Mike Golic Jr., Signs Contract With Montreal

I wonder if Mike Golic Jr., knows the French language?

It was announced yesterday that the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes have signed former Notre Dame offensive lineman Mike Golic, Jr. to a contract.

LINK:  GOLIC TO ALOUETTES

Jimmy Clausen Talks Chicago Bears' OTA

Former Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen met with the media for the first time yesterday since signing with the Chicago Bears -- here's a link to him talking about learning the Bear's offense:

LINK:  CLAUSEN

Bob Diaco Shows Off His Cooking Skill

Former Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco -- was a guest on a local Connecticut TV show this week, showing off his cooking skill.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  DIACO

Coach Kelly Talks With Media Last Night

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media for a few minutes last night -- here's the link:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY

Chris Watt Running With Starters in San Diego!

Former Notre Dame offensive lineman Chris Watt '13 is running with the starting unit at practice this week in San Diego.  Here's a nice story about how Chris is progressing with the Chargers.

LINK:  WATT RUNNING WITH THE STARTERS

Skylar Leads Shock Over New York Liberty

Former Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins led her Tulsa Shock teammates today with 21 points in their 72 - 57 win over the WNBA's New York Liberty. 

On the season -- Skylar leads the Shock in the following categories:

• Scoring:  17.3 points per game
• Assists:  6.3 assists per game
• Minutes:  31.3 minutes per game

LINK:  TULSA WORLD STORY

WSBT 960 AM: Brian Kelly Interview Today

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the gang at Weekday SportsBeat this evening to talk about his Fighting Irish.  Just click on the link below to listen to the show:

LINK:  COACH KELLY

Pat Connaughton Reaches Deal With Orioles

Notre Dame multi-sport star Pat Connaughton announced today that he's agreed to terms with the Baltimore Orioles that will allow him to play basketball this year for the Fighting Irish.  Connaughton hasn't signed the contract.

LINK:  CONNAUGHTON DEAL

Former Irish Hoops Stars Play for $500,000!

A team made up of Notre Dame men's basketball alumni has made it to the championship game of The Basketball Tournament -- and the winning team receives $500,000!  A field of 32 teams competed this weekend in Philadelphia -- The Fighting Alumni (that's the team's name) -- won four games -- earning a trip to the championship game.

Here's the twist -- the championship game is slated for June 28th -- to be held in a location voted on by fans.  That's right -- the fans pick where the championship game is played!  So, Notre Dame fans -- if you want to pick the destination, click on the link below and vote.

Here is the list of former Irish basketball stars on the team;

• Chris Thomas
• Tory Jackson
• Zach Hillestand
• Ryan Ayers
• Russell Carter
• Ty Nash
• Rob Kurz
• Colin Falls
• Torin Francis

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE 

LINK:  THE FIGHTING ALUMNI -- ROSTER

LINK:  VOTE HERE!

Jewell Loyd Leads TEAM USA to Gold Medal!

Notre Dame student-athlete Jewell Loyd '16, led Team USA to the FIBA 3x3 World Championship in Moscow, Russia yesterday afternoon.  The Americans beat the Russians on their home court in the final game!  (That's Jewell wearing #8 in the far right of the photo)

As you'll read in these news stories -- Jewell "dominated" on both ends of the court -- putting her in the conversation as one of the top players "ON THE PLANET."

LINK:  WORLD CHAMPS!

LINK:  TEAM USA SITE

Skylar Diggins Featured in Esquire Magazine!

Folks, former Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins is everywhere...

These are the spreads from a story in the July issue of Esquire Magazine.

Latest Jeff Samardzija Trade Rumors

Former Notre Dame All-American Jeff Samardzija won his second game yesterday for the Chicago Cubs as he pitched seven strong innings, striking out eight while giving up two earned runs.  His stats on the season:

• ERA:  2.54 -- seventh best in the National League
• STRIKEOUTS:  75 -- tied for tenth best in the National League
• INNINGS PITCHED:  85 -- sixth best in the National League

LINK:  TRADE RUMORS

Connaughton Drafted By Baltimore Orioles!

I apologize to the regulars of the ND GO IRISH BLOG!  I've been "off the grid" the past few days in northern Michigan with my family -- our daughter Kara gets married next month and we took a few days to get away and spend some time with her.

One of the stories I was following was the Orioles taking Notre Dame two-sport star Pat Connaughton in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB Draft.  See the story linked below.

Congratulations Pat!

LINK:  CONNAUGHTON TO THE ORIOLES

Clausen Signs a Deal With the Chicago Bears

The story just broke that the Chicago Bears have signed free agent Jimmy Clausen to a contract.  The former Notre Dame QB is being brought in to back-up Jay Cutler.  As more information becomes available -- we'll have it here.

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE STORY

Encouraging Story For Lions' Theo Riddick

Former Notre Dame running back and now Detroit Lion Theo Riddick -- is the subject of a Detroit News story.  Thought you'd enjoy this. 

That's Riddick taking a hand-off from former Boise State QB Kellen Moore -- in the photo above.

LINK:  THEO RIDDICK

Photo of Terry Hanratty and His Trading Cards

Former two-time Notre Dame All-American QB, two-time Pittsburgh Steeler Super Bowl Champion and father of Fighting Irish offensive lineman Conor Hanratty -- Terry Hanratty -- is seen in this photo holding a couple of his Upper Deck Trading Cards from yesteryear...

Incoming Football Recruit's Taekwondo Skills

You can just bet incoming Notre Dame football recruit Quenton Nelson will be reminded (often) of this stunt by his Fighting Irish teammates... 

In the video linked below -- Nelson destroys two boards.

LINK:  POWERFUL PUNCH

Notre Dame Opens the Toronto Stock Exchange

Only Notre Dame... 

Perry Dellelece '87, has organized a very special day for his alma mater in Canada.

This morning in downtown Toronto, Ontario -- a number of Notre Dame officials and alums rang the opening bell of the Toronto Stock Exchange.  Here's a link to the video replay -- along with a link to the story from the Toronto Stock Exchange site:

LINK:  TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE

LINK:  NOTRE DAME RINGS THE BELL

Most Expensive Ticket -- 2014 College Football

Folks, seems like every year the most expensive ticket in college football involves the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame -- this year is no exception...

The folks at StubHub released this information:

LINK:  MOST EXPENSIVE TICKET IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Time Lapse: Notre Dame Stadium Make-Over

Here's the latest look at what's going on inside the "House That Rock Built" -- from the transformation of Notre Dame Stadium for the 169th Commencement Exercise -- to the removing of the grass field and plenty of dirt in the weeks after... 

As Notre Dame Stadium prepares for its first-ever game on field turf -- August 30th -- against Rice.

 Click on the link below:

LINK:  TIME-LAPSE

MLB 2014 Mock Draft: Domer Pat Connaughton

I found a Major League Baseball mock draft that went beyond the first round -- and it's predicting Notre Dame "two-sport star" Pat Connaughton will go in the first 100 picks. 

To learn what team and what round-- click on the link below:

LINK:  CONNAUGHTON DRAFTED BY...

Incoming Domer Wins Michigan Shot Put Title!

Jhonny Williams, out of Berrien Springs High School -- won the Michigan High School Division III State Championship in the shot put this weekend with a toss of 56 feet!

Williams,  a 6'-5" 230 lb. defensive end prospect, will be enrolling at Notre Dame in a couple of weeks to play for Brian Kelly's Fighting Irish.

Congratulations Jhonny!

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY

90 Days Away: The Fighting Irish Return Today

The 2014 Notre Dame football season is just 90 days away -- as the Fighting Irish return to campus today after a few weeks away after the Spring Semester's end. 

The incoming freshman class will report in a couple of weeks -- when the Summer Semester begins.

Notre Dame QB Everett Golson spent his time away in San Diego working with QB guru George Whifield.  The photo above is of Golson working on a passing drill...

Martin Running With First Unit at Right Guard

The Dallas Cowboys drafted Notre Dame offensive tackle Zack Martin with the 16th overall pick of last months 2014 NFL Draft. 

As you'll see in this story -- he's already made a position switch:

LINK:  MARTIN A STARTER

The Latest Look Inside Notre Dame Stadium

Notre Dame photographer Matt Cashore posted this photo he took yesterday on Twitter.  It shows the work going on inside Notre Dame Stadium -- as the conversion from natural grass to field turf continues...

Jimmy Clausen Looking For a NFL QB Gig

Former Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen is rehabbing from shoulder surgery this past September -- and looking for a NFL team who will give him a shot at a back-up role on their roster.

The folks at USA Today caught up with Jimmy a few weeks ago -- here's the story:


LINK:  CLAUSEN LOOKING FOR A JOB

Detroit Free Press Story on the Lions' T.J. Jones

Former Notre Dame football team captain T.J. Jones was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Fighting Irish fans will enjoy this story...

LINK:  T.J. JONES

McBride Scores 30 Against Skylar's Shock

What a game for former Notre Dame All-American and San Antonio Stars rookie Kayla McBride!

She scores 30 -- including the game winning three-pointer with 13.4 seconds left in her team's 82 - 79 win over Skylar Diggin's Tulsa Shock.  Skylar scored 17.

Kayla's the 15th rookie in WNBA history to score 30 points in a game -- and it's the most points ever scored by a Notre Dame alumna in a WNBA game!


LINK:  SAN ANTONIO NEWS

LINK:  WNBA STORY

LINK:  ESPN STORY

Notre Dame Athletic Teams Traveling the World

Just this week, Notre Dame's Men's Soccer Team (reigning National Champions) is playing in Zimbabwe, Africa and the Men's Lacrosse Team (reigning National Runner-up) is playing in Milan, Italy -- tough duty!

LINK:  SOCCER -- AFRICA TRIP

LINK:  LACROSSE -- ITALY TRIP

Grant & Daniels: Notre Dame Students Again

Notre Dame announced today that Davaris Daniels and Jerian Grant have been re-instated as students at the University.  Here's the South Bend Tribune story:

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Domer Dan Fox Earns Praise From Giants OTA

Former Notre Dame linebacker Dan Fox was one of three players singled out today for fine play at today's OTA at the New York Giants training facility.   The other two have played in the NFL Pro Bowl and own a few Super Bowl rings between them.

Fox intercepted a pass and ran it back towards the endzone...

LINK:  STORY

Kona Schwenke Signs Contract With Chiefs!

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Kona Schwenke '14 (he is wearing #93 in photo above) -- signed a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs!  Congrats!!!

LINK:  SCHWENKE SIGNS WITH CHIEFS

Photo: Herbstreit, Golson and Whitfield

ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit made the trek to San Diego to see Notre Dame QB Everett Golson and his workouts with George Whitfield -- this photo was taken today.

Domer Derek Landri Gets Tryout in Detroit

Before too long -- the team colors in Detroit might be changing from "Honolulu Blue and Silver" to Notre Dame "blue and gold."

Earlier today, the Detroit Lions -- who already have Golden Tate, Theo Riddick, T.J. Jones and Joseph Fauria (Fauria transferred out of ND to UCLA) on their roster -- extended a try-out to former Notre Dame defensive tackle Derek Landri.

Landri, an eight year NFL veteran -- was released earlier this year by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Here's the story:

LINK:  LANDRI TO LIONS?

Domer A.J. Pollock's WALK-OFF Homer in AZ!

Just last week, former Notre Dame center fielder A.J. Pollock was named National League Co-Player of the Week -- well the hot-streak continued yesterday...

With the Diamondbacks tied in the bottom of the ninth -- Pollock hit a dramatic two-run homer to beat the San Diego Padres 7 - 5.  It's the first walk-off homer of the Domer's major league career -- here's the story and the video proof:

LINK:  VIDEO REPLAY!

LINK:  STORY

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