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Volume 51, Issue 102 | thursday, march 9, 2017 | ndsmcobserver.com
Miss Cavanaugh crowned Miss ND 2017 Students from each female dorm compete in mock pageant as part of O’Neill Hall signature event By TOM NAATZ News Writer
Senior Brittany Dymm of Cavanaugh Hall was crowned Miss ND 2017 at O’Neill Hall’s signature event Wednesday. Throughout the event, one representative from every female dorm on campus showcased a talent, and three finalists participated in a question and answer session in front of a panel of four judges and other members of the Notre Dame community in Washington Hall. Sophomore Nick Martinez, the event’s organizer, said all of the contests were selected on a volunteer basis by the hall governments of each respective female dorm.
“I’m really grateful for everyone in O’Neill and all of the participants,” he said. “We’re super excited, because this year we did pre-sale tickets in LaFun, which we didn’t do last year. The pre-sale tickets [surpassed] all of last year’s ticket sales.” According to Martinez, the judges for the event were also selected on a volunteer basis, but event organizers tried to get “campus celebrities” as judges. The final panel was made up of South Hall Dining monitor Pam Hardy Jobin, Miss South Bend 2016 — and a member of the class of 2014 — Gina Klingel, sophomore O’Neill resident and defensive lineman Jerry Tillery see MISS ND PAGE 3
MICHAEL YU | The Observer
Senior Brittany Dymm replaces her Miss Cavanaugh sash with a Miss ND sash after she was crowned Miss ND 2017 on Wednesday. A panel of judges declared Dymm the winner after two rounds of competition.
Undocumented immigrant College starts ‘Like addresses diversity a Belle’ campaign Jose Antonio Vargas spoke at Saint Mary’s on Wednesday about his experiences as an undocumented immigrant and the work he has done as a journalist and with his organization, Define American, to discuss immigration and diversity. His presentation was the final part of the Diverse Students Leadership Conference presented by the Student Diversity Club at Saint Mary’s. Vargas said he was brought to the United States when he was 12 years old to live with his grandparents, leaving behind his immediate family. He said that he didn’t know he was undocumented until he was 16, and at that time he saw it as a burden and as a form of isolation he had to overcome. “I internalized being on the outside — my existence was a problem to be solved,” Vargas said. “I tried to face everything that I am.” Vargas said he wanted to become a journalist because — although he didn’t have legal citizenship papers — his name could be printed in the
news PAGE 2
CEO, Define American
News Writer
newspaper, next to the stories he wrote. He said he has consistently gone against the advice he has been given about being so public regarding his undocumented status. “Twenty seven lawyers gave me a choice: ‘Do you want to selfdeport? Or do you want to wait be deported?’ I went against the advice of 27 lawyers,” he said. Vargas said a huge issue surrounding the topic of immigration is rooted in the language people use to refer to undocu-
Jose Antonio Vargas
By SYDNEY DOYLE
mented immigrants. “I am a person — I am not illegal. I, as a person, can’t be illegal,” he said. He said another issue arises from the assumption that all undocumented immigrants come from a single place, while, in reality, they come from all around the world.
ScenE PAGE 5
“Forty percent of the undocumented people here have overstayed their visas,” he said. “That’s almost half who didn’t come from the border of Mexico.” Another issue stems from the citizens of the United States implicitly approving of undocumented immigrants when it is economically convenient for themselves. “We are country addicted to cheap labor,” Vargas said. “So long as we have what we need, it’s a border, it’s a wall.” One way Vargas has tried to combat the stigma surrounding undocumented immigrants is through his effort of questioning everyone, regardless of ethnicity or race, what their heritage is. Vargas said he wants everyone to understand that their ancestors moved to America for a better life and that this same reason drives immigration today, as well. “Why do people move? Do you know your own history? When Europeans or Americans move and expand, it’s courageous, it’s necessary. When Latinos move, it’s illegal — it’s a crime,” he said. Vargas has been told at various see VARGAS PAGE 3
viewpoint PAGE 6
By GABY JANSEN News Writer
In an effort to combat bullying, Saint Mary’s Justice Student Advisory Committee has introduced the hashtag #LikeaBelle to be used on social media in order to promote inclusivity on campus. Students discussed the social media campaign during a panel on bullying on campus that was held during the second day of the College’s Diverse Student Leadership Conference. Junior Morgan Matthews said the movement started as a response to incidences of bullying that occurred within the freshman class before the school year had even begun. “There was a lot of just bullying, whether it be from person to person, or lying or from text, and it really started progressing into [other] classes,” Matthews said. “So we really wanted to fight this from the inside out — we wanted to promote diversity among the Belles.” The campaign is aimed at demonstrating that there is no one way to be a Belle, Matthews said. “What our #LikeaBelle
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campaign is really trying to promote is how a Saint Mary’s Belle isn’t a one kind of person,” she said. “It has the whole spectrum of who you are as an individual.” Senior Caylin McCallick said the hashtag was made for everyday use for students on social media. “My vision for this was someone posting a status like, ‘On my way to a meeting, just took an exam, going to study later #LikeaBelle,’” she said. The group is making threeminute videos — that are posted to their Facebook page — of interviews with students about what they like about the College, Matthews said. The videos are published every two weeks, she said. “What we want to gain from this is inclusivity,” Matthews said. Matthews said the group has seven videos made with students with different aspects of the college. “They showcase different groups of Belles,” Matthews said. McCallick said they would see CAMPAIGN PAGE 3
hockey PAGE 12
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TODAY
The observer | THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2017 | ndsmcobserver.com
Question of the Day: ndsmcobserver.com
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Which Disney princess do you most identify with?
P.O. Box 779, Notre Dame, IN 46556 024 South Dining Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556 Editor-in-Chief Ben Padanilam Managing Editor Kayla Mullen
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Alex Drennan
Juan Fernandez
senior Sorin College
sophomore Sorin College
“Maid Morton from ‘Robin Hood,’ the animal version.”
“Ariel.”
Tom Bruno
Mark Hancher
senior Sorin College
sophomore Dillon Hall
“Belle.”
“Jasmine.”
James Argue
Ryan Gerstemeier
senior Sorin College
sophomore Stanford Hall
“Rapunzel.”
“Belle.”
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Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
“The Durability of Revolutionary Regimes” Hesburgh Center for International Studies 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Digital Scholarship Workshop Hesburgh Library 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. Discussing Geographic Information Systems.
Mid-term Break Begins Campus-wide All academic classes will resume Monday, March 20.
Hockey East Playoff vs. Providence Compton Ice Arena 7:05 p.m. ND will only play if Game 3 is needed.
Multiple Reformations and the Authority and Interpretation of Scripture Conference McKenna Hall 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Symposium Honoring Historian McKenna Hall 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Marking the retirement of Thomas Kselman.
Hockey East Playoff vs. Providence Compton Family Ice Arena 7:35 p.m. Irish take on Friars.
Film: “20th Century Women” Browning Cinema, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center 7 p.m.
Vespers Basilica of the Sacred Heart 7:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. All are welcome to join for evening prayer.
Mid-term Break Continues Campus-wide The Observer wishes all its readers a fun and safe break.
Student Senate
Group votes on annual awards By MARIE FAZIO News Writer
Notre Dame student senate convened Wednesday evening to vote on two resolutions, as well as voting on the nominees for the Frank O’Malley Teaching Award, the Irish Clover Award and the Michael J. Palumbo Award. Additionally, senate approved nominations for Student Union Board (SUB) executive director and Judicial Council president. Senate began with an informal discussion with representatives from Notre Dame’s office of General Counsel, Brian Guarraci and Matt Lahey, both Notre Dame graduates. The Notre Dame General Counsel office is comprised of only eight law yers, according to Guarraci. The office is split into three groups — employment, litigation and student affairs, and research and marshal property — each of which deals with different issues at the university, Guarraci said. One of the toughest concerns the office deals with are related to Title IX, Lahey said.
“I would encourage all of you to be as involved as you can. Prevention is obviously the key,” Lahey said. “Notre Dame is on the forefront of efforts across the country amongst colleges and universities.” Following the discussion, quorum was established, and senate discussed and approved several resolutions. Resolution SS1617-31 amended the Student Union Constitution by adding a subsection stating that if a member of the Hall of the Year Board is unable to attend one presentation by a dorm, he or she will be unable to evaluate any hall presentations. In the event of a tie for Hall of the Year, the Hall Presidents Council cochairs will decide the winner. Resolution SS1617-32 amended the Student Union Constitution to establish the department of constitutional procedure. The Parliamentarian will act as the director of the department of constitutional procedure ex-officio. Senate voted on the 20 nominees for the Frank O’Malley Teaching Awards, ultimately choosing Dr.
Peter Bui, an assistant professional specialist in computer science and engineering, as the winner of the award. Additionally, senate voted on nominees for the Irish Clover Award, an award given to two Notre Dame students who have demonstrated exemplary service to the Notre Dame Student Union. Senior Louis Bertolotti, current SUB executive director, and senior Jessica Pedroza, co-president of the 1st Generation Club, won the award. Student Union Ethics Commission nominated senior Caitlin Geary for the Michael J. Palumbo Award, given to a student who has shown dedication in his or her service to the Student Union. Senate unanimously approved the nomination. Additionally, senate unanimously approved the nomination for SUB executive director, junior Jackson Herrfeldt, and the nomination for Judicial Council president, junior Matt Ross. Contact Marie Fazio at mfazio@nd.edu
News
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Miss ND Continued from page 1
and senior Joe Cabrera, Mr. ND 2016 and another O’Neill resident. “It is so much fun,” Jobin said. “The girls are talented and bubbly. Their personalities are wonderful. I’ll be judging on personality — I’m a big personality person. It is such a worthy cause for the homeless shelter. They do such a good job. The boys put a lot of effort into it.” Although most talents involved either singing or dancing, junior Annie Batcheller — the first Miss Flaherty — walked the audience through the evolution of her Snapchats, while sophomore Abby Whalen — this year’s Miss Farley — played “My Heart Will Go On” on the recorder and sophomore Veronica Wegner — Miss Welsh Family — rolled around the stage in Wheelie shoes before chugging water out of a jug via a feeding tube. Contestants also found ways to put unique spins on various singing acts. Eventual winner Dymm played a ukulele and sang while hula hooping, and sophomore Madeline Petrovich, Miss McGlinn, sang a song listing all the books of the Bible, while other variations included dancing and lip synching. After all of the contestants
Vargas Continued from page 1
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times in his life that he does not belong here, and he said he was confused as to exactly what that meant, as individuals cannot choose what country they are born into. “What did you do to deserve to be here? What are we all doing to deserve to be here? Citizenship
Campaign Continued from page 1
like to reach out to local schools about combating bullying. “We decided that would be best played out if we did assemblies at local schools to promote anti-bullying in their environments, as well,” McCallick said. Matthews said that teaching the local students about bullying will help the students in the future. “It really makes a difference when you get older,” Matthews said. Junior Alex Shambery said the campaign is also aimed at showing non-students the diversity and inclusiveness of the campus, as well. “We’re just hoping to get the word out about how diverse our campus is and how loving we are of one another,” Shamberry said. “It’s really just showing support for other students and showing other students that we are a very inclusive and a very loving community.” McCallick said that the group knows that not all students have the same experience at
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had presented their talents, the judges deliberated while the audience watched humorous videos filmed and acted out by residents of O’Neill Hall, including a parody of “The Bachelor,” “Rudy” and the “Mean Tweets” segment from “Jimmy Kimmel Live” — in which all tweets were jokingly said to originate from O’Neill rector Christopher Rehagen and were written in the style of a tweet from President Donald Trump. Aside from Dymm, the final round of the event featured sophomore Maggie West as Miss Pasquerilla East, and junior Katie Surine as Miss Lewis. The three took turns answering humorous questions from the master of ceremonies, junior O’Neill resident Matthew Yoder, before the judges made their decision and Dymm was crowned Miss ND. The Cavanaugh senior said the idea for her act has been with her for a while, and noted the significance of the event taking place on International Women’s Day. “I’ve had the hula idea since sophomore year,” she said. “… In honor of International Women’s Day, I’m glad that that this event involves women showcasing their talents, not making them showboat around in weird outfits.” Contact Tom Naatz at tnaatz@nd.edu
means knowing the world doesn’t revolve around you,” he said. According to Vargas, an important action American citizens can take to combat this issue is to care about others, and to try to see life through the eyes of another. “I ask, in all the ways that we can, we show up for each other,” he said. Contact Sydney Doyle at sdoyle01@saintmarys.edu
Saint Mary’s, but should feel welcome. “Not everyone’s Saint Mary’s experience is going to be the same and we know that,” McCallick said. “Not everyone is going to have the typical Saint Mary’s sisterhood feeling and that’s okay if you’re not experiencing that; then we want to help you find somewhere that you feel comfortable on this campus.” McCallick said that the campus was not prepared for the bullying to happen, but they can now handle this problem with inclusion. “It’s unfortunate that this year when we have an amazingly diverse freshmen class ... we weren’t prepared to help meet the needs of that class to make sure they transitioned well,” McCallick said. “But we can do it now.” Shambery said the next freshmen class should watch the videos before they come to campus. “I think it’s a very good idea to get to them before they settle in,” Shambery said. Contact Gaby Jansen at gjanse01@saintmarys.edu
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The observer | Thursday, March 9, 2017 | ndsmcobserver.com
By OWEN LANE Scene Writer
The dating scene is a tired subject. Countless television shows have attempted to perfectly capture the multiheaded beast that is finding love. The central concept behind Simon Rich’s “Man Seeking Woman” is disarmingly simple. The show transforms our relationships’ incidental anxiety, conflict and heartbreak into the melodramatic film and television tropes that we know all too well. The surreal conceit of the show is clever and fitting, especially considering the sheer volume of middling and predictable content that arrives on streaming services every month. “Man Seeking Woman” reminds us that venturing out into the world in an attempt to find a person to whom you will expose your most raw and intimate moments often feels like an absurd endeavor. “Man Seeking Woman” is incredibly comfortable in its surrealism. It is not like “Scrubs,” which is a realistic show that occasionally dipped into the surreal for inventive comedic material. “Man Seeking Woman” places its viewers in an even balance between the mundanely familiar and the cinematically familiar. The show’s main character Josh (Jay Baruchel) could be talking with his friend Mike (played by the hilarious Eric André) on the phone about how his new girlfriend is obsessed with cleaning his filthy apartment, only to unlock his door
and discover her dissolving all of his beloved possessions in a yellow vat of acid a la “Breaking Bad.” Season three has gone in a fairly unexpected direction for this show. Josh seemed hopeless after a run of fruitless relationships last season. The season began with a clever introduction of the new love interest, Lucy (Katie Findlay), in a surreal sequence that mirrored Josh’s dejection in an episode from the previous season. Amazingly, Josh and Lucy’s relationship is an immediate success. Suddenly, “Man Seeking Woman” has moved from being a show about dating to being a show about actual love. Vicariously, the fights between Josh and Lucy cut deeper and their moments of romantic triumph are even more rewarding. Despite significant changes in its dynamic, this show’s best attribute is still its incredible ability to pivot while lampooning tropes. “Man Seeking Woman” is the scripted comedy equivalent of a car chase scene. An episode about revealing your significant other’s embarrassing secrets to their friend shifts from spoofing the Chilean mining accident disaster film, to lampooning the Edward Snowden leaks, and ends at a medieval gallows. The show brilliantly parodies “Where the Wild Things Are” in episode about Lucy’s struggle with leaning on her parents for financial support. The show shifts from the contemporary lives of Chicago twenty-somethings to outlandish referential parody several times each episode, yet does it
so tactfully that the next turn is never predictable. One of the show’s finest progressions in its run has been its willingness to experiment with the role of the main character. Baruchel was squarely the star of the first season, with some hilarious accompaniment from André. In the show’s second season, the writers produced a handful of episodes from the perspectives of female characters. Britt Lower does a tremendous job as Josh’s grounded lawyer sister, Liz. The risk of basing an episode around the straight-laced female character on a show called “Man Seeking Woman” certainly paid off, even if the episode was about having an affair with Santa Claus. Season three has doubled down on the efforts to include female perspective in the show, with the season’s episodes split between the perspectives of Josh and Lucy. In its best moments, “Man Seeking Woman” manages to be about love and so much more. Often, the show is concerned with the terrifying prospect of growing up and having a relatively conventional life. Spoken or unspoken, the age of 30 looms large to these characters. The previous three episodes have dealt with Josh and Lucy’s engagement and their family and friends’ reactions. The characters’ marriage brings up interesting questions about the future of the show, but for now just enjoy what will surely be a hilarious, impressive season finale. Contact Owen Lane at olane@nd.edu
CRISTINA INTERIANO | The Observer
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CRISTINA INTERIANO | The Observer
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The observer | thursday, march 9, 2017 | ndsmcobserver.com
Inside Column
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Showcasing the positive Finding writing unexpectedly impact of Catholic education Alex Carson Assistant Managing Editor
In many ways, I’m not all that much different as a 21-year-old than I was as a 13-year-old. Like I did then, I still obsessively follow sports, still enjoy a good math problem and will all too often draw stuff on graph paper in class, just as I did eight years ago. Hell, my friends and I have gotten on a “Rock Band 2” kick over the last couple weeks, which means I’ve been rediscovering some of those angsty playlists that featured Paramore or Panic! At The Disco. If that isn’t drawing too tight of a similarity to my middle school self, I don’t know what is. Now, of course, I’ve changed in many ways. W hat you’re reading right now is evidence of that. Hate might be too strong a word, but as a 13-yearold, I absolutely despised writing. In-class prompt? Not my scene. Four- or five-page paper? Please, any other assignment. So when I went to my future high school in the spring of 2009 to register for my first semester of high school classes, I wasn’t really that pleased at my mom’s suggestion — or, more accurately, insistence — that I take a creative writing course that fall. At the start of that semester, I was reluctant at best to put much effort into the class. Now-14-yearold me still thought I was going to work for NASA one day, and given that, why would I want to become a better writer? Related: this column is the last time my name will appear above the title “Assistant Managing Editor” in an Observer byline. As a kid, I enjoyed reading the sportswriting in the Indianapolis Star, but the idea of writing it would’ve always been too far-fetched for someone who never put the time or effort into developing his writing. Ten high school English credits, two years on the yearbook staff and an acceptance to Notre Dame later, I found myself attending a Sports department information session in the basement of South Dining Hall. Since, I’ve had a byline in this paper most every week, and for the past three years, I’ve spent at least a few hours in our office working on the next day’s paper nearly each week, sticking around due to the unique combination of office camaraderie and getting to cover Notre Dame athletics. The English department at University High School (yeah, we know it’s a weird name) fashions itself as the greatest in the world — or something like that — and truly, I can’t argue it. My high school teachers took a kid who not only couldn’t write well, but didn’t have a keen interest in getting better, and turned him into someone who’d spend four years of college wasting away more time at a newspaper than he spent on homework. To those English teachers, and the rest of the faculty, at University, the greatest place in the world: thank you. You kickstarted me on the path from a kid who hated writing to one who nitpicks hyphen placement and cringe’s every time Ariana Grande’s “Problem” comes on the radio because she sings she has “one less problem,” not “one fewer problem.” But I won’t hold that complaint against you. The Observer’s to blame for that. Contact Alex Carson at acarson1@nd.edu The views expressed in the Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
President Donald Trump, Secretar y of Education Betsy DeVos, Sen. Marco Rubio and Florida Gov. Rick Scott visited St. Andrew Catholic School in the Diocese of Orlando on Friday, seeing firsthand the role that Catholic education can play in building strong communities. St. Andrew is one of 14 Notre Dame ACE Academies, which are unique partnerships between the A lliance for Catholic Education (ACE) and dioceses that are dedicated to providing a Catholic education of the highest quality to as many children as possible in under-served communities. The President visited two classrooms, observing posters that shared Notre Dame ACE Academies’ core values — seek, persist, excel, love and serve — printed in three languages: English, Spanish and Creole, the native language of many St. Andrew families. We are acutely aware that the current political climate is among the most polarized in American histor y. These divisions have real implications for our relationships in the St. Andrew community. We’ve also been having conversations with teachers and leaders about these dynamics and about our role as ministers of the Gospel who are called to put our light on a lamp stand, so that all the world might see it shine from St. Andrew. In the classrooms and in the following roundtable discussion, the President met the children that Catholic schools have historically served — sometimes on the margins, frequently immigrants and always with respect and dignity. He heard several testimonials from the children of immigrants or immigrants themselves, each sharing a journey toward opportunity and the critical role education plays in that journey.
One student told the President about his desire to validate his mother, a Haitian immigrant who tried to attain the American dream by giving her son a better life. A teacher from St. Andrew told the President that being the child of Haitian immigrants helped her relate to and serve the families at the school. We believe that ever y family has the right to choose the best school for their child. Families who choose to send their children to St. Andrew do so because they share our goals of college and heaven. They believe that we are constant learners who can always improve, that God is at the center of all relationships, that teamwork leads us to our goals and that we serve God by serving others. Because of the parental choice program in Florida, this school will continue to empower families, form faithful citizens, build up the Pine Hills community and provide children with educational opportunities. The St. Andrew community also is inspired by their patron, St. Andrew, who was first called by Christ to “come and see” with his brother Peter. The people of St. Andrew see themselves as a “come and see” community, and in this presidential visit, they had an opportunity to invite the world to come and see the extraordinar y things that are possible when children are on the path to college and heaven. We are proud to partner with them and will do whatever it takes to help them shine their light for all to see. Theo Helm director of communications Alliance for Catholic Education/Institute for Educational Initiatives March 8
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Thoughts on Commencement Andrew Poirier BridgeND
We live in a divided age, a divided world and a much divided country. The United States has perhaps not been this polarized since the Civil War. Not since those bloody five years were the American people so divided on an issue that they vehemently rejected the results of the presidential election, denied that he who was elected was “their President,” and resorted to widespread violence and bloodshed in an effort to be “free.” Fortunately, we are not yet at the same degree of conflict, but we may be more divided than at any time since. For 150 years afterwards, people have argued, they have disagreed and they have protested. In the end, however, they respected the rule of law, and they respected the office of President, even if they disliked the one who occupied it. These days seem long forgotten. The issues have certainly changed in 150 years, but the conflict cuts almost as deep for both sides. In the wake of perhaps the most controversial election in American history, we have an attitude of “it’s my way or the highway.” We have forgotten that this nation was built on compromise and cooperation. We have forgotten how to “love our enemies,” and respect them enough to work together. We can no longer even listen the voices of those who disagree, for they are loathsome to us, and it is this mentality that is causing so many people to vehemently oppose Mike Pence coming to speak at Commencement this May. They see him as the enemy, and think that the invitation means that the University supports all of his political opinions, including those seen as hateful and anti-Catholic. Have we forgotten that we faced the same issue — though perhaps on a smaller scale — eight years ago? Those who protested Barack Obama speaking at Commencement now support Mike Pence being
invited (or else wish that Donald Trump was invited), and those who supported Obama now protest Pence. The truth is, however, that both had opinions that were contrary to Catholic teaching, but they were invited out of respect for their offices. When I heard about the divide eight years ago, I supported the University’s decision to invite President Obama to speak. I may not have agreed with him, but I respected the office of President, and in the end, that is what the point of the invitation was. The University stood on the principle of inviting the President, no matter who it was, and no matter what policies they supported. If I were graduating this year and Hillary Clinton had been elected in November, I would have gone to graduation and listened to her speak, even though I disagree with her politically. In the end, the invitation is about respect for the presidency and the government, and about allowing the speaker to offer knowledge and advice to the graduates. It is not about any of their political opinions, which most likely will not be mentioned in their speeches. And even if they are, if we cannot even listen to an opinion contrary to our own, are we not being as intolerant as we accuse “the enemy” of being? We may never know for certain whether the University did not invite President Trump, or they invited him and he declined. If he wasn’t invited, I am mildly disappointed that the University did not stand on principle, but I understand why. Donald Trump has proven a very polarizing figure in our country, and his presence would have taken focus away from the graduating class; the focus of Commencement should always be on the graduates. I myself have disagreed with many of his recent decisions. I think that Pence is a good compromise, and the fact that he is a practicing Christian and a native of Indiana makes him an even better choice. To those who still disagree with the decision to invite him, I ask you not to focus on what “hurtful” things he has said and focus on the fact that you have the privilege
to hear the Vice President of the United States speak at your graduation. Take this as an opportunity to hear a different perspective, and to gain new understanding. If you still disagree with what he says, that is okay, as long as you gave him chance. Many of you may disagree with everything I have just said, and some of you may even want to write a counterpoint. That is your right, and I do not begrudge you of it. But before you do, think about the issue. Look beyond the surface, the rhetoric and the divide. Try to see every side, and try to understand where I, the University and other supportive students are coming from. If you can do this, then by all means, write a counterpoint, or argue with me in person. That is the first step in healing the political divide — we must engage in discussion and civil discourse, and we must listen to our opponents, rather than avoiding them and branding them as “the enemy.” I am a little disappointed that I am not graduating the year after an election. For those who are, you have an opportunity to hear one of the leaders of our country speak to you. I hope that you will take it. Whether you disagree with the speaker on everything or agree with them wholeheartedly, you have an opportunity to see beyond the filters of media and make a judgement based on your own ears and eyes. In the end, new opportunity is what makes graduation so special. Andrew Poirier is a junior, double-majoring in mechanical engineering and theatre. He is a native of Evans, Georgia, and a resident of Siegfried Hall. In addition to occasionally debating politics, he enjoys reading, building Legos, FTT sets and robots, and doing his best to finish homework in time to get decent sleep. This viewpoint represents the views of the author and not necessarily those of BridgeND. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Answer the call Erin Thomassan The Examined Life
I did not go to last weekend’s SUB movie “Moana” expecting to see a cartoon musical about what it means to be a saint. From the very beginning of the film, however, it was clear that “Moana” is not just a coming-of-age female empowerment tale with a few catchy songs. It is the portrayal of a saint, Moana, answering the call to return the power of life to its rightful divine owner, despite a lamentable lack of practical preparedness. It is also the story of how Moana, after accepting this call, is aided by supernatural powers of the Ocean to achieve her mission. Though Disney may not have intended the Christian themes permeating the film, the theological connection cannot be denied. Moana is chosen by the ocean at a young age to embark upon a mission to save her island and people. “See the line where the sky meets the sea? It calls me,” she sings in the movie’s main theme, “How Far I’ll Go.” As the angel Gabriel asks Mary to deliver Christ into the world, Moana’s grandmother, the Ocean’s messenger, asks her to deliver the demi-god Maui to Tahini. As Mary responds to God’s call with the Magnificat, Moana responds to the Ocean’s call by leaping into a boat and venturing out beyond the reef, a physical manifestation of her assent. As the movie continues, it becomes clear that Moana’s mission also has a theological center. Maui, a demi-god attempting to prove his own heroic character, stole the heart of Tahini to give humans power over creation and “life itself.” Yet when humans instead of Tahini usurp this power, flora and fauna on and around the island begin to die. Moana has been called to return the heart to the god of creation. This plot line parallels the story of how humans, in their desire to be like God, took the forbidden fruit and ended up cursing the human race and
introducing death into a garden of life. Moana then plays the role of Mary, facilitating the voyage of a divine being to redeem wrongs. As Mary and saints throughout the ages have encountered cultural pushback from attempting to carry out God’s will on earth, Moana receives disapproval from the villagers and especially her father. Rules have been established that she must obey: stay inside the reef and stay safe. Rules were also established in Mary’s day, namely to not become pregnant before getting married. If Moana and Mary made their decisions based on what pleased their parents and their society, they would not have allowed the Ocean or God to save their people by working through them. This is when the oft-difficult verse from Luke begins to make sense: “If any man come to me and hate not his father and mother… he cannot be my disciple.” Moana, like Mary, does not let fear of judgment and adversity prevent her from saying yes to her mission. Furthermore, Moana discovers that the rules imposed on her people prevent them from being who they were supposed to be: voyagers. Yet saints who attempt to remind people who they were created to be often experience criticism because of a fear of change, suffering and sacrifice. Moana, however, does not allow the possibility of injury or even death dissuade her from completing her mission. Though she is almost killed the first time she ventures past the reef, she returns, confident the Ocean will help her complete her journey. In a similar way, saints such as missionary priests represented in the film “Silence” have returned to life-threatening situations to spread the Gospel and care for the needy. It wasn’t easy for Moana or Mary to embrace the weighty tasks fallen to them. They both felt unprepared for such responsibility; Maui points out that Moana is basically an “eight-year old with no sailing experience,” and Mary is a powerless Jewish female villager. Moana and Mary can only accomplish their mission because of divine
aid, whether it is Moana getting repeatedly placed back upon the ship after getting knocked off or Mary receiving the graces of Immaculate Conception. Both Moana and Mary’s stories show that if saints work to answer God’s call, He will meet them there. The film also highlights that saints, or Moana, would not be able to carry out the will of God, or the Ocean, without His help; if they tried, they would not be saints, but ‘heroes’ like Maui trying to prove their own prowess. Faced with overwhelming obstacles, Moana is tempted to abandon ship. She throws the heart of Tahini in the Ocean, too weary to continue, begging it to choose someone else. The spirit of her grandma, reincarnated as an eel, appears to strengthen her. She does not tell Moana what to do, but helps her remember who she is. Moana’s grandmother’s reappearance is reminiscent of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist: we consume him to be saved and and be strengthened to save others. As her grandma is gone when Moana resurfaces, Christ does not stay physically present with us forever on this earth. Eventually, we must leave Mass and Adoration and draw upon the strength we received previously to continue our discipleship.w Watching Moana answer her vocation may lead us to ask: what is our call? It is worth noting that Moana’s vocation was directly linked to her deepest desires and truest identity. She sings: “I’ve been standing at the edge of the water, Long as I can remember, never really knowing why.” Like Moana, we should ask ourselves why we have certain prolonged longings and what we are called to do with those desires that reappear despite suppression. Ms. Thomassen is a senior studying mechanical engineering. She lives at the Château off campus, with four friends and more crêpes. She can be reached at ethomass@nd.edu The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
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The observer | thursday, march 9, 2017 | ndsmcobserver.com
Crossword | Will Shortz
Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: Live life your own way. Make your home comfy and welcoming. Share what you have with those you love. Make an effort to enhance your mind, body and soul. Check into lifestyles that will help you present your skills to the best of your ability. Rely on what you have to get ahead. Use your intuition to achieve excellence. Your numbers are 7, 13, 22, 24, 32, 37, 41. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take the time to hear someone out. You may not agree, but there will be value in knowing what you are up against. Take action if you want to make changes, but do so thoughtfully so that no one gets hurt. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Let your imagination run wild and you will come up with some interesting ideas. Focus on your dreams and the things you enjoy the most. Any help you offer others will be appreciated and repaid. Share your feelings. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You’ll be torn between what you want and what you have. Don’t rely on anyone to help you make a personal decision. Figure out what’s best for you and follow that path. Avoid overreacting or letting temptation lead you astray. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Do whatever it takes to use your skills. Refuse to let anyone or anything slow you down. Overreacting, indulgence and excess will stand between you and your desires. Use your intelligence and strive for perfection. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Check over your personal papers or get your taxes up to date. Taking care of business will be stabilizing and bring you greater freedom to explore something new. Romance and personal growth are on the rise. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Discuss your thoughts with people heading in the same direction as you, and you will find solutions. Collaborating and joining forces to form a strong coalition will help you bring about change. Honor your beliefs and fight for your rights. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Don’t overreact if someone puts pressure on you to do more. Take a moment to rethink the best way to handle anyone who gets in your way or who tries to take advantage of you. Stabilize important relationships. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Personal changes can be made. Sign up for a retreat or plan to make a change to where or how you live. New beginnings will sprout through social networking. Expand your mind, your outlook and your future. Follow your instincts. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You’ll face difficulties if you fight the establishment. Keep diplomacy in mind when dealing with anyone who can influence your position or your future. Stick close to home and take care of your responsibilities. Focus on self-improvements, not trying to change others. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’ll have to counter someone’s poor habits or influences. Don’t be tempted to get involved in risky schemes or joint ventures. Go it alone and control how much time, money and effort you are willing to sacrifice. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Reacquaint yourself with familiar faces, places and pastimes. Your enthusiasm will be infectious and lead to new beginnings. Personal improvements will result if you show discipline and implement a healthy diet and physical fitness routine. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Listen to your inner voice and take action. Follow your emotional awareness and make adjustments to the way you live. Don’t miss an opportunity to achieve what you want to pursue because someone is being demanding. Birthday Baby: You are brave, honorable and astute. You are progressive and innovative.
just add water | ERIC CARLSON & JOHN RODDY
Sudoku | The Mepham Group
Jumble | David Hoyt and Jeff knurek
Draw comics. Email Ben at bpadanil@nd.edu
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Men’s Lacrosse
Sports Authority
Who gets the rose in the NFL Draft? Elizabeth Greason Sports Writer
The NFL Draft is not the only starstudded popularity contest that will be hitting the airwaves in the near future. The season finale of “The Bachelor” will air Monday, after two-and-a-half long months of bachelor Nick Viall courting 30 women in an attempt to find his future wife. In January, columnist Daniel O’Boyle compared NBA teams to this season’s Bachelor contestants. But that was before the contestants showed their true colors. Now that we’ve seen what each woman truly has to offer, I think it is fair to draw parallels between them and another group of people who have put everything on the line in an attempt to engage in a winning partnership: the entrants of this year’s NFL Draft.
Rachel is Myles Garrett The Texas A&M defensive lineman will be the first player to go in April’s draft. His combine performance alone should be enough to secure him one of the top picks, but when you consider his college statistics in combination with the fact that the Cleveland Browns, who have the first pick, need help at pretty much every position, he has nearly secured the No. 1 pick. Just like Rachel. Although Rachel was unable to steal Nick’s heart on “The Bachelor,” she has the top pick on lock, as it was already announced that she would be the next Bachelorette. And if Garrett doesn’t go first, the Browns will have made a mistake, just like ABC did when it announced Rachel would be the next Bachelorette before Nick had even eliminated her.
Liz is Leonard Fournette Liz’s appearance on the show, while short-lived, provided plenty of excitement to the show, just as Fournette’s nearly 4000-careeryards did to LSU games. Liz revealed early on that she and Nick had had a relationship before the show began, although she
Irish prepare for two top-15 games over break
was unsure whether Nick would remember their interaction. However, she was hoping the relationship would come to fruition this time around. After a stellar sophomore season, Fournette could have flirted with the idea of entering the draft, but ended up waiting it out for another year. Fournette’s NFL career, however, is likely to be significantly more successful than Liz’s attempt to get Nick back.
Jasmine is John Ross The Washington wide receiver broke the combine record, running a 4.22 second 40-yard dash, a time that Jasmine could potentially match if she were challenged to. The NBA dancer established herself as the ultra-competitive member of the group, often forgetting of the competitions on group dates were meant to impress Nick and instead caring only about winning them. Jasmine was sent home before she even had a chance to get to know Nick, just as Ross’ ACL tear slowed his career.
Corinne is Jonathan Allen The Alabama defensive lineman had both shoulders surgically repaired over the course of his collegiate career. Allen had been projected as a top-10, even a top-three, pick, but his disappointing showing at the combine has led some to believe he needs more time to work on his upper-body strength and stability. Enter Corinne: queen of rest and relaxation. Corinne may not be the most emotionally intelligent member of the cast, but she certainly knows how to nap. Corinne is the villain we all loved to hate, just like every player out of Tuscaloosa. And, let’s be real. If any coach were going to invest in a nanny for his players, it would be Nick Saban.
Taylor is Jabrill Peppers The Michigan linebacker is perhaps the most versatile player to enter the draft, playing a wide variety of positions over the course of his time as a Wolverine. Taylor also showed us various sides of herself during her stint on “The Bachelor,” appearing sweet and caring at first, before letting her defensive claws out the moment she began to feel threatened by her competition. And, similarly to Taylor, who graduated from college in three years and never let anyone forget it, Peppers will be in and out of Michigan in three years, although under completely different circumstances.
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The Bachelor, Nick Viall, is Tony Romo (draft class of 2004) The Cowboys quarterback went undrafted in 2004, just like Nick. Except Nick has gone undrafted three times already. Romo was able to rebound and become the Cowboys’ starter, which is what Nick is trying to do this season as he takes his love life into his own control as the Bachelor. Romo took a back-seat to rookie Dak Prescott this season, leaving his future uncertain and with many asking “What are you still doing here?” That’s a question Nick has heard daily since he was named the Bachelor, as this season is his fourth attempt to find love through the Bachelor franchise. Contact Elizabeth Greason at egreason@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
KATHLEEN DONAHUE | The Observer
Irish senior midfielder Nick Koshansky looks to get by a defender during Notre Dame’s 5-4 victory over Maryland on Saturday at Arlotta Field. After the win, the Irish are now ranked No. 1 in the country. By BEN PADANILAM Editor-in-Chief
Following its win over No. 2 Maryland, No. 1 Notre Dame will now prepare for its upcoming road games against No. 5 Denver and No. 11 Virginia over spring break. The Irish (3-0) flew from the fourth spot to the top spot after unseating the previously topranked Terrapins (4-1) at Arlotta Stadium this past Saturday, earning all possible first-place votes in the Inside Lacrosse and USILA Coaches polls. Irish head coach Kevin Corrigan said he was most pleased with the way his team dictated the style of play in the win over Maryland, as the Irish forced the Terrapins to play on their terms. “I thought we just really played with a very strong will in terms of making the game the way we wanted it and needed it to be — in terms of taking away their transition and their full-field plays and limiting it to a certain style,” Corrigan said. “It meant it was going to be a bit of a grind, but I thought we really did a good job of doing that.” Now, the Irish will look to defend their new place in the polls over spring break with their first two true road games of the year, as they will square off against the Pioneers (4-1) on Sunday and the Cavaliers (4-2, 0-1 ACC) on March 18. For the first of the twogame set, Notre Dame is bracing itself for the same type of challenge from Denver as it saw from Maryland, Corrigan said.
“Denver is a very accomplished half-field team,” Corrigan said. “They’re playing more full-field this year, and they’re trying to take advantage of transition and continuous offensive pressure, but they’re also a very good half-field team. And we’re going to have to play very well as we did against Maryland in those situations. “ … We need to make sure that we do the same thing. Like Maryland, they’ve scored off faceoffs consistently. Like Maryland, they’ve scored in the transition and unsettled situations that arise from substitutions. … It’s really a very similar challenge, in all honesty. … I think it’s going to be, in a lot of ways, a very similar game for us in terms of what the challenges are.” And although the Irish defense met those challenges successfully against the Terrapins — it held the Maryland offense to just four goals in the win — the Irish offense found less success. After scoring 16 goals in each of its first two wins, the offense only managed five goals against the Terrapins. With only one of those scores coming off an assist, the Irish will need to limit turnovers and improve their ball movement going forward, as relying on individual players to beat their defenders on dodges limits the team’s offensive potential, Corrigan said. “I didn’t think our ball movement was as good as it has been, and what happens when your ball movement slows down is that your off-ball movement slows down,” Corrigan said. “ … We just
need to do a little bit better job, play a little more freely and — we just had a lot of bad turnovers in that Maryland game. They’re a very good team, and they were the cause of some of them, but we turned the ball over more in that one game than we had in the first two games combined in terms of our half-field turnovers. That’s not a good situation.” Following the game at Denver, the Irish will then play its first ACC game of the season six days later against Virginia. Corrigan said he feels his team’s nonconference slate has prepared it well for a conference slate that features games against four of the nation’s top 11 teams. “The great thing about our out-of-conference schedule is that it’s probably as good or better than anybody’s in the country,” Corrigan said. “We have the constant challenge through our schedule, whether it’s in conference or out of the conference. Virginia’s going to be very good — another team that’s really emphasizing, or re-emphasizing, the full-field approach to offense and really trying to be aggressive and giving everybody the freedom on their defensive end to go to the other end and make plays. … It’s the same challenge for us.” The Irish will first hit the road to take on the Pioneers at 3 p.m. Saturday in Denver before traveling back across the country to battle the Cavaliers on March 18 at noon in Charlottesville, Virginia. Contact Ben Padanilam at bpadanil@nd.edu
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The observer | thursday, march 9, 2017 | ndsmcobserver.com
Football
M Bball
Continued from page 12
Continued from page 12
that the offense is running the way it’s supposed to. That’s not my priority right now. My priority is emphasizing the things that I want. Today was about evaluating the personnel and where they are.” Of the changes brought about by the new assistants, the installation of Elko’s defensive scheme looks set to be among the most significant. Elko’s 4-2-5 system utilizes a “Rover” — a safety/ linebacker hybrid — with linebacker Asmar Bilal and safety Drue Tranquill among the likely starting candidates for the role. Bilal started at Rover during the opening practice, with Tranquill starting at safety. However, Kelly said the player who starts at the position is likely to depend on week-to-week opposing schemes, and is not set in stone. “I really think it’s going to be a week-to-week matchup situation,” Kelly said. “You’re going to look at the teams that can stress the position with a slot receiver versus a tight end. We play some power run teams in the first month of the season.” On the other side of the ball, Kelly said the focus was on running the offense at tempo, and credited Wimbush’s experience as a backup and in his redshirt year for allowing him to learn the system and develop chemistry. “I think in the first day we were really looking at tempo in our offense and we achieved that,” Kelly said. “To go fast and be sloppy is certainly not the end. But to be able to run a little bit more tempo with our offense and to be effective and execution was really the most important thing ... There is a relationship built already with these guys. Brandon has been with them for the last couple of years, so we’re not starting from scratch. But there are the nuances that they’re going to have to work out. I thought in particular there’s already a pretty good sense of relationship, if you will, between the receivers and Brandon.” Spring season for Notre Dame will last until the annual BlueGold Game at Notre Dame Stadium, which has been scheduled for April 22 at 12:30 p.m.
to get back there and play.” Awaiting the Irish Thursday night will be Virginia, who beat Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Notre Dame has never beaten Virginia (21-9, 11-7) in ACC play, and Brey said he hopes his team doesn’t put too much pressure on itself. “For us, we had some great shots, clean looks, in the game here that we didn’t knock down,” Brey said. “I think you have to make some shots over the top of them because they jam it in so well. I think you have to be ready for the pace of the game, less possessions. … I think one of the reasons we didn’t play well versus Virginia here is we wanted it so bad. These guys, as much as they’ve accomplished, they haven’t beaten Virginia. So I’m going to have to keep them loose, if it’s Virginia.” “In our league who the heck knows,” Brey said. “You really don’t do much in practice in
Contact Daniel O’Boyle at doboyle1@nd.edu
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preparation for a either group until your shootaround and you have plenty of time since you don’t play until [9 p.m.] at night.” Brey’s top concern: getting the offense flowing again, after averaging just 73 points in its last two games, including a poor outing in the team’s final game of the regular season, a 71-64 road loss to Louisville. “It would be great to get flowing again offensively,” Brey said. “I think we have to get reps with our big lineup, because that’s something that is going to be good for us at times and a change of gears. It puts two screeners on the floor, with two bigs as opposed to one to help some of those perimeter guys get open.” However, Brey said he isn’t worried because his team knows how to play in March. With two straight Elite Eight runs, senior forward and captain V.J. Beachem said the team’s past experience will propel it forward as tournament time draws near. “It’s just like a switch. We know what time it is, we know
MICHAEL YU | The Observer
Irish junior guard Matt Farrell brushes past a defender during Notre Dame’s 64-60 win over Georgia Tech on Feb. 26 at Purcell Pavilion.
what’s at stake now, and the focus it requires and the things we want to do,” Beachem said. “But I think this group may be a little hungrier. The first time we did this, it was all new for us. Last year we felt like we wanted to live up to certain expectations.
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This year its’, ‘We’ve been to the Elite Eight, we want to take it further.’ We want to do something no one in the program’s done in a while.” Contact Marek Mazurek at mmazurek@nd.edu
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ndsmcobserver.com | thursday, march 9, 2017 | The Observer
Hockey Continued from page 12
Notre Dame was swept out of the Hockey East tournament after just two games, falling to the Huskies, 3-1 and 6-4. Sophomore defenseman
Dennis Gilbert on Tuesday judiciously described it as the Irish having their “butts kicked.” To be fair, before arriving at Compton, Northeastern had won nine consecutive games and 15 of their last 17. After beating Notre Dame, the Huskies continued their run
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to a Hockey East championship and a berth in the NCAA tournament. That didn’t make it any easier for the Irish to swallow. “It really angered a lot of guys, what happened with Northeastern,” junior forward Jake Evans said. “We went into it thinking we were the higher seed, we had this, and that still sticks with a lot of guys. “ … In the snap of a finger, we were out of the [Hockey East] playoffs, and we had to wait two more weeks just to play one game. It sucked watching the Hockey East championship on TV, and we wanted to be there.” “The actual games are out of everyone’s mind, but the feeling stuck with us,” Gilbert added. Irish head coach Jeff Jackson described Northeastern as a “buzz saw” last season. This time around, No. 13 Notre Dame (19-10-5, 12-6-4 Hockey East) isn’t facing much less in No. 11 Providence (22-9-5, 12-7-3). The Friars are winners of 14 of their last 17, including four straight wins over Massachusetts — two at the end of the regular season and two more to sweep the Minutemen in the first round of Hockey East play. Paid Advertisement
This time around though, the Irish have a feather in their cap: they represent two of the Friars’ three non-victories over that stretch. Providence visited Notre Dame just three weekends ago, Feb. 17 and 18. Notre Dame won the first matchup, 4-1, and overcame three separate one-goal deficits to earn a point with a 3-3 tie the following night. The Irish aren’t taking the rematch lightly, though. “They probably figured out how they have to play to beat us, and, on the other side of it, is we probably have a better idea of how they’re going to pressure us in the offensive zone and through the neutral zone with their forecheck in the neutral zone,” Jackson said. “I don’t see anything major,” Evans said when asked if the team found any weaknesses in the Friars from that weekend. “We just realized how tough it’s going to be and how simple and hard we’re going to have to play to take out these guys.” While the winner of this best-of-three series heads to Boston next weekend for the Hockey East’s single-elimination semifinals and finals, there’s much more on the line for both these teams this
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weekend. Notre Dame currently sits tied for 13th in the Pairwise rankings, which are used to determine what teams make the 16-team NCAA tournament field. Providence is currently tied for 11th. With at least one team likely to steal a bid by winning their conference tournament, surviving this weekend could also secure the winning’s team’s chance to play for a national championship. “This time of the year, you’re always playing with that on your shoulders,” Jackson said. “Your season’s on the line almost every game you play once you get to the playoffs. College hockey’s not a best-of-seven series.” “We’ve earned a first-round bye, we’ve earned home ice in the second round, so it’s in our hands again to go out and compete and earn Boston Garden,” Gilbert said. “As far as the NCAAs go, this weekend’s the most important thing right now.” Puck drop for Game 1 at Compton Family Ice Arena is Friday at 7:35 p.m. while Game 2 gets underway at 7:05 p.m. Saturday. If necessary, the decisive Game 3 will begin at 7:05 p.m. Sunday evening. Contact Zach Klonsinski at zklonsin@nd.edu
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The observer | thursday, march 9, 2017 | ndsmcobserver.com
men’s basketball
Irish embark on familiar March journey By MAREK MAZUREK Sports Editor
Ho hum. Another season, another top-four finish in the ACC for Notre Dame. Though they lost to Louisville to close out the regular season, the Irish (23-8, 12-6 ACC) finished in double-bye territory for the third year in a row, clinching the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament. But Irish head coach Mike Brey said he doesn’t like using the phrase “double bye” to describe what his team has accomplished. “Not only me, but our staff and our veteran nucleus is really excited about this time of year,” Brey said. “You’re honored to finish in the top four in that league, that’s something we’re really proud of. I don’t like to keep saying double bye … it’s a top-four finish. It’s been six out of seven or six out of eight so that’s been really strong for our program. When we’ve gotten that double bye, we’ve gotten to the semis every time.” Regardless of the terminology, not having to play until Thursday has helped Brey’s squads in the past. In 2015, the Irish won the
tournament as a No. 3 seed and last year, Notre Dame reached the semifinals as a No. 4 seed. Another positive for the Irish is the tournament’s location: Brooklyn, New York. Notre Dame has played in the Barclays Center and had considerable success. Last year, Notre Dame won two games in Brooklyn as the No. 6 seed in the NCAA tournament to advance to the Sweet 16. Earlier this season, the Irish also took home two wins over Colorado and Northwestern in late November. “We like Brooklyn, we know Brooklyn, we’ve done the Brooklyn dance before,” Brey said. “Hopefully there’s a lot of good karma left there for us.” Irish junior guard Matt Farrell also said the team enjoys the familiar atmosphere of New York. “Obviously we’ve had a lot of fun in Brooklyn, so we’re really excited to get back there,” Farrell said. “I think it’s just being comfortable playing there, being close to home and having a lot of people there and being comfortable and confident. We’ve had a lot of fun there in the past, so we’re excited see M BBALL PAGE 10
MICHAEL YU | The Observer
Irish junior forward Bonzie Colson drives into the lane during Notre Dame’s 64-60 victory over Georgia Tech on Feb. 26 at Purcell Pavilion. Colson was named to the first team All-ACC squad this season.
Football
hockey
ND hosts Providence in Hockey East quarterfinals
Kelly looks to reinvent practice
By ZACH KLONSINSKI
By DANIEL O’BOYLE
Assistant Managing Editor
Sports Writer
After a strong second half of the regular season that earned it a first-round bye in the Hockey East playoffs, Notre Dame readies to host one of the hottest teams in the country for a best-of-three series at Compton Family Ice Arena with a trip to Boston and the conference’s championship weekend on the line. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it also describes the equivalent of this weekend last season. This year, No. 4 seed Notre Dame hosts fifth-seeded Providence in the conference quarterfinals at Compton. The Irish have played well of late, finishing the season by winning five of their last seven games and falling just a point shy of a tie for first in the regular season standings. Last year, third-seeded Notre Dame welcomed No. 6 seed Northeastern during the quarterfinals. Despite the Irish putting together a 13-1-3 mark from Thanksgiving 2015 to mid-February 2016, that series went poorly.
In each of the two prior years, attention during Notre Dame’s opening spring practice has centered around the battle for the starting quarterback role. With a new signal-caller in junior Brandon Wimbush set to take over the reins, it would be understandable to expect focus to stay under center. But after Irish head coach Brian Kelly hired seven new assistant coaches in the hope of seeing some change from 2016’s 4-8 season, much of the attention during the first practice of the 2017 system — held on Wednesday morning — was on the new coaches’ schemes and a brand new position: the Rover. With new offensive and defensive coordinators in Chip Long and Mike Elko, respectively, as well as special teams coordinator Brian Polian, strength and conditioning coach Matt Balis, linebackers coach Clark Lea, receivers coach DelVaughn Alexander and quarterbacks coach Tom Rees, Kelly’s staff in 2017 has been almost completely
see HOCKEY PAGE 11
KELLY VAUGHAN | The Observer
Irish junior forward Jake Evans corrals the puck in Notre Dame’s 4-4 tie with Vermont on Feb. 3 at Compton Family Ice Arena.
overhauled from 2016’s assistants. Kelly said he saw during the practice session that his new assistants are the kind of coaches he wanted around him. “We vetted all of these coaches out in the process and I wanted great communicators, great teachers, guys that are very positive,” Kelly said. “I was able to get around and see all the position groups, and I was really pleased with how they interacted with the players and communicated effectively with them. There was no lack of communication in an effective manner. It was a good day for me to get a sense of how our coaches are teaching and communicating with our players.” Kelly added that the changes in coaching staff have allowed him to take a new approach — one that is much more hands-off in regards to the offense. “I have different priorities,” Kelly said. “My priorities [in previous years] were making sure that the offense is running the installation effectively, doing the things necessary to make sure see FOOTBALL PAGE 10