The independent
To uncover
newspaper serving
the truth
Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s
and report
and holy cross
it accurately
Volume 56, Issue 20 | Friday, OCTOBER 8, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
Conboy reflects on first year of presidency As inauguration ceremony approaches, College president discusses achievements, school’s future By GENEVIEVE COLEMAN and CRYSTAL RAMIREZ Saint Mary’s News Editor, Associate News Editor
Saint Mary’s President Katie Conboy will officially be inaugurated into her post at the College on Saturday afternoon. The Observer spoke to Conboy about this historic day, her reflections on the first year and a half of her tenure and her hopes moving forward. Conboy expresses pride in inauguration week plans, College’s accomplishments Discussing the schedule events leading up to her installment, Conboy spoke of her feelings
about engaging the Saint Mary’s community in the celebration. “It’s really an exciting week and of course, it’s kind of odd to be installed as president 17 months and nine days after you actually begin as president,” she said. “But I think the installation and all of the festivities around an inauguration are really about the community, not about the person — so it’s about bringing all of us together,” she said. Conboy noted she was inspired by Saint Mary’s traditions when she and her team created the schedule of events. “There are Saint Mary’s traditions, and some of those Saint Mary’s traditions are being
College unveils LGBTQ+ Center
honored as a part of the way that we do things here, and then there’s little insertions of things that are in the spirit of me or in the spirit of our students, which I really like because I want students to feel engaged and excited about the week as well,” she said. Speaking on the College’s strategic plan that was introduced in early 2021, Conboy also emphasized the importance of meeting initiatives stated in the plan during inauguration week. “The goals we have in the plan are kind of guiding the special events of the week,” she said. Conboy noted that she included Jacqueline Woodson’s visit to Saint Mary’s for the Christian
Culture Lecture in her inauguration festivities because Woodson represents her goals for the College. “We had a wonderful speaker, Jacqueline Woodson,” Conboy said. “We would always have the Christian Culture Lecture because it’s just part of our history, but finding a way to bring someone who represented some of the spirit of where I want Saint Mary’s to go with thinking about diversity, thinking about access to reading, to literature. Jacqueline Woodson challenged us to think about those kinds of things.” In relation to the strategic plan, Conboy spoke on the
By EVAN McKENNA Managing Editor
The South Bend skies on Thursday were gray and cloudy, but one room on the campus of Saint Mary’s College was bursting with color. Aside from a plethora of pride flags and bags of chips arranged in a rainbow formation, the room’s most prominent feature is a colorful artwork by local artist Alex Ann Allen, whose murals can be seen across the city of South Bend. This piece, titled “When Our Colors Unite,” is a 6-by-6 aerosol on canvas, featuring a flurry of
news PAGE 3
multicolored stripes converging into a spiral. The room in question is Saint Mary’s LGBTQ+ Center, located on the second floor of Saint Mary’s Student Center. A space for LGBTQ students and allies to gather safely and create community, the Center was unveiled along with the neighboring Office for Student Equity at a ribbon-cutting event in Rice Commons on Thursday evening. The ceremony was held as a part of a week-long series of events celebrating the inauguration of the College’s President Katie Conboy, see LGBTQ PAGE 5
viewpoint PAGE 7
see CONBOY PAGE 4
Terrence Floyd forgives Derek Chauvin in ND talk
CRYSTAL RAMIREZ | The Observer
College President Katie Conboy cuts the ribbon on the Office for Student Equity, located within the new LGBTQ+ Center at Saint Mary’s.
importance of belonging and building community. “The word that I used in that address to the community was ‘belonging,’” she said. “I talked about my own desire to belong when I came to Saint Mary’s and that it wasn’t just about my belonging. It was about every person who was under the Saint Mary’s roof.” She also spoke about the opening of the Office for Student Equity and the LGBTQ+ Center on Thursday evening as concrete examples of accomplishments within the strategic plan. “Those two [initiatives] were
MAX PETROSKY | The Observer
Notre Dame student body president Allan Njomo speaks with Terrence Floyd, brother of the late George Floyd, about the state of the racial justice movement on Wednesday evening in the Dahnke Ballroom. By NELISHA SILVA Assistant Managing Editor
Terrence Floyd, brother of the late George Floyd and founder of the nonprofit We Are Floyd, discussed the fight for racial justice and his hopes for the future of America in a conversation with student body president Allan Njomo on Wednesday evening. The event was hosted by and part of Notre Dame student government’s department of diversity and inclusion and the Klau Center for Civil and Human Rights, with support from the Office of Multicultural Student Programs
Scene PAGE 10
and Services. The event was open to members of the Notre Dame community with limited seating in Dahnke Ballroom and a virtual attendance option via Zoom. The event was introduced by student government’s director of diversity and inclusion Amaya Medeiros and was moderated by student body president Allan Njomo. Njomo began by asking Floyd if America was where he expected it to be eighteen months after his brother’s death. “As far as us being where we need to be, I don’t see it being where we need to be, but I see it
Football PAGE 16
getting there,” Floyd said. “Some progress is better than no progress, and I see the changes in people and their mindsets. That’s what we can ask for right now.” Floyd spoke of his hopes that students will see real racial justice in America during their lifetime. “We’ll have a better future because you’re actually doing [the work] now,” Floyd said. “You’re not just in school to be in school, you’re in school to make a difference in yourselves, your family, your future and your future children and grandchildren.” see FLOYD PAGE 3
W Soccer PAGE 16
2
TODAY
The observer | Friday, OCTOBER 8, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
Question of the Day: ndsmcobserver.com
Have a question you want answered? Email photo@ndsmcobserver.com
What was the best part of your week?
P.O. Box 779, Notre Dame, IN 46556 024 South Dining Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556
Madeline Maloney
Clare Mula
sophomore Le Mans Hall
first-year Le Mans Hall
“Finishing watching ‘Squid Game’ with friends.”
“Spending time with my friends.”
Delaney O’Brien
Elizabeth Mendez
first-year Regina Hall
junior Le Mans Hall
“Talking to my roommate.”
“Tuesday planning for some events with the Student Diversity Board.”
(574) 631-6900 ads@ndsmcobserver.com
Akpedze Balo
Bri Geary
Editor-in-Chief
senior Le Mans Hall
junior Le Mans Hall
“Watching a show with my roommate.”
“Group presentation in class went really well.”
Editor-in-Chief Adriana Perez Managing Editor Evan McKenna
Asst. Managing Editor: Isabella Volmert Asst. Managing Editor: Colin Capece Asst. Managing Editor: Nelisha Silva
Notre Dame News Editor: Saint Mary’s News Editor: Viewpoint Editor: Sports Editor: Scene Editor: Photo Editor: Graphics Editor: Social Media Editor: Advertising Manager: Ad Design Manager: Systems Administrator: Talent & Inclusion Manager:
Alysa Guffey Genevieve Coleman Abby Patrick Mannion McGinley Aidan O’Malley Allison Thornton Maggie Klaers Veronica Navarro Landry Kempf Christopher Walsh Rachel Johnson Siobhan Loughney
Office Manager & General Info
Ph: (574) 631-7471 Fax: (574) 631-6927 Advertising
(574) 631-4542 aperez8@nd.edu Managing Editor
(574) 631-4542 emckenn2@nd.edu Assistant Managing Editors
(574) 631-4541 ivolmert@nd.edu, ccapece@nd.edu, nsilva1@nd.edu Business Office
(574) 631-5313 Notre Dame News Desk
(574) 631-5323 news@ndsmcobserver.com Saint Mary’s News Desk
(574) 631-5323 smc@ndsmcobserver.com Viewpoint Desk
(574) 631-5303 viewpoint@ndsmcobserver.om Sports Desk
(574) 631-4543 sports@ndsmcobserver.com Scene Desk
(574) 631-4540 scene@ndsmcobserver.com Photo Desk
(574) 631-8767 photo@ndsmcobserver.com Systems & Web Administrators
webmaster@ndsmcobserver.com Policies The Observer is the independent, daily newspaper published in print and online by the students of the University of Notre Dame du Lac, Saint Mary’s College and Holy Cross College. Editorial content, including advertisements, is not governed by policies of the administration of any institution. The Observer reserves the right to refuse advertisements based on content. The news is reported as accurately and objectively as possible. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the majority of the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Assistant Managing Editors and department editors. Commentaries, letters and columns present the views of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer. Viewpoint space is available to all readers. The free expression of all opinions through letters is encouraged. Letters to the Editor must be signed and must include contact information. Questions regarding Observer policies should be directed to Editor-in-Chief Adriana Perez. Post Office Information The Observer (USPS 599 2-4000) is published Monday through Friday except during exam and vacation periods. A subscription to The Observer is $130 for one academic year; $75 for one semester. The Observer is published at: 024 South Dining Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556-0779 Periodical postage paid at Notre Dame and additional mailing offices POSTMASTER Send address corrections to: The Observer P.O. Box 779 024 South Dining hall Notre Dame, IN 46556-077
Today’s Staff News
Sports
Crystal Ramirez Liam Price
Jimmy Ward Aidan Thomas
Graphics
Scene
Maggie Klaers
Willoughby Thom
Photo
Viewpoint
Allison Thornton Hagar Hodeeb
Hannah Hebda Abby Patrick
Corrections The Observer regards itself as a professional publication and strives for the highest standards of journalism at all times. We do, however, recognize that we will make mistakes. If we have made a mistake, please contact us at (574) 631-4541 so we can correct our error.
HAGAR HODEEB | The Observer
Spes Unica Hall, located on the Saint Mary’s campus, is one of the buildings where the presidential inaguration symposium will take place on Friday, Oct. 8 from 1 to 5 p.m. The building’s name is a Latin phrase translating to “Hail to the Cross, our only hope.”
The next Five days:
Want your event included here? Email news@ndsmcobserver.com
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Yoga in Italian Smith Activity Center 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. No knowledge of Italian needed. Taught by Tiziana Serafini.
ND Away Football Game Lane Stadium 7:30 p.m. Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech.
Chinese Food Festival LaFortune Ballroom noon - 2 p.m. Food, friends and conversation.
Green Energy Future Lecture Jenkins Nanovic Halls 12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Featuring Bill Hederman.
Palestinian Territories Lecture Hesburgh Center 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Featuring Sa’ed Atshan.
Black Church Studies Colloquium Lecture McKenna Hall Conference Center 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. All are welcome.
Escape Rooms Library Lawn 8 p.m. - midnight Use teamwork and strategy to escepe in time.
Risus Quartet Performance LaBar Recital Hall 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Chamber music competition.
Basilica Mass Basilica of the Sacred Heart 5:15 p.m. Daily mass. All are welcome to attend.
Global Sustainability Conference online all-day Free registration for students and faculty.
News
ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, OCTOBER 8, 2021 | The Observer
3
Breen-Phillips prepares for Hoops for Hope By EMMA DUFFY News Writer
Breen-Phillips will host its third annual Hoops for Hope event this Sunday at the Bookstore basketball courts. The Notre Dame community will come together for a basketball tournament, knockout and tradition. Due to COVID-19, last year’s event was altered to Hula Hooping in different sections of the campus. Because of the precautionary measures taken by the school to keep students safe, the event will be able to return to its original structure. Hoops for Hope will be honoring late Sister Mary McNamara. During her time at Notre Dame, she was not only a beloved rector, but an avid Notre Dame basketball fan. “You could always see her on the sidelines,” Breen-Phillip’s Vice President Holly O’Brien said. In honor of her, this Breen-Phillips event sets the goal of raising money for the Sisters of the Incarnate
Floyd Continued from page 1
He thanked young people for protesting in the wake of his brother’s death last summer and commended the younger generation for stepping up on the front lines in the struggle for racial justice. Floyd credited last summer’s wave of activism for the guilty verdict Derek Chauvin received in his murder trial. Floyd also shared his journey of finding forgiveness for Derek Chauvin in the aftermath of his conviction. “A lot of people wonder why, but I forgive Chauvin,” Floyd said. “Do I like what he did? No, but I will not be able to do the
Word, an organization Sister McNamara held close to her heart. Students are able to register until Friday, October 8th at 12 p.m. on a google form available on the Breen-Phillips Instagram page or through the President of students’ respective dorms. Teams of three will be able to challenge each other in creative names and outfits to see who is truly the best at basketball, all while raising money for a good cause. Even those who are not interested in basketball will have the opportunity to participate and get involved. There will be a less physically demanding game of knockout available. Along with this, students are also encouraged to support the event by buying t-shirts or just showing up to cheer on their favorite team. Although competitive Notre Dame students will certainly be set out to win the trophies and gift cards, the event is not meant to be an overly intense
tournament. “I would just hope for a fun day, maybe a fun study break I know since like midterms are coming up. It’s a good excuse to kind of get out, get some fresh air,” O’Brien said. Hoops for Hope aims to create an event that emulates the core values of Notre Dame’s community. As said by “I think it kind of emphasizes again just the greater Notre Dame family. The meaning behind this event is helping our Rector who was part of this BP family, but was also part of the greater Notre Dame family,” Breen-Phillip’s president Annika Knuth said. “Even though she passed, we want to keep her memory alive and help the people that she was close to” This event honors Sister Mary McNamara through charitable means. Through it all, the Notre Dame spirit remains. “Once you’re part of this Notre Dame family you’re in it for the long run,” Knuth said. Contact Emma Duffy at eduffy5@nd.edu
The third annual Hoops for Hope, honoring the late Sister Mary McNamara, will take place Sunday at the Bookstore basketball courts.
work that I need to do and make the change that I need to make for my culture, for my community, if I hold that pain. So, therefore I forgive him; I release that from me.” When a later question from the audience asked him how exactly he could forgive his brother’s killer, Floyd answered, “Forgiveness is not for the person, it’s for you. If I go around talking about love, and still hold that hate in my heart, what do they call that? A hypocrite.” Njomo and Floyd both stressed the importance of listening to Black people’s experiences with the police and not discounting them. “They make it seem like you’re crazy,” Floyd said. “But we want
you to understand that this happens to us, and I have a few friends that have seen it and they understand now.” When Njomo asked about Floyd’s recommendations on police reform policies, Floyd was quick to remind everyone that the identity of a police officer is just an occupation, and people should not be discounted because of the jobs they hold. He went on to discuss the narratives placed on minority communities by police officers and how that can affect attitudes toward policing in different communities. “The police act the way they act because of what they’ve heard about the community they’re sent into,” he said. “If they’re sent into a suburb area, would they
have itchy trigger fingers? No. But once they go into the urban areas, they got their hands on their guns, ready to shoot, because of what they heard.” He urged the Black community to take back the narratives placed upon them and reclaim the respect that has long been missing from their interactions with the police. Floyd reminded the audience that they’re more powerful when they’re together, and they can only stay strong through community. Floyd also urged rethinking narratives that children are taught about racism and police violence because it is such a complex issue. He advocated for changing the system from the inside, referencing a friend who
CLAIRE REID | The Observer
Paid Advertisement
is working at the NYPD to try and change policing from within the system. “Don’t teach them police brutality, teach them to change the narrative,” Floyd said. He spoke of restoring the relationships between police officers and the communities they serve. He recalled how police officers would play with children on the playground when he was a child. Floyd emphasized his plan is to work with existing police departments to reform the system, as opposed to starting a new system from scratch. “I don’t want to see another son or daughter go down like that and not get justice, I don’t want to see that,” he said. “So if I can do my part and change the narrative, and help change the organization, then I’m all for it.” Njomo turned the conversation to Floyd’s nonprofit organization, We Are Floyd, to discuss its mission statement and work. Floyd spoke about how his organization’s goal is to change the narrative for the Black community and bring awareness about how they can use their power to make real change in their communities, by doing everything from voting all the way down the ballot to filling out the census to paying attention to local politics. Additionally, the organizations focuses on mental health initiatives, by working against the stigma of mental illness and asking for help. Above all else, Floyd stressed one message — love. “Just continue the love,” he said. “Hate? It’s easy to hate someone and walk away from them, never having to deal with that person again. But it takes a big person to love someone unconditionally.” Contact Nelisha Silva at nsliva1@nd.edu
4
NEWS
The observer | Friday, OCTOBER 8, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
Conboy Continued from page 1
expressions of the strategic plan, but also we’re already moving forward with them and [now] we can cut the ribbon and show our guests that we aren’t just talking about this,” she said. “We’re walking with it.” Conboy also expressed pride in the renovation of Regina Hall to include the new Center for Integrated Healthcare Education. “It’s so exciting to see what has happened in Regina, to see how that space that no one could have imagined be transformed in the way that it’s been transformed,” she said. In addition, Conboy praised the work of student leaders in planning two events to begin and conclude inauguration week. The first of these events, a lip sync battle, was held Sunday evening. “The whole week is bookended by two fabulous student events and we had the first one [Sunday] night,” she said. “What an amazing evening for our talented students who got up and choreographed and lip synced to such a diverse number of songs that represented the creativity we have in our student body. It was a riot to see some of our administrators, including yours truly, to get up and support the students and make their own statements through the songs they chose,” she said. Conboy considers challenges of pandemic during her term Conboy remarked on how much had changed since her first interview with The Observer in August 2020. She noted her initial goal was getting students back on campus, which is not something that she expected to do in her first 100 days as president. “It’s an unusual thing for a leader to say, that they’d just like to open the doors, but that actually felt like it was a huge goal for us — to open the doors and ensure that our students would be back on campus and that we could have the best possible year, even though we were in the
worst possible conditions with the pandemic,” she said. Conboy noted that this academic year is different because decisions on COVID-19 protocols do not have to be constantly considered. “Last year seems so remote now to think that we were just trying to figure out how to keep everyone safe, but how to be together at the same time,” she said. “Fast forward a little more than a year and the kinds of decisions we’re having to make around COVID — it’s not what we’re talking about every single day. That was the topic of conversation every day, multiple times a day: just urgent decisions that needed to be made or proactive decisions that needed to be made.” Acknowledging the progress Saint Mary’s has made as a community, Conboy elaborated on the lifting of COVID restriction this year. “Saint Mary’s feels with so few cases of COVID that we’re able to lift the visitor restrictions for students, and I want to continue how we can normalize the experiences you’re having while keeping everyone else safe on campus,” she said. “I thought we did a pretty good job last year of balancing attention to the immediate and planning for the future, but it’s great to feel the balance of those two things shift where we’re really more in the planning mode and less in the urgency mode.” Thinking about the future of the College Despite the number of successes achieved by her administration thus far, Conboy is keeping her eyes fixed toward the future. “I think Saint Mary’s is an amazing community, but even amazing communities can always improve,” she said. “I think when we pay attention to how students are engaged and involved with each other, we can build a stronger fabric for what Saint Mary’s can be.” Expanding on ways the campus can continue to improve, Conboy spoke on creating more spaces like the LGTBQ+ center to foster a sense of belonging
and community. “One of the areas I really want us to think about now that we have opened our Center for Student Equity and we’ve opened our office for LGBTQ+ students is how we talk to each other,” she said. “How we come together in those spaces and in all the other spaces that we have on campus.” Conboy noted the importance of these spaces, also emphasizing the significance of taking care of one another and being compassionate. “Really taking the time to not only build spaces that are symbolic and do work to bring students together but to see that kind of care for each other, that kind of empathy and compassion for each other extend out into all our interactions because we want to model that as what Saint Mary’s means in the world,” she said. As the only women’s college in Indiana and one of 34 women’s colleges in the country, Saint Mary’s College finds itself in a unique position for progress, Conboy noted. “Saint Mary’s is in a really strong position, but we should use that strong position to strengthen what we’ve always done well: that is the undergraduate education we give to women and the graduate education that we invite all genders into,” she said. However, Conboy acknowledged the need for improvement and the importance of continued growth, even after students leave campus. “What we really want to do is to ensure that [Saint Mary’s students] are career ready, job ready, industry ready when they jump into the workforce again and that they credit Saint Mary’s for giving them those opportunities,” she said. In an effort to serve Saint Mary’s students across all walks of life, Conboy spoke of the plentiful resources available to all students. “That makerspace is going to be there for our Saint Mary’s undergraduate and graduate students, where they can use 3D printers and laser cutters and all
kinds of other equipment to test out their own entrepreneurial ideas,” she said. “But it’s also a space where we can welcome women entrepreneurs in from the community so that they can use that equipment, they can get the expertise of our faculty members and they can frankly share their experiences with our students so that we all educate each other in what’s a larger and broader community, breaking down the walls between a Saint Mary’s collegiate community and our larger community efforts.” Conboy also emphasized the importance of research, and the impact it can have on skill-building. “Research is really important because it’s not something that’s really elitist where it’s just a few people who are learning how to write an article in a journal that will be read by only a handful of people,” she said. “It’s about students getting the skills employers actually say that are most important when they are going to hire someone who is a college graduate.” Wanting to add a research component to the College’s existing writing proficiency program, Conboy addressed the importance of being experienced in research after graduation. “We know we graduate students who are great writers,” she said. “The ‘W’ is one of the signatures of a Saint Mary’s experience,” Conboy said, referring to the College’s writing proficiency requirement. “I’d like an ‘R’ to join that ‘W’ so that every Saint Mary’s student has a research experience that she can speak to as she interviews with an employer, interviews with a graduate school program. I think it’s something critical to preparing the next generation of students.” ‘Take care, SMC’: Conboy’s powerful performance at student-planned lip sync battle Noting her excitement in joining students at the opening event of inauguration week — a lip sync battle — Conboy explained why she tries to engage with students as much as she can.
“Participating in something as an equal with students is something really important for a president to do,” she said. “Just to step out of the office and to step into a space where I’m just like every other performer up on that stage.” Conboy performed the song “Respect” by Aretha Franklin and was accompanied by several members of her cabinet. Conboy noted she had a deeper meaning behind choosing the song, especially after the negative comments about Saint Mary’s students on Yik Yak. “Of course I chose the song in part because last week was a tough week and Saint Mary’s students felt some disrespect from what I hope was only a handful of counterparts somewhere in the tri-campus community,” she said. “Once all of those conversations happened last week, actually the thing I should do is choose an iconic song — choose a song that’s about women looking for respect for the work that they do and a song that’s become a feminist anthem.” During her performance, Conboy took off her jacket to reveal a Saint Mary’s shirt and donned a Saint Mary’s baseball cap, which she noted was a sign of her solidarity with students. “To take that and use it as a moment where I could signal to Saint Mary’s students that ‘R-E-S-P-E-C-T’ means something to me: It’s ‘Take care, SMC’,” she said. Comparing the stature of the song to persisting establishments like Saint Mary’s, Conboy concluded by expressing her commitment to the College and its students. “We’re talking this week about an enduring institution where I’m just walking one stretch of the journey with Saint Mary’s. Saint Mary’s existed long before I arrived, and it will here long after I’m not,” she said. “But I want to walk that path and I want to walk it with students.” Contact Genevieve Coleman at gcoleman01@saintmarys.edu and Crystal Ramirez at cramirez01@saintmarys.edu
Fall Harvest Festival celebrates Saint Francis By SHANNON LIPSCOMB News Writer
Campus Dining hosted Harvest Festival Thursday night, offering a wide variety of sustainable food options from local vendors including bison stew, smoked turkey, fall root vegetables and fry bread. The Harvest Dinner was held at North and South Dining Halls to provide students with a healthy fall meal while celebrating the Feast of St. Francis and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Director of Sourcing and Sustainability for Campus Dining Cheryl Bauer worked with North Dining Hall Executive Chef Greg Larson and Vice President of Sales from North American Bison LLC
Al Samuelson to bring the Harvest Dinner to students. “It’s about learning while you’re here so let’s include food in that learning piece, but it’s also about bringing up some of the sustainability practices,” Bauer said. “[Sustainability] is all about taking care of the earth and eating things that are not only good for you, but good for the environment as well.” Larson said he was delighted to be introducing thousands of students to healthier foods. He hoped they enjoyed the bison stew in particular, which he crafted for four days. “Tonight is special because it’s the first time we’ve ever served bison in the dining hall,” Larson said. “We work with farmers and
it’s really great to see them raise their families off the food they produce and to be able to serve that in the dining hall.” Samuelson is grateful to have worked with staff at Notre Dame to incorporate bison in the meal. “We try to do the right things in the right way for the right reasons and I like the fact that bison is a very healthy product, that it’s very sustainably farmed and that we treat the animals with a lot of integrity and care,” Samuelson said. “What the students are having tonight is absolutely delicious.” The Feast of St. Francis, which occurred on Oct. 4th, was followed by events centered around St. Francis’s message of sustainability and appreciation
of all things on Earth. The Office of Sustainability played a large role in bringing this event to life this year. Sustainability Program Manager in the Office of Sustainability Caitlin Jacobs said this event was important to her in keeping Notre Dame true to its comprehensive sustainability strategy and carrying that over to impact students. “Operationally, from a university standpoint, you know how we eat what we consume in the dining halls has a huge impact on what our university’s carbon footprint is,” Jacobs said. “And we’re lucky to have as many options as we do on campus, there’s such plentiful food for us, so I think that food is a
highly personal place to start your sustainability journey.” Campus Ministry’s associate director of liturgy Kate Barrett said to wrap up the week, St. Francis Fest will be occurring in the Geddes Hall library from 3-5p.m. to give students the opportunity to learn more about the sustainability efforts on campus. “It would be just a great thing to continue to come together as a university community, to keep thinking about how we can be part of the solution,” Barrett said. “Being part of the problem, but also using all of our resources to be part of the solution as well.” Contact Shannon Lipscomb at slipsco3@nd.edu
News
ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, OCTOBER 8, 2021 | The Observer
5
Respect Life Week promotes community By CLAIRE REID News Writer
Notre Dame’s Right to Life club is hosting its annual “Respect Life Week,” featuring a variety of antiabortion events and activities including an all-night adoration, art exploration at the Snite and even a birthday party for a saint. The week’s theme this year is “Encounter Life: Building A Prolife Community.” Right to Life president senior Francie Shaft said that coming out of the pandemic, the club chose this theme to represent their focus on resuming ministry and volunteer work in the South Bend community after off-campus travel restrictions prevented them from doing so last year. “It was really hard to engage in the community when we couldn’t go visit them,” said senior Mary Biese, who has served as Right to Life’s co-director of education for the past two years. “We are excited to kickstart a lot of service again this year and wanted to highlight that.” The week kicked off Sunday afternoon with Life Chain, an event organized by Right to Life Michiana. Participants prayed and peacefully held signs outside of Whole Women’s Health of South Bend, a healthcare facility that provides abortion services. The Michiana Life Chain event
LGBTQ Continued from page 1
taking place on October 9. Kicking off the evening of speakers was the College’s interim vice president for mission Molly Gower, who spoke on the significance of the new additions, especially in support and acknowledgment of students, faculty and staff in the context of a Catholic institution like Saint Mary’s. Gower then introduced Redgina Hill, vice president for inclusion and equity, who elaborated further on the purpose of the Center. “A recent Saint Mary’s College student climate survey revealed that our LGBTQ students had more difficulties making friends and did not always feel welcome,” Hill said. “These findings pointed to a dire need for a safe space at Saint Mary’s for our LGBTQ+ students.” The opening of the Center marks the campus’s first official safe space for LGBTQ students since the College’s inception in 1844. Although this introduction comes late in the school’s history, Paid Advertisement
— one of many concurrent Life Chain events held across the nation Sunday — was followed by allnight eucharistic adoration in the Coleman-Morse Chapel. “It’s the best way to build community — praying to the one who unites us all and supports us,” Biese said. “This is such a spiritual battle, and so, so many prayers are needed, so being able to do allnight adoration is a really beautiful thing. So many people signed up, which is just really inspiring.” The week’s events continued Monday in the LaFortune Student Center’s second-floor ballroom with a party celebrating what would have been Saint Gianna Molla’s 99th birthday. Attendees celebrated Right to Life’s Saint of the Year with cake and Chick-fil-A. “St. Gianna’s life is a testament to the sacrificial love our club members believe in and strive for,” Shaft said. “She gave her life for her little baby, Gianna Emanuela, who is still alive today.” Directly following the festivities, a group of Right to Life members processed with candles to the Cedar Grove Cemetery for an endof-life prayer service in remembrance of those laid to rest in the campus cemetery. Shaft said this event is her favorite as it reminds her of the importance of praying for the souls of the departed. Tuesday night featured a
“Pro-Llife Community Panel” discussion focused on anti-abortion service in South Bend. According to Biese — who attended the discussion — a local family doctor, a representative from Right to Life Michiana and a Notre Dame professor spoke on the intersection between their careers and their anti-abortion advocacy work. “One thing they really emphasized that I thought was beautiful was building relationships of trust as the first step to building a community that … supports life at all stages,” Biese recalled. Biese added that Wednesday’s “Growing a Pro-Life Community” resource fair and giveaway event was easily her favorite of the week. In keeping with the week’s theme, Right to Life members gave out succulents and seeds to passersby on Fieldhouse Mall, along with pregnancy and parenting resource sheets. “Succulents worked great with the theme … Plants, they grow. It’s fun!” she said. “One of our initiatives this year, though, is really growing awareness of pregnancy and parenting resources on and off campus. We want to show support for women who find themselves in that situation. Being against abortion, ‘loving them both’ is a really big part of how I see everything.” This theme of loving both mother and child is what inspired Right
to Life’s second tabling event the following afternoon in Duncan Student Center, which the club held in partnership with Students for Life. The event, titled “See Me Now,” strived to present information on a variety of abortion procedures without using graphic imagery. Instead, club members used statistics, infographics and plastic fetal models to illustrate different abortion methods, developmental stages and possible side effects of abortion procedures. “The goal is always to plant seeds and have respectful conversations,” Biese said. “We want to listen and be compassionate in what we’re saying and what we do.” Thursday afternoon’s lineup also included a tour of the Snite Museum of Art, where attendees were challenged to look at works of art through an anti-abortion lens. “We are so thankful to be engaging with the art community in this way,” Shaft said of the event, which is a new addition to the Respect Life Week lineup this year. “I hope that the experience allowed students, faculty, staff and community members to contemplate the dignity of life in a new way.” Respect Life Week will continue Friday with an all-club Right to Life Mass at 5:15 p.m. at the Basilica. Rise’n Roll donuts will be served following Mass. Finally, the week will conclude
on Saturday with a sidewalk counselor training session led by Biese from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the library’s Carey Auditorium. “Our goal is to prep students to peacefully and prayerfully give women resources [outside of the abortion clinic],” Biese explained. “[The training teaches] you to see what these women are struggling with and how to treat them with compassion in a way that is prayerful, peaceful and supportive. Those are the three pillars of sidewalk counseling.” She added that she believes the training is useful for anyone passionate about the anti-abortion movement — not just those interested in volunteering as sidewalk counselors — because it encourages participants to be more compassionate and alter their perspectives on women who are considering an abortion and the many complex reasons why they may be doing so. “Everyone on both sides cares very deeply about this issue,” Biese said. “It’s not simply an academic thing; it’s a matter of life and death. It’s really hard to get past misconceptions on both sides, so we just want to continue to be a joyful, prayerful presence, because no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Hill hopes the new space will impact the College’s LGBTQ alumni in addition to current students and campus community members. “We can never know all the stories of our queer students, faculty and staff who have walked these halls since 1844. What I do know is that not all have felt welcomed or safe to be their authentic selves,” Hill said. “I hope this Center is the first step towards reconciliation with our alums, and a place for our students, faculty and staff to express themselves authentically and as a result, allow Saint Mary’s to truly become a place they can call home … This moment is one that exemplifies [that] Saint Mary’s is committed to change and cracking barriers that hold communities back.” Hill then introduced Conboy, who thanked the many individuals responsible for the creation of the LGBTQ+ Center and Office for Student Equity before reflecting on a beloved phrase from her strategic plan: “invigorated by difference.” “And that, I think, is what we want at Saint Mary’s College,” Conboy said. “So, today — what a great start.” And although the opening of an LGBTQ safe space on the campus of a Catholic college might be seen as contentious by many within the Church, Conboy asserted the Center’s concordance with Catholic doctrine. “This space that you’ll see upstairs and the good work of the Office of Student Equity affirms the Catholic Church’s belief that all persons must be accepted with
respect, compassion and sensitivity,” she said. Next, Conboy welcomed to the podium Jacqueline Leskovec. Despite Leskovec’s many titles — a founding member and the vice president of Pride SMC, the College’s official group of LGBTQ alumni, as well as a member of the Saint Mary’s class of 1974 — she spoke to the crowd first and foremost as a member of the LGBTQ community herself. “When I first came out, I was a student here at Saint Mary’s, and I could only dream of such a welcoming place for LGBTQIA students on campus,” she said. “Back then, being out was not easy — and that’s not saying it’s easy today. But visibility, acceptance and a safe space help us all along the road to self-actualization as we become the people we are.” And following additional speeches from H.R. Jung, executive director of The LGBTQ Center in South Bend, and Francesca Giuliano, a Saint Mary’s junior acting as the president of the College’s sexuality and gender equity club; Christin Kloski spoke more on the purpose of the new Office for Student Equity. Serving as the office’s associate director, Kloski described her role in assisting firstgeneration and low-income students at the College. “We exist to help create economic opportunities for students to thrive at Saint Mary’s College and to truly achieve their full experience of being a student here,” Kloski said. “Our office is able to provide students with laptops, laptop repairs, winter clothing,
professional clothing, emergency travel funding, commencement regalia, seminars, retreats and football tickets — and that list will continue to grow due to the everchanging demographics of Saint Mary’s.” And finally, Kloski introduced Angela Martinez Camacho, a Saint Mary’s junior serving as the student government association’s vice president of operations and the president of the residence hall association. A first-generation student herself, Camacho told the audience about her experience meeting Kloski while receiving assistance from the Office for Student Equity, recalling her excitement hearing Kloski’s plans for the office’s future. “Hearing about where she would like to take this office gives me hope that students like me won’t feel ashamed of needing a little extra financial assistance from time to time,” Camacho said. “This office and Christin are beyond just giving money. This office will be a resource where students can confide in Christin and ask them about our futures: ‘How do I do my taxes?’ or ‘Where should I live after college?’” Finally, the event concluded with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony. Standing alongside Camacho and other staff members, Conboy cut two ribbons in quick succession: one for the LGBTQ+ Center and one for the Office for Student Equity. Attendees were then invited upstairs to tour the newly opened spaces. The LGBTQ+ Center and the Office for Student Equity were not
just an administrative effort — many Saint Mary’s students also advocated for their inception. One student, in particular, was actively involved: Sophia Sanchez, a junior majoring in sociology and gender and women’s studies, joined a group of College staff in drafting the proposal campaigning for the Center’s opening. Although the opening of the Center represents a massive success for Saint Mary’s, Sanchez said, there are still many ways faculty and administration at the College can continue to support the LGBTQ community moving forward. “It’s just the easy questions: asking someone’s pronouns, using inclusive language, just recognizing that there are different types of students that come from different walks of life who have different identities,” she said. Sanchez also invited all members of the tri-campus community to visit the Center and explore its offerings. “It’s going to be a space for people to feel welcome, but also a space where we can invite people outside of the tri-campus community to come in and do speeches or talks or events — so be on the lookout for that for sure,” she said. “This is definitely something that’s not just a Saint Mary’s thing. The center is definitely a tri-campus space for all students to come and hang out and talk. Whatever space they need to do anything — it’s definitely here for everybody.”
Contact Claire Reid at creid6@nd.edu
Contact Evan McKenna at emckenn2@nd.edu
6
The observer | Friday, October 8, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
Saying goodbye to a classmate
Inside Column
Where did Harry go? Siobhan Loughney Talent and Inclusion Manager
My family, like so many others, has not had cable television in years. In the age of streaming, the ser vices of X finity and Fios no longer hit the mark for those looking to cut back to the least expensive and most convenient options. Platforms like Hulu provide access to live television, while Disney+ is stocked w ith all of your favorite Disney classics. I would say this has made the viewing experience infinitely better for shows and movies alike, but there is one major dow nside to this model: the division of content across separate streaming ser vices. The “Harr y Potter” series, in particular, is now far too inaccessible, which I believe to be a great loss to people of all ages. W hile the films were once a mainstay of ABC Family’s w inter marathon schedule, we are now robbed of long weekends doing nothing but soaking in the glorious magic of the beloved franchise. That’s right. The “Harr y Potter” movies are much too difficult to come by these days, which I believe is one of the great cultural losses we have suffered over the past several years. Recently, I spent more time than I would like to admit tr ying to track dow n a “Harr y Potter” movie to watch. Keep in mind, I was determined to keep costs low for this endeavor, and by that, I mean I refused to buy or rent the movies for an additional fee. After quickly googling “W here to watch ‘Harr y Potter’ ? ”, I stumbled upon a fairly recent article informing readers that the movies are all on Peacock and HBO Ma x. Now, as a Notre Dame student, I already have mixed feelings about Peacock. W hy, again, are we making it more difficult for people to watch the Fighting Irish Football? You can imagine how let dow n I felt when I finally logged in and saw that the movies had since been removed from the platform and labeled “Returning to Peacock October 15.” This simply would not do. I needed access to a “Harr y Potter” movie that ver y moment. My only other option was HBO Ma x. I don’t know why, but that is one of the few platforms to which I have not subscribed. At this point, I am so tired of sw itching between accounts to track dow n a good movie night selection that I refuse to invest in yet another subscription. Out of pure stubbornness, I arrived at the realization that a cozy fall evening watching “Harr y Potters” was not in the cards for me. One might say that these are easily solved problems. I could wait until October 15 for the movies to be streamed on Peacock or I could have asked around to log into someone else’s account to watch through HBO Ma x. However, neither of these felt right to me. The only thing that feels right is scrolling through the T V guide and seeing that the next 24 hours w ill be nothing but back-toback “Harr y Potter” movies at no additional cost on ABC Family. The rise of streaming ser vices over cable T V has many benefits, but the loss of seasonal “Harr y Potter” marathons is too much to bear. For a series that is such an integral element of pop culture for multiple generations, it is an injustice to have confined the movies (for the time being) to a single streaming subscription. Given that I have already seen ever y movie in the series multiple times, I cannot help but feel for those who w ill never get to indulge in hours upon hours of magical cinema, and I can only hope that the powers that be at these streaming ser vices come to see that it is their duty to make these movies fully accessible to all. As for me, I w ill probably give in and watch “The Prisoner of A zkaban” using a friend’s HBO subscription this weekend. I mean, come on, the leaves are changing: it’s “Harr y Potter” season. You can contact Siobhan at sloughne@nd.edu The views expressed in this Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Mary Ellen Woods MEWsings
The loss of any classmate and for any reason is a loss for all of us. W hen we lose someone to untreated mental illness, we are diminished all the more. Such is the stor y of our classmate, Joseph G. Slov inec, Jr. Joe died in Januar y of 2020. He was liv ing at the Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago, Illinois. The Pacific Garden Mission prov ides shelter, food and clothing to those w ithout. Joe needed just that assistance and, frank ly, more. Our worst fears were actually not realized. Though COV ID had hit the shores of America, our friend had not succumbed to it. Rather, he perished quietly, it seems, in his sleep in his bed at the Mission. Joe’s stor y tugs at one’s heartstrings. He attended Our Lady’s Universit y — his dream and great love. He even graduated w ith honors, though his friends back in the day could see the onset of his mental illness even if he could not. And never would. In fact, he graduated early and went on to earn t wo masters’ degrees. He would not hold a job for any length of time and family grew distant as his illness took hold. If his family struggled, his friends — both from high school and ND — cherished their enigmatic friend. A fixture at parties on campus and after graduation, his true friends were loyal and fierce protectors, though it was not always easy. The realit y of Joe’s last days became inescapable when an old friend pondered if Joe’s “next of kin” might know what had happened to him. No one had seen him. Two social workers were assigned to help Joe and a dear friend would drive by the Mission to see if he could see Joe about in compliance w ith the requirements of the Mission. In acts of true fidelit y and love, a group of Joe’s friends arranged to secure his remains, to have a funeral Mass said — v irtually due to the constraints of COV ID — and hosted an Irish wake, also v irtual, but
stor y-telling and adult beverages f lowed freely. This stor y came to its natural conclusion on Friday when Fr. Edward “Monk” Malloy, C.S.C presided at a ceremony marking Joe’s interment in Notre Dame’s Cedar Grove Cemeter y. A group of 50 of Joe’s friends joined Monk in our final goodbye to our friend. Joe w ill rest forever at a place he loved w ith Mar y smiling over him from her place far above the Golden Dome. It is our dearest hope that Joe is finally at peace, a peace that oft eluded him on this earth. Joe’s illness left him ever at odds and ends, a restless soul struggling always and never quite at ease. We are grateful beyond measure to all those who befriended Joe, who lent a hand and their kindness and assistance. We are especially indebted to Sexton Leon Glon. Our request to inter Joe’s remains required special approval. Space is limited in Cedar Grove. Upon hearing the stor y of Joes’ demise, Sexton Glon immediately offered to secure that permission. One could sense Glon’s compassion and caring. We are honored to have Monk join us and to help us say goodbye. Rest well, dear friend. May Our Lady watch over you and all those who came together to say good bye to our friend. And a special thank you to all those who befriended and loved Joe over the years when he wasn’t always easy. In the words of one of those who tried to help him, “The world would be a much better place if more people had friends like Joe did in his ND communit y.” Mary Ellen Woods is a graduate of the Notre Dame class of 1980. She has returned to campus as a Fellow in the Inspired Leadership Initiative (ILI). As an undergraduate, she lived in BreenPhillips and now lives off campus. Her columns appear every other Thursday. A longtime resident of Chicago, she can be reached at mewoods80@nd.edu or @MEWsmuses on Twitter. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Submit a Letter to the Editor: viewpoint@ndsmcobserver.com
The observer | Friday, October 8, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
7
Inside Column
Small tragedies Abby Patrick Viewpoint Editor
I have a little theory about my life. Any of my close friends reading this know exactly where this column is going — I talk about this theory quite a lot and it’s become sort of an ordering force/running joke in my life. And believe it or not, this is my second inside column about a wacky personal theory — apologies for subjecting my many, many readers to the world according to Abby once again. The theory goes like this: my life is plagued by what I like to call small tragedies, quite literally a series of unfortunate events. Now, I’m not tone deaf. I am very aware that I have a wonderful, lovely, extraordinarily privileged life. BUT, I also was blessed with a combination of shyness, compulsory midwestern friendliness, clumsiness and innate awkward tendencies to make for a charmingly(?), sometimes ridiculously, tragic person. Your natural next question is: what constitutes a small tragedy? Never-you-fear, I have a list: Just the other day, I was running a touch late to class. It was a masked class so I had my mask primed and ready in my hand, for efficiency. As I’m walking through the Debart doors, with probably just enough time to get to class, I’m suddenly yanked back by an invisible force. The strap of my mask — in my hand for efficiency, mind you — had gotten caught around the door and would not come unstuck, as more and more people confusedly tried to get around me into the building. So I single handedly held up every other poor soul who was just as late as me, trying desperately to unhook my mask from the inner workings of the door. Tell me that’s not tragic? My first semester freshman year I almost slept through my French exam. I woke up with two minutes to exam time in a blind panic. Launching myself out of bed, I threw on the nearest clothes, pulled on my rain boots — sans socks — and ran out of the room with acne spot treatment still all over my face. Now I don’t know if any of you have tried running in rain boots with no socks, but let me save you the curiosity: don’t. Not only will you get horrible blisters, you’ll have to squeak your way to the front of the classroom to get your exam, each sweaty footstep announcing how crazed and sleep deprived you look. But hey, at least I made it to the test.
Another fun freshman year tragedy — I got a horrible case of pink eye coming back from fall break. I’ll spare you the details, but it was pretty gross. In particular, my eyes were prone to watering really substantially — I perpetually looked like I was crying. And because that’s just not bad enough, it also just so happened that during class that week one of my professors announced he had decided to retire at the end of the semester. Having made this grand and personal pronouncement, he looked out into the sea of students, who knew him well, but not well enough, and happened to notice me trying to manage my watery eyes. While I had been barely attending to what he’d been saying, simply trying to keep the leaking in my eyes to a minimum amount of gross, he took my tears and tissues to be an excess of emotion over the great career pronouncement he had just made. He then, rather uncomfortably, proceeded to try and console from afar, the little freshman whose name he thought was Annie, who barely spoke in class, and really had no business crying because (said very gruffly) “this was the best decision for him and he really hoped I’d understand eventually.” Mortified, I very seriously thought about dropping that class, because how could I ever show my leaky eyes in there again? I once half fell off the ladder of my loft in the background of my roommate’s Zoom. I managed to spectacularly, ungracefully catch myself, but it might have been better to commit to the fall. I’m pretty sure her professor asked if I was okay. That one still gives us a good laugh. There’s the Victorian ghost incident. I sent a really awful picture of myself in a white dress, wherein I looked like the distressed ghost of a Victorian child, to what I thought was my friend, you know, to double check that our outfit vibes matched for the evening. Turns out, I sent that lovely image straight to the Observer Editorial Board group chat. All props to Ed-Board, they were very supportive, and in my defense, it’s a very pretty dress. Over the summer I got my bangs trimmed and made the grievous error of not being specific enough with what length I wanted them trimmed. Let’s just say they were a little short and a little blunt. I spent too much of my hot-girl summer, or more like books and movies summer, walking around looking like Coconut Head or an early Ringo Starr, take your pick. I’ve heard both (thanks Dad). Then there was the time the guy who ghosted me
freshman year tried to sit at the same table outside of LaFun with me. He was pretty smooth about it too, until he realized who he was talking to. And he had the nerve to skitter off looking scared! (I actually felt quite powerful after that one). There are, fortunately or unfortunately, innumerable others, some (taking place in high school swimgym) significantly more tragic, that I don’t feel need to be shared in a public forum, but this lightly curated selection is enough to give you a sense of what I mean. Now please don’t construe this as self-deprecation — in reality it’s a miraculous form of self-preservation. It’s my way of coping with the otherwise awkward, terrible or unfortunate events in life: the say-hi-or-walk-by decisions gone horribly wrong, the “I’m going to hold the door for you but you are way too far away so I give up right before you get there and now we have to walk down the same hallway uncomfortably close togethers of life. Instead of letting such encounters, flops or foibles ruin my day, instead of having them flash through my mind in an oppressive montage right before I go to sleep, I shoot a quippy “small tragedy” update to my friends, laugh at the general “tragicness,” and, except for the occasional witty remembrance a-la-this column, generally move on. The point of the small tragedy is to note that it is exactly that — small. It’s a drop in the bucket, water off your back, every other cliché in one, of all the other miraculous experiences in life. One of those times you did say hi and it wasn’t a little weird, or maybe it was, but you made someone else’s day because you remembered them! And maybe I tripped up the stairs earlier today, but rather than wallowing in how clumsy or off-balance that makes me feel, I know that I can laugh over it with my friends. I spent too much of my life feeling conspicuously awkward and sorely out of place. The theory of small tragedies frees me of that, at least a little, giving me space to laugh at myself, to take a breath and remember that there’s a bigger picture, a life to enjoy outside of the unfortunateness. Life isn’t measured in the small tragedies, but is made in the moments where we are able to let the small tragedies go and really live as ourselves, tragicness and all. Take it, or leave it, it works pretty well for me. You can contact Abby at apatrick@nd.edu The views expressed in this Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Disappointment with Gateway housing decision When my daughter and I came to the Holy Cross and Notre Dame campuses this past April, we learned that her 9.0 Gateway class would be the first to not be guaranteed on-campus housing when they transferred as sophomores. I graduated from Notre Dame in 1994, and I have been bringing my daughter for girls’ football weekends since she was nine years old with my Howard girlfriends and their kids. I am overjoyed that she is here now, but the thought that she would miss out on the special experience of Notre Dame’s unique dorm life made me think that she should choose her other top choice for college over the Gateway program. It was conveyed by the Gateway program, unofficially of course, that this was being done to protect against the uncertainties of the recent pandemic and that housing would most likely come through; this reassurance led to her choosing the Gateway program. I have to wonder
what changed in the past five to six months to cause Notre Dame to email the entire 9.0 Gateway class, without informing their advisers, to start looking for off campus housing for their sophomore year. My daughter and her friends were terribly disappointed upon learning this. I cannot help but find the fairly recent timing of the three year on-campus requirement to be so unfortunate. My daughter and her classmates have been counting the days until they can live on campus, while there are juniors who want to live off campus and are not being allowed. It would seem that the university could find a creative solution for these students, who have come together so joyfully following a high school senior year of isolation, and allow them to fully live the life of a Notre Dame student for their remaining three years. I had thought that Notre Dame’s adjustments to the COVID pandemic had served as an example to other
universities. Perhaps a lottery for upcoming juniors wanting to live off campus could serve to accommodate this relatively small group of students who are so eager to join the campus community. Whatever happens, I have faith that they will continue to thrive, because, as they were told repeatedly through the Gateway decision process, they were chosen for a reason; having come to know some of them personally, I believe this to absolutely be true. They have come together in the most beautiful way, and this will not break them, but I know how much a real effort on the part of the university to find a solution would mean, not only to them and future Gateway students, but to me. Dr. Kate Pastore class of 1994 Oct. 3
8
The observer | Friday, October 8, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
Back, but not really: Chronic illness at ND Alexa Schlaerth Soapbox Symposium
Chronic illness has complicated a lot of things in my life, but this semester, it has taken more of a toll than I anticipated. I wiped out another week of illness with doctors appointments, trips to the pharmacy and more lozenges than I could keep track of. “Long Covid” and other post-viral complications are not uncommon in the general population, but various media outlets and messaging have spread the idea that COVID is just not that big of a deal among college-age students. This was especially true early on in the pandemic. It is only more recently with the onslaught of the Delta variant that we have learned about the increased risk to younger adults. These new data, in combination with the lack of longitudinal studies on COVID’s effects, say, months or even years out, made me incredibly apprehensive to return to campus. There has been this widespread and somewhat unspoken fear among young people with comorbidities and immunocompromising conditions that we are still very much not out of the clear. Taking a gap year last year may have protected me from catching COVID while unvaccinated, but obviously I have since returned to campus and have become quite ill.
The combination of post-COVID lingering symptoms and additional viral has not been kind to me. I doubt the winter cold and flu season will be any kinder. I am constantly reminded that we are not “post-pandemic.” Is the worst over? That is very much a possibility. The unshakeable feeling I have experienced while sick this semester is that we are back to campus and to a sort of sense of normalcy, but we’re not truly back to “normal.” Maybe new exposure to the germs of college is exacerbating my health issues. Maybe I just did not pay attention to how sick I was before. These are questions I have thought about in various clinics and urgent care waiting rooms. With all this being said, I am encouraged that I am not alone. The University Counseling Center will be hosting a new therapy group of individuals who face “invisible illnesses.” There is support for students who do not fit the traditional archetype of “sick” people who are navigating rough waters often alone. Sara Bea Accessibility Services and the Center for Student Support and Care are also supportive bodies for those looking for help. The experience of the “invisibly” and/or chronically ill is still one that is placed on the back burner, so to speak. Masking as an immunocompromised person amongst a mass of unmasked, supposedly “healthy” classmates and individuals does call a sort of new attention to me. I know it raises questions in some
and inquisitive looks in others. Am I actively sick? Am I contagious? Am I too fearful of illness? In a way, masking makes my invisible illness very much visible. Maybe even too visible. Coming to terms with these suppositions of health is another task that falls on the invisibly ill. As if the illness and lifestyle changes, accommodations, and disadvantages were not enough. How do we lighten this load? On an individual level, I would impel those without chronic illnesses to approach others from a place of compassion. Try to combat the personal biases, assumptions, or stereotypes you may hold toward people who mask or people who may be suffering from chronic illness. Do not expect answers from the chronically ill. Health is incredibly private and personal. To those among us who are also struggling with chronic and/or invisible illness, you are not alone. There is support out there and your struggles and experiences on campus matter. Alexa Schlaerth is a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame pursuing degrees in Chinese and philosophy. As an Angeleno, Alexa enjoys shopping at Erewhon Market, drinking kombucha and complaining about traffic because it’s “like, totally lame.” Alexa can be reached at aschlaer@nd.edu over email. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
An open letter to Katie Conboy This weekend, Saint Mary’s will inaugurate Katie Conboy as its 14th president since the College’s establishment in 1844. Following the announcement of her selection in February 2020, Conboy began her term the following June, although the COVID-19 pandemic precluded the possibility of official inauguration procedures for the first year of her presidency. Conboy’s formal installation will finally take place in O’Laughlin Auditorium on Saturday, an event bookended by a weekend of festivities at the College. To celebrate Conboy’s long-awaited inauguration, The Observer Editorial Board would like to reflect upon the milestones of her tenure thus far. From the very beginning, Conboy’s presidency was marked by an unprecedented campus climate and an immediate demand for difficult decisions. Entering her role as College President in the midst of a pandemic and at the height of a nationwide racial reckoning, Conboy led the College community through a year unlike any other with unending passion and care. On June 1, 2020, the day she assumed her position, Conboy and other campus leaders released a statement condemning the injustices of systemic racism a week after the murder of George Floyd. She later cosigned a list of 13 commitments toward a more just and diverse campus, including a series of lectures and panels led by people of color, a pledge to cultivate a more diverse staff and an increase in funding for campus organizations dedicated to racial justice. And, as Conboy led the campus community through the first year of the pandemic, her administration’s health and safety procedures resulted in low rates of positive COVID cases throughout the 2020-2021 academic year. Decisions such as these are likely to be met with some disagreement, and Conboy’s choices were no exception — the College’s visitor policy and cancellation of fall sports were both criticized by students. But Conboy doesn’t just allow students to provide constructive feedback on administrative actions; she encourages it, allowing students’ voices to be heard through email, in-person conversations and during
town hall events open to all students. President Conboy is also known for curating personal relationships with students by attending campus sporting events and other activities. Just last week, she made an appearance at the Smick Day event, continuing her efforts to help students reclaim the term ‘Smick’ and forge a strong, proud campus identity. Aside from leading the Saint Mary’s community through an unspeakably difficult year, the Conboy administration has also found time for a number of other successes: renovating Regina Hall to include a new healthcare education center, inviting exciting and inspiring guest speakers to the College, providing free telehealth network services for all students, improving tri-campus dining options, as well as cutting the ribbon on the new LGBTQ+ Center and Office for Student Equity. In just under two years, President Conboy has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to the well-being of Saint Mary’s students, and we commend her continued commitment to the College’s future. However, no leader is perfect. Despite the milestones the school has achieved during Conboy’s term, we must always push administrators to new heights and continue to recognize the issues and injustices that persist at Saint Mary’s. Thus, as we approach this weekend’s inauguration events, the Editorial Board wishes to offer a few ways in which the current administration can improve and continue its commitment to progress within the College community. Recently, Conboy’s administration made the decision to scale back the staff of the College’s Health and Counseling Center. This creates a gap, as the center’s sole receptionist no longer works at the College, which makes many students experience increased wait times or feel forced to speak to fellow students about their personal health information. Although the College is currently searching for a third counselor to meet students’ needs, the center still lacks a regularly available psychiatrist. Mental health resources are more important than ever — and we encourage Conboy and the rest of the College administration to better support its counseling center, both in hiring practices and financial allocation. Additionally, many Saint Mary’s students have expressed confusion over the implementation of
certain policies over the past year, pointing to a general failure in communication between the Conboy administration and the student body. Although the decision to adopt Notre Dame’s dining services at the College was largely celebrated, students living in Opus — on-campus apartment-style housing — were forced to purchase a meal plan, despite being told when signing their housing contract that it would not be required. And although the College’s health and safety procedures for COVID resulted in very low case numbers throughout the past year, many students expressed disappointment with the school’s now-reversed rules for visitors, citing inconsistencies in the College’s expectations and arguing the policies negatively affected students’ mental health. College administrations will inevitably be required to make difficult, unpopular decisions from time to time, but an open line of communication with the student body is crucial in ensuring that no student is burdened by a sudden, unexplained policy change. These issues of mental health resources and administrative transparency are significant, but Conboy’s displays of commitment and passion throughout her presidency prove that they are problems that can be solved. We encourage President Conboy to continue listening to student voices, especially those that rise in criticism of current policies and decisions. Additionally, we encourage students, faculty and staff to continue voicing their concerns about issues affecting Saint Mary’s. The administration has demonstrated they’re willing to listen, so it’s up to us to speak out. Finally, we’d like to invite all members of the tricampus community to celebrate President Conboy’s inauguration by participating in this weekend’s inauguration events. In addition to Conboy’s installation ceremony at 1:30 p.m. in O’Laughlin Auditorium, three events on Saturday will be open to all: the Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 9 a.m. at the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, a reception in Cushwa-Leighton Library following the installation ceremony and a concert featuring Grammy award-winning jazz vocalist Catherine Russell at 7:30 p.m. in O’Laughlin Auditorium. President Conboy’s inauguration is a historic event for our tri-campus — and we hope it can serve as a pivotal moment in the progress of her administration.
9
The observer | Friday, OCTOBER 8, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
By ABIGAIL KEANEY Scene Writer
The British Royal Family has had a rough few years. Between “The Crow n,” Prince Andrew’s sexual assault scandal and Meghan Mark le’s explosive Oprah inter v iew, the centuries-old institution has faced a seemingly unceasing barrage of PR disasters. Well, the monarchy should clear their schedules for one more fiasco. Enter “Diana: The Musical.” Initially scheduled to open on Broadway in March 2020 before being delayed by the pandemic, a professional recording of the stage show was released on Netf lix in early October. “Diana: The Musical” stumbles from the beginning. Opening on a young Diana Spencer during one of her earliest encounters w ith Prince Charles, the audience sy mpathizes w ith the naive 19-year-old kindergarten teacher alone in the spotlight (literally). Diana is portrayed as the girl-next-door, whose depth of character ser ves as stark contrast to the selfish arrogance of those around her. In some ways, this choice makes sense. Princess Diana was, after all, “the people’s princess.” However, “Diana: The Musical” seems to forget the crucial distinction — she was always a princess and never actually one of the people. Despite what the musical tries to portray, Diana Spencer was a member of nobility well before she even met Prince Charles. To present Diana as a lowly commoner is inaccurate and perfectly exemplifies how the production romanticizes her story. “Diana:
By JP SPOONMORE Scene Writer
Jake Gyllenhaal is my favorite actor. He brings a kinetic energ y on set that is visible in every angle, close up and press interview. By just looking at his face you can tell he loves his job and looks forward to working in front of the camera everyday. His newest film, “The Guilty,” is a perfect storm for his charismatic charm. Through 90 minutes of tension and rage, the camera is locked onto Gyllenhaal every second. A remake of a 2018 Dutch film, “The Guilty” traps the audience with Joe Baylor, a detective demoted to the 911 call center. W hy he is punished into a desk job is unknown, but his frustrations bubble a little too easily for it to feel unwarranted. The story is a character piece, and it commits to it all the way, centering the entire plot within two locations: a desk, and another desk. W here the world expands is on the other end of the phone; speeding cars and sirens mixed perfectly to create a three dimensional ambience engulfing the audio miles away from where Joe is stationed, the voices of strangers desperately calling out to him before it is too late. Sadly, I did not watch Gustav Möller’s original, but from what I’ve read, “The Guilty” is a very loyal remake. Looking at the plots of both films, it does
The Musical” is an attempt to create an uplifting tale about finding one’s self with dashes of girl-boss variety feminism thrown in. In reality, Princess Diana struggled through a difficult marriage as part of a manipulative and outdated institution before coming to a tragic end. The musical, then, is an inaccurate historical account which by glorifying Diana, trivializes her and fails to do her story justice. “Diana: The Musical” fails not only because it’s poorly written and utterly bizarre (a particular highlight is a shirtless James Hewitt offering to give Diana “riding lessons”), but because it ultimately can’t decide what it wants to be. At times, it almost seems like the musical is dripping with irony. Perhaps its ridiculousness is an attempt at poking fun at the British Royal Family and all those who surround them. But then the show makes another painful attempt at sincerity (we see the Queen lamenting her lost youth as she hopes to “rediscover who she once was”) and it becomes clear that there is no deeper meaning at all. If the musical has a high point, it’s the depiction of the British press. Notoriously predatory, British tabloid culture plays an outsized role in Diana’s story and the musical reflects this. “Diana: The Musical” manages to convey the invasive nature of the press while also highlighting the ways Diana herself used the media to further her cause. Further to this, sometimes it seems like the talents of the actors might be enough to offset the painful material. Jeanna de Waal’s Diana and Roe Hartrampf’s Charles, are believable and their performances are a real highlight. But then
Diana delivers a line like “serves me right for marrying a Scorpio” and it’s clear that even the most talented of performers would struggle w ith this script. Even the ending fails to make an impact. A stor y about Princess Diana is inherently tragic. No adaptation, no matter how optimistic, can ignore her death. “Diana: The Musical” attempts to get around this by concluding w ith a song about changing the world, though the song falls a little f lat w ith ly rics like “the people who w ill change the world are not the people who you think w ill change the world.” Normally, an overly dramatic scene or t wo can be excused if they’re fun to watch. “Diana: The Musical” fails in this regard, leav ing the audience unsatisfied and disappointed. “Diana: The Musical” tries to do so much and fails to make a lasting impact. Lacking nuance and suffering from an excess of drama, “Diana” is a poor retelling of the stor y that rocked a nation 40 years ago and continues to find relevancy today.
raise the question of whether it needed to be remade at all. Slight tweaks in the third act warrant a different outlook on the character, with a more personal ending, but up to that point it seems like a carbon copy. Even with Antoine Fuqua directing, I didn’t notice a voice behind the camera. With so little time to develop an atmosphere, and with so small a setting to really experiment with the camerawork, I felt only a cold execution. I do think this is intentional to a certain degree: the office space is a blank slate, devoid of emotion yet blasting forest fires and sirens on a giant screen for the operators to stare at, anxiously waiting for the next emergency to call. It is a tensely quiet atmosphere for such an important job that the only moving thing in the room is Joe nervously twitching his worries away. The lens focuses on the right moments with clean editing and a refined pace of action, but the man in charge is very clearly the one in front of the camera. Gyllenhaal carries this film on his back — pushing through emotional outbursts, intense tone changes and tight closeups — making it look like nothing. This feels like light work to him as if he enjoys pressuring his skills to the very edge, and I hope he gets some award for his performance. In the last ten minutes alone, he swings through an impressive range of emotions, fighting against the
rage inside while suddenly letting it all go in the blink of an eye. If you have yet to be convinced of Gyllenhaal’s skill, this film is a must see. And without Gyllenhaal, this film wouldn’t even exist. As soon as the Dutch original screened in festivals, he bought the rights to remake it immediately. He carried it forward and executed it perfectly, filling every frame with his performance, leaving little room for anyone else to share credit. He deserves all of the praise this film has to offer because, without him, what is left of the film? In all honesty, I know it’s midterms, but “The Guilty” is a quick, 90 minute thriller at the top list of Netf lix. It is as consumable as entertainment gets with a complete, nail biting story to keep you awake for that late-night study-binge. And with fingers crossed, it might be Gyllenhaal’s ticket to another Oscar.
Contact Abigail Keaney at akeaney@nd.edu
“Diana: The Musical” Starring: Jeanna de Waal, Erin Davie, Roe Hartrampf Director: Christopher Ashley If you like: “Rocketman,” “Yesterday”
Contact JP Spoonmore at jspoonmo@nd.edu
“The Guilty” Director: Antoine Fuqua Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal If you like: “Zodiac,” “Nightcrawler”
CLAIRE KIRNER | The Observer
10
The observer | Friday, OCTOBER 8, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
By KATE CASPER Scene Writer
“The Life A head,” screened at Deba r tolo Per forming A r ts Center (DPAC) t his Thursday, presented by t he Na nov ic Inst itute for Europea n Studies as pa r t of t heir f ilm series, follows 12-yea r-old or pha n Momo (Ibra hima Gueye) a nd his relat ionship w it h his dy ing ca reg iver Mada me Rosa (Sophia Loren), a Holocaust sur v ivor a nd former prost itute who ta kes ca re of unhoused chi ldren. Directed by Edoa rdo Pont i, Sophia Loren’s son, t he f i lm is based on t he French novel “The Life Before Us.” The f i lm follows a rema rkable hero’s journey, as Momo nav igates losing his mot her, dr ug-dea ling, status, fa it h, belong ing, a nd found fa mi ly. W hen Momo f irst meets Rosa, it is under rat her unusua l circumsta nces — one fatef u l day, Momo is loitering at a ma rket in Ba ri, Ita ly (where t he f i lm is set), seek ing a n oppor tunit y to rob a n unsuspect ing v ict im. He sees Rosa, a nd t he young t hief snatches her bag of a nt iques in hopes of paw ning t hem of f for money w it h t he help of dr ug dea ler Rupsa (Massimilia no Rossi). W hen Momo’s ca reta ker Dr. Coen (Renato Ca r pent ieri) discovers what Momo has done a nd to whom,
By ANNA FALK Scene Writer
Editor’s Note: This story includes mention of eating disorders and self harm. A list of resources can be found on the National Eating Disorder Association website or through their helpline. “[Ballet has] never been an even playing field. It’s always been about sex, blood, and money. It’s all that matters.” As someone who has danced for most of my life, I am always apprehensive to watch new movies and TV shows about dance, especially ballet. With the release of “Birds of Paradise,” I don’t know how I should feel. Set in Paris, Virginia-native Kate Sanders (Diana Silvers) has won a scholarship to study at a prestigious ballet school with the hopes of winning a contract with the Paris Opera Ballet–something that only one boy and one girl at the school will be awarded. In this school, Kate is an outlier. Her lack of wealth and her nationality put her at a disadvantage and isolate her from the other students who have lived at the school since they were children. After an explosive first encounter, Kate becomes friends with Marine Durand (Kristine Froseth), the wealthy daughter of the American ambassador to France and a wild card of a human being. Marine’s past has filled her life with lots of upset, as her twin
Coen ma kes Momo return t he ca nd lest icks a nd apolog i ze to Mada me Rosa in-person. In a brief turn of events, Momo is sent to live w it h Mada me Rosa, as Coen feels he is no longer f it to ta ke ca re of him. Init ia lly a ng r y a nd bitter, Momo picks f ights w it h Losif (Losif Diego Pir v u), a n undocumented child liv ing w it h Rosa, a nd ignores t he youngest child, Babu (Simone Surico). He curses, a nd he dea ls dr ugs — we as v iewers a re worried for Momo t hroughout t he f ilm, as he is tempted a nd led ast ray by t he promise of communit y a nd status he f inds work ing w it h Ruspa. However, as t he f ilm prog resses, we see Momo’s ha rd ex terior sof ten, as we lea rn about t he “t ragedy” t hat led to his mot her’s passing a nd his attachment to t he lioness as a sy mbol of his mot her’s protect ion, love, a nd st reng t h. He has v isions of t he lioness coming to him like a g ua rdia n a ngel a nd lick ing him, a nd he draws lions in his f ree t ime. These moments of child-li ke wonder direct ly cont rast scenes of Momo sel ling dr ugs a nd hav ing ver y intense a nd “adu lt” moments. Fur t hermore, his inter persona l relat ionships w it h Mada me Rosa develop when he uncovers her ident it y as a Jew ish Holocaust sur v ivor. They bot h seem to understa nd each ot her a nd t heir needs, whet her it be Rosa’s need for t ra nquilit y
in her da rk basement hideout, or Momo’s need for belong ing a nd a materna l f ig ure. The seconda r y cha racters a re a lso developed wel l, f rom Lola (Abri l Za mora), Babu’s beaut if u l da ncing mot her a nd Rosa’s good f riend, to Ha mi l (Baba k Ka rimi), t he store clerk who is one of t he f irst cha racters to ta ke a genuine interest in Momo a nd his stor y. The stor y ends w it h a deat h, but a lso a not her v isit f rom a lioness, which was a g reat way to close t he f i lm a nd sig na l to t he v iewer t hat no matter what, Momo is protected. Overa l l, t he f i lm was beaut if u l ly cra f ted a nd emot iona l ly intense. It was not fast-paced per se, but it never dragged on; t he cinematog raphy was beaut if u l, f rom t he sk ylines a nd sunsets of Ba ri to t he overa l l mood light ing (for exa mple, t he golden light pouring into t he room t he day Momo met Lola, compa red to t he da rk g reen light cast on some of t he scenes w it h t he dr ugdea ler). I recommend t his f i lm to a nyone in need of a good tea r-jerker a nd a nyone interested in ex ploring more internat iona l f i lms. To t hose who did not attend t he screening of t he mov ie at DPAC, “The Light A head” is ava i lable to st rea m exclusively on Net f li x.
and dance partner Ollie had recently committed suicide. Despite the turmoil in her life, she and Kate make a pact to beat the odds and win the prize together, or not at all. This movie is filled with the various clichés found in all kinds of dance movies–fierce competition for the final prize, the ticking clock, the toll of dance, and more. In this way, I found it to be quite exhausting. However, the movie does address some aspects of dance life that are unfortunately real and rarely discussed in the media. An important moment of the film occurs when Kate and another dancer, Gia, find each other in the women’s restroom. Kate is shellacking the inside of her pointe shoes (a popular technique to make the shoes last longer) because she cannot afford to buy more, and Gia is throwing up in the sink. Gia, who is black, says to Kate how hard it is to compete against a bunch of skinny white girls. Ballet is a beautiful expression of movement and of art, but the world of dance is competitive and brutal. Those in charge only want a certain image of a dancer, and to be outside of that is unfavorable and puts you at a major disadvantage. In both Gia and Kate’s cases, they find themselves at places where a slight slip can cause a catastrophic fall. Something else that I found interesting about the movie was the quality of dancing. In the movie, Kate has only been dancing for five years. Before she
danced, she played basketball, but she quit and started to dance to honor her late mother who was also a dancer. What she lacks in technique she makes up for in strength, and this is clearly seen. Improvements in Kate’s form and precision are shown throughout the movie, and the quality of dancing is quite good. All in all, this movie set out with a purpose and accomplished it well. Throughout the movie, there were references to the title with a fancy night club, a story from Kate’s mother, and a quote from the strict headmistress Madame Brunelle (Jacqueline Bisset). The visuals were impressive, and the choices in the score emphasized the beauty and mystery of the film. Despite being riddled with typical tropes of dance movies and TV shows, I enjoyed “Birds of Paradise” and thought the story itself was engaging. Complicated and brutal as it is (as the beginning quote accurately states), dance acts as a symbol of freedom and of passion for the art of life.
Contact Kate Casper at kcasper@nd.edu
Contact Anna Falk at afalk@nd.edu
“Birds of Paradise” Director: Sarah Adina Smith Starring: Diana Silvers, Kristine Froseth, Jaqueline Bisset If you like: “Black Swan”, “Center Stage”, “Fame”
MAGGIE KLAERS | The Observer
Classifieds
ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, OCTOBER 8, 2021 | The Observer
Crossword | Will Shortz
11
Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: Set high goals, and stretch your imagination to include things you have only dreamed about doing. You will find a way to far exceed your expectations. Plunge into the unknown, gather information and pour your energy into doing the extraordinary and mastering skills that will help you do and be your very best. Embrace life wholeheartedly. Live, love and laugh. Your numbers are 3, 10, 18, 24, 36, 38, 45. ARIES (March 21-April 19): You are sitting in a good position. Consider what you want and who you can reach out to for suggestions, information or hands-on help. Partnerships look promising as long as you maintain equality mentally, physically and financially. Romance is favored. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): If you want to change, make it happen. Don’t wait for others to make the first move. Ask questions, analyze situations and do your best to stabilize conditions that can turn sour quickly. Negotiate with an open mind and respect for others. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Be careful how you express yourself. It’s essential to get all the facts before you share if you want to get things right the first time. Verify the information you receive, and be patient when dealing with others. Choose charm over force. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Interacting more with people who come from different backgrounds will help you broaden your point of view and assist you in understanding how best to satisfy everyone’s needs. Be the peacemaker, not the troublemaker, and you will gain respect. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Keep talking until you get it right, and convince others to join in and help you reach your goal. Refuse to let what someone does influence or stand in the way of your progress. Partner with those who share your pursuits. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You’ll be a bit of a dreamer today. Keep in mind that although dreams can lead to positive outcomes, realism is also required to ensure you aren’t trying to do the impossible. Set goals that will bring about change that enhances your life. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A calculated move will position you exactly where you want to be and help you reinforce your direction and your long-term goals. Share your feelings with someone you respect, and you’ll receive suggestions that will encourage the best outcome. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Pay attention, get information from reliable sources and think twice before you react to domestic situations. It’s essential to take care of your responsibilities before someone complains or criticizes you for shortcomings. Uncertainty is a red flag, so sit tight. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Limit your spending to ease stress. You can plan something special for someone you love that doesn’t cost a penny. Time spent making plans or committing to a bright future will be worth far more than a lavish gift. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Be aware of what others are doing and saying before making promises you may not want to keep. Do your research, listen carefully and take better care of your physical and emotional well-being. A risk won’t be worth the cost involved. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Question an expenditure before putting your money on the table. Use your insight, intelligence and savvy experience to ward off a fasttalking sales pitch. Be prepared to push back if someone tries to take advantage of you. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): A financial change will lead to a more manageable lifestyle and less stress. Be sure to do what’s best for you and will add to personal stability and future security. Generosity will buy only fair-weather friends. Be smart and save. Birthday Baby: You are sensitive, caring and imaginative. You are unique and entertaining.
Sudoku | The Mepham Group
Jumble | David Hoyt and Jeff knurek
Support student journalism. Donate to The Observer. ndsmcobserver.com/donate
Write Sports.
Email Mannion McGinley at mmcginl@nd.edu
Work Area
Make checks payable to and mail to:
Published Monday, Wednesday and Friday, The Observer is a vital source of information on people and events in the Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross communities. Join the more than 13,000 readers who have found The Observer an indispensable link to the three campuses. Please complete the accompanying form and mail it today to receive The Observer in your home.
The Observer P.O. Box 779 Notre Dame, IN 46556
Enclosed is $130 for one academic year Enclosed is $75 for one semester Name Address City State Zip
12
Classifieds
The observer | Friday, OCTOBER 8, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
Sports Authority
Sports Authority
Three reasons for hope in Detroit John Kalemkerian Sports Writer
You may be wonder i ng who i n t hei r r ig ht m i nd wou ld choose t he Pistons, of a l l tea ms, to h ig h l ig ht w it h t he NBA sea son just t wo week s away. Yes, we have been one of t he most dysf u nct iona l a nd bori ng tea ms i n t he leag ue si nce, wel l, probably 2008. A nd no, on paper we don’t ex act ly look l i ke we’l l be contend i ng for a ny t h i ng except a not her f i rst overa l l pick t h is sea son, but we’l l ta ke what we ca n get i n t he world of Det roit spor ts. If not h i ng else, t he ret u r n of Pistons ba sketba l l mea ns a d ist ract ion f rom t he m iserable week ly per for ma nce at Ford Field. Despite mysel f, I’l l t r y my ha rdest to keep a ny ex pectat ions I propose here rea l ist ic, a lt houg h for enter ta i n ment’s sa ke, a nd for my ow n a musement, I may come of f a s sl ig ht ly overcon f ident. So let’s hop i nto t h ree t h i ngs to be excited about t h is season’s ed it ion of Deeet roit Ba sketba l l !
Cade Cunningham You k new it was comi ng so I may as wel l sta r t of f here. Cade. T he sav ior. T he l ig ht at t he end of t he t u n nel. T he rewa rd for su ffer i ng t h roug h a d isma l, a nd at t i mes u nwatchable, 20-52 season. From t he moment he don ned Bu f fs on d ra f t n ig ht, Cade has been embraced by t he ent i re fa nbase a nd has ta ken it upon h i msel f to i n t u r n embrace t he Det roit basketba l l cu lt u re. Cade has repeated i n i nter v iew a f ter i nter v iew t hat he loves Det roit a nd has ment ioned beef i ng w it h second overa l l pick Ja len Green du r i ng Su m mer Leag ue a f ter Green made it k now n Det roit wasn’t h is prefer red dest i nat ion. On t he f loor, t he 6’8’’ Ok la homa State product projects as a n a l l-a rou nd sta r; a creator, shot-ma ker a nd lockdow n defender. His bu i ld a nd play st yle have d raw n compa r isons to you ng supersta r Lu ka Doncic. If Cade shows even f lashes of Doncic’s abi l it y t h is season, I’l l be ecstat ic.
Please recycle The Observer.
Dwayne Casey and Troy Weaver It’s no secret around the league that Casey is a top coaching talent; his 2018 Coach of the Year Award with Toronto should be enough to prove this. Beginning his fourth campaign with Detroit, Casey’s doesn’t seem to be on any sort of a hot seat despite failing to post a winning record in each of his first three seasons. One of the main reasons for this is general manager Troy Weaver. “Troy Reaper” as he is known among Pistons fans on Twitter, has effectively and efficiently overhauled the entire roster since taking over in June 2020. Yes, the entire roster; not a single player remains from the pre-Weaver days, making 20 year-old Killian Hayes the longest tenured Piston. Even if the on-court product is lacking this season, at least we Pistons fans can sleep comfortably knowing that we have a GM doing everything he can to turn the franchise around.
The Sophomores Last year’s draft class was the most exciting in recent memory. Killian Hayes, injured much of last year and written off by many as a bust, will have a chance to prove himself a worthy backcourt mate for Cade. Isaiah Stewart, affectionately known as “Beef Stew” by Pistons’ Twitter, provided the best defensive energy we’ve seen in Detroit since Ben Wallace (yes, four-time Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace). Saddiq Bey knocked down around 40 percent of his three-pointers, and is also a very good defender in his own right. Last but not least, the undersized second-rounder Saben Lee showed Westbrookian athleticism and can turn into a legit sixth-man this year. “Young Core” may be the most overused phrase in the world of NBA analysis, but the Pistons legitimately have some of the most exciting young players in the league.
Five bold predictions for the NHL regular season Andrew McGuinness Sports Writer
Rejoice hockey fans; puck drop is almost here. In less than one week, the 104th season of NHL hockey begins. This is the honeymoon period, where all 32 teams have hope (ok, maybe not Buffalo) and anything seems possible. Rookies seem destined to take steps forward, the juggernauts of years past look somewhat vulnerable and unforeseen breakouts are still bubbling under the surface. So with that in mind, I’ve surveyed the NHL landscape and found five believable but at least somewhat unexpected storylines I think will play out over the next few months.
The Dallas Stars Win The Central Division For the first time since the 201415 Kings, a team failed to qualify for the playoffs after reaching the Stanley Cup Final the year prior. Between a COVID outbreak, a massive snowstorm and injuries to their starting goalie, first-line center and a top-line winger, last season was the definition of Murphy’s Law in Dallas. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t positives to come. Jason Robertson emerged out of nowhere and nearly stole the Calder from Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov. Roope Hintz went from decent to outstanding despite playing hurt nearly every night. The Stars finally look like the team that took down juggernauts like Colorado and Vegas in the bubble. Miro Heiskanen is one of the game’s bright young stars on defense. Between Bishop, Anton Khudobin, Braden Holtby and Jake Oettinger, I’m comfortable they’ll receive at least solid goaltending; I’m just not sure who will provide it. The Stars aren’t a better team than the Avalanche, but weird things happen in hockey, and Dallas is good enough to pull off an upset, at least in the regular season. The Stars win their first division title since 2016.
Washington Misses The Playoffs After missing the playoffs in the first two years of Alex Ovechkin’s career, the Capitals have made
the playoffs in thirteen of the last fourteen seasons and each of the last seven. Though their regular season finishes since winning the Cup in 2018 have been strong, Washington has looked very vulnerable in first-round thuds each of the last two years against the Islanders and Bruins, respectively. The Capitals did almost nothing this offseason unless you count losing Vitek Vanecek in the expansion draft only to reacquire him for a second-round pick. As the saying goes, if you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse, especially for a team with every significant contributor over the age of 30. Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and T.J. Oshie, arguably their three best forwards, are over 33. Former top prospect Ilya Samsonov’s numbers dropped in a COVID-disrupted second NHL season. But in a deep Metropolitan Division, at least one team that expects to make the playoffs won’t. This may not be the end of an era for the Capitals, but they’ll take a step back this season and miss the playoffs for the first time since 2013-14.
Boston Makes Another Big Splash by The Deadline The Bruins reached a whole different level last season after acquiring Taylor Hall (and Curtis Lazar), with their goals per game jumping from 19th to sixth. Hall had eight goals in 19 games as a Bruin after scoring two in 37 contests with Buffalo, playing his best hockey since winning the Hart Trophy in 2017-18 with the Devils. At his best, Hall is a gamechanging offensive talent who helped turn the Bruins into more than a one-line team. After a 14-season career spent exclusively in Boston, Krejci decided to leave the Bruins to play at home in the Czech Republic. Time is dwindling for the Bruins to win as Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand slowly start exiting their primes. So whether it’s Jack Eichel or Tomas Hertl or somebody else, GM Don Sweeney will make another big splash this season.
Stone Becomes First Winger To Win The Selke In 21 Years It makes sense that the Selke
Trophy, awarded to the league’s best defensive forward, usually goes to centers; they’re often handed more defensive responsibility, and there have been some darn good ones (Patrice Bergeron, Anze Kopitar, Jonathan Toews and plenty more) in the last ten to fifteen years. But no winger winning the award since Dallas’ Jeri Lehtinen in 2000-01? That’s a bit of a stretch. Vegas captain Mark Stone has been knocking on this door for a while, finishing third, fifth and second in voting over the last three years. If he wasn’t on your radar before, his impressive shutdown performance of Nathan MacKinnon and a historically dominant possession team in Colorado during the second round last year should have changed that. Another dominant two-way year could easily make him the third individual hardware winner in Vegas history (William Karlsson, 2017-18 Lady Byng; Marc-André Fleury: 202021 Vezina).
Elvis Merzlikins Honors His Late Teammate By Winning The Vezina Speaking of the Vezina Trophy, there is no one more motivated to win the award for the league’s best goaltender than Columbus’ Elvis Merzlikins. Merzlikins’ fellow netminder and Latvian Matiss Kivlenieks tragically passed away over the summer in a fireworks accident at a Fourth of July party at team goalie coach Manny Legace’s house. “He saved our lives,” Merzlikins told The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline. When asked how Kivlenieks’ passing will affect his performance, Merzlikins said, “my plan is to win a Vezina Trophy. I’m gonna win a (bleeping) Vezina for him.” Merzlikins finished fifth in voting for the award as a rookie during the 2019-20 season; there would be no better story in hockey this year than to see him finish first this time around. Contact Andrew McGuinness at amcguinn@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
The Observer accepts classifieds every business day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Notre Dame office,
Contact John Kalemkerian at jkalemke@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
024 South Dining Hall. Deadline for next-day classifieds is 3 p.m. All classifieds must be prepaid. The charge is 5 cents per character per day, including all spaces. The Observer reserves the right to edit all classifieds for content without issuing refunds.
Wanted TUTOR: Local ND family needs strong tutor for our HS junior, up to 10 hrs/wk. Good rate. 574-299-3896.
[Intro]It was 1989, my thoughts were short my hair was long Caught somewhere between a boy and man She was seventeen and she was far from in-between It was summertime in Northern Michigan Ah ah ah Ah ah ah [Verse 1] Splashing through the sand bar Talking by the campfire
It’s the simple things in life, like when and where We didn’t have no internet But man, I never will forget The way the moonlight shined upon her hair [Hook]And we were trying different things We were smoking funny things Making love out by the lake to our favorite song
sports
ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, OCTOBER 8, 2021 | The Observer
ColUMN
Hockey
McGinley: Kelly should look ahead and regroup
Hockey to start season Saturday By ANDREW McGUINNESS
Mannion McGinley
Sports Writer
Sports Editor
This weekend sucked. I will not lie about that. To be a student on campus when the home streak broke was not easy. Although, I’m sure it couldn’t have been easy to be a player or even a coach. I just don’t know that the team was fully prepared to face a team like Cincinnati last weekend, or maybe they were feeling too high coming off a big Wisconsin win. Regardless, the weekend resulted in a loss, and there are fixes that need to be made with that in mind. The Irish need to turn to the future. Winning out almost guarantees a New Year’s Six Bowl and that’s all doable with the weapons on board, so long as Brian Kelly, Tommy Rees and the rest of the coaching staff can use them properly. Kelly said on Monday they know who will be in the backfield to ensure the Irish make the best of the rest of the season and to focus them back in but left it to the media’s imagination as to who that would be. If graduate student Jack Coan sees the field again for the Irish, Brian Kelly has no foresight. That’s not to say that Coan is any worse than true freshman Tyler Buchner or sophomore Drew Pyne. I actually believe Coan filled his role on the roster as well as he could with the weapons provided to him. He stepped onto the field in the Florida State game and proved himself. He came in clutch in the Toledo game and he’s a strong pocket quarterback whether fans like it or not. To be a pocket quarterback though, you first need a pocket. You need somewhere to wait safely and to throw from. Outside of Coan’s skill, the offensive line could not give him the space to prove himself, so much so he came out of two games injured — against Wisconsin and almost injured against Cincinnati. Coan’s skills need him to wait for too long. Without that pocket, he’s a sitting duck. That’s not his fault but that is a byproduct of him being on the field. For the offensive line to see success, they need to be able to work with one set of skills behind them. Whether that’s Buchner or Pyne is again Kelly’s call, but they have to use one quarterback going forward and Kelly knows that, he definitively stated it. The fear comes in because
13
ERIN FENNESSY | The Observer
Irish sophomore quarterback Drew Pyne attempts a pass during Notre Dame’s 13-24 loss to Cincinnati last Saturday at home.
he hasn’t said he won’t pick Coan. Kelly’s already had a week where Pyne got 40% of the reps in practice. After that, Pyne went on to be the most successful option in the next two games. And, at this point, what Coan can potentially do for this season does not outweigh what having Pyne — or even Buchner — on the field can do for the future of the program. A national championship is farther out of reach now than it was at the start of the season, so far that any practice stats Coan can put up will not sway me to his finishing the season as a starter. His ability to win does not outweigh allowing one of the other two to set their feet. Yet, Kelly picked Coan to have the other 60% of the wraps and start anyway. I said this when Coan was picked up as a transfer. I said it after the Bule-Gold game. And, I said it over the summer waiting to see what he could do. Now it has come to fruition. This is a rebuilding year. This schedule, to some degree, lent itself to rebuilding and setting the feet of both the offense and the defense under them in order to move forward. In a rebuilding year, the focus should be on a quarterback that is going to grow with his team, not one that graduates right before a season opener against Ohio State. So now that we have one loss, the time for rebuilding
is upon us. Kelly needs to make the call and he cannot pick his graduate transfer. It is okay to admit you were wrong, Coach. Especially if it will prevent you from further making the wrong decision and when, honestly, the “wrong decision” was worth a shot. It isn’t anymore. Take Pyne and get him set to be the star going forward. What better space to do that than in a game that won’t be very offense-heavy? When you have three quarterbacks with different skills but who are finding results at similar levels, there is no reason not to just play one of them against Virginia Tech. There’s even less of a reason as the game will be oriented around the defense. That way, learning the ropes doesn’t cost as much because any lack of production wasn’t necessarily going to be there anyway. Virginia Tech is known for a certain volume in their stadium that combines with their defensive success to limit scoring to an 11 point average at home on the season. So, heading into Blacksburg this weekend is the perfect space for the Irish to take advantage of this kind of situation. Contact Mannion McGinley at mmcginl@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
It certainly was not a disappointing season, but the 202021 men’s hockey campaign left something to be desired in South Bend, though not because of anything the Irish did on the ice. Fans were not permitted to attend games at the usually raucous Compton Family Ice Arena, leading to a disappointing 5-11-1 home record. Despite that, the Irish qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight year (the 2020 tournament was canceled due to COVID-19). But their chance at a national championship was cruelly ripped from their hands due to a team COVID outbreak, prematurely ending Notre Dame’s season. On Saturday, the No. 19 Irish set out to make up for last year’s disappointments as they kick off the 2021-22 season against the Long Island University Sharks (0-2-0-0, Independent) at 6 p.m. in Compton Family Ice Arena. Perhaps even more exciting: for the first time since February 29, 2020, fans will be allowed to attend a regular-season Notre Dame hockey game. “I’ve told people in the past that last year I didn’t really notice the fans not being in the building on the road but I did at home,” head coach Jeff Jackson, who enters his 18th season behind the Irish bench, said. “I think that just even last Sunday, even though there wasn’t much of a crowd, the band being there made a huge difference. (Once) we get the student section filled and get our regular fans back, it’s going to be a much better environment to play and actually be excited to play because the crowd generally creates juice and that’s what makes the guys play at a higher level at all times.” Though Saturday’s contest is the first one that counts, Notre Dame hit the ice last weekend, as Jackson alluded to. The Irish fell 4-3 to the United States National Team Development Program, who produced four players on Notre Dame’s current team, at Compton on Sunday, a somewhat disappointing but ultimately meaningless start to their season. Junior forward Solag Bakich scored twice, with Jackson calling “his energy a factor up front.” Freshman forward Justin Janicke (brother of junior forward Trevor) also tallied in an Irish comeback effort that fell just short. Despite the suboptimal result, Jackson still took some positives away from the exhibition matchup. “We did some
good things offensively and got some depth scoring in that exhibition game,” Jackson said, which he noted as a bit surprising for an Irish team he expects to rely on defense and goaltending this season. “We broke down mostly from transition on defense on Sunday, against a very talented group of kids. So that’s gotta be our focal point going into this next game.” Speaking of goaltending, the game also marks the beginning of life for the Irish after Dylan St. Cyr, who was a rock in goal for the team last season. Jackson split the pipes between junior Ryan Bischel and graduate student Matt Galajda; Bischel stopped 22 of 24 shots in the first half of play, while Galajda saved 14 of 16 shots in the second half. Galajda, formerly of Cornell, is one of four graduate transfers on this year’s team. Jackson called Galajda “one of the top goalies in college hockey for three years prior to last season” while saying that Bischel “has taken a step here in our training camp thus far.” The Irish have consistently produced quality goaltenders over the years, from St. Cyr to Cale Morris to current LA Kings starter Cal Pedersen. Galajada and Bischel will hope to add their names to that list during the season. While this weekend marks the beginning of Notre Dame’s season, LIU started theirs on Sunday and Monday with 3-1 and 5-2 road losses to Penn State, though Jackson was impressed by how the Sharks handled the experienced Nittany Lions in both games. “I expect it to be a challenge,” he said about Saturday’s contest. “I think they’ve got some decent goaltending and a real veteran presence, especially with a number of those grad transfers.” LIU’s coaching staff also includes former Notre Dame hockey intern Will Messa, per Jackson. The bottom line is that for any team in any sport, getting off to a strong start is paramount for having a successful season. “We did some decent things Sunday,” Jackson said in recounting the defeat to the USNTDP. “It helps if we have some success doing the things we’ve been working on and then it just kinda builds as you move over the next five nonconference games.” For the first time in eighteen months, Notre Dame hockey as we know it is set to return, with Jackson and the Irish ready to start the year on the right foot. Contact Andrew McGuinness at amcguinn@nd.edu
14
The observer | Friday, OCTOBER 8, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com Paid Advertisement
Sports
sports
M Soccer Continued from page 16
a progression of his team over the course of the season and is hopeful their best performances are still to come. “We want to just continue to grow. W hile we’ve had some good performances, I still think we’re pushing to have our best performance,” Riley said. “To have your best performance, you have to play against a good team. So, I think that’s the goal w ith Clemson, how do we go out there and have our best performance of the season and combine that w ith getting a result? ” The Irish w ill need to continue to be on top of their game to defeat Clemson, who has lost just once at home this season. The Tigers pose a number of challenges
ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, OCTOBER 8, 2021 | The Observer
for the Irish, but none that Coach Riley believes his team can’t handle. “I think ever y game in the ACC is going to be a good game, but I think [Clemson has] a ver y good attack as well,” Riley says of the Tigers. “I think they get goals from different people, so we know that. They’re also a highpressing team, so we know we have to deal w ith their pressure and make sure we’re smart and deal w ith that effectively.” Kickoff on Oct. 9 w ill be at 7 p.m. at Clemson’s Riggs Field. The game can be v iewed on ACC Net work Extra. Notre Dame w ill play next on Saturday, Oct. 16 on their home field at A lumni Stadium. Contact Jamison Cook at jcook22@nd.edu
GRACIE LEE | The Observer
Irish senior forward Tyler Shea dribbles the ball during Notre Dame’s 4-0 win over Purdue Fort Wayne on Tuesday at Alumni Stadium. Shea played for 47 minutes in the win over the Fort Wayne Mastodons.
W Soccer Continued from page 16
ALLISON THORNTON | The Observer
Irish junior midfielder Erin Hohnstein turns to celebrate with her teammates after a goal during Notre Dame’s 4-0 win over St. Johns at home on Sept. 1, 2019. Hohnstein logged 10 minutes in the Irish win.
Hokies Continued from page 16
The series record is 2-1 in Notre Dame’s favor with the most recent win coming in 2019, which saw a heavily scrutinized Ian Book lead the Irish down the field for a game-winning drive capped by the quarterback high stepping into the endzone, a highlight that will probably frequently be shown on the board at Notre Dame Stadium for at least another 40 years. It’s safe to say this particular matchup has never failed to provide some good
15
entertainment. The first time the teams met in 2016 in South Bend, the Hokies were able to come back from a 24-7 deficit to beat the Irish by a field goal, 34-31. With the Irish in a sort of scramble mode in search of a true starting quarterback, the Hokies are primed to take advantage of everything that might be weighing heavy on the minds of the Irish coming into this matchup. However, Hokies head coach Justin Fuente knows that he will need to fight tooth and nail if he wants to scratch out a win over this
opponent. “The thing that I took away from watching the Cincinnati game with Notre Dame is every inch, every piece of turf is going to be hard-fought for,” he said. “It’s going to be really difficult. Four yards is a big deal. We’ve got to be emotionally prepared for that sort of game.” Though a win would surely jumpstart the Hokies season, Fuente is aware of what he is up against in the Irish and admits the results of last week might fuel the opponent. “I know they’re coming off a disappointment, which I
post of the Louisville goal. Unsurprisingly, Coach Nate Norman was impressed by the fast start. “I thought [the team] did fantastic,” Norman said. “I’m really proud of them. We started with a lot of energy, obviously getting that early goal helped out a lot, but I thought we played with a really strong determination and that we remained pretty relentless too as the game went on.” The win, Notre Dame’s seventh in a row, sets the Irish up with plenty of momentum for an important clash with Clemson on Sunday. The Tigers, who made the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament last year, will travel to South Bend as likely the best team the Irish will face all season. And what’s more, Sunday’s match with the Tigers will could serve as a launching pad for what would be a potentially season-defining road run for the Irish against three of the country’s best teams in Virginia, Duke, and North Carolina. Norman is keeping his team focused on each individual match, and not the looming road trip. “We try to break the know will just continue to fuel their fire to get back in the win column,” Fuente said. He did not sell the staff and the program short of praise, however. “Very talented, wellcoached, disciplined, tough football team coming in here. When you watch them play, you realize there’s a reason they’ve had so much success the last several years. Coach Kelly has done a fantastic job. They’re sound in their schemes and play with great effort, and they’ve got talent as well.” Fuente knows what he is up
season up into mini-seasons. And we’re in another miniseason right now that ends with the Clemson game. So we’re trying to focus on taking care of each point before we take on the next group,” Norman said. One promising trend for Norman’s Irish both for the present and the future is the freshman scoring streak that has now stretched to five goals across two games. Between Korbin Albert, Katie Coyle, and Sophia Fisher, every goal Notre Dame has scored in October so far has been by a rookie. Freshmen making their mark on the team this early on in their careers is always a good sign in a conference like the ACC where new contributors are needed every year to stay competitive, and the depth and quality of Notre Dame’s 2021 class have added thus far have both bolstered the team. Notre Dame’s next match will be this Sunday, as Clemson travels to Alumni Stadium for what will likely be a match with both ACC and NCAA tournament seeding implications. The game will kickoff at 3 p.m. in South Bend and will be broadcasted on ESPN3. Contact J.J. Post at jpost2@nd.edu
against with this Notre Dame team, and he is embracing the challenge. For the Hokies, in front of a sellout crowd, this might prove to be one of their biggest games of the year and certainly one that can be a turning point in their season. “We have an awesome opportunity here,” Fuente said. “We’re going to have a sold-out crowd. I’d imagine a raucous crowd with an unbelievable opportunity for our football team.” Contact Jimmy Ward at wward@hcc-nd.edu
16
The observer | Friday, OCTOBER 8, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
men’s Soccer
Women’s Soccer
ND ready for road tilt with Tigers By JAMISON COOK Sports Writer
The Notre Dame men’s soccer team has won three games in a row and five out of their last six. The Fighting Irish (5-4-1, 2-1-1 ACC) w ill travel dow n to South Carolina this weekend to take on the Clemson Tigers (9-2, 3-1 ACC) on Saturday, October 9. It is an important game for Notre Dame as they jockey for position in the tightly contested Coastal Div ision of the ACC. Notre Dame is coming off a resounding 4-0 w in over in-state opponent Purdue Fort Way ne. Senior for ward Jack Ly nn notched his teamleading sixth goal of the season just four minutes into the contest, and the Irish were off and running from there. Ly nn may get a lot of defensive attention from opposing teams and the media for his prolific scoring pace, but head coach Chad Riley is ver y pleased w ith the offensive balance his team has show n through the first 10
games of the season. “We’ve got multiple guys that can score, so I think it hopefully can create a little bit more space for Jack at times, but I think also the team has confidence knowing we’re going to score goals,” Riley said. “It’s been great to see so many different guys get on the score sheet.” In recent games, many of these goals have come off set pieces, an area in which Coach Riley is ver y pleased to see his team excel. “Over the last couple of games, we’ve also really liked scoring directly off of set pieces,” Riley elaborated. “We’ve scored a lot of set-pieces, kind of secondphase goals, but the last couple games I think we’ve really hit our stride scoring goals off of corners and set pieces.” And while the Irish have been putting together qualit y performances across the board all year, Riley has seen see M SOCCER PAGE 15
Irish defeat Louisville, extend winning streak By J.J. Post Sports Writer
ALLISON THORNTON | The Observer
Irish junior forward Kiki Van Zanten dribbles the ball during Notre Dame’s 4-0 win over St. Johns at home on Sept. 1, 2019.
Notre Dame women’s soccer moved to 5-0 in ACC play on Thursday night, taking dow n Louisville 3-0 at A lumni Stadium. The w in came by way of a trio of first-half goals by the Irish, who scored in the first minute and didn’t lose control of the match after. Freshman midfielder Korbin A lbert got the scoring started w ith a cool finish just 47 seconds into the match, the third quickest goal recorded in program histor y. A lbert then doubled up immediately after, once again taking a feed from graduate student midfielder Sammi Fisher and rif ling the ball home. And then minutes before the halftime whistle, freshman midfielder Sophia Fisher tripled the lead for Notre Dame, latching onto a through ball from junior for ward Kiki Van Zanten and firing home at the near see W SOCCER PAGE 15
Football
Virginia Tech ready for tooth-and-nail fight with Fighting Irish at sold-out Lane Stadium By JIMMY WARD Assoicate Sports Editor
As Notre Dame prepares to descend upon Lane Stadium, the attitude in Blacksburg is one of opportunity. The Hokies (3-1) started their season strong, defeating then No. 10 UNC in their home opener, 1710. They then beat Middle Tennessee at home 35-14, the next week. In Week 3, Virginia Tech went on the road to Morgantown and suffered their first loss of the season to West Virginia 27-21. They returned home the week after that loss and easily handled Richmond 21-10, but now the Hokies are looking at an opportunity that could serve as a catalyst for their mediocre season and possibly turn it into a great season. Notre Dame will roll into Blacksburg ranked No. 14 in the AP Poll. The only ranked team remaining
on the Hokies schedule, the Irish will also be the final non-conference opponent the Hokies have before they close their season with seven consecutive ACC matchups. If they are able to win against the Irish, it will be the first time since 2009 that Virginia Tech has recorded two wins at home against AP Top 25 opponents. Perhaps needless to mention, the Irish are heading into this matchup coming off a disappointing loss that snapped a 26game home win streak in Notre Dame Stadium. The Hokies will be one of the three ACC members that will play the Irish coming off of their bye week. The Irish have played in Blacksburg just once in 2018, when they knocked off the Hokies 45-23 in front of their home crowd. see HOKIES PAGE 15
ERIN FENNESSY | The Observer
Irish freshman wide reciever Lorenzo Styles Jr. tries to evade a defender during Notre Dame’s 13-24 loss to Cincinnati last Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium. Styles Jr. grabbed the reception for a gain of 14 yards.