Print Edition for The Observer for Friday, January 24, 2025
Faculty offer analyses of inaugral address
President Donald Trump claimed ‘I was saved by God to make America great again’ in his speech
By SOPHIE HANAWALT Associate News Editor
President Donald Trump began his inauguration speech by declaring that “the golden age of America begins right now.”
Later claiming that “January 20, 2025 is liberation day,” his vision of American greatness echoed throughout the speech and his first executive actions.
Political science professor and director of the Notre Dame Democracy Initiative David Campbell compared this inaugural address to the President’s 2017 speech, noting a “sharp contrast.”
“There was a lot of chaos when he first was inaugurated. The initial executive orders that he issued were met with pretty serious legal challenges, and there was just a lot of uncertainty and chaos at the time,” Campbell said.
This time, Campbell said, Trump has clearly done some planning and established his team, enabling him to make appointments, sign 26 executive orders and issue memorandums
and proclamations on his first day. Despite this increased organization, Campbell still expects many legal battles over Trump’s actions in his first days back in office.
“It is clear that he has a much more expansive view of presidential power than he did in his first term in office,” chair of the department of political science Geoffrey Layman shared in an email, adding that during Trump’s first presidency he appeared to take the traditional path of partnering with Congress to achieve his goals.
This time, Layman said, “He has come out of the gates at a blistering pace in using the unique powers of the presidency to implement major components of his agenda ... independently of Congress or other parts of the federal government.”
Political science professor Jeff Harden also noted the significance of Trump’s executive orders in an email to The Observer.
“As Congress has become more polarized, [executive orders] have gained an importance because they allow the president to set
policy quickly rather than wait for the slow and deliberative legislative process,” Harden wrote. “The swearing in of the new president is, of course, important. But beyond that I think the event takes on elements of media-driven political theater.”
To begin the ceremony, senator and chairperson of the inauguration committee Amy Klobuchar gave an address that emphasized the ceremony was “the peaceful transfer of power at the heart of our democracy.”
She suggested the presence of former Presidents Biden, Obama, Clinton and Bush in addition to former Vice Presidents Harris, Pence and Quail and Secretary Clinton presented a commitment to national unity and the promise of these leaders to be faithful to the Constitution.
“In the last four years there are times I’m sure you thought it was very dark, but look what God has done,” said Rev. Franklin Graham during his invocation. “When Donald Trump’s enemies thought he was down and out … Father, you alone saved his life.”
This portrait of Trump’s return as God’s will would return later in Trump’s speech, when he declared: “My life was saved for a reason, I was saved by God to make America great again.” This elicited a standing ovation from the audience.
Layman offered his interpretation of this sentiment.
“To say that the people have been harmed by the corrupt elites who have been in charge and
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Civil rights lecture salutes women’s accomplishments Annual financial report released
By BERHAN HAGEZOM Staff Writer
On Wednesday afternoon, the Saint Mary’s Division for Equity and Inclusion and Gender and Women’s Studies Department held a joint lecture to highlight the accomplishments of Black women who helped to progress the Civil Rights Movement.
The lecture, titled “Hidden in Plain Sight: Black Women of the Civil Rights Movement,” featured special guest Arielle Brandy, the granddaughter of Barbara Vance Brandy, who spoke at the event about the legacy her grandmother left within the South Bend community.
The line-up of speakers also included vice president for inclusivity and equity
Redgina Hill, assistant director of the LGBTQ+ Center Eli Williams, associate professor Jamie Wagman, junior Giselle Martinez, and senior Sophie Johnson.
On the lecture’s importance, Williams shared,
“It’s really important to acknowledge that women have been left out of the dominant historical narrative ... That’s something that we as a Saint Mary’s community need to learn as much as we can about.”
“It was really great seeing queer history represented in the lecture and hearing that trans history is women’s history,” said Saint Mary’s senior Phoenix McClellan.
Hill started the lecture by providing a historical overview of the Civil Rights Movement. She emphasized
that each historic moment was executed with the support and leadership of Black women, noting that they are often not given the credit or recognition their work deserves.
“These women strategized, they organized, they mobilized. They didn’t just hold traditional roles, they didn’t just cook for the men so they could put their minds together. No, they were out there on the front lines as well,” Hill said.
“I wanted to bring this struggle to today’s struggle, to connect the dots with the modern movements,” Hill continued, noting the ongoing role of women in the Black Lives Matter movement.
Women featured in the
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Observer Staff Report
The University of Notre Dame released its 2024 annual report to faculty and staff on Jan. 16, 2025.
Notre Dame reported a record-breaking $591 million in philanthropic contributions, a 48% increase from the previous year. The University’s endowment achieved a 10% return, a marked increase from last year’s 1.32% return. The endowment’s payout for fiscal year 2024 totaled $607 million, with $232 million allocated to scholarships and fellowships. Over half of the incoming undergraduate class received need-based financial aid, reinforcing the University’s commitment to accessibility.
Additionally, total operating revenues reached $1.76
billion, a 7.5% increase from 2023, while operating expenses were $1.67 billion. Investments in academic and research programs accounted for the majority of expenses, totaling over $1 billion.
The University awarded 4,038 degrees in 2024, a new record. Research awards surpassed $223 million, marking the fourth consecutive year of surpassing $200 million, supported by significant federal funding from the National Science Foundation and other agencies. In total, 1,130 research proposals were submitted, marking a 31% increase year-over-year.
Under the current strategic framework, the University launched new
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Courtesy of Unsplash
President Donald Trump gave his second innagural address Monday morning, emphasizing his planned immigration and trade policies.
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 editor@ndsmcobserver.com so we can correct our error.
10:40 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Explore ideas and the future of energy.
Notre Dame vs. Lindenwood Compton Family Arena
7 p.m.
Irish men’s hockey takes on Lindenwood. Saturday
Notre Dame vs. Western Michigan Eck Tennis Pavilion 11 a.m.
Women’s tennis takes on Western Michigan.
Saint Mary’s vs. Calvin Angela Complex
1 p.m.
Belles’ basketball team takes on the Calvin Knights. Sunday
Notre Dame vs. Michigan Arlotta Stadium 11 a.m.
Irish women’s lacrosse takes on Michigan.
Notre Dame vs. Illinois State Eck Tennis Pavilion 5 p.m.
Irish men’s tennis takes on Illinois State. Monday Holocaust
Jenkins Nanovic 12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Helen Epstein gives lecture and free lunch. Holy Cross Blood Drive Pfeil Center 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Red Cross holds blood drive for students.
Tuesday
“BLOB: A Love Story” 1050 Jenkins Nanovic
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Book launch celebrating debut novel by Maggie Su.
“The Virtual Borders Project” Room 246, Hesburgh 12 p.m.
Lecture
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lecture included Ella Baker, Ruby Bridges, Coretta Scott King, Diane Nash, Fannie Lou Hamer, Dr. Pauli Murray, and Brandy. Their stories were often interconnected. “Both Ella Baker and Ruby Bridges made enduring contributions to the civil rights movement together. These two women represent a big part of the Civil Rights Movement, a movement led by both individual courage and collective action,” Martinez said. “Their legacies continue to guide and inspire the fight for racial justice and equality.”
Wagman shared the accomplishments of Scott King and Nash, whose stories inspired her work as a gender historian. Both figures faced harsh condemnation from politicians, having to do their work on their own with community support.
Johnson focused on Lou Hamer, who was a Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) organizer, and later founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP). Her work with the MFDP centered around bringing to light the illegitimacy of the state’s democratic party, as Black citizens were not allowed to vote.
“As an impoverished and disabled Black woman, Hamer challenged the image of a political leader and a civil rights activist. Despite this, she was proud of these identities, and she used them to her advantage. She was an integral part of passing legislation that would protect voting rights, and she is remembered for her powerful speeches,” Johnson said.
Williams explored the life and legacy of Pauli Murray, who was an LGBTQ+ professor, Episcopal priest, lawyer, poet and activist who championed for LGBTQ+ rights as
is taking things to a whole new populist level.”
that [Trump] alone has their best interests at heart is classic populism,” he said. “Populist leaders throughout the world say the very same sorts of things. But to say that you were saved by God to save the people from the corrupt elites who are ruining America
Trump also emphasized throughout the speech that he will put America first.
In line with his campaign promises, Trump reaffirmed plans to stop “the vicious, violent and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department,” citing his own legal challenges.
His speech and following
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well as the Civil Rights and Feminist Movements.
“We may not learn about her in textbooks or history classes, but she changed everything in this country, whether we know her name or not,” Williams said, adding that Pauli Murray wrote that “one person plus a typewriter constitutes a movement.”
Brandy described that at nine years old her grandmother was denied entry into the natatorium, as African Americans were not allowed to swim there aside from one day a week. This natatorium later became South Bend’s Civil Rights Heritage Center, where Brandy was able to participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony. The Center’s logo is inspired by her, featuring the red bathing suit she wore as a kid heading to the pool.
Brandy was the first African American secretary at Robertson’s Department Store, which later turned
executive actions have reflected his firm stance on immigration policies. Trump detailed plans to declare a national emergency at the southern border, reinstate the Remain in Mexico policy, send troops to the southern border and end former President Joe Biden’s practice of catch and release. He also moved to designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
into an apartment complex that she lived in for several years later. She was also the first African American secretary in SBCSC at Kaley/Kennedy Elementary School. She was recognized as the best typist in the city and became the first African American executive secretary for the engineerings office in St. Joseph County.
Later on, she contributed to the ‘Voice of the People’ section in the South Bend Tribune, addressing the inequality in their actions and legislations of local elected officials.
“All of these accomplishments came a lot of racial harassment, a lot of pushback being in these predominantly white spaces as the only Black woman. She was still seen as ‘the help’,” Brandy said.
Brandy’s own professional pursuits and accomplishments have been inspired by her grandmother. She has been involved in Democratic
After speaking on “an education system that teaches our children to hate themselves and our country despite the love we give them,” Trump maintained that he’ll seek “peace for citizens of every race, nation, religion and creed.”
He linked the inflation crisis to massive overspending and energy spending, declaring “we will drill, baby drill.” He added that America must harness “the liquid gold under our feet,” claiming America must be a manufacturing giant again and continue to lead the world in oil and natural gas production.
He also expressed plans to end the Green New Deal, revoke the electric car mandate and enact tariffs in the weeks ahead.
“The official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders,” Trump said, which also led to a standing ovation. “I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into everything,” adding plans to create “a society that is colorblind and merit-based.” He noted that these changes would be especially prevalent within the armed forces.
Trump then announced his plans to expand the United States, citing manifest destiny. He claimed that China is operating the Panama Canal and it must be taken back. He added plans to change the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and give Mount Denali back to its colonial name, Mount McKinley. He plans to “plant the stars and stripes on planet Mars.”
He concluded his speech with an emphasis on American greatness, noting that Americans “ended slavery” and “defeated fascism and communism.”
“We stand on the verge of the four greatest years of American history,” Trump said. “We will not be conquered, we will not be intimidated, we will not be broken,
politics for 15 years, serving as the Indiana State Director for the Pete Buttigieg presidential campaign from 2019 to 2020, writing policies for the Joe Biden Administration and assisting with the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
“I love what I do, but there have been barriers every step of the way, and a lot of those same barriers that my grandmother had were some of the same barriers that I had today. I would say that I have been privileged enough to be able to know how to navigate them because she experienced them first at a time that is different from ours, but very similar,” Brandy said.
Brandy’s family started Ripples in the Water - The Barbara V Brandy Foundation, which aims to keep Brandy’s legacy alive by contributing to the community.
Contact Berhan Hagezon at bhagezom01@saintmarys.edu
and we will not fail. Nothing will stand in our way because we are Americans and the future is ours.”
Commenting on the recent discourse surrounding Trump’s decision not to place his hand on the Bible while taking his oath of office, Campbell clarified that while presidents have historically done so, the Constitution does not require a Bible to be involved in the ceremony at all.
Reflecting on Trump’s inauguration speech itself, Campbell shared, “I don’t think there was really much that was a surprise,” which he described as a shift away from the first speech.
He noted that in Trump’s first inaugural address, his speech on “American carnage” was surprising due to its contrast from the typical rhetoric of inaugural addresses. This time, however, Campbell said the address “was pretty much what you’d expect from Donald Trump. It had a lot of red meat for his base. It used a lot of colloquialisms. You know, rhetorically, this is not a speech that will be remembered as a high point for the American presidency, but that’s sort of generally true of Trump’s rhetoric.”
When asked what the American people should watch for in the coming weeks, Campbell said he would encourage people to pay attention to “what happens to these fault lines within the Trump coalition.”
He explained further, noting the contrast between Trump’s “usual populist base of supporters” who are often critical of large corporations that lean left, and his new coalition.
“He’s surrounded himself with advisors like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy who come from big business — wealthy people who are themselves the head of large corporations, and it’s not clear that
Social justice class introduced to Saint Mary’s
By AYNSLEE DELLACCA Saint Mary’s News Editor
On Wednesday afternoon in the Vander Vennet Theater, the justice studies department and the division for inclusion and equity co-sponsored a virtual lecture with Scott Myers-Lipton, professor emeritus at San Jose State University. In recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, his lecture focused on “Democracy and Transformation through Education” and promoting his class curriculum, Teaching Social Action.
“Democracy in the United States is at a pivotal moment, facing significant challenges that leave many feeling disempowered,” Redgina Hill, vice president for inclusion and equity, wrote in an email, advertising the event. “While college courses often explore democracy and social change, few offer students the chance to engage in hands-on activism. Teaching Social Action bridges this gap by empowering students to take realworld action.”
Hill welcomed the opportunity for MyersLipton to speak on students engaging with and
Report
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multidisciplinary initiatives addressing global challenges in poverty, democracy, sustainability and health. Notable advancements include the ongoing expansion of the McCourtney Research Complex and the establishment of a need-blind, loanfree admissions policy for domestic and international students, set to take effect in 2025.
The fiscal 2024 year saw $215 million in capital investments, including
Address
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that’s going to be an easy coalition for him to manage,” Campbell said.
Campbell suggested that tensions will arise, noting his typical pattern of “encouraging dissenting views around him and not necessarily taking one side over the other,” and suggested this is something to keep an eye on.
Harden pointed toward compromise as something Americans should pay attention to. “I would suggest considering the role that compromise plays in policymaking. We know from research
participating in social action, relating it to the efforts of college students during the Civil Rights Movement.
“Dr. King was lifted up as the leader for the civil rights movement, but at the same time, a lot of the grassroot work that took place was a lot of students. And so just having students understand how they enact change and the amount of change they can do is empowering,” Hill said. “[We] just wanted … our students to be able to see that even in the civil rights movement, people around your age were able to make a difference.”
Myers-Lipton began his presentation with explaining the origins of his social justice class, which was an idea that was inspired by former University President Fr. Theodore Hesburgh.
“I met who was president emeritus at the time, Theodore Hesburgh … and he was very important in the civil rights movement. And he had the idea, in 1987, to develop what he called Peace ROTC programs. [He thought that] if we have training for military service, we should have training for non-military or peace and justice or work in the colleges as well. And I got so excited about that idea …
the opening of the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art and progress on the Southeast Campus Geothermal Plant.
The latter is a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
University president Fr. Robert Dowd emphasized the University’s dedication to creating a community of learning and service.
“Rooted in our Catholic mission, let us together be that great force for good that our founder, Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., envisioned,” he wrote.
that compromise is still critical to passing policy, but our polarized public doesn’t always like to see their leaders engage in it,” he said. “In my opinion, supporting compromise both within parties and between parties is an important step in uniting the country, reducing polarization and improving democratic health. So I think the public should look to see if it is a priority for the new administration. If it is not, we may be headed for more of the antagonistic and gridlocked politics that we have seen in recent years.”
Contact Sophie Hanawalt at shanawal@nd.edu
that I got a meeting with him. I set up a meeting, and I talked with him, and you know what he said to me? ‘I think it’s the right idea, but I don’t know how to do it, so you should do it, Scott,’ and so that put me on a 15-year quest,” Myers-Lipton said.
Myers-Lipton began teaching his social action class in 2006 at San Jose State University, using his prior experience in various advocacy movements to guide his curriculum content and teaching methods. The course itself enables students to find an issue within their community, create demands for authority to implement into policy and stage social actions to support the completion of their demands.
“You can’t just talk about democracy and change. To really understand it, you have to do it. It’s the only way to learn these things,” Myers-Lipton said. “Teaching Social Action meets the need of the lack of giving students the opportunity to do democracy by providing necessary training to faculty and staff … so they can help (students) have a direct experience with democracy and change.”
Myers-Lipton has experienced substantial success
with his class, reporting 17 successful campaigns, meaning at least one of the group’s demands were met, in the last 15 years. Some of his students’ successes include raising the minimum wage from $8 to $10, and later to $15, in the City of San Jose and constructing a 12-bed emergency housing for unsheltered students in addition to a dedicated center for basic needs at San Jose State University.
“All my students who’ve never done an action in their whole lives … they’re like, ‘Oh my God, this is gonna be the biggest failure of our lives.’ Every student feels that way. So it’s normal, it’s gonna pass. You’re actually going to surprise yourself,” Myers-Lipton said.
“And once you do one, you’re gonna catch the bug — I call it the democracy bug. And then you’re gonna want to do another, because it’s not only empowering, but it’s fun too.”
Andrew Pierce, associate professor of philosophy and director of the justice studies department, has embedded Myers-Lipton’s course into his Introduction to justice studies class, beginning this spring semester. Myers-Lipton said Pierce is one of 30 professors across
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the country to teach this class at a collegiate level. Next semester, Myers-Lipton reports the number will rise to 60.
Pierce said he originally learned about the Teaching Social Action course through a training institute sponsored by Myer-Lipton’s organization. He later decided to bring it to Saint Mary’s for his justice studies students.
“I went to one of the trainings a couple of years ago and learned more about it and got excited about it. And my justice studies class seemed like the right place to incorporate it,” Pierce said.
Pierce wants this class to become an important part of Saint Mary’s campus, empowering students to create change in their community and in the South Bend area.
“It would be nice for students to win their campaigns, but really for me, I’m hoping that they have a positive experience with organizing, with creating an action and with sort of feeling the power and energy that comes with doing that. That’s what’s really important,” Pierce said.
Contact Aynslee Dellacca at adellaca01@saintmarys.edu
The right to cry unconditionally
Once upon a time, I wanted to be an adventure girl, like George from “The Famous Five.” Like her, I too wanted to discover treasure in dark caves, stare down the guns of pirates with a snarling dog by my side.
In those days, I yearned for freckles and skin browned by the warm British sun, like George’s. In those days, I gloried in my flashes of temper, as George did. But in those days, as much as I tried, I could never really be George.
Because George was brave, the girl who never ever cried. I was not that girl. I was the crybaby.
When I fought with my brother and lost, my eyes smarted with a familiar heat. “Stop!”
When I thought children were pointing cruel fingers at me, my lips quivered. “Weakling, is this all you can do?”
When I stood alone in a corner, while my classmates ran races, my eyes became hot wells of pain.
When my teachers refused to let me dance or act because I was blind, the first tear came to rest at the tip of my eyelashes. “Don’t think about the pain, suck the tears back into your wounds.”
When a beloved teacher left, when I did poorly on my math exam, the first tear tipped over, then rolled down my cheek. My hands trembled, my body shook, that one tear became many that turned my eyes into overflowing rivers. “You did it again! Why are you not brave? Why are you not George? Why are you such a crybaby?”
Every week I prayed for the strength to be invulnerable, to be tearless. But every time, I cried, and I hated the tears that flowed out of me, the tears that kept me from being George.
Even though the adults around me did not know George, they too wanted me to be strong. “Tears are for the weak,” they cried, as they crowded too close. “I thought you were braver than this. Stop crying! Everyone’s looking.”
And then at the end of 12th grade, I moved to the U.S., a country 17 hours away from India. I expected homesickness to hit hard. I expected rivers to flow.
But I could not cry. It was as if the tears were somewhere deep inside me that I could not reach. This was it. I was finally George, the girl who never cried, not when I woke up from nightmares, not when I paced aimlessly in the silence of my empty room.
My unshed tears became a seething pool of anger, loneliness and fear that crashed against the walls of my chest, bubbled up the funnel of my throat. I became a vessel of stone, holding too much. If this is what meant to be George, perhaps this is not what I wanted.
Before I learnt to cry again, I had to learn to speak.
The Campus Ministry small group that I joined gently brought out the many words that choked my throat. The words became stories of loneliness, of struggling to find God, of moments of grace. As the words flowed out of me, they were received without judgment, cradled in the hands of my friends.
I think the words slowly ate away at the walls that held my tears prisoner. In my second semester, I began crying again. At first, I cried in the silence of the chapel where only Jesus heard me. But during my third semester, I cried on the walk from Corbett back to my dorm. This time I did not try to be George. I just cried. And the world flowed around me, peacefully. There were no questions, no words of contempt. In that moment, I experienced freedom.
Last semester, I almost cried through a whole week of hormones and period cramps. My roommate held my exhausted body in her arms, not asking me for a
reason, not telling me to be brave. I lifted my head from her shoulder with a wobbly smile, and slowly came back to myself. That same semester, I cried in front of my friend at the dining hall as I told her how much I had been missing her. My tears washed me clean of all the anger that I had been holding.
In that moment, I was fully human.
As I look back on George, I realize that she is no longer my hero. Today she is a little girl that I want to cradle in the palm of my hand. I look down on her, and realize that she is a product of a patriarchal society that believed that a girl could be brave only by embracing elements of toxic masculinity such as aggression and anger. Georgina was a little girl who grew up believing that to go on adventures, she must hide her tears, her pain, even from those who loved her, clench her little fists and face the world with blazing eyes.
I am not George anymore, neither do I want to be. Unlike her, I have not discovered treasure in mysterious caves, nor have I faced pirates with my chin high. Unlike her, I am a girl who cries when I need to. But I am also a girl who flew from India to the U.S., who embraced independence, who learnt to walk alone on Notre Dame’s enormous campus. I might not be George, but I too am an adventurer.
Hannah Alice Simon was born and raised in Kerala, India, and moved to the U.S. for college with the dream of thriving in an intellectual environment that celebrates people with disabilities. On campus, you will mostly see her taking the longest routes to classrooms with her loyal cane, Riptide, by her side. She studies psychology and English with minors in musical theatre and theology. You can contact Hannah at hsimon2@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
The US Government begins Irish deportations
any discussion of Irish heritage or culture in public schools, claiming it “undermines traditional American values.”
On his first full day as the 46th president of the United States, Donald Trump wasted no time addressing what he called “the greatest threat to our nation: the illegals.” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, acting swiftly, have begun rounding up undocumented migrants in Irish-dense cities such as Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago, targeting what officials are calling “the Shamrock Underground.”
“Frankly, the Irish have been sneaking into this country for decades,” said ICE Director Chad McGinnis. “They’re everywhere. The pubs, the Catholic churches and even the green section of Party City. No one is safe until we get these criminals back to where they came from.”
Ohio has become an unexpected hotspot in the crackdown, as officials claim that undocumented Irish migrants have been eating domestic pets. “They’re eating the dogs, the cats, the pets of hardworking Ohioans,” announced President Trump. “Folks, they’re turning our beloved animals into bangers and mash.”
A local resident from Cleveland, speaking anonymously, described one such scene: “I walked outside, and there was a man, pale as a ghost, holding a shepherd’s pie. My cat’s collar was lying next to it. I just knew.”
ICE agents are urging citizens to “remain vigilant” and report any suspicious activity. “If you see someone with red hair, freckles, or hear a ‘Top of the morning to ya!,’ call our hotline immediately,” said McGinnis.
In Florida, Governor Lopez has taken the crackdown a step further, signing the controversial “Protect Students in Class Act,” or what critics have dubbed the “Don’t Say Irish” law. The bill prohibits
“We must prevent the spread of critical Celtic theory in Florida schools, which superimposes a leftist ideology onto curriculum in ways that attack our nation’s heritage,” Governor Lopez said.
Under the new law, banned materials include James Joyce’s “Ulysses,” the film “Rudy” and anything starring Cillian Murphy. But enforcement has gone further than critics expected. In one case, a Tallahassee kindergarten teacher was arrested and sentenced to eight months of probation for bringing a box of Lucky Charms into her classroom.
“Those marshmallows aren’t just marshmallows,” said Florida Department of Education spokesperson Dale Green. “They’re a gateway to radical Irish ideology. Do we want our kids to think that cereal is just for certain groups of people? Absolutely not.”
The crackdown has thrown Irish-American communities into disarray. Pubs across Boston have implemented “code green” alerts, where bartenders quickly switch from pouring Guinness to Coors Light when ICE agents are nearby. Some neighborhoods have reportedly started using decoy bagpipers to lure agents away from Irish gatherings.
“We’ve survived the Know Nothing Party, prohibition and Colin Farrell’s acting career,” said Declan O’Leary, a South Boston resident. “But this? This is the most ridiculous attack on our people yet.”
ICE officials have dismissed concerns, claiming the raids are going smoothly. “The Irish are a slippery bunch,” admitted McGinnis. “But we’re doing everything we can. We even had one agent pose as a Gaelic football coach to infiltrate a community center. That’s how serious we are.”
Not everyone is taking the raids seriously. “I guess Trump’s next move will be deporting Italians for eating too much pasta,” joked Mary Flannery of Chicago. “Or the French for their baguettes. I mean, come on.
What’s next? Banning St. Patrick’s Day?”
The White House, however, insists these efforts are critical to restoring law and order. “President Trump promised to protect Americans from all threats, foreign and domestic,” press secretary Janine Collins said. “And if that means deporting the people who gave us soda bread and Guinness, so be it.”
The administration has already hinted at the next wave of actions, including banning Irish dancing, which Trump reportedly described as “a distraction from American square dancing, the real patriotic jig.”
A more significant change is on the horizon, as Donald Trump is set to announce the revocation of birthright citizenship later this week. Senator Mitch McConnell expressed his support for the proposal, stating, “If we allow people with surnames like O’Brien or McCarthy to claim citizenship just because they’re born here, we’re setting a dangerous precedent. The Constitution wasn’t meant to protect everyone — just the right kind of everyone.”
Trump also railed against so-called “anchor babies,” accusing Irish women of coming to America specifically “to pop out a kid and pretend to be citizens.” He added, “They show up, have a baby, name it something unpronounceable like Siobhan, and then expect us to roll out the red carpet. Not happening.”
“This is just the beginning,” Collins warned. “There’s no room in this country for anyone who doesn’t embrace our culture. If they can’t assimilate, they can leave. And certainly, if they commit crimes, then they’re all out.”
Connor Marrott is a senior from Cleveland, Ohio His writing has appeared in the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Cincinnati Enquirer. He serves on the board of SolidarityND and is always eager to discuss any and all ideas. You can contact Connor at cmarrott@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Connor Marrott Lefty with a Laugh
Hannah Alice Simon Views without Vision
Hogs leave Notre Dame in ruin
Marcus Freeman, driven by his love for Notre Dame University, was determined to protect the campus from an unexpected threat. Rumors had spread of an army of feral hogs rapidly approaching South Bend, Indiana, ready to demolish the iconic University.
The feral hogs, born with the fury of descending angels, built with tusks of steel and hooves of iron, were claimed to have inundated much of the Midwest already. With a fierce determination, Freeman set out to assemble an army capable of defending Notre Dame.
Word of Freeman’s mission quickly spread throughout the campus, and intrigued students began to gather around him. In the heart of the University, beneath the shadow of the Golden Dome, Freeman stood before a group of curious students.
“My fellow Notre Dame students,” he began, his voice filled with passion and urgency. “Today, we face an unprecedented challenge. The hogs are coming, and they won’t stop until they’ve destroyed our beloved Notre Dame. But we will not let that happen!”
The students exchanged skeptical, curious glances, unsure of what to make of Freeman’s words. One brave student stepped forward and asked, “Mr. Freeman, how can we possibly stand against an army of hogs? Everyone knows that 73% hog is manageable. But 100% hog is flawless. What chance do we have?”
Marcus smiled and replied, “We may not have traditional weapons, but we have something even more powerful — our spirit and determination. Together, we will wield lacrosse sticks and baseball bats, symbols of our unity and resilience. We will fight for Notre Dame with every ounce of strength we possess.”
As the day of the battle drew near, Marcus Freeman gathered his assembled troops near the iconic Touchdown Jesus mural. The atmosphere was charged with a mix of nervousness and determination. Marcus stood tall before them, his voice projecting strength: “My comrades, the hogs approach, but we stand united! We are the defenders of Notre Dame, the guardians of its legacy. Today, we will show the world the true power of our spirit!”
A resounding cheer erupted from the assembled troops, echoing across the campus. Some, however, chose not to engage in the fight and shouted aloud, “Notre Dame, and much of what it stands for, needs to be replaced anyway,” Mac Keltzian said. “I say, let hogs be hogs!”
Others agreed that the razorbacks’ eminent rampage would be useless to fight against. “The hogs will overpower us with their great strength and wisdom,” said Devid Cramer. “Let us not put the lives of our fellow students in jeopardy. Let us instead walk away from this beloved University and salvage what we can before it is too late.”
Marcus Freeman had other plans, his words brimming with conviction.
“Remember why you chose Notre Dame,” he said. “Remember the values we hold dear — excellence, integrity and community. Our ancestors fought for these principles, and today, we carry their torch!”
The troops listened intently, their faces reflecting a newfound sense of purpose. Freeman’s words resonated deep within their hearts, kindling a fire that burned brighter with every passing moment.
The day arrived, and the army of hogs charged towards Notre Dame, their thunderous grunts and filthy stink filling the air. Marcus Freeman led his makeshift army, brandishing lacrosse sticks and baseball bats, ready to defend their cherished University. A fierce clash ensued, with the hogs displaying surprising strength and ferocity. The students fought valiantly, displaying unparalleled resilience while swinging their weapons with determination.
Despite their efforts, the hogs proved formidable opponents, gradually overpowering the defenders. As the battle raged on, Notre Dame’s iconic structures began to crumble. The Golden Dome trembled, and the hogs tore through its hallowed halls. Yet, in the midst of chaos, Freeman stood undeterred, his spirit unbroken. Amidst the rubble, a massive hog towered before Freeman, its eyes gleaming with respect. The hog’s gruff voice reverberated through the air. “Marcus Freeman, you fought with bravery and tenacity. From this experience, I hope you come to deduce that the unmatched perspicacity of the feral hog, coupled with its sheer indefatigability, makes it a feared opponent in any realm of human or hog endeavor.”
Grunting, the hog continued: “It is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge your valor. Today, we have demolished Notre Dame, but I cannot help but admire your unwavering spirit.”
Freeman, battered and bruised, looked up at the hog, a mixture of sorrow and pride in his eyes. “Thank you,” he said, his voice filled with a sense of deep loss. “Though Notre Dame may be in ruins, its spirit lives on within each of us. We fought for what we believed in, and that is a victory in itself.”
The hog nodded solemnly, and with a final grunt, it turned and lumbered away, disappearing into the distance. The remaining hogs followed suit, leaving the shattered remnants of Notre Dame behind.
In the aftermath, the students gathered around Marcus, their faces etched with a mix of sorrow and admiration. One student, his voice heavy with emotion, spoke for the group, “Marcus, you showed us what true courage means. Notre Dame may be destroyed, but its legacy lives on within us. We will rebuild, and we will honor the spirit you fought so valiantly to defend.”
Tears welled up in Freeman’s eyes as he looked at the determined faces surrounding him. “Thank you,” he whispered, his voice filled with gratitude. “Remember, my friends, it is not the buildings that make Notre Dame great — it is the people who embody its values. Together, we will rise again.”
And so, the students of Notre Dame began the arduous task of rebuilding their beloved University. They carried the spirit of resilience and determination that Marcus Freeman had instilled within them. The story of their valiant defense against the hogs would be passed down through generations, a testament to the indomitable spirit of Notre Dame.
Through the ruins, a new Notre Dame emerged — a symbol of strength, unity and unwavering resolve. And as the campus came alive once more, the memory of Marcus Freeman would forever be etched in the hearts of those who fought alongside him, inspiring future generations to stand up for what they believe in, no matter the odds.
To file a complaint, reach out at jrudolp3@nd.edu. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Winter engulfed in flames
I felt the heat of the surrounding flames 100 feet away as I ran to the car and joined the long line of evacuees headed to safety.
My grandparents’ home has had plush canary yellow carpeting for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I used to lie on the floor, prop myself up on my elbows and watch “Tom and Jerry” as the plush fibers slowly indented my elbows. I remember running on that carpet down the long, thin hallway of the single-story home, the same hallway my dad ran down when he was a child. In my mind, I imagine the carpet is what burned first.
For many Notre Dame students, winter break ended Jan. 12, but my break ended Jan. 7 at 11 a.m.
I looked out the large glass slider in my bedroom and saw dark amber smoke rising into the sky. The Santa Ana winds were strong that day, nearly 80 mph. I quickly dressed as I heard my mom talking on the phone with my dad. As he hurried home from work, my mom and I began to pack up the house frantically. As minutes passed, the flames grew closer.
We quickly loaded partially filled suitcases and bags into the car. Memories shoved haphazardly into the trunk as my dog jumped into the back seat. The surrounding air reeked of smoke, and pale ash fell softly like the winter snowstorms I had left behind in Indiana.
We slowly made our way into the heart of the Pacific Palisades to my grandparent’s home. The smoke could still be seen on the mountain now three miles away.
An hour passes, and we eat lunch.
For another hour, we all stared intently at our home Ring camera until the power was cut off. Another hour passed, and the flames had reached the top of my grandparent’s street. One word came to mind: flee. We helped my grandparents put boxes together, take picture frames off the walls, grab documents and clothes piled into suitcases, running from the flames again. Once more, I sat in the driver’s seat, accelerating down empty roads to another safe location away from the fire that seemed to be chasing me.
Two days later, we returned. Back to the same street curbs, I sat on for every Fourth of July parade, the same sidewalks and homes where my friends and I had gone trick or treating, the park where my brother and I used to play. I spent my life in Pacific Palisades.
It took a day to burn.
All that was left of all those memories was scorched and twisted heaps of metal and empty chimneys with vacant hearths.
The camphor trees that made up the smell of my
summers burnt to a crisp. Walking through the wreckage of my grandparent’s home, I saw all that was left was the chimney and a single yellow kitchen tile with a purple flower stenciled onto it.
Looking at the destruction, it was easy to see what our community lost, but I do not want to focus on that. Miraculously, my home survived. The Pacific Palisades fire was able to destroy the town, but it could not destroy the community. Amidst all the tragedy and loss, the people of Los Angeles stepped up, offering clothes, gift cards, supplies and their homes. My family had our lunch paid for by a random group of people who wanted to show their love and support.
It will take years to rebuild. It will take years to restore what was lost, but a town is more than the buildings that exist within it. There is no doubt in my mind that Pacific Palisades will rise from the ashes. I know someday in the future, I will walk back down those streets, see new trees sprouting up from the soil, breathe in the warm, soft ocean breeze and recognize my home.
Declan is a surviving biochemistry major at the University of Notre Dame. He is usually trying to figure out how to work the printer. Contact at dburke7@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Declan Burke American DOMEland
Joe Rudolph
Written & Directed by Quentin Tarantino
By HARRY PENNE Scene Writer
Very seldom does one find a sequel stronger than the original, but 1993’s “Addams Family Values” is one of those rare exceptions. With a new season of “Wednesday” on the horizon later this year, I want to reflect on my personal favorite installment in the “Addams Family” franchise. “Addams Family Values” was directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and sees the return of Raul Julia as Gomez, Anjelica Huston as Morticia, Christopher Lloyd as Uncle Fester and Christina Ricci as Wednesday with the introduction of Carol Kane as Grandma Addams. Picking up where its predecessor ended, it features a new baby, a killer bride and the scariest setting of all … summer camp.
An often-overlooked sequel, it is often assumed that “Addams Family Values” was a mere cash grab. This is a misconception that needs to be broken! What allows “Values” to surpass the original film is that it does not need to introduce its’ crazy characters; the work has been done. Going into the film, the audience has knowledge of their personalities, allowing the Addams to be placed in situations that juxtapose their outsider nature: the first film brought the “normal” world to the Addams, while, in “Values”, the Addams are forced into the “normal” world. Furthermore, the situations
presented are heavier and more mature, matching the family’s growth.
The first film followed Fester as he, suffering from memory loss, conned and tricked the family, attempting to steal their fortune. However, as he spent more time with the Addamses, he began to remember his true identity as Fester. With this growth from the first film, Fester now finds himself the victim of a similar scheme. The primary antagonist of the film is Debbie Jillensky, brilliantly played by Joan Cusack. Debbie is a black widow bride who targets wealthy bachelors, and Fester is her next target. Under the guise of a nanny for the new baby Pubert Addams, she begins to seduce and trick Fester into marrying her. Ironically, Debbie would have been a perfect fit for the family, matching their love of the macabre and obliviousness towards normal convention. The family accepts her, never wavering even when she attempts to electrocute them. The top Addams priority is family and support; Debbie is too self-absorbed and narcissistic to ever realize the true value of family. Cusack and Lloyd have fantastic onscreen chemistry which makes the dynamic even funnier. Desperately, Fester wants his relationship to be like the one Gomez and Morticia have, but he is blind to the truth about Debbie’s intentions.
“Addams Family Values” is one of the most influential films for the current state of the franchise and popular
conception of the characters. While at camp, Wednesday falls for a boy and begins dating, a plotline reused several years later in “The Addams Family Musical” (Nathan Lane, who originated Gomez on Broadway, plays a police officer in this film). Furthermore, the Wednesday-focus of the Chippewa scenes parallels the “Wednesday” show. When comparing the personalities of the different portrayals of Wednesday across the ‘60s show, ‘90s movies and Netflix series, Jenna Ortega’s portrayal is far more reminiscent of Ricci than Lisa Loring (who played Wednesday in the original 1960s sitcom, “The Addams Family”). Unlike the original sitcom, Lurch, the monster butler, does not speak words in the films. This characteristic has become the norm for subsequent portrayals of the character in recent “Addams” media.
“Addams Family Values” should be remembered alongside films like “Goldfinger,” “Christmas Vacation” and “The Dark Knight” as a sequel that surpasses its predecessor. If you are in the mood for a good laugh but also something “all together ooky,” this film is perfect — or dreadfully imperfect — for you.
Editor’s Note: This is an abridged version. Read the full piece at ndsmcobserver.com
Contact Harry Penne at hpenne @ nd.edu
By LUKE FOLEY Scene Writer
I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of the “Great American Novel” — the idea that a single work can encapsulate the spirit and essence of our country. It’s a daunting challenge, yet books like “The Great Gatsby” and “Infinite Jest” have achieved it, offering insights into America that are both poignant and harrowing. But can a film achieve this same impact? If any film could, it would be Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist,” which feels like an adaptation of a Great American Novel that was never written. Colossal, beautiful and profound, the film deconstructs America and exposes the perennial brutality at its core.
“The Brutalist” is grandiose and utterly convinced of its own greatness. From its nearly four hours runtime to title cards denoting an overture, two acts, an intermission and an epilogue, the film’s lofty presentation signals Corbet’s desire to be in the pantheon of greats. And while all of this could easily come off as pompous, the film kind of earns its swagger. It tells the story of László Tóth, a Hungarian-born Jewish architect who emigrates to America after surviving the Holocaust. After settling in Pennsylvania, he meets Harrison Lee Van Buren, a wealthy WASP industrialist (yes, him being named after two U.S. presidents is kind of blunt and silly, but it works!). Harrison takes a keen interest in
László’s architectural skills and commissions him to build an enormous community center in honor of his late mother, but the project’s scale and intensity slowly unravel the two men.
“The Brutalist” is astonishingly dense, making it challenging to sift through all of it fully. It incisively highlights many issues in America surrounding capitalism, immigration and art, often drawing intercorrelations between them. To analyze all of it would require a lengthy treatise, so I’ll just say I especially loved the themes of the precarious relationship between art and capital, the exploitation of immigrants, the transactional nature of assimilation, philanthropy as moral laundering and some very bravely ambivalent commentary on Zionism that will not cleanly please either side of the debate. There is probably more I didn’t even pick up on my first watch, but that’s what makes the film so brilliant. It’s overflowing with ideas and dialectics, making it a profoundly rewarding experience that sticks with you long after its confounding epilogue, which I’m still trying to unpack.
Beyond its rich storytelling, the film is formally breathtaking. The gorgeous cinematography brought to life by VistaVision stock renders the film lush and vibrant; costumes, skin tones and environments pop off the screen. The set design is sumptuous, looking far better than a $10 million film has any right to. Corbet is also magnificent behind the camera, deftly alternating between eerie precision and mystifying opacity. Though sparse in what it reveals, the film’s
final chase sequence is profoundly devastating based solely on the expert craftsmanship of its direction and editing; it’s an absolute masterclass.
I can’t believe I’ve gone this long without praising the film’s acting performances, but there’s just so much to discuss. Adrien Brody is entrancing as László. He’s a melancholic enigma throughout the film, and Brody conveys a latent depth to the character. Guy Pearce as Harrison is terrific and frequently hilarious. Nevertheless, his disarming charm conceals a deeper darkness that leaks out throughout the film in bouts of rage. He and Brody have a rich dynamic throughout the film as both men push each other to their limits. And the most surprisingly good performance of the film came from Joe Alwyn, who plays Harrison’s buffoonish son. I’ve never been very impressed with an Alwyn performance, but he adeptly plays what is essentially a pathetic impersonation of Pearce’s character, with convincing affability replaced with insecure posturing.
Nevertheless, there’s still a lot of good stuff in the second half. So overall, I think Corbet succeeds at his grand ambitions: he has crafted a compelling modern American epic rich in mood, ideas, and scope. It is a Great American Film. Editor’s Note: This is an abridged version. Read the full piece at ndsmcobserver.com
Contact Luke Foley at lfoley2 @ nd.edu
HOCKEY
Irish host Lindenwood for final January games
By RYAN MURPHY Sports Writer
It’s hard to believe, but Notre Dame hockey returns home this weekend to greet a full student section for the first time since late November. They will do so while playing as well as they have all season, with wins in two out of their last three games.
Notre Dame (8-15-1, 3-12-1 B1G) will have the band and the Compton Family Ice Arena crowd behind them when they welcome Lindenwood (5-17-2) for a winnable pair of games on Friday and Saturday night. After last Saturday’s overtime win at No. 4 Minnesota, the Irish will have an opportunity to gain some long-sought momentum at home this weekend.
Irish earn split at No. 4
Minnesota
Notre Dame finished its weekend series at No. 4 Minnesota with perhaps its best 3:46 of hockey all season. By the time graduate student forward Blake Biondi had rifled the game-winning overtime goal past Gopher goalie Liam Souliere, the Irish had already dominated every moment of
ND MEN’S BASKETBALL
the extra frame.
It was a well-earned overtime victory for Notre Dame, who were outshot by the Big Ten’s second best team but still managed to hang in for their second win in three games, marking their best stretch of results since the end of October. Notre Dame’s 4-3 win Saturday came behind goals from graduate forward Ian Murphy, and sophomore forwards Carter Slaggert and Cole Knuble. Junior netminder Owen Say made 30 saves on 33 shots.
The win also proved to be an effective response to Friday night’s loss, a game in which Notre Dame was played out of the building in the first period. Despite getting on the board first after sophomore defenseman Paul Fischer scored less than five minutes into the game, the Irish conceded five consecutive Golden Gopher goals in what would end as a 5-2 loss. Notre Dame also yielded 24 first period shots, ending the game outshot 4615. Freshman netminder Nick Kempf was pulled from the game after allowing all five goals on 24 shots.
“The last two Fridays I can’t
grasp why we were a little sluggish. It’s got to be a mindset thing, so I put that on me to make sure we’re mentally prepared and ready to play,” head coach Jeff Jackson said Wednesday. “We also have to consider that the opponents want to jump on us early. We’re not in the top of the standings. So they come out hard and want us to chase the game, and frankly it works.”
Notre Dame is 0-6-1 in their last seven series-opening games.
Irish will face fledgling Lindenwood program
Lindenwood will make their first trip to South Bend in program history this weekend, though that’s not saying much. This is only the Lions’ third season at the Division One level, and the program has endured slow growth. Head coach Bill Muckalt, a Michigan alum, is in his first season behind the bench for the Lions after Rick Zombo departed in the offseason.
“He’s a pretty high-profile coach for Lindenwood to bring in,” Jackson said of Muckalt. “I’m sure as he gets time he’s going to end up with more and
more quality players. He’s built his program on the transfer portal as a lot of the new programs have done. They play a heavy game; they forecheck aggressively.”
Lindenwood has also struggled for momentum this season, and have yet to string together consecutive wins.
After upsetting Wisconsin on the road to open the season, they lost in overtime to the Badgers the following night and dropped eight of the next 10 games. More recently, the Lions are coming off a tie and a loss at Augustana.
The Lions’ leading scorer by far is senior forward David Gagnon, who has been with the program all three years. Gagnon is the team leader with nine goals and 21 points. The next closest skater on the roster to his points total is freshman defenseman Noah Houle, who has 11.
Expect sophomore netminder Owen Bartoszkiewicz to start both games this weekend. Bartoszkiewicz transferred from Minnesota over the summer and enters the game having played in 21 of Lindenwood’s 24 games. Despite having only five wins, he has posted a 2.54
goals-against-average and ranks 24th nationally in save percentage (.921).
Knuble named Hobey Baker nominee
The Hobey Baker foundation announced earlier this week that Notre Dame sophomore forward Cole Knuble is among the 97 preliminary nominees for the Hobey Baker award, given to the best player in college hockey.
Knuble leads the Irish in every major category, with nine goals and 25 points on the season. He has done so despite being regularly out of the lineup due to nagging injury concerns.
“He has the innate ability with the puck to be in the right place at the right time,” said Jackson of Knuble. “Not every player has that — a scorer’s instinct. He’s not the biggest guy in the world, but he’s not afraid to get into those dirty areas of the ice. He always seems to find quiet ice where he can get an opportunity to score.”
Finalists for the award will be announced on March 19.
Contact Ryan Murphy at rmurph22@nd.edu
Irish head to Virginia looking for elusive win
By TYLER REIDY Sports Editor
After coughing up a 17-point lead in last Saturday’s 77-69 loss at Syracuse, Notre Dame men’s basketball will go back on the road this weekend. At 8-10 overall and 2-5 in ACC play, the Irish will visit Virginia for a 6:30 p.m. start on Saturday. Notre Dame, seeking its first win away from home in more than three months, has never won in nine games at John Paul Jones Arena.
What went wrong at Syracuse?
Notre Dame couldn’t have drawn up a much better start to Saturday’s game at the JMA Wireless dome. The Irish opened up an 11-0 lead just over three minutes in and eventually led by a 38-21 margin in the final minutes of the first half. Though the Orange closed to within a 42-33 score at halftime, Notre Dame still appeared in great shape with a nine-point cushion on the road.
As per usual, Markus Burton’s dynamic play catalyzed the Irish. The sophomore guard turned in 22 first-half points, accounting for more than half of his team’s scoring. As a whole, Notre Dame shot the ball
efficiently, going 16 for 32 from the field and five for nine from three-point range. Advantages of 18-6 in painted area points and 11-0 in points off turnovers also helped the Irish to their commendable first half.
Syracuse would instantly put pressure on Notre Dame out of halftime, starting on a 7-0 run before finally tying the game with five minutes to play in regulation. The Orange ended the game on a 24-9 scoring run, reawakening the tight-game troubles that have plagued Micah Shrewsberry’s first two teams in ACC play.
With Burton’s touch going cold in a six-point second half, Notre Dame’s offense went into a tailspin. The Irish shot just 32% from the floor and did not make a single threepointer, missing what had allowed them a strong finish in the previous Saturday’s loss at No. 4 Duke. The performance of Tae Davis, arguably Notre Dame’s most encouraging player over the past month and a half, symbolized the team’s struggles. Though he tallied a respectable 11 points and seven rebounds, the junior forward got there by making just three of his 14 shots and turning the ball over four times.
The Irish also couldn’t get much of anything out of
their bench once the starters slowed down in the second half. Notre Dame’s four bench players, who saw the floor for a combined 38 minutes and 25 seconds, attempted only two shots combined across the entire game and did not score a point. Notre Dame also gave Syracuse far too many free looks at the basket during the second half, committing nine turnovers and 16 personal fouls.
A view of Virginia
Virginia’s season started, of course, with the shocking news that 15-year head coach Tony Bennett would retire. Bennett, who had guided the Cavaliers to six ACC regularseason titles and a 2019 national championship victory, stepped away just 18 days before tipoff on Oct. 18.
Ron Sanchez, whom Bennett intended to take over, has led the 2024-25 season since as the interim head basketball coach. He has Virginia in similar standing to Notre Dame at 9-10 overall and 2-6 in league play. A program that filled the 2010s with NCAA Tournament appearances, Virginia hasn’t quite been the same since
their Round of 64 upset loss to No. 13-seeded Furman in 2023. The Cavaliers did reach the big dance last year at 2311 overall and 13-7 in the ACC but did not advance beyond the First Four.
Even with the coaching change, Virginia’s identity hasn’t changed one bit. It’s still about slugfest basketball, as the Cavaliers score the fewest and allow the second-fewest points per game in the ACC. They haven’t cleared 75 points scored in any game this season but come off a 74-56 home win against Boston College on Tuesday. Virginia does not have a ranked win this season and has lost by double digits to SMU, Louisville (twice), Stanford and Cal in conference play.
The Cavaliers put forth a respectable night of rebounding against Boston College, grabbing 30 of the 53 available boards, but that’s not typical for them. Virginia bottoms out the ACC with 30.6 rebounds per game and struggles even more comprehensively on the offensive glass. The Cavaliers average 6.8 offensive rebounds per game. The nextworst team averages 9.4. If junior forwards Tae Davis and Kebba Njie bring their intensity on Saturday, Notre Dame should soundly control the interior.
Last year, Virginia and Notre Dame split the season series, with the Irish winning 76-54 in South Bend and the Cavaliers claiming a 65-53 victory in Charlottesville.
Tuesday’s win snapped a five-game losing skid, Virginia’s longest such streak since the 2009-10 season. The Cavaliers put the game to bed early, building up an 18-point lead at halftime and finishing the night in the same position. Isaac McKneely (12.3 points per game) and Andrew Rohde (9.1 points per game), two of Virginia’s most productive offensive players, returned to form against the Eagles. Typically an elite outside shooter, McKneely was 1 for 11 from deep in the two games before Boston College. He finished with six threes and a game-high 21 points against the Eagles. Rohde tallied 16 more points, making both of his three-point attempts.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
is
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Opportunities will
The
and volunteer your services. You’ll connect with someone who sparks your interest or offers valuable information, encouraging you to invest more time and money into personal gain. Be brave, and ask for what you want.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A change will do you good. Whether you rearrange your living space, make a move, or spend the day doing something new and exciting, the boost it gives you will help push you to change your lifestyle to help fulfill your dreams. Actions speak louder than words; get motivated and moving.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): There is a lesson to learn today. Before you offer your time, consider the cost or consequences. Stop trying to impress someone who is a user or doesn’t care. Ask yourself what will benefit you most, and head in a direction that prepares you for what you want to achieve.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Put your energy to good use. Dig in, finish what you start, and you’ll receive the accolades you deserve. Use your wit, charm, and talent, and you’ll have an impact on those hoping to benefit from your help. Be open regarding your intentions and commit to someone you love.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A change of heart will help you differentiate between what you have and want. Be honest, start a dialogue, and be precise regarding your expectations. Take advantage of an opportunity to explore new possibilities by getting involved in pastimes that excite you. Initiate change if it encourages healthier prospects.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Speak up and enforce positive change. Follow your heart, engage in activities that encourage better relationships, or contribute something that helps others and makes you feel good. Emotional spending or giving in to indulgent behavior or temptation won’t help you or those you encounter. Keep the peace. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Spend time fixing your surroundings or entertaining. Attend a reunion, plan a trip, or sign up for something that offers insight or enlightenment. A heart-to-heart talk with an associate will give you a better understanding of what others expect of you and whether you want to oblige or move along.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Test your strength, knowledge, and skills, and it will change how you feel about yourself and what you can achieve. Step away from anyone playing games with you or trying to take advantage of you physically, financially, or emotionally. Walk away from negative situations; do what’s best for you.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Keep your finances and personal matters to yourself. Someone will be eager to take advantage of you if you are accommodating. Focus on your health and well-being and alter your diet, lifestyle, and routine to ensure you are heading in a healthy and prosperous direction.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Offer insight and emotional support, but refrain from taking over or paying for someone else’s mistake. Avoid joint ventures that require you to invest money or sign contracts. You’ll do best if you act alone, follow your heart, and believe in yourself and your ability to succeed.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Change begins with innovative ideas, research, goals, and a desire to be self-sufficient. Creating opportunities and using all the facilities, promotions, and incentives your local community and government offer is best. Put emotions and ego aside, and put a strict budget before you tackle situations requiring patience and common sense.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Remain calm, think before you act, and you’ll find suitable solutions. Speak up, volunteer, and be the one to make a difference for those who can’t act on their behalf. Use your insight, charm, and dedication to achieve your goal. Personal growth and self-improvement projects are favored.
Birthday Baby: You are inspirational, kind, and dynamic. You are innovative and demonstrative.
HCC BASKETBALL
Saints split crosstown games against Titans
By CLAIRE WATSON Sports Writer
The Holy Cross basketball teams faced off against Indiana University of South Bend (IUSB) on Wednesday. The men’s team took a 76-60 loss, while the women’s team took a 79-66 win.
Women’s game
The Saints started off the first quarter strong, going on a 4-0 run thanks to baskets from sophomore forward Brooke Lindesmith and freshman forward Allie Caldwell. A 6-0 run from IUSB gave it a 6-4 lead, but two free throws from senior guard Jordyn Smith tied up the score. The two teams battled back and forth for the lead, but a 5-0 run from IUSB helped it finished the quarter leading 18-13.
The Saints started off the second quarter as senior guard Kayliana Hammel added a jump shot, but IUSB responded by going on a 7-0 run, bringing the score to 25-15.
ND MEN’S TENNIS
A three-point shot from Caldwell brought the score to 25-18, but a quick two points from IUSB made the score 27-18. After points scored from both teams, the Saints added a 6-0 run thanks to junior guard Audrey Tallent and sophomore guard Lilly Toppen, who both added a three-point shot, closing the score to 29-26. IUSB added three points, but Hammel added a jump shot, making the score 32-28 at halftime.
In the third quarter the teams went back and forth for points. As IUSB tried to pull ahead, a 4-0 run from the Saints closed the score to 36-34, and even as IUSB managed two more points for itself, senior forward Grace Adams put up three points alongside Toppen, who had two to pull the Saints ahead 3938. IUSB tied up the score, but a 5-0 run from the Saints kept them ahead 44-39. On a three-point shot from Hammel and two free throws from Caldwell, the Saints finished the quarter ahead 53-45.
IUSB went on a 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter to bring the score within one, but two points from Caldwell made the score 5552. A three-point shot from IUSB was quickly followed by a threepoint shot from Hammel, a free throw from Lindesmith and two jump shots from senior guard Jordyn Smith that made the score 63-55. A three-point shot from IUSB was then followed quickly by a 4-0 run from the Saints, making the score 67-58. In a heated contest for points, the Saints pushed through and came out on top, winning 79-66. Caldwell led the team with 18 points, and Lindesmith led on the interior with 10 rebounds. The Saints now look ahead to face St. Ambrose on Jan. 25, starting at 2 p.m.
Men’s game
The Saints scored first as senior guard Justin O’Neal put in a layup, but IUSB responded, going on a
22-0 run to make the score 22-2. Sophomore guard Joey Garwood and junior guard AJ Roseman both added on three-point shots to make the score 22-8, but a free throw from IUSB made the score 23-8. Freshman forward Karl Birgisson and senior guard Nash Hostetler then each added a jump shot, bringing the score to 23-12. Exchanging points, the two teams continued to go back and forth, but IUSB outscored the Saints to take the 42-29 lead at the end of the half.
O’Neal scored the first two points of the second half, but that was quickly followed by two points from IUSB, making the score 4431. Garwood added on six more points for the Saints, closing the score to 44-37, but IUSB responded with three points, making it a 10-point difference. O’Neal kept the ball rolling, putting in another jump shot, but IUSB quickly responded with six points that made the score 53-39. After two more
points from O’Neal, IUSB pressed on with a 5-0 run to bring the score to 58-41. After a shooting foul, O’Neal added on two more points, but IUSB put in a three-point shot to bring the score to 61-43. Roseman drained a three-point shot, but IUSB quickly took the ball back, putting up a three-point shot of its own to make the score 63-46. Hostetler got the offense going, shooting a free throw and two three-point baskets, bringing the score to 63-53, but IUSB responded by going on a 6-0 run that brought the score to 69-53. While the two teams added more points to the board, IUSB came out on top, winning 76-60.
O’Neal led on both ends of the court for the Saints, finishing with four rebounds alongside Hostetler, who also had four. The Saints now look ahead to play St. Ambrose on Jan. 25, starting at 3 p.m.
Contact Claire Watson at cwatson01@saintmarys.edu
Irish to take on Cleveland State, Illinois State
By TYLER REIDY Sports Writer
Now 4-1 on the young season, the Notre Dame men’s tennis team will continue its nine-match homestand to start 2025 this weekend. The Irish will take on Cleveland State at noon on Sunday before concluding the doubleheader at 5 p.m. against Illinois State.
Last weekend
After dominating Duquesne and Western Michigan to begin the campaign, Notre Dame posted a 2-1 record at home last weekend. The Irish opened with a 5-2 loss to Princeton on Friday, as the Tigers claimed the doubles point and four of the six singles matches. As expected, the performance of nationally ranked singles and
ND WOMEN’S TENNIS
doubles player Sebastian Dominko jumped off the page. The junior, who combines with freshman Peter Nad to form the 78th ranked doubles team in the country, got the Irish their sole doubles win.
Ranked 28th in singles, he also downed No. 19 Paul Inchauspe (75, 2-6, 6-4). The Tigers, however, overwhelmed the Irish with two additional ranked singles players that won the No. 2 and No. 3 matches.
Two days later, Notre Dame went down to the wire against Yale. The Bulldogs claimed the doubles point, setting the tone with a 6-4 upset of the Dominko-Nad pairing. The Irish then went down 2-0 in singles play, as No. 91 Vignesh Gogineni breezed past Dominko in a two-set surprise. However, Notre Dame would go on to win
four of the five remaining singles matches, including a tiebreaker-requiring thriller between Nad and Edward Liao in the No. 5 affair. As that battle went final (6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (6-5)), so did Notre Dame’s overall win at 4-3.
The Irish had a much easier time with Sunday’s second matchup against Saint Joseph’s. Head coach Ryan Sachire turned to a few less experienced players, including freshman Spaniard Luis Llorens Saracho, who responded to power a 4-0 victory. Dominko paired up with a new partner, sophomore Jayanth Devaiah, and found success with a 6-2 win in No. 1 doubles.
Sunday preview
Cleveland State (0-2) began its spring season last weekend in the Hoosier State, taking a 7-0 loss to
Indiana and a 4-3 loss to Butler. Last year, the Vikings went 21-7, winning the Horizon League to reach the NCAA Tournament. Brian Etzkin earned Horizon League Coach of the Year honors, while current sophomore Lincoln Battle became the conference’s Freshman of the Year. The Vikings graduated All-Horizon League Second Team player Mikael Erler and are comprised entirely of sophomores and juniors this season.
Last weekend, Cleveland State struggled in doubles play but found some success on the lower-level singles courts against Butler, winning the No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 matches. The Irish are 2-0 all-time against the Vikings.
Illinois State went 2-1 in its first weekend of play, taking a 4-3 loss to common opponent Saint Joseph’s
before defeating Marquette (4-3) and Eastern Illinois (6-1). Junior Adrian Dibildox, who competes in No. 3 doubles and No. 2 singles, enjoyed a quality weekend, going 2-0 in doubles play and 2-1 in singles action. The Redbirds’ 116th-ranked doubles team of Caden Scarlett and Tomas Valencia struggled in No. 1 matches, taking a trio of 6-4 losses. Last year, the Redbirds went 1414 and were a one-and-done in the Summit League Tournament. Like Cleveland State, Illinois State does not have any seniors on this year’s roster, with junior Tin Ostro the lone All-Summit League returner. The Redbirds have defeated the Irish once in 10 all-time tries, winning in the 1988 season.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
Irish look to build on 3-0 start this Saturday
By TYLER REIDY Sports Writer
Notre Dame women’s tennis will move into its second weekend of the spring season with a Saturday doubleheader against Western Michigan and Butler. The Irish marched out to a 3-0 start last weekend, bookending a 4-2 defeat of Illinois with sweeps of Ball State and DePaul.
Opening weekend recap
In the first three consecutive matches on home court, Notre Dame officially began the season with a 4-0 defeat of Ball State on Friday. The Irish lost just one set overall, as Akari
Matsuno played to her national ranking of 67th by outscoring her opponent 6-0 and 6-1 in No. 3 singles.
Less than 24 hours later, the Irish returned to take on Big Ten foe Illinois. Though the Fighting Illini easily claimed the doubles point, Notre Dame controlled singles play, winning four of the five completed matches. Bojana Pozder scored a significant victory in No. 1 singles, defeating McKenna Schaefbauer (6-3, 3-6, 6-2), the 109th-ranked player in the nation. Matsuno also took care of business in No. 3 singles against Ariel Madatali (6-0, 6-2), while Nibi Ghosh (6-3, 6-2) and Rylie Hanford (6-1, 6-3) earned comfortable victories of
their own.
The weekend finished with leg two of the Saturday twin bill against DePaul. After securing the doubles point, the Irish went to work in singles, as Pozder captured another win (6-0, 6-4) and Hanford (6-3, 6-1) improved to 3-0 by herself on the weekend. Kate Bellia, who did not take part in the Illinois win, did not concede a game to her opponent in No. 6 singles (6-0, 6-0).
Looking ahead
This Saturday, Notre Dame will face Western Michigan at 11 a.m. and Butler at 3 p.m. Neither team has a singles player or doubles pair ranked
nationally.
Western Michigan went 3-0 in Kalamazoo last weekend with a 5-2 defeat of Marquette preceding sweeps of Ferris State and Hillsdale. The Broncos’ No. 1 doubles team of Florida Gulf Coast transfer Lola Glantz and Audrey Smitek earned MAC Doubles Team of the Week honors with a 2-0 performance. Last season, the Broncos went 16-8 as Belarusian Polina Khotko captured the MAC Freshman of the Year award and a Second Team All-MAC selection. She’s back this season and a couple of years older than her eligibility would suggest since she started at Broward College, a junior college that shut down all sports in
2022.
Butler had an entirely different weekend, going 0-2 with sweep losses on the road against Northwestern and Purdue. The Bulldogs’ schedule will remain stiff even after Saturday with a Sunday trip to Indiana and a Feb. 1 visit to Cincinnati. With a 12-11 overall record last year, the Bulldogs went 1-5 in Big East play and did not make the NCAA Tournament. Delaney Schurhamer graduated last season as Butler’s only All-Big East player, so the Bulldogs now rely on a three-member senior class to lead the way.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
FOOTBALL
Morrison declares for draft, linemen hit portal
By TYLER REIDY Sports Writer
Over the past month, several key changes to the Notre Dame football roster for the 2025 season have begun to take shape. With players coming and going in the transfer portal during and since the College Football Playoff run, here’s a rundown of the biggest moves to this point.
Morrison declares for NFL Draft
On Thursday afternoon, star defensive player Benjamin Morrison made his celeration for the NFL Draft public. The junior cornerback, Notre Dame’s top defensive asset over the past two seasons, did not play from mid-October on due to hip surgery.
“To the people of Notre Dame, you’ve changed my life forerver and I pray I’ve impacted yours,” Morrison wrote in an Instagram post. “... This is not just the end of one chapter – it’s the beginning of another. I’ll carry the lessons, memories, and love from Notre Dame with me every step of the way. Thank you for making these years unforgettable and allowing me to live out my dreams. Forever Irish!”
Morrison, a 2024 team captain, burst onto the scene at the end of the 2022 season. His 96-year picksix against Clemson and threeinterception game against Boston College propelled him to Freshman All-American status, as he led the Irish with six interceptions. Last year, he made a career-high 11 starts and picked off three passes. Entering this year as a Sporting News and ESPN Preseason First Team All-American, Morrison finished his Notre Dame career with nine interceptions and 27 passes defended.
Heading into the draft, Morrison projects as a late first-round pick and a rookie starter. As he departs, Notre Dame will likely continue to lean on rising junior Christian Gray and upcoming sophomore Leonard Moore as its starting corners.
Offensive linemen exiting for the portal
Notre Dame’s offensive line room was always going to be crowded next season. Of the nine players who started a game on the line this year, eight have the eligbility to return next season. As a result, four Irish linemen, including three of the eligible eight, have entered the transfer portal.
Sophomore guard Sam Pendleton’s portal plans went public Wednesday morning, then graduate guard Rocco Spindler;s and senior center Pat Coogan’s. Ty Chan, a junior, also entered the portal.
Pendleton beat out Coogan, who started all 13 games at left guard in 2023, to start in that position on opening night. However, he ended up going to the bench for the remainder of the season after junior guard Billy Schrauth returned from an injury in October. Spindler, another early-season victim to Pendleton’s ascent, became the full-time right guard for the second consecutive season when Schrauth went down in Week Three. Coogan ended up finishing the year as Notre Dame’s starting center after junior Ashton Craig suffered a season-ending injury during that same week.
Though they may not have as much depth, the Irish should have no issue fielding a fully capable offensive line out of sophomore Charles Jagusah, freshman Anthonie Knapp, junior Aamil Wagner, Schrauth and Craig.
Senior blocking wide receivers Jayden Thomas and Deion Colzie have also entered the portal since Monday’s game. Thomas finished
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with 18 catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns this season, while Colzie caught five passes for 41 yards and a score.
The portal pickups
The Irish have already brought in players at key positions on both sides of the ball, beginning at wide receiver. On Dec. 23, they earned a commitment from soon-to-be graduate student Malachi Fields. During his four-year career at Virginia, Fields totaled 1,849 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, posting at least 800 yards and five scores in each of the past two seasons. In both 2023 and 2024, he finished top-10 in ACC receiving yards. Fields projects to lead the Notre Dame wideout room in 2025 along with rising juniors Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse. Another wide receiver, Will Pauling, committed to Notre Dame on Christmas Eve. The former Cincinnati Bearcat and Wisconsin Badger led Wisconsin in catches in both 2023 and 2024. Two seasons ago, he ranked top-eight in the Big Ten for receptions (74), receiving yards (837) and receiving touchdowns (six). On Christmas, tight end Ty Washington decided on Notre Dame, where he should slot in as the third Irish tight end.
Over the past three seasons at Arkansas, Washington accumulated 14 catches for 212 yards and four touchdowns.
On defense, the Irish addressed their looming defensive tackle dearth by landing Jared Dawson from Louisville on Jan. 11. Dawson, whose next college season will be his sixth, finished second among all Cardinal defenders with 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks this year.
Notre Dame also pulled in two secondary pieces – Jalen Stroman at safety and DeVonta Smith at nickelback. Stroman, who appeared in only one game this season at Virginia Tech due to an injury, started seven games and made 55 tackles in 2023. He’ll inherit the field safety postion that outgoing graduate student Xavier Watts played so well over the last two years. Smith stepped into a larger role with Alabama this season, posting 30 tackles and defending five passes.
It’s worth noting that Notre Dame will have a Bryce Young and a DeVonta Smith on its roster at the same time. Ask Alabama how that turned out for it in 2020.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
ND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Irish claim 12th consecutive win on the road
By TYLER REIDY Sports Writer
The No. 3 Notre Dame women’s basketball team pushed its win streak to 12 games with a Thursday night win in Chestnut Hill. With their 89-63 takedown of the Boston College Eagles, the Irish improved to 17-2 overall and remained unblemished at 8-0 in ACC play. The Eagles, meanwhile, fell to 12-9 with a 3-5 mark in conference play, once again coming up well short against a ranked opponent.
“I’m really pleased with this win,” head coach Niele Ivey said postgame. “This is a really tough place to play, so I thought our team really came out and was really solid. There [were] a lot of great performances from the entire team.”
The top performance belonged once more to sophomore guard Hannah Hidalgo. In her first road game since returning from a week-long ankle injury, the AllAmerican tallied 23 points, adding five rebounds, three assists and five steals.
For both Hidalgo and the Irish as a team, Thursday night’s game didn’t start the way you would think it did based on the final score. Boston College kept pace with Notre Dame early, holding an 18-17 lead through one quarter of play. The Eagles wouldn’t let Hidalgo and the visiting offense find their typical rhythm, holding the sophomore to a 2-for-8 clip from the floor during the first quarter.
After the game, Hidalgo discussed the reasons behind her cold spells early on.
“I think it’s me. I don’t really think it’s ever the defense,” Hidalgo assessed. “Just letting the game come to me is big, because once I let the game come to me, I was more efficient in the second half. They’re a really aggressive team, very physical, so it takes some adjusting to … But for the most part, it’s me — I’m always in my head when I’m not scoring.”
Notre Dame began to break free in the second quarter thanks to a pair of three-pointers from graduate forward Maddy Westbeld. Nevertheless, Boston
“Hannah led us, did a great job with her defense, having five steals, and really was contagious,” Ivey described. “I thought her energy just really helped ignite our offense, and she’s so fast, she does so much for us. I thought she was fantastic.”
College held tough within 10 points at halftime, forcing 11 Irish turnovers on offense.
With her team up 41-31 at the midway point, Ivey hoped to see more from her team on the other end of the floor.
“[We] just kind of focused on our defensive principles that we discussed and offensively, some execution points that we needed to do a better job of — but mostly it was defense,” Ivey said. “Just adjusting, doing a better job on the boards.”
Unsurprisingly, Hidalgo sparked that adjustment, finding her form with an efficient 10 points in the third quarter. Senior guard Sonia Citron, who did not score a point in the first half, joined her in resurging with seven points, three rebounds and two steals in the 10 minutes after halftime.
Postgame, Hidalgo credited her in-game shift to a message from third-year assistant coach Charel Allen.
“I’m on the bench, Coach Allen just told me to get to the basket,” Hidalgo said. “I can get to the basket with ease, and once I was able to finally get to the basket, seeing the ball go through really helped me. And my bigs did a great job
of holding their player off that allowed me to get all the way through to the lane.”
Up 68-48 entering the fourth quarter, Notre Dame didn’t need to do too much to walk out of Conte Forum with a victory. The Irish kept their defensive intensity high, impressing their head coach and closing the book on an 89-63 road win.
“They were on the same page defensively,” Ivey said. “I thought the zone helped us out. We did a better job of finding their shooters and rebounding out of it.”
The play of Citron perhaps best embodied Notre Dame’s effectiveness on defense, as the well-rounded wing just missed a double-double with nine points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals. Westbeld also battled through foul trouble to turn in a quality performance, totaling 14 points and five rebounds in less than 20 minutes on the hardwood. Graduate guard Olivia Miles, who played a consistent offensive game throughout, finished second to Hidalgo with 16 points.
Though the Irish once again did not have a great night from three-point range (7 for 18), their interior play more than covered
for any costly misses. Notre Dame outscored Boston College by a 5224 margin in the paint, hauling in 42 rebounds and limiting the Eagles to a field goal percentage of 32.4.
“Any road win in the ACC is really tough, so really good statement win … Just trying to improve and get better every game,” Ivey said.
Notre Dame will look for continued improvement after an off day on Sunday in a trip to Blacksburg on the final Thursday of January. The Irish will visit a retooling Virginia Tech squad that reached the Final Four in 2023 but lost its terrific head coachguard duo of Kenny Brooks and Georgia Amoore to Kentucky this past offseason.
The Hokies have started the Megan Duffy era with a 14-5 overall record and a 5-3 mark in the ACC. They have won five of their last six games, including a double-overtime upset of unbeaten Georgia Tech on the road and an 84-57 win at Pittsburgh on Thursday.
Notre Dame and Virginia Tech will tip off at 6 p.m. inside Cassell Coliseum on Thursday, Jan. 30.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
MOLLY DRINAN The Observer
Graduate guard Olivia Miles drives into the paint during Notre Dame’s 118-49 defeat of Eastern Michigan at Purcell Pavilion on Dec. 15, 2024. Miles tallied 16 points and three assists in Thursday night’s 89-63 win at Boston College,
