Golden is his Name&Fame!

Big CONGRATULATIONS to Irish superstar receiver Golden Tate for winning the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top wide receiver! After a season of impossible catches, unbelievable touches and breathtaking plays, we knew that Golden was 24k on the field. Thankfully, the greater sports world has shown their appreciation as well.

AND Tennessee-native Tate was named to the Walter Camp All-American Team, an honor that the Irish last saw in 2002 with standout cornerback Shane Walton. Golden is ND's first offensive player to receive Walter Camp first-team honors since offensive tackle Mike Rosenthal in 1998, and the first wide receiver since since Raghib Ismail in 1990.

If you just can't get enough of the wow wideout, posted below is a highlight video of some of his most impressive plays!



Thank you, Mr. Tate for adding your Golden touch to an otherwise...rough football season. Go get 'em in the big leagues!

[via nbcsports.com]

It's Official...Kelly's Our Coach

The University made an official announcement Thursday night that our new head football coach will indeed be Brian Kelly. Congratulations to Coach Kelly, and welcome to the Irish family!

Highlights from the University's press release:
Kelly’s head coaching resume includes:

• Three seasons at Cincinnati from 2007-09, including a 34-6 record (.850) and two straight outright BIG EAST Conference title teams that earned BCS appearances in 2008 (Orange Bowl) and ’09 (Sugar Bowl).
• Three seasons at Central Michigan University from 2004-06, including a 19-16 overall record (.542) that featured a 9-4 mark and Mid-American Conference title in 2006.
• Thirteen seasons at Grand Valley State University from 1991-2003, including a 118-35-2 record (.767) that was highlighted by NCAA Division II national championships in 2002 (14-0) and 2003 (14-1).
• An overall record of 171-57-2 (.747) in those 19 seasons as a head coach

Kelly earned the Home Depot National Coach of the Year Award in 2009, was the BIG EAST Conference Coach of the Year in 2007, 2008 and 2009 (the first time a BIG EAST football coach has won the award three straight years) -- and was the American Football Coaches Association Division II Coach of the Year in both 2002 and 2003. Kelly currently ranks ninth among active FBS head coaches in victories with 171. He is the winningest active BIG EAST football coach and the only league coach with more than 150 wins.



His 2009 Cincinnati team won all 12 of its regular-season games, led the nation in passing efficiency (166.19), ranked second in kickoff returns (29.2 each) and sixth in total offense (464.25 yards per game), passing yardage (320.33) and scoring (39.83 points). Meanwhile, Kelly’s Bearcat defense rated third nationally in tackles for losses (8.42 per game) and eighth in sacks (2.92).

For anyone who missed AD Jack Swarbrick and Kelly's press conference from Friday afternoon, click here.

Onward to victory, Coach Kelly! (pleasepleaseplease)

*image via new york daily news*

ND Football Rundown

What a few weeks we've had, Domers! Charlie's out, Jimmy and Golden say onward to NFL, and now Kelly's in...almost definitely maybe.

Whooo- what a whirlwind of football feelings!

According to the center headline on ESPN.com, the "Irish call[ed] and Kelly answer[ed]." No definitive word has been sent from the University or Kelly, but the worldwideweb is absolutely electric with the news that the Bearcat Coach will be the future HeadIrish. The Twitterverse has Notre Dame and Brian Kelly as two of its top ten trending topics, so a big P-SHAW to whoever called ND Football irrelevant to the college football conversation!

With an apparent call for a non-casual Friday, the Athletic Department could make the official announcement tomorrow according to the NYTimes. Other sources hint that the Bearcats' last-minute decision for a media ban at tonight's football banquet indicates that Kelly will be announcing his departure to his players tonight.

We're waiting for the official ND word before we send congratulations to Kelly, but NDFootball-way to keep Our Lady in the (media) game!

All right, BA_ND, load up the comment box with your thoughts/opinions on our beloved alma mater's latest football fun!

*image via thedailygohper.com*

It's Official- Weis is Out...

The University released an official statement this afternoon detailing the release of Notre Dame Football head coach Charlie Weis.

Jack Swarbrick, the University's Athletic Director stated, "We have great expectations for our football program, and we have not been able to meet those expectations. As an alumnus, Charlie understands these goals and expectations better than most, and he's as disappointed as anyone that we have not achieved the desired results."

According to the release, Swarbrick recommended Weis' release to Father John Jenkins on Sunday night. Father Jenkins stated, "We have established an evaluation process for all of our athletic programs that, in the end, results in a recommendation from Jack to me. I accepted Jack's decision and look forward to working with him on selecting a new head football coach who is the very best choice possible for the University and especially for our student-athletes. I am most appreciative to Coach Weis for his service to Notre Dame...He and his family have my prayers and best wishes."

A press conference is scheduled for 6pm EST and can be viewed live at www.und.com

The rumor mill has been churning for months over who ND's top prospects and ultimately new head coach will be. Names ranging from former Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coach John Gruden to Cincinnati Bearcats' current coach Brian Kelly.

Well, if we've learned one thing from the past few years, the hiring experience will certainly be...interesting. Pray for us, our Mother, that it is also successful!

All right, BA, we would love to hear your opinions on ND's hottest topic! Are you sorry to see Weis go? Or have you been counting the minutes till our next coach? Whatever your thoughts, fill the comment box.

Forever love thee!

*image courtesy of chiefsgab.com*

Notre Dame’s Hesburgh Lecture Series Dialogue on Diversity Comes to Capitol Hill

Since 1986, the Hesburgh Lecture Series has brought a taste of Notre Dame's academic excellence to alumni and their local communities. The lectures, hosted by Notre Dame clubs, have perpetuated the example of President Emeritus Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., as a lifelong learner.

On November 19, Black Alumni of Notre Dame kicks off the first of a five-city Hesburgh Lecture Series Dialogue on Diversity. The first lecture, "A Post-Racial America," will be held in Washington, DC and features Dr. Don Pope-Davis, PhD and Dr. Darren Davis, PhD.

Co-sponsored by BA of ND and the Notre Dame Club of Washington, DC, the lecture is free and open to the public.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

6:00 pm -- 8:00 pm

Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2103

Independence Avenue and South Capitol Street

Washington, DC 20003

Lectures in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, and Los Angeles are slated for spring 2010, and dates will be announced soon.

We hope all of our D.C. Domers will join in the discussion with our distinguished guests!

*click the image above for a larger view*

Watch Out- A Black_ND Gamewatch!

After one heart-attack inducing season, ND Football is coming down to its last- and most crucial- games. So what better to way to cut the tension of pre-Pittsburgh pandemonium than a quick look at the ND vs. BC game watch from our BA friends on the West Coast?


The gamewatch was held at the home of former BA Board member Manny Grace and headed by Region 1 Director Ben Finley, Jr. The LAIrish came out in full force to cheer the team onward to victory during this "Holy Wars" match! Check out the pictures, courtesy of Carol Anderson, of the Irish Festivities!


BlackND would love to post more photos of BA enjoying game watch festivities! Please forward any and all pictures to Communications Director, Amelia Thompson amelia.thompson927@gmail.com.


GOOOOO IRISH! BEAT PANNNNTHERS!

The Fighting Irish take 2010!

Hey, Domers! The official schedule for the 2010 football season has been released! Start booking your flights and packing your blue&gold!

• Sept 4 PURDUE
• Sept 11 MICHIGAN
• Sept 18 @MICHIGAN STATE
• Sept 25 STANFORD
• Oct 2 @BOSTON COLLEGE
• Oct 9 PITTSBURGH
• Oct 16 WESTERN MICHIGAN
• OCT 23 NAVY (@Meadowlands- East Rutherford, NJ)
• OCT 30 TULSA
• NOV 6 potential bye week
• NOV 13 UTAH
• NOV 20 ARMY (@Yankee Stadium- Bronx, NY)
• NOV 27 @USC

Home games listed in BOLD

Irish tricked the Cougars out of alll their treats ;)

Though it was a night for trick'or'treating, ND's manhandling of the Cougars proved one thing true- You Don't Ever Mess with Texas...or the Irish! And our man Golden did it again by plucking a Hail Mary touchdown out of the TX sky like it was nothin' special!

Trojan Love

No, you haven't accidentally stumbled on the USC4Life fan club page.* This is still the place for your weekly dose of BlackIrish fun! I just had to share this article from the Daily Trojan praising the awe-inspiring atmosphere of gameday at our beloved Alma Mater. Thank you to USC's Pedro Moura for this beautiful piece!

*Please believe that despite this brief reach across the college football aisle, come Fall 2010 Trojy WILL pay! Go IRISH!*

image via thegolfscape.com

Go IRISH! Beat B(ackup) C(ollege)!

It's time for the Irish to show that other Catholic university who the Pope really cheers for! The series is tied 9-9 and the Irish haven't won since 2000.

Y2Kurse?

We wanna see the HeartAttack kids pull out a big win like they did in this clip from '95!

We're Twitterin' baby!

Just wanted to remind all of you that BA of ND has officially joined the TwitterTrain! For all of our IrishTwit fam, follow us @Black_ND and say #Hello. Shout out to @owenlol @EmDeeSteele @AyeEmTee @iibias @napoleonsuarez @mimi_style and @theATLien for the Twitter love! And even if you don't have tweet-fever, you can still check out @Black_ND's twitter page here!
#GoIRISH! #BeatEAGLES!

Greetings from the Black Alum Board

Ms. Walker workin' it out with her iPhone!
The Ladies of the Board wind down after a loooong day of meetings!

Natasha welcoming some of the B.A. Board newbies!

Kyree cheesin' with the Chairwoman
Natasha modeling a corporate "Do" look during the mentoring workshop
One of our enthusiastic ND students delivering her elevator pitch!
ND students listen intently on how to secure that J-O-B!
Mentoring Director Carol Anderson
Arienne and Jetaun hard at work ;)
Madame Chairperson has the floor
B.A. Board working hard for the...well, cause
Thompson#1 getting ready for a day of meetings with Rochelle

During a beautiful Fall weekend in September, the newly elected B.A. Board gathered for their first meeting as an official governing board. They discussed important issues ranging from minority admissions, Student-Alum mentoring, local ND-club involvement and campus climate. Under the leadership of Chairwoman Rochelle Valsaint, the board proposed and discussed various strategies for accomplishing their annual and 3-year-goals. Though it's still early in the term, this board is definitely on track to really "Shake Down the Thunder" for the next three years!

Golden is thy Tate!

Goooo IRISH, We Beat the Wolfpack!

Welcome Black Alum!

Don't miss "The Bus," future domer :)

Africana Represent!
The Greenes love the Irish!
Midwest Swing- STL Irish
Arienne and The Bus
Irish turned Q Dawg!
Multi-class tailgaters!

35-0. The first shut-out since 2002! Talk about a way to kick off 2009 Football season! And with a poppin' BA tailgate and mini MAN (Minority Alumni Network) reunion. The food was hot, the drinks were cold and the shirts were green! Let's make Lou Holtz's predictions true and go 11-1!

It's a Reunion!

He shared his wisdom, his compassion, his truth.
A surprise visit from the ND Legend Father Ted Hesburgh!
Past and Present
We honor you, Clyde Jupiter c/o '51
ND Stylistas!
All-Class Black Alumni
Memphis-ND in the House!
Showing some BA Board love
White Hot Lady Domers!
The Funny Man is a Ladies' Man!
ND's ThompsonTwins
Black Alum enjoyin' the place to be- "Refreshment Tent"
James Riley maxin' and relaxin' after a successful 3-year term as BA Board Chairperson
Black Alum love their dominoes!
Our B.A. Chairwoman "kickin'" it!

Our Future Domers!
The Millenium Domers
Some "Shady" Domers!