Print Edition of The Observer for Thursday, October 13, 2016 by The Observer

The independent

To uncover

newspaper serving

the truth

Notre Dame and

and report

Saint Mary’s

it accurately

Volume 51 Issue 37 | Thursday, October 13, 2016 | ndsmcobserver.com

Committee to address sustainability issues Standing committee, working groups will expand new strategy and set goals for University’s future By MEGAN VALLEY News Writer

On Sept. 20, University president Fr. John Jenkins announced a fiveyear sustainability plan which includes eliminating coal usage on campus by 2020 and providing at least 25 percent of the University’s energy through renewable and recoverable energy by 2050. To implement the plan, recommendation committee member and associate professor of accountancy Sandra Vera-Munoz said the committee chair, director of sustainability Linda Kurtos, and the committee’s sponsor, associate vice president John AffleckGraves, are putting together a “standing committee that will oversee working groups.” “Those [working groups] are the ones who are going to roll up

their sleeves and make specific concrete actions to make this happen,” Vera-Munoz said. The Comprehensive Sustainability Strategy was written by the committee over the fall 2015 and spring 2016 semesters. “We were fortunate to have knowledgeable members in so many areas of sustainability that touched the University: energy, law, construction, operations, research, education, facilities, procurement, strategy,” Kurtos said in an email. “We started by identifying the areas that we thought should be the major focus areas for the strategy and used that foundation as the basis for the strategy discussions.” The 20-member committee — made up of faculty, administrators see COMMITTEE PAGE 3

SMC reports second campus clown sighting Observer Staff Report

On Tuesday night, Saint Mary’s security responded to another report of a clown sighting on campus, according to an email sent to students Wednesday by Karen Johnson, vice president for student affairs. According to Johnson, staff members spoke with the reporting individual and proceeded to patrol the campus but were unable to substantiate any clown sightings on campus. Johnson said the College takes any incident that causes concern to students seriously. “Even if a person’s intentions are to entertain, scaring people isn’t funny,” Johnson said in the email. “Individuals found wearing clown masks and other costumes in order to create a stir in their community will be addressed by local law enforcement agencies and through the Saint Mary’s College Code of Student Conduct.”

NEWS PAGE 3

Johnson urged people in the Saint Mary’s community to “stop sharing social media posts about the sighting.” “Snapchats, tweets and Facebook postings by others typically do not contain firsthand accurate information regarding emergencies or threats,” she said. “Please use good judgment and avoid wearing clown masks, as it could be perceived as a hazard or threat to others.” According to Johnson, campus security staff are actively monitoring and responding to any reports and sightings. Johnson urged students to “resist the urge to track down clowns on their own.” Johnson said Sgt. Earl Wigfall from the St. Joseph County Police will assist campus security in providing additional patrols as of Wednesday night. David Gariepy, director of campus security, declined to elaborate further on the situation.

SCENE PAGE 5

CRISTINA INTERIANO | The Observer

New York Times reporter weighs in on 2016 election In national discussions surrounding the 2016 election, Washington correspondent Binyamin Appelbaum said, one issue is conspicuously missing: economics. “There are a lot of very smart people who want to downplay the role that economics is playing in this election,” Appelbaum, who writes for the New York Times, said Wednesday night in DeBartolo Hall. “They want to say — and there is evidence — that the anger that we are hearing, the discontent, is based on hate, on racism, sexism and xenophobia. “It’s not an either-or choice ... when people are struggling economically, they are more likely to voice these concerns.” Throughout his address, sponsored by student government, Appelbaum discussed several economic issues which he believed to be key to the 2016 election. Appelbaum said a “dominant narrative” about trade is that other countries are cheating the United States. “The standard story you hear is that this is our problem, and that

this can be reversed,” he said. “It is really to easy to tell voters that someone else is screwing us, that if we could just get one over on them, and [if] they could feel the pain that we are feeling … [then] we could feel the prosperity that they are feeling.” Appelbaum said the United States’ domestic economic output is better than what is commonly perceived. “A statistic that surprises many people is that America’s manufacturing output is at the highest in history.” he said. “We are making more stuff in the United States of America than we ever have before.” Despite this growth in manufacturing, many have been left behind by technological advancement, leading to a decrease in overall employment in these sectors, Appelbaum said. Appelbaum cited the case of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, a town situated between Philadelphia and New York, as a key example of the effects of the loss of industrial jobs. “Half the population of Hazleton feels economically disenfranchised, lacks future prospects and is increasingly spinning downward,” he said. “These are the economic problems that we have.”

Appelbaum said the key to revival in these towns is turning their attention to new, high-tech sectors in order to bring back some degree of economic growth. Another major problem facing the economy is that the labor movement had failed to recognize the changing nature of the working class, Appelbaum said. “Our working class is no longer primarily composed of white men,” he said. “It is primarily made up by minority women doing jobs like home health care aid. The union system in our country is still dominated by these white male workers, so it remains their voice primarily.” Appelbaum argued that all these factors have contributed to economic stagnation among the working class, motivating its anger. He said no matter which candidate wins the election, due to institutional problems, he has little faith that economic conditions will improve. “We have an institution that you may have heard of called Congress that’s very gridlocked and dysfunctional,” he said. “Whoever wins … very little will change.”

VIEWPOINT PAGE 7

Hockey PAGE 12

Women’s Soccer PAGE 12

By LUCAS MASIN-MOYER News Writer

Contact Lucas Masin-Moyer at lmasinmo@nd.edu

TODAY

The observer | Thursday, October 13, 2016 | ndsmcobserver.com

Question of the Day: ndsmcobserver.com

Have a question you want answered? Email photo@ndsmcobserver.com

If it could be one season for the rest of your life, what would you pick?

P.O. Box 779, Notre Dame, IN 46556 024 South Dining Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556 Editor-in-Chief Margaret Hynds Managing Editor Business Manager Kayla Mullen Emily Reckmeyer

Asst. Managing Editor: Alex Carson Asst. Managing Editor: Zach Klonsinski A sst. Managing Editor: Clare Kossler News Editor: Katie Galioto Viewpoint Editor: Claire Radler Sports Editor: Marek Mazurek Scene Editor: Erin McAuliffe Saint Mary’s Editor: Nicole Caratas Photo Editor: Chris Collins Graphics Editor: Susan Zhu Multimedia Editor: Wei Cao Online Editor: Jimmy Kemper Advertising Manager: Olivia Treister Ad Design Manager: Madison Riehle

Marissa Browne

Matt Schaefer

sophomore Howard Hall

senior Zahm House

“Spring, definitely.”

“Early autumn.”

Patrick Connolly

Maureen Tracey

senior off campus

“Summer.”

“Fall.”

Sean O’Brien

Pat Stepien

junior Stanford Hall

junior off campus

“Spring, but like April spring, not March spring.”

“Football season.”

Office Manager & General Info

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

(574) 631-6900 ads@ndsmcobserver.com Editor-in-Chief

(574) 631-4542 mhynds@nd.edu Managing Editor

(574) 631-4542 kmullen2@nd.edu Assistant Managing Editors

(574) 631-4541 acarson1@nd.edu, zklonsin@nd.edu, ckossler@nd.edu Business Office

(574) 631-5313 News Desk

(574) 631-5323 news@ndsmcobserver.com Viewpoint Desk

(574) 631-5303 viewpoint@ndsmcobserver.com Sports Desk

(574) 631-4543 sports@ndsmcobserver.com Scene Desk

(574) 631-4540 scene@ndsmcobserver.com Saint Mary’s Desk

ncaratas01@saintmarys.edu Photo Desk

(574) 631-8767 photo@ndsmcobserver.com Systems & Web Administrators

(574) 631-8839 Policies The Observer is the independent, daily newspaper published in print and online by the students of the University of Notre Dame du Lac and Saint Mary’s College. Editorial content, including advertisements, is not governed by policies of the administration of either institution. The Observer reserves the right to refuse advertisements based on content. The news is reported as accurately and objectively as possible. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the majority of the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Assistant Managing Editors and department editors. Commentaries, letters and columns present the views of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer. Viewpoint space is available to all readers. The free expression of all opinions through letters is encouraged. Letters to the Editor must be signed and must include contact information. Questions regarding Observer policies should be directed to Editor-in-Chief Margaret Hynds. Post Office Information The Observer (USPS 599 2-4000) is published Monday through Friday except during exam and vacation periods. A subscription to The Observer is $130 for one academic year; $75 for one semester. The Observer is published at: 024 South Dining Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556-0779 Periodical postage paid at Notre Dame and additional mailing offices POSTMASTER Send address corrections to: The Observer P.O. Box 779 024 South Dining Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556-077 The Observer is a member of the Associated Press. All reproduction rights are reserved.

Today’s Staff News

Sports

Emily McConville Lucas Masin-Moyer Jordan Cockrum

Marek Mazurek R.J. Stempak Brenna Moxley

Graphics

Scene

Cristina Interiano

John Darr

Photo

Viewpoint

Rosie LoVoi

Sarah Hynds

Corrections The Observer regards itself as a professional publication and strives for the highest standards of journalism at all times. We do, however, recognize that we will make mistakes. If we have made a mistake, please contact us at (574) 631-4541 so we can correct our error.

CHRIS COLLINS | The Observer

A helmet sits on the sideline during the football team’s 10-3 loss at North Carolina State on Saturday. The Irish, now 2-4, played in adverse weather conditions, caused by the impact of Hurricane Matthew slamming into Raleigh, North Carolina.

The next Five days:

Want your event included here? Email news@ndsmcobserver.com

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tony Macaulay Reading Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Author reads works.

ND Women’s Soccer vs. North Carolina Alumni Stadium 7 p.m. The Irish take on the Tar Heels.

ND Band: Concert on the Steps Bond Hall 6 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Free and open to the public.

ND Volleyball vs. N.C. State Purcell Pavilion 1 p.m. The Irish take on the Wolfpack.

ND Fall Break Oct. 15 - Oct. 23 North Dining Hall closes after brunch Oct. 16 and reopens for dinner Oct. 23.

Richard III Washington Hall Mainstage Auditorium 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Five visiting actors perform Shakespeare.

ND Volleyball vs. North Carolina Purcell Pavilion 7 p.m. The Irish take on the Tar Heels.

Football vs. Stanford Notre Dame Stadium 7:30 p.m. The Irish take on the Cardinal in the fourth home game this year.

Vespers Basilica of the Sacred Heart 7:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. The celebration of evening prayer.

SMC Fall Break Oct. 15 - Oct. 23 Noble Family Dining Hall will be closed all day Oct. 15 and reopens Oct. 23.

News

ndsmcobserver.com | Thursday, October 13, 2016 | The Observer

STUDENT SENATE

Student leaders preview trustee report By RACHEL O’GRADY Associate News Editor

Student body president Corey Robinson, vice president Becca Blais and chief of staff Michael Markel previewed their report to the Board of Trustees to student senate ahead of their presentation to the board Thursday morning. The theme of the report, entitled “Shake Down the Thunder,” is innovation and entrepreneurship. “In the past, we’ve done sexual assault, or how we address that rape culture or mental health issues,” Blais said. “This year, we’ve done a 24-page report on the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship on campus.”

Committee Continued from page 1

and students — convened once a month over the last year to work on the plan, which outlined recommendations for six areas: energy and emissions; water; building and construction; waste; procurement, licensing and food sources; and education, research and community outreach. “[Kurtos] was very systematic about how we went through the topics,” Vera-Munoz said. “We would receive an email for what we’re talking about next time, and, ‘here’s a draft.’ Then we’d meet in a

Robinson said he is excited to address the idea of innovation. “We’re talking about shaking down the thunder, approaching innovation and ideas in a new way,” he said. “How can we produce different results in a new way, or putting in it a new light? For example, the way we’re doing Race Relations Week, how about instead of us talking about diversity, or a lack of diversity, we look at race relations through the visual arts.” Robinson said he wants to look at problems and move away from the typical solutions. “How can we attack these issues in a new way and a new light?” he said. “How can we, as a student

government, encourage students to dream big, and do the right things and achieve their goals?” There are no shortage of resources available on campus, Blais said. “We have really incredible resources at this University, which is great, and we really don’t have these traditional barriers to getting stuff done,” she said. Robinson, who started the nonprofit “One Shirt One Body” with fellow student Andrew Helmin, said he personally found the Notre Dame community helpful. “This has been really, just an amazing experience and I think that really, it has been beneficial for everyone, which is incredible,”

Robinson said. Additionally, the director of sustainability, Linda Kurtos, spoke to senate about what they could do to help with sustainability efforts. “I don’t have to tell you guys that game day is a big day on campus,” she said. “We have over 9,000 vehicles that park on campus on game day, over 5,000 of those are tailgating with more than five people, which just means that there’s a ton of stuff going on.” Kurtos said it was important to focus on recycling on game day. “When you think about how much of the tailgates are made up of things that can be, and usually are recycled, we really should be doing more,” she said. “Once we

have a bunch of food waste in with the recycling, we can’t use that as recycling, so we want to be aware of that.” Additionally, Kurtos said she hoped senate would spread the word to other students. “We’re also really looking for you guys to spread the word, but also for you guys to be aware,” she said. “If you’re at a tailgate, you know, make sure you’re using the right bag and you’re doing the right things. We need each of you to be personally responsible for making the University more sustainable.”

big committee, provide our input into the process.” Senior and GreeND president Tessa Clarizio, who sat on the committee, said the original goal was to have the strategy ready by the end of the fall semester 2015, but discussion pushed it back. “There was a lot of difference in how to approach the plan,” she said. “There was one mindset — which was held by the people who had the most power in the committee — that we should set lower goals and by setting lower goals we know that we’re able to achieve them, and then when we overachieve that’s a huge accomplishment. The other side — which I

was on, along with a lot of the faculty — was that we should be aiming really high, that way even if we don’t achieve it we’ve still made a lot of progress.” Because of the already extended timeline, biochemistry professor and committee member Anthony Serianni said he understood there was “some urgency” to get the document to Jenkins as soon as possible, even if the plan was not perfect. “I got to the point in my discussion of the plan where I felt I should be satisfied with what we accomplished,” he said. “I felt it was a modest step forward, even though I know in my own heart it’s

not the way it should be.” Director of the Center for Sustainable Energy Peter Burns said the plan’s strong point was its diversified approach. “I think that the strategy developed by the University for energy sustainability is good, in terms of the diversification of approaches, such as putting a hydrogenerator in the river, geothermal wells, the possibility of solar fields,” Burns said. “The University has taken a sensible, diversified approach to securing the energy future of the University.” Clarizo said the plan was not challenging enough. “Having that knowledge of what our peer institutions are doing and especially our call as a Catholic university from ‘Laudato si’,’ Notre Dame has a moral obligation to be a leader in this field,” she said. “People will be looking to Notre Dame as an example. The Catholic community looks up to Notre Dame as an example, so we need to be that example.” Affleck-Graves said many items in the plan do not yet have

“quantitative goals” because the University needs to first determine how to measure those items. “When we got to water, it turns out we don’t have an ability to measure anything at the moment other than the gross water intake of the University,” he said. “For water, the first goal becomes find a way to measure how water is being used in different segments of the University. We get a measure of how much water we pump, but we have no idea how it’s being used. That makes setting a goal very difficult.” Affleck-Graves said the strategy should be viewed as a “living document.” “We should review that plan every year to see if things need to be changed,” he said. “That will be the goal of this oversight committee. It becomes a living document instead of a static document. It’s always a plan, it’s always looking forward. But that doesn’t mean the plan doesn’t get changed.”

Paid Advertisement

Contact Rachel O’Grady at rogrady@nd.edu

Contact Megan Valley at mvalley@nd.edu

Paid Advertisement

The observer | Thursday, October 13, 2016 | ndsmcobserver.com

By KELLY McGARRY Associate Scene Editor

As a venue for improvisational and interactive arts, Merriman’s Playhouse brings jazz to life in Mishawaka. Thursday evening, Jazz vocalist and composer Keri Johnsrud will bring her quartet to Merriman’s to showcase selections from their latest release alongside arrangements of jazz standards. Before beginning her career in jazz, Johnsrud explored a host of other genres. “I have been involved in musical theater and was brief ly part of a classic rock cover band when I first moved to Chicago,” she explained to Scene in an email exchange, “but when I first began singing, jazz was my focus.” Committing to a career in jazz was not difficult, however. Johnsrud, who grew up listening to jazz her entire life, described it as the genre that feels most natural to her. “I feel there is a certain freedom with this type of music due to its improvisational

nature, which makes singing and performing jazz so much fun and challenging for me.” Johnsrud brought up her oldest brother as one of her greatest role models. “He was responsible for exposing me to Chuck Mangione, Jaco Pastorius, Billie Holiday and others. The fact that he was so knowledgeable about this music made it exciting for me to explore it even further.” As a Chicago-based musician, Johnsrud isn’t traveling far from home for this event. She described the talent in Chicago’s jazz community as “insane” and explained its inf luence on her. “Having the opportunity to perform with musicians of such high caliber only causes me to grow and be challenged when I work with them; thus, increasing my own confidence as a musician to be able to take my music to other cities and communities across the country.” Johnsrud indicated that the quartet will be playing tunes from their latest album “This Side of Morning,” as well as new originals that haven’t been recorded yet. Regarding their plans integrating jazz

standards, Johnsrud said, “The standards that we will be doing are arranged in a way that I think ref lects the vibe of my original songs.” The group that will join Johnsrud Thursday consists of Patrick Mulcahy on bass, Tom Vaitsas on piano and Mike Schlick on drums. Johnsrud knew from performing with the musicians previously that the combo was well suited to the music they are performing. Johnsrud attributes the group’s success to their chemistry. “We all genuinely like each other, which may sound like a strange thing to say, but I think that’s really paramount to how the music is performed and conveyed to the audience,” explained Johnsrud. “Each person brings his own unique style to the stage and it somehow works beautifully.” The performance begins at 8 p.m. Ticket prices are $8 for students, $10 in advance and $13 at the door. Contact Kelly McGarry at kmcgarry@nd.edu

Paid Advertisement

CHRISTINA INTERIANO | The Observer

The observer | Thursday, October 13, 2016 | ndsmcobserver.com

CRISTINA INTERIANO | The Observer

The observer | Thursday, October 13, 2016 | ndsmcobserver.com

Inside Column

Learning to write again Jimmy Kemper Scene Writer

I’m a terrible writer. I don’t think I’ve managed to write an essay within the past few years that hasn’t been sent in at the absolute last minute. Part of the problem stems from the fact that my process is all over the place. I tend to set the goal for myself of getting a page done an hour which should, by all accounts, be a reasonable task. But somehow I can only manage to get a solid 50 words in before I feel too overwhelmed or burnt out to keep going. I reward myself too quickly when I’m doing well and procrastinate too much when I’m not. So far this semester, I’ve managed to watch seven seasons of “The Office,” discover every subreddit imaginable, spend an embarrassing amount of flex points on Smashburger and waste an entire weekend wandering around in Chicago because it’ll “help my creative process.” As much as I had hoped burgers and television shows would help, surprisingly, none of that has pushed me become a faster writer. My writing usually ends up taking so long that I reach the point where I’m sitting there at the deadline, writing my professor an email saying I’ve finished the assignment without a word document attached, hoping that they’ll take a bit of time to get back to me about the missing assignment so I can send it in without any penalty. Of course, the last time I tried to do this, Gmail kindly reminded me that I had “accidentally” forgotten to attach the email. Gmail’s oh-so-friendly reminder that I’m so incompetent got me thinking. How did I reach this point? Why am I always late with these assignments? This shouldn’t be too hard. Unfortunately, writing an essay or an article or even a Facebook post has become such an insurmountable task that at times I can’t even get started. There’s a certain anxiety to writing that I haven’t found in other assignments. I can do math problems or build a presentation without any issues. So why can’t I write? I think my problems with writing are symptomatic of a larger issue. First of all, I’m putting too much pressure on myself to get everything right the first time. I’m also overwhelmed, in part, because the act of writing is something very personal in a way that a math problem simply isn’t. I’m insecure about my writing, afraid of failure and disappointment. Together, I think this means that my anxiety about writing stems from the fact that I’m taking it way too seriously. It doesn’t have to be this way. Writing can, and should, be a fun assignment. And now, I’m trying to find the fun in the assignment again, rather than trying to hit a home run on my first swing. I know once I get something written on the page, I’m in a lot better position than I was just staring at the Word document. I also know that failure is part of the writing process. Every mistake I learn from makes me a better writer. I’ve known all of this for a long time, but I think I’ve been too afraid to start and put myself out there. So maybe I’m not a terrible writer, just a writer who’s learning how to start again. Contact Jimmy Kemper at jkemper2@nd.edu The views expressed in the Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

The benefits of private prisons Jordan Ryan Words of WisDome

There are a total of 2.2 million incarcerated adults presently housed in U.S. correctional facilities. To the surprise of many, roughly 8 percent of those inmates live in privately owned prisons; ones that the government pays private contractors to run. Last month, the Justice Department announced that it would no longer contract with these private prison operators and would not renew relationships as existing agreements expire for 13 federal correction facilities. The department argues that these prisons are immoral and not cost-effective. What the Justice Department has not recognized is that these private prisons could be incredibly beneficial to our criminal justice system. The argument against private prisons is persuasive from a moral perspective. Arguably, no one should profit from the incarceration of another person. But there is truly no way to avoid “profiting” from incarceration. Even in public facilities, private contractors inevitably are used. How else would you have food for the inmates, or electricity and television, or a general contractor to build and maintain the facility? Why is the actual management of the facility being private any different from other profit-motivated enterprises? The move by the Obama Justice Department is in large part a self-fulfilling prophecy. Over the past several years, our nation has seen a material reduction in the federal prison population, a reduction driven largely in part by changes in federal sentencing policies. The Administration and its Justice Department are now using this drop to justify the elimination of prison privatization at the federal level. Both the American Civil Liberties Union and Sen. Bernie Sanders support the elimination of private prison contractors. Though it is difficult to properly compare prison systems due to each having specific purposes with specific circumstances and demographics, conclusions were reached in a 2009 meta-analysis by researchers at the University of Utah. Researchers compared eight different studies, half of which found private prisons to be more cost-efficient. The findings of the remaining four were evenly split with two finding that public facilities were more cost-efficient and two concluding that both types of prisons were statistically even. This shows how private prisons are more likely to be cost efficient, though the findings are not entirely conclusive. Significantly, according to the report published by the Department of Justice, private prisons are

better at finding, seizing and recording contraband than their public counterparts. Moreover, inmates in private prisons are less likely to use drugs or be subject to or involved in sexual misconduct. Of course, privately operated facilities are not without their problems. Privately managed prisons attempt to control costs by regularly providing lower levels of staff benefits and salaries than publicly run facilities. Additionally, private prison employees receive, on average, 58 hours less training than their publicly employed counterparts, leading to higher turnover rates in private prisons than in public ones. The Justice Department report also concluded that there were higher numbers of safety and security incidents at some private facilities. There is, however, a real danger of over-generalizing the condemnation of private correctional facilities. Consider, for example, the fact that our partially privatized system cannot be too deficient given that other nations have begun to follow suit. In the past decade, 11 other major countries have contracted prison systems to the private market. Australia, England and Wales, New Zealand and Scotland all currently have a larger commitment to prison privatization in terms of the share of prisoners held privately than does the United States. Private prisons can be part of the solution and should be used to more efficiently and effectively reform the criminal justice system. In other words, it does not necessarily follow that the government can do a better job at housing, treating and most importantly, rehabilitating our prison population. We can begin to alter our standards to improve these facilities. We can urge them to include rehabilitation services, as well as improved food, health care and safety measures. Given the nature of the competitive free market, if better standards and performance metrics were to be applied, costs will naturally be driven to their lowest possible, meaning that we can save money and promote improved rehabilitation while reducing recidivism. Contrary to the current “progressive” thinking, the elimination of the privatization of our nation’s federal correctional institutions will not necessarily lead to criminal justice reform but may well institutionalize higher costs and other ineffectiveness. Jordan Ryan, junior resident of Lyons Hall, is a major in political science and peace studies and minors in Constitutional studies. She can be reached at jryan15@nd.edu The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Join the conversation.

Submit a Letter to the Editor. Email viewpoint@ndsmcobserver.com

The observer | Thursday, October 13, 2016 | ndsmcobserver.com

WWJD? Lucy Collins Stuck in the Middle

The most naive part of me is still waiting for an apology. I don’t know from whom, exactly, but I am expecting an admittance of wrongdoing nonetheless. Our nation’s founding figures, and many its most esteemed leaders throughout history, have always held a special place in my history-loving heart. One need only look at the decor in my room — first at the framed copy of the Declaration of Independence, situated next to a poster of the artistic portrayal of its signing, then at the iconic image of Washington crossing the Delaware that hangs over my bed, and finally to the life-size cutout of Abraham Lincoln that stands nobly in the corner of my bedroom — to comprehend this. My favorite books are those that paint glorious images of the larger-than-life politicians, capturing them as heroes in my mind. Being the typical type-A Notre Dame nerd, I could not wait to finally be able to participate in the election of a president of the United States. Does it now make sense why I should feel such a sense of betrayal, and the need for an apology? My first election is shaping up to be one of the most unpopular in all of America’s history, and I cannot say that I would be happy with any of our

candidates in the White House. Until this point, I have lived in a world of blissful ignorance, where politicians were the heroes of history. It doesn’t help that my favorite TV show is “The West Wing” — where the president (a Notre Dame alumnus) is a shining beacon of virtue and nobility, who often puts partisan differences aside in order to do the right thing, all wrapped up in neat 40-minute episodes and a catchy theme song. Reality, it would seem, is not quite as tidy. Hillary Clinton would not be my first — or even second — choice for a candidate based on her prior actions and her stance on several key issues. And, as a feminist, I loathe the idea of the first female president solely winning because she is the better of two evils, as many people view it. Yet at the same time, after hearing the latest string of vulgar, derisive comments made from the Republican candidate, can I really bring myself to vote for Trump? It is the first presidential election that most of us students get to participate in, and I cannot say I would feel great voting for either candidate. While third-party voting is always technically an option, resistance is looking more and more futile as November draws near. So what is one to do when that pesky angel and devil on your shoulders won’t shut up about either choice? As a professor put it in a recent economics

lecture, think about “W WJD?” No, I am not talking about Jesus, though many do turn to prayer in dire times like these. Rather, what would Jed Bartlett do? As I mentioned earlier, for those of you unfamiliar with “The West Wing,” President Bartlett is the type of president most Americans would dream of, regardless of political party. Viewers can always trust that by the end of the episode, President Bartlett and his loyal staff made the world a better place in one way or another. While America will never have a President quite as great as the fictional Jed, it helps to think what about him we all admire so much — and then decide which candidate can best emulate those qualities. It does not seem likely that us young voters will receive an apology any time soon, but the best way to express our indignation is to go out there and vote in the best way our conscience will permit. Now, if only there was a “Bartlett 2016” option. Aside from incessantly quoting “Hamilton” and other perfect works of theater/film, Lucy Collins majors in economics and history, is a sophomore at Notre Dame and is often found trying to balance her hopeless romanticism and nearly constant cynicism. Please direct comments to lcollin8@nd.edu The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Letter to the editor

Vote: one Catholic’s perspective Each of us knows someone who has voiced frustration about the upcoming presidential election akin to the following: “They’re both just so bad; I can’t vote for either of them.” You may even be one of those people. I understand your frustration. Many of us are, if not far past the point where we can stand hearing another insult or soundbite aimed across the aisle, just about on our last nerve. Still, such an exasperated conclusion deserves to be re-examined for several reasons. Here I would like to make an important distinction between conscious abstention and a failure to bother. I respect the decision of those who have concluded after much prayerful ref lection that they cannot in good conscience vote for either Mr. Trump or Secretary Clinton in the general election. I nevertheless exhort these people to go to the polls and vote for the other elections on the ballot. For whether it is a contested Senate race, an unexpectedly close gubernatorial tie, or a neck-and-neck municipal election with significant local implications, this election cycle in its totality deserves our conscious attention. There are grave social, economic, political and ideological consequences at stake in every state and district. To abstain from all of these elections on account of the one that dominates the news cycle would be a disservice to them all. Moreover, the Catholic social tradition, to which each of us has received varying degrees of exposure during our respective careers here at Notre Dame, offers compelling insight into our civic responsibilities, which carry particular gravity during election season. The only way the system improves is through our active participation in it, because voting is a great equalizer. The fact that each and every adult gets

to cast the same number of votes as the richest, most powerful person in America is a testament to this reality. The participatory point of view contrasts with so-called radical Catholicism, which resists explicit activity in representative democracy in part due to the paradigms of power and selfpromotion that have long poisoned it. Yet St. John Paul II wrote in “Christifideles Laici” (1988) that “charges of careerism, idolatry of power, egoism and corruption … [do] not in the least justify either skepticism or an absence on the part of Christians in public life.” This comes as no small exhortation from a man who lived through the totalitarian occupation of Poland during and after World War II. As Catholics we are called to ref lect God’s redemptive work, which extends to the entire created order, politics included. The moral imperative of our participation in helping to shape the political landscape is by no means an invention of John Paul II. The second century epistle entitled the “Letter to Diognetus” affirms that Christians are not called to separate themselves as a self-contained cult, but rather to be thoughtful and socially engaged citizens attentive to the Gospel. The letter exhorts Christians to live their public and private lives according to the love of God and the love of neighbor, recognizing that their ultimate citizenship lies in heaven (cf. Phil. 3:20). Our civic obligation to honor those who fought to preserve our right to participate in democracy must be nourished by a thorough analysis of the totality of the Catholic social tradition in relation to the priorities and proposed policy initiatives of all candidates seeking elected office. Though some would argue that there is no way to ensure that one’s interests are represented even if their chosen

candidate is elected, there is only one sure-fire way to guarantee that your interests are not represented — by not voting. There is little controversial about the statement that the way elected officials perceive their constituency depends greatly upon voter participation. To those eligible voters who cannot be bothered to discern the meaningful distinctions of ideology, qualifications and policy positions, and to those who contend, “I don’t just want to vote for the lesser of two evils,” I would argue that by refusing one’s constitutional privilege — or responsibility — to vote, you are in fact casting half a vote for the greater of two evils. And to any Catholic who resigns oneself to the statistical probability that their individual vote will not decide the outcome of any given election, I would contend that this represents a failure of imagination and is forgetful of the Body of Christ, of which we are all members. Just as you play a crucial role in mediating God’s grace and love to others as an individual, so also you have been graced by God with an identity as a political and social being. The Vatican II document “Gaudium et Spes” echoes St. Thomas Aquinas in positing that the political community, also referred to as the “noble art of politics,” exists “for the sake of the common good.” Our political order needs healing and we as sinners are no different. Surely the Church, which as a hospital for sinners capacitates us to receive God’s divine life, further enables us to allow this grace to overf low to our personal relationships, our local communities, and yes, even our national political order. Dan True senior Oct. 11

DAILY

The observer | Thursday, October 13, 2016 | ndsmcobserver.com

Crossword | Will Shortz

Horoscope | Eugenia Last

Happy Birthday: Express your feelings and prepare to make changes this year. Socializing with people who share your sentiments and are trying to achieve similar goals will help to keep you on the right course. Refuse to let disgruntled individuals stand in your way. Make choices based on the results you want to get, not what others think or say. Your numbers are 8, 19, 22, 28, 31, 39, 44. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Go over contracts and financial documents carefully. Look for any mistakes or potential problems you come across and address them openly. Don’t leave it up to others to make decisions for you. Show strength as well as diplomacy. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Make your relationships with others a priority. Getting along with the people around you will influence how successful you will be in life and in business. Let your imagination and passion take you on a new adventure. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Someone will take advantage of you by using emotional manipulation. Focus on personal changes and presenting what you have to offer. Refuse to let anyone limit your chances to advance. Make changes instead of having them forced on you. CANCER (June 21-July 22): It won’t be easy to get along with everyone. Gravitate toward the people who share your sentiments and you will find a way to accomplish something unique and satisfying. Romance will improve your personal life. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Charm and diplomacy will be required if you want to get ahead as well as keep the peace at home. Use incentives to bring others around to your way of thinking. Using force will leave you in a precarious position.

Just add water | eric carlson & john Roddy

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Don’t worry about what others are doing or the changes going on around you. Accept the inevitable and continue down the path that works best for you. Your ability to get things done on time will be impressive. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A change to the way you treat people will give you the leverage you need. Offer incentives and you will get a lot in return. Diplomacy and discipline will help you bypass any troubles that may surface. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The changes you implement at home will make a difference to the way you move forward in the future. Learn from past experiences, and you will stabilize your situation. Love and romance are highlighted. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Move forward with caution. Emotions will easily flare up, causing trouble with someone who wants to put the blame on you. Make positive changes to the way you take care of responsibilities and keep moving forward. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Accept the inevitable and find a way to make it work. Stay in touch with the people you trust and can count on for inside information. Rely on past experiences and be creative in the way you approach new people and proposals. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Look outside your immediate surroundings and you will find unique solutions to a problem that is plaguing you. Formulate your plans with precision and don’t indicate what you intend to do until the time is right. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Let your emotions lead the way. Express your feelings to someone you love and it will change your life emotionally, physically and financially. Love is in the stars and romance will improve your life. Birthday Baby: You are unique, engaging and intuitive. You are sensitive and changeable.

just add water | eric carlson & john roddy

Sudoku | The Mepham Group

Jumble | David Hoyt and Jeff knurek

Square Comic | XXX

Work Area

Make checks payable to and mail to:

Published Monday through Friday, The Observer is a vital source of information on people and events in the Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s Community. Join the more than 13,000 readers who have found The Observer an indispensable link to the two campuses. Please complete the accompanying form and mail it today to receive The Observer in your home.

The Observer P.O. Box 779 Notre Dame, IN 46556

Enclosed is $130 for one academic year Enclosed is $75 for one semester Name Address City State Zip

Sports

ndsmcobserver.com | Thursday, October 13, 2016 | The Observer

rowing

Sports Authority

Standards must apply to Woods Elizabeth Greason Sports Writer

Life is tough when you’re Tiger Woods. As facetious as that may sound, in most respects, it is a true statement. Yes, Woods is one of the most accomplished golfers in the history of the sport. Yes, Woods is a multi-millionaire, one of the wealthiest athletes of all time. And yes, despite his various off-the-course exploits, Woods still has a massive fan base. But that doesn’t mean Woods’ life is easy in the slightest. The injury-plagued golfer has lived under a microscope for his entire career — even more so since his personal life began making headlines in 2009. As the premier golfer of his generation, the world has incredibly high expectations for Woods. There is a large subset of fans that would consider anything less than a top-25 finish in Woods’ first event back since August 2015 a failure, as unrealistic and unfair as that expectation may be. At the peak of his career, it was fair to consider Woods to be on the verge of superhuman. I mean, the man played an extra 18 holes in the 2008 U.S. Open in a Monday playoff with a leg that was so badly broken his caddy could hear Woods moving. And he won. But Woods’ injuries and long recovery times should force his fans to recall that Woods is, in fact, human. An extremely strong and talented human, but a fallible human nonetheless. Tiger Woods should be held to the same standards as everyone else. He should not be expected to fire four consecutive rounds of 5-under par in his first event in 15 months. For Tiger’s return, a victory will not result in him holding a trophy on Sunday evening, but simply in him making the cut on Friday. Here’s the problem with this, though. Contrary to what Woods announced last Friday, we do not know when this longawaited return will be occurring. Because three days after Woods announced he would be competing in this weekend’s Safeway Open, he withdrew. Woods pulled out of the Safeway Open, not because he suffered

any sort of setback in his rehab, but because he did not feel his game was quite where it needed to be to compete. I fully believe that Tiger Woods should be subject to the same expectations as his peers. But, for me, that means both on and off the course. Woods’ behavior in pulling out of the Safeway Open simply is not up to par with what is expected of everyone else on the PGA Tour. If other top names like Jordan Spieth or Rory McIlroy pulled out of an event three days after confirming they would be teeing it up, for no reason other than their game was not as strong as it could be, the uproar would be massive. And that’s what Tiger deserves as well. The fact that Woods’ game is vulnerable is no excuse for him to not play, especially after making a commitment. A commitment to the tour, to the fans, to the tournament organizers. And all of those parties deserve for that commitment to be upheld. So, Tiger’s 180-degree turnaround on the state of his game is not something that should allow him to bend the rules. Since his game is one of the most heavily scrutinized aspects of golf today, his actions should be looked at in the same manner. Whether Woods is nervous about making his comeback, feels he cannot meet the lofty expectations so many have for him, or truly feels that his game regressed between Friday and Monday, Woods is supposed to be role model and will inevitably return to being the face of the game the moment he steps onto a PGA Tour tee box. It was wrong of Woods to withdraw from the Safeway Open. By doing so, he let quite a few parties, as well as himself, down. People care about Tiger Woods. He makes the PGA Tour relevant. Tiger is good for the game of golf. But Tiger Woods would be a whole lot better for golf if he lived up to the simple standards to which his peers are also held. 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.

ND heads to Boston for world’s largest regatta By BEN PADANILAM Associate Sports Editor

Notre Dame will kickoff its short fall season over the break with the renowned Head of the Charles regatta in Boston on Oct. 22 and 23. The Irish will be sending three boats to compete in the event. They will have a team in the club four-boat race Saturday and then teams in both the championship four-boat and championship eight-boat races Sunday. Irish head coach Martin Stone said the Head of the Charles is a special event which he is both excited for his team beginning the season with and worried about the distraction it can present to his rowers. “The Head of the Charles is really a celebration of rowing,” Stone said. “It’s also the largest and most celebrated general regatta in the world. In the Championship 8, we’re going against people who medaled in the Olympics in Rio. It’s all levels of competition — there will be former olympians there, [and] there will be olympians in the future.

“So it’s just a huge celebration of rowing that takes place in Boston. To be a part of that is phenomenal, but also you have to be careful because you can get caught up in that. There’s just so much going on, and it’s somewhat chaotic at times, so you can get out of focus sometimes. But for 18 minutes, we have to prepare to go really, really fast on a very difficult course in Boston.” Stone said he expects Notre Dame’s three boats to be competitive and race well, despite the extremely competitive nature of the field they will compete against. “We expect that we’re going to race well, and we’ll prepare well the next — I think we have 11 or 12 practices to prepare for the event,” Stone said. “We just gotta do the little things well to go fast and not get caught up in the extraneous stuff that happens on that day.” Stone said the team’s goals for the Head of the Charles are multifold. In order to qualify for next year’s event, a boat must finish in the top 50 percent of the field in its race. Therefore, he will judge his boats’ performances both by their

placement and how they stack up against teams they will see later in the spring season. “The first objective is to make sure all three boats are in the top 50 percent, so I think that’s the minimum we’re looking for,” Stone said. “And then, beyond that, we want to see how we compare to our other peer institutions that are racing there.” And being the first regatta of the season, the Head of the Charles can be a race that sets the tone for the rest of the season and will establish a starting point for the team’s development, Stone said. “Each race kind of builds on itself, and each race — I don’t want to say it’s more important than the previous, but maybe that’s the case,” Stone said. “It’s about getting better, right? So we have a lot of information of how we’ve done in the past [Head of the Charles regattas] and what we need to do differently each year.” Notre Dame will travel to Boston to compete in the Head of the Charles on Oct. 22 and 23. Contact Ben Padanilam at bpadanil@nd.edu

Swimming & diving

Irish visit Georgia Tech for first ACC contest By BRENNA MOXLEY Sports Writer

The Irish head to Atlanta for a two-day ACC meet against Georgia Tech on Oct. 21 and 22. Emory was also supposed to compete in the meet, but dropped out recently, so now Georgia Tech and Notre Dame will be the only two teams attending. The teams will be facing each other in the pool where the 2017 ACC championships will be held in February. Notre Dame is coming off a clean sweep last weekend with the men’s and women’s teams winning all 22 events in the first day of the Dennis Stark Relays, besting both Oakland and Indiana State. Georgia Tech has had a strong opening to its season with the men sweeping both Pittsburgh

and Boston College last week. Irish head coach Mike Litzinger expects the men’s team will need work hard to rise above the talent of Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets women also beat Georgia Southern at the end of September. “[The meet against Georgia Tech] will be a pretty competitive meet for our guys,” Litzinger said. “This string of three weeks for our men is going to be crucial and it is going to be the highest level of competition that we’ve seen so far this fall.” The Georgia Tech women’s team split a double-dual in its first ACC matchup, topping Boston College and losing to Pittsburgh. Litzinger emphasized the importance of the team, rather than the individual, for the women to surpass the Georgia Tech squad.

“Our women are going to have to perform really well as a group,” Litzinger said. “It is not going to be dominated by one individual — I think the win will come from everyone doing their part in their event.” Litzinger reiterated that Georgia Tech is the best squad the team has come up against so far this season. “It will certainly be the best competition we have faced since the year began,” Litzinger said. The meet takes place in McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta on Oct. 21 at 4 p.m. and resumes Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. Following this meet, the Irish will compete in ACC competition again in November against Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech. Contact Brenna Moxley at bmoxley@nd.edu

The Observer accepts classifieds every business day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Notre Dame office, 024 South Dining Hall. Deadline for next-day classifieds is 3 p.m. All classifieds must be prepaid. The charge is 5 cents per character per day, including all spaces. The Observer reserves the right to edit

Write Sports. Email Marek at mmazurek@nd.edu

all classifieds for content without issuing refunds.

For Sale

Wanted

Kia Soul 2013, 63K miles, $10,500. Call 773-304-7956

Independent Contractors Medical Delivery Drivers / Couriers Medifleet is seeking professional and quality driven independent contractor’s delivery drivers/couriers in the South

Stanford Tickets for sale. Call 574-287-2511

Bend Metro area. An industry leader with 20+ years of experience in logistics planning. Weekly settlement paid by direct deposit at no charge! MUST own a car. Contractors subject to background checks, drug screen, and MVR checks. Call 877-476-4555. www.fleetgistics.com

Sports

The observer | Thursday, October 13, 2016 | ndsmcobserver.com

Hockey Continued from page 12

WEI CAO | The Observer

Senior Katie Higgins, left, and freshman Jemma Yeadon prepare to block a spike during Notre Dame’s 3-1 victory over Duke on Sept. 30.

Volleyball Continued from page 12

the focus. “I think it’s fun for fans,” McLaughlin said. “I think there will be, maybe, a little more energy. But it’s another game and people slice it up a lot of ways. We just try to win every week, have good preparation and if you win the match, that’s all you’ve done is win the match. So focus is pretty narrow.” The Tar Heels will be Notre Dame’s first match-up against a ranked team since falling to Purdue, 3-1 on Sept. 3. Higgins made it clear that North Carolina’s ranking does not affect the team’s approach to the match or add any additional pressure. “We really try not to look at [rankings],” Higgins said. “We really just try to see the type of team that they are, the type of system that they run and how we’re gonna stop them. Nothing superficial like rankings or records or stuff like that. It’s just, they’re a good team and we’re ready to be a good team as well and battle it out.” While the Irish have the two leading servers in the ACC on their roster in junior middle blocker Sam Fry and sophomore libero Ryann DeJarld, McLaughlin feels that on top of the Tar Heels’ strength allaround, their serving will be one of the hardest aspects of their game to combat. “[They’re] iust a good, physical, big volleyball team,” McLaughlin said. “They’re pretty good serving; they’ve good a couple pretty good jump servers.” Going into Friday’s match, the Irish will need all hands on deck. After not seeing playing time in either match last week, McLaughlin noted Fry will be back in action against UNC. “Sammy’s better,” McLaughlin said. “She was sick and it was just the right thing not to play her. She probably wanted to play. She’s had a good week at practice and she goes full-speed [Thursday], 100%.” While the Irish have to stay focused on the match against North Carolina on Friday, they have also had to look forward to the rest of the matches that will be taking place over fall break. In every match, McLaughlin is looking for each and every player to step up and make strides toward improvement.

“You know, you come up, and just more and more people are contributing,” McLaughlin said. “The stats are getting better collectively, so that’s what I’m looking for. Just more and more people contributing and playing better.” Notre Dame will face off against UNC on Friday at 7 p.m. at Purcell Pavilion before taking on North Carolina State on Sunday at noon, also at Purcell Pavilion. The Irish will then travel to Pittsburgh to play the Panthers on the Friday of fall break and will take on Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, the following Sunday. Contact Elizabeth Greason at egreason@nd.edu

Irish were 6-of-15 on Friday, but only 1-for-9 on Saturday. While Jackson admitted Arizona State played better in the second game, he said the team was still experimenting with who should be on the ice in that situation. “I think we’re still feeling out a couple guys. So we’re still kinda experimenting a bit,” Jackson said. “Once we identify guys that are consistent, you know, in what they do and what they bring to the table, then we’ll lock in. … Both special teams are a work in progress; we got a bunch of new guys on penalty kill, we got several new guys on the power play, so for us, it’s just trying to evaluate who belongs there on a full-time basis.” One man that won’t be dropped from the power play, however, is junior forward Anders Bjork. This week, Bjork was named the Hockey East Player of the Week, after his four-goal, three-assist performance against Arizona State. Additionally, junior captain and goalkeeper Cal Petersen was one of 20 players named to the Mike Richter Award Watch List for 2016-17, given to the best goalie in the country. Last year, Petersen had a .927 save percentage, good for 12th best in the country.

But both will have to be at their best this weekend if the Irish are going to get results. “They’re always a top-10 program, consistently, and they play the game hard,” Jackson said of the Bulldogs (2-0-2). “I mean, they have a lot of talent, they’re usually skilled, and they play fast, but they got some grit to them, and they’re hard to play against. But they’re not cheap, they’re very well coached, they’re tough to play against — I mean they’re going to give us more than we can handle at times — and hopefully we can do the same to them, but’s it in their building, so it’s going to be a big challenge for us.” Jackson’s biggest concern about the matchup is the major upgrade in game speed, as Duluth is more talented than Arizona State. “We’re going to have to be ready for the speed of the game, it’s going to be higher than what we’ve played,” he said. “I think the [U.S. National Team Development

Paid Advertisement

Program] game probably helped us a little bit in that area, but I think the biggest thing is going to be puck decisions probably, and trying to stay out of the penalty box. … I think the biggest thing for a lot of these young kids is going to be playing in a real hostile environment, and a lot of them already have in the USHL and other places, but not like a college environment. I mean, college hockey is like football in a way, you practice all week and play two games on the weekend, so every game is almost like a playoff game, and hopefully last weekend, I thought Saturday we weren’t as sharp, and like I said, I hope that there was reason for that, but I’m hoping we are able to come out and play with the same energy and speed and focus we had on Friday this coming Friday, because even if we do, it’s going to be a hard, hard game.” Contact Tobias Hoonhout at thoonhou@nd.edu

Paid Advertisement

Sports

ndsmcobserver.com | Thursday, October 13, 2016 | The Observer

W Soccer

Paid Advertisement

Continued from page 12

GRACE TOURVILLE | The Observer

Junior midfielder Taylor Klawunder, left, and sophomore defender Rachel Heard pursue the ball in Notre Dame’s 1-0 loss to Virginia. Paid Advertisement

M Golf Continued from page 12

Verhey recorded a score of 7-over-par 217, and freshman John Felitto finished w ith a score of 9-over-par 219. The next leading indiv idual was Cole Donielson from UTEP who recorded a score of 11-over-par 221. Barens, who competed in the U.S. Open Amateur over the summer, was the only Irish golfer to finish under par for the tournament. The finish in the Fighting Irish Gridiron Golf Classic was a substantial improvementfor the Irish over their prev ious finish in the Georgia State Maui Jim Intercollegiate, where the squad finished 14th of the 16 teams that competed. As the team moves into the break, Notre Dame w ill travel to Beallsv ille, Mar yland, and compete in the Georgetow n Intercollegiate at Mar yland’s Four Streams Golf Club course. Notre Dame tees off Monday and concludes the inv itational the follow ing day. Paid Advertisement

get back out on the field and we have a big opponent Friday, so we’ll have a chance to redeem ourselves. It gives us a chance to take out our frustration on another opponent.” The story of the season to this point for Notre Dame has been strong defense. Coming into the Virginia game, the Irish were in the top three in the conference in goals allowed, goals against average and shutouts. On offense, however, things have not come as easily to the Irish, and Romagnolo recognizes the need for her team to make some adjustments before taking on the Tar Heels (8-1-3, 3-1-2). “We want to work on getting better when it comes to playing under pressure from the opponent. We want to improve our control on the ball and be able to control more of the game because defensively, we have been solid in limiting opportunities,” Romagnolo said. “Our focus is offensively and how do we keep the ball out of tough areas and how do we create more opportunities so we can take control of the game.” Looking beyond the tough contest on Friday, the Irish will have a pair of games during fall break. Both will take place on the road, as the team heads to Virginia Tech next Friday and Wake Forest that Sunday. The Hokies (10-4-1, 2-3-1) and Demon Deacons (8-6-0, 0-6-0) are each below .500 in conference play, with a number of teams sitting between them and Notre Dame in the conference standings. As a team sitting at second in ACC play, Notre Dame is reaching a crucial stretch that will determine what kind of position the Irish are in as postseason play gets underway in just a couple of weeks. However, Romagnolo maintains that her team is not worried about the future and is staying focused on the next opponent in front of them. “We aren’t looking ahead of North Carolina and we’re just taking it one day at a time and focusing on preparing for Friday,” Romagnolo said. “Every game is important and we want to continue to grow as a group and get better. The standings aren’t something we can control, so we just have to focus on controlling what we do. We want to continue to be strong defensively and show composure on the ball and give ourselves better offensive chances. There is a lot ahead of us and things change, so we’re just looking to take care of North Carolina on Friday.” The game on Friday kicks off at 7 p.m. as Notre Dame looks to hit fall break on a high note with a win against another highly ranked opponent before going on the road for next week’s pair of contests. Contact Alex Bender at abender@nd.edu

The observer | Thursday, October 13, 2016 | ndsmcobserver.com

HOCKEY

ND Volelyball

Irish to face first test of season versus Duluth

ND prepares for ranked Tar Heels

By TOBIAS HOONHOUT

By ELIZABETH GREASON

Sports Writer

After putting 13 goals past Arizona State last weekend, No. 5 Notre Dame faces a much tougher test this weekend when it travels north for a showdown with No. 4 Minnesota-Duluth. While Irish head coach Jeff Jackson was pleased with the victories, he did think the team could improve its consistency, as the Irish (2-0-0) dominated the first game 9-2 but struggled to put the Sun Devils (02-0) away en-route to a 4-2 win. “Obviously different reactions from Friday to Saturday,” Jackson said. “I thought we used our speed effectively on Friday, and Saturday I thought we lacked some intensity, I mean the score from Friday night might’ve impacted that, I’m not sure, Parent’s Weekend might’ve impacted that, but we gotta make sure that’s just a one-time thing, we can’t have that level of inconsistency Friday and Saturday.” One particular area of interest was the power play, as the

KELLY VAUGHN | The Observer

see HOCKEY PAGE 10

Junior forward Anders Bjork holds off a defender during Notre Dame’s 4-2 win over ASU on Saturday at Compton Family Ice Arena.

At 6-0 in the conference, the Irish are off to the best ACC start in program history. Notre Dame (15-3, 6-0 ACC) is one of two remaining ACC teams with perfect in-conference records, the other being No. 8 North Carolina, and the Irish face off against the Tar Heels(14-2, 6-0 ACC) on Friday. Notre Dame senior middle blocker Katie Higgins said she is pleased with the team’s start to the season and that the winning streak has created a different environment and atmosphere. “It’s awesome,” Higgins said. “It’s just the culmination of all of our hard work and focus and discipline as a team. We’re just coming together and the results are really rewarding. … We definitely are more focused [than last season]. We have a lot of discipline, our technique it much better, we have a really good sense of drive and a nice vibe within the locker room that we push each other daily. So, it’s definitely different than the

Men’s Golf

Notre Dame returned to Warren Golf Course this week to compete in the Fighting Irish Gridiron Golf Classic. Despite the home field advantage, the Irish finished one stroke behind Universit y of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) to finish second. As the top indiv idual, senior Blake Barens recorded a school-record 9-underpar score of 209 to take home medalist honors for the Irish. The last time Notre Dame competed at Warren Golf Course, the team took home first place in the Notre Dame Kickoff Challenge over Valparaiso and Detroit, but this time around the Irish went up against a field of 14 other programs. After day one at the event, the Irish placed fifth w ith a score of 285 on Sunday while Eastern Michigan took the early lead w ith an even-par score of 280. The Irish improved their score Monday by two strokes, mov ing into a tie for

see VOLLEYBALL PAGE 10

ND Women’s Soccer

ND finishes second at home Observer Staff Report

years in the past and it’s showing on the court.” The Irish are coming off a successful road trip to the Northeast, during which Irish head coach Jim McLaughlin earned his 600th career coaching win in Notre Dame’s 3-0 win over Syracuse. While McLaughlin is not taking the time to focus on his record at the moment, as he is taking it one match at a time, he admitted that the milestone was an impressive accomplishment. “It makes me feel a little old,” McLaughlin said. “They’re all good. The wins are good and it makes you think about all the stuff you went through. But, in this business, you don’t have time to ever look but someday down the road when I retire I’ll look back, but, right now I’m just thinking about getting one more win.” Looking ahead to Friday’s match against the No. 8 Tar Heels, McLaughlin feels the high-powered matchup could provide an additional level of excitement, but maintained that getting the win is

Irish ready for top-20 contest at home with UNC

second place w ith Illinois State. Both teams trailed UTEP by eight strokes. In the final day of the tournament, Notre Dame, who teed off w ith UTEP and Illinois State, moved up to one stroke behind the Miners but failed to overcome the deficit. Ball State finished in third w ith a final score of 849, Eastern Michigan finished fourth and recorded a score of 851, and Illinois State rounded up the top five w ith a score of 854. The team which competed consisted of Barens, sophomore Ben A lbin, junior Thomas Steve, sophomore Miguel Delgado and freshman Dav id Lamb. Play ing as indiv iduals, Irish senior Matthew Rushton carded a threeday score of 2-over-par 212, senior Liam Cox recorded a score of 5-over-par 215, freshman Hunter Ostrom and sophomore Kev in Connors each finished w ith 6-over-par 216, junior Jens

On Friday night at Alumni Stadium, No. 20 Notre Dame will take on conference foe No. 11 North Carolina as each team looks to improve upon its current standing in the ACC. Last time out for the Irish (9-2-3, 4-1-1 ACC), the team suffered its first loss since late August, a stretch that spanned 10 games, as No. 5 Virginia picked up a 1-0 victory at Alumni Stadium. The lone goal came on a penalty kick in the 60th minute that the Irish were unable to overcome, allowing the Cavaliers to escape with a win. Notre Dame currently holds second place in the conference standings despite the loss, and overall, Irish head coach Theresa Romagnolo wasn’t disappointed with her team’s performance. “I think we played well and did a good job of staying disciplined,” Romagnolo said. “I know the team is excited to

see M GOLF PAGE 11

see W SOCCER PAGE 11

By ALEX BENDER Sports Writer

GRACE TOURVILLE | The Observer

Freshman forward Jennifer Westendorf jostles for the ball during Notre Dame’s 1-0 loss to Virginia on Sunday at Alumni Stadium.