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Volume 52, Issue 57 | friday, december 1, 2017 | ndsmcobserver.com
PEMCo show to commemorate 20 years “20 Seasons of Love” on Saturday night will feature a song from each of the group’s previous musicals By ALEXANDRA MUCK News Writer
For a free musical theater experience Saturday night, the Pasquerilla East Musical Company (PEMCo) producers would recommend attending “20 Seasons of Love: A PEMCo Review” at 7 p.m. in Washington Hall. The show will feature one song from each of PEMCo’s productions over its 20-year history, senior Kelsey Dool, PEMCo’s executive producer, said. “When you’re watching this show, it’s like you’re watching 20 years of PEMCo on fast forward,” Dool said. While PEMCo typically produces one fall and one spring
show, senior Brynn Alexander, PEMCo’s production management producer, said the producers decided to host an additional show this year to celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary. “[The idea for the show] was kind of an egg in our brains at one point and then hatched into this monumental, exciting concert that’s about to happen,” Alexander said. The four PEMCo producers began reaching out to alumni in the summer to gauge interest, according to Alexander, and once they saw it was there, they made plans to produce the show. The show is directed by Katie
Photo courtesy of Denise Dorotheo
see PEMCo PAGE 4
The cast of PEMCo’s “20 Seasons of Love: A Review” gathers onstage during a rehearsal. The students will be joined by PEMCo alumni during the Saturday night show as they perform numbers from previous shows.
Author discusses passion, beliefs about death By NICOLE CARATAS Senior News Writer
Kate Sweeney, author of “American Afterlife,” said she began her journey of writing about death when she heard about “green burial,” an ecologically friendly alternative to traditional burial. “Like so many Americans, I don’t have a comfortable relationship with the idea of death
— it frightens me,” she said. “I didn’t know why I was writing the story. … I was writing the story because it was kind of interesting. I had never thought much about burial at all and now I’m at this place with ecological burial, and I ended up learning a lot about the conventional funeral industry.” Sweeney, who gave a reading of excerpts from her book as part of the Visiting Writers
Series at Saint Mary’s on Thursday, said her initial story snowballed into an exploration of how Americans approach death and mourning. “I realized as I was writing that, to me, it was also about this horrible fear I have of death,” she said. “I’d love to be able to tell you that I overcame that because I met so many cool see AUTHOR PAGE 3
Alumni promise gift to University, Congregation Observer Staff Report
Alumni donors, along with the University, have pledged $50 million to support Notre Dame and the Congregation of the Holy Cross, the University announced in a press release Thursday. According to the press release,
members of the class of 1979 Mary and Jay Flaherty — the benefactors of Flaherty Hall — will donate $20 million to Notre Dame for the renovations of Corby Hall, as well as “a separate $5 million gift to the Congregation [of the see DONATION PAGE 3
Badin fair trade sale benefits Nepal residents By CIARA HOPKINSON News Writer
Photo courtesy of Ann-Marie Conrado
Students purchase fair trade goods from Nepal as part of Badin Hall’s annual Conscious Christmas event. The sale is inspired by the work of Badin Hall’s faculty fellow Ann-Marie Conrado and HOPE Initiative.
NEWS PAGE 3
SCENE PAGE 5
VIEWPOINT PAGE 6
For the past nine years, Badin Hall’s signature event Conscious Christmas has supported the rural population of Nepal through HOPE Initiative, a charity founded by their faculty fellow, anthropology professor Ann-Marie Conrado. The fair trade sale will take place Friday from noon until 6 p.m. in the ballroom of LaFortune Student Center and features unique crafts from baskets to jewelry made by Nepalese artisans.
MEN’S BASKETBALL PAGE 12
“We [in the HOPE Initiative] basically work in education in some sense — how do we expand and create educational opportunities?” Conrado said. “Some of those are in the area of working with handicraft artisans, which is where the sale comes in.” Each summer for the past ten years, Conrado has brought Notre Dame design students to Nepal, where they work side-byside with local artisans to create marketable products. Many of those products will be featured see BADIN PAGE 4
HOCKEY PAGE 12
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Students decorate mini Christmas trees in the Sorin Room of LaFortune Student Center as a part of Howard Halliday, a fundraiser hosted by Howard Hall. All proceeds from the event went to Catholic Charities, a charity devoted to helping the vulnerable.
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Third Coast Percussion Leighton Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Multimedia performance.
Holiday Gift Auction Robinson Community Learning Center 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Tickets available for fundraising event.
Men’s Basketball vs. St. Francis Purcell Pavilion 2 p.m. The Irish take on St. Francis Brooklyn.
Stress Relievers LaFortune Student Center 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Student Government offers free snacks.
Panel Discussion: “The Pope and the Bomb” Hesburgh Center 4 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Discuss nuclear war.
EXALT Adoration Moreau Seminary 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. All invited for praise, worship music and reconciliation.
20 Seasons of Love Washington Hall 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. A show produced by the Pasquerilla East Musical Company.
Advent Lessons and Carols Basilica of the Sacred Heart 7:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. All are welcome.
Las Posadas Grotto 9 p.m. Reflect on Mary and Joseph’s journey before Jesus’ birth.
Our Universe Revealed: “The Science of Music” Grotto 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Open to the public.
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A cappella groups host end-of-semester shows By SERENA ZACHARIAS News Writer
As the semester comes to a close, a number of a cappella groups on campus — including Halftime, Harmonia, The Echoes, Unchained Melodies and The Undertones — are set to perform their seasonal concerts. Senior Anthony Caputo, Halftime co-president, said he is excited for people to attend their upcoming concert since it will truly showcase all of Halftime’s hard work throughout the semester. “This year we tried to arrange more based off of solo voice rather than just arranging songs and then putting a voice on it, and we have found this to be much more successful when making all of our songs,” he said. “We think people will see that in our concert, which we are really excited about.”
Senior Rachel Warne, copresident of Harmonia, said she hopes Harmonia’s diverse mix of modern, alternative, pop and throwback tunes will provide songs everyone will enjoy. W hile all the a cappella groups on campus work toward their respective concerts, each group considers the relationships between members to be of great importance. “We’ve worked really hard to make sure the atmosphere in the club is one that’s tight knit and kind of familial,” Warne said. “It’s really nice to have group of people on campus that you have ties with automatically.” Senior Matt Williams, president of The Echoes, said the members of The Echoes don’t take themselves too seriously, and they look forward to Christmas caroling outside of DeBartolo Hall
and O’Shaughnessy Hall to spread Christmas cheer in the upcoming weeks. “At the end of the day we’re not about competing,” Williams said. “We’re not even about necessarily performing; we’re just a group of people who really enjoy each other and who like making music together.” Senior Laura Eckert, president of Christian a cappella group Unchained Melodies, said being a part of an a cappella group not only provides a break from academic studies, but also allows students to enjoy music communally. She said because Unchained Melodies is a Christian a cappella group, the group uses music not only as a medium to strengthen the bonds between members, but also as a way to praise God. “Being in Unchained Melodies has really helped
me grow musically. I’ve learned how to listen to other people and how to mend my talents to theirs so we become a cohesive group,” Eckert said. “I’ve also grown in my faith. We really try to support each other and push each other to grow closer to God.” Senior Kevin Warten, music director of The Undertones, also said a cappella groups offer more than just an opportunity to create music. “W hether in an officer position or a new member, a person can learn so much about teamwork, responsibility and commitment, not to mention confidence, by rehearsing and performing with a group,” he said in an email. Senior Daniel Bland, a member of The Echoes, said audience members should look forward to hearing the unique ways in which
each of the a cappella groups arrange their songs in the upcoming concerts.
Author
“We need to question the possibility of real objectivity in journalism. What would happen if we acknowledged the different experiences we come from? How would that affect the writing that comes out, and how would that change the journalism that’s out there in the world and our relationship with the entity that is journalism?” Writing is important, Sweeney said, to understand other people’s perspectives in life. “Writing can force you to try to consider other human beings’ perspectives and the perspectives of other human beings who don’t walk in shoes that look like your own,” she said. “I feel like I have connected with other people and gotten to know their lives, and that has felt very powerful to me.” Sweeney said people who want to be writers should sit down and write. She said it is a common misconception that writers write perfect prose the first time they try and that it’s really a hard process. However, Sweeney said people who have a passion for writing should pursue that passion. “There is a lot in life that wants to distract you from your writing,” she said. “I was born with this thing that gives me deep joy, and that is my creative impulse. I don’t know if I was born with anything that is going to make me a million dollars or make me professionally known, but that is beside the point. “Whatever your creative passion is, there will be moments in which you get side-tracked from it, in which life will disrupt that part of yourself. Don’t berate yourself for that. Be gentle with yourself and forgiving of yourself, but don’t let life steal your creative self from you.”
Halftime has its annual winter concert Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m on the Mainstage in Washington Hall. Tickets are available for $5 at LaFortune Box Office or from any Halftime member. Harmonia has its end-of-semester show Friday at 7 p.m. on the Mainstage in Washington Hall. Tickets are available for $5 at the door or from any Harmonia member. Unchained Melodies have a Christmas concert Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lafortune Ballroom. Admission is free. The Undertones has its winter concert Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. on the Mainstage in Washington Hall. Tickets are available for $5 in the LaFortune Box Office, at the door or from any group member. Contact Serena Zacharias at szachari@nd.edu
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Donation Continued from page 1
Holy Cross] to benefit its aging religious.” The University will supplement the Flahertys’ gift with an additional $10 million to refurbish Corby Hall and will donate $15 million to the Congregation as part of “a Paid Advertisement
long tradition of supporting its founding order,” the press release said. Part of the donation will be put toward general needs, while $5 million will establish an endowment in the University’s Office of Mission Engagement and Church Affairs to “strengthen collaboration between the University and Congregation throughout the world.”
Continued from page 1
people while writing this book who aren’t afraid of death — like hospice workers and funeral chaplains and funeral directors who [think] it’s just a normal part of life — but I’m still terrified.” Sweeney has also worked as a reporter for National Public Radio and a writer for a blog and podcast. Radio, she said, forces reporters to be creative in different ways than print does. She said when interviewing someone for radio, there are other sounds that play a role in setting the scene, and it is up to the reporter to piece together those sounds to create a story. “You pick the sound that you want that is really wonderful and evocative, and you write around it,” Sweeney said. “With print, it’s a different kind of creativity, and it’s all about the language. You have more of a blank canvas.” Sweeney said she loves writing creative nonfiction as opposed to straight journalism because it gives her the opportunity to acknowledge that she is not simply an “objective camera.” “You have a subjective viewpoint,” she said. “You’ve had certain experiences, which shape that viewpoint.” Sweeney said it’s important to allow subjectivity because true objectivity is not necessarily even possible as people are constantly shaped by their own lived experiences. “There is a notion that journalists are just these objective lenses writing down the story, when in reality our perspective on something is absolutely shaped by the experiences we’ve had, the amount of power we have in the world, and the kind of interactions we have with the world,” she said.
Contact Nicole Caratas at ncaratas01@saintmarys.edu
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NEWS
The observer | friday, december 1, 2017 | ndsmcobserver.com
PEMCo Continued from page 1
Mackin, PEMCo’s artistic director. While it is unusual for a producer to also direct a show, Mackin said, the producers chose her to direct so the show could celebrate PEMCo as a whole. Alexander said the show is also meant to celebrate all parts of musical theater. “It’s a celebration of the club as a whole and PEMCo as a whole and all of musical theater as a whole instead of a person, director or a star or a technical element,” she said. “So it’s an inclusive and exciting event that celebrates as many things about musical theater as possible.” Mackin began preparing for the show by choosing the songs. “The big thing I tried to do was pick a recognizable song from the musical so that people would immediately have an emotional connection to it,” she said. “ … Of course every musical has great songs, but not every song in a musical is a great song, so here we’ve tried to create a collection of really strong numbers that stand on their own.” Denise Dorotheo, a senior and PEMCo’s marketing producer, said the audience will get to see the “peak numbers” from each of PEMCo’s shows. “They get to see the climax of most of the shows all in one concert,” she said. Mackin said she ensured the show featured an equal number of male and female parts and that she featured a variety of solos, duets and small group numbers so that everyone could be included. Dool said the first PEMCo show, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” in the fall of 1997, featured a large cast, which the producers wanted to honor. “Their first production was a huge one, so we figured a good way to honor that would be to bring together people who have done PEMCo across their four years at Notre Dame — bring back alumni and bring in people who have never done PEMCo before but just love musical theater, so to try to get everybody who has an interest in musical theater on this campus a place to celebrate it,” she said. The cast for “20 Seasons of Love” numbers around 40 people, and Alexander said she thinks this aspect is one that the audience may enjoy the most. “I think people will enjoy …
the huge amount of participation that’s happening,” she said. “Since we had a very inclusive casting system where anyone who wanted to participate could participate, it’s made it very fun for the performers. … I think the audience will enjoy really being able to see anyone who’s ever wanted to be in a PEMCo show on a stage in a PEMCo show.” Alumni will be featured in the show in several forms, including singing several numbers or introducing shows they were involved in while at Notre Dame, Mackin said. Dorotheo said she has been reaching out to alumni throughout the process of producing the show. “We had them send in videos with messages for the cast saying their favorite PEMCo memories and what PEMCo meant to them,” she said. Dorotheo also saw the inclusive casting as a way to bring new people into PEMCo, she said. Due to the alumni in the cast and the timing, Dool said the production process has been unorthodox. “This rehearsal process has overlapped for the rehearsal process for our spring musical, which doesn’t happen,” she said. “… What we’ve done for this show is it’s been self-motivated on a lot of people’s parts. People have been expected to learn their music on their own and then come in and show what they’ve done.” Mackin said alumni were sent sheet music and will attend the group rehearsal on Saturday before the show. She said “20 Seasons of Love” is a good show for those who may be new to musical theater. “It’s a casual way to see what musical theater and the arts at Notre Dame are like for people who maybe haven’t experienced that before,” Mackin said. The show is the producers’ way of giving back and honoring the impact of PEMCo at Notre Dame, Dool said. “PEMCo is a huge part of our lives, and we really wanted to do this show as a way to give back to the club that’s given us so much over the years and that we know had been giving students like us the same thing for 20 years before we were here,” she said. Tickets for the performance are available at the LaFortune Student Center box office or at the door. Contact Alexandra Muck at amuck@nd.edu
Photo courtesy of Denise Dorotheo
Students from PEMCo perform in last year’s production of “Grease.” A song from Grease will be featured in PEMCo’s “20 Seasons of Love.”
Badin Continued from page 1
in the fair trade sale, Conrado said. “Art and design students here [at Notre Dame] travel there, work with the artisans, start to understand the kinds of techniques they use, how they make products and then they actually develop things that are much more attractive and appealing to people here or in Europe,” she said. The direct contact the women of Badin have with HOPE Initiative provides them with a unique opportunity to see the tangible effects of their work, Conrado said. “We founded this organization back in 2003, and it’s small — it’s grassroots — but I think it also provides a way for Badin to have such an immediate connection because there’s not a lot of middlemen, it’s not this big bloated organization,” she said. “They raise funds, and they see something happen with it.” Last year, Conrado said, the sale raised nearly $13,000, which went to building a playground at an impoverished school, now known as the “Badin Playground.” The HOPE Initiative seeks to remedy the issues and factors that keep children out of school, she said. Making school appealing is one of those challenges. “A lot of the problems are that for kids, there’s nothing stimulating and there’s nothing fun about school, and they really
dread going to it,” Conrado said. “With funding from Badin and their support, we actually built a playground — and that’s incredible to me that that dorm and the ladies of that dorm and all their hard work now have a very physical presence in world.” HOPE Initiative also runs HOPE House, a small orphanage in Kathmandu that seeks to provide orphaned children with the love and support they would not otherwise receive in a country with no social safety net. “It’s small because we are really family-oriented, we are dedicated to this group of kids, and we are trying to give them a very different educational experience,” Conrado said. Previously held in Badin’s common space, Conscious Christmas will be held in the LaFun Ballroom this year due to the ongoing renovation in Badin. Though they initially saw the switch as a challenge, sophomores and signature events commissioners Alice Felker and Jackie O’Brien now view the location
change as an improvement. “We’re hoping that because it’s in [the] LaFun ballroom we can get the average student who’s stopping by Starbucks to come upstairs, learn a bit about HOPE Initiative, shop around, grab some free chai,” O’Brien said. “It’s also giving more exposure to HOPE Initiative as an organization.” Felker and O’Brien said the sale is their most successful fundraiser every year. Felker attributed its popularity to the high-quality, unique gift opportunities. “The reason why we do it this time of year is so that students can buy presents for siblings or parents. And it will be doing two things: You’re giving to someone you love, and you’re also giving to these kids you don’t know — but who really need your support in a lot of different ways,” Felker said. “It’s a really great event in that sense — you’re giving twice, essentially.” Contact Ciara Hopkinson at chopkin1@nd.edu
Photo courtesy of Ann-Marie Conrado
Students shop for fair trade goods at Badin Hall’s annual Conscious Christmas sale last year, which benefits rural workers in Nepal. Paid Advertisement
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Inside Column
The importance of community Alexandra Muck News Writer
W hen people ask me why I came to Notre Dame, I rattle off the t y pical list of reasons: Notre Dame prov ided a top-ranked business program, it’s academically rigorous, I think I fit better in a smaller school, I like the Catholic identit y. As I’m working my way through my sophomore year, though, I have realized that while those may be reasons why I originally came, the people and the sense of communit y are the real reasons I’ve stayed. A freshman in my dorm asked me at the beginning of this year where I met most of my friends. Was it in classes? Was it from the dorm? I didn’t really know how to answer her because it was hard for me to pinpoint. One of the strengths of the Notre Dame experience is that you belong to multiple communities. W hile being at Notre Dame is communit y enough, students here also belong to organizations, find friends in classes and foster communit y in their dorms, which often function as a home away from home. A ll of these places contribute to sense of communit y that you find here. W hile you might be able to find parts of these on other college campuses, nothing that I’ve heard from others can rival what I’ve seen here at Notre Dame, and it only gets better as time goes on. Mov ing into our t wenties, we want to have a sense of independence — to feel like we can make our ow n choices, be responsible for ourselves and not have to rely on anyone. I don’t think, though, that we ever get too old to find somewhere to ground ourselves or for people who genuinely care about us, which is exactly what Notre Dame prov ides w ith its multiple layers of communit y. W hether it’s meeting your best friends in your dorm or talking each week w ith someone from an organization you belong to or someone you met in class two semester ago, Notre Dame people prov ide a place to escape pressure for a bit and remind yourself why we push ourselves in ever y thing we do in college. With the constant speed of college life in general, these steps back to a base sense of communit y are exactly what I need, and I hope I’m not the only one. W hen I leave Notre Dame in just over two years, I know I’ll leave w ith more than a piece of paper for a degree. I’ll leave w ith lasting friendships and a home under the dome that I can come back to whenever I want. W hen you find a sense of communit y to belong to for life that always has an open door and carries no strings attached, it’s no small thing. W hen life gets hectic as we move into the holiday season and finals, I think it w ill ser ve us well to remember how we’re grounded in a communit y that features ama zing people, and we should build it up while we’re here. Contact Alexandra Muck at amuck@nd.edu The views expressed in the Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Why march for life? Ever y Januar y, Notre Dame Right to Life leads between 700 and 900 students and faculty from Notre Dame, Saint Mar y’s and Holy Cross to the March for Life in Washington D.C. Each of us marches for many different reasons, but overall, we all are striving to seek an end to abortion. This motive understandably draws a lot of controversy. But I believe it is through dialogue and stor ytelling that we are able to center ourselves around our shared humanity. I know that many disagree with the pro-life stance, but know that this is me starting a dialogue, and this is why I march. I march because when I was eight months old, I was adopted from China. I was a product of the one-child policy, left at a police station by a mother I never knew. Many mothers were pressured into getting abortions. In fact, over 336 million children were aborted in China as a result of the one-child policy. We don’t know their names or their stories, yet we can see the pain that must have been behind the pressure to get an abortion. We see this pain in parents being deprived the capacity to have a family and love their children. Statistically speaking, I shouldn’t be here. I’ve thought about how I became so lucky, how I was close to being a part of that statistic, how I was almost diminished to a number. But I was granted life, and I have been given opportunities that many children were denied. I am more than a number; I am a human being who has dignity that was recognized at conception by my biological mother. Because of that recognition, I was adopted by a loving mother who gave witness to life through adoption. I am incredibly grateful to have had these experiences, because I know that 336 million others weren’t even given them. Two women, my birth mother and my adoptive mother, saw my dignity as a human being and ultimately loved me so that I could have life. I tr y to bear witness to this, and I march because I want more children and women to experience such love. This love is hard to give, but Mother Teresa says that “love, to be real, must cost, it must hurt, it must empty us of self.” Love requires sacrifice; love requires choice. We must choose to love others despite the demands it places upon us. Let me be clear: I am not saying that women who are getting abortions are rejecting love in any capacity. Women often choose to get abortions
because they are denied basic human rights, such as a just wage. Their dignities are not being upheld, and the way in which we as a society should solve this is through love. It is love which saves the lives of women who feel the only choice they have is abortion. Love means empowering women to become to mothers and supporting them after their child is born. Love means providing prenatal care, especially to those who cannot afford it. Mothers are called to give love by sacrificing for their child, and we are called to give love by sacrificing our resources so that mothers are able to fulfill this obligation. It is through this love that we might make the pro-life movement a reality. The March for Life’s theme this year is “Love Saves Lives,” and if you believe this statement, you should consider marching with us. Help love the pro-life movement into reality. Bear witness to life and love, and march in solidarity with the millions of lives that have been lost to abortion. But also know that the pro-life movement encompasses more than just abortion. Notre Dame Right to Life has a holistic view of respecting life from conception to natural death. We have service events that work to love and respect the dignity of all human beings, especially those on the margins of society, because by doing this — as Fr. Greg Boyle said in his book, “Tattoos on the Heart” — “the voices at the margins get heard and the circle of compassion widens. Souls feeling their worth, refusing to forget that we belong to each other.” So, come to some of our club’s events, join us on the march. March for the 336 million children who never got a chance at this beautiful life and their families. March for women whose value in society is being diminished. March for those who were able to make the demands that love required and for those who couldn’t make the sacrifice. March because you want all souls to feel their worth, to be respected and receive love. I pray that we all have the strength to make the sacrifices love demands. Sadie Facile junior vice president of community outreach Notre Dame Right to Life Nov. 28
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
A need for training tables Upon arriving on campus, confusion flared up among the student athletes, including myself, at the University of Notre Dame. The University decided to discontinue the dining hall services authorized for student athletes, known as training tables. Located in North Dining Hall, this was an area where athletes could grab a healthy meal in the midst of a busy schedule. Picture a separate room with a couple of rows of food laid out on buffet style tables, where you can fill up your plate with healthy options. Athletes would often show up with their team and dine together, which often built more camaraderie in the process. Now that training tables are history, many student athletes who lived with this service in previous years have found themselves skipping meals due to time, finding it harder to find a place to sit with their team and wondering if what they are dishing into their mouths is a healthy option. In an effort to bring more inclusion to the University, the administration has pushed one of the studentathlete privileges to the side. But it’s not like the administration is holding back a pair of shoes. This privilege they took away is a service that student athletes need in order to reach their potential athletically and academically. Student athletes find themselves up at early hours
of the day training for their sport. This often requires adequate nutrition, and the lack of training tables has left many student athletes drained of that. For example, I am a member of the men’s golf team, and we often skip meals in order to make it to practices and class in time. Specifically, this fall, my team had lift early in the morning followed by practices before class. We had to wake ourselves up in the early hours of the morning, endure an hour-long workout, then head to the golf course to practice. We did all this while only fueling ourselves with nutrition bars and other snack-like substances. This can be attributed to the fact that the dining halls were not open early enough before our lifts, and we didn’t have enough time to grab a meal between lift and practice. Those of us with class in the morning would then rush to campus while nibbling on a protein bar, still without a single meal in our bodies. How are we supposed to perform at our highest abilities on the sports field and in the classroom fueling ourselves like this? Sure, other students deserve adequate nutrition, but they do not have the same needs to fuel their bodies the same way athletes do. Of course, many members of the non-student-athlete student body are competing in various athletic endeavors around campus, but they
are not representing the University through their athletic abilities the way us athletes do. Also, there are still plenty of healthy options for the regular student body in the dining halls. In addition, I can see the argument that I am just demonstrating for more separation between student athletes and non-student athletes. I can see how this view persists, but I am lobbying for the overall benefit of the student athletes. There is more to be gained for the athletes with the return of training tables than the loss the student body would endure. What would the student body be losing out on? Nothing, unless they enjoy sitting next to a group of sweaty athletes who just finished lifting in an over-crowded dining hall. Student athletes aren’t any more special than the regular student body, but we do have a need for training tables. Oftentimes student athletes are pressed for time balancing class, studies, meetings, training, travel and competition. Not being able to replenish our bodies with healthy options, or even not at all, is hindering our ability to represent the University as well as we should. Alex Jamieson freshman Nov. 28
Answering my hate email Gary J. Caruso Capitol Comments
Call it anything — hate email, cyber bullying or an electronic cry to counter an Oedipus complex or cure erectile dysfunction — haters relish an opportunity to lord over others by belittling peculiar physical characteristics, age, religion or other perceived weaknesses. Much of the hate mail I receive mentions my presidential appointment under Bill Clinton, like a recent email reasoning that I “pimped for two verified sexual assaulters in Bill Clinton and Al Gore.” By their logic, such guilt by association absolutely dooms me as an Italian-American Notre Dame alumnus who in their eyes definitively supports the disrespect and oppression depicted by the Columbus mural in the administration building. Responding to my column questioning why Notre Dame reversed its objection to provide contraceptive healthcare (“Why the contraception fight flip-flop?”), a lawyer — an “old guy” slightly younger than me, who legitimately signed and sent his email through an account bearing his name — ranted about “maximum fornication,” my old age, my induction into the Metropolitan Washington Slow Pitch Softball Hall of Fame, the “undistinguished hacks” I worked for in Congress and how I “pimped” through life. He seems to have touched all bases (pun intended). Obviously this son of a Notre Dame graduate failed to ask his parish priest to proofread his content, which rang a tone of bitterness. He attended another college “because they offered me free tuition, whereas ND offered an $800 loan and a pat on the back.” As one of nine children, he was “not going to trivialize the sacrifices our family made, because some career Capitol Hill staffer and softball jock who is 66 years old is advocating for maximum fornication and not more procreation.” He asked me, “Did you work for them because their staffs had good softball teams, and you
Baby Boom ND jocks put sports ahead of morality?” After scouring the content of my column, I sadly could not find where I was trivializing any family sacrifices, especially since I lived in a first-generation immigrant household where everyone scrimped and worked to pay for my Notre Dame tuition. We accomplished it — with me working during high school as a theater usher and summers on various manual labor crews — without playing softball or participating in maximum fornication. While stating, “For heaven sake’s man, you are 66 or 67 years old, and headed to the grave,” he asked three final questions. “What are you doing to your soul this late in life counseling the young at ND into the wrong path?” My reply: I strive to match Judge Judy Sheindlin, much older than I at age 75, earning much more than I at $47 million a year, but who imparts much similar lifelessons counseling. “Is The Observer that hard up for viewpoints that they have to drag an aging Hill rat back into the editorial pages, because the current editorial staff can’t defend maximum fornication effectively?” My reply: I had not discussed “maximum fornication” with the Editorial Board, but would consider it an interesting cocktail hour topic. Each semester the editors rate their writers, and thus far I have not been told to pack my bags and go off to maximally fornicate. “Aren’t the lawyers for ND jocks who commit sexual assault like Prince Shembo more suited for this role than you?” My reply: The Notre Dame admissions office was wise in only offering you a loan. The second anonymous, but a routine respondent, replied to my October column (“Ending the sexual predation problem”). He illustrates how Notre Dame is a microcosm of society with its good and sad makeup of people. His doggedness to harass conjures an image of a loner sitting at his computer in his underwear, relishing how next to torment someone. What emboldens most of these insecure, inferior-minded haters is the ability to hide behind the veneer of
anonymity. Sadly, their minds invoke warped connections between a fragment of what they see and how they use it as a straw-man issue to lash out. My ending sexual predation column pointed to the #MeToo movement’s power. Even 93-year-old former President George H. W. Bush apologized for what he considered an occasional good-natured playful joke. The anonymous email noted my mention of Bush’s taps “but left out Bill Clinton’s adventures in rape:) maybe cuz he was your boss?” I freely admit that Clinton depicts a “Bubba” in every stereotypical manner, but my column was in support of ending sexual predation. My anonymous “friend” displays smiley symbols as though to grin of his superiority. However, that diminutive endowment between his ears prevents him from understanding capital letters except for emphasis. For example, after not answering his initial email he wrote, “c’mon, gary — what are you, ignoring me? pretending to take the mature route?? as if getting attention ISN’T the reason you’re STILL writing for the observer - right? :)” He ranted, threw in the big word “obsequious” which I sometimes use and ended with “go irish!!” One hopes that anyone connected somehow with Notre Dame — even a generation apart through a parent — would exude a modicum of civility towards the world, especially towards those with whom they disagree. People of integrity do regardless of how passionate they may champion a cause. Go Irish! Gary J. Caruso, Notre Dame ‘73 American studies major, serves in the Department of Homeland Security and was a legislative and public affairs director at the U.S. House of Representatives and in President Clinton’s administration. His column appears every other Friday. Contact him on Twitter: @GaryJCaruso or e-mail: GaryJCaruso@alumni.nd.edu The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
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Daily
The observer | friday, december 1, 2017 | ndsmcobserver.com
Crossword | Will Shortz
Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: The frustrations you have suffered in the past are ending, and it’s important to take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead. Collaborate with people who are as upbeat and eager to advance as you are, and you’ll find a way to turn your ideas into a reality. Intelligence coupled with energy and enthusiasm will lead to success. Your numbers are 8, 11, 24, 26, 31, 35, 42. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aim high. Use your intellect and discipline to bring about the changes that will make your life better. A change in location, hangouts or hobbies will lead to new friendships and potential gains. Offer initiative and leadership. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Get personal finances and documents in order. Make updates that need to be put into play before the year comes to a close. A contract or deal you are working on should be handled with precision. Pay close attention to detail. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Get along with your peers and do your best to fit in. How you handle others will make a difference in how fast you advance. Anger and frustration will lead to added stress that can affect your health. Take time to rejuvenate. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Don’t worry about what others do. Focus on what you want to accomplish and stick to your plans. Socializing or networking events will offer interesting information that you can use to your advantage when it comes to making plans. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Put everything in its place and don’t leave any room for error. Not everyone will be rooting for you to do well. Don’t take information offered as being factual. Go to the source before you make a statement or a decision. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Start planning your next move. Set up meetings or interviews or plan a business trip. Getting everything in order and being fully prepared will give you the confidence to market what you want to pursue. Take advantage of an opportunity. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Being impulsive can be a good thing if it helps you overcome procrastination. Make decisions for yourself and don’t worry about what others think. Relationships are featured and plans can be made that will improve your popularity. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Unexpected changes in regard to your profession will come as a surprise. You will excel if you go with the flow and live in the moment. Adapting to the current economic trends will lead to new interests and opportunities. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take your responsibilities seriously. The more you accomplish, the better you will feel. Make your environment comfortable and convenient. Update features that will make your place more inviting and entertaining. Host an event or organize a networking session. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Use intelligence to sort through any differences you are faced with. If someone becomes unpredictable or explosive, walk away. Taking the high road will prove you are in control and a better leader than anyone who opposes you. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): If you work alongside people who have the same goals as you, you will reach your target quickly and make new allies at the same time. Choose your battles wisely and protect against injury and minor illness. Keep the peace. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): A partnership will tempt you. Consider what’s expected of you and the best way to handle negotiations. Having a plan in mind will help you avoid being broadsided by someone who tries to take advantage of your trust and loyalty. Birthday Baby: You are positive, energetic and well-liked. You are playful and competitive.
WINGin’ it | OLIVIA WANG & BAILEE EGAN
Sudoku | The Mepham Group
Jumble | David Hoyt and Jeff knurek
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SPORTS
ndsmcobserver.com | friday, december 1, 2017 | The Observer
Sports Authority
Coach at fault for struggling Giants Ben Padanilam Editor-in-Chief
Look, let’s get one thing clear. It wasn’t about Geno Smith. It wasn’t about Davis Webb. It wasn’t even really about Eli Manning. It was, and has always been, about Ben McAdoo. When news of the New York Giants benching Manning came out Tuesday, it sent a shockwave through the league and media. The 2-9 Giants were deciding to bench the best quarterback in their history — he of two Super Bowl rings and MVPs — for the season’s last five weeks in favor of the 27-year-old Smith. And look, we all know how Manning has spent much of the season without his four best and most experienced wide receivers coming into the season — leaving the quarterback to rely upon a receiving corps with 11 catches to its collective resume, which also happens to make sense considering the 20 drops the group has this season, thirdmost in the NFL. I could talk about how talk of Manning’s “poor play” is exaggerated, considering his yards, touchdowns and completion percentage are all roughly around the middle of the league and his passer rating is just slightly below last year’s mark — when he lead the Giants to an 11-5 record. And I could talk about how ridiculous the excuse of the Giants investigating their youth at the position when they’re turning to a quarterback in Smith, who is very likely not the future of the team. Even Webb probably isn’t the answer, considering the Giants only let him throw the ball 34 times in the preseason and only five of the 34 quarterbacks drafted in the third round since 1990 have ended up a starter for at least two seasons in the NFL. But none of that gets at the real issue. The real issue for the Giants this season is, and always has been, its head coach. Well before Tuesday’s debacle, McAdoo had already experienced his issues with this team. He both lost the respect of some of the team’s most respected players and poorly handled the situations which resulted. It got to the point that two players went anonymously to ESPN and reported McAdoo had lost the locker room, saying the coach “throws us under the bus all the time. He’s ran us into the ground and people wonder why we’ve been getting got.” And then he held a team meeting which some felt came “too late” where he once again called out his
team for their shortcomings, not even pointing the microscope on himself. But it all culminated with Tuesday. McAdoo has wanted Manning out of the picture for some time; looking for a scapegoat for this season’s disaster, he picked the franchise’s beloved quarterback as his target. First, he publicly criticized the quarterback for not calling a timeout in a crucial situation — a fair criticism, but one which did not need to be made publicly and a mistake which McAdoo himself carries at least equal responsibility for. Then, he reportedly has called out Manning several times to Giants coaching staff, blaming him for their disastrous season and McAdoo’s inability to win with him. And Wednesday, Giants owner John Mara revealed McAdoo presented Manning with a far different proposal than they had discussed previously for how to handle his playing time going forward — a proposal which Mara said he wasn’t surprised in hindsight Manning would turn down after “it was presented the way Ben thought it ought to be presented.” You can say what you want about the NFL being a business. You can make the case that Manning’s benching isn’t altogether surprising. But the way in which it was handled and the reason for which it was made is pathetic — almost as pathetic as the job McAdoo has done leading the Giants this season. I’m not a Giants fan, but even I recognize what Manning has meant to New York and the Giants. He’s dealt with the critical New York media for 14 seasons, showing a class and professionalism which wasn’t always afforded to him, particularly Tuesday. He’s delivered them two Super Bowl rings, but he was treated as if he was the ringless Carmelo Anthony — and most everyone agreed that he was owed a lot more respect than he got from a certain other New York sports team. Like Philip Rivers, I think Manning should still be playing. Some might disagree. But what we should all agree on is McAdoo’s pathetic handling of this situation and this team. Manning deserved better, and so do the Giants. And they won’t get better until McAdoo is no longer their head coach. Contact Ben Padanilam at bpadanil@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
MACKENZI MARINOVICH | The Observer
Irish senior forward Jake Evans prepares for a faceoff during Notre Dame’s 6-4 loss to Nebraska Omaha on Oct. 26 at Compton Family Ice Arena. Evans leads the team with 25 points and 19 assists this season.
Hockey Continued from page 12
addressing. I thought we were better last week on the road with our starts, but we have to find a way to come out with a little more energy,” Jackson said. “Minnesota played with a lot of tempo in their game, so a lot of it is the fact that they’re certainly one of the most talented teams in the country. We were fortunate, especially Friday night, to be able to sustain a 1-0 lead, scoring that early power play goal. But I think playing them is a good benchmark for us, it’s like playing Denver. We’re certainly happy with the results, but I think there are a lot of areas of our game where we were exposed a little bit.” Despite its abundant success so far, including owning the nation’s longest winning streak, the team remains focused on improving certain areas of its play. Jackson stressed the importance of puck possession, especially against strong teams like Minnesota and Penn State, who aim to outshoot their opponents. “We just have to keep working on it,” Jackson said on puck possession. “It’s a coordination between our defensemen and forwards. The forwards have to get back to make sure they’re supporting the defense, and then the defense has to get up the ice when the forwards are on the rush. It’s a matter of tightening that gap offensively that is going to allow us to be better at possessing the puck for sustained periods.” The Irish are fortunate to
have quite a few veterans on the squad who are more than capable of tackling these issues. Prominent seniors including captain Jake Evans, Jordan Gross and Dawson Cook all have taken considerable leadership roles on the team this year, and Jackson said he places a considerable amount of confidence in them. “You know, as a coach, you watch boys grow to men. And that’s what I’m seeing right now with guys like Jake Evans, Jordan Gross and Dawson Cook— they’re growing up,” Jackson said. “These seniors, they’ve been through bad places, and they’ve been through good places, and those experiences certainly help them develop. They know the tricks of the trade, and they hopefully pass some of those tricks to the young guys. “They take advantage of knowing what they have to do to be successful, whereas in the past they may lose confidence because they can’t do certain things. Now, because of their experience over the last three and a half years, they have a pretty good idea of what they have to do to be successful.” With Notre Dame’s veteran leadership, the team has been able to grind out tough wins. Nevertheless, Jackson wants to ensure that all team members, especially those who may not see the ice as much, feel a part of that chemistry. “It’s in a good spot right now,” Jackson said on the team’s chemistry. “The biggest issue that we have to deal with is the guys who aren’t playing. We have a couple of seniors that aren’t playing, we’ve got a number of young guys that are
fighting to try to claw into the lineup. We just have to try to make sure we don’t take them for granted, the guys that aren’t in the lineup, and make sure we give them a little bit of extra love — whether it be in practice or post-practice or sitting down with them watching video, whatever it might be. I think it’s really important we keep them engaged. They’re very important to our program, they’re the depth of our team.” As the team prepares for the second half of its season, the focus remains on improvement. Jackson underscored the value of constant improvement as the season continues and the team vies for a championship run. “I’m more worried about us getting better,” Jackson said. “Frankly, against Minnesota, we won two games, but they exposed us in some areas with their skill and speed. So we just have to keep on getting better. There are certain parts of our game that we could definitely improve. “The defensive corps has done a much better job in recent weeks, and I think that is something that can even get better. But, right now, for me, it’s about continuing to work on possessing the puck and working on defensive sticks and things that are going to allow us to possess the puck or create turnovers to possess the puck.” The Irish will face off against the Spartans at the Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing, Michigan, this Friday and Saturday. Contact Connor Mulvena at cmulvena@nd.edu
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The observer | friday, december 1, 2017 | ndsmcobserver.com
M Bball Continued from page 12
cut the lead to 24-11. Midway through the first half, Brey made a defensive adjustment to a matchup 2-3 zone that held the Spartans to 30 percent shooting from behind the arc, but Notre Dame couldn’t capitalize on the offensive end of the floor. Brey said the team’s offensive struggles stemmed from a failure to get seniors Matt Farrell and Bonzie Colson involved early on in the game. “We couldn’t get Farrell and Colson going early. Those are our guys, if they don’t get it going early the rest of the group gets a little worried and concerned,” Brey said. At the half, the Irish found themselves trailing 46-26, the largest halftime deficit for Notre Dame since 2015. But much like they did in their last game against Wichita State, the Irish started the second half strong. Notre Dame totaled four defensive stops to start the second half, and built off their defensive momentum on the offensive end and jumped out on a 12-2 run in the opening 3:35 of the second frame. Senior point guard Matt
W Bball Continued from page 12
isn’t fully back to her best as she continues to recover from injuries and now freshman center Mikayla Vaughn, who missed Notre Dame’s win over No. 22 Michigan, is now set to miss the season as well with a knee injury. And in case you forgot, that final ranked team they’re playing at the end of this trip isn’t just another good team: It’s the team that’s dominated this sport in recent years in a way that’s transcended basketball and left people asking if they’re the greatest dynasty of all time, in any sport. This Connecticut team, despite an injury to arguably their best player in junior forward Katie Lou Samuelson, looks better than last year’s iteration and could challenge the 201516 team for the best team the Huskies have ever had. Connecticut is more talented than Notre Dame. The Huskies are playing at home. They should be better rested, both because they’ve had one extra day since their last game and because they played unranked Michigan State and Nevada in the past week, while the Irish played the Gamecocks and the Wolverines. And almost every time Connecticut plays a good team, someone will be able to dream up a reason why maybe this matchup suits the underdog. Much more often than not, those reasons aren’t enough. But this year? Well, most of the evidence would say probably more of the
Farrell came alive in the second half including a step back 3-pointer in the face of sophomore Spartan guard Cassius Winston to cut the lead to 48-38 with 16:35 minutes remaining in the game and forced a Spartan timeout. “I loved our fight [in the second half] … It’s grueling when you have to dig out of a hole, and we have to be better in first halves so that we’re not digging out of a hole. Second half we knew we had a run in us,” Brey said. The Irish kept up the heat after the break, as a turnaround jumper from Colson made the score 48-40 after a Rex Pflueger steal. But Michigan State finally responded with a layup from sophomore Miles Bridges. Notre Dame came within seven after a Farrell jumper cut the Spartan lead to 53-46 with 13:07 left, but Michigan State continued to answer everything the Irish threw at them. “I really give our guys credit. We defended and executed to start the second half. We took a couple charges, and you’re feeling [like] you have a shot at this thing,” said Brey, when asked about the Irish’s second half performance. The Spartans would go on
same. The Irish right now, despite having a better win, probably aren’t a better team than the one that lost to Connecticut at home a year ago. Losing your best player to injury and graduating your star point guard is a more or less guaranteed step down. But watch this team play, and it becomes so easy to believe that maybe they’ll be the ones beat the Huskies on the road, something the Irish haven’t done since the 2013 Big East Tournament. As much as you know this hype comes around every year, this team makes you forget any rationality about how hard it is to beat the best team in this sport. Last year’s team was picked by many (including the preseason AP Poll) to dethrone Connecticut because they were loaded with talent, both in the starting five and on the bench. With this team? Not for any reasons that stack up nearly as well, but because this is just one of the most exciting teams Muffet McGraw has had in her now more than 30 years here. The Irish offense may not be ranked in the top 10 in the nation this year by scoring, but when you look at the team’s they’ve played, including the stout defenses of Michigan, South Florida and Oregon State, you can see that it’s better than its point total for the season suggests. Or you can just see them get to work. Sophomore guard Jackie Young’s step up this year has helped forge the new Irish identity, alongside junior guard Arike Ogunbowale’s combination of slashing and shooting.
ZACHARY YIM | The Observer
Irish senior guard Matt Farrell makes a drive during Notre Dame’s 105-66 victory over Chicago State on Nov. 16 at Purcell Pavillion. Farrell led the team with seven assists in Thursday’s loss to Michigan State.
another 10-0 run as the half came to a close, securing a 20-point lead with two minutes remaining in the game after back-to-back 3’s from Winston. Brey praised the Spartans for their ability to make big shots down the stretch and playing strong defense. “They’re really good. They’re a heck of a team,” he said. “They’re as good as anybody as anybody
in the country. Hats off to them because they were really ready to play. Anytime we made a little a run in that second half, somebody made a big shot.” Colson lead the way for the Irish with 17 points, six rebounds and four blocks, while Pflueger had a career-high 15 points, three assists and two steals. Farrell finished with 10 points — that all came in the second half
— as well as seven assists. Facing Michigan State ended a four-game road spree for the Irish, as Mike Brey and the Irish return home this weekend. The Irish will look to rebound when they face the St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers this Sunday 2 p.m. at Purcell Pavilion. Contact Mia Berry at mberry1@nd.edu
EDDIE GRIESDIECK | The Observer
Irish sophomore guard Jackie Young dribbles down the court during Notre Dame’s 121-65 win over Mount St. Mary’s on Nov. 11 at Purcell Pavillion. Young has a team-high .902 free-throw percentage this season.
Junior guard Marina Mabrey is scoring below her season average so far, but you know she should still possess the ability to turn it back on — when she gets the ball at the arc, she still seems like a danger. Defensively, it’s not a finished project but it’s still a Muffet McGraw team. This team may suffer its first loss of the season on Sunday. And that’s fine, 6-1 with a win over South Carolina is a success for this road trip by any reasonable definition. But during the game, get ready to see a Notre Dame team that shows flashes of something more. And truth be told, a team that
feels like it can beat the best of the best for flashes can be good enough right now, because with a bit more time and coaching from McGraw, the Irish would be right on track to make a real statement in March. So if you start believing in this team on Sunday and they can’t pull out the win in the end, that’s fine. Because this could be a team to really believe in by the end of the season. Contact Daniel O’Boyle at doboyle1@nd.edu The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Vaughn Continued from page 12
Dame’s second round NCAA tournament overtime win over Purdue on March 19. Johnson also tore her ACL during practice on Oct. 23. Senior forward Kathryn Westbeld has also been playing limited minutes as she recovers from ankle surgery. Vaughn was inactive for Wednesday’s matchup with No. 22 Michigan, which the Irish took 83-63. The Irish will finish their seven-game road trip on Friday as they head to Storrs, Connecticut, to take on No. 1 UConn.
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The observer | friday, december 1, 2017 | ndsmcobserver.com
nd women’s basketball
Notre Dame prepares for trip to No. 1 UConn Irish still could pull off upset victory
Vaughn suffers season-ending injury in ACL tear Observer Staff Report
Daniel O’Boyle Sports Writer
In most ways, the stars aren’t exactly aligned for an Irish victory on Sunday. There’s the string of road games that have led to this one: South Bend to Kentucky. Kentucky to Oregon. Oregon to South Florida. South Florida to Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor to Connecticut. That sounds unappealing enough. And in case that wasn’t enough, Notre Dame will be playing the fifth ranked team in six games this Sunday, with one of those four already being defending national champions South Carolina. The Irish have done it all with a depleted team, with star senior forward Brianna Turner and senior guard Mychal Johnson out for the season, while senior forward Kathryn Westbeld still see W BBALL PAGE 10
Eddie Griesedieck | The Observer
Irish freshman center Mikayla Vaughn defends her opponent during Notre Dame’s 121-65 victory over Mount St. Mary’s on Nov. 11 at Purcell Pavilion. Vaughn will miss the rest of the season tearing her ACL.
men’s basketball | michigan state 81, nd 63
see VAUGHN PAGE 10
hockey
Michigan State hands ND first defeat of year
Irish aim for 10th-straight win
By MIA BERRy
By CONNOR MULVENA
Sports Writer
Sports Writer
A slow start for the No. 5 Irish helped No. 2 Michigan State defeat Notre Dame 81-63 for the program’s first loss of the season on Thursday night in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. “My worst fear was [the Spartans] getting off to great starts because when they do that in this buildin, it’s a heck of an uphill climb,” Irish head coach Mike Brey said after the game. “They really got off to a great start.” Aside from a back-and-forth 14-8 in the opening minutes of the game, the Irish (6-1) were unsettled on both offense and defense, and the Spartans (61) capitalize by going on a 10-0 run, led by sophomore Joshua Langford. The five-minute scoring drought for the Irish, aided by two unforced turnovers, finally ended when sophomore guard T.J. Gibbs drained a 3-pointer to
Riding a nine-game winning streak, the No. 4 Irish will head to East Lansing this weekend to take on the Michigan State Spartans. After sweeping Minnesota at home this past weekend, the Irish (12-3-1, 6-00, Big Ten) find themselves atop the Big Ten conference, which includes four top-25 teams in the national rankings. Michigan State (7-6-1, 1-4-1, Big Ten) sits at the bottom of the standings within the Big Ten, but the Spartans certainly not to be taken lightly. Despite a lack of conference success, Michigan State is 6-1-0 at home on the season, and according to head coach Jeff Jackson, the Irish will need to put a dent in that record this weekend. “They’re a much improved program,” Jackson said. “They have only lost one game at home, so we’re going to have our hands full. This is a much improved hockey team from
see M BBALL PAGE 10
No. 3 Notre Dame announced Thursday that freshman center Mikayla Vaughn will miss the remainder of the 2017-18 season after tearing her left ACL in practice on Tuesday. The 2017 McDonald’s AllAmerican candidate had made an immediate impact for the Irish (7-0) in the season’s opening games, averaging 13.2 minutes per game in six games. Vaughn was averaging eight points and 4.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 62.2 percent from the field. The mark currently puts her at the fourthbest shooting percentage in the ACC. Without Vaughn, Notre Dame is down to eight healthy scholarship athletes on its roster, with senior forward Brianna Turner and senior guard Mychal Johnson both missing this season due to torn ACLs. Turner tore her ACL during Notre
ZACHARY YIM | The Observer
Irish senior senior forward Bonzie Colson goes for a layup during Notre Dame’s 105-66 victory over Chicago State on Nov. 16.
the past years. I think they are really doing a good job in the offensive zone, stretching you out, so you almost have to play the team to really get a true gage of where they are. Their top line is one of the best in college hockey right now offensively, so it’s going to be a challenge. We’re going to have to play smart road hockey, which we’ve done so far this year. We certainly can’t play lightly because if we do, we’ll lose.” Recent trends have shown the Irish struggling early in games, only scoring one firstperiod goal in their last three games, a disturbing statistic considering their record is 11-11 when scoring first. But despite the slow starts, Notre Dame has persevered and has kept winning, thanks in large part to the superb goaltending of sophomore Cale Morris and the consistency of the defensive corps. “We haven’t had the best starts, and it’s something we’re see HOCKEY PAGE 9