Sunday, June 19, 2016

Happy Father's Day to My Dad & All the Dads!

I share this poem today with MY DAD -- that's one of his baseball cards from his playing days with the Detroit Tigers -- thank you for giving me my name.

I hope I've carried it well -- in your honor.

YOUR FAMILY NAME

You got it from your father
It was all he had to give
So it's yours to use and cherish
For as long as you may live

If you lost the watch he gave you
It can always be replaced;
But a black mark on your name
Can never be erased

It was clean the day you took it
And a worthy name to bear
When he got it from his father
There was no dishonor there

So make sure you guard it wisely
After all is said and done
You'll be glad the name is spotless
When you give it to your son 

I framed this poem along with my other all-time favorite poem; 'The Man in the Glass' -- and placed it on the bedroom walls of my sons Jimmy and Brady as they were growing up (I am blessed to now have three sons -- with Conor Walsh marrying our daughter Kara).

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!  

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Happy Father's Day -- Holy Cross Congregation


The University of Notre Dame has been blessed for nearly 175 years to have the "fathers" of the Holy Cross Congregation leading the way. 

Happy Fathers Day!
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She's BACK!!! Skylar Scores 27 Last Night!


Former Notre Dame "All-Everything" -- Skylar Diggins scored 27 points last night leading her Dallas Wings to a TRIPLE OT WIN over the Phoenix Mercury 117 - 111.

Skylar is coming off of major knee surgery -- in only her fifth game back for the Wings.

FYI:  It's the most points ever scored by a Wings player in a single game.  (Now, the team has only played in Dallas for 12 games...)  Still, it's a FUN FACT!

LINK:  SKYLAR HIGHLIGHTS
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Saturday, June 18, 2016

How Many Notre Dame Stars Can You Name?


Here's my guess...

L to R:  Tony Rice, Ricky Watters, Chris Zorich, Lou Holtz, Rocket Ismail, ? , Joe Montana, ?

Send me an email with the names of the two I'm not recognizing at: jim.small@nd.edu

In the "reddish pink" shirt is none other than Michael Stonebreaker -- still waiting on confirmation of the man's name next to Rocket...  THANKS TO A NUMBER OF ND GO IRISH BLOG regulars for emailing me about Stonebreaker.

I've been given "Nick Eddy" as the guy next to Rocket -- I don't think that is Nick...
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Comparing Five Preseason College FB Polls


This is an interesting way to look at a number of the preseason rankings of the top college football teams in the country:

LINK:  RANKINGS
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Friday, June 17, 2016

Notre Dame's "Football 101" with Kelly Cares


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Thursday, June 16, 2016

Brian Kelly Talks #1 Jersey at Notre Dame


Thought you'd enjoy this replay of Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly's radio interview this week with the gang at WSBT SPORTS RADIO here in South Bend...

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY'S RADIO INTERVIEW
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Corey Robinson Will Step Away From the Game


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Domer Ronnie Stanley '16 -- Adopts a Dog...


This is a nice story...

LINK:  STANLEY'S NEW BABY
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Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Two "Loyal Sons" Return to Notre Dame!


Randy Ayers and Ryan Humphrey have returned home -- joining the Notre Dame men's basketball coaching staff!

Don't forget -- only one men's college basketball program can claim back-to-back "ELITE EIGHT" appearances these last two seasons -- NOTRE DAME BASKETBALL!

LINK:  RANDY AYERS

LINK:  RYAN HUMPHREY
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Tuesday, June 14, 2016

College Football's "X-Factor" -- Notre Dame!


A good read about Notre Dame's strength of schedule -- as Brian Kelly says; "my 12 against their 12..."

LINK:  THE NOTRE DAME HEADACHE
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Monday, June 13, 2016

Pittsburgh Penguins & Domers Arrive Home!



Domers Ian Cole and Bryan Rust -- returned to Pittsburgh this afternoon after last night's Stanley Cup clinching win for the Penguins over the San Jose Sharks!
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Sunday, June 12, 2016

Domers Rust & Cole Hoisting the Stanley Cup!


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Replay: Domers' Stanley Cup Champion Goals!

IAN COLE -- former Notre Dame defenseman

BRYAN RUST -- former Notre Dame winger
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Broadway's Hamilton -- Patrick Vassel '07



Hamilton won 11 Tony Awards tonight -- further proof of the greatness of this Broadway show.

 Notre Dame alum and Associate Director of Hamilton -- Patrick Vassel '07 is interviewed here by fellow Domer Anne Thompson (NBC News) during our recent Notre Dame Day broadcast...
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Saturday, June 11, 2016

Biggio Drafted by Blue Jays -- Not the Astros...


I was hoping the Houston Astros would have drafted Notre Dame's Cavan Biggio -- son of Baseball Hall of Famer Craig Biggio -- but the Toronto Blue Jays beat them to the punch, taking Cavan in the Fifth Round yesterday...

LINK:  BASEBALL'S BIGGIOS
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ND Football Players With the Fantasy Campers


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What Happens at ND Football Fantasy Camp...


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A Young Irish Fan Gets a Notre Dame Helmet!


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Friday, June 10, 2016

Michigan vs. Notre Dame -- Sooner Than Later


Notre Dame's Brian Kelly spoke with a Sports Illustrated reporter about efforts to renew the rivalry with Michigan...

It has been 1,008 days since Michigan last scored a point against Notre Dame.

LINK:  MICHIGAN vs. NOTRE DAME
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My Friend David and His Friend Muhammad Ali


David Chaudoir grew up playing in the backyard at Muhammad Ali's long-time home in Berrien Springs, MI -- just 29 minutes from the University of Notre Dame.  He later worked 12 years for Muhammad Ali Enterprises as their Director of Marketing.

That's David a number of years ago with Ali -- please know it pains me to post a photo of Ali wearing this shirt...

For the last three years -- David has been my teammate here at the University of Notre Dame.

Today -- David is in Louisville with Ali's family and former colleagues celebrating the life of his friend.

David wrote this reflection -- the night of Ali's death.  He's allowed me to share this with all of you today.


“After me, there will never be another.”

One of Muhammad Ali’s famous lines. He had an endless supply of them. He had an endless supply of everything: fun, talent, mischief, justice, audacity, humor, peace, energy, faith, and most of all, love.

When I first met Muhammad in the mid-1980s I had no understanding of who he was beyond the fun guy with a playground in his backyard down the street. A decade later, I went to work in his office when I started college and for years beyond. Only then did I come to realize the magnitude of his impact.

Muhammad’s awe and appreciation of the world and people around him was met only by his ability to harness them for good. This was due both to his abiding faith in God and his authenticity as a human being living out that faith.

Muhammad was a supreme athlete, an activist, a trickster,  an iconoclast, a humanitarian, a titan, but I knew him as a confidant, a mentor, a calming presence. He was a philosopher-poet who lived in the real world, shaking and brightening it along the way. His uncanny ability to sense people’s moods extended from society in general to the few of us who worked with him every day.

He was aware of his effect on people which accounts for so many missed airplanes and appointments—from the beginning of his career and for as long as he was able to, he would stop for photos, autographs, hugs. He loved to surprise people; even on the highway he’d roll down the window and stare at unsuspecting drivers. It seems anyone you meet has a Muhammad Ali story. There are literally millions of them.

Muhammad treated everyone with the same level of dignity: celebrity, president, king, sheikh, the people who worked with him. He didn’t give preferential treatment to anyone. He loved his family. He loved his friends. In the same hour he could give you a belly laugh and say something inspirational that would reduce you to tears. Muhammad was a happy person and a perpetual source of joy for everyone who knew him and for the millions who only knew him from the media. Such was the range of his aura.

This man was comfortable anywhere and everywhere. Yet small-town Michigan was his home for nearly thirty years after he retired from boxing. I was so fortunate and blessed to have spent many of those years with him. A boy from Berrien Springs who was able to walk this earth in his company, bearing witness to untold moments of grace and compassion the likes of which I will surely never see again.

Muhammad Ali was and is exactly who he said he was: The Greatest of All Time.

Muhammad, you were the King of the World and the Prince of our Hearts.

There will never be another.

-- David Chaudoir


LINK:  LIVE TV COVERAGE FROM LOUISVILLE THIS AM



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Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Good Stuff: Broadway Car Pool Karaoke



Notre Dame alum Patrick Vassel is the Assistant Director of Broadway smash hit Hamilton -- look for him on stage this Sunday night at the Tony Awards!
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Another Day With "The Program" for ND FB!










Wednesday with THE PROGRAM for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame!


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Tuesday, June 7, 2016

WNDU-TV: Pat Connaughton Interview


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What Notre Dame Football Is Up To This Week



"The Program" is back working with the Notre Dame football this week on teamwork and leadership...
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Domer Ian Cole Scores 1st Stanley Cup Goal!



The Pittsburgh Penguins have won 3 of the first 4 games of the Stanley Cup Final series with the San Jose Sharks.

In games 1 and 4 -- the first goal scored (Pittsburgh Penguins) was by former Notre Dame hockey stars Bryan Rust and Ian Cole -- respectively.
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Monday, June 6, 2016

Domers Bruton & Harris at White House Today





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Domer Harrison Smith -- NFL's Highest Paid...


Former Notre Dame team captain, Harrison Smith is now the HIGHEST PAID SAFETY in all of professional football!

Congratulations Harrison!

LINK:  HARRISON'S NEW CONTRACT
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Saturday, June 4, 2016

Billy Crystal's "15 Rounds of Muhammad Ali"

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Jennifer Hudson's Tribute to Muhammad Ali


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"The Greatest Of All Time" and His Irish Roots



Muhammad Ali, at one time the most recognized person in the world, lived much of his life just 29 minutes from the campus of the University of Notre Dame in the town of Berrien Springs, MI.

Yet, what many might not know about Muhammad Ali is his IRISH roots.  He was the Fighting Irish...

LINK:  ALI'S IRISH ROOTS
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Friday, June 3, 2016

Urban: "LeBron Would Have Come to ND"


So says former Notre Dame assistant football coach -- now Ohio State head football coach Urban Meyer...

LINK:  LEBRON TO NOTRE DAME
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Sneak Peek at ND Football Equipment for 2016


Notre Dame Football's Equipment Manager Ryan Grooms (@NDFBEquipment) tweeted out these photos this week...

I'm going to guess the bottom photo is of a WHITE FOOTBALL CLEAT with gold laces for the Fighting Irish this fall.  Maybe this is what we'll wear on the road?
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Thursday, June 2, 2016

Further Proof the ACC Made a Great Deal...


This has been happening in football stadiums all over the ACC since Notre Dame's arrival on the schedule in 2014 -- big crowds!

Here's the latest proof point -- NC STATE has Notre Dame on its football schedule this season...

LINK:  NORTH CAROLINA STATE
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Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Air Force One -- Flying Over Notre Dame Today


This photo was posted on Twitter by @MLCaterina -- a multimedia journalist with the South Bend Tribune -- as Air Force One flew over campus carrying the President of the United States to his events in nearby Elkhart, IN.
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Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Notre Dame's "BAJA CLUB" Promotional Video


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Monday, May 30, 2016

Domer Bryan Rust's First Stanley Cup Goal!

 
The former Notre Dame hockey star scores his THIRD STRAIGHT GOAL in the NHL Playoffs for the Penguins -- this one to kick off game #1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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Memorial Day -- Battle Hymn of the Republic



A must read story of the tribute given Indiana soldier Joe Montgomery in 2007...

LINK:  ONE LAST TRIP HOME
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Sunday, May 29, 2016

U.S. Marines Silent Drill Team Perfomance

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Armed Forces Medley -- 2015 Memorial Day


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Memorial Day Tribute -- Navy Honor Guard


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Saturday, May 28, 2016

Domer Ingelsby Delaware's New Hoops Coach

http://bit.ly/1smlKYY
http://bit.ly/1smlKYY


Former Notre Dame assistant coach Martin Ingelsby '01 -- was introduced this week as the men's head basketball coach for the Delaware Blue Hens.

He was hired by a "Michigan grad" -- who leads the Blue Hens athletic program.
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Friday, May 27, 2016

Domer Austin Carr Accepts Cleveland's Trophy


The Eastern Conference Champion Cleveland Cavaliers asked "Mr. Cavalier" -- Domer Austin Carr to accept their trophy tonight!

That's the Notre Dame All-Time great in the suit!

Carr, the Cavaliers TV analyst, teams up every night with my good friend and Cavalier's TV play-by-play guy Fred McLeod.  Enjoy the NBA Finals Freddie -- I hope you get that ring!!!
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Rust Leads Penguins to Stanley Cup Final


Former Notre Dame hockey star Bryan Rust scored both of Pittsburgh's goals last night in their 2 - 1 GAME SEVEN WIN over the Tampa Bay Lightning!

LINK:  HOW RUST SCORED HIS GOALS
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Thursday, May 26, 2016

Story: Our Dog Muffet -- Lost and Found Today


If you're a pet owner -- you'll understand what my family went through this afternoon...

About 2:30 PM ET today our dog Muffet (yes, she's named after Coach McGraw) came up missing.  She's a three year-old Sheltie -- photo above of her on the day we brought her home in August of 2013.

Well, after a drive and walk around the ND campus -- a trip to the Grotto -- and many car searches around the area just south of the Notre Dame campus, it appeared she was a goner.

Until -- my cell phone rang at 9:43 PM ET and on the other end was my neighbor Polly Pajakowski with this news;  "Come on down to the outside bar at Brother's Bar & Grill, they've found Muffet !!!"

Well, I made a beeline for Brother's -- only to see a group of people standing around and no Muffet -- I have to admit for a second I thought I must have not heard Polly correctly...

However, I was soon introduced to my four newest super heroes;
  • Will Nord
  • Susan Nord
  • Stephanie Nijak
  • Polina Guimaraes

The four of them were part of a "group of about 12" who cornered Muffet out on Angela Boulevard at the Eddy Street intersection -- around 2:45 PM ET today.  They caught Muffet -- which is a miracle in itself since she's quicker than Rocket Ismail -- and immediately took her up to Will's apartment in the Foundry on Eddy Street.

Here's where the story gets interesting.  Will was moving out of his apartment today.  He's a junior at IUSB -- on their golf team --- from Newport Beach, CA.  Susan, Will's Mom was in town to help facilitate the move.

They immediately called Animal Control to report that they had found a dog -- the guy who answered the phone said "we're too busy, we'll come by tomorrow."  Susan didn't like this reaction so she started having thoughts about taking Muffet back to California with her -- instead of putting her in the dog pound.  Will immediately called the folks at the Foundry to see if he could stay an extra night (they said YES) so he would have time to post photos of Muffet in spots on Eddy Street in the morning...

Then fate struck -- three of our neighbors; Chris and Polly Pajakowski and Charlie Hayes and his Sheltie "Reggie" -- were sitting at a table at the outside bar area at Brother's when Susan, Stephanie and Polina walked by and saw Reggie -- who looks a little like Muffet.

Susan Nord stopped and said "we found a dog today that looks a lot like your dog..."

Well --- that little news nugget set off a quick train reaction and three minutes later, I'm in Will's apartment being reunited with Muffet.

I can't thank Will, Susan, Stephanie, Polina, Chris, Polly, Rocky Geans, Charlie and "Reggie" for the roles they played in this seven hour search and rescue mission.  And, I must thank the guy at Animal Control who was too busy to pick up Muffet today.

Charlie Hayes -- upon hearing the news that Muffet was missing -- headed out on his own to find her.  Chris Pajakowski and Rocky Geans took off on their bikes and searched the Notre Dame campus.  What great friends and neighbors we have.

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!

Now I can sleep!!!
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Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Coach Kelly in Toronto Today -- Talking ND FB


Notre Dame Head Football Coach Brian Kelly was in Toronto, Canada today talking to a group of Alumni and fans -- and found some time to meet with The Sports Network's Sports Center show -- see link below:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY
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Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Texas' Mascot's 100th Anniversary Year vs ND



The Texas Longhorns' BEVO the mascot -- will begin its 100th Year Anniversary with their game this September against our Fighting Irish.  BEVO XV will make his debut...

LINK:  BEVO XV TO DEBUT vs. NOTRE DAME
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Sneak Peek: Texas' New Nike Football Shoes


Color me -- unimpressed...
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Sunday, May 22, 2016

ND Lacrosse vs. North Carolina on ESPN2



The Fighting Irish take on the Tar Heels of North Carolina today at NOON ET on ESPN2 -- the winner moves on to next weekend's FINAL FOUR WEEKEND in Philadelphia!

GO IRISH!
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Friday, May 20, 2016

A ND Fan Learns She's Going to See Her First!


She's an 86 years-old Fighting Irish fan from Los Angeles -- and her grand kids just surprised her with a trip to see her first Notre Dame game!!!

PRICELESS!
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