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Volume 54, Issue 81 | wednesday, february 12, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
Election postponed Run-off debate, election deferred after sanction appeal Observer Staff Report
Student body vice president junior Patrick McGuire announced in a press release Tuesday night that the student senate will hear an appeal to an “Election Committee decision” in the ongoing race for student body president and vice president. The results of the election were not announced Wednesday at midnight as originally scheduled. The new date and time of election results is yet to be determined.
“I determined with [junior] Halena Hadi, Judicial Council President, and Karen Kennedy, Student Senate’s advisor, that this appeal (in accordance with Section 3.6(b) of the Constitution) had merit, presenting new evidence and potential procedural defects in the Election Committee’s decision,” McGuire said in the release. The announcement comes less than 24 hours after the Judicial Council sanctioned the Dugan-Pozas Garza ticket for two violations related
to unethical behavior. The student body constitution sets the precedent for the delayed release of the results scheduled for midnight, Hadi said in an email to campus media. “This is pursuant to Section 17.1(n)(5) of the Constitution of the Undergraduate Student Body of the University of Notre Dame du Lac, which reads as follows: ‘No election result may be released to the public while any allegation or appeal is pending,’” Hadi see ELECTIONS PAGE 3
Dalloway’s to host mock interviews for students By ERIN BENNETT News Writer
Saint Mary’s students will gather in Dalloway’s Coffeehouse on Wednesday to participate in “Mock Interview Day,” an event hosted by the Career Crossings Office. Angela Fitzpatrick, the office’s assistant director, organized this career development opportunity with the hope that students would become more familiar with job-interviewing skills.
Fitzpatrick and the rest of the Career Crossings Office have been planning different spring programs since before winter break. “Mock interviews was one [event] we decided we could try to make happen because more and more we’re seeing students who need practice,” she said. Students who will be attending the mock interviews will gain an advantage in their interviewing skills, Fitzpatrick added. “The more they practice, then the more confident
they’ll be and professional,” she said. Fitzpatrick utilized Saint Mary’s employer relations to reach out to off-campus human resources professionals, and invited them to participate in Mock Interview Day. These experts will ensure that participants experience a realistic inter v iew scenario, she said. “There are HR, talent acquisition managers ... that actually are HR people
News Writer
In their senior year at Saint Mary’s, Carry Rose MacDonald (’19) and Jordan Cockrum (’19) decided they wanted a space for communication studies majors to meet and a way to celebrate their accomplishments. To achieve this, they revitalized the Saint Mary’s chapter of Lambda Pi Eta
News PAGE 3
(LPH) the official communication honors society of the National Association of Communication. (Editor’s Note: Cockrum formerly served as Saint Mary’s Editor at The Observer.) MacDonald and Cockrum, president and vice president of LPH, respectively, then passed the torch to seniors Bernadette McGeever and Katy Stalter, who are serving
Scene PAGE 5
Observer Staff Report
The Dugan-Pozas Garza ticket has received a second sanction after v iolating election regulations outlined in the sanction for A llegation 1920-03, according to a late Tuesday press release from the Judicial Council. The ticket must forfeit 26 votes as a consequence for its third v iolation in 24
hours. The first sanction was announced Tuesday morning, in response to multiple v iolations relating to unethical behav ior. The sanction required the Dugan-Pozas Garza ticket to “cease all campaigning activ it y indefinitely” for the rest of its time in the election cycle. The Judicial Council found the ticket v iolated this requirement.
Lecture discusses how ‘not to lose soul’ at ND
Cate Von Dohlen | The Observer
see INTERVIEW PAGE 4
Lambda Pi Eta unites communications majors By MARGARET CICCHIELLO
Dugan-Pozas Garza ticket to forfeit 26 votes
as president and vice president this year. McGeever explained that, as members of LPH, they are proud to be one of 400 active chapters around the world. “We celebrate our passion in communication [and] try to … promote professional development, and then provide see CHAPTER PAGE 4
Viewpoint PAGE 7
Philosophy professor Meghan Sullivan offers words of advice to students struggling with self-care at a lecture hosted by CUSE. By CATE VON DOHLEN News Writer
Meghan Sullivan, philosophy professor and director of the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study, elaborated on succeeding at Notre Dame “without losing your soul,” in a lecture Tuesday night. Sullivan directs the God and the Good Life program. Her lecture, titled “How to succeed at Notre Dame without losing your soul,” was the sixth annual lecture for the Sorin Scholars program and was hosted by the Flatley Center for Undergraduate Scholarly Engagement (CUSE).
ND M BASKETBALL PAGE 12
Sullivan spoke about her personal life, focusing on her relationship with her brother and his time as an undergraduate student. She highlighted a particular conversation they shared while on a trip to Yosemite National Park, as she was just starting to teach courses within God and the Good Life. Sullivan offered the students in the audience a question to ponder before providing four pieces of advice. “How do you care for your soul when you’re at an elite college like Brown or Notre Dame, or see SOUL PAGE 4
ND FENCING PAGE 12
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From left to right, Tim Leisenring, Parker Revers, Taylor Vucinich, Johnny Link, Eric Requet — the five senior captains of the Notre Dame men’s boxing club — pose in advance of the 90th annual Bengal Bouts tournament, which starts Thursday, Feb. 13.
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Graduate Career Discussion Duncan Student Center 526 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. RSVP to attend.
“Racial Violence, Historical Memory” Geddes Hall, Coffee House 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Open to the public.
ND Band JPW Concert Ricci Band Rehearsal Hall 6 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Free to all.
JPW Mass Purcell Pavilion 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. University President Fr. John Jenkins will preside.
JPW Sunday Brunch Dahnke Family Ballroom 9 a.m. - noon Ticket required for entry.
Lecture: “(Dock) Workers Matter” Geddes Hall, Andrews Auditorium 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. All are welcome.
Better Together ND Launch Geddes Hall, Coffee House 5:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. RSVP to attend.
JPW Opening Gala Duncan Student Center and Corbett Family Hall 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Ticketed event.
JPW President’s Dinner Joyce Center Fieldhouse 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Ticketed event.
Stand-up: “Alien in the Basilica” Washington Hall 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Proceeds to go Education Bridge.
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Folk Choir reflects on faith-based mission By GENEVIEVE REDSTEN News Writer
Senior Loya l Murphy has spent nearly four years in Notre Dame’s Folk Choir, and now ser ves as t he choir’s president despite hav ing unintentiona lly joined t he group at t he beginning of his freshman year. He wasn’t look ing to join Folk Choir at a ll, and in fact meant to audition for Liturgica l Choir, but accidenta lly attended Folk Choir auditions instead. Now, Murphy says he has no regrets. “It’s probably one of t he best mista kes t hat’s ever happened to me,” he said. Murphy is one of 60 members of t he Notre Dame Folk Choir, a liturgica l choir t hat performs in t he Basilica during 11:45 Mass ever y Sunday. In addition to voca ls, t he choir includes f lute, organ, v iolins, Celtic harp, cello and ot her instruments. The choir’s distinct combination of instruments and voca lists, Murphy said, creates a modern sound t hat resonates w it h its church audiences. “I t hink a lot of times people are turned of f by t he music at Masses, and just church ser v ices in genera l, because t hey can’t relate to it, or t here’s not hing t hat rea lly draws t hem to participate in t he music,” Murphy said. “W hat Folk Choir tries to do is bring in music t hat’s got a more v ibrant energ y — a sound t hat more people can relate to.” Sophomore Uyen Le still remembers t he f irst time she heard Notre Dame’s Folk Choir. It was t he summer
before her freshman year of college, and t he choir performed at her loca l parish as part of its Texas tour. Folk Choir’s energ y and sounds drew her in, and she decided to audition when she arrived on campus as a f irst-year student. “I rea lly liked t hat t hey performed a lot of songs t hat I had a lready heard of [after] going to Mass a ll my life,” Le said. “They were wellk now n songs, but t hey added a dif ferent ta ke. It made me feel so good inside. A nd I wanted to ma ke t hat music w it h t hem.” Choir members come from various academic disciplines, according to t he group’s webpage, but share t he same love for music and interest in fait h exploration. Beyond its distinct sound, Murphy said t he choir’s traditions and strong communit y set it apart from ot her choirs. Members eat brunch toget her most Sundays before Mass. Ever y Ha lloween, t he different grades have a dressup competition, w it h t hemes ranging from “Toy Stor y” to “Stranger Things.” “The reason why I love Folk Choir so much is how dedicated we are to communit y,” Le said. “It sounds strange t hat I could be so close w it h t hese people, but I honest ly feel like I could come to any of t hem for any t hing.” Folk Choir director J.J. Wright said t he choir’s tight-k nit communit y is a lso streng t hened by its routine dia log ue and ref lection. Ever y week, t he members of Folk Choir ta ke turns ref lecting on t he Gospel for t hat week’s Sunday Mass. In t hat setting, Wright
Courtesy of Bendan Copp
The Notre Dame Folk Choir, a 60-member liturgical choir, gathers behind the Basilica. The group, which sings at 11:45 a.m. Sunday Mass each week, combines vocals and instruments in its performances.
maintained, students are spea k ing to each ot her in t heir ow n lang uage and understanding t he Gospel t hrough t heir persona l experiences. “Ver y often t he concerns are deeply rooted in student life,” Wright said. “It’s like, ‘Midterms are coming up t his week, what does t he Gospel have to do w it h t hat? ’ Or we just had a student who passed away in t he choir, and t hat’s been heav y on ever yone’s hearts, so t hat’s been ver y much a part of our shared life of prayer.” The choir’s ref lective dialog ue, he noted, extends beyond its discussion of t he Gospel. Last year, as t he choir prepared for its summer tour of east A frica, Wright said members were a lso
grappling w it h issues of race, joining t he Universit y’s larger dia log ue about diversit y and inclusion. Le said t hose conversations deepened her appreciation of t he trip’s cross-cultura l exchange. “We undertook t his whole process of f ig uring out what it means to sing A frican A merican sacred music at Notre Dame w it h a choir t hat doesn’t have any A frican A merican students and ver y few students of color,” Wright said. “I t hink t hose are t he t y pes of conversations t hat we need to be hav ing as a communit y because it rea lly does put t he impetus on us to ta ke responsibilit y for how we create an env ironment t hat is actua lly diverse and inclusive.”
Murphy, who is a Met hodist, said he’s learned a great dea l from his experiences and conversations w it h fellow Folk Choir members. Attending week ly Mass and ma k ing music w it h ot her students of fait h has created opportunities for persona l and spiritua l grow t h, he said. “There’s somet hing about ma k ing music w it h a group of people who a ll believe in t he power t hat music can hold t hat ma kes it so specia l,” Murphy said. “Certainly, I t hink my fait h is streng t hened t hroughout my four years w it h Folk Choir, simply because we’ve had t hat abilit y to ma ke music toget her.” Contact Genevieve Redsten at gredsten@nd.edu
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Elections Continued from page 1
said in the email. The run-off debate and run-off election will also be postponed indefinitely, she added. The Senate has 48 hours to hear the appeal. It will consider the appeal Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The senate’s regularly scheduled business has been cleared so that senators can hear the appeal. Senators have to vote by a three-fourths majority to encourage the Election Committee to reconsider its decision. If it does so, the committee must reconsider its initial decision within 24 hours. The meeting Wednesday is closed to the public and the media. Much of the second floor of LaFortune Student Center will be “off-limits” to guarantee confidentiality.
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News
The observer | wednesday, february 12, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
Chapter Continued from page 1
some opportunities to network and prepare the members for a career in the field,” McGeever said. Senior Elyse Paul is a current member of the Saint Mary’s LPH chapter. Paul said the purpose of the club is to stimulate interest in the field of communication. “LPH is a great way for communication studies majors to become more involved in their field of study at Saint Mary’s and form a closer bond with your classmates,” she said. Students can gain experience utilizing social media, writing, advertising and marketing, public relations and other skills that bolster a career in communication, McGeever said. “W hen students join Lambda Pi Eta, there’s so many great opportunities for leadership,” she said. This semester, McGeever, Stalter and the rest of the chapter are working to increase membership and promote awareness on campus. To help realize this goal, they have created a new leadership position: a social media officer. Seniors Gina Twardosz and Sheridan Sims have both been appointed to fill this position. They, along with the rest of the group, are currently preparing for to host Angie Fitzpatrick, a guest speaker from Career Crossings. (Editor’s Note: Twardosz is a news writer at The Observer.)
Interview Continued from page 1
who interview and screen people,” Fitzpatrick said. “That’s who we have actually doing the mock interviews.” Throughout the month of January, students received multiple emails from the Career Crossings Office inviting them to RSV P for the event through a Google form. Students were asked to upload their resumes, select inter v iew times and answer questions based on their interests and goals. Each mock inter v iew is split into two sections: 30 minutes of inter v iew ing and 15 minutes of feedback and questions and answers. Tammy Wever, the administrative assistant of the Career Crossings Office, will prepare folders — containing the student’s resume and specific questions pertaining to t h e i r major — for the HR professionals to use as a resource during interviews. Each professional will
“[Fitzpatrick] will be talking about how to brand yourself using social media, and then some job and internship strategies in the communication and marketing industry specifically,” McGeever said. “It will be a great way to prepare students for a career in the field.” Paul said she encourages other Saint Mary’s students to join the chapter. “It is a great opportunity for personal development, and it looks great on a resume too,” she said. To join Lambda Pi Eta, students must be a junior and have completed 60 semester credit hours, 12 of which need to be communication studies courses. A minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 is required for all courses taken, as well as a minimum GPA of 3.25 in all communication courses. Not only do all LPH members meet these requirements, but all those accepted must rank within the highest 35% of their class. “If you are considering joining, definitely apply,” McGeever said. “Being a member of LPH is a great testament to your own achievements. It’s a really great way to be more involved in the communication major at Saint Mary’s and it’s a great way to build relationships with your fellow classmates and overall I think it’s a really fun group and there’s a lot that you can learn.” Contact Margaret Cicchiello at mcicchiello01@saintmarys.edu
interview three or four Saint Mary’s students. In regards to preparation, Fitzpatrick said students have been visiting the Career Crossings Office throughout the week asking for tips and having their resume’s looked at. Junior Emma Schramko is one of the students participating in tomorrow’s event. “I encouraged myself to sign up because I thought it was a unique and beneficial opportunit y, unlike any thing else I have ever participated in,” said junior Emma Schramko, one of the students participating in tomorrow’s event. Schramko said the event can provide students with a feeling of comfort and familiarity as they prepare for a real job interview in the future. “I hope to gain a new level of comfort from sitting through a mock interview in a place that I am comfortable and familiar with [at Saint Mary’s],” she said. Contact Erin Bennett at ebennett02@saintmarys.edu
Soul Continued from page 1
when you’re just 18, 19, 20, 21 years old and tr y ing to do really hard work in getting launched in life,” she said. Her first lesson was “when in doubt, philosophy can help you out.” “If you don’t know the answer to something, I have only discovered that philosophy helps,” Sullivan said. “Philosophy, at least for the last 2,000 years of it, has been in the business of tr y ing to help people figure out how to be happy. Sometimes the philosopher’s adv ice is really hard to understand, but it gives me comfort to realize that people have been dealing w ith a lot of these really big problems for a long time.” Sullivan’s second lesson spoke to the difficult y of life bet ween the ages of 18 to 22. “There is lots of stuff that you need to figure out that other people have figured out already but you have not, and it’s risk y,” she said. She encouraged students to ask themselves a series of questions when seeking life adv ice.
“First, you should think about the kinds of problems you are really facing,” Sullivan said. “Second, you should ask yourself whether that adv ice is helping you w ith the concrete problem you’re dealing w ith now. Three, you should ask yourself if the person giv ing you adv ice has any capacit y to understand your problem.” She said if the answer to these t wo questions is “no,” then Aristotle says we should “dump it,” as adv ice should help us in the problems we actually face. Third, Sullivan said, “you were built to want (the right) things.” “Aristotle has this really great line in the opening of the Nicomachean Ethics where he says, ‘Here is the big problem that we all face in our lives, and especially people that are starting off in life: what are we going to aim at,’” she said, paraphrasing the philosopher. Her fourth lesson concerned the intert w ined nature of thinking and lov ing. “If you take the Greek philosophers seriously, and if you think really seriously about what it means to tr y to find the desires that aren’t going to fail you, you start to realize that thinking and
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lov ing are really closely interconnected,” Sullivan said. “That’s something you can use to your advantage when you’re in college.” People actually have a lot of time to think in college, Sullivan said. “Thinking isn’t an emotionless, boring activ it y,” she said. Sullivan then led students in t wo activ ities, asking them to think about a 15-second moment of happiness from their lives. She encouraged students to repeat this exercise to help them “not lose their souls” while at Notre Dame. She then inv ited students to turn to the person they were sitting next to, introduce themselves and tell their neighbors they were glad to meet them. She encouraged students to make a w ishlist for their lives and then reorder the items. “Think about what you really want,” Sullivan said. Sullivan’s talk was followed by a short statement from three current Sorin Scholars who spoke to their ow n undergraduate experiences and achievements. Contact Cate Von Dohlen at cvondohl@nd.edu
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By AIDAN O’MALLEY Scene Writer
Margot Robbie had a busy weekend. On Sunday, the Aussie actress attended the 92nd Academy Awards. Robbie attended not only as a member of the “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” cast but also as a nominee, having been recognized for her role in “Bombshell.” She lost to Laura Dern in “Marriage Story.” But the Friday before, on Feb. 7, Robbie released “Birds of Prey,” the Harley Quinn superhero spin-off in which she both acted and worked as a producer. While the Oscars were no doubt a disappointment, “Birds of Prey” might be the bigger loss. Let me be clear: I think Margot Robbie is a terrific actress. She’s certainly good in “Bombshell,” and she’s just as good here. And as a producer, Robbie has an excellent eye; “I, Tonya” led to her first Oscar nomination (and to a Supporting Actress win for Allison Janney). But for all but the most “die-hard” of Harley Quinn stans, “Birds of Prey” is an absolutely impenetrable mess, made only more annoying by its brief flashes of brilliance. Harley Quinn, the Joker’s cotton candy-colored girlfriend, first appeared before audiences in “Suicide Squad,” an abysmal movie that solidified the DC Cinematic Universe as the veritable roller coaster of quality it is today. While that film’s director, David Ayer, did not return for “Birds of Prey,” his fingerprints are all over it. From incessant flashes of on-screen text to obnoxious needle drops, “Birds of Prey”
By NICOLE BILYAK Scene Writer
Kirk Douglas, considered one of the most influential actors of the mid-20th century, died on Feb. 5. He was 103. Kirk Douglas left quite an impression on the world of Hollywood, having starred in countless films. Douglas was also known for his work with various charitable organizations. Born Issur Danielovitch on Dec. 9, 1916 in Amsterdam, New York, to Jewish parents, Douglas enlisted in the United States Navy for World War II in 1941. The only boy in a family of seven children, he first knew he wanted to be an actor after reciting the poem “The Red Robin of Spring” when he was in kindergarten — and received applause for his efforts. Douglas’s “big break” came when he was cast in the 1946 film “The Strange Love of Martha Ivers.” He played the role of a young, insecure man whose life is dominated by a ruthless wife, causing him to suppress his feelings through alcohol abuse. Upon the film’s release, Douglas was praised by critics for exuding what they deemed to be natural star quality. Three years later, Douglas starred in “Champion,” a film noir drama sport piece about a boxer who has to fight his
is much more of a “Suicide Squad” sequel than many moviegoers — myself included — might have expected. But what I like about “Birds of Preys” is its vision. Director Cathy Yan has a distinct cinematic voice; she injects “Birds of Prey” with a manic energy that keeps you entertained even as it careens off course. In an era of soulless, studioengineered blockbusters, the risks that she and Robbie take are especially exciting. These risks include, but are not limited to: a non-linear narrative, a “Deadpool”-esque voiceover, animated sequences, musical numbers, blood, guts and swear words galore. I hesitate to call “Birds of Prey” a good movie, but it’s never a boring one. The story? Simple: Harley and Joker broke up. For Harley, it’s less of a break-up and more of an identity crisis. Who is the Joker’s girlfriend if she’s no longer the Joker’s girlfriend? It’s a clever conceit from which the film’s feminism naturally flows (hence its “Birdman”-like subtitle, “The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn”). Without the protection of Mr. J, Harley’s got a target on her back. Enter homicidal night club owner Roman Sionis (a camp and crazy Ewan McGregor), who wants Harley’s head for a number of reasons (including the fact that she “voted for Bernie”). As she evades his capture, she crosses paths with a detective (Rosie Perez), a singer (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), an assassin (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and a pick-pocketing little girl (newcomer Ellen Jay Basco), all of whom are on Roman’s hit list themselves. To survive the night, they have to work together.
If you think that’s a lot of characters for a 100-minute movie, you’re right. All of the actresses do a fine job, but their characters are sparsely developed; with the exception of Harley herself, they amount to little more than sassy stick figures. And they’re only brought together in the final 15 minutes, so their chemistry is awkward and the payoff is weak. As for the production as a whole, the budgetary constraints are painfully obvious. The sets are creative and colorful, but Matthew Libatique (a normally fantastic cinematographer) shoots them with such dim lighting that it’s almost like they’re being hidden. And the costume design is inspired, but only if you’re Harley; otherwise, you look like you shop at Party City. But what do I know? According to Rotten Tomatoes, I’m in the minority on “Birds of Prey;” if you’re stoked to see it, by all means, do. But like any sugar rush, the highs are fleeting compared to the crash.
inner demons while also competing in the boxing ring. The film was praised for its original story, and Douglas was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor (but lost to Broderick Crawford in “All the King’s Men”). In 1954, Douglas starred in the Disney adaptation of Jules Verne’s science fiction novel, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” He took on the role of a happy-go-lucky sailor who, within the film, serves as foil to the brooding Captain Nemo, thereby showing that, in addition to serious, driven characters, he was adept to roles that require a lighter, more comic touch. This film was a major box office hit and was considered a precursor to the steampunk genre. Following the success of “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” Douglas broke ties with Warner Brothers and Hal B. Wallis in order to start his own film company, Bryna Productions, in honor of his mother, Bryna. His first film with his new company was the 1955 film “The Indian Fighter.” However, the most famous film from Bryna Productions is the 1960 epic historical drama “Spartacus.” The film tells the story of Spartacus, the leader of a slave revolt in antiquity, within the larger context of the Third Seville War. Since the film’s screenwriter, Dalton Trumbo, was on the Hollywood blacklist when it was released, then
president-elect John F. Kennedy helped to end the practice of blacklisting altogether. Douglas last appeared on film in 2008, when he starred in the “Empire State Building Murders,” a French mockumentary made for TV. In March 2009, Douglas performed an autobiographical one-man show, “Before I Forget,” at the Kirk Douglas Theater in Culver City, California. Douglas married his first wife, Diana Dill, in 1943. They had two sons, actor Michael Douglas and producer Joel Douglas, before divorcing in 1951. Three years later, Douglas married Anne Buydens, a fellow producer and philanthropist. Douglas celebrated his 100th birthday in 2016 at the Beverly Hills Hotel, joined by several of his friends and members of his family, including Don Rickles, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg, his son Michael and his daughter-in-law, Catherine Zeta-Jones. He was described by his friends and family as being in good shape and able to walk into the Sunset Room with confidence. Although suffering a stroke in 1996 impaired his ability to speak, he never lost his love of acting.
Contact Aidan O’Malley at aomalle2@nd.edu
“Birds of Prey” Director: Cathy Yan Starring: Margot Robbie, Ewan McGregor, Ellen Jay Basco If you like: “Suicide Squad,” “Deadpool”
Contact Nicole Bilyak at nbilyak01@saintmarys.edu DiIANE PARK| The Observer
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The observer | Wednesday, February 12, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
Inside Column
DC Oscars
Thoughts on Iowa Caucus Blake Ziegler News with Zig
Hayden Adams Associate Sports Editor
I remember it as if it were just about a year ago, and it was. I was writing my very first inside column ahead of the Oscars, and in honor of those as well as my passion for Marvel Superhero movies, I wrote a piece giving my Oscar superlatives to the movies of the MCU. Now, it won’t be as clean-cut as the Marvel since the company has a very broad array of films that are loosely connected if connected at all, but I might as well acknowledge DC as well. First, however, a little trashing. You see, the thing about Marvel versus DC is that, as weird as it sounds, Marvel makes more realistic movies than DC … with the exception of Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight” Trilogy. Marvel took the time to steadily build a cinematic universe, time that allowed them to introduce and explore characters’ intricacies, especially the lesser known ones. DC jumped headfirst into the deep end and has been floundering ever since. It hurts that you have somewhat paper-thin and/or basic protagonists like Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. But the area they actually have Marvel beat is in complex antagonists (e.g. The Joker, Harley Quinn, Lex Luthor, Deathstroke). Exploring these characters means taking risks, something, admittedly, Warner Bros. wouldn’t let its filmmakers do. Now, they’re starting to try and take advantage of this niche category (with “Joker” and “Birds of Prey”), but they’re at a point where they are just viewed as the “Little Brother,” and sadly, it’s an accurate label. With that said, on with the show: Best(est) Picture — The Dark Knight Was there ever any doubt? No. There wasn’t. Ever. It’s Nolan (who I also give best director to), Christian Bale and Heath Ledger, the latter of whom actually won a REAL Oscar for playing the Joker in this movie (which is why I also give him best performance). All the credit to Joaquin Phoenix for his take on the character, but the standard has been set immeasurably high. From here on out, all awards exclude the Nolan movies, because otherwise it just ain’t fair. Best Picture — The Joker It was dark and it was derivative of Scorsese movies. But who better to rip off if you’re DC than the guy who said Marvel movies aren’t cinema? A lot of this goes to Joaquin Phoenix for giving a very provocative performance and, while the ending was predictable, to the director for giving a look behind the curtain (think DC’s “Wicked”). Worst Picture — Take your pick… I would say “Justice League,” but you could just as easily argue “Aquaman,” or a host of the Joel Schumacher-era Batman movies. In Justice League’s defense, it’s not entirely their fault. Zach Snyder had to leave the project and Joss Whedon’s reshoots didn’t blend well. To Aquaman’s credit, it never paraded as more than what it was, but it still was what it was: stupid. I would say, again, that a lot of this is because the studio won’t always let directors take risks. But even so, you can still make due with limited range (think the new Star Wars trilogy/spin offs). Best Casting — Gal Gadot, Wonder Woman I would go Phoenix, but there’s no need to heap all the award on one movie, or I’d just leave The “Dark Knight” Trilogy in here. This is mainly because casting for an Amazon role is difficult to do, and Gadot does an admirable job of filling it. Most Fun Picture — Suicide Squad Not a great picture, but fun. Margot Robbie swinging a hammer, Will Smith nailing headshots and the star power (he said with heavy sarcasm) of Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang. It may have tried harder than Aquaman to be something more than it was, but it wasn’t completely in vain. Solid performances helped mask a flawed story and gave us a bunch of Harley Quinn/Joker cosplay Halloween costumes, so brownie points. In Memorandum Like the Oscars, I would like to honor the (possibly) awesome projects DC has contemplated but it looks like will never get to make: The “Justice League” trilogy that would fulfill Batman’s nightmare vision from “Batman versus Superman” and reportedly had Darkseid murder Lois Lane. The plan to introduce Green Lantern in “Justice League.” “Flashpoint,” the movie that would have given us Thomas Wayne’s Batman and Martha Wayne’s Joker when the Flash decided to mess with time. A host of other interesting projects that would have worked so long as DC had taken the time to do it the right way and build up their DC Extended Universe, but will now likely never happen or not be done proper justice, the kind of justice one would think a comic book brand built around the FREAKING JUSTICE LEAGUE would be able to deliver. Now, when does the next Marvel movie come out again? Contact Hayden Adams at hadams3@nd.edu The views expressed in the Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
You know what really irks me? When people call the United States a democracy. Sure, our nation may have some democratic elements, but our government is not a democracy. Our government is not a majority-winsall system where the minority is ignored. In fact, the Founders actually feared this democratic form of government. James Madison laments that allowing the majority to rule every decision in a country would severely undermine the rights of the minority. It would be two wolves and a sheep deciding what to eat for dinner. Rather, the United States is a democratic republic based on a constitution. We elect representatives, proportional to our state’s or locality’s population, that then vote on legislation. Rather than citizens have a direct say in policies, elected officials deliberate them with input from the public. The inaccuracy of individuals describing America as a democracy may seem unimportant or without harm, but it can spell disaster when discussing the values of our nation. Calls that “Democracy is failing!” or “Abolish the electoral college!” display an ignorance of the intention for our nation’s founding. But that is a topic for another time. My thoughts on the American government’s classification arose upon watching the backlash for the Democratic Party’s Iowa Caucus. People discussed the harrowing failure of our “democratic” system all over the news, social media and personal conversations. Which, yes, we can all agree that the caucus was an utter disaster. Apps not working, miscalculations in voting and having to wait days after the initial caucus all points towards a complete failure. The Iowa Democratic Party really dropped the ball on this one. Due to the mess of last week’s caucus, the American public has seen an uptick in calls to remove the caucus system outright. The technical issues and concerns over Iowa’s 90% white population does raise concerns about a caucus’s ability to accurately reflect the opinion of the American public. A major criticism of the caucus system is simply the time commitment it requires. Instead of voting at a poll and then leaving, those participating in the caucus must arrive at a designated location and stay for a few hours while votes are tallied. This brings several issues regarding accessibility. The Iowa Caucus’s time in the middle of the week makes it difficult for working voters to attend, as everyone knows it is difficult to get off work. On top of that, the hours of standing in an auditorium is a huge commitment for families and those in special circumstances. Moreover, this makes it especially difficult for individuals without transportation to participate in the nomination process. Regardless, despite these concerns, the caucus system is not the cause of the problems. We would see these problems with any electoral system. The most popular alternative to a caucus format is a typical primary election where voters simply cast a vote and leave. However, a primary system would be subject to the same criticisms as those laid against a caucus. With most primaries occurring during the week, it still requires individuals to take time off work that may not be possible. Although, I will concede that the time commitment is significantly less. Nevertheless, there is still the issue of transportation present in both processes. Whether a state decides
to use a primary or caucus does not solve these problems. Rather than the caucus itself being a problem, its execution is the issue. The problems mentioned above can be solved through a variety of options. Hosting the election on a weekend or multiple days would enable more people to participate, as it is likelier people could attend. For transportation issues, some localities have already proposed a solution. For the 2018 midterms, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority provided free bus rides for voters in Tampa Bay, Florida. A similar model could be adopted nationwide, or greater emphasis can be placed on ballots sent through the mail. These solutions apply to problems within the primary and caucus election formats, not simply caucuses. The issues regarding the Iowa Caucus was not because the caucus system was flawed; rather, it was due to poor execution from the Iowa Democratic Party. Caucusing still stands as a viable primary election format. The unique difference between a caucus and primary is privacy. In a primary, one’s ballot is secretive, where your neighbors and friends do not know who you cast your vote for. However, in a caucus, your support is broadcast to the entire region. Americans do value privacy, and it is justified. We all have a right to protect our personal lives. However, this changes once you enter the public arena to cast your ballot. Voting is not the same as one’s religious beliefs. Religious beliefs will not have a significant impact on the broader American public. But one’s vote is an act of assisting in determining the direction of the nation. This is why individuals’ voting history is available in some areas across the country. It is certainly a public action. Thus, the way our nation conducts elections should reflect that public nature, rather than hide behind a veil of supposed secrecy. A caucus system upholds everything a nation could hope for in a thriving, engaged citizenry. Those participating can participate in dialogue with peers as the votes are going on, attempting to persuade individuals to join their side. This act of debate and deliberation is very important to our nation, as discussed in my last column. These discussions force individuals to advocate for their candidate with sound, reasoned arguments. Otherwise, their candidate will lose. A caucus allows citizens to engage in dialogue, searching for the most viable candidate. Ultimately, if we adopt the correct method of political dialogue, this produces a stronger citizenry and more competent elected officials. The choice between utilizing a caucus or primary system for nomination processes is still up for debate. However, it is important to recognize that although the Iowa Caucus was disastrous, its problems are not an indictment of the caucus system. Rather, it is indicative of the issues we face in any election format. What does matter is if the American public values its privacy or the opportunity to directly engage in political discourse. Blake Ziegler is a freshman at Notre Dame from New Orleans, Louisiana, with double majors in political science and philosophy. He hopes his writing encourages others to take an interest in politics and government. For inquiries, he can be reached at bziegler@nd.edu or @NewsWithZig on Twitter. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
The observer | Wednesday, February 12, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
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The era of stupidity Mary Szromba Banter from the Bend
Watching Donald Trump stumble his way through his presidency has been a fascinating and depressing experience. How has a man who lacks intelligence, experience and political instincts managed not to destroy his own presidency yet? It seems like he is incapable of stringing a coherent sentence together when it isn’t scripted. How was he still taken seriously after he accused Biden of doing “quid pro quo times 10,” after he was accused of withholding aid to Ukraine? How did he survive the infamous rally when he mocked a disabled person? How was he not laughed off the stage when he said: “Nobody knows what a community college is?” The man failed to condemn Nazis after they rioted in Charlottesville. Those were probably the easiest political points he could have scored since his presidency began and he couldn’t do it. I could spend this entire column just listing the moronic things Trump has said over the past four years, but that would be a waste of everyone’s time. We know how volatile he is, and we are intimately familiar with his complete lack of knowledge of all things political. The more he says the more insane it seems that he’s managed to hang on this long. How does he do it? The prevailing theory is simply that Trump has been puppeted by men who are smarter than him. People like Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan (before he fled) seemed to be pulling Trump’s strings with immense success. McConnell has been pumping courts with conservative judges since day one, and he
appears to have been using a firm hand with Trump behind the scenes in order to get that done. This theory has ample support from Trump’s aides and former advisors, who describe working with the president as akin to babysitting a child, and equally as frustrating. As long as the men holding Trump’s leash can keep him tame for long enough, though, they can get their agendas through. The problem with finding a perfect idiot who doesn’t mind his strings being pulled is that he will continue to be an idiot when you’re not around. It’s when Trump is allowed to strike out on his own that he creates the biggest threats to his own presidency. For example, one has to assume the quotes above were less than scripted, he sanctioned the assassination of a top Iranian general against the counsel of every expert in the room and when he’s allowed to place a phone call unchaperoned he manages to commit an impeachable offense in a few minutes flat. So what do you do when your puppet starts endangering the things you’ve worked for? We got to see the answer to that question during the impeachment trial this last week. The question at the center of impeachment wasn’t whether there was enough evidence to convict — there was — but whether or not the establishment GOP would cut their puppet lose, and they didn’t. This wasn’t like Nixon’s trial, who was, at the very least, not a moron, though he did commit serious crimes, which is why Trump’s trial didn’t mirror Nixon’s trial in the way some were guessing it would. Nixon wasn’t just the pet of more intelligent men, and his presidency couldn’t be more different than Trump’s. The people pulling Trump’s strings are clearly confident they can keep Trump leashed for a few
more months, but they’re taking a risk. What will happen the next time they let him loose? What world leader will he call? What U.S. official will he brazenly threaten next? These are important questions for the present, but we shouldn’t let that distract us from thinking about the future, too. Is Donald Trump a one-off, a bizarre blip in history? The perfect idiot with just enough of an ego and more than enough money who met with just enough smart, morally bankrupt men to claw his way to a position he doesn’t even understand? Or will this happen again? Will the GOP’s strategy for 2024 be to get another easily manipulated egomaniac into office so they can do whatever they want behind the scenes? As much as Trump loves to tweet about being in office forever (tyranny is hilarious!), the GOP will have to find someone to take his place in a few years. It’s unclear whether that replacement will be a return to what the GOP was before Trump, or whether the party has damaged itself too much to ever go back to normal. It’s also unclear what the Democrats will do if the Republicans decide to stick with the insanity that worked in 2016. Will the future face of politics have the same orange tint of a bad spray tan that we have today, or was this a once-in-a-lifetime nightmare? Mary Szromba is a senior majoring in philosophy and political science, and she’s never been wrong about anything in her entire life. Questions, comments and anonymous love letters can be directed to mszromba@nd.edu or @_murrrrrr on Twitter. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Letter to the editor
White poverty and racist realities It is an abiding truth that poverty cuts across racial lines in the United States, and that racism cuts across class lines in the United States. Relatedly, a recent Viewpoint titled “White Poverty in Floyd County, Kentucky” about whiteness and poverty in our nation and on our campus simply missed the mark. Let me backtrack a bit. I grew up as white, middle class, American, Catholic. During my first summer as a Notre Dame student, I participated in the SSLP at Casa Juan Diego in Houston, Texas, working with immigrants and refugees. Last summer, I spent some time at Nazareth Farm in Doddridge County, West Virginia, a home repair non-profit which addresses sub-standard housing through low-cost home repair and hosts service-based retreats for high school and college students. I enjoyed my time there so much that I’ll be spending next summer back at the farm through a second SSLP. I’ve encountered similar poverty to the type that Buhr describes. I have repaired leaky roofs, and I’ve experienced the beauty of Appalachian hospitality. I’ve also worked with immigrants and refugees, and listened to the experiences of my black and brown neighbors at Notre Dame and in South Bend. All of these experiences have allowed me to reflect on my own whiteness, the privilege that comes with it and my conceptions of race and poverty in my country and my community. If Buhr had considered the region of Appalachia entirely, he may have considered the existence and experience of black Appalachians. His description of the poverty he encountered in Kentucky neglects to recognize the reality that the same economic systems which harm white Appalachians also harm black
Appalachians, and are often compounded by the violence of systemic racism. bell hooks, a professor of Appalachian Studies at Berea College in Kentucky, has dedicated much of her career to describing the intersectional experience of black Appalachian people. Hooks writes of the omission of black Appalachian history in “Belonging: A Culture of Place,” saying: “Coming from a long legacy of farmers from rural America, I was initially consistently puzzled by the way in which the black experience was named and talked about in colleges and university settings. … No one paid any attention to the lives of rural black folks. ... Yet somewhere in deeds recorded, in court records, in oral history, and in rare existing written studies is the powerful truth of our agrarian legacy as AfricanAmericans. In that history is also the story of racist white folks engaged in acts of terrorism chasing black folks off the land, destroying our homeplace.” Buhr’s column misses the mark because his encounters with primarily white poverty have in no way disproven or invalidated the experiences of racism of people of color in Appalachia or on our campus. Rather, Buhr neglects to even acknowledge the history of slavery, violence and exclusion of AfricanAmericans in our country, and fails to recognize the reality of racism that persists as a result of it. Buhr fails to acknowledge that multiple systems of violence can exist in one society, and can interact to create different experiences of poverty and oppression. If one understands the co-existence of systems of violence like poverty and racism, Buhr’s discounting of white hegemony on this campus falls apart. As we acknowledge the hegemony of whiteness on this campus, we do not discount the experience of white
people living in economic poverty. Rather, we acknowledge that systems of violence can co-exist, and that racism is a real and present system of violence on our campus. I agree with Buhr’s point that “the nature and telos of the human being is, quite simply, to be related in love.” Such a love mandates seeking justice for the oppressed — including those oppressed by systems of economic and racial injustice. As St. Oscar Romero preached: “A civilization of love that did not demand justice of people would not be a true civilization: it would not delineate genuine human relations. It is a caricature of love to try to cover over with alms what is lacking in justice, to patch over with an appearance of benevolence when social justice is missing. True love begins by demanding what is just in the relations of those who love.” Students in our community have been victims of racist incidents that have occurred on our campus. Because we are related in love, it is our duty to recognize and resist systems which harm our brothers and sisters, and to demand justice for those who are oppressed by such systems. Manipulating the experience of white people living in economic poverty in order to discount the reality of racism is a misguided, unfair and inaccurate assessment of poverty and racism, and constitutes a failure to authentically love our brothers and sisters who suffer under racist systems.
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Mary Killeen McCans junior Feb. 11
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The observer | wednesday, february 12, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
Crossword | Elizabeth c. gorski
Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: Do your best, and you’ll get the most in return. Added discipline will help you reach the goals you set this year. Fitness, organization and putting everything you want to keep in your life in its proper place will help you prepare for new beginnings. Look inward, and you’ll discover what it is you can do to improve emotionally, physically and spiritually. Your numbers are 4, 12, 20, 26, 31, 35, 48. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Stay on top of your game. Don’t overreact. Do more and complain less, and accomplish what you set out to do. Once you establish your position and what you want, it will be easy to manipulate situations to benefit you. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Get out, meet new people and try things you’ve never done. You’ll benefit from the interactions you have with established individuals. A new outlook will lead to greater confidence. Elders, children or peers will offer exciting options. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): It’s what you do that counts. If you leave a good impression, you will prosper. Take the initiative, add extra detail and do your best to stand out. Adopting a proactive attitude, taking action and finishing what you start will bring positive results. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Start talking, and you’ll build an audience. There is plenty to gain from the people you encounter and the partnerships you develop. Change can be useful and benefit you if you stop complaining and start making adjustments. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Your charm will entertain whoever you encounter. A job done well will impress onlookers; however, don’t think you will reap the rewards without continued effort. The best way to secure your position is with consistency and superior work ethic. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Emotional matters will surface. Be prepared to deal with whatever pops up, and move on. Use any opportunity to demonstrate how you feel and what you want to happen, and you will get the help you need to allow you to excel. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Be willing to give and to take. Travel, even if it’s only a short distance. A new hobby or creative project, or getting out with friends will lead to new beginnings. The options that keep you active will bring the best results. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Do something unique, and you will find it enlightening. You can make a difference at home if you start renovations, redecorate or make a physical move that will eliminate problems that are holding you back. Act on your gut feelings. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): It will be up to you to get things underway. Plan an adventure, visit an exotic destination or open your heart to someone you want to get to know better. Let your imagination flow and your free spirit dictate your destiny. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Make a move, put your finances in order and implement the professional, financial and personal changes you want to happen. Tackling home improvement projects or changing your living arrangements is encouraged. A lifestyle change will improve emotional and physical health. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Focus on what you believe in, and make a change that will strengthen your relationship with someone special. Stop beating yourself up, and start doing something that puts a smile on your face. Live in the moment, and do things your way. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take on a project if it will help you seal a deal or advance. Don’t leave anything undone or in someone else’s hands. Be responsible, share your ideas and form alliances, and you will get ahead. Change is necessary, so forge ahead. Birthday Baby: You are intelligent, innovative and thoughtful. You are intuitive and creative.
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Fencing
Sports Authority
Expectations for spring training David Kramer Sports Writer
“C’mon, Kubel! It’s about the kids!’” The shadow of majestic LECOM Park appeared to swallow my car in its not-somajestic parking lot. I sprang from the scorching back seat of my dad’s rental car, immersing myself in the shade as I gaped at the finest attraction in Bradenton, Florida. Such a sight marked the end of a tireless road trip from the panhandle, one fueled by an electric Pirates-Twins contest later in the afternoon. Southern sunshine kissed the field with a distinctive glisten. Even fans throughout the stadium seemed to embrace the warmth. Except one. As I hurried along the third base line, scrambling to find for my trusted autograph Sharpie, I settled near a hilariously drunk fan that looked decidedly out of place. Sporting a horrendous afro wig, metallic pants and an absurdly pale-bare chest, this seriously confused soul swooned over his cheeseburger like a long-lost lover, repeatedly asking himself why the unhealthiest of things needed to taste “sooooo good.” While he affectionately counted the calories, I hollered at the smuggest of early 2000s baseball icons, Twins outfielder Jason Kubel, hoping for an autograph. With a smirk, Kubel rushed past the swarm of pleading kids and dipped his head into the dugout. Hearing the resounding disappointment around him, the disco drunk stood up, angrily shook his cowbell in Kubel’s direction and yelled, “C’mon, Kubel! It’s about the kids!” So began my first spring training game. In spite of his insobriety, the disco drunk pinpointed what MLB teams need in February: a fan-centered, engaging ballpark experience in Florida and Arizona. With pitchers and catchers starting to report this week, here are three reliable expectations for spring training that will keep the kids
entertained until Opening Day: No. 1: Expect plenty of bombs in Florida. The league’s leaders in home runs last season (Twins, Astros, and Yankees) all seek to rekindle their explosive offenses in the Sunshine State, featuring a healthy Yankees arsenal in Gleyber Torres, Aaron Judge, Gio Urshela and Giancarlo Stanton; the Twins’ trifecta of Josh Donaldson, Nelson Cruz, and Miguel Sano poses a serious threat to the Fort Lauderdale scoreboard. Especially in February development games, watch for the Tampa Bay Rays to join the ranks of long ball powerhouses as they showcase farm system gems Josh Lowe and Wander Franco. No. 2: Expect robot umpires. After a successful run in the Atlantic League and Arizona Fall League last season, a three-dimensional radar detection system will be used to call balls and strikes during spring games. Human umpires hear every strike call via Bluetooth connection to a set of AirPods. For the purists in the stands, don’t worry. Everything will look like the past decade. No. 3: Expect boos heard around the world. Kids love to boo. Houston Astros owner Jim Crane finally anticipates a formal apology from Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve and other key figures once the full roster reports. Finally. Nevertheless, the widespread lack of remorse in an altogether fragmented organization leaves fans infuriated. Spectators will inflict the punishment that Rob Manfred should have imposed last month, and no one will stop them. Bear in mind that the Astros and the reigning world champion Washington Nationals share a stadium in Palm Beach this spring. That’ll definitely get the kids excited.
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another strong showing from the foil group, which went 7-2 against the Blue Devils. After taking down the hosts, the Irish defeated Massachusetts Institute of Technology 19-8 before a rematch against No. 4 Penn State, who took down the men’s team 14-13 at the St. John’s meet in Jamaica, NY on Jan. 18. In the first matchup against the Nittany Lions, the thenNo. 2 Notre Dame men’s team got a big boost from their epee group, winning that category 8-1, but lost by the same margin in foil and were barely edged out 5-4 in sabre. This time around, against their final three opponents of the day, the sabre group stepped up. “We got a huge boost from the men’s sabre and women’s foil squads this weekend,” Kvaratskhelia said. “But our entire team looked poised and determined. I have really liked how aggressive we were on the strip.” The men’s sabre continued to get better as the day went on, going from 6-3 in the first two matches to 7-2 against MIT to 8-1 against Penn State, which allowed Notre Dame to get some revenge with a 16-11 victory over the Nittany Lions. A 9-0 sabre showing against Johns Hopkins completed a sweep of the competition for the Irish men that extends their undefeated streak to 25-0. Kvaratskhelia gave his take on how the men’s team has
gone from an 0-5 showing at St. Johns to one of the hottest units in the country. “Our success has been a combination of developing our talent and having our full roster available for the first time this season,” he said, alluding to the return of several athletes from the World Championships in France earlier this year. “Our athletes are gaining the confidence that they can compete at any level, and they have been fearless in the last couple of weeks.” The Irish women would showcase their talents the following day against slightly varied competition. They took on the same first four opponents as the men, defeating Brandeis 21-6, Duke 17-10 and MIT 23-4. However, Notre Dame faltered a bit down the stretch, losing to No. 6 Penn State 1512 and No. 5 Temple 14-13. The former loss was a rematch of the women’s 16-11 loss to Penn State at St. John’s, while the latter gave the Irish a chance to avenge their 18-9 loss to then-unranked Temple at the Philadelphia Invitational on Jan. 19. In spite of the losses, the women’s foil squad performed admirably as Kvaratskhelia mentioned, posting a 7-2 record against both the Nittany Lions and Owls. However, the sabre and epee struggled against the tough competition and went 3-6 or worse against the final two opponents to seal Notre Dame’s fate. “Not to make any excuses; we had the ability to win both matches,” Kvaratskhelia said.
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“But it didn’t help to miss five athletes due to injury or illness against two top teams such as Temple and Penn State. Our primary concern was to keep our team healthy for ACCs and Regionals.” Even though the Irish women failed to get a victory in their final two matches and saw their own 25-match unbeaten streak come to an end, they still went 3-2 on the day and got to compare their progress to that of an early-season foe in the final meet of the regular season. Kvaratskhelia said that kind of opportunity is beneficial. “It gives our coaches information to make effective changes in our lineup, and a chance to study our opponents after that first meeting,” he said. While a program as vaunted as Notre Dame’s doesn’t settle for moral victories, such close finishes against the country’s other top programs, despite the absence of key talent, bode well for a team that, at the start of the year, was desperate for leadership. “This year, leadership has come from unexpected places,” Kvaratskhelia said. “It’s a combination of our upperclassmen as well as from some surprising freshmen and sophomores.” With the regular season in the rearview mirror, the Irish have two weeks to prepare before hosting the ACC Championships on Feb. 22 and 23. Contact Hayden Adams at hadams3@nd.edu
Contact David Kramer at dkramer2@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
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Irish junior sabre Colin Campbell adjusts his equipment during the DeCicco Duals on Jan. 27, 2019, at the Castellan Family Fencing Center. Campbell is off to a 24-1 start this year and is 41-4 over his career. 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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Track&Field Continued from page 12
right time.” He also specifically addressed Rachel Tanczos and the hope the team had that she would bounce back from a not-so-perfect weekend, knowing her ability to do so would be both his responsibility and hers. “We all hope Rachel, who had her big throw at Michigan, has another big throw at the national meet,” he explained. “So we hope to see she bounces back from that struggle. I think there was a lot of good competition at our meet this past weekend, and she was at home. And she had a big throw the week before, so I think sometimes in athletics and just in general that, when you try too hard, things backfire on you. Now, I think she learned from that experience to just relax and be yourself and good things will happen.” How do they expect her to bounce back from it? And how can the coaches hone the confidence that Thorpe and Sharp are riding so that it translates into future meets? It stems from strong communication and open paths for such communication to occur, Sparks said. “Part of [successful coaching] is getting to know the athletes,” he said. “Our staff’s all been in place here going on our second year. At this point, we all know our athletes well and how best to stack their training, so they are most efficient, most ready on the right day.” Sparks said it is more than just times in practice and how the athletes are feeling while they run.
“A lot of [success] is that coachathlete relationship and communicating with each other well to know that you’re feeling right or you’re not feeling right, tweaks that you can do in training to make sure you’re ready when it matters most,” Sparks said. “That’s why we have some athletes sit out certain weekends — so that they can make sure they are most ready for when it matters most.” Building that relationship doesn’t come without challenges, though, especially keeping conversation open as the championship portion of the season creeps closer. “The challenge is that the athletes start to feel a little pressure as you get closer and closer to those, so our jobs as coaches is to remind them that, ‘Hey, you don’t have to reinvent yourself to get the championship time, just do all the same things we’ve been practicing the last six weeks. Do what you did to qualify to get here and you’ll be fine,’” he said. “Because a lot of athletes that try to make it to championship time try to reinvent themselves and do things they haven’t done. They think they need to do something extraspecial, when in reality if you just come out and do what you did to qualify then you’ll be in a good place.” With this advice planned out and a specific goal to earn the qualifying times they haven’t yet, the Irish head into both away meets this weekend with a clear plan to take on Ames and Nashville. Contact Mannion McGinley at mmcginl3@nd.edu
M Bball Continued from page 12
the arc. The game went back and forth for most of the first half. A 3-pointer from sophomore guard Dane Goodwin gave Notre Dame a 12-10 lead, followed by Hubb scoring a three two possessions later to push the lead to 15-12. Neither team led by more than three points for the entire first half before a senior guard TJ Gibbs three pointer at the buzzer gave the Irish a 26-22 lead heading into the break. The second half started much like the first, with both teams continuing to miss shots. A Virginia three opened the scoring to trim the Notre Dame lead to one, but Mooney answered with a basket inside. After scoring just five points in the first half, Mooney made an immediate impact in the second half. A bucket from sophomore forward Nate Laszewski in the post gave the Irish a 32-29 lead, and a Hubb floater pushed the lead to five, but Virginia again answered with a 3-pointer. A steal by Hubb led to an acrobatic, fastbreak layup from Laszewski. A Virginia three tied the game at 38 just under the 10-minute mark, part of a 10-0 Virginia run which was finally ended by another Hubb layup. A steal from Gibbs and a Mooney tip-in cut the lead to just one with just over four minutes to play. After the teams traded misses, a Gibbs corner three put the Irish back in front with two-and-a-half minutes left in the contest, but a Virginia
turnaround jumper tied the game at 47 with 25 seconds left. Virginia had five fouls to give, and intentionally fouled Notre Dame multiple times, giving them only three seconds to attempt a shot to win. Mooney was blocked underneath the basket to send the game to overtime in what appeared to be a controversial no-foul call. Two free throws from Virginia opened the scoring in overtime, but Hubb tied the game on a fadeaway jumper. Virginia missed the front end of the one-and-one, and Mooney was fouled on the other end but missed both free throws and was called for a loose ball foul, giving Virginia two more chances at the line. They split the pair, and led by one with two minutes to play. Notre Dame had a
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Irish graduate student guard Rex Pflueger looks to pass during Notre Dame’s 80-72 win over Georgia Tech on Feb. 1 at home. Paid Advertisement
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Irish junior Yared Nuguse runs in the 3,000 meter race during the Meyo Invitational on Saturday at Loftus Sports Center.
chance to win with 18 seconds left, but Rex Pflueger missed a corner three at the horn. Notre Dame continues its road trip Saturday, traveling to Durham, North Carolina to take on the seventh-ranked Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke (21-3, 11-2 conference) has been among the hottest teams in college basketball recently. They have won their last six games, and average 82.6 points per game, led by freshman forward Vernon Carey Jr.’s 17.5 points and 8.9 rebounds. A win against a top-10 opponent on the road would be immense for Notre Dame’s NCAA tournament chances, which took a major hit after the loss Tuesday. Tip off between the Irish and the Blue Devils is 4 p.m. Saturday.
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Roundtable Continued from page 12
I probably should go with the Spartans at home, but I’ve been high on the Terrapins all year. They were my preseason Big 10 champion prediction, so I’ll stay with my gut and go with Maryland and their 6-game winning streak. Houston leads the AAC, and SMU is nearly unbeatable at home, making this an enticing mid-major matchup. Kind of a toss-up call, but give me SMU at home. In a year of turmoil, if I had to bet the house on one team making the Final Four, I’d take Kansas. I think they’re the most complete team, and despite Oklahoma playing very well recently, I’ll take the Jayhawks at home.
Nate Baylor keeps on winning no matter who they are playing and I don’t anticipate that changing this weekend. Bob Huggins has done a great job turning West Virginia around this year, but I don’t think they will be able to get it done against Baylor. Maryland has had some slip-ups on the road this year, and they will have to be on top of their game to beat a Michigan State team that still has a lot of talent despite losing some big games recently. I think Izzo gets his guys fired up and Spartans get the win. I don’t know too much about the AAC, but Houston has been a force in recent years and has had success in the NCAA tournament. I think their experience will lead them to victory on the road against SMU. In the Bill Self era, Kansas has rarely dropped a Big 12
game at home, and I expect them to dominate Oklahoma this weekend. I think Oklahoma is definitely going to have a chance to make a run in March, but they won’t be able to compete against the Jayhawks on their home court.
Liam Baylor has looked dominant in conference play, and while they have shown f laws that prove they can be beaten, West Virginia is not the team to do it. While they have a better offense than usual, their typical suffocating defense is non-existent this year, so I like the Bear’s offense to put up a lot of points at home to stay undefeated in the Big 12. Michigan State has fallen off a cliff since being number the number one overall team in the preseason, but they still are an experienced group with a lot of talent. Additionally, Maryland has looked very good at times, but owns just a 3-4 record on the road. I’ll take Michigan State to get a big bounce back win here. Houston is 9-2 in conference play, with their only two losses coming by a combined 4 points on the road. SMU has played very well at home, but Houston’s superior speed and shooting should carry them to victory. The Cougars just blew out Wichita State, and I expect it to continue this weekend. I have to go with Kansas, not only because I picked them in the first edition of our draft, but because I think they’re the best team in college basketball right now. They’ve been running through Big 12 play since their loss to Baylor, and an Oklahoma team that is abysmal on the road (2-6 road record) won’t pose much
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of a challenge. Kansas beat Oklahoma by 14 a month ago; this one won’t be that close.
Patrick Baylor should have its way against West Virginia, who will struggle against the top scoring defense in the Big 12. The Bears have looked unbeatable in Waco, and I expect this trend will continue against the Mountaineers. While I may be biased due to my DC area loyalties, I do not expect Michigan State to pull off the upset against Maryland. The Spartans have lost three of their last five games and need to get back on the right track. This will be very difficult because the Terrapin’s elite defense should keep Cassius Winston in check. In the last meeting between these two teams, Houston won by nine points at home. SMU will be motivated for a bounce-back win; however, I believe that the Cougars, who are ranked 1st in the AAC in rebounds, will control the boards and earn victory. Although they are being overshadowed by Baylor, Kansas’ eight-game win streak is nothing to scoff at. During this period, the Jayhawks handily beat Oklahoma in Norman, so I do not think that they will have trouble defeating the Sooners at home.
Dominic Baylor has performed well playing solid basketball, especially at home. West Virginia has been a solid basketball team but I don’t think solid is enough to top the Bears on the road. And one more thing. Texas lives rent free in Mountaineer heads. Oklahoma is the only rival that matters. Hook’em. This one may be bold but I’m taking Michigan State here. While they have taken a nose dive late in the season, I think that a home win is just the thing the Spartans need to get the train back on track. Winston should be able to spearhead the effort and pull out the dub at home. This SMU and Houston matchup should be a tighter contest than the last one. However, I don’t think the Mustangs will have enough horse power to top the Cougars at home. Kansas has been playing second fiddle to Baylor for most of this season but they are still an elite team. The Jayhawks have been on a tear and I don’t think it will stop here.
Inigo West Virginia Basketball is back! After taking a break from the top tier of collegiate basketball, the Mountaineers are here to stay. Sure, Baylor is having a season for the
record books, but who could vote against Huggins and all of Morgantown. This Mountaineer team has time and time again proved themselves. W VU all the way. Horns Down. Don’t mess with Big Ten basketball. The matchup between Maryland and Michigan State is set to be an exciting one. With that, the Terps played great through the first half of the season and they are showing no sign of slowing down as the tournament approaches. An unranked Michigan State team reeks of a lack of momentum. I am going to have to take Maryland on the road. The instate battle between Houston and SMU is sure to have fans on the edge of their seats. With similar records, many argue that SMU should be ranked. Bringing the fight to Dallas, the Mustangs will be playing with a chip on their shoulder. Never underestimate the power of the sixth man. SMU will win this contest against the Houston Cougars. The No. 3 team in the nation requires no introduction. This weekend, Kansas is looking to defend the honor of their home court against an unranked Oklahoma team. The Sooners have been waiting for the next Trae Young or Blake Griffin to stumble into their program and he just hasn’t arrived yet. There is no doubt that Kansas will end this game with a victory.
Bonus Pick Who’s winning the NBA All-Star Game and who’s taking home MVP? Aidan: Team Giannis boasts a ton of defensive prowess, but the All-Star Game isn’t predicated on defense. Team Lebron’s offensive firepower will be enough to claim victory. It’s really hard to pick an MVP out of a star-studded cast, so I’ll go ahead and take James Harden, whose 3-point shooting ability is virtually unmatched and a perfect fit for the All-Star Game. Nate: I think Lebron James will be the headline of this All-Star Game. He will be extra motivated to compete after Kobe Bryant’s death, and I anticipate his team to win and for Lebron to take home MVP. Liam: The All-Star game usually devolves into a dunkoff, which in my opinion makes it nearly unwatchable. Alley-oops are the name of the game, and no one is better at finishing those than Anthony Davis. With teammate Lebron James tossing them up to him, he will put up gaudy numbers similar to the 52 points he scored when he earned MVP in the 2017 contest. Patrick: Team LeBron is an
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offensive juggernaut that is built to succeed in the scoring focused All-Star Game, so I expect that LeBron’s leadership will guide his team to an easy victory. Damian Lillard has been on a tear recently and could certainly achieve MVP honors; however, I am going with Chicago’s own Anthony Davis for the award. Davis has the most chemistry with LeBron, and the hometown fans will certainly give his play a boost. Dominic: Team LeBron is going to be able to score points. A lot of them. And that’s really the only thing that matters in these all-star games. I think they will handle things easily and LeBron will take the MVP. Inigo: Luka Doncic was robbed of a spot in the AllStar Game last year. Luka Doncic is the best player in the NBA. He is the present. He is the future. He will win MVP.
Top 25 Draft This is a new section for us. Each week, the writers hold a ‘draft’ of the AP Top 25 basketball teams, with each of our squads consisting of four teams. You are also allowed to pick the unranked team that each ranked team is playing, resulting in double points. The points are distributed as such: Home win: +1, Road win: +2 Win by 10+: +1, Win by 20+: +2 A loss by one of your teams is -1 points and a loss by 15+ is -2 Five additional points are awarded for a 1st place finish, four points for 2nd, and so on. Our squads for the week are as follows: Inigo: Gonzaga (1st overall), Colorado (12th), Seton Hall (13th), Iowa (24th) Dominic: Michigan State (unranked) (2nd), Florida State (11th), Texas Tech (14th), Butler (23rd) Patrick: San Diego State (3rd), Louisville (10th), Maryland (15th), LSU (22nd) Liam: Kentucky (4th), Kansas (9th), Houston (16th), Minnesota (unranked) (21st) Nate: Dayton (5th), Auburn (8th), Duke (17th), Rutgers (unranked) (20th) Aidan: Villanova (6th), Penn State (7th), Baylor (18th), Oregon (19th) Contact Liam Coolican at lcoolica@nd.edu, Dominic Gibson at dgibson@hcc-nd.edu, Patrick Gallagher at pgallag4@nd.edu, Nate Moller at nmoller2@nd.edu, Aidan Thomas at athoma28@nd.edu and Inigo Yturralde at iyturral@nd.edu The views expressed in this column are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer.
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The observer | wednesday, february 12, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
nd men’s basketball | virginia 50, nd 49 (OT)
track & Field
ND to split up for pair of meets By JIMMY WARD Sports Writer
Fresh off of the Meyo Invitational, Notre Dame’s track team will be back in action this weekend as they split up to head west to Ames, Iowa for the Iowa State Classic and south to Nashville, Tennessee for the Music City Invitational. Head coach Matt Sparks broke down how the team would be split between the two meets. “The men’s 5K runners are going to Iowa State — like Danny Kilrea, Andrew Alexander, Kevin Salvano,” Sparks said. “There will be six men going out there just to run 5Ks. The rest of the team will be headed to Vanderbilt.” While at Iowa State, the Irish will face teams from schools representing different conferences including the Big Ten, the Big 12 and some other ACC teams. At Vanderbilt, there will be a different mix of schools including some SEC teams and some Tennessee teams. Regardless of what state they are in, Sparks has one goal for
Irish lose in overtime despite several chances
the whole team. “A lot of ACC qualifiers, you have to hit a qualifier to compete at the ACC championship, and so we would hope to hit those standards across the board, really, in every event,” Sparks said. “And these are our last two weeks before the ACC meet. Whether at Vanderbilt or Iowa State, we’re trying to improve upon the marks to solidify our positions as we get ready for the ACC meet. … Both meets will have everything we’re looking for in terms of hitting those marks.” With the success of this weekend in the women’s hurdles, where Summer Thorpe and Naya Sharp took first and second, respectively — matching and beating personal records — Sparks said he looked forward to both this weekend and meets down the road. “Summer and Naya set themselves up to compete in the championships in a few weeks, and I mean, that’s the heart of coaching right there,” he said. “We just make sure [the athletes] are ready at the see TRACK&FIELD PAGE 10
Observer Staff Report
ann curtis | The Observer
Irish sophomore guard Prentiss Hubb makes a cut during Notre Dame’s 80-72 win over Georgia Tech on Feb. 1 at Purcell Pavilion.
Squads continue success at weekend tourney By HAYDEN ADAMS
Picking NCAA basketball games Liam Coolican, Dominic Gibson, Patrick Gallagher, Nate Moller, Aidan Thomas and Inigo Yturralde
Associate Sports Editor
see FENCING PAGE 9
see M BBALL PAGE 10
observer roundtable
fencing | duke duals
Notre Dame’s No. 3-ranked women’s and No. 5-ranked men’s fencing teams competed in the Duke Duals this past weekend, with the women going 3-2 and the men continuing an unbeaten streak stretching back to the DeCicco Duals on Jan. 25 and 26. “Both teams performed at a very high level,” Irish head coach Gia Kvaratskhelia said. “I felt that we achieved pretty much all of the objectives we had going into the weekend.” The first day of competition on Saturday featured the men’s fencers. The Irish took on five opponents, defeating all of them by no closer a margin than five points. They first took care of Brandeis by a score of 20-7 with an 8-1 edge in the foil weapon and 6-3 edges in both epee and sabre. They then took on No. 10 Duke, with Notre Dame defeating the hosts 17-10 behind
Notre Dame (15-9, 6-7 ACC) lost in overtime Tuesday, falling 5049 on the road to Virginia (16-7, 8-5 ACC). The Irish squandered chances late, having a chance to win in regulation, missing two free throws in overtime and a chance to win at the buzzer. The Irish were led offensively by sophomore guard Prentiss Hubb and senior forward John Mooney who scored 12 and 11 points respectively, but shot just 5-12 and 4-14 from the field. The Cavaliers lead the nation in scoring defense and opponent field goal percentage. Notre Dame shot just 32.8% from the field and 23.1% from three. Virginia was led by senior forward Mamadi Diakite, who finished with 20 points. Neither team found a rhythm offensively early in the game, as both teams struggled shooting the ball. The Irish shot just 33% from the field in the half, but held the Cavaliers to 1-12 from beyond
Sports Writers
format, with lots of points to be had! We can say with confidence we are sure some of these picks are right so enjoy!
Standings
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Former Irish epee Austin Guo makes a lunge during the DeCicco Duals on Jan. 27, 2019 at the Castellan Family Fencing Center.
Welcome back to the Observer Roundtable! We have some exciting new changes to announce in this week’s edition. First off, we welcome Inigo Yturralde Cadavid to the team, as he replaces David Kramer. Secondly, doing upset pick of the week was proving difficult with basketball, so we decided on something different. We hold a draft of the Top-25 basketball teams, with each writer selecting four teams for their squad that week. Points are earned based on how each of your team’s perform. The point system is described in that section. Meanwhile, Aidan and Nate have jumped to an early lead based on nailing their upset picks last week, but we’re excited to try this new
Aidan Thomas – 14 points Nate Moller – 12 points Liam Coolican – 6 points Patrick Gallagher – 5 points Dominic Gibson – 5 points Inigo Yturralde – 0 points No. 14 West Virginia @ No. 1 Baylor No. 9 Maryland @ Michigan State No. 20 Houston @ SMU Oklahoma @ No. 3 Kansas
Aidan I can’t justify picking against Baylor here. I’m not wholly convinced they’re the best team in the country, but they are 11-0 at home, and West Virginia is coming off a loss to unranked Oklahoma and is 3-5 on the road. see ROUNDTABLE PAGE 11