Whitfield (on the left) is doing in this photo with Notre Dame QB Everett Golson...

It's Whitfield's "QB SHARK WEEK" in San Diego and Golson is out there working to get better.  Got to love it!

Brianna Turner Selected to U18 TEAM USA!

The McDonald's Women's High School Player of the Year and soon-to-be Notre Dame student-athlete Brianna Turner -- was just selected to TEAM USA for the upcoming FIBA World Championship.

Congratulations Brianna!

LINK:  TEAM USA

NEWS FLASH: Samardzija Gets First 2014 Win

The sixteen game winless streak is over!  Former Notre Dame All-American wide receiver Jeff Samardzija notched his first win of the 2014 season yesterday in an 8 - 4 Cub's victory over the San Francisco Giants.

Samardzija pitched seven innings -- striking out TEN -- while doubling in the tying run and scoring the winning run himself!  His ERA "ballooned" to 1.68 on the season...

Here's the story:

LINK:  FIRST WIN!

2014 Bowl Predictions for Notre Dame Football

A couple of writers over at ESPN just released their "way to early" college football bowl predictions for the upcoming 2014 season. 

Notre Dame's season kicks off 96 days from today -- when the Rice Owls come to play the first football game on field turf at Notre Dame Stadium.

You'll have to click on the link below to see "where and who" (they think) the Fighting Irish will be playing in a bowl game:

LINK:  BOWL PREDICTIONS

National Championship Game Today at 1 PM ET

The Fighting Irish will play the Duke Blue Devils today at 1 PM ET on ESPN2 for the National Championship!

Notre Dame played Duke earlier in the season and the Blue Devils beat our IRISH 15 - 7 -- but not today!

Today is the day the Fighting Irish will win its first-ever National Title in Men's Lacrosse!

LINK:  USA TODAY

LINK:  GAME NOTES

LINK:  DUKE SITE

LINK:  NEW YORK TIMES

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST

Notre Dame Plays For National Title on Monday!

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame beat the "home team" Maryland Terrapins 11 - 6 this afternoon to earn a trip to Monday's National Championship game against #1 Duke!

Sophomore sensation Matt Kavanagh led the Irish with five goals and two assists!

It's the second trip to the National Title game for Notre Dame -- first time was in 2010 -- as Kevin Corrigan and his IRISH seek their first ever National Championship...

Can't wait to Monday -- game starts at 1 PM ET on ESPN 2!!!

Golden Tate Hits Home Run at Comerica Park

Former Notre Dame All-American football player,  centerfielder on the baseball team -- and now Detroit Lion -- Golden Tate, took a little batting practice at the Tiger's Comerica Park yesterday afternoon...

And, Golden smashed one over the fence in a pre-game hitting exhibition before the Tiger's win over the Rangers last night.

In the photo above, that's Golden talking with DOMER DAD and Tiger's starting right fielder Torii Hunter, Sr. -- father of ND wide receiver Torii Hunter, Jr. 

LINK:  GOLDEN'S HOMER

Watch Notre Dame BEAT Maryland on ESPN

Kevin Corrigan's Fighting Irish play the Maryland Terrapins today in the NCAA National Semifinal Game -- LIVE on ESPN -- beginning at 3:30 PM ET.  It's the third time these two teams will play this season -- Maryland one the first contest 12 - 8 while Notre Dame took the second 6 - 5 in the ACC Championship Semi-Final...

It will be a "pro-Maryland" crowd as the game will be played in the Baltimore Raven's 71,000 seat stadium -- should be fun!

To get you ready for today's game -- here's what the media is saying:

LINK:  BALTIMORE SUN

LINK:  JERSEY JOURNAL

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Notre Dame Stadium Time Lapse Video

You'll enjoy this quick time lapse video of the set-up and tear down for Commencement -- along with the removal of the grass field inside Notre Dame Stadium.  A busy few days on campus!

LINK:  TIME LAPSE VIDEO

Notre Dame's Dunne & Malpass Talk Investing

Bloomberg TV interviewed Notre Dame Trustee Jimmy Dunne '78 (photo above) and Chief Investment Officer Scott Malpass '84 -- you'll enjoy watching this...

LINK:  NOTRE DAME INVESTING

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S SECRET...

LINK:  DUNNE ON FINANCIAL INDUSTRY

Impressive Bench Press Results -- ND Recruit

Quenton Nelson -- one of the highest rated football recruits arriving next month at Notre Dame -- bench pressed 225 lbs., twenty-six times!

When you watch the video -- you'll see in the upper right hand corner the reps of a number of the players just drafted into the NFL earlier this month -- that Nelson betters...

LINK:  QUENTON NELSON

Bulldozers Take on Notre Dame Stadium Field

The grass was taken away yesterday -- today the bulldozers, excavators and dump trucks took main stage inside Notre Dame Stadium as they ready the field for a new playing surface. 

Watch the video linked below:

LINK:  BULLDOZERS

Will Domer Dad Become an NFL Team Owner?

Rock star Jon Bon Jovi -- father of Notre Dame student-athlete Jesse Bongiovi -- has joined an investment group out of Toronto looking to acquire the Buffalo Bills.  See the story, linked below:

LINK:  JON BON JOVI

Natural Grass Removal at Notre Dame Stadium

Here's the video proof -- see linked below -- of the removal of natural grass FOREVER from Notre Dame Stadium.  The installation process for new field turf begins...

LINK:  GONE FOREVER

Manti on Watt: "He Whacks You -- Then Smiles"

You're going to enjoy this story about former Notre Dame offensive lineman Chris Watt '13 -- who was drafted in the Third Round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers...

LINK:  HE SMILES

Domer Pollock Earns National League Honor!

Former Notre Dame student-athlete and current Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder -- A.J. Pollock was named Co-Player of the Week in the National League!  Pollock -- the Diamondbacks' first-round draft pick out of Notre Dame in 2009 -- led the NL in batting average .500 (11 for 22), slugging percentage (.909) and total bases (20) -- for the week that ended May 18th.

Congratulations A.J.!

LINK:  POLLOCK CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Buy Your Piece of Notre Dame Stadium -- NOW!

Tomorrow morning (Tuesday, May 20th) the process of removing the grass playing surface inside Notre Dame Stadium will commence...

So, if you'd like to own a piece of this grass -- you can buy it right now for $149.95!  The grass will arrive at your home this FRIDAY -- if you place the order in the next 24 hours. 

The ordering information is linked below:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME GRASS

Houston Texans Approve Louis Nix's Trip Home

Irish Chocolate left the Houston Texans' Rookie Mini-Camp -- head coach Bill O'Brien approved the trip (see him talk about that below) -- to walk down the "tunnel" one more time into Notre Dame Stadium for today's 169th Commencement.

The photo above shows Louis with a number of his football teammates -- left to right;  Justin Utopo, Bennett Jackson, Louis Nix, Kona Schwenke, Kendall Moore and Lo Wood.

LINK:  CSN HOUSTON STORY

Final Four Bound! Comeback Win for IRISH!!!

I have to admit I did not see this LIVE on ESPN2 yesterday -- I was attending the Commencement Mass on the 169th graduation weekend here at the University of Notre Dame...

Boy, did I miss something special!

The Fighting Irish were down 12 - 7 with nine minutes left in their NCAA Regional Final game with Albany -- yet, they somehow tied the game 13 - 13 at the three minute mark!  And, they withstood the late offensive charge by the "Thompsons" of Albany to push the game into overtime where sophomore Matt Kavanagh (photo above) scored the game winning goal -- see replay below.

The win moves the IRISH to the Lacrosse National Championship Weekend next Saturday against Maryland.  It's the third Final Four appearance for Notre Dame's Men's Lacrosse in the past five seasons!

LINK:  INSIDE LACROSSE

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  GAME WINNING OT GOAL!

Live Broadcast of ND's 169th Commencement

The University of Notre Dame will be celebrating its 169th Commencement this morning beginning at 9 AM ET from Notre Dame Stadium.  And, you can watch it LIVE at the link below.  The ceremony is scheduled to run until 11:30 AM ET.

LINK:  COMMENCEMENT -- HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

LINK:  FR. JENKINS

Prince Shembo: Atlanta Falcons Mini-Camp

The former Notre Dame linebacker and fourth round draft pick of the Falcons is now wearing a new number in Atlanta.

Chris Watt: Photos From Chargers Mini-Camp

The former Notre Dame offensive lineman and third round pick of the Chargers -- is now wearing a new helmet and he's practicing in completely different surroundings in San Diego...

Stephon Tuitt: Photos From Pittsburgh Steelers

The second round pick of the Steelers and former Notre Dame defensive lineman is taking part in his first organized practices as a professional athlete.

Zack Martin: Photos From Cowboys Mini-Camp

The former Notre Dame football captain -- and first round pick of the Dallas Cowboys is getting his first taste of life as a professional football player.

PHOTO: Notre Dame's Campus is Ready!

The University of Notre Dame's 2014 Commencement takes place this weekend on the most beautiful college campus in America -- SHE sure looks ready!

ND Men's Lacrosse: ESPN2 Today at 2:30 PM

Kevin Corrigan's #6 ranked Fighting Irish take on the Great Danes from Albany and the talented Thompson's (brothers Lyle and Miles and their cousin Ty) from the Onondaga Nation Reservation -- today in the NCAA Championship Quarterfinal -- LIVE at 2:30 PM ET on ESPN2.

The Thompson brothers (Lyle and Miles) have had a lacrosse season -- like none other -- in the history of the game.  The two brothers are now 1 and 2 on the all-time single season scoring record books. 


This is going to be a great test for Notre Dame -- should be fun!

LINK:  THOMPSON BROTHERS

LINK:  ABC STORY

LINK:  INSIDE LACROSSE

NFL Rookie Mini-Camp Updates on ND Players

Took a lap around the worldwide web this evening to see what's being reported from NFL Rookie Mini-Camps about former Notre Dame football players -- that is T.J Jones wearing #13 for the Detroit Lions in the photo above...

LINK:  DALLAS COWBOYS -- ZACK MARTIN

LINK:  PITTSBURGH STEELERS -- STEPHON TUITT 

LINK:  ARIZONA CARDINALS -- TROY NIKLAS

LINK:  HOUSTON TEXANS -- LOUIS NIX

LINK:  SAN DIEGO CHARGERS -- CHRIS WATT

LINK:  ATLANTA FALCONS -- PRINCE SHEMBO

LINK:  DETROIT LIONS -- T.J. JONES

LINK:  NEW YORK GIANTS -- BENNETT JACKSON

LINK:  WASHINGTON REDSKINS -- TOMMY REES

LINK:  OAKLAND RAIDERS -- GEORGE ATKINSON III

2014 Commencement at Notre Dame Stadium

The "house that Rock built" is preparing for its last event ever on "real grass" -- as the crews here at Notre Dame set-up the Stadium for Sunday's Commencement.

The installation of field turf -- which will take many weeks -- begins Monday.

There is a web-cam located inside Notre Dame Stadium -- updating photos every 15 minutes of the set-up progress.  Click on the link below to take a look:

LINK:  LIVE WEB CAM

NASCAR CEO: Talks Domer Choice in Iowa

NASCAR CEO Brian France met with the media today -- on the eve of their first weekend of racing at Iowa Speedway -- to talk about the purchase of the race track and his selection of Notre Dame alum Jimmy Small '08 to run this operation.  Here's the story:

LINK:  FRANCE ON SMALL'S HIRING

Zack Martin Will Now Wear Cowboys Jersey #70

The Dallas Cowboys released Frank Kearse -- clearing the way for former Notre Dame student-athlete to wear his familiar jersey #70.  See the story below...

I wonder if they'll be issuing refunds to the Cowboy fans who bought the Zack Martin jersey #71?

LINK:  ZACK MARTIN'S NEW NUMBER

MSU AD Jokes About Playing ND At the Vatican

The Big Ten Athletic Directors have been meeting this week in Rosemont, IL and wouldn't you know it -- Notre Dame was on the mind.

Michigan State's Athletic Director Mark Hollis (photo above) let it be known that he's in conversations with Notre Dame about playing "five times" over a fourteen year period -- then he threw out the idea of playing in Rome...

LINK:  MSU AD TALKS NOTRE DAME

Three ND Students Win Sunset Film Festival!

Three Notre Dame seniors; Katie Mattie '14, Vincent Moore '14 and Will Neal '14 -- (photo above of them walking the "red carpet" in Hollywood) took first place for the Short Documentary category at the Sunset International Film Festival for their film "The Suicide Disease."

This is a pretty big deal. 

The film tells the story of Frances Shavers -- a former chief of staff for Fr. John Jenkins, C.S.C., president of the University of Notre Dame -- who suffers from Trigeminal Neuralgia, considered "one of the most painful experiences in the human experience."

Frances was brave enough to allow these three Notre Dame students to tell her story in this sixteen-minute film.

This is MUST SEE -- France Shavers is an inspiration...

LINK:  THE SUICIDE DISEASE

Troy Niklas Arrives at Cardinals' Workout

The Arizona Cardinals selected former Notre Dame tight end Troy Niklas on the second round -- teaming him at that position with former Irish standout Jon Carlson.  (photo above has Troy on left and Carlson on the right).

The story linked below is the first interview of Niklas since his selection by the Cardinals:

LINK:  NIKLAS A CARDINAL

Steelers: Stephon Tuitt Gets His Gear!

The Pittsburgh Steelers posted these photos of former Notre Dame defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt getting his helmet fitted and his shoes for their Rookie Mini-Camp.  Here's the story:

LINK:  TUITT IS EXCITED TO PLAY...

Detroit Tigers' Tori Hunter Sr. -- Hit By Pitch

Detroit Tiger outfielder Torii Hunter Sr. -- who doubles as the father of Notre Dame student-athlete Torii Hunter Jr. -- was drilled by a 94 mph fastball last night that looked quite intentional.  

It escalated from there...

Here's more of the story:

LINK:  BASEBALL TONIGHT'S REPORT

LINK:  HUNTER TALKS WITH THE MEDIA

CBS Sports: Texans Get an "A" for Nix Pick!

The folks at CBS Sports weighed in on the Houston Texans selection of former Notre Dame student-athlete Louis Nix '14 who they selected in the third round of this weekend's 2014 NFL Draft.  See story below:

LINK:  LOUIS NIX

San Diego Chargers: Chris Watt Media Session

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Chris Watt '13 -- was drafted 89th overall by the San Diego Chargers in last weekend's 2014 NFL Draft.  Here's a story about Chris and the versatility he brings to the Chargers' offensive line -- along with a video of his inaugural media session in San Diego:

LINK:  CHRIS WATT

NFL Draft: Notre Dame Football Stands Alone!

77 years and counting -- that's how many years in a row that a member of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team has been drafted by a NFL Team -- the longest such streak in college football history.

The NFL Draft began in 1936 -- that year the Fighting Irish had five players drafted, including the #3 pick overall Bill Shakespeare.  In 1937 -- not a single Notre Dame player was drafted -- thus, the current streak began in 1938...

Notre Dame stands alone -- because the Texas Longhorns, who like ND had a 76 year streak going into the 2014 NFL Draft -- went without a single player drafted for the first time since 1938.  Here's the story:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME STANDS ALONE

LINK:  ALL-TIME LIST OF NOTRE DAME PLAYERS DRAFTED INTO THE NFL

Holy Cross College Graduates Reflect...

I was sent this video yesterday (via Twitter) from the folks across the street at Holy Cross College -- who celebrated their 47th Commencement exercises yesterday afternoon.  It's a video of a number of their seniors reflecting on their time at Holy Cross College.

I am very fond of this institution.

Enjoy!

LINK:  HOLY CROSS COLLEGE

Happy Mother's Day!

It's a sunny Mother's Day morning -- just a few blocks away from the college campus named after Mary Our Mother -- the University of Notre Dame.

As a special treat, I've attached two videos below of the world-famous Notre Dame Glee Club singing Ave Maria and Notre Dame, Our Mother.

Happy Mother's Day to all of the Mom's out there!


LINK:  AVE MARIA

LINK:  NOTRE DAME, OUR MOTHER