Lisa

Breaking Discoveries in CTE Research?

March 12, 2018 by Lisa

Like anything else in life, the game of football has changed a lot over the years. If you compare the college football of Rockne, to the college football of Parseghian, to the college football of Holtz, to the college football of Kelly; you are going to see many changes and advances within the sport. In my eyes, the biggest hot button topic that is changing the current game of football is the concussion crisis, or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). As not only the players, but all of us ...

A Football Player’s Lucky Charm?

February 22, 2018 by Lisa

Writing in the off season is challenging to say the least. Stories are hard to come by, especially seeing as I don't live in the South Bend area. And then, a story where both of my worlds collide just falls in my lap. Lucky me? Hardly... and also not surprising when you consider it involves the Notre Dame family. I don't really talk about my non-football writing life, but as my "day job" I do marketing for Nestle Purina PetCare, in their pet food division. If you follow me on social media, ...

Part II: From Football to Coffee Beans?

January 31, 2018 by Lisa

And here is Part II of: From Football to Coffee Beans? Discovering the Secret of Life “1585689 Inmate West. In prison, they count you multiple times a day, so it doesn’t take long to memorize your number.” “The bus ride to prison was an awful ride. You’re handcuffed to another man, so if he needs to go to the bathroom, you go to the bathroom. You go everywhere together. It’s a 10 hour ride. It’s August, it’s hot and there is no air conditioning. It’s just like you see in the movies. Then, ...

Damon West: From Division I football to coffee beans?

From Football to Coffee Beans? Discovering the Secret of Life

January 30, 2018 by Lisa

Port Arthur, Texas. Have you ever heard of it? If you’re a fan of Notre Dame Football, you might have, as it is the home of one Christie Flanagan. Flanagan earned his spot in Fighting Irish lore by becoming Knute Rockne’s star halfback after the Four Horsemen departed. Here’s how the iconic Grantland Rice described him: “There was only one lone Horseman riding against the skyline of Fame when Notre Dame met the Army in their annual classic at Yankee Stadium this afternoon, but this time one ...

Have Bowl Games Lost Their Luster?

December 5, 2017 by Lisa

The talking heads have been doing a lot of analysis as to which teams are worthy of being in the playoffs, deciding what the rest of the Top 25 teams looks like, and allocating which teams should be playing each other in the remaining bowl games. All of this talk has brought one question up to the surface. If you’re not in the playoffs, or in a New Years Day 6 bowl, is everything else just an “exhibition?” Have bowl games lost their luster? A lot of people have been weighing in on this ...

The Question That’s on Everyone’s Mind

November 28, 2017 by Lisa

I’m not exactly sure where to start with this, so bear with me, as I may be a little all over the place with this article today. I know there are quite a few people who do not share my opinion, but on the flip side, I also know quite a few people who do share my opinion. And that being said, the following is my opinion. It is not right, it is not wrong, it is merely my observation of the current state of Notre Dame football. If you look at the definition of an opinion, it cannot be right or ...

Baker Mayfield; Johnny Football 2.0?

November 23, 2017 by Lisa

(Guest post via former Notre Dame tight end, Oscar McBride) Family – It’s been a minute since I last took the time to write. And although there have been many things come across my desk to write about, I couldn’t pass on this opportunity to share some meddled thoughts with you. So here goes ... Ahhhhhh, Baker Mayfield. Some Sooner fans would go so far as to call him the ‘darling of the NCAA,’ a real American success story. A kid who worked hard and through his efforts, drive and ...

A Tale of a Trojan and a Leprechaun

October 25, 2017 by Lisa

The Notre Dame - USC rivalry is one of my favorites. Growing up in Los Angeles, I watched the rivalry first hand. I grew to love the Irish more and more each year, and to detest the Trojans more and more each year. This year's rivalry was about as good as it gets, and a convincing Irish win always makes for a fun weekend! Not only did I get to see the Irish beat the Trojans first hand, I also got to watch Notre Dame hockey on Thursday night, catch up with many old friends throughout the ...

Hate State Week

Hate State Week and Other Rivalries

September 21, 2017 by Lisa

"Hate State week," and I say that as affectionately as I possibly can, is one of my favorite weeks of the Notre Dame football season. There are some rivalries that bring out an excitement unlike any others. You can add Michigan, USC and Navy to my shortlist, but Michigan State is at the top of my list as it involves a family rivalry for me (my aunt went to Michigan State and is also a huge college football fan). Rivalries Rivalries are what make college football so interesting to me. Yes, you ...

Image courtesy of ChicagoTribune.com

The Evolution of a Head Coach

September 21, 2017 by Lisa

(This was originally a guest post from Lisa Kelly on the Diary of Sidelines and Pearls. Please check out Erica Barnett's unique take on college football at the Diary of Sidelines and Pearls.) Who is Brian Kelly? At this point, in his eighth year as the head football coach at the University of Notre Dame, many people are pretty sure that they know who Brian Kelly is; but I am not so sure. In year eight, Coach Kelly certainly isn’t the same person he was in year one. He’s learned many ...