Print Edition for The Observer for Friday, February 7, 2025
StuGov ticket elected John Green speaks on climate, hope
With record-low turnout, the VielhauerLumley ticket won unopposed
Observer Staff Report
An hour after voting closed, Notre Dame students were informed via an email from Judicial Council that sophomore Jerry Vielhauer and junior Sonia Lumley will serve as student body president and vice president, respectively, for the 2025-26 term. This marks only the second time that a ticket has run unopposed.
Data attached to the email reveals that Vielhauer and Lumley received 899 votes, while the “abstain” option received 716
EDITORIAL
votes. “Abstain” votes have been ignored in final percentage calculations since the 2008 election, therefore the attached pie chart showed them receiving 100% of the “valid” votes.
Only 1,621 votes were cast, resulting in an 18% turnout — the lowest in recent history. Students were sent two emails from judicial council reminding them to vote via an email link between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
see ELECTION PAGE 3
By AYNSLEE DELLACCA and ANNELISE DEMERS Saint Mary’s News Editor and Associate News Editor
Bestselling author, educator and YouTube creator John Green delivered the fifth annual Ruskin Lecture Wednesday evening at Notre Dame, focusing on human existence, the urgency of the climate crisis and the necessity of hope. Hosted by the Reilly Center for Science, Technology and Values, the lecture aligns with the legacy of John Ruskin, an
English writer concerned with the intersection of art, philosophy and social justice.
Robert Goulding, associate professor in the program of liberal studies and director of the Reilly Center, contextualized the event’s significance.
“This is the Reilly Center’s annual lecture for undergraduate students, now in its fifth year,” Goulding said. “It’s inspired by the figure of John Ruskin, who was born on Feb. 8, 1819. Every year, we try to hold the lecture as close as possible to that date.”
Goulding introduced Green with a small synopsis on Ruskin’s inspirations for his works, echoing the sentiments and mission of the annual lecture.
“One question seemed to animate him: ‘What can art and the humanities do to address the escalating crisis in which we find ourselves?’” Goulding said. “That remains the inspiration of this annual lecture for our students —the conviction that the arts and humanities
see GREEN PAGE 5
Invite Trump to speak at commencement College considers federal policies
God, country, Notre Dame. These words emblazoned above the side door of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart memorialize the 56 Notre Dame men who sacrificed their lives for our country in World War I. The phrase represents Notre Dame’s commitment to the United States of America, a civic faith that comes second only to our faith in the Creator. Though it bears a French
By SOLEDAD CASTELLANOS News Writer
Since his inauguration on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump started the first weeks of his presidency with a wave of immigration-related executive orders in an effort to crack down on undocumented immigrants within the United States.
After placing the issue of immigration at the forefront of his campaign, Trump issued and signed more than 50 executive
orders, including an attempt to end birthright citizenship, the declaration of a national emergency at the southern border, the reinstitution of the “remain in Mexico” policy and the termination of the CBP One app, used by the Biden administration to provide an online registration system for immigrants attempting to enter the United States. Some of these executive orders have been subject to
see POLICY PAGE 3
RA applications close at SMC
its priests. When the Ku Klux Klan descended on South Bend in 1924, its students
Martin Luther King Jr. Through war, intolerance and injustice, Notre Dame has never stood on the sidelines. It has led. This commitment to country has long been an element of Notre Dame’s commencements. Less than a month after
see EDITORIAL PAGE 7
coming to an end at Saint Mary’s College, students and faculty alike are preparing to assign and organize both residents and resident assistants across the campus’ five residence halls for the fall semester.
The office of residence life released an open-call job
posting through students’ emails on Dec. 2, 2024. All applications were due Jan. 16. These emails outlined minimum qualification requirements, some of which state that applicants must be of sophomore standing or higher by the beginning of the employment period, must have two semesters of residence hall living experience and must be in good
see RA PAGE 4
Photo Desk (574) 631-8767 photo@ndsmcobserver.com
Systems & Web Administrators
webmaster@ndsmcobserver.com
Policies
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Gavin Smith freshman
GABRIELLA MARTIN| The Observer
The Notre Dame student section was thoroughly engrossed in reading a copy of The Observer, unamused by Georgia Tech’s roster. The students would later tear up the papers. Coincidentally, Notre Dame men’s
Today’s Staff
Notre
Corrections
The Observer regards itself as a professional publication and strives for the highest standards of journalism at all times. We do, however, recognize that we will make mistakes. If we have made a mistake, please contact us at editor@ndsmcobserver.com so we can correct our error.
Dido and Aeneas
Election
Last year’s election saw 50% voter turnout. An analysis by The Observer of the past 37 student body elections found that turnout consistently reached at least 28%, with the exception of the 2002, 1997 and 1993 elections where voter turnout data was unavailable. The 28% turnout rate belongs to the 2012 election, which was also the only other singleticket election in Notre Dame history.
In a post on their
campaign Instagram, Vielhauer and Lumley wrote, “THANK YOU!!! We have officially been declared winners of this year’s Student Body President and Vice President Election. We are filled with gratitude and are honored to have been given this opportunity. We appreciate all of your support throughout this election process. We couldn’t have done it without the overwhelming support of the Notre Dame student body. We are looking forward to serving you for this upcoming year!! Go Iris h .”
likely because of the single ticket.
Policy
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
legal challenges.
As the orders begin to take effect, college campuses across the country, including Saint Mary’s College, have been considering the implications on policies related to students of varying immigration statuses and backgrounds.
Zwiller expressed uncertainty about the College’s policy going forward.
“Right now, we are just kind of waiting to see how things shake out, because we really don’t know. So we’re as up in the air as everyone else right now,” she added.
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
aurelian craiutu, political science, indiana university
Thursday, February 13, 2025 | 12:30-1:45 p.m. ET Jenkins Nanovic Halls Room 1030
Open to the public | Lunch is available at noon
constudies.nd.edu
Multiple representatives from various administrative departments at Saint Mary’s declined to comment, including vice president of inclusion and equity Redgina Hill, director of international students and multicultural services Adriana Petty, assistant director for student equity and first-gen programs Donna Taylor-Schuman, executive director of retention strategies Mona Bowe and director of communications Lisa Knox.
Director of student financial services Jenna Zwiller provided insight on federal aid concerns and clarified some of the processes that the College has in place for students of varying immigration and citizenship statuses.
“We offer our students, depending on their immigration status, different types and levels of aid. So an international student, for example, has a different visa than someone who might be here as an asylum or a refugee or undocumented, right? They’re gonna all have different types,” Zwiller said
According to the Federal Student Aid website, undocumented students are not eligible for federal financial aid.
On Feb. 4, College President Katie Conboy issued a statement that did not definitively comment on the immigration policies issued by Trump.
Addressing students through email, Conboy wrote, “While the wider world may swirl with confusion, I invite you all to set your hearts on the highest things: to be in community with one another and to seek to truly know each other! Share a meal. Stream a movie together. Go to yoga or take a long walk to the Grotto.”
A Saint Mary’s student, granted anonymity to discuss her family’s immigration status, shared her concerns regarding the recent executive orders and the status of her family in the United States.
“I am a [first-generation student]. I am the oldest daughter and my parents are immigrants. Luckily I was born here, so I’m a citizen, right? But it’s hard to see my whole family worry, it’s hard when you’re a woman,” the student said. “I’m so worried about my parents, they’re not legal. They drive everywhere, they go to the stores. Any time, any place, they could be deported. It’s hard to live in a house where all your siblings are from here, but your parents aren’t.”
Contact Soledad Castellanos at scastellanos01@saintmarys.edu
SOPHIE HANAWALT | The Observer
The 2025 Notre Dame student body president election results show a 55.7% win for sophomore Jerry Vielhauer and junior Sonia Lumley. The vote was the second single-ticket election ever, and 44.3% of voters abstained.
SOPHIE HANAWALT | The Observer
The graph illustrates voter turnout in Notre Dame’ student body elections since 1990. While voter turnout has not been above 60% in decades, this year marked a record-low,
Panel addresses black, first-gen students
By MADYSON CASIANO News Writer
On Thursday, Feb. 6, the Office for Student Equity and the First Gen Family at Saint Mary’s College hosted the second part of their “Being ___ and First Gen” series. Held in Stapleton Lounge of Le Mans Hall, this installment was titled “Being Black and First Gen.” Panelists for the night included assistant director for student equity and first gen programs Donna Taylor-Schuman, mental health counselor I’Vory Woods, senior Jaida Beasley and senior Angelina Wright.
As president of Black Student Association, Beasley conveyed her view of the importance of the series and events similar to the “first gen” community at Saint Mary’s.
“I think mainly we’re spreading awareness about the struggles [of] first gen students,” Beasley said.
Wright, the vice president of the Black Student Association, continued Beasley’s sentiments.
“I feel like it brings awareness, definitely to unrepresented people on campus, especially first gen students. They don’t really get recognized by the masses of being like approached or just going through things,” Wright said.
She then emphasized that first generation students are not alone in their struggles.
“First gen students don’t know that they’re not alone or that they’re not alone in experiencing [the struggles], and [we are] helping spread the word about the resources that are available,” Wright said.
Beasley related this to her own experience as a first generation student.
“I have a quite unique first gen story,” Beasley said. “While I am first gen, [which] kind of already limits the support that I have from my family, they also have told me ever since [I] started thinking about going to college, that they would not support my dream.”
Beasley is currently putting herself through school and hopes
that other first generation students in a similar situation will feel seen.
“I know for sure that there are other students going through that, and I know what I went through and the struggles and the way that I raised myself up. I think it’s something that a lot of first gen students need to hear,”
Beasley said.
Beasley further expressed her experience as an incoming student.
“When I first came to Saint Mary’s College, I came from a home that basically forced me to not be able to socialize myself. And so when I came to college, I isolated myself, and that stopped me from getting to know the resources and the help that was out there. That also prevented me from understanding that there are people that are willing to support me and that want to support me,” Beasley said.
presentation of their year as an RA which is reviewed by a committee.
academic, financial and community standing with the College.
For resident assistants who go abroad and or vacate their position, a new application will open in late September through early October for a new selection pool during the 2025-2026 school year. Director of residence life and community standards
Juls White detailed this year’s application agenda. She explained that newly aspiring candidates go through participate in four different group activities, while returning applicants give a
Although the specific activities change year-to-year, White said they help students exercise skills that are needed for the position such as communication, collaboration and leadership.
Freshman Keely Bonin explained how the application has gone for her so far.
“Filling it out was pretty straightforward. It had really good questions, like a personality test, and I feel like it was a good way to get a feel for the person before the actual interview,” Bonin said. “Once you submit the application, then you have a group process meeting that you have to sign up for,
Wright also touched on the subject of community support.
“They don’t have to go through it alone,” Beasley said. “I feel like a lot of people have the assumption that if you’re a first gen student, or if you’re a black student, [that] you are going to be left out. But that’s not the case here. I feel like there’s a lot of support. There’s a lot of people that are willing to help. And I love the support that I get from it.”
Taylor-Schuman, otherwise fondly known as “Miss D,” shared her outlook about helping incoming and current first generation students.
“I think that you can’t just be focused on the students’ grades. You have to be focused on their whole well being. And so that’s what I live for, making sure that they have social emotional support when they come in,” TaylorSchuman said.
In order to do so,
which ultimately divides you into smaller groups. You’re basically given group activities just to see how you interact with each other and how you would react.”
Junior Kayla York, a current resident assistant who’s reapplied, said the application for returning resident assistants included a prompt on why students wanted to continue in their role and a personality test. Additionally, applicants were required to create a slideshow of what their previous experience in the role.
“I always had a dream of applying and being an RA and building a community for all the girls, and it felt like a great opportunity
Taylor-Schuman implemented a program for incoming first generation students which TaylorSchuman calls “SMC Bootcamp.” New students are encouraged to become aware of the campus, the customs, safety protocols and other strategies pertinent to campus life.
“It’s just just being able to give them what I didn’t have, like, that’s how I look at it,” TaylorSchuman said.
Beasley listed some of the most influential components to her successful transition into college life.
“I think some of the biggest ones have been, coming into my faith and understanding my relationship with God. Another big one has been being a part of the clubs that I lead, and kind of getting to know the students, and more and more, I’ve been able to step out of my shell that way,” Beasley said.
within my section. It was like some sort of culture where everyone gets along and made friends with each other,” York said.
All resident assistant decisions are made before any room selections are considered and decided for on-campus students, as the position requires a look at the longterm logistics of rooming and working as a residential assistant. According to the office of residence life, neither the acceptance to application ratio nor has the year ratio of applicants have been calculated. White said for most application seasons, rising sophomores are most likely to apply.
Decision-making is currently underway. White said
Wright said she wants to continue creating positive first-generation student experience, surrounding herself with like-minded individuals and helping others after she graduates.
“After I graduate, I want to go to law school and eventually help out kids that have or that went through something similar that I’ve went through, or just that don’t necessarily have the research resources or support.”
Wright said.
Beasley contributed her gratitude for pursuing a degree as a first generation student.
“It’s thanks to Saint Mary’s that I’m confident and comfortable enough to sit on a panel and talk about all those things, because I wouldn’t have imagined doing that four years ago,“ Beasley said.
Contact Madyson Casiano at mcasiano01@saintmarys.edu
that only forty-four resident assistant positions need to be filled each year, and selecting them is not easy.
“The RA position is a very unique position, as it is very rewarding and challenging at the same time. As an RA, you share some of the most special moments of residents’ lives with them and vice versa,” White said. “There are a lot of really great candidates, but you can’t always employ everyone. It’s like making a puzzle of the best team to connect with students across campus. Fortunately, Saint Mary’s has no shortage of people who want to do good work.”
Contact Soledad Castellanos at scastellanos01@saintmarys.edu
MADYSON CASIANO | The Observer
Four panelists, comprised of both students and staff, gave testimony to their experiences in college at the “Being Black and First Gen” event, hosted by FirstGen Family at Saint Mary’s College on Thursday, Feb. 6. Panelists spoke to the “struggles” of “unrepresented people on campus.”
must join as equal partners with the sciences and technology if we are to understand what is going on in this world and how we can fix it.”
Green opened his talk with his signature mix of humor and philosophical depth.
“I feel like an elephant who has been asked to speak to an audience of other elephants on the subject of how to be an elephant. But I do not know how to be an elephant. I do not know what is happening. I do not know what is going on and I do not know anything about elephant studies,” Green said, drawing laughter from the audience.
As the lecture progressed, Green explored profound existential themes, addressing the climate crisis and humanity’s fragile but powerful role in shaping history.
“We’re not the first species to become so powerful on Earth that we muck up the climate and threaten the planet’s biodiversity by altering its atmosphere,” he said. “Cyanobacteria caused a mass extinction over a billion years ago. But we are the first species to know what we’re doing while we do it.”
Green also highlighted humanity’s existential dilemma, commenting on our fleeting existence.
“We know that we will end, that like every species, we have a temporal range. And it’s not just that each of us will die, or that everyone we love will die, or that we and everything we love will be forgotten. It’s that all of us, the very idea of us, will cease to exist, along with everything we ever did or made or thought.”
Despite his acknowledgment of the gravity of contemporary global challenges, Green’s message remained one of responsibility and
hope.
“I feel like I’m at the end of history, right? Because today is the last day I’ve ever seen. But in fact, I am in the middle of history. You are in the middle of history. And yes, we are being acted upon by historical forces. But it’s also worth remembering that we are ourselves a historical force,” he said.
Green also reflected on the limitations of human power.
“This is the pickle. We are powerful, probably too powerful, but we are also not nearly powerful enough. We are powerful enough to reshape the planet’s climate, but not powerful enough to choose how we reshape it. We are powerful enough to kill our fellow human beings by the millions through war
or neglect, but we are not powerful enough to save those we love from suffering,” he added.
Throughout his talk, Green infused theological reflections into his discussion, emphasizing the Christian call to solidarity.
“Integral to that good news is that the last shall be first and that no one should suffer alone or without support,” he said, invoking Sister Marie Augusta Neal. “When we allow ourselves and when we allow others to be proximal to our own suffering and allow ourselves to become more proximal to the suffering of others, we realize that we must respond to crisis with something much more than despair, something instead like radical hope, like faith practiced.”
In an interview with The Observer, Green highlighted how hope is part of the human spirit, even if language is unable to describe its depths.
“I think human hope is always justified despite the reality of suffering, despite the reality of injustice, because there is always hope that the world could get better,” Green said. “And then, secondarily, there’s the hope beyond the veil, I guess. Those are the two hopes that I look to: hope that the world can get better and hope that the world is not the end of us.”
Contact Aynslee Dellacca at adellacca01@saintmarys.edu and Annelise Demers at ademers@nd.edu
The Dignity of Human Life in the Digital Age
Lecture is free and open to the public. Seating is limited.
The Dean’s Speaker Series is sponsored by the Burns Family endowment.
Mass to be held for student
Observer Staff Report
Marlon Taylor, a secondyear Master of Business Administration student majoring in strategy, died over Christmas break.
Mendoza graduate students were notified of Taylor’s passing over the holiday break, while the rest of campus was informed in an email sent Thursday afternoon by vice president for student affairs Fr. Gerry Olinger.
Taylor grew up in Chicago and received his bachelor’s degree in industrial systems engineering from the University of MissouriColumbia. During undergrad, he raised over $30,000 as treasurer for the University of MissouriColumbia’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers.
Last summer, Taylor interned with at International Business Machines as a senior financial analyst.
In a Q&A with Poets & Quants, Taylor was described as “ambitious, caring, curious and innovative. [An] intelligent, intuitive analyst who isn’t afraid to make data-driven decisions.”
Taylor said his experiences with the Mendoza program reinforced his early impressions of Notre Dame. “When I came to Notre Dame, I felt a sense of pride and peace. How fortunate I am to attend such an institution. The football games are everything I would have imagined them to be. Last but not least the people are welcoming and steady.”
Taylor’s funeral will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Leak and Sons Funeral Home in Matteson, Illinois.
The mass in honor of Taylor will be held next Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. in the Basilica. Olinger will preside and assistant vice president for campus ministry, Fr. Pete McCormick, will preach.
AYNSLEE DELLACCA | The Observer
Bestselling author, educator and YouTube creator John Green spoke at the University of Notre Dame Wednesday evening to a sold-out crowd in Leighton Concert Hall where he discussed the future.
Response to coffee shop courtesy
What are coffee shops for? This is a question I once thought I knew the answer to and that the answer was quite obvious. However, when reading The Observer this weekend, I considered I may not know the answer at all. In the 1990s Starbucks took off as a widely successful coffee chain. It marketed itself as a place not only for people to buy a coffee and continue on with their day (coffee carts already being quite successful in major cities), but as a place where people could sit and work or simply hang out and get to know their neighbors.
At around the same time, the widely popular sitcom “Friends” reinforced this idea of coffee shops as places for young people to go and spend time, meet new people and sit around without any rush. This phenomenon occurred because there was an empty space in the market. Previously, the three most commonly available options for coffee were make it at home, buy it from a cart and walk or go to a diner. Diners are generally not built for interaction between parties unless you sit at the bar, and, depending on the diner and location, can be quite fastpaced. So, why is it that now people cannot come and sit in a coffee shop? Where they are not welcome to just hang out but instead rushed out and asked for a tip.
When reading “Coffee shop courtesy from a barista,”
I was struck by how heartless the author seemed to be. They wrote of a young girl who came to the coffee shop and did work without buying a drink. Meanwhile, neither the author nor co-workers ever talked to her. I could not fathom how or why the author was upset by this girl’s action — the author is not paid on commission, and will, I assume (maybe incorrectly), get a paycheck from said coffee shop no matter how many people do or do not come in and no matter how many drinks are or are not bought, because that’s the way jobs work.
If this bothered the author enough to write an entire article, I wonder why it didn’t bother them enough to ask the girl, either confrontationally, what she was doing there, or, more gracefully, if she would like anything to drink. Now, I doubt what I’m going to say is true, because of the comment on the “apple ecosystem,” but there is a real chance that this young woman had extenuating circumstances. Maybe she did not want to work at home or the local library, maybe they didn’t have wifi at home or she couldn’t afford a coffee, especially not a coffee every day. Without talking to her, there is simply no way to know her motivations for sitting at the coffee shop.
In high school, I worked at a diner where I was paid $5 an hour (minimum wage was over double that because I
live in the beautiful blue state of Massachusetts), and it was expected that I make up for the difference between my wages and minimum wage with the tips I earned. I say this to preface a story: there is one customer I remember who would only buy a coffee (I believe it was all that he could buy). I was not bothered by this and would give him his free refills without request. I would bring by water and, when I could, toast — free of charge. I knew I would not be getting the best tip, but even a tip of two dollars over the course of two and a half hours (his average time of stay) is so incredibly little compared to what I could be making if I filled and turned over the table even just twice in that same time frame. But there should be dignity to drinking and eating.
I say this not even from a Christian point of view but simply from the point of a person. And so I ask, is there no end to profits? Is that our highest aim? And I ask this, especially to the people who are not CEOs — do you care more about your boss (who is probably the one that pays you badly enough that you believe people should tip you for doing your job) than your fellow man?
Feb. 6
Walking alone with my wrist
when my younger brother laughed. Of course, he was too young to understand the doubts, the fears and the naked vulnerability that choked my throat. But it still hurt.
Last week, during rehearsal on the 3rd floor of CoMo, I left him under my chair, as I stepped out to get a drink. “It’s just a few steps to the nearest water fountain. I don’t need you for that,” I told him with a laugh.
I closed Walton’s door behind me and took a confident right into the larger corridor. But when I heard the unmistakable sounds of people, many people, my feet hesitated. As I slowly weaved my way through crowds that stood like unmoving lampposts, almost grazing a door that stood wide open, I felt too vulnerable. As I took step after cautious step with my hands protectively curled into a circle in front of my body, I suddenly remembered with some wonder that there was a time when my hands weren’t curled around Riptide or even Napoleon. There was a time when they did not clear paths for me in swinging arcs, standing between me and the world like tall shields.
That was the time before Notre Dame. Before Notre Dame, I never walked with a cane. I never walked alone. There were always hands that led me — loving hands, understanding hands, kind hands, pitying hands. Before Notre Dame, I did not own many spaces. I did not stride through the corridors of my high school or the cracked sidewalks of my city. Before Notre Dame, the only space where I was truly free, the only space where I didn’t need hands, was my home.
But then I decided to apply to colleges in the U.S. and got accepted to Notre Dame. And I realized with a smile that it was finally time to gently let go of the hands that loved me. It was time to walk alone.
The first time I practiced walking was in the largest shopping mall in my city. My fingers curled around the cane, and I swung it in hesitant arcs over the smooth tiled floor. Are strangers staring? Pointing? It hurt the most
By the time I landed in the U.S., I had mastered the art of swinging my cane. I still did not know how to walk alone.
Then I encountered Notre Dame for the first time, the gigantic campus with its myriad paths that flowed in and out of each other. I had two days before my parents left to learn my most essential routes, Debartolo, CoMo and SDH.
The first few times I tried to walk, It was scary. There was too much to attend to, too many buildings to count and too many turns to memorize. The bones of my wrist creaked in protest as I forced it to swing my cane in never-ending arcs. “I can’t do this, Amma. I can’t do this, Jesus.”
I kept taking hesitant steps.
“Help me to do this, Jesus.”
My steps became slightly more confident.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
I walked.
This time, I led the way, and my family followed in silence. I came to a crosswalk, paused, then took a firm left. I whispered, “Alumni, Dillon,” ticking off the large looming shapes on my fingers. Then I came to the 3rd building. My cane touched the first step. I climbed all 4 of them, walked forward and placed my hands triumphantly on the smooth doors of South Dining Hall. The silence broke with the sound of applause. For the first time, I tasted independence on my tongue.
But that was just the beginning of all the learning. In my first year, I learned the route to the Huddle and then went on Friday midnight walks alone to get flaming hot doritos. I learned to count the carpeted corridors in Debartolo and watch out for the cracks on the sidewalk to Ryan. I learned to jerk my body backward when
my cane suddenly dropped off the curb. I learned to be the cool, self-contained girl who called her parents as she walked to class. I learned to hold my cane closer to me when I approached crowds and angle it across my body like a shield or sword when I feared the attack of poles and barricades. I learnt that as much as I try I cannot avoid any of Notre Dame’s puddles.
In the last three years, I have learned so many routes to so many buildings. In the last three years, I witnessed the passing of two canes, Napoleon Bonaparte II, and my Riptide. Two days ago, I curled my hands around Astrid the Unstoppable.
In the last three years, I learned that there are days when walking alone is the best adventure, like all those times when you get lost for anywhere between five and 30 minutes, but somehow find your way miraculously back home. And there are days when walking feels like the worst adventure, like that day when you trip over a giant bolder and feel the humiliating hardness of the earth on your palms. There are days when walking alone is confusion and vulnerability and fear, like those walks from Jordan Hall. Walking with a cane is walking with your wrists, it’s tiring. Walking alone is beauty, power, joy and gratitude.
But most blessed days, walking alone with your cane is easy, normal and something you have been doing for a very long time.
Hannah Alice Simon was born and raised in Kerala, India, and moved to the U.S. for college with the dream of thriving in an intellectual environment that celebrates people with disabilities. On campus, you will mostly see her taking the longest routes to classrooms with her loyal cane, Astrid, by her side. She studies psychology and English with minors in musical theatre and theology. You can contact Hannah at hsimon2@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Catie Ellis class of 2026
Hannah Alice Simon Views without Vision
after the conclusion of the Civil War, General William Tecumseh Sherman spoke at the 1865 commencement to counsel the young men of a country that had been torn apart and successfully fought to save itself.
A broad spectrum of United States presidents have addressed Notre Dame graduates since President Dwight Eisenhower, each speaking in some way to our patriotic obligations. Even earlier, President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke at a special convocation in 1935, receiving an honorary degree. Our nation’s first Catholic president, John F. Kennedy, followed in the steps of his father and grandfather to speak at a commencement ceremony 10 years before his election to the highest office.
When Eisenhower spoke, he was a last-minute invite. But many an accident on this campus has evolved to become tradition. The tradition of presidents speaking at a Notre Dame graduation, typically in the first year of their presidency, continued with Carter, Reagan and both Bushes. Gerald Ford spoke at a St. Patrick’s Day convocation and received an honorary degree in 1975. Bill Clinton spoke at a Stepan Center rally late in the 1992 campaign. President Barack Obama spoke in 2009, with vociferous opposition from critics who viewed his stance on abortion as irreconcilable with Catholic teaching.
Even when a speaker is divisive, the office they hold — and the ideas they bring — demand engagement, not retreat. That is why the University invited Obama in 2009. And it is why, in 2025, Notre Dame should invite President Donald Trump.
Trump’s presence, like Obama’s before him, will ignite controversy — for reasons both personal and political. His character is deeply polarizing: crude rhetoric, habitual dishonesty, a history of proud philandering and flagrant disregard for basic decorum. His administration’s policies are no less contentious. Policies from the Trump administration’s enabling of migrants to be arrested in churches to its ambitions for Gaza will — and should — come under fire. When Obama spoke, he was met with loud opposition from critics who argued his abortion views were out of line with the Catholic faith. There’s no question that Trump too will face criticism, for a thousand reasons.
While this dialogue is essential, what opponents to inviting Obama or Trump miss is that this is bigger than one man or the politics of the day. Notre Dame’s relationship with the civil fabric
of this nation — and its head of state — is a special one. If she had won, Kamala Harris should have been invited. On principle, the invitation to the president is too significant a tradition to lose. In 2017, Trump wasn’t invited on the grounds of “moral decency,” according to former University President Fr. John Jenkins in a 2024 interview. While that remains a valid concern, Trump was an anomaly in 2017, and unfortunately is not in 2025 after a decisive election victory. He is no longer beyond the pale to much of the American public as he might have been in 2016. In 2021, Biden declined the invitation, a curious decision from the nation’s second Catholic president. If Notre Dame fails to extend an invitation this year, it will be the last nail in the coffin of a long-standing tradition.
We’ve had unsavory and controversial figures speak at commencement before, and not just the aforementioned presidents — figures whose legacies, in hindsight, range from complicated to outright disgraceful. J. Edgar Hoover weaponized surveillance and blackmail. José Napoleón Duarte’s government was linked to death squads. Earl Warren, a civil rights champion on the Supreme Court, first helped orchestrate Japanese internment during WWII. And yet, Notre Dame extended the podium to them — not as an endorsement, but because engagement with powerful figures, even flawed or reprehensible ones, is part of what it means to be a great university. We understand that Trump is personally repulsive to many, including the members of this board.
To those who fear that inviting Trump normalizes his worst behavior, we counter that ignoring a sitting president does nothing to hold him accountable. If anything, granting Trump the stage forces him to confront an audience that is not unconditionally adoring, that expects a level of propriety and reflection worthy of the occasion.
Under University President Fr. Robert Dowd, Notre Dame has repeatedly voiced its desire to encourage dialogue and debate on campus, even with those with controversial or unpopular opinions. Notre Dame, unlike other campuses in this country, aspires to the capacity for respectful dissent, whether in the pages of this paper or silent protests during the ceremony. While Trump degrades our discourse, we should meet this moment by elevating it.
During his inaugural address, Dowd urged the student body to engage in “thoughtful, constructive conversations across differences.”
In an interview with The Observer last semester, Dowd worried that political polarization was leading to unproductive silos.
“We need to be willing to move beyond our comfort zones,” he said. “[If] we’re only relating with people who are like us, first of all, we’re inhibiting our own growth as human beings. And secondly, we’re not building the kind of community that I think we need to have here at Notre Dame.”
This is a test of that principle. If the University is sincere in its commitment to foster dialogue and debate, then it should not be afraid to invite the president to speak. Even if a majority of the campus may disagree with the president, the ability to listen to and respectfully engage in dialogue with those whom you disagree with ought to be a skill that all students have gained in their four years at this University. If it is not, then perhaps the University has not done its job.
The Notre Dame administration should not retreat into fear or timidity, but should stand boldly in favor of dialogue and tradition. Ultimately, hosting the president of the United States as our commencement speaker would be an experience no graduate would ever forget.
Many of Notre Dame’s 2024 graduates were frustrated with the choice to have retiring University President Fr. John Jenkins as the keynote speaker for their commencement ceremony. In fact, three of the four most recent keynote speakers have been directly affiliated with the University. It is almost as if the board of trustees glanced around the Main Building and thrust the first person they found onto the stage at Notre Dame Stadium.
As one of this country’s greatest universities, we should not pick underwhelming speakers simply because they are uncontroversial in the national discourse, as we’ve tended to do recently. President Trump would be a break from mediocrity. Whether this is a good or bad break is up to the individuals in attendance. But no other speaker would so forcefully reaffirm the University’s stature, its confidence and its willingness to engage with the most powerful office in the land. The 2025 graduates deserve nothing less.
If the University does not invite President Trump to speak, then it will be forfeiting a storied tradition that has exemplified Notre Dame’s commitment to civic duty. No other private university, not Harvard, nor Yale, has had the distinction of having so many presidents speak at commencement. As commencement draws near, the University would do well to ask itself whether it wishes to do away with this unique privilege, or if it will stand firm for civic duty and tradition, no matter who holds the office of president. Notre Dame has never been a place for intellectual cowardice. It should not start now.
In defense of ‘Cowboy Carter’ winning
“People don’t make albums anymore,” Beyoncé KnowlesCarter said in a 2013 interview in her HBO documentary. Her most recent album, “Cowboy Carter,” a celebration of Blackness, love, spirituality and blend of country music with other genres recently won Grammys for album of the year and country album of the year.
This caused an unjustified uproar on social media. “This is straight BS,” a tweet writes. People expressed their disappointment that Billie Eilish’s “Hit Me Hard And Soft” didn’t win AOTY. They lamented incessantly on the internet, ranting that Eilish’s album surpassed “Cowboy Carter” in streams. While that is true, the Recording Academy is not based on streams or record sales.
The category is album of the year. Not a mixtape, not a hit single, not a feature. A complete piece, a story from start to finish adhering to the 3-act structure, a lyrical masterpiece rich with thematic elements and motifs that speak to a larger voice. A work of art that requires analysis and introspection, rather than a viral snippet for a TikTok trend. “Cowboy Carter” is a masterpiece. It is one hour, 18 minutes and 21 seconds of auditory bliss. It refuses to adhere to a genre, and Beyoncé has said so herself: that “this ain’t a country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album.”
“Cowboy Carter” was born following an incident in which Beyoncé “did not feel welcomed ... and it was very clear that I wasn’t.” It is widely speculated that the event she describes is the 2016 Country Music Awards, in which she performed her single “Daddy Lessons” with the Chicks. This performance sparked immense backlash, arguing that Beyoncé was too liberal due to her outspokenness in regards to the Black Lives Matter movement and thus had no place at the CMAs.
This album is the AOTY because “AMERIICAN REQUIEM” and “AMEN” mirror each other, opening and closing the work with a commentary on racism being America’s original sin and how her
generation and following ones seek to rebuild a broken nation. It deserved AOTY because “BLACKBIIRD” is about a Black woman who struggles in the face of adversity and eventually prevails, and Beyoncé is a blackbird in her own right given the discrimination she faced at the CMAs.
It deserved AOTY because of the parallelism in “16 CARRIAGES” in which she sings, “only God knows,” having a double meaning of “only got Knowles” as she details the hardships of losing her innocence to her career as an adolescent. Her ability to bend the concept of genre with “SPAGHETTII” seamlessly is why this deserved AOTY.
The harmonic genius in “II MOST WANTED” and brand loyalty to Levi’s, given that they were the first brand to support Destiny’s Child in “LEVII’S JEANS” is why this deserved AOTY. Her patriotism in “YA YA” despite Black women enduring constant oppression silences those who claim she’s “not American enough,” while also depicting the bloodshed of her ancestors who built the foundations America stands on.
“DESERT EAGLE” represents femininity and sexuality, “II HANDS II HEAVEN” has Biblical themes of rebirth and forgiveness and finally, “AMEN”, the last song on the album, portraying how the United States was built on the backs of oppressed peoples, its statues emblematic of struggle and how she and subsequent generations will purify America’s original sin. The album closes with “Amen,” a parallel to the last word of the Christian Bible.
This album speaks not only to Black history but American history, with symbolism running as deep as the album cover itself: Beyoncé atop a white horse riding sidesaddle asserts royalty and power, alluding to historical figures being eternalized through depictions of them next to white horses. The red, white and blue illustrates patriotism; her bleach-blonde hair billowing in the wind assimilative.
Country music has Black origins, and Beyoncé paid homage to them throughout the album through her usage of organic musical instruments (banjo, acoustic guitar, fiddle), and features from Black country pioneers like Linda Martell. So for people to say
that she doesn’t belong is like saying Steve Jobs shouldn’t have an iPhone, or Elon Musk shouldn’t be driving a Cybertruck. Country music has, and always will be, a “Black thing,” as so many tend to be.
Furthermore, “Cowboy Carter” broke records and should be respected for that alone. It was the first album by a Black woman to reach number one on the Billboard top country albums chart. The song “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” was the first single by a Black woman to take the number one spot on Billboard’s country song chart, along with the all-genre Hot 100 chart. She is the first Black woman to win country album of the year. She also became the first Black woman to win a country Grammy in 50 years and just the fourth Black woman to win AOTY.
The 2024 CMAs snubbed her. She did not land a single nomination, and got minimal promotion on country music radio stations despite the album’s achievements. The Grammys, which also have a history of dismissing Black women, finally paid her her dues. Let Beyoncé enjoy this well-deserved win.
So, if you have not yet sat down to consume this masterpiece in its entirety, to digest the album’s racially liberating and unapologetically Black themes and to excrete the hatred from your heart, I suggest you at least give it a listen with an open mind.
“Cowboy Carter” is an emblem of America’s original sin: racism. The album receiving accolades and consequential negative uproar is proof that there is still much work to be done. The more that people say Black women shouldn’t be in country music just argues for the significance and necessity of this album. As Beyoncé closes her work, “them old ideas are buried here. Amen.”
Zora Rodgers is a junior studying film, television and theatre. She’s from Falls Church, VA and has the pajama pants to prove it. When not watching the TODAY show or writing, she can be found wearing too much perfume and spending her NBC paychecks on SKIMS. You can reach out to her at zrodgers@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Zora Rodgers The Quiet Part Out Loud
Car on campus: worth the drive?
There is no worse feeling than the one I experienced calling my second tow truck in three days last week. Unfortunately, as I’ve learned, cars break down (even if you have an illustrious 2015 Volkswagen). Sometimes they break down twice, and then you take them to get fixed only to return the next day and find them dead in the parking lot once more.
Although I’m still bitter about my long and ongoing car debacle, it’s a fact that on a campus with as many students as we have, cars will break down. I discovered on my parents’ Facebook account this week that car problems actually happen so frequently, that students have a preferred off-campus mechanic (redacted — I can’t confidently endorse anyone yet).
It makes sense; I’m no mechanic, but it’s probably not good for cars to freeze and warm up with our erratic weather. South Bend weather can make a car inefficient in more ways than one. I have made it my routine every time it snows (so every day until last week) to go out to the car and get a head start scraping off the snow. The walk to the parking lot alone, although shorter (for me) than the walk to DeBart, is treacherous during snowy and icy conditions.
Keeping a car in an open parking lot located ten to fifteen minutes away from you in a state where it snows five days a week, although it sounds like such a good idea, is actually kind of risky. I experienced a feeling of true shock every time I returned to an out-of-commission car, even though it was honestly kind of predictable. My struggles this week likely have my non-vehicle-having peers wondering: is having a car on campus worth it?
I say yes. Though it has put me through trials and left me with traumas, having my car this semester has opened up opportunities that I wouldn’t have otherwise received. I’m not just talking about driving to my off-campus internship, although I do that too, but the other normal-feeling kind of day-to-day freedoms that come with having a car in a pretty much unwalkable city.
In three short weeks, I have had Taco Bell at 3:30 in the
morning (on a weeknight), drank Starbucks (thrice!) from a real drive-thru and tried two different weeks’ worth of Crumbl cookie flavors. Now that the newness of the car on campus has worn off, I do have to start conserving my financial resources — I have to pay for gas now, after all — but the short-lived excitement of eating non-dining-hall food has me missing my car now that she’s gone.
Of course, besides the great food, a car offers a chance to explore the world outside of campus every once in a
while. I have discovered that I really love University Park Mall, for one. I have scoured the local Target (I am working towards breaking free from the chains of relying on Amazon deliveries) and already mapped out the best route to my internship.
Although sometimes it feels like you need to stay in the campus bubble to fit in here, connecting with the community has genuinely helped me make the most of my time at Notre Dame. My car has allowed me opportunities I might never have been able to access
otherwise; I believe it will bring even more in the coming years. I’ve been struggling lately with the idea of getting a regular job offcampus as well; I could, now that I have a car, but students here aren’t usually expected to “have time” to work. What I have learned, however, is that just because most people on campus don’t do something doesn’t mean that I can’t.
I likely will try working a part-time job, and I will continue to enjoy my explorations of South Bend in the meantime. If you are lucky
enough to have a car that you’re considering bringing to campus, I would tell you to do it, despite the potential risks. You’re going to love the freedom and occasional break from the ND bubble; as soon as my car is ready, I know I will.
Sophia Anderson is a sophomore transfer at Notre Dame studying political science and planning to go to law school. You can contact her at sander38@ nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
The Reform of the Roman Curia and the Promotion of Integral Human Development
Learn about the Vatican’s engagement with human rights, health, displacement, and other critical areas as it seeks to promote the development of each person and the whole person.
In the beginning, there was nothing, but then God and/or his brother Simon created the universe, or perhaps something entirely different led us to this point. “Cunk on Life” is a mockumentary made with typically dry British humor that explores the biggest questions of life, such as questions about God’s hypothetical brother Simon. Philomena Cunk, the special’s host, is a character of Diane Morgan’s (a fact I learned embarrassingly recently). Al Campbell, the director, helps guide us through history to truly understand the mysteries surrounding life, such as “Where do we come from?” and “Who am I?” (Well, not me, obviously. I’m on the other side of the newspaper. Wait, who are you?)
The journey begins as Cunk walks through Italy to the Sistine Chapel. The mockumentary is split into 10 sections, with the first several based on classical theology and philosophy. We explore the relationship between humanity and God through Michelangelo’s paintings and are treated to a few fun facts. Did you know that Michelangelo would
have been muscular enough to throw a mad priest off his back? That’s true, she says.
“Cunk on Life” follows the same formula as “Cunk on Shakespeare,” “Cunk on Britain” and “Cunk on Earth.” Cunk walks slowly and stumblingly through scenic locations across the world and baffles her interviewees (who simply want to share their expertise) with perplexing questions. As Cunk, Morgan always delivers a fun time — just remember not to take anything too seriously.
This movie is as British as a “bo’oh o’ wo’er” (i.e., bottle of water) but genuinely did teach me more about philosophy than my classes. If you want to get a better understanding of existentialism, hedonism, nihilism or really any -ism, I’d recommend giving “Cunk on Life” a go. Maybe an hour of your attention is too much to ask — after all, there is a disturbing lack of Subway Surfers gameplay on the bottom of the screen — but fear not, for there is a guided meditation in the middle of the special that should help you recenter your focus. Cunk is an excellent spiritual guide, but she did forget to tell me to breathe out (overall, a solid 7/10 meditation). If science is more up your alley, Cunk has you covered, too. Do you ever wonder why 100% of
people have a human body or why 40% of humans have a skeleton? Cunk explores how she looks like both her mother and her father but only has one face, and how lots of things are alive and have “D” and “A.” (Or was it “DNA”? She can’t quite remember.)
Speaking of science, “Cunk on Life” tackles the big question of why ghosts are seen on camera more than by scientists. It really makes you wonder why Notre Dame has a College of Science and not a College of Ghosts — I would certainly rather pass through walls than look at particles all day. I would highly recommend watching “Cunk on Life” if you and your friends are looking for a fun yet insightful way to avoid doing anything actually productive. It kept me living, laughing and loving for the entire runtime, and I can’t wait to reference it until all my friends block me on Instagram. Make sure to stick around for the post-credits scenes, especially if you want to know about the impact of Brexit on entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Sit back, relax and enjoy the movie before AI advances enough to enjoy it for you.
Contact AJ Brookshire at abrooks8 @ nd.edu
AHEAD OF THE 2025 OSCARS
By MARGUERITE C.J. MARLEY Scene Copyeditor
Once again, the Oscars are upon us. And while it might be because this is the first year I’ve tried to get ‘into’ movies, I’m actually excited for awards season, especially because of how amazing the films that came out last year were. Big blockbusters soared, and independent films were terrific, so it should be no shock to hear that I’m most looking forward to see what comes out of those categories.
It would be a delightful twist for the unique storytelling of something like “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl” or “The Wild Robot,” clinch best animated feature for their storytelling, charming characters and inventive plots that brought a breath of fresh air to the category. Needless to say this would be a major win for creativity and especially originality, however (as they usually do) Disney seems to be favored to win for “Inside Out 2.”
Then there’s “Conclave,” which (in case you’re curious, the Scene section is eagerly rooting for) is poised to dominate this year’s award ceremony. Personally, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the film take home best actor (for Ralph Fiennes’ portrayal of Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, whose formation of a conclave and subsequent findings in the Church ground the film), writing for best adapted screenplay and best costumes.
This is especially true when considering how, even when wearing traditional religious attire, each character manages to remain an individual and visually interesting, and becomes a testament to the project’s unique storytelling.
Then there’s the battle for best actress in a leading role, and between Demi Moore’s jaw dropping performance in “The Substance” and Cynthia Erivo’s gravity-defying portrayal of Elphaba in “Wicked,” the race to find a winner is a nail-biting, edge of your seat battle. Individually, Moore provides so much of herself in her role in “The Substance,” that it’s almost impossible to not applaud her. Then “The Substance” takes her character a step forward with some of the most impressive special effects makeup in recent memory. Even with this, Erivo has breathed new life into a role that has been part of our musical landscape for nearly two decades, and her performance is truly something to be admired. She brings a subdued complexity to Elphaba that contrasts beautifully with Ariana Grande’s Glinda. Additionally, if Erivo takes home the big prize on March 2, this would not only be the actress’s first Oscar win and launch Erivo into an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony), but it would also make her one of the youngest to ever reach this achievement.
Best actress in a leading role isn’t the only highly anticipated race though, Grande is joining the ranks of
Lady Gaga as a pop idol whose acting is being recognized by the Academy; her performance as the future Good Witch of the North was terrific. Still, this year’s supporting actress is a category that’s shrouded in mystery, with no clear frontrunner. The suspense is palpable, and it’s a race that’s too close to call ahead of time.
Oddly enough, I feel the same way about production design. All the nominees (“The Brutalist,” “Conclave,” “Dune: Part Two,” “Nosferatu” and “Wicked”) were terrific. As much as I would love “Nosferatu” to win at least something, it’s another race that feels too close to call.
Of course, one film is haunting the Oscars, and that film is, of course, “Emilia Pérez.” Though widely praised by critics, Mexican audiences have made their frustrations with the film known, calling it a racist portrait of their country. Some have even gone on to create a parody film called “Johanne Sacreblu” meant as a kind of uno reverse card on the French director (it’s on YouTube, it’s hilarious, check it out).
Regardless of who reigns champion over this years awards, the Oscars in more ways than one are back and in full force. I cannot wait to see who wins. The Oscars will air live on Sunday, March 2 at 7 p.m.
Contact Marguerite C.J. Marley at mmarley2 @ nd.edu
IN MEMORY OF DAVID LYNCH
By CHRISTOPHER COPE Scene Writer
“I don’t think that people accept that a film is a dream, yet it makes perfect sense to them when they’re dreaming. It’s just that we want to translate a film into words, and words hold things back. They’re not deep enough.” - Lynch
“Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent.” – Wittgenstein
David Lynch died on January 15, 2025 from complications of emphysema, a chronic lung disease, at the age of 78. He was known primarily for his direction of surreal and dreamlike movies, such as Eraserhead, The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, Lost Highway, Mulholland Drive and his popular TV show: “Twin Peaks”.
In this eulogy I want to offer a defense/intepreation of Lynch’s films. While a restatement of facts about Lynch’s life in poetic fashion may be a more noble route to honoring Lynch and his body of work; hopefully the following short defense and minor insertion of writer ego can give an as bright and interesting testimonial.
Upon watching “Mulholland Drive” for the first time I thought it was postmodern gibberish. The plot had no linearity or narrative sense and everything was covered in a level of symbolism. After I watched the movie I went to the internet in order to get a clearer idea of what Lynch was trying to say. To my annoyance at the time, I learned that the DVD set had a series of 10 cryptic hints that one seemingly needed to decipher in order to comprehend the movie. Furthermore, upon learning what the symbols referred to I didn’t think the ‘complexity’ or depth of the plot at all warranted the annoying layering.
I decided to watch the movie again last summer and I thoroughly enjoyed it, albeit by looking at the film differently. I attempted to hold no preconceptions and attempted to “feel,” as Lynch perscribed, the film. Words and language are our vehicle for communicating the truth. Since our youth it’s been ingrained in us that the only way to prove the understanding of a concept is to replicate the definition of the concept with a series of words that are true about it. The brilliant subversion of Lynch comes from the fact that he denies the human impulse to tie concepts into a logical string.
The strength of Lynch’s film is not in the manner in which he ties together his symbols into a coherent plot. The beauty of his film is not in thwe underlying meaning obtained through a sort of puzzle solving gnosis. It’s the film itself that makes the film special. The colors, the actresses, the music, this amalgamation of sensory splashes, eerie dialogue in combination with scene structure, etc that make this film and the rest of Lynch’s films so entrancing. It’s the combination of all its elements, the dreamlike feeling that he invokes that points to nothing beyond the film.
But even my attempted summary above is a sort of affront to him, my words do little justice to his art itself.
But before heeding the quote from Wittgenstein, “Considering how high the barrier to entry is to direct high budget movies, higher even if the intended movie is at all experimental, and even higher considering the rarity of anyone to have Lynch’s level of commitment to their style; Lynch might be one of the last true artists to work in cinema and we should forever cherish what will remain of him.”
let anyone talk you out of taking care of your responsibilities. You will feel at ease once you complete your tasks and can turn your downtime into fond memories.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You’ll desire change. However, procrastinating won’t satisfy your needs. Stop letting others sway you or get in your way. Focus on a plan to get things done and bask in the glory of your achievements. A home improvement project will offer greater fulfillment than you expect. Enjoy the benefits of your labor.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Mixed emotions will surface. Refuse to get swept up in someone’s frenzy when you have plans to put in motion. You can make headway professionally if you set high standards and go above and beyond your expectations. Think big, and move forward until you wow those who can influence your prospects.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): You’ll gain insight into possibilities and how to use your skills to reach your financial goal. Work diligently to upgrade your skills and stay on top of what’s trending. Displaying confidence and talent with finesse will make a difference in how others treat you. Some will be jealous, and others in awe.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Participate in events that offer access to individuals of interest, talent, and partnership possibilities. Wheel and deal your way forward with heartfelt talks and entertaining ideas. Follow through by initiating follow-ups and making suggestions to share in-depth plans that are hard to resist. Reunite with someone from your past.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Pay attention to deadlines and finishing what you start. Refuse to let anyone or anything slow you down or create chaos or confusion in your life. A change will be uplifting, but refuse to let it put you in debt. Getting together with someone who makes you smile is sufficient.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Open your eyes, ask questions, and absorb the information that comes your way. Participate in an event, reunion, or activity that brings you in touch with people heading in a similar direction. Communication will be vital to discovering what’s best for you and how to make it happen.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Mingling will help you put your life situation in perspective. Be a keen observer and listener, and you’ll map out a plan that enables you to find your niche. Attending events offering a wide selection of people and options to ponder will ensure mental stimulation and progressive ideas with promising results.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Let your emotions take over and make your feelings known. Conversing with people who play an intricate role in your life will help you understand and qualify what’s in your best interest. You may desire change, but take care of unfinished business before venturing down a different path.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): An energetic approach to relationships, striving for equality, and creating a plan that feels comfortable for you and those you want in your circle will help you bring positive lifestyle changes that surpass your expectations. Don’t dilly-dally when thought and action are your ticket to peace of mind and personal freedom.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Stick close to home and make gratifying adjustments that encourage spending more time with loved ones. Work fast and furiously, put your responsibilities behind you, and relax. Taking time and doing what matters most will ease stress and encourage a healthy lifestyle. Make love and romance a priority.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Slow down and rethink your strategy before you take on too much or let temptation take over. Participating in something that requires mental and physical agility will take your mind off your worries, giving you a chance to conceive a practical perspective regarding a situation that requires common sense. Birthday Baby: You are engaging, optimistic, and funny. You are aggressive and timely.
HOCKEY
Irish begin stretch run with Ohio State series
By RYAN MURPHY Sports Writer
The calendar has turned to February, which means Notre Dame hockey’s final stretch of the season has arrived. After getting last weekend off on a bye, the Irish (9-16-1, 3-12-1 Big Ten) will start the beginning of the end this weekend by welcoming No. 9 Ohio State (16-8-2, 9-6-1 Big Ten) to Compton Family Ice Arena for games Friday and Saturday.
“Hopefully [the weekend off] gives us an opportunity to refocus and prepare for the stretch run,” Irish head coach Jeff Jackson said Wednesday. “We gave them a couple of days off — it’s about fatigue and recovering from injuries, getting healthy.”
Notre Dame finds themselves looking up from last place in the Big Ten conference. With just eight games remaining to climb out of the basement, the Irish are hoping their best shows up when it matters most.
It’s no secret that this season has been an inconsistent
one. Notre Dame squandered four separate chances to turn their season around in January, including a split with Lindenwood before this most recent bye. The upcoming weekend represents a fifth, and potentially final, opportunity for the Irish to put their inconsistencies behind them.
“Consistency is such a critical thing,” Jackson said. “And a lot of that comes from maturity and guys understanding [that] we have to be prepared to play every minute of every game.”
Starting off on the right foot against the Buckeyes will be critical. The Irish have lost each of their last three series openers and have not won consecutive contests since rattling off three in a row to start the season back in October.
Notre Dame has yet to earn points on both nights of a Big Ten series this season. To do so against top-10 Ohio State will present a major challenge. Even though the Buckeyes endured their most difficult month of the season in January, finishing 3-4-1, Ohio State has
established themselves as a surprise national tournament contender.
Picked last in the Big Ten preseason coaches poll, the Buckeyes have seen a resurgence this year under the leadership of four key graduate students, two of whom are fifth-year transfers.
Former Northeastern Husky Gunnarwolfe Fontaine leads the team in goals and points with 12 and 27, respectively, and former Rochester Institute of Technology Tiger Aiden Hansen-Bukata leads all defensemen in
points. Fifth-year Buckeye forwards Patrick Guzzo and Joe Dunlap have provided an impact, too.
Ohio State’s greatest strength, though, may lie in goal. The tandem of sophomore Kristoffer Eberly and senior transfer Logan Terness has yielded stingy results for the Buckeyes.
Eberly boasts a .917 save percentage and Terness a .914, but both netminders have goals against averages below 2.5. Eberly started both games against Notre Dame when the two teams
met in December, allowing only two goals. The Irish only managed 32 shots total between the two nights, though. In fact, Ohio State outshot Notre Dame 80-32 throughout that series, with both games ending in 2-1 Buckeye victories.
The rematch begins at 7 p.m. Friday night. Game two on Saturday will start at 6 p.m. Both games are available on Peacock or the Notre Dame Radio Network.
Contact Ryan Murphy at rmurph22@nd.edu
GABRIELLA MARTIN | The Observer
Sophomore center Danny Nelson takes a power-play faceoff as senior winger Justin Janicke (8) and graduate winger Blake Biondi (27) wait outside the circle during Notre Dame’s 4-2 defeat of Lindenwood at Compton Family Ice Arena on Jan. 25, 2025. Nelson scored a goal in each game of Notre Dame’s December series at Ohio State, which the Buckeyes swept.
Belles offense goes cold in loss against Hope
By CLAIRE WATSON Sports Writer
This past Wednesday, the Saint Mary’s basketball team faced off against the Hope Flying Dutch but took the 7941 loss. The Belles fell to 4-16 for the season and 1-10 in the MIAA.
The Flying Dutch took the first eight points of the game before a three-point shot from sophomore guard Annie Restovich and a layup from freshman guard Ella Notaro brought the score to 8-5. Hope went on another 9-0 run before senior forward Julia Schutz put in a free throw to make the score 17-6. Three more points from Hope made
the score 20-6, but a layup from Schutz went through in response. Hope ended the first quarter adding two more points to lead 22-8.
Annie Restovich started off the second quarter by putting in a layup, making the score 22-10, but a 12-0 run from the Flying Dutch brought the score to 34-10. Senior guard Lauren Gumma added on a three-point shot to bring the score to 34-13, but a 4-0 run from Hope kept it ahead 38-13 ending the first half.
After the halftime break, junior guard Nicole Connolly put in a layup to make the score 38-15 to start the third quarter. Seven points from Hope brought the score to
45-15 before sophomore guard Kate Restovich put two points on the board. Hope countered with another two points, but a quick response from Kate Restovich, who added six points, made the score 47-23. Hope then put in four more points, but Kate Restovich contibuted two points again to make the score 51-25. Five more points from Hope kept it ahead 56-25 before Annie Restovich added three points, Gumma made a three-point shot and a layup and junior guard Alyssa Matuza converted a layup, making the score 56-35. Hope put in the final three points of the quarter and led 59-35 through 30 minutes of play.
Kate Restovich succeeded on a layup to start off the fourth quarter, making the score 59-37 before a 7-0 run from Hope enlarged its lead to 66-37. Annie Restovich added a layup to make the score 6639, but a quick 7-0 run from Hope brought the score to 7339. Matuza added on another layup, but six more points from Hope gave the Flying
Dutch a 79-41 win. Kate Restovich led the Belles on offense, as she finished the night with 12 points while Connolly paced the team with three rebounds. The Belles now prepare to face off against Kalamazoo on Feb. 8, starting at 1 p.m.
Contact Claire Watson at cwatson01@saintmarys.edu
WRITE SPORTS.
Saints drop pair of games against St. Francis
By CLAIRE WATSON Sports Writer
Both Holy Cross basketball teams were in action on Wednesday as they faced the St. Francis Fighting Saints. Both teams lost, as the women’s team fell 69-63 and the men’s team came up short by a 76-56 score.
Women’s game
It was back and forth early between Holy Cross and St. Francis, but freshman forward Allie Caldwell pulled the Saints ahead 9-6 with a three-pointer and a jump shot. Four points from the Fighting Saints gave them the 10-9 lead, but a three from senior guard Kayliana Hammel brought the Saints ahead 12-10. St. Francis tied the score up, but
a jump shot from senior forward Grace Adams and another jumper from senior guard Jordyn Smith kept the Saints ahead 16-12. A 7-0 run from St. Francis put its ahead 19-16 at the end of the first quarter.
An 8-0 run from St. Francis started the second quarter before five points from Holy Cross made the score 27-21.
The Fighting Saints would keep Holy Cross at arm’s length before going on another 8-0 run, bringing the score to 42-27 before Adams found the basket and put in two points.
St. Francis added three more points, but sophomore guard Lilly Toppen responded with three points to make the score 45-32 at halftime.
It was an offensive battle in the third quarter. Two threepoint shots from Caldwell and
two jump shots from junior guard Audrey Tallent closed the score to 50-44 before St. Francis added two points to make the score 52-44. Hammel countered with a jump shot, but two points from St. Francis kept it ahead by eight. Holy Cross would go into the final quarter down 54-49.
Smith dunked the ball to start the fourth quarter, making the score 54-51, but St. Francis pushed back with two points to lead 56-51. Five points from Holy Cross tied the score, but four points from St. Francis kept it ahead 6056. Adams then put in two, but St. Francis followed with six points to make the score 66-58. In the final seconds, sophomore forward Brooke Lindesmith added a jumpshot and Adams made a three-point
shot, but three more points from St. Francis gave the Fighting Saints the 69-63 victory.
Adams led Holy Cross on multiple fronts, finishing with 19 points and 11 rebounds. The team now prepares to face Judson on Feb. 8, starting at 1 p.m.
Men’s game
St. Francis and Holy Cross went back and forth in the first few minutes of the half, but a 10-0 run from St. Francis put it ahead 12-4. Sophomore guard
Joey Garwood answered with a three-point shot, but a quick five points from the Fighting Saints made the score 17-7. A jump shot from senior guard
Phil Robles II, a layup and a jump shot from Garwood and a free throw from senior guard
Justin O’Neal closed the margin to 17-14, but St. Francis responded with four points to stay ahead 21-14. Three points from senior guard Nash Hostetler again tightened the score to 21-17, but the Fighting Saints responded with three points, making the score 24-17. Hostetler added two but St. Francis responded, going on a 7-0 run bringing the score to 31-19. Robles then made a jump shot before St. Francis tallied four points, making the score 35-21. Garwood put in a jump shot, but St. Francis added a layup, bringing the score to 37-23. Robles notched another two points before St. Francis drilled a three-point buzzerbeater to stay ahead 40-25 at the end of one half.
After halftime, St. Francis went on a 9-0 run, widening the score to 49-25 before freshman forward Davide Brembilla added two points to make the score 49-27. St. Francis tallied another two points, but Garwood answered with four to make the score 51-31. Another 7-0 run by St. Francis gave it the 58-31 lead, and the Fighting Saints would wrap up the third quarter in a 65-42 lead.
Four points from St. Francis were met by two points from Hostetler to start the fourth, making the score 69-44. St. Francis added two more points, but freshman guard Callaghan Weatherspoon contributed three points to make the score 71-47. Eventually, St. Francis closed out a 76-56 win. Garwood led the Saints on offense, finishing with 18 points, while Brembilla paced the team with 10 rebounds. Holy Cross will play Judson on Feb. 8, starting at 3 p.m.
Claire Watson at
Irish return to South Bend to face Virginia Tech
By TYLER REIDY Sports Editor
After a two-game Florida road trip full of frustration, Notre Dame men’s basketball returns to Purcell Pavilion. The Irish (10-12, 4-7 ACC) will take on the Virginia Tech Hokies (10-13, 5-7 ACC) this Saturday for the third of four Irish Wear Green games this season.
The 2024-25 season has presented a similar story for both teams, whose overall and in-conference records differ by just half a game. Both the Irish and Hokies have struggled to beat programs in the upper half of the ACC standings. And though Notre Dame has generally been more competitive in its league losses, both squads are coming off missed opportunities in winnable games.
Capturing the close game
It’s a Notre Dame issue that picked up during Mike Brey’s final season in 202223, when the Irish won only three conference games. It continued in head coach Micah Shrewsberry’s debut year and is now a clear characteristic of this year’s Notre Dame team. The Irish just can’t get it done crunch time.
This season, Notre Dame is 2-9 in games decided by eight points or less. The Irish would probably be bound for the NCAA Tournament with an inverse record of 9-2 in such situations.
On the last road trip, the Irish added two more excruciating losses to the total, handing Miami its first ACC win of the season in a 63-57 result and following with a 67-60 shortcoming at Florida
State. In both games, the Irish led by 10 or more in the first half and were within one point of the opponent in the final five minutes.
But the offense sputtered in Coral Gables, producing just 21 points in the second half. Three days later in Tallahassee, Shrewsberry didn’t have to say much to diagnose the issue.
“Our missed layups and missed free throws were a big deal in this game,” he said after Tuesday’s game.
Indeed, the Irish missed seven of their 13 free throws — plus numerous driving opportunities — in Tuesday’s loss. Once again, the Irish didn’t get enough from players not named sophomore guard Markus Burton or junior forward Tae Davis. Burton scored 25 points on 10-for-22 shooting,
Davis had 14 on a 6-for-11 performance and the rest of the team tallied just 21 with a 7-for-28 line. Sophomore guard Braeden Shrewsberry and freshman guard Sir Mohammed had it especially rough, combining to make only two of their 19 fieldgoal attempts.
Coach Shrewsberry attributed at least a portion of the team’s struggles to the quick turnaround of playing two games in the Sunshine State.
“It’s just a short turnaround to get back and get ready, and how they play, you’ve got to exert a lot of energy to play against [the Seminoles], and to do it on short rest is tough, to do it on short prep is tough,” Shrewsberry noted. “ ... There’s gonna be some people sore tomorrow on both sides, man, because [when]
that shot went up, there was some furniture moving in that paint. Guys were hitting each other.”
With a 1-10 record away from home since Nov. 16, the Irish would like to capitalize on Saturday’s return to South Bend. They’re 8-2 with back-to-back wins at Purcell Pavilion.
Hokies going for a third straight road win
Within ACC play, Virginia Tech has actually been slightly better on the road than at home. The Hokies, who were never expected to do much this year, swept their most recent road trip to Tallahassee and Charlottesville. However, they lost 81-75 to SMU at home on Wednesday,
GABRIELLA MARTIN | The Observer
Sophomore guard Markus Burton rises for a jump shot during Notre Dame’s 71-68 defeat of Georgia Tech at Purcell Pavilion on Jan. 28, 2025. Burton leads the Irish with 20.5 points per game and has cleared the 20-point threshold in seven of his nine games since returning from injury on Jan. 4. He tallied 25 points on 10-for-22 shooting
rescinding some of their previous success against Florida State and Virginia.
“SMU’s better than those two teams, playing well right now,” Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young said after Wednesday’s game.
“I thought our team played well again tonight, very well. I told them that I’m proud of them. They’re playing really hard, and they’re trying to do everything we give them to put ourselves in position
ND WOMEN’S TENNIS
to win.”
The Hokies have battled the turnover bug all season, giving the ball away an ACChigh 13 times per game. They took care of it enough to take a lead in the final eight minutes of Wednesday’s game, though. Overall, Virginia Tech finished with 16 assists and 10 turnovers, an improvement on their 1.01 assist-to-turnover ratio for the season.
“We’re doing better in that area. The ball’s getting to better spots,” Young commented. “The ball’s getting
into the post, where I think we are continuing to be effective. We’re coming on.”
Getting the ball inside helped the 6-foot-9 Mylyjael Poteat play his most comprehensive game of the season against SMU. The graduate forward, who has started all 23 games this year after making just four starts in his first four collegiate seasons, double-doubled on Wednesday. He finished the game with 15 points, a season-high 10 rebounds and five assists.
“He moved well tonight.
He accepted the ball well, he used his size,” Young said of Poteat after Wednesday’s game. “Great outing from Mylyjael. [I’m] proud of him.”
Poteat ranks second on the team in scoring to Tobi Lawal, the team’s leader in field-goal percentage along with points, rebounds and blocks per game. A VCU transfer, Lawal was 0 for 5 from three-point range on Wednesday but still offered nine points and eight rebounds.
The interior effort of
those two players in particular helped the Hokies out-rebound an SMU team that leads the conference in boards per contest.
“Our Virginia Tech team has been a pretty good rebounding team throughout,” Young said. “That will certainly have to continue as we move along.”
Notre Dame and Virginia Tech will tip off at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday inside Purcell Pavilion.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
Irish ready to put unbeaten record to the test
By TYLER REIDY Sports Editor
Through three weekends of play, the Notre Dame women’s tennis team sits at 7-0. The Irish began the season with an unblemished five-game homestand that featured a defeat of Big Ten opponent Illinois. They hit the road for the first time last weekend, rallying from behind to beat Maryland and Columbia.
This weekend, Notre Dame will put the undefeated record up against its first ranked adversary of the season. No. 17 Ohio State will visit South Bend at 4 p.m. on Friday before Bellarmine moves in for a Sunday doubleheader. Notre Dame will take on the Knights at noon and 4 p.m. on the weekend’s final day.
Rankings update
On Wednesday, the Intercollegiate Tennis
ND SOFTBALL
Association released its new singles and doubles ranking. Notre Dame junior Akari Matsuno moved from No. 67 to No. 71 in singles, as she’s off to a 3-0 start this season. She and senior Carrie Beckman have combined to post another 3-0 mark as the No. 1 Irish doubles team.
To no one’s surprise, Ohio State has numerous entries in the new rankings. Sophomore Luciana Perry, a singles All-American in both the spring and fall of 2024, leads the pack at No. 9 in singles. Including the fall season, the 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and ITA National Rookie of the Year is 16-5 in singles.
At 16-7, fellow sophomore Teah Chavez checks in at No. 55. Formerly a top-10 ranked player in Canada, she went 19-16 in singles as a freshman. Sophomore Audrey Spencer ranks 60th with a 13-9 singles record this year. As a freshman, she was 20-10.
Finally, Japanese freshman Nao Nishino holds the No. 107 spot at 15-5.
In the doubles rankings, sophomore Alessia Cau and senior Dani Schoenly occupy the No. 63 position. They have not appeared yet together in the spring dual season.
Ohio State
The Buckeyes come off a bye week and carry a 3-1 record into South Bend. They opened the year with three straight wins against Cleveland State, Bellarmine and N.C. State before losing the ITA Kickoff Weekend championship match to No. 1 Tennessee on Jan. 25.
In that loss to Tennessee, Chavez and Nishino scored massive wins to jump into the national rankings. The former dominated No. 19 Catherine Aulia (6-2, 6-2), while the latter took down No. 54 Vanesa Suarez (61, 6-3). The Buckeyes had a tough time in doubles play,
though, dropping 17 of the 25 games that they played against the Volunteers.
Last year, the Buckeyes went 20-8, losing to Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament final for a third consecutive season. Ohio State posted a 10-1 conference record, taking an upset loss to Vanderbilt at home in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Before all of that, the Buckeyes swept the Irish in Columbus during ITA Kickoff Weekend at the end of January. Only senior Nibi Ghosh found real success on that day, claiming the first set of an unfinished No. 6 singles match against Spencer.
Bellarmine
The Knights enter the weekend at 2-6, having lost each of their first six games with only two points registered during the stretch.
Last weekend, they found the win column with home defeats of the University of the
Cumberlands and Marian University.
A standout program in the Division II ranks before the COVID-19 pandemic, Bellarmine has struggled with its move to Division I and the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Knights went a combined 1-39 in 2020-21 and 2021-22 but have improved since. They were 9-17 a year ago with wins against Louisville and Marquette along the way.
Austrian sophomore Nikola Kollaritsch is the only Knight on the roster to have earned ASUN postseason recognition last year. She landed on the conference’s All-Freshman Team, compiling 27 total wins between singles and doubles play. She’s off to a 3-4 singles start to this season, while senior Ekaterina Tikhonko is 2-5 as the team’s usual No. 1 singles competitor.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
Irish open season at NFCA Leadoff Classic
By CLAIRE WATSON Sports Writer
Ranked No. 11 in the ACC
Preseason Poll and ready to kick off its season, the Notre Dame softball team is traveling to Clearwater, Florida, to compete in the NFCA Leadoff Classic this weekend. The team will face Morgan State, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Penn State and Bethune-Cookman.
Currently unranked, Morgan State will be the first team that the Irish face. The last time that the teams met was in 2019, when Notre Dame took the 4-1 win. Their game is set to start on Feb. 7 at 10 a.m.
In their last meetup, neither team scored in the first two innings of the game, but Notre Dame took the lead in the third inning with three runs thanks to a run batted in from senior infielder
Katie Marino and two RBIs from senior pitcher and infielder Cait Brooks. Morgan State responded with a run of its own, but the Notre Dame defense shut it down, ending the third inning.
Heading into the fourth inning, Notre Dame added on the final run as junior catcher Madison Heide hit a single, allowing junior outfielder Abby Sweet to score.
As Morgan State was unable to come back, the Irish took the 4-1 win.
Kentucky, which is also unranked, is the second team that the Irish wil face.
The last time the two teams met was in 2021 in the NCAA Lexington Regional, where they played each other three times and Kentucky won two games to Notre Dame’s one. Their game this year is set to start on Feb. 7 at 1 p.m.
The first game in 2021 went in favor of Notre Dame,
but Kentucky scored first in the first inning. However, a quick response from the Irish included a five-run second inning, four runs in the third and three in the fifth.
Sweet led the offense with three RBIs alongside thensenior pitcher Morgan Ryan, who also had three RBIs. Marino had two RBIs, and then graduate-shortstop Chelsea Purcell had one to help the Irish win the game 12-3.
The third team that the Irish will face is No. 5 Tennessee. The last time that the Irish faced Tennessee was in 2022, where they took the 11-3 loss. This year, their game will start on Feb. 8 at 1 p.m.
In the 2022 game, Tennessee took the quick lead in the first inning, putting up five runs. But Notre Dame fought back, scoring two runs thanks to senior
infielder Karina Gaskins and senior outfielder Leea Hanks. Tennessee held its lead in the second inning, scoring two more runs before Notre Dame responded as senior outfielder Emma Clark drove in senior infielder Quinn Biggio to make the score 7-3.
No score went up from either team in the third, fourth or fifth inning, but in the sixth inning, Tennessee added four runs, and as Notre Dame could not come back, the Volunteers took the 11-3 win.
No. 15 Missouri is the fourth team that the Irish will face. The last time that Missouri took on Notre Dame was in 1984, and in a very high-scoring game, Notre Dame took the 16-14 win. This season’s matchup will start on Feb. 8 at 6 p.m.
Penn State is the fifth team on the list for the Irish to
play this weekend. This year, Penn State and Notre Dame will face each other on Feb. 9, starting at 10 a.m. The last time that the two teams played each other, it was a tightly contested game in 2004, but Notre Dame took the 1-0 win.
Neither team scored in the first four innings of the game, but after a doublesteal called by former head coach Deanna Gumpf, the Irish were able to put a run on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Penn State was unable to come back, so Notre Dame took the close win.
Bethune-Cookman is the final team that the Irish will face off against in Clearwater. The Irish have never squared off against the Wildcats in program history.
Contact Claire Watson at cwatson01@saintmarys.edu
ND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Irish clobber Stanford, extend perfect ACC start
By BEN HICKS Sports Writer
Head coach Niele Ivey’s No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s basketball team was back in Purcell Pavilion on Thursday night as it welcomed the Stanford Cardinal to South Bend for a matchup between two of the eight programs with multiple NCAA National Championships. This was the first ever conference matchup between the storied foes, as four of the six previous meetings occurred in the NCAA Tournament, with the most recent battle being won 84-68 by the Irish during the 2019 Elite Eight.
Despite having qualified for 36 consecutive NCAA Tournaments, the Cardinal entered the battle at just 1110 in Head coach Kate Paye’s first season at the helm. Paye, a former standout and longtime assistant in Palo Alto, took the reins from legendary bench boss Tara VanDerveer following her retirement after 38 years in charge of the Cardinal. A 2011 National Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, VanDerveer stepped down with 1,216 wins (most all-time until surpassed by UConn head coach Geno Auriemma in December) and three NCAA National Championships.
Across the sideline, it has been a banner year for Notre Dame, as its 19-2 start has been headlined by the play of graduate guard Olivia Miles and senior guard Sonia Citron, both of whom are expected to be top-three selections in April’s WNBA Draft, as well as the Wooden Award frontrunner in sophomore guard Hannah Hidalgo. The dynamic backcourt trio has combined to average over 55.5 points per game this season, including star showings in top-five wins over USC, Texas and UConn.
Just four minutes into the contest, perhaps in a sign of things to come, Stanford’s leading scorer, Nunu Agara, went down in pain. Agara, a sophomore forward from Minneapolis averaging over 17 points and 8 rebounds a night, injured her back after suffering a hard fall on her third shot attempt of the evening. In her absence, the Cardinal turned the ball over 10 times throughout the opening 10 minutes while connecting on just 3 of 14 field goals. The Cardinal remained in striking distance as Hidalgo and Miles combined to shoot just 2
for 11, and the Irish ended the opening frame leading 17-8.
Things didn’t get any cleaner for Stanford in the second, as a nearly 6-minute scoring drought, which included 6 more turnovers, saw Notre Dame embark on a 20-0 run to push the advantage to 44-13.
“I thought we ran better actions and got better shots. We were able to look inside and get downhill, and that opened the offense up,” Ivey said postgame. She continued by saying, “We want to set the tone and not take our foot off the gas. I’m proud of thwe way they kept playing to the standard defensively no matter what the score was.”
Ivey also made sure to shout out the Irish faithful, saying, “I thought the energy of the crowd was amazing, so we appreciate them coming out for a late game and bringing some juice.”
Graduate forward Maddy Westbeld had her best first half since returning from injury on Jan. 5, as she turned in 11 points on perfect 5-for-5 shooting across her 12 first-half minutes. Hidalgo and Miles
each added 11 apiece, and Notre Dame entered the locker room holding a commanding 50-15 lead on Stanford. The 33 second-quarter Irish points were their second-most this season, falling just short of the 34 scored in the third period against Loyola (Maryland) back on Dec. 22.
Speaking with the media, Westbeld outlined her road to recovery, saying, “I’m definitely blessed to play with such a talented group. My approach to the last month has been getting better every game and learning something new every day.”
Coming out of the intermission, the Irish would stretch the lead to as many as 48, as Hidalgo connected on eight straight buckets to up her total to 22 points, while also adding 4 assists. Miles continued to show her do-it-all ability, as she converted on her fourth triple of the evening to move her total to 16 points alongside 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
By the time it was over, all eight healthy Irish scholarship players had recorded points, and Notre Dame rolled
to the 96-47 victory. Hidalgo tallied 24 points, while Miles matched her season high with 20. Junior forward Cassandre Prosper also turned in one of her finest performances this season, totaling 13 points on just 5 field goal attempts. All together, Notre Dame shot over 50% from the field and from beyond the arc, as well as over 88% from the charity stripe.
Having gone through the grueling recovery to return from ACL surgery, Miles made it a mission to completely remake her jumpshot over the past 18 months.
“When you’re injured as bad as I was, all you can really do is shoot, so I just have to trust in the work I’ve put in and let it fly,” Miles said as her threepoint percentage on the campaign rose to over 43%.
All told, the 29 Cardinal turnovers were the most by an Irish opponent since Chicago State had 32 back in November of 2023. Additionally, the 49-point loss marked the worst margin of defeat ever for Stanford.
“That’s a storied program, so
I’m really proud of our group for competing at such a high level all game. I’m just grateful to coach such talented young women,” Ivey concluded.
The win moved the Irish to 3-4 all-time against the Cardinal and also marked their first triumph in South Bend following a 88-76 loss in November of 1991 to the eventual national champions.
Having dropped seven of 10 since the New Year, Stanford will conclude the road trip on Sunday at noon in Louisville, with the status of Agara still unknown as the Cardinal prepare to take on the Cardinals.
Now sitting at 15 consecutive wins, Notre Dame will host the other West Coast ACC school on Sunday, when the No. 21 California Golden Bears make the trip to northern Indiana. At 11-0 in the ACC, the Irish sit seven games away from the first perfect conference season since they did so in 2015-16. Sunday’s showdown with Cal is set for a 2 p.m. tip-off on the ACC Network.
