Print Edition of The Observer for Thursday, March 5, 2020 by The Observer

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Volume 54, Issue 97 | Thursday, March 5, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Professor helps ‘The Lion King’ play Famous Saint Mary’s professor aids Broadway wardrobe department for visiting show author to speak at ND

By GENEVIEVE COLEMAN News Writer

Melissa Bialko will be assisting the costume department of the Broadway production of “The Lion King,” which will run at South Bend’s Morris Performing Arts Center from March 4 to March 22. Bialko, Saint Mary’s theatre professor and professional specialist in costume design, said she got the position working on the show through a stagehand union called International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, or IATSE.

“My first gig with our local stagehands union, Local 187, was in September 2005, so I’ve been working with this local for quite some time,’’ she said. “Being a member of the union, there is a call order for each position. I was called in ranking order to fulfill that position, which is a wardrobe member.’’ Bialko said she is humbled to take on the role for the show. “I feel great pride in any work that I can get to do in theatre, and it’s kind of like candy to me to get to work on something

see LION KING PAGE 3

Observer Staff Report

CRISTINA INTERIANO | The Observer

The traveling Broadway production of ‘The Lion King’ is visiting South Bend’s Morris Performing Arts Center for the next three weeks.

Domers practice English, American culture at club By HANNAH TONSOR News Writer

The English Language Table for International Students is a diverse program that aids foreign and native students and staff in their understanding of the English language, as well as American culture. Held in 334 Bond Hall on the first and third Thursday of each month, the event invites both native and non-native speakers to join in fellowship as they practice the English language together. “It’s a relaxed, social gathering where people can come to ask questions about the English language or American culture and to make friends with other people on campus,” said Lisa Oglesbee, coordinator of English for academic purposes. Undergraduate, graduate, faculty, doctorate and postdoctorate members of the Notre Dame community are all welcome to attend the bimonthly event. “Anybody who wants to practice their spoken English is invited. We have students that come, staff that comes and even spouses that come,” Lea Barthuly, a head faculty leader of the program, said.

NEWS PAGE 3

The meetings often run through prepared questions, Barthuly said. After splitting into small groups, a question is read aloud, and the attendees are encouraged to answer in English. Each small group includes at least one native English speaker who is able to answer any questions participants may have about pronunciation or grammar. The questions are meant to help participants practice their English and get to know their fellow attendees. Barthuly said “Would You Rather” has been played in the past as an entertaining way to pose new questions, practice the language and enjoy the company of fellow peers. In addition to the interactive practice students and staff gain from attending the English Table, attendees also get to enjoy the food provided at each event, Barthuly said. A different snack is prepared each week, and participants get to enjoy their treat all while sharing in community with other campus members. Xin Li, a visiting PhD student from China, has been attending the English table ever since she first arrived at Notre Dame. In addition to the learning opportunities

SCENE PAGE 5

the event provides, Li said English Table can be a wonderful opportunity to get to know other cultures and deepen the understanding of diversity on campus. Because there are so many cultures represented at the English Table, attending the event is a wonderful opportunity to enrich one’s knowledge of different people and cultures all across campus, as well as the world, Barthuly said. “I think that it’s a place for people to come and talk about their lives in a safe setting and feel like they have the time to express themselves despite their language ability,” Barthuly said. “It’s an environment where no one is expected to be perfect.” Barthuly encourages any student, whether a native or non-native speaker, to attend and join the English Table community. “We’re here to provide a community and language help, as well as cultural assistance,” Oglesbee said. “We do a lot to provide services across the board for our international friends on campus.” Contact Hannah Tonsor at htonsor@nd.edu

VIEWPOINTPAGE 6

Award-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie will speak at Notre Dame on March 19, the University announced in a Wednesday press release. The event is part of see AUTHOR PAGE 4

University warns against travel, cancels programs Observer Staff Report

In preparation for spring break, any student, faculty or staff member who chooses to travel to China, South Korea, Italy or Iran — which have been placed at a Level 3 travel advisory warning because of COVID-19 — may

in an email to the campus community. Any visitors or residents from a country which has been designated a Level 3 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must also self-isolate for 14 days and obtain medical clearance, the email said.

CRISTINA INTERIANO | THE OBSERVER

not return to campus until they have self-isolated for 14 days and received proof of medical clearance from a physician, said Paul Browne, vice president for public affairs and communications,

In addition, the University has cancelled its 2020 summer programs in China and Italy. Other study abroad programs will continue,

ND W BASKETBALL PAGE 12

MEN’S BASKETBALL PAGE 12

see VIRUS PAGE 4

TODAY

The observer | Thursday, March 5, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Question of the Day: ndsmcobserver.com

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

In what year did the modern day ‘spring break’ begin in the US? (Answer: 1936)

P.O. Box 779, Notre Dame, IN 46556 024 South Dining Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556

Laura Taylor

Dominique Gousset

senior off campus

“1949.”

“1970.”

Madeleine Mauck

Brandi Muys

senior Opus Hall

freshman McCandless Hall

“1951.”

“2001.”

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Vanessa Hawkins

Kayla Knapp

Editor-in-Chief

sophomore Holy Cross Hall

senior Le Mans Hall

“1980s.”

“1860.”

Editor-in-Chief Maria Leontaras Managing Editor Natalie Weber

Asst. Managing Editor: Mary Steurer Asst. Managing Editor: Mary Bernard

Notre Dame News Editor: Tom Naatz Saint Mary’s News Editor: Maeve Filbin Viewpoint Editor: Evelyn Stein Sports Editor: Connor Mulvena Scene Editor: Mike Donovan Photo Editor: Nola Wallace Graphics Editor: Diane Park Social Media Editor: Mary Bernard Advertising Manager: Landry Kempf Ad Design Manager: Ruby Le Systems Administrator: Stephen Hannon Talent & Inclusion Manager: Zixu Wang Office Manager & General Info

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HANNAH HUELSKAMP | The Observer

The Notre Dame hockey team celebrated senior night during its last home game of the season Friday. The undergraduate members of the team joined the ice to help recognize the program’s graduates. The Irish lost 3-1 against Michigan State.

The next Five days:

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

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Words in Prayer and Song Snite Museum of Art 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Rosary and choral performance.

Code Café 246 Hesburgh Library 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Community help with coding. Free coffee and cookies available.

Spring Break campus-wide all day No classes in session. Classes will resume March 16.

Irish Music Concert DPAC 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Featuring Danú and Goitse music ensembles.

“Just Mercy” Showing Browning Cinema DPAC 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Tickets are $4.

Men’s Basketball vs. Virginia Tech Purcell Pavilion 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Irish take on the Hokies.

Basilica Mass Basilica of the Sacred Heart 10 a.m. All are welcome to attend.

Basilica Mass Basilica of the Sacred Heart 11:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend.

News

ndsmcobserver.com | Thursday, March 5, 2020 | The Observer

student SENATE

Associate VP discusses senior exclusion policy By ISABELLA VOLMERT News Writer

Associate vice president of Residential Life Heather Rakoczy Russell spoke with the student body senate during Wednesday’s weekly meeting concerning the onoff campus differentiation policy. Rakoczy Russell met with the Hall Presidents Council (HPC) last week to discuss the same policy. The controversial policy was first proposed in April 2019 and was met with widespread resistance during the same time, including a protest led by students outside of the Main Building and a petition against the policy that amassed over 5,000 signatures. The policy is set to go into effect for the 2021 fall semester, first affecting the class of class of 2022, who are currently sophomores. The policy is coupled with the senior enhancement and incentive policy which will provide free laundry, the elimination of the $250 per semester upcharge for singles in dorms and $2,000 incentives given to certain students to commit to on-campus living their senior year. The on-off campus

Lion King Continued from page 1

renowned like ‘The Lion King’ as a wardrobe person,” she said. Managing the costumes for “The Lion King” is a large undertaking, Bialko said, due to the show’s minimalistic set. “It’s a huge wardrobe call,” she said. “There’s truly very little scenery, but there’s a lot of glorious lighting and a lot of costumes. So, there’s quite a lot of us who are needed to be wardrobe [members] as well as puppet workers.” The wardrobe managers are divided into specific crews, each of which have certain jobs to perform during the shows. “There’s actually a specific laundry crew, which is typical on every show,” Bialko said. “Then during the shows themselves, we help people with changing their clothes. It’s a lot more complicated and intense than what that sounds initially. There’s actually quite a lot of running around backstage.” Bialko said she thoroughly enjoys being a part of theatre productions because of the fastpaced nature of the job. “It’s a lot of quick problem solving on your feet,” she said. “It’s really enjoyable because you get to help the performers be ready to do their job.” Originally, Bialko said she wanted to use her passion for

differentiation policy gives priority to on-campus residents for interhall sporting events and hall dances. Additionally, “current hall residents [would] comprise the leadership of all hall events and activities,” according to the current draft. Rakoczy Russell first stressed this policy is not a “senior exclusion policy.” “If I were to believe this was meant to exclude anyone, I would have signed the petition,” Rakoczy Russell said. “I would have been on God Quad.” She went on to explain the policy. She gave three specific reasons as to why the policy was created. “First and foremost, we believe there is something really special about residential life at Notre Dame,” she said. “The second reason is that [the senate] and HPCs of the past would have been champions of this policy.” Rakoczy Russell explained one of the main reasons the on-off campus differentiation policy was created was to solve inconsistencies between dorms regarding how off-campus former residents were affected by rules regarding parietals, participation in dorm sports

design to become a civil engineer. “I started out in civil engineering and environmental science, wanting to go into preservation of historical structures and eventually into law for environmental and preservation reasons,’’ she said. “I found out as an engineer, you spend a lot of time not physically interacting with the old stuff I love. With scenic design, you get to interact with the old stuff everyday — you get to research it, you get to replicate it, you get to tweak it in the design sense to make it tell part of the story of the play.” Bialko said she has found a love for teaching students lessons that are applicable both inside and outside the classroom. “The appeal to me is to get to work with students that closely every day and to not only teach them, ‘This is how you draft this kind of pattern,’ but also life skills,” she said. Working in theatre enriches and complements the human experience in many ways, Bialko said. “What I really love about theatre is how collaborative it is,” she said. “You are part of a team every single day. You are working toward a common goal every single day. ... I think [the arts] serve a very important enrichment for [mental health] in our world, and the joy and pride of being a part of that is very, very special to me.” Contact Genevieve Coleman at gcoleman01@saintmarys.edu

and dances, use of common spaces and policies concerning alcohol use among others. “The genesis of this question came from students like you to solve inconsistencies,” she said. She later mentioned many of these inconsistencies fell on gendered lines between the dorms. “[The third reason for the policy] is because we’d like you to share the values, with those who are open to it, the values that you are taught while you live in the residence halls,” Rakoczy Russell said. “We hope that if you chose to go off campus, you take the good things you have learned and invest them where you are — meaning South Bend.” She explained part of this policy is to incentivize seniors to stay on campus, but should they choose to go off campus, they will have chosen to look beyond the dorm community to establish their own community among other off-campus residents and within the larger South Bend community. She said this could look like off-campus dances and charitable service work in South Bend. Rakoczy Russell stressed the policy has been discussed

with numerous groups including the sophomore class council, HPC, hall staff and more, and has since gone through various revisions. The result was, as she said, a policy “that would be narrow enough to to give guidance, broad enough to allow exceptions and simple enough to be an elevator speech.” Senators then voiced their opinions with the associate vice president of residential life. Sophomore and Alumni senator Jack Rotolo talked about how the policy will affect students on top of the new six-semester, on-campus requirement which will also go into affect with the class of 2022. “I’m a little worried [offcampus seniors] are going to feel removed from their community, the only community they’ve known for three years,” he said. Howard senator Michelle Sobolewski voiced a similar concern. “Speaking as a sophomore,” she said. “I was curious why it was rolled out during our year?” Sobolewski was concerned that the policy would result in a culture change specifically felt by the current sophomore class. Paid Advertisement

Rakoczy Russell responded by saying the change was chosen to be rolled out alongside the six-semester on-campus policy. Multiple seniors expressed they thought the measure to be punitive. Rakoczy Russell reiterated several times against this view. “It’s not meant to inf lict pain,” she said. “It’s meant to address concerns about consistency and sometimes inequity.” Rakoczy Russell also noted several times that the new policies under the current draft, especially concerning Rec Sports, dorm dances and dorm leadership, will be allowed exceptions under the discretion rectors and rector supervisors. These exceptions would be made in consideration of current and past policies exhibited by similar dorms on campus. “I want diversified unity,” Rakoczy Russell said. The policy will be finalized during the week of March 23. However, Rakoczy Russell mentioned it is possible to change the policy in the future, much like the rules of du Lac. Contact Isabella Volmert at ivolmert@nd.edu

News

The observer | Thursday, March 5, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Author Continued from page 1

provided that travel advisories for the countries in question remain below Level 3. The 106 Notre Dame students who’ve returned to the

U.S. from Italy will work with Notre Dame International and their relevant academic deans to discuss individual academic plans. While Browne said some of the students will return to Notre Dame, some may stay home but still have the

option to return if their academic plan allows. The Emergency Operations Center and Emergency Response Policy Committee have worked together to monitor coronavirus developments and orchestrate responses as the situation

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changes. “Words cannot adequately express the appreciation we have for the many people who worked tirelessly to execute on the decision to suspend the programs and bring our students back,” Brow ne said in the email.

Virus Continued from page 1

the Sr. Kathleen Cannon, O.P. Distinguished Lecture Series. Adichie is the recipient of a 2008 MacArthur “Genius Grant,” the release said. She is known for her novels “Half of a Yellow Sun” and “Purple Hibiscus,” as well as the essay “We Should All Be Feminists,” which was adapted from her 2012 TED Talk of the same title. Her books have won awards including the Orange Prize, the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Hurston/ Wright Legacy Award. “We are grateful to bring such a renowned, accomplished author to speak to the Notre Dame community,” associate professor of theology Fr. Paulinus Odozor said in the release. “Ms. Adichie uses her work and platform to advocate for the best in humanity, and we look forward to learning from her experience when she lectures on campus.” The lecture will be held at 7:30 p.m. in Leighton Concert Hall in the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. Adichie’s talk is free but ticketed.

The observer | Thursday, March 5, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

By MIKE DONOVAN Scene Editor

Futures crash into our presents like overdriven, guitarbased romps: crunchy, percussive, unremitting and, more often than not, as uncanny iterations of, familiar pasts. These past-inflected visions, which conjure the magic and madness of pop music’s most compelling material, inhabit every aspect of Ratboys’ latest full-length, “Printer’s Devil.” “A Vision” strings together strands of hope and decay, Julia Steiner (’14: singer, songwriter and founder of the Chicago-based outfit) seems to say when she quietly dreams about “a dying blade of grass” before waking “up in an instant to find it had come to pass.” And, against accepted logic, the vision’s multithreaded composition signals unity over separation, comfort over tension. Perhaps it’s Steiner’s polyphonic and textural chemistry with guitarist Dave Sagan (’15), years in the making (the two began performing together during their freshman year at Notre Dame), underpinning the band’s DIY urgency with an indelible optimism. Or maybe it’s the duo’s newly solidified relationship with bassist Sean Neumann and drummer Marcus Nuccio, the final two pieces of the four-piece puzzle. More likely though it’s the hardwood sturdiness of Steiner’s songs, the craftsmanship of which pays homage to previous decades’ twee pop wordsmiths (Tiger Trap, Heavenly) and indie rock mood slingers (Yo La Tengo,

By JAKE WINNINGHAM Scene Writer

I have the same routine every time I come home from a horror movie. As I’m driving, I can’t help but look into my empty backseat, expecting to see the latest boogeyman patiently waiting to jump and force me off the road. I have absolutely no idea what I’ll do when I finally find Michael Myers or Freddy Kreuger sitting in my car; all I know is that I don’t want to see them. But I look anyway. The appeal of horror movies doesn’t come from things that go bump in the night, the poltergeists and demons that populate our nightmares. It comes from our inability to look away. Leigh Whannell’s spectacular “Invisible Man” remake expertly plays upon that dynamic by making vision and erasure the central metaphors of its story. Instead of focusing on the titular scientist as earlier film versions have, this latest take on H.G. Wells’ tale centers on one of his victims. Elisabeth Moss stars as Cecilia, a woman trapped in an abusive relationship with wealthy scientist and “optics pioneer” Adrian Griffin whose Silicon Valley pedigree and nouveau-riche affectations place the story firmly in 2020. Cecilia’s opening escape from Griffin’s mansion establishes the whiteknuckle tenor of the film, with the glass and mirrors design of the house foregrounding the importance of transparency in a movie all about sight. With the help of her sister and a local cop (Harriett Dyer and Aldis Hodge, both going above and

Dinosaur Jr.) alike while never sacrificing, in its delivery, an aesthetic all its own. At times, Steiner’s aesthetic rouses listeners to motion. The barn-obliterating “Look To,” for instance, stirs the muscles full-throated power chords and a thickened parallel bassline as Steiner’s infectiously agitated drawl embodies the headspace of “a restless little tyke / bombing hills in the summertime.” Thematically, “Look To” depicts the fraught protagonist from the band’s rollicking 2016 single “Not Again” (“Back then my teenage energy / would take a thousand shapes”) in a state of pre-adolescent innocence, but it does so with a tone of sonic maturity, assigning to the track’s straightforward structure an evocative non-linear scope. Other points on the record — most notably, during the title track at its completion — Steiner and company trade stimulation for simulated railways on which to shuttle listeners straight and steady. These lines cut through “a frozen meadow / the dead of night,” synthesized between Neumann-Nuccio’s near robotic groove and SteinerSagan’s ephemeral melodic slipstream leaving the listener in a layer of liminal hypnosis. The undeniable peaks of the track list, though, rise where the rousing and hypnotic meet: the “Victorian Slumhouse.” Baiting listeners with a swiveling hook signaling Dickensian aspirations, the record’s standout track pulls a switch, dumping the hapless head-bobbers “on the corner, by the Tesco parking lot.” “Eyes wide with

fascination,” intrigued by their off-camber locale, the listeners can’t help but hope “as the dump trucks unloaded three tubs of mud,” ushering in a dimmer, burlier B-side: “Clever Hans” and “Listening’s” subsequent soup. Following the frenetic fragments of their debut, “AOID,” and the subdued spunkiness of their follow-up, “GN,” Ratboys’ third full-length finds the band fully realized. Sometimes energetic, at other times chill and much of the time both, “Printer’s Devil” more than lives up to its “chillergenic” label (note: Steiner introduced fans to joys of “chilleregenic” on Feb. 28, the “Printer’s Devil” release show). Listeners would be remised if they didn’t join in on the chillergy, especially with all these futures crashing into our present at the moment, making everything go boom.

beyond what could be thankless roles), Cecilia hides out from Adrian and tries to readjust to life on her own. After Adrian commits suicide, Cecilia thinks that she can finally rest easy and begin the long process of healing. Everything is not what it seems, however, and a series of increasingly suspicious events leaves Cecilia sure that Adrian is haunting her from beyond the grave. It’s a shame that Whannell had to keep the title of the film; with the source of Cecilia’s haunting revealed before we even enter the theater, plenty of the story’s potential ambiguity goes out the window. With that enigma accounted for, Whannell ratchets up the quality of the film’s scares, using both the visual aptitude he showed off in “Upgrade” and the perverse creativity of his “Saw” screenplays to craft a genuinely terrifying piece of audience manipulation. Mainstream horror cinema has a basic rule regarding negative space: If there is an empty area in the frame, the audience can be sure that it will be filled. Talented directors know how to use this negative space to thrill and scare moviegoers, whether it’s Spielberg hiding the shark in “Jaws” or Oren Peli using a slowly roving camera to drive up tension in “Paranormal Activity” (whose suburban setting and deliberate pace are an obvious influence on “The Invisible Man”). Whannell gleefully inverts the audience’s expectations of negative space; his empty areas remain unfilled even as the music ramps up and the camera creeps closer. A pair of scares — one involving frozen breath on a cold night, the other using a can of paint

— will immediately sear themselves onto the brains of anyone who watches them, perfectly encapsulating the appeal of “The Invisible Man.” The audience — and Cecilia — know that Adrian is somewhere in the frame, hiding in chairs and open doorways. We just can’t see him. “The Invisible Man” isn’t flawless — the third act, in particular, suffers from a jump to sci-fi-inflected action sequences — but it doesn’t need to be. It is the rare multiplex horror film with no aspirations towards “elevated horror.” Even as it soberly depicts gaslighting and toxic masculinity to drive the story forward, Whannell’s script concerns itself first and foremost with thrills. Moss’ performance is the heart of the film, her panic and resourcefulness immediately making Cecilia an ideal audience surrogate. Whannell follows Moss’ lead, letting his protagonist be truly vulnerable and giving her ingenious ways to strike back against her tormentor. By the time Cecilia shares a look with the audience at the end of the film, Moss and Whannell have taken a timeless horror classic and given it new, vital life. Even as it terrified me, even as I chewed over its unflinching violence and portrayal of PTSD, the true power of “The Invisible Man” didn’t strike me until I was well out of the theater. I spent plenty of time on the drive home looking into the back seat. Once again, I didn’t see anything — but now, that’s the scariest possibility of them all.

Contact Mike Donovan at mdonov10@nd.edu

“Printer’s Devil” Artist: Ratboys Label: Topshelf Records Favorite Tracks: “Look To,” “Victorian Slumhouse,” “A Vision” If you like: Dinosaur Jr., Heavenly, Yo La Tengo

Contact Jake Winningham at jwinning@nd.edu CRISTINA INTERIANO | The Observer

The observer | thursday, March 5, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Senior spring

Inside Column

What if someone gave up their phone for Lent? Jimmy Ward Sports Writer

This Viewpoint column really snuck up on me. As I brainstormed ideas of what I could write about with so much going on in the global scene and scrolled through Twitter, I was reminded of my sacrifice for Lent. My goal was to reduce my screen time. Usually when I check my phone I am bored, and according to my iPhone’s statistics, I waste a significant amount of my time on entertainment and social networking. Approximately two hours to be exact. So that being said, my goal for Lent is to cut my screen time by at least two hours. As I was chatting with my mother over lunch this weekend, we started talking about how technology has changed our society. This topic came up when she was complaining about how my dad entered Notre Dame’s 2020-21 football schedule on her Google calendar. He had not entered whether the games were home or away. I showed her how to sync his calendar with her calendar, but after the process asked for permission to access her calendar she said she “didn’t want big brother watching.” Frankly, I can’t blame her. My mom’s life practically revolves around her Google calendar, so maybe it is for the best one less person knows what she is doing at all times. She recalled an incident a few weeks ago. We have all heard the exact same stories. My mom walked into a pet store to look at the dog food we purchase on Amazon to see if we were actually saving money. When she walked out of the store, Amazon sent her a notification asking if she needed to order some more dog food. Of course, Amazon knows from her purchase history that the dog food is a revolving purchase, but the fact it asked her if she needed any as she was leaving the pet store empty handed is suspicious. Like I said, we have all heard these stories. Many of us have become so ingrained in this technological revolution we just don’t care how much the companies in charge of securing our privacy know about us. So as I pondered trying to stay away from my phone, I thought of my sister. My sister Mary Kate practically gives up her phone during the summer months. Everyone in our family thinks it is absolutely absurd. She turns off her phone in the morning and checks in for a bit before going to bed at night. So if Mary Kate is out with friends and — God forbid — something happens to her or her car, she will have to use someone else’s phone. But is this really even that big of a problem? I’d guess 95% of people you see on a daily basis have a charged phone on them that they are willing to share with someone in trouble. But what would it look like for someone to turn off electronics completely? I can say with certainty that Mary Kate is happier when she is not on her phone throughout the day, but she still checks in for some time at night. Would it even be possible for someone to give up their phone for Lent? What about technology as a whole? What kind of person would that take? I think that it would take a very unique person, but it can’t be ruled out. Maybe someone reading this column, in print of course, has taken on the challenge. I would love to hear more about it and the thought process. Unfortunately, I am not sure if The Observer accepts handwritten columns. Contact Jimmy at wward@hcc-nd.edu The views expressed in this Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Ben Testani

old roommate who stayed on campus in your former hall because you cannot swipe in anymore.

Off Campus, On Topic

When this week concludes, I will have a mere onesixteenth of my time as an undergraduate remaining. The temperature has crept above 40° for consecutive days. The blinds in my house are open to let in precious sunlight. St. Patrick’s Day looms large, as Irish across campus prepare to celebrate the holiday on campus for the first time in years. My Friday class was made optional, meaning I have required class only twice a week. All of these factors signify just one thing — it is senior spring. There are many sentimental feelings and thoughts to process. What did my time at Notre Dame mean to me? Did I get everything out of it that I could have? Do I regret choosing this University out of the thousands around the world? After graduation, will I see my friends again? But March of senior year is not the time for this level of emotional depth. With academics on cruise control for most seniors and job offers or graduate school acceptances largely secured, it is victory lap time. We made it. And now it is time to have fun. Without further ado, I present my defining guide on what the class of 2020 should attempt to accomplish before May 17. Never set foot in Hesburgh Library again Let’s face it, you are not doing homework. You might tell your mom you have homework when she calls at 8:30 p.m. on a Thursday night, but you and I both know you are racing your lab partners to see who can get to Brothers first. I posit if you are not doing any homework in the first place, Duncan Student Center is better than Hesburgh in every way. It is closer to the parking lot, Mendoza and DeBartolo. There are more friends around to distract you. The people working the restaurants in Duncan have yet to be charged with fraud for stealing our credit card information. You can lie and tell your crush that you are on the way to work out if you run into them in Duncan. None of this is possible in Hesburgh. Pool party on South Quad Freshman year, when it was unseasonably warm in late March, one of my good friends in Alumni ordered two kiddie pools from Amazon and set them up on South Quad. I designed a filter for Snapchat, and we dubbed ourselves the South Quad Pool Squad. It was fun but has potential for greatness. First off, now almost every senior is of legal drinking age. Imagine a designated kiddie pool for adult refreshments. Secondly, with more hall involvement, this pool party could be a serious event. Morrissey Manor men mixing it up with the women of Howard, while Alumni rocks their Hawaiian shirts and Badin shows off the innate connection with water that earned them the nickname the Frogs. Dillon, however, is not invited. Baumer is not South Quad. Use the bathroom in a building you have never been inside I have only had class in a select few buildings on campus. Having never attended another university, I have no idea if this is normal at other colleges, but to me it seems weird. If you are in Arts and Letters, you spend your time in O’Shag and DeBart trying to convince your parents your major is relevant. If you are in Mendoza, you look down on the rest of campus from Mendoza. If you are in the College of Science, enjoy walking to Jordan in January. There are buildings I have walked by hundreds of times and never stepped foot inside. That chemistry building by the library, either hall of architecture and the Eck Visitors Center near the bookstore are a few examples. What better way to get to know a building than to find its most secluded bathroom? Next time you walk by a building and realize you have never been inside of it, pop in and use the bathroom. Whatever you do, however, do not try to visit your

Get something wrong on a homework assignment Notre Dame students are nerds. This is not a hot take. Our school is slowly climbing up the national university rankings. Admissions standards are already to the point where I question if I would still be accepted. Students voluntarily seek permission from their deans to overload on courses each semester. We are a nerdy school. I fear at times this nerdiness is distracting from potential senior year shenanigans. I challenge my fellow seniors to let themselves get less than an A on a homework assignment at some point in the last eight weeks. I promise Deloitte, Goldman Sachs or Yale Law will not revoke your place this fall because you get one question wrong on your senior-elective finance course problem set. Write a letter to the editor of The Observer The best part of The Observer is the Viewpoint section. That is a scientific fact. But what might surprise my loyal readers it that the best part of Viewpoint is not the featured columnists such as myself but rather the Letters to the Editor. We are coming up on the one year anniversary of the leggings letter. Last month, a Letter to the Editor going unpublished led to a candidate for student body president impermissibly accessing the paper’s website. Another letter called Father John I. Jenkins a disgrace, which even I think is a little harsh. Letters to the Editor have consequences and power. Do you have reason to believe your psychology professor rides to school in a UFO? What about 500 words about why the music selection at Newf’s is responsible for the rise of Bernie Sanders? Maybe you read about the lack of pizza in South Bend compared to “New York City” and were inspired to write about how you visited Tokyo once and it is downright unacceptable how many more sushi options there were in Japan compared to Indiana. The more ridiculous your opinion is, the better. Sign your name to your ramblings and send it in. I am sure Nelisha Silva will thank you! Maybe all of these ideas sound horrible to you. The secret — that is fine too. Make your own fun for the last eight weeks. Whether you are traveling to India or Indianapolis next week (or staying here, as I have done for past breaks), remember how it feels to be completely and totally relaxed and devoid of responsibility. In two quick months, we graduate. You will soon be responsible for paying your cell phone bill, making your own doctor’s appointments and cooking something besides Kraft each night. After those two months are over, you may not see fellow members of the class of 2020 until a football game in October, until your sister’s graduation in three years or until we have a class reunion in 10 years. So do not hold back. Ask out that cute guy from your senior seminar. Run the Holy Half, even if it takes you four hours. Stop going to the library. And please, write a Letter to the Editor. It will all be worth it.

KERRI SCHNEEMAN I The Observer

Ben Testani is a senior studying international economics, Arabic and Spanish. He comes to Notre Dame via Central New York and while currently residing off campus, will always be a proud Alumni Dawg. He welcomes feedback at btestani@nd.edu or @BenTestani on Twitter. The views expressed int his column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

The observer | thursday, March 5, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

On being an American Catholic G. Matthew Molinsky Okay, Domer

My early teenage years were a time when I began to take a stronger interest in my faith. It was also the time when I became more aware of the injustices in America. Interestingly, this led to my Catholic identity becoming a way to escape from my duties as an American. Having grown up saying the Pledge of Allegiance every day at school and finding heroes in watching World War II movies with my grandfather, I felt a great disturbance when confronted with realties of my country: a history of slavery and racism, morally questionable wars and a disrespect for human life shown through mass incarceration, abortion and capital punishment, to name a few. My response, however, was not to accept these realities as my own but rather to consider them elements of an American history of which I was not a part. My response was to deny my identity as an American and instead to think of myself solely as a Catholic who happened to live in America. Instead of lingering on the problems in American history and a country that seemed focused on material gains, I turned with pride to the history of saints and to a church that preached love for all. I saw less of myself in politicians and other public figures. “Liberty and justice for all” seemed like a cruel joke rather than an ideal for which to strive. This thinking was wrong for many reasons, not the least of which being the role Catholics played in American injustices as well as the countless injustices carried out by members of Catholic Church outside of America.

Denying my American identity was problematic because it ignored both the privileges I received from these American injustices and my responsibility to work to improve my country. Though my earliest family members didn’t come to America until 1841, they still benefited immensely by being white in Cincinnati, which remains one of the most racially segregated cities in the country. The benefits of the opportunities for affordable housing, access to work and a good education which were unfairly given to my ancestors have been passed down through time to me. Additionally, I failed to recognize the duty I have to my own community. A responsibility to one’s country is evident in the Catholic faith. A Christian father is not called to abandon his family in hopes of spending more time helping the greater world, nor is he called to forget the people outside his home while he incessantly tends to his children. Rather, a Christian father is called to show love to all, with an understanding that he has been given a specific duty to pay special care to his family — to ensure not only their protection but also their development into good sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers. So, too, is the American Catholic called to be a member of the worldwide Church but also given a specific duty to care for and see to the development of his or her country. Notre Dame helped me to see a way I could live out both my American and Catholic identities. The most concise way to put it is written on the World War I memorial on the side of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart — “God, Country, Notre Dame.” Notre Dame has a rich tradition of performing its duties as an American institute through embracing its Catholic mission. Many Holy Cross priests, nuns and brothers have served in the United States military as chaplains,

counselors and nurses, the most well-known being Fr. William Corby at the Battle of Gettysburg. Notre Dame is quite fond of publicizing Fr. Hesburgh’s role on the Civil Rights Commission, which aided in the creation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. But the greatest sign of Notre Dame’s commitment to the United States is the graduates: the politicians, community leaders, doctors, lawyers, business leaders, engineers and the others who after walking down the steps of the Main Building went on to improve our country. There is a Notre Dame football tradition that helps me to understand my identity. As the Irish guards raise the American flag and the crowd sings “America the Beautiful,” excerpts from the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are read over the PA system, followed by the singing of the national anthem. All while this is going on, the marching band stands in the formation of the cross and anchors — the symbol of the Order of Holy Cross. Altogether, this scene is a commitment to the ideals professed both by the Catholic faith and the founding of America. I am very thankful for this short opportunity to remind myself of how proud I am to be an American and a Catholic and to remember what those identities call me to do. Matthew is the 3-Talley RA in Alumni Hall, from Cincinnati. He majors in civil engineering with an itty bitty minor in theology. Writing this column is the last in his long list of shortly lived passions. He can be reached at gmolinsk@nd.edu and @coltonjorge on Twitter. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

letter to the editor

On philosophy and morality Coming of age as a Catholic in the beginning of this millennium has been a fraught experience, as I’m sure many Notre Dame students can attest. The young Church has been rocked by scandal upon scandal and coverup upon coverup. Years of accumulating headlines detailing the full extent of the clerical sexual abuse scandal were further sensationalized this past week when an internal report emerged citing credible allegations of repeated sexual abuse by Jean Vanier, a man who prior had been lauded as ‘a living saint’ for his work founding L’Arche International. There’s a different kind of sting that cuts through this generalized numbness and weariness when the scandal strikes home. For me, this personal reckoning came from my secular life when it was announced earlier this week that a lecturer of ethics and philosophy of religion at one of my university’s constituent colleges has pled guilty to possession of indecent images of children. The depth of betrayal I felt surprised me; I had not been his student nor had had much interaction with him in my time at Oxford prior. As a graduate student — and a humanities student to boot — I did as I was trained and took to writing both to explore and express why I felt so affected. Beyond the obvious, the reason I was most appalled was I felt this professor had betrayed his responsibility to the public, and by extension, his profession. Philosophy is notoriously difficult to define, and even more difficult to justify in today’s world. As an aspiring academic philosopher, I have had to contend with the usual bout of questions over what I do and how exactly philosophy will translate into a meaningful career. In addition to these, I’ve had a lot of questions that can be distilled down to a request for justification: to provide an account of the relevance of my work. Why, in other words, should universities carve out a place for people whose job it is to reflect on, and at times dismantle, the seemingly obvious truths about the world? Friends and family point out that bickering about whether we exist physically or if homicide is ever justified ignores solid, widely held intuitions, and more concretely, ignores the ways in which we actually conduct ourselves. Even if we have no extramental reality, for example, we will still act as if our bodies and physical interactions with the universe matter and exist, and otherwise structure our

lives accordingly. Similarly, stylized utilitarian arguments will fail to commit all but the most dedicated among us of the limited acceptability of murder in spite of personal aversion. Philosophers have never claimed a monopoly on morality, but they have claimed a role in transmitting it to the public sphere. Since Plato’s “Republic,’’ philosophers have been concerned with pursuing the truth of matters, even when that task requires delving into the deepest parts of our humanity and our most closely held intuitions and prejudices. There’s a certain intellectual courage exhibited in choosing to question not just the status quo, but the assumed limitations of human nature. This work is difficult and fraught with mistakes, since it requires an unflinching examination of one’s own position and a willingness to admit and attempt to rectify personal error. The rigor of reasoning and critical reflection are perhaps the most important tools in the philosopher’s kit. These, combined with the tenacity to push beyond and look through preconception to novel discoveries about ourselves, are what set professional philosophers in a unique position to safeguard the moral consciousness of the public. Their vocation is not to legislate morality, but like a mirror to reflect back the implications and understandings of our pretheoretical convictions to us. In other words, philosophy is anchored in the transcendent, but aims to equilibrate with the here and now. Philosophy is a public dialogue that in its best form is action guiding; it shores up and develops further support for many of our keenly felt intuitions while also allowing ample space to challenge those which might be prejudicial, irrational or detrimental. In spite of this, philosophers, like priests or so many of our other political and cultural leaders, are flawed. The lives of many moral philosophers rarely read out so measured and principled as the literature they produce. In fact, some philosophers in both work and private life may rightly be said to have had what Bernard Williams would call “one thought too many.” This tragedy of the oh-so-human shortcomings is more evident than ever to me today. Immediately, a certain verse from the Gospel of Luke springs to mind: “For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required” (Luke 12:48). To those who have been given every

benefit in terms of education, formal and informal moral tuition and, indeed, ready access to the wisdom of the ages, it would seem right to expect more. If not more, then at least an equivalent moral standing with “the man on the street,’’ as philosophers occasionally refer to the general public. In the face of purported moral expertise, such failings are especially egregious, if regrettably unsurprising in our world. It is this supposition that someone whose life’s work is meant to advance or maintain morality in our world and who has dedicated their professional development to deep and systematic analysis of the same can go so radically astray. The scandal of it all lies in the fact that this person, above all others, ought to have known better, and was equipped with an abundance of knowledge to know to do better. Rather than risk concluding having merely treated “philosophy as lamentation,’’ let me end on an exhortation in two parts. A large portion of the dignity of intellectual — indeed, primarily theoretical — work lies in that its aim is never merely theoretical. Philosophy, like other academic pursuits, is powerful precisely because it can be used to motivate actions, to catalyze revolutions, to give meaning, to connect people to the ineffable, to change lives for the better or the worse. Often times, we philosophers can be lost in the beauty and occasional terror of abstraction, but I would like to urge those who aim to make intellectual work their life’s labor (or are already doing so) to recall and apply a humanizing force to their work, if only by remembering the practical ramifications of theory. Secondly, I want to remind us all that the human element is inescapable; it is at play in our relationships, our University, our places of worship. Recognizing the truth and inevitability of this, however, does not excuse or mitigate the responsibility we must uphold for those who lead and guide us. The best safeguard of our morality, then, is to foster a public who cares, who does not become numb to abuse and failings and can, when required, reflect back our own humanness to those tasked with that job primarily. Abigail Whalen Class of 2019 Feb. 24

Classifieds

The observer | Thursday, March 5, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Crossword | ADAM PRINCE

Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: Creativity mixed with discipline, desire and determination will lead to a journey you won’t want to miss this year. You will attract followers and people who want to collaborate with you. Being open to what others have to offer will spark your imagination and encourage you to welcome changes and new beginnings. Romance is in the stars. Your numbers are 9, 15, 24, 28, 36, 40, 47. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Quiet time will help ease stress. Don’t get involved in another person’s drama. Channel your energy into something constructive that will bring results that you can be proud of or that will free up your time to relax and rejuvenate. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Think big, ad make changes that position you for advancement. Traveling, taking meetings, making educational pursuits and pitching what you have to offer are all favored. A personal change will boost your confidence. Express your feelings. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): A systematic approach to whatever you decide to take on will be necessary. Refuse to let anyone take over or threaten your position. Use your intelligence to make changes that are put together with precision. Counter any criticism you face with facts. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Embrace your emotions, and share your feelings and intentions. Your passionate approach to what you want to see unfold will inspire others to get involved. A change to the way you live or to a relationship that’s important to you will be beneficial. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Get the OK before you move forward, and leave nothing to chance. Precision, dedication and loyalty will play roles in how far you get. Money matters will end up causing emotional turmoil if you aren’t fair or you overspend. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Doors will open, and favors will be granted. Take an active role in your community or an organization that interests you. Love is in the stars, and expressing your feelings will result in favorable adjustments to the way you live. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A dispute with someone you care about will develop if you are too friendly with someone. Loyalty will count, so don’t play with people’s emotions. You might want to share a story, but don’t gossip, or you’ll look bad. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take a chance to try something exciting. A creative suggestion will give you the push you need. A change of plans will provide you with an opportunity to learn something or do something you’ve never done. Romance is on the rise. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Think and do for yourself. If you let others meddle in your affairs, you’ll regret the outcome. Keep your opinions and plans secret. Intelligence and common sense will help you bypass intruders offering lousy advice. Trust the facts, not hearsay. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Aim to stabilize your position, finances and plans. Your ideas will be reliable, and if launched with precision and detail, you can make a sizeable profit. Love is in the stars, and celebrating with someone special is encouraged. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Focus on what’s doable, and forget about what you cannot alter. Channel your energy into improving your surroundings or making your space more convenient or affordable. A realistic approach to money, lifestyle and work will ease stress and promote discipline. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): No matter what you pursue today, put a smile on your face, have fun and enjoy the ride. Curiosity will be the vehicle that helps you surpass your expectations. Embrace change in order to set trends. A romantic gesture will enhance your life. Birthday Baby: You are persistent, kind and charming. You are helpful and resourceful.

Sudoku | The Mepham Group

Jumble | David Hoyt and Jeff knurek

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Sports Authority

men’s baseball

The NFL combine is overrated Liam Coolican Sports Writer

The NFL Combine, which occurs every year in the last week of February, gives teams an opportunity to see just how athletic the players they are considering drafting are. The players, looking to boost or cement their draft stock, go through the gauntlet of tests such as the bench press, the vertical jump, 20yard shuttle run and numerous other drills. Most players will complete positionspecific workouts as well, to show off their football skills in addition to their athleticism. The Combine serves as an excuse to talk about football for both the media and fans, as it occurs about three weeks after the Super Bowl and well before the draft. This year, the NFL pushed the Combine into primetime to attract more viewers, despite objections from players and coaches, proving it is at least in part a media spectacle. It is unclear exactly how much value teams place on the Combine. Journalists write dramatic articles with titles like, “This player made himself a lot of money at the Combine,” or, “That player cratered his draft stock.” Some players’ draft stocks have been greatly impacted by their performance at the Combine, such as former Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, Redskins running back Adrian Peterson and Texans defensive end J.J. Watt. All three moved up substantially in the draft in large part due to their incredible Combine performances. Other players, on the other end of the spectrum, have seriously harmed their draft stocks. However, in between these two extremes fall the vast majority of players. There are a few reasons why the Combine is not as valuable as many think. First and foremost, Combine drills are not typically things that would happen in an actual game. Take the 40-yard dash. It is rare that a player would ever run 40 yards straight down the field. The only times those truly happen is on long runs and punt returns, and even then, the players are wearing full pads, which typically weigh about 20 pounds. Additionally, look at the bench press. Strength is undoubtedly an important attribute, especially for positions

like lineman. However, offensive linemen are usually attempting to push someone around who is much heavier than the 225-pound bench press, and the other player is actively trying to get by them. This could be discussed for nearly every drill in the Combine. Technique is just as important as strength for nearly every position. The position-specific drills are also difficult to understand. There is little point in seeing a quarterback throw the football with no defenders covering his receiver, or watching a wide receiver run routes or catch the football with no defender to hinder his ability. It may be slightly more useful for positions where one-on-one battles are central, such as defensive back or lineman. But even then, scouts can see the same technique in person or on game film in a more meaningful situation. Almost every top prospect will participate in similar drills at his school’s pro day, which most of the the scouts will attend as well. Admittedly, there are drills where the skill measured is tough to see on film. A good example of this is the three cone drill or shuttle run, especially for positions like offensive and defensive lineman, where lateral quickness and short bursts of speed are incredibly important but tough to measure on game film or in person. Another positive aspect of the Combine is that it gives teams the opportunity to interview players, which is incredibly important when everything these players do is under a microscope. Additionally, it may provide teams with an opportunity to scout players which may have previously not been on their radar. However, any of these things can also happen at a school’s pro day, rendering the Combine useless. The Combine usually is not of any real value to players or teams, due to the unrealistic nature of the drills and the fact that there is much more to performance than simply athleticism. The Combine should be seen as what it is — a media spectacle and not as something that provides any indication of the future of the players participating. Contact Liam Coolican at lcoolica@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Irish prepare for road trip to Chapel Hill Observer Sports Staff

Notre Dame w ill travel to Chapel Hill to compete in a three-game series against North Carolina from Friday to Sunday. The Tar Heels (10-4) are the first ACC opponent who the Irish (7-2) w ill face this season. So far, the team has been successful on the road, going 7-2 through its first nine games of the season. The Irish w ill look to continue their hot streak over the course of this weekend. The team has traveled to A labama, Texas and South Carolina so far this season, giv ing all of their opponents a home field advantage. Play ing in South Bend restricts the Irish’s abilit y to have home games early in the season. Notre Dame’s first home game w ill be in late March, against a nonconference opponent in the Western Michigan Broncos.

Last year, the Irish lost t wo out of three in a home series against North Carolina. At the time, the Tar Heels were ranked 21st in the countr y. This year, Notre Dame w ill be facing an unranked Chapel Hill team. The Irish w ill head into this series w ith the memor y of last year’s loss on their minds. Looking at the Irish’s progress thus far this season, there are a few players who stand out from the crowd. After the team’s three-game sweep against Presby terian last weekend, Niko Kavadas was named one of Collegiate Baseball’s National Players of the Week. The junior from Granger, Indiana, has earned his title as the team’s most notorious hitter. In 2019, Kavadas led the Irish w ith 12 home runs. Last weekend in South Carolina, the junior hit four

home runs in three games, pav ing the way for what is expected to be a successful season. Additionally, the Granger native had a teamhigh nine RBIs and a slugging percentage of 1.125 over the course those three games. A long w ith Kavadas, the Irish are stacked w ith a strong pitching core. Notably, junior Tommy Sheehan was named ACC pitcher of the week Feb. 17. The Brielle, New Jersey, native is going to be a key piece for his team on the road against North Carolina. The Tar Heels are 10-4 on the season, w ith all four of their losses coming in the last eight games. This North Carolina team is also looking to prove itself on a major stage. The Irish present the team’s toughest series of the season so far. The first game w ill be played Friday at 3 p.m.

alexis hernandez | The Observer

Irish senior infielder Spencer Myers steps up to the plate during Notre Dame’s 5-2 victory over Virginia on April 5 at Frank Eck Stadium. The Irish went 24-30 on their season last year. The Observer accepts classifieds every business day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Notre Dame office, 024 South Dining Hall. Deadline for next-day classifieds is 3 p.m. All classifieds must be prepaid. The charge is 5 cents per character per day, including all spaces. The Observer reserves the right to edit all classifieds for content without issuing refunds.

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The observer | Thursday, March 5, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Hockey Continued from page 12

times in the same stretch. Notre Dame finished fifth in the tightly bunched Big Ten standings, while the Golden Gophers finished in a threeway tie for second and were given the fourth seed based on tiebreakers. The Irish are looking to claim their third-straight Big Ten

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made it a 13-point margin with just over 10 minutes left in the game, Goodwin would register the team’s only two points in the following seven minutes of action as Florida State steadily trimmed the lead to 63-61. Still, though, Florida State could not claim the lead. After tying the game up on their next basket, graduate student guard Rex Pflueger hit a huge three to give the Irish a slight cushion. On the next possession, the Seminoles were granted three free throws on a foul, draining them all to knot the score once more, this time at 66 points apiece. The free throw battle continued from there as Goodwin nailed two and Florida State did likewise. After senior guard T.J. Gibbs went 1-2 from the line to give Notre Dame a one-point advantage, Goodwin went up and secured a big rebound and Hubb drained a step-back jumper

title and have been unbeatable in postseason play since joining the conference, going 6-00 in tournament play. Senior goaltender Cale Morris has started all six of those games and has been a brick wall in front of the net, stopping 210 of 217 shots for a .968 save percentage. Morris has been named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player each of the last two seasons. These two teams certainly

have some postseason history, as Notre Dame defeated Minnesota 2-1 last March in the Big Ten semifinals at Compton Family Ice Arena behind an overtime winner by sophomore forward Michael Graham. Notre Dame would go on to claim their second consecutive Big Ten title after defeating Penn State 3-2 in the Big Ten championship game. This will be the first time

from the short corner to give Notre Dame a three-point lead once again. Unfortunately, those two points would be the last for the Irish. Seminoles senior guard Trent Forrest drew a foul on Mooney and sank the shot, then completed the three-point play to knot it up. Hubb dribbled to the baseline on the next play and pivoted after picking up his dribble. He managed to lull his defender up the lane and executed a drop step on the baseline, but botched the layup, and he and Pflueger failed to corral the rebound. With the shot clock turned off, Florida State came down and missed their initial shot, but the primary defender Mooney, who notched his 25th double-double of the season in the game and is the national leader in that category, failed to secure the board on the defensive end, as Forrest grabbed it and muscled in a paint bucket to give the Seminoles a 73-71 lead with 3.8 seconds left.

A half-court heave by Hubb at the buzzer bounced off the back of the rim and the Irish fell in a contest which the Seminoles held the lead for only 19 seconds of gameplay on the entire evening. Hubb led the Irish with 24 points and six assists, while Mooney achieved the Milestone of grabbing 900 career rebounds. The Irish were outscored 34-18 in the paint, but knocked down 11 threes to Florida State’s five. With the loss, the Irish must win their final regular season game against Virginia Tech on senior night to break even in their conference slate, which would be their first time doing so since the 2016-17 season. Notre Dame’s NCAA Tournament prospects are now bleak at best, and an ACC Tournament championship is likely the only path for them to punch their ticket to the Big Dance. The Irish will take on the Hokies (16-14, 7-12 ACC) at 2 p.m. Saturday in Purcell Pav ilion.

Notre Dame will have to play a conference tournament game on the road. However, head coach Jeff Jackson said in his press conference following Saturday’s game he and his team are not concerned about playing away from home. Jackson also said his team seems to be more focused on the road, as the Irish have gone 3-0-1 in their last two road series. Elsewhere around the Big

Ten, No. 2 seed Ohio State will host No. 7 seed Wisconsin, while No. 3 seed Michigan will host No. 6 seed Michigan State. Top seeded Penn State will have a bye to the semifinals and will play the lowest remaining seed after this weekend’s quarterfinals. The opening faceoff between Notre Dame and Minnesota will be at 8 p.m. Friday from 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis.

nathanial george | The Observer

Irish sophomore guard Nate Laszewski possesses the ball during Wednesday’s 73-71 loss to Florida State at Purcell Pavilion.

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WBball Continued from page 12

The game got off to a great start for the Irish, as they jumped to a 7-0 lead in the first three minutes, with freshman forward Sam Brunelle drilling a three to punctuate the game-opening spurt. Notre Dame extended the lead to 113, but their pace slowed, and the Panthers slowly crawled back into the game, narrowing the deficit to a single point at 13-12. Notre Dame got some of their mojo back courtesy of graduate student Marta Sniezek hitting a three with 31 seconds left in the period that fueled an 8-0 run to take a 21-12 lead, but the Panthers woke up and ended the period on a 22-12 run to take their first lead of the game. After going up by nine, Notre Dame did not hit a field goal for nearly six minutes of game play. They extended their advantage up to eight points in the second half, but Notre Dame was able to cut it down to 51-47 heading into a dramatic final stanza. Graduate student guard Destinee Walker and sophomore guard Katlyn Gilbert each nailed a jumper to tie the score within the first minute of the quarter, and the two

teams traded buckets for several possessions, but Pitt took a 59-57 preceding a lengthy drought from both teams that saw several minutes drain from the clock. However, much like the rest of the game, both offenses suddenly got hot for a quick spurt, but Notre Dame could only match the Panthers, as Sniezek made a layup to close the gap to 65-63 with 2:54 to go in the game. It was the last field goal for two minutes and 33 seconds of game clock, but Gilbert got a layup to fall with 21 seconds remaining to tie the game one final time. However, Notre Dame’s rally was not to be, as Pitt worked the clock down before drilling a jumper with just a pair of ticks remaining. The Irish could not get a miracle bucket, and their hopes for a deep tournament run were crushed in the first round. Gilbert had 20 points for the Irish, but no other Notre Dame player notched more than a dozen points. The Irish also got just three points from their bench. The early exit will end a streak of 24 consecutive NCAA Tournament berths, and it completes a stunning fall from grace for Notre Dame, who won the national title in 2018 and finished as the national runner-up last season.

Sports

ndsmcobserver.com | Thursday, March 5, 2020 | The Observer

W Lax Continued from page 12

matchups against Duke. “Boston College’s leading scorer is someone that we have played against. She is not a totally brand new player,” Halfpenny said. Halfpenny said she expects Saturday’s game to be a highly contested battle. “They’re solid every where,” she said. “You are talking about a program that has just been to three national championship games. They’re well coached, and the ACC is so great top to bottom, so we know it is going to be a 60 minute battle.” If the Irish can play to the level they have to this point in the season, Saturday’s game should not be an issue. So far this season, Halfpenny said she has been happy to have a plethora of players who receive quality playing time. “I think we have a fortunate situation where we have so many players that can play at a really high level,” she said. Halfpenny also acknowledged the leadership of her veteran players in junior midfielder Andie Aldave, junior attack Maddie Howe, senior defender Kathleen Roe, senior midfielder Savannah Buchanan and graduate student attack Samantha Lynch. “I think it goes without saying that the players that have been around for awhile here have stepped into a leadership role, and I have seen more confidence in them this year,” Halfpenny said. Halfpenny also praised the play of junior goalkeeper Bridget Deehan. Halfpenny stressed that Deehan is an amazing goalkeeper in her own right and doesn’t need to be compared to previous goalkeepers. “I don’t want to hear her name in the same sentence as any other goalkeeper. We’re done w ith that. We are ready to move on because this is 2020 and this is what we look like,” Halfpenny said. “Bridget is a special goalie in her ow n right, and I think she is making a massive impact on what we are doing. She had two huge 12save games in the top matchups that we have had so far this season.” Multiple freshmen have also had a huge impact on the team’s success so far this season. “Stepping into big roles and competing like veterans are freshmen [midfielder] Kasey Choma and [attack] Madison Ahern. They’ve just been fantastic for us,” Halfpenny said. Saturday’s game against Boston College will begin at 3 p.m. in Arlotta Stadium and can be viewed on ACC Network Extra. Contact Nate Moller at nmoller2@nd.edu

Hannah huelskamp | The Observer

Irish senior midfielder Savannah Buchanan runs upfield in Notre Dame’s 18-3 win over Marquette on Feb. 9 at Loftus Sports Center.

michelle mehelas | The Observer

Irish senior midfielder Kelly Donnelly takes off in Notre Dame’s 27-0 win over Kent State on Feb. 24, 2019, at Loftus Sports Center

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The observer | Thursday, March 5, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

ND WOMEN’s Basketball | Pitt 67, ND 65

ND woMEN’s lacrosse

ND prepares for Boston College By NATE MOLLER Sports Writer

The second-ranked Notre Dame will look to stay undefeated this weekend against Boston College on Saturday. The Irish (5-0, 1-0 ACC) are coming off of their first ACC win of the season Sunday against Duke, who they beat by a score of 13-9. Despite looking like one of the top teams in the country so far this season, head coach Christine Halfpenny is aware that her team still needs to improve some aspects of their game. “There are areas that we definitely want to sharpen up,” Halfpenny said. “A lot of things are coming together, but we want to keep doubling down on a lot of aspects whether it be the draw, our transition game, whether it be offensively or defensively, and our offense just continuing to find ways to score points no matter what defense we are up against.”

Notre Dame loses to Pitt, 24-year NCAA streak ends

Halfpenny also acknowledged that every defense her team has faced this season has been different in the way they play, making it very important to prepare for each team differently. “Being flexible and preparing for anything that comes up is really important for this week,” Halfpenny said. Halfpenny said Boston College (3-2) is a solid team and will definitely give it their all in Saturday’s game. “They’re very gritty, and their effort will never go away. They’ve got chemistry up and down the field,” Halfpenny said. “They have a lot of talent on their offense with multiple scoring threats.” One of the main scoring threats for Boston College will be junior Charlotte North, who transferred from Duke after last season. Halfpenny is happy that her team has prepared to face North from past see W LAX PAGE 11

By INIGO YTURRALDE Sports Writer

Junya Kanemitsuw | The Observer

W hile an at-large bid to the NCA A Tournament was v irtually impossible, the Notre Dame women’s basketball team hoped their hot streak to end the regular season was the sign of a Cinderella run in the ACC Tournament. Unfortunately, the 10thseeded Irish may have gotten caught looking ahead, they dropped a 67-65 heartbreaker to the 15th-seeded Pittsburgh Panthers to end their season in unceremonious fashion. The Panthers were just 1-17 in ACC play and 5-25 overall on the season, but they never let the Irish pull away Wednesday afternoon and, eventually, hit a game-w inning jumper w ith t wo seconds to go. Pitt stole the ball on the ensuing inbounds play to secure the w in.

Irish sophomore guard Kaitlyn Gilbert drives during an 84-60 victory against Loyola Maryland on Nov. 8 at Purcell Pavilion.

see W BBALL PAGE 12

ND men’s basketball | FSU 73, ND 71

HOCKEY

Irish to face Golden Gophers in Big 10 playoffs

Squad collapses, loses again

Observer Sports Staff

After closing out the regular season at home this past weekend w ith a 2-2 draw against Michigan State, Notre Dame w ill prepare to make the trip to Minnesota this weekend for the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament. The Irish and Golden Gophers w ill play a best-of-three series as postseason action begins across the conference. The Irish and Golden Gophers played four times in the regular season, w ith each team w inning once on the road. The two teams also tied tw ice. Senior for ward Cam Morrison and sophomore defenseman Nick Leivermann were the most dominant players for Notre Dame against Minnesota this season. Morrison tallied a goal and four assists in the four games against the Golden Gophers, while Leivermann scored four

The Notre Dame men’s basketball team collapsed at home Wednesday night in a game they controlled v irtually from the outset. The Irish (18-12, 9-10 ACC) fell to the No. 7-ranked Seminoles in a game Notre Dame desperately needed to w in to maintain any hope of receiv ing an at-large bid to the NCA A tournament. Senior for ward John Mooney got the Irish on the board first, scoring their first four points until the Seminoles (25-5, 15-4 ACC) took the lead w ith a 3-pointer. From there, it seemed to be Notre Dame’s game. Sophomore guard Prentiss Hubb answered w ith his ow n three to reclaim the lead for Notre Dame, and Mooney contributed one of his ow n to double up Florida State at 10-5. The Seminoles made a run to cut it to 10-9, but the hot shooting continued for the hosts as Hubb nailed another shot from dow ntow n

see HOCKEY PAGE 10

hannah huelskamp | The Observer

Irish senior forward Cam Morrison skates down the ice during Notre Dame’s victory over Michigan State at home Saturday.

and sophomore for ward Nate Laszewski chipped in w ith one of his ow n. The Seminoles kept the margin close, but the Irish managed to steadily build their margin back up. A basket by sophomore guard Dane Goodw in and t wo from Hubb, including yet another three, made it a five-point lead. As the score stood at 34-31, an 8-2 run by Notre Dame made it a 42-33 game, but the Irish allowed the Seminoles to a buzzer-beating lay up to send the teams into the intermission w ith Notre Dame leading 42-35. Coming out of the break, Florida State cut the lead to 44-40, but Goodw in soon went on a solo scoring tear, putting up 10 consecutive points for Notre Dame to make it a 54-43 game. The Irish eventually ballooned their lead to 61-48, their largest advantage of the contest, but from then on they went cold.Hubb’s three see SOFTBALL PAGE 10