Sunday, January 31, 2016

X Games Silver Medalist Reps Domer's Jersey


Arielle Gold won the Silver Medal today at the 2016 X Games and she did so wearing the jersey of former Notre Dame student-athlete David Bruton!

Bruton landed in San Jose, CA this afternoon with his Broncos teammates as they prepare for next Sunday's Super Bowl 50!

Notre Dame Rolls Over Wake Forest Today!


Irish vs. Wake Forest on ACC Network: 1 PM ET


The #25 ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame play the Deamon Deacons of Wake Forest today at 1 PM ET -- in the friendly confines of Purcell Pavilion.

The game will be televised on the ACC Network -- here's a list of the ACC Network Affiliates around the country:

LINK:  ACC NETWORK AFFILIATES

Domer Eifert Wins "Military" Autograph Contest


NFL.COM: Top 5 Draft Picks by Position


Here's a story today on the top draft picks by position...

You'll notice two ND student-athletes -- Fuller & Prosise, who decided to leave early -- are not listed.

LINK:  TOP PICKS BY POSITION

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Domer Jaylon Smith's Surgery Video


OT: Our Mom's Courtside Seat at Ferris State

 

Our mom (Joan Small) loved two schools in her lifetime -- the University of Notre Dame and Ferris State University (the Harvard of Mecosta County!).

She left for heaven in June of 2012 -- just months after I took my position at ND. 

Mom worked for Ferris State University's on campus hotel for a number of years heading up their corporate sales efforts.  Oh, how she was proud of the Bulldogs.

Today, when the Ferris State Bulldogs men's basketball team takes on Saginaw Valley State -- my Mom's chair will be courtside.

That's Andy Bronkema --- head basketball coach at Ferris State -- sitting on my Mom's chair.  Andy's led the Bulldogs to a 16 - 3 record on the season and a #25 ranking in NCAA Division II.  Thanks Andy for sending me the photos!

Go Bulldogs!

OT: Super Bowl 50 End Zone Painting Screw Up


You can't make this up...

LINK:  END ZONE PAINTING

Tyler Eifert -- Doing the Right Thing This Week


Former Notre Dame All-American Tyler Eifert is playing in his first NFL Pro Bowl this weekend in Hawaii.  The Domer decided he wouldn't be traveling alone for this honor.

He took a life-long Notre Dame fan (who helped him recover from an injury) with him.

LINK:  MUST READ

Domer Eifert at NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii



You'll want to read this story -- associated with the video above...

LINK:  EIFERT AT PRO BOWL

Must See: Domer Harrison Smith's 1st Pro Bowl

 

The Vikings produced a slick video on former Notre Dame captain Harrison Smith -- who will be playing in his first NFL Pro Bowl at 7 PM ET on ESPN Sunday.

LINK:  VIDEO

LINK:  STORY

Alex Flanagan Interviews Sheldon Day


Former ND sideline reporter -- now with the NFL Network -- Alex Flanagan interviews former Notre Dame captain Sheldon Day at the Reese's Senior Bowl.

LINK:  SHELDON DAY

Friday, January 29, 2016

Brian Kelly Receives 6-Year Contract Extension

The University of Notre Dame announced today a six-year contract extension for head football coach Brian Kelly!

At the end of this new contract -- Coach Kelly will become the second longest tenured coach in Notre Dame football history:
  1. Knute Rockne:  13 seasons
  2. Brian Kelly: 12 seasons -- at end of new contract!
  3. Frank Leahy:  11 seasons
  4. Ara Parseghian:  11 seasons
  5. Lou Holtz:  11 seasons 
  6. Elmer Layded:  7 seasons
  7. Dan Devine:  6 seasons

Coach Kelly currently leads all active FBS head football coaches in career wins with 226!

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE STORY

Panthers' Seek Out Domer for $$$ Advice...


The Super Bowl 50 bound Carolina Panthers apparently seek out their long-snapper -- Notre Dame alum J.J. Jansen when the subjects of taxes and investments come up.

I'm not surprised...

LINK:  J.J. JANSEN

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Dallas' Head Coach Calls Him "Notre Dame"


This is a Fort Worth Telegram story about Notre Dame's Nick Martin -- who is in Mobile, AL at the Reese's Senior Bowl...

As you'll see this reporter is overlooking Sheldon Day -- I'm guessing that will change this Saturday when they see #91 knocking down a QB or two...

LINK:  MARTIN

Fighting Irish Take on Syracuse on ESPN 2


Tip off is scheduled for 7 PM ET inside Syracuse's Carrier Dome -- a tough place to shoot the basketball!  Game is televised on ESPN2.

#25 Notre Dame will be playing without Demetrius Jackson -- who is out with a torn hamstring.

GO IRISH!

LINK:  GAME NOTES

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Sheldon Day Practice Drill at Senior Bowl



Seven Notre Dame Student-Athletes Drafted!


Major League Soccer, National Women's Soccer League and Major League Lacrosse held their annual draft this past weekend -- and SEVEN NOTRE DAME student-athletes were drafted by teams:

Men's Lacrosse:
  • 3rd overall pick:  Matt Landis
  • 5th overall pick:  Matt Kavanagh

Women's Soccer:
  • 5th overall pick: Cari Roccaro
  • 19th overall pick:  Katie Naughton

Men's Soccer:
  • 25th overall pick:  Max Lachowecki
  • 28th overall pick:  Patrick Hodan
  • 60th overall pick:  Vince Cicciarelli

Baltimore Sun: "Best Team Not to Win a Title"


Notre Dame's #1 ranked Men's Lacrosse team has a target on its back...

LINK:  BALTIMORE SUN STORY

Sheldon Day & Nick Martin at Senior Bowl!


The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will be represented at this weeks Reese's Senior Bowl by Nick Martin and Sheldon Day...

LINK:  NFL NETWORK -- FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE REPORT

Sports Illustrated: Shaq Admits LSU Paid Him



As we close in on the last few days before National Signing Day -- my mind often wanders to why did this high school student pick a certain school over another school...

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Monday, January 25, 2016

OT: Elite Athletes Are Being Given Vitamin D


I was told eight years ago by a prominent Doctor that I needed to take more Vitamin D after reviewing my "Vitamin D Blood Level" results -- which were low.  He called it the "miracle vitamin."  I take it every single day...

Well, look what a number of professional and major college programs are recommending for their athletes to avoid injuries -- VITAMIN D.

I worked closely with a former ND student-athlete who trained for the NFL Draft at the IMG Academy a few years ago.  One of the things he was prescribed to begin taking was Vitamin D -- to prepare him for the Draft.

There is something here folks...

LINK:  WALL STREET JOURNAL STORY

Domer Skylar Diggins Pitching New Nike Gear


The folks in Beaverton selected former Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins to headline their latest apparel release...

LINK:  SKYLAR

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Domers in Super Bowl: Jansen, Bruton & Harris


Super Bowl 50 will feature three former Notre Dame stars -- two will play in the game:
  • David Bruton Jr. (Broncos) -- team captain / out with injury
  • Ryan Harris (Broncos) -- Right Tackle
  • J.J. Jansen (Panthers) -- Long Snapper 

Photo above:  That's Ryan Harris taking a selfie with his QB Peyton Manning.

Notre Dame Bench: 42 Pts -- Va Tech Team 41



The #3 Fighting Irish of Notre Dame beat Virginia Tech today 80 - 41.

The big story was the Notre Dame bench -- scoring 42 of Notre Dame's 80 points -- and outscoring Va Tech's entire team.


Joe Schmidt Reaching Out to Grieving Family


Notre Dame fans -- this is a must read...

LINK:  JOE SCHMIDT

Michael Floyd Talks NFC Championship Game


The former Notre Dame All-American will be front and center this evening as his Arizona Cardinals take on the Carolina Panthers for a trip to Super Bowl 50!

LINK:  MICHAEL FLOYD

Saturday, January 23, 2016

These Four Have Worn the ND Gold Helmet


Domers left to right;  Elijah Shumate, Brady Quinn, Romeo Okware and Chris Brown at today's East West Shrine Game.

Troy Murphy Inducted Into ND's Ring of Honor


"Notre Dame's" East West Shrine Game -- 4 PM

The folks at the East West Shrine Game have put together TEAM NOTRE DAME -- with three players, two alumni and a Domer Dad on the same sideline!

Team East has; Elijah Shumate, Chris Brown and Romeo Okwara playing their last game before the upcoming NFL Draft -- and coaching them are Charlie Weis '78, Brady Quinn '07 and Notre Dame parent Jon Bon Jovi.

Game is televised on the NFL Network beginning at 4 PM ET.

Here's Weis being interviewed by former ND/NBC sideline reporter Alex Flanagan...

LINK:  WEIS

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Indiana's All-Time HS Scorer -- Jackie Young!



Incoming Notre Dame women's basketball recruit, Jackie Young -- just set the all-time Indiana high school scoring record for girls AND BOYS!!!

The video above is point number 3,135 for this McDonald's All-American!

During tonight's ND women's basketball game against Syracuse -- the public address announcer made the announcement that Jackie had just broke the state scoring record.  Here's what the scoreboard looked like:




Coach Mike Brey After Win Over Virginia Tech


Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Domer Dad Bon Jovi & Brady Quinn Join Weis


Domer Dad Jon Bon Jovi and former Notre Dame All-American QB Brady Quinn are working this week on Charlie Weis' East Team coaching staff for the East West Shrine Game.

Here's the story...

LINK:  ND INFLUENCE AT SHRINE GAME

Coach Brey in Locker Room After Win Over VT!



Inside Look at ND's Win Over Duke Saturday!


Key Plays in Notre Dame's Win over VT!





Notre Dame beats Virginia Tech 83 - 81 to go 4 - 2 in the ACC and move up to a tie for 4th place in the conference.

LINK:  BOX SCORE

Domer Fleming Rescues Woman In Car Crash



Former Notre Dame student-athlete Darius Fleming played Saturday's NFL Playoff game with 22 stitches in his leg -- resulting from an injury he sustained after kicking in a car window of a "smoky" car to pull the woman out...

This happened two days prior to Saturday's game -- a mile from the Patriot's Foxboro Stadium.

Here's the story:

LINK:  DARIUS FLEMING

ND vs. Virginia Tech -- 1973 NIT Championship



Mike Brey's Fighting Irish host the 2nd place Virginia Tech Hokies in ACC action tonight -- a big game for Notre Dame.

The video above -- a game against Virginia Tech that broke my heart...

Must Read: Elijah Shumate's NFL Draft Diary


Former Notre Dame student-athlete Elijah Shumate is playing in the East West Shrine Game this Saturday.  His coach this week -- none other than former Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis '78.

You'll enjoy what Elijah has to say about this experience.

LINK:  ELIJAH SHUMATE

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Domer Mike Golic Jr. Earns ESPN Radio Gig!


Former Notre Dame student-athlete Mike Golic, Jr. '12 -- will be co-hosting a Saturday radio show (5 PM to 8 PM) on the ESPN Radio Network!

The show debuts on Saturday, January 30th.

Congratulations Michael!

LINK:  NEW ESPN RADIO PROGRAMS

Connaughton: "In My Mind I Will Pitch in MLB"


Thought you'd find this of interest...

LINK:  CONNAUGHTON ON BASEBALL

42 Years Ago Today: ND Breaks UCLA Streak!



Notre Dame beat UCLA 71 - 70 -- 42 years ago today -- to break their all-time record 88 game winning streak!  Digger's gang was down by 11 points with 3 minutes left in the game -- see the final minutes in the video above!

Special thanks to ND alum Bob Quakenbush '76 -- for alerting me to this special day!

Monday, January 18, 2016

Great Photo: MLK Jr. Mignight March at ND!


This is awesome -- photo taken early this AM of Notre Dame students marching from the Main Building...

#3 Notre Dame vs. #18 Tennessee -- ESPN2



Muffet's Fighting Irish host the Tennessee Volunteers tonight and the game will be televised on ESPN2 -- game starts at 7:00 PM ET.

LINK:  ESPN GAME PREVIEW

Boston Globe Story on Domer Darius Fleming


The former Fighting Irish linebacker is now in his fourth season with the Patriots -- he saw plenty of action in Saturday's Playoff win over Kansas City...

LINK:  FLEMING

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Coach K's Full Presser After Notre Dame Loss

Video

Michael Floyd Talks "Tipped Pass" Touchdown!


Here's the former Notre Dame All-American with the media after the Cardinal's OT win over the Packers talking about the "ricochet" TD pass...


LINK:  MICHAEL FLOYD

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Michael Floyd's Two TD Catches in NFL Playoff


It's been a big night for the former Notre Dame All-American!

Michael Floyd's second TD was a "miracle" -- and has to have the Packer fans shaking their heads...

The Cardinals beat the Packers in OT 26 - 20.

Here's the two TD's !!!

LINK:  FLOYD'S 1ST TD CATCH

LINK:  FLOYD'S MIRACLE TD CATCH

Skycam Replay of ND vs. OSU in Fiesta Bowl


Mike Brey's Post Game Interview at Duke


Mike Brey now has FOUR WINS against Coach K -- no other former Duke assistant has ever beaten Coach K in his illustrious career -- he's now 20 - 4 against his assistants.

Coach Brey is 4 - 2 vs. Duke's Coach K -- think about that! 

I was disappointed that ESPN's broadcast team didn't mention this fact.

Game Highlights: Notre Dame 95 - Duke 91


Duke's Coach K Talks to Media After Loss to ND


Best Looking ND Shoe Yet from Under Armour!


These new Under Armour shoes for our Men's Lacrosse team are sick!!!

We need these for our football team!

Notre Dame's New Green Under Armour Shoes


The Fighting Irish wore these green shoes today from Under Armour -- in their win over #6 Duke -- for the first time this season.

I think they might wear them again!

Demetrius Blocks Duke's 7'0" Centers' Dunk!



Notre Dame Locker Room After Beating Duke!



Notre Dame Wins on Road at #6 Duke Today!


WOW!!!

Mike Brey's Fighting Irish went on the road today to Cameron Indoor Arena to beat the 6th ranked Duke Blue Devils 95 - 91!!!

Duke's Coach K is now 20 - 4 against his former assistants over his career.  Mike Brey has ALL FOUR OF THOSE WINS!

Bonzie Colson's 31 points led the IRISH.

WHAT A WIN!

LINK:  BOX SCORE

First Time Fans Trailer -- a Notre Dame Rector


ND Hockey's Unbeaten Streak Now at 9 Games



Jeff Jackson's #13 ranked Fighting Irish beat Merrimack 7 - 2 last night to run their unbeaten streak to nine games -- improving their season record to 11 - 4 - 7 and their Hockey East record to 7 - 1 - 2.

Friday, January 15, 2016

VIDEO: Revolutionary New Football Helmet


Future Domer Breaks Indiana Scoring Record!



Last night, Jackie Young -- who will be playing for Muffet's Fighting Irish next season -- set the all-time career scoring record for women's high school basketball in the state of Indiana!

Jackie set the all-time Indiana single scoring record last season.

LINK:  PHOTOS

LINK:  STORY

Thursday, January 14, 2016

OT: Ohio State Signs Mega Deal with Nike


$252 million over 15 years...

FYI:  The deal was brokered by Notre Dame alum and Ohio State AD, Gene Smith.

LINK:  MEGA DEAL

Domer Hires Chip Kelly to Lead the 49ers


Notre Dame alum Jed York, surprised a few today with the announcement he's hired Chip Kelly to lead his San Francisco 49ers.

LINK:  KNBR STORY

Notre Dame Swimming & Diving Hype Video


As a parent of two former NCAA Division I college swimmers -- I saw first hand the hard work our kids put in for YEARS...

I have great respect for the kids who commit to this sport.

Friday, January 8, 2016

SI Says Jaylon Smith's Surgery a Success


Notre Dame All-American linebacker Jaylon Smith had his surgery yesterday in Dallas to repair his ACL and LCL -- which were damaged during the Fiesta Bowl game against Ohio State.

Dr. Daniel Cooper, M.D. -- the Cowboys' Team Orthopedic Doctor performed the surgery -- see his bio below.

The great news is there was no nerve damage -- and the source told SI that Smith will make a full recovery!

To learn more -- click the links below:

LINK:  SURGERY A SUCCESS

LINK:  OTHER NFL STARS WITH THIS SURGERY 

LINK:  THE DOCTOR WHO OPERATED ON JAYLON

ND's Fiesta Bowl Post Game Locker Room


Notre Dame's New Softball Spikes from UA!


These look pretty sharp!

I'm looking forward to the day the "shoe bottom" color (I love that gold color) is matched in the material used for the gold on the shoe.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Notre Dame Rolls Over Boston College Tonight


Dabo's Signature Moment: Stopping ND 2 PT


Notre Dame Ranked #6 in 2016 Football Poll


This didn't take long...

LINK:  ATHLON SPORTS CFB POLL 2016

Samardzija's Guarantee vs. Former Irish in NFL


Are you sitting down?

Former Notre Dame All-American wide receiver Jeff Samardzija -- now a pitcher for the San Francisco Giants -- signed a "guaranteed" contract this past off-season for $90,000,000.

This represents more guaranteed money than all 34 former Notre Dame football players currently playing in the NFL -- COMBINED!

The former Notre Dame football players currently on NFL rosters are guaranteed a total of $77 million in contracted income (SEE BELOW) -- $13 million less than Samardzija!

Think Samardzija made a good choice to play baseball!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FB PLAYERS -- NFL INCOME


ND Football Players in NFL -- Total Contracts


I did some research over the Christmas break on how much our Notre Dame football players were currently being paid in the NFL.  I found this great site called Over The Cap that provided me with all of this information.

Here's some of the Highlights:
  • 34 former Notre Dame student-athletes collected a NFL paycheck in 2015
  • The total value of their current NFL contracts is:  $192 million
  • The total amount guaranteed in their contracts is $77 million

You'll also see that the average base salary (does not include any bonuses) this year for the 34 former ND football players in the NFL this year was:  $1,168,706

Here's a link showing you each former ND football player and their contract amount, guaranteed amount and their base salary for 2015:

LINK:  ND FB PLAYERS -- NFL INCOME

2015 NFL Draft 1st Round Picks -- Contracts


As Notre Dame All-American Jaylon Smith undergoes his knee surgery today in Dallas -- here's the sobering news when it comes to the financial impact of "dropping" in the First Round of the NFL Draft.

If you were to drop from the #5 pick to the #20 pick you'll lose $10,000,000 in the value of your first contract. 

Here's the value of the first contracts signed by each of the 32 players taken in the First Round of the 2015 NFL Draft:

#1 pick:  $22.4 million
#2 pick:  $21.4 million
#3 pick:  $20.7 million
#4 pick:  $20.0 million
#5 pick:  $18.8 million
#6 pick:  $16.5 million
#7 pick:  $14.7 million
#8 pick:  $12.9 million
#9 pick:  $12.8 million
#10 pick:  $12.3 million
#11 pick:  $11.6 million
#12 pick:  $10.5 million
#13 pick:  $10.2 million
#14 pick:  $9.8 million
#15 pick:  $9.6 million
#16 pick:  $9.0 million
#17 pick:  $8.9 million
#18 pick:  $8.6 million
#19 pick:  $8.6 million
#20 pick:  $8.5 million
#21 pick:  $8.4 million
#22 pick:  $8.3 million
#23 pick:  $8.2 million
#24 pick:  $8.1 million
#25 pick:  $8.0 million
#26 pick:  $7.9 million
#27 pick:  $7.8 million
#28 pick:  $7.7 million
#29 pick:  $7.4 million
#30 pick:  $7.2 million
#31 pick:  $7.0 million
#32 pick:  $6.9 million

Here's the rankings of all of the current NFL Contracts:  NFL CONTRACTS

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Domer Theo Riddick's Incredible NFL Season!


Former Notre Dame student-athlete Theo Riddick caught a team record for a running back 80 passes this seasons -- and he led all NFL players with the most broken tackles with 36!

AND, HE DIDN'T DROP A PASS ALL SEASON!!!

LINK:  THEO RIDDICK

LINK:  THEO "WIRED FOR SOUND"

Notre Dame's Men's Lacrosse Preseason #1 !!!


Kevin Corrigan's Fighting Irish -- coming off their fourth Final Four appearance in the last six seasons --- are ranked #1 in the country in the Nike/Lacrosse Magazine's preseason rankings of NCAA Division I men's lacrosse teams!

The good news here is this -- two of the last three teams ranked #1 in the preseason poll went on to win the National Championship that year!

LINK:  LACROSSE RANKINGS

WNDU-TV Report: Jaylon Smith's Injury Update



Tuesday, January 5, 2016

"Loss of Value" Insurance -- Student-Athletes


Here's a story that explains the insurance policies that student-athletes are buying to protect them from the impact a devastating injury could have on their draft status...

LINK:  LOSS OF VALUE INSURANCE

#1 Stadium Experience in America -- ND !!!


The folks at Stadium Journey just released their annual rankings of FBS college football stadiums' customer experience...

And, Notre Dame Stadium was ranked #1 in the country -- EVEN WITHOUT A VIDEO BOARD!!!

LINK:  RANKINGS


Showtime's "A Season With..." Ends Tonight!



You can watch the last episode of "A Season With Notre Dame Football" tonight at 10 PM ET on Showtime.

Monday, January 4, 2016

Sunday, January 3, 2016

ESPN Looks Ahead to Notre Dame's Team 128


Fuller Joins Prosise in Declaring for NFL Draft


Notre Dame student-athletes Will Fuller and C.J. Prosise have both made the decision in the last 24 hours to declare for the NFL Draft.

See his statement above.

I want to thank Fuller for playing through his injury and representing Notre Dame to the best of his abilities during Friday's Fiesta Bowl.  Thank you!


Saturday, January 2, 2016

ESPN Report: Jaylon Smith is Insured for Injury


It's being reported that Notre Dame All-American Jaylon Smith had taken out an insurance policy that would protect him (up to $5 million) should an injury drop him out of NFL DRAFT's First Round and the lucrative signing bonuses.

Here's the report...

LINK:  JAYLON SMITH

Only 244 Days Until Notre Dame Plays Texas!


It's never too early to start getting ready for TEAM 128 and their opener in Austin, TX!

GO IRISH!

WSBT-TV Report -- After the Fiesta Bowl

WNDU-TV Report -- After the Fiesta Bowl


Friday, January 1, 2016

Significant Injuries Take Its Toll on Team #127


I can never recall in all my years of Notre Dame Football seeing so many significant injuries in a single season.

Here's the list of Notre Dame players (25% of the scholarship student-athletes) who have suffered significant injuries this season costing them game action lost -- to heal on their own or recover from surgery:
  1. Jarron Jones -- surgery
  2. Shaun Crawford -- surgery
  3. Tarean Folston -- surgery
  4. Sebastian Avery -- surgery
  5. Malik Zaire -- surgery
  6. Durham Smythe -- surgery
  7. Drue Tranquill -- surgery
  8. Keivarae Russell -- surgery
  9. Tyler Luatua
  10. Quenton Nelson 
  11. Nic Weishar
  12. Corey Robinson
  13. Equanimeous St. John -- surgery
  14. Max Redfield -- surgery
  15. James Onwualu
  16. Daniel Cage
  17. Alex Bars -- surgery
  18. C.J. Prosise
  19. Devin Butler -- TBD
  20. Jaylon Smith -- TBD
  21. Tevon Coney -- TBD

Coach Kelly & Players Post Game Presser


OT: Stanford's FAKE FUMBLE TD Pass...


Domer Will Fuller's 81 Yard TD Catch & Run


Game Lowlights: Ohio State 44 - Notre Dame 28


Notre Dame Getting Ready for Fiesta Bowl!



New Notre Dame FB Gloves from Under Armour


The Fighting Irish received some new gloves today from Under Armour...