Print Edition for The Observer for Friday, February 14, 2025

AND HOLY CROSS

Best-selling authors discuss classics

Saint Mary’s humanistic studies held the annual 2025 Francis A. McAnaney Humanities Lecture

By AYNSLEE DELLACCA

Saint Mary’s News Editor

On Tuesday evening in the packed O’Laughlin Auditorium, the humanistic studies department of Saint Mary’s College hosted best-selling author Madeline Miller and classicist Emily Wilson for the 2025 Francis A. McAnaney Humanities Lecture. Previously known as the Christian Culture Lecture until 2022, this was the first time in the lecture’s history to host a classicist and the first time two lecturers were invited. Wilson, known as the first woman to translate Homer’s “The Odyssey” into English, is a professor of classical studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

In addition to her translation of “The Odyssey,” she has also translated several ancient Greek plays and “The Iliad” during her career.

As a novelist, Miller is best known for her debut novel, “The Song of Achilles,” which earned the Orange Prize for Fiction and was a New York Times bestseller. Her second novel, “Circe,” was also an instant New York Times bestseller. Miller’s essays have also made appearances in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian and NPR. Jessalynn Bird, associate professor of humanistic studies, said she felt excited at the idea of inviting both Wilson and Miller,

see AUTHORS PAGE 3

Students, faculty fear for USAID

By SOPHIA TRAN Staff Writer

On Feb. 4, the Trump administration issued an announcement stating all directly hired U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) employees would be put on leave beginning Friday, Feb. 7. The decision was made amidst a whirlwind of efforts by the Trump administration to dismantle USAID. At the moment, USAID and its respective international work have been put on a 90day stop work order imposed by the U.S. Department of State.

With the current pause on international aid, a number of individuals at Notre Dame have expressed concerns over the effects of this decision on international global health initiatives funded by the agency. Bernard Nahlen, director of the Eck Institute for Global Health, said Notre Dame will indeed feel indirect effects of the cut funds through its partnered programs. However, Nahlen emphasized the much more significant impact will be on the international initiatives themselves.

“People need to understand that the real disruption is in countries

and people who are recipients of services being funded by USAID,”

Nahlen stated. “From the perspective of the Eck Institute of the University of Notre Dame, as a Catholic university, we really need to focus on the downstream part of what’s going on and that the real impact is not on the Eck Institute — it’s on the people that we all are working to serve.”

Nahlen emphasized Notre Dame’s Catholic identity and the need to promote advocacy in regard to the current situation with USAID.

“Notre Dame’s Catholic mission is a driving force for what we’re trying to do,” Nahlen said. “We all need to figure out how not to be silent and to be actively moving forward.”

Nahlen described the specific effects of USAID’s cancellation on marginalized populations served by various organizations. A number of USAID-funded humanitarian programs, such as Catholic Relief Services, are associated with Notre Dame.

“Poor people in remote areas are not going to have beds now, are not going to be able to be diagnosed

USAID PAGE 4

Associate professor of humanistic studies Laura

eline Miller. The authors engaged in

Engaged undergrad couple discern marriage

By GRACE TADAJWESKI Associate News Editor

While some students are spending Valentine’s Day with friends, others will be spending the holiday with their fiances.

Junior Colby Whitehouse met junior Callie Rogers during November of their freshman year at a dorm party in Duncan Hall. They began dating the following semester.

This past semester, Rogers and Whitehouse studied abroad at University College Dublin. Whitehouse proposed to Rogers on Nov. 9 during a weekend trip to Norway in which the couple went on a bus tour to see the northern lights.

According to Rogers, the couple began talking about their future together quickly after they started dating. Whitehouse continued, stating the two both intended to “date to marry."

“As we grew closer to each other and dated each other for a while, eventually, it was just like, ‘OK … when do we kind of want to do this? We kind of know … the direction we want to go,’ and so then it was just a question of timing with

college and stuff,” Whitehouse said.

The couple plans to get married the summer after graduation.

“We both were definitely ready for [an engagement]. We both knew we wanted to take the next step,” Whitehouse said. “She wanted to get engaged early to start with the wedding planning and stuff, hopefully as early as possible, just to make that process easier.”

Whitehouse was not set on a date to propose. Instead, he considered when the “best time” would be, and he settled on their semester abroad in Dublin.

Whitehouse also said he attended one of his sister’s friend’s weddings last summer. The couple who got married had been engaged their junior year of college and got married the summer after their graduation.

“I had just seen that [wedding] happen too ... it’s early, but it's not that uncommon as sometimes it seems,” he said. “There’s also a guy in Duncan who two years ago, proposed abroad fall junior year. So just kind of all that [I thought] it’s a good time.”

The couple want to get married

in Colorado. Whitehouse plans to look at wedding venues over spring break.

“Hopefully, we’ll get married in June or July of 2026, and then move,” Rogers said. “I’d like to be close to one of our families, but it really just depends on where we can get jobs.”

Whitehouse added they would like to find jobs in Denver, which he believes will offer technology and environment-related opportunities.

Both Rogers and Whitehouse are Catholic and intend to be married in the Catholic Church.

“I was really struggling with Catholicism because I was raised Catholic, but it … felt kind of like a blind Catholicism to me,’” Rogers said. “And then I met Colby, and that’s when everything kind of changed. Even before we were dating, he was having conversations with me about my faith.”

Whitehouse said he viewed their faith as a couple as a “journey.”

“Even before we started dating, just being able to talk … being able to build that relationship and really let God work through me to

AYNSLEE DELLACCA | The Observer

Williamson interviews classicists Emily Wilson and Mad-

a Q&A following their presentations in the O’Laughlin Auditorium.

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Experts contextualize future of Ukraine war

By MARIA CLARA LOPES CORONA News Writer

As the third anniversary of Russia’s full scale invasion approaches, the global outlook on the war remains tense. Despite predictions of Ukraine’s early surrender, the country has endured over 1,000 days of conflict. But even as Ukraine resists, its capacity to continue fighting faces increasing scrutiny.

Notre Dame professors specializing in international law, global affairs and conflict resolution offered their perspectives on the war’s trajectory, the potential for negotiation and the broader implications of the international order.

Clemens Sedmak, a professor of social ethics and director of the Nanovic Institute for European Studies, described the current situation rather bluntly.

“It’s not going well. Let’s just put it that way,” Sedmak said. “We are today on day 1,082 of the full-scale invasion. But we shouldn’t forget that the war started in 2014. This is not just three years, but 11.”

Sedmak pointed to Ukraine’s mounting casualties and growing concerns about the strength of support from its American and European partners.

“In the east of Ukraine, Russian troops are progressing slowly but still progressing. It is unclear where things will go,” he said. He furthered his commentary by emphasizing the staggering human cost of consistent violence and destruction.

“45,100 soldiers lost. That’s just the Ukrainian forces killed in action. That doesn’t include the wounded, the disabled or the countless civilians caught in

Authors

as she uses works from both authors in her classes.

“Personally, as someone who’s always been interested in the classics and ancient medieval history, it was thrilling for me to be able to invite both to come to campus for different reasons. Partly, making things accessible by translation is so terribly important. But also reinterpreting ancient myths for a modern audience is [just as important],” Bird said.

Associate professor of humanistic studies Laura Williamson, as part of the committee who coordinates the lecture series, said the organizers emphasize having “a bit of variety” each year and mentioned Wilson and Miller as her “dream team for many years.”

“The purpose of the McAnaney Lecture is to highlight prominent figures in the humanities to not only the college campus, but also the community,” Williamson said, in a post on Saint Mary’s website. “[It] allows students to

the destruction,” Sedmak noted. “Russia’s losses appear to be far greater but their leadership has shown little concern for human life, even their own soldiers.”

Sedmak also highlighted the need to humanize Ukraine’s struggles.

“We try very hard to see Ukraine as a country with a face.”

Mary Ellen O’Connell, professor of law and international peace studies at the Kroc Institute underscored the conflict’s l egal dimension and its broader significance.

“I’ve always taken a very firm view that Russia has absolutely no right to use force against Ukraine, certainly not over NATO expansion, and that it has a legal duty to give up all territory it holds,” O’Connell said.

When asked about conflict resolution, she emphasized that a negotiated settlement is inevitable.

“All wars end with negotiations. I can’t say I have real confidence that peace will come within a year, but I pray for Ukraine every day.”

For O’Connell, the war is an important reminder of the failing role of diplomacy in international relations.

“It’s a conflict that should never have happened if diplomacy had been better used, if the US had for many years been more committed to international law and to peaceful settlement of disputes,” she said.

She also stressed the need to support Ukraine in any way possible. She asked Notre Dame students to do a few tasks.

“Follow three simple things: pray, stay informed and act for Ukraine. This campus is deeply committed to Ukraine, and they need our moral support now more

meet with nationally and internationally recognized authors, theologians, lawyers, and others who have experience in the humanities field.”

Prior to the main event, the humanistic studies and English departments hosted a seminar with Wilson for students within the departments and a dinner. Nominated high school students from nearby high schools in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan, a total of roughly 15 students this year also attended the seminar and main event through the lecture’s outreach program, according to Williamson.

“One of our ambitions with this lecture that we incorporate the community more, and, in particular, there’s no better way than potential students in the area,” Williamson said. “They get to come and be part of this seminar opportunity, they get a tour on campus, a dining hall experience [and] their families are welcome to join. It’s a nice way for them to get exposed to Saint Mary’s.”

Wilson focused her presentation on variations of translating poetry, exploring how different

than ever,” O’Connell said. She acknowledged the hardship Ukrainian civilians are facing.

“They’ve had so many years of their life taken. You know, this is like lockdown during COVID on steroids. People are not free to come and go. You cannot get on a plane and fly out of Ukraine. You have to go by train if you're coming from abroad. It’s very difficult. The cities in the east are bombed. They’ve lost their churches. There’s just so much heartbreak. And young people want a better future in Ukraine,” she said.

She further reflected on the resilience of international law against war.

“This law, because it is part of the natural law, because it is so inherent in who we are as human beings. No matter how badly it’s violated, broken down, it doesn’t go away. It’s always there for us to renew it and build it again,” O’Connell said. “Law is nothing more than the belief and the commitment we make to it. It’s an idea. It’s on paper, and people should never think that if there are no police, there’s no law.”

David Cortright, professor emeritus, echoed O’Connell’s sentiments on the necessity of negotiations.

“We know from our study of other peace processes, you can’t just saunter in one day and say, ‘Here I am. Let’s talk,’” he said. “These are not, you know, discussions between Mother Teresa and Pope Francis. These are states, in the case of Putin, an aggressor state that has killed hundreds of thousands of people, threatening to use nuclear weapons, etc. So, you're not going to get a perfect deal that is squeaky clean from the point of view of a moral, ethical standard.”

translators choose to emphasize various terms and change the connotation of the poem. By using several excerpts from “The Odyssey,” she argued her translation “carries readers across unfathomable distances of space and time.”

“I hope that sometimes I’m using so much smooth, ostensibly effortless energy that the reader, like the sleeping Odysseus, can barely notice how much effort I put into [the translation],” Wilson said. “I hope that one thing that new translations of ancient texts can do is … make us unsure of our own place and time, and that can be a really useful thing to do as we think about how to defamiliarize ourselves from what we take for granted in our cultures.”

During her lecture, Wilson took time to break down translators’ general priorities when interpreting a text, comparing translations from several sources and their noticeable differences based on the translator’s perspective.

“It seems to me really important in translating … to be thinking through the ways that they’re

Cortright noted that severe sanctions on Russia by the Western world have inflicted grave and crippling damage on the Russian economy.

“I mean, they’re not stopping the war, but they certainly are causing severe economic hardships for Russia and undermining its financial position and setting back Russia economically by decades, probably. But those sanctions are leverage. They’re tremendous leverage,” he said.

Cortright highlighted the potential diplomatic frameworks for ending the war, setting forth what would essentially be required for negotiations to follow through.

“A deal would likely involve Ukraine postponing NATO membership, Russia withdrawing from occupied territories except Crimea and a long-term supervised process for determining control over other annexed areas,” he said.

Nevertheless, he acknowledges the difficulty in reaching said terms.

“Whether Russia or Ukraine would accept such a deal. It’s highly questionable. Many Ukrainians want to continue fighting till the very end, and they’ve had this heroic resistance over the last three years. It’s unbelievable ... they’ve lost a lot of ground, but they’re still fighting and holding their ground,” Cortright said.

He also underscored the importance of the United States and President Donald Trump’s influence on the war.

“The US certainly would have to be there as a guarantor, a supporter of Ukraine, and given our role in the world as a state that has to play a role in moderating and helping to implement whatever agreement comes out,” he shared.

interrogating their own values,” Wilson said. “There’s a real flexibility of narrated point of view, which leads also to an ethical awareness that in every scene, there’s the killers and the killed.”

Wilson also commented on the need for re-translations of texts.

“There can be things that are there in the ancient texts that can become hard to see when you get too used to a certain set of translations or a particular way of approaching them,” Wilson said.

Miller provided an independent perspective on the classics by centering her lecture on approaching classical literature from a novelist’s viewpoint. From a young age, she said her parents read her excerpts from “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” epics, which formed her love of Greek mythology. She believed her passions for writing and ancient literature were separate, however, until she co-directed a play of Shakespeare’s “Troilus and Cressida.”

“As soon as I started working with the text and working with the actors who we had cast in these roles, I immediately

Sedmak reinforced that U.S. policy remains the biggest unknown factor in the war.

“I think the most important variable, unknown arrival, is the United States of America — the way the U.S. will move forward in the new administration,” Sedmak said.

Sedmak warned that Ukraine’s fate carries implications far beyond its borders. The stakes are far broader than Ukraine’s territory.

“If Ukraine falls, we have no idea what it means for the Baltic nations, for other nations, for the idea of a global world order, where the perpetrators go unpunished, rewarded. What Russia did is a violation of all standards of international law,” Sedmak said. “My real hope is that at some point there will be fatigue, fatigue on [both] sides and they will enter some kind of negotiations, whether the negotiations will bring the eastern provinces, the territories that were lost from Ukraine to Russia, back to Ukraine. I cannot say right now."

Cortright, however, warned against assuming a quick resolution.

“It seems hard to imagine that it would go another three years at this ferocious level of devastation and death, but we’ve seen wars that have gone on for five or more years.”

Sedmak reaffirmed Notre Dame’s solidarity with Ukraine.

“Notre Dame stands in solidarity with Ukraine. We have a special relationship with the Ukrainian Catholic University, and our community must stay informed, engaged and continue to pray for Ukraine and for a just peace.”

Contact Maria Clara Lopes Corona at mcorona@nd.edu

just became electrified all over again with this idea that … [Shakespeare] was kind of throwing everything together and then doing whatever he wanted with it,” Miller said. “And it was amazing to see that happen, to see him just totally do exactly what he wanted with this text, and who cared what Homer actually said. It was very freeing and very exciting.”

She continued by breaking down her two novels, commenting on how she adapted the stories from Greek literature to integrate unique approaches to the humanity of her characters. Simultaneously “obsessed” and “frustrated” with the classics, Miller spoke about her ability to relate to and find comfort in these texts.

“There is something incredibly powerful, especially during moments of upheaval, during moments of pain, whether they’re personal pain or national pain, and remember that this is not the first time that humans have lived through any of this,” Miller said.

Contact Aynslee Dellacca at adellacca01@saintmarys.edu

Saint Mary’s founds competitive STUNT team

By SAMANTHA GERBERT Staff Writer

After months of preparation, Saint Mary’s newest athletic team, a four-quarter competitive cheerleading sport, will be offered for Belles. The STUNT team began its inaugural season Feb. 8, defeating Concordia Chicago and Buena Vista in their first two matches.

Saint Mary’s began considering adding an additional sport a few years ago, Julie Schroeder-Biek, director of athletics at Saint Mary’s said. After considering what different sports were recognized by the NCAA, whether nearby colleges played the sport, what the roster size was and if it was a good fit for the students, Saint Mary’s ultimately landed on STUNT.

Valentine’s

bring [Rogers] back in, and that’s something that’s really connected us and helped us grow together,” Whitehouse said.

When asked if the faith and culture on campus influenced their engagement, Rogers indicated it had “played a part,” mentioning the “supportive community” at Notre Dame. She said seeing other people “take that journey together” assured the couple.

Rogers said she believes every person’s journey with their significant other is their own to follow.

“I've had this conversation with my sister and my mom. They’re like, ‘Are you sure you want to do this? You're so young,’ … It's your own journey. You shouldn't let anyone else tell you when … [it’s] appropriate to get engaged or get married. And if you feel like you’re ready, you know you’re ready, and

USAID

and treated for malaria, and are not going to be able to have access to treatment for HIV or TB,” Nahlen said. “Mothers delivering babies who may have complications during pregnancy and delivery are not going to have the same services they had before.”

Such pressing issues bring into question how the Notre Dame community will respond to USAID’s cancellation. Junior Karlee Waugh, co-president for the global health club, discussed how many members of the community have yet to openly discuss the delicate topic.

“Even about two weeks ago, I didn’t know what was going on,” Waugh said. “It was really only because of [director of the global health minor] Marie Donahue telling me about it that I learned. I think that with the current transition that America is going through, I think that people saw stuff like this happening, but no one expected it to be this drastic.”

Waugh continued, “I think the University just doesn’t really know

“It is an NCAA emerging sport for women which highlights the sport for growth and hopefully a fast track to becoming an NCAA Championship sport. Our facility can accommodate this sport and it has a good roster size offering allowing for solid participation numbers,” Schroeder-Biek said. “On top of all of this, it is an incredibly exciting sport to watch and easily builds a great fan base.”

During STUNT games, the two teams compete on the mat at the same time, with the team that performs the routine best each round earning a point. The four quarters are divided into partner stunts, pyramids & tosses, jumps & tumbling and a team routine.

Lydia Alexander, a senior on the team, summarized how each

you have had those conversations with that person, and you can really see yourself spending the rest of your life with them, then just go for it,” Rogers said.

Whitehouse discussed the lifelong commitment of marriage and said it's “not something that you really should take lightly.” He said he also talked with his parents about getting married, as they wanted to ensure the decision was being made for the right reasons.

“It’s just something that a lot of prayer, a lot of discernment and just a lot of conversations between the two of us … that’s really what went into everything. And I think that’s kind of the only way to do it, to make sure that you know this is the right decision,” Whitehouse said.

Rogers and Whitehouse agree they have matured together and look forward to growing more together. As part of their preparation for the future, the couple signed up to participate in Notre Dame

where to even stand, because it’s just an unprecedented moment for our government, and so they’re kind of waiting for everything to settle.”

Waugh shared her concerns about how many students, even students on the global health club board, were unaware of the current situation with foreign aid. As a premed student looking to get involved in public health initiatives, Waugh explained that the cancellation of USAID could potentially impact many students looking to get involved in humanitarian and global health work.

“We’ve been trying to push over the years [to see] how we can get our undergraduate students involved in global health,” Waugh said. “Those internships that are abroad are mostly connected through our partners, so if those internships aren’t available, then we can’t encourage our students to pursue them.”

The Trump administration has yet to officially announce whether the agency will permanently close after the 90-day period. Marco Rubio, secretary of state and current acting administrator for USAID,

quarter of the game plays out.

“The first quarter is partner stunts where we lift each other, the second quarter is pyramids and tosses where we stack each other, third quarter is jumps and tumbling where we do flips and the fourth quarter is all of the first three quarters put together,” she said.

Alexander shared her excitement at winning the first two games.

“I am very proud of us for coming out of our first two games as a program with two wins! It felt very good to know that the first game ever played in our program history was a win!” she said.

Miley Smith, a freshman player, described her emotions during the first game.

“I went into the game pretty nervous, but once the game started I

Campus Ministry’s marriage preparation.

As a marriage preparation coordinator with Campus Ministry, Suzy Younger works with undergraduate, graduate and law students who are preparing for or discerning the sacrament of marriage.

“Marriage preparation through Campus Ministry is a blend of at least five personalized meetings with me, two meetings with a mentor couple that I pair them with, an introduction to the fertility awareness method of their choice and a selection of readings, podcasts and videos,” Younger wrote.

According to Younger, the preparation focuses on formation in psychology, philosophy and theology.

“This includes covering a variety of topics including sacrament of marriage, theology of the body, sexual intimacy, family planning and parenting, families of origin and establishing healthy boundaries,

said that USAID would continue providing foreign aid that is “justified” and aligned with national interest. Nahlen responded by discussing his own experience with the viability of USAID spending.

“I think that it implies that there’s been no effort in the past to make sure that the dollars are being used appropriately, which is frankly not the case,” Nahlen said. “I was the deputy coordinator for the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative ... We kept explicit track of where the money was. The fact that child mortality rates from malaria and Africa decreased by 50% shows the benefit of that sort of investment.”

Nahlen continued, “I can assure you, the oversight has always been there and the fact that this administration has sacked all the inspectors general raises the question of how serious they are about making sure that U.S. government resources are appropriately used.”

Nahlen expressed his hope for the future if the community can openly express their opinions over foreign aid. Nahlen advised any students concerned about USAID to write to their state representatives and to not remain silent.

became confident in my team and our abilities,” Smith said.

STUNT Belles have early mornings, with practices held four days a week and lifting sessions twice a week.

“We usually arrive to the gym around 5:15 a.m. so that we can roll out all our mats for practice to begin right at 5:45,” Alexander said.

Players shared what they enjoyed about the sport.

“STUNT is a team sport unlike any other. We have to work together and trust each other immensely to make the stunt hit,” Alexander said. “We are constantly working together and pushing ourselves in order to have the best outcome.”

“My favorite part of the sport is partner stunts, because we get to work on difficult skills which

trust and commitment, friendship and communication, finances and shared dreams and developing a family culture,” Younger wrote in an email.

Younger added Campus Ministry offers a day-long workshop twice a year based on John Gottman’s “The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work.” The next workshop will be offered on Sunday, March 30.

“The undergraduate students I work with come for a variety of reasons. Some are already engaged and wish to complete marriage preparation required by the Catholic Church with us in Campus Ministry while they are still on campus,” Younger wrote.

“Other students are getting closer to engagement but wish to meet for counsel on specific issues or questions they are facing before they get engaged.”

According to Younger, 40-50 couples per year complete their

“I remain an optimist in all this,” Nahlen said. “I think the disruption we’re seeing at the moment, it’s challenging and unexpected. I don’t think we know yet how this is all going to play out. Under the present administration, are they going to restore some of this funding or what’s that’s going to look like? I have little doubt that the American people are as generous as they’ve been and are still committed to being good players in the world.”

Waugh shared how the global health club is working to increase student awareness about the current situation with USAID. Alongside her co-president junior Tim Theisen, the team has plans to hold a global health club advocacy workshop on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m in Duncan Student Center.

Professor Lacey Ahern of the Eck Institute and professor Ray Offenheiser of the Keough School of Global Affairs are partnering with the club to organize the workshop. The event will educate undergraduate and graduate students on USAID’s funding freeze and its impact on student career opportunities, nonprofit organizations in America and abroad, partnerships

makes it rewarding when we finally get them right.” Smith said.

Saint Mary’s will host a STUNT tournament this weekend, with the Belles facing Heidelberg and Malone on Saturday and Michigan and Concordia Chicago on Sunday. Smith expressed her excitement for the games.

“I’m definitely looking forward to this weekend’s tournament. I’m not only excited to compete this weekend, but to watch other schools compete, as well,” Smith said.

Alexander also expressed her optimistic outlook for the season.

“We are excited to continue working hard this season to continue the good outcomes,” Alexander said.

Contact Samantha Gerbert at sgerbert01@saintmarys.edu

marriage preparation with campus ministry.

“More and more students are coming to me seeking out advice for healthy relationships and guidance on how to date, discern and prepare for marriage, even if that is before they are in a committed relationship,” Younger wrote. “The conversations with these students and their expressed desire for more formation opportunities led me to develop a series I now offer called Dating Under the Dome.”

Younger said “Dating Under the Dome,” a marriage discernment event, typically attracts 100 students.

“I am blessed to serve in such an incredible community. The couples I prepare love to learn and are eager to gain the knowledge and skills to create a solid foundation for their future marriage,” Younger wrote.

Contact Grace Tadajweski at gtadajwe@nd.edu

with global organizations and U.S. foreign aid support. The workshop will also teach students how to send emails to local, state and national government officials addressing their concerns over USAID.

Waugh offered her perspective as a student looking to involve herself in a global health related career.

“I’m very concerned with social determinants of health and how culture and social factors play a role into the healthcare system and people’s ability to access it and their ability to take preventative measures,” Waugh said. “I’ve seen how important it is to have partnerships with NGOs that are in these other countries, and those NGOs are funded by programs like USAID. I would love to work with an organization like Doctors Without Borders, that is going over to these countries and partnering with the community or the country’s NGOs. If those aren’t available or those aren’t being funded, then that puts me out of a job or to do the work that I want to do to make an actual impact.”

Contact Sophia Tran at stran2@nd.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Our Dear Notre Dame Community,

Belonging is not futile

We write to you from a place of genuine concern, as we are now in a position where we must defend the value of our work. While the three of us are proud student workers at the Gender Relations Center (GRC), we are speaking here as fellow students and community members who have lived and worked on this campus for years. The views expressed here are solely our own and do not represent the GRC or any other office. As Pope Francis said in his 2024 Christmas Midnight Mass homily, “Hope calls us — as Saint Augustine would say — to be upset with things that are wrong and to find the courage to change them.” We feel dissuaded by the incivility of current student discourse and the lack of official University statements to condemn hateful rhetoric within this cherished community we are honored to call home.

On January 29, the Irish Rover published an opinion editorial that stated “the aim of achieving ‘belonging’ is inherently a futile one,” claiming that “inclusion” and “belonging” stray from “Catholic values” and directly claiming that students who attend events within the Center for DEI cannot “expect to belong” at Notre Dame. In the following week, Father Gerry Olinger sent a statement from the Division of Student Affairs to all students to reaffirm the necessity of “walking together” and provided a list of resources for student support. While his message was a positive commentary on building a beloved community, he omitted the resources within the Division’s Center for DEI — the offices of the Gender Relations Center, Multicultural Student Programs and Services and Office of Student Enrichment. An Observer article published on February 12 reported the changing language on the previous diversity.nd.edu website that removed “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” within the heading of the web page. This language change, in addition to the exclusion of the Center for DEI’s valuable work from official messaging, has caused us much concern about the future of our work and student well-being initiatives on campus.

While Notre Dame changed this language to “better reflect Fr. Dowd’s voice and leadership,” we also want to emphasize that language is important. Words both represent movements larger than ourselves and evoke

Madyson Casiano Staff Writer INSIDE COLUMN

What can I even say about love?

emotions personal to us. Diversity is an integral part of what makes the Notre Dame community great — we learn from each other by listening to multitudinous perspectives on race, nationality, gender and sexuality. Equity ensures that all students, regardless of their financial background or identity, have an equal opportunity to see their hard work bear fruit. There is no Notre Dame without inclusion — no such thing as “residential life” or “an academic community” without it.

While the official language of the University may change regarding these topics, as students we continue to uphold our obligation to create safe spaces for people of any and all identities. We must reaffirm there are many individuals and offices on campus that are continuing their work to promote belonging, provide emotional and social support and celebrate each other for our God-given uniqueness. As Father Dowd stated in his inauguration address: “So this is who we are, and who we are called to be. Seekers of truth. Sustainers of hope. Builders of bridges.” In line with the theme of the Jubilee Year of Hope and the 2025-2026 Notre Dame Forum, we hope to strengthen the necessary bridges between our administration and fellow students, consistent with our University’s ideals.

Fr. Hesburgh championed the principles of inclusion and relations in love unequivocally, his actions rooted in lessons from the Bible and Christ’s life. This tradition is why we came here, to be part of a trailblazing institution that does not compromise on its ideals rooted in human dignity. Now, it appears that rather than bearing the torch of connection and hope amidst discord and fear, we are beginning to capitulate to the secular politics that divide our country.

If you are feeling like us — swept away in the tide of national and institutional changes — we want to assure you that you are not alone. The Catholic Social Teaching we learn here emphasizes reaching out to the most marginalized members of our communities as Jesus did throughout his ministry. We have found it disturbing to see fellow students of Our Lady’s University actively contributing to that marginalization rather than encountering each and every peer with empathy, grace and mercy. We also understand if you are feeling worried or hopeless

despite this year’s Forum. But we must not linger in fear and despair.

In spite of division, we are reminded of University President Father Robert Dowd’s call to action in approaching all nuanced situations on campus and within our lives as a “Both/And.” We can both seek communities where we find belonging and support our peers who are on their own journey towards inclusion. We can both be challenged by other groups on campus and acknowledge their inherent dignity while engaging in civil dialogue that truly seeks to understand. We can both appreciate the ability to walk together as a University community and hold our University to a higher standard of speaking out against attempts at division and community fracture. Our University frequently asks us what we would fight for. It is time to fight for the inherent dignity of every single person on this campus. We are living through a time when we are encouraged — prompted by algorithms, media pundits and even our peers — to disdain those we don’t consider one of “us.” Why not fight to make the harder choice: to create a Notre Dame community of open arms, minds and hearts? We all love Notre Dame. So let us do that radical thing that Jesus demonstrated for us throughout his entire life — let us love each other. Finally, we want to provide the previously omitted campus resources open to everyone (see online for links). We hope that our fellow students do not feel intimidated or deterred from reaching out to the resources available to them. They are still here and these events and programming strive always to make you feel safe and valued. So please reach out. Outstretched hands are waiting for yours.

In Notre Dame, Maggie Winter, Sophia Rockwell and Ava Hyde senior, senior and junior Feb. 13

Resources:

Center for DEI- deicenter@nd.edu

Gender Relations Center- grc@nd.edu

Multicultural Student Programs and Servicesmsps.nd.edu

Office for Student Enrichment- enrich@nd.edu

Office for Institutional Equit- equity@nd.edu

What can I say about love?

I feel I should not say anything because everything I think contradicts the next thought. Writhing with insults, my thoughts chase each other while snapping at my exposed entrails.

It’s futile, it’s all consuming, it’s vicious, it’s annoying, it’s distracting, it’s, well, it’s dumb. That’s what I think love is right now — romantic love at least (I still have room in my brutal heart for friends and family. Shout out to my mom, the best Valentine) but I very much doubt I have room for any more romance. Romance was my purpose. Romance was my muse. I wrote poetry and danced to the songs of romance. I slept on romance’s cold bench through blistering nights. I let my skin burn just so I could live under the sun with romance. I laughed for, cried for, begged for and yearned for romance. I even fasted for romance! How silly was I to give my heart to such an unstable, insatiable siren. Stupid siren. Stupid romance. Stupid me! I give up, I leave romance, there is no point

… Or so I thought.

–Ah, but romance. It’s fulfilling, it’s pretty, it’s sweeping, it’s illuminating, it’s, well, it’s perfect, that’s what romance is right now. Romance has blanketed me with precious warmth and filled my lungs with energy. Romance has renewed me! I will commit my life to

seeking this indulgent feeling forever, and if I do, it surely can’t pass. I won’t let it pass! I will sing the vow of romance across the hills. I will traverse mountains with the bareness of my weak palms and I will run marathons with my untrained legs to keep romance with me. Romance must be God, because nothing can be better than this feeling.

–No, no, no. Romance has done you harm. Romance has tricked you!

–That can’t be so, romance is good.

–Romance is folly.

–Romance is fun.

–Romance means nothing.

–Romance means everything, romance is everything!

–Romance makes you think there is nothing without it, romance makes you dependent and weak. Why do you chase what makes you weak?

–I chase what makes me whole.

–Romance is the answer?

–Romance is a part, yes.

This fight goes on for some time throughout the day. On and on, I’m always caught in the middle of the warring. They war when I console my love-stricken friends. They war when I read or watch romance. They war when I see couples giddily laughing or bitterly arguing. They war especially when I have found a new interest.

It’s time for the war to end.

I believe I have found a compromise: a treaty which both armies of thought can agree. I propose that romantic love is what you make it. This may not be a novel idea nor do I think it sustains peace, but that is my truth. Romance

can be everything to you. It can be the reason you wake in the morning or why you smile in the rain. Romance can be the purpose you seek in the world, and that purpose is more than acceptable; it is good. Otherwise, romance can be nothing to you. Life can seem much more joyous, the mountains more glorious and the ocean more inviting, without any hint of romance. You can seek all that is good in this world despite romance and you’ll surely find happiness. This purpose too is more than acceptable; it is good.

As for me, I still stand between the two armies. Fully disposing of one radical side for another seems naive. I don’t want to be wholly engulfed in romance so that I ignore my peripherals nor do I want to ignore such a pretty aspect of our world. I dream of a fulfilling career and adventure. But I also dream of settling down with a husband and kids. I wish I had an absolute answer. I wish I could know there’s a future where I can compile all my desires.

For now, I just hope I am given the time to explore all the possibilities.

While I stand between, pausing the war, my contradictions continue to haunt me. The thoughts prick and prod, taunt and toy, nevertheless I’ll keep standing here. I will not be bullied into having only one trajectory in life. I think that would waste the potential for so much good.

You can contact Madyson at mcasiano@nd.edu. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

The art of the distraction

I sat there shaking my head in frustrated denial at the lunch table staring at my best friend’s newly updated phone. Through mouthful bites, he chuckled as he pointed at the words that stood out on his blue screen. They read “Gulf of America.”

Our dining hall food was bland, but our group’s political discourse was heated as we argued about President Trump’s renaming of the Gulf of Mexico. Walking out of the dining hall, it dawned on me in a moment of epiphany. We had been distracted from the real issues affecting normal people in their everyday lives. This is exactly what the Trump administration wants us to do.

To understand Donald Trump, one need only look to his greatest mentor, New York City lawyer Roy Cohn. Described by associates as a “scoundrel” and “a new strain of son of a b*tch,” Cohn became Trump’s lawyer in 1973 when the Department of Justice was suing him for racist renting practices.

The two would quickly become the closest of allies, with Trump as the dedicated student and Cohn as the wellconnected man who would form him. The strategy Cohn imparted on Trump was to “Deflect and distract, never give in, never admit fault, lie and attack, lie and attack, publicity no matter what, win no matter what, all underpinned by a deep, prove-me-wrong belief in the power of chaos and fear.”

Trump the businessman made this mantra his life’s mission. Trump the president continues to recycle the same Cohn-blessed strategies that led to his unlikely comeback.

My friends and I had wasted the entirety of our lunch together arguing about a name on a map that would never directly affect any of us. This was Roy Cohn’s playbook of “deflect and distract” run to perfection. Somewhere, this

slimy snake was smiling in his grave.

The American people are being tricked. We are drawn to care about one thing, so preposterous, ludicrous and counter to our core beliefs that we are unfazed when the Trump administration is meddling with something completely different. By the time we realize what their actual goals are, the Overton Window (i.e. the range of policies that are acceptable) has expanded to include their formerly fringe fantasies.

I am far from the first person to make this claim. However, in the last few weeks, a revamped and vengeful Donald Trump has captured headlines with political stunts fit for reality TV using Cohn’s Art of the Distraction.

Americans will notice that annexing Canada and buying Greenland (potentially renaming it Red, White, and Blueland) may be a lot to undertake in one presidential term.

This is a distraction from the America First policy agenda that has done anything but put Americans first. Trump’s threatened government cuts affect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the National Institute of Health and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Because of these moves, more children will go hungry, countless more will die from cancer and Americans will wake up poorer at the hands of corporate greed.

But Americans will be distracted by senior Trump advisor Elon Musk saluting Hitler after the inauguration last month.

This is an appalling diversion from the fact that the second Trump term will strip millions of Americans of their rights if left unchecked. On his second full day in office, the president revoked civil rights protections that dated back decades. The Republicans’ SAVE Act, which passed in the House during the 118th Congress, would leave nearly 70 million American women without the right to vote because they changed their last name when they married. Do not let distractions stop you from seeing that leading American officials do not believe women or people of

color should be in roles of authority or full citizens.

But instead, Americans will discuss the terrifying avalanche of executive orders Trump has signed since returning to the Resolute Desk.

This is a distraction from the autocratic moves Trump has already taken to slowly implant himself as an American tyrant. President Trump has eliminated positions meant to keep his administration in check and surrounded himself with those who hold his same extreme beliefs about executive power. In addition, he has seriously implied that he will be in office for a third term.

In the White House press room, Trump has welcomed and given attention to reporters from right-wing outlets that serve as propaganda outlets for his agenda. While Turning Point USA, Real America’s Voice and the Daily Caller get to ask the President softball questions, legitimate news outlets like the AP are blocked from events for not recognizing the Gulf of America.

Trump has also given his ally Elon Musk access to all of the sensitive personal payment information stored at the United States Treasury. Like any bank robbery, do not let the noise in the Oval Office distract you from what is going on behind the scenes.

President Trump’s efforts to distract the American people to successfully enact his agenda may seem like an inventive new strategy. Rather, it is the same set of schemes he has pulled since his days as a New York scumbag. Some may criticize him for his lack of creativity, but we have just been caught in his carefully crafted Art of Distraction.

Jack is a proud Michigander, a small-towner, a man of Fisher, a senior, and a licensed boat captain in that order. He enjoys gritty Midwestern football, planespotting, and speechwriting. If you are in urgent need of his consultation or would like to berate him, he can be found frolicking about campus or via email at jsirian2@nd.edu.

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer. INSIDE COLUMN

A token of my love and a song or two

Soledad Castellanos Staff Writer

Although never having had a boyfriend, I do find myself to be quite the expert in curating an amazing Valentine’s Day Playlist. And what makes me an expert? Well my obsession with having a love song dedicated to me of course, and my undeniable talent of picking the perfect thirty second clip of a song for my Instagram feed. So now having established my more than qualified portfolio of raw skill, here is a recommended list of songs that will cover the spectrum of feelings to be felt amidst the poisonous air of Valentine’s Day.

1. Please Let Me Wonder- The Beach Boys

Could you expect anything less from an actual musical savant like Brian Wilson and his brothers. With classic 60s heartbreaking vocals delivered by Wilson and the background harmonies that successfully convey desperation, who wouldn’t love the line “I built all my goals around you, that someday my love would surround you?” If only real men were like that, one can truly wonder. The Beach Boys hold a special place in my heart as Pet Sounds has been literally burned onto the CD of my soul.

2. Something About Us- Daft Punk

Lethal with a sample, iconic french duo Daft Punk delivers the perfect nerdy electronic love letter of wanting to work it out. “It might not be the right time. I might not be the right one. But there’s something about us I

want to say. Cause there’s something between us anyway.” Mixed with what I assume to be a melodic piano tune and a great drum beat, the groovy song is a light and subtle hint at maybe sending that “You up?” or “Happy Valentine’s Day” text. If you like this song then queue up Instant Crush by Daft Punk featuring Julian Casablancas or We Invented Love by Alt Grandma.

3. A.M. 180- Grandaddy

If you’re feeling a little homesick or nostalgic, it’s okay; Grandaddy’s got you. Reminiscent of taking the train home and packing for my first semester of college, A.M 180 makes you miss the people you love most. It is best listened to and understood during the hours of 4-6 pm as the sun sets, through wired headphones, and, if possible, on a bike. Trust me I know how to make the perfect playlist. Off of their “Under the Western Freeway” album, almost all the songs off it capture that summer fling before school starts feeling.

4. Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go- Soft Cell Have you experienced a burning, yearning deep inside you, that hurts so bad? Well then of course I had to hit you with that 80’s Rom-Com, John Cusack and Molly Ringwald combo. I am a bit of a “Tainted Love” bias, as it was the song playing in the hospital while my Mom delivered her beautiful ray of sunshine (me), but anyway I digress. Having synth heavy beats and vocals questioning where everything went wrong, maybe this Valentine’s Day has been plagued by the same questions or tainted love that you may find yourself experiencing.

5. Only a Broken Heart- Tom Petty

Truly a masterpiece, this song is what I imagine to be fully understood by a significant other and sometimes having that connection ripped away from you. But to him “It’s only a broken heart” which is a hard pill to swallow yet his melancholic vocals and soft guitar track gives some closure to missing a person that is no longer here beside you. Whether they moved away, broke up with you or passed, a broken heart is simply a price to pay for the gift of loving someone.

6. Te Quiero a Ti- Los Bukis

Arguably Mexico’s version of the Beach Boys, Los Bukis has been the soundtrack to countless Sunday’s spent cleaning, morning car rides and basically any celebration. “Te Quiero a Ti” though is a bit heart wrenching as the sensitive and rather romantic sound of Marco Antonio Solis’ Spanish delivers the message of apologizing for having hurt his darling’s feelings. Take note if you find yourself buying “Take me back?” chocolates and flowers or simply trying to learn how to be a latin lover.

Now in all honesty, I had a rather long list, but you see we only have so many columns on this paper, so do with it that you will. Just share a token of your love.

You can contact Soledad at scastellanos01@saintmarys. edu.

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Jack Sirianni Political Paraphernalia

By LUKE FOLEY Scene Copyeditor

For a guy who is indifferent towards the NFL due to New York City not having a legitimate team, the pageantry and cultural touchstones around the Super Bowl are what really captivate me. Therefore, as the Eagles ran away with the game and the Chief’s black magic fell apart due to Mahomes forgetting to worship Baphomet before kickoff, my attention became solely focused on the ads. However, much to my disappointment, the ads this year were pretty awful. Most of them lacked any ingenuity or coherence and were simply insipid vehicles for celebrity cameos. Back in my day, companies actually put effort into their Super Bowl ads and used their 30 seconds to make something truly inspired and memorable. But those days are gone. Alas, here are some of the best and worst from Sunday’s game:

Best:

ChatGPT: I really hate to admit this, but the very technology that will probably destroy creativity actually had one of the most creative ads of the night. The montage of technological innovations using dynamic dots made for some cool visuals, and it culminated with ChatGPT effectively communicating the significance of its product. While presenting a value proposition seems like the bare minimum for an ad, it was actually quite the rarity last night, as every ad just felt like a parade of celebrities.

Michelob Ultra: The premise of this ad is Willem Dafoe and Catherine O’Hara goading unsuspecting young people

into playing them in pickleball for a free Ultra and then proceeding to absolutely destroy them. As someone who has lost a lot of pickleball games to older family members who play it with a scary ferocity, I found this to be very funny and relatable. Dafoe and O’Hara really commit to the bit as well.

“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning”: Before the onslaught of corporate slop could deaden my soul, Tom Cruise graced the TV for a short teaser of the upcoming “Mission: Impossible” film. It was a tense 30 seconds that featured a sleek expanding ratio gimmick. I am incredibly hyped for this film and grateful Cruise is constantly risking his life for the love of movie magic.

Squarespace: I have absolutely no idea why Squarespace decided to do a “Banshees of Inisherin” themed ad over two years after the film was released, but I’m not complaining. It was fun to see Barry Keoghan back in character, and the gag of him hurling computers at bewildered Irish country folk was amusing.

Worst:

“How to Train Your Dragon”: Every time I am reminded of this film’s existence, I become irate. What a complete failure of imagination. From the footage shown in the teaser, it’s essentially a shot-for-shot remake of the original, but it’s live-action now, which makes it good? What’s the point? Why are we doing this? It’s so soulless and pathetic. Nevertheless, I know this film will do gangbusters at the box office because people have no shame and love having their childhood regurgitated back to them.

Uber Eats: I couldn’t care less about what was

going on in this ad. What truly enraged me was Matthew McConaughey starring in it. One of the greatest actors of our time has been wasting away in commercial slop for the past 5 years. Why? Is it greed? Is it cowardice? Is it sloth? Regardless, he is a bum, and I have the utmost contempt for him. I need Christopher Nolan or Martin Scorsese to snap him out of it.

AngelSoft: This ad was 30 seconds of severe psychological torture that would make even the CIA blush. On paper, this ad should have been a big hit. It was AngelSoft giving everyone a free bathroom break, and they timed it well; by this point in the game, I had a good amount to drink and really needed to use the restroom. However, by the time this 30-second ad communicated its conceit, there were only 25 seconds left, and that was nowhere near enough time for me to do what I needed to do. Thus, I resigned myself to staying in my seat as a devilish cartoon baby tantalized me with the sweet relief of an empty bladder. Maybe if the cheapskates at AngelSoft had bought a full-minute ad, this would have worked. Instead, their broke antics gave me 30 seconds of immense anguish.

Overall, it was a profoundly disappointing year for Super Bowl ads. Perhaps this is just the new normal in the age of disintegration and the continuous decay of the American soul. But at least we can look back and appreciate what we once had: legends like PuppyMonkeyBaby will live on in our hearts forever.

Contact Luke Foley at lfoley2@nd.edu

By ANDY OTTONE Scene Writer

Why do I care about the “Scream” movies so much?

It’s a valid question. I watched the first entry at the start of the pandemic; the 1996 Wes Craven meta-film about horror movie fans surviving the very situation they love to watch on screen, and I’ve been fascinated by the series since. I burned through the remaining three films in the franchise, deliberated watching the MTV adaptation (still have not), and waited eagerly for the Radio Silence-helmed revival in 2022. I love the “Scream” movies. Whether it’s the witty writing, the pitch-black comedic satire or the compelling characters that grow and change over the films, with each entry serving as a chance to check back in on beloved figures and see where they’ve gone, there’s something deeply lovable about the films.

For a long time, I’d probably tell you I hated “Scream 3.” Hate is a strong word, but it’s the strong word that people feel fine when using against art they don’t care for, so I’ll stick with it. “Scream 3,” released in the year 2000, three years after “Scream 2” and four after the original, was the planned conclusion to the “Scream” trilogy. It had all the staples of a

grand finale: a return to the original setting (not literally, just a reproduction of the characters’ hometown), a mastermind villain that tied together the shared Ghostface identity and revelations about characters that change how you watch the series. These things are why I don’t like “Scream 3.”

I’m going to go on and spoil a 25-year-old movie, but “Scream” as a series is built on murder mysteries. I genuinely do not want to spoil this movie for those who have not seen it, because no matter my feelings on the film, you should watch it to form your own opinion, and not have it tainted by my views influenced from being such a massive fan of the series it’s from.

That all being said: the killer a singular killer, a departure in tradition never to be repeated since — in “Scream 3” is one of the most convoluted and worst in the series. Most of the killers have some level of ridiculousness and complexity to their plans, but they were all believable. Jealous cousins, revenge-sick mothers, obsessed reddit users, these are all exaggerations of what you see in real life and in the news. Roman Bridgers is not that. He’s the secret half-brother of the protagonist — Neve Campbell returning as heroine Sidney Prescott — who is also a film director at the studio his mother worked at. Also, he orchestrated the murder of

his and Sydney’s shared mother, by manipulating the killers of the OG film. Which in turn led to the revenge plot that inspired “Scream 2.” He can also build computers that imitate anyone else’s voice perfectly, and most bizarrely completely stop his own heartbeat.

At one point, the heroes check his pulse and declare him dead. This is done by Sheriff Dewey, David Arquette’s more than adequately intelligent support character. He would know what a pulse feels like. My only conclusion is that, amongst all the things that make him a super genius able to pull everything off, Roman can stop his heart.

I started this by saying I hate “Scream 3.” I don’t, not anymore. I just am not a fan of the script, the only one not written by Kevin Williamson (writer of the first two, creator of the franchise as well as “Dawson’s Creek”) up to this point. But, I love Craven’s direction, the acting of the entire cast and I’ll give the story (which WAS penned by Williamson) this — it was a nice ending to the Sidney Prescott storyline … until they dug up that grave 11 years later for “Scream 4.” Maybe I’ll write a 15th anniversary piece for that one next year.

Andy Ottone

ND MEN’S BASKETBALL

Irish fight back to win double-overtime thriller

By HENRY LYTLE Sports Writer

The Notre Dame men’s basketball entered Wednesday night’s contest with three consecutive losses against ACC opponents Florida State, Miami and Virginia Tech. The Irish had led in each of those games with chances to win in the second half. On Wednesday, Notre Dame beat Boston College 97-94 after trailing at halftime and by as many as 14 points early in the second half but managing to pull off the improbable comeback to earn the biggest comeback victory of Micah Shrewsberry’s tenure. Sophomore guard Markus Burton posted a career high in the double-overtime classic with 32 points to propel the Irish down the stretch and earn a much-needed victory.

Freshman guard Sir Mohammed scored the first basket to give the Irish a 2-0 lead early in the first half. The game consistently remained tight in the first half with four lead changes and three ties as both teams battled for early control. Boston College tied the game at 11-11 on a layup from Dion Brown, who finished with 15 points and 5 rebounds for the Eagles. The game tied again at 18-18 with 10 minutes left in the first half. Then Burton knocked in a deep, 25-foot threepointer as part of an Irish 9-3 run

that extended the lead out to six points, 24-18, with 8:27 remaining in the first half. Sophomore guard Braeden Shrewsberry made a jumper to pull the lead back to 31-26, but Boston College regained the lead with 2:56 remaining at 33-32. The biggest lead was seven for Boston College, and it finished the first half leading 41-35 on 59% shooting from the field compared to Notre Dame’s 51%.

As the second half began, the game seemed to be tipping in the direction of the Eagles. Boston College quickly doubled its lead to 12 points at 50-38 in less than 3 minutes to open the second half. Then, Braeden Shrewsberry stepped into a three-pointer in transition to bring the game back within single digits at 50-41. The biggest lead for Boston college was with 14:10 left in the second half as Roger McFarlane swished a jumper to extend the Eagles’ lead out to 14 points, 57-43. But again, the Irish whirled back, led by Burton and Shrewsberry, to within single digits at 57-48, forcing Boston College to call a timeout. These first baskets were part of a sustained 17-9 run that brought the game within 6 points, 66-60, at 10:05 in the second half. The Irish consistently turned to Burton and Shrewsberry for timely runs that propelled the team back into the game.

A Burton layup brought the Irish within four points at 72-68 with 5:59 remaining, but then the Irish fell into the predictable, final-5-minute scoring drought, where they went ice cold for almost three minutes. Junior forward Kebba Njie fought for a difficult rebound, setting up a baseline jumper for Shrewsberry to break the slump and keep the Irish around at 76-70 with 3:15 remaining. Burton made critical defensive plays throughout the game, none more important than a steal and pass to junior forward Tae Davis that tied the contest at 76 apiece with 1:26 remaining. The Irish finally found defensive stops at the end of a game, but found themselves trailing 80-78. Burton was fouled for a chance to tie the game at the free throw line with 26 seconds left, which he calmly did. Good defense from the Irish sent the game into overtime number one. Overtime one carried the momentum from the final minute of regulation — a defensive slugfest. Burton scored the first basket with 3:50 left to give the Irish an 82-80 lead. Chad Venning, who finished with 22 points, tied the game at 82. Then Burton found himself at the free throw line again, where he knocked down a pair to give the Irish an 84-82 lead. Davis stole the ball on the other end, and Boston College fouled Njie out of position in

transition. Then Njie, shooting 71% from the free throw line, knocked down one of two free throws to give the Irish an 85-82 lead with 1:26 remaining. On the other end, Donald Hand made a three-pointer to even the game at 85. Nobody scored in the rest of overtime, and the game headed to overtime number two at 85-85.

The Irish took a 91-88 lead with 3:12 remaining from Davis free throws. Then, after the Irish led 93-90, senior forward Julian Roper II committed a flagranttwo foul which ejected him and gave Boston College two free throws and the ball. This event sent the officials into a five-minute review, which helped Boston College regain its composure and go on a four-point run from the foul stripe and regain the lead at 94-93 with 1:20 left.

Boston College was 5-0 on the season in games decided by three points inside of five minutes to play, meanwhile the Irish were 2-6. The Irish missed multiple opportunities on offense but stayed in the game through the tough defense that consistently forced Boston College into challenging shots. Finally, Njie made a layup to take the lead at 95-94 with only 16 seconds remaining. The Irish defense held strong, and Burton closed out the game with two free throws to bring the final to 97-94. Irish fans across the country let out a sigh of relief

as the clocks struck midnight in Boston and Notre Dame earned a crucial victory.

Overall, Burton led the team with 32 points, his career high, shooting 12-of-29 from the field, including 1-for-8 on three-point shots, but that didn’t stop the ACC leading scorer from making clutch plays in overtime. After the game, he said, “I obviously didn’t shoot the ball as well as I wanted to, but I got the job done. I got to the line, I got my teammates involved and I fought and competed.”

One the verge of missing the ACC Tournament, the Irish desperately needed to win this game against a comparable Boston College team in the ACC standings. They did just that in dramatic fashion to keep themselves in the ACC Tournament picture and tie Stanford, Syracuse and Cal in the standings. The Irish have a tough week ahead with Louisville, SMU and Pittsburgh, but this win keeps them ahead of the bottom teams. Despite a disappointing season overall, the team earned a hard-fought win and overcame its biggest deficit to date, which Micah Shrewsberry should be proud of. Whether or not they can replicate this magic again is certainly yet to be seen.

Contact Henry Lytle at hlytle@nd.edu

Miles ties program record, Irish pummel Pitt

By TYLER REIDY Sports Editor

Make it 17 consecutive wins for Notre Dame women’s basketball. The Irish won their must-see show to the Steel City on Thursday night, defeating Pittsburgh 8857 to improve to 22-2 overall and 13-0 in ACC play.

“This team is really special, playing really great basketball right now,” head coach Niele Ivey said. “Being able to have this type of victory on the road is huge for us. This was a really tough place to play last year.”

At some point early on in Thursday’s game, the Panthers, like all Irish opponents this season, had to pick their poison. They elected bottles No. 5 and 11, aiming to stay in the game by limiting sophomore guard Hannah Hidalgo and taking their chances with the rest of the loaded Notre Dame backcourt.

Wrong move. As if there’s a correct choice to be made.

The chosen poisons combined to set ablaze the Pittsburgh basket, as graduate student Olivia Miles and senior Sonia Citron shot the lights out of the basketball. Miles tied the 27-year-old program record for 3-pointers made in a single game, connecting on 8 of her 13 attempts from

distance. She also comfortably set a new season high with 28 points while collecting 7 rebounds and 5 assists.

Citron was 8 for 9 from the field, draining a quarter of 3-pointers. As usual, she made an impact all over the floor, recording a double-double on 22 points and 10 rebounds.

“We went as these two went,” Ivey said, pointing to Miles and Citron at her sides.

The early part of Thursday’s game looked at times eerily similar to Notre Dame’s visit to Pittsburgh in January of last season. The Irish built a healthy lead of 7 points but ended the first quarter up by just one, as star Panther center Khadija Faye totaled 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks in the opening 10 minutes. However, the Irish, who conceded 21 points in the first quarter, locked in for the second and got to halftime with a 49-33 advantage.

“I thought our defensive intensity ramped up,” Ivey said. “I thought we got multiple stops in a row, and that wasn’t something that we did in the first quarter. We’d come down and make a bucket, and then they would come down and score.

So I thought they did a better job of locking in defensively.

Intensity-wise, it ramped up, and then we got multiple stops in a row, which allowed us to get up and down in transition.”

Citron and Miles drilling a combined 9 triples in the first half certainly helped as well. One of the nation’s most improved 3-point shooters this season, Miles fed off the energy of the pro-Notre Dame crowd.

“[Miles] was fantastic off the ball screen,” Ivey said. “Her pace was just amazing.”

Citron, on the other hand, is often — if not always — overshadowed by the highlights of Hidalgo and Miles. Notre Dame players and coaches alike were thrilled to see her efforts rewarded with a big statistical night.

“Soni is just the silent assassin, and tonight she was just on fire. She always puts in the work. She does a lot of things that don’t show up on the stat sheet,” Ivey said. “Liv does a great job of finding her, and I thought she did a great job making the defense collapse and making an extra pass to Soni, and Soni stepped up and was big for us today.”

As soon as Coach Ivey finished

saying that, Miles jumped in with a statement of her own.

“Let me say something … Soni is her. She’s literally her. That’s my dog. We came to Notre Dame to do this together. Our chemistry is insane. She does everything that this team needs to do and without a word said. Sonia is incredible.”

Drop the mic. Pan the camera to the perpetually sheepish Citron.

“I’m blushing over here,” she mumbled back to Miles.

Verbose or not, Citron plays an integral role in a backcourt that looked so great Thursday with its top scorer stuck in the mud. Hidalgo finished with just 11 points on 3-for-17 shooting, but she still made her mark with 7 steals on the opposite end of the floor. Going forward, if Miles and Citron are going to play as well as they did in Pittsburgh when Hidalgo doesn’t have it, the Irish may not lose another game.

“They move so well without the ball, and they are able to read my brain and beat the defense behind the basket,” Miles said of her fellow guards. “So I can get them

the ball and get them open looks … They’ve learned how to play with me, how to catch my passes, how to be in the right spots.”

Notre Dame, which finished two shy of its single-game record with 14 three-pointers made, got 11 points out of Liatu King in her return to the Steel City. The graduate transfer forward, who tormented the Irish as a Panther last season, mixed in 6 rebounds and 4 assists on Thursday night.

As usual, Faye led Pittsburgh in just about every category, accumulating 23 points, 16 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks. Mikayla Johnson and Marley Washenitz combined for 28 points to support her, but the remaining five Panthers who played totaled only 6 more points.

The Irish will have an extra day to prepare for Monday night’s showdown against No. 13 Duke, which scored a 72-47 win at Wake Forest on Thursday. Notre Dame will host the Blue Devils at 6 p.m. on Presidents’ Day inside Purcell Pavilion.

Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu

people of interest. Refuse to let anger or jealousy put you in an awkward position. If you are fun, everyone will want to engage with you. Show interest in what others say or do and see what transpires.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Set a course and refuse to feel you must veer off track to please others. Follow your heart, share your feelings, and confidently execute your plans. Put your time, energy, and expertise into something that can help you advance or network with people who are well-connected and fine-tune your prospects..

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You want to simplify your life, not make it spin out of control. Do whatever it takes to keep the peace without letting anyone take advantage of you. Getting together with an old friend will bring back memories and feelings buried for a long time. Engage in heartfelt conversations..

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Skip forward and spark your way forward from morning to night. A warm and welcoming approach to dealing with others will encourage whoever you deal with to let down their guard and be open to you regarding feelings and intentions. Your high energy and enthusiasm will experience the same high-pitch fever from someone who challenges you.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Make learning a priority. Scour the internet for information to help you gain ground and apply your energy, skills, and experience to use what you discover to embark on a new adventure. Love is in the stars; let someone you care about know how much it will brighten your day.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Look around you, be critical, and change whatever is holding you back. Consider what makes you happy and what it will take to sprinkle joy into your everyday routine. Life is about choices, and although you may not reach your expectations in one motion, you can make incremental improvements over time.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Look at the big picture. Don’t limit yourself or what you can do. Whether it’s a personal or professional goal you are trying to achieve, set yourself up for success. Reach out to experts, and consider making a move that stations you closer to the people, places, or opportunities you need to access.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Get in the game and have some fun. Socializing, participating, and stretching your mind will encourage you to explore an exciting adventure. An aggressive attitude will help you reach your goal when you engage in challenging activities that satisfy you mentally, physically, and emotionally. Make romance and love a priority.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Put your emotions on the back burner and focus on how best to spend your time, money, and talents. Pick up the pace and delve into physical fitness, smart living, and opportunities leading to a better lifestyle and greater prosperity. It’s up to you to make things happen.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Update essential documents, investments, and promises. Discuss plans with those affected by your choices, and bring about worthwhile changes that help you fulfill your obligations and make you feel good about what you achieve and contribute. Base your decisions on what’s necessary, not desired, and follow through.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Put your feelings aside and look at the real issues. Communication will help you sort through your concerns and encourage those you are dealing with to meet you halfway. If you are willing to try, you will make an impression and win approval. Focus on your goal and forge ahead.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Listen carefully. Keeping your feelings and intentions private is essential until you better understand how others will react. Focus more on putting things in place and mapping out a comfortable path. Consider what makes you happy and shift your attention to whatever entertains and stimulates your mind.

Birthday Baby: You are clever, proactive, and unpredictable. You are friendly and helpful.

Irish bring enthusiasm to diamond in 2025

By TYLER REIDY Sports Editor

Last year, in head coach Shawn Stiffler’s second year leading the program, Notre Dame baseball didn’t have the campaign it hoped for. Two years removed from a College World Series trip, the Irish went 27-25, winning zero road games in conference play and missing the ACC Tournament.

While it’s tough to measure the future of the program on 2024, Notre Dame’s first season without key bats from the Omaha run and last before the arrival of Stiffler’s recruiting classes, 2025 will provide a much sharper glimpse. The skipper’s first class has arrived in South Bend, enhancing Notre Dame’s offseason work.

“Having that, really it shapes the design of your practices, of your offseason, of everything because you’re starting to see things a little bit further down the road, not just in the moment,” Stiffler described. “You’re starting to think more about what the program necessarily needs to do over the next three to four years, not necessarily what this team needs to do, and once you start to be able to put those plans together, you’re able to look at what the team needs to do.”

After producing the secondworst league record in the ACC last year, Notre Dame seemingly has a mountain to climb before returning to contention. However, that may not be the case. The Irish went 7-12 in games decided by two runs or less, the vast majority of the losses coming in ACC play.

“One of the things we’ve tried to emphasize is the fact that we were in so many of those games shows us that our process is correct,” Stiffler said. “The way we’re playing, the things that we’re concentrating on are what leads to you being in that baseball game.”

For Stiffler, an unwavering focus on controlling the controllables can help the Irish find more success in close games.

“The nice thing about our sport is, at the end of the day, it really is you versus the game, versus the baseball,” Stiffler said. “If you throw

strikes at a certain percentage, if you hit with runners in scoring position, if you catch the baseball and throw it to first base accurately, if you play good defense, if you do those things at a certain number standpoint, you’re gonna give yourself the opportunity to win baseball games.”

The mound

Pitching lines up as Notre Dame’s strength heading into 2025. The Irish, despite managing injuries in the rotation early on, walked fewer hitters than anyone in the ACC and held opponents to a mediocre batting average of .266.

Two right-handers, junior Rory Fox and sophomore Jack Radel, will lead the starters. Fox emerged as Notre Dame’s Sunday guy last year after appearing just four times as a freshman. He attacked the zone well, evidenced by a strike percentage of 67.6, but found too many bats and ended up with a 6.48 earned run average. D1

Baseball ranked Fox No. 106 on its Preseason Top 150 Starting Pitcher list. Radel, Notre Dame’s Saturday pitcher for essentially all of ACC play, led regular Irish starters with a 4.58 ERA.

Though Radel in particular consistently completed four innings in his starts, Stiffler will ask for more length and mound leadership out of his top two starters in 2025.

“What we need them to do is one, trust their stuff and trust the work that they put in, but two, go out and compete for our team,” Stiffler listed. “That’s the biggest thing. They need to take on an understanding that they are two of the bigger focal points of our team, and we need them to go out and compete for us.”

Notre Dame’s rotation depth benefits from the return of Jackson Dennies. The graduate right-hander threw the ball well in 2023 (13 starts, 3.11 ERA) but had arm problems out of the gate last year, giving up 20 runs in 11 innings before being shut down.

Fellow graduate righty Dylan Heine could also make his way to the starter’s mound at some

point. The 6-foot-6 hurler is on his third team in as many seasons and enters his sixth year of college baseball overall. He pitched at Rider from 2020 to 2023 and Arkansas State in 2024, when he posted a 4.65 ERA in 14 starts. Stiffler expects that Heine will open the year as the “ace of the bullpen,” pitching early relief innings when the starters can’t go deep.

In the bullpen, senior righthander Radek Birkholz returns after missing all of last April and May. He owns a 4.88 career ERA in 83 innings and pitched at the College World Series in 2022. Sophomore right-hander DJ Helwig will move into a higher-leverage role after starting midweek games and pitching to a 4.11 ERA last year. Stiffler noted that Chase Van Ameyde, a 6-foot-5 freshman right-hander from Michigan, brings back-of-the-bullpen material to the table as well.

Notre Dame’s additions of left-handers Jack Walker (Toledo graduate transfer) and Brady Koester (freshman) should help balance out the bullpen as well.

The infield

Junior shortstop Estevan Moreno (No. 24) and sophomore catcher Carson Tinney (No. 47) each ranked top-50 at their respective positions on the D1 Baseball list, and they’ll anchor the Irish up the middle in 2025. Moreno, a starter since his first freshman weekend, broke out last year with 17 doubles, 13 home runs and 40 runs batted in at a .275/.363/.625 slash line. Tinney also shined before his season-ending injury in April, slashing .268/.397/.500 with three long balls.

Graduate student Connor Hincks, another returning starter, will handle the right side of the infield. The former Virginia transfer paid his dues after arriving in South Bend in 2021, taking eight at-bats in his first two Irish seasons before receiving more than 200 a year ago. Hincks made good on the increased role, slashing .272/.336/.480 with seven home runs and 45 RBIs.

When Hincks plays his most frequented position of first base, freshman Noah Coy should get most of the looks at second. The lefthanded hitter from Greenwood, Indiana, was an All-State infielder last spring and broke numerous school records as a wide receiver on the football field.

“He has played really, really well since the moment he’s walked on campus,” Stiffler said of Coy. “[He’s a] super athletic, aggressive lefthanded hitter [who] can hit at the top of the lineup. I’m really excited about him and the way he’s done things for us.”

Senior Nick DeMarco, who is in his fourth year with the program but hasn’t yet reached 100 career at-bats, will see most of the action at third base. Stiffler called him a “sleeper” and looks forward to the results his name on the lineup card could bring.

“He’s an exceptional defender. He can play all three: second, short and third,” Stiffler said of DeMarco. “[He’s a] tough guy, blue-collartype player. He’ll do anything the team needs to win.”

Freshmen Bino Watters and Parker Brzustewicz, two natives of Rochester Hills, Michigan, will also factor into the infield rotation to start.

The outfield

South Bend-raised graduate student Brady Gumpf is Notre Dame’s primary returning outfielder. His offensive game took a significant step forward last year, when he belted nine home runs and totaled 31 RBIs with a slash line of .284/.352/.560. He almost never walks, but that won’t be a huge issue should he continue hitting the way he did in 2024. Gumpf will mostly play in the corners but has the reads to handle center field.

Graduate student Jared Zimbardo, a transfer from Quinnipiac, adds 160 games of experience to the outfield. A highenergy player on and off the diamond, Zimbardo did it all for the Bobcats last year, landing on the All-MAAC Second Team with 16 doubles, seven home runs and 26 stolen bases. He hit .353, walking

(40) more times than he struck out (39).

Stiffler expressed excitement about senior DM Jefferson, especially against right-handed pitching. He’ll also give opportunities to freshman South Bend native Jayce Lee, making for an outfield subject to change not only throughout the season but even during games.

“We’re gonna be playing a lot of guys in that outfield,” Stiffler said. “We’ll be playing matchups, there’s gonna be times where there’s gonna be guys coming in and out of games depending on what the other team does with the bullpen.”

Overall, this year’s Notre Dame baseball roster features 15 freshmen, and Stiffler isn’t shying away from that. Players like Moreno, who started right away in his first year and took his lumps, have demonstrated that riding it out with young talent can pay off, even in the era of the transfer portal. Recognizing that the enthusiasm of his youngsters can make up for lesser experience, the Irish coaches are excited to have three to five freshmen playing key roles on any given night.

“They have to know that we’re trying to get them to their goals and that we believe in them and we’re trying to help them become the absolute best player they can be to achieve their dreams and their goals,” Stiffler described. “If there’s a system and a style in which we want to play, and they’ve gotten accustomed to it over the last nine months, we just need them to be themselves within that system.”

Picked to finish 15th out of 16 teams in the ACC Preseason Poll, Notre Dame will open its season this weekend at North Florida. The Irish will play in Jacksonville at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, 3 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday. They’ll hold their home opener on March 5 against Eastern Michigan before starting ACC play at No. 14 Wake Forest on March 7. Other ranked teams on the schedule include No. 15 Clemson (March 14-16 road series) and No. 9 Florida State (March 28-30 home series).

Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu

RICHARD TAYLOR | The Observer

The Notre Dame baseball team watches on from the dugout of Frank Eck Stadium in the finale of a three-game home series against No. 2-ranked ACC opponents Clemson on April 7, 2024. The Irish were swept in the series after their impressive 10-run comeback fell just shy in extra innings. They got within a run in the 11th inning, but ultimately lost 13-12.

ND MEN’S LACROSSE

Irish rout Cleveland State, face Marquette next

By BEN HICKS Sports Writer

The No. 1 Notre Dame

men’s lacrosse team started its three-peat quest in dominating fashion Wednesday evening, running all over Cleveland State en route to a 24-6 victory at Loftus Sports Center. It was the third straight early-season triumph against the Vikings, following 18-8 and 25-3 wins the prior two seasons, each of which ended with the Irish hoisting the NCAA National Championship trophy.

After returning five key starters who were selected to the Preseason All-ACC team, coupled with the addition of

SMC BASKETBALL

the nation’s No. 1 high school recruiting class, expectations were sky high again entering head coach Kevin Corrigan’s 37th season at the helm in South Bend. It wasn’t the cleanest of starts, however, as a Notre Dame timeout and Corrigan outburst occurred halfway through the opening quarter when Cleveland State scored on its first power-play of the night to cut the early Irish lead to just 3-2. The fast-paced Irish attack wasted no time reminding the nation of their record-setting offensive output from a year ago, as four goals in the final five minutes, including two in the final five seconds, pushed

the advantage to 7-2 after one.

Graduate attacker Jake Taylor completed the hat trick in the opening frame, with all three goals being assisted by senior attacker Chris Kavanagh. Taylor, a Denver native, would finish with seven goals, falling one short of the program record, which he set with eight goals in his first career start at Syracuse back in April 2022. Kavanagh, whose brother Pat graduated last spring after becoming the first Irish player to win the storied Tewaaraton Award, tallied 4 goals and 5 assists for 9 points, one shy of Pat’s program record.

The second quarter was also all Irish, as an 8-1 run saw Notre

Dame take a commanding 15-3 edge into halftime. The Irish defense stiffened up following the first quarter timeout, led by junior goalkeeper Thomas Ricciardelli, who made 5 saves in his first career start between the pipes. His brother, senior forward Jeffery Ricciardelli, also registered an opening-half hat trick, finishing with 4 goals. The huge lead allowed Corrigan to work deep into his bench, culminating in 11 Irish players finding the back of the net, including the first career goals from senior Logan Gutzwiller, freshman Brady Pokorny, sophomore Drew Wynocker and freshman Jake Vasquez.

All told, the Irish victory was the fifth all-time against the Vikings, and also moved Notre Dame to 32-5 in season openers under Corrigan’s reign. Notre Dame will have a quick turnaround before welcoming the Marquette Golden Eagles to Northern Indiana on Saturday for a 12 p.m. faceoff. The Irish have collected wins in each of the last four seasons against the Golden Eagles, including a resounding 21-8 victory last February. Saturday’s contest between No. 1 Notre Dame and 1-1 Marquette can be streamed on ACCNX.

Contact Ben Hicks at bhicks2@nd.edu

Belles notch a much-needed win over Olivet

By CLAIRE WATSON Sports Writer

On Wednesday, Saint Mary’s basketball faced off against Olivet and claimed a hardfought 65-57 win.

Saint Mary’s started off the first quarter strong as senior guard Lauren Gumma tallied two points, senior forward Julia Schutz added six points and junior guard Nicole Connolly posted three to pull the Belles ahead 11-0. Five points from Olivet brought the score to 11-5, but a layup from Schutz and another

from freshman guard Kate Passinault widened the gap to 15-5. Olivet went on another 5-0 run before Gumma recorded three points to make the score 18-10. Passinault would help the Belles finish the quarter ahead 20-12.

Starting the second quarter, sophomore guard Kate Restovich, sophomore guard Annie Restovich and Schutz all added three points to keep the Belles ahead 29-12. Olivet responded with six points of their own, but with a countering six from Schutz and two from freshman guard Ella

Notaro the score became 3718. Olivet finished the first half by going on a 8-0 run to bring the score to 37-26.

After the halftime break, Schutz started the third quarter with a layup, bringing the score to 39-26 before Olivet scored 5 points to make the score 39-31. A free throw from sophomore forward Avery Schiesser made the score 4031, but two more points from Olivet kept it within seven. An additional two points from Schiesser and three from Annie Restovich kept the Belles ahead 45-33, but Olivet

scored 4 points to finish the quarter with a score of 45-37.

In the fourth quarter, Olivet started out by scoring two points, but Passinault put two on the board before Kate Restovich added three points to make the score 5039. Olivet responded with five points, but Kate Restovich tallied three points, Notaro added three and Schiesser made a free throw, bringing the score to 57-44. Olivet managed five more points for itself, but a layup from Notaro, a layup from Connolly and a free throw from Kate Restovich kept

Saint Mary’s ahead 62-49. Five points from Olivet brought the score back to 62-54 before Passinault converted another free throw, bringing the score to 63-54. Olivet tightened the gap with three points to make the score 63-57, but Kate Restovich added two points to seal Saint Mary’s 65-57 win. Schutz led the Belles on the court as she finished with 19 points and 7 rebounds. The Belles will face Alma on Feb. 15, starting at 1 p.m.

Contact Claire Watson at cwatson01@saintmarys.edu

DECLAN LEE | The Observer

Junior midfielder Ryan Sforzo throws a dodge and protects the ball from the defender while getting checked in Notre Dame’s 24-6 rout against Cleveland State in Loftus Sports Center on Feb. 12, 2025. The back-to-back national champion Irish enter the season ranked No. 1 in the country. Their win in the season opener begins the quest for a three-peat.

HCC BASKETBALL

Holy Cross basketball teams both fall to Olivet

By CLAIRE WATSON Sports Writer

After both teams came off of a win last week, the Holy Cross basketball squads faced off against Olivet Nazarene but both lost. The women’s team fell 90-85 and the men’s team lost 83-73.

Women’s game

Olivet Nazarene was quick to start the first quarter, putting up three points, but a jump shot from sophomore forward Brooke Lindesmith, three points from freshman forward Allie Caldwell and a layup from senior forward Grace Adams brought the Saints back ahead 7-3. Olivet Nazarene scored two more points, but a quick response came from the Saints as senior guard Jordyn Smith put in two points and sophomore guard Lilly Toppen added another two to make the score 11-5. A 7-0 run from Olivet Nazarene then moved it ahead 12-11, but a layup from senior guard Kayliana Hammel regained the 13-12 lead for Holy Cross. Olivet Nazarene would

ND MEN’S BASKETBALL

claim a 16-13 lead, but 4 points from Smith ended the first quarter with the Saints ahead 17-16.

Hammel started the second quarter with two points to make the score 19-16 before Olivet Nazarene poured in 12 points to regain the 28-19 lead. Five points from freshman forward Kaiden Hanley and four in response from Olivet Nazarene brought the score to 32-24, but 7 points from Holy Cross made the score 32-31. Three points from Olivet Nazarene made the score 35-31, but the Saints answered and kept the score within one. Olivet Nazarene added two points, but Adams responded with five to regain the 39-37 lead. Olivet Nazarene went on a 5-0 run, but Toppen scored and ended the first half with the Saints trailing 42-41.

Olivet Nazarene started the third quarter with a free throw, but six points from Holy Cross pulled the Saints ahead 4743. A few minutes later, five points from Olivet-Nazarene gave it the 50-49 lead, but two each from Smith and Adams helped the Saints regain the

53-50 advantage. Four points from Olivet Nazarene put it back in front 54-53, but layups from Smith and Lindesmith restored the 57-54 lead for Holy Cross. The two teams continued to battle throughout the remainder of the quarter, but a layup from Smith ended the quarter with the Saints ahead 72-66.

Seven points from Olivet Nazarene started the fourth quarter, but five from the Saints kept them ahead 77-73. Olivet Nazarene added 3 points, but Caldwell responded by putting in two, bringing the score to 79-76. Two points from Olivet-Nazarene closed the score within one, but a threepoint shot from Lindesmith made the score 82-78. Olivet Nazarene would piece together eight points to pull ahead 8682, but three points from Holy Cross tightened the score to 86-85. Four points from Olivet Nazarene finished the game as it took the 90-85 win.

Adams led Holy Cross on the court with 18 points and 11 rebounds. The Saints will play St. Xavier on Feb. 15 at 2 p.m.

Men’s game

Olivet Nazarene started the first half going up 8-0 before senior guard Phil Robles II put in five points, sophomore guard Joey Garwood added four points and freshman forward Davide Brembilla tacked on two points to make the score 11-8. Six points from Olivet-Nazarene gave it the 14-11 lead, but five combined points from Garwood and senior guard Justin O’Neal brought the Saints a 16-14 lead. Olivet Nazarene went on a 12-0 run, but six points from the Saints kept the score close at 26-22. Olivet Nazarene added on four more points, but a free throw from sophomore forward Aris Duni and a free throw from senior guard Nash Hostetler brought the score to 30-24. Olivet Nazarene added another six points before freshman guard Callaghan Weatherspoon combined with O’Neal, Hostetler and Brembilla to make the score 36-34. Olivet Nazarene then posted four points, but two from Brembilla ended the half with the Saints trailing 40-36. After halftime, Hostetler added three points, while Garwood

and Brembilla each contributed two to make the score 43-40, but Olivet Nazarene responded by adding four points to pull ahead 44-43. Hostetler delivered two more, but Olivet Nazarene stormed back with 15 to stay ahead 59-45. Holy Cross would counter with eight points, but 3 from Olivet-Nazarene made the score 62-53. Garwood added two points, but an 8-0 run from Olivet Nazarene brought the score to 70-55. Eight points from the Saints made the score 70-62, but five more points from Olivet Nazarene widened it 75-62. Holy Cross put in eight more points, but a matching eight from Olivet Nazarene made the score 83-71. While Brembilla put in the final two points, Olivet Nazarene walked away with the 83-73 win.

Hostetler led the Saints in scoring, finishing with 17 points, and Brembilla paced the team with 7 rebounds. The team now prepares to face St. Xavier on Feb. 15, starting at 4 p.m.

Contact Claire Watson at cwatson01@saintmarys.edu

Irish take on resurgent Cardinals in ACC clash

By NOAH CAHILL

Associate Sports Editor

In what has been a rollercoaster 2024-25 season, this young Notre Dame men’s basketball team in Micah Shrewsberry’s second season is coming off one of its most exhilarating wins of the season to sweep the season series against Boston College. On the road in the late hours, the Irish flipped the script on the Eagles, coming back from a 14-point deficit in the final 14 minutes to force double overtime. Even after senior guard Julian Roper II was ejected following a flagrant two in a loose-ball sequence in the second overtime, they dug deep to pull out a late victory. Star sophomore guard Markus Burton’s career-high 32 points, eight coming across the two overtime periods, and a late go-ahead putback from junior forward Kebba Njie got the Irish over the edge in Chestnut Hill. In a season largely defined by failed execution in lategame scenarios and a number of nail-biting losses in crunch time, the win was a

big step in the right direction, one this team will hope to build on as it enters the final stretch of ACC play in February. The Irish return home this weekend to face the resurgent Louisville Cardinals, who have taken on a completely different character in 2024-25. While Notre Dame has bested them in their past four matchups, including a 72-50 rout on the road last season, this newlook Cardinals team will prove to be a far tougher test.

The Kelsey era in Louisville

One of the historic powers in college basketball, the Louisville Cardinals endured one of their worst stretches in program history during the short-lived Kenny Payne era. In the past two seasons under Payne, they went 12-52, leading him to get replaced by former Winthrop and Charleston coach Pat Kelsey. In his first season, Kelsey inherited a revamped roster with 13 transfers, one freshman and only a single returnee from 2023-24. He has led the new-look Cardinals to a 19-6 record, going 12-2

in ACC play and sitting only a game behind conferenceleader Duke, which recently opened the door with an upset loss to Clemson.

Louisville opened up the year 6-5 after a challenging slate of ranked opponents. The Cardinals suffered losses to Tennessee, No. 23 Ole Miss, No. 9 Duke and No. 5 Kentucky but took down No. 14 Indiana in the Battle 4 Atlantis mini-tournament in the Bahamas, their best win to date. As they approached the month of January, they hit their stride in conference play. Since their first 11, the Cardinals have won 13 of 14 games, slipping up only once on the road against Georgia Tech. After their most recent 91-66 rout against NC State, they are a projected No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament according to Joe Lunardi’s Bracketology, and a strong finish to their ACC slate in February could propel them even higher.

Kelsey’s team has succeeded despite key injuries to Kasean Pryor, the fifthyear graduate transfer from South Florida who averaged 12.0 points and 6.1 rebounds

in his first seven games before tearing the ACL in his left knee, ruling him out for the remainder of the season. Long Beach State senior transfer Aboubacar Traore, projected to be another key contributor in the frontcourt, also missed a 10-game stint with a broken arm that he’s continued to battle since returning to a limited role in late December. The core of transfers Chucky Hepburn, Terrence Edwards Jr., Reyne Smith and J’Vonne Hadley have helped Louisville overcome these injuries and contend in the ACC this season.

The senior Hepburn, who played three seasons at Wisconsin, is in the midst of his best collegiate season, leading the team in points and assists with 15.0 and 6.2 respectively while shooting personal-best percentages from the field and free throw line (43.1/84.6). Edwards and Smith are narrowly behind Hepburn with 14.9 and 14.4 points per game respectively. Smith, in particular, has helped change the calculus for Louisville on offense with his sharpshooting capability. Of his 10.9 attempts per

game, 9.6 of them are threes and he has been hitting an impressive 40.7% of them. The Cardinals as a team are one of the highest-volume three-point shooting teams in the country, taking 30.2 per game, which ranks eighth in the nation. Smith’s addition is a massive reason why. Last but not least, Hadley has put up 12.5 points per game on an efficient 52.5% from the field alongside a teamhigh 7.2 rebounds. Outside of Pryor, this Louisville team is getting healthy at the right time heading into March. Traore seems to be back to 100% and has thrived in his 15 minutes per game off the bench. After missing his second career game in four seasons, Hepburn returned from a groin injury against NC State, where he scored 15 points on 5-for-7 shooting. Notre Dame will need to be at its best to slow down their momentum on Sunday. Tip-off for the ACC clash in Purcell Pavilion is set for 8 p.m. with ACC Network providing the broadcast.

Contact Noah Cahill at ncahill2@nd.edu