And more
This has been a week that has seen some rather big news (and noise) surrounding the Notre Dame Football program suddenly appear. You kind of have to love the spring football game as there always seems to be some quality news drops surrounding the annual game.
We better get into it — call the triple-option…
NEW FOOTBALL FACILITY ON THE WAY
We have long awaited any news regarding updates to the Gug that never happened under the Brian Kelly regime. The Fighting Irish football team has needed more space and updated facilities for a while — especially when it comes to dining and meeting space. The fact that the ball wasn’t rolling at the end of the Kelly era is said to be one of the big reasons BK took off for the LSU Tigers.
Well… it’s coming.
“It will be impressive…”
Update on Notre Dame’s new football facility plans https://t.co/V32zOWrbt1
— FootballScoop (@FootballScoop) April 18, 2024
ORGANIZED CHAOS
No matter which side you stand on concerning any issue with college football these days, I think it’s safe to say that we can all agree that everything is chaotic. Well — we can add a bit more to the chaos now with this unfair labor practice charge to the NLRB against Notre Dame.
Just filed: An unfair labor practice charge to the NLRB against @NotreDame. Similar to USC/Pac-12/NCAA complaint — players misidentified as student-athletes. Involves all ND athletes. Will go to Indianapolis NLRB office.
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) April 18, 2024
As Matt Brown quickly pointed out:
“May not matter legally, but feel like its worth noting that this charge did *not* originate from any Notre Dame athlete.”
SPEAKING OF OUR FRIEND MATT BROWN
This is an excellent story concerning streaming options by the schools. Notre Dame, of course, was initially leading the pack in this regard. But what now?
NEW EXTRA POINTS:
Many schools now have their own school-specific streaming platforms. I talked to the company operating many of them to understand where these channels are going (live events?), how they’re working with collectives, and more:https://t.co/3CYsURKqdB
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) April 18, 2024
HELMET CRAZY
Notre Dame is pretty excited about this racing helmet — and they should be. The drip is immaculate.
University of Notre Dame and Irish INDY NXT Driver James Roe
Team Up to Create Unique Fighting Irish Racing Helmet
SOUTH BEND, IN (April 18, 2024) – In a partnership that champions community at home in Indiana and abroad, The University of Notre Dame has collaborated with Irish race car driver James Roe on a uniquely themed helmet for the INDY NXT by Firestone™ events during the storied Month of May at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Hailing from Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland and piloting the No. 29 Topcon entry of Andretti Global, Roe will don a racing helmet designed to mirror the iconic gold helmets of the Fighting Irish football team – a classic touchstone of the University. To ensure authenticity, the racing helmet was carefully produced using a painting process identical to that used for the football helmets.
In the lead-up to being on track for the Indianapolis Grand Prix races on the IMS road course on May 10 and 11, Roe and this unique helmet will visit Notre Dame Stadium for the annual Blue-Gold game on April 20. In addition Roe appeared on the season finale of the Wake Up the Echoes Podcast – the Official Show of the Fighting Irish.
“I’m thrilled to partner with the University of Notre Dame on this special helmet – highlighting the close and timeless bond between the University and Ireland,” said Roe. “It’s a privilege to wear the gold helmet that has meant so much to generations of Notre Dame football fans – myself included. I’m proud to represent the indomitable spirit shared by the Fighting Irish community in Indiana, in Ireland and across the globe.”
Following the race weekend, Roe and the Notre Dame helmet will be featured at other University events including a helmet swap at a Fighting Irish football game in the fall of 2024.
Catch Roe and his Fighting Irish helmet in action during the INDY NXT by Firestone doubleheader weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 10 (6:15 p.m. ET) and May 11 (1:00 p.m. ET) with broadcasts available on Peacock.
BLUE GOLD GAME INFO
We have the game notes and the rosters set for Saturday’s Blue-Gold spring game.