Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Skylar's "Little Ballers Indiana" Debuts Friday!


Former Notre Dame "All-Everything" -- Skylar Diggins -- will be starring in a three part documentary called "Little Ballers Indiana" that debuts this Friday at 9 PM ET on the Nickelodeon Network.

Here's the story...

LINK:  SKYLAR'S BALLERS

ND Football Strength & Conditioning Fun Facts


Undefeated Michigan Hammered by Notre Dame



The #4 ranked Fighting Irish dominated the 2nd half -- scoring 9 straight goals to beat an undefeated Michigan team 16 - 5 in a men's lacrosse game this past Sunday.

ND Sophomore Featured by President Tonight


President Donald Trump will be addressing a Joint Session of Congress this evening and during his address he'll be sharing a story about a Notre Dame family...

Notre Dame sophomore Megan Crowley '19, will be viewing the Address as a guest of First Lady Melania Trump and will be getting a "shout out" from the President during his speech.

That's the Crowley's in the photo above with the Hollywood actors who played their roles in the major motion picture Extraordinary Measures -- that's Megan '19 in the lower left of the photo.

Here's the movie trailer to Extraordinary Measures and a Notre Dame Day interview this past year with Megan's parents John (1992 ND Law Grad) and Aileen...



Sunday, February 26, 2017

Notre Dame California -- Opens up in Palo Alto!


The University of Notre Dame now has students taking classes in California!

LINK:  PALO ALTO FACILITY

2nd Anniversary of Fr. Ted Hesburgh's Passing



He will never be forgotten...

Irish Roll by 18 Over FSU -- Now 71 - 2 in ACC!



Muffet's Fighting Irish clinched their fourth straight ACC regular season championship today after beating #7 Florida State University 79 - 61.

Notre Dame is now 62 - 2 all-time in regular season play in the Atlantic Coast Conference.  71 - 2 when you add in ACC Tournament games...

The Irish will go after their fourth straight ACC Tournament Championship this Friday at 2 PM ET when they play the winner of the Virginia vs. Wake Forest game.

LINK:  ACC TOURNAMENT INFO

Another Big Time Sunday for the Fighting Irish!

Notre Dame's athletic teams have another day of big time contests -- here on campus!
  • 1 PM ET -- #5 ranked ND Women's Basketball plays for the ACC regular season title -- against Florida State.  Game will be televised on ESPN2.
  • 2 PM ET -- #4 ranked ND Men's Lacrosse hosts that school from Ann Arbor.  Game will be televised on the ACC Network Extra.
  • 6:30 PM ET -- #21 ranked ND Men's Basketball hosts Georgia Tech.  Game will be televised on ESPNU.

ND Softball Beats Another Top Ranked Team


Yesterday afternoon the Fighting Irish beat defending national champion Oklahoma 5 - 4!

It's the second win over a top-ranked team for Notre Dame in a 24 hour period...

LINK:  STORY

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Current ACC Men's Basketball Standings

With Miami beating Duke this evening -- here's the latest ACC Men's Basketball Standings:

#1:  North Carolina:  13 - 3
#2:  Florida State:  11 - 5
#3:  NOTRE DAME:  10 - 5
#3:  Louisville:  10 - 5
#5:  Duke:  10 - 6
#5:  Miami:  10 - 6

The Fighting Irish host Georgia Tech tomorrow -- Louisville hosts Syracuse.


LINK:  COMPLETE STANDINGS

Muffet's Irish Play for an ACC Championship!



#5 Notre Dame hosts #8 Florida State Sunday at 1:00 PM ET in a game where the winner will be crowned the ACC Regular Season Champion!

The game will be televised LIVE on ESPN2.

GO IRISH!

ACC Indoor Track & Field Championships at ND





OT: a National Anthem -- YOU MUST SEE!


A Win Tonight & Irish Win Hockey East Title!



Wouldn't this be a nice way to go out...

The Fighting Irish play their last regular season game tonight as a member of Hockey East -- we join the Big Ten for hockey next year.  With a win over Boston University -- Notre Dame will be named Hockey East Champions for the regular season!

Huge game for the Fighting Irish!

LINK:  HOCKEY EAST STANDINGS 

Friday, February 24, 2017

What a Friday Night for Notre Dame Athletics!

 Three wins against higher ranked teams!
  • Notre Dame Hockey beat #5 Boston University: 3 - 1 
  • Notre Dame Softball beat #11 University of Georgia: 10 - 7
  • Notre Dame Men's Tennis beat #13 Northwestern University: 4 - 1

GO IRISH!!!

ESPN Bracketology for NCAA Women...


Has Muffet's Fighting Irish a #1 seed (#4 OVERALL) -- in a region where they would play UCONN in the National Semi-Final...

LINK:  BRACKETOLOGY

Domer Anders Lee -- a Top NHL Goal Scorer!



Former Notre Dame hockey player Anders Lee is currently ranked 20th in the National Hockey League in goals scored this season!  ND Hockey fans might remember that Anders broke his left fibula this past April -- missing the final weeks last season and the Playoffs.

Lee currently leads the New York Islanders with 23 goals scored -- the same number as Blackhawks' star Patrick Kane...

FYI:  Kane just signed a contract with Chicago for 8 years and $84,000,000.

Think some agents are knocking down Anders' door?

LINK:  TOP NHL GOAL SCORERS

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Kizer to Appear on Jon Gruden's "QB Camp"



Former Notre Dame QB DeShone Kizer will be on the "hot seat" in Jon Gruden's QB CAMP on ESPN...

Should be fun!

LINK:  GRUDEN TO GRILL KIZER

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Syracuse Beats Duke -- Good News for ND!



The ACC is getting crazy -- here's the latest ACC Standings:

1.  North Carolina:  11 - 3
2.  NOTRE DAME:  10 - 5
2.  Duke:  10 - 5
2.  Florida State:  10 - 5
2.  Louisville:  10 - 5
6.  Miami:  9 - 6

The top-four teams get an automatic "double-bye" in the upcoming ACC Tournament -- which is huge.  Here's what lies ahead for the six teams still with a shot for one of these top four spots -- FOLKS, NOTRE DAME HAS AS GOOD A CHANCE AS ANY TO GET AN ACC DOUBLE-BYE!

NORTH CAROLINA -- remaining ACC games
  1. @Pittsburgh
  2. Virginia
  3. @Duke

LOUISVILLE -- remaining ACC games
  1. Syracuse
  2. @Wake Forest
  3. Notre Dame

NOTRE DAME -- remaining ACC games
  1. Georgia Tech
  2. Boston College
  3. @Louisville

DUKE -- remaining ACC games
  1. @Miami
  2. Florida State
  3. @North Carolina

FLORIDA STATE -- remaining ACC games
  1. @Clemson
  2. @Duke
  3. Miami

MIAMI -- remaining ACC games
  1. Duke
  2. @Virginia Tech
  3. @Florida State

Five Domers -- Four Played, One Coached...


Charlie Weis held his annual Charity Golf Classic for Hannah and Friends -- and a few former Fighting Irish football players joined in the fun at Trump National Doral in Miami...

Glad to see these guys supporting their old coach.

Left to right;  Brady Quinn, Anthony Fasano, Charlie Weis, Kyle Rudolph and Mike Golic, Jr.

OT: An Old Friend's Tribute to Mike Ilitch



Best selling author, Mitch Albom (an old friend of mine) gave this great tribute today to the former owner of Little Caesar's, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, etc., -- Mike Ilitch.

Mitch can tell a story...


Indy Star Exclusive: Swarbrick on ND Football


Thought you'd enjoy this Indianapolis Star exclusive interview of Notre Dame's Director of Athletics -- Jack Swarbrick...

LINK:  EXCLUSIVE

Notre Dame Football at it Early this Morning!


This was "tweeted" out this morning by Notre Dame Football's Director of Player Personnel -- Dave Peloquin.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Notre Dame Has 2nd Most Fulbright Scholars!


And, the highest percentage of applicants being named a Fulbright Scholar -- among the FIVE institutions with the most recipients!

Notre Dame had 95 students apply for this great honor -- and 27 were selected!

Here's what it means to be a Fulbright Scholar...

LINK:  WIKI PAGE

Monday, February 20, 2017

Muffet Talks Big Road Win Over Syracuse


Syracuse Head Coach & Players Talk ND Loss



Muffet's Irish Win in Front of Record Crowd!



The Fighting Irish earned a very tough road win yesterday in front of an all-time record crowd for women's basketball at Syracuse.  And, despite the Orange making shot, after shot, after shot -- they made 12 three pointers and the IRISH struggling big time from the foul line (12 misses)...

The IRISH found a way to win!

LINK:  BOX SCORE

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Muffet's Irish on ESPN2 Today at 5 PM ET


The #7 Fighting Irish take on #21 Syracuse today in the Carrier Dome -- and we can watch it on ESPN2 beginning at 5 PM ET.

This will be a great test...

LINK:  GAME PREVIEW

Atlanta Falcons Hire Domer Bryant Young


The former Notre Dame All-American defensive tackle, four-time NFL All Pro and Super Bowl Champion for the San Francisco 49ers is now coaching the defensive line for the National Football Conference Champs...

ND fans will remember that Bryant Young was the #7 overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft.

LINK:  YOUNG TO FALCONS

Current Rankings of Notre Dame's Teams


Here's a looking at the latest national rankings of the Notre Dame teams currently in season:

#3:  Notre Dame Women's Fencing

#4:  Notre Dame Men's Lacrosse

#4:  Notre Dame Men's Fencing

#5:  Notre Dame Women's Basketball

#8:  Notre Dame Women's Lacrosse 

#13:  Notre Dame Hockey

#21:  Notre Dame Men's Basketball

#22:  Notre Dame Men's Swimming

#26:  Notre Dame Women's Softball

#27:  Notre Dame Men's Tennis


*Please note that the national rankings for Women's Rowing have yet to be released.  The Fighting Irish are expected to be ranked in the Top 20

National TV Coverage for Notre Dame: 7 Hours

The University of Notre Dame received 7 hours of National TV coverage yesterday from ESPN and NBC...
  • Notre Dame men's basketball on ESPN -- 2 hours
  • Notre Dame men's lacrosse on ESPNU -- 2 hours
  • Notre Dame men's hockey on NBC Sports Network -- 2 1/2 hours
  • "Onward Notre Dame" on NBC Sports Network -- 30 minutes

Sometimes I think we take this for granted.

Only Notre Dame...

Mike Brey Talks ACC Win #10 for the Irish!


Saturday, February 18, 2017

Bjork Scores Two Goals as Irish Beat #10 Team


Brey's Irish on ESPN today at NOON ET



It's going to be interesting to see how North Carolina State plays today -- their head coach was told this week he wouldn't be back next season...

I'm expecting to see their best effort of the season.

The Notre Dame vs. North Carolina State game will be televised on ESPN -- beginning at NOON ET.

LINK:  GAME PREVIEW

LINK:  NEWS & OBSERVER

LINK:  WHY GOTTFRIED IS COACHING TODAY

Irish Hockey's Jeff Jackson Talks Big Win!


Thursday, February 16, 2017

Domer Regis Philbin Talks With Larry King


Pittsburgh Honors "Domers" Bleier & Polk


Former Notre Dame and Pittsburgh Steelers great Rocky Bleier '68 (top photo) and former Fighting Irish rowing star and U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Amanda Polk '08 (bottom photo) -- were honored last night at Pittsburgh's 81st annual Dapper Dan Dinner.

Here's the story...

LINK:  81st ANNUAL DAPPER DAN DINNER

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Notre Dame's Morris Inn Earns Another Honor


The University of Notre Dame just announced that the Morris Inn has been selected for membership in the Historic Hotels of America program...

Here's the story.

LINK:  LATEST HONOR FOR THE MORRIS INN

Domer Picked as "Top Ten NFL Combine Snub"


Notre Dame's James Onwualu -- is highlighted in this article as one of the "top ten NFL Combine snubs to watch" in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Onwualu, a team captain -- did not receive an invitation to next month's NFL Combine.

James will get the opportunity to show off his skill set to NFL Scouts at Notre Dame's Pro Day in March...

LINK:  STORY

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Domer Mike Golic Takes Multiple Pies to Face




Notre Dame alum Mike Golic -- took a few -- for the team today -- to pay off a wager with Magic Johnson on the ND football game with Michigan State...

#25 Notre Dame vs. Boston College on ESPNU


Mike Brey's Fighting Irish are in Boston tonight to take on the BC Eagles in an ACC game that will be televised on ESPNU beginning at 7 PM ET.

GO IRISH!

LINK:  FIVE THINGS TO KNOW...

NFL Network's Mike Mayock has Kizer #1 QB


Here is a look at Mike Mayock's top NFL Draft position rankings...

LINK:  KIZER #1

Happy Valentine's Day -- ND Football Style!


Monday, February 13, 2017

Fr. Jenkins' Mother Dies After Accident


Helen Jenkins, the proud mother of 12 kids -- including Notre Dame president Rev. John Jenkins, C.S.C. -- died yesterday from a severe head injury.  Ms. Jenkins was walking in an Omaha Mall parking lot when she was hit by a car that was backing out of a parking space...

Fr. Jenkins and his 11 siblings celebrated Mass at her bedside -- prior to her death.

LINK:  HELEN JENKINS' DEATH

Bob Elliott Joins Nebraska Coaching Staff


Bob Elliott is a class act...

It was announced today that the former Notre Dame Assistant is joining the defensive staff at Nebraska.  I'll always be a big fan of Bob Elliott.

LINK:  NEW GIG FOR ELLIOTT

Notre Dame's Defensive Coordinator: Mike Elko


Saturday, February 11, 2017

Friday, February 10, 2017

AT&T National Pro Am -- Domer Update


Notre Dame alums; Jimmy Dunne (Trustee), Pete Bevacqua (CEO, PGA of America) and Condoleezza Rice (former Secretary of State) just finished Day 2 at the AT&T National Pro Am with their professional playing partners...

Dunne and Smylie Kaufman (PGA Tour player) had a great day going (-7) under at Spyglass Hill Golf Course moving up 67 spots to a tie for 62nd. Meanwhile, Bevacqua and Jim Furyk carded a (-4) under score at Pebble Beach which dropped them ten spots into a tie for 31st place.  While Condi Rice and her PGA Tour playing partner Jason Bohn were at (-1) today, when play was suspended -- with five holes yet to play.  They're currently sitting in 135th place...

They're all chasing Jordan Spieth and his playing partner who lead the team event at (-15) under after two days.

The current CUT LINE is at (-10) -- the top 25 teams will play on Sunday -- so Dunne, Bevacqua and Rice have some work to do.

The Domers are playing well.  Bevacqua's Tour partner Jim Furyk is EVEN PAR on his own ball and their team score is ten shots better at (-10).  Dunne's Tour partner Kaufman is (+8) over par on his own ball, yet their team score is 15 shots better at (-7).  Rice's Tour partner Bohn is (+2), and their team score is 3 shots better...

Saturday should be fun for Jimmy Dunne -- he's playing in a foursome with Phil Mickelson at Pebble Beach -- in a group right ahead of tournament leader Jordan Spieth.  Big galleries -- plenty of TV time.

Saturday's Tee Times / Courses:

10:39 AM ET -- 10th Tee at Monterey Peninsula GC
  • Furyk & Bevacqua
  • Bowditch & Ryu

10:44 AM ET -- 10th Tee at Monterey Peninsula GC
  • Bohn & Rice
  • Senden & Falk

11:39 AM ET  -- 1st Tee at Pebble Beach
  • Kaufman & Dunne
  • Mickelson & Mackenzie

SATURDAY'S TV SCHEDULE:
  • 1 PM ET to 2:30 PM ET -- Golf Channel LIVE
  • 3 PM ET to 6 PM ET -- CBS LIVE

LINK:  LEADERBOARD 

Golic to Take One for the Team -- Next Tuesday


Notre Dame alum Mike Golic had a bet with MSU's Magic Johnson about the Fighting Irish's game vs. Sparty this past fall...

Unfortunately -- Golic lost the bet.

LINK:  STORY

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Harrison Smith's Notre Dame Story...


An Impressive Young Man -- Must See...


Day 1 "Domer" Results -- Pebble Beach Pro-Am


Play was suspended this afternoon during the first round of the AT&T National Pro-Am -- yet, Notre Dame alum Pete Bevacqua (CEO of the PGA of America) and his PGA Tour playing partner Jim Furyk were able to complete play.

Bevacqua and Furyk currently stand in a tie for 17th place with a score of -5 under.

Notre Dame alum and Trustee, Jimmy Dunne and his professional playing partner Smylie Kaufman didn't fare quite as well.  They're currently sitting at EVEN par after 17 holes of play -- which puts them in a tie for 117th place.  The top 25 teams make the cut for Sunday's final round.

Now, Jimmy must have had a pretty good day on the course -- because Smylie Kaufman was (+6) for the day (with zero birdies) -- and their team score was EVEN PAR, meaning Jimmy quite likely beat his PGA Tour partner today "straight up" at Monterey Peninsula. 

Furyk finished (-2) -- meaning Bevacqua contributed three shots to their team score -- they played at Spyglass Hill.

Not a bad day, in bad weather -- for the two DOMERS!

FYI:  My brother Jay's boss -- Pat Hamill, CEO of Oakwood Homes is in first place at (-10) with his PGA Tour partner Matt Every.

LINK:  LEADERBOARD




Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Rams Hire Former ND Assistant Coach Today


ND Football fans will remember the name Matt LaFleur -- former Fighting Irish QB coach (three seasons ago).

Matt was hired today as the Los Angeles Rams' Offensive Coordinator.

LINK:  STORY

A Practice Field for Band of the Fighting Irish


Took this photo today of a practice field that has been constructed on the north side of campus -- for The Band of the Fighting Irish.  No more parking lot practices!

This field will also be used by Notre Dame's Interhall Rec Sports programs.

Called the "RICCI FAMILY FIELDS" -- when the project is completed this August (2017) there will be three new synthetic turf fields, a storage building, restrooms and locker room facilities.

Here's more info...


LINK:  RICCI FAMILY'S GIFT

Dunne & Bevacqua -- Pebble Beach Pro-Am


If you're a golf fan -- keep an eye on Notre Dame alums; Jimmy Dunne (Trustee) and Pete Bevacqua (CEO of the PGA) -- who are playing in this week's AT&T National Pro-Am.  Dunne (picture above) is playing with Smylie Kaufman and Bevacqua is playing with Jim Furyk.

Dunne finished in 3rd place in 2015!


LINK:  TEE TIMES

Mike Brey Immediately After Much Needed Win


Domer Kyle Rudolph's Passion: His "End Zone"


Got to love this story about former Notre Dame All-American and now NFL All-Pro Tight End for the Minnesota Vikings -- Kyle Rudolph...

Special thanks to ND GO IRISH BLOG regular Chris Pajakowski for alerting me to this wonderful story.

LINK:  RUDOLPH

Sunday, February 5, 2017

More NFL Honors for Domer Zack Martin!


Last night, former Notre Dame football captain Zack Martin (on the left in photo above) and his fellow Dallas Cowboys offensive linemen were named the NFL's Offensive Line of the Year!

LINK:  STORY

Do Patriots Play Floyd in Today's Super Bowl?


Notre Dame vs. North Carolina on ESPNews



The Fighting Irish tip-off against the Tar Heels at 1 PM ET today!  The game will be televised on ESPNews.

Saturday, February 4, 2017

Water Issue Moves Irish vs. Tar Heels to Sunday


This is a first...

Notre Dame's trip to play North Carolina was delayed a day -- and the game was moved to a new town and time -- due to a water emergency in the Chapel Hill area...

The game will now be played on SUPER BOWL SUNDAY at 1 PM ET and televised on ESPN NEWS.

LINK:  STORY ON WATER PROBLEM

LINK:  GAME MOVED

Thursday, February 2, 2017

"Domers Pollock" Scale Camelback Mountain!


AJ & Kate Pollock -- both Notre Dame alums -- recently scaled Camelback Mountain in an unheard of  time of 27 minutes and 20 seconds...

AJ is the MLB All-Star outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

LINK:  STORY

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Coach Kelly National Signing Day Interviews



Top 15 Recruiting Class -- With All the Change!



Notre Dame's Brian Kelly should be thrilled with how National Signing Day turned out for his Fighting Irish.  Despite significant staff changes (8 new coaches) over the last two months and a difficult season on the field -- Notre Dame was able secure the signatures of 21 high school stars from across the country.

Job well done!

Some highlights of the class:
  1. 21 players hailing from 11 states
  2. 10 on defense / 10 on offense / 1 kicker
  3. CBS SPORTS -- ranked ND's class #11
  4. RIVALS -- ranked ND's class #13
  5. MAX PREPS -- ranked ND's class #10
  6. SCOUT -- ranked ND's class #13
  7. ESPN -- ranked ND's class #16 

Can't wait to see what this coaching staff does with a full year of recruiting!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S NSD SITE