Steelers Super Bowl XLV Mixtape

Times sure have changed for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Over the course of franchise history they have gone from relative unknown, to merging with their cross-state brethren, to once again emerging as their own entity and to great heights as Super Bowl champions.

Back in the time of their humble beginnings as a blue-collar steel town - hence the name Steelers - the Black and Gold men from Pittsburgh helped establish one of the greatest cult followings in sports history.

Yes, the infamous Terrible Towel really is that revered.

The late Myron Cope, renowned announcer of the Steelers during the 'Steel Curtain' days, popularized the phenomenon in the 70's. Right about that time the Steelers started to take off, winning four super bowls in six years. Legend has it that Cope was charged with inventing a gimmick to motivate the team and the city of Pittsburgh before the 1975 playoffs.

From there, he bore the idea of the Terrible Towel and the idea stuck. Ever since its birth in 1975, the Steelers second consecutive super bowl season, legions of fans have carried their towels to bars, games, weddings, even memorials.

In preparation for Super Bowl XLV this Sunday, February 6 it's time to start another Pittsburgh Tradition with "Back in Black and Yellow." It's a pretty cool mashup by one of my former college professors, Matt Merten.

Though he claims no allegiance to the Steelers he did admit the mashup is swaying him towards the Black and Yellow.

As the Steelers vie for their NFL record seventh Super Bowl championship what will pump you up? Perhaps a little ACDC and Wiz Khalifa will help set the tone for a victory over the Packers in Dallas.

Border War Time Lapse: Minnesota vs. North Dakota Hockey

If you've ever ventured into the northern midwest you understand how important hockey is to the area. In this part of the country children learn how to skate on frozen ponds and lakes. From the earliest of ages, hockey is ingrained the sport of choice. If there were such a thing hockey would probably be dubbed the state sport in both Minnesota and North Dakota.

Fitting then that two universities representing each state play in a heated rivalry known as the "Border War."

Earlier this year the two schools met in Grand Forks, North Dakota on January 14, 2011. The result was a 3-2 Gophers win, rare for an unranked Gophers team that had previously won just four out of its previous 18 matchups against the #4/#3 (USCHO.com/Inside College Hockey) Fighting Sioux.

While this Irish fan had no vested in the outcome of the battle I was pleasantly surprised with the impressive time lapse video of the event that follows. Even if you aren't a hockey fan you will appreciate the footage.

Experience a hockey tradition at the Ralph Engelstad Arena, a truly elegant and as remarkable a venue as exists in sports, college or professional.

The Only Band That Matters

You've heard The Clash whether you realize it or not, and have probably even had some of their stuff subconsciously melded to your cerebral cortex.

The Clash was a punk band, part of the initial wave of Britain's punk revolution, but they were much more than that. The musical styles employed by the group transcended any one genre including at one time or another elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, dance, rockabilly and even some of the first rap on a rock record.

The Clash consisted primarily of Joe Strummer (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Mick Jones (lead guitar, vocals), Paul Simonon (bass guitar, backing vocals, occasional lead vocals) and Nicky "Topper" Headon (drums, percussion).

It's hard to pick my favorite songs of theirs, but "Train In Vain" has always been a favorite. I think it was on one of the old NCAA Football game soundtracks.

I also really like "London Calling", perhaps their best work, and "Rock The Casbah" despite being perhaps their poppiest fare. Most people probably don't realize it tells the fictitious story of a middle eastern King banning rock music, but the people don't listen.

Catchy tune, plus perhaps their most noted music video.

New Decemberists: The King Is Dead

Alt-rock band The Decemberists debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 this week with their latest effort, The King Is Dead.

It's a first for the band and also a clear indication of the state of the music industry.

Not many people are buying music right now so lesser known acts are able to post "high" sales numbers by moving only a few hundred thousand units.

The top of that chart is usually filled with pop and rap albums but the top 20 also currently includes Mumford & Sons and The Black Keys in addition to The Decemberists.

The lead single is "Down By The Water", one of three songs on the album featuring R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck.

The album as a whole is said to have been heavily influenced by R.E.M. but still retains the folksy charm of previous release, The Hazards of Love.

Give this tune a listen and see if you can get it out of your head.

New Notre Dame Hockey Rink - Progress Updates

Over the course of the past year we have followed the development of the new home to the Fighting Irish hockey program, the Compton Family Center.

Progress has certainly been made from the groundbreaking ceremony on September 11, 2010.

There is a live webcam available for those of you with nothing better to do. Below you will find a recent still image of the state of the construction from the outside as well as a couple inside pictures. We eagerly anticipate the completion of the project, which is expected for December 2011.

Notre Dame hockey has long since deserved a new place to call home. Next season that dream will finally become reality.

Outside View

Inside the Main Rink, Charles W. Left Smithy Jr. Arena

Future Site of Locker Rooms?

2011 Notre Dame Lacrosse Season Kickoff

With the 2011 lacrosse season nearly upon us the Notre Dame men's lacrosse program looks to build on its momentum from last year's championship run. If you recall, Notre Dame had an unforgettable run through the post-season, handling perennial powers like Princeton, Maryland, and Cornell en route to their second final four appearance in school history and their first title game appearance. The Irish ultimately fell 6-5 in OT to Duke.

No one thought the Irish would be in a position to even make the tournament last year, as they finished the regular season with a modest 7-6 record. They persevered and fought their way to heights never before seen in program history.

Talent was clearly not lacking on last year's team. Further proof was given last Friday when a school-record five Irish players were drafted in the Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Collegiate Draft.

In fact, the Long Island Lizards made midfielder Zach Brenneman the highest drafted player in school history with the fifth overall pick. Midfielder David Earl (13th overall) and defensemen Kevin Ridgway (18th overall) were both selected by the Hamilton Nationals. Sam Barnes (29th overall) followed Brenneman to Long Island and longstick midfielder Andrew Irving (33rd overall) headed west to the Denver Outlaws.

All five aforementioned Irish players will finish their senior seasons this year though and have garnered preseason All-America honors from Inside Lacrosse.  Barnes was the only of the bunch not to be named a 2011 captain.

Of the representation from the NCAA teams only Syracuse with seven draftees had more players selected in the this year's draft.

Seven might be a lucky number this season for the Irish as they are ranked seventh in both Inside Lacrosse and Lacrosse Magazine preseason rankings. Additionally, the Irish play seven ranked opponents on their schedule, including a title game rematch against the Blue Devils in Jacksonville, FL on Sunday, February 20, 2011.

Before the season officially gets underway, though, the Irish will square off against the US National Team in an exhibition match a month before the Duke matchup. The game will be telecast live on ESPNU on Sunday, January 30 at 1:30p EST.