Print Edition for The Observer for August 28, 2024
ND hosts welcome mass HCC welcomes class of 2028
President Fr. Robert Dowd presided over the ceremony
By ANNELISE DEMERS Associate News Editor
The University of Notre Dame launched the new academic year with its annual Welcome Back Mass. University President Fr. Robert Dowd presided over the mass and delivered a homily that focused on encouraging people to move beyond their comfort zones.
Dowd shared his experience in Nairobi’s Dandora neighborhood, where he lived amidst significant poverty and unfamiliar surroundings.
“Growth, whether spiritual, social, or intellectual, requires that we move beyond the familiar,” he said, urging the Notre Dame community to face the challenges of the new academic year with courage and openness.
Observer Staff Report
This weekend, Holy Cross College welcomed the class of 2028 to campus, its largest class in history. 272 new students arrived on campus, marking a 17.8% increase in enrollment from the class of 2027, according to Samantha Derksen, director of admissions at the College.
traditional 75 students who participated in the program in the past.
Kate Barrett, director of liturgy in Campus Ministry, highlighted the uniqueness of this mass to the Notre Dame community.
Students, faculty and staff were all in attendance.
“It’s pretty unique to specifically ask God to be with us and ask that we are all united in prayer at the beginning of the academic year,” Barrett said.
The Mass featured music from the University’s folk choir, liturgical choir and magnificat
89 Gateway students and 10 Driscoll Scholars are also included in the new class. Students in the Gateway Program spend their first year at Holy Cross College while taking two classes at Notre Dame. They would then transfer to Notre Dame their sophomore year, provided they maintain a 3.50 GPA.
This year’s program of 89 students is a considerable increase from the
Previously, the Driscoll Scholars program enabled students to attend Holy Cross for two years before transferring to Notre Dame and earning a Notre Dame degree. This year, the program has been modified to have students study at Holy Cross for three years and then attend Notre Dame for two years, earning both a Holy Cross and Notre Dame diploma. This year there are 10 students in the program, a dramatic increase from the two students who participated in the program last year.
Students in the new class hail from 34 different states and eight countries. First-generation college students make up 23% of the 2028 class.
Students return from summer experiences SMC builds research center
By GRACE TADAJWESKI Associate News Editor
Not only did students bring hand-me-down futons, Ikea bags and box fans back onto campus in time for the first day of classes, but many returned with new lessons and languages learned, trinkets bought and memories and friends acquired.
Sophomore Beth Martinez, an accounting and economics double major, spent eight weeks of her summer in Costa Rica through the ND Bridge program. There, she stayed with a host family and two other Notre Dame students, Shania Marte and Will Ek, while working with a Nicaraguan community.
According to Martinez, staying with a host family was both one of her and her group’s favorite aspects of the experience.
“We got to experience San Jose in a way that you
wouldn’t have as a tourist, or even if you were just studying abroad,” Martinez said. “And we even were able to travel with the host sister, which was really awesome.”
Each of the three students had a different internship in Costa Rica — education, marketing and English teaching. Although Martinez had an education internship, she worked in a variety of settings, from camps and schools to clinics.
“I learned how to be independent and be resourceful,” Martinez said. “Each day was different, but I learned to appreciate that instead of being stressed out by that, and I learned how to kind of see where needs were and understand how I could meet them without having to ask permission.”
Martinez noted that the biggest challenge of the experience was the commute time. She would commute
up to three hours every day and, thus, gained a deepened sense of patience that she had not had before.
“I really appreciated getting to speak Spanish in a context where I was forced to speak Spanish,” Martinez said. “It would have been hard to get to the level of proficiency in Spanish that I got in Costa Rica without living it 24/7.”
According to Martinez, her Spanish was on an intermediate level before the trip, and it improved to be conversational and fluid throughout. Martinez said she spoke Spanish about 85% of the time while in Costa Rica.
“It was a great experience to be able to go abroad, in a way where you don’t have to take classes, but you’re learning a lot,” Martinez said.
Junior Kiki Shim spent the middle portion of her summer interning at the Department
Observer Staff Report
The Sisters of the Holy Cross, alongside eight other female religious communities, held a groundbreaking ceremony on July 26 to commemorate the new Heritage and Research Center (HARC). The construction includes the renovation of the area previously known as the Welcome Center, located next to The Avenue, and additional expansion of the original building.
According to a press release from the Sisters of the Holy Cross, “HARC aims to showcase the impact of women religious from various congregations who founded and expanded institutions of education, health care and public outreach, laying the groundwork for development in these fields across the United States.”
A project that was first conceived of in 2018, the new
12,000-square-foot facility will include artifact exhibits, archival preservation and digitization, learning rooms and a climate-controlled vault to protect the various congregations’ archives. Dialogue sessions and lectures will also be offered after the completion of the center.
A completion date for the HARC has not been released. All resources, scholarship and research will be available to the tri-campus to learn more about the history of these congregations and their contribution to the communities they serve.
“When complete, the new facility will provide great research opportunities for our faculty and students. We look forward to the completion of this transformative initiative and the academic enrichment it will bring to
see SMC PAGE 4
ANNELISE DEMERS | The Observer
The University held this year’s Welcome Back Mass in the Joyce Center Tuesday. Over 2,000 students were in attendance.
Policies The Observer is the independent, daily newspaper published in print and online by the students of the University of Notre Dame
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Annmarie Stallman freshman Farley Hall “Three.”
of Transportation in the Environment and Compliance Division for the Maritime Administration in Washington D.C. Not only did she intern at the Capital, but Shim also participated in a program that allowed her to live at George Washington University and take an economics class at George Mason University.
“When I set out for a goal for this summer, it was mainly about location and living by myself for the first time, kind of, and so the job itself wasn’t as important to me,” Shim said. “Being around the government and political science stuff was definitely interesting … and kind of related to some of the Global Affairs aspects of my majors, but it wasn’t necessarily something that I would go to post grad.”
Shim learned about the opportunity through the Women in Economics club at Notre Dame. No other Notre Dame students participated in the program, but Shim worked with one other student, from La Salle University, in her division.
“I do think that obviously the Econ class was very closely related to my major, and that’s always good to have more opportunities to study that,” Shim said.
Shim also did writing, reading and synthesizing work that she believes is good for school in general. Shim is an
economics and global affairs double major along with a gender studies minor.
“I liked … kind of like all that novel stuff, like … having to do the background check, seeing the secretary’s photo on the wall, going down to the Situation Room, that kind of stuff,” Shim said. “It was fun to see.”
Sophomore Jack Simpson spent his summer at Ortho Rhode Island, which is only half an hour from his hometown and part of the South County Hospital. Simpson served as a medical assistant during the week and completed research focused on hip stability and total knee replacements over the weekends.
“I think my favorite part was getting to work with super educated people and doctors … because it really showed what I want to be eventually,” Simpson said.
Simpson is a science preprofessional and Spanish double major. According to Simpson, he wanted to get some clinical hours under his belt this summer while being able to gauge interests in the medical field.
“I know that I don’t want to do orthopedics now, but … I got to go into the O.R. a lot during my time there, and that was super cool,” Simpson said. “Just like, getting to see them slice open and do all the surgery stuff was super, super cool.”
Similarly, sophomore Isaac LeFever volunteered this
summer at a nonprofit organization that focuses on stroke, dementia and crash rehabilitation. The organization is located in LeFever’s hometown, Burkettsville, Ohio, which has a population of about 200.
“We do patterning and some other memory tests and things … in order to get whatever limbs aren’t working anymore back to working and get the brain rewired,” LeFever said. “So we worked with that, and then … we did some stuff with some brain scans and working to make sure that we get neurons firing in the correct spots. It’s a really cool operation, definitely worth working for.”
The organization is completely free to all and is prescribed for patients by a doctor. There are no doctors in the nonprofit, so it is largely supported by volunteers and fundraising to keep the medical bills for patients at zero.
“I’d known a lot of people volunteering there, but I didn’t know exactly what direction I wanted to take my career,” LeFever said. “I found that opportunity at home to volunteer, and it was clinical hours and volunteer hours and decided that would help me with my career path.”
According to LeFever, his favorite aspect of volunteering was meeting many patients.
“Working with the patients one on one you have the ability to foster relationships and make connections with people in the surrounding areas,” LeFever said. “Living in that
small area, everybody knows anybody anyway, but to be able to form closer relationships, not just name recognition, is amazing, and it’s a great way to just meet more people and kind of branch out.”
LeFever is a neuroscience major who plans to go to medical school to become a family practitioner. He aims to return to his hometown to work in an area where “that’s needed.”
“You show them [patients] a lot of respect, and they’ll show you respect, and it’s all these people who are just wishing you luck and support throughout your entire journey to your career path,” he said.
Completing a mix of domestic and foreign work, sophomore Mia Valli participated in an ROTC scholarship program called Project Global Officer. Valli applied and was accepted to the 12-week Kyrgyzstan program which combines two months at Arizona State University and one month in Kyrgyzstan with a host family.
“It was super intensive programs,” Valli said. “I think in Arizona, I spent about 10 hours a day on Russian, so I’d spend like four hours in class, an hour or two, depends, on office hours, and then I spent like two hours on homework and two hours studying because we had an exam every week, and we had quizzes every day.”
had school Monday to Friday, while in Kyrgyzstan she had school Monday to Thursday, with Fridays off for excursions. Valli participated in many cultural activities such as drinking horse milk, completing a traditional cooking class and visiting the national park Ala-Archa. Valli’s favorite activity was a 48-hour stay in the national park at Issyk-Kul lake which included a four-hour hike, horseback riding, an eagle show and building a yurt.
“We did so much, and it was so cool to be there and see it,” Valli said. “Kyrgyzstan is like the Swiss Alps … in Malaysia. It’s so mountainous, it’s so pretty, and you can’t even describe it. It felt so surreal; it felt like I never even was there, because it’s such a surreal experience.”
While other Notre Dame students participated in the program, none besides Valli were a part of the Kyrgyzstan program. The program is open to students from all branches and schools.
“I have friends now at Michigan State, at Duke, USC, California, and literally it was just such a cool experience,” Valli said. “You meet so many people, and I’m going to USC for the USC Notre Dame game, and my friends are coming here for St Patrick’s Day, so it’s fun.”
Prior to the trip, Valli was a history major, but since the trip she has added on Russian as a double major. Valli took 13 credits over the summer, and eight will transfer over.
In Kyrgyzstan, Valli spoke Russian “24/7” and took an official proficiency test to which she scored intermediate medium, meaning she could have a conversation with someone in Russian.
At Arizona State University, Valli took two semesters of Russian, which was followed by one more semester in Kyrgyzstan. In Arizona, Valli
“I definitely want to go back,” Valli said. “I definitely want to take my parents and my family one day and just see it all.”
Contact Grace Tadajweski at gtadajwe@nd.edu
SMC awards Saint Catherine Award
Observer Staff Report
During the annual Fall Convocation for Saint Mary’s College Aug. 25, president Katie Conboy announced the 2024 recipient of the Saint Catherine Award, named after the patron saint of scholars, Saint Catherine of Alexandria. Kept confidential until the ceremony, Conboy announced senior Aaren Fernandez as the award recipient. Fernandez, a social work and gerontology double major, is involved in several organizations on campus, including the Center for Faith, Action and Ministry (CFAM), the Sexuality and Gender Equity (SAGE) club, the Social Work club and the Feminists United club.
Quoting one of Fernandez’s anonymous nominators, Conboy said, “It is rare to encounter a student who has sincere passions to make a difference that goes beyond just pursuing social work as a career. Their passion very much resembles a desire to acquire knowledge to better serve others, which mirror the endeavors of St. Catherine.”
The Saint Catherine Award is presented to a student who exemplifies ideals of a Catholic college education, comprising personal excellence, scholarship, faith and commitment to the College mission. These values characterize the mission of Kappa Gamma Pi, the National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society, which sponsors the award.
Mass
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
choir, along with a string quartet and a trumpet, composed of community members.
The second reading during Mass was delivered in Spanish.
“We’ve been doing that for several years, just recognizing how much more diverse the community is,” Barrett said.
2,400 people attended the Mass, including at least 25 priests, consisting of rectors, priests-in-residence and several faculty members.
As the community embarks on a new chapter, Barrett echoed Dowd’s sentiments, reminding everyone of the importance of prayer and unity.
“We pray together because God loves us, and if we remember that, we can then go out and into things that are less familiar,” Barrett said.
Father Dowd concluded his homily with a call to action, encouraging the Notre Dame community to embrace the unknown with faith and determination.
“May we discern God’s call and move beyond the familiar, in order to grow, in order to serve, and in order to be the hope our world needs,” Dowd said.
Contact Annelise Demers at ademers@nd.edu
our campus,” vice president for mission Julianne Wallace wrote.
The eight other communities associated with this project include the Ladysmith Servite Sisters from Ladysmith, Wisconsin; Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters from Huntington, Indiana; Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Dubuque, Iowa; Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross from Merrill, Wisconsin; Congregation of Sisters of Saint Agnes from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross from Green Bay, Wisconsin; Sisters of St. Casimir from Chicago and Sisters of the Most Precious Blood from O’Fallon, Missouri.
According to the Saint Mary’s College press release, HARC will operate independently from the participating communities, complete with future curators and archivists and an executive director. However, the site will share a technology platform with three other archival hubs, Boston College, Santa Clara
University, and Clevand, Ohio, which will offer access to all four repositories for users.
The platform is based on the National Archives Project for Women Religious, an initiative “to collect and preserve in perpetuity the recorded
history and artifacts of congregations of women religious in the United States” by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), according to their website.
“Together, these resources can elevate awareness of the work of
Catholic sisters, past and present, and, hopefully, inspire future leaders, women religious, and the public to act on behalf of people who are underrepresented,” the press release from the Sisters of the Holy Cross said.
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
AYNSLEE DELLACCA | The Observer
Construction has begun on the Saint Mary’s welcome center in order to build a new research center by adding an addition to the building. The research is based on the National Archives Project for Women.
PARIS DIET, BÉBÉ!
YOUR PARISIAN OASIS IN GRANGER
Brasserie 23 is a locally owned restaurant specializing in genuine French faire with a penchant for fine wine and outstanding cocktails. Driven by a passion for culinary craft and hospitality, we’re committed to creating a sensational French dining experience.
LUNCH BRUNCH DINNER COCKTAILS
ENJOY OUR HAPPY HOUR MONDAY–FRIDAY, 4–7 PM 23% OFF ALL APERO FOOD ITEMS, SPECIALTY COCKTAILS, AND GLASSES OF WINE
By MARGUERITE C. J. MARLEY
Scene Writer
It’s no secret that the superhero genre, specifically the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has declined steeply since “Endgame.” I have written about this decline in the past. But as soon as I saw a trailer for “Deadpool and Wolverine” featuring Madonna’s song “Like a Prayer,” I realized that superheroes are so back.
“Deadpool and Wolverine,” the third installment in the Deadpool series, marks Disney’s first superhero production after the absorption of 20th Century Fox. It holds the prestigious title of the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time, a remarkable achievement, at both the global and domestic box office. Coming nearly six years after the incredible “Deadpool 2,” Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) deliver a unique blend of fourth-wall-shattering jokes, gut-wrenching gore and fantastic storytelling that is the hallmark of this franchise. This ensures a thrilling and entertaining experience for the audience. But Reynolds and the rest of the writing team have taken this entry in the series to a new level.
The film is a grudging buddy comedy about two superheroes who have to team up to save their respective universes and for Deadpool to finally
enter the “sacred timeline,” a concept from the MCU that denotes the main timeline of events, and join the MCU proper. As expected from a Deadpool film, it starts with a barrage of jokes aimed at their production company, the MCU and the actors’ careers. The franchise is known for poking fun at Reynolds’ career, but with Jackman on board, there’s a whole new set of jokes to be made. The film cleverly references Jackman’s roles as Harold Hill in “The Music Man” and P.T. Barnum in “The Greatest Showman,” a treat for musical theater nerds like me. As Jackman’s first outing as the Wolverine in seven years, he provides an excellent emotional core to a film that contrasts nicely with the dry wit of Reynolds. This emotional depth resonates with the audience, making the characters’ journey more compelling and engaging.
Reynolds and Jackson’s dynamic, whether trying to kill each other or learning to work together, creates a strong connection with the audience, drawing them into the characters’ journeys and struggles. Not only is this a superhero story where the characters must punch the big bad as much as possible, but it is also a story of two men letting each other be emotionally vulnerable. As one of the characters says, “Sometimes the people we save, they save us right back.”
The music in this film is not just good; it’s incredible. Not only does “Like a Prayer” score the
climax, but the film opens with “Bye Bye Bye,” complete with Deadpool doing a version of the dance featured in the music video while killing people. In one of the fights between Wolverine and Deadpool in a Honda Odyssey (don’t ask), “You’re The One That I Want” from the hit musical “Grease” plays. This continues the current trend of fight scenes using inappropriate backing tracks (see the incorporation of “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)” in season one of “The Umbrella Academy”), which never fails to make me laugh. Overall, this film displays a tremendous amount of love and effort. There are several practical sets, and exciting camerawork throughout. While the second half of the film does fall into the usual MCU trappings of gratuitous cameos and heavy reliance on CGI, this still feels like a film that has something to say as opposed to many other films (such as “The Marvels” or “Madam Web”) that were made purely to be content driven down the production line. Additionally, this film is not just a continuation of Deadpool’s story but a love letter to the 20th Century Fox X-Men films. “Deadpool and Wolverine” is a treat for Deadpool fans, X-Men fans and anyone who wants a superhero film that cares about being a film.
Contact Marguerite C. J. Marley at mmarley01@ saintmarys.edu
By PETER MIKULSKI Scene Editor
The DeBartolo Performing Arts Center (DPAC) recently announced the 2024-2025 program for its Presenting Series, which aims to use “the universal language of music, dance and theater [to] celebrate the power of live performance to bring us together.” The 2024-2025 season will mark its 20th anniversary, and DPAC is pulling out all the stops. Whenever a big name in the arts comes to campus, it’s usually the Presenting Series that’s to thank for it — and next year is going to be no different. Here are the highlights, annotated.
Fischoff Competition Gold Medal Winners — September 29 and November 3
South Bend, specifically DPAC, has the privilege of hosting the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition every year. The largest and oldest of such competitions, students and professionals convene on Notre Dame from around America — and even from abroad — to perform and participate in the festival. This year’s competition will take place at DPAC from May 10 to May 12, a must-see if you’re still on campus. The winners will return next fall to perform in the Presenting Series, the wind category winner in September and the string category winner in November. No matter who wins the spots, it’s bound to be good.
Philharmonic Orchestra — October 16
This March, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields — one of the greatest chamber orchestras of all time since its founding by Sir Neville Marriner in 1958 — visited DPAC with virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell simultaneously performing and conducting. Next fall, we’ll be treated to another great British orchestra on tour, the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO). To be honest, I’m not as excited about the LPO as I was about St. Martin’s. St. Martin’s has a unique, unrivaled string sonority (not the way it used to, of course, but it’s still nothing to wag your finger at). The LPO, on the other hand, sounds like every other London orchestra — like the London Symphony and the Royal Philharmonic and the Philharmonia and the BBC Symphony. Frankly, it sounds like every other orchestra, period. You might as well take the South Shore Line into the city some weekend to see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) — you’ll get the same sound, and better executed too.
Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra With Winton Marsalis — January 31
A week after they’re set to play at the CSO’s Symphony Center, Winton Marsalis (the greatest living jazz trumpeter) and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (the greatest working big band) are coming to DPAC. South Bend sustains a healthy jazz community centered around Merriman’s Playhouse, a jazz venue which pulls acts from Chicago and
the coasts. This show, though, is going to be a special treat. Nathan Gunn and Mandy Patinkin—April 11
Midwestern operatic baritone Nathan Gunn and the famed Broadway tenor Mandy Patinkin are performing alongside each other on tour. Patinkin, who starred in “The Princess Bride” and “Homeland,” is 71 these days, but I’m sure their stop in South Bend will still be a lively evening.
Third Coast Percussion with Jessie Montgomery — April 27
Third Coast Percussion, a quartet which served as DPAC’s “Ensemble-in-Residence” from 2013 to 2018, is returning to Notre Dame, now with the addition of Jessie Montgomery — virtuoso violinist and composer-in-residence at the CSO. Third Coast is bound to give an energetic performance, and — besides her skillful playing — Jessie Montgomery’s new compositions always strike a healthy balance between listenable and compelling.
In addition to the ones listed above, there are countless other events worth seeing on the program. It includes, for instance, several organists to perform in DPAC’s Reyes Organ and Choral Hall as well as several performances by the Actors from the London Stage, DPAC’s resident company. I think it’ll shape up to be a great season, one worthy of a 20th anniversary.
Contact Peter Mikulski at pmikulsk@nd.edu
TREY PAINE, MARISSA
London
Our Life, our sweetness, our hope
Engraved on our Notre Dame coat of arms are the words: Vita, Dulcedo, Spes — Our Life, our sweetness, our hope. Notre Dame was built upon these words, the first of which is life. Inspired by the Lady who bears our beloved school’s name, we resolve to build a culture of life, of sweetness and of hope at Notre Dame, creating an atmosphere of radical love toward mothers, fathers and children.
Last semester, this sentiment and flourishing culture of life at Notre Dame was evident when sophomore Mireya Monterroso found herself pregnant. Pressured first by a society that told her she was incapable of being both a successful student and mother, she felt abortion was her only choice. However, after finding sweet support in the Family Resource Center, the Women’s Care Center, and Right to Life (RtL), Mireya courageously chose hope — and life — for her baby. We celebrated Mireya and Anaís at her baby shower in April, organized a meal train to support her during the summer and look forward to organizing babysitting for Anaís while Mireya resumes her full-time studies. Anaís Hope Wagoner, born this past July, truly is a beacon of hope for our campus, and we can’t wait to continue walking with Mireya and Anaís as they begin their journey under the Dome. By choosing life, Mireya sparked a wildfire of inspiration, urging Right to Life and students on campus to extend the support she received to other student mothers in pursuit of saving lives.
In a letter to Right to Life, she wrote, “My beautiful little daughter is the best thing that has happened to me, and I would not change anything that I have lived through to have her. [God] has put into our lives so many generous and caring people, especially the help of you, the Notre Dame Right to Life ... It is such a miracle to be able to have and provide for a child of my own.”
This year, we turn our focus to promoting a culture of life centered on the words of Jesus Himself and echoed by our patron saint this year, Pope St. John Paul II — ”Be Not Afraid.” We wish to make it abundantly clear that if a student ever finds herself pregnant, she need not be afraid, for the entire RtL community is readily available to shower her and her baby with boundless love and support. Furthermore, RtL’s support does not stop at the end of her pregnancy. We look forward to walking with Mireya and Anaís for as long as she needs, as we will with any student who finds herself pregnant. Whether in babysitting or in bounds of prayers, the University of Notre Dame and the Right to Life community pledges to radically support pregnant mothers in their decision to choose life.
If you or someone you know may be pregnant, please contact the Family Resource Center for Notre Damespecific support and visit HerMichiana for more resources in the South Bend area. If you are a tri-campus student, please reach out to us prolife@nd.edu it would be our absolute joy to get to know you, to walk
with you and to support you and your child in every way that we are able.
Right to Life, the largest non-academic student club at ND, strives to build this culture of life through prayer, service and education. Join us for our first events of the semester including our Opening Bonfire, Opening Lecture by our beloved Fr. Pete McCormick CSC and our annual pro-life celebration, Lifefest. Visit our website for more event details, to join our newsletter, to meet our team and to learn more about our mission!
Reflecting on Mireya’s journey fills me with hope for a future where pregnant students at Notre Dame view motherhood not as a barrier to their aspirations but as a cherished blessing in the miracle of life. Whether you’ve been to every RtL event or have no idea what or who Right to Life is, I extend a warm invitation for you to come join us this semester in building a culture of life, of sweetness and of hope at Notre Dame, for it is built into our very foundations of this beloved place we call home. May we be inspired by Mireya and Anaís Hope and foster a spirit of radical love toward every life, from its conception to its natural death.
Pope St. John Paul II, pray for us!
Notre Dame, our Mother, pray for us!
In Notre Dame, for life,
Jackie Nguyen President, Notre Dame Right to Life Aug. 10
Make this dorm a home
I was hesitant about the whole random dorm “thing” going into my freshman year. I wasn’t hesitant about the concept—in fact, I was keenly aware and grateful for the fact that I got to avoid the speed-dating roommate hunt many of my high school friends underwent. The street cred I earned from telling people every freshman at my school got random roommates didn’t hurt, either.
But as most anxious people would, I was worried about whether a random dorm would work out for me. The concept seems great when you talk to alumni who obviously wish they were still in college. They get this faraway look in their eyes, trying not to cry as they talked about their golden days in the great Sorin Hall and the endless stories they collected in their second home.
An unspoken pressure to be in the best dorm crept in, so I not-so-casually stalked various dorm Instagrams to scope out the possible contenders. At first, I looked for superficial things, like which ones had the most recent posts and best feed, but that quickly turned into theorizing whether the girls would be nice in Ryan or whether the upperclassmen in Cav seem spirited.
I will never forget when I found out I’d be in Badin Hall — with not just one random roommate, but three. Not even realizing that freshmen quads were an option, a quick internet search led me to discover that I was also pronouncing “Badin” wrong and that it was
Notre Dame’s smallest women’s dorm. The next obvious step was to look up all of my roommates and wait an appropriate amount of time to request them on Instagram.
I wish I could say that I was obsessed with Badin Hall, but to be frank, I became nervous about being in such a small dorm. Dorm life seemed like such a pivotal part of the Notre Dame experience, and if there was safety in numbers, my chances of a full-proof dorm experience were dwindling.
But now, with the benefit of hindsight, I’m now going to be that annoying upperclassman and tell you that it all works out in the end. Yet patience learned is later perspective earned. The process of finding your groove is going to be a lot slower than you will want it to be, but I promise (pinky swear!) that it will be worth it.
So no (suprise suprise), my freshman quad is not my whole friend group today. It wasn’t until the end of my freshman year that I found the rest of my core people, and while I felt behind back then, I am now grateful for the time it took to find them. However hard a pill it is to swallow as a freshman, relationships take time to form, and will often change over time, in college. Normalizing this fact would save a lot of anxiety surrounding freshmen social life. And now, as many people in other dorms feel about their randomly curated friend groups, I often get the feeling that life has treated me far better than I deserve.
And as for Badin Hall as a dorm? Yes, we may have had fewer voices for cheering at the Welcome Weekend Rally. Yes, I got used to hearing “You’re the first person I’ve met from Badin!” too many times my freshmen year.
But now, I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. The reasons I love Badin are not our high ceilings or our cute Instagram theme — it’s the fact that a senior wordlessly took an hour to help me decide whether to switch my major and or how our small size means that I know everyone I pass in the hallway. Some of my best memories are playing with upperclassmen in our flag football games, getting to pair together Bigs and Littles and teaching the freshmen our Welcome Weekend chants. Your hall is really the backdrop of your college experience, not the subject. It’s truly the people in it that make every dorm a home.
And everyone has different experiences — one of my best friends in Badin had transferred from PE after her freshman year, and another friend didn’t meet his closest friends until he went abroad. Just like there’s no “right way” to do college, there’s also no right way to “do” dorm life.
So if you’re a worried freshman reading this, please give yourself some grace. There are amazing people in every dorm on this campus. Focus on getting to know them, and the rest will fall into place.
Allison Elshoff is a junior studying Business Analytics with minors in the Hesburgh Program of Public Service and Impact Consulting. Originally from Valencia, California and currently living in Badin Hall, you can find her unsubscribing from email lists or hammocking by the lakes.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Allison Elshoff
Asking For A Friend
The “Unc” in dysfunctiona1
Since acquiring ‘unc’ status after soberly stuffing my car with Alumni Hall juniors on the way to ‘Legacy’ Friday night, I have found I have a lot to say. Firstly, how wrong was the editor-in-chief?
“The weather seems a lot more agreeable this year than my own move-in in prehistoric times,” Isa Sheikh said in an otherwise beautiful note in The Observer’s welcome weekend edition.
You’re smart, Isa, but I DON’T KNOW ABOUT THAT ONE, CHIEF.
I think leads about weather conditions are worse than the weather itself, but you really jinxed us, man. It’s hot as the depths of Hell in Alumni Hall as I write this. Dawgs are sleeping in sprawled out positions among the two common rooms with working ACs.
I’m in my un-fanned dorm room writing in the rather defeated spirit of something former interim news editor Peter Breen once said to me: “It’s as if journalists do their best work in the worst of conditions.” Well, it feels like the Seventh Circle.
We put the fun in dysfunctional Secondly, anyway, I also want to mention two special columns the Viewpoint section is introducing this Fall: the College Democrats of Notre Dame and their counterpart: the College Republicans of Notre Dame.
The two groups have agreed to each write a column pursuing open civil discourse on the 2024 U.S. elections in the pages of The Observer.
The terms given to each group are quite simple: they are prohibited from using personal attacks in their aims to persuade. But respectful debate on national policy relating to the election — including the words used in The Observer’s bi-weekly columns — are not only fair game, but encouraged.
The groups will publish their columns on an alternating schedule, and you can look out for the College Democrats’ first column in this week’s Friday’s edition.
My summer was good. Thanks for asking.
Thirdly, as I engage a hyper-drive of “how was your summer” conversations over the next week, I have four places where I don’t want to do the small talk.
1. Urinals (or anywhere in a bathroom really)
I don’t engage in potty-talk in my inside columns (just kidding, I do), but you don’t know me while I am in Dante’s fifth circle of Hell, otherwise known as the North Wing, mirror-exposed troughs of Debartolo Hall.
2. In the dining hall
That is, while I have a full plate of food in my hand and am bee-lining to my seat. While we’re in line, you might as well be my best friend. But while my plate is full, I am hungry. So get out of my way, Gray Nocjar.
3. While I’m in a Hesburgh Library reading room
I have two modes: “chill” and “freak the f*** out.” While I’m at Hes, you can guess what I am.
4. Urinals, but more emphasis
I need to emphasize the urinals, only because even the slightest commentary on the haunted urinals of Notre Dame’s massive campus cannot be published without mentioning the South Dining Hall Basement men’s room.
There’s enough ghosts in that space to make me believe in God again
I must include a bark for help. Simple question: do you like to write? If no, fine.
If yes, we are still taking applications for the role of Viewpoint Columnist, so you are warmly invited to apply by emailing viewpoint@ndsmcobserver.com to express your interest.
Contact Liam Price at lprice3@nd.edu
The views expressed in the Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
To the ones that make it worth it
Kate Casper Outsider Instincts
The last few months of your senior year felt like dramatic irony — knowing your days were numbered and mine weren’t, and those BP pews we christened, those hallways we passed through, would soon be filled by new girls (who aren’t named Katie or Helen or Elizabeth or the countless others who have made this all worth it).
It’s not like anyone had any say in the matter. Graduating was sort of what you had to do.
It’s not like the tuition pays for itself, and those CJs nights waiting in line for 45 minutes in the cold would’ve (theoretically) gotten old.
This was all a part of the plan — finish your credits, don’t fail macro, present a capstone, finish a script, wear a white dress, toss a cap in the air, go to some grad parties, maybe even go to Italy, pack up and leave.
Be terrified.
Do it anyway.
Graduate.
It all sounded so simple, moving that tassel from right to left. Packing up and leaving. I don’t know if it was simple or not, but it’s what had to happen.
You had to go, and that’s something I had to be okay with.
Now that I’m back on campus, this Notre Dame life feels so different now. I went to Irish Flats the other day for a pregame and found myself
across the hall from Brooke and Haley’s apartment, only Brooke and Haley don’t live there anymore.
I went to Irish Row and walked past Kathe’s old room in Zahm and felt the same thing.
It felt strange coming to terms with you not being here—some of my best friends, some of my sisters.
You were the girls I curled up in bed with, cried with you over your pink eye or a stupid swollen hand. You were the girls who (hardly) judged me when I wore my big baggy blue sweatshirt three days in a row during finals. You were the girls I bore my soul to on Sundays on couches in apartments or dorm rooms in our sleepy college town. You were the girls I scampered with to bars and to bed, knowing that each night out had the potential to be the absolute peak of our lives (and each night in was some secret blessing). You were the girls I wanted to share all my shameful, sad, quiet stuff with because you’d always listen and always love me anyway.
You were the girls I wanted to stick around here forever. But you couldn’t be here forever, and I’m realizing that’s actually a very good thing.
Because if this college experience never ended, we wouldn’t have had so much fun.
We wouldn’t have danced so many nights away and kissed so many frogs. We wouldn’t have pulled so many ridiculous hours in the Jungle or the Pen. We wouldn’t have
squeezed each other’s hands so sincerely after every Our Father.
Perhaps this fall, when you feel the nip teasing your shoulders or see a squirrel that isn’t extra fat and extra friendly, you’ll wish you were back in Notre Dame, Indiana. But it’s okay that you’re not.
Because it would’ve been too easy to stay this way forever.
And you are far too good to stay here forever. And the world needs you far too much.
For now, it’s time that you go see more of the world, Uber to places other than East Wayne Street and Corby Boulevard. It’s time you meet people other than Some Guy from Dillon and The Girl Down the Hall from Me in BP.
And when you feel sad or feel yourself missing this place, know I’ll be teaching the girls on my floor how to dance like you or pull an all-nighter like you or make people laugh like you or love like you. I’ll teach people at bars how to have fun the way we did in Flats or CJ’s or Newf’s. I’ll continue to love my friends here, sit lakeside or sprawl on a quad and really mean it. I love you. Go fulfill the promise.
Kate Casper (aka, Casper, Underdog or Jasmine) is from Northern Virginia. She strives to be the best waste of your time. You can contactheratkcasper@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this columnarethoseoftheauthorandnot necessarily those of The Observer.
ND’s
unjust decision
To the Editor,
I am writing about the recent decision by the University to suspend the Men’s Swimming Team for the coming year.
To provide some background on my perspective, I am a former Notre Dame student-athlete. I earned a monogram in each of my four years as a member of the Notre Dame Swimming Team, I participated on athletic teams since early childhood and I grew up in a family of athletes and coaches.
I agree with the need for appropriate penalties for those who violated rules or engaged in other improper behavior. Suspension or expulsion of individual students who violated the rules may be warranted. I strongly disagree with the University’s decision to collectively punish the innocent along with the guilty. This is grossly unjust.
Another aspect of this story
that truly disturbs me is that the coaching staff is being held completely blameless while, as the Director of Athletics stated, “team members who did not participate in the conduct, and those who were planning on joining the team this fall, will suffer the consequences of this decision.” In my experience, coaches have always had a huge influence in creating and maintaining their team’s culture, and they should be expected to know about and react to negative behaviors before they become deeply embedded. Team members who did not participate in the improper conduct, despite what is being described as a very negative team culture, should be given credit for their integrity, and be treated with at least as much consideration and respect as the coaching staff.
If I was one of the current swimmers who did not violate
these rules, or an incoming freshman who was planning to join the team, I would want, and expect, the opportunity to train with the team, however limited the number of members, and compete as a team for Notre Dame, even if that meant losing every meet. The Notre Dame student body is large and talented, so additional new team members might also be recruited. That would be a response that is consistent with the University’s values and of which we could all be proud.
In my view, the collective punishment that is proposed is totally contrary to the values of Notre Dame and this decision should be reversed.
Sincerely,
Andrew Petro University of Notre Dame, Class of ‘78 andrew.petro@rocketmail.com
Liam Price Viewpoint Editor
Irish begin 2024 with unfinished business after second College Cup run in three years
By TYLER REIDY Sports Editor
The College Cup crown was right there for the taking. A Monday night match against a Clemson side Notre Dame had already beaten in September could have delivered the Irish a second national championship.
But the 2-1 result went the way of the Tigers, leaving Notre Dame men’s soccer in College Cup heartbreak for the second time in three years.
Still, 2023 remained a storybook season for the Irish. Notre Dame rattled off a 13-3-6 record, never losing a match in regularseason ACC play. As a result, the Irish captured the conference’s top seed and home-field advantage throughout the NCAA Tournament. And they used that home field advantage for two dramatic, penalty-kick victories that made the College Cup a reality.
Now, seventh-year head coach Chad Riley and the Irish have turned the page to 2024 with a season-opening, 1-1 draw against Akron at home.
“I think right now especially, you’re looking at the performance as much as you can,” Riley said after the Aug. 22 draw. “I think in a lot of ways it feels like we dropped three points
ND WOMEN’S SOCCER
because we had some good moments — obviously, we had the lead. You want to see those things out. But I think, overall, there’s a lot more positives than negatives for sure.”
More than anywhere else, Notre Dame has significant positives to replace in goal and up front this season. The Irish graduated a class of ultra-experienced players a year ago, with none more central to team success than goalkeeper Bryan Dowd.
The 2023 TopDrawerSoccer
National Player of the Year joined the Chicago Fire as the sixth overall MLS SuperDraft selection in December.
To supplant Dowd between the posts, the Irish have, initially, made a move foreign to Notre Dame teams for the last three decades. They’ve turned to a true freshman right out of the gate.
First-year keeper Blake Kelly, a Real Salt Lake Academy club product, made the start against Akron. The Michigander allowed a goal on the only shot on target faced, but that Zips tally resulted directly from a defensive breakdown.
Fortunately for Kelly, he should expect to see very few mishaps around him as the season continues. Notre Dame’s most significant returns lie on the back line, where junior Mitch Ferguson,
senior Kyle Genenbacher and senior Josh Ramsey started a combined 57 games last year. Such veteran presence has the potential to accelerate Kelly’s development in goal. However, whether that actually happens remains to be seen.
Notre Dame has also returned a handful of key midfielders for 2024. Senior Bryce Boneau, who comes off a massive step forward in 2023, leads the list. Boneau, an All-ACC Third Team selection who turned down a third-round SuperDraft pick from Nashville SC, owns the captaincy for the first time in his career. He and another third-year starter, junior KK Baffour, bring stability to the center of Alumni Stadium. On the wings, junior Sebastian Green and sophomore Nolan Spicer will have the immediate chance to jump from depth pieces to regular contributors.
Their contributions, especially in the attack, the Irish would warmly welcome. Notre Dame doesn’t have the problem of replacing a single, all-encompassing scorer this year. Dowd’s loss serves as the equivalent of that in goal. The 2023 Irish attack thrived more on balance, but a definite top trio of goal-scorers emerged in Eno Nto, Matthew Roou and Daniel Russo.
Gone are Nto and Russo, Notre
Dame’s premier postseason forwards from a year ago. Roou remains as a senior with 21 collegiate goals under his belt, including 10 from last season’s First Team All-ACC campaign. However, Roou went without a point in five NCAA Tournament games. His season-long consistency and timing will largely determine Notre Dame’s offensive season.
Roou got off to a solid start against Akron, opening his account with a penalty-kick goal in the second half.
“You want strikers to score, and I think that’s a great feeling for him,” Riley said. “You can see it — just the way he’s moving around the field. I think on another night he might have gotten a couple more — he got in some really good spots.”
With the dawn of conference realignment, every power league has strengthened in every sport. Few, if any, have improved the way the ACC has in men’s soccer. Stanford (No. 5) and SMU (No. 10) arrive as preseason top10 teams in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, joining seven already-ranked sides in the conference. Ranked behind only Clemson, the Irish also slot in second in the ACC’s preseason poll.
Notre Dame will host Clemson
for a marquee championship rematch on Sept. 27. Before that, the Irish will visit No. 24 Louisville (Sept. 6) and welcome Stanford (Sept. 14) to South Bend. In October, they’ll battle No. 25 Syracuse (Oct. 8) and No. 6 North Carolina (Oct. 11) before heading to No. 20 Duke for a pivotal season finale on Nov. 1.
For now, Notre Dame’s largest non-conference test awaits three hours to the south this Thursday. Indiana, which battled the Irish to a season-opening draw and penalty kicks in the Elite Eight last year, currently stands as the top program Notre Dame will face away from home this season.
Riley and the Irish look forward to the opportunity a short trip to Bloomington presents them.
“It’s just always a really good game. It’s as healthy as a rivalry can be when you play as often as we do,” Riley said. “And I think it’s one of those games — why you come to Notre Dame is to play in big games. So to go down there, the guys are competitors and they’re excited.”
Notre Dame’s tilt against the Hoosiers is slated for 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
Historic freshmen lead the Irish into 2024 season, forging a distinct identity of youth
By TYLER REIDY Sports Editor
Last season ended up as a strange one for Notre Dame women’s soccer. The word “in-between” emerges as the best way to describe it. Characteristics from the 2022 team, which marched to the Elite Eight, lingered as the Irish hung tight with top ACC squads. And yet, Notre Dame never quite carried the pieces to go over the top, quietly exiting the picture in the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32.
What does that mean for 2024? Not much, actually. Why? Because this year’s 14th-ranked Irish group looks very different — historically different.
Only four women who appeared in the 2022 Elite Eight match against North Carolina remain in South Bend. And, for the first time in program history, Notre Dame carries 13 freshmen on its roster. They’re contributing at a striking rate, too.
Through three matches, 22 of Notre Dame’s 32 points — and 9 of its 11 goals — belong to freshmen. The result: a 2-1-0 start headlined by a 4-0 drubbing of No. 13 TCU this past Sunday.
After the TCU match, seventh-year head coach Nate Norman described the instant impact of his freshmen.
“They’re talented, they believe in themselves, and we want to give them platforms so they can shine,” Norman said. “Even though they might be 17 [or] 18 years old, we’re giving them opportunities, and they’re taking them.”
Though it’s a small sample size, no newcomer has bolstered the Irish to the extent of forward Izzy Engle. Notre Dame’s forward group possesses hefty potential, beginning with graduate student Ellie Ospeck and sophomore Charlie Codd, an All-ACC Freshman Team selection in 2023. Engle has only added on, scoring a preposterous
five goals in three games. Her hat trick at Samford on Aug. 18 marked the first by an Irish freshman in 16 years. Her brace against TCU led Notre Dame to an early-season statement.
“Izzy’s been great — super dynamic. She’s stretching it in behind, she’s getting faced up and taking players on, she’s holding balls up for us, she’s running the box,” Norman said. “She’s been phenomenal. She has five goals in the last two games, and she just looks dangerous every time she touches the ball — like something could happen.”
Notre Dame’s freshman
success goes beyond Engle, though. In the centralized midfield, where senior Sophia Fisher and junior Laney Matriano have returned with significant experience, freshmen Lily Joseph and Grace Restovich have appeared highly comfortable. Joseph scored her first goal against TCU, while Restovich ranks second on the team with four points.
After her Sunday brace, Engle expressed her appreciation for the freshman class in totality.
“I’m having the time of my life out here. I love my big class,” Engle said. “I remember after I committed, there
would just be like — another girl would commit and then another girl. And I was like, ‘I didn’t know a class could be 13 people.’ But they are truly some of my best friends, and I’m so grateful for some of the relationships that I’ve been able to build with them off the field. And I would say they’ve certainly translated to the field with our chemistry.”
On the back line, Notre Dame has its biggest shoes to fill. Eva Gaetino, a two-time ACC Defender of the Year, signed overseas with PSG in February. Other experienced
see ND WSOC PAGE 12
Happy Birthday: Simplify, eliminate what you don’t need, adjust your budget to fit your lifestyle, and take advantage of Institutional or government offers that can improve your living or work conditions. Don’t wait for things to come your way; infuse your life with new possibilities and opportunities and distance yourself from those causing discord and confusion. Change comes with choice and acting on your behalf. Trust your instincts and make things happen. Your numbers are 4, 17, 22, 27, 32, 38, 41.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Ask questions, travel about, see the sites, and discover what’s happening in your neighborhood. Being inquisitive will lead to unexpected opportunities and a chance to develop your skills to use them in new and exciting ways. Explore the possibilities and turn your talents into something sustainable.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Explore how you feel about the people around you and the relationships you are building. Subject yourself to events that interest you, see who you encounter, and learn from the experience. Funnel your energy into growth, learning, and discovering what makes you happy.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Overspending or to impress someone will fall short of your expectations. Use your ingenuity and intelligence if you want to acquire someone’s attention. Don’t let emotions interfere with the choices you make. Be true to yourself and stick to your budget.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Can you keep a secret? Gossip may intrigue you, but passing along information can damage someone’s reputation and your own. Invest more time in developing your skills, personal growth, and self-improvement; the results will make others envious. Choose how you want others to perceive before sharing information.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Reach out, join forces with like-minded people and make a difference. Stop complaining or criticizing and start doing something that results in positive change. Be part of the solution, not the problem at home, work, or within your community. Speak from the heart and protect your reputation.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Leave yourself some wiggle room. Self-improvement doesn’t have to cost you. Scour the internet for information that can help you get ahead or revise your portfolio or resume to greater interest in what you can offer. Don’t sell yourself short; make others aware of your skills and attributes.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Be open to suggestions, but research whatever you want to pursue thoroughly, especially if it concerns your health or finances. Someone will mislead you if you believe everything you hear. Reliable sources and fact-checking will prove to be valuable. Go the distance and stick to the rules.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Pay more attention to the reactions of others. Don’t feel you have to participate in something that doesn’t feel right. Keep your money and possessions safe and personal information to yourself. Focus on creativity and using your skills uniquely and fortuitously. Trust your instincts.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Slow down; only make snap decisions or sign up for something if you know what you are getting. You may crave change, but the wrong move makes you anxious and vulnerable. Pay attention to what you have to offer, how you feel, and what you want.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Make positive changes to your diet and lifestyle to counter poor health and stress. Discipline and routine are encouraged, along with letting go of toxic connections and pastimes that lead to temptation and poor habits. Life adjustments geared toward looking and feeling your best are favored.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Participation is the name of the game. Don’t sit down or take a pass when your dance card should be overflowing. Movement, research, and getting those close to you to join in will help you maintain the lifestyle of choice. Do what’s best for you. Don’t let your emotions lead you astray.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Rethink your current situation and who influences your life. Consider paying less attention to what others are doing and more to what helps you establish and maintain the lifestyle that leads to happiness, longevity, and peace of mind. Don’t give in to temptation.
Birthday Baby: You are sensitive, intelligent, and complex. You are helpful and kind.
The Congregation of Holy Cross, U.S. Province announces the profession of Final Vows of
Mr. Noah Junge, C.S.C.
Mr. Ricky Bevington, C.S.C.
Mr. David Murray, C.S.C.
Mr. Aaron Morris, C.S.C.
Br. Bobby McFadden, C.S.C.
ND FOOTBALL
Reidy: Ranking Notre Dame’s 2024 opponents from easiest to hardest
By TYLER REIDY Sports Editor
No. 12 — Navy (Oct. 26)
Back in the mid-2010s, Notre Dame fans had legitimate reasons for apprehension about a matchup with Navy. The Midshipmen consistently hung tight with the Irish, and contests like the 2017 game suggested that the former could completely control the flow of play via the triple option.
But since 2018, the Irish have beaten Navy by three touchdowns or more in four of five meetings. In last year’s 42-3 victory in Dublin, Notre Dame’s stout defense overwhelmed Navy’s rushing attack. With the core of that unit back for the Irish, expect a similar result in the Meadowlands.
No. 11 — Northern Illinois (Sept. 7)
I rank this game with respect for Notre Dame’s 2022 home opener. That year’s Irish came home from a physical, Week One loss at Ohio State and proceeded to lose to Marshall. This game sets up similarly, coming on the heels of what projects as a grueling season-opener at Texas A&M.
But let’s be real. Northern Illinois barely cleared .500 both overall and in the Mid-American Conference last year. Beyond 1,000yard running back Antario Brown, the Huskies provide very little to write home about. Notre Dame, a 56-3 winner in last year’s home opener against Tennessee State, should take care of business here — regardless of what happens at College Station.
No. 10 — Army (Nov. 23)
This game should offer a wonderful opportunity for Irish fans — ideally with their eyes on the College Football Playoff — to relax. Whether you’re a fan of the Shamrock Series or not, it’s impossible to deny the significance of Notre Dame and Army at Yankee Stadium. The two met 100 years ago at the Old Yankee Stadium, where Knute Rockne and the Four Horsemen scored a 13-7 win.
To solidify the ranking, remember that the Irish are 11-0 in Shamrock Series games. While they haven’t all been glamorous victories, Notre Dame has found itself on top year after year. Despite the efforts of Jeff Monken’s respectable Army program, the Irish should have no trouble in The Bronx.
No. 9 — Virginia (Nov. 23)
Another part of Notre Dame’s month-long stretch without a true road tilt, the Virginia game falls on
Senior Day. The Irish have won seven consecutive Senior Day games. They have steamrolled Boston College and Wake Forest — Senior Day opponents of similar stature to Virginia — during Marcus Freeman’s tenure.
At this point, the Irish will also have just played a rivalry home game against Florida State. Either they’ll be in a late-season groove after a big win or agitated and ready to punish somebody. Virginia, a middling program with a young quarterback and offensive line, isn’t in a position to offer too much pushback.
No. 8 — Stanford (Oct. 12)
Like Northern Illinois, the thought of a mid-October home date with Stanford provokes unwanted flashbacks to 2022’s Cardinal upset. But it’s an entirely different ball game this year. First, Notre Dame will host Stanford in the afternoon for the first time since 2014. Additionally, the Cardinal have a different head coach in Troy Taylor, who went 3-9 in his first year.
Once the Irish extinguished their turnover woes in Palo Alto a year ago, they annihilated Stanford behind Audric Estimé. While they may not boast a 200-yard rusher, they’ll be coming off two straight home games and a bye week. At full strength or close to it, Notre Dame should have their way.
No. 7 — Miami OH (Sept. 21)
Not one, but two MAC opponents get a shot at the Irish in 2024. The Redhawks check in as easily the more formidable of the pair, coming off a 10-3 season that brought home a conference championship. And with sixth-year quarterback Brett Gabbert returning alongside two 100-tackle linebackers, they won’t roll over in front of a big crowd.
The simplest comparison for this matchup is Notre Dame’s 2023 clash with Central Michigan. Another upshot MAC program slotted in as the fourth Irish opponent and held up fairly well. If you recall, Notre Dame won the game by a 41-17 score, but the game’s comfort level never felt indicative of said final count. In a similar sense here, Miami won’t let the Irish off the hook easily.
No. 6 — at Purdue (Sept. 14)
More than anything else, optics drive the upper-half ranking of this Shillelagh Trophy battle. Seeing the Irish come to town for the first time in over a decade, Boilermaker fans will likely create the second-toughest road environment for Notre Dame this season. Purdue also
has a history of upsetting top-five teams, a designation that might belong to the Irish with a 2-0 start.
But those upsets of a few years back came under a different head coach, Jeff Brohm, and by the work of better teams.
This rebuilding Purdue squad was 4-8 a year ago in Ryan Walters’ first head coaching season. The Irish could have some struggles in West Lafayette, but their talent advantage sizable.
No. 5 — Florida State (Nov. 9)
Before you ask — yes, I did switch Florida State and Georgia Tech’s rankings after watching the Aer Lingus Classic. Make no mistake, this is a talented Seminole team. One that restocked plenty of talent after losing big at the end of 2023. However, now that Florida State is 0-1, there is a very real possibility that it arrives in South Bend out of playoff contention with multiple losses. It’s hard to imagine the Seminoles won’t lose another game with Clemson and Miami (FL) waiting in October.
Keep in mind also that Notre Dame hasn’t lost a November home game since 2016. Furthermore, the Irish benefit from a bye week preceding the Florida State game. If the Seminoles don’t have CFP urgency on their side come November, they become significantly easier to handle.
No. 4 — at Georgia Tech (Oct. 19)
Though it will still take place in the heart of Atlanta, the Georgia Tech game won’t look like a true road test. Expect Irish fans to make their presence felt in Notre Dame’s first trip to the Atlanta Falcons’ new home. Georgia Tech, however, now appears much stronger after taking Florida State’s heralded defensive line and carving right through it. Their rushing attack of quarterback Haynes King and running back Jamal Haynes promises to challenge the Irish.
Notre Dame’s chance to overcome said threat rests on the other side of the ball. Georgia Tech allowed 29.5 points per game last year. In comparison, the Irish surrendered only 15.9 per contest. If the Irish can set an offensive tone early — and conquer the pangs of midterm week, which they certainly did a year ago against USC — they’ll snuff out this trap game.
No. 3 — Louisville (Sept. 28)
Here it is: the toughest Notre Dame home game of the season. The Cardinals slammed the Irish and their playoff dreams last October, so they cannot be taken lightly — even in South Bend. Jeff
Brohm’s team faces a tougher schedule this year but still owns a roster good enough to pull major upsets.
Also, for whatever reason, the modern Irish have never matched up well with Louisville. The 2014 team fell to the Cardinals at home, the 2020 squad won an ugly, ugly matchup and the 2023 group was picked apart in the Derby City. The Irish defense must live up to its billing and do what it couldn’t last year — outplay Louisville’s defense.
No. 2 — at USC (Nov. 30)
Over three months stand between us and the fight for the Jeweled Shillelagh, but it’s hard not to dream on the game’s potential stakes. Never before have Notre Dame and USC met with playoff position immediately on the line. Barring the results of USC’s challenging Big Ten slate, that could very well be in play.
On paper, you would always expect Notre Dame to capitalize on the Trojans by punishing their defense. Lincoln Riley’s defenses have never performed well, and USC’s certainly stunk last year. But Notre Dame’s ability to generate pressure and turnovers against USC’s offense actually set up 2023’s lopsided Irish win.
And, believe it or not, when Notre Dame needed a win in Los Angeles to reach the postseason promised land in 2012 and 2018, it got there on the backs of its defense.
No. 1 — at Texas A&M (Aug. 31)
For the third time in four years, I believe Notre Dame’s toughest game is its opener. And for the second time in three years, there is no way to argue against that claim. As loud as you might think Kyle Field will sound come Saturday night, trust me — it will be louder. Throw in an appearance from College Gameday on Saturday morning, and the hype funneling into College Station rises off the charts.
Of course, what makes this opener an extremely difficult one is Notre Dame’s offensive uncertainty. Can an offensive line combination with six combined starts survive?
Will the often-inured Riley Leonard effectively quarterback the Irish in his team debut? Notre Dame will remain in the game because of its defense, but there’s no guarantee that’ll be enough to win.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
FROM PAGE 9
defenders, namely Waniya Hudson and Caroline Gray, moved on from the program last year.
That leaves sophomore Clare Logan as the top option, but another fork in the road appears with her name. Logan, freshman forward Annabelle Chukwu and junior winger Leah Klenke — arguably the team’s top weapon — will spend the next three to four weeks at the U20 World Cup in Colombia. Replacing the trio of regulars won’t come easy, but Sunday — the first game without them — served as an excellent start.
“When we lose three of our top 13 or 14 contributors that are very influential on our team, you’re not really sure how people are gonna respond,” Norman said. “But people stepped up in different roles and different moments, and I was thrilled with it.”
The U20 World Cup departures may also provide an opportunity for the Irish goalkeeping room to step up. So far, Norman has deployed two netminders — sophomore Atlee Olofson and freshman Sonoma Kasica. The latter made the opening night start against top15 foe Michigan State on Aug. 15, a 2-1 loss for the Irish. Olofson has made the most recent two starts, pitching a pair of shutouts in Notre Dame victories. Of the team’s four options at keeper, Olofson possesses the most mileage in a Notre Dame uniform, dating back to her 12 freshman starts from a year ago.
The Irish, who garnered a third-place projection in the ACC preseason poll, face a schedule that features four more opponents who entered the season nationally ranked. The heart of the challenge lies in October’s final dozen days. During that stretch, Notre Dame will host preseason No. 2 Stanford (Oct. 20), No. 21 Virginia Tech (Oct. 27) and No. 7 Pittsburgh (Oct. 31).
For now, their non-conference slate continues with a two-game, regional road trip to Michigan and Butler. Notre Dame will take on the Wolverines in Ann Arbor on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m.
