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Volume 53, Issue 108 | monday, april 1, 2019 | ndsmcobserver.com
ND LGBT alumni award Mayor Pete Bi-annual award for LGBTQ leadership given to South Bend mayor. names Laetare honoree By MARIAH RUSH Associate News Editor
Observer Staff Report
The University announced in a Sunday press release it would award the 2019 Laetare Medal to Norman C. Francis — the president of Xavier University of Louisiana — during Notre Dame’s 2019 Commencement. In the press release, University President Fr. John Jenkins lauded Francis’ achievements. “For more than 50 years, Dr. Francis has been at the center of civil rights advocacy by leveraging the power of Catholic higher education,” Jenkins said in the release. “In bestowing the Laetare Medal upon him, Notre Dame recognizes his leadership in the fight for social justice through educational empowerment.” According to the press release, Francis has served as president of Xavier University for 47 years. During this time, the school’s enrollment increased threefold and its endowment is now eight times larger than it was at the beginning of his tenure. Nationally, the school has the largest number of African American students who have graduated with degrees in biology, life sciences, chemistry, physics and pharmacy. Xavier University is both a Catholic and historically black college/university. The school was founded by St. Katharine Drexel in 1925, at a time of legal segregation in the United States, the release said. In the release, Francis saluted Drexel’s work. “I did not build Xavier; I was part of Katharine Drexel’s mission to provide quality education for all,” Francis said in the release. “All the people I worked with were part of this plan and mission, which was not only honorable, but totally necessary when you look back at what the United States was at the time.” Francis was born to a family of five children in Lafayette, Louisiana in 1931. Throughout his childhood, he attended Catholic
The Gay and Lesbian Alumni of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s (GALA-ND/SMC) awarded their biannual LGBTQ Leadership Awards Saturday evening to South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Notre Dame law alumnus John Sullivan and Fr. James Martin. Since 1996, GALA — independent from the University and College — has awarded honors to members of the community through a nomination and voting process, Bryan Ricketts, vice chair of membership of GALA, said. Ricketts said Buttigieg — who has been the mayor of South Bend since 2012 and has recently launched a presidential exploratory committee for the 2020 Democratic Party nomination — was chosen before he grew in prominence due to his committee. Buttigieg received the Larry Condren Distinguished Service Award at the ceremony for his leadership and service to the community, according to the press release for the event. “I was on campus when he wrote a letter in the newspaper coming out, and I was on campus in 2012 when we were just fighting to even have a group, so it was good to have someone out and proud in the community, and be able to look to that person as an example that you can come to South Bend, Indiana, and still be out and a public
servant,” Ricketts, a 2016 and 2017 alumnus of the University, said. Buttigieg, who attended Harvard as an undergraduate, said the climate for LGBTQ students has improved since he was in college, but there is still work to be done. “I think it’s improved, but I don’t think we are there yet,” he said. “You can tell by talking to young people — especially with the uncertain environment nationally — that a lot of people still feel vulnerable. But I also think organizations and events like where we are tonight, and a general rise in the tide of acceptance has helped us move in the right direction.” Buttigieg, a South Bend native who grew up with parents who were Notre Dame professors, said he can see the campus climate has changed. “It was still edgy to even acknowledge the idea of acceptance for the LGBT community,” Buttigieg said. “Now I think it’s more the University — sometimes a little haltingly — trying to do the right thing. So there’s no question that there has been progress. Even just the breakthrough of even having an organization on campus recognized — better late than never — shows you that there’s a trajectory here. I wish the clock was ticking a little faster than it has been, but I do think you have a lot of people here who want to do the right thing … As long as we can beckon people rather than drag them into the right place, then I think we stand a very good chance of this University community eventually becoming a leader in this respect.” Although he sees change
Power outage strikes campus Observer Staff Report
see MEDAL PAGE 3
A power feed malfunction caused a power outage in 13 buildings at 12:25 a.m. Saturday, University spokesperson Dennis Brown said in an email. Of the 13 buildings, six residence halls were affected — Lyons, Carroll, Fisher, Pangborn, Dillon and
News PAGE 2
Scene PAGE 5
Alumni. “All but Fisher were back online by 6:07 a.m.,” Brown said. “Fisher was put on a generator while repairs are made.” Another power feeder malfunction occurred around 4:45 p.m. Saturday, causing 13 buildings on Notre Dame’s campus to lose power, Brown see POWER PAGE 3
Viewpoint PAGE 6
MARIA LEONTARAS | The Observer
South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg receives an award for local LGBTQ leadership from Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s Alumni.
occurring in the community, Buttigieg said the University administration could do more to increase acceptance and referenced a lack of inclusivity of sexual and gender identity in the University’s non-discrimination clause. “Certainly when it comes to nondiscrimination policies on campus there is some work to be done,” he said. “Some of its more intangible — not as much about policy, but about culture. That’s where I think the involvement and visibility of groups like this — students and alumni making clear who they are and being vocal and building bridges — can really turn the tide.” John Sullivan, a 1983 alumnus of Notre Dame law, received the Distinguished Alumni Award for his work in law and advancing the rights of the LGBTQ community, according to the press release. “One of the things with good legislation is that it allows people to have conversations,” Sullivan said. “It’s not going to change everyone’s
mind, but it gives you at least a little bit of comfort and safety in that you can have those conversations in an environment that might be a little bit more safe.” Buttigieg, as a resident of Indiana — one of five states without hate crime legislation — said he hopes Indiana will soon pass hate crime legislation, perhaps through a bipartisan effort. “It’s pretty embarrassing for us to be just one of five states in the country that lacks meaningful hate crime legislation,” Buttigieg said. “The encouraging thing is that a lot of people — from Democratic legislators to a Republican governor — recognize that this needs to change. I am disappointed that the legislature has not been able to fix this yet, but I think as we keep organizing we will see improvement there.” Sullivan said resistance from some in the Catholic community see LGBTQ PAGE 4
Dance Marathon raises $173,331 By Emma Ault News Writer
Saint Mary’s hosted its 12-hour Dance Marathon on Saturday in the Angela Athletic and Wellness Complex. The money raised from Dance Marathon benefits for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. Saturday’s event was the culmination of a year-long planning
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effort by various committees at the College. Sophomore Caitlyn McKevitt, a member of the morale team, said, “We all have our personal page for the Dance Marathon so we reach out to people that we know.” With all of the donations and fundraising that the committee members and event attendees see DANCE PAGE 4
ND W basketball PAGE 12
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TODAY
The observer | monday, april 1, 2019 | ndsmcobserver.com
Question of the Day: ndsmcobserver.com
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What was your favorite meal growing up?
P.O. Box 779, Notre Dame, IN 46556 024 South Dining Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556
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freshman Lewis Hall
“Pasta.”
“Biryani.”
Ella Diab
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freshman Lewis Hall
sophomore Alumni Hall
“Chicken nuggets.”
“Sam’s fresh cookies.”
Sydney Still
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freshman Lewis Hall
sophomore Alumni Hall
“Grits.”
“Sam’s Club pizza.”
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The next Five days:
Want your event included here? Email news@ndsmcobserver.com
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
The Work of Our Hands Various venues all day Exhibition of Liturgical Vestments.
Word of Wisdom Conference McKenna Hall all day Fr. Olivier Thomas Venard’s work.
Lecture: “Investing and Markets” C B003 Stayer Commons 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Molly Shannon talks.
Global Cafe LaFortune Student Center Ballroom 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Holi Festival celebration.
Series: “Listening to Uganda” Geddes Hall Coffee House noon - 1 p.m. Lunch will be served.
Lecture: “Human Trafficking” 1050 Jenkins Nanovic Halls 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Siobhán Mullally talks.
Lecture: “Power: A Temporal View” 1030 Jenkins Nanovic Halls 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Daniel Drezner talks.
AmeriCorps Panel 512 Duncan Student Center 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Explore AmeriCorps Service Opportunities.
Spring Break Snite Family Night Snite Museum of Art 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. Open gallery with free refreshments.
Alumni Design Conference 226-228 West Lake Hall 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Design alumni to visit.
ND students advocate for peace By SERENA ZACHARIAS News Writer
Organized by Notre Dame undergraduate students, for undergraduate and graduate students from all over the world, the annual Notre Dame Student Peace Conference ran Friday and Saturday in the Hesburgh Center to promote dialogue on issues related to peace-building, social justice and conflict transformation. The theme of this year’s conference — “Expanding Circles: Peace in Polarized Age?” — encouraged students to consider inclusive peace-building in the midst of a polarized reality. The conference featured a keynote session delivered by Delaney Tarr, a founder of the March for Our Lives and graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Tarr discussed her experiences actively advocating for gun violence prevention, youth empowerment and voter registration since the Parkland shooting. “We were just another statistic; we were just another group of students going through the grief and the pain so many had before, hoping, praying and fighting for something different, for a future that maybe doesn’t have to be so bleak,” Tarr said. Throughout her session, Tarr stressed the
target of her organization’s activism. “We reminded ourselves we were fighting the core of injustice, not the people who have perpetrated it,” she said. “We were fighting the NRA, we were fighting corruption and the systems that put it in place, not the people who become victims to it.” Senior and conference co-chair Monica Montgomery said although the conference usually invites a practitioner or an academic as the keynote speaker, they specifically chose a young activist this year. “We were really excited about the prospect of a student activist because the [March for Our Lives] movement has done great things, and they’re going to continue and Delaney has been really involved,” Montgomery said. “It really relates to our theme of expanding circles of who’s involved in decision making and power because March for Our Lives has tried to redefine who can have a say in the gun debate.” In addition to Tarr’s keynote speech, the conference also included a number of breakout discussions, workshops, research presentations and film screenings proposed by students to the conference committee, all relating to the theme of this year’s conference. On Friday night, students from across campus gathered to watch the EPIX original
documentary “Under the Gun,” which examined why gun control laws struggle to pass although the number of mass shootings continues to rise. In addition, students in the Center for Social Concerns’ border immersion seminar presented a film on migration policy at the U.S.-Mexico border, Montgomery said. The conference also included talks on social movements and policy change, intersectional justice, quality and toleration in public institutions and the role of sustainable development. Montgomery said she hopes the variety of topics helped people engage in dialogue on issues they understand while also expanding their knowledge of peace studies and justice while acknowledging the reality of our modern situation. “We do live in a very polarized political system in this present day, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t work towards inclusivity,” Montgomery said. “It’s a core doctrine of peace students to look at how inclusivity can work in the peace process and how can we include more people in the negotiating table, how can we consider local groups that should be involved with these projects.” Contact Serena Zacharias at szachari@nd.edu
News
Medal Continued from page 1
schools made possible by Drexel’s philanthropy, according to the release. He was admitted to New Orleans’ Loyola University Law School in 1952, becoming the first African American student accepted. Francis served in the army and in 1957 accepted a job as “dean of men” at Xavier. “It didn’t take long for me to see that I could do more good educating young African-Americans, and when I look at the stats and where we are nationally, I never regretted it,” Francis said in the release. Additionally, Francis said he feels honored to receive the Laetare Medal in the release. “I am honored by Notre Dame recognizing me in this way,” he said. “I think the fact that I have the privilege of being among the Laetare awardees is itself a hope
ndsmcobserver.com | monday, april 1, 2019 | The Observer
and an inspiration.” In addition to being president of Xavier, Francis has served in a multitude of other roles as well, the release said. “While solidifying Xavier’s reputation of academic excellence, Francis gained renown as a civic leader and statesman. He served in advisory roles to eight U.S. presidents on education and civil rights issues and has served on 54 boards and commissions,” the release said. “He has been a member of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, a member of the Board of Trustees at the Catholic University of America and a member of the board of directors of the National Catholic Conference for Interracial Justice. He served as chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority after Hurricane Katrina. In 2006, President George W. Bush honored Francis with the nation’s highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.” Francis has previously received
two honorary awards from Notre Dame, the release said. “Francis received an honorary doctor of law degree from Notre Dame in 1988 for his commitment to education and civil rights. The University also recognized him in 2006 with a second honorary doctorate for his tireless work to rebuild Xavier and serve as chair of Louisiana Recovery Authority,” the release said. Notre Dame has awarded the Laetare Medal since 1883. The recipient is announced on the fourth Sunday of Lent, also known as Laetare Sunday — hence, the name of the award. It was intended ”an American counterpart to the Golden Rose, a papal honor that antedates the eleventh century,” the release said. Every year, the medal is awarded to “a Catholic ‘whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the Church and enriched the heritage of humanity.’”
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Dance Continued from page 1
contributed, the event raised a total of $173,331.87. Dance Marathon drew many students from the tricampus community and many first-timers as well. “I knew a lot of people who attended the event,” sophomore Anna Abel said. ”My friends and I were upset we didn’t do it last year because we saw how fun it was and we were excited to take part in it this year..” While some attended Dance Marathon for the first time, others — like McKevitt — were veterans of the event. “I participated in Dance Marathon last [year] and this year we were able to host it in Angela, a gorgeous space to be in,” she said. The change in location
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contributed to a more seamless event with greater participation from Saint Mary’s students overall, McKevitt said. “I think it went a bit smoother than last year because it was on our campus,” she said. “More girls probably wanted to do it here because it’s on the heart of our campus.” McKevitt also said that the event was not something exclusively for Saint Mary’s students. “It is a tri-campus event so we had some girls from Notre Dame and Holy Cross on my committee and I know that they have certain committee members for outreach,” McKevitt said. The event centers around donating to the children at Riley Children‘s Hospital and Abel credited this philanthropic aspect as helping foster connections among committee members. “As a nursing major … I love to see how much of a difference this event makes in the lives of those families and I hope that I’ll be able to help more people in the next years to come,” Abel said. While others, like McKevitt, may not have such a personal connection, that does not stop them from enjoying the day. “I have three favorite parts of the day,” McKevitt said. “Showing the entire crew the dance, hearing the stories because it’s honestly so touching every time you hear it and you sit back and think my money and all this hard work that we put in is going to these amazing families and they deserve it so much. And obviously, I like the end because it’s so rewarding to see the grand total right in front of you on those big posters.” The day ended with a lot of money being raised for Riley Children’s Hospital and with many happy children, McKevitt said. “I believe the kids had a lot of fun. It was just great the energy was just there. The kids were able to come up with their families and they tell their stories and you actually see who it’s impacting,” she said. “Many tears were shed, for sure.” Contact Emma Ault at eault01@saintmarys.edu
Power Continued from page 1
said in an email. According to an email from the University, affected residence halls were Carroll, Alumni, Lyons, Dillon and Pangborn. Other areas without power include Columba Hall, Sacred Heart Parish Center, Rockne Memorial, Notre Dame Golf Course, Holy Cross Annex, West Lake Hall and road lighting on St. Mary’s Road between campus and Indiana 933. “University utilities personnel and electricians are working to correct the issue as soon as possible,” the University email said. “However, there is currently no estimated time for when power will be restored.
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NEWS
The observer | monday, april 1, 2019 | ndsmcobserver.com
LGBTQ Continued from page 1
may be a result of a lack of understanding and an urge to read the Bible in a certain way that is harmful to the LGBTQ community. “A lot of it is a lack of understanding,” Sullivan said. “Once people get to know [members of the LGBTQ community], they realize how lives are pretty much the same as theirs. For us to be willing to share that, we have to be out and be willing to listen to where their concerns are.” Fr. James Martin is a Jesuit priest, and an author. Martin received the Thomas A. Dooley Award for his work in creating a platform of acceptance for LBGTQ members of the Catholic Church, according to the press release. He was unable to attend the ceremony and instead sent in a pre-recorded video message accepting his award. In his acceptance speech, Martin said LGBTQ people are still marginalized in the Church, and one way to mend that relationship is through getting to know each other. “As you know, LGBTQ people are the most marginalized group in the Catholic Church today,” Martin said in his message. “In some ways, they are treated almost like lepers in some dioceses, parishes and schools … In my experience what can help that is simply for people to get to know each other. Nothing is
as transformative as encounter.” Ricketts said there is a way to reconcile the Catholic Church’s belief and attending Notre Dame with being LGBTQ. “I came here knowing I was gay because I still felt a sense of community,” Ricketts said. “I felt connected to the Catholic campus and the sense of justice. Tonight’s prayer before we start is one of Fr. Hesburgh’s — ‘For those who are hungry, let them have bread, and for those who have bread let them hunger for justice’ — and I think that sense of purpose on the campus is meaningful. Anyone who feels drawn to that, whether they are LGBT or not, should have a home here.” Ricketts said the ability to have the GALA Leadership Awards is something that would not have always been able to occur, and he is thankful to the people at the University who has supported the LGBTQ movement. “We are very grateful to be able to hold this event on Notre Dame’s campus — that wasn’t always possible — and we are very grateful for the people from both Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s who have helped us pull this off in the past,” he said. “Even though policies aren’t as welcoming as they should be doesn’t mean there aren’t welcoming people here at the University in administrative positions.”
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The biggest scam in sports history
Inside Column
Today’s music is terrible Hayden Adams
Jeff Murphy Spilling the tea
Associate Sports Editor
Music is terrible nowadays. The music industry has been saturated with artists who pander to the masses with stupid “songs” with little-to-no substance. I miss the days when most artists could play an instrument, write and compose their own songs and sing it. I don’t want to be misunderstood. I enjoy some of today’s music, including some of the stupid “songs” I just talked about. As a Zahm House resident, we have a biweekly tradition of getting together to appreciate the female pop genre by singing and dancing along to artists like Ariana Grande, Shakira and even Taylor Swift. However, these songs should be enjoyed with the realization that they are lacking in substance. My issue with today’s music is that people genuinely think this music is artistic genius, and they idolize these personas that have been crafted for the public. It’s not artistic genius, it’s marketing genius. It’s fine to sing about men who treat you terribly such as T-Swift does — in “I Knew You Were Trouble,” “Dear John” and “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” — but at a certain point, you have to wonder if the girl is the one at fault for her terrible taste. Or, even worse, Tay-Tay is the root cause of all of this, so she can continue churning out hits about terrible men to rally her fans around her. Not to mention she has terrible pitch, and her “country” voice (which to her credit even she lampooned in her “Look What You Made Me Do” music video) is as fabricated as they come. It’s fine to sing about female empowerment as Ariana Grande does — in “Dangerous Woman,” “God is a Woman” and “No Tears Left to Cry” — but acting like a bad b---- who betrays another girl and offers her body as incentive (see “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored”) sends a conflicting message, doesn’t it? To Grande’s credit, however, she actually has singing talent, but I think she’s wasting it. And don’t even get me started on today’s versions of “country” and hip-hop. Today’s “country,” or “stadium country” as some call it (see Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Rascal Flatts), only helps feed into the stereotypes people have of southern culture, with the constant rotation of tropes such as cold beer, pickup trucks and blue jeans and the incessant nostalgic reflection on what was and could have been. But don’t get me wrong, there are a few great lyricists today — especially in hip-hop, such as Kendrick Lamar (you don’t win a Pulitzer Prize in music for nothing), Eminem and Logic. But, mumble rap — including such songs as “Gucci Gang,” “Bad and Boujee” and “Mask Off” — is an affront to what rap used to be: an honest articulation of racially-charged experience and class struggle. Again, I actually enjoy some songs in these categories, but I enjoy them because I recognize how terrible they are, whether it’s because of the fact that they are hollow of any meaning or just repetitive and catchy. But I don’t idolize these people who have a marketing team crafting their identities in the ideal way to hypnotize the masses. I miss artistic royalty like Prince and Queen (pun intended), and I long for the days when Huey Lewis was correct in saying, “The heart of rock and roll is still beating.” However, times have changed for music, and I couldn’t just sit by and “Let it Be,” as The Beatles said. So please, for your own sake, listen to some of the oldies and gain a little perspective as to what has happened to music. Then maybe, just maybe, we can keep Taylor Swift out of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Contact Hayden Adams at hadams3@nd.edu The views expressed in this Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer
Few athletes have dominated their sport like Monica Seles dominated women’s tennis. During the height of her career, she was considered virtually unbeatable. In 1990, at the age of only 16, Seles became the youngest ever champion of the French Open. In just a two-year period (from early 1991 to early 1993), Seles amassed a whopping 22 singles titles and made it to the final of 33 of the 34 tournaments she entered. Even more impressive, she lost only a single match in a grand slam tournament, winning six of the seven majors in which she competed. By the age of only 19, Seles had collected eight Grand Slam titles and secured the world No. 1 ranking with an iron fist. The only player that could remotely compete with Seles was Steffi Graf. Prior to Seles’s reign, Graf was the undisputed world No. 1. In the years leading up to Seles’s arrival, Graf collected nine grand slam titles and achieved the unprecedented “Golden Slam” in 1988 by winning all four major titles and the gold medal at the Summer Olympics. Not unlike Seles, Graf’s early career was characterized by unstoppable winning streaks and virtual invincibility. Graf had established a permanent residence at the top of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings until Seles arrived. Seles’ stretch of dominance brought Graf’s supremacy to an end. As Pam Shriver said, “[Seles] was dominating Steffi Graf, who, prior to Seles, dominated everyone else.” Can you imagine the frustration Graf must have experienced after being heralded as a contender for the greatest tennis player of all time only to be stopped by a 16 year old? That’s how incredible Seles was. To illustrate just how ridiculously impressive Seles’ early career was, consider this: In Steffi Graf’s first 14 Grand Slam tournaments, she won only one. In Seles’ first 14 attempts, she won eight. At 19 years old, Serena Williams (Heard of her?) had won only a single Grand Slam singles title. Serena didn’t win her eighth Grand Slam title until she was 25. Still not impressed? How about this: Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer also didn’t win their eighth major title until the age of 25. Novak Djokovic was even older — it took him until age 27 to capture his eighth Grand Slam. By the age at which Seles had captured her eighth major, Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert hadn’t won even a single Grand Slam title. I provide these contextual comparisons to demonstrate that Seles wasn’t just another tennis superstar; she wasn’t just the best player of her generation. Seles was the champion of a century. That all came to a screeching halt on April 30, 1993. During a match in Hamburg, Germany, Seles was stabbed in the back with a nine-inch boning knife by a spectator. The linked video captures the aftermath of the stabbing. As Seles has described in interviews, she didn’t immediately realize that she had been stabbed. In the video, you can see the look of utter horror creep across Seles’ face as she realizes what happened. It is very hard to watch. The man who stabbed Seles was Günter Parche, an obsessive fan of Steffi Graf. While being interrogated, Parche admitted that the stabbing was motivated by his desire for Graf to return to the world first ranked. Parche got exactly what he wanted. The stabbing sidelined Seles from professional tennis for over two years — a period during which she should have been collecting Grand Slams like Easter eggs — and, predictably, Graf immediately shot back up to the top of the rankings in Seles’ absence. The physical damage left by the knife required surgery to repair the muscles and tissue near the shoulder where the knife entered her back. Fortunately, the knife missed her spine and other
major organs. Physicians told Seles if she had not bent forward right before being stabbed, she would have most likely been paralyzed. Due to the nature of the wound, Seles’ surgeons predicted she could make a full recovery if she followed their instructions. However, the pain in her shoulder lasted months beyond the healing of the wound. Though Seles experienced severe physical trauma at the hands of her attacker, what she experienced after the attack cut far deeper than Parche’s knife. Following the attack, Seles entered a therapy program and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. By the winter following her attack, Seles had fallen into a deep state of depression and began experiencing uncontrollable crying episodes. Eventually, Seles developed binge eating disorder as a coping mechanism. As Seles describes in her autobiography (one of the greatest books I have ever read – seriously), this eating disorder would become her most persistent obstacle in returning to her former glory. While Seles was recovering from the physical and emotional impacts of the attack, the WTA held a meeting in Rome with the other top 25 WTA players. The meeting was held in order to decide whether Seles’ No. 1 ranking should be frozen while she recovered from the stabbing. Aside from one player who abstained, the entire body of players collectively voted against Seles. Peter Bodo’s response says it all: “The plain fact is that Monica Seles got stabbed in the back twice: first by Parche and then by tennis.” In the wake of the most violent moment in the history of their sport, the professional tennis community responded by saying, “If Seles got stabbed, that’s her problem! Now can I have her locker at Wimbledon?” The German government decided to join the WTA and bury one more massive metaphorical knife in her back by giving Parche a two-year suspended sentence. That’s right — the man who stabbed Monica Seles didn’t spend a single day in prison. Despite these unimaginable obstacles, Seles managed to make a successful return to professional tennis where she won her ninth (and final) Grand Slam title, remained a staple in the top 10 rankings and was even ranked No. 1 in the world for a short period of time. Even in the direst of circumstances, Seles triumphed. However, she never returned to her prime form. In 2003, Seles played her last professional match and eventually retired in 2008. Seles was on her way to becoming the most successful tennis player of all time. She had outpaced every legend that came before her and every champion since. If Serena Williams can win 23 (and counting) Grand Slam titles at just a fraction of the pace Monica Seles demonstrated prior to her stabbing, imagine what Seles’ career could have been. There was every indication that Seles’ dominance would have continued for years. Yet, even among tennis enthusiasts, Seles is never mentioned as a contender for the greatest player of all time. Not coincidentally, Graf is almost always a serious candidate. Don’t let Parche get what he wanted. The next time you get into an argument about the all-time tennis greats, make the argument for Monica Seles. She deserves it. Jeff is a senior at Notre Dame majoring in sciencebusiness with a minor in sociology. A native of St. Louis, Jeff believes that his hometown is the greatest city in the world and is always ready to talk about The Lou. In his free time, Jeff likes to play tennis, bake in the sun, read autobiographies, spend time with friends, talk on the phone with his mother or twin sister and listen to Mariah Carey’s voice soar through one of her signature love ballads. Hate mail can be directed to jmurph29@nd.edu The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
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The observer | monday, april 1, 2019 | ndsmcobserver.com
LETTERs TO THE EDITOR
The cargo shorts problem I’ve thought about writing this letter for a long time. I waited, hoping that fashions would change and such a letter would be unnecessary — but that doesn’t seem to be happening. I’m not trying to insult anyone or infringe upon anyone’s rights. I’m just a Notre Dame student with a problem that only my classmates can solve: cargo shorts. Every year — though I long for the end of the cold, South Bend winter — I dread the arrival of spring on campus, not because of the regular thunderstorms and unpredictable weather, but because it signals the return of cargo shorts to our community. Everywhere I go, I am faced with young men wearing cargo shorts; I cannot escape them on the quads, in the dining halls or even in the sanctity of my own dorm. I dare not walk through Fitzpatrick Hall, for I know there the onslaught will be worst. Cargo shorts are undoubtedly a sign of the moral decay of modern society. No garment should contain that many pockets; I think back to the sage advice of my elders, who cautioned me, “Nothing good happens after five pockets.” Now, as I see these garments with seven, eight or even nine pockets, I can only wonder when society forgot this lesson.
Some may argue that cargo shorts should be worn because of the utility of these extra pockets; I refuse to accept this argument. For every pocket on a pair of cargo shorts that can be used for good, there is also one that can be used for evil. Sure, these shorts allow for extra space to carry items like wallets, extra writing utensils and even snacks. However, they can just as easily be filled with nefarious items like vials of alcohol or even those newfangled electronic cigarettes. Applied physics should not even allow cargo shorts to exist. The human waist is simply not meant to hold up the amount of weight that can be carried in such a deceptively small amount of fabric. Oftentimes, when worn without a belt or other form of support, cargo shorts can be found sagging below the waist upon which they are intended to rest. Even when cargo shorts remain in their proper location due to some miracle of modern engineering, I cannot help but see them as a reminder of the hubris and folly of man. Cargo shorts serve as a distraction to the entire campus community. Students in a lecture hall cannot remain focused on the wise words of our professors when the hall is filled with the sound of a pocketful of change jingling
somewhere in the room. I cannot even begin to count the number of times I have been talking to a friend of mine and our conversation has been broken up by a passerby ruining my day by walking by in such an offensive garment. I have tried to encourage my friends to give up their nasty addictions to cargo shorts. While many have realized the errors of their ways and no longer wear them, I cannot help but fear they still slip them on when I am not around. One student cannot be expected to tackle this problem all on his own; this is why I ask of you — no, I beg of you — to help me in my quest to make our campus a safe, cargo-short-free space. Think of your peers the next time you head to your local mall and see a fresh pair of tantalizing cargo shorts. Let us be the first to expunge these monstrosities from our wardrobes. You have every right to fill up extra pockets with random objects. But you also have every right not to. Thanks for reading my manifesto. Say no to cargo shorts. Joe Orecchio senior March 25
Notre Dame’s Catholic duty On Wednesday, the LGBT Law Forum at the law school hosted an event featuring Jim Obergefell, Greg Bourke and Michael DeLeon, plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, which mandated that every state recognize same-sex marriage. The talk was cosponsored by student groups as well as the Mendoza College of Business. It is the prerogative of the law school and its student groups to host events that expose students to a wide range of legal arguments and opinions. Holding such lectures is beneficial to the students and important for our professional development. However, the event went beyond discussion of the legal principles and implications of the case and was actually a school-sponsored celebration of a type of relationship that directly defies the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church. Barring the question of whether it is proper or good for a Catholic institution to invite speakers who disagree with certain tenets of the faith to campus, the main issue with this talk was the incorrect message the speakers put forth about Catholicism and the Church’s teaching on human sexuality. M. Patricia Hackett, adjunct professor of law, introduced the panelists and offered opening and closing comments. In this role, Hackett spoke for Notre Dame, and in this capacity, she made several comments that incorrectly characterized or confused the truth, as put forth by the Church. In her opening remarks, Hackett brought up Catholicism several times and insinuated faith either does not bear on the question of marriage or that Catholics should be supportive of the legal recognition of same-sex unions as marriages. For example, Hackett specifically noted that Justice Anthony Kennedy, the author of the opinion, is a Catholic, and she even asserted that Kennedy’s Catholicism was the reason for that opinion — an opinion that is blatantly contrary to the truth taught by the Church. Furthermore, she unfairly associated the arguments for conjugal marriage with those against interracial marriage stating, “Many of these arguments may be offensive, but they sound familiar because they are the
same arguments used in Obergefell.” This type of comparison falsely characterizes the reasons — especially those derived from natural law — why marriage can only be between one man and one woman, the very reasons the Catholic Church espouses, in her defense of marriage. Hackett continually chanted “reason, evidence, science,” declaring (without further explanation) that these considerations require us to support same-sex marriage and falsely implying that the Church’s teaching on marriage runs afoul of “reason, evidence, science.” These claims were especially troubling because they incorrectly suggested to students that there is simply no reasonable, evidentiary or scientific basis to support conjugal marriage. Also concerning was the fact that two of the plaintiffs, Michael DeLeon and Greg Bourke, throughout the talk repeatedly held themselves out as practicing Catholics (and Hackett ratified this position), even though they are publicly living in a way that defies the truth of the Catholic teaching on marriage. Not only did DeLeon and Bourke refer to their faith in passing, but they highlighted, at several points, their active involvement in their Catholic parish and how their Catholic faith has played a role in their decision to live together in a same-sex union. For example, DeLeon and Bourke stated Catholicism was “the glue between them,” made light of the fact that the Church does not recognize same-sex unions and expressed how their parish is very supportive of their lifestyle. In addition, after identifying himself as a Catholic, Bourke called the arguments for conjugal marriage “ludicrous” because “defending traditional marriage on the basis of procreation made no sense.” Yet, it is partially on this basis that the very Church to which Bourke claims he belongs defends the institution of marriage. Finally, and perhaps most egregiously, at the conclusion of the event, Hackett directly addressed Catholics who actually follow Church teaching on marriage preaching: “In light of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the judgment and justice of God is love. They are not two different concepts. When one lives in
the Spirit, justice and love are one. In the season of Lent … I encourage you to reflect on that point.” With these comments, Hackett fundamentally misconstrued the Church’s teaching on marriage, insinuating that love compels us to recognize same-sex unions rather than assert God’s truth. This type of speech, coming from a person representing Notre Dame, is harmful to students because it maligns the Church’s true teachings and sows confusion. The event as a whole — and Hackett’s comments in particular — put forth the mistaken notion that the Church’s teaching on marriage does not come from love and, instead, the loving position requires us to recognize same-sex unions. Unfortunately, this argument is very common, and it is the duty of Notre Dame as an arm of the Church to correct this flawed view and instead proclaim the positive truth of the Catholic Church. In accordance with the love of God, the Church espouses the truth that all persons possess dignity by virtue of their creation in the image and likeness of God, not because of recognition by government or public opinion. Love, though, requires not that we accept all the actions of our fellow men, but instead that we help each other to live virtuously so that we all may flourish and, one day, with God’s grace, live with Him. Celebrating sinful behavior — far from being loving — reveals indifference for the good of the souls of others. Notre Dame has a particular obligation to ensure the souls of the students entrusted to her care are not led astray, but rather they come to know the fullness of the truth of the Church. In hosting events where the moderator, seemingly speaking for the University, denigrated or at least called into question the teachings of the Church on this important issue, Notre Dame has failed to live up to her duty to assist her students to walk in the way of love and truth of Christ. Hailey Vrdolyak J.D. ‘19 March 28
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DAILY
ndsmcobserver.com | MonDAY, April 1, 2019 | The Observer
Crossword | Will Shortz
Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: Don’t share too much. Be a good listener and confidant. What you gain by being astute will help you make personal decisions that will change your life. This is a year of brute force and intentional strategy focused on what you want and how best to reap the rewards by understanding every angle of every situation you face. Your numbers are 2, 9, 17, 24, 36, 42, 49. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Decline any invitation, dare or manipulative tactic being used to get you to take on responsibilities that aren’t yours. Refrain from becoming involved in something that is not based on sound judgment. Do what’s right and what brings you the most comfort. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t take anything for granted. Do for yourself, and be careful not to get involved in an emotional situation that can take up time you want to spend with someone else or on something you enjoy doing. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Make wise decisions when it comes to personal relationships. Stick to people who bring out the best in you -- the ones who share your concerns and are motivated to do something positive and personally uplifting as well as offer encouragement. CANCER ( June 21-July 22): Big ideas can spin out of control if you don’t put a budget and plan in place. Streamline your goal, and pull in people you know have something to contribute. Choose to use your energy wisely. Offer patience and compassion. LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t feel pressured to make a change you have doubts about. Spend time reflecting about the past and considering the personal changes you want to make. Travel, social events and personal relationships should be priorities. Romance is favored. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Don’t get angry at situations you have no control over. Pour your energy into building better relationships, romance and personal improvements. Don’t allow anyone to take advantage of you or coerce you into something you don’t want to do. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): If you need a break, take one. Look at the broader picture before you decide to get into a discussion with someone who will never see things your way. Figure out what you want, and adjust your life accordingly. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Look for the good in every situation. Refuse to let emotions take over, causing you to miss out on something you want to do. Make romance and important relationships priorities. Pursue your dreams, and share with someone you love. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Press on, regardless of what others do or say. Go it alone and let others do as they please to avoid conflict and trouble. Don’t be tempted to get involved in indulgent behavior or gossip. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Attend a reunion or reconnect with someone you lost touch with. Bringing past memories to the forefront will help you make important decisions about your future. Pursuing a dream will be challenging but worthwhile. Romance is encouraged. AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Make your point and move on. Don’t dwell on things you cannot change. Look at what is possible and how you can make the most out of what you’ve got. Home improvements can be made, but get approval before you begin. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Protect against injury. Don’t take risks or travel to places that are not safe. Stick to the people you know and trust, and distance yourself from anyone or anything that could hurt your position, status or reputation. Birthday Baby: You are charismatic, innovative and resourceful. You are curious and extensive.
wingin’ it | olivia wang & bailee egan
Sudoku | The Mepham Group
Jumble | David Hoyt and Jeff knurek
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SPORTS
ndsmcobserver.com | monday, april 1, 2019 | The Observer
W Bball
Sports Authority
Sitting LeBron good for future Holden Perrelli Sports Writer
LeBron James will miss the last six games of the regular season for the Los Angeles Lakers, according to a joint statement from team president Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka. The Lakers are citing a groin injury that cost James 17 consecutive games during the season as the impetus for the decision, with the added justification that the Lakers will not compete in this year’s NBA postseason. Not only does this appear to be a sound decision by the Lakers’ base and for James but it may reveal more about James’ intentions to wear the purple and gold. The Lakers sit 10th in the Western Conference standings with a 35-42 record. A lack of a supporting cast around James has been a significant storyline throughout the year, with trade rumors for Pelicans forward Anthony Davis swirling for weeks leading up to the trade deadline in exchange for numerous players currently remaining on the Lakers roster. Simply put, James wants to win. But he wants to win big. 2019 will mark the end of a 13-year playoff appearance streak for James, where he also competed in eightconsecutive Finals. There is no desire from him or his camp to have the four-time MV P and threetime NBA champion play six more regular-season games for the sake of solely entertaining fans. James is 34 years old; the clock is ticking. Being on the wrong side of 30 suggests James’ prime years of basketball are behind him rather than ahead. Despite averaging 27 points per game, eight rebounds and eight assists in 2019, the level of production audiences have seen may not be
guaranteed from James in the coming years. Fans may be disappointed, particularly those who have paid their hard-earned money to watch James play this upcoming Tuesday night in Oklahoma City. W hen James made the move to Los Angeles to join the Lakers on a four-year pact, the decision was bigger than basketball. From appearances on HBO’s The Shop, where James serves as a co-producer, to his involvement with the digital media company Uninterrupted to also serving as an A&R on 2 Chainz’s latest album, James has begun preparation for life after basketball. Being in Los Angeles as a part of the Lakers gives him more time to develop other aspects of his professional life, something he was not afforded the chance to do as often when he was a Cleveland Cavalier. It is much easier to drive to a Los Angeles music studio than to f ly from Ohio. The professional career of James appears categorical. His early years in the league were comprised of playoff appearances and grand statistical accomplishments. Joining the Miami Heat with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh ref lected James’ desire to focus and become all in on winning championships. These days James’ actions suggest his desire to become a mogul of sorts. Such a suggestion should not ref lect poorly on the character of LeBron James. It should serve to reveal the bigger picture of his future with the Lakers and to justif y why shutting it down for 2019 at the expense of six regular-season games makes sense for the athlete and his camp. Contact Holden Perrelli at hperrell@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Write Sports. Email Ellen Geyer at egeyer1@nd.edu
Continued from page 12
described as a “sea of green.” That crowd would prove crucial as Notre Dame (34-3, 14-2 ACC) struggled to gain separation from the fourth-seeded Aggies (26-8, 12-4 SEC) through three and a half quarters. That is, until Ogunbowale happened. The senior guard scored a career-high 34 points, only to be outdone by Texas A&M sophomore guard Chennedy Carter’s 35 points, in what proved to be one of the more memorable matchups in collegiate basketball. Both teams came out of the gate ready to play, with neither showing signs of intimidation or nerves. Three minutes into the game, Notre Dame held a 4-2 lead, behind a jumper by junior guard Jackie Young and two free throws by graduate student Brianna Turner. Ensuring that lead didn’t get out of hand, Carter hit a deep 3-pointer and a jumper, only to be matched by senior forward Jessica Shepard’s back-to-back two pointers. And thus, the tone for the first half was set. Throughout the first quarter, both teams went back-andforth, neither able to gain the upper hand as the Irish closed the quarter 21-18 — the largest lead of the game up to that point. Shepard and Carter were the driving forces behind their teams’ offenses, scoring 11 and eight points, respectively, in the opening frame. Just when it looked like Notre Dame could get some distance in the second quarter — following a quick layup by Turner in the opening possession to push the lead to five — Texas A&M came storming back, tying things up at 23. The teams continued to exchange baskets, with Ogunbowale and Shepard leading the Irish on the offensive side. However, with just under four minutes remaining, the Irish offense seemed to go quiet, as they missed three straight shots while the Aggies scored four points and took a threepoint lead. Just when momentum seemed to be shifting away from McGraw and co., Marina Mabrey knocked down a shot in the corner to bring her team back even. Although that would prove to be Mabrey’s only three points of the night, the senior guard made her presence known, dishing out six assists to go along with her six rebounds. “It’s nice to see the ball go in sometimes,” Mabrey said. “… It seemed to spark the team a bit. So hopefully I can be a spark sometimes and just trying to be that voice behind the whole team, get everybody where they need to be and get them into the offense if I’m not scoring so
much.” Returning from the locker room with the game tied at 42, Notre Dame continued to look for more of that spark, but Texas A&M refused to back down. The Irish stormed to an eightpoint lead in the opening two minutes of the half. A jump shot by Carter sparked some momentum for the Aggies to keep things interesting. Despite 12- and 9-point quarter performances by Ogunbowale and Shepard, respectively, and never trailing throughout the quarter, the Irish seemingly couldn‘t shake the Aggies, with Carter’s 12 third-quarter points making it very clear this game was going to come down to point-guard play. While the first half saw both teams looking to the bigs, the second half saw the guards get more involved offensively. “Their transition is very good, and also they were able to spread the floor because they can pretty much all shoot it, all the guards can pretty much shoot, so they’re able to spread the floor, break you down,” Texas A&M sophomore center Ciera Johnson said of the various threats the Notre Dame offense posed. “And then the plays they run, they run so many screens, and it’s just hard to defend.” In the final 10-minute period, Texas A&M sought to seal the upset with four straight points but, ultimately, the fourth frame belonged to the Irish. “Experience plays a big factor when you get to this point in the tournament. Having been there before … we just have such veteran players who have all played on the big stage,” McGraw said. Young, who had a relatively quiet night up to this point having not scored a field goal since the opening jumper, knocked down back-to-back jumpers on her way to 10 fourth-quarter points. The junior guard was quickly countered with a layup by senior guard Aja Ellison. Tie game, under seven minutes remaining — cue Ogunbowale. From the top of the key, Shepard swung the ball to a wide-open Ogunbowale on the right wing, recording her sixth assist of the night to go along with her 24 points and 14 rebounds. As the crowd roared to their feet, all signs seemed to indicate this game was Notre Dame’s to lose, despite only claiming a three-point lead. And Ogunbowale struck again. On the ensuing possession, Carter made a bad pass, allowing Ogunbowale just enough time to strip the ball and take it the back the other way to score a layup in transition. And within the span of 37 seconds, Notre Dame had gone from nearly getting eliminated in the Sweet 16 to essentially punching their ticket to the next round.
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Young, Carter and Ogunbowale all traded baskets in the final four minutes as the Notre Dame lead fluctuated between five and eight points. But when crunch time set in, the Irish guards showed no signs of wavering. Young caught the ball along the right wing and dribbled into the lane to sink a free-throw line jump shot. Meanwhile, Carter come up short beyond the arc. Her miss, rebounded by Turner, was converted to a contested layup by Ogunbowale on the other end. Having claimed a nine-point lead with 55 seconds of play left, Ogunbowale seemingly taunted her defender, earning her a technical and sending sophomore guard Kayla Wells to the charity stripe. “[Ogunbowale] had a little too much passion today,” McGraw said. “I think she got a little exuberant at times. You know, it’s just part of the game. She was excited, she had a big play, it was a big moment — the momentum swing. She did something really well. She was just excited for the moment. I don’t think she meant anything to the other team.” Ogunbowale echoed McGraw’s thoughts on the call. “I’m glad we were up by enough that those two free throws didn’t tie it up or something. But I’ve got to be smarter than that,” she said. Rising tempers were simply a side effect of the physicality of the game, as seemingly every couple of minutes a new player was being slung to the ground on both sides. “I know the SEC is really physical so I knew coming in they were going to be banging a lot down low but I just wanted to make sure we held our composure and took the hits and went along with it,” Turner said. Luckily for the Irish, the potentially disastrous situation proved futile. After Wells sunk both free-throw shots and Johnson connected on a layup, the Aggies looked to make up a five-point deficit with 43 seconds left on the game clock. That comeback, however, was too little, too late, as Ogunbowale and Young each made two freethrows to secure the Irish a 8087 win and the chance to extend their season. “It’s win or go home. You have to buckle down defensively for 40 minutes. We waited until the second half, then we waited for six minutes left in the game. We kept waiting for the time we were going to defend. I think we can do better,” McGraw said. The Irish will return to Wintrust Arena Monday at 9 p.m. EST to take on No. 2 Stanford and compete for a place in the Final Four in Tampa, Florida. Contact Charlotte Edmonds at cedmond3@nd.edu
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Sports
The observer | monday, april 1, 2019 | ndsmcobserver.com
Hockey Continued from page 12
that it really started back in February when it almost got to the point where it was like every game is the most important game.” After the Irish broke open the scoring five minutes into the second period off of a goal by junior forward Cal Burke, Clarkson (26-11-2, 13-7-2) stormed back with two goals of its own to give the Golden Knights a 2-1 lead heading into the third. Looking down the barrel, the Irish pushed for an equalizer, but Clarkson’s defense held firm. With three minutes to go, Jackson elected to pull junior goalie Cale Morris to add an extra man and make a final push. Moments later, the Irish finally found the back of the net. Burke and junior defenseman Andrew Peeke combined for a give-and-go that saw Burke driving on goal. The forward skated past one defenseman before flipping the puck to an onrushing Bobby Nardella, and the senior defenseman fired past Clarkson junior goalie Jake Kielly to give Notre Dame life. In overtime, both teams had great chances to win. First, it was Burke again for the Irish,
and the junior was awarded a penalty shot after a penalty during a goal-scoring opportunity. With the game in his hands, Burke skated down and fired stick-side of Kielly, but the junior was up to the challenge and made the save. On the other side, Morris was forced to make eight saves, including on a wrister from the left dot by sophomore forward Jack Jacome. With just over four minutes to go, Notre Dame finally delivered. Graham skated along the boards past several defenders towards goal, but Kielly parried the puck away before he could get a shot off. The puck fell right to Morrison, however, and the junior flipped a shot over Kielly’s left shoulder to give the Irish a chance at a thirdstraight Frozen Four Returning to the ice the next day, the Irish struggled to manage UMass, eventually losing 4-0 to the Minutemen. Whether it was fatigue from playing in overtime against Clarkson, UMass’ aggressive style or just Irish playoff magic running out, UMass dominated the Irish from the second period onward. Despite the final score, the Irish were competitive early. They were outshot 12-6 in the first period, but the Irish have a history of surviving opposing
pressure and winning games without registering many shots. Notre Dame stuck to its game plan, not allowing a goal in the first 20 minutes of play. Morris was sound, and the Irish defense did a good job keeping the Minutemen to the outside. The Irish were unable to weather the storm in the second period. They looked slow, got beat to loose pucks and failed to control play. The Irish were outshot 16-2 and outscored 3-0 in the frame — their worst period of the season. Peeke gave UMass credit for their secondperiod performance. “They were playing fast all night. They were working hard,” he said. “The first goal was a little bit of a weird bounce, but they capitalized on their chances, and their work ethic was really good tonight.” The damage in the second began with a UMass power play. Sophomore forward Jake Gaudet broke the scoreless tie from an unusual bounce off a referee. The puck settled on his stick, and he snapped it under Morris for a 1-0 lead 7:49 into the second period. Sophomore forward John Leonard doubled the lead later off of a sustained offensive shift. The Irish were flat-footed, allowing the Minutemen to take several shots before they eventually scored. Paid Advertisement
UMass sophomore defenseman Cale Makar — the 2017 NHL Draft fourth overall pick — scored the third goal of the second period. Sophomore forward Oliver Chau would add UMass’ fourth goal late in the third period and seal the Irish’s fate. Despite the unfortunate end to their time, the Irish seniors will leave behind an impressive legacy of two Big Ten titles, two Frozen Fours and three NCAA tournament appearances. Senior forwards Joe Wegwerth, Dylan Mamlquist and Jack Jenkins along with Nardella have contributed greatly to Notre Dame hockey, Jackson said. He had high praise for his seniors after their final game.
“This may be the most successful senior class that we’ve had. You give kids credit nowadays when they stick around for four years,” Jackson said. “It always makes a big difference when you have good seniors. Joe, Dylan, Bobby and Jack are great kids. I’m extremely proud of them. They had great careers. I told them in the locker room they have nothing to be ashamed of. They probably had the best career of any class of ours at Notre Dame. They’ve certainly worn that jersey with pride.” Contact Tobias Hoonhout at thoonhou@nd.edu and Jack Concannon at jconcan2@nd.edu
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Offense Continued from page 12
quarter. The game was a back-andforth, neck-and-neck affair from the get-go, as the Irish lost the tip — a rare occurrence with senior forward Brianna Turner controlling tipoffs. With a bit of a sluggish start, the Irish offense, which averages 89 points per game, turned to Shepard, who took it upon herself to start the scoring for Notre Dame (34-3, 14-2 ACC), as the Irish were down by three over three minutes into the game — borderline uncharted territory for the squad. The 6-foot-4 forward scored 11 points in a row for Notre Dame, getting the Irish up to a 15-13 lead with just over a minute to play in the first quarter. “I think we knew our offense would get going at some point, so I think in the first quarter, Paid Advertisement
they did a great job of getting me the ball and then just finishing strong inside,” Shepard said of her strong start to the game. However, it did not end there for Shepard. She continued to roll, adding four more points in the second quarter and nine in the third. But Shepard’s lone weapon Saturday was not her ability to post up — the big also recorded six rebounds in the first half and eight in the second, turning up the heat for the Irish on the boards. She assisted on three blocks and dished out six assists. “We had some nice interior passing today, too. I thought Bri made some really good cuts, Jess made some really good passes. I was really pleased with the big guys today,” Irish head coach Muffet McGraw said of her bigs. McGraw continued to rain down praise on Shepard, whose double-double was her eighth in 11 games.
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“I thought Jessica Shepard with the double-double, she was unstoppable down low,” McGraw said of her senior’s performance. While it was Shepard who got the Irish offense rolling in the first quarter and kept the pedal to the metal throughout the game, senior guard Arike Ogunbowale refused to be outdone. Some people just shine brightest on the biggest stages. “The bigger the moment, the bigger she plays,” McGraw said of Ogunbowale. “She’s not afraid of a big moment by any means. There were a lot of times we were just running stuff for her, and we ran a lot of sets for her, and she responded incredibly well. She has just got that mentality of, ‘I want the ball in a clutch situation,’ and she’s not afraid to miss.” Ogunbowale’s self-proclaimed “Mamba Mentality” was on full display down the stretch, as she entered the second half with 10 points and exited with a career high. One of the more clutch moments in Ogunbowale’s drive to the Elite Eight came when the game was tied at 69 with 6:57 remaining. The 5-foot-8 guard heaved a 3-pointer to put the Irish up. Ogunbowale then proceeded to steal the ball from Aggies sophomore guard Chennedy Carter at halfcourt and win a footrace to the basket, making the layup and putting the Irish up by five. “She made big shot after big shot, and when we really needed them. She had a huge 3,” McGraw said. “The steal Arike got at halfcourt for the finish, that was big. But Jess was there that whole game.” From there, the Irish momentum only built, even as Ogunbowale was called for a technical foul with under a minute remaining in the game. Ogunbowale heated up more and more throughout the game, finishing with a career-high 34 points, but she also poured on the gas defensively with three steals in the game. “I thought the steal for a layup late in the game probably is the one that sealed the victory. Arike wins it with a defensive stop, I think that should be the headline,” McGraw said, poking fun at the senior’s typical preference for playing the offensive side of the ball. Ogunbowale and Shepard combined for 58 points — twothirds of Notre Dame’s points on the day. Turner summed up how the game’s strategy evolves when the duo plays as well as it did Saturday. “If Jess is working hard, get her the ball. When [Arike] gets hot, she can’t be stopped,” she said. Contact Elizabeth Greason at egreason@nd.edu
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The observer | monday, april 1, 2019 | ndsmcobserver.com
nd women’s basketball | nd 87, texas A&M 80
Irish beat Aggies to earn trip to Elite Eight ND pulls out win after back-andforth game
Ogunbowale, Shepard power offense in Sweet 16
By CHARLOTTE EDMONDS
By ELIZABETH GREASON
Managing Editor
Senior Sports Writer
CHICAGO — With 6:46 remaining in the rematch of last year’s Sweet 16 against Texas A&M, senior guard Arike Ogunbowale reminded everyone in the Wintrust Arena why she became synonymous with clutch in last year’s tournament, having hit buzzer beaters in back-to-back games in the Final Four to clinch the program’s second national title. This time, she bounced off a flair screen just beyond the 3-point line to knock down the shot and put the Irish ahead for good. And the crowd went wild. Although the top-seeded Irish left Purcell Pavilion behind in the Round of 32, there was no question who held the home-court advantage, as the stands were covered in what Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw
CHICAGO — It’s a remark the Irish coaching staff has dropped a number of times to compliment Jessica Shepard: “We don’t win the national championship without Jess.” And now they can amend that statement slightly: We don’t get past Texas A&M this year without Jess — and Arike. The first half of the game was all about the senior forward who transferred from Nebraska last season. Shepard entered Notre Dame’s Sweet 16 matchup with the Aggies (268, 12-4 SEC) averaging a double-double, with 16.7 points per game and 10 rebounds per game. She didn’t let the statisticians down. Shepard had sealed the deal on her 16th double-double of the season by midway through the third
see W BBALL PAGE 9
ANNA MASON | The Observer
Irish senior guard Arike Ogunbowale drives past her defender during Notre Dame’s 87-80 Sweet 16 win over Texas A&M on Saturday at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Ogunbowale scored a career-high 34 points.
see OFFENSE PAGE 11
hockey | nd 3, clarkson 2 (OT); umass 4, nd 0
Late-game magic runs out for Notre Dame By TOBIAS HOONHOUT and JACK CONCANNON Senior Sports Writer and Sports Writer
ANN CURTIS | The Observer
Irish junior forward Cam Morrison skates down the ice during Notre Dame’s 5-2 victory over Michigan on Feb. 12 at Compton Family Ice Arena. Morrison scored the game-winning goal in overtime Friday.
In the past few years, Notre Dame has had a flair for the dramatic. Between the overtime wins and the clutch scoring, it felt as if the Irish (23-14-3, 11-11-2 Big Ten) have been destined to win important games. After a classic overtime win against Clarkson in the first round of the NCAA tournament, it seemed that clutch scoring could take the Irish to the Frozen Four for the third-straight year. Instead, Notre Dame had no chance to work their late-game magic in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Saturday night. They were outplayed, dropping a 4-0 decision against No. 1-seeded Massachusetts (30-9, 18-6 Hockey East) to end their season. Irish head coach Jeff Jackson said he was impressed with UMass’ performance. “They came out with a vengeance this weekend. They remind me of Penn State in the way they play,” Jackson said. “They’re a puck pressure team, they’re very aggressive keeping pucks in the zone. They’re very
hard on pucks, and they don’t give you much time and space to make plays. They’re very well coached, they have good defensive stick skills, they create turnovers and they put a lot of pressure on you from those turnovers.” In the first match, junior forward Cam Morrison was the star. For the second consecutive game — and the third time in his career — the junior forward kept the Irish moving in March, as third-seeded Notre Dame topped No. 2 Clarkson in overtime in the first round of the NCAA Northeast Regional to advance to the final Saturday night. While it was a perilous journey for the Irish as the team struggled with consistency at times over the year, Jackson said earlier this week that the pressure helped his team deliver. “In some ways, the best thing that could’ve happened is that we got put in that position, and we just started focusing on the next game. Especially the later stages of the regular season, where it was almost like that,” Jackson said. “For us, I think see HOCKEY PAGE 10