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Volume 56, Issue 1 | Friday, aUGUST 20, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
First-year students arrive on campus University welcomes most diverse class
College maintains enrollment numbers
By ALYSA GUFFEY
By GENEVIEVE COLEMAN
News Editor
Saint Mary’s News Editor
After receiving 23,642 applications and admitting 3,446 students to the class of 2025, Notre Dame expects to welcome about 2,072 students into the class of 2025 this weekend. Don Bishop, senior vice president of undergraduate enrollment, said the 58% yield rate — the number of students who choose to accept their admittance to the University — for the class of 2025 is the second-highest ever, behind the 61% yield rate in 2001.
This year, 386 first-years and 14 transfer students will join the Saint Mary’s community during Belles Beginnings, as of Aug. 13. In an email, director of admission Sarah Gallagher Dvorak expressed her pleasure that the College was able to maintain enrollment numbers, despite the ongoing conditions of the pandemic. “Since March 2019, we have been unable to travel around the ountry and throughout the world, which ultimately impacted the
see ND CLASS PAGE 3
MAGGIE KLAERS | The Observer
Campus hosts Welcome Week By MAGGIE EASTLAND Associate News Editor
More than 2,000 first-year students move into their residence halls Friday and begin a new chapter at Notre Dame. The University, including nearly 300 student leaders split between the St. André Bessette Committee and the Steering Committee, will embrace the class of 2025 during its first few college days. With fewer COVID-19 restrictions and recent program adjustments, Welcome Week 2021 will look different from last year and years before the pandemic. Among the key changes, Welcome Week program directors Lauren Donahue of the Division of Student Affairs and Andrew Whittington of the Center for University Advising said the Week seeks to promote better connections to Notre Dame’s academic environment, create a more inclusive environment and encourage students to explore the University community even after the official Welcome Week programming concludes. “We’re excited to keep the things that make this experience at Notre Dame beautiful, but I
NEWS PAGE 2
don’t think this will look the exact same as it did in 2019, and it won’t look the same as it did in 2020,” Donahue said. Whittington emphasized that each new class deepens and enhances the University’s vision. Honoring Welcome Week tradition, first-years will experience a class trip to the Grotto, welcome Mass, Moreau course kickoff, class photo, residence hall events, Domerfest and remarks from University President Fr. John Jenkins, provost Marie Lynn Miranda and new vice president for student affairs Fr. Gerard Olinger. In line with the University’s COVID-19 policy, parents and guests who arrive with students must wear masks when indoors except when eating or drinking. Students with a vaccine exemption must also wear masks in most spaces. Many larger Welcome Week events will take place outdoors where masks will not be required. Parents and visitors helping students move in will be allowed in the residence halls, but visitors will be prohibited once classes see EVENTS PAGE 5
VIEWPOINT PAGE 7
see SMC CLASS PAGE 3
University introduces 196 transfers to campus life By EVAN McKENNA Managing Editor
Notre Dame will begin its Welcome Week programming Friday, inviting thousands of new students onto the University’s campus. Included in these numbers are 189 transfer students, joining the student body from colleges and universities across the country, across the world and right in South Bend. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting uncertainties regarding admissions, the enrollment target for last year’s class of transfer students rose to 250. This year, however, the admissions office returned to its typical number. Similar to first-year students, the incoming class of transfer students will participate in Welcome Week activities beginning Friday, including campus tours, hall programming and seminars designed to help welcome transfer students into the campus community. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and many universities’ suspension of in-person classes and activities during the 2020-2021 academic year, many transfer
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students in this year’s incoming class might have very little experience with an in-person college experience. Despite this obstacle, the University is dedicated to welcoming these new students with open arms, the University’s director of transfer enrollment Erin Camilleri said. “The Division of Student Affairs will be hosting a Transfer Welcome Weekend for our traditional transfer students where the students can learn more about Notre Dame and begin building lasting friendships with one another,” Camilleri said. “Additionally, Student Affairs has worked very hard to provide on-campus housing opportunities for all transfers. We know the respective residence hall communities will offer those students a warm welcome to Notre Dame.” Of the 189 transfer students joining the Notre Dame family this weekend, 77 are part of the Gateway Program, the University’s collaborative curriculum with Holy Cross College. The program invites select students to enroll at Holy Cross for their first year of college, guaranteeing enrollment at Notre Dame at the start of their sophomore year. Stella Mancini, a sophomore in
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the Gateway Program majoring in computer science and Italian, shared her story about how she ended up in the program following her application to Notre Dame. “I got my letter right around my birthday, and I was really upset because I basically saw it as a rejection, and Notre Dame was pretty much my dream school,” Mancini said. “My older brother, who had done the normal fouryear program, was the one who told me that his friends had said great things about Gateway and pretty much pushed me in the direction of accepting my invite to the Gateway Program.” A future resident of McGlinn Hall, Mancini looks forward to her time at Notre Dame, especially given her prior familiarity with the tri-campus community. “I couldn’t be more excited to actually be at Notre Dame now,” Mancini said. “In a way it feels like I’m still a freshman, but also like I’m ahead since I’ve sort of got the ins and outs of campus down — South Quad, at least, since it’s closest to where I’d enter walking from Holy Cross.” Although this academic year see TRANSFERS PAGE 4
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The observer | FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
ND embraces international students ndsmcobserver.com P.O. Box 779, Notre Dame, IN 46556 024 South Dining Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556 Editor-in-Chief Adriana Perez Managing Editor Evan McKenna
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By BELLA LAUFENBERG News Writer
As students from all corners of the globe embark on their journeys to campus, Notre Dame International has been preparing a welcome program called international student orientation. This year’s group of international students includes the class of 2025 incoming first-years, class of 2024 incoming sophomores arriving on campus for the first time after being denied a student visa due to COVID-19 and exchange students. These students primarily hail from China, Brazil, Canada, Korea, Panama and India, but they also represent a variety of European countries as well. International student orientation occurs Wednesday, Aug. 18 and Thursday, Aug. 19 before domestic students arrive for Welcome Week starting on Friday, Aug. 20. Leah Zimmer, a director of
international student and scholar affairs (ISSA), explained that Wednesday is less formal, allowing students to check in and get settled. During the day, the ISSA team runs shuttles to stores and other essential locations to help students become acclimated to campus. “Wednesday, we’ll have basically orientation check in,” Zimmer explained. “Some students are arriving in the U.S. that day, and we’re welcoming them and making sure that they have a friendly face when they arrive on campus.” International students are welcomed with an official lunch Thursday along with an afternoon of activities catered towards adjusting to college life. Zimmer said these programs include learning about U.S. healthcare, U.S. bank accounts, phone numbers and Midwest culture. The ISSA also offers visa training. Zimmer’s team teaches international students about their student visa responsibilities.
Students can enter the U.S. with either a J1 visa or an F1 visa. Fouryear degree students hold F1 visas, whereas exchange students studying for only a semester at a time use J1 visas. Unlike domestic students, international students are not required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to matriculate for the Fall 2021 semester. Zimmer explained that students were allowed to apply for an exemption. “[International] students did have to report that they needed an exception for arrival, and then they’ll be going through the vaccination process,” Zimmer said. Zimmer also mentioned all international student orientation programming will be conducted according to updated COVID-19 mandates from the University. Along with Zimmer’s ISSA team, a group of student leaders, called international ambassadors, also help international students learn the ins and outs of life at Notre Dame. “They do pretty extensive
work over the summer — connecting with students, answering questions, hosting zoom calls. Then when the students arrive, they’re helping them do sort of that initial community building,” Zimmer said of the student leaders. International student orientation concludes with an activity night and bonfire. Class of 2025 international students then join their first-year peers for Welcome Week beginning Friday. Zimmer explained that international student orientation helps bridge the initial gap after arriving on campus. Students are still required to participate in Welcome Week. The two welcomes are not intended to be repetitive, Zimmer said, but to help prepare international students for both their first semester at Notre Dame and their time as a U.S. resident. Contact Bella Laufenberg at blaufen@nd.edu
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webmaster@ndsmcobserver.com Policies The Observer is the independent, daily newspaper published in print and online by the students of the University of Notre Dame du Lac, Saint Mary’s College and Holy Cross College. Editorial content, including advertisements, is not governed by policies of the administration of any 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 Adriana Perez. 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
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By GENEVIEVE COLEMAN Saint Mary’s News Editor
Each year, Saint Mary’s unites to host Belles Beginnings, a weekend of events meant to foster friendship and community among first-year and transfer students. Student Government Association (SGA) president Elly Hanson spoke on the mission behind this year’s programming. “The focus of Belles Beginnings this year revolves around navigating college life in the midst of a pandemic while also balancing a social life, mental health and course load,” Hanson said. Recalling the challenges caused by the pandemic, Hanson hopes that Belles Beginnings participants can have a more normal orientation to college life. “Our experience with
orientation last year during a pandemic was extremely limited, so now that some of our restrictions have eased up, we wanted to establish a foundation for the incoming first years and transfer students and show them the vibrancy of the Saint Mary’s community,” Hanson said. Hallmark large group gatherings, like Domerfest and the Opening of the Circle, as well as the first annual walk down The Avenue, are planned with contingency plans in place, according to Hanson. “Luckily we have been able to proceed with the weekend as if it were a normal year, but we are prepared to make accommodations [as] necessary,” she said. “We are very excited to be reunited with our tri-campus community through Domerfest.” This year’s schedule also includes a matriculation ceremony, presentations about campus
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resources and events hosted by various campus organizations. Hanson noted SGA’s goals of supporting first-generation and underrepresented students who participated in Belles Connect, an initiative through the Office of Multicultural Service meant to help transition students to the College earlier in this month. “Our priorities while mentoring these students would be to be present at Belles Connect and get to know them on a more personal level if possible,” Hanson said. “We are incredibly excited to grow our Inclusivity Committee that focus on inclusion, diversity and bridging social gaps.” For students who are still acclimating to a large college environment, Hanson noted that events are planned for those who still want to be involved in the weekend. “[W]e have an alternative Domerfest event going on at
Saint Mary’s, as well as a variety of events that promote conversation for the student who may be less outgoing,” Hanson said. “We are hoping that SGA alongside [Student Diversity Board, Residence Hall Association and Student Activities Board] are able to succeed in easing the first-years’ experience at college through these planned events.” Hanson advises first-years to enjoy their time on campus, even if they are homesick, so they can fully appreciate their four years at Saint Mary’s. “The advice we would [give] our first-year students is [to] be open to change,” she said. “We would advise our first-years to stay on campus as much as they miss home. Growth doesn’t occur inside your comfort zone. Stay on campus and appreciate it while you can.” Contact Genevieve Coleman at gcoleman01@saintmarys.edu
Want your event included here? Email news@ndsmcobserver.com
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
First-Year Move-In residence halls 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. First-year students to move into residence halls.
Day of Community South Bend 10 a.m. First-years to visit several organizations in South Bend.
Moreau Welcome Session various buildings 9 - 10 a.m. Introduction to the Moreau course.
First Day of Classes campus-wide all day Undergraduate classes begin for all students.
Opening Mass Notre Dame 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Fr. Jenkins to preside. All new and returning students welcome.
Official Welcome Notre Dame Stadium 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Fr. Jenkins to welcome first-years and their families to campus.
Domerfest Duncan Student Center 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. Carnival atmosphere for incoming students.
First Visit to Grotto Grotto 8 - 9 p.m. First-years visit the Grotto as a class for the first time.
Information Session: Social Concerns Seminars Geddes Hall 4 - 5 p.m. All students welcome.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Irish Green 7:30-8:30 p.m. Part of Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival.
News
ND class Continued from page 1
As of Aug. 15, 2,072 first-year students are expected to enroll in the class of 2025. Bishop said the University expects the number to end up being around 2,065 students due to various changing circumstances. The University hit a record with the number of applications and also hit a record with the lowest admittance rate ever at 15%. Bishop noted that compared to 2010, the University admitted about 620 fewer students while enrolling the same number of first-year students. “Notre Dame, while gaining in selectivity, has also gained in the preference of students who have been admitted,” Bishop said. As a result, Bishop said he believes that this year’s first-year class is “more qualified than any class” to be at Notre Dame. “We’ve now said that for about 11 straight years, but it’s been true for 11 straight years,” Bishop said. The class of 2025 will be the most diverse class in Notre Dame history ethnically, racially, globally and socio-economically, Bishop said. First-generation, Pell Grant and students with family incomes under $65,000 make up 20.3% of the first-year class. In addition, U.S. students of color and international students are 38.8% of the class. Bishop said the diversity of the class was highly rewarding after several years dedicated to increasing the reach of the University to these students. “About three years ago, internally, we developed a commitment to adding more lower-income, firstgen, Pell students and even beyond that, lower-income students that don’t have all the advantages that
ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, aUGUST 20, 2021 | The Observer
maybe the median student at Notre Dame has, and we built a budget for financial aid to anticipate a lot more spending on financial aid — which we’ve been doing,” Bishop said. “And we’ve been ramping up some of the recruitment efforts to keep finding more of those students.” The class is composed of 151 international students, with another 98 of students having citizenship in the U.S. but living most or all of their lives abroad. Overall, Bishop said 15.2% of the class has some form of international status. The University will also welcome 97 students into the Notre DameHoly Cross Gateway Program — a record number for the program. Students in the program complete one year at Holy Cross College and then transfer to the University. Transfer applications rose by 46% in the application cycle, with 229 transfer students scheduled to enroll this fall, 77 of which are from the gateway program. “We believe part of this surge was the positive view of Notre Dame being more open for the past year than most of the other highly rated selective universities,” Bishop said. Due to travel restrictions of the pandemic, the entire 2020-2021 admissions cycle was conducted virtually. Christy Pratt, director of undergraduate admissions, said she feels her office was able to reach more students as a result. “We took away the barrier of [prospective students] having to either travel to where we were going, or for them to come to Notre Dame because for a lot of students that is cost-prohibitive,” Pratt said. Bishop said the virtual format also allowed the University to engage students and alumni to target specific groups, including women in S.T.E.M., African-American students and international
communities. Last fall, many international students were unable to travel to Notre Dame to begin their first year. However, this year Pratt said the number of students unable to travel to Notre Dame due to travel restrictions and difficulties obtaining visas is significantly lower. “We’re very happy that we’re going to have almost all of our foreign international students from outside of the U.S. be able to join us this fall,” Pratt said. In June 2020, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions announced it would be going “test-optional,” meaning applicants would not need to submit a standardized test score with their application. Of enrolling students, 36% chose to be test-optional. Bishop noted the University had been strongly considering adopting this policy before the pandemic and would have installed a testoptional pilot program regardless. Bishop said prospective students are evaluated less on statistics and more on their desire to learn by being test-optional. “I think we are building each year a stronger cohort of students more capable of developing wisdom and not just piling up statistical achievements,” Bishop said. “Our students are less likely to fall into the treadmill of achievement trap.” Overall, Pratt said she believes the class of 2025 exemplifies the desire to be part of the Notre Dame community, especially with some not stepping foot in a physical classroom for over a year. “I think these are the students that are eager and hungry to be here,” Pratt said. Contact Alysa Guffey at aguffey@nd.edu
SMC class Continued from page 1
number of students we were able to connect with as they made their decisions regarding where they’d apply and ultimately enroll,” Gallagher Dvorak said. “Like most other campuses, we also had to shut down most on-campus events or visits.” The Office of Admission received 2,350 first-year applications with only six percent of the incoming class applying early decision, a marked decrease from previous years, according to Gallagher Dvorak. “Given the pandemic, this wasn’t a surprise as students felt a need to keep their options open given the uncertainty of the environment, Gallagher Dvorak said.” With the incoming class representing 31 states and three countries, Gallagher Dvorak said the pandemic did not appear to significantly affect international student applications. “I’m sure it played a role in certain countries, but overall, we haven’t seen a dramatic difference in international application numbers this year,” she said. Gallagher Dvorak said the average GPA of the class of 2025 is 3.85, which remains consistent with data collected in the past. Outside of academics, the incoming class is composed of students who pursued a variety of interests, Gallagher Dvorak explained. “The class is made up of many high school athletes, musicians, student government
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leaders and community service volunteers,” Gallagher Dvorak said. “We have a number of students who founded their own businesses, many Irish dancers and many students who have gone on mission trips to serve local communities throughout the world. We have one student who filmed, edited and produced a video about farming for the Smithsonian exhibit, ‘Crossroads of America’.” Gallagher Dvorak noted she was especially impressed by the number of small business owners, a number that is “more than [the Office of Admission] would see in any given year.” In addition, 22% of first-years are from underrepresented communities, which is an increase from previous years. Gallagher Dvorak commented on the progress the College has made on recruiting students of color. “We’re proud of how well we’ve attracted students of color to our campus over the last several years,” she said. “The numbers have increased dramatically and that speaks to the work the College has done to provide a welcoming environment for students from all walks of life, no matter their backgrounds. This is something that we will continue to work on at the College so we can continue to attract and retain a diverse population of students.” First-generation students make up 32% of the class of 2025, which is a six percent increase compared to 2020.
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The observer | Friday, aUGUST 20, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
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Transfers Continued from page 1
marks the end of her time at Holy Cross, Mancini said she is grateful for the experience the Gateway Program provided. “I’m really just amazingly grateful for all the connections I made in my time in the Gateway program — not just with students but also teachers and even my old dorm’s staff members,” Mancini said. “Being at a campus of roughly 500 people made it really easy to make close bonds with people that I otherwise wouldn’t have had the courage to talk to a whole lot. And it’s great knowing that I’m transferring alongside all my friends; we’re all going our separate ways with our majors, but we’re still staying in touch every day, and we can see each other any time.” And despite the challenges the pandemic posed to the process of transfer admissions this year, Camilleri expressed her gratitude for her position in directing the University’s transfer admissions process. “I feel so lucky to be working with all of our new students to Notre Dame,” Camilleri said. “Whether students are firstyears, transfers, domestic or international students, it is a privilege to play a role in bringing them to Notre Dame. No matter how one’s journey begins, our students are part of the Notre Dame family, and our community is richer for the diverse perspectives and experiences they bring.” Contact Evan McKenna at emckenn2@nd.edu
SMC class Continued from page 3
Emphasizing that diversity at the College makes it a more vibrant place, Gallagher Dvorak spoke on how diversity creates a better learning environment for students. “College is often the first opportunity students have to be exposed to something or someone different,” she said. “Our classrooms are enriched by the diversity of thought our students bring into class discussions.
Exposure to diversity is something that benefits all Saint Mary’s students as it forces them to expand their intellectual and personal understanding of the world.” Twenty-eight percent of firstyear students have a legacy connection, which Gallagher Dvorak attributed to strong intergenerational ties between family members who have attended Saint Mary’s. “As an alumna myself, I understand the strong emotional ties to the College and recognize how much I would love for my daughters to one day
have the transformational experience I had at Saint Mary’s,” Gallagher Dvorak said. “These numbers show just how much our alumnae loved and benefited from their time here, and now they’re encouraging their family members to follow a similar path.”out students demonstrating an academic background that will prepare them well for the classroom, Gallagher Dvorak said. The average GPA of incoming freshmen is 3.8, and more than half of the class held membership in the National Honor Society or other honor
societies, she said. “It is our goal to ensure that students are growing and developing in a broad cross-section of academic areas,” Gallagher Dvorak said. “Additionally, we look for students who already exemplify the core values that make our College special: A passion and calling for serving others, leadership skills and a diversity of interests and variety of life experiences and backgrounds to help enrich the campus community.” Contact Genevieve Coleman at gcoleman01@saintmarys.edu
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Events Continued from page 1
begin. Since many first-years did not have an opportunity to visit campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Welcome Week programming includes more tours than usual to help students learn their way around campus. In response to student feedback indicating a desire for more academic engagement during Welcome Week, a first-year lecture series debuts this year. “We want [first years] to feel an affinity for Farley Hall, but also begin to identify with the intellectual environment of Notre Dame,” Whittington said. Each first-year student will sign up for any lecture of their choosing regardless of their intended major or school. Whittington described the lecturers as some of the “most dynamic and interesting faculty members across all colleges and schools.” The lectures provide an opportunity for first years to engage with their academic identity in a more personal way than the larger pre-assigned lectures of the past. Donahue and Whittington also decided on several title changes for this year’s firstyear programming. Notre Dame students who welcome first-years in their residence halls will now be known as the St. André Bessette Committee, instead of hall captains. Donahue said the nominal change offers St. André Bessette — a doorkeeper and the first saint of the Congregation of the Holy Cross — as an example for committee members to follow when interacting with first years. In every residence hall, one St. André Bessette Committee member for each resident assistant and two co-chairs accompany students during their first days and weeks at Notre Dame. Donahue said she saw many first years become long-term friends with these ambassadors during her four years as the rector of Cavanaugh Hall. Another name change is the program itself, titled Welcome Week, as opposed to Welcome Weekend. The distinction aims to signal to first-years their adjustment to Notre Dame might take more than a few days. “A student’s transition and orientation to this place doesn’t end in 72 hours,” Donahue said. First-year programming extends beyond one weekend, lasting throughout the entire first year with the Moreau First Year Experience course and a new program designed to connect students based
on a variety of shared interest or goals in the weeks after classes begin. Information on this new program is yet to be released. Students and alumni may notice another change in this year’s Welcome Week — the absence of the so-called serenades. In past years, first-years within each residence hall often learned song and dance numbers to perform for other dorms upon meeting. Donahue believes these serenades have a history of exclusion and an unwelcoming message. “The word serenade and the culture around serenades is archaic,” Donahue said. “The word serenade itself implies a message that most students are not intending.” Donahue explained that serenades of the past often included sexual innuendos and heteronormative messages that created an unwelcoming or awkward environment for many students. “There are lots of pieces of our identity that are not known on the surface,” Donahue explained. “We are not encouraging students to sing serenades. We are not encouraging people to repeat and promote that kind of culture.” Songs or cheers that express dorm pride without exclusive messages will be permitted. Skyler Hamilton, a senior in Farley Hall and a member of the Steering Committee — a group of student leaders who work behind the scenes to help plan welcome programming — is disappointed there will be no serenades. “My favorite event or thing to do was the serenades, but we can’t do the serenades this year, so that was kind of a bummer,” she said. She also noted that Domerfest will be different this year as organizers shift the focus from a purely social event to an event more ref lective of the University as a whole. Regardless of the serenade status, University and student leaders hope first years understand the value they bring to the community. “These students have demonstrated a resiliency, and a commitment, and an expertise, and just a tremendous gift that they could have given to any number of university communities across the world, and they chose Notre Dame,” Whittington said. “That just makes me incredibly grateful for the gifts that they’ll give to our community and the ways in which they will renew our spirit, make us better, and transform every corner of our campus.” Contact Maggie Eastland at meastland@nd.edu
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The observer | Friday, August 20, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
Inside Column
LETTERs TO THE EDITOR
The time that is given us Adriana Perez Editor-in-Chief
Welcome to our lovely tri-campus! I have been trying to write this for a while but cannot figure out something worth saying that has not yet been said. So, I’ll begin where a lot of things do now: tracing back to the beginning of the pandemic. I remember at that time, one conversation between Frodo and Gandalf from “The Lord of the Rings” kept replaying in my mind. “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” the hobbit tells the wizard in “The Fellowship of the Ring.” I think he was talking about the return of Sauron. Any ways, Gandalf replies: “So do I, and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” And, holy. If only I knew how important understanding that — especially the last part — would become as I began my undergraduate career. Though I guess I sort of did. A cousin had gifted me a book before my first year at Notre Dame, a book that contained bits of advice and wisdom for college students. Though I admittedly never finished reading it, one piece stuck with me. I had to let go of the idea that my time in college would be the very best four years of my life. A very controversial — even scary — thought. But bear with me. As life does, college would give me some of my happiest moments. But it would also deal me several blows, according to the book. And I’d better be prepared for them, as one goes into the sea. You are supposed to ride waves up and down, up and down. If you don’t expect that f luidity, you will get pulled under. College has, indeed, given me plenty of beautiful moments that I will forever cherish in my heart. But it also has given me difficult burdens to bear. Many of us can agree the last 18 or so months have been difficult, and that’s putting it lightly. Arming myself with that bit of wisdom did help me better prepare for when things got tough — as they inevitably do — by learning to surround myself with the right people and by learning to be kinder to myself. I certainly hope the next few years are kinder to all of us and the tri-campus community than the past few semesters have been. Your college experience can simultaneously be wonderful and painful, and everything in between. Most of the time, it’s not up to us. But whatever it is, this time will be yours and that of the people you are fortunate to share it with. I, for one, am thrilled to be sharing mine with you. Contact Adriana Perez at aperez8@nd.edu The views expressed in this Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
A warm welcome Dear students, I extend a warm welcome to each of you. W hether you are arriv ing on campus for the first time or returning after a summer away, we are ver y glad you are part of the Notre Dame communit y. Over the last 18 months, we have all been impacted by COV ID-19 in profound ways. Today, I w rite this letter w ith hope for the year ahead. If we work together and follow the protocols in place to keep the campus and surrounding communities safe, I believe we can have a fruitful and enjoyable year. This is clearly not a time to let our guard dow n; we must remain v igilant to the potential dangers of COV ID as well as f lex ible and adaptable should additional health and safet y measures become necessar y. Above all, we must be generous and compassionate, w ith ourselves and those around us. As we prepare for a new academic year, I inv ite you to attend the Opening Mass on Tuesday, August 24 at 5:30 p.m. in Notre Dame Stadium. Please join me on this important occasion as we come together to ask for God’s blessing on our endeavors in the coming year. Notre Dame’s mission is distinctive. We offer an undergraduate education that is second to none, committed to educating the
whole person. We cultivate scholarly excellence, and we advance human understanding through top-tier research and post-baccalaureate programs. In all that we do, we ensure that Notre Dame’s Catholic identit y informs our efforts. As you know, the Universit y has a rich histor y. Generations of Notre Dame graduates have been shaped by their experiences here, and they, in turn, have left their mark on the Universit y. We inv ite you to do the same, to be part of Notre Dame’s present as well as its future. Indiv idually and collectively, you have tremendous talents and gifts to share. At a time when the world’s need for compassionate and creative leaders has never been greater, I hope you w ill take ever y day, ever y place on this campus, and ever y conversation w ith those you encounter here as an opportunit y to engage, learn and grow. You are Notre Dame, and we are better because you are here. Once again, welcome. I w ish you ever y grace and blessing, and my prayers are w ith you. In Notre Dame, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. president, Notre Dame Aug. 17
An exciting journey Dear Saint Mar y’s Students, On behalf of the facult y and staff at Saint Mar y’s College, I am thrilled to welcome the students of the class of 2025, transfer students, returning students and graduate students ! I have been eagerly awaiting your presence and energ y on campus. Your contributions help make our communit y an inv igorating hub of activ it y! I believe you w ill find that ever yone at Saint Mar y’s w ill both challenge and support you during this formative time in your life. Don’t hesitate to ask for their assistance. Saint Mar y’s is an institution founded by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. We emphasize the education of the whole person, encourage self-discover y and promote an open-hearted and inclusive communit y. You have so many opportunities at Saint Mar y’s. Ever y semester offers an occasion to discover new ideas and forge new possibilities, both inside and outside the classroom. Check out the co-curricular activ ities the tri-campus communit y offers. Engage w ith people who have different backgrounds, experiences, beliefs and opinions. Approach them w ith a spirit of curiosit y and be open to learning w ith them and from them. By doing this, you
w ill make our communit y and our world a better place. One of my aspirations for you is that you w ill make this an active and activ ist year. Explore the curriculum and tr y some things you’re not already good at. Become broader. Become deeper. Consider what the world needs, and then solve a problem — or take a stand on something you believe in and work for change. If you do this, then you, too, w ill have experienced the spirit of Saint Mar y’s — the Saint Mar y’s that more than 20,000 alumnae around the world experienced during their time here. For over 175 years, Saint Mar y’s has proudly educated students to make a difference in the world. You are part of this tradition. It is your turn to make histor y here. I challenge you to prepare for leadership, both on campus and in a world that needs you. And I look for ward to accompany ing you on this exciting journey, through all the joys and uncertainties. Best regards,
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Katie Conboy, Ph.D. president, Saint Mary’s College Aug. 20
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LETTERs TO THE EDITOR
Embrace opportunity Dear students, It is a genuine pleasure to welcome each of you to Holy Cross College. Your arrival brings a renewed sense of purpose and excitement, and on behalf of our faculty, staff and administration, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your decision to be part of this community. I would especially like to welcome those of you who are new to campus. You can expect much from your time here, and you will quickly discover and feel at home in a place that I know to be a truly supportive and welcoming place of scholars, citizens, leaders and disciples at work for the common good. The Catholic liberal arts education we offer here is transformative — at Holy Cross, you will
have the opportunity to discover and discern your purpose in the world and find within yourself the “competency to see and the courage to act.” You will engage in a meaningful liberal arts education buoyed by a devoted faculty and grounded in the mission of the Congregation of Holy Cross. In the weeks and months ahead, you will find many opportunities, not only here at Holy Cross, but in the tri-campus and the greater community, through which you will develop as a global citizen. You will meet and engage with new friends and mentors. You will learn things you never knew possible, form friendships you never imagined and experience things totally unexpected and new. Through the founding order of Holy Cross and
our shared mission of educating the hearts and minds of our young men and women, the tri-campus community has much that brings it together. That very mission is what appealed to me when I moved here at the start of my own college career. I hope you realize that your involvement in it has already begun. I pray that you take this time to embrace the experience and continue to grow in faith and wisdom. Again, welcome to Holy Cross College. Know of my prayers for you in the coming semester. In Holy Cross, Fr. David T. Tyson president, Holy Cross College Aug. 18
Onward together Howdy first-year students, Our names are A llan, Matt y and A lix and we ser ve as your student body president, v ice president and chief of staff, respectively. We w rite to you from a world that has changed in ways we are sure you could not have anticipated when you began your college search journey. However, we all find ourselves in this place, at this time, hopeful and ready to begin. We now know that we cannot promise you that the world w ill look the same in four years as it does at this moment, but we also know that from immense uncertaint y comes immense possibilit y. So, as we all enter the world a little fatigued, we want you to know that we are marching onward w ith you. We want to say that while the transition to universit y life is not always the smoothest, it is full of new ness and hope. Soon, each of you w ill settle into your routines, figure out the quickest way to your classes, find out what your favorite meals at the dining hall are and bond w ith your
friends. You w ill realize that each of you belong in this communit y, and our family is better off now that you have joined us. Notre Dame is best when as many voices as possible make themselves heard. So, do not ever believe that this campus is better off when you are silent. Tr y out dorm mass or hall council. Go to a club you never would have joined in high school. See a play in DPAC. Attend a ser v ice immersion w ith the Center for Social Concerns or just inv ite other people in your residence hall section to dinner. Raise your hand in class and ask that question you have. You w ill be amazed how much of college life is found in little moments that may feel inconsequential, but can shape your whole experience. We are coming out of a period of fear, div ision and uncertaint y. However, we are all entering a period of opportunit y for positive grow th and development. We know that each of you w ill make a difference w ith your voices and impact
your communities and this campus for the better. As we march onward together, just know that we are never too far! We encourage you to v isit us in our office in 203 LaFortune or follow us on Instagram at @ndstugov so that we can get to know you and hear what motivates you. We cannot wait to see what all of you accomplish! Welcome home.
Welcome to the Smick show Hello ! We can not believe Welcome Week is finally here ! After our fair share of struggles through these “unprecedented times” it feels like we finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel! Class of 2025, we can not wait to welcome you to our big family! College can be really intimidating. It feels like just yesterday we were wandering around Saint Mar y‘s tr y ing to find our classrooms and passions. However scar y it feels, Saint Mar y’s always makes sure you have people in your corner. Ever y challenge is only an opportunit y to grow and learn something new! That being said, college is all about tr y ing new things, so don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone. We are so luck y to have so so many awesome clubs, organizations and professors to help us find our path. W hether you’re into dance (highly recommended a class w ith Professor Kriner) or if you’re an aspiring SGA committee chair (w ink, w ink, nudge, nudge). Saint Mar y’s has it covered. The best part of being a Smick is the amount of support that comes w ith the name. Being a Smick means so much to us and we hope it’ll mean just as much to you. No matter where you are or what you do, know you’re fully supported and have so many opportunities to succeed w ith the support of your fellow Smicks. We can not wait to welcome you on the Avenue and show you what being a Smick is all about! We are so honored and luck y to be your student leaders and to ser ve you all. Roll Smick, let’s have ourselves a year.
Allan Njomo student body president, Notre Dame senior Matthew Bisner student body vice president, Notre Dame senior Alix Basden student body chief of staff, Notre Dame senior Aug. 11
Welcome, Saints Hi Saints ! Your decision to become a Saint is a remarkable feat and something that is already making a difference to unite our whole communit y. We feel ver y confident that your presence at Holy Cross w ill be nothing short of phenomenal. Though we do not yet know your name, where you are, or what you are doing, know we are pray ing for you and your abilit y to use your strengths and be courageous in promoting the common good in all your endeavors.
Elly Hanson student government association president, Saint Mary’s senior
Emilee Skidgel student body president, Holy Cross senior
Adriana Salgado student government association vice president, Saint Mary’s senior Aug. 15
Katherine Cole student body vice president, Holy Cross senior Aug. 16
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Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: Take care of business. Leave nothing to chance. Opportunity is present, but discipline and reliability are required if you want to come out on top. Look at the possibilities; refuse to let what others do influence or sidetrack you. Concentrate on stabilizing your life and relationships with the people you care about most. Romance and physical improvements are favored. Your numbers are 3, 12, 22, 28, 34, 36, 47. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Stay focused on what’s important to you. Stop worrying about what everyone is doing, and refuse to get caught in someone else’s emotional drama. Size up whatever situation you face, and do what’s best for you. Self-improvement is favored. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Look around you, and you’ll pick up valuable information. How others react will be revealing and help you decide what to do next. Change is heading your way; take advantage of an opportunity that leads you down a different path. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Let your actions speak for you. Treat others the way you want to be treated, and choose a path that allows you to use your skills to make a difference. Change begins with you. Explore your options, and invest in yourself. CANCER (June 21-July 22): It’s up to you to do something if you want things to change. Challenge yourself to be responsible for your happiness and well-being. Live in the moment, embrace life and dance to the beat that fills your heart with joy. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Take a realistic approach to work and money. How you handle the changes going on around you will determine how far you get. A moderate, simple strategy will help offset costs and losses. Your reliability will win respect and support. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Talk to anyone you think may be able to help you make a positive change or explain something that baffles you. Communication, education and interacting with people who share your interests will encourage new and exciting friendships. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A tactical approach to overall health and physical fitness will encourage you to look and feel your best. The attention you receive from someone will help point you in a new direction. Love and romance are in the stars. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Walk away from anyone who limits what you can achieve. You can help others, but not at the expense of eliminating the personal goals you set. Be responsible. Do your own thing, and do what benefits you. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Put an emphasis on getting things right the first time. Pay attention to detail, and don’t rely on others to do what you ask correctly. Create your opportunities, and you will be happy with the results you get. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Pay attention to expiration dates and personal paperwork that may need updating. Take a different approach to work, and utilize your skills to have the most significant impact in the least amount of time. Focus on proper diet and fitness. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Analyze how you spend your time and money. Being efficient will make life easier. Set up guidelines that will help you get into a routine. A physical improvement will fetch compliments and build confidence. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take a unique approach to the way you help others. Use your intelligence, and you’ll be recognized as the go-to person by your peers. A partnership will evolve if you have an open discussion with someone who shares your beliefs and concerns. Birthday Baby: You are optimistic, generous and witty. You are colorful and friendly.
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Carli Lloyd’s Top5 Career Moments Mannion McGinley Sports Writer
At the close of the U.S. Women’s National Team’s (USWNT) bronze medal Olympic performance, Carli Lloyd announced she would be retiring at the end of this season with the USWNT. I have been watching Lloyd play since she joined the team in 2005, the same year I learned what soccer was, and it is going to be sad to watch the team without her. From my extensive Lloyd memories — and a quick refresher of Youtube clips — I was able to put together what I believe to be an inclusive Top-5 Moments from Lloyd’s career. As a two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, two-time World Cup Champion and two time Olympic Gold Medalist, there’s nothing she can’t do on the field and these moments highlight that. So, without further ado and in celebration of Carli Lloyd, let’s get to it.
No. 5: 312 caps and counting for the USWNT Imagine playing three hundred games for the same team and bringing your all every day. It’s clearly not an easy feat as only three athletes have done it for the USWNT.Lloyd became one of them in a friendly against Sweden on April 10 of this year, joining Kristine Lilly and Christie Pearce. Since then, she has reached 312 caps making her second in the US and in the world only to Kristine Lilly. With those 312 caps have come 128 goals and 100 teammates. Through all of that, Lloyd has been consistent on the field. There’s a reason only three people have made it that far, Lloyd’s strength and ability made her one of them.
No. 4: Key group stage and final goals in the 2008 Olympics Lloyd scored a game-winner to push the U.S. out of the group stage at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and into the final rounds of the tournament. The U.S. beat Japan 1-0 thanks to Lloyd. Without that goal, they would have been stuck in the group stage. That goal proved not only to be vital to making it to those final rounds but also a practice run for the final against Brazil. The USWNT relied on a goal from Lloyd in extra time to secure the finals win in Beijing.
No. 3: Gold in the 2012 London Olympics Every one of Lloyd’s appearances in the Olympics has been stellar. This year in Tokyo, she scored her final two goals on the Olympic stage at the very end of the bronze medal game. Once again, she came in clutch. But she had scored a brace in front of this kind of crowd before, this was nothing new from her.
One year after losing the World Cup in a devastating shoot-out, the USWNT was back on the world stage competing against Japan for the London Olympic gold medal. Lloyd scored two goals back to back, achieving the first brace ever in an Olympic final, by a man or woman. She helped to secure the win over Japan and get revenge for the loss the year before.
No. 2: Doing all of this while leading an equal pay fight Being one of the world’s best and most well-known soccer players is hard enough. All of these accomplishments take time and work, that is something Lloyd is staunchly transparent about. That is why taking on her bosses in the middle of playing fantastic soccer for them is even more impressive. Lloyd, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Hope Solo and Tobin Heath have taken the brunt of the media weight and the backlash in their fight for equal pay. They make their case every time they step on the field, and make it again into a microphone when they step off the field. Lloyd has taken on this responsibility with the utmost grace and capability, all while playing stellar soccer.
No. 1: The hat trick to end all hat tricks Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration but anyone who watches women’s soccer knows what I’m talking about.During the 2015 Women’s World Cup, Carli Lloyd opened the match with more fire under her than I had ever seen before. I was sitting around the television with my entire extended family, most of them watching a full women’s soccer match for the first time. The final was against Japan, a complete rematch of the 2011 setup. Lloyd scored immediately, within the first minute. And then again in the third. We were in an uproar. We couldn’t hold it together. I was squatting on my chair, ready to jump out at a moment’s notice. Then, we watched Lloyd rip one from the half-field line. She chipped it straight over the Japanese goalie to secure the hat trick, and one of the most insane goals in World Cup finals history. It was also the first hat trick ever achieved in a World Cup final. It went on to earn her the Golden Ball (tournament MVP) and the FIFA’s Player of the Year. Though these are her top-5 moments thus far, Lloyd has two more months of play ahead of her. She promised fans on Twitter, “You best believe I’ll give it all I have ’til the end!” Contact Mannion McGinley at mmcginl3@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Continued from page 16
ranks first worldw ide. At Notre Dame, Kiefer was a four-time NCAA foil champion and four-time First Team All-American. She is currently enrolled in medical school at the University of Kentucky.
Jackie Young Former Irish basketball star Jackie Young w ill take home a gold medal from the Oly mpic Games after she and the rest of Team USA’s women’s 3×3 basketball squad defeated the Russian Oly mpic Committee 18-15 on Wednesday. This w ill be the first gold medal for the 23-year-old Princeton, Indiana, native. She w ill add this to her already stellar collection of trophies and accomplishments. Young is still Indiana’s all-time leading scorer in high school — for both boys and girls basketball — w ith 3,268 points. She won a national championship w ith the Fighting Irish in 2018, and most recently, she was the No. 1 overall pick in the W NBA Draft by the Las Vegas Aces in 2019. Later that year, she claimed a spot on the A ll-Rookie team. Team USA went undefeated in the pool round, w ith Young contributing a total of 15 points across the seven games and making repetitive offensive and defensive rebounds. These games last for 10 minutes or until the first team hits 21 points. But the catch is the usual t wo point shots are one point and three point shots are worth t wo in this half-court game. For their gold medal w in, Team USA gained an early 12-5 lead and maintained the lead for the rest of the game. Russia found a surge though w ith a minute and a half to go. After a missed shot from Young’s W NBA teammate Kelsey Plum, Stefanie Dolson of the Chicago Sk y made t wo free throws thus putting the score at 17-12; a difficult gap to make up in a game of this structure. Russia cut that lead to three though w ith 44 seconds left but Dolson had one more rebound and put the ball back up to seal the w in, 18-14. Russia scored once more but it wasn’t going to be enough to turn the tide. Ultimately, Team USA went to the foul line 11 times while Russia did not go once. Those free throws made up eight of their final eighteen points. And, the U.S. was more aggressive w ith their rebounding, out-rebounding Russia
21-11. With the intensit y of these games, Jackie Young proved that Tok yo was the ver y best place for her Oly mpic debut in a sport that has been making its ow n successful debut.
Gerek Meinhardt Nick Itkin
and
Former Irish fencer Gerek Meinhardt and current Irish fencer Nick Itkin were both part of the U.S. squad that captured the bronze medal in the men’s team foil event at the Tok yo Oly mpics on Sunday. This was the second straight bronze for Meinhardt and teammates A lexander Massialas and Race Imboden, all of whom competed in the team foil event in the 2016 Oly mpics in Rio de Janeiro. But for Itkin, a rising senior at Notre Dame, the Tok yo Games ser ved as an Oly mpic debut. The team began its day w ith a quarterfinal v ictor y over a German team that included five-time Senior World Champion Peter Joppich and a 2008 Oly mpic gold medalist Benjamin K leibrink. After falling to the Russian Oly mpic Committee in the semi-finals, Team USA rebounded against Japan to claim the bronze, just the second medal for the countr y in the team foil event since 1932. Competing in his fourth Oly mpics, Meinhardt became the youngest-ever Oly mpian in fencing when he competed as a 17-yearold in Beijing in 2008. He also etched his name in the collegiate histor y books w ith the Irish, w inning NCA A championships as a sophomore in 2010 and a graduate student in 2014. He was a four-time first team A ll-American w ith the Irish and became the first-ever collegiate fencer to reach No. 1 in the world rankings in 2014. Meinhardt graduated from Notre Dame w ith an MBA in 2015 and is married to, another former Irish fencer who became the first American woman to w in gold in an indiv idual foil event last Sunday. Itkin is competing in his first Oly mpics and has been impressive in his first t wo collegiate campaigns, w inning back-to-back NCA A indiv idual foil championships in 2018 and 2019. He is the second Irish men’s fencer to w in consecutive national championships in program histor y, joining Mike Sullivan who won in 1977 and 1978. In August 2019, he competed for the U.S. men’s foil team that won gold at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.
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Molly Seidel Notre Dame alumna Molly Seidel won the bronze medal in the women’s marathon Saturday at the Tokyo Olympics. Seidel is only the third American woman to win an Olympic medal in the women’s marathon. The most recent American medal in the event came in 2004 from Deena Kastor, who also took home the bronze medal. Saturday’s race was only Seidel’s third career marathon. Kenya’s Peres Japchirchir and Brigid Kosgei — the marathon world record holder — took home the gold and silver medals respectively, but Seidel ran with both of them over the first 24 miles of the race. After the two Kenyan women broke away, Seidel sat in fourth for a brief moment before Israel’s Lonah Chemtai Salpeter dropped out of the race. After that, Seidel sat securely in third for the remaining couple miles and didn’t look back. The Wisconsin native crossed the line in a time of 2:27:46. W hile that time was slower than Seidel’s previous two marathons, the weather in Sapporo on Saturday morning was less than ideal for marathon running, with the temperature hovering around 78 degrees Fahrenheit with 82% humidity. Seidel discussed winning the bronze medal after the race. “Just getting here was already a dream come true,” Seidel said. “And to be able to come out today against a field like this and be able to come away with a medal, with a bronze for the U.S. — I’m in shock. I’m in disbelief right now.” Seidel graduated from Notre Dame in 2016 and received a plethora of titles over her cross country and track career, including an NCA A title in both the 3000m and 5000m track events in her final season with the Irish.
Jewell Loyd and Skylar Diggins-Smith Jewell Loyd and Skylar Diggins-Smith, along with the rest of the USA Women’s basketball team, brought home the gold medal in a 90-75 win over Japan in the finals of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Loyd and Diggins-Smith, 2015 and 2013 graduates from Notre Dame, now play for the Seattle Storm and the Phoenix Mercury, respectively. Stepping out for Team USA, Loyd played for 11:20 minutes in the final with 3 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist. Diggins-Smith played for 1:35.
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McGinley Continued from page 16
So, if you’re new, here’s your cheat sheet, and for anyone returning, a quick reminder to get you settled back in.
Go see every sport that you can. If there was one thing I missed last fall, it was going to sporting events. In my first year, a large portion of the incoming class went to multiple soccer games in A lumni Stadium, both men’s and women’s. The stands were filled w ith students, all chanting and cheering. We were led by the leprechauns bouncing across the front aisle, guiding us through ever y chant. There were volleyball games, basketball games, hockey games and, of course, football games. We made the most of it and established a strong fan section at each. Then last year came to a screeching halt, as I am sure you felt at each of your high schools. We couldn’t go to many things, and we—both as athletes and supporters— missed out on the normal seasons. In the stands, we had to adjust, cheer w ith masks on and still make enough noise w ith 11,000 of us in Notre Dame Stadium, rather than 77,000, to upset Clemson in overtime. Now that games are open, go to them. Take your friends, dress up in your best Irish green and make an afternoon or evening out of it. You won’t regret it.
Find your way to at least one football game. There is nothing like standing in that stadium w ith Cathy Richardson belting “Here Come the Irish” and then immediately cutting to “Shipping Up to Boston” by the Dropkick Murphys w ith the entire crowd screaming and dancing as the Irish come sprinting out of the tunnel. That is not to say you have to buy season tickets or even
should if you’re not 100% sold on the idea of football; but it is such an experience. Borrow a friend’s ticket on a week they’re not going or tr y and buy one for an indiv idual game. Even if football really isn’t your thing, I would suggest making time for the experience. You don’t even have to look at the field at all if you don’t want to. There is so much going on, you’re going to want to go again just so you can capture it all. Plus, you can work on your balancing skills standing on the bleachers w ith all your friends. Or gain a little strength hoisting someone into the air for touchdow n pushups. W hether the final score is 28-3 or 47-40, it’s an experience you don’t want to miss.
Join a club team. There are so many different clubs to choose from, a subsection of those clubs being club sports. Hit the activ ities fair and just go see what you can do. There’s a running club as well as club sw im, club golf and club water polo. The list goes on. If you did it in high school and you want to continue it, go for it. If you are looking to tr y something new, that’s great too. Learn it and prove yourself at it when the club competes w ith other club teams in the area.
Play for your interhall teams! If you’re looking for a more rela xed yet still competitive env ironment, watch out for interhall sports emails from your dorm athletic commissioners ! This is a great way to get active, continue a sport that you love or just go out and have a good time. Use this opportunit y to have a little competition w ith new friends in other dorms as well. Each dorm has a team for ever y sport, and you can play on multiple teams. Tr y a sport you’ve never played before (at least not outside of g y m class) or one you’ve never heard of, like
broomball. It is a great way to become part of your hall communit y. Plus, there’s a trophy at the end if you w in. W ho doesn’t love a good trophy? Take advantage of all the open space. South Quad is the longest indiv idual quad in the countr y. There is also North Quad, McGlinn fields, the grassy knolls of Mod Quad, Far Quad (yes like Shrek) out by Carroll, and at least four sand volleyball courts (there may be more, but I’ve only counted four). Get out there and have some fun of your ow n.
And what if you want to be involved in some way at all of these different levels? W hat if you want to keep track of varsit y sports and club sports and keep yourself informed of the goingson at the interhall level? How could you do all of these at once? Would you have enough time? W here is there an outlet that can help you access all three? A h-hem, yes hello again, that would be where I come in… Come w rite for us ! ( Yes, I know, shameless plug, but seriously) The Obser ver puts you right in the thick of it w ith ever y thing from interv iews and game attendance to w riting up the w raps and analyses of different sports. There are so many different ways to get involved on this campus, especially where sports are concerned. And boy, do we all need renewed access to our favorite outlets, now more than ever. So get settled, finish the rest of the newspaper, and then look into how you can access all the sports you’re hoping for during your time on campus so you won’t miss a beat. Contact Mannion McGinley at mmcginl3@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Courtesy of Ellen Geyer
Women’s interhall flag football champions, the Wildcats of Ryan Hall, pose in the Fighting Irish home tunnel after defeating their opponents in the fall of 2018.
sports
ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, aUGUST 20, 2021 | The Observer
Roundtable Continued from page 16
paper may be the UNC game. However, I am never thrilled with how we play in the game after the bye week. I’m even less this year now that we play USC that weekend. The Irish ride well off the high from a win the week before. But without a game, they are going to have to be acutely aware of USC’s defensive weapons. This includes defensive lineman Nick Figueroa who accumulated 20 tackles, seven for loss and 3.5 sacks throughout the 2020 season. They will also have to watch out for outside linebacker Drake Jackson and cornerback Chris Steele. The Trojans are the ones who have to travel though. If we’re coming off a bye week at least it’ll be at home. On the flip, if the Irish aren’t in the right headspace, the game may be closer than anyone would hope. The most stressful away game is going to be the first game of the season against FSU. Even if that isn’t the case statistically, I dictated this one on personal nerves alone. The Irish offense is new in so many ways. From roster additions to key players returning after an injury, there are quite a few moving pieces. Once they get their feet set under them it should be a fairly functional season (knock on all the wood and fingers crossed) but until then I’ll be peaking through my hands to watch the game.
Emily DeFazio: Wisconsin
UNC,
UNC is a game to watch for the Irish. While Notre Dame came out on top in the 2020 season, they are entering this matchup after an intense five-game run against some of the more formidable opponents of their schedule — especially against the rival Trojans the week before — which can make this matchup cause for some concern. On the road, Wisconsin looks to be one of the toughest matchups. Especially now that former Badger Jack Coan has been named the starter, Wisconsin can come into this game with a chip on their shoulder that can give them the push they need to take down the Irish.
Colin Capece: Wisconsin
UNC,
The final matchup in a brutal five-game stretch for the Irish which includes four top 15 opponents is at home against No. 10 North Carolina. The Tar Heels no doubt remember playing Notre Dame tough last year in Chapel Hill before eventually getting worn down in the trenches. Potential top-five pick Sam Howell won’t be intimidated by Notre Dame Stadium, and with a relatively easy ACC schedule ahead of Oct. 30, North Carolina will be fresh and looking for revenge against the Irish. While Soldier Field will
likely be packed with Notre Dame fans, the Irish will be the road team against Wisconsin in Chicago on Sept. 25. The Badgers’ defense is no joke, as eight starters return this year from a unit that allowed just 17 points a game in 2020. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Graham Mertz flashed his potential with five passing touchdowns in his first career start and finished with the thirdhighest passer rating in school history after testing positive for COVID early in the year. He could cement his place as one of the nation’s best young signal-callers with an impressive performance against the Irish. Notre Dame will be tested in this one despite playing in their own backyard.
Aidan Thomas: Virginia Tech
USC,
At home, this rivalry game is a clear answer for the toughest contest. A fairly average USC team pushed Notre Dame’s 10-2 squad two years ago, and they figure to be way tougher with a seasoned Kedon Slovis under center. Notre Dame is historically rusty off a bye, and it’s worth considering that this game is at the end of Notre Dame’s Fall Break, which could lead to less of a student presence and home-field advantage for the Irish. Ever heard of the trap game? Most have, but how about the trap game following the trap game? If the Irish can escape a potential top-10 Group of 5 opponent in Cincinnati, they have just one game separating them from their bye. That game is at Virginia Tech, which is a sneakily tough road atmosphere. Combine that with the fact that the Hokies nearly sprung the upset against the Irish in 2019 in South Bend, and I’m highly concerned about this sneaky road game leading up to Notre Dame’s bye week.
Biggest Trap Game Nate Moller: Purdue The Irish should dominate the Boilermakers in all aspects of this game, but the histor y of this rivalr y and the upcoming schedule w ill make this a potential trap game for the Irish. With the Irish traveling to Soldier Field to face the Badgers the week after this game and then continuing on w ith the hardest part of their schedule after that, I expect the Irish to overlook the Boilermakers. Games between these two teams have been competitive lately as well w ith eight of the nine last matchups being decided by less than double digits. In fact, the last time the Irish played the Boilermakers in 2013, the Irish won by only a touchdow n despite being three-touchdow n favorites. This game w ill be the biggest of the year for Purdue, and they w ill be play ing w ith a chip on their shoulder as they tr y to spoil the Irish’s
season.
worried about this one.
Mannion Cincinnati
McGinley:
Again, the mental game is sometimes the hardest part for the Fighting Irish. And there isn’t a bigger mental trap than the Cincinnati game. They’re a team that’s on the up and up so they’re not a well-established threat. Despite coach warnings, the Irish may not feel like they have to prepare for Cincy in any extra way. Especially since Kelly used to work there, there’s space for a sense of comfort to easily creep in. It absolutely does not belong anywhere near that game though. Being a team on the rise lights a fire under you. Because of that, I would expect the Cincinnati guys to bring everything they have. That energy will turn a spark into a flame. The Irish have to be careful to contain it and do so quickly.
Emily DeFazio: Wisconsin Wisconsin can be an early upset for the Irish if they let them. Quarterback Graham Mertz started all seven games in 2020 and got a few school records under his belt along the way. Pair his playmaking abilities and a strong Badger defense with the fact this matchup comes towards the beginning of the season when the kinks are just starting to be ironed out — especially with the Irish O-line — and you have a game that can easily be the biggest trap of the season.
Colin Tech
Capece:
Virginia
The one that stands out is the Oct. 9 trip to Virginia Tech. That game sits in the middle of Notre Dame’s midseason gauntlet. The Irish could enter that game riding w ins against Wisconsin and Cincinnati yet looking ahead to a bye week followed by home games w ith USC and North Carolina. Blacksburg is never an easy place to play, and the Irish can’t overlook this game against a Hokies defense that forced 15 turnovers in 11 games last season.
Aidan Thomas: Virginia I could answer Virginia Tech for the reasons I listed in my first response. But I’m going w ith this road clash in Charlottesv ille as the biggest trap game for the Irish. Should Notre Dame escape the brutal part of their schedule, they w ill have consecutive primetime w ins against USC and UNC. That leaves this game against Virginia separating them from cupcake games against Nav y and Georgia Tech. The last time the Irish went to Charlottesv ille, they needed a final-minute Hail Mar y to escape v ictorious. Brennan Armstrong is a ver y good quarterback. Additionally, Virginia has given the Irish problems in the past, so I’m
Offensive and Defensive X-Factor for the Irish’s success Nate Moller: Jack Coan, Tariq Bracy This is the simple answer, but it is true. The offense’s success hinges on the abilities of Jack Coan this season. While some players will need to step up at the wide receiver and offensive line positions as well, Coan will have to prove he can effectively manage and command the offense this season. Coan proved to be a big-time playmaker at Wisconsin two years ago, but there are a lot of question marks about what he can do after not playing last year. If Coan is able to find his groove and be as good a quarterback as he was at Wisconsin, the Irish are likely a CFP contender. If he plays rusty and struggles, though, the Irish could see their CFP hopes vanish in the beginning of the season. The secondary is arguably the biggest concern for the Irish on the season. Bracy started at cornerback for the Irish most of the year last season. He lost his starting spot, though, after getting torched in the North Carolina game. With a lack of depth in the secondary this year, the Irish will almost certainly depend on Bracy this year, and he will have to be better if the Irish are going to find success in the secondary. It sounds like Bracy has shown some promise at the nickel position in camp so far, and whether he is there or at cornerback, the Irish will need Bracy to be successful against the plethora of top-tier college quarterbacks that the Irish are set to face this season.
Mannion McGinley: Kyren Williams / Chris Tyree, Kyle Hamilton On offense, the running back tandem will be a major weapon. Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree have both become incredibly reliable. Williams has a power that the Irish haven’t seen the same way since Josh Adams. But, he’s also got a great blocking capability within his position that allows him to make space for Tyree. He builds a sound time-bubble for Coan as well. On defense, Kyle Hamilton will be a powerhouse. The junior has already made a name for himself within the roster. In two years of play, he has 104 tackles, 5.5 of them for a loss. Additionally, he’s defended 17 passes, had 5 interceptions and a touchdown. I mean he is everywhere on that field. I almost hope there will be someone who outshines him because then the Irish defense would be killer. But from where I’m standing, one name will be a standout force on the defensive end, and that’s Kyle Hamilton.
Emily DeFazio: Kyren Williams / Chris Tyree, Kyle Hamilton The running backs will be
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offensive linchpins, namely Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree. The two combined for just over 1600 rushing yards in 2020. Their streak of vital contributions shouldn’t change with the 2021 season. Defensively, safety Kyle Hamilton remains a key component. I expect him to be a leader on defense and have a stellar year that will propel the Irish towards a potential postseason showing.
Colin Capece: Kevin Austin, Isaiah Foskey/ Justin Ademilola To no one’s surprise, the Irish will be a run-first team in 2021. Especially when the run operates behind the dynamic onetwo punch of Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree. But to utilize play-action and avoid becoming too predictable on offense, there needs to be a reliable downfield threat. Enter senior Kevin Austin Jr., who never bounced back from a foot injury suffered in camp last year. When he’s healthy, Austin has the kind of speed and size to stretch the field the way Javon McKinley did for this offense last year. The Irish ground game will watch opposing defenses stack the box if Austin or someone else on the roster can’t emerge as an effective target. After losing both starting defensive ends to the NFL draft for the second year in a row, Isaiah Foskey and Justin Ademilola have to become reliable edge rushers for the Irish. With a largely inexperienced secondary returning just one starter in Tariq Bracy, the Irish have to pressure the quarterback to avoid getting picked apart in the passing game. Foskey and Ademilola were effective on the field in 2020, but the depth at defensive end is also lacking. Pressure off the edge needs to come from these two if it’s going to come at all.
Aidan Thomas: George Takacs, Drew White When thinking of Irish offensive success in 2020, a lot of it centered around tight end Tommy Tremble. His passblocking and path-making prowess were exceptional, and the Irish need to replace it quickly. Notre Dame wants Michael Mayer to be a passcatching playmaker. So, Takacs is the likely option to be the linchpin in the running game. Drew White is the leader of a deep linebacker corps that must replace the dynamic Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. If White can be dynamic against the run and pass, it solidifies what Notre Dame can do defensively. Contact Colin Capece at ccapece@nd.edu, Mannion McGinley at mmcginl3@nd.edu, Emily DeFazio at edefazio@ nd.edu, Aidan Thomas at athoma28@nd.edu, Nate Moller at nmoller2@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
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The observer | Friday, aUGUST 20, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
Observer Roundtable
Observer Roundtable: Toughest games, X-factors on the field this season By COLIN CAPECE, MANNION McGINLEY, EMILY DeFAZIO, AIDAN THOMAS AND NATE MOLLER Assistant Managing Editor, Sports Editor, Associate Sports Editor and Sports Writers
The 2021 football season is almost here for Notre Dame, and with a tough but winnable schedule ahead, they’ve got their eyes on a third unbeaten season in four years. Can the Irish pull it off? Today, the Observer’s football beat writers came together to identify their biggest concerns for the upcoming season, along with X-Factors on both sides of the ball.
Toughest Home and Away Games Nate Moller: Cincinnati, Florida State Although the Cincy game might not have the hype that the USC and UNC night games will have, I think the Bearcats are the most dangerous team
the Irish will face. The Bearcats return Desmond Ridder at quarterback, who had a sensational 2020 season with nearly 2,300 passing yards and 600 rushing yards. I expect Ridder’s dual-threat ability to challenge the Irish defense and make this a very competitive game. I don’t think the Seminoles are the most talented road team the Irish will face this season, but because the game is the opener, it scares me. There are lots of unknowns surrounding the Seminoles with Mckenzie Milton starting at quarterback for the first time since his gruesome injury a couple of years ago. The atmosphere at Doak Campbell will surely be electric and if the Irish are caught off guard in this one, they could be in trouble.
Mannion McGinley: USC, Florida State Courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics
The toughest home game on see ROUNDTABLE PAGE 15
Irish quarterback Jack Coan awaits a snap during practice. Coan recently was announced to be the Irish starting quarterback for the season opener against Florida State University on Sept. 5.
COLumn
ND Olympic Coverage
ND Olympians earn gold, silver, bronze in Tokyo Observer Staff Report
Mannion McGinley Sports Editor
Current and former Irish athletes made their presence known at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics this summer.
Lee Kiefer Fencer Lee Kiefer won a gold medal at the Tok yo Oly mpics Sunday, becoming the first American woman to w in a gold medal for Team USA in an indiv idual foil event. The Notre Dame ’17 alumna won 15-13 against Inna Deriglazova of Russia in the women’s indiv idual foil final, thus earning her first Oly mpic medal. Kiefer had participated in the 2012 London and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Oly mpic Games, where she finished fifth and tenth, respectively. She is currently ranked as the fifth women’s foilist in the world, according to the International Fencing Federation. Deriglazova see OLYMPICS PAGE 13
An Irish welcome to campus sports
Courtesy of South Bend Tribune
Former Irish guard Skylar Diggins-Smith plays for the USA at the Tokyo Olympics. She was one of many Irish to medal this summer.
Dear Class of 2025, Life has been turned upside dow n and right side up again just in time for your freshman year of college, only at the last second to be shaken (not stirred) into another mess just as we arrive on campus. Nevertheless, you did it. You made it to campus, which has become a feat we can be grateful for in and of itself ! So, on behalf of The Obser ver’s sports department (as its current Editor), welcome to the Universit y of Notre Dame ! If you’re reading this column in the middle of Welcome Weekend, you’re probably in one of a few groups: 1) You are interested in joining our lovely on-campus student newspaper, or at least learning more about it (which you definitely
should, it’s great). 2) You are a diehard Irish sports fan and I misled you because this is in the Sports section (don’t worr y I’m getting to how this relates I promise). Or 3) You’re not a freshman at all, you’ve been here before and you’re just back to support us (Hello ! It’s nice to be back, and thank YOU for being back!). If you aren’t in one of those three groups and you’re just here to say hello, not quite sure how you got here, hello to you too ! Welcome to The Obser ver. Regardless of your reason for being here, (meaning right now, reading this column. Not on earth in general), we are glad to have you, and I would like to take this opportunit y to give you a few inside tips on how to nav igate sports on campus, especially after we’ve all had a little time off. see McGINLEY PAGE 14