Print Edition for The Observer for Wednesday, December 6, 2023 by The Observer

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VOLUME 58, ISSUE 39 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM

Fr. Robert Dowd elected as next president The political scientist and associate provost was selected as Notre Dame’s 18th president Monday Observer Staff Report

Courtesy of the University of Notre Dame

The Board of Trustees announced Fr. Robert Dowd will serve as the University’s next president on Dec. 4. He served as Religious Superior of the Notre Dame Holy Cross Community and as an associate professor.

Harvard professor speaks on democracy By EMMA DUFFY Social Media Editor

Monday even i ng in McKen na Ha l l, Ha r v a rd pol it ic a l sc ience professor Steven L ev it sk y d i sc u ssed pa st, c u r rent a nd f ut u re t h reat s to A mer ic a n democ rac y i n h i s ke y note add ress for t h i s yea r’s Not re Da me For u m on “T he Fut u re of Democ r ac y.” One of t he pr i ma r y topic s d i sc u ssed w a s t he ever d iver si f y i ng democ rac y i n A mer ic a . L ev it sk y sa id t he Republ ic a n pa r t y i s st r ugg l i ng to dea l w it h a cha ngi ng elec tor ate. Bec au se

An incident in a men’s residence hall resulting in four criminal offenses including sexual battery reportedly occurred between 11

NEWS PAGE 4

see PRESIDENCY PAGE 4

Saint Mary’s students launch H(us)H campaign

t hei r ba se ha s long been f i l led w it h w h ite, C h r i st ia n A mer ic a n s, L ev it sk y sa id t he pa r t y ha s faced t he problem s of elec t ion s a nd loss of dom i na nce. He sa id t he lat ter seemed to c au se a major cha l lenge for t he Republ ic a n s. “W hen you r g roup i s on top of t he h ier a rchy, cha llenges to t hat h ier a rchy c a n feel t h reaten i ng. L osi ng one’s dom i na nt soc ia l st at u s c a n gener ate feel i ngs of loss, of resent ment,” he ex pla i ned. “It c a n feel l i ke a n ex i stent ia l t h reat .” Courtesy of Teagan Thomas

see DEMOCRACY PAGE 3

Sexual battery reported in men’s residence hall Observer Staff Report

The Board of Trustees elected Fr. Robert Dowd as Notre Dame’s 18th president Monday. Board chair Jack Brennan announced Dowd’s election in an email to the University community, writing that Dowd will assume the duties of the presidency on July 1, 2024. Dowd currently serves as Religious Superior of the Holy Cross Community at Notre Dame and is a fellow and trustee of the University. He is an associate professor of political science and since 2021 has held the position of vice president and associate provost for interdisciplinary initiatives. He previously served as an assistant provost for internationalization with Notre Dame International and founded Notre

Dame’s Ford Program in Human Development Studies and Solidarity. As part of his current role, Dowd oversees academic units and institutes on campus including the Center for Social Concerns, Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate, ROTC programs and Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, among others. Originally from Michigan City, Indiana, Dowd graduated from Notre Dame in 1987 with a degree in psychology and economics before entering Moreau Seminary. He currently lives in Cavanaugh Hall as the dorm’s priest-in-residence. As a political scientist, Dowd’s scholarship has focused largely on Africa and includes the book “Christianity, Islam, and Liberal

p.m. on Nov. 16 and 8 a.m. on Nov. 17, according to the University’s daily crime log. The other offenses were see CRIME LOG PAGE 3

SCENE PAGE 5

Students in Public Communication surround the “Help (us) Heal” (H(us)H) wall, a display meant to memorialize and spread awareness of victims of domestic violence, and thus foster communal change. By SARAH CATE WHITE News Writer

A pu r ple w a l l of st ick y notes out side of Noble Fa m i ly d i n i ng Ha l l ser ved a s a v i sua l represent at ion of t he H(u s)H c a mpa ig n. H(u s)H, a projec t created by st udent s i n professor Ter r i Ru ss’s P ubl ic Com mu n ic at ion cla ss, i s a i med to be a “dy na m ic

VIEWPOINT PAGE 7

a nd i mpac t f u l domest ic v iolence aw a reness c a mpa ig n” to br i ng aw a reness to t he ongoi ng v iolence a nd foster a com mu n it y of cha nge. Ru ss w a s a ssi sted by sen ior Teaga n T homa s i n creat i ng t he a ssig n ment, a nd she of fered i n sig ht to t he m i ssion of H(u s)H. “H( US )H i s a com mun it y c a mpa ig n t hat seek s

to empower i nd iv idua l s, ra i se aw a reness a nd d r ive col lec t ive ac t ion to brea k t he c ycle of abu se,” T homa s sa id. T homa s ex pla i ned t he acrony m st a nd s for “Help (u s) Hea l.” “W it h t h i s c a mpa ig n we a re t r y i ng to br i ng aw a reness to t he i ssue a nd help

M BASKETBALL PAGE 11

HOCKEY PAGE 12

see AWARENESS PAGE 3

TODAY

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM

QUESTION OF THE DAY: ndsmcobserver.com

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What is your new years resolution?

P.O. Box 779, Notre Dame, IN 46556 024 South Dining Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556 Editor-in-Chief Maggie Eastland Managing Editor Ryan Peters Asst. Managing Editor: Gabrielle Beechert Asst. Managing Editor: Hannah Hebda Asst. Managing Editor: José Sánchez Córdova Notre Dame News Editor: Saint Mary’s News Editor: Viewpoint Editor: Sports Editor: Scene Editor: Photo Editor: Graphics Editor: Social Media Editor: Advertising Manager: Ad Design Manager: Systems Administrator:

Peter Breen Meghan Lange Claire Lyons Andrew McGuinness Anna Falk Sofia CrimiVaroli Christina Sayut Emma Duffy Confidence Nawali Christina Sayut Jack MapelLentz

Flynn Somers

Bella Leonard

senior Fisher Hall

freshman Lewis Hall

“To save Fisher.”

“To strech more.”

Elliott Thomazin

Stephen Matko

graudate student O’Neill Hall

sophomore Duncan Hall

“To use the Calm app.”

“To work out four times a week.”

Rowan Proffitt

Dorothea Watson

Office Manager & General Info

Ph: (574) 631-7471 Fax: (574) 631-6927 Advertising

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sophomore Breen- Phillps Hall

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“To eat healthier.”

“To creat a better work-life balance.”

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webmaster@ndsmcobserver.com Policies The Observer is the independent, daily newspaper published in print and online by the students of the University of Notre Dame du Lac, Saint Mary’s College and Holy Cross College. Editorial content, including advertisements, is not governed by policies of the administration of any institution. The Observer reserves the right to refuse advertisements based on content. The news is reported as accurately and objectively as possible. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the majority of the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Assistant Managing Editors and department editors. Commentaries, letters and columns present the views of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer. Viewpoint space is available to all readers. The free expression of all opinions through letters is encouraged. Letters to the Editor must be signed and must include contact information. Questions regarding Observer policies should be directed to Editor-in-Chief Maggie Eastland. Post Office Information The Observer (USPS 599 2-4000) is published Monday through Friday except during exam and vacation periods. A subscription to The Observer is $130 for one academic year; $75 for one semester. The Observer is published at: 024 South Dining Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556-0779 Periodical postage paid at Notre Dame and additional mailing offices POSTMASTER Send address corrections to: The Observer P.O. Box 779 024 South Dining hall Notre Dame, IN 46556-077

Today’s Staff News

Sports

Meghan Lange Nolan Hines Samantha Gebert

Molly Gruber J.J. Post

Graphics

Anna Falk

Ethan Chiang

Photo

SOFIA CRIMIVAROLI | The Observer

Fourth-year architecture students work in Walsh Family Hall of Architecture to finish their semester-long Washington, D.C. Hotel Project before the project’s deadline Wednesday afternoon. Many students draft and render their final project using water color.

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Scene Viewpoint Andrew Marciano

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Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

SMC Bookworms Meeting Regina North Theater 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. Discussion on “The Devil Wears Prada.”

Sufganiyah & Smiles SMC Student Center 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Learn about the Jewish holiday and enjoy doughnuts.

Winter Wonderland Stapleton Lounge LeMans Hall 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Winter-themed event with free food.

Glee Club/ Symphony Orchestra Concert Leighton Concert Hall 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Both groups perform holiday favorites.

Basilica Mass Basilica of the Sacred Heart 10 a.m. Join others for morning Mass.

Eucharistic Adoration Baumer Hall Chapel 9:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Spend time with the Blessed Sacrament.

Desire, Anxiety, Shame: Transatlantic (Re)Mediations and “Italian Culture” 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Hesburgh Library.

Let It Snow Lodge Legends 4 p.m. - 11 p.m. Legends celebrates the season with festive refreshments.

Deck The Halls McCandless First Floor Lounge 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Create a Christmas wreath.

Holiday Gift Wrapping Party SMC Student Center 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Wrap your holiday gifts.

NEWS

NDSMCOBSERVER.COM | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | THE OBSERVER

Crime Log CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

domestic battery, criminal confinement and strangulation. Indiana law states that domestic

Awareness CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

su r v ivor s of domest ic v iolence hea l,” T homa s sa id. H(u s)H i s i nvolved w it h bot h t he com mu n it y on c a mpu s a nd t he Sout h Bend com mu n it y, T homa s sa id. She ex pla i ned t he sig n i f ic a nce of t he w a l l out side of t he d i n i ng ha l l a nd how t he cla ss i s worki ng to combat domest ic v iolence loc a l ly. “We prov ided resou rces for t hose w ho a re bei ng a ffec ted a nd had a t wo day event i n t he st udent center at Sa i nt Ma r y ’s,” T homa s sa id. “We were creat i ng a pu r ple w a l l. P u r ple i s t he of f icia l color of domest ic v iolence aw a reness, a nd we had pu r ple st ick y notes av a i lable to t he st udent s a nd fac u lt y to w r ite t hei r stor ies or word s of encou ragement to t hose a f fec ted.” Ru ss gave her cla ss a lot of creat ive l iber t y w hen desig n i ng t h i s c a mpa ig n, T homa s sa id. “T he st udent s were a ssig ned to create a c a mpa ig n about domest ic v iolence. It w a s a com mu n it y c a mpa ig n t hat wou ld br i ng attent ion to t he c au se a s wel l a s suppor t t he ef for t s of t he Y WC A i n Sout h Bend,” she ex pla i ned. T he a ssig n ment was d r iven by t he st udent s,

battery is an offense committed against a family or household member. Strangulation and sexual battery were also reported in an on campus non-academic building

a nd H(u s)H fostered com mu n it y i n t he cla ssroom due to how rel ia nt t he st udent s were on one a not her for t he projec t, T homa s sa id. “We gave t he st udent s t he tool s on how to create a c a mpa ig n a nd let t hem do t he rest.” she sa id. T homa s sa id t he g roup spent t i me bou nci ng idea s of f of each ot her du r i ng cla sses w h i le t hey were w a it i ng for a n idea t hey a l l l i ked. “One cla ss, a pa r t ic u la r st udent c a me i n w it h t h i s idea a nd t he w hole cla ss had a col lec t ive ‘a h ha .’ It w a s t he spa rk of i n spi rat ion we were a l l look i ng for,” T homa s sa id. T homa s d i sc u ssed w hat it mea n s to be a pa r t of Ru ss’s cla ss a nd to have a ssi sted w it h t he H(u s)H c a mpa ig n. “It i s so much more t ha n ju st you r average cla ss. It i s bei ng a pa r t of somet h i ng g reater a nd k now i ng t hat you a re doi ng good work for women i n t he com mu n it y a nd ever yw here,” T homa s sa id. “It ma kes goi ng to you r cla ss wor t h it w hen you a re creat i ng such a n i mpac tf u l c a mpa ig n t hat i s helpi ng so ma ny.” Contact Sarah Cate White at swhite01@saintmar ys.edu

on Sept. 28, according to the crime log. NDPD additionally sent an email alert to students about an on-campus drugging which occurred in a men’s residence hall between Sept. 29 and 30.

Democracy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

L ev it sk y sa id for mer P resident Dona ld Tr u mp w a s able to ga i n a coa l it ion of voter s t h roug h t h i s fea r. Accord i ng to t h i s t heor y, ma ny Republ ic a n s have been pu shed to ext rem i sm bec au se t he y feel a s t houg h t he y a re losi ng t hei r cou nt r y. L ev it sk y a l so ex pla i ned t he role t he v a r iou s c o u n t e r-m a j o r i t a r i a n i n st it ut ion s w it h i n t he Un ited St ates play i n ou r democ r ac y — t hese i nclude t he Bi l l of R ig ht s, a n i ndependent jud ic iar y w it h t he c apabi l it y to rev iew leg i slat ion a nd a h ig h ba r to refor m t he Con st it ut ion. However, L ev it sk y a l so sa id t he Fou nder s i ncorpor ated a n excess a mou nt of t hese i n st it ut ion s, such a s t he E lec tor a l Col lege ; t he Senate, w h ich i s not represent at ive of popu lat ion ; t he abi l it y to block leg i slat ion t h roug h f i l ibu ster s a nd t he l i fet i me appoi nt ment of Supreme Cou r t Ju st ices. Bec au se of t h i s, he cla i med, t he Fou nder’s i nst it ut ion s do not per fec t ly a l ig n w it h t he idea l s of democ rat ic gover n ment s. “T he f r a mer s of t he US Con st it ut ion were ver y sma r t fol k s, but t he y

In the 2022-2023 Sexual Conduct and Campus Climate Survey Report, 5% of male and 19% of female students answered that they experienced a form of non-consensual sexual contact

while at Notre Dame. According to the report, 3% of male and 4% of female students answered that they reported this non-consensual sexual contact to the University.

weren’t out t here t r yi ng to desig n t he per fec t Republ ic,” he sa id. “T he y were t r y i ng to hold t he Un ion toget her a nd prevent a d i ssent i n t he Civ i l Wa r or foreig n m i l it a r y i nter vent ion. A nd to do t hat, to prevent a brea k up of t he u n ion a nd a descent i nto v iolence, t he y rea l i z ed ver y qu ick ly t hat t he y had to comprom i se.” L ev it sk y sa id he feel s t he upcom i ng 2024 president ia l elec t ion w i l l have a profou nd i mpac t on t he f ut u re of A mer ic a n democ r ac y. W hen a na ly z i ng Tr u mp, L ev it sk y fou nd he matched a l l fou r ke y i nd ic ator s of aut hor it a r ia n behavior : rejec t ion of democ r at ic nor m s, den ia l of leg it i mac y of pol it ic a l opponent s, toler at ion or encou r agement of v iolence a nd read i ness to c u rt a i l c iv i l l iber t y of opponent s i nclud i ng med ia . Bot h i n h i s present at ion a nd i n h i s d i sc u ssion, L ev it sk y empha si z ed how i mpor t a nt it i s for ot her Republ ic a n s to spea k out aga i n st Tr u mp. “Nea rly a l l of t hem say t he y w i l l back Tr u mp i f he’s t he nom i nee i n 2024, even i f he’s conv ic ted of t r y i ng to over t u r n a n elec t ion,” he sa id. “It does not have to be t h i s w ay.” Quest ion s were a sked

by t he moder ator, pol it ic a l sc ience professor C h r i st i na Wolbrecht a nd t he aud ience. T he quest ion s add ressed a plet hor a of topic s such a s t he i mpor t a nce of t he m i l it a r y, possible l i m it at ion s to refor m s, d i f f ic u lt y of vot i ng i n t he U.S., excessive major it a r ia n i sm a nd i nternat iona l i ssues. Spec ia l attent ion w a s a l so g iven to how L ev it sk y perceived t he t h reat of a not her c iv i l w a r. He sa id he does not t h i n k t here i s a rea l t h reat of c ivi l w a r, however, he noted t he possibi l it y of i nc rea sed v iolence a nd ter ror i sm i n t he f ut u re. “It ’s not u n rea sonable to i mag i ne i f we sl ide back i nto c r i si s, t hat t here w i l l be a fa i r level of st reet v iolence, t here a l ready w a s some i n 2020,” L ev it sk y sa id. “T here cou ld be pol it ic a l a ssa ssi nat ion at tempt s a nd ter ror i st att ack s a nd t he fac t t hat so ma ny A mer ic a n s, i n pa r t icu la r r ad ic a l i z ed A mer ic a n s ow n g u n s, doesn’t help.” Conclud i ng his rema rk s, L ev it sk y emphasi z ed t he need for refor m to it s cou nter-major it a r ia n i n st it ut ion s. “We need to democ r at i z e A mer ic a n democ r ac y,” he sa id. Contact Emma Duffy at eduffy5@nd.edu

Campus Life Council (CLC) discusses on-campus mental health initiatives By KELSEY QUINT News Writer

The Campus Life Council (CLC) welcomed Chris Conway, director of the University Counseling Center (UCC) and Margaret Morgan, director of the Center for Student Support and Care, to discuss the state of student wellness resources on campus Monday. Chaired by student body president Daniel Jung, the CLC is a committee composed of nine students, six rectors, two faculty members and one representative of the Division of Student Affairs. As students head into a busy period of the semester, Conway said it is not uncommon for the UCC to see an increase in demand for its services. Typically, more students seek out counseling services in the fall semester compared to the spring. Both Conway and Morgan said each center is focused on ensuring students and faculty are aware of the resources available.

While the pandemic caused an increase in the use of mental health resources on campus, Conway and Morgan said these numbers are stabilizing to levels similar to pre-pandemic conditions. Morgan said one of the biggest obstacles toward providing the correct treatment and help for students is confusion as to what comprises the Health and Wellness division at Notre Dame. She explained that there are four departments involved: the UCC, University Health Services (UHS), the McDonald Center for Student Wellbeing (“McWell”) and the Center for Student Support and Care, which includes Sara Bea accessibility services and care and wellness consultants. To help students discern where to go for help, Morgan and Conway said the Health and Wellness division has circulated a Step Care Model and most recently the Interactive Wellness Tool. It is an ongoing goal of the

Health and Wellness division and CLC to promote awareness of the Interactive Wellness Tool as a first-step for students that believe they are in need of counseling or other mental health services. “[The Interactive Wellness Tool] launched last year. And it’s meant to answer that question that I think Chris and I and health and wellness people get often of, like, ‘where do I go?’” Morgan said. “And so it was meant to be a tool that helps people answer a couple questions to get the referral to the right resource and the place that they actually needed to go.” Once a student discerns where to find the help they need, the services are individually tailored to each student, Morgan said. “Our process is meant to be individualized. We don’t have, like, a menu of accommodations that students can choose from,” she said. “But we really just started through a conversation of like, ‘what’s the concern that you’re

experiencing?’ and ‘how can we help you navigate that barrier or remove that barrier?’” Morgan and Conway both said although mental health treatment is highly individualized, awareness of the resources is the opposite — it depends on each member of the community learning about the resources for the sake of their neighbor. Emphasis on increasing this “bystander awareness” remains a current goal for McWell and UCC. “You may feel like you don’t need this, but the person sitting next to you or someone you love or one of your good friends may need this and, in that moment, you’re going to want to know where to take them,” Morgan said. “One of the things I love about Notre Dame is that, most often, people are motivated by what they can do for the person next to them.” In studies conducted by McWell and UCC, the data pointed to four key trends in factors

that impact the mental health of students at Notre Dame, Morgan said. “What we have seen in the data is students who agree they belong at Notre Dame, agree that Notre Dame is a campus where we look out for each other, make rest a high or essential priority and feel supported by faculty and staff have better mental health,” Morgan said. According to Morgan and Conway, these findings are essential in providing actionable steps that students and faculty can take to both combat and prevent mental crises in their campus communities. “Mental health is a huge concern on-campus, in our country, we hear all these things. And these steps here are very practical things that we can do,” Morgan said. “Every person can work to make one other person feel like they belong here.” Contact Kelsey Quint at kquint@nd.edu

NEWS

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM

Jung-Rezner administration reflects on semester By REDMOND BERNHOLD News Writer

Notre Dame student government executives Daniel Jung, Aidan Rezner, Collette Doyle and their cabinet assumed office on April 1, 2023. Six months after, the trio spoke to The Obser ver about their accomplishments so far. The executives said they w ill continue to lean on their leadership philosophy, “listen, grow and f lourish,” in the spring semester. Student body v ice president Rezner said a surprising outcome was learning how to efficiently plan the furthering of the administration’s goals. “W hen we took the summer to be able to stay here for a month, as well on-campus, to do some of that planning, that really helped facilitate a lot of our success this year,” Rezner said. Student government chief of staff Doyle said the executive leadership’s directors are another surprising element of success. “We have such exceptional, talented 25 directors who are really exceptional in getting these initiatives and programs done,” Doyle said. “It’s really been fruitful to see that.” Student body president Jung said the Universit y’s administration has been an integral part of student government’s achievements. “They are so fundamental to what we do and we tr y to walk hand in hand w ith them in a lot of our events and initiatives,” Jung said. “I have been so pleased w ith truly the extent to

which the [Universit y’s] administration w ill go to great lengths to tr y to better the student experience.”

Accessibility, Health and Wellness

Campus Dining During his campaign last spring, Jung said students deser ve “fresh, nutritious fruit at least once a week.” At the beginning of its administration, the executive board worked w ith campus dining executive director Luigi A lberganti and student dining director Reggie Kalili. “We told them about this idea — how it’s really important that students are getting antiox idant-rich berries and things of that nature,” Jung said. “And now we have fresh fruit in the grab-ngo ever y Friday, which has been a really incredible experience.” Rezner added that the administration advocated for more nutritious, fulfilling food in North Dining Hall, South Dining Hall and the grab-n-go at each.

International Resources

distributed to international students w ith the collaboration of Notre Dame International.

Student

Doyle said that the department of international engagement was implemented this year by the executive board to meet the needs of the grow ing international student population “Our director Bernice Antoine has been … establishing a comprehensive, robust resource guide for international students and her department members are w rapping up the work,” she said. Doyle said she hopes the finalized guide w ill be

Jung said the executive board is looking to aid students w ith disabilities in accessing transportation to their classes during the w inter months. “We’ve been working w ith transportation, buildings and grounds [and] w ith campus safet y on figuring out what a possible solution may be,” he said. Jung also said his administration is exploring the possibilit y of allow ing students w ith a severe injur y, bereavement or some other “great distress” to become part-time students. Parttime students are classified as those w ith fewer than 12 credits.

Collaboration with the Office of the President Rezner said the Notre Dame Forum is a major collaboration bet ween the Office of the President and the executive board. “The forum has been a collaboration w ith us in terms of our administration w ith national affairs and political engagement,” Rezner said. “We had a voter registration drive. People registered to vote … We had Justice Elena Kagan come in — and also the senators [Chris Coons and Todd Young].” Rezner said it is the “positive relationships” that enhance students’ experiences w ithin these specific projects. Doyle said Walk the Walk

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Courtesy of Sophia Yu

Daniel Jung (left) and Aidan Rezner (right) both previously had worked for the 2022-2023 executive cabinet as communications subdirectors.

Week is another huge collaboration w ith the Office of the President. She added that it w ill begin on Jan. 16 — the first day of classes for the 2024 spring semester. As part of Walk the Walk Week, Rezner said on Thursday there w ill be a Black excellence dinner w ith a featured speaker — something that is only possible in collaboration w ith the Office of the President. Doyle said there w ill be a ser v ice project on the Saturday of Walk the Walk Week.

Service Ju ng sa id t he exec ut ive boa rd i s orga n i z i ng Back t he Bend, a n a n nua l day of ser v ice for Not re Da me st udent s, for late Ma rch. “It ’s ju st been rea l ly upl i f t i ng a nd hea r t w a r m i ng to see so ma ny st udent s w ho have such a desi re a nd a hea r t for ser v ice,” he sa id. “So ma ny st udent s come a nd help … bu i ld up t hat relat ion sh ip w it h t he

Sout h Bend com mu n it y. It ’s rea l ly rew a rd i ng for u s to see t hat .” L ook i ng onw a rd s, t he ad m i n i st r at ion noted it s com m it ment to ma i nt a i n i ng st rong st udent out reach. To Doy le, it i s c r uc ia l to keep cont ac t i ng t he st udent body. “At t he hea r t of it, t he st udent s a re w ho we ser ve, a nd [we mu st ma ke ] su re t hat we’re l i sten i ng to t hei r voices — t hat we’re commu n ic at i ng w it h t hem,” Doy le sa id. Rez ner sa id t hat l i sten i ng to st udent feedback i s ke y to ma k i ng su re ever y si ng le per son i n t he c a mpu s com mu n it y c a n u lt i mately f lou r i sh. “I n ever y t h i ng t hat we do, we t r y to a sk ou r selves, ‘A re we bet ter i ng t he st udent ex per ience of ever yone at Not re Da me ? ’” Ju ng sa id. Contact Redmond Bernhold at rbernho2@nd.edu

Presidency CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Democracy: Lessons from subSaharan Africa.” Dowd spent 18 months in East Africa while in the seminary. The current Notre Dame president, Fr. John Jenkins, announced on Oct. 13 that he would step down from the presidency at the end of the 2023-24 academic year after 19 years in office. Notre Dame has had three presidents in the past 70 years — Jenkins, Fr. Edward “Monk” Malloy and Fr. Theodore Hesburgh. “We can all be grateful for Fr. Jenkins’ selfless and courageous leadership for almost two decades. Working together with others, his efforts have positioned the University extremely well in every way,” Dowd said. “We will build on those efforts. Informed by our Catholic missions, we will work together so that Notre Dame is an ever-greater engine of insight, innovation and impact, addressing society’s greatest challenges and helping young people to realize their potential for good.”

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM

By Observer Scene Staff

Winter is here, and the end of the school year is rapidly approaching. As we’re gearing up for finals season, it’s important to remember fun and festivities are not too far away! Whether you’re looking for something to listen to while studying or need a good movie to watch in front of a warm fire, Scene’s got you covered.

“The Nutcracker” — Anna Falk, Scene Editor My love for “The Nutcracker” is a side-effect of my decades-long dance career. When I attended a studio, we put on a production every December. Everything about it is beautiful — the costumes, the music, the added theatrics. I’ve been in nearly every role from a little toy doll to the Sugar Plum Fairy herself, and it holds a special place in my heart. I strongly recommend watching Marianela Nuñez’s incredible performance as the Sugar Plum Fairy for the Royal Ballet to understand even a piece of the ballet’s charm.

“The Muppet Christmas Carol” — Christina Sayut, Graphics Editor Do I truly need to explain myself? Are you going to try and tell me that “No cheeses for us meeces” is not an absolute banger of a line? Sure, the original story

is wonderful and sweet. However, there is a lack of Rizzo the Rat in the original. And this one has songs! This movie feels like receiving a warm hug and hearing the giggle of a close friend. The only thing that would make it better is if there was another rendition of “Man or Muppet.”

“Last Christmas” by Wham! — Natalie Allton, Scene Writer Christmas media tends to be pretty one-note. There’s an overall feeling of warmth, of excitement, of joy. But don’t you ever get tired of it? Isn’t it all a little too upbeat? Where’s the representation for those of us who are not ready to have ourselves a merry little Christmas? In millennia of Christmas tradition, only Wham! has had the guts to deliver a song that functions as both a heartbreak anthem and as a synth-pop slam-dunk. Does “Last Christmas” actually have that much to do with Christmas? Hard to say. Do the sleigh bells in the verses get me in the holiday mood anyways? Absolutely.

can one even say about “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas?” Technically, it exists in the universe of The Muppets, but we only get Kermit — the rest of the characters are bizarre Appalachian originals like “Yancy Woodchuck,” “Hetty Muskrat,” “Chuck Stoat” and “Old Lady Possum.” Jim Henson’s sets recreate the bleak Middle American winter with uncommon accuracy; for much of the movie there’s no snow, just dead brown grass and leafless black trees. It’s the best — and only — retelling of “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry as a country music musical out there!

“It’s A Wonderful Life” — Claire Lyons, Viewpoint Editor

“Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” — Peter Mikulski, Scene Writer

Although “It’s a Wonderful Life” may seem like an overly sentimental Christmas classic at first glance, it’s surprisingly dark. The film follows self-sacrificing businessman George Bailey as he contemplates suicide on Christmas Eve and his guardian angel’s efforts to save him. The ending of the film reduces me to tears every year. Remember: no man is a failure who has friends. Read more online at ndsmcobserver.com.

My sister has a predilection for second-rate holiday specials, and this one’s her greatest discovery. What

Contact Scene at scene@ndsmcobserver.com ETHAN CHIANG | The Observer

By MARISSA PANETHIERE Graphic Designer

Have you ever listened to an album for the first time and wished with all your heart that you could listen to it for the first time again? In the proverbial dark ages of my life — 2019, sophomore year of high school — I discovered Daft Punk in a meaningful way. Approaching complete mental disrepair from AP Physics I, I decided to switch up my usual study playlist of indie pop with the occasional Taylor Swift interjection and take a risk with my “Discover Weekly” tab on Spotify. With minimal progress made on my physics homework, the 2013 hit “Get Lucky (ft. Pharrell Williams)” played into my broken headphones. While I didn’t live in the so-called world of techno-electronica musical obsession, something about that one moment, ironically in tears over the physics of sound waves, led me to a musical epiphany. “Get Lucky” sits snugly in the middle of Daft Punk’s final album “Random Access Memories,” an album that quickly became a staple in my Spotify Wrapped. It seemed like a pipe dream to expect anything from the musical duo after their breakup in 2021, yet a surprise re-release of Random Access Memories on its 10th anniversary this year injected new life into a now-defunct Daft Punk. The later release of an additional “Drumless

Edition” removed a key player in the world of electronic music: percussion. Yet these masters of modern production, as the first song on this album’s tracklist suggests, were able to “Give Life Back to Music” through the entire musical makeup of a beloved electronic album. Ironically enough, this drumless re-release coincided with one of my Physical Chemistry midterms this semester — my rediscovery of Daft Punk was once again elicited by a teary haze of total confusion. Sitting in Hesburgh library, cross-eyed over matrices and operators, I put on my headphones and listened to this new version for the first time. The drumless edition of Daft Punk’s classic hits creates an entirely alternate emotional makeup for each song. Oftentimes, heavy production distracts listeners from feeling-dense and otherwise purple prose; when all the heavy drums and sound bites are stripped away, listeners are left with the iconic melodic keyboard integral to Daft Punk’s musical identity, electric instrumentals and iconic vocalists. Damped percussion directs the album’s focus to its funk elements and entirely shifts its focus as a thematic entity. The tone of the entire work becomes entirely more human. My favorite songs seemed to achieve some sort of musical puberty, maturing into a more succinct sense of self. Intimate reflections like “Within” and “Touch” become

even more raw, transitioning from their electronic edge to piano ballads. Pop-centric songs with mumbly lyrics like “Instant Crush (ft. Julian Casablancas)” turn your listening to the once unclear lyrics. Your comprehension of the song’s meaning changes entirely. The final song, “Contact,” once again sums up beautifully the album’s tone through its musicality and emphasis on the instrumental elements previously covered by percussion. While radio hits like “Get Lucky (ft. Pharrell Williams)” still sound fairly similar, if not a bit muted compared to their original iterations, the general shift of this album to focus on the ever-changing identity of music gives each listener an individual listening experience once more with this subtle yet powerful adjustment. Just like in AP Physics I, Daft Punk carried me through my Physical Chemistry I blunders, so I suppose I have them to thank for my continued endeavors in science (and an absolutely killer playlist). If you’re looking for something to tune out your finals dread or simply just want a truly amazing album to listen to in the coming weeks, give the original “Random Access Memories” a listen. Then prepare to have your perspective on its sound changed entirely by “Random Access Memories (Drumless Edition).” Contact Marissa Panethiere at mpanethi@nd.edu ANNA FALK | The Observer

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM

INSIDE COLUMN

It’s not Christmas without you

Why you should pick up that extra major

Claire Lyons

Rose Quinlan

Viewpoint Editor

A Contrarian’s Contribution

At Christmas dinner, long stretches of silence are only broken by the sound of clinking silverware. Today is the only day we eat on something other than paper plates. Today is also the only day we sit down to eat together all year. My brother, my father and I are the only people at the table, but there are four place settings. We still do not know how to talk to each other about the ghost at the table. Every year, students look forward to going home for the holidays. Inside Pasquerilla East Hall, the doors are decorated with gaudy wrapping paper and tinsel. I watch the people I love bake cookies and sing along to Frank Sinatra’s Christmas standards. They make paper snowflakes and pray for snow. But when holiday cheer is in full swing, I can’t help feeling like the Grinch. I secretly dread the holidays. I know when I come home for Christmas, it will feel like somebody died. And it’s because somebody has. Nine days before Christmas Day 2012, my mother killed herself. I do not know how long it took for her to die. She did not leave a note. I kissed her goodnight, and the next morning, she was gone forever. I did not go to school the next Monday morning. Many children didn’t, but for vastly different reasons. My mom took her life two days after 26 people were murdered in the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting. This is how personal tragedies are sometimes overshadowed by public ones. But this is also how a nation mourned alongside me on Christmas Day. My mother loved Christmas. God only knows why, her retail job got notoriously tough around the holidays. But thanks to retail, she was also an expert at wrapping and giving gifts (which she reveled in). She loved to drive around town, admiring the lights and tapping her fingers along to Christmas songs on the radio. Her favorite part of the holiday season, however, was decorating the tree. Every year, she would decorate our plastic Christmas tree up to the nines with her expensive collection of crystal ornaments. Some were purely decorative: an assortment of white pinecones and snowflakes, angels, trumpets, leaping deer, silver icicles, glass flowers, etc. Many were sentimental: a plaque with my parent’s wedding date, a 2004 baby boot for my brother’s birth, Mickey Mouse ears to commemorate a family trip to Disney, a white clay tree I made in elementary school, a tree skirt with silver glitter-glue outlines of our growing hands, etc. It was like her entire beautiful life was manifested in a single pre-lit artificial fir tree. In the years since my mother passed, my father would make my brother and I decorate the tree with militant precision. Each crystal had to be delicately wrapped and unwrapped with the utmost care and lined up on the couch cushions just so. It takes several hours to assemble and disassemble the tree every year. Sometimes I just could not bring myself to do it. It would never look the same without her, but every year, often after much shouting, the tree looks pristine. This is my father’s way of loving her — the way he keeps her alive. My father would also drag us to church (a bi-annual occurrence) for Christmas Mass. Church had always made me uncomfortable as a kid. I never attended Sunday school, so I could never relax into the motions of Mass. I always lagged a couple of seconds behind the congregation, anxiously following the lead of my dad in the pew next to me. I would squirm in my seat, kneel to pray, stand, tug at my itchy dress and sit down again. I’d like to imagine a winter when I wander into Christmas mass. The church is warm inside and filled with people. The smell of incense hangs in the air. The sound of the organ fills the cathedral and the choir starts to sing a song that feels ancient. I open my mouth to sing along, but I do not know the words. This time, however, I’m not ashamed. I open my palms up in supplication and turn my face up toward the rafters. The music reaches a crescendo, and suddenly, I am overwhelmed. For a split second, with this song that is older than me or my mother or her mother before her, I let myself imagine heaven. I am walking down a path in a sunny snow-covered forest of evergreen trees. Each of them is decorated in ice, crystal and silver. The wind picks up. The ornaments and bells ring in the breeze. Snow moves in gusts on the ground like an apparition. Suddenly, I can smell a hint of her perfume. Hidden somewhere, I know, is a tree with tiny 2004 baby boots and elementary school clay craft projects hanging from its limbs. There are tiny silver handprints in the snow around its roots. My mother is here, wearing a winter coat with a stylish scarf, standing back to admire her hard work. When she sees me, she turns and smiles. She was waiting for me all this time. So this is Christmas, and when I look across the dinner table at an empty place setting, I am determined to eventually turn my eyes to the tree. Because, sure, the pang of grief is how our loved ones remind us they were once here, but I will let you in on a little secret: They were never really gone.

The summer before my freshman year at Notre Dame, my mother recommended that I take an introductory course in Economics. I knew I wanted to enter the Program of Liberal Studies and spend my time asking history’s greatest philosophical questions, but she insisted that I educate myself on matters of money and fiscal policy. So, I enrolled in Professor Spence’s Principles of Microeconomics course, and I loved it so much that I impulsively declared a second major in economics. Four years later, I’m performing fully funded research in Bhutan for my senior thesis on the ethical implications of fiscal policy (special thanks to the Roberts Endowment and the UROP Senior Thesis Grant). I do not intend to enter a field related to economics, but I have no regrets. The moral of the story — besides that your mom is usually right — is that a second major is likely to send you somewhere unexpected. Underclassmen: if there is a subject outside of your course of study that interests you, this is your sign to declare a second major. Take the interdisciplinary path. You won’t regret it, and here’s why. The disadvantage of specialization is that we forget what other methods of thinking are out there. Each field of study has a certain orthodoxy associated with it: a way of teaching and learning, a way of approaching problems and a way of understanding the world. Liberal arts students see the world through the lens of philosophy and art, and they learn through the Socratic method. Science students solve problems through expertise and experimentation. Business focuses on collaboration and creation, the social sciences focus on linking cause and effect and engineering focuses on creative problem-solving. Each discipline has its own expertise to bring to the table, and in specializing in just one, we limit our capabilities. By adding a second major, one exposes oneself to a completely new approach to knowledge and education. This changes and contextualizes one’s understanding of education on both sides of the argument. With my double major in Great Books and Economics, I see philosophy from the social scientist’s perspective and social science from the philosopher’s perspective. I am often shocked by the difference in learning methods between my majors, and this allows me to see the flaws that are inherent in each of their ways of teaching. In my Econ courses, I recognize short-sighted interpretations of Adam Smith, Karl Marx and other political philosophers. In my PLS courses, I see unjustified contempt for statistics and flawed understandings of economic principles. All disciplines ought to stay in constant dialogue with one another, and the interdisciplinary student is essential for facilitating that dialogue. Be the theology student in a computer science class, or the neuroscience student in a literature seminar, and you might start an interesting conversation.

You can contact Claire at clyons3@nd.edu. The views expressed in this Inside column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

This contextualized knowledge will also make you a better employee in the future. While a career in finance won’t depend on your knowledge of film from FTT classes, your cultural education and ability to ask interpretive questions might come in handy. Employers love data scientists who write like English majors, doctors who are trained in sociology and accountants who think like philosophers. At the end of the day, your studies at Notre Dame aren’t just meant to give you technical preparation for a specialized field. They are meant to prepare you for a successful long-term career and an educated, examined life. A second major helps you realize this goal more fully. You might be wondering if it is better to take introductory electives in lots of different subjects, rather than investing lots of time and effort in a full-blown second major. I don’t recommend this. Introductory courses tend to be very superficial; they are meant to prepare first-years to enter a whole realm of knowledge and debate that you cannot access without committing to the major. Studying fewer disciplines at a higher level allows you to fully immerse yourself in the intricacies and controversies of those subjects. The double-major graduate has done more than dabble in other subjects — he or she has taken the time to seriously master an entirely new field. Finally, there is the question of fitting everything into your schedule. I promise that it is less difficult than your advisor would have you believe. A second major or supplementary major can take as few as ten extra courses, and they often count for several core requirements. Even if your primary major is seriously courseheavy, such as my 86-credit regime in the Program of Liberal Studies, it is usually possible to take a second major without overloading on credits. Also, departmental advisors are often flexible about prerequisites and graduation requirements. On top of both of my majors, I was able to enroll in eight different completely free electives, thanks to some strategic scheduling and help from my professors. If you want to enroll in a second major, don’t panic about scheduling. Talk to your advisor and professors in the department, and they will be happy to help you out. At Notre Dame, you get a four-year window to access a top-notch education in any field you want. Why choose just one? Pick up that other random subject you’ve been interested in. You can thank me later. Rose is a senior from Buffalo, NY with majors in economics and the Program of Liberal Studies. Her writing interests include ethics, campus culture and the intersection of economics, politics and philosophy. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading on the 10th floor of the library, losing intramural basketball games or working at the Law School. You can contact Rose by email at rquiniaz@nd.edu. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM

The e-scooter crisis, the aftermath and the rise of the security state Jonah Tran Saturae et Sapientia

The Ministry of Transportation has spoken. After a long 126 days, the Personal Electric Vehicles Bureau of Investigation has concluded that electric scooters, the single largest threat to state security, must be universally banned. The State has unequivocally proven, once again, that Her bureaucratic prerogatives in no way subvert the voices of Her citizens or pervert the core values, upon which the State was originally established in 1842. For this, I am a skeptic. For the past eight years, the scourge of electric scooters has been infecting the pedestrian character of the campus. It threatens the status quo for “walkpeople” by proposing a radical alternative mode of transportation, one that is ridiculously time-efficient, foot traffic-reducing and convenient. The incumbent mode of transportation, that is walking, is not only friendlier to the pedestrian and the carpet of Residence Halls, but it is also friendly with the State. For eight years, “scootpeople” were deadlocked in battle with the “walkpeople.” It was fought with many vehicular injuries: scraps, bruises, external and internal bleeding. The State never pursued or cared to pursue comprehensive common sense e-scooter laws to protect either person before deciding to ban the e-scooters. For eight long years, the State watched in silence while we injured ourselves day by day with a weapon, dangerous and complex beyond any of our understanding. The Ministry of Transportation declared this ban in a coy email citing their report to court the public with a pretense that the Ministry always acts in people’s best interest. As a result, public opinion was divided into three political parties: the supporter, opponent and abstainer. The “Supporter” consists of numerous operatives and informants of the State; the “Supporter” is the alleged “common folk.” However, their opinion is of the State. Their action is of the State. These agents are indistinguishable from those who work directly under the Golden Dome. The “Opponent” is an organization of majority studentathletes, whose labor is extracted by the State. They are the ones most affected, seemingly targeted by the

directive; however, their cries of opposition are met with fierce public skepticism on account of their isolation from the “common folk.” As for the last party of the “Abstainer,” they are the most dangerous to the common person, for in their inability to question what appears to be so and to articulate that opinion, they are easy prey for manipulation by the State. I argue that the majority of citizens fall into the parties of “Supporter” and “Abstainer,” as they are either complicit or complacent with the State. Thus, this is one-half of the aftermath of the scooter crisis, an emergence of political parties that cement the status quo of public opinion. The second half of the aftermath is the introduction of the Victory Campaign. The Hammes State Bookstore will become the sole provider of mechanical transportation on campus via the new line of Victory bikes. Other products might include Victory shoes, Victory socks, Victory helmets, Victory foot-propelled scooters. These State-issued items will have each of its users eagerly “marching onward to Victory.” As for the Rise of the Security State, I will start from the beginning. The Security State is a multi-ministry collection of intelligence and defense agencies, whose charge is to discredit, silence and eliminate all forms of public dissidence that challenge the status quo of the State. For instance, the Personal Electric Vehicles Bureau of Investigation (PEVBI) primarily operates within the Ministry of Transportation but will occasionally collaborate with the Ministry of Academic Freedom and the Ministry of Truth. The two pillars of the status quo are the pedestrian character of campus and academic freedom. The agents of the Security State will do whatever it takes to preserve these pillars even if it means silencing those who purport that the State should place some religion at the forefront of its identity. During the e-scooter crisis, the Security State was instrumental in enforcing the flaccid law governing e-scooter storage, charging and operation. If it were not for the swift, decisive actions by the Security State to shift public blame on personal electric vehicles rather than a mere accidental malfunction, we would have lost Mendoza! Subsequently, the Ministry of Truth standardized the story that we believe now.

After the scooter crisis, the Security State has initiated a quasi-buyback program for personal electric vehicles. Citizens can entrust their possessions in the hands of the very agents who enforce the State’s ban. That makes sense. Moreover, I predict that the State will launch a novel initiative called the HERE Campaign. HERE is the rationale. HERE, we walk on campus. HERE, we walk in single-file lines both in class and in life. HERE, we bow down to authority, never questioning its apparent inconsistencies or hypocrisy. I express concern not about the content of the ban, but rather the principle, that is its development, implementation and public reception. Do five members of the State represent the voice of an entire student population? How will this ban be enforced without increased action on the part of the entity I have called the Security State? Why does no one truly question, not even oppose, the ban that radically changes how we interact with the campus? Not even a word? A thought? It appears that the spinelessness of the student population has been emboldening the University to recklessly undertake initiatives and manners of action that are neither in the best interest of its students nor in accordance with the values of the University. I see a misplacement of priorities and an addiction to capitulating to the demands of the illusory mob. It is an endless yo-yo of care and carelessness. To the “Supporter,” I have no words. To the “Opponent,” I commend your conviction and martyrdom. To the “Abstainer,” you are inadvertent agents of the State; your pathetically apathetic disposition guarantees yourself eternal affection from evil incarnate. As for the University, not even a new president will be enough. And to close, I have never been or will ever be desirous of transferring universities. Jonah Tran is a sophomore at Notre Dame double majoring in finance and classics with a minor in Constitutional studies. He prides himself on sarcasm and his home — the free state of Florida. You can contact Jonah by email at jtran5@nd.edu. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Finals week ultimate survival guide Lara Novaes Victor Diary of an International Student

As the reality of finals week — the most dreaded time of every semester — approaches, students all around the campus start to feel the stress piling up with final projects, exams and presentations. Having been through this a few times, I’ve figured out what it takes to survive this hellish period and end the semester on a high note. Here are my tips.

1. Plan ahead Depending on the classes you take, you may have in-class exams, papers, take-home exams or even all three like I do. Regardless, the first thing that needs to be done is to plan ahead. What are the due dates for everything? What will take the most time? Is there anything you can get knocked out of your way now? When are you going to study for which exam? Going into finals with somewhat of a plan goes a long way when minimizing stress for this week.

2. Sleep While we might be relying heavily on caffeine, sleep is the unsung hero in our fight against finals. Sure, an all-nighter occasionally becomes unavoidable, but if it’s a recurring habit, your brain won’t retain the information you’re cramming. The following day might turn into a disaster — silly mistakes in exams or, believe it or not, nodding off right in the middle of one. It might sound dramatic, but I’ve seen it

happen before.

3. Stake out your favorite study spot At this point of the semester, everyone knows where they study best. So if you realize you always end up spending more time chatting with your friends on the first floor of Hesburgh Library and brainstorming conspiracy theories at Duncan Student Center than hitting the books, it’s time for a change this week. Also, the prime spots will be in high demand, so arriving early is key. But remember, it’s crucial to be considerate — don’t hog tables by leaving your stuff unattended while you disappear for an hour-long lunch at the dining hall.

4. Fuel up. Eating well and drinking enough water are some of the most important components of doing well in finals week. Don’t let yourself fall into the trap of working so hard that you neglect eating and drinking. Bring snacks from your room, spend the rest of your flex points and meal swipes and make good use of all the study break events around campus. Your body and mind will thank you for it.

5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help Whether you are struggling with a thesis or completely confused about that last physics lecture, don’t suffer in silence. Professors and TAs usually add some extra office hours around finals, and they are more than willing to help. Never been to office hours, and you are shy to go there for the first

time during finals week? Too nervous to go to the professor? Talking with a classmate can be super helpful when you’re stuck. However, don’t ever feel like because you’ve never been to this professor’s office hours, you shouldn’t show up. Most of the time, they want to see us do well, and they will be immensely happy to help you better understand their class.

6. Don’t compare yourself to others Studying with friends, roommates and others can be an effective way to stay motivated. However, don’t compare yourself to other people. Even if you are taking similar exams, or taking an exam the same day, do not let how chill they seem or how focused they are affect your own studying. This is a time when everyone, including the Mendoza kids with their coloring books, is struggling, so don’t feel guilty or self-conscious if you don’t have it all together this week, no one does. As we go through this final stretch, remember that very soon these stressful times will be over. Stay strong, stay healthy, and as always Go Irish, beat finals! Lara is a member of the class of 2026 from Taubaté, Brazil with majors in economics and Chinese. When she is not complaining about the weather, you can find her studying in a random room of O’Shaughnessy with her friends or spending all her flex points in Garbanzo. You can contact Lara by email at lvictor@nd.edu. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM

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goa ls in each of t heir eight conference ga mes whi le ta k ing at least 3 points in a l l four in-leag ue series. Michiga n State did not play last weekend but posted one of col lege hockey’s best resu lts in mid-November. The Spa r ta ns swept t hen-No. 1 Wisconsin on home ice, comma ndeering t he top spot in t he conference. A f ter t hat, in its most recent series, MSU took ha lf t he ava i lable points at Minnesota w it h bot h ga mes going beyond reg u lat ion t ime. Through 16 ga mes, Michiga n State w ields t he top-producing of fense in t he Big Ten. The Spa r ta ns have g row n accustomed to high-scoring a f fa irs, averag ing 4.31 goa ls per ga me whi le a l low ing 3.31 ta l lies per contest. Bet ween t he pipes, Not re Da me g raduate student Rya n Bischel a nd Michiga n State f reshma n Trey Aug ust ine lead t he conference in saves. Wit hout much highend sta r-power in f ront of Aug ust ine, a n NHL

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second-rounder, Michiga n State t hrives on ba la nced scoring. Spa r t y’s top forwa rd line features Isaac Howa rd (t he tea m’s lone f irst-rounder), Ka rsen Dor wa r t a nd Da niel Russel l. A l l t hree have 11 or more points, w it h Howa rd’s 13 assists leading t he line. Behind t hem, t he second line possesses a combined 384 ga mes of ex perience, a nd t he t hird line snea k i ly paces t he tea m in product ion. Look for Michiga n State to cha l lenge Not re Da me on specia l tea ms t his weekend. The Spa r ta ns lead t he Big Ten w it h 5 shor tha nded goa ls, sourcing f rom f ive dif ferent players. Their da ngerous pena lt yk il ling unit w ill oppose a n Irish power play t hat has slowed to a conference-worst 16.4% conversion rate in recent weeks. Not re Da me a nd Michiga n State w i l l meet at Munn Ice A rena for a 7 p.m. puck drop Friday a nd a 6 p.m sta r t Saturday. Bot h ga mes w i l l appea r on Big Ten Plus. Contact Noah Cahill at ncahill@nd.edu last year, although neither survived the first weekend.

Hockey Notre Dame kicks off conference play with a New Year’s Eve matinee at 2:00 p.m. at Syracuse. The Orange are a strong 7-1 to start this year after a middle-of-the-road 2022-23 season. After that, the Irish head to Pittsburgh for another road clash on Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. Pitt was dead last in the conference a year ago and is off to an unimpressive 4-5 start this year. The Irish then kick off a threegame homestand to wrap up their slate over break. Notre Dame welcomes in No. 24 North Carolina on Jan. 7 at 5 p.m., Boston College on Jan. 11 at 5 p.m., and Miami on Jan. 14 at 12:00 p.m.

Men’s Basketball Following Tuesday night’s matchup with Western Michigan, the Irish men’s basketball team still has four more games to go before the holidays. The first is a nationally televised road clash with No. 8 Marquette. The Golden Eagles will be the second ranked team the Irish face this year after falling to No. 15 Miami 62-49 on Saturday. Things get a bit easier from there as the Irish then start a season-long fivegame homestand. The Irish will face Georgetown at 2:15 p.m. on Dec. 16, Citadel at 6 p.m. on Dec. 19 and Dec. 22 at 8 p.m. against Marist. Following an eight-day break, Notre Dame resumes conference play with contests against NC State (9 p.m. on Jan. 3) and No. 22 Duke (6 p.m. on Jan. 6). From there it’s a trip to Georgia Tech at 9 p.m. on Jan. 9 followed by a return home on Jan. 13 against Florida State. That contest tips off at 2:15 p.m. Of those four teams, Duke and NC State both reached the NCAA Tournament

The Irish have one more series before their on-ice break as they travel to Michigan State this weekend. The series is a rematch of the first round of last year’s Big10tournament.NotreDamewon the first game of the series before the Spartans took each of the last two went to the Spartans at Compton Family Ice Arena. However, Michigan State has since surged to the top of the Big Ten standings. The Spartans are currently the lone team in the Big Ten without a regulation loss in conference play. The Irish sit in a strong position themselves, sitting third with a 4-2-1-1 record in Big Ten play. Notre Dame returns to the ice on Dec. 30 and 31 with its final non-conference series of the season as they host Augustana. Following that are a pair of Big Ten series the next two weekends -- one at home against Wisconsin and one on the road against Ohio State. The Badgers are the only other team in the conference currently ahead of the Irish, leading the Big Ten with six conference regulation wins. The Buckeyes are an ugly 0-7-1-0 in conference competition, the lone Big Ten team still looking for a regulation conference win.

HCC BASKETBALL

Holy Cross College Basketball Winter Preview By THOMAS Z WILLER Senior Sports Writer

Men’s Basketball The Holy Cross College men’s team could not have started their season any better . Emphatic wins of 20, 25 and 12 at home over East-West University, Goshen and Moody Bible. But those were the games the Saints were supposed to win. As the team got deeper into November, the opponents got more challenging at it showed. A win streak of three turned into a losing streak of five in the month of November. It began with an 82-59 thrashing at the hands of Bethel. St. Ambrose and Roosevelt piled on, sending the Saints to .500 and 0-2 in conference play. A non-conference game against Huntington dropped the Saints to 3-4. But the true back-breaking game came four days later against IU-South Bend. The Saints outshot the Trojans, from the floor, from deep and from the line. Holy Cross limited turnovers and their bench performed beautifully, contributing 19 points. The Saints, who jumped out to a 14-4, led by one with 2:19 to play. Sophomore Phil Robles II made a jumper to put the Saints up by three. An IUSB bucket made it 4041. With just 4 seconds on the clock, Robles II took to the free throw line. He missed, an unfortunate outcome from a player currently shooting 77.8% from the charity stripe. The Titans collected the rebound and completed their comeback with a buzzer-beating layup. The Saints are now 3-6 on the year, after a 74-65 loss to Waldorf last Saturday. The team is still in search of its first conference win and will look to

break a six-game losing streak when they take on Indiana Northwest. Over the teams’ winter break, the team will have six games to try and salvage what might already be a lost season. It’s by no means a foreign concept to the team. Last year when the team struggled in November, it rallied and won six of seven games. That team finished the year 15-15 and made it into the conference playoffs. Can the team do it? That remains to be seen. The Saints play four conference games, at Calumet and Olivet and home to St. Francis and Judson. Last year the Saints went a combined 3-4 against those squads; this year however, three of those teams have a better conference record to date. The team will get its chance to start a turnaround this Saturday when they take on Indiana Northwest.

Women’s Basketball The women’s basketball team has had a much better season than last year to date. The Saints started off on the right foot, getting an 81-69 home win against Huntington. The team then took a quick road trip to Atchison, Kansas to participate in the Benedictine Classic. The women’s team split its games, falling to Benedictine 92-77 and picking up a win, 66-61 against Baker. The Saints then had four straight tough road games, including their conference opener against the Roosevelt Lakers. The team played well and was in each of the four games but wound up going 2-2. They lost to Bethel (76-68) and Goshen (75-67), but snagged wins against IU Kokomo (6855) and Roosevelt (69-56). Once home, the Saints

hosted IUSB and fell 55-47 despite leading by as much as eight. The team followed up the loss with a drubbing of Saint Ambrose. The Saints dominated the game from start to finish, totaling 20 turnovers that resulted in 39 points. The Saints proved especially dominant in the paint, where they scored 58. The women’s team will have two more games before they head into the break: one against Grace (a non-conference matchup) and one against Indiana Northwest. Over winter break, the team will have five games, four of them conference matchups. Odds are good the Saints are going to struggle in those conference matchups. In contests against Calumet, St. Francis, Olivet and Judson the Saints went .500 last year. But this Saints team is also playing good basketball. And the results are showing up early. The team sits third in conference play. Calumet and Judson are both 0-3 and 1-2, respectively. St. Francis and Oliviet should represent tougher challenges, with each team currently sitting at 2-1. The team should be able to go 3-2 over the break, with likely losses to St. Francis and Olivet. Calumet, St. Mary’s and Judson feel like wins. But before they get there, the team needs to play two more games and make it through finals. The team will look to string together a win streak when they host Grace Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. through finals. The team will look to string together a win streak when they host Grace this Wednesday at 7:00p.m. Contact Thomas Zwiller at tzwiller@hcc-nd.edu

Swim and Dive The Irish swim and dive team will return to action just before break ends as well. The Irish host their first of two events this year as they welcome in Princeton and Navy for a three-team meet on Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. and Jan. 13 at 11 a.m.

RYAN VIGALANTE| The Observer

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DAILY

NDSMCOBSERVER.COM | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | THE OBSERVER

CROSSWORD | WILL SHORTZ

HOROSCOPE | EUGENIA LAST Happy Birthday: Formulate your thoughts and execute your intentions. Sending clear messages will determine how well you do this year. When in doubt, ask; time is precious, and mixed messages will slow you down. Surround yourself with like-minded people and those you know you can rely on to give you good advice. Make kindness and compassion mandatory, address sensitive issues and pay more attention to loved ones. Your numbers are 8, 19, 23, 35, 36, 39, 48. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Don’t sit idle when taking the initiative and participating in what’s happening is the path to new beginnings. Everyone will not welcome an aggressive plan, but you must do what’s best for you. Meetings, updates and taking on new responsibilities will pay off. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Keep track of your money. Don’t give anyone access to personal information. Play by the rules; be responsible financially and emotionally, take control and make your intentions clear. A change or move needs careful consideration. Don’t fold under pressure.. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Emotions will escalate if you or someone close withholds information or true feelings. If you can’t decide what to do, revert to taking care of your responsibilities to avoid complaints while you figure out what’s next. Personal growth is favored. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Trust and honesty matter. You may have to step outside your comfort zone and be blunt about what you can and cannot tolerate. Look for opportunities that offer greater freedom to pursue what you enjoy doing most. Get offers or promises in writing. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Speak up and join in the conversation, and you’ll build confidence and make beneficial connections. Simplify how you handle your responsibilities. Let go of what’s no longer worthwhile and replace it with new skills that allow you to get more done and lower your overhead. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Push to make a move. Refuse to let your emotions or someone else’s mislead you. Look for opportunities based on what you already have going for you to use in a diverse and marketable manner. Choose progressive change over anger and chaos. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Experience is the key to getting ahead. Attend a seminar, networking event or reunion that offers exciting conversations that will spark your imagination and point you in the right direction. Share your thoughts and build a good rapport with individuals who have something to offer. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Stick to your plan, regardless of temptation or pressure. Joint ventures aren’t likely to turn out as expected. Trust your intuition, and avoid getting caught in someone else’s plans. Take responsibility and do what’s best for you. A positive change is overdue. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Listen, verify information and act. Taking care of matters swiftly will help build a solid reputation. Don’t give in to emotional manipulation; be clear about your priorities and keep moving forward. Avoid being pressured into signing up for something you can’t afford or fulfill. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Someone will test your patience if you let them. Stay balanced and choose your words wisely. You’ll accomplish more if you work alone, follow your intuition and look for innovative ways to make your surroundings conducive to achieving your dreams. Personal growth is favored. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Make your surroundings feel like home. Put your personal touch on whatever you do, and it will give you the confidence and peace of mind you need to push forward. Take on projects that benefit you, and use your skills to further your interests. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Emotional manipulation is apparent. Be a good listener, know when to say no, and don’t ask for too much or embellish the truth. You’ll achieve the most if you avoid arguments, pay attention to detail and finish what you start. Personal change is encouraged. Birthday Baby: You are impressive, proactive and entertaining. You are demonstrative and benevolent.

SUDOKU | THE MEPHAM GROUP

JUMBLE | DAVID HOYT AND JEFF KNUREK

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SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM

FOOTBALL

SWIMMING

Xavier Watts wins Bronko Nagurski Trophy Observer Sports Staff

Not re Da me footba l l may not have ach ieved t he tea m ha rdw a re t hey were hopi ng for i n 2023. However, t he ef for t s of at lea st one member of t he I r ish a ren’t goi ng u nrecog n i z ed. On Monday n ig ht, sen ior sa fet y X av ier Wat t s w a s na med t he recipient of t he Bron ko Nag u rsk i Trophy. T he aw a rd goes to col lege footba l l’s top defen sive player each yea r a nd is decided by t he Footba l l Wr iters A ssociat ion of A mer ic a . Wat t s beat out Iow a cor nerback Cooper DeJea n, I l l i nois defen sive t ack le Jer’Z ha n New ton, G eorg ia sa fet y Ma la k i St a rk s a nd NC St ate l i nebacker Pay ton W i lson for t he honors. Wat t s’ jou r ney to t he aw a rd cer t a i n ly w a sn’t a l i nea r one. T he Oma ha, Nebra sk a, nat ive a r r ived at Not re Da me a s a t h reest a r w ide receiver recr u it i n 2020. He qu ick ly t ra nsit ioned to sa fet y a nd ha s m issed ju st t wo ga mes for t he I r ish over t he la st t h ree sea son s. However, he d id n’t become a reg ula r st a r ter u nt i l t he t a i l end of t he 2022 sea son. A lt houg h he blew aw ay h is c a reer h ig h i n t ack les w it h 39 la st yea r, Wat t s d id n’t enter 2023 w it h superst a r st at u s. It d id n’t t a ke long for t hat to cha nge, t houg h. Wat t s recorded h is f i rst i ntercept ion of t he sea son

i n t he tea m’s t h i rd ga me of t he sea son aga i n st NC St ate. He wou ld go on to pick of f 7 pa sses on t he sea son, lead i ng t he nat ion i n pick s. Wat t s w a s t he f i rst I r ish player to notch 7 i ntercept ion s i n a yea r si nce Ma nt i Te’o i n 2012. E nter i ng t he yea r, Wat t s had never recorded a n i ntercept ion i n h is col leg iate c a reer. Wat t s set c a reer-h ig h s i n ju st about ever y c ategor y, f rom t ack les (47 ) to t ack les for loss (2.5) to pa sses defended (11). He a lso forced h is f i rst col leg iate f u mble. Wat t s pea ked du r i ng Not re Da me’s 48-20 w i n over USC, i ntercept i ng reig n i ng Heisma n Trophy W i n ner Ca leb W i l l ia m s t w ice. He a lso ret u r ned a f u mble for a touchdow n. He received t he Bron ko Nag u rsk i Nat iona l Player of t he Week aw a rd for t hat ef for t, t hen ea r ned it aga i n i n t he nex t I r ish ga me w hen he had a not her t wo-i ntercept ion ef for t, t h is t i me aga i n st P it t. “Ju st somet h i ng you never rea l ly i mag i ne,” Wat t s sa id a f ter t he ga me. “I w a s ju st out t here playi ng , ju st t r y i ng to have f u n, do my job, a nd t h i ngs ended up happen i ng. Ju st cra z y.” T hat quote is a f itt i ng su m ma r y of not ju st t hat per for ma nce, but Wat t s’ ent i re sea son. H is f i rst yea r a s a f u l l-t i me st a r ter for t he I r ish proved to be a specia l one.

Irish send nine swimmers to U.S. Open Championships Observer Sports Staff

T h e 2 0 2 3 U. S . O p e n C h a m p i on s h i p s , h e l d a t t h e G r e e n s b or o A q u a t i c C e n t e r i n G r e e n s b or o, Nor t h C a r o l i n a , f e a t u r e d q u i t e a bi t o f I r i s h r e p r e s e n t a t i on . N i n e m e mb e r s o f Not r e D a m e’s s w i m t e a m c om p e t e d i n t h e c om p e t i t i on , f a c i n g o f f a g a i n s t s om e of t he best A mer ica n s w i m m e r s i n t h e c ou nt r y s u c h a s s e v e n-t i m e Oly mpic gold meda l ist K a t i e L e d e c k y. Ju n i or C h r i s G u i l i a n o d e l i v e r e d t h e b e s t p e rf or m a n c e o f t h e I r i s h bu nch. Gu i l ia no added a n ot h e r a w a r d-w i n n i n g f i n i s h t o h i s s t e l l a r c ar e e r, e a r n i n g t h e br on z e m e d a l i n t h e m e n’s 10 0 m f reest yle. G u i l i a n o’s

t i m e o f 0 : 4 8 . 51 p u t h i m j u s t 0 . 21 s e c on d s b e h i n d f i rst place. Gu i l ia no a lso reached t he f i na ls i n b ot h t h e 5 0 m a n d 2 0 0 m f r e e s t y l e c om p e t i t i on s . Graduate st udent A b d e l r a h m a n E l-A r a b y pa r t icipated i n t he 50m f reest yle but m issed t he c u t f or t h e f i n a l c omp e t i t i on . G r a d u a t e s t ud e n t Ta n n e r F i l i on a n d s e n i or K a d e n S m e s k o f i n i s h e d 3 0 t h a n d 31s t , r e s p e c t i v e l y, in t he 10 0 m b a c k s t r o k e . F i l i on a l s o c om p e t e d i n t h e 2 0 0 m f r e e s t y l e . C a s on W i l b u r n , a n ot h e r g r a d ua t e s t u d e n t , q u a l i f i e d f or t h e C F i n a l i n t h e 10 0 m f l y. He f i n i s h e d 6 t h w i t h a t i m e o f 0 : 5 4 .11 O n t h e w om e n’s s i d e , j u n i or Soph ia Karras n ot c h e d t o p -15 f i n i s h e s

i n t h e 15 0 0 m f r e e s t y l e (16 : 5 8 . 0 8 , 15t h ) a nd 800m f reest yle ( 8 : 54.03, 13 t h ) . S o p h om or e G r a c e Bren nema n, Not r e D a m e’s l on e u n d e r c l a s s m a n i n t h e c om p e t it i on , f i n i s h e d 41s t i n t h e 50m f reest yle at 0 : 26.00. She a lso f i n ished 72nd i n t h e 10 0 m f r e e s t y l e ( 0 : 57. 9 3 ) T he Ir ish ret u r n to c om p e t i t i on i n Ja nu a r y, w it h each of t hei r nex t t wo event s ta k i ng place i n S ou t h B e n d — a m e e t a g a i n s t P r i n c e t on a n d Na v y f r om Ja n . 1 2-13 a n d t h e T i m We l s h c l a s s i c f r om Ja n . 2 6 -2 7. A f t e r t h a t , Not r e D a m e h a s j u s t on e m or e r e gu l a r s e a s on e v e n t a t t he Oh io State W i nter I n v i t a t i on a l b e f or e t h e AC C C h a m p i on s h i p s .

SMC BASKETBALL

Belles basketball gears up for busy schedule over break By ANDREW McGUINESS Spor ts Editor

Students across the tricampus will likely use their winter break as a time to relax. That won’t be the case for the Saint Mary’s basketball team, though. Between Wednesday and the end of winter break, the Belles play 10 times, starting Wednesday night against Hope. The game at home at tips off at 6 p.m. Hope is 6-1 and just saw guard Olivia Bellows win MIAA Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Week. After that contest, the Belles begin a stretch that includes three of their next four games on the road. The lone exception to that is an intra-tri-campus matchup

with Holy Cross at 3 p.m. on Dec. 17. In between now and then, the Belles travel to play Trine on Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. The Holy Cross contest starts a stretch of four straight non-conference matchups for Saint Mary’s. The Belles’ final game before Christmas takes place on Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. against Illinois Tech. The Scarlet Hawks are 2-5 this year but are coming off a blowout win over Alverno in their conference opener Saturday. Following a 10-day break, Saint Mary’s travels to Dubuque, Iowa, for the Loras Holiday Tournament. They’ll face Loras on Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. and Simpson at 1 p.m. the next day. Loras is currently 4-2 on the year while Simpson sits

WRITE SPORTS. Email Andrew McGuinness at amcguinn@nd.edu

at 4-4. Those are the final nonconference games on the schedule for the Belles this season. Saint Mary’s returns home to face Kalamazoo on Jan. 3 at 6 p.m. Kalamazoo is currently the lone MIAA team still looking for its first win at 0-5. Their final road contest of break comes three days later at 1 p.m. at Alma, who is 5-4 on the season. Following that, the Belles begin a three-game homestand that includes two games before students return to campus — Jan. 10 against Olivet at 6 p.m. and Jan. 13 against Adrian at 1 p.m. 13). C ont a c t A nd r e w Mc G u i n ne s s a t a mc g u i n n @ nd .e du

SPORTS

NDSMCOBSERVER.COM | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | THE OBSERVER

ND BASKETBALL

Strong shooting guides Irish to 86-65 win over Western Michigan By M ATTHEW CROW Associate Sports Editor

If you had to pinpoint one specif ic area in which Notre Dame men’s basketba ll has struggled early in t he season, it would likely be t hat t heir shots simply haven’t fa llen. A fter being mired in a shooting slump for most of t he year — specif ica lly in recent losses to Sout h Carolina and Miami t hat saw t hem combine to ma ke just 12 of 53 t hree-pointers — t he Irish snapped out of it on Tuesday night. They posted t heir best offensive effort of t he young season while coasting to an 86-65 w in at home over Western Michigan. Notre Dame made nearly 60% of its f ield goa l attempts and shot over 40% from beyond t he t hreepoint line, and t hey did it w it h a ba lanced effort. Four Irish players scored at least 14 points. Those four — sophomore for ward Tae Dav is, junior g uard Julian Roper II and freshmen

g uards Markus Burton and Braeden Shrewsberr y — combined to score 66 points while shooting a scorching 74% from t he f loor. That impressive scoring eff iciency proved enough to push t he Irish past t he Broncos for t heir fourt h w in of t he season. “Just our hunger from losing,” Roper II said about t he Irish’s motivation leading up to Tuesday’s game. “We k new we def initely could have beat Miami. We just fell short, and we just wanted to come back and bring it out tonight and tr y to keep it rolling.” It was Dav is who got t hings started for Notre Dame on Tuesday, scoring si x points in t he game’s f irst four minutes on his way to a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double. That marked t he t hird straight game in double f ig ures for Dav is, who has emerged as an offensive centerpiece for t he Irish. “He’s just getting more and more conf ident as it goes. I k ind of expected PAID ADVERTISEMENT

t his from him,” Irish head coach Mica h Shrewsberr y said about Dav is’s recent play. “He’s getting good at attack ing closeouts, he’s reading t hings, getting to t he rim. The next stage for him is now to develop his play ma k ing even more. But he’s play ing rea lly conf ident and we’ve got to keep him here. He’s play ing w it h great effort. Despite t he strong start from Dav is, t he Broncos went stride for stride w it h t he Irish at t he start of t he game and trailed 11-10 after a fast-paced opening four minutes. Needing a spark, Notre Dame got one in t he form of Braeden Shrewsberr y, who entered t he game after t he f irst media timeout and proceeded to drill a pair of t hrees in less t han t wo minutes. Shrewsberr y would ser ve as a long-range t hreat t hroughout t he game, f inishing w it h a careerhigh 16 points on four t hree-pointers. Mica h Shrewsberr y praised t he

work et hic of his son, who struggled to f ind his shot at t he start of t he season but showed signs of being t he prolif ic marksman t he Irish hoped he would be on Tuesday. “He’s a conf ident k id. He’s not going to let off-shooting nights rea lly bot her him,” Mica h Shrewsberr y said of Braeden. “This dude is in t he g y m non-stop, work ing on his shot … So he’s not going to stray away from letting it go.” Behind Dav is and Shrewsberr y, who combined for more t han ha lf of Notre Dame’s f irst ha lf scoring, t he Irish held t he Broncos at bay for most of t he f irst 20 minutes, but could not f ind t he consistency needed to pull away. A fter a 9-0 Irish run stretched t heir lead to 15, Western Michigan responded to cut t he def icit a ll t he way dow n to t hree in t he f ina l seconds of t he period. Wit h a ll of Notre Dame’s momentum seemingly fading, Roper II buried a t hree-pointer as time expired in t he ha lf to send t he Irish to t he locker room w it h a 40-34 lead. That shot prov ided a spark for a team t hat badly needed one. “It was a big shot, going into t he ha lf, just to stop t he momentum,” Roper II said. “It k ind of got me going and it got us going on t he right track going into t he second ha lf.” Roper II scored just f ive points before ha lftime but broke out for nine in t he second ha lf, including a burst early in t he period t hat saw him k nock dow n a t hree-pointer, grab a defensive rebound on t he ot her end of t he f loor, before eventua lly ta k ing t he ba ll coast to coast for a dunk. Wit h Notre Dame hanging onto a t hin f ive-point lead, t hat sequence doubled t heir advantage and gave t hem a f irm grip on t he game t hat t hey would never relinquish. “Coach [Shrewsberr y] was telling me t hat I was just t hink ing about doing too much, to just go out t here and play like how I k now how to play,” Roper II said about his menta lit y in t he second ha lf. “A nd so I just took t hat w it h me in t he second ha lf and my teammates pushed me to just play, just come out and hoop. So t hat’s what I did.” Bolstered by Roper II,

Dav is and Shrewsberr y, t he Irish continued building t heir lead, which ba llooned to 17 early in t he ha lf after a Burton t hreepointer. Burton is k now n primarily to Irish fans as a scorer after posting a record-setting 29 points in his Notre Dame debut, but he continued to show off his impressive play ma k ing chops on Tuesday. Effectively capita lizing on t he Broncos defense’s heightened attention, Burton drove-and-dished his way to f ive assists before ha lftime. Wit h Western Michigan keyed in on ot her Irish scorers after ha lftime, Burton took advantage, f inishing t he day w it h 17 points on just si x shots. “I t hought he was great. The hard t hing for a young g uy — especia lly a young g uy who can rea lly score t he ba ll — is constant ly ma k ing t he right play,” Shrewsberr y said of Burton. “You’re seeing t he grow t h from him and he’s a big part of what we do, scoring and getting assists.” A fter Roper II’s indiv idua l 5-0 run, Western Michigan would only get w it hin single f ig ures one more time, and t he Irish ultimately eased t heir way to an 86-65 v ictor y, recording t heir top scoring output and largest margin of v ictor y of t he season and improv ing to 4-4. For a team as young as Notre Dame, ever y w in counts. That’s especia lly true when Saturday’s road game against No. 8 Marquette is next up on t he docket, w it h a gauntlet of matchups against tough ACC opponents waiting dow n t he road. Notre Dame had lots of room for improvement on Tuesday. They had too many slow-developing offensive possessions t hat ended w it h a forced shot attempt late in t he shot clock, faced foul trouble for much of t he night and struggled to defend t he paint. But t he Irish won — and did so handily — and t here were far more positives t han negatives. That represents a step in t he right direction for Shrewsberr y’s team, and one t hey’ll look to build on in t he days and weeks to come. Contact Matthew Crow at mcrow@nd.edu

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM

IRISH SPORTS PREVIEW

Notre Dame Athletics Winter Break Preview By ANDREW McGUINESS Spor ts Editor

Winter break is near. Classes end Thursday and finals wrap up just eight days later. However, Irish athletics won’t be dormant for the entire month that students are off. Here’s what’s on the horizon for the Irish.

Men’s Soccer

MEGHAN LANGE| The Observer

Number 22 Freshman midfielder, Nolan Spicer, takes a shot at the goal in the Notre Dame men’s soccer team’s 1-1 tie with Indiana University in the NCAA College Cup Quarterfinals at home in Alumni Stadium.

A thrilling shootout win over Indiana on Saturday sent No. 2 Notre Dame men’s soccer to the College Cup for the second time in three years. After losing in the 2021 semifinal, the Irish will look for a second shot at winning a national championship Friday. The Irish take on Oregon State in Louisville, Kentucky (the site of the rest of the men’s soccer postseason) at 8:30 p.m. The game is available to watch on ESPNU. If the Irish advance, they will face the winner of No. 9 Clemson and No. 5 West Virginia. The Irish beat Clemson 3-2 at Alumni Stadium back on Sept. 9. However, Clemson eliminated the Irish from the College Cup two years ago, beating the Irish 5-3 in PKs after the game was tied 1-1 at the end of overtime. The finals are Monday at 6 p.m.

Women’s Basketball The No. 14 Irish will look to build on their thrilling comeback win over Tennessee last week with three nonconference tilts before Christmas. The Irish will host Lafayette on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m., Purdue on Dec. 17 at 12:00 p.m. and Western Michigan on Dec. 21 at 6:00 p.m. None of those teams made the NCAA Tournament last year, and although the injury-depleted Irish can’t take anything for granted. They should be favored in all 3 games. Notre Dame kicks off conference play with a New Year’s Eve matinee at 2:00 p.m. at Syracuse. The Orange are a strong 7-1 to start this year after a middle-of-the-road 2022-23 season. After that, the Irish head to Pittsburgh for another road clash on Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. Pitt was dead last in the conference a year ago and is off to an unimpressive 4-5 start this year. The Irish then kick off a threegame homestand to wrap up their slate over break. Notre Dame welcomes in No. 24 North Carolina on Jan. 7 at 5 p.m., Boston College on Jan. 11 at 7 p.m., and Miami on Jan. 14 at 12:00 p.m.

see PREVIEW PAGE 8

ND MEN’S HOCKEY

Irish look to right wrongs with Michigan State By NOAH CAHILL Spor ts Writer

On March 5, Michigan State ended Notre Dame’s season at Compton Family Ice Arena. The Irish, overcoming an early-February sweep at the hands of Sparty, had improbably secured home ice for the Big Ten quarterfinals in the season’s final month. After defeating MSU 1-0 in game one of the threegame series, Notre Dame needed one win to advance and take a step closer to NCA A tournament inclusion. But the Spartans had other plans. Though the Irish recorded the opening tally in game two, Michigan State scored 8 of the weekend’s next 11 goals to capture the series. Notre Dame’s late-season push, once filled with hope, finished with heartbreak. Now, almost 280 days later, the Irish will take another shot at the Spartans. This year’s Michigan State team, at 10-4-2 overall and 5-1-2 in Big Ten play, is even better. It leads the conference with 18 points, owning

a tiebreaker with Wisconsin and outpacing third-place Notre Dame by 3 points. Notre Dame (8-6-2, 4-22 Big Ten), has rejoined the USCHO.com rankings at No. 20 after an encouraging split with Michigan. The Irish will oppose No. 7 Michigan State in their 10th and 11th consecutive games against a ranked opponent, transitioning to the second half of their regular season schedule. Nelson makes World Juniors preliminary roster On Monday, the 2024 U.S. National Junior Team preliminary roster went public, and it features an Irish forward. Freshman Danny Nelson appears among a starstudded class of 16 forwards. The team, whose preliminary roster of 29 players and 14 Big Ten products, will compete in Gothenburg, Sweden, between Dec. 26 and Jan. 5. Nelson, a native of Maple Grove, Minnesota, has quietly engineered Notre Dame’s offensive success. He ranks second on the team with 14 points on 3 goals and 11 assists. Nelson’s production

has picked up since he began centering the top forward line with senior Landon Slaggert and graduate student Patrick Moynihan in late October. In Friday’s 6-1 defeat of Michigan, Nelson enjoyed a multi-point night, scoring the final Irish goal. After this weekend’s series, Nelson will head back to Michigan for training camp from Dec. 14-16. He will tentatively wear No. 17 with Minnesota’s Oliver Moore claiming his No. 11. It’s worth noting that the man Nelson shoots on this weekend, MSU netminder Trey Augustine, appears on the roster as well. Spartans seek successful finish to excellent first half Like Notre Dame, Michigan State will enter the holiday break after this weekend’s series. The Spartans already have plenty to hang their hats on, including a 7-0-1 home record at Munn Ice Arena. Since suffering a road sweep at No. 2 Boston College to end October, MSU has run the Big Ten table. The Spartans have scored at lea st t h ree see HOCKEY PAGE 8

MEGHAN LANGE| The Observer

Coach Jackson led the Irish to victory in Compton Family Ice Arena against the University of Michigan making it his 400th career win.