Print Edition for The Observer for Monday, February 3, 2025
Black Excellence Dinner honors recipients
Annual event celebrates University’s achievements in leadership, service and academic excellence
By ANNELISE DEMERS
Associate News Editor
Part of Walk the Walk Week, the Black Excellence Dinner ceremony highlighted the impact of Black excellence at the University and beyond.
Kaza-Zack Kazirukanyo, student government director of diversity and inclusion: race and inclusivity, emphasized the significance of the event in his opening remarks.
“For three years, this gathering has done more than unite students, faculty and staff,” Kazirukanyo said. “It has affirmed a lasting truth: that Black excellence is not simply a passing moment, nor a memory left to fade. It is the
mountain wind rising with purpose, carrying voices that will not be silenced. It is the great wave, relentless in ambition, reshaping the shore with every surge.”
This year’s award recipients were selected from a pool of over 150 nominations submitted by students, faculty, staff and administrators. The student winners were Frances Ubogu and Isaiah Hall, who were praised for their dedication to community-building, leadership and academic excellence.
“She not only received the most nominations this year but also submitted the most
see DINNER PAGE 3
Editor-in-chief names new staff
Observer Staff Report
Sophomore Gray Nocjar will serve as managing editor for the 2025-2026 term, while sophomores Aynslee Dellacca and Grace Tadajweski and freshman Henry Jagodzinski will serve as assistant managing editors, incoming Editor-in-Chief Liam Kelly announced Feb. 2.
“These four individuals have worked tirelessly for The Observer during their time on campus and I’m sure will bring that same work ethic and ingenuity to their new roles,” Kelly said.
Nocjar is a sophomore majoring in electrical engineering with minors in energy studies and journalism, ethics and democracy (JED). He joined the photo and news departments in his freshman year and has served as photo editor and assistant news editor over the past year. He has photographed marquee events like the inauguration of University President Fr. Robert Dowd and the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship
game. Originally from Darnestown, Maryland, Nocjar is now a resident of Keenan Hall.
Dellacca is a sophomore majoring in anthropological and Indigenous studies with minors in film and justice studies at Saint Mary’s College. She joined The Observer during her freshman year, writing for news and working production and now serves as the Saint Mary’s News editor. Originally from New Palestine, Indiana, Dellacca has covered a wide range of topics since joining The Observer including college admission policies, political activism, student life and local news.
Tadajweski, a sophomore majoring in American studies and film, television and theatre with a minor in sustainability, currently serves as associate news editor. She joined The Observer her freshman year as a news writer before picking up production work and beginning her
see STAFF PAGE 3
Consultant emphasizes AI as tool for various settings
By ASHLEIGH LOBO News Writer
“AI has been at the critical forefront of work everywhere,” Matt Alverson, a partner at IA Collaborative and adjunct instructor at the Mendoza College of Business, said. On Friday morning, Alverson lectured to students, faculty and staff at the
Mendoza College of Business as part of the speaker series Ten Years Hence.
The lecture series invites speakers from diverse fields to explore emerging trends in business and society over the next decade. Alverson’s lecture focused on collaborative intelligence that is at the forefront of enterprise innovation.
According to Alverson, who has over 20 years of experience at IA Collaborative, said IA Collaborative works with company organizations that “are responsible for investing or developing new offerings that might be there five or even 10 years hence.”
Large numbers of students attend Casino Night
By MEGAN CORNELL News Writer
On Friday, Jan. 31, guests of McGlinn Hall’s annual Casino Night tried their luck at the tables while raising money for a local Catholic school.
The event took place from 8-11 p.m. in Duncan Student Center’s Dahnke Ballroom. It featured blackjack, roulette, poker and the chance to win a variety of prizes at the end of the night, ranging from a JBL
speaker to a group dinner with Fr. Pete McCormick.
Attendees purchased tickets for $5 at the event’s entrance. The tickets could be immediately cashed into the lottery for prizes, or participants could try their luck at the card tables.
“Casino night is the McGlinn signature event that we’ve done for a while … We have three divergent games: blackjack, roulette and poker. We also have a drink station and raffle tables,” sophomore Josie
Deye said.
The proceeds from the event benefited St. Adalbert’s Catholic School. St. Adalbert’s is a traditionally underserved school where almost 100% of the school’s 220 students qualify for reduced lunch. The total raised from the event will be released today.
Deye was in charge of organizing this year’s event. Her
ROMINA LLANOS | The Observer
Students, faculty and staff listen to speakers celebrating Black excellence in Dahnke Ballroom of Duncan Student Center. The dinner event honored those who have demonstrated Black excellence at Notre Dame.
scene@ndsmcobserver.com
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Policies The
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Kaitlyn Dooley
sophomore Lyons Hall
“Two hours for crème brûlée.”
Arham Surana junior Stanford Hall
“One hour for daal makhani and butter naan.”
Elias Beardmore sophomore Baumer Hall
“25
Catherine Hubbard sophomore McGlinn Hall
“12 minutes for sushi.”
Evan Lloyd sophomore Stanford Hall
“30 minutes for a good steak.”
Alyssa Watkins sophomore Walsh Hall
“45 minutes for a very good breakfast burrito.”
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Markus Burton drives to the basket in a hard-fought 71-68 victory over Georgia Tech at Purcell Pavilion on Jan. 28. Notre Dame men’s basketball continues their ACC play (4-6), but fell to Miami 63-57 after a second-hal f collapse on Feb. 1 in Coral Gables.
Today’s Staff
News Grace Tadajweski
Zack Pohlman
Berhan Hagezom Graphics
Meg Hammond
Photo Declan Huggins
Corrections
A column on President Trump’s immigration policies that appeared in Friday’s edition misspelled Colombia. The Observer regrets this error.
Second Year MFA Student Exhbition
214 Riley Hall of Art
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Showcasing artwork by MFA students.
Red Cross Blood Drive Rasmus Club
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Red Cross hosts drive for community.
Tuesday
Education Mini Career Fair
Madeleva Hall
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Find potential careers and employers.
Election Monitoring Lecture
C103 Hesburgh Center
12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Sarah Bush discusses elections’ legitimacy.
Wednesday
Holy Cross Women’s Basketball Game Pfeil Center 5:30 p.m.
Holy Cross College faces St. Francis (IL).
Ruskin Birthday Lecture: John Green DPAC
6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Author John Green gives own insights.
Thursday
Being Black and First
6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Lecture series on being first-gen.
Women’s
Notre Dame hosts the Stanford Cardinals.
Friday
125 girls participate in a clinic with student athletes.
“Dido and Aeneas” by OperaND LaBar Recital Hall
7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Free event and open to the public.
GABRIELLA MARTIN
The Observer
current position last spring. Tadajweski has reported on college decision day reflections, sprinkler system frustration and the Notre Dame Marriage Pact, among other topics. Tadajweski hails from Lebanon, Pennsylvania and lives in Lyons Hall at Notre Dame.
Jagodzinski is a freshman majoring in preprofessional studies and the
program of liberal studies. He joined The Observer in September on the academic affairs beat. He previously served as a staff news writer and has written on topics including AI policy, curriculum changes and student research. Originally from Billings, Montana, Jagodzinski now lives in Dillon Hall.
Nocjar, Dellacca, Tadajweski and Jagodzinski will begin their new positions March 7.
Recognize Excellence
due by Monday, February 17
Nominate an outstanding faculty member for Universitywide recognition. Faculty, academic staff, and students are eligible to submit nominations for any of the eight University Faculty Awards.
Dinner
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
nominations herself, uplifting and recognizing others in our community. That selflessness and humility are what make her a true leader,”
Alyssa Ngo said. She is the director of student leadership in multicultural culture and student programs and services.
Hall, a student studying Africana studies and film, television and theatre, was recognized for using his creative talents to amplify underrepresented voices on campus.
“Through his work with Black@ND, his research and his leadership in clubs, Isaiah has sparked important conversations about race, identity and belonging at Notre Dame,” Ngo said.
The graduate student winners were Claire ScottBacon and Fr. Kenneth Amadi. Amadi, a Ph.D. student in theology, was recognized for his research on African Catholic traditions and his leadership in faith communities.
Scott-Bacon, an awardwinning scholar and clinical psychologist, was celebrated for her mentorship of graduate students and advocacy for mental health services.
“She has provided over 1,200 hours of private mentorship for students while balancing her own groundbreaking research. Her
impact on our community cannot be overstated,“ Ngo said.
The faculty winners were Gabriel Burks and Nyrée McDonald. Burks, an innovator in chemical engineering, was recognized for his research and his dedication to mentoring students.
“He is not just a professor — he is a role model, ensuring that Black students in STEM fields have the support they need to succeed,” one student wrote in their nomination letter.
McDonald was honored for her leadership in graduate student recruitment and diversity initiatives. Her efforts have led to recordbreaking applications from underrepresented students.
The staff honorees were Shamar Cousin and Tiffany Russell. Cousin, known for his work in admissions and student outreach, has traveled across the United States and Africa to recruit students to Notre Dame. Since he began, applications from certain African countries have increased by over 200%.
Russell, a mental health specialist at the University Counseling Center, was recognized for her advocacy and support of Black students on campus.
The ceremony featured two keynote speakers: Alex Sejdinaj, founder of South Bend Code School and Don Wycliff, former editorial board member of The Chicago Tribune. Sejdinaj
and Wycliff are both Notre Dame alums.
Sejdinaj reflected on her time at Notre Dame, recalling the challenges of being a Black student at a predominantly white institution.
“There were moments when I felt unseen, unheard and isolated,” she said. “But through community, I found strength. And today, seeing this room full of students, faculty and staff celebrating each other — it’s proof of how far we’ve come.”
Wycliff took a historical approach, detailing the progress Notre Dame has made in diversity since his time as a student in the 1960s.
“If you had told me that one day, Notre Dame would have Black deans, administrators and coaches of all three major sports teams, I would have laughed,” he said. “But here we are, proving that Black excellence is not only present at Notre Dame — it is thriving.”
As the evening came to a close, organizers encouraged attendees to continue celebrating Black excellence beyond just one night.
“This is not just about receiving an award,” Kazirukanyo said. “It’s about carrying the torch forward, uplifting others and ensuring that Notre Dame remains a place where Black students, faculty and staff are not only welcomed but celebrated.”
Contact Annelise Demers at ademers@nd.edu
multi-modal intelligence.”
Alverson argued much of IA Collaborative’s work revolves around “researching shifting values and emerging behaviors, running business prototypes of new models and ecosystems.”
Alverson expanded, saying IA Collaborative figures out “how technologies and business models will be stronger in the future” and then “develop[s] novel and sometime early offerings” to give companies “either early mover advantage or move them into new spaces.”
Alverson described the current AI movement as “the largest, most exponential change” he has seen in 20 years as an innovator.
Alverson explained his passion and professional mission are centered around collaborative intelligence. He stated collaborative intelligence “is really the combination of human ambition, where we have our own insights, responsibilities and visions.”
He introduced the concept of modern AI, describing it as “the integration of structured and unstructured data, massive processing power and multi-modal intelligence.” Alverson then explained this includes “humanized interaction layers that allow humans to interface with this
To illustrate the power of these technologies, Alverson used the program NotebookLM to process past Ten Years Hence transcripts. He explained, “I took those transcripts, processed them through an older logic model on ChatGPT and it generated structured documents summarizing past Ten Years Hence talks, as well as the entire content of the existing website.”
Alverson showcased how AI can create personalized content, generating a podcast-style discussion about the series. He emphasized, “I do this demo because some people have used it, and they’re like, ‘I’m living in the future.‘ But for other people, it’s just hard to understand, like the speed and the power of this.”
Alverson provided several examples to illustrate the wideranging applications of modern AI. He mentioned, “JP Morgan now uses an AI assistant platform, so enables, they call it, 30,000 virtual analysts to work in harmony,” where “harmony is instantly on your desktop.” He also highlighted educational applications, saying, “Using this combination, you can have an entire student, 30-person class, all learning to read at the right level.”
Contact Ashleigh Lobo at alobo@nd.edu
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Miss JFam crowned Miss Notre Dame
By BRIGID IANNELLI News Writer
On Thursday night, students filled Washington Hall for O’Neill Family Hall’s annual “Miss Notre Dame” pageant.
The pageant, which benefits the South Bend Center for the Homeless and the Jubilee Initiative for Financial Inclusion (JIFFI), featured contestants from many women’s dorms on campus. In between acts, each section in O’Neill showed an original, prerecorded skit.
The event had three “celebrity” football player judges: Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Joseph Vinci and an O’Neill Resident Assistant pretending to be Bryce Young.
The hosts of the night were Aidan “Bitsy” Flynn and Ristian David, two O’Neill sophomores who played lead roles in organizing Miss Notre Dame. They wrote the show’s programming together, while David coordinated with Washington Hall staff and worked on the audio and lights.
Flynn said co-hosting the show in front of a few hundred people went “a long way for [his] confidence.”
“In high school, I would’ve been the last person to host something like this, so that was big,” he said.
Flynn and David took the stage after a Taylor Swift Eras Tour-inspired introduction video played on the screen behind them. After they introduced the contestants, the talent portion commenced.
Acts included a stand-up comedy routine, an original song about Badin Hall and, the winning act, a poetic rendition of “FE!N” by Travis Scott.
Maisy Adams, the freshman from Johnson Family Hall who was crowned Miss Notre Dame, came up with the idea for her act after initially considering singing a song.
“I was like, ‘What could be funny? What appeals to the sense of humor of some football players?’” she said.
While Adams admitted she was quite nervous before going on stage, she said she calmed down once her performance started.
“You couldn’t see anyone in the audience, really, because of the lights, so it wasn’t too daunting,” she said. Adams also stated her experience doing theater in high school helped her to relax.
Jaelyn Grumieaux, a freshman who represented Pasquerilla East Hall, has competed in pageants throughout her life and currently holds the title of Miss Ohio Valley
is the most important, exciting part,” Deye said.
role included communicating with the Student Activities Office, working with the University to get the venue approved, coordinating staff and setting up the event.
“There’s also getting all the McGlinn girls involved, which
Each McGlinn resident was encouraged to get involved, and many worked different jobs over the duration of the event including selling tickets, dealing at card tables and staffing the food and beverage stations.
“They encourage everyone to sign up and have a part in the
2025. During the show, she sang a cover of “Let It Go” from Disney’s Frozen (with the help of two male background dancers).
Pasquerilla East president Katie Finn recruited Grumieaux for the position, which she happily accepted.
“When Madame President gives you an order, you have to follow through with it,” Grumieaux said.
Prior to the show, Grumieaux noted how much she appreciated that the pageant’s proceeds went to charity. She cited her own volunteer work with Our Lady of the Road, a South Bend homeless shelter, as an example of what the night meant to her.
“Seeing the impact that our volunteer work had as well as how much our homeless shelters in South Bend can use the money is really keeping me motivated when I get scared about being on stage in front of everybody,” Grumieaux said.
After every contestant performed their talent and each section played their skit, the audience voted for their top three contestants and top skit. Five girls — Miss JFam, Miss Breen-Phillips, Miss Badin, Miss Cavanaugh and Miss Farley — advanced to the next and final round, in which they answered questions
Gieselman enjoyed working the raffle booth as a way to participate in the McGlinn residence hall community.
“My job is to sell raffle tickets … I worked for an hour, but I played before [my shift], and I’m going to try and play after. I really like
such as, “If you woke up as Bitsy, what is the first thing you would do?”
Adams said she did not know exactly what the questions would be going into the second round but also that she had gotten some good advice in rehearsal from Flynn, David and the other O’Neill men working backstage.
“They told us beforehand, ‘Don’t think, just say. Just speak words, and you’ll be fine,’” she said.
As the pageant drew to a close, the celebrity judges convened to determine the winner. Adams was awarded a crown and sash, and all finalists received flowers.
Finally, O’Neill president Josh
our signature events,” Gieselman said.
The event takes place every year, but attendance hit a record high this year. Sophomore Tom Cherico attended both this year and last year’s event and was impressed by the turnout and participation this year.
“There’s a lot more people here compared to last year,”
Lloyd spoke to the crowd as he announced they were able to raise over $1,100 for charity in ticket sales.
In all, Flynn thought the event was a success on many levels, and he emphasized its importance to him as a member of the “Angry Mob.”
“Miss Notre Dame means everything to me,” he said. “It’s my dorm’s main event, and O’Neill is the most important aspect of my time at Notre Dame, so I wanted to represent myself well for the dorm as a host.”
Contact Brigid Ianelli at biannell@nd.edu
Cherico said. Whether they had good luck gambling or not, students enjoyed the event.
“I’ve loved it. A lot of my friends are here. I lost all my money, but at least it’s for charity,” Cherico said.
Contact Megan Cornell at mcornell@nd.edu
450 students pack inaugural C.S. Lewis lecture
By HENRY JAGODZINSKI Staff Writer
Each Monday at 7 p.m., over 450 students pack into a sometimes uncomfortably warm and humid Room 101 in DeBartolo Hall to listen to professor William Mattison lecture on the British writer and Anglican theologian C.S. Lewis.
Even the largest lecture hall on campus does not have sufficient capacity to seat the number of students interested in Mattison’s 1-credit theology course
“C.S. Lewis on God Evil, Virtue & Vice.”
It’s a crowd like Mattison has never taught before. “This is a whole new ballgame for me,” he said.
Julia Wilson, a junior taking the class, showed up well in advance of the class starting.
“I made sure to get here early to sit with my friends near the front,” she said. The class is a follow-up
of sorts to Fr. Kevin Grove’s 1-credit class on St. Augustine’s “Confessions.” That course, offered last spring, attracted a similarly large number of students.
Ryan McEllen, a sophomore who took Grove’s course, said he signed up for Mattison’s class because of how much he enjoyed the “Confessions” class last year.
“This is one of my favorite classes I feel like I’ve taken at Notre Dame so far. C.S. Lewis is one of my favorite writers, and the lesson was so inspirational and really like made me think about my faith more,” he said.
After seeing the demand for the “Confessions” class, Grove asked Mattison if he would be willing to teach a 1-credit class. He agreed, suggesting C.S. Lewis as the focus of the course.
“He’s one of the great Christian apologists,” Mattison explained. However, the class is not
an oral biography of the man.
“The goal of the course is not for students to walk out of there like pros on C.S. Lewis as a person or his thought,” Mattison clarified.
Instead, Mattison described the class as using the “accessible and illuminating work” of Lewis to prompt students to reflect on theology and its practical implications on life.
“The main theme of the course is that theology is inherently practical, and what we believe on big-picture questions about who God is and where good and evil come from and who Christ is have ramifications for how each one of us, individually and communally, live our lives,” Mattison said.
The course focuses on two of Lewis’s works, “The Screwtape Letters” and “The Great Divorce,” among other selected readings.
“The beautiful thing about ‘The Great Divorce’ and ‘The
Screwtape Letters’ is both books in very creative, allegorical ways, address how the kind of cosmic level battle of salvation history plays out in each one of our lives, how we have the opportunity to kind of choose good and avoid evil,” Mattison said.
In each class session, Mattison plays an audio recording of one of “The Screwtape Letters,” a satirical and didactic series of messages written from the perspective of a mentor demon to his mentee. Students then discuss the excerpt with peers next to them.
The capstone project for students taking the class will be to write their own “Screwtape Letter” set in a university context.
“They’re supposed to write from the perspective of the demons, how to tempt someone to do something badly, and in doing so, show that they have an insightful
awareness of how human persons operate and how they can do so in a manner that’s reflective of God’s way or not God’s way,” Mattison explained.
Mattison’s eventual goal is to compile 30 to 40 standout submissions into a book.
McEllen said he is eager to write his own.
“I’m really excited for the assignment for this class of creating your own Screwtape Letter,” he said. “I feel like that’s really interesting and creative, and will allow me to interpret C.S. Lewis’s work in a different frame.”
Mattison expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to teach the class.
“It’s a beautiful sign of what our students are longing for, and just how good that they are, that they want to do something like this,” he said.
Contact Henry Jagodzinski at hjagodzi@nd.edu
BRIGID IANNELLI | The Observer
Representatives from multiple women’s dorms competed to be Miss Notre Dame. The pageant is O’Neill Family Hall’s signature event.
Coffee shop courtesy from a barista
Redmond Bernhold Born Reddy
Once upon a time, a college student riddled with stress walked into a trendy coffee shop. She walked past a line of customers, searched for an adequate table and promptly unpacked her emotional support water bottle and Apple ecosystem. She then sat down, opened Canvas and began her assignments while binge watching her comfort show on an iPad. She stayed there for five hours, never getting up from her table to order.
This faux customer never once purchased a coffee, pastry or sandwich. The baristas noticed but didn’t say anything. They figured maybe she was passing through town or simply had too many assignments to finish. That is until the student came in the next day, following the same pattern. And the next day. And the day after. Then the baristas became more curious.
Of course, they were puzzled at this student’s behavior: using the fast, free WiFi and clean bathrooms without buying anything — not even a $2.50 drip coffee.
I’m one of those baristas, and I have been for six years. I’ve worked at two different coffee shops in Ohio, and I explore any cafe that my Honda Accord can take me to. From this experience and many others that I’ve witnessed, I can’t help but notice shifts in coffee shop etiquette and culture. What purchase constitutes an hours-long stay? Are we justified in pressing “no tip” as quickly as possible? What designates “right” and “wrong” in American cafes?
My coworkers and I never talked to the college student. We gave her the benefit of the doubt for the first two days, but eventually we became skeptical. It became clear that her repeated acts were deliberate: she only came into the shop to work, not buy.
It seems small, someone minding their own business and keeping to themselves. At the coffee shop I work at, there’s no sign indicating that tables are for paying customers only. And there likely won’t be. So the customer isn’t exactly breaking a rule, but is not overstepping a common courtesy?
What’s overreaching is the expectation to reap a coffee shop’s amenities for free. For one, the nonpaying visitor is taking space from paying customers who typically buy a drink and pastry or a drink and sandwich. This nearly $15 dollar purchase isn’t necessary, though. It’s courteous to buy anything before staying at a shop for hours — a simple drip coffee, an iced tea, a grilled cheese or even a bottle of water.
After encountering this student who occupied a table during peak hours, I couldn’t help but wonder if there are more considerations that are obvious to baristas but less obvious to customers.
In a place like a coffee shop, where tickets can be $5, $10 or $50, tipping can feel like the last problem on a calculus exam. If you’re me, you’re puzzled and conflicted. In math, you may not know the right answer, so you write “diverge” or “2.” In a coffee shop, you may aggressively press “no tip” or frantically place a few dollars in the tip jar, hoping to not make enemies with a barista.
But I don’t think tipping or other etiquette practices are as difficult. It’s true that coffee shops with
quick, casual service aren’t the same as a traditional restaurant. Inherently, tips should be different — but they shouldn’t be eradicated (some believe no coffee shop order deserves a tip). In this light, there’s a few tipping guidelines I think most baristas and customers can see eye-to-eye on.
Simply, orders for large groups, especially if dining in, should have a tip. It doesn’t have to be the traditional 20% or something close to that — a few dollars go a long way. Smaller orders don’t need a tip, but one is always appreciated, especially if eating in. That’s it.
Another consideration is length of stay. Certain visits to a coffee shop are brought to an end naturally, usually through conversations, clean plates and noticing other customers needing to be seated. However, that’s typical for a group of people with food. What happens otherwise?
The state of the shop is paramount to this question and other acts of etiquette. Stay longer if the shop is slow, but consider leaving a little earlier if it’s busy (weekends, most notably). Being attentive seems like simple common sense because most of us behave reasonably, but consistently practicing courtesy goes a long way for baristas, restaurant staff and customer service workers alike.
Redmond (Reddy) Bernhold is a junior studying biochemistry and journalism. He originally hails from Minster, Ohio but calls Siegfried Hall his home on campus. When not writing, he explores South Bend coffee shops and thrift stores. You can contact Reddy at rbernho2@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
The machinery of good people
sports teams in friendly banter and the support they provided for one another.
“Ah, no such thing as ethical consumption under capitalism!” Waving an arm through the air, coughing a laugh, he said these words to me. Although, it appeared as if he spoke to himself, instead.
My beloved friend could recite excuse after excuse to justify his contributions to his morally ambiguous employer, but this was the line that struck me. Though an exasperated resignation, a jest drenched in buzzwords to softly terminate the conversation so he may return to his daily obligations sans remorse, a kernel of truth hid within to expose the unspoken nuance of the matter.
Indubitably, it was impossible to discern whether the company in question was evil in its entirety.
Indeed, the international conglomerate he worked for provided thousands, if not millions, of jobs across the world. Indeed, the shareholders profited from a product that was in demand and, arguably, many enjoyed. Of all things, it even had its very own charity branch!
In the same breath, however, it is equally true that the company could be linked to increased crime and deaths, impoverishment of vulnerable communities, lobbyist practices, animal abuse, child labor exploitation, political interference and decisive monopolistic strategies that cannibalize local businesses. Why, the behemoth could extend its tendrils wheresoever it pleased, for it had enough capital.
And yet, my friend confused me as he shared with me stories of his colleagues: how they enjoyed Thursday night trivia in the hearty comforts of windy Chicago, their outings to regional amusement parks, the whiteboard doodles and polls in the office entrance.
I heard about their battles over the better local pizza or sandwich franchise, the nonsensical patriotic support of
They were not completely distinct from my friend, who has a refined moral compass. With horror, I realized they were good people. Some disingenuous, some with improper political opinions, all imperfect but ultimately simply good, kind, welcoming people.
All serving the beast.
Good people, in collaboration, upholding the machinery of an entity that has caused paramount harm to thousands, if not millions of humans, not unlike them. Do they ever realize that? Would it make a difference?
Afflicted as they may be, good people work in bad places. Does that make them bad people?
We tend to attribute moral status based on one’s actions, but when they become obfuscated through the corporate world, the repercussions turn hazy. Where does one’s proportional moral responsibility begin or end?
It would be absurd to attribute blame from executives’ reprehensible decisions to the technical support summer intern, yet her labor directly enables the executives to carry out their intentions. Why, she never intended to poison the water supply of a community on the other side of the globe — she was merely fulfilling yet another task in her Google Calendar and fixing a bug in the website back end code. These two events are so distinct, yet all falling under the same umbrella of the machine.
Inevitably, the purpose of a system is what it does. And the corporate system can make good people do bad things with a cold, calculated ease.
We lose sense of our humanity, our individual responsibility, in the bureaucracy. Somewhere amidst the Zoom meetings, the PowerPoint presentations, the spreadsheets deriving data from data from data, we lose sight of the impact of our efforts. We labor for monetary support, indeed, but that does not remove the heart-wrenching, inescapable fact that every action must bear its due
consequence. We rightly blindfold ourselves, arguing that if it were not us, someone else would do it. Tragically, we are absolutely correct. Does that make it right? Is a coerced crime any less impactful on the victims?
We may not choose to drop the bombs on civilians, but we very well design them.
Many workers of countless tragedies — the Holocaust, the Palestinian genocide and countless more — do not witness the full force of the hurt they bring into the world, lost in the calculations, efficiency rates and dinner pleasantries.
And they may have been human, just like you or me. They might have fought over the best football team or the better Christmas meal. And yet they were so inhuman. How can we ever make sense of that? How can we hope to be any different?
Thus, what is the worth of your labor to you? Is it all to make some money or personal satisfaction? Is that all that matters to you? Your efforts are redirected in a zero sum game, abusing your economical vulnerability for profit at the expense of unseen faces, unknown stories: rounding errors in the bottom line — not people, not lives but margins, deficits, leverage and scalability.
Alas, my friend — in all his unknown wisdom — was correct. There is no such thing as ethical consumption under capitalism. What he forgot to mention, however, is that we do not need to play along.
Carlos A. Basurto is a junior at Notre Dame studying philosophy, computer science and German. He’s president of the video game club and will convince you to join, regardless of your degree of interest. Now, with the power to channel his least insane ideas, feel free to talk about them further at cbasurto@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Carlos Basurto Eudaemonic Banter
LETTER EDITOR
Dear Fr. Dowd,
An open letter to Fr. Bob Dowd
I write to you from a place of full humility. I am AnnahMarie Behn, a senior electrical engineering major at Our Lady’s University, and I am scared.
For the past two weeks, I have walked the grounds from Flaherty Hall to the Grotto to Stinson Remick to Haggar Hall and have felt fear brewing inside me.
I am terrified that my loved ones might suddenly vanish after an ICE raid. I am worried that Medicaid will be frozen for my mom’s doctor appointments, ones that are critical that she keeps.
I am scared that I will not be financially supported in graduate school, as halted federal funding will prevent me from following my calling in medical research.
I am worried that I will be discriminated against as a woman and as a black individual if I need to enter industry directly after graduation — and that I will have no recourse as equal opportunity is being stripped away faster than my eyes can process.
Worst of all, I feel as though I am going crazy, manufacturing this fear inside of my head.
Students aren’t talking about this fear. Professors aren’t talking about this fear. The University administration is not talking about this fear.
With each passing day, my isolation bubbles, and I feel my hope draining out of me. I question if the people I sit next to in class understand, or if my professors notice my attention drifting when that fear begins churning in my stomach once more. If they do, why can’t I hear anything? What I hear is the snowballing rhetoric that I should not expect to belong at this University. If I care about diversity of thought and community, I am told that I should not plan on Notre Dame having my back.
I read that my beliefs are faulty and incoherent as I grapple with my future unraveling right in my hands. As a pit of uncertainty swells in my stomach, I hear students making snide remarks about my merit at this institution. After completing this year’s campus climate survey and reflecting on the last two weeks alone out of my four years at Notre Dame, I have never been so egregiously uncomfortable about my present and uncertain about my future as I am today.
Fr. Dowd, I am a woman of faith. I call on God for his favor, and as written in Mark 9:24, I ask him to strengthen me in my weakest hours. As I am sure you can attest to, there is intense power in community. This walk of faith cannot be done alone, and it cannot be found in the Basilica alone. I adore this University with so much of myself that I write this letter to you out of equal heartbreak and passion.
I hold the words “force for good” so close to my chest that they are practically embedded in my consciousness. I humbly implore you: show us, your Notre Dame family, that our fears are acknowledged and rational. Show us that despite the seeds of polarization being sewn, we do belong here, because our existence is essential to the health of this community.
Please, show me that my claim to being a force for good matters.
Sincerely,
Stop trying so hard: just give up
AnnahMarie Behn
class of 2025 Feb. 1
Abby Hernan Viewpoint Copyeditor
When I was younger, I had a dream of being able to do a cartwheel.
I would watch YouTube videos on my iPod, then run outside and throw myself into the ground, trying to recreate one. I know it seems ridiculous to imagine a little girl trying to do a cartwheel only to continually faceplant, but I wanted so badly to be able to do one.
As I walk, I imagine if I could just randomly do a cartwheel. Not that I would be cartwheeling to class, but the idea I could do it is enough. After watching the 2024 Olympic games, I saw Simone Biles perform and thought, if she can do all that, then I can definitely do a cartwheel. So, alone in my room and as a grown woman, I dove face-first into my hardwood floors.
After that, I realized that sometimes it is okay to give up.
Now, the embarrassing story of my inability to do a cartwheel might not be the best example, considering gravity and my zero coordination have made that task impossible. However, I realized that it is important to sometimes just accept I cannot do certain things.
I am someone who likes to plan and have everything figured out, and if something does not go how I pictured it, I tend to slightly — maybe highly — freak out. I want
to do everything. I hyper-fixate on my goal and repeatedly try to achieve it. However, as I got older, I decided to throw out this ambitious part of me and accept failure because sometimes I will just fail.
Last semester, I looked up “best majors for law school,” and Google AI told me that something unique, like art history, looks impressive. Within five minutes, I discovered that art history was my calling, and the source of all my problems was that I had not realized this sooner. So, to make up for this, I emailed my advisor and picked up an art history minor.
I walked into my first art history class so happy and ready to explore my passion. My professor put up a painting of a busy city and asked the class what they thought of it. My classmates raised their hands and talked about the emotions the contrast of the colors evoked and how the painting was a symbol of the monotony of a detached life despite the throng of individuals. After being so enlightened, I walked out of that class and immediately opened NOVO to drop it.
I felt so guilty. I was dropping something that I had naively decided was life’s calling. I hated feeling like I have given up or that the life I had pictured for myself as an art history minor would not be actualized. I was not gifted in the subject like I had thought I would be.
But despite feeling like a failure, I realized one important thing about intelligence. I am not stupid because I do not like a certain major or minor, but I would be
stupid for putting myself through it. I can realize the confines of my intelligence, and I know when something is not for me.
I have been told all my life to never give up. However, I give up all the time. I cannot do a cartwheel, and I cannot pontificate about the different artistic choices in a painting. It is okay to give up and in fact, I think you should give up more and more. You cannot try new things if you are unwilling to quit. Try to take a hard class or play an interhall sport you have never done before, and if you do not like it, then drop it.
Next semester, I am going to take physics even though I am a political science major. If I do not like it, I am not gonna force myself to suffer through it, but maybe I will really enjoy it.
I have realized failure is a good sign because it means you are willing to step out of your comfort zone and put yourself out there. Every time I fail, I do not think of it as a reflection of myself, but I am proud of myself for doing something despite the fear it might not turn out well. Everyone should continue to fail. Do not listen to the “never give up” propaganda.
Give up. It means you have more time to explore your other interests and find what is best for you.
You can contact Abby at ahernan@nd.edu
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
By AYDEN KOWALSKI Scene Copyeditor
Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, has been steadily shifting his energy to the screen, first with HBO’s maligned “The Idol” and now with a companion film to his new album, “Hurry Up Tomorrow.” The album itself is cinematic, though. Its songs function less as typical pop pieces and more like musical numbers where concerns about genre and structure submit to the demands of the narrative and emotion of the overall show. The Weeknd puts together an impressive show indeed, complete with co-stars, oscillating moods, brilliant production and raw heartache that those only familiar with his mega-hits might not have known he could manage.
The most impressive aspect of the album is its sheer musical range, from The Weeknd’s trademark retro–dance pop on “Open Hearts” to modern trap on “Cry For Me” and “Timeless,” from nostalgic, sample-based hip-hop on the gorgeous, affecting “Niagara Falls” to acoustic guitar balladry on the first half of “Reflections Laughing.”
Anchoring it all are The Weeknd’s generational voice and the transportive, otherworldly synth landscapes from his chief collaborator here, mega-producer Mike
Dean. Tying the album together is the despair The Weeknd’s narrator feels in his pop-star lifestyle, as well as a bold confrontation with death that is pronounced in standout moments like the shockingly bleak second half of “Given Up On Me” and the heartbreaking confession to the narrator’s mother in “The Abyss,” which is hard not to read as autobiographical.
As for the vocal collaborators, even with heavyweights like Lana Del Rey, Playboi Carti, Travis Scott and Florence + The Machine in tow, Future is undoubtably the best supporting performer here. On the standout “Enjoy The Show,” as The Weeknd drifts beautifully through his tale of drug addiction, Future’s crackling, ostensibly unimpressive singing lends a rawness and brokenness that renders the decadent scene of the song far more intense. When he shifts to rapping as nightmarish synths overtake the track, he’s perfectly right in extending an invitation to “hit the dust with the devil” — his narrator is gross and empowered, yet the hollowness at his core is moving. Then, Future appears again on the infectious first half of “Given Up On Me,” howling in his trademark Auto-Tune for release from, perhaps, the mortal coil, once again weaponizing vocal “weaknesses” to devastate.
Granted, there are some bumps in the road. “Cry For Me” is a true hit, but the mixing is strangely quiet on
some elements. “Given Up On Me” and “Drive” lack punch, and teaming The Weeknd up with Giorgio Moroder, widely credited as the investor of disco music, should have resulted in a song far more memorable than “Big Sleep.” But even for the moments that may not resonate, the clarity of vision and the emotional peaks make “Hurry Up Tomorrow” a must-listen. One of the largest stars in music has created a true gestalt that continues to unfold its magic over multiple listens, and for those who have not fallen into The Weeknd’s universe, this is as great a jumping off point as any.
If, as The Weeknd has said, this is the conclusion of his musical career under that stage name — and the album sure sounds like an end — then he’s penned a beautiful farewell, giving all he musically had. Still, it’s hard to hear the love Abel Tesfaye has for his work that is so apparent here and believe that he’s putting down the microphone for good. It’s a new day for Tesfaye, but the incredibly creative energy coursing through this cinematic, morbid musical will surely carry him to some new sonic adventure, and the audacity that defines his discography will make whatever that next project is, just like this, an essential record.
Contact Ayden Kowalski at akowals2@nd.edu
By ANDY OTTONE Scene Writer
The Royal Rumble is one of my favorite events of the year — icons of the industry in a spectacular, no holds–barred fight, bringing together fans and fighters new and old. If you’re not familiar with the Royal Rumble, the rules are simple: 30 contestants are given random numbers, and starting with those assigned one and two, they fight in the arena with the next number being called in every sixty seconds. If you’re not a fan that watches year-round, it’s a great chance to meet the up and coming ingenues and see your old favorites in action.
I love the Royal Rumble — just not the one hosted by WWE.
While the WWE Royal Rumble is an honored institution of the pro wrestling world, I’m not really into pro wrestling. What I am a fan of, though, are horror movies. “Dead Meat,” established in 2016, is a podcast and Youtube series dedicated to understanding and appreciating the horror movie industry. For the last three years, the “Dead Meat” team has put their own spin on the Royal Rumble.
The event, hosted by podcast co-hosts (and real-life married couple) James A. Janisse and Chelsea Rebecca
and called the Horror Royal Rumble, is a spectacle worth watching. 30 computer-controlled custom characters fight through the rumble — provided by the year’s most up-to-date WWE fighting game — with entrants ranging from horror classics such as “The Shining” and “Psycho” to recent hits such as “Longlegs,” “The Substance” and the Terrifier franchise.
The Horror Royal Rumble is a labor of love. The editing team behind “Dead Meat” curates the match, editing together the real gameplay footage of the computer’s fights with pre-rendered fighter entrances alongside customized audio. Every single fighter is customized in the game’s built-in generator by Rebecca herself, a process that she revealed takes a while — and that’s only after picking which 30 characters deserve to be represented.
While I won’t spoil this year’s event, if you’re interested in watching, the 2025 Horror Royal Rumble felt like a “best of the best” match, with plenty of returning icons and recent favorites. Both of the past winners — M3GAN from her eponymous film, and Kiefer Sutherland’s vampiric David from “The Lost Boys” — returned for another shot at the crown, joined by other returning fighters such as Jason Voorhees (of “Friday the 13th” fame) and Brenda Meeks, Regina Hall’s fan-favorite character from the Scary Movie parody series. In fact, Hall’s Brenda has
appeared in all three Horror Royal Rumbles and has consistently been a dominating force in the ring.
This year’s line-up leaned more towards the absurd, but in a way, that still felt satisfying. As is tradition, a few real-life figures found their way into the ring: In the debut Horror Royal Rumble, Stephen King found himself face-to-face with his most infamous creation, the clown Pennywise. This year, we had two real celebrities: Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst (not a character he’s played in a film, just real Fred Durst) and iconic writerdirector M. Night Shyamalan. While the computers are always evenly matched, both lasted far longer than I expected.
As a horror movie fan, I love the Horror Royal Rumbles. It gives me the answers to questions I’ve always had, from the classic “Who would win in a fight, Leatherface or Michael Myers?” to the old “How good would the guy from ‘Late Night with the Devil’ be at wrestling?” (Spoiler alert: not great.) This year’s match was by far the most entertaining, owing to the diversity in the roster of horror icons. The unexpected final four contestants led to an even more surprising champion. All that, and WWE’s real Royal Rumble was the same day. It’s a great time to be a rumble fan.
Contact Andy Ottone at aottone@nd.edu
ND MEN’S BASKETBALL
Irish go silent late in unexpected loss at Miami
By CLAIRE WATSON Sports Writer
The Notre Dame men’s basketball team took a 63-57 loss against Miami (FL) on the road this past Saturday. The team now falls to 10-11 on the season and 4-6 in ACC play, while Miami improves to 5-17 on the season and 1-10 in conference action.
Miami started off the first half strong, dropping the first four points of the game before graduate guard Matt Allocco put in a jump shot to make the score 4-2. Miami quickly responded with a jumper, but a quick two points from junior forward Kebba Njie and a threepoint shot from sophomore guard Braeden Shrewsberry brought the Irish ahead 7-6. Miami was again rapid in answering, putting in two more points of its own before a layup from freshman guard Sir Mohammed and a threepoint shot from sophomore guard Markus Burton moved the Irish ahead 12-8. Miami added on three points again, but a three-pointer from Njie and a layup-dunk sequence from junior forward Tae
Davis pulled the Irish ahead 19-11.
Miami put in two more points for itself, but six points from Shrewsberry made the score 25-13. A 5-0 run from Miami was then no problem for the Irish offense, as sophomore guard Logan Imes contributed his first two points of the night, making the score 2718. Miami added on two more points before committing a shooting foul, allowing graduate forward Nikita Konstantynovskyi to hit a free throw and bring the score to 28-20. Miami followed quickly with two more points, but Burton found the basket for two, making the score 30-22. Nearing the end of the half, Miami converted a three-point shot, but Mohammad returned the favor with three points, Burton added a free throw and Shrewsberry tacked on two points to keep the Irish ahead 36-25 at the end of the half.
After halftime, the Irish started strong as Burton put in two points for the Irish to make the score 38-25. Two points from Miami was
met by Burton as he put in two more points of his own to make the score 40-27. Four additional points from Miami seemed no contest for the Notre Dame offense as Davis put in a three-point shot to keep the Irish ahead 43-31. The Hurricanes would add on two more points for themselves, but Davis took the ball back, putting in two points and bringing the score to 45-33. An 8-0 run from Miami then closed the score to 45-39 before Shrewsberry drained a three-point shot to extend the Irish lead back to
48-39. Another 7-0 run from Miami made it a two-point game, but Burton added on two points to make the score 51-46.
Two points from Miami were then quickly followed by a jump shot from Burton to make the score 53-48. However, another 9-0 run from Miami pulled the Hurricanes ahead 57-53 before a layup from Burton and a dunk from Davis tied up the score. Another scoring run from Miami ultimately ended the game, as the Hurricanes took the final
63-57 win over the Irish. Burton led on the court for the Irish as he finished the night with a total of 17 points alongside Shrewsberry, who finished with 14 points. Allocco paced the Irish with eight rebounds, while finished just behind him with a total of seven. The Irish now continue on the road as they travel to Tallahassee to face off against Florida State on Tuesday, Feb. 4, starting at 7 p.m.
Contact Claire Watson at cwatson01@saintmarys.edu
GABRIELLA MARTIN | The Observer
Junior forward Kebba Njie handles the basketball on the interior during Notre Dame’s 71-68 defeat of Georgia Tech at Purcell Pavilion on Jan. 28, 2025. Njie tallied five points and seven rebounds during Saturday’s loss to Miami. He and the Irish will aim for a bounce back with games this week on Tuesday at Florida State and Saturday against Virginia Tech.
Happy Birthday: Hit the reset button and
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and more planning and budgeting to ensure you enjoy the ride to your destination of choice. It’s time to live life your way. Your numbers are 8, 17, 24, 28, 36, 41, 44. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Offer your services to those in need. Volunteering or getting involved in something uplifting will lead to new prospects and potential long-term gains. An unusual change or choice will offer more hope and unexpected returns. Put more time and effort into domestic improvements and a healthier lifestyle.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Learn how to play the game before you sign up for something overwhelming. Research and understanding will make the difference between winning and losing. Preparation, proper planning, and discipline will help you achieve what you set out to do. Opportunity and financial or personal gain are within reach.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Do what makes you happy instead of letting someone guilt you into something that benefits them more than you. It’s time to consider what you want and to work toward a goal that puts a smile on your face. Revisiting old dreams will help you do what’s best for you.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Keep your finger on the pulse regarding your professional goals and reputation. Knowing what’s available, what you can contribute, and who to connect with to maintain up-to-date coverage that helps you parlay your aspirations into something concrete will pay off. Networking, socializing, and self-improvement projects are favored.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Emotions require an outlet to avoid anger. Learn from experience and put your energy into something that pleases or makes you feel good about your contributions. Getting along is the key to getting things done. Keep the momentum flowing, and the outcome will bring you closer to those you collaborate with.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You’ll learn the most if you observe. Associating with people who share your concerns and trying to make a difference will put you in good company, leading to professional and personal opportunities. What you do will impact you and those watching your every move. Romance is in the stars.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Try something new and exciting, and it will lead to a window of opportunity. Events that offer insight into unique ways to put your skills to work for you will change how you present yourself and your qualifications to those you encounter. Something is brewing; demonstrate what you can do.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ll have plenty of options, but not all will be of equal value to you. Take the path that allows you to use your creative imagination or is geared toward love, romance, and enjoying someone’s company, and it will encourage you to make a positive lifestyle change.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Keep asking questions until you are satisfied with the answers and your uncertainty regarding your next move is gone. A partnership will require boundaries regarding the handling of money. Communication is the best way to eliminate poor choices, being taken advantage of, and heartbreak. Protect your reputation and your heart.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Collect your thoughts before you engage in a heart-to-heart talk with someone close to you. Knowing what you want and what you are willing to give back in return will help you devise tempting incentives and a plan that is impossible for whoever you are dealing with to turn down.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Count your blessings and cash and set money aside to do something special. Fixing up your space to encourage you to start a project you’ve only dreamt about in the past will rejuvenate you. It’s a new day and time to put yourself first. Create a life that excites you.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Being open about how you feel and what you want will help you bring about change quickly. Talk to experts, find the proper protocol, and pursue your goal. Being a take-charge person will help you gain respect and encourage you to follow through with your plans.
Birthday Baby: You are adventuresome, playful, and innovative. You are optimistic and intelligent.
Belles fall short in 81-61 result against Trine
By CLAIRE WATSON Sports Writer
Over the weekend, the Saint Mary’s basketball team fell to the Trine University Thunder. The Belles now sit at 4-15 on the season and 1-9 within the MIAA.
The Belles started off the first quarter with sophomore guard Kate Restovich putting in a layup, but a free throw from Trine made the score 2-1. A layup from senior forward Julia Schutz, a layup from sophomore forward Avery Schiesser and a three-point shot from Kate Restovich pulled the Belles ahead 9-1.
The two teams traded points back and forth and tied up the score at 14 before Trine pulled ahead 1614, but a quick response followed from the Belles as Schutz put in two points to tie up the score. Trine
ND WBB
after the loss about his team’s defensive and rebounding struggles this season, which Niele Ivey’s group was able to expose in the second half.
“We’re allowing teams to shoot 47% from the field on the season in league play,” Walz said. “That’s just terrible.”
The Cardinals forced 23 Irish turnovers but went the first six minutes without a rebound and were dominated in the paint to the tune of a 46-30 Irish scoring advantage. The second quarter was the only time Louisville went a consistent stretch outshooting and outrebounding Notre Dame, which allowed the Cardinals to take the lead, but the Irish clamped down on defense after to go along with spectacular shooting.
Tajianna Roberts led Louisville in scoring with 17 points, including 4 of 4 from three in the second quarter. Olivia Cochran (14 points, four rebounds) and Jayda Curry (12 points, four assists) also reached double figures for the Cardinals, while Mackenly Randolph came down with a careerbest 10 boards. Louisville as a team shot only 31.3% from the field in the second half after a strong start.
Notre Dame (19-2, 10-0) will look to extend its win streak to 15 games in its next contest, as the Irish host Stanford on Thursday, Feb. 6. Tip-off at Purcell Pavilion is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN.
Contact Charlie Morris at cmorri27@nd.edu
added on two more points, but Schutz added a threepoint shot to keep the Belles ahead 19-18. Trine answered with a buzzer-beater at the end of the quarter, making the score 20-19.
Trine started off the second quarter by putting in two points, but a quick response from sophomore guard Annie Restovich tied up the score at 22. After a 7-0 run from Trine, Annie Restovich added another three-point shot to bring the score to 29-25. Trine kept going with a 6-0 run before Annie Restovich hit another three to make the score 35-28.
Nearing the end of the quarter, Annie Restovich put in three more points and Kate Restovich added a free throw, bringing the score to 35-32. A layup from Trine then made the score 37-32, but Kate Restovich added on
Lacrosse
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11
non-conference, a strategy which has prepared them well for the postseason. Explaining the mindset behind pursuing such a grueling 11-game slate, Corrigan said, “We know the schedule is challenging week in and week out. Nine of the 11 opponents we have are preseason top-20, so we understand that the challenge for us is to be prepared week after week and to stay healthy and focused throughout the season.”
After two quick home matchups with Cleveland State and Marquette, the Irish will battle the best of the best each Saturday throughout the spring, including games against five national championship-winning programs in Maryland, Duke, Syracuse, Virginia and North Carolina. The rest of the campaign is no cakewalk either, as the Irish will have to travel to Washington, D.C. on Feb. 22 to play Georgetown, the only team to have beaten Notre Dame a year ago, while matchups with Ohio State, Michigan and Penn also shape up to be top-20 showdowns.
Notre Dame will open up the regular season at home next Wednesday, Feb. 12, as it welcomes the Cleveland State Vikings to South Bend following last year’s 25-3 season-opening Irish victory. The game is set for a 6 p.m. start and will likely be held inside the Loftus Sports Center due to weather conditions.
Contact Ben Hicks at bhicks2@nd.edu
two more points, moving the score to 37-34. At the end of the quarter, Trine put in two more points to uphold the 39-34 lead.
After the half, Trine started the third quarter with a jump shot, staying ahead 4134 before Schutz responded with two points to make the score 41-36. Two more points then went up from Trine, but Annie Restovich came back with a three-point shot, closing the score to 43-39. An 8-0 run from Trine would grow its lead to 51-39 before Schiesser found the basket for two points, bringing the score to 51-41.
Two points from Trine made the score 53-41 before Schutz added a layup, making the score 53-43. A layup from Trine was then quickly followed by one from freshman guard Ella Notaro as she put in two points to make the score 55-45. A 5-0 run
from Trine made the score 60-45, but Kate Restovich ended the third quarter with a layup that brought the score to 60-47. Saint Mary’s started off the fourth quarter well as Notaro posted three points and Annie Restovich added three more to bring the score to 60-53. Four more points came from Trine, but freshman forward Kori Dues put in a three-point shot, making the score 64-56. Trine would add a layup, but Notaro was quick to respond as she put in two points of her own to bring the score to
66-58. Another 8-0 run from Trine kept it ahead 74-58 before Annie Restovich added three points to make the score 74-61. A 7-0 run from Trine helped the Thunder take the 81-61 win over the Belles.
Annie Restovich led on offense for the Belles as she finished with 21 points, while Schutz paced the team with eight rebounds. Saint Mary’s next faces Hope College on Wednesday, Feb. 5, starting at 7 p.m.
Contact Claire Watson at cwatson01@saintmarys.edu
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MEN’S LACROSSE
Irish begin 2025 season seeking three-peat
By BEN HICKS Sports Writer
After capturing the program’s first national championships in 2023 and 2024, Notre Dame men’s lacrosse returns to Arlotta Stadium this spring looking to hoist the trophy for a third consecutive season, a feat that has not been accomplished since the Princeton Tigers completed the trifecta in 1998.
Led by 37th-year head coach Kevin Corrigan, the Irish enter the 2025 campaign with lofty expectations. Following last season’s 16-1 record, which culminated in both the ACC and NCAA crowns, Notre Dame was picked unanimously to win the ACC yet again and fell one vote shy of a unanimous national No. 1 ranking to begin the year.
The Irish also had five
returning stars from last year’s championship team named to the Preseason AllACC Team. Senior faceoff specialist Will Lynch is expected to be the best at his position nationwide, while 2024 All-Americans junior long-stick midfielder Will Donovan, senior short-stick defensive midfielder Ben Ramsey and sophomore defenseman Shawn Lyght were also among the preseason honorees. Additionally, the 2024 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship Most Outstanding Player Chris Kavanagh earned the accolade up front for Notre Dame, but the senior attackman will be playing this season without the presence of his brother Pat Kavanagh. The elder Kavanagh graduated last spring after becoming the first Fighting Irish player to take home the prestigious Tewaaraton Award, handed
out annually to the best college lacrosse player across the country.
Speaking earlier in the week, Corrigan touched on the attack sans Pat Kavanagh, stating, “Chris [Kavanagh] and Jake [Taylor] are two easy guys to play with. Not only are they excellent players, but they are both also very self-aware and smart.”
The attack isn’t the only question mark for Corrigan’s bunch, as the departure of two-time ACC Goalie of the Year Liam Entenmann leaves a gaping hole in front of net.
“We are having a great competition right now between [senior] Alex Zepf and [junior] Thomas Ricciardelli, but we feel good that both of those guys are older, mature players that can give us confidence,” Corrigan explained.
These competitions have
played out in practice and during the two-game exhibition draw, which saw Notre Dame claim convincing triumphs over Air Force and Detroit Mercy. Speaking on the importance of these preseason games, Corrigan added, “Scrimmages are always great because you get a chance to play together instead of competing against each other every single day.”
He continued by saying, “We’re in the process of figuring out what our strengths are and what we need to continue to work hard at to cover up.”
Corrigan pointed out that the freshman class should provide some much-needed depth at key positions, saying, “We’ve got some guys who will have an opportunity to play in a variety of roles, and we will see how it develops from there.”
He also highlighted fivestar Brady Pokorny, who he believes should see time up front alongside Kavanagh and Taylor.
The Irish have become known for enduring a gauntlet of a schedule, both inside the ACC and in the
The preseason has also allowed the Irish to work back in the football trio of senior midfielder Tyler Buchner, sophomore midfielder Jordan Faison and freshman midfielder Matt Jeffery following their thrilling run to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in late January. All three should be contributors to the lacrosse team, while Jeffery also headlines an impressive group of Irish rookies as he comes into the year as the highest-rated high school recruit in America from the class of 2024.
INDIA DOERR | The Observer
Members of the Notre Dame men’s lacrosse team gather during a 25-3 defeat of Cleveland State at Loftus Sports Center on Feb. 14, 2024. The Irish will again begin their season at home against the Vikings with a 6 p.m. game on Wednesday, Feb. 12, opening their second national title defense campaign after capturing ACC and NCAA Championships last year.
ND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Hidalgo drops 34, Irish win 14th straight game
By CHARLIE MORRIS Sports Writer
Hannah Hidalgo scored 34 points and Liatu King earned a double-double in Notre Dame women’s basketball’s 89-71 win over the Louisville Cardinals on Sunday, Feb. 2. The Irish improve to a remarkable 19-2, including 19-0 on United States soil and 10-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play.
“[I’m] really proud of our team,” head coach Niele Ivey said in a statement after the game. “This is a really tough league, coming into this type of environment and being able to withstand a little run … we just locked in and started fighting.”
The Irish saw a 20-6 firstquarter lead shrink to a
36-34 deficit in the second quarter but managed to enter halftime up 39-38 thanks to a shot clock buzzer-beater from Hidalgo. The sophomore guard ended 12 for 22 from the field and 8 for 8 from the free throw line to account for her 34 points, one shy of her career high of 35 from last season against Georgia Tech.
“She led us, put the team on her back,” Ivey said of Hidalgo, who also recorded six rebounds and five assists on Sunday, the latter of which led all players. “She’s just a dog, and she came out with such fire and tenacity. Made big plays, big shots, and we really fed off her energy.”
Beyond No. 3, graduate transfer forward Liatu King notched a double-double
with 16 points and 12 rebounds, including six offensive boards. She played a critical role in Notre Dame’s ability to eventually pull away, scoring eight points on 4 of 4 shooting. The Irish won the second half 50-33.
“She has the midrange game, and she can drive,” Hidalgo said postgame of King. “She brings that leadership and that poise that we really need. And she’s a dog on the boards.”
Graduate guard Olivia Miles added 17 points on 5 for 8 shooting in her return to the KFC Yum! Center, where she tore her ACL two years ago, sinking two triples and five foul shots. Senior guard Sonia Citron (eight points) and graduate forward Liza Karlen (five) rounded out
the rest of Notre Dame’s top scorers, as the Irish racked up just shy of 90 points for another double-digit win. All 19 of their victories this season have been by 10 points or more.
Notre Dame wraps up its brief road streak with three solid victories. Although Ivey believes the wins came in different ways, she acknowledged the formula for success was generally similar the Irish battle early and pull away in the third quarter.
“I thought we found ways to win in all three of those matchups,” Ivey told reporters postgame. “I think we showed a little bit of our resilience and composure … And again, winning on the road is really tough in the ACC, and we found ways on
the road to win, so credit a lot of their toughness, experience, and leadership.”
Prior to beating Louisville, the Irish went into Chestnut Hill and Blacksburg and defeated Boston College and Virginia Tech, respectively, after trailing early in both contests.
Louisville entered the game with 341 wins when scoring at least 70 points in head coach Jeff Walz’s 17plus seasons at the helm, but the Irish handed the Cardinals only their 35th loss in such circumstances. A big difference was Notre Dame’s edge in rebounds (44-29) and field goal percentage (55% to 36%).
Walz spoke to the media
DECLAN LEE | The Observer
Graduate forward Maddy Westbeld dribbles at the top of the key during Notre Dame’s 81-66 defeat of Georgia Tech at Purcell Pavilion on Jan. 16, 2025. The Irish have not lost with Westbeld in the lineup this season, as the 1,619-point scorer returned from a foot injury on Jan. 5 at North Carolina for the seventh leg of Notre Dame’s active 14-game win streak.
