Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Under the Dome Rock Star's Son To Join The Irish Phelps believes he has gotten past his second brush with cancer. photo courtesy notre dame media relations Digger Phelps Recovering From Cancer Former Notre Dame men's basketball coach Richard "Digger" Phelps (1971‑91) is in recovery after undergoing April 18 surgery for bladder cancer. "They got it all. I have no more tumors in my body. So that was a relief," Phelps told USA Today. "Now it's, 'When does the game start and here's the game plan. Let's go after it!'" Among the current "games" Phelps, who turns 72 on July 4, has is coaching the Canadian men's over-35 basketball team in Israel's Maccabian Games this summer. Three years earlier, Phelps overcame a bout with prostate cancer. An ESPN college basketball analyst for nearly two decades, Phelps now continually recommends early detection and examinations to everyone. Notre Dame's football team typically has its share of sons of famous athlete fathers, including the Atkinson twins (running back George III and cornerback Josh), safety Austin Collinsworth and offensive guard Conor Hanratty this season. When 5-11, 180-pound freshman Jesse Bongiovi joins the program this summer, potentially as a cornerback, a musical touch will also be added. He is the son of rock-and-roll icon Jon Bon Jovi, who was on the Notre Dame sidelines during the BCS National Championship Game against Alabama and has been a fan of the program since fellow New Jersey resident Charlie Weis was hired as head coach in 2005. Bongiovi excelled in football and lacrosse at Brooklyn (N.Y.) Poly Prep, which is the alma mater of Notre Dame offensive lineman Eric Olsen (2006-09) and current home to 2014 Notre Dame commit Jay Hayes, a 247Sports four-star prospect at defensive end. Bongiovi, who was at the Oct. 20 Notre Dame-BYU game last season and the Blue-Gold Game this spring, reportedly helped persuade the 6-5, 260-pound Hayes to give his pledge to Brian Kelly's staff. Notre Dame Football Tickets 25 years in business Buy ✦ Sell ✦ Trade BeST SelecTion & priceS www.NotreDameTickets.com Call 1-800-925-2500 for friendly, personal service and a Special Discount today! Tickets also available for other nationwide events including MlB, nFl, auto racing, nBa, all sports, concerts