Badin hosts polar plunge Leading activist speaks on Gaza
Revived event raises money for St. Margaret’s House
By JENNA ABU-LUGHOD News WriterDespite the 30-degree weather and the snow from Friday night, around 100 students plunged into St. Joseph’s Lake on Saturday afternoon as part of Badin Hall’s revived annual Polar Plunge.
“The weather was a tad chilly, however, the water was actually warmer than the air itself. It had also snowed the evening prior to the event, which almost led to the cancellation of the polar plunge due to safety concerns,” junior and vice president of Badin Hall Joan Playford said.
By ISA SHEIKH News Editor
critique to Israel in a discussion of “global apartheid.”
The event began with remarks from Atalia Omer, a professor of religion, conflict and peace studies in the Keough School.
Identifying herself as “an Israeli Jewish person,” Omer condemned Israeli policies.
“What shattered on Oct. 7 was the illusion that Jewish safety could be maintained in perpetuity by keeping millions of Palestinians in a variety of cages,” she said.
Omer also discussed the
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Trio leads Undergraduate Community at Fischer
By PETER BREEN Associate News EditorThe Undergraduate Community at Fischer (UCF) is based out of eight buildings, which are arranged in a horseshoe and are part of Fischer Graduate Residences, a complex of 37 apartment buildings on the northeast side of campus.
The UCF is the University’s 33rd undergraduate residential community, but it’s not like the other 32.
Notre Dame opened the UCF last semester because undergraduate students had asked the University to provide them with on-campus apartments for years, according to Karen Kennedy, associate vice president for residential life.
The single-sex, stay-hall system
The 32 undergraduate residential communities that preceded the UCF were formed in residence halls. Campus currently has 15 halls for women and 17 for men. Halls can lodge anywhere between about 100 and 270 students. They feature various room configurations that sleep up to six roommates. Every hall contains a chapel, gym, laundry room,
at least one kitchen, communal bathrooms and common space for socializing or studying.
Freshman students are randomly assigned to a hall. Many students remain in that hall until moving off campus senior year, after fulfilling the University’s three-year residency requirement.
Like a hall, the UCF possesses a rector, assistant rectors who are graduate students and residential assistants who are seniors. The community has its own apparel, government, mascot and events as well.
But with an approximate capacity of 80 students, the UCF is tinier than Carroll Hall, the smallest hall on campus.
Male and female undergraduates may transfer into the community following their freshman year.
Each UCF apartment accommodates two students and has two bedrooms, one bathroom and a furnished living and kitchen space. UCF residents do laundry, attend Mass, exercise and socialize at a community center, which all who live at Fischer Graduate Residences share.
Why the UCF?
Senior Graeme Marshall said he enjoyed his experience in Knott
Hall. He became good friends with three hall mates and two men from Dunne Hall, who “basically lived” in Knott.
After residing beyond the oversight of Residential Life and family during summer internships, Marshall said he knew he wanted to move out of Knott senior year.
He wanted his own kitchen, Marshall explained. Plus, all his people in Knott were moving off campus or going to be residential assistants. And Marshall was tired of dealing with the condition of Knott’s bathrooms on weekend nights, he added.
Marshall said he and his five buddies considered renting a house together.
“Me and Jackson, my current roommate at Fischer Undergrad, saw what that was going to end up being like,” Marshall said. “Those guys — they’re a little crazy. We love hanging out with them but didn’t want to live with them.”
When the University announced the opening of the UCF last February, Marshall said applying to live there was a no-brainer.
Marshall said he likes the convenience of living on campus. The UCF isn’t too far from where his friends live off campus, and
Allan Boesak, the “global face of the South African anti-Apartheid movement alongside the late Desmond Tutu” according to the Kroc Institute, spoke in Carey Auditorium on Friday at noon. Boesak, a Dutch Reformed Church cleric and politician, spoke as part of an event titled “Palestine/Israel: Lessons from South Africa.” Boesak spoke to experiences of apartheid — a system of racial segregation and discrimination — in South Africa, and expanded his
Fr. Mike Schmitz talks about love
By ANNELISE DEMERS News WriterFr. Mike Schmitz stood in front of a packed crowd in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart this Saturday to give a keynote address on “Life After the Apple: How to Love After the Fall.”
This was his first time back on campus since 2020. Schmitz also presided over mass at the Basilica the previous day. Students lined up outside over an hour before the event was scheduled to begin to secure a seat.
“I’ve watched his videos on YouTube for years, probably at this
point. Those videos have helped me a lot in my faith life,” senior Nick Daniel said. “Honestly, when I’ve gotten through tougher times, I think they’ve been a source of comfort ... this is a really cool opportunity to see him and hear him speak in person.”
To secure the position at the front of the line, Daniel and his friends arrived at the Basilica a little before 11 a.m. although the event did not begin until noon.
Schmitz gained recognition for his podcast “The Bible in the Year,” which attained the top position
HCC elects Stokes and Szotko
Observer Staff Report
On Friday, Joseph Stokes and Bradley Szotko were reelected as Holy Cross College student government association (SGA) president and vice president respectively. In the previous term, Szotko had served as president and Stokes had served as
vice-president. The pair ran unopposed.
In a statement to The Observer, Stokes said he and Szotko were “very excited to serve another year in student government and continue building on the progress we made this year.”
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Although several participants were especially nervous due to the cold weather, they were nonetheless happy to be supporting a good cause.
“I think it’s gonna be really cold but I’m excited. I want to support Badin Hall and St. Margaret’s House,” freshman Mary Sullivan said.
In small groups, participants took turns plunging into the lake before rushing to the nearby cabin to warm up and enjoy some cookies and hot chocolate.
“The camaraderie with multiple
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on the Apple charts for podcasts following its launch in January 2021. Additionally, he hosts “The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)” podcast, leading listeners through the entirety of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Ruth Beier ’90 drove from Fort Wayne, Indiana, last night to see Schmitz’s address.
“I did the ‘Bible in a Year’ and the ‘Catechism in a Year’ last year,” Beier said. “He’s been such a big inspiration. When I heard he was
people going in together was very energetic,” graduate student student Brett Lobsinger said.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Badin Polar Plunge was an annual event. However, this is the first time it has taken place since then.
Planning for the plunge began early in the summer to ensure that the event would be approved. In the fall semester Caroline Potts, president of Badin Hall, began meeting with the Students Activity Office (SAO), RecSports and Notre Dame Fire Department (NDFD) to confirm details and ensure safety at the event.
Multiple members of the Badin Hall community were involved in the execution of the Polar
coming. I was like, ‘Let’s go.’”
The premise of Schmitz’s talk was how to love one another following the fall of man in Genesis. The fall is the part of the Bible when Adam and Eve ate from the tree of knowledge, causing them to leave a state of innocence.
He started off his speech by explaining what life was like before the fall. He went on to read from Mathew 19, which is about Jesus’ teachings on marriage and divorce.
Schmitz said, “You have a hard heart right now, a broken heart right now, every one of us, we are living and loving after the apple,
Plunge. Representatives from SAO, RecSports and NDFD were also present.
“Caroline, Devon, our other lovely VP, myself, our rector Amanda and our signature events committee were all involved in the planning process,” Playford said. “In addition to all of these planning members, all of Badin Hall staff was present at the event.”
Participants were required to pay a $5 registration fee to support Badin Hall’s chosen charity. All proceeds raised from the event will be donated to St. Margaret’s House, a day center in South Bend that serves women and children who live in poverty.
“Standing on the beach was the
after the fall. But Jesus says … ‘All you and I know, all you and I have actually experienced is love after the fall.’”
Schmitz then explained how Pope John Paul II chose to look at this and see what life was like by going back to the beginning, back to Genesis.
His talk then discussed how to approach the conversation of not being able to trust the Bible because it is not scientific. He said the Bible is not supposed to be read like a chemistry textbook. “It communicates truth but [not] necessarily biological truth. Not necessarily chemistry truth.
absolute most horrible part but the water was not that bad … and it was funny to have people yelling at us that we paid to do this,” freshman Samantha Arias-Parbul said.
“St. Margaret’s is our sister charity, and we have been partnering with them throughout the school year,” Playford said. “As a dorm, we visit and volunteer at St. Margaret’s House on a bi-weekly basis. We also organize a monthly item drive within the dorm in which residents donate extra feminine products, socks, toothpaste, etc ... to be distributed amongst the women at St. Margaret’s.”
Setting up and running the event was a lengthy process, but many Badin Hall women were willing to
But truth,” he continued. “What we are reading in Genesis is this true story, through the eyes of a poet, through the eyes of a lover.”
He also discussed the cultural impact of Genesis in promoting the ideology that all people are created equal. “No matter who you are, where you come from … no matter if you’re male or female, no matter your ethnicity or race, no matter anything. You’ve been created on purpose, good, and in God’s very image,” Schmitz said. From there, his talk focused on the creation of Eve and the relationship between Adam and Eve.
help out. Playford believes it was the unity of the Badin Hall community that made the event so successful.
“I also want to highlight that this event could not have taken place without the support of so many Badin women who put in countless hours spreading the word about the event, baking cookies the night before, warming up and transporting hot chocolate to the lakes throughout the event, designing T-shirts and signage and working the merch and check-in tables throughout the event,” Playford said.
Contact Jenna Abu-Lughod at jabulugh@nd.edu
He quoted Matthew Henry, a Bible commentator.
“When God created Eve, he did not take her from Adam’s head to lord it over him, nor from his feet to be walked upon by him, but he took her from his side to walk with him, from near his heart to be loved by him, from beneath his arm to be guarded by him,”
Schmitz quoted Henry. “There they are side-by-side, made for love.”
Schmitz then went on to talk about what he described as the main lies men and women have in
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Girl Gains empowers women in weight room
By KELSEY QUINT News WriterGirl Gains Notre Dame is putting more women in the weight room. The club chapter, which began in the fall of 2022, has a mission to empower women of all fitness levels in the gym.
Established in 2020, Girl Gains Lifting Club is a global organization that connects over 100 college campus chapters. Girl Gains Notre Dame president, junior Madison Chambers, started the chapter to serve as both an educational tool and community for female weightlifters.
“I wanted to develop a community of like-minded women,
HCC
and empower women to belong in a traditionally male-dominated place and workout for strength and feeling confident, rather than for aesthetic,” Chambers said. “Since we started, I think the community aspect has really grown. I’ve met my best friends through starting it.”
In the chapter’s first year on campus, Chambers estimated that they had an email list of approximately 100 people. Now, that email list has grown to almost 400 and the club has gained almost 600 followers on Instagram.
While community is a core component of the Girl Gains mission, Chambers explained that the club’s fundamental goal is education.
more popular student events.
“One of the core values of Girl Gains is knowledge,” Chambers said. “We want to promote strength training and weightlifting as a lifestyle for wellness, rather than to look a certain way. So, that definitely requires a mental health aspect beyond just going to the gym.”
Girl Gains Notre Dame manifests their mission in a variety of ways, including guest speakers, workshops, dorm co-sponsored events, meals and group lifts. This Sunday, Girl Gains collaborated with Flaherty Hall to host a “Learn to Lift” session at the Smith Center for Recreational Sports.
Mary Musselman, a senior studying biological sciences, serves as director of marketing for Girl Gains
Notre Dame. Musselman explained her motivation for joining the club.
“There’s a lot of emphasis in the women’s fitness industry on cardio, and there’s always a changing trend about what’s popular and what’s effective … but strength training is one of those things that just is always good,” Musselman said. “A lot of women just never learn how to strength train because there’s a lot of stigma around it, and they think it’ll make them look a certain way that you’re not supposed to look as a woman.”
Musselman said that Girl Gains serves as an outlet for women who are new to weightlifting.
“A lot of girls want to get into it but don’t know how to start and don’t
Schmitz
have a group of other women that are also doing it. So I feel like Girl Gains is a perfect community to provide women with support and education on how to start weightlifting,” Musselman said.
When it comes to getting this start, Musselman advises: “Use your resources, make a plan and get a friend.”
“Having somebody go and show me what to do, and to just be there made the experience fun and comfortable,” Musselman said. “I enjoyed myself, and I think that’s the biggest thing with exercise — just to find something that you love.”
Contact Kelsey Quint at kquint@nd.edu
In their second term, Stokes said the pair hopes to ensure stable leadership and increase SGA’s accessibility and visibility to students. Some of their specific policy goals involve increased use of social media to reach students, creating a virtual suggestion box for students to voice concerns and holding
“We want to leave Holy Cross better than it was when we got here,” Stokes said. “Building a strong community for students is a really big part of that, and at the end of the day all of our goals are centered around that.”
Also held on Friday were the SGA Senate elections. Tim Brown and Abbi Lemons were elected
as senior senators, Bella Alfreda, Vitoria Savvidou and Gianna Stump were elected as junior senators, Jack Conn, Joseph Ferguson and Anna Hale were elected as sophomore senators and Job Herrmann and Preston Richard were elected as commuter senators.
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Less than a third — 31% — of the student body voted in the election. The new term will begin on April 1.
“The lie that has infected every man’s heart is, to one degree or another this: You are not enough. The lie that says you’re not a man. The lie that says you’re not competent,” said Schmitz. “The lie that has affected every single woman since this moment, since the apple, since the fall, is the lie that says: You’re not worth loving as you are right now.”
Schmitz said two people can help silence this lie in a man’s heart: his wife and his father. For women, Schmitz said a husband or a father could speak and kill the lie in her heart.
“[If you think,] I don’t have a dad who spoke over me. I don’t have a partner who speaks into my life, that’s fine because God has already spoken. And he gets the final word,” Schmitz said.
Contact Annelise Demers at ademers@nd.edu
Marshall has a parking spot right in front of his apartment. According to Marshall, the UCF is more expensive than some off-campus options, but it’s cheaper than many others.
Junior Emily Marchal, who shares a UCF apartment with her sophomore-year roommate from Lyons Hall, said the pair transferred into the UCF in large part due to the amenities.
Marchal prefers having more room to study for the LSAT, and her roommate loves to cook.
They were also curious to see how male hall culture and female hall culture would mesh in the new environment, Marchal added.
“We were both excited about the coed aspect because that’s just very new to Notre Dame,” she said.
Junior Marry De Austria said she didn’t especially like her experience residing in a hall.
She enjoys cooking and baking but would always bump into someone whenever she wanted to make something.
De Austria, her sophomore-year roommate and her roommate’s cat transferred into the UCF for the surplus space and the solitude, De Austria explained.
“It’s a way for us to get closer to each other,” De Austria said.
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nature of the Oct. 7 violence.
“As a Jewish person with roots in Europe … I am someone who carries on her soul that intergenerational trauma of the Holocaust. My friend Hayim who was murdered on Oct. 7 was not murdered because he was Jewish, but because of the occupation and siege on Gaza,” she said.
Ebrahim Moosa, professor of Islamic thought and Muslim
“It’s not like we’re surrounded by people. It’s just us two in that apartment.”
The inaugural community co-presidents
Marshall, Marchal and De Austria are the first co-presidents of the UCF. No UCF resident was willing to assume presidential duties alone, so the trio split the load, they explained.
De Austria said she was reluctant to put her name in the hat for president because the job description was “pages long.”
“It was daunting going into it because there wasn’t a framework or all these traditions that a lot of the other dorms have,” Marchal added.
Marshall said he got involved in the UCF’s government because he thought he could help residents become better neighbors.
In January, the community threw its first SYR, which was attended by about 40 UCF residents and their guests, according to Marshall. Participants enjoyed food at the community center and then were bused to Howard Park for ice skating.
The trio organized a trick-ortreating event on Halloween to encourage residents to visit each other’s apartments. Marshall said the UCF has gathered for service events and musical performances as well.
UCF staff members host regular
societies, originally from South Africa, introduced Boesak.
“Prophetic resistance for Dr. Boesak is just not testimony, but also a witness for an alternative. This witness proclaims that both black and white, poor and rich, Arabs and Jews are all created after God’s image which allows for no discrimination and rejects subjugation,” he said.
Moosa recalled the Purple Rain protest in Cape Town.
“Alan, I want to recall our work together in South Africa — how along with hundreds, if not thousands of others, we
events, and the co-presidents meet with the community weekly, Marshall added.
The co-presidents’ top priority has been getting residents to talk to one another, according to Marshall. He said a sizable portion of the UCF population transferred into the apartments because they didn’t want anything to do with their hall communities.
“They wanted more privacy,” Marshall said. “They wanted to be left alone, which is perfectly respectable … listen, that’s part of the reason I went there.”
While leaving the people who really want privacy in peace, the trio has striven to pull the rest of the residents out of their apartments, Marshall explained.
Another priority of the nascent UCF government is improving the community center’s gym.
De Austria said Marshall is the UCF’s spokesman and possesses “that aggression that a leader should have.” On the other hand, Marchal is the approachable leader, De Austria added. Marchal said De Austria creatively looks after the administrative aspects of the presidency.
Odds and ends
Marshall said the University’s parietal rules, which had only prohibited male guests from visiting female undergraduate residential communities during certain hours
were arrested when the mass democratic movement defied the state of emergency in [September] 1989. On that day, the police, the military sprayed us with purple dye [with a] water cannon,” he said.
Boesak’s began his remarks by discussing why he advocated for the people of Gaza.
“I’m often asked by people from our own townships, ‘Why are you so insistent upon Gaza or are you not forgetting our own struggles that are not healed?’ And I tried to explain to them the connections between
and vice versa, were refined for the UCF’s opening since the community accommodates male and female students.
“We’re not allowed to have anybody over past parietals except the residents of the apartment,” Marshall explained.
Though their apartments are strategically spread out across the horseshoe, Marshall said UCF staff members aren’t writing up many rule breakers. Like in a hall, staff members go on “rounds” at night, but all they do is walk around the outside of the apartments, he added.
“We don’t really have issues with rules anyway. People are pretty chill up there,” Marshall said. “But also you’ve got more leeway just because it’s just harder to enforce them.”
The Fischer Graduate Residences property, which includes the UCF apartments, is managed on behalf of the University by Bradley Company, a Midwestern real estate company. The apartments were built in the early 1990s, according to the South Bend Tribune.
Marshall said each apartment comes with carpeting, closets, a couch, two sitting chairs, a refrigerator, a kitchen range, a dinner table, four dining chairs and other amenities. Beds and dressers are found in the bedrooms.
Over the years, the apartments have become a bit unique,
the struggle in Palestine and the struggle in South Africa, and remind them of the fact that these struggles are global struggles,” he said.
Boesak recalled visiting the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, Ain al-Hilweh, in 1987.
“I will never forget the woman who was our host that afternoon. We talked about struggle and what she was doing there and how she had to flee from the home in Palestine and was now part of this exile refugee community,” Boesak recalled.
Marshall added.
“Grad students have come in and decided, ‘Oh, I don’t really like that sofa. I’m going to take that out and replace it, and I’ll just leave it,’” Marshall said. “I don’t know if it’s an officially sanctioned thing, but they don’t care as long as there is still a sofa and two chairs in it by the time that you’re done.”
UCF residents must purchase a meal plan, but Marshall said they can go with any of the six plans available to on-campus undergraduates, even the ones typically restricted to seniors.
The undergraduates don’t interact much with the graduate students living at the apartments other than in the community center because they are sequestered in that horseshoe, Marshall explained.
On Sundays, Marshall said the undergraduates and graduate students come together for Mass.
Current UCF residents are overwhelmingly juniors and seniors, according to Marshall. He said those who transferred into the community hail from nearly every hall on campus.
“They were trying to infuse all sorts of cultures,” Marchal said. “I think going forward it might have more of a culture of its own.”
Contact Peter Breen at pbreen2@nd.eduThe woman beseeched him to remember her cause. “Please do not forget us, remember what you saw here,” she told him.
Boesak said the allegation of apartheid is not limited to Israel, but that it is part of a larger global challenge.
“The term global apartheid expresses our understanding that apartheid is a system of governance, expressed in politics and in actions that may occur anywhere and under different circumstances,” he said.
A cleric and theologian, Boesak argued Christianity directs its adherents to stand with the oppressed.
“Jesus Christ is Lord. What does that mean? It means that God, the God of Jesus of Nazareth, not the false god that blesses slavery and apartheid and genocide and oppression, that God is the God of justice,” he said. “The church must therefore stand by people in any form of suffering and need.”
Boesak also referenced former President Ronald Reagan’s call to then-Prime Minister Menachem Begin, calling on Israel to halt fighting in Lebanon.
“Mr. Biden, we are speaking to you as the Church of Jesus Christ,” Boesak said. “Stop the complicity of this country in the shedding the blood of Palestinian children. Stop all military aid right now. Call for that ceasefire. You know that you can pick up that phone. Mr. Reagan once did.”
Contact Isa Sheikh at isheikh@nd.edu
The Guerrilla Girls: Bias, discrimination and activism
Movies, paintings and music hold the unique ability to create conversation surrounding a wide variety of topics. Whether that is food, fashion or social justice, art alone allows people to easily approach a new topic, engage with it and develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the subject. In terms of social change, art is a powerful tool for curating productive conversations around sensitive topics involving injustice and inequality. Not only does art contribute to the existing discourse of social justice, but it invites people to join the conversation. While this powerful tool has been used in social movements, activist circles and even politics, it is essential that we critically interrogate what art is being included in the discourse of the larger art world and what art is being left out of the conversation. Art is powerful, but if only specific artists’ voices are being represented in museums, how can we cultivate a diverse multifaceted cultural discourse surrounding art as a means for social change? An anonymous activist group in the 1980s called “the Guerrilla Girls” had this very same question, and they tackled it through the creation of provocative artwork which aimed to confront the sexism and racism within the art world and which effectively captured the attention of the art community.
My infatuation with the Guerrilla Girls began in high school when I took a class called “Artist as Activist” my senior year. In this class, we learned about the impact radical artists were having in fighting against social injustice. The Guerrilla Girls stuck with me, not only because they were a punk radical feminist group but because they were questioning the entire composition of the art world by asking whose perspectives are seen and whose voices get heard. I have always thought of art as a powerful social justice tool for challenging the daunting unjust hierarchical composition of society, but I had never
INSIDE COLUMNconsidered that the art world itself was biased, exclusionary and lacking in diverse perspectives. Art is infinite, yet its exposure is limited by the same structures it is attempting to challenge. The lack of diverse artist representation in galleries shows how even a discourse which is framed as unlimited is deeply affected by the oppressive composition of our society.
The goal of the Guerrilla Girls was to challenge the lack of representation along with the sexist and racist discrimination women face within the art world. They used the word “guerrilla” to embody the style of undercover street art while simultaneously playing on this word by using gorilla masks to hide their identities. As emphasized in this article summarizing the influential work of the Guerrilla Girls, it was important to the group that their identities were kept anonymous as they felt this allowed their audience to focus their attention on the politics of their activism rather than their own artistic identities. The Guerrilla Girls created a series of political posters that directly confronted the lack of diversity in artists represented at museums through a humorous idiom that captured the attention of a wide audience. They plastered these posters outside of art museums, art collections and in the artistic districts of New York City. The Guerrilla Girl’s work gained a large following, and their critiques of the art world were being heard. Their work ranged from posters with specific statistics surrounding artists’ representation within museums to provocative questions that effectively communicated their message. Among their most famous works — a poster which reads “Do women have to be naked to get into the Met. Museum?” — communicates the reality of female artistic representation in museums. As stated on the poster, “less than 5% of the artists in the Modern Art sections are women, but 85% of the nudes are female.” Women artists exist, but the structural exclusion of their bodies of work prevents their perspectives from being seen and their artistic voices heard.
During my freshman year of college, I visited my
best friend who was studying abroad in London where we went to see artwork in Tate Modern. To my surprise, there was an entire exhibit dedicated to the political artwork of the Guerrilla Girls. This emotional face-on encounter with the work of a feminist activist group I had studied and looked up to was overwhelming, and the fact that I was viewing their work in an art gallery was profound in itself. The existence of the Guerrilla Girls, their artwork and their exhibit is evidence of the revolutionary impact art can have in provoking social change. We must work to effectively interrogate whose perspectives are being represented in the discourse of art and how the rhetoric within that discourse is being framed. Women artists exist, artists of color exist, women artists of color exist, but their work is excluded from the collections within the art world. Diverse perspectives matter — they remind us we must make a conscious effort to confront inequality and injustice by challenging the mainstream exclusionary narratives within our society. Change is not easy: It takes time and effort. Art makes people feel, see and hear different perspectives of the world. It allows us to open our minds, shift our worldviews and grow our perspectives to transparently encounter the systemic forces which construct social injustice within our society. By using art to confront the very truth it delivers, we can work toward cultivating a society which listens to everyone’s voice as a way to implement a strong sense of community that celebrates our diverse human experiences.
Grace Sullivan is a sophomore at Notre Dame studying global affairs with minors in gender and peace studies. In her column I.M.P.A.C.T. (Intersectionality Makes Political Activist Change Transpire), she is passionate about looking at global social justice issues through an intersectional feminist lens. Outside of The Observer, she enjoys hiking, painting and being a plant mom. She can be reached at gsulli22@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
I was an SJW. Then, I was canceled.Claire Lyons Viewpoint Editor
This is a story about a long fall off a very high horse.
Before we get started, I want you to know I won’t be talking about what exactly got me canceled. I’m sorry to disappoint, curious reader, but I know some people (and potential employers) might judge me harshly. I don’t identify with — or want to rehash — actions I sincerely regret. I do, however, want to talk about what I learned from being canceled (albeit on a small scale).
It’s been over a year since I was banished from my main group of friends at Notre Dame, and I think I finally have enough emotional distance from the fallout to write about it.
See, as a social justice warrior (SJW), I hung out exclusively with other social justice warriors. (That’s how echo chambers work.) During COVID-19, I was adamant about wearing my mask and avoiding large gatherings of people. I was an original member of the democratic socialist club SolidarityND. I looked down on people who wouldn’t repost infographics on Instagram.
I didn’t know I was canceled until fall 2023, but all the tell-tale signs were there. My friends faded out of my life right before my eyes. They had a group chat I wasn’t included in and hosted parties I wasn’t
invited to. I felt invisible and unwelcome whenever we would gather together — even when it was in my own dorm room. One of them even unfollowed me on Instagram, and in girl world, that’s equivalent to declaring nuclear warfare.
I didn’t know, that is, until a friend pulled me aside last semester (nearly a year after I had seriously talked with any of my old friends) and told me nobody was hanging out with me anymore because I had a bad reputation. I was the worst thing a SJW could be — politically incorrect. My world crumbled to dust around me.
She said, however, she believed my notoriousness was “blown out of proportion” and there was another underlying reason for my ostracization — that my friends simply didn’t like me anymore. My “cancellation” was just the most convenient channel for pre-existing vitriol. They wanted me out, and they finally found an excuse to get rid of me.
“People are motivated by impulse and construct ideological codes to justify and rationalize what they were already going to do,” comedian Brennan Lee Mulligan said. “Ideology is really scaffolding you’re putting on the outside of who you are.”
I started to ask myself: At what point were my friends’ socialist “woke” ideologies just a way to feel morally superior to others? At what point did all of the political posturing and speech policing become more important than trying to find the humanity in the people around them — and in me?
I started to realize the hypocrisy at the heart of everything. My obsession with political correctness defeated the purpose of what I really wanted to do — which was to have real and difficult conversations about how to improve life for everybody. Looking down on somebody will never change their opinion.
Getting canceled was a blessing in disguise. It forced me to look outside of myopic echo chamber of wokeness and into the melting pot of the real world. I started having political conversations with people I inherently disagreed with, and became close friends with some of them. Through our friendships, we could finally get through to each other and change each other’s minds.
When you cancel somebody, you turn your back on them. When you turn your back on somebody, you turn a blind eye to the ways they can improve or change. In a time where political polarization in America is at a record high, we need to stop shouting past each other and start looking each other in the eye. It’s a lot easier to do once you get off of your high horse.
To be very clear, my core values haven’t changed, but the way I practice politics certainly has. The single ideology I prescribe to is the golden rule: to love your neighbor as you love yourself.
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.
No regerts: The beautiful mess that is ‘Rent’
Joy Agwu Lessons I’ve Learned from Media“Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No other road, no other way. No day but today.”
Jonathan Larson
“No Day But Today” from “Rent”
It’s high time I delve into the realm of musical theater, and what better way to start than with “Rent”? This exuberant musical celebrates life amid the challenges of poverty and AIDS. In one of the show’s earliest reviews, the New York Times noted that its “spirited score and lyrics defy [death],” and its characters possess a “transfixing brightness.” Furthermore, the show is often considered one of the best stage musicals of all time, and it is one of my personal favorites.
Despite its acclaim as one of the greatest stage musicals, “Rent” is, paradoxically, a masterpiece woven with imperfections.
The timeline falls apart under any scrutiny. The first act is dizzying while the second act drags. The miraculous happy ending is a poorly-written cop out at best. One might wonder how such an objective mess even got on a Broadway stage, let alone became a cultural classic.
Crucial to understanding the show’s slightly chaotic state is the fact it is essentially unfinished. The show’s creator, Jonathon Larson, suddenly died before its first performance at a theater workshop, meaning it never experienced any revisions or edits before making the move to Broadway. It’s a work frozen in time, for better or worse. Although Larson didn’t die from AIDS, his tragic and unexpected death only added to the show’s essence. The remaining flaws became a part of the show’s message. Its raw, unfiltered celebration of life stands as an even more poignant reflection of one’s duty to make something beautiful out of persistent chaos.
As a former theater kid, I’ve always wondered how Larson would have felt knowing that what was supposed to be an early draft of his beloved musical ended up becoming the final product. I imagine he’d first cringe at the thought. But then, upon learning of “Rent’s” immense success, I think he would come to accept what many lovers of “Rent” already know. The show is a hot mess, but it is still absolutely beautiful. “Rent” is fundamentally imperfect, and it is those imperfections that make the show what it is.
Amid my musings on “Rent,” I am also reminded of my own quirks. Fun fact about me: I have no tattoos, nor do I have a desire to get any tattoos in the foreseeable future. However, I do have a Notes app page detailing a short list of tattoos I would get, should the impulse ever arise. One of my favorites on the list? Two words:
“No regerts”
No, that is not a typo.
As I have alluded to in previous columns, I am a bit of a perfectionist. This trait, while valuable in some aspects of life, often becomes a barrier to embracing the moment and the imperfect beauty it may hold. “No regerts” serves as a playful reminder to embrace life without worrying about the burden of perfection. What better way to remind myself to be comfortable with the occasional error than a permanent misspelling on my ankle, shoulder or whatnot?
To calm my parents down, who are likely clutching their pearls at this point, I would like to clarify that the odds of me getting this tattoo are slim to none. But if I did, the world would not shatter. The action would simply become a silly little part of my story, in the same way all of my actions, decisions and experiences — for better or worse — are part of my story.
In the same way “Rent” is an iconic work because of its strengths as well as its flaws, we are all wonderful and, dare I say, iconic human beings because of our successes as well as our failures. Our stories are not defined by flawlessness but by how we navigate our imperfections.
Now, it’s easy to remind ourselves of our perfectly imperfect natures when reflecting on past actions. But what about the decisions you’re making right now?
I’m in the spring semester of my senior year. In a couple
of months, Notre Dame is going to eject me from its warm, safe, familiar embrace. For the first time in my life, I have to make decisions about my future without the guidance of a clear academic track. It’s terrifying. At times, it’s hard not to be paralyzed with indecision because I am so afraid of taking the wrong step.
Here’s the thing though: Mistakes are inevitable. They are the stitches in the fabric of our lives, adding depth and color to our stories. There is nothing I can do to ensure I live the perfect dream life, and if I live in fear of messing up, I would live a life of inaction which wouldn’t be a real life at all. The best I can do is be true to myself, diligent in pursuing my dreams and intentional with every step I take. If these lead to errors down the line, then I encourage my future self to open my arms to accept any less-than-ideal experiences as part of my story. My vibrance, my strength, my creativity — my essence is a product of not only having the courage to make mistakes but the resilience to push through them.
“Rent” serves as a mirror to our existence — beautifully flawed, vibrantly chaotic and deeply meaningful. We are all, in essence, living our own versions of “Rent”: perfectly imperfect narratives which are iconic not despite but because of our flaws. As we move forward, let us do so with the courage to embrace our imperfections, knowing that in the grand tapestry of life, each thread, no matter how tangled, adds to the richness of our story.
In other words, I urge you to live and let live, my loves. Because, in the words of “Rent,” there is no day but today.
Joy Agwu is a senior at Pasquerilla West, originally from Bowie, Maryland. She is pursuing a degree in philosophy with a minor in constitutional studies. In her free time, she finds great pleasure in consuming media and reflecting on the deeper meanings behind the content she encounters. Whether you have recommendations for TV shows, movies, podcasts or any other form of media, or if would like to further discuss an idea presented in a column, feel free to reach out to her on Instagram @JoyfulJoyousss.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
LETTER EDITOR
It’s time to care for our common home
As the gavel came down on the COP28 conference in Dubai, UAE, a historic decision was made: It is time to “transition away” from fossil fuels. This was the first time fossil fuels, a main driver of climate change, was mentioned at this global climate conference. As an attendee of the conference, I had mixed emotions about this decision.
While a historic decision, it is also abundantly clear that loopholes were left in the UAE Consensus to allow big oil producers ways to continue their damaging practices. At a conference located in one of the largest oil producing countries, with one of the top oil executives as the president and over 2,000 fossil fuel lobbyists, it is not surprising big oil came out with a win.
Those at the conference, including me, were disappointed as the climate crisis is clearly pressing in nature at this moment. 2023 was the hottest year on record, and we have started to see the devastating impacts. For us here at Notre Dame this might mean more uncomfortable walks to class in the bitter cold or some sticky August nights in dorms with no AC. But for our friends in the Pacific Islands, climate change means the loss of their homes and lives. Signing this toothless decision was like signing these individuals a death sentence. The question then becomes: What are people worth to us? As Rev. James Bhagwan, the
general secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches asked a group of Christian Climate Activists: “Are we not your neighbor? Are our lives worth less than your comfort?”
This is a striking question we have to ask ourselves as citizens of the world and individuals caring for the common good. As Holy Father Pope Francis writes in “Laudate Deum,” when it comes to climate change, we “must move beyond the mentality of appearing to be concerned but not having the courage needed to produce substantial changes.”
So, what can we do to ensure the dignity and life of our fellow neighbors? Well, it is essential that the toothless decision from COP becomes a sword. We have the ability to use this language to pressure leaders to change policies. Notre Dame, this is our time to use every tool at our disposal to make climate justice a reality on our campus. Caring is not enough. It is time to act. This can begin right here on our campus.
A new resolution, Resolution SS 2122-05, is moving through the Notre Dame Senate, calling for University divestment from fossil fuels. Similar resolutions have moved through the Senate at various times in the past, most recently in 2022. Yet, continually, the administration has failed to approve these measures. It is ironic that the
University has committed to net zero by 2050 yet shies away from monetarily moving away from fossil fuels. This action is in clear violation of our commitment to the common good as it perpetuates the emissions of fossil fuels which destroy our common home. More than 350 Catholic institutions and 1500 other institutions, including Creighton University, Boston University, Georgetown University and Harvard University, have divested from fossil fuels. It is disappointing a University which stresses human dignity and common good so heavily has been so wary to do what is necessary and expected to ensure a sustainable future.
It is imperative that we push for a “transition away” from fossil fuels in our Notre Dame investments. Students, take action. Ensure your University actually cares about the common good. Ensure Notre Dame is loving its neighbors. Ensure your University is protecting your future. Email administrators to express your concerns, start the conversation around divestment on campus and show up if the administration fails. That is how we will ensure our collective future, both here at Notre Dame and around the world.
Linnea Barron sophomore Jan. 29Dinner with Brother Doug
As I walked away from the buffet line with my plate of food, I struggled with precarious caution not to spill or drop any of the items I had just gathered. That evening’s Lenten Friday balancing act consisted of baked salmon, mushroom stroganoff with butter noodles and a side salad. While my friends sat awaiting me at our beloved, yet admittedly sticky, Fisher table two rows away from the far wall, I would not be joining them that night in South Dining Hall.
Rather, looking up from my full hands, I spied across the dining room of Columba Hall and saw the spot which had been specifically saved for me. After laying my full plate down, I took my seat and looked around at the men of the Holy Cross I had come to dine with. There were four of them at my round table: Brothers Joe, Victor, George and Doug. It was the latter, Brother Doug Roach, who not only led me to the table that night and saved my spot but had motivated my short trip to Columba Hall, which was nearly a year in the making.
It was my own mistake which led to the friendship between myself and Brother Doug. In a Viewpoint column I wrote for The Observer last February discussing the founding of the University of Notre Dame, I incorrectly stated, “Tucked between Bond Hall and Old College stands the Founder’s Monument dedicated to Father Sorin and the seven French priests that traveled with him across the vast Atlantic.”
The same day my writing was published I received an email from Brother Doug, which read as follows:
“In the third paragraph you wrote ... [about] Father Sorin and the seven French priests that traveled with him across the vast Atlantic. Father Sorin crossed the Atlantic with six brothers, not seven priests. It was the brothers who laid the foundation for what was later the University of ND. We did the teaching, prefecting, building of buildings and begged for money, etc. I invite you to come to Columba Hall and meet some of the 23 brothers who live there. Come for lunch or supper. We would be happy to meet you.”
While I failed to acknowledge the Brothers of Holy Cross in my column, this was a grievous error I will never make again after my evening at their dinner table. Although I was initially skeptical of preconceptions of what may have looked like a retirement home, the dining room of Columba was quickly full of the laughter and lively discussion of retired brothers after dinner was served. I had thought I had come to learn about the brothers I was eating with. However, I could not have been more mistaken. With my pencil in hand and notepad primed to write, they flipped the script and began interviewing me. At my table, we spent our dinner discussing campus politics, the demolition of Fisher and Pangborn Halls and my life plans in a truly investigative fashion. It was apparent they were eager to meet a new face on campus, and genuinely cared to get to know me.
Throughout our conversation, I learned that the service most central to the mission of the Brothers of Holy Cross is their gift of teaching. It was the retired Brother Doug, Brother Joe and Brother George who I came to find had worked together for many years at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. Brother Doug, who was the principal at Cathedral High School, shared his experience as a clinical social worker in a Tennessee state prison. Former Cathedral High School religion teacher, Brother Joe, was outed by his long-time friends as being quite the “trouble-maker” for the anti-war movement during the Vietnam War. As he ate his Swiss cheese and toast, he fired questions at me, especially when I revealed that my major was political science. Finally, Brother George, the English teacher at Cathedral High School, talked about his stint as the Assistant Rector in Grace Hall and how he managed to corral that “barrel of monkeys.” At this dinner table, I was privy to the unraveling tapestry of their lives and how they had shared so much time together dedicated to the same mission.
After I finally finished my main course between bouts of banter, Brother George departed from our table to the widening grins of his fellow brothers. To my delighted surprise, a few moments later he returned to the table and placed a perfectly brimming bowl of cake and ice cream in front of me.
I laughed and asked the reason to which Brother Doug explained it was the monthly celebration of the birthdays of the brothers and that I could not miss out on Brother George’s infamous sundaemaking skills.
As I inhaled Brother George’s wonderful dessert concoction, the group revealed that he had written a book on the history of the Brothers of Holy Cross. I listened as the group told me countless stories of how the University of Notre Dame was built on the backs of the brothers of their order. They also told me the individual tales of the six founding brothers who founded the University alongside Father Sorin. In the tradition of the Order of the Holy Cross, it was customary that a priest would be sent as a chaplain along with the brothers who were tasked with the mission of teaching, as was the case in South Bend. It is also a well-known story among the brothers how upon a visit from Father Moreau to the early campus, he found it improper for the brothers to be out doing manual labor outdoors with their robes pulled up. However, on the day after Moreau’s departure, the brothers were immediately back in the summer sun toiling to build the University of Notre Dame. Their efforts are still honored today, as in the preservation of the yellow-hued Notre Dame bricks that they created, which were utilized in the Main Building, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Washington Hall and countless other buildings on campus.
As our conversation carried on through the evening, the dining room of Columba Hall slowly started to clear out and the staff began to spray down the tables for the next day’s meals. Only the four I sat with and myself remained. The sun had set outside, and the plates were all cleared. As if they were synchronized, my dinner companions stood and we began walking to the door. Brother Joe and I vowed to continue our political discourse, while I promised Brother Doug I would see him again. I thanked them all and shook their hands as I walked away from Columba Hall, grateful for Brother Roach’s email more than a year ago.
You can contact Jack at jsirian2@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
By CECELIA SWARTZ Scene Writer
Last Friday, I had the pleasure of watching the men of Keenan Hall put on one of the largest yearly productions on campus, a spectacle of epic proportions and unbridled hilarity — the Keenan Revue — this year titled “Et Tu Revuetè? A Roman Revue.” The revue is a sketch comedy show which includes musical numbers completely written, acted, directed and produced by the men in Keenan Hall. Most of the residents get involved in some way, shape or form, whether that be as a freshman usher, performing onstage, doing tech or taking on a role as one of the higher-level staff. “I genuinely think nearly everyone in Keenan is involved in some capacity,” senior and producer Brian Kelley said. “Everyone is encouraged to be here as much or as little as they want and always welcome to the show so that they can enjoy the experience.”
For the 48th revue, the men of Keenan Hall did not disappoint. The show was two hours of skit after hilarious skit, well-choreographed dance numbers and fun musical numbers. The skit “Deparkment of Darkness” involved a sergeant, played by senior John Donaruma, in the parking police force addressing his recruits as if they were in the Marines and delivering a hilarious monologue. “Trouble in the Dreamhouse” played on the recent “Barbie Movie” while “The News” skit delivered pun after glorious
pun. Other standout skits include “20,000 Leagues” and “Post Nuttern Philosophy.” All the actors did a fantastic job delivering their lines and somehow not breaking character despite the show’s humor.
I also appreciated the live music and dancing. The revue included several musical numbers with a live band and vocalists. The instruments in the band were incredibly varied, including the expected percussion, guitar, bass and keyboard, as well as saxophone, trumpet, flute, and cello. I need to give senior Will Dwortz a shoutout for his vocals in “It’s Raining Men.” He has an impressive voice.
There were two large dance numbers to “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood and “It’s Raining Men” by Geri Hallwell. The choreography for both was great, and the dances were clean, precise and well-executed. It was clear the dancers in both were committed to the numbers. I appreciated the judicious use of costumes to capture the theme of both dances, truly one of the highlights of the show.
Overall, the production value of the revue was top notch with talented actors, musicians, singers and dancers, a good mix of music, dance and skits, impactful lighting and costumes both apt for each skit and hilarious. Senior and director Jack Lewis described the long process to put together the revue, which began in October with the selection of head staff followed by meetings in the “War Room” in the Keenan basement. There is also a months-long
writing and audition process that must whittle 150 skits down to 17 or 18 for the show, taking into consideration a balance of different types of humor, in addition to music and dance. There is also a review of all the skits by Residential Life, PrismND and the Diversity Council.
All the effort clearly paid off, and the Keenan men greatly enjoy the process, making the revue a labor of love. “It’s an unbelievably good time. It’s so much fun, just like invite friends of the show and see them laugh. And every time it happens, I’m like, no wonder this happens every year. We saw it every year because people love the show. And we have so so so much fun doing it,” said Lewis.
As much as the revue is a long-standing tradition beloved by the campus community and just overall hilarious, it is, at its heart, something for the Keenan community.
“This is, by far, the biggest community thing for Keenan … As much as it is kind of an outward, ‘we’re doing this for the campus’ event, it’s so critical for the community of Keenan as well,” said producer Domenic Fabe. That community aspect, and the authenticity of the men who undergo such a labor of love for it, is what makes the revue so special and unlike any other performance of campus. In the words of Fabe, the revue is “an outward expression of Keenan to the rest of the campus,” and that shows.
ContactCecelia at cswartz@nd.edu
MARISSA PANETHIERE | The Observer
By MARGUERITE C.J. MARLEY Scene Writer
It’s undeniable that the superhero film has enjoyed a golden age in the last several years. Of the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time, four are a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but audiences are becoming increasingly jaded with the classic superhero movie.
“Madame Web” is the latest in a string of duds for the superhero movie genre, and many critics claim that it’s the worst superhero movie yet. But even before that, the film made an embarrassing low box office debut at only $4.3 million in the first six days. Despite being released during a relatively slow month at the theater, the masses spoke, saying they no longer care for superhero films.
The flops have become memes, making them almost as popular as the good films, starting with “Morbius” and the infamous “It’s Morbin’ time” tweet — a meme that caused Sony to re-release the movie in theaters, only to have no one go and see it
for a second time.
Despite the last three years having more superhero movies per capita, they are no longer the momentous events that they were pre-pandemic. When I was in middle school, there was maybe a new superhero movie twice a year, but in 2023 alone, there were three films out in theaters as well as 21 episodes of television. The MCU has become so interconnected that the plot of one film can barely be understood unless you’ve also seen the other 30 movies and two seasons of television, leaving only the true devotees to continue to enjoy the franchise.
Superhero movies have been slowly bleeding money from their studios for several years, yet these series are planned so far in advance that there is no time for much thought to be put into the movies anymore — it just needs to be pushed out so that the newest Disney+ series makes sense.
DC has been able to pivot in the 2020s to make more artistically driven superhero films such as James Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad” and Matt Reeves’
“The Batman.” They are making films meant to stand alone instead of being part of a larger universe, making these movies stronger since they don’t exist as just another rung on a never-ending ladder. But Marvel seems to keep chugging right along because superhero movies have made money in the past, they assume that the same formula will work.
In the new decade, audiences have moved beyond the classic superhero movies. The most successful superhero movies in recent memory are “SpiderMan: Into the Spider-Verse” and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” The two films break from convention by being animated and more stylized than the average superhero film, and they also take the time to deconstruct the idea of Spider-Man that we have been shown for the past 20 years.
If studios (Marvel, in particular) cannot pivot to modern audiences’ tastes, they will likely continue playing in empty theaters and be memed to death.
Contact Marguerite at mmarley01@saintmarys.edu
WOMEN TAKE ‘CENTER STAGE’ AT ANNUAL ITALIAN CONCERT
By ALLISON SRP Scene Writer
Last Friday, the Center for Italian Studies, in conjunction with the Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures, the College of Arts and Letters and others, hosted its annual spring concert in the Leighton Concert Hall of the Debartolo Performing Arts Center. The Italian concert has become a beloved tradition for the students and faculty of Italian at Notre Dame and beyond. Each year, a theme is chosen to connect and center the songs. This year, the theme was “UNICA: Italian Women Center Stage.”
Attendees were given a program with the setlist and explanations of the context and significance of each of the songs, as well as a list of suggested further listening at the end with albums by the artists featured in the concert. The programs, along with a slideshow projected above the performers, helped audience members who may not have been fluent in Italian understand and appreciate the themes and meanings of the songs.
The concert opened with “Nessuno” by the Italian icon Mina, sung by Anne Leone of Syracuse
University. Two songs with similar spunk and rock-and-roll sensibilities followed: “La bambola” by Patty Pravo, sung by Lesley Marcantonio of Notre Dame, and “No,” another Mina song, sung by Teresa McNulty of Holy Cross College.
Professor Lesley Marcantonio, the producer of the concert as well as a performer, provided an introduction to the theme of the concert and how the first three songs fit into it. They all featured a woman’s “no,” something that embodied the spirit of rebellion in the postwar period they came from. She also explained how the long standing fame of female leads in Italian culture — Dante’s Beatrice, Petrarch’s Laura and of course the Madonna — gave the modern women of Italy a space to step into.
The next song expanded the theme of the concert as it moved from songs sung by women to songs about women with “Chiedo scusa se parlo di Maria” by Giorgio Gaber, sung by Anthony Monta of Holy Cross College. The lighthearted skit that preceded this performance of the song pointed to a highlight of the concert: The performers are there because they love Italy and Italian music. It was clear to the audience that they were having just as much fun as we were.
A sobering moment in the performance was the dedication of “Sempre” by Gabriella Ferri to Tiziana Serafini, a beloved professor in the Italian department who passed away in August.
A highlight of the second act was “Il cielo d’Irlanda,” an Italian tribute to Ireland that is particularly fitting for Notre Dame. It featured members of Notre Dame’s céilí band as well as Irish dancing. “Jill’s Theme” from the soundtrack of “Once Upon a Time in the West” was a notable part of the second act as well, accompanied by Professor Marcatonio’s explanation of the fusion of female tropes that makes the character Jill McBain so interesting. The concert closed with “Insieme,” dedicated to the not-yet-born children of two of the singers.
Overall, it’s easy to see why this concert consistently sells out. The concert is filled with incredibly talented performers doing something they love. It gives students of Italian a chance to engage with what they’re studying outside of class, but it’s also something that anyone can enjoy, regardless of their background in Italian or lack thereof.
Contact Allison at asrp4@nd.edu
MARISSA PANETHIERE | The Observer
By JAYDEN ESPINOZA Scene Writer
This past Sunday, fans and the Internet sat down eagerly refreshing social media sites seeing if their predictions were true: Would Beyoncé be announcing new music?
In the midst of Super Bowl Sunday, hot off the tail of the halftime show, Verizon, the wireless carrier company who had put out multiple advertisements featuring lemons and disco horses, surprised spectators with a 60 second commercial featuring Beyoncé as she tried to break the carrier’s speedy cell service.
After multiple failed attempts the Houston born singer tries one last thing saying “Okay, drop the new music” as the ad shifts to black. At that moment, fans and casual spectators alike found themselves puzzled. Are we really getting new music right now? On a Sunday? By the time anyone could open Instagram or her website, any trace of “act i: Renaissance” had disappeared, taking its house and dance themes with it. In its place read: “act ii 3.29” alongside “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM and 16 CARRIAGES out now.”
This article by no means is meant to establish a cowboys vs. aliens (or rather, cowboys vs. “ALIEN SUPERSTAR”), but these songs are an incredible departure from the majority of the singer’s discography, especially after the house-infused, robotic “act i: RENAISSANCE.” This new sound doesn’t fall flat. She’s almost come alive in it, especially as she pays homage to her home state of Texas. Named after the poker variant comprised of three acts, much like this greater Beyoncé project, “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” wastes no time bringing us a fully country song. Accompanied with “woos,” whiskey and mentions of hoedowns, we’re immediately thrown into a sound that has been rumored to come from the 32-time Grammy award winner since early interviews about the unnamed project, with further flame added to the fire with her custom Louis Vuitton cowboy ensemble (complete with a bolo tie and all). The song has since topped iTunes charts and been submitted to country radios across the country, a potentially controversial move even years after the singer’s controversial performance of her song “Daddy Lessons” from her album “Lemonade” at the Country Music Awards alongside The Chicks in 2016.
While “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” seems to prepare us for a bold journey, “16 CARRIAGES” begins to show us how intimate that journey might sound. The nearly four minute track narrates the trajectory of Beyoncé’s musical career beginning at the age of 16, where the song’s title comes from. Duality seems to be at the center of the track, highlighting her shifting perspective from child to parent, childhood to adulthood, and tension towards her career with lines explicitly saying how she feels “overworked and overwhelmed.” This work is done while combining raw emotions with a rockinfused but equally country sound, creating even more buzz for whatever this new era may entail. This anticipation is happening in tandem with excitement for her new haircare line, Cécred, which will be released on February 20. Rumors also swirl over when (if ever) we’ll be getting any visuals for this project or “RENAISSANCE” and over her potential tour slated to begin later this year.
Until then, I’ll be sure to keep my cowboy boots on standby when the full length, 16 track album is released later next month.
Contact Jayden at jespino4@nd.edu
Happy Birthday: Use your imagination, and you’ll find the perfect solutions. Take the initiative to follow your plans until you feel comfortable with your results. Refuse to be led by those trying to take advantage of you or part you from your money. Own the spotlight, stand tall, exude confidence, and make the world better. Shine brightly and treat others with kindness and compassion. Your numbers are 5, 12, 22, 27, 34, 38, 46.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Proceed secretly. Don’t share too much information until you have your agenda and feel you can establish a solid presentation. Be willing to put your energy to the test. Consider all offers but only change what’s necessary. Keep life simple. The benefits of Self-improvement are favored.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A change of heart will disrupt your plans. Rethink your strategy and align yourself with like-minded people. Going against the grain will leave you treading water instead of making progress. Trust your instincts, not what others are trying to force you to pursue.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Look at your agenda and put your energy into taking care of your responsibilities. Refuse to let peer pleasure or emotional manipulation set in when the most important thing is to get things done on time. Concentrate on looking and feeling your best.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Stay on top of your bills, expenses, and home improvements. You can make headway, but only if you implement a strict budget and oversee projects yourself. Refuse to let your emotions cost you. Don’t mix business with pleasure or let melodrama infiltrate into the workplace.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Listen to what others say and offer. Monitor a partnership for imperfections, equality, and compatibility. Pay attention to how you present yourself to the world around you. A change someone enforces will reveal their intentions.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Put your energy into something that offers high returns. Money will improve if you make lifestyle changes or acquire qualifications to raise your earning potential. An unusual meeting will reveal valuable information. Let the facts guide you to greater peace and prosperity.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Spend time sorting through what you need and can sell. Stop procrastinating and start living up to the promises you made to yourself. Avoid spontaneous purchases or regretful decisions when the bills arrive, or repercussions unfold. Choose simple pleasures.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Don’t take on physically draining and time-consuming requests. Stick to projects that make your life easier. Declutter and discipline are the path to positive change and more time to spend doing what makes you happy. Don’t give in to bullies or temptation.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Listen carefully and be prepared to walk away from pushy people trying to railroad you into something that benefits them more than you. Take hold of your finances and earmark your dollars to ensure you get the highest return. A minimalist attitude will serve you well.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Clear up misunderstandings and decline joint ventures that are intrusive to how you like to handle your financial affairs. Make home improvements that contribute to a peaceful state of mind and encourage you to spend more time doing what you enjoy most.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Think before you act. The excess will drag you down. Hold on to your cash, and don’t share private matters. Say no to emotional meddling and walk away from unsavory situations. Arguing wastes time; follow through with what makes a difference to you.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Focus on what’s important to you. Your success depends on your choices and treating yourself and others with respect. Make a positive footprint, and your impact on others will help pave the way to a better future. Believe and trust in yourself.
Birthday Baby: You are wise, determined, and visionary. You are giving and influential.
Miller: Sports fans deserve a tech
Last week, Anthony Rendon, Angels third baseman, found himself unintentionally viral.
In a spring training media availability session, Rendon was asked about his perspective on baseball. Rendon is known for being blunt, but these most recent comments take blunt to a new level.
“[Baseball’s] never been a top priority for me,” said Rendon. “This is a job. I do this to make a living. My faith, my family come first before this job.
So if those things come before it, I’m leaving.”
While the baseball world seemed shocked by Rendon’s comments, he’s said pretty much the exact same thing several times before.
In 2016, he referred to baseball as “a game and that’s what I’m going to treat it as.”
In 2018, he stated that he wanted to be more of a Christian than he was of a baseball player.
It might sound silly for Rendon to sound off on his current situation, especially given that he’s in the midst of a fully guaranteed seven year deal paying him approximately $35 million per season.
But at the end of the day, Rendon is a person.
He lives a very different life than I do; personally, I could never even imagine playing sports beyond an intramural level!
Yet no matter how much one likes their career — and no matter how impactful that career might be — it’s completely fair to admit that our work is a secondary or tertiary goal in life.
At the end of the day, any fulfillment coming from work stems from how much happiness we obtain from it.
For some, happiness could stem from money (i.e. the paycheck is the sole or by far most important reason to work). For others, the work itself might have inherent value; it could be interesting, giving us pleasure in the act itself.
And finally, the work might seem innately valuable, such as that of a first responder, teacher or public interest lawyer. Yet even in those cases, the value of that work has to be measured on an individual level.
If a firefighter loves saving lives, even though the work is directed towards someone else, ultimately, the value of that work is judged by how much pleasure/happiness it gives the firefighter.
For Rendon, it’s clear that the work is solely something he does to take home a paycheck.
I can’t quite sympathize with him.
He seems to be living the “ideal” life. But I do know that regardless of industry, job, position or salary, work would never be my primary reason to live.
Unfortunately, especially in athletics, fans and media seem to increasingly love focusing on the personal athlete — not just the hitter/ pitcher/linebacker — while seeming to improperly understand their personhood.
For example, in the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers are just above .500.
In the next 10 days alone, three of their games are on national TV. Now, of course, that makes a lot of business sense since the Lakers have more fans and LA is a massive market.
But when talking about the Lakers, much of the focus is on LeBron “Bronny” James Jr. Lebron’s son is playing his first year of college basketball at USC, averaging 5.7 points per game; it’s clear that he’s nowhere near ready to play professional basketball.
But rather than focus on Bronny’s current situation (a solid role player with lots of room to grow at the collegiate level and mature as a young man), the focus seems to solely be on his draft position, including any potential situation where he could play alongside his dad.
Fans love stars, and possibly even more than the game itself, fans love integrating athletes’ personal lives into the game — in a way anthropomorphizing the athlete.
All of this is great until the fan’s anthropomorphized characterization of the athlete replaces or attempts to diminish the human realities the athlete has to face.
In basketball, if a player or coach yells at or demeans a referee, the panicking player/coach can receive a technical foul, which has a significantly worse consequence than a common (physical) foul. The goal is to ensure, on the most basic level, that players maintain
respect for officials. If respect means anything, it has to supersede points, plays or stats.
I’d argue that America deserves a tech, specifically any of the media or pundits who attacked Rendon or purposefully took his comments out of a proper context.
Rendon’s comments might be uncomfortable, but they reveal a very honest, vulnerable assessment of his priorities as a Christian dedicated to his family.
Consider the following,
1. If you’re Catholic, would you sacrifice meeting Jesus for an “A” on your next test?
2. If you’re married, would you sacrifice knowing your spouse for $1,000,000?
3. If you’re a parent, would you sacrifice holding your first born child for a Notre Dame Football national championship?
In my opinion, all these questions have obvious answers, but articulating them is difficult.
Rendon may not have done the best job communicating the intricacies of his thoughts.
But I have to commend him for his dedication to his beliefs.
And for the rest of us who continue to criticize Rendon’s order of priorities, while he takes two shots from the freethrow line, maybe standing beyond half court together will allow us to reflect on what matters most.
Contact Jake Miller at jmille89@nd.edu
The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Watson: Yankees in 2024
Claire Watson Sports WriterIn 2023, the Yankees finished the season with a 82-80 record and did not qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
This is partially due to the amount of injuries that the Yankees faced. Despite this, the team also had strong hitting, pitching and fielding numbers as they finished off the season.
The Yankees had quite a few players who were impacted by injury which heavily impacted the entire team. Giancarlo Stanton suffered a hamstring strain, Anthony Rizzo got taken out due to post-concussion syndrome, DJ LeMahieu was out due to a calf injury and Aaron Judge was out due to tearing a ligament in his foot.
Unfortunately, all of these injuries affected the entire team.
However, the Yankees did not let that setback affect them. Gleyber Torres stepped up and led the team with a total of 596 at bats as well as leading the team in hits with a total of 163 hits.
Torres also led the team with a batting average of .273 and despite the injury, Judge follows Torres with a batting average of .267.
Additionally, Judge leads the team in on base percentage with an average of .406 and led the team in runs batted in (RBIs) with a total of 75 RBIs.
The Yankees saw many pitchers in the circle in 2023 but standout Gerrit
Cole led the team with a total of 222 strikeouts and only 48 walks. Clay Holmes also leads the team in saves with an overall of 24 saves.
Shortstop Anthony Volpe led the team with a total of 157 games played. Second basemen Torres also led the team with a total of 145 games played.
In addition to Volpe and Torres, third baseman LeMahieu’s played a total of 134 games and did not let his injury stop him. Volpe led the infield with a total of 357 assists at shortstop followed by Torres who had a total of 344 assists at second base.
Similarly, Torres took charge in the field with a total of 80 double plays.
Catcher Kyle Higashioka stayed strong behind the plate with a total of 663 putouts followed closely by first baseman Rizzo who had a total of 656 putouts.
Overall, despite not being able to make the playoffs, the Yankees finished off the season with strong stats with leaders on the mound, in the batters box and on the field.
Similarly, despite all of the injuries that the Yankees had to endure, they did not give up and finished off the 2023 season with an 82-80 record.
The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Observer.
Contact Claire Watson at cwatson@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Observer.
Irish come up short against Syracuse
By HENRY LYTLE Sports WriterDespite a huge comeback in the second half and scoring a season high 85 points, the Irish lost on the road at Syracuse 88-85. Jim Boeheim day for Syracuse brought out a packed arena for the Orange and a fast and dominant start. The Irish trailed by as many as 28 points throughout the first half but never stopped battling.
Led by freshman guards Markus Burton with 29 points and Braeden Shrewsberry with 18 points all in the second half, the Irish gave themselves an opportunity to comeback a seemingly insurmountable lead. However Burton’s missed three pointer in the final seconds fell short as the Irish return to South Bend to take on Wake Forest on Tuesday.
Once again, the Irish struggled to score in the first half. They scored nine points in the first 10 minutes and turned the ball over six times. Judah Mintz led the Orange in scoring with 21 through the game and was lights out in the first half. Following the slow start by the Irish and dominant defense by the Orange, Notre Dame trailed 29-49 at halftime.
The outcome certainly looked bleak for the Irish who trailed by as many as 28. However, the Irish emerged with a new halftime intensity as the cut the
lead to to points 55-45 with 15 minutes left in the second half.
The Irish have consistently started the second half with different lineups and built momentum off of energy and hustle plays. This game was energized by junior guard Julian Roper off of the bench who had eight points on 3-3 from the field. Finding consistent scoring and taking care of the basketball allowed the Irish to slowly but surely close in on the 20 point Syracuse lead.
A sophomore forward Tae Davis dunk brought the score to 45-55 with 15:04 left. Then battling back and forth the Irish inched closer to the lead, outsourcing the Orange throughout the half. Shrewsberry led the Irish with 18 points off of six threes in the second half, and the last one cutt the score to 86-80 with 2:03 left in the game.
Roper’s next three-point shot cut the lead to 86-83, the closest the Irish had been since the start of the game. After the Orange made two free throws, Burton made a layup with 16 seconds left to bring the lead back to 88-85. After a missed free throw from the Orange, Burton had a chance at a last second three pointer that fell short of sending the game to overtime. Ultimately, the Irish were unable to overcome the 28 point deficit in the first half.
With 17 turnovers, this team struggled to handle the
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ball and find offense in the first half. Once the shooting heated up, the defensive intensity helped Notre Dame go on a 56-39 run in the second half. Impressively, the Irish scored their season high in a game that first appeared to be a blowout. However, it was too little too late against a consistent Syracuse team who is eighth in the ACC.
The Irish will take on Wake Forest on Tuesday after losing the win streak to Syracuse. Following an emotional home upset against No. 6 Duke, Wake has an opportunity to tie for third place with Virginia in the ACC Standings if they beat the Irish. Despite the Saturday loss, the Irish have averaged 72 points and outscored their opponents by an average of five points over the last four games.
More importantly, last three victories came in part by winning the turnover battle. Notre Dame is second in the ACC and top 30 in the country in scoring defense at 65.6 points per game, which they have built their young team’s identity on.
Wake Forest guards Hunter Sallis and Kevin Miller are averaging 34 points together per game. The Irish have had success defending opposing forwards with their defensive versatility and size. The question in Tuesday night’s game will be similar to Saturday’s. Can the Irish limit their turnovers and find offensive rhythm early enough in the game?
It will certainly be a challenge to slow down the offense and prolific scoring from a Wake Forest team that just shot 53% from the three against Duke. Wake is coming to South Bend after a difficult part of their schedule that saw Duke twice, Virginia and Pittsburgh in a two week stretch. A victory against one of the top teams in the conference, Wake Forest, would require taking care of the basketball and continuing the scoring momentum over the last four games, specifically the scorching hot second half against Syracuse.
The Irish will have their hands full with an experienced and battle-tested team in the second to last home game of the season on Feb. 27 against the Demon Deacons.
Contact Henry Lytle at hlytle@nd.edu
Bengal Bouts: Finals results
By Observer Sports StaffPhil “Il Capo” Pollice vs. Nolan “Big Dog” Lyon
In its first moments, the bout was even-handed and technical. Both boxers maintained just the right amount of distance and a tight guard. But the senior boxer, “Big Dog,” soon massaged the distance and broke through to land several quick hooks and push sophomore “Il Capo” into the ropes. As both boxers tired in round two, Lyon showed off some slippery dodges and pivots.
Despite fatigue, Lyon kept up his strategy of throwing rapidfire hook and uppercut combinations then moving out of range before Pollice could counter attack. By the end of the bout, Pollice’s back was familiar with the ropes on all four sides of the ring. “Il Capo” kept throwing, but Lyon’s timing and control of the ring proved difficult to match. Nolan “Big Dog” Lyon won by unanimous decision.
Mike “The REAL Big” Guyette vs. Ijeh “The Golden Child” Nwaezeapu
“The Golden Child” started the bout by springing away from Guyette’s punches and launching himself into his opponent to land body shots combinations. Guyette led offensive efforts with a clean, quick jab, but sophomore Nwaezeapu was unfazed and continued to hunt for undefended weak spots with repeated success. “The REAL Big,” a senior captain, tried to tally up points at the end of every round, but “The Golden Child” seemed to anticipate the flurry and stop it with a heavy hook or a wrap-up.
Guyette had unrelenting energy aiming straight ahead, but Nwaezeapu had strategy beneath his opponent’s guard and power to either side. In this Keough Hall clash, creative use of space prevailed over sheer quantity of punches. Guyette threw more punches, but Nwaezeapu seemed to land every punch he threw. Ijeh “The Golden Child” Nwaezeapu won by split decision.
Justin “Slim Reaper” Darwin vs. Niko “K.O.” Tarasenko
The “Slim Reaper” seemed wary of coming too close to “K.O.” With each approach, he was careful to land punches and quickly get out of range. Tarasenko was indeed ready to pounce, and Darwin ducked beneath his heavy hooks at every opportunity. When Tarasenko did land a punch, it often knocked Darwin onto his heels, allowing “KO” to open up and score more hits. Tarasenko’s strategy was to quickly push his opponent into the ropes and render him unable to stop the barrage. Darwin grew more confident near the end of the bout and went on the offensive, but the shift may have proved fatal. He quickly
tired and began to drop his guard. Tarasenko capitalized and notched a number of blows that further weakened his opponent. Near the end of the bout, Darwin sustained an 8-count from Tarasenko’s continual harassment. Niko “KO” Tarasenko won by unanimous decision.
Nicholas “Nick” Buhay def. Marcello “Tomato Can” Nanni
Nanni spent most of the first round with his white gloves squarely pointed to the sky, protecting against Buhay’s repeated combos. Buhay managed to find “Tomato Can’s” red headgear on plenty of occasions. “Nick” remained offensive in round two, but Nanni was able to catch or block more of his punches. “Tomato Can” lunged back with his own hooks and body shots. In the middle round, the boxers got tangled up a few times, and Nanni repelled Buhay back into the ropes a couple times.
After a Buhay-leaning first round and a level middle frame, the senior fighting out of the gold corner looked impressive in round three. The senior from Morrissey seemed to have more moves in his defensive arsenal. Although Nanni’s hooks to the head seemed to take Buhay by surprise, the senior from Dunne had plenty of energy left in round three.
To chants of “empty the tank Buhay,” he did just that. “Nick” Buhay won the 169-lb weight division by split decision.
Jesse “Justice” Salazar II def Joe “The Fury” Fuchs
Fuchs, the shorter fighter, was more successful during the opening round of this heavyweight contest. His loaded blows didn’t seem to wear down Salazar II, however.
A senior representing Morrissey Manor, Salazar II would pass most of the middle round on his heels, although he did begin to start honing in on Fuchs’ red face protection.
Fuchs, a graduate student from Ohio, threw more painful punches during round three. Salazar II winced, and the referee paused the match briefly to make sure the senior was alright. Salazar II staged a convincing comeback in the final portion of the match, despite the blood running down his face and chest. The senior won by split decision.
Rob “The Voodoo Ranger” Rucki def. Logan “Grizzly”
Bayer
Rucki got pretty banged up during the first round of this seniorsenior match-up. Bayer’s punches had virtually unlimited access to Rucki’s upper torso and face as this fight got underway. In round two, Bayer continued to work from the ground upward, often ending up all over “The Voodoo Ranger.”
wrister past the glove of graduate goaltender Ryan Bischel.
Ten minutes later, the Irish earned a two-minute power play for boarding. Head coach Jeff Jackson challenged the call for a potential major penalty, but the ruling remained a minor against Josh Eernisse. On the ensuing power play, junior forward Justin Janicke, Notre Dame’s last line of defense, blew a tire while exiting the defensive zone.
The puck sat free in slot, where Duke skated to it and slid Michigan’s second goal through Bischel’s five-hole.
Late in the second period, Michigan’s special teams struck again. The vaunted Wolverine power play capitalized on an interference minor against sophomore defenseman Michael Mastrodomenico, making it 3-0. Michigan’s quick passing broke down Notre Dame’s box-shaped penalty kill, leaving Garrett Schifsky uncontested at the hash marks for a low-high feed. He swept the puck through Bischel, who had no time to square up to the shooter.
While Notre Dame remained scoreless throughout the third, Michigan’s power play added yet another goal with 4:45 to
play. During a 4-on-3 Wolverine zone entry, all three Irish defenders remained above the hash marks, allowing two opposing forwards free access to the netfront. The first, Rutger McGroarty, centered to the second, Gavin Brindley, who redirected the puck home.
Michigan netminder Jake Barczewski, who allowed six goals in his previous Friday matchup with Notre Dame on Dec. 1, pitched his second shutout of the season.
He made 22 saves, including two on breakaways by senior forward Landon Slaggert in the third period.
Saturday: Notre Dame 1, Michigan 2
In Notre Dame’s regular season finale and Michigan’s senior night, the Irish offense snapped into gear quickly. The Wolverines put Notre Dame on the power play just 93 seconds in, leading to the opening goal from Danny Nelson. The freshman forward used a quick catch-and-shoot release to beat Barczewski low from the right dot. Later on, Nelson would leave the game after taking an awkward spill while engaged in a battle for positioning.
Over the next eight minutes, the Wolverine would tie the game twice. A review for offsides wiped away their first equalizer,
but they would indubitably level the score moments later.
Brindley swooped into the right side of the offensive zone with the puck, beating Bischel short-side from a sharp angle.
The score would remain deadlocked across the next 46 minutes despite power-play chances on both sides. Finally, with 2:57 to play in the third, Michigan pulled ahead. Its 30th shot of the night, a high slot one-timer by Ethan Edwards, clipped freshman forward Cole Knuble on the way toward goal. The redirection off the Irish shot-blocker puzzled Bischel, who was late to react and felt the puck zip through him.
Notre Dame emptied its net in the final two minutes but never found a tying goal. Michigan emerged with the 2-1 victory, sweeping Notre Dame at Yost for the first time since the 1996-97 season.
Now, the Irish (15-17-2, 9-132 Big Ten) will await their host in the Big Ten quarterfinals. Notre Dame has the conference’s fifth seed locked up and is the only Big Ten team on bye next weekend.
The Irish are 2-2-0 against Minnesota and 1-30 against Michigan, their two possible opponents.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
WBB
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16
with 19, as the referees called a Hidalgo-friendly game. She took a lot of contact at the rim and was rewarded favorably with six shots from the free throw line.
That carried over to the defensive game as well, where the officials allowed her to poke, something that has become a hallmark part of her game. She finished with four steals (and many more pokes) against two personal fouls.
Westbeld continued her recent success from deep, shooting 2/2 from three. Westbeld has now made a three in six of the last 10 games she’s appeared in. She finished with 18.
While Notre Dame came out strong, the Eagles’ took the home court advantage to heart; Sunday’s matchup looked quite different from the squads’ first meeting, a 50-point Irish win.
The Eagles have now lost 10 games in a row. In six seasons at BC, head coach Joanna BernabeiMcNamee has yet to make the NCAA tournament. The Eagles had a losing
record in 2022-2023, and barring a miracle, they’ll end in the same place this year.
In her postgame press conference, Ivey was happy about the team’s performance, especially after overcoming the early slump.
“I was really pleased with [the team’s] defensive effort, especially in the second quarter and the rest of the game,” she said. “Really happy to win.
Just a really tough place to play.” Notre Dame now returns to Purcell Pavilion to wrap up the regular season. The Irish play No. 8 Virginia Tech on Thursday, and they’ll conclude the regular season in a rematch against No. 20 Louisville. Coach Ivey is optimistic about the road ahead.
“Super tough stretch, but excited to be at home,” Ivey said. “Just want to build each game. I feel like we’re getting better and [I’m] grateful that we’re healthy.”
Both games are at home. Thursday’s action tips off at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN.
Contact Jake Miller at jmille89@nd.edu
Rucki, who was fighting out of the gold corner, did land some prettylooking punches during the middle round. The pair got tangled up a couple times during the beginning of round three when Bayer got close to pinning his opponent back against the ropes. Both boxers showed signs of exhaustion toward the end of the match. Perhaps Bayer looked especially worn down. Rucki would win the 172-pound contest by split decision.
Emilio “Smooth Operator”
Fernandez def. “Average” Joe Rozgoni
As this senior-senior match got underway, the crowd supporting Rozgoni, a senior representing Zahm and Baumer Halls. Fernandez, who was representing Keough Hall, initiated much of the contact during the first round.
In round two, each time Fernandez landed a few hard hits, Rozgoni would thrust into his opponent in an attempt to slow him down. Midway through the second round, the referee had to pause the boxing to have blood cleaned off Rozgoni’s face.
After the fighting resumed, the senior from Keough continued to pounce on his foe. Rozgoni’s right arm caught fire in round three. Meanwhile, Fernandez strove to maintain his cool until the clock
struck zero. Fernandez won by unanimous decision.
Jackson “Amo” Amorosa def.
Sean “Milk” Mullen
After touching gloves, the fighters got busy with Mullen landing the better of the opening exchanges. The referee soon intervened and Amorosa received a standing count about 90 seconds into the bout. Shortly after an equipment stoppage, Mullen landed a hard hook that forced another count before the end of the opening round.
The second round opened with a bit of a tangle on the ropes that saw Mullen nearly hit the canvas. Despite the stumble, Mullen still looked good, landing a hard right hook that staggered Amorosa who quickly looked for the clinch. Amorosa found his target a few times in the final third of the round but Mullen landed his powerful right hook once more just before the bell. The third round started with some frantic exchanges where Amorosa pinned Mulllen the ropes.
Desperate to escape, Mullen got low and nearly hit the canvas again. About a minute later, the pair got tangled again and a clinch turned into a takedown that saw both fighters downed.
After a quick check on both fighters, the two got back to business and closed out the round with a flurry of action before the bell. Despite a shaky start, Amorosa got the win by split decision.
Andrew “The Red Scare”
Cassidy def. Kamsi “K.O.”
Ejike
Cassidy got the better of the opening exchanges, landing some strong jabs and a solid hook to the body in the opening minute. The early action prompted plenty of barking from Ejike’s unsatisfied corner. Cassidy looked very measured in the opening round, finding spots to hit his taller opponent. The pair began round two quickly throwing at a higher frequency than the first. Ejike landed a solid overhand right, making the most of his reach advantage. The pair were separated from a couple of clinches as Cassidy looked to close the distance often in the round. Ejike began the third round with a strong sense of urgency, throwing and landing several punches. He kept his foot on the gas throughout the third, and Cassidy did his best to keep up. After three hard-fought rounds, Cassidy won by unanimous decision.
Matthew “Two Cup” Turzai def. Connor “Hound” Hinkes
The action got underway quickly with both fighters throwing early and often. Turzai eventually got the upper hand, maneuvering Hinkes into the corner where the referee separated the pair. It was a fairly even round after that exchange with little to distinguish the fighters. It was another frantic start to the round that saw Turzai land a couple of strong hooks to the head.
The junior largely dictated the pace, culminating in a sequence that sent Hinkes to the canvas within the final 10 seconds of the round. Turzui landed a few hard hooks as the pair clinched frequently in the opening minute of the final round. Hinkes landed a few solid hits in the final minute, but Turzai appeared unfazed and pressed forward. The pair shared a big embrace after the final bell, but there could only be one winner and it was Turzai by unanimous decision.
Ryan “Smarf” Hersey def.
Aldo “The RAM” Plascencia
Plascencia came out strong, landing a couple of hard left jabs to the head. Hersey was undeterred pressing forward and landing a strong right hook-right hook-right around the 60-second mark. At a noticeable height disadvantage, Plascencia landed a hard right hook after closing the distance to his opponent before the end of the round. Hersey looked good to start the second round, using his reach advantage to land a few solid headshots. He kept the momentum throughout the round, consistently walking down Plascencia who seemed dazed by the constant energy.
The pair touched gloves to open the final round and then got to work. Hersey picked up where he left off, pushing the pace and landing strong punches. Plascencia wasn’t done though and landed a strong shot with his back to the
ropes that jarred Hersey’s headgear. After a quick fix from the referee, the two coasted to the bell, clearly tired from a high-tempo fight. Hersey won the bout by unanimous decision.
Jack “Topgun” Lannon vs. Christian “K” Miller
The final bout of the night started anti-climactically with a low blow forcing Lannon to take a few seconds. Despite the stoppage, Lannon dictated the pace in the opening round with his jab, seemingly landing it at will. A strong combination in the final seconds of the round saw “Topgun” land five consecutive headshot, leaving Miller too stunned to return fire before the bell. Lannon went back to the well in the second, mixing in some strong hooks before an uppercut forced a standing count for Miller. It was a dominant round for Lannon who kept Miller under pressure right until the bell. The pair of seniors from Knott Hall shared a hug at the start of the final round before they got back to the fighting. Miller received a verbal warning from the referee for a low blowing, telling him another notice would lead to a point deduction. Likely down on the scorecards, Miller pushed hard in the third to find something, continually driving Lannon to the corner where the pair repeatedly clinched. Lannon won the title with a dominant win by unanimous decision.
Irish swept out of Ann Arbor against Michigan to end regular season
Feb. 10. Despite Slaggert’s efforts, the team ultimately lost to the Badgers
ND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Center.
By TYLER REIDY Associate Sports EditorLast year, Notre Dame hockey visited Michigan in the final weekend of February, needing an improbable sequence of events for home ice in the Big Ten quarterfinals.
And somehow, it happened. The Irish took four points from the Wolverines, returning home with the help of a stunning Wisconsin upset over Penn State.
This past weekend in Ann Arbor, Notre Dame faced a much simpler path to postseason hockey in South Bend. Take five points from Michigan, and you enter your regular season-ending bye week with home ice guaranteed.
Earn three points, and you would place home ice in the hands of a Minnesota sweep against Michigan to start March.
Notre Dame walked away without any points, guaranteeing a road trip for the Big Ten quarterfinals two weekends
from now. The Irish fell 4-0 and 2-1 at Yost Ice Arena and will likely return to Michigan for the quarterfinals. However, if Michigan takes more than three points at Minnesota next weekend, they will begin their postseason in Minneapolis.
Friday: Notre Dame 0, Michigan 4
It took more than five years for Notre Dame to lose again at Yost, but it happened in onesided fashion Friday night. The Wolverines jumped out to a 2-0 lead early and maintained pressure throughout the game, outshooting the Irish by at least four in every period.
Less than five minutes in, Michigan opened the scoring on an offensive zone draw. Notre Dame dominated the face-off circle early, winning 25 of 37 draws through two periods.
But this one slid back to Michigan’s Dylan Duke, who knuckled a quick
Irish women overcome slow start to beat BC
By JAKE MILLER Senior Sports WriterNotre Dame women’s basketball had a long, difficult week with games in North Carolina and Massachusetts, sandwiched by a senior day matchup at home.
The Irish looked tired at times, especially given Nat Marshall’s absence.
Marshall made the trip to Chestnut Hill, but she did not play due to illness. Head coach Niele Ivey said she should be back with the team shortly.
“Nat was under the weather,” Ivey said. “Should be back with us … just didn’t feel well.”
Notre Dame has lucked out recently, and before Marshall’s “DNP,” the team went 13 straight games without an injury to its core eight.
Senior forward Maddy Westbeld was injured in the team’s Jan. 7 loss to North Carolina, the last time one of the team’s core was out with an injury. The loss against the Tar Heels is the Irish’s sole loss against a
non-ranked team.
Graduate student forward Becky Obinma and senior guard Sarah Cernugel made appearances in the win, playing two and one minutes, respectively.
Notre Dame continued its recent saga of slow starts. In the first quarter, the Irish only scored 11 points, lost the rebounding battle and did not make a three until the third quarter.
However, the Irish were helped by Boston College’s long second-quarter scoring drought. The Eagles only scored four points in the second quarter on 1/13 shooting from the field and 0/4 shooting from beyond the arc.
In the second quarter alone, the Eagles committed nine turnovers — many which nullified a potential basket.
Freshman guard Hannah Hidalgo continued to impress. Hidalgo had a relatively quiet night Thursday, scoring 10 points as the Irish’s seniors got most of the limelight. Hidalgo ended
