Ow my balls

Via @joepa

Notre Dame, Academic Fraud, Accountability, Narrative, and You

August 16, 2014 by Ryan Ritter

On the list of things that I was concerned about for the 2014 season, academic fraud ranked somewhere around the same level as a meteor strike in South Bend. Academic issues? Sure, based on recent history, that was definitely in the back of my mind, but seeing Fr. Jenkins and a bearded Jack Swarbrick announce to the world that Notre Dame was investigating serious academic fraud? Not a chance in hell. Make no mistake, I'm absolutely furious. Not at DaVaris Daniels, Kendall Moore, KeiVarae ...

Friday Roundup: The “I Hope This Is a Sacrifice for ND Football” Edition

July 11, 2014 by Ryan Ritter

Those that follow me on Twitter during the offseason quickly become aware of two other major interests in my life outside of football: the WWE and the Texas Rangers. The former is a guilty pleasure that I probably care way too much about (as evidence by the fact I like writing many, many words about it) and the other has always been a part of my life. Think of all those stories you hear about Notre Dame fans growing up and knowing nothing but the love of Our Lady's University and a closet ...

Eric Atkins and Mike Brey look on as the Irish fall to Wake Forrest in the ACC tournament. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

The Frustrations of Brey-Ball and the 2013-14 Season

March 20, 2014 by Ryan Ritter

The 2013-2014 Notre Dame men's basketball season is a frustrating thing to deconstruct. On one hand, you have one of the most incredible snake-bitten season's possible with the academic suspension of Jerian Grant, Austin Burgett needing heart surgery of all things, Demetrius Jackson had his own academic issues for a short while, and Cameron Biedscheid going from redshirt to transfer. On the other hand, you have simply the worst Fighting Irish basketball season in the Mike Brey era, ending the ...

Witnessing the Death of the BCS

March 3, 2014 by Ryan Ritter

This story has aged two months, but it's still worth telling. My trip to Pasadena was filled with insanity. Watching Florida State come back and defeat my sister's school was only a small part of it. Before the trip even happened, my sister came down with flu-like symptoms. Since she was home for the holidays, my father and then my mother soon came down with the same illness. Post-Christmas, that house turned into a quarantine zone. Every day was a wellness-check/race to purge whatever the ...

Friday Roundup: The “2013 Needs to End” Edition

November 22, 2013 by Ryan Ritter

You know, there are "ow, my balls" moments associated with Notre Dame football and then there is what is happening this year. Ever since the calendar turned to 2013, it's been one disaster after another. I really don't have adequate words to describe it, so I'll let the Big Lebowski do it for me: http://youtu.be/P7lGGhHZSZs After each disaster, we try to be The Dude, but when everything keeps snowballing we end up being the other Lebowski. And who can blame us? Let's just recap the mess ...

Image credit: The Irish Turning Point

Friday Roundup: The “NCAA ’14 Simulation” Edition

July 12, 2013 by Ryan Ritter

Well it's that time of year once again. EA Sports has released its next iteration of the NCAA Football franchise with NCAA '14. As is starting to become common practice on the Internet, this also signals the time of year in which bloggers start simulating the season to see how everything shakes out and we here at HLS are no different. ...

Everett Golson No Longer Enrolled at Notre Dame

May 26, 2013 by Ryan Ritter

So much for thinking I had an extended weekend to work on HLS. Last night, WNDU confirmed circulating rumors that Everett Golson was no longer enrolled at Notre Dame. Due to privacy laws, the University is not allowed to state any specifics on the reason for this or how severally Golson will be punished. However, at this time, we do know a little bit more than ND is allowed to release. ...

Vanderdoes Having Second Thoughts? Let the Speculation Begin

May 21, 2013 by Ryan Ritter

Well, this is definitely one post that I did not want to write. Not just because the rumors of potentially losing five-star defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes, but also watching my neighbors to the north get devastated by a tornado. Forgive the quick aside, but I couldn't possibly write this in good conscience without mentioning this. If you are able, the Red Cross is a great way to send aid as is donating blood -- there are loads of people that will need the help. Now, with that all being ...