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Volume 55, Issue 28 | Friday, October 23, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
Alumna teaches coding The South Bend Coding School trains children, teenagers By SIOBHAN LOUGHNEY News Writer
Hav ing followed a unique path of study during her time at Notre Dame, A lexandra Sejdinaj, a graduate of the class of 2015 and co-founder of South Bend Code School (SBCS), has set out to help local students forge their ow n paths through code. During her junior year of college, Sejdinaj, who had been study ing in the pre-professional track w ith plans of becoming a doctor, see ALUMNA PAGE 4
Observer Staff Report
Courtesy of Alexandra Sejdinaj
The South Bend Coding School was co-founded by ND alumna Alexandra Sejdinaj. The school has had to adapt to COVID-19.
Pete Buttigieg speaks on trust in American politics
TOMMY FILIP | The Observer
Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg spoke at the Bridging the Divide lecture series about how to regain trust in the political system.
News Writer
War veteran, former South Bend mayor and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg spoke Wednesday about the importance of trust in an event titled “Rebuilding Trust in Our Nation’s Institutions” at the Office of Public Affairs and Communications series Bridging the Divide. The Bridging the Divide series
NEWS PAGE 5
aims to create productive conversations about the current state of the country. The event was moderated by Anne Thompson, chief environmental affairs correspondent for NBC News. Buttigieg recently wrote the book “Trust: America’s Best Chance” and is currently a faculty fellow at the Notre Dame’s Institute for Advanced Study. Buttigieg spoke on the see TRUST PAGE 3
VIEWPOINT PAGE 7
The Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded the College a $1 million grant to move forward on a new Center for Integrative Healthcare Education (CIHE) on campus, Saint Mary’s announced in a press release Wednesday. The CIHE is designed to help the College build off the strengths it holds in its
health sciences, specifically the nursing department. The grant will assist in the transformation of the first f loor and lower level of Regina Hall into the CIHE. “The CIHE will encourage collaboration among Saint Mary’s health science and behavioral health programs and better prepare graduates for careers see GRANT PAGE 4
NDI releases podcast on study abroad experiences By ISABELLA LAUFENBERG News Writer
This month, Notre Dame International Study Abroad program released a new podcast called BeyoND. Hosted by senior Sofia Perez, the podcast releases new episodes every Friday accessible on iTunes, Spotify and SoundCloud. Perez began her journey with the study abroad office when she applied in 2018 for the fall 2019 program in London. Perez said that she selected her potential programs based
By TOMMY FILIP
SMC receives grant to support health sciences
on the classes that were offered for her major and for the accessibility and location of the programs. Finding a program that would fit her class schedule and allow her to graduate on time, as a biochemistry major, was challenging, she said. “I knew I wanted to go to Europe, and preferably a place that didn’t have a language barrier,” Perez said. “I also knew I really wanted to travel a lot, not just stay in the country that I was studying abroad in. Both of those programs [London and Dublin] are in
countries that are very accessible to other countries.” Although she was excited, Perez said that she experienced some second thoughts prior to leaving. “What I was most apprehensive about was being away for so long and not seeing my family,” Perez said. “But also, just living in the middle of a different city, which is scary because I’ve never lived by myself in a big city.” Perez said that in the end, she was so happy she was able see PODCAST PAGE 4
SMC alumnae share study abroad stories in panel By PAIGE MADDEN News Writer
The Saint Mary’s Career Crossings Office and Center for Women’s Intercultural Leadership co-sponsored an alumnae panel discussion on the impact of studying abroad through Zoom, Thursday night. Two alumnae, Jungquie Guan (’11) and Nellie Petlick (’16),
SCENE PAGE 9
shared stories about their times at Saint Mary’s, their study abroad experiences and the impact studying abroad had on their career paths and lives as a whole. Guan is originally from Chengdu, China, and studied abroad at Saint Mary’s while majoring in economics and French. While at Saint Mary’s, she studied abroad in France for a semester her sophomore year.
ND M SOCCER PAGE 16
Her unique “double” study abroad experience opened her eyes to an entirely new world, Guan said. She realized her love for dancing, especially ballet, while taking a dance class offered by Saint Mary’s. “Dance became a vehicle for me to make French friends while abroad,” she said. see ABROAD PAGE 3
FOOTBALL PAGE 16
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TODAY
The observer | Friday, October 23, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
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What food do you crave most often?
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first year McGlinn Hall
“Oranges.”
“Guacamole.”
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junior Holy Cross Hall
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“Giordano’s Pizza.”
“Popcorn or fruit snacks.”
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“Chocolate.”
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As temperatures drop steadily and finals draw near, students make the most of the few days with more temperate weather and clearer skies. South Lawn offers spaces and events for the Notre Dame community to gather and follow public health guidelines.
The next Five days:
Want your event included here? Email news@ndsmcobserver.com
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Research Seminar virtual 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. Discover what’s new in the new encyclical “Fratelli Tutti.”
Fitness Freebie: WERQ virtual 10 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. Join instructor Natalie for a free fitness class.
The Big Draw virtual 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sketch Snite art at home to partake in the Big Draw.
“American Democracy at Risk” virtual 12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. KSGA-led policy paper discussion.
“Civil Dialogue and Free Expression on College Campuses” virtual 7 p.m.- 8 p.m. Student-led forum.
Lecture: “Health Inequity” virtual 12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Lecture given by Dr. Rhea Boyd.
Football Away Game Watch South Lawn 3:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. Game watch hosted by Morrisey Manor.
Notre Dame Band Virtual Open House virtual 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Learn more about the oldest band in the U.S.
Going to Court as a Survivor virtual 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Learn about the court system with the GRC.
Tournament Tuesdays - Cornhole Library Lawn 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Join SAO for a cornhole competition.
News
ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, October 23, 2020 | The Observer
Senate discusses dining, club funding, constitution Observer Staff Report
The Notre Dame student senate assembled Thursday evening to hear from presentations on the future updates on Campus Dining and Club Coordination Council (CCC), and passed the first two constitution amendments of the school year. The meeting commenced with an executive announcement providing an update on Title IX procedures and policies. On Wednesday, representatives of senate met as a committee and approved the October 2020 draft for procedure resolving concerns of discriminatory harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct. They will be presenting this information to a number of different University bodies and are working to get as much feedback as possible to finalize the procedure. The senate also acknowledged Abby Wolfe, director of
Abroad Continued from page 1
Guan also met one of her best friends while abroad in France. In the trips to Europe following her study abroad experience, Guan visited her life-long friend, and still communicates with her often. After graduating from Saint Mary’s, Guan earned her masters in International Education Policy from Harvard University and an MFA in Dance Performance at the University of Iowa. She is currently working on her doctorate in Culture and Performance at University of California Los Angeles. Petlick studied in Rome in the spring of 2014, and shared some of her experiences in the Zoom panel. She was a history and theater double major at Saint Mary’s, so traveling to Rome encompassed all of her interests, she said.
University Policy, for her work on this procedure. Chris Abayasinghe, senior director of Campus Dining and Auxiliary Programs, returned to the senate meeting after presenting a few weeks previously to provide some updates on the campus dining experience. “We have had a significant focus on individually serving each of your meals versus having them pre-packaged,” Abayasinghe said, acknowledging some of the requests made by students during the fall semester. Cheryl Bauer, director of Sourcing and Sustainability, hinted at some things to look forward to at the dining hall. “We are looking at more things to bring in and opportunities for you to experiment with,” she said. “Next month is vegan month in the U.S., so we might be having something there that is surprising.” Additionally, Bauer
From the time of her commitment to attend Saint Mary’s, Petlick knew she wanted to study abroad, and she was set on going to Rome. She said she did not necessarily think of going to Rome as a tool to help her future career, but she wanted to focus on her history major and knew Rome was the place to be. Petlick said her time in Rome challenged her American ethnocentrism and pushed her outside of her daily way of thinking and living. “It was just humbling to be in another country where I was the outsider,” Petlick said. “[I] realized America was not the center of the world … I began to view things as not right or wrong but just different.” Her time in Rome exposed her to things she would have never experienced otherwise, she added, and inf luenced her to be open to situations where the impact might be different from what she was
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explained that they are looking forward to expanding opportunities in self-service. Something to anticipate next semester includes the possibility of cereals and overall steps to bring back normalcy in the dining halls, she said. Luis Alberganti, director of residential dining, also revealed that somewhere around the next weekend for Halloween, they are planning a “Spooktacular” event. Afterwards, Ricardo Pozas Garza, (CCC) president, gave a presentation on funding in the Student Union Club. He gave a comprehensive analysis of how CCC is getting involved with clubs on campus, particularly in the allocation of funds. The request for Student Union club funding, $2.4 million, are high compared to the available resources, $371 thousand. As such, the CCC see SENATE PAGE 4
expecting. After graduating from Saint Mary’s, Petlick strayed from her intended career path, entered the Peace Corps and moved to Ukraine from 2016 to 2018. During that time, she worked in Ukraine at the State Department for EducationUSA, where she talked with international students about her time at Saint Mary’s. She now attends Yale University, where she is pursuing her master’s of Public Policy. After graduating in 2022, Petlick hopes to join the U.S. Foreign Service as a diplomat. Both Guan and Petlick encouraged students to study abroad while in college, an experience that offers the unique opportunity to live and immerse yourself in a culture for an extended period of time. Both women said their study abroad experiences and their years at Saint Mary’s empowered them in unimaginable ways, and opened up doors they did not know even existed. Contact Paige Madden at pmadden01@saintmarys.edu Paid Advertisement
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NDPD reports gunshots near campus Observer Staff Report
The Notre Dame Police Department informed students in a Wednesday email that the South Bend Police Department responded to reports of a suspect firing of multiple gunshots near the 700 and 800 blocks of N. Frances Street around 8 p.m. Tuesday night. The 700 block of N. Frances Street is approx imately half a mile south of Notre Dame’s campus. A short while after shots were reported, a Notre Dame student liv ing in the area went outside w ith his dog and found a man crouching in his back yard. The dog
Trust Continued from page 1
importance of service in bridging the gaps created by disagreement in our small communities. “We need to begin by creating more shared experiences that aren’t sorted according to politics,” he said. “This is one of the reasons … towns are so important. So are university spaces that bring people together from radically different backgrounds.” Buttigieg talked further on the community he has created in his current undergraduate course focused on trust. He went on to explain the value of diversity while on his seven month tour in Afghanistan. “In the military I learned to trust my life to people who were radically different from me in their politics or economic or racial or regional backgrounds,” Buttigieg said. He related this experience to the value of service in the United States. “I think that could be a model for what we could get out of greater participation in civilian service, and if we fully funded it,” Buttigieg said. Beyond the importance of service in our communities, Buttigieg touched on the current state of political turmoil in our country. “Seeing the preferences of the American majority consistently defeated in Washington, I think builds to a general sense of wanting to burn the house down,” he said. Buttigieg said a lack of trust in the American system can endanger the future of the country. “There’s a generalized and growing mistrust of expertise.
charged the man outside w ith the man subsequently yelling and pointing a gun at the student. The suspect fired one shot at the student and his dog. Neither was injured, and the shooter f led after the incident. “The subject is described as a Black male roughly 5-foot-10 to 6 feet tall, wearing black pants and a black hooded sweatshirt w ith a yellow repetitive sy mbol across it,” the email said. The Notre Dame and South Bend police departments are working together on the case and encourage anyone w ith information to contact the South Bend Police Department.
That is something that’s incredibly dangerous if lives depend on whether people, for example, trust experts whom are urging us to wear masks,” he said. Buttigieg also cited an other area where trusting expertise is necessary: climate change. “Climate change is another example of an unseen, but clear threat, but … one that largely depends on our willingness to take seriously the warnings of the scientific community,” he said. He also mentioned the mistrust associated with the Black experience in the United States. “The Black experience, for example, is obviously one where some of the institutions in which trust is most important that from policing to the financial system has not been equal in terms of access to that trust or safety,” Buttigieg said. Buttigieg related the trust gained by the United States following World War II to the possible response the country could have in the future. “The U.S. earned a century worth of trust in about three or four years in the way that the U.S. rose to the challenge of World War II,” he said. “The U.S. could help rally other countries to deal with this pandemic and of course to do that convincingly, we’d have to get our own house in order.” Buttigieg said there is a need for change in our current political atmosphere. “What we need to do is actually challenge something about the system or the way things are done or whether in that system, we just need to work harder to get a better outcome.” Contact Tommy Filip at tfilip5@nd.edu
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NEWS
The observer | Friday, October 23, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
Senate Continued from page 3
has developed a system to cutting and sorting club asks in order to provide the necessary resources to student organizations. Spring Allocation is the time in which 92% of Student Union funding for clubs is directly allocated, so it is vital that the CCC effectively gauges an effective method to provide for on-campus groups. However, there are additional difficulties this year as a consequence of COVID-19. “First of all, we see the club activities and programming are significantly down this semester,” Pozas Garza said. “Revenues and expenditures are also significantly down.” Nevertheless, with the help of the virtual activity fair this semester, many organizations were able to “recruit members exceptionally
Alumna Continued from page 1
had a rather impactful meeting w ith her adv isor. W hen she confessed that she had not been enjoy ing her classes, Sejdinaj’s adv isor told her that her undergrad education should be spent study ing something she enjoyed. “I felt like that is what ever yone did — you kind of buck le dow n, study the things that are required of you and then you get this dream career,” Sejdinaj said. “To me, medicine was a dream career because I wanted to help people.” It was not long before Sejdinaj found another way to help people. That year, she changed her major to English and began tutoring in South Bend high schools. Sejdinaj said it was through tutoring that she saw an issue that needed to be addressed — many high school seniors were deciding not to attend college. Some found that college was not the right fit for
Podcast Continued from page 1
to overcome her challenges and experience studying abroad in an area that was out of her comfort zone. Like many students, Perez said that her time abroad involved making new friends and a lot of traveling. “I really love traveling, and when you’re in Europe, there’s Ryanair f lights that are literally 60 euros, so it’s really cheap,” she said. “London has a Eurostar underground train that you can take, which is also really cheap.” Perez said she took advantage of the affordable travel options and planned a trip
Grant
graduates who are multifaceted,” Ufomata said. “Yet, certain barriers impede the expansion of our programming. For example, the College’s Nursing Science program faces capacit y constraints imposed by its facilit y, originally built in the 1950’s as an elementar y school. The Lilly grant w ill put in motion our plan to graduate next-level students who can deliver superior care to indiv iduals w ith multiple and diverse needs, utilizing a multidisciplinar y approach developed through working w ith colleagues from other healthcare disciplines in the College.” Lilly Endow ment inv ited all of Indiana’s 38 accredited public and private colleges and universities to apply for the grant.
better than [CCC] feared.” In addition, the CCC holds semesterly information meetings (CIMS) to share important information with clubs. Pozas Garza reported that 271 clubs attended this fall’s CIMS. The CCC Committee on Club Consulting (C6) is an initiative that CCC is putting together in order to increase their impact on campus. “Essentially, the CCC has been very reactive instead of proactive, in terms of helping clubs out,” Pozas Garza said. “What we should be doing is being more proactive and more engaging. We need to access what their needs are and help them work through those needs.” Pozas Garza said he was excited about their first major project, the Notre Dame Disabilities Club Forum, which features organizations such as Special Olympics of Notre Dame (SOND), AccessABLE and others.
Finally, the meeting ended by passing the first two constitutional amendments of the school year. Chief of staff Aaron Benavides introduced SO2021-12, which was to “essentially abolish the executive programming board and establish the executive committee.” After, a fellow senate member raised a point of debate on the order. “At the end of the day, what the executive committee is all about is Student Union cohesion and bringing together the different organizations so that we can work together to serve the student body,” Benavides responded. SO2021-12 was passed, alongside SO2021-13, an order to amend the Constitution of the undergraduate student body to revise article VIII, which outlines the operational procedures of the CCC.
them, and others were feeling discouraged from apply ing, whether they faced financial constraints or the challenges of nav igating the process as a first-generation student. “I did a quick Google search of what careers are available w ithout a college degree, and coding was the first thing that came up,” she said. “I didn’t want the 17 and 18-year-olds I was meeting to feel like their opportunities were suddenly cut off post graduation, and so I started teaching myself how to code.” Soon thereafter, Sejdinaj and her two co-founders started SBCS, offering weekly coding classes for students ages seven through 18 years old. With about 15 students, none of whom had any prior coding experience, the first class began in the summer of 2015 and concluded w ith a presentation of the students’ work. “Four of the web pages that they built were actually civic apps,” Sejdinaj said. “So they were dedicated towards supporting non-v iolence in
the cit y of South Bend.” The 23 web applications presented showed that the students shared Sejdinaj’s desire to help people, she said. Ty pically, the classes consist of small groups of students all learning one coding language, and in a normal year, the South Bend Code School would be partnering w ith Indiana and Michigan schools to enhance educational offerings in computer science. Students can register online for week ly classes, and there are scholarships available to make the programs accessible to more students. Like any school, the South Bend Code School has had to make adjustments to keep its students and teachers safe and healthy during the pandemic. Classes have become v irtual, yet collaborative. The students work w ith their instructors and peers to develop several projects, maintaining the mission of the school. “We like letting kids be able to express themselves through technolog y,”
Sejdinaj said. “We want them to build progress that they’re passionate about when coding languages that they’re interested in, and our instructors help them to figure out which coding languages best match their interests.” Women and minorities are underrepresented in the field of computer science, but by helping students to find their passions through coding, Sejdinaj said she hopes to create a more inclusive and encouraging env ironment. “For so many of our students, before the program, they never saw themselves as coders because they didn’t think they fit what the stereot y pical image of a coder is — they aren’t white and they aren’t a male,” Sejdinaj said. Sejdinaj said she has seen many students fall in love w ith coding, while the classes have helped others to build the courage to pursue other dreams of theirs. One of her students had kept secret her dream of being an architect, but then took
action to make her dream come true. “She didn’t think that it was possible for her to do that, and so she went through our program and all of a sudden she was emailing Notre Dame professors in the architecture department tr y ing to see if they can tell her what she needs to learn to be able to get there,” Sejdinaj said. Moments like these show Sejdinaj that she has accomplished exactly what she set out to do: help people. The ingenuit y and drive she exhibited in teaching herself how to code and co-founding the South Bend Code School has translated into success for her students. “We w ill have students who suddenly realize that this is a passion of theirs, and that then unlocks new doors for them,” Sejdinaj said. “It has definitely been a full circle moment of getting to see that this has been my way of being able to help people.”
every single weekend. “It was super fun because you could go with a bunch of different friends that were in different programs,” she said. “And then when we got there, I made so many new friends, so we would all be like, ‘Do you guys want to go to Budapest? ’ ‘Oh yeah, absolutely. Let’s plan this weekend.’” W hile very fun, Perez said traveling every weekend has its challenges. It could get costly at times, Perez explained, but she said she was always cost-conscious, and it helped that transportation and Airbnb’s were affordable. Perez said that she originally got involved with the podcast when she responded to an email put out by ND
International Study Abroad. “They sent out an email saying, ‘We’re doing a podcast or some kind of social media thing’ because of the circumstances with this year, of study abroad getting cancelled both spring and fall semester, they were worried,” Perez said. “Usually kids get notified about study abroad from other kids that have studied abroad. I applied to the position because I loved my time abroad and I love talking about my time abroad.” Perez said that during the time of planning out the podcast, she took charge and helped shape the podcast into a student-based interview approach that she hoped would be more relatable to
listeners who are apprehensive about going abroad. Moving forward, she plans on interviewing people who have studied abroad all over the world. This week’s new episode will highlight summer abroad programs, which Perez said would be an amazing option for any student who was planning to study abroad this school year. “This episode talks a lot about summer programs, the diversity between them and how great your experience can be, even though it’s only like a month or two, as opposed to a full semester one,” Perez said. “[The] Study Abroad Office is really pushing for summer programs because they’re
hoping that a lot of kids that either were supposed to study abroad this fall or the spring, will maybe still get a chance to over the summer.” Overall, Perez hopes that the message students take away from her new podcast is that study abroad is whatever you make of it. “My whole goal of interviewing a bunch of different students to get a bunch of different perspectives and different experiences on study abroad,” Perez said. “There’s a lot of freedom, and whatever you want to get out of your abroad experience you can.”
Contact Elizabeth Prater at eprater@nd.edu
Continued from page 1
in healthcare and related human ser v ice sectors, which face hiring shortages and increasing skill gaps,” College President Katie Conboy said in an email to staff and facult y. According to Conboy, the grant w ill benefit the College by allow ing more students to be educated in the health sciences and w ill allow for an overall reduced cost to educate students at Saint Mar y’s. Saint Mar y’s has long boasted their health sciences, Titilayo Ufomata, provost and senior v ice president added. “We’ve built a solid foundation through our current programming to deliver
Contact Siobhan Loughney at sloughne@nd.edu
Contact Isabella Laufenberg at ilaufenb@nd.edu
News
ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, October 23, 2020 | The Observer
5
Professors aim to find balance between parenting, teaching during pandemic By ISABELLA VOLMERT Associate News Editor
Faced with tough choices for their children regarding virtual versus in-person learning early this year, various professors in the Notre Dame community came up with different solutions. W hile their roles as double educators were greater in the spring, these professors have taken up some additional duties when it comes to their children’s unpredictable education and continue to make choices as the school year changes and progresses. Kelly Laneman is a professor of digital marketing in the Mendoza College of Business. She and her husband Nick Laneman, a co-chair of the Wireless Institute in the College of Engineering, decided to pull their children out of in-person classes two days before their school moved to remote learning last spring. Laneman’s six children — ages preschool to high school at the time — were able to complete the year from home. They had enough resources and Internet to go around for the children, she noted. “It went smoother for us probably than many other families,” Laneman said. Laneman works part time for the University and admitted she could not imagine teaching children with two full-time working parents. “It was — at least in the spring — and, to some degree, still is a full-time job helping the kids with their elearning,” she said.
W hile her classes this semester are in-person, Laneman decided to homeschool four of the children this year. She cited the need for predictable structure as an essential factor in this decision. The family resides in the Penn-Harris-Madison school district, and Laneman has structured the homeschool curricular to match the standard in Indiana. The situation is short term, hopefully for this school year, she said. The Laneman’s two other children are now attending school virtually, after they attended their school’s hybrid classes for a short period of time. Laneman also noted her own students who have worked through a variety of struggles this semester, from contracting the virus to learning in an ever-changing environment. “Given all of that, the students have been very adaptable and f lexible, but there’s no question, everybody has had to struggle to work through that,” she said. Laneman referred to homeschooling as a simultaneous challenge and joy. “I’m very aware that we are in a pretty privileged situation compared to many parents,” she said. Laneman noted most schools in the area are not back in person yet, and many parents work full-time. She said one of the most enjoyable aspects has been tying in current events, such as the election, to some of the curriculum and witness them in real life with her children.
Jeff Greiner, a professor of education at Saint Mary’s, has two sons, one in high school and one in elementary school. Greiner said it was harder to balance the work-life balance last spring, when he, his wife who works from home and their children were sharing the same space and internet. Last semester, Greiner’s classes were asynchronous after spring break, but this semester, all of his classes meet in-person again. Greiner noted his work load this semester has increased as he’s had to balance his own research with his classes and his student advisees. Currently, Greiner’s oldest son is attending high school on a hybrid schedule, in which he alternates attending classes online and in-person. His younger son recently went back to in-person classes after starting the school year virtually. Greiner’s role in his children’s education is less hands-on now, he said. Greiner said the decision to send their kids back in-person was tough. “We knew that there were risks,” he said. In the end, Greiner said the family decided to return to in-person classes because they knew there were health protocols and precautions in place, and they could educate their children on the precautions. “For their education, we decided to give them a shot,” Greiner said. Greiner said a big concern has been transporting their kids to school, as they
and many other parents in their district were concerned about busing. Before the pandemic, the school district was sitting three kids to a seat. “There are struggles and we keep moving through,” he said, referring to the creation of carpool groups and other ways to transport their children to school. Gail Bederman, professor of history, American Studies and gender studies at Notre Dame, chose to move her classes online before the semester began. “I’m 68 years old and I’m afraid of the death of the coronavirus,” she said in an email. Bederman’s daughter currently attends a boarding high school nearby, where she chose to go for the opportunities to be more independent, Bederman said. “At home, she’s only got David, me and the cat,” she said. “None of us know what to do on Snapchat or TikTok.” W hen her daughter is home to visit on the weekends, the family wears masks to protect each other. Bederman said her daughter has experienced additional stress and strain this year due to the virus. “High school is difficult any way, but being in high school — boarding high school — with COVID-19 all around is especially hard,” she said. Bederman said its as hard being a high schooler as it is being a university student right now, and she felt especially for mothers and parents with younger children
who had to return to teaching their own classes in-person. Olivier Morel, Notre Dame professor of film, television and theater, has two middle school-aged daughters who are currently learning virtually from home. “We, of course, knew there was no easy solution,” Morel said about the decision. Morel said being a professor on top of his role of educating his children last spring was a challenge, although he was grateful for his family’s access to computers, internet and the ability to stay home. Morel’s wife, Alison Rice, is the chair of Romance Languages at Notre Dame. Morel, a dual citizen of France and the U.S., also said it was difficult to watch the U.S. response to the virus. Morel’s wife worked during the summer to find ways for the department to reopen in the fall. “We were quite frustrated throughout the summer because we worked quite hard for the University,” he said. Morel said his children were more anxious about the virus last spring, but are still very concerned now. He said his children are worried about being carriers of the virus. W hen asked if he had taken up additional roles as an educator for his children, he said his daughter’s are very autonomous in their schooling. “They are already politically involved and aware,” he said. Contact Isabella Volmert at ivolmert@nd.edu
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The observer | Friday, OCtober 23, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
My top 5 Halloween candies Jimmy Ward Associate Sports Editor
Halloween is right around the corner and it is not getting enough attention this year. To give Halloween some of it’s due credit, I will be ranking the best candies you can get when trick-or-treating. 5. Tootsie Fruit Rolls You always ended up with a few dozen of these flavored Tootsie Rolls and had no idea what to do with them. Some of them were alright, but none were great. The blue one was especially deceiving to children not reading what kind of candy they were eating as one would expect blue to be some sort of berry flavor but in reality it is vanilla flavored. These aren’t earning a spot on my list because they tasted good but because you never knew what to expect when you ate them, and it was a fun surprise every time because they only seemed to come around on Oct. 31. 4. Snickers A true classic, an argument could be made that this list needs to be broken up by chocolate or chewy snacks, but I only have 500 words to work with here so take an all-time great candy bar to fill whatever void may be left in this list by my love for chewy and fruity candy. Some other good candies of the chocolate variety: 3 Musketeers, Twix and Resse’s. 3. Bottle Caps They taste like Smarties but are bigger and better. You also feel super cool eating them (or at least I did) because they are made to look like bottle caps. They have a chalky texture which can easily lead to a dry mouth so have some water close by. Each color also has a distinct soda inspired flavor that made trading with your friends fun, when you’re not in a pandemic of course. 2. Twizzlers I was never a huge licorice fan, but I remember the first time I tried one of those Twizzlers that is filled with sweet and sour chewy candy. I was in love. Bonus points: I’ve heard that licorice is good for you. Now when you stuff it full of more sugar I’m sure it negates a lot of those alleged health benefits but it sure does taste good. Twizzlers are awesome only when they are encasing a huge chunk of sugar. 1. Skittles The best candy to get in your bag on Halloween hands down. Skittles are awesome because you never know what you are going to get. What I mean by that is no one in their right mind eats Skittles one by one — you pile those things in your mouth all at once. It’s almost like a snowflake, each handful of candy is different from the next. There is one thing that you can count on every single handful though: It will be delicious. Skittles can also be used more maliciously however. Many times have I eaten a Skittle thinking it was an M&M or vice versa, and this is truly an unsettling experience that I would not wish upon my worst enemy. Skittles are objectively the best halloween candy. You can contact Jimmy at wward@hcc-nd.edu The views expressed in this Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
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Three things I learned from ‘Game of Thrones’ Vince Mallett Independent Idealist
Warning: Major spoilers, for all eight seasons of “Game of Thrones” and all five books of “A Song of Ice and Fire,” are discussed in this column. I am a die-hard “Game of Thrones” fanatic. The show is one of my all-time favorites, and the book series on which it is based is my absolute favorite. I think about the universe almost every day, argue about it with my roommate and listen to a weekly podcast about it, which deserves a ton of credit for developing my thoughts on the series’ themes. Those themes include heavy considerations of politics, duty, family, betrayal and love. I’ve decided to relay three lessons I’ve learned from “Game of Thrones,” in an effort to show that it’s not only excessive nudity and excessive violence. Again: Spoilers are incoming.
Lesson #1: Love and duty are not opposed to one another. One recurring motif in both the books and the show is the resolution of dichotomies: magical vs. political power, confidence vs. humility and, of course, fire vs. ice. In “A Game of Thrones,” and in the first season of the TV show, Maester Aemon tells the hero, Jon Snow, that “love is the death of duty.” Jon’s relationship to this dichotomy is explored throughout the series and culminates in the decision he makes in the finale — which I can’t bring myself to write in words, even with the spoiler warnings. Neither the show nor the books, however, should be understood as actually agreeing with Maester Aemon’s diagnosis. Instead, one must understand love and duty to be intimately related; the characters who do otherwise face disastrous consequences. Robb Stark chooses to marry the woman he loves instead of following through on his betrothal to a daughter of Walder Frey, resulting in one of the show’s iconically heart-wrenching twists. On the other hand, Stannis Baratheon puts aside his love for his daughter and burns her alive in order to bring his god’s favor to his army. He loses the subsequent battle and pays with his life. These two situations show that the sacrifices of love for duty and vice versa are dangerously unwise. I believe, and I think the books and show teach, that duty must be thought of as subordinate to love. Love is the ultimate motivator, the ultimate goal and the ultimate prize. Our obligations are built on the love we must have for our fellow human beings. Of course, this is not to say that obligations should be shirked whenever we are acting out of love. That’s precisely what Robb Stark does: He fails to recognize that following through on his oath would be an act of love for his family, for his people and for peace in such a way that far outweighs the love he has for Talisa. To take a real-life example, imagine a single mother who has to decide whether to miss her daughter’s soccer game and work overtime instead. Is choosing to work necessarily blameworthy? Is putting food on the table not an act of love itself, which might outweigh attendance at a soccer game? We have to recognize that, while duty is grounded in love, neither can be disregarded without consequence.
Lesson #2: Power is a “shadow on a wall,” and shadows can kill. Varys tells Tyrion, in “A Clash of Kings” and the second season of the show, that “power resides where men believe it resides. It’s a trick, a shadow on the wall.” Soon after this conversation, King
Renly Baratheon is murdered by a literal shadow on the wall of his tent. When one interprets these events together, the point is rather clear: Social power is imagined, constructed by humans, but can kill you all the same. Two examples from today’s world stand out to me, the second much more poignant than the first. Political power is not a real, fundamental thing that we decide whether or not to recognize. Instead, political influence only exists because we collectively decide to recognize it, to give political institutions legitimacy. Those institutions have virtually-unquestioned power over life and death as a direct result of that recognition. Racism is also a “shadow on a wall” that wields deadly force. I strongly believe that there are no inherent, pre-societal differences between human beings of different races. Instead, I think race is socially constructed, reinforced through social practices, and reflected in the lived experiences of millions of Americans. This isn’t to say that race is “fake” or that we should all be “colorblind.” Instead, race is both a socially contingent phenomenon and something that has terrifying power, including the power to kill with impunity. We need only to look at the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin and so many others to understand that power.
Lesson #3: There are some abilities that humans should not have. Many fans considered Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons to be the heroes of the story, which partially explains why the final season was considered so disappointing. Instead, I believe that Daenerys and the dragons were always supposed to be the villains and that the still-unfinished book series will more skillfully depict how they arrive at that point. For one, dragons are always the villains of fairy tales, and while George R.R. Martin loves to subvert fantasy tropes, I think this particular cliche will be played straight. More relevantly, I believe that Martin wants to show that there is power in this world that should not be manipulated by human persons, who are inevitably flawed. The impact that people have on the world should be personal: We can hurt our family, we can love our spouses, we can help our neighbors, we can kill our friends. The consequences of these actions, both good and bad, can also be dealt with on the personal level. In contrast, the dragons give Daenerys such immense power that she can no longer have personal interactions at all; everything she does is affected by her ability to annihilate anyone she chooses. This lesson has a particular impact on 21st century life, especially with regards to modern technology. The presence of nuclear weapons has caused radical changes in international relations: The worst-case scenario is no longer total war, it is absolute destruction. On a more relatable level, the constant distraction of cell phones deteriorates our ability to maintain personal, material relationships. I’m not arguing that technology is evil; I also don’t think the dragons are evil in “Game of Thrones.” I believe that technology is a tool, and we have to carefully consider what tools we should be trusted with. I, for one, would rather not have to take care of a dragon. Vince Mallett is a senior majoring in philosophy, with a minor in constitutional studies. He currently lives off-campus, though he calls both New Jersey and Carroll Hall home. He can be reached at vmallett@nd.edu or @vince_mallett on Twitter. The views expressed in this column are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer.
The observer | Friday, October 23, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
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If you haven’t heard, you should vote There’s no escaping it. The 2020 election season is upon us. No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, it is imperative that we take this moment to use our voices and vote. We’re sure you’ve heard it a thousand times by now, but making an educated vote this fall is your civic duty. A couple clicks through our Viewpoint section will provide all the encouragement and resources you need to vote in this fall’s election. But in case you needed it, here’s one final reminder to represent yourself at the polls this year. Voting by mail, also known as voting by absentee ballot, is the biggest form of voting this year. A necessary option for out-of-state college students, it has gained traction in light of the ongoing pandemic. In the 2020 U.S. primaries, mail-in votes counted for just over 50% of all total votes. For reference, only 24% of all votes in the 2016 general election were absentee. This election may serve as many’s first time voting in a presidential election, or any election for that matter. It’s exciting, scary and potentially confusing. Some question the validity of the U.S. voting system — specifically voting by mail — citing that it isn’t accurate and would take too long to count. Others believe their individual vote simply does
not matter. This is a huge misconception. First, make sure you’re registered to vote. Online resources now make it easier than ever and can verify your registration in the time it takes to watch a TikTok. The best thing to do is to make a plan to hold yourself accountable, including how you’ll be voting, where you’ll be voting and when. Many college students who are away from home are still awaiting their absentee ballots. Reach out to your local clerk and check the status of your ballot to make sure it is sent and received by Nov. 3. Given the current state of the United States Postal Service, the earlier you can send back your ballot, the more likely it will be received by the deadline. Once you send your ballot in, some counties let you track the status of your ballot so you can ensure that it was counted. Although this might be stressful for some, it’s important to know that your vote still counts — and every vote matters. If you plan to go home to vote, take into consideration some of the extensive wait times and voter requirements at the polls. Take the time to research all the candidates on the ballot and their platforms. Many local newsrooms have published voting guides for local seats up for election, such as school board representatives or county commissioner, for those who don’t keep up with all offices but still want to make an informed vote. As of last week, over 20 million Americans have
already voted in this year’s presidential election — a record-breaking number of votes for any election in our nation’s history. Voting is one of the most influential and important jobs of a citizen. It’s our constitutional right and privilege granted at age 18 and our responsibility as members of a democracy. Failing to exercise this right after those before us fought — and some are still fighting — to earn it would be a disservice to those suffragists, to communities still marginalized in the voting booths and to ourselves. We can use this right to elect leadership that will shape the course of the next four to eight years. The president serves as the commander-in-chief to the military and nominates 15 cabinet departments that dictate almost every sector of American life, making it one of the most important roles in the United States. While voting for the president, senators and representatives is important, remember to vote for positions in your local and state legislatures as well, in addition to propositions and ballot measures. Politicians in all levels of government have the power to make decisions that affect daily life, so it’s important to make your voice heard and advocate for your local community with your vote. It is up to us to elect the change we want to see in this country. So make sure you check your mailbox and send in those absentee ballots. Although it may seem like a simple “fill in the bubble,” that bubble has an impact on each and every person in this country.
Restoration Week totally worked. Let’s try it again Edward Brunicard There’s More
Breath in … breath out … breath in … this sucks. This sucks. I am still stressed out. I have papers to write, appointments to make and about 40 other things before the idea of a break can even be entertained. But all I need to do is power through to Friday, and let the weekend be my savior. Until Monday that is, when the cycle repeats all over. To combat these feelings of angst among us, last week the University’s McDonald Center for Wellbeing hosted Restoration Week. Instead of the usual fall break, students of all classes could find new “opportunities to relax, laugh, experience memories from home [or] have a little change of scenery,” according to the Center’s guide. And by God, am I thankful. Had it not been for the Zoom invitations for online yoga or scented candles out on South, I have no idea where my sanity would be today. Because if there is one thing that’s become clear from such a special week, it’s that even the most “relaxing” of activities can leave me feeling the same: stressed out. This is not to say that the McDonald Center didn’t have the best intentions coming into this project. The fact they took the time to plan all these activities means they really do care about our well-being, and regardless of my own feelings, it’s something that should be applauded. However, with everything on our plates right now, seeing the McDonald Center’s bright red all-caps header “TAKE A BREAK” only comes off as tone-deaf to what is really getting students down. It’s not the fact that we don’t know
how to relax. It’s the fact that there is nothing to look forward to once the relaxing is over. In this pandemic-led world we now live in, limitations seem to define the new normal. Of course, there are the reminders to socially distance, sanitize our hands and isolate from others when necessary. But it goes much deeper than that. College was supposed to be the one opportunity to deeply explore who we are in a risk-free environment. It was supposed to be a time to discover our passions and develop into agents of change for the world. But instead, we now find ourselves sitting still, hopelessly watching that world burn from afar. We have resorted to confining our growth to thicker textbooks, rigorous internships or even Mindfulness Drop-In Sessions. At the end of the day, we know these routines, meant to keep ourselves busy or social, all have something fundamentally missing. We know deep down there is more to life than this. As to what that missing “thing” is, I can only describe it as this: A few hours before the game last week, I was sitting in my room staring at the ceiling. The past few hours were fun, hanging out with my friends on South Quad and eating some fancy desserts the dining hall had in store. But at the risk of committing Fighting Irish blasphemy, I wasn’t really excited for the game. More than just the cold and the opponent being Louisville (You know what I mean.), I didn’t want to spend my weekend at the same stadium at the same seats having the same kind of experience. Of course, getting to meet new people in the stands isn’t something I would ever hope to pass on. But at this point, it was more a routine than a want. So, I did the unthinkable for any true ND fan. I skipped it. Convincing my roommate Hector to go
with me, we took his car and explored South Bend for the day. And while I can certainly boast about the Panda Express we ate and the off-brand Notre Dame merch I got suckered into buying, the experience was more than that. Out in the Bend, I was reminded that there is so much more to the world around us than the student routines that have defined our lives this semester. There were new people to meet, new activities to do, new thoughts to consider that I never would have read in a book. In essence, I got to have a break that didn’t just distract from the work waiting for me tomorrow. It was a break that showed me how much more there is to discover. Unfortunately, McWell’s Restoration Week has officially passed. But in this time of seemingly endless limitations, I say this: Don’t let your opportunity to be mindful stay confined as well. Instead, take your chance. Try a new activity on a Tuesday night or read a new book during your recovery from a weekend hangover. Whatever it is, just be sure that it falls completely out of your routine. Because when it comes to really feeling restored, it is not something that gets solved in a single week. It’s something we should want to do consistently, this week and the next. Edward Brunicardi is a sophomore at Notre Dame pursuing a major in political science and a minor with the Hesburgh Program of Public Service. Though he may have had all the creativity sucked out of him in high school, writing serves as Edward’s best chance at getting something back. He can be reached at ebrunica@nd.edu or @EdwardBrunicar1 on Twitter. The views expressed in this column are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer.
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The observer | friday, October 23, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Same-sex civil unions and my radical hope In her virtual Hesburgh Lecture at Notre Dame two weeks ago, Dr. Angela Davis asked the question: “How can we educate ourselves so we have the capacity to think beyond what exists in the present?” Dr. Davis suggests that this radical hope for what is possible in the future is what grounds us in the present. This morning, I caught a glimpse of this future that I had never even imagined to be possible within my own lifetime. Earlier today, a new documentary shows that Pope Francis, for the first time in his papacy, has declared support for same-sex civil unions, citing that gay couples, too, deserve legal protection for their relationships. Francis is the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, and the first to publicly endorse same-sex civil unions. In the United States in 2020, the support of samesex civil unions (which is different from marriage) is far from a radical view. But for the Catholic Church — my Church and my home, this is a big
deal: a big and necessary step in the Church’s long journey toward equality for all God’s children and their loved ones. I saw the news while sitting in Duncan Student Center, going about my morning as a busy doctoral student of theology. I don’t often cry in public, but this morning, I simply let my tears flow down my (masked) face out of excitement, awe and sorrow. During my undergraduate years at Notre Dame, I would walk by the Basilica, where I worshipped every Sunday, with the somber realization that I, as a queer Catholic, would not be able to marry a same-sex partner in the same sanctuary where I had received the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist, in the same Church that had taught me the meaning of love and justice, of mercy and grace. This still remains true today: The Catholic Church is far from expanding sacramental marriage to same-sex couples. Ecclesial homophobia, transphobia and heteronormativity in our theological
imagination still loom large in Catholic spaces. But for the first time, I saw signs of a Church that is growing ever closer to its mission of being the embodiment of God’s all-encompassing love. For that, I am grateful. Sacramental marriage, something unimaginable in the present moment for queer individuals in the Catholic Church like myself, will always be my radical hope. On the path toward building this impossible future, it is moments like today’s news that ground me. Notre Dame, through its very motto and mission, has taught me much about the meaning and the costliness of hope. And in that same spirit, I — a queer Catholic student of theology — continue to live in the hope of a future that, deep down, I believe is possible. Flora Tang Doctoral Student in Theology and Peace Studies Oct. 21
Death of the universe... maybe James Cullinanei Show Some Skin
There are two possible ways the universe w ill end. A scar y sentence, right? I haven’t even started to talk about the details yet, and the tone of this column is already prett y unner v ing. The end of the universe. The expiration date of ever y thing we know. Not exactly your t y pical water-cooler discussion topic. In fact, I highly recommend that you do not bring up the ever-approaching curtain call of the cosmos when you are tr y ing to make a good first impression. Trust me, it does not go well. Enough about me though. Let’s take a moment to talk about something a little more important: me. For real though, I want to cut through all the narcissism here to just put a big disclaimer that I am no cosmologist. I am, however, an av id Google-r who has taken one college astronomy course, so I am basically an expert. Now, let’s establish one thing: The universe w ill end. W hether we like it or not, ever y thing ends. The question is, how? The answer is simpler than you’d think. Let’s start w ith one basic fact. The universe is constantly expanding. From here, we make it a logic problem. W hat happens next? 1. The universe w ill continue to expand forever. 2. The universe w ill eventually stop expanding and start contracting. These seem to be the only two options. We keep mov ing or we turn around. One of these things has to happen. But what do these all mean? W hat are the consequences? Well, let’s take a look behind door number one. Believe it or not ( You should believe this — it’s science.), the expansion of the universe is constantly increasing the space between ever y thing. As a kid, I always imagined the universe expanding as just the universe grow ing, as if it was constantly making more of itself. In actualit y, it is almost better to imagine the universe stretching. As it continues to stretch, the things w ithin it slowly get farther and farther apart from each other. If the universe continues to expand outwardly forever (also know n as an “Open Universe”), then we w ill eventually reach a point where the space between ever y gala x y, ever y planet, ever y atom, is so great that all material objects w ill disintegrate into particles a
la Thanos snap. There w ill be nothing left but empt y space. Hm. OK, yeah, this one was prett y drastic. Let’s tr y the next one. One thing we have to remember is that the universe is basically play ing a constant game of tugof-war w ith itself. On one side is the constant expansion and the other is grav it y. In our above example, expansion w ins out, but what if it was the other way around? In this theor y, grav it y is our ver y ow n cosmic Rock y Balboa that overcomes the constant pull of the universe. Grav it y overpowering this pull would stop the expansion of the universe and instantly begin a contraction — this is referred to as a “Closed Universe.” Ever y particle in the whole universe would be pulled in by grav it y until it all collapses into a singular point — destroy ing ever y thing. (Note: There is another option in which something similar to a black hole appears and slowly but surely destroys the entiret y of the universe. Cosmologists have named this “The Big Slurp,” so, quite frank ly, I think it deser ves no respect) Well, I’m sad now. Are you? You may be asking yourself, “W hy did you tell me this? I didn’t need this information. I won’t even be alive when this all happens. W hy would you even bother to tell me? ” These are all good questions. You are correct. Ever y thing I have described here today is incredibly sad. The end of the universe is quite literally the biggest loss that could ever happen. Ever y thing to ever ex ist would be gone. There is, however, a silver lining to this stor y. There is a chance, just a chance, that, if grav it y w ins that ongoing tug-of-war — if that contraction of the universe begins, if ever y star, ever y planet, ever y world, ever y creature, ever y half eaten donut and empt y coffee cup comes crashing into one single point w ith a power unlike any other — well, there is a chance that much matter in such a small space would create a singularit y so dense it wouldn’t be able to contain itself. It would burst out in a glorious explosion of light and matter and energ y. And maybe, billions and billions of years later, this matter would slowly start to form something like gala x ies and stars and planets. And maybe these planets would find harmony w ith others, f loating their way into a beautiful balance of grav it y called orbit. And maybe one of these planets would find itself in such an orbit that it could support an entirely new creation: life. And maybe, just maybe, this life would grow and evolve. Maybe they would
be wonderfully curious and obser vant and learn about the world around them. Maybe they would go on to explore the infinite amount of space surrounding them. Maybe they would call it a universe. Maybe one day they would find out about that huge cosmic explosion that started ever y thing. Maybe they would call it the Big Bang. Maybe one of them would go to attend something called college and take a class on something called astronomy and learn about that Big Bang. Maybe they would learn about the ways the universe might end. Maybe they would hear about this idea of the universe contracting so much that it would eventually explode into a new universe. And maybe they would cling onto that idea, keeping it in their heart. Because maybe it gives them hope. Hope that things w ill go on. Hope that things can be beautiful. Hope for this universe. Hope for the next one. Maybe they hope you think so, too. James Cullinane is a junior and can be contacted at jcullin2@nd.edu Show Some Skin is a student-run initiative committed to giving voice to unspoken narratives about identity and difference. Using the art of storytelling as a catalyst for positive social change across campus, we seek to make Notre Dame a more open and welcoming place for all. If you are interested in breaking the silence and getting involved with Show Some Skin, email s.someskin@gmail.com
KERRY SCHNEEMAN | The Observer
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The observer | Friday, October 23, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
By LEXI KILCOIN Scene Writer
As I walk down the busy streets of downtown South Bend, I start to notice more and more color. “Was this here before?” I ask myself in regard to a giant mural on the side of the Garage Arcade Bar. “It’s so beautiful.” Growing up near South Bend, I tend to notice the small improvements, but these murals seem to be popping up with the blink of an eye. I keep walking and notice the many names that are tagged and the art that comes along with them. I became curious about the art; I wanted to know where these murals came from and why the city would choose to keep something that is so commonly viewed as vandalism. I spoke with graffiti artist Alex Van Galder — known in the art world as “Klober” — and found the root of the city’s art. Graffiti is a form of street art that can take many forms. From murals to words to patches of color, it can act as a source of relief for artists and nonartists alike. Van Galder shared his story of graffiti and the origins that brought him here today. “I started doing graffiti when I was 17,” he said. “Art helped me learn to express myself, and art kept me out
By COLLEEN FISCHER Scene Writer
If I was in a coming-of-age film, it would open with me slamming the door shut and blaring something David Byrne wrote. There is something about David Byrne and Talking Heads that makes my brain make sense. I was waiting for the film version of “America Utopia” for over a year, and it was worth the wait. “American Utopia” gives Byrne what he always wanted: complete creative freedom. Byrne’s art has always existed in a visual sphere first, so he starts it how a painter starts with a blank canvas — as if it’s an empty stage. Reminiscent of one of the best and most referenced music performance movies of all-time, “Stop Making Sense,” this “start simple, build up” model is effective and moving. He repeats the model in their performance of “Born Under Pressure,” an original Talking Heads song, and as the band builds it up, he introduces them. Byrne’s choices are minimalist. The gray suits, shoes, backgrounds and lack of props make the picture seem almost black and white. The simplicity of the production allows Byrne to focus on what lies at the center of the show: human connection. Spike Lee’s direction is evident but never overbearing. His
of the system and got me into college. Art has changed my life.” This statement resonated with me — as I’m sure it would with many artists — that art can change a person’s life for the better. There are many cases in which a person finds themselves drawn towards art, specifically in the form of graffiti. When they want to escape from a situation, it can become a safe place to express their emotions. Many people look at graffiti as a form of vandalism; however, Van Galder’s attitude is quite the contrary. He said many businesses in the area donate to his foundation’s annual “Graff Bash,” which invites artists from the area to come and share their art and paint on walls for charity. It appears that many of the businesses in the downtown area embrace the street art, as it adds color to the city and gives it a modern vibe. When South Bend’s 150th birthday came, there were walls put up on Niles Avenue. Soon these walls turned into canvases for graffiti and have since stayed. Some have even been rebuilt because they are, ironically, vandalized. There are doodles and drawings on the side of Fiddler’s Hearth, and there is a beautiful mural on the side of Garage Arcade Bar, as I mentioned earlier. These different street art forms add color to the community.
According to Van Galder, there is “not a lot of color in South Bend, and people need more hope in the community.” These murals can provide a sense of hope for those who might otherwise end up in undesirable situations or for those who advocate for the growth of South Bend. My personal favorite from my self-guided “graffiti tour” is the Tom and Jerry mural by @_cshel. It reminds me of my childhood, and the smiles on their faces bring about pure joy. Fun, childlike images, however, are not the only images that are expressed through graffiti. Graffiti can act as a tool to fight for justice, such as the George Floyd image, where people have begun to place flowers in his memory as an act of non-violent protest. Graffiti is “free art” that can be viewed by anyone, and it’s a great way to get out of the house, dorm, or apartment and do something unique by taking trendy photos — or even artsy ones — to fit your VSCO aesthetic. With every stroke of a brush or rattle of a spray paint can emerges expression and character in an evolving city. So go out, enjoy the murals, because tomorrow there will be a new, unique work of art waiting to be captured.
voice is clear, visible and always gracious to Byrne’s vision. The show ran on Broadway and is hoping to return next fall; the filming and subsequent release of the show make it accessible. In fact, Byrne is said to have started playing music because it was the most consumable art form. This sentiment is seen throughout the show as he engages with the audience in the theater and at home. Lee’s influence makes it clear that you are viewing a film and not a taping of the show. The show does have an accompanying solo album from Byrne and an official Broadway cast recording, but the movie reveals a new dimension. Lee often uses God-like, point-of-view shots to make the actors look like shapes moving across the stage, a fun effect that is impossible in a live show. These visual components are intentional and necessary to experience Byrne’s music at its fullest. Byrne opens the show by explaining the human brain. He makes the story wider and wider as it encompasses human relationships, politics and thought. It is no wonder that comedians like John Mulaney and Amy Schumer have connected with Byrne; he has even received some comedy notes from Jerry Seinfeld. Byrne teeters the edge between the absurd and the insanely genuine, never sacrificing one for the other. He directly brings up the Dada art movement of the ‘30s before reciting a song of gibberish, but as soon as it stops being interesting, he moves on. He approaches
songwriting almost juvenilely, singing about dancing, acceptance, dogs and things he sees in his life. These moments focusing on joy and community are joined by earnest political moments such as their cover of “Say Their Names” by Janelle Monae. The balance between his approaches gives the show a conversational feel, featuring both the beautiful and the ugly parts of life. Byrne’s music extends beyond just trying to take an optimistic view of politics, also offering optimism in the face of loneliness. In “America Utopia,” he takes the audience on a journey through their brains and the beauty of human connection. As he says in the show, “Human’s favorite thing to look at is other people.” Byrne highlights this need in a time when it feels like there are insurmountable obstacles between humans. Watching the show made me realize that the show in itself is a sort of coming-of-age story for humanity. It starts off small with only one human brain and ends up taking us on an entire journey through the human experience, all with only a couple of people, a couple of instruments and a minimalist set. The credits roll over Byrne and his Broadway cast, riding their bikes around New York, raving with each other. The shot I wish my coming-of-age movie would end with.
Contact Lexi Kilcoin at akilcoin@nd.edu
Contact Colleen Fischer at cfischer01@saintmarys.edu JACKIE JUNCO | The Observer
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The observer | Friday, October 23, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
By SOPHIA MICHETTI Scene Writer
Slapstick comedy is hard to pull off. With too many characters or a joke that pushes it a bit too far, the entire movie can be thrown off balance if a writer relies too heavily on physical comedy. Unfortunately, Adam Sandler’s Netflix Halloween flick “Hubie Halloween” flops for this very reason. There is hardly any substance to back up the film’s jokes, with every character more of a caricature than a regular person. While the setting and general plot of the movie do fit the aesthetic of Halloween, the only thing scary about “Hubie Halloween” is the fact that so many actors signed on to film it. “Hubie Halloween” takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, on Halloween. The film juxtaposes suspenseful, creepy instrumental music that we find in classic Halloween movies with party classics like “Monster Mash,” a mix that reflects the film’s tone. “Hubie Halloween” is both a comedy and a mystery at once, as the main character’s comedic life intertwines with the mystery he is trying to solve. Hubie Dubois (Sandler) is the town’s equivalent of a school hall monitor; perhaps unsurprisingly, he dresses up as a hall monitor for Halloween. Throughout the film, he makes sure to tell everyone he meets how to be safe on Halloween, and he will call a kid out if they take more than one piece
By WILLOUGHBY THOM Scene Writer
To most people it’s spooky season, but to me, it’s Oingo Boingo season. During the month of October, I listen to Oingo Boingo almost every day to get into the Halloween spirit. Not every song is necessarily “Halloweeny,” but their dark-humored spirit and mystic undertones get you in the spirit for this very festive holiday. You may be thinking, “Here we go again, another article from Willoughby about Oingo Boingo,” but I assure you there is a reason for why I am writing about them today. If you are unfamiliar with Oingo Boingo, they were a new-wave band from Los Angeles formed by Danny Elfman in 1979. Originating from Eflman’s previous project, The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, the band produced new-wave, ska and punk-influenced music and preformed highly energized live shows for nearly 17 years. Most importantly, they were known for their annual Halloween shows which would go on for hours on end. Since the band’s farewell in 1995, Elfman has been a film composer. He has composed, among numerous other scores, all of Tim Burton’s film scores, even serving as the singing voice of Jack Skellington in “A
of candy while trick-or-treating. He is depicted as the nicest guy in town, even though his only friends are his mother, the woman he’s secretly been in love with since elementary school and his fictional girlfriend living in “Ontarionto.” When some of his neighbors in Salem go missing, Hubie takes it upon himself to save the town. The movie hits its first slump within 30 minutes when the story is propelled forward by the awful pranks the townspeople of Salem relentlessly pull on Hubie. Hubie Dubois is definitely an eccentric character, but he is thoughtful and kind throughout the film. The vast majority of the people in Salem make crude jokes toward him for no good reason, and it’s sad to see this behavior continue until the last five minutes of the movie. Slapstick comedy can be funny, but there’s a point where there is no humor in it. It’s just mean. Another problem with the movie is its astronomical amount of side characters. Within the film, there is an escaped patient from an asylum (whose backstory is never explained), teenage partiers and undercover police officers. With so many side characters, it is difficult to remember what their purpose is in the movie. You may know their names and their occupations, but they just seem to be there for no reason. Sandler brought in his classic group of comedian friends you may recognize from “Grown Ups” or other Sandler films, as well as some other surprises. Do you remember Ravi (Karan
Brar) from “Jessie”? He’s a jerk in this movie. “Hubie Halloween” could have been so much better if it limited the amount of characters we were supposed to keep track of. The movie does accomplish some positives, though. “Hubie Halloween” will doubtlessly get you in the mood for Halloween, with costumes, apple bobbing and a potential witch burning. Still, “Hubie Halloween” pushes it too far. The jokes either don’t land well or, worse, push the envelope. For example, many people may not find the fact that Hubie compliments a Catholic woman in a mourning veil at a funeral for her “witch costume.” Sandler admirably tries to give us all some Halloween spirit with this film, but it just misses the mark.
Nightmare Before Christmas.” However, Elfman has not produced any solo music since his solo album “So-Lo” in 1984 — and even that was technically an Oingo Boingo album. On Oct. 1, Elfman hinted at the possibility of new music with a series of three unusual photos of himself, all captioned “What I did on my summer vacation ... (very busy ... stay tuned ... ).” When I first saw these photos I was excited but I didn’t know what it meant; I remembered earlier this year Elfman posted a video of himself covering Oingo Boingo’s song “Running on a Treadmill,” and it made me wonder if this finally was the year of the Oingo Boing reunion. Eleven days later, Elfman gave us a glimpse into what he has been working on. In another series of posts, we see Elfman and drummer Josh Freese jamming together on large drums, Freese making some noise on another set and finally Elfman sitting in the studio listening to the drumming audio with vocals chanting “happy.” The videographer asks Elfman, “Are you happy?” Elman, shaking his head, simply responds, “Yeah.” Each video points to the composer working on new music while fans are still left wondering what exactly he is up to. Looking at the comments, I saw a fan write, “New album please god please more boingo,” and Elfman
responded, “The world is a strange and curious place!” There is a big chance he will be using his old band’s name. Between the revisiting of an old Oingo Boingo song in April to now teasing his fans with potentially new music is something we need right now. On Tuesday, Elfman posted another series of videos during a recording session with guitarist Nili Brosh. Like the previous posts with Freese, we are given an insight into this very mysterious recording process. The videos depict Brosh shredding on the guitar with Elfman joining her, but the muddled lyrics are hard to decipher. Nevertheless, we can presume this song will be entitled “happy” since we can hear it clearly in the first series of posts and Brosh’s comment, “Wait so ... you’re telling me these sessions actually happened??? #happy.” For Oingo Boingo fans or fans of Elfman’s film scores, this is a very exciting trail of events. It is currently a giant puzzle waiting to be solved, but it looks as though there is a serious chance of new music coming soon. Whether or not it is under the “Oingo Boingo” name or his own, we should be excited Elfman decided to revisit his roots and give us something to look forward to.
Contact Sophia Michetti at smchett@nd.edu
“Hubie Halloween” Starring: Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen Genre: Comedy If you liked: “Billy Madison,” “Grown Ups”
Contact Willoughby Thom at wthom@nd.edu MARY O’REILLY | The Observer
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ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, October 23, 2020 | The Observer
Crossword | Will Shortz
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Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: Ease into whatever you do. Look at all the pros and cons and the people involved before you make a commitment to offer assistance. Your prime concern should be mastering the skills, techniques or knowledge required to help you achieve your goals. Take care of your health issues and do your best to avoid minor mishaps and injuries. Your numbers are 1, 12, 22, 26, 32, 38, 40. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Control what’s going on instead of initiating change. It’s important to know where you are headed before you take a step in any one direction. Size up your situation and aim to stabilize your life. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You’ll be encouraged to follow when you should be leading. Don’t feel like you have to use force to get your way. Choose to go about your business, refusing to become entangled in what others do or say. Don’t be afraid to plant your roots and tell others to move. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Look for any opportunity to expand your knowledge and insight into situations that can influence your position or your reputation. Short trips, meetings and exploring what’s available will help you get over emotional matters that have been holding you back. CANCER (June 21-July 22): You’ll be tempted to get involved in something that excites you, but before you do, make sure you can afford the emotional and financial burden that comes along with the offer. Draw on past experience and try to avoid loss. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Problems will arise if you make impulsive moves regarding relationships. Take a step back and listen to what others have to contribute. Once you have gathered enough information, you will be able to make a responsible decision. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): An opportunity will come from an unexpected source. Be willing to take on something extra if you want to bring about the changes that can help you get ahead. A change at home could have an important impact on your future. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Get involved in events that you can share with the people you enjoy being with the most. Fraternizing with people who challenge you mentally and stimulate you emotionally will lead to new beginnings and unexpected opportunities. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Work at home or do your best to avoid a situation that will require you to reveal information you aren’t ready to discuss. Delve into a creative project that will give you the distance you need from difficult situations. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take initiative and do your best to bring about personal changes that will bolster your skills, knowledge and future plans. Open up a dialogue with someone who can help you advance your career. You will remain stagnant unless you put your best foot forward. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Look for any opportunity to broaden your knowledge or to gain information that can stop you from making a poor choice. Don’t give in to pressure or get involved with someone who is unpredictable and risky. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Emotions will surface just as an opportunity or unexpected gift comes your way. Look at the big picture and you will be able to balance the good with the bad in order to bring about positive results. Do not let yourself be swept away with the tide of your feelings. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): If your emotions are telling you one thing and someone you love is telling you another, you need to rethink what’s going on in your personal life. Secrets will be revealed if you pressure someone for answers. Birthday Baby: You are strong-willed, courageous and tasteful. You are secretive and possessive.
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Jumble | David Hoyt and Jeff knurek
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The observer | Friday, October 23, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
Sports Authority
Sports Authority
Hockey’s southern spread Dominc Gibson Sports Writer
When most people think about ice hockey, they think about cities like Montreal, Boston, Chicago and Detroit. They think about places where there is true winter, snow and bitter cold being the norms. They think about the numerous city rinks, where tournaments and leagues are played nearly every other day. But what about hockey in the South? How has the traditional winter game faired in places where sometimes, the temperature does not drop below 75 degrees? By the looks of it, hockey seems to be alive and well in the Southern part of the Unites States and there are several telling signs to back this claim. The first sign one can point to is fan interest among NHL franchises. Though not steeped in rich and extensive years of hockey history, teams such as the Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights have certainly carved a market for themselves, both locally and nationally. All four of these teams mentioned rank in the upper half of league attendance, far above other teams that you might consider to be located in traditional markets. While there are certainly instances where Southern hockey has failed, Atlanta being one of the best examples, the success stories far outnumber the shortcomings. True, winning product on the ice is a big reason for such loyal support among nontraditional hockey market teams. It is my firm belief however, that many of these Southern franchises have established enough of a devoted fan base that even sub-par results would not diminish the interest in the game. The next big sign is the entrustment of large, nationally televised NHL events to non-traditional market teams. Out of the last 10 NHL All-Star events, six have been awarded to franchises located in the South. Outdoor hockey games have shared similar success in unlikely places. While a relatively new idea, the Stadium Series started its annual tradition six years ago at Dodger Stadium. And speaking of outdoor hockey, the NHL’s premier event, the Winter Classic, was held deep in the heart of Texas in front of a sold-out Cotton
Bowl Stadium. I remember vividly the hockey purists’ outrage when a Dallas vs. Nashville Winter Classic was announced in 2019. “You can’t play outdoor hockey in the South,” was a very common retort among said purists. “I’m sure people have no idea what hockey is in Dallas or Nashville,” was another popular comment that came up online. On Jan. 1, 2020, I along with 85,629 other fans in Dallas proved just how much hockey meant in the South, as the Stars put away the Predators in a third period comeback 4-2. One final, and arguably the most important sign that hockey has grown and will continue to grow in these southern cities, is the investment and development of youth hockey. Dallas has been a pioneer on this front and has shown the way for other cities. When the Stars moved from Minnesota to Dallas in 1993, one of the big plans put in place to garner fans was the building of local community rinks and the establishment of youth teams and tournaments. This not only made the kids that joined these teams and leagues fans of the Stars but made their family and friends fans as well. But hockey in Texas has grown outside the city of Dallas, spreading to places like El Paso, Houston, and San Antonio. In fact, Kraft Hockeyville selected El Paso, Texas as the winner of Hockeyville USA and $150,000 in rink upgrades. Other cities have followed this winning recipe as well with places like Nashville and Las Vegas taking greater interest and care into youth hockey. And now more than ever, we are starting to see the rewards of this investment as Southern talent has begun to make its mark in the NHL. Guys like Seth Jones and Blake Coleman of Texas, as well as Auston Matthews out of California, have shown just how promising the future is for hockey in the South. So, when hockey makes its return, and we are all finally able to gather together and share live sports again, I’d love to invite y’all to sit with me sometime, and enjoy the great game that has spread across the United States. Contact Dominic Gibson at dgibson@hcc-nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Sizing up this year’s NBA draft prospects John Kalemkerian
Memphis
Sports Writer
Similar to the Pistons, Hornets fans haven’t had much to root for in recent years. Wiseman offers a rare combination of size and skill, standing at 7-foot-1 with the agility of a small forward. His shotblocking and defensive prowess is impressive, but his offensive skill set offers even more potential. He only played three games at Memphis due to injuries and run-ins with the NCAA violations, but he averaged 19.7 points on an absurd 76.9% shooting. The Hornets will likely miss the playoffs again no matter what direction they go with this pick, but Wiseman offers long-term potential for this star-starved franchise.
Editor’s Note: A version of this story was published online Oct. 21. October is a month that should have seen the tip-off of the 2020-21 NBA season. Instead, the pandemic-postponed season finally concluded on Oct, 11, with the Los Angeles Lakers being crowded as NBA Champions. A hard-earned and well-deserved fourth title (and Finals MVP) for LeBron James over his former team was a fitting way for the season to end. Now attention turns to Nov. 18 for the 2020 NBA draft, the biggest day of the year for fans of the bottom-feeding teams. This draft class features strong prospects but none are as sure of a thing as Zion Williamson was last season, making draft projections murky at best, but I’ll do my best to predict what each of the first eight teams will choose to do with their top picks.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, G, Georgia With its second number one overall pick of the last six years, Minnesota needs a player to spark its team. Edwards, a flashy combo guard who has drawn Bradley Beal and Victor Oladipo comparisons, will be able to provide just that. There is a lot of hope within the Timberwolves organization for the upcoming season, and pairing Edwards with both D’Angelo Russell and Karl Anthony-Towns could vault the Timberwolves into the playoff picture.
2. Detroit Pistons (projected trade from Golden State): LaMelo Ball, G, International Ball is the most intriguing but also polarizing player in the draft. In his one year playing professionally in the NBL in Australia, he combined a highlight reel of flashy plays with uninspiring and inefficient play. He also drew the ire of teammates due to his unwillingness to pass the ball, something he’ll need to sort out at the next level. The Pistons have been mired in mediocrity for the past decade but trading up to draft Ball will definitely revitalize the franchise and give Pistons fans hope for the 2020s.
3. Charlotte Hornets: James Wiseman, C,
4. Chicago Bulls: Deni Avdija, F, International The Bulls have hit on their first rounders in the last two drafts, as Wendell Carter Jr. and Coby White have carved out starting roles, albeit on a weak Chicago squad. Avdija fills a void at the small forward position, in addition to being the highest-upside player left on the board after the somewhat-contentious top three. Avdija has played internationally in Israel for two seasons and, despite not quite following in Luka Doncic’s MVP footsteps, has shown respectable promise as a two-way wing player. He’ll fit well into the Bulls’ young lineup and could potentially reach borderline All-Star level in the NBA.
appearance. Vassell, who ranks top five among all draft prospects in both offensive and defensive rating, will provide much-needed sharpshooting (over 40% from behind the arc in college) to Atlanta’s roster. Perhaps more importantly, he’ll be able to take the toughest defensive guard assignment every game, which should shore up a backcourt that was horrendous on that side of the ball last season.
7. Golden State Warriors (projected trade from Detroit): Onyeka Okongwu, F/C, USC The Warriors are the rare team drafting in the top two that actually has title aspirations in the coming season. In this scenario, they trade down with Detroit and acquire Derrick Rose in a sign-and-trade in the process. They also are still able to draft Okongwu, an in-state prospect who can play either the 4 or 5 and, at 6-foot9 and 245 pounds, should be able to hold his own defensively against the top big-men in the league. He won’t be asked to do too much on offense besides compliment Golden State’s star backcourt in Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, which is good since he shot only 25% from 3 on limited attempts in college.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (projected trade from New York): Obi Toppin, F, Dayton
6. Atlanta Hawks: Devin Vassell, G, Florida State
Winning National College Player of the Year certainly looks great on a draft resume, especially when it entails leading a small school to the top of the rankings, poised to make a deep tournament run. That’s exactly what Toppin did in his senior year at Dayton, doing everything on both ends of the court for the Flyers. He won’t fall further than Cleveland, who will be happy taking him at eight after trading down with the Knicks. Kevin Love is an old relic of better times on an old Cavaliers team, and Toppin will be his heir apparent at power forward. Already 22 years old, he’ll likely claim a starting role early on in his NBA career and restore Cleveland to its former glory alongside former firstround guards Collin Sexton and Darius Garland.
The Hawks are on the brink of contention in the weaker Eastern Conference and adding the best 3-and-D player in the draft will go a long way toward helping rising star Trae Young towards his first playoff
Contact John Kalemkerian at jkalemke@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
5. New York Knicks (from Cleveland): Killian Hayes, G, International Is Hayes, a 6-foot-5 point guard, New York’s savior? They certainly need something to cheer about at Madison Square Garden, and teaming a pickand-roll maestro in Hayes up with last year’s top-three pick RJ Barrett and the rim-running Mitchell Robinson is a good place to start. Hayes has a full pro season in Germany under his belt and trading up to snag him would be a very wise move on the Knicks’ part, likely won’t have many point guard options left by their original pick at eight.
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ndsmcobserver.com | friday, october 23, 2020 | The Observer
Banks Continued from page 16
encountered a now prominent figure along the way w ith whom he shared a trainer — A labama running back Najee Harris. “Yeah, we didn’t have a lot of weights,” Banks said. “So myself and my little brother would go before school, at like 4:30 in the morning and go lift weights before school because there wasn’t time after school.” It is safe to say that this weight training was essential in Bank’s development as a football player. In his 844 snaps last season he allowed just two sacks. Quenton Nelson and A lex Bars’ apprentice is helping to fill in one of the strongest offensive lines in the countr y, one that returned over 100 combined starts coming into this season. Banks is so much of a force that former offensive coordinator Chip Long gave him the nickname, “The Dancing Bear.” “Two years ago, I was play ing right tack le behind Robert Hainsey and that was kind of when I was starting to figure it out and play better, and Chip Long started to call me ‘the dancing bear,’” Banks said. “He just loved that nickname … he called me that
M Soccer Continued from page 16
last game, a 1-0 home win over Syracuse, was their second clean sheet of the year. Riley wants to build on that defensive performance, and continue to pressure the opposition. “We always work on our pressure, [it’s] an important part, he said. “Coordinating, and having good collective pressure on the ball.” Offensively, he wants his team to improve their attack. “Soccer’s a hard game to score (in), so we’ve been spending a lot of time coordinating our attacks and getting to know each other a little bit more,” he said. The Irish will be looking
the whole season and it just kind of stuck.” A lthough they don’t necessarily need to be hy ping themselves up ever y play to take someone to the ground like their defensive counterparts, the env ironment t y pical of Notre Dame Stadium is just as missed by the offensive line. A lthough Banks says that it hasn’t discouraged the Irish sidelines, and the lack of noise doesn’t have much of an effect on their qualit y of play. “You’ve kinda just gotta bring your ow n juice. We tr y to bring energ y w ith our play and the sideline gets going,” he said. “It’s a little quiet here and there, it’s something we’re not used to, especially in our ow n stadium where we’re used to it being really loud. But we’ve just done a great job w ith the guys on the sideline, getting really excited when we make plays, and just kind of stay ing in the play and not really worr ying about that. It’s kind of an exterior factor.” Pitt’s defense is no joke, and is probably the biggest test yet for the Irish offense this season. The Panthers are ranked No. 1 among rushing defenses. They have given up only 369 rushing yards on the 199 carries ran against them through their first six games. In their first game of the season they
for revenge when Virginia (1-1-1, 1-1-1 ACC) returns to Alumni Stadium on Saturday. Last year, then-No. 3 Virginia defeated Notre Dame 1-0 on a controversial second-half penalty kick. “Anytime you lose to a team the year before you always get excited about them the next year,” Riley said. “It leaves a little bit of a sour taste in your mouth.” This year, Virginia has won a game, lost a game and tied a game, all in overtime. “They’re always well organized,” Riley said. “They’ve got that veteran belief and they know how to handle games.” Virginia lost a number of key players from last year’s squad, which reached the national championship game, but Riley
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gave up just one net rushing yard to Austin Peay. Most impressive, in all their contests this season they have only given up 100+ rushing yards just twice against Louisville and Miami, to whom they conceded 116 and 109 yards on the ground, respectively. It will make for an interesting matchup with a Notre Dame team that is finally starting to find a groove in the ground game, something long, long overdue. Considering the Irish air raid has slowed down with the arrival of a Tommy Rees offense and also with the emergence of a strong backfield highlighted by sophomore Kyren Williams and freshman Chris Tyree, the battle in the trenches will certainly be one to focus on come Saturday. Banks is looking forward to the battle up front though, even if it may be the biggest challenge he has faced all year. “Yeah, they’re [a] pretty tough defense, gritty guys,” he said. “I think that they’re kind of similar to our defense in the fact that they just play really hard. I think it will be a good test for us to come out and play very physical. It’s gonna be a hard game. It’s going to be a fistfight.” Contact Jimmy Ward at wward@hcc-nd.edu
is still wary. “They’re just a group that’s won a lot over the last couple years, and they know how to win, and so that’s gonna make them tough to play against,” he said. Riley said it’s more difficult to scout opponents now, with only one game per week, especially in regards to opposing players returning from injury. Multiple Virginia starters have been out with injuries, and it is unclear if they will play on Saturday. “We’ll take more of a holistic approach as a team, but then making a note of guys that haven’t played who could play in this game,” he said. With just four games and less than a month to go until the ACC tournament, each game is critical for Notre Dame’s hopes of playing in the postseason. The top four teams in each region advance to the tournament, and Notre Dame currently sits fourth in the North division. Riley commented on the quality of the teams in the ACC. “The reality in our league, every game we’re going to play is a top team, so our guys are pretty excited about every game.” Contact Liam Coolican at lcoolica@nd.edu
Hainsey Continued from page 16
it the second-best decision he’s ever made behind his commitment to Notre Dame. “As a 16-year-old, that’s a big decision to make,” he said. “But I just thought that if I wanted to do everything that I felt I wanted to do and be this player that I wanted to be it was the right decision to make. And I decided to move 18 hours away. And looking back, I wouldn’t change a single thing.” From there, Hainsey’s career skyrocketed, leading IMG to an undefeated season, along with fellow Notre Dame teammate Houston Griffith III. Hainsey committed to the Irish in June before his senior year and was one of five early-enrollees who moved to South Bend in January. W hile the adjustment to college can be steep, Hainsey quickly found his way, enrolling in the Mendoza College of Business and proving to be a key anchor in Notre Dame’s offensive line. Even Hainsey’s major decision ref lects the competitor he is on and off the field. “Finance just caught my eye because I thought it was interesting, I figured it would be a pretty competitive field,” he said. “I’ve kind of gone from not knowing a whole lot about it to learn a good bit about it.” Throughout his freshman year, Hainsey saw action in all 13 games, learning from Irish legends Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey. He moved into the starting lineup against LSU in the Citrus Bowl and was central to the offensive line being awarded the 2017 Joe Moore Award, given to the “toughest, most physical offensive line in the country.” W hile that momentum propelled him through his sophomore year, during which he started all 13 games on the way to an undefeated regular-season campaign, Hainsey suffered a season ending injur y against Virginia Tech last season, eventually requiring surger y. Hainsey said this experience and the uncertaint y about his senior season due to COVID-19 gave him a new perspective about the opportunit y to play. “You don’t really know what’s going to happen,” Hainsey said. “This can stop whenever, so it gives you that reenergized boost of, ‘I’m excited to play football. I can’t wait to get out there with the guys.’ It’s a little difficult to stay locked in and not know exactly what’s gonna happen each day but I’m pretty, pretty happy with the feeling I have of getting excited and the team getting excited to play football together.”
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The mentality of not taking any moments for granted was put to the test this season for athletes across the country, but Hainsey said at the end of the day, the team is focused on one thing — winning. “With the fans we’ve had, the students have been great, and the band, our family,” Hainsey said. “So you really don’t notice a whole lot of the difference while on the field … just looks a little bit different. But you’re not really stopping [in] the middle of the game to look around.” Now, four games into the season, it seems that the Irish offense is being defined by the explosive run game of underclassmen running backs Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree. That said, as Notre Dame prepares to hit the road for the first time this season, Hainsey said he and the rest of the offensive line recognize that the success of their season depends on being a dual-threat offense and that they have full trust in the strateg y of the coaching staff. “We trust that they’re going to put us in a position to win,” he said. “If that’s running the ball 40 times a game, that’s what is. If that’s passing about 50 times again, that’s what it is. We’re going to execute to the best of our ability no matter what play is called in.” One of the guys Hainsey credits with playing a significant role in the development of the offensive line is graduate assistant Chris Watts, who he described as a “huge asset” to the team. Watts played under Kelly from 2011-2013 before being drafted in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft. “You think about the guys who came through this room, those are the guys that led the way for what we’re doing now,” Hainsey said. “Having him back in the room with us has been incredibly, it’s been awesome. It’s been really special to be able to learn from him and just, you know, pick his brain on all different kinds of things regarding offensive line playing techniques.” With the NCAA’s recent announcement giving all fall athletes a fifth-year of eligibility regardless of previous playing experience, Hainsey’s got some questions ahead for his future. W hile he’s learned a lot through the finance department and feels confident that he’d have options when he reaches that point, he’s keeping his eye on football, at whatever level that may be. “Yeah, I think it’s an interesting situation for everyone,” he said. “And I guess that’s a bridge I’ll cross when we get to it.” Contact Charlotte Edmonds at cedmond3@nd.edu
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Sports
The observer | Friday, October 23, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
ROUNDTABLE
Observer Roundtable: top-25s and undefeateds Liam Coolican, Patrick Gallagher, Dominic Gibson, Nate Moller and Aidan Thomas Sports Writers
Notre Dame is a Catholic university. But if there’s ever a time to believe in the football gods, it’s right now. Last week, sportswriter Patrick Gallagher hit on his fifth straight upset pick (underdogs of at least 7 points), with yet another doubledigit underdog pulling through, as he continues to expand his lead on his fellow Roundtable members. Florida State stunned No. 5 UNC as a 13.5-point underdog, making it the second biggest upset call of the year — after Patrick nailed the Mississippi State week 1 upset over LSU. Can anyone catch up to him? Probably not if he keeps nailing these upset picks, but it doesn’t mean we’re done trying. Check out what the Roundtable has to offer for this week’s top games!
Leaderboard Patrick Gallagher - 80 points (12)\ Liam Coolican - 64 points (7) Aidan Thomas - 50 points (9) Dominic Gibson - 49 points (5) Nate Moller - 49 points (5) NCAAF No. 23 NC State @ No. 14 UNC (-15.5) No. 17 Iowa State @ No. 6 Oklahoma State (-3.5) No. 9 Cincinnati @ No. 16 SMU (-2.5) NFL Pittsburgh Steelers @ Tennessee Titans (-1.0) Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints (-7.5) Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) @ Arizona Cardinals
Aidan Thomas This 15.5 spread seems massive for a ranked game, considering UNC is coming off an upset loss and NC State is red-hot. I think NC State is a really solid team and they’re going to enter this rivalry clash amped up on the strength of three straight wins. I’m going to stick with the Tar Heels...but just barely. I think this one comes down to a field goal, maybe even overtime. UNC wins but does not cover. Although Oklahoma State’s defense hasn’t been tested with the highest-quality offenses, they’ve been very impressive in giving up nine points per game so far en route to a 3-0 start with their backup quarterback. I think the Cyclones are pretty good
and have a good offense with a shaky defense, but the Cowboys are the team to beat in the Big 12 right now, and they prove it by winning by a touchdown. Oklahoma State wins and covers. This should be another enthralling Group-of-5 clash that pits strength against strength in SMU’s explosive offense against Cincinnati’s sting y defense. The Mustangs are lower ranked but considered favorites, and I do like them to pull out the win in this one. Expect them to cover the spread, albeit not by much, as this one should come down to the wire. Raise your hand if you thought Ben Roethlisberger vs. Ryan Tannehill would be a Week 7 duel of undefeated NFL quarterbacks this season. Now stop lying and put them back down. These two teams being undefeated is a very 2020 thing to be happening, but both squads appear to be very good, and I anticipate an absolute nailbiter. So much so that I’m going to call about as close a game as you can get… Steelers win 28-27 is my score prediction. This clash is worthy of you abandoning your Sunday homework to watch. I’m very curious to see this contest between an overachieving Carolina team and an underachieving Saints squad. A win by the Panthers may plant them truly in the middle of the NFC South race, while a loss likely signifies that it will be a two-horse race between the Saints and Bucs. I like another battle here, but the Carolina offense has been struggling a little bit recently, and Drew Bees should do enough against their young defense to claim a win. Saints win but don’t cover. The Seahawks offense showed weakness last time out, but Minnesota did lategame Minnesota things, choking away a victory and keeping Seattle unbeaten. Arizona looked scary last week, even if it was against Dallas, in that Kyler Murray looked pretty off all night, couldn’t connect with DeAndre Hopkins, and they still put up 38 points. I think Arizona does enough to victimize a spotty Seattle secondary, as Kyler engineers the upset. Cardinals win outright. And finally, it’s time for the upset pick. I’m tempted to just copy Patrick at this point, but I’ll hold onto my pride as I stare up the leaderboard in growing despair. I’m going for one of the new conferences in play this
weekend, as I’m shouting out the Utah State Aggies to take down the Boise State Broncos as 16.5 point underdogs. Boise State’s toughest games are considered to be Air Force and BY U in the two following weeks, so I expect them to overlook Utah State in the opener. That combined with starting a sophomore QB who missed parts of his freshman season due to injury, I think there’s a lot playing against Boise State, who may be dealt a shocking loss.
Patrick Gallagher After being brought back down to reality, UNC should rebound nicely against a middle of the road NC State team. The Tar Heels demonstrated some toughness last week as they held the Seminoles scoreless in the second half while almost completing a 24-point comeback. If Coach Brown can inspire Carolina to play a more consistent game from start to finish, the Wolfpack should not cause many issues. UNC will achieve victory but will not be able to cover the sizable spread. The Cowboys have yet to be truly tested this year, but their offense has steadily improved. Quarterback Shane Illingworth boasts a 73.3% completion percentage while running backs Chuba Hubbard and La’Darren Brown have combined for an explosive rushing attack with 540 yards between them. Iowa State has looked like a different team after their embarrassing seasonopening loss to Louisiana as they have averaged 35 points in the last three matchups. However, their defense allowed more than 30 points in three of four games this year, and Oklahoma State will take advantage of this weakness covering the spread. Cincinnati seems to have one of the better defenses in the Group of 5 as they have held their opponents to 12.3 points per game while not allowing rival offenses to throw for a single passing touchdown all year. The latter statistic will most certainly change due to the star power of SMU quarterback Shane Buechele; however, the Bearcats’ secondary will slow him down enough to secure an outright victory. After completely obliterating my Browns, I have to admit that Pittsburgh is a legitimate Super Bowl contender in the AFC. The Steelers’ defense is widely considered to be the best in the league as they rank near the top in both rushing and passing defense. Although
they have scored 30 or more points in every game since week one, Ryan Tannehill and the Titans have yet to face a defensive line as formidable as Pittsburgh’s and will not look as dominant as usual. Roethlisberger has plenty of options in his young receivers as well, so I believe that the Steelers will win and cover. Drew Brees showed some f lashes of his past form as he threw for 325 yards in a comeback victory against the Chargers. He will be tested against the Panthers’ above average passing defense, but I believe that Brees will be able to outperform Carolina’s Teddy Bridgewater, who threw two interceptions last week. The Saints will play with some extra motivation as they must keep pace with an improving threat from Tampa, and, with the likely possibility of Michael Thomas’ return, New Orleans should take care of business and cover. Russell Wilson is having a stellar 2020 season as he has an 81.8 QBR along with a league-leading 19 passing touchdowns. Wilson is playing so well that he often overcomes Seattle’s inconsistent defense that has given up more than 20 points in every game. The Cardinals are on a hot streak, but their only quality win came against the 49ers in week one as they have yet to beat a team with a winning record. That streak will continue against the Seahawks, who will win and cover. For my upset pick, I predict that Maryland will overcome a formidable Northwestern defense in their first game of the year. The Terps have two talented, youthful options at quarterback in Lance LeGendre and Taulia Tagovailoa, and, with the help of a veteran receiving core known for their big play ability, their offense should be able to outshine Northwestern, who only scored more than 25 points on three occasions last season. Coach Locksley will also be eager to prove himself after only winning one conference game in 2019, so I would not be surprised if Maryland played with a little extra energy this weekend.
Liam Coolican NC State has been one of the better teams in the ACC over the last few weeks. However, losing their starting quarterback to injury is a significant blow. UNC will be hungry after the upset loss last weekend, and knows they need a win to stay in the ACC title hunt. This game
will be close, and will come down to the fourth quarter, but Sam Howell will make another big play and the Tar Heels prevail, but don’t cover. Iowa State has been one of the most impressive teams in the Big 12 since their shocking season opening loss to Louisiana. Brock Purdy is finally hitting his stride, and their offense is prolific. Oklahoma State has also been very good, albeit against subpar opponents. However, the Cowboys haven’t played for two weeks, and they could struggle to gain a rhythm. Add in the fact that Iowa State has one of the best rush defenses in college football, and you’ve got a recipe for an upset. Iowa State wins outright. If you haven’t been watching the A AC this year, you’ve been missing out. This should be another great game, between arguably the two top teams in the conference. SMU certainly has the offensive edge, with star players such as Shane Buechle and Ulysses Bentley IV. The Bearcats defense is very good, but they haven’t been tested yet. In what should be a close game, I simply trust the Mustangs offense more to make a big play down the stretch. SMU wins and covers Can the Steelers stop Derrick Henry? That’s the question that will decide this game, and I lean towards no. Pittsburgh also just lost inside linebacker Devin Bush for the season, which will make it even more difficult. The Titans defense has looked poor at times against bad opponents this season, but I trust the Tennessee offense to make big plays down the stretch and win this game, and cover the spread, in a high-scoring affair. Saints fans everywhere (and my fantasy team) will celebrate the return of Michael Thomas from an injury. The Saints need this win badly on Sunday to keep pace with the Buccaneers, and the return of Thomas will allow Brees to throw the ball down the field more often and test the Panthers inexperienced defense. I think New Orleans scores a lot of points this weekend, and their defense will limit what Carolina can do offensively. Saints win and cover. As a Seahawks fan, I am thrilled with the 5-0 start. However, the Seahawks have struggled to win road divisional games at times, and it’s hard to ignore the one glaring weakness the team see ROUNDTABLE PAGE 15
sports
Roundtable Continued from page 14
has: the pass rush. A mobile quarterback like Kyler Murray will only amplify that. Russell Wilson will lead another valiant fourth quarter comeback attempt, but it won’t be enough. Cardinals win outright. For my upset pick, I’ll turn back to the Big 12, where there have been plenty of them so far. Baylor has only played two games this year due to COVID-related postponements, but they’ve played well in each of them. The Bears clearly have one of the better defenses in the conference. It’s trendy right now to pick against Texas, but for good reason. Their defense is abysmal and their offense hasn’t gotten it done when it matters most. Baylor will win this one and Tom Herman will officially be on the hot seat, if he isn’t already.
Nate Moller Since losing their second game of their season in embarrassing fashion to Virginia Tech, NC State has won three straight games and appeared to find their identity on both sides of the ball. They will face off against a talented Tar Heels team who is coming off of a big upset loss to Florida State. I think Saturday will tell us a lot about what the Tar Heels are made of, and I see them edging NC State out but not covering. Oklahoma State is arguably the Big 12’s only chance at making the college football playoff, and they have a crucial game this weekend against an Iowa State team that appears to have turned the tables on their season opening loss to Louisiana. Brock Purdy has not been on his best game yet this season for the Cyclones, but I think he plays well Saturday. Give me the Cyclones in an upset victory. I really like this Cincinnati team. I think they are one of the most balanced, talented non-power five conference teams out there, and they will face a big test this weekend against SMU. The Bearcats missed last week’s game because of some positive COVID-19 tests, so I can see them starting out a little shaky, but I like the Bearcats to win this one outright. The Steelers really surprised me last week. To be honest, I did not know if Ben Roethlisberger had another strong year in him, but he appears to be as good as ever after dismantling the Browns last weekend. This weekend’s game against the Titans is a huge game between two 5-0 teams, and I think it will come down to the wire. The Titans have squeaked by a couple of times this
ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, October 23, 2020 | The Observer
year, though, so I’ll take the Steelers to win and cover. The Saints have underperformed to say the least this season. Nevertheless, they sit only a half game behind the Buccaneers in the NFC South. This weekend they will face the Teddy Bridgewater-led Panthers in a crucial NFC South game. I think Drew Brees and the Saints’ offense finally finds their stride. Saints win and cover easily in this one. The Seahawks have been contenders in the NFC West for what seems like forever, and they will face the up and coming Cardinals this weekend in a 1-2 division battle. The Cardinals seem to be a different team each week and their youth tends to show at times. That isn’t going to be good when they are facing a Seahawks team led by veteran Russell Wilson. Seahawks win and cover. Wake Forest is currently sitting at 2-2, and they haven’t looked horrible this year. Their 24-point loss to Clemson in the opener seems more than respectable, and their only other loss was a three-point one to NC State. The Demon Deacons also handled Virginia easily last week, beating them 40-23. I like the Demon Deacons to upset Virginia Tech this weekend and continue their winning ways.
Dominic Gibson After losing a stunner to Florida State, the North Carolina Tar Heels will be looking to rebound against NC State. This game should be a true test to see how Mac Brown’s team responds. NC State will be putting their three-game win streak on the line and have looked like a very solid team since their loss to Virginia Tech. Despite this momentum, North Carolina has a lethal attack on the offensive of the ball that will put up points en route to a victory. UNC wins but does not cover. This Big 12 matchup could have some major implications on a conference title game spot and even a trip to the playoffs. The Cowboys certainly have a potent run game, however, some of those numbers may be a bit inf lated thanks to matchups against teams like Kansas. Brock Purdy and the Cyclones have found their rhythm and have put up impressive numbers since their opening game loss. The Iowa State defense has a few issues that may be detrimental to their efforts in this one while the Cowboys have limited their opponents to just 27 points in their three contests. OK State wins and covers. SMU’s offense looks to be scary good this season and it will need to continue that trend if they are going to beat Cincinnati. The
Bearcat’s defense has been their strength, especially their run stopping ability. In a contest that will put the offensive power of SMU against the sting y defense of Cincinnati, I’m more inclined to take the team that has the power to outscore their opponents with more ease. SMU wins and covers in what should be an outstanding contest. I doubted the Steelers last week and predicted they would slow down against the Browns. I was proven wrong by a huge margin. Big Ben has shown that he still has what it takes to lead a successful team and their 5-0 record ref lects that. The big question for the Steelers and their defense will be if they can stop Derrick Henry. W hile the Titans are 5-0 as well, their wins have not been quite as convincing as some from the Steelers. W hile this should be a very entertaining game, I expect Pittsburgh to win this one. W hile the Saints have not been the powerhouse they were pegged to be so far this season, they still sit in position to overtake the Bucs in NFC South. They will need to have a big game against the Panthers, and the potential return of Michael Thomas should make their lives a little easier. New Orleans should see a jump in offensive production and I expect them to win and cover. Seahawks fans every where should be rejoicing for the first 5-0 start in franchise history. Russell Wilson has the offense humming and the emergence of DK Metcalf has put the league on watch. This one weakness of this team is the defense. Despite the hot start, the Seahawks are due for a let down game and one against a divisional rival on the road seems like the perfect storm. Kyler Murray is a mobile threat that has the potential to give Seattle trouble all night. Cardinals win outright. For my upset pick, I’m looking at something a little closer to home. The Pitt Panthers may be in a position to give Notre Dame some trouble this weekend. ND has had to rely heav y on the run game to get things done. W hile the Irish passing game has not been ineffective, they haven’t exactly shown they can take over games either. Pitt boasts a stout pass rush and a run defense that might be enough to stop the Irish. Contact Liam Coolican at lcoolica@nd.edu, Patrick Gallagher at pgallag4@nd.edu, Dominic Gibson at dgibson@ hcc-nd.edu, Nate Moller at nmoller2@nd.edu and Aidan Thomas at athoma28@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Column Continued from page 16
last week’s 12-7 win. Ian Book doesn’t seem to be doing much to address the questions surrounding his own inconsistency. Week one, I blamed it on first-game jitters. Games two and three, things were still disjointed on the passing front, but the ground game was solid enough to assuage my fears. Game four, I am running out of excuses. Book’s completion rate of 57.9% is the first time he’s slipped under 60% this season, meaning the pass game was tolerable, but nothing to write home about. Let me be clear — in the grand scheme of college football, Book is extremely competent. His adjusted quarterback rating, a metric out of 100 designed to rate efficiency and adjusted for defenses faced, is 69.8. That’s 23rd in the nation. In number of points contributed and total expected points, he’s top 30. In terms of expected rushing points, weighted for clutchness, he’s top 10. The problem? That in the same clutch-weighted metric for passing, he’s 46th. Phil Jurkovec is fifth. Book’s scrambling is fine — I’d venture to say it’s even improved. He can use his legs in a fairly shifty and efficient way — we can all picture one of his signature sideline prances after tucking the ball when his downfield looks are not there. But in games where neither the offensive line nor the running backs are performing, that’s not going to cut it. Book attempted just six passes over 10 yards against Louisville, and completed just one of them. Adjusting his completion rate accordingly, that’s less than 17% from over ten yards and more than 76% from under.
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Though the latter stat is encouraging, the former is anything but. With gritty backs that are typically efficient in short-distance, Notre Dame doesn’t need to rely on short throws as much as it has in years past. In contrast, deep threats like Javon McKinley and Kevin Austin Jr. need to become just that: deep threats. It’s not necessarily that they’re not there — it’s that they’re not being targeted. I recognize that Book is not the only one to blame here. The four sacks Louisville mustered point to some issues on the offensive line, and his vertical receivers have to extend the viability of their routes. But either way, if the success of this season is going to be determined by that pesky Nov. 7 matchup, the entire offense is going to have to sort the passing game out in the weeks between now and then. After all, you play like you practice. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge it was a fairly stout defensive effort from the Irish last week, allowing just seven points, 233 yards and less than 24 minutes of Cardinals possession. But Malik Cunningham had his way to some extent, foreshadowing problems that could exist in future games against superior quarterbacks (anyone coming to mind?). But on the bright side, that seems like a problem that is relatively fixable. So I’ll end it on that note, since it’s a fairly happy one. I am really trying to have a brighter outlook this year — Notre Dame, please don’t make it hard on me. Contact Ellen Geyer at egeyer1@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics
Irish graduate student quarterback Ian Book scrambles for a first down during Notre Dame’s 12-7 win over Louisville on Saturday.
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The observer | Friday, October 23, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
Football
MEn’s SOCCER
ND to face UVA following delay By LIAM COLLICAN Sports Writer
The Notre Dame men’s soccer team had already travelled to Blacksburg, Va. last weekend, prepared to face Virginia Tech in a Sunday morning match. Instead, they received the news early Sunday that the game would be rescheduled in a “mutually agreed upon postponement,” according to head coach Chad Riley. Riley confirmed the game was postponed due to COV ID-related issues, describing the decision as an “abundance of caution.” This year, all ACC teams are being tested three times per week. “It’s always disappointing, but at the same time, the guys are pretty well adjusted to things changing,” Riley said. “Everybody understands that it’s not going to be a straight path through the season this year.” In a normal season, the
Hainsey returns to Pittsburgh an ND captain
Irish (2-2, 2-2 ACC) would be playing two games a week during the fall. Riley says that is typically difficult, but allows the team to get in a rhythm. Already down to just one game a week due to the shortened schedule, the Irish have not played since Oct. 11 due to the postponement. “Missing that opportunity to compete certainly changes the rhythm a little bit,” Riley said. “... You never quite know if missing a week gives you a little rest and you come out stronger, or does it give you a week off, and you’re a little bit rusty.” On Wednesday, the Irish played a long intrasquad scrimmage during practice to ramp back up to game pressure. Riley says he thinks the added rest will be beneficial for the team moving forward. He wanted to improve both the defense and the attack this week in practice. Their see M SOCCER PAGE 13
By Charlotte Edmonds Senior Sports Writer
Observer File Photo
Irish senior offensive lineman and captain Robert Hainsey celebrates during Notre Dame’s loss to Georgia on Sept. 21, 2019.
It’s been nearly six years since Robert Hainsey played in Pittsburgh, but that doesn’t mean Saturday’s return will be any less of a homecoming. Raised in Pittsburgh, the senior offensive lineman and team captain lives up to the reputation of the Steel City — gritty, disciplined and hard working. Those same qualities have guided the threeyear starter and two-year captain through his time with the Irish. After spending two years at Gateway High School just outside of Pittsburgh, Hainsey received a call from IMG Academy, inviting him to come to Bradenton, Florida, to improve his game with some of the top talent from around the country. Hainsey jumped at the chance and said he considers see HAINSEY PAGE 13
Football COLUMN
FOOTBALL
Aaron Banks contributes to stellar line play By Jimmy ward
ELLEN GEYER
Associate Sports Editor
Aaron Banks had any thing but a conventional high school football career. The senior guard from A lameda, California, stands at nearly 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, no welcoming sight to any opposing defender despite what his smile might conv ince you in his UND.com player profile. The starting right guard for Notre Dame causes problems for whoever lines up against him, but he is no stranger to running straight through a hurdle or two himself. Jacob Rincon, who is now the athletic director and head football coach at Bank’s alma mater, El Cerrito High School, described how the weight equipment at the school was limited. Banks addressed this problem head on and would find a solution that was beneficial to ever y part y involved. He see BANKS PAGE 13
Fighting football antagonism Senior Sports Writer
ALLISON THORNTON | The Observer
Irish senior offensive lineman Aaron Banks looks to pick up a block during Notre Dame’s 52-20 win over Navy on Nov. 16, 2019.
My seasonal affective disorder is starting to creep in again. And no, this iteration does not have any thing to do w ith the weather. Brian Kelly, I’m looking at you. My old age has made me soft this year. I’ve been tr ying my best to look at the season w ith a brighter perspective than I have in the past. But Notre Dame football is doing its ver y best to test my patience, and I don’t love the toll it’s taking on my emotional well-being. The USF and Florida State games gave me a lot of hope — those are the kind of decisive w ins that teams who are serious title contenders pick up. The latter v ictor y looks even better in light of the Seminoles’ defeat of thenNo. 5 North Carolina; the Tar Heels have been touted as the third-best team in the ACC and the second-best
team on Notre Dame’s schedule. The Irish seemed to be firing on all cylinders on both sides of the ball, and the ground game seemed to make for an offense that could call itself “run-first” and be taken seriously. Then I was forced to bear w itness to last Saturday’s game against Louisv ille. I would like to take this opportunit y to apologize to my good friend Mike Moreno, who I told to take the easy over on a 60-point over/under. Sorr y Mike — I kind of feel like I personally should pay you back the $ 5 you lost on that gamble. The only time I’ve ever seen a sporting event w ith such discrepancy bet ween the predicted score and the actual score was when I was in elementar y school and my basketball team didn’t score a single basket the entire game. In all seriousness, there are some real causes for offensive concern follow ing see COLUMN PAGE 15