Tuesday, December 7, 2010

ESPN's Lame Attempt at a Sun Bowl Preview

You know it's quite sad when the "talking heads" at ESPN -- MAKE A JOKE -- about "renaming" the Hyundai Sun Bowl, because it has two of the teams with the highest graduation rates in college football (Notre Dame and Miami, FL) playing each other.

I felt sorry for former Notre Dame Hesiman Trophy winner, Tim Brown -- having to be associated with this crew.  Here's the link:

EDIT:  ESPN'S LAME ATTEMPT AT PREVIEWING THE SUN BOWL

Oregon Ducks WR -- Honors Declan Sullivan


D.J. Davis, a wide-receiver for the #1 ranked Oregon Ducks -- paid tribute to Notre Dame student, Declan Sullivan -- by wearing a photo of Declan in a protective covering attached to his belt.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  AN OREGON PLAYER'S TRIBUTE TO DECLAN

The "Leprechaun Legion" Blog Needs Our Help!

Dan Murphy a 2009 Notre Dame grad has entered his "Leprechaun Legion" Blog into the "Who's the Biggest Fan in the Big East" contest being sponsored by Volvo.  To vote for Dan as the BIGGEST FAN IN THE BIG EAST -- click on the link below.  The winner gets a Volvo, tickets to the Big East Championship tournament and a $10,000 check for their alma mater.  I told Dan that the ND GO IRISH BLOG gang would get behind him in this effort.  Go Irish!!! and Go Dan Murphy!!!

LINK:  BIGGEST FAN IN THE BIG EAST

LINK:  DAN MURPHY'S PROFILE

LINK:  LEPRECHAUN LEGION BLOG

Notre Dame's National Championship Teams

Since Lou Holtz's 1988 National Championship football team -- Notre Dame's Women's athletic teams have won FOUR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.  The Men's teams have zero.

Now, to be fair the Notre Dame Fencing Team (Men & Women) has won four "combined" National Championships in that time frame.

The above photo is of the eight foot tall "Grace Hall #1 sign" that is lit up every time a Notre Dame team is ranked #1 in the country.  This tradition started in 1973 when Grace Hall put up this sign after the football team beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl to win the 1973 National Championship.  That sign was lit again last Sunday night when Notre Dame's Fencing Team won the 2011 National Championship!

Here's a list of every Notre Dame National Championship team by year and by sport -- UPDATED on 4/4/11:
  • 2011 National Champions:  Fencing (combined)
  • 2010 National Champions:  Women's Soccer
  • 2005 National Champions:  Fencing (combined)
  • 2004 National Champions:  Women's Soccer
  • 2003 National Champions:  Fencing (combined)
  • 2001 National Champions:  Women's Basketball
  • 1995 National Champions:  Women's Soccer
  • 1994 National Champions:  Fencing (combined)
  • 1988 National Champions:  Football
  • 1987 National Champions:  Women's Fencing
  • 1986 National Champions:  Men's Fencing
  • 1978 National Champions:  Men's Fencing
  • 1977 National Champions:  Football & Men's Fencing
  • 1973 National Champions:  Football
NOTRE DAME ACCEPTS FIRST FEMALE STUDENTS: FALL OF 1973
  • 1966 National Champions:  Football
  • 1959 National Champions:  Tennis
  • 1957 National Champions:  Cross Country
  • 1949 National Champions:  Football
  • 1947 National Champions:  Football
  • 1946 National Champions:  Football
  • 1944 National Champions:  Tennis &  Golf
  • 1943 National Champions:  Football
  • 1930 National Champions:  Football
  • 1929 National Champions:  Football
  • 1924 National Champions:  Football

NCAA All Tournament Team: Six from ND!


The 2010 Women's Soccer National Champions -- the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame -- was well represented on the All Tournament Team, with six team members among the eleven given this honor!  Notre Dame's Melissa Henderson (photo on right) was named Most Outstanding Offensive Player and Notre Dame's Jessica Schuveiller (photo on left) was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player.  CONGRATULATIONS!!! Here's the All Tournament Team:
  • GK: Emily Oliver, Stanford
  • GK: Katie Baumgardner, Ohio State
  • D: Hannah Cerrone, Boston College
  • D: Jessica Schuveiller, Notre Dame
  • M: Courtney Barg, Notre Dame
  • M: Mandy Laddish, Notre Dame
  • F: Rose Augustin, Notre Dame
  • F: Camille Levin, Stanford
  • F: Christen Press, Stanford
  • F: Adrianna Leon,  Notre Dame
  • F: Melissa Henderson, Notre Dame
  • Most Outstanding Offensive Player: Melissa Henderson, Notre Dame
  • Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Jessica Schuveiller, Notre Dame

LINK:  2010 NCAA WOMEN'S SOCCER NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Fastest Sellout in Sun Bowl's 77 Year History!!!

Well, it took approximately 21 hours for the 2010 Hyundai Sun Bowl to be declared a SELLOUT!  To put this in perspective, last year's Sun Bowl game between Oklahoma and Stanford was the fastest sellout in Sun Bowl history and it took 16 days for them to sell out the 50,000 seat stadium.   

When was the last time we heard "Oklahoma and IRRELEVANT" in the same sentence on ESPN?

Now we know why the Hyundai Sun Bowl's CEO was in "tears" when he spoke with great joy about having Notre Dame play in their bowl game...

It just goes to show you that there's College Football and then there is NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL.

LINK:  SUN BOWL ASSOCIATION PRESS RELEASE