Print Edition of The Observer for Thursday, February 27, 2020

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Volume 54, Issue 92 | THURSDAY, february 27, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Stadium PA announcer retiring Voice of ND football for 39 years announces retirement, reflects on life, work

By CLAIRE RAFFORD Associate News Editor

When students, alumni and fans attend a game at Notre Dame Stadium, they are greeted by the same familiar voice, commencing the event with the cheer of “Here come the Irish!” as the team runs out of the tunnel.

Michael Collins is that voice.

After 39 years as the Notre Dame football public address announcer, Collins recently announced the 2020 season will be his last.

Collins attended Notre Dame and graduated in 1967.

By the end of the 2020 season,

he will have announced at 233 straight home football games, according to a report by the South Bend Tribune.

Collins said that despite his long tenure as PA announcer, he came into the job essentially by accident, when his predecessor resigned two days before the first game of the 1982 season. Collins said the game was the first-ever college football night game — besides bowl games — televised coast-to-coast: Notre Dame vs. Michigan.

“When they asked me I didn’t have the heart to tell

CLAIRE RAFFORD | The Observer

Maryanne Wolf, class of ‘69, will deliver the 2020 Commencement address at Saint Mary’s, the College announced in a Wednesday press release. Wolf will be one of two honorary degree recipients at commencement on May 16.

see ANNOUNCER PAGE 3

Michael Collins will end his career as the Notre Dame football announcer after the 2020 season. He will have announced 233 games.

see SPEAKER PAGE 4

BAVO hosts empowerment board activity

By JULIANNA MCKENNA News Writer

The Belles Against Violence Office (BAVO) hosted an empowerment board activity on Wednesday evening to help students focus on setting and achieving personal goals.

The organizers hoped this activity would help students recognize their potential and worth, a message that is part of BAVO’s core mission.

“I think this activity really aligns with BAVO’s mission for women’s empowerment,” junior Elizabeth Day, who helped organize the event, said. ”It is a visual way to represent your goals and recognize the things that you aspire to be and the things that inspire you.”

This year BAVO has tried to find new ways to connect with students and share their mission.

“This year we’re really tr ying to get creative with our events and find new ways to empower women,” Day said. “We want to host events that people will be excited about and start

NEWS PAGE 3

SMC selects address speaker

conversations about important topics.”

The concept of an empowerment board plays off the idea of a vision board, but students thought a vision board could have a negative effect on participants. Instead, BAVO opted for a more positive message for this event.

“We thought a vision board would be cool, but once we started looking into it, we noticed that a lot of people online were saying how stressful it was when they looked at their vision boards and felt like they hadn’t accomplished any of their goals,” senior and BAVO member Lauren Zinanni said.

“We thought about empowerment boards instead because BAVO strives to empower women, especially on this campus.”

Students in attendance found designing empowerment boards to be a good way to get involved and apply this activity to their own lives.

“I have a lot of projects see BAVO PAGE 4

SCENE PAGE 5

Observer Staff Report

Shuttle company to offer new route to Chicago Observer Staff Report Following the news that Coach USA would end their Indiana Supersaver route, another company has announced the introduction of a bus line between Northwest Indiana and the two Chicago airports, according to a report by the Northwest Indiana Times.

Royal Excursion, a bus

service based in Mishawaka, markets itself as the “the leading charter bus and luxury transportation provider in the Midwest,” the Times said.

The route will initially stop at the South Bend International Airport, the University of Notre Dame, Michigan City, Valparaiso, Griffith, Chicago Midway International Airport and Chicago O’Hare

International Airport, but the article said Royal Excursion is hoping to include more of Indiana Supersaver’s stops — including Portage, Highland, Crestwood and more cities.

The new route will roll out March 3. Royal Excursion plans to offer discounts to promote the new service — with $10 one-way and $20 round-trip ticket prices between March 3 and March 12.

ND updates campus on global coronavirus trends Observer Staff Report As the new coronavirus strain has quickly spread beyond China across the world in the past few weeks, Notre Dame officials said in an email they have no reason to believe anyone on campus is at risk, but they provided travel advisories to students in preparation for spring break.

The vice president for student affairs Erin Hoffman

Viewpoint PAGE 7

Harding, vice president for human resources Robert McQuade, vice president for internationalization Michael Pippenger and vice president for campus safety and University operations Mike Seamon penned the email.

Notre Dame will continue its ban on Universitysponsored travel to China and will also now prohibit University-sponsored travel to South Korea, advising against personal travel, the

MEN’S BASKETBALL PAGE 12

email said.

If the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raises its risk levels for coronavirus cases in Italy, the email said the University will plan on taking action in regards to study abroad students and University-sponsored travel there as well. In addition, Notre Dame International included an advisor y for study abroad students to see CORONAVIRUS PAGE 3

ND W BASKETBALL PAGE 12

2

TODAY

The observer | THURSDAY, february 27, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Question of the Day: ndsmcobserver.com

Have a question you want answered?

Email photo@ndsmcobserver.com

Have you ever ran out of the dining hall to avoid someone?

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

Kaela Reisch

Sophie Bouldoukian

freshman Ryan Hall

freshman Breen-Philips Hall

“No.”

“No.”

Katie Rose Blachowicz

Elaine Griffin

sophomore Ryan Hall

junior Breen-Philips Hall

“I was trying to smuggle four bananas out of South and the dining hall lady was eyeing me.”

“Nope.”

(574) 631-6900 ads@ndsmcobserver.com

Max Minicus

lan Shuman

Editor-in-Chief

sophomore Fisher Hall

freshman Dillon Hall

“No.”

“No, but I have sat in a different place to avoid someone.”

Editor-in-Chief Kelli Smith Managing Editor Natalie Weber

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

Notre Dame News Editor: Tom Naatz Saint Mary’s News Editor: Maeve Filbin

Viewpoint Editor: Evelyn Stein

Sports Editor: Connor Mulvena

Scene Editor: Mike Donovan

Photo Editor: Nola Wallace

Graphics Editor: Diane Park

Social Media Editor: Mary Bernard

Advertising Manager: Landry Kempf

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Systems Administrator: Stephen Hannon Talent & Inclusion Manager: Zixu Wang Office Manager & General Info

Ph: (574) 631-7471 Fax: (574) 631-6927 Advertising

(574) 631-4542 ksmith67@nd.edu Managing Editor

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(574) 631-4541 mleontaras01@saintmarys.edu, msteure1@nd.edu, mbernar5@nd.edu Business Office

(574) 631-5313 Notre Dame News Desk

(574) 631-5323 news@ndsmcobserver.com Saint Mary’s News Desk

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(574) 631-4543 sports@ndsmcobserver.com Scene Desk

The next Five days:

Want your event included here?

Email news@ndsmcobserver.com

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

PEMCo Musical Performance: “The Wild Party” Washington Hall 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Ticketed event.

Women’s Investing Summit Dahnke Ballroom 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Free for students with lunch provided.

Saturday Snite Sketches: Interiors Snite Museum 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Conversation about works of art.

ND Theatre NOW Philbin Studio Theatre, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Two one-act plays.

Daily Mass Basilica of the Sacred Heart 11:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.

No Mass during Spring Break.

Women’s Basketball vs. North Carolina Purcell Pavilion 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

The Irish to take on the Tar Heels.

ND Symphony Orchestra Concert Leighton Concert Hall 8 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Featuring student soloists.

Irish Theatre of Chicago’s “Doubt, A Parable” DeBartolo Performing Arts Center 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Organist Concert Basilica of the Sacred Heart 8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Free event featuring Michel Bouvard.

Music Faculty Research Talks O’Neill Hall of Music 4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

Free event open to the public.

(574) 631-4540 scene@ndsmcobserver.com Photo Desk

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webmaster@ndsmcobserver.com Policies The Observer is the independent, daily newspaper published in print and online by the students of the University of Notre Dame du Lac, Saint Mary’s College and Holy Cross College. Editorial content, including advertisements, is not governed by policies of the administration of either institution. The Observer reserves the right to refuse advertisements based on content.

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Today’s Staff News

Sports

Sara Schlecht Renee Pierson Emily Hunt

Colin Capece Mia Marroquin

Graphics

Dessi Gomez

Cristina Interiano

Photo

Scene Viewpoint Nelisha Silva

Nathanial George

Corrections The Observer regards itself as a professional publication and strives for the highest standards of journalism at all times. We do, however, recognize that we will make mistakes. If we have made a mistake, please contact us at (574) 631-4541 so we can correct our error.

Taiwanese Student Association to hold annual event, promote inclusion

By ANDREW CAMERON News Writer

The Dahnke Ballroom in Duncan Student Center will be alive with sights, sounds and smells from around the world Thursday. The annual Night Market, sponsored by the Taiwanese Student Association (TSA) and the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, will host booths offering a wide variety of cuisines, as well as performances and an art exhibition.

TSA president and senior Christopher Moy described the event, which runs from 7 to 9 p.m., as a “a spoof of an actual Night Market in Taiwan, so that tends to be a lot like a really chaotic street fair, with a lot of different kinds of foods.”

“TSA Night Market is really about exploring different cultures through different lenses, so we try to provide different mediums for Notre Dame students to come and see that,” he said.

Moy said the Night Market began as a collaboration between TSA and

the Japan Club, but has grown rapidly over the years.

This year, 12 different cultural clubs at Notre Dame will operate market booths, including the Asian American Association, Brazil Club, Japan Club and Hawaii Club. The McDonald Center for Student Well-Being, also known as “McWell,” will also be running a table.

“McWell targets conversations that aren’t as present in our communities, and I wanted to create a presence for them there,” Moy said.

The Night Market will also feature performances by Project Fresh, Encore! by Notre Dame Chorale and Mariachi ND. This year, for the first time, student art will be exhibited at the Night Market as well, Moy said.

“We got regular students to send in pictures of the times they visited the places where they’re from,” he said. “We’re also trying to offer the opportunity for minority students to showcase their artwork, as well.”

Admission to the Night Market will

be free and open to students, faculty and the general public. Attendees can purchase food and other items from the different booths with tickets.

On the days leading up to the Night Market, TSA handed out tickets (two per person) in Hesburgh Library.

Tickets will also be available for purchase at the event — one for $1, six for $5 and 13 for $10.

Moy said he believes the diverse cultural representation at the Night Market reflects the diverse and welcoming nature of Taiwan.

“I’m not fully Taiwanese, but I can go there and sort of feel at home. … It’s a place where people are welcome,” he said. “That’s what TSA Night Market has become. I guess in some ways, it’s skewed from just Taiwanese street eats, and sort of become a place where cultures can come and feel welcome around each other, and we can offer anybody at Notre Dame the opportunity to come to our table.”

Contact Andrew Cameron at acamero2@nd.edu

News

ndsmcobserver.com | THURSDAY, february 27, 2020 | The Observer

3

student SENATE

Senate votes against using single-use plastics

By ISABELLA VOLMERT News Writer

The student body senate passed a resolution Wednesday formally requesting that the University eliminate single-use plastic on campus. The resolution was drawn up by junior student body vice president Patrick McGuire and sophomore director of sustainability Juliette Kelley.

The resolution calls on the University to permanently halt the sale and provision of all single-use plastics across campus.

This includes single-use plastic containers, water bottles, straws and bags available at facilities such as Grab ‘n Go, Duncan Student Center restaurants, the Hammes Bookstore and other locations.

The resolution reasoned the

Announcer Continued from page 1

them that I had never done football in any way, shape or form before because my high school was too small for a football team,” Collins said. “ … I was told at the time that, you know, it was an emergency.

And in effect, I was given a one year audition for the job. So apparently it worked, because it’s now turned into 39 years.”

Over the years, Collins said he

University has already begun the process of eliminating single use plastic through the distribution and use of Ozzi reusable food containers and reusable water bottles. Before the resolution passed, senior and Keough senator James Bathon recommended adding a period of time for the University to phase out the current structure to the resolution.

“Just putting a hard stop [to the use of single-use plastic] could be very, very drastic on the system,” he said.

Sophomore and Keenan senator Luke Sheridan-Rabideau agreed the transition would be difficult but said the transition period is not as important as the issue itself.

“I feel like we are not necessarily imposing a hard stop on them,’’ Sheridan-Rabideau

said. “I think we are sending a message that this is something we want to happen.”

After further questioning, the resolution passed.

In an interview after the senate meeting, Kelley said she wanted to engage the senate and the student body with this resolution.

“So the hope is to bring [the resolution] to the forefront of people’s attention, that this is something that is going on on campus, and we can keep moving forward with it,” she said.

Kelley has spoken to members of the administration regarding the issue, conversing with departments such as Campus Dining and the Office of Sustainability.

“They’ve been working really hard to take some steps like getting rid of plastic straws and introducing reusable containers

in places like Garbanzo,” Kelley said.

This resolution would mainly apply to food services on campus. Chain restaurants such as Starbucks would be impacted differently should the University implement this change.

“This would primarily affect places that are Notre Dame Campus Dining,” Kelley said.

“So Modern Market and Grab ‘n Go are kinda the two big places where I see this having an impact.

Whereas those places [chain restaurants], because they are under a third party contractor, would be more difficult to influence.”

Kelley also said these dining options are currently being affected as the University works toward the elimination of plastic straws and taking up more sustainability initiatives.

Kelley said she hopes the resolution itself will inspire change on campus from the University and also the student body.

She spoke of the “Meatless Mondays” resolution that came from last year’s Department of Sustainability, which suspended the serving of meat in dining halls on Mondays but “fell off.’’

However, Kelley has hope this resolution will catch on.

“I think the most important thing is it starts the discussion in the administration,” she said.

“Whether anything will come of it, I don’t know. If it does, it will probably be a very slow process, but we’ve already seen them making progress so hopefully this will help that continue.”

has tried to make the games as fun as possible by integrating quirkiness into his commentary.

“I think the greatest compliment I got was when a group of students were together and they were on a broadcast and they said what they liked about me that I was … ‘a bit unconventional’ and I take that as a huge compliment,” he said. ” … I like to have a little fun up there.”

Despite the fact that Notre Dame’s record varies from year to year, Collins said his strategy for announcing games is always

the same.

“No matter who we play, no matter whether we’re having a good year or a so-so year, I always keep in mind there’s people in the stands that day, that it might be their first time at Notre Dame stadium, and they deserve the best effort I can give them,” Collins said. “And so it doesn’t matter whether we’re playing Clemson or Western Michigan — I’m going to do it exactly the same way.”

His favorite memory of his time at Notre Dame, Collins

said, was the last time he ever saw former University president Fr. Ted Hesburgh before he died in 2015. The two developed a friendship in Hesburgh’s retirement, Collins said.

“The last time I saw him when he was in the home, he called me aside as I was leaving, and … he said, ‘Michael, I just want to thank you, not only for your years of service, but your lifelong dedication to Our Lady’s University,’” Collins said. “And literally, I was speechless.”

Collins also works as the spring training announcer for the Pittsburgh Pirates in Florida, and said expressed his gratitude for getting to work for two of his favorite teams.

“Well, look, I grew up as a kid in Pittsburgh, a diehard Pittsburgh Pirates fan, and just loved anything about Notre Dame,” Collins said. “And how about this, I ended up with those two jobs. How lucky can you get? ” Collins said one of his favorite contributions from his time as PA announcer was his starting the “Here come the Irish!” at the beginning of each game. He said though it has become part of Notre Dame football lore, he began the tradition on a whim.

“It was a big game, and they came out of the tunnel and I just blurted it out,” he said. “And after the game, my wife just said to me, ‘Boy, I really liked that.’ And I didn’t even know what she was

talking about. And she said, no, that ‘Here comes the Irish.’ She said they went bananas. And she said, ‘you should do it every game.’ Well, I’ve done it every game since.”

When asked what he was going to miss most, Collins jokingly said “free hot dogs.” But he also said the energy of the games means a lot to him.

“I am going to miss the rush I got from the live broadcast, play-by-play of the game,” he said. “That just energizes the heck out of me.”

In his retirement, Collins said he plans to continue announcing for the Pirates in Florida, in addition to serving his community. He has already committed to serving with Meals on Wheels, he said. He said the Notre Dame mission of service is one that everyone should try to integrate into their lives.

“Whenever, after you graduate, you are in a position where you have a little bit of spare time — reach out to people who could use your help,” he said. “And always remember the the ethic courses you took, the morality that you got from your theology classes and bottom line, please just go out there in the world and … make a difference for others, and to live a quality life, as I used to say, that would make Fr. Hesburgh proud of you, too.”

Coronavirus

Notre Dame community have concerns regarding their family and friends in affected areas.

“Our staff in Notre Dame International is working closely with these students to help reduce their concerns,” the email said. “Please offer support should you interact with anyone who is impacted.”

The University will continue to monitor the health risk of this strain of coronavirus and provide updates if recommendations change.

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Continued from page 1

reconsider traveling to areas experiencing an outbreak or at high risk.

With regards to spring break specifically, the email recommended against traveling to China, South Korea, Italy and Japan.

Although the University does not believe anyone on campus is at risk, officials said members of the greater

Contact Isabella Volmert at ivolmert@nd.edu

Contact Claire Rafford at crafford@nd.edu

4

News

The observer | THURSDAY, february 27, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Speaker Continued from page 1

According to the release, Wolf is the director of the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners and Social Justice at the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies.

She has been awarded honors from the International Dyslexia Association and the Dyslexia Foundation. The release also stated that she has earned the Distinguished Researcher of the Year for Learning Disabilities in Australia and the Distinguished Teacher of the Year from the American Psychological Association.

Wolf is a Fulbright Fellowship recipient and has won the Christopher Columbus Award for Intellectual Innovation for co-founding Curious Learning: A Global Literacy Initiative with deployments in Africa, India, Australia and rural United States.

Interim President Nancy Nekvasil said in the release that Wolf is a “gifted presenter” and “renowned scholar on literacy and the brain.” Nekvasil said Wolf has dedicated her career to helping children with learning challenges.

“She is a prime example for the Class of 2020 of an alumna using her knowledge and skills to better our world, in this case, her pioneering work on the complex issue of global literacy and dyslexia,” Nekvasil sail.

“Her confidence and depth of character are inspirational, and I’m delighted our graduates will hear her message.”

The College will also honor Keith J. Egan and William Cushwa at this year’s Commencement.

Egan, the Joyce McMahon Hank Aquinas Chair in Catholic Theology Emeritus at Saint Mary’s and a guest professor in theology at Notre Dame, will receive an honorary degree.

An international scholar specializing in historical theology, medieval theology, Christian spirituality and other areas, Egan founded the Center for Spirituality at Saint Mary’s in 1984. According to the release, he joined the faculty in 1983 and held the endowed chair position from 1997 to 2006.

“It’s with tremendous respect and admiration that we recognize Dr. Egan and honor his legacy of service to Saint Mary’s,” Nekvasil said in the release.

“As a professor, he continually explored ways to position the College nationally as a place to promote the engagement between faith and reason and to highlight women’s contributions to the field of theology.”

Egan also developed the Madeleva Lecture Series, named for Sister Madeleva Wolff, which amplifies the voices of women scholars studying theology.

“The Center for Spirituality and the Madeleva Lecture Series were both established during a time when the work

of female theologians was not widely recognized,” Nekvasil said. “[Egan] not only provided opportunities for our students to engage with these prestigious scholars, but also make their work more well-known in the academic world.”

Nekvasil will also honor William Cushwa, a member of the Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees since 2011, at Commencement, by presenting him with the President’s Medal.

According to the release, this award is “presented rarely” and recognizes those who have made “exceptional contributions to the life of the College and society.” Cushwa is deeply involved in the community, serving on several local boards and planning committees. These groups include Real Services, the St. Joseph County Public Library and the South Bend Symphony.

Cushwa graduated from

Notre Dame in 1959, and is related to several Saint Mary’s alumnae, including his mother Margaret Hall Cushwa (’30), daughter Margaret Cushwa Haller (’90) and granddaughter Kathleen Hall Dunn (’17), as well as his sister Mary Ellen Cushwa Wolsonovich (’70) and six of his cousins.

He is currently serving his third term on the College’s Board of Trustees, and is actively engaged with several committees.

“Bill is deeply connected to the College, as a son, brother, father and grandfather of Saint Mary’s graduates,” Nekvasil said in the release.

“Unwbeknownst to others, he quietly supports the College on a regular basis, while also attending lectures and other campus events as much as he can. It gives me great pleasure to honor him with the President’s Medal.”

BAVO Continued from page 1

coming up, so I think this is a nice way to take a break and still be creative,” junior Corey Shaw said. ”I think that having one is a nice reminder to never give up.”

For Shaw, having boards like these serve as a daily reminder to remain positive and to stay focused on her goals.

“All of this work is going towards a goal,” she said. “I have a lot of these types of things in my room already, so this is just another reminder that I’m here for a reason and I need to keep going to make the goal that I’m trying to get to.”

Members of BAVO hope events like this will help spread the organization’s mission to students and encourage everyone to get involved.

“I think its important that

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BAVO does these events not only so students on campus can become more aware of BAVO’s presence, but also so students can be creative and work on a project to take something home,” Zinanni said. “It’s important to show that BAVO is a resource for students and we’re glad that we’ve been such a big presence on campus this year.”

The concept of empowerment is significant for many students and the ability to design a board had a positive effect on students.

“A lot of people told me I wouldn’t make it this far,” Shaw said. “So, the fact that I did and that I have boards like this reminds me of this and why I’m here. It helps me remember that I proved them wrong.”

Contact Julianna McKenna at jmckenna01@saintmarys.edu

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The observer | THURSDAY, february 27, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

By MIKE DONOVAN Scene Editor

Deep in the heart of parietal country, under Our Lady’s persistent gaze, frank discussions of sex are few and far between. Even rarer: blunt artistic depictions of the amorous subject. Lecherous sins more often sit in silence — on everyone’s mind, discussed in private but almost never in performance. Not here. Not at this fine University. At least not until PEMCo’s latest project, a production of Andrew Lippa’s lusty ode to late 20’s depravity: “The Wild Party.”

Based on Joseph Moncure March’s 1928 narrative poem of the same name, “The Wild Party” sets to music an attitude — jazz, money and mayhem mixed together in a cocktail of hedonistic self-destruction — outside the bounds of sustainability (see: 1929’s little event).

Like its subject matter, the musical leads with allure.

Its steamy score seasons a big band jazz foundation with hints of pop and rock, creating an effect as spicy and unsettling as it is addictive. The audience can’t help but succumb to the tunes’ seductive smells, becoming, not unlike the shows’ central characters, subservient to dangerous patterns of indulgence.

For PEMCo, the risqué source material presents an opportunity to do something new and, hopefully, incisive.

“We wanted something darker,” executive producer Rosa Kim said. “[Our fall production] was a funny, comedic, light kind of show. We wanted a show that leaves people wondering, ‘What did we just learn from that thing we just saw?’”

“We’ve always kind of went for cheerier material like

By DESSI GOMEZ Scene Writer

Netflix’s new magical thriller series “Locke and Key,” created by Meredith Averill, Aron Eli Coleite and Carlton Cuse, combines fantasy with horror in a surprisingly captivating plotline. You would think that there are already lots of stories about magical keys that do terrifyingly cool things, but the only one that comes to my mind is the scene in the first Harry Potter book/movie with the enchanted keys needed to unlock the next door to get to the Sorcerer’s Stone.

Seeing as this series is based off of books, I would say Netflix picked a good premise to run with.

After the inked sketch introduction illustrating all of the keys and their capabilities, accompanied by a catchy jewelry or music box lullaby that’s just the right amount of pretty and creepy, I was left intrigued by what the story would be about.

Three siblings and their mother move to the town of Matheson to reclaim Keyhouse, an eclectic and enigmatic mansion that is property passed down through their paternal ancestral line, owned by the Locke family. Keyhouse and Matheson provide a fresh start for the

‘Guys and Dolls,’ Golden Age musicals. But ‘Wild Party’ … it’s very real.”

In crafting “The Wild Party’s” flamboyant take on reality, PEMCo gives, quite literally, the old college try.

Their production leans heavily on the economical instincts of director Mary Hope Clark, a standout performance from leading woman Caroline Lezny (Queenie) and an airtight chamber band. (Editor’s Note: Lezny is a Scene writer for The Observer.) This talented triad forms the production’s beating heart, bringing an earnest (if, at times ungainly) supporting cast to life around them.

Clark finds ways to do a lot with a little, creatively coordinating staging, blocking and costuming to transform Washington Hall’s spare stage into a mansion’s enticing analogue. Within the space, she has characters’ selfmade fictions and the company’s larger performative project play off each other. As set changes and costume swaps take place amidst the chaos, the production draws attention to itself — its contrived nature. These Brechtian maneuvers accentuate the inauthenticity of the musical’s party-going protagonists whose deceptions are anything but invisible.

Lezny’s rendition of Queenie communicates these layers of performance admirably. While her vocal work, which carefully manipulates timbre and volume to explore character, can stand alone, it’s what silent (wonderfully communicative expressions of love, fear and confusion) that makes her Queenie believably unbelievable. Tommy O’Brien, acting opposite Lezny as Queenie’s violent vaudevillian lover Burrs, has vocal chops to match. His inviting tenor, which dances along the edge

of its range, does well to convey the anger underpinning Burr’s “Joker”- esque mask. But his dramatic swings leave something to be desired. With the expectation of one partially chilling scene involving some clown makeup, he comes across as more sweetly sad than damaged and angry. Maybe it’s his voice.

Nick Kloska and Grace Thomas round out the leading cast (and the musical’s central love quadrangle) as the goody-two-shoes character, Black, and the sex-crazed Kate respectively. Both scale their one-sided characters to extremes, establishing a nice comic counterpoint to the Queenie-Burr saga.

Music director Sean Ford delivers when it comes to the show’s most important and consistent facet: its music.

From the drums, bass and brass up through the incredible vocal performances, Ford and the company execute complex, compelling arrangements with passion and poise. The consistency he and his cast bring to the production is enough to forgive any number of dramatic foibles.

All in all, PEMCo’s “Wild Party” succeeds in pushing the tri-campus theater community toward edgier territory. Though it never quite reaches the depraved extremes its source material calls for, the production is nonetheless interesting. In putting on “The Wild Party,” PEMCo took a risk. And, if nothing else, their courage shines on stage.

PEMCo’s “Wild Party’’ will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday on Washington Hall’s main stage.

Locke family after their father was mysteriously murdered. However, the town doesn’t exactly let them forget their past since everyone seems to know what happened and who the Lockes are.

Rendell Locke’s widow Nina (Darby Stanchfield) tries to focus her energy into cleaning up Keyhouse and refinishing furniture like she did before her husband’s death.

The kids are starting at new schools, with Tyler and Kinsey attending a preppy high school and Bode attending grade school.

Tyler and Kinsey (Connor Jessup and Emilia Jones) are at ages where social life drama adds to the complications of Keyhouse, while Bode (Jackson Robert Scott) is young enough that he can devote all of his focus to finding the keys by listening for their whispers. Scott creates an adorable Bode and perfectly captures his naïvete and surplus of trust.

Laysla De Oliveira portrays a scary but beautiful “Well Lady’’ as the Lockes know her for the first half of the series. Sherri Saum’s return to the screen adds a familiar face to the cast, though her Ellie Whedon is much more sinister than her character on “The Fosters.”

I applaud Netflix for its adaptation of this story, and while they capture a lot of the fantastical magic within it,

it does feel a bit cheesy at times; while I’m not sure if that is due to the script or the cast, it’s definitely not because of the plot. The anticipation of the discovery of each new key, its design and what it does drives a lot of the story, as well as the secretive past of Rendell Locke and his friends from Matheson.

Suspenseful secrets are unlocked in one of Netflix’s more popular book-to-TV show adaptations. The show keeps the surprises coming until the final episode — it takes until the end to figure out who wields the key to Rendell Locke’s past as well as his wife’s and brother’s memories.

Contact Mike Donovan at mdonov10@nd.edu

Contact Dessi Gomez at dgomez5@nd.edu

“Locke and Key” Created by: Meredith Averill, Aron Eli Coleite and Carlton Cuse Watch it on: Netflix If you like: “Spiderwick Chronicles,” “ Stranger Things”

CRISTINA INTERANO | The Observer

6

The observer | Thursday, february 27, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Your privilege is showing

Inside Column

Go volunteer

Jackie O’Brien Dear Father Jenkins

Nola Wallace Photo Editor

Sometimes within our tri-campus bubble, we forget to think about the community outside of University.

South Bend, even with all of its hot spots and local charm, is a city in need of service from people like YOU. There are many organizations in need of young, smart, and energetic volunteers- that I know this campus holds. W hether you are looking for an internship, service hours, or just like to help others, here are some great local organizations you should look into! Tell your friends! Tell your professors! Get involved with a good cause today!

1. Unity Gardens: Unity Gardens is a local community garden for residents of the area! Started in the summer of 2008, their initial one garden has grown to 55! Those in need are welcome to come and pick fresh produce and learn about healthy eating. They also conduct classes on gardening, bee keeping, and chicken tending to empower others to “grow their own.”

Reach out to them today–you will not be disapointed!

2. Green Bridge Growers: Green Bridge Growers uses aquaponics, a unique growing technique, to produce their fresh produce. The organization partners with individuals with autism to provide jobs and foster skills.

The organization was started by Chris Tidmarsh, who found it was difficult to enter the post graduate workforce as a young adult with autism. Since then Green Bridge Growers has taken off. Find them on social media or check out their website!

3. Dismas House of Indiana: Dismas serves as transitional housing for recently incarcerated individuals within the community and assists with resumes, job searches, and therapy programming. Dismas provides a safe, clean, and stable environment for individuals to get back on their feet and away from crime. Dismas is unique in the sense that is often partners with college students as interns, volunteers, and also as live in residents, who get to live and work with this demographic and make a difference. Since opening their doors Dismas has housed over 1,600 offenders and over 100 college students. They are always looking for volunteer groups to cook dinners, help with clean-up/house repairs, or other projects.

4. Saint Margaret’s House: Saint Margarets is a day center for women and children in need. They have a strong belief that “each woman is talented and gifted and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.”

They provide hot meals, computer access, laundry facilities, and private showers; they also host numerous community events, such as the Saint Margarets Annual Winter Walk to promote awareness for women in need.

5. Back the Bend: Back the Bend is an annual day of community service hosted by Notre Dame. This year, it will be hosted on April 25th. On this day hundreds of students dedicate their time to go out into the community (and to many of the above sites mentioned)in one giant city wide day of service, clean up, and restoration. Gather a group and get out there!

You can contact Nola at nwallace01@saintmarys.edu The views expressed in this Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

I t y pically get a lot of pushback from the more conser vative readership to my columns, but I decided to piss off the opposite faction today: Bernie or Busters !

Tw itter is a tough place to be right now.

W hile I wholly support Senator Bernie Sanders’ candidacy and am planning to gladly support him if he ends up w inning the nomination (and it looks like he most certainly w ill), I struggle reading the intense and targeted criticism of anyone who offers any commentar y to complicate Sanders’ rise.

For example, a few days ago Sanders t weeted, “I’ve got news for the Republican establishment. I’ve got news for the Democratic establishment. They can’t stop us.”

An accomplished broadcast journalist, Soledad O’Brien, quote t weeted Sanders and commented, “(The Senator from Vermont working extra-hard to elect Trump.)”

W hile I interpreted O’Brien’s t weet as a commentar y on the electabilit y of a Sanders ticket which bases itself on rejection of the establishment, many others failed to see it this way. The replies to O’Brien’s t weet were honestly shocking.

Porochista K hakpour tweeted, “Your unprovoked cruelt y has become hard to stand. I admired you for ages. Seeing you act this way for me is the greatest tragedy of this election.

I know I don’t matter to you but I am begging you to stop trolling & tr y ing to hurt people here just because you have followers.”

In another exchange, a user t weeted “I really wanted to believe you were a real one. Damn” before another user responded “Soulisdead O’Brien? ” It’s extremely reasonable to push back on O’Brien’s assertion that Sanders requires the support of the Democratic establishment to w in the election, but this primar y has been transformed into a fight for the soul of liberal America. And maybe that’s a good thing. Perhaps a moral message w ith a future-focused v ision is what we need to w in this election. After all, that’s what President Barack Obama had in 2008.

But I can’t see this t y pe of div ision and negativ it y as any thing but harmful. Aren’t we all on the same team here? Democrats, progressives and never-Trumpers may have different approaches and aspirations for who should occupy the Oval Office, but in the end the worst-case scenario for ever yone is another four years of President Donald Trump.

W hat if, by some cra zy happenstance, Sanders doesn’t w in the nomination? W hat then? We still have a moral obligation to “vote blue, no matter who.”

Unfortunately, a shocking number of people riding the “Bernie or Bust” train would disagree w ith that sentiment. W hile I admire

Submit a Letter to the Editor: viewpoint@ndsmcobserver.com

the passion of Sanders’ supporters in this primar y race, part of that passion needs to be redirected to the real goal at hand. Can we really afford to “bust” in this election?

Are our only v iable options Sanders or another four years of Trump? No. Sanders might be your favorite candidate, but you w ill undoubtedly embody the face of progressive priv ilege if you refuse to reorient your loyalt y to another candidate on the bizarre chance that Sanders fails to secure the nomination.

There is far more at stake in this election than the dream of a new progressive political system. W hile that’s a major part of Sanders’ mission, we also have to consider the fate of undocumented immigrants, the destructive effects of climate change, people deprived of access to adequate health care, v ictims of mass incarceration, the fact that our appellate court system w ill be conser vative-leaning for the rest of our lives — the list goes on and on. To refuse to vote for any other candidate out of protest against the Democratic establishment and their efforts to prevent a Sanders presidency is to abandon these common causes that are definitional of Sanders’ campaign in the first place.

Sanders’ campaign slogan is “Not me. Us.” And that’s what this election has to be about.

We need a candidate w ith a moral mission and true v ision who can turn out enough voters to actually take on Trump — and Sanders might just be that candidate. But he’s not the only candidate in this race who could create positive change.

Literally anyone else currently running is better than the deranged lunatic occupy ing the Oval Office.

So — if you’ve made the statement “Bloomberg is basically Trump” or disqualified Warren for taking money from PACs, think again. That’s the exact kind of priv ilege that caused people to stay home in 2016 and lost us the election. We can’t afford to go dow n this same road again — the stakes are far too high and way too real.

After this last debate and Sanders’ impressive show ing in Nevada, we might not have any thing to worr y about, but we can’t forget that the goal of 2020 isn’t creating a new America. It can be that, but on an even more basic level, our goal is avoiding another destructive four years of Trump.

Jackie O’Brien is a Notre Dame senior studying political science and peace studies, originally from the Chicago suburbs. When she’s not writing for Viewpoint, you can find her attempting to complete the NY T crossword, fretting over law school applications or watching RuPaul’s Drag Race. She can be reached at jobrie21@nd.edu or @im_ jackie_o on Twitter.

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

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The observer | Thursday, february 27, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

LETTERs TO THE EDITOR

While I’ve lost faith in Jean Vanier, I have not lost faith in L’Arche Jean Vanier used to be a personal hero of mine.

In fact, the founding story of L’Arche was one of the most impactful stories of my life.

I first experienced L’Arche the summer after my freshman year at Notre Dame through the Summer Service Learning Program (SSLP). I spent eight weeks living and serving as an assistant in L’Arche Greater Washington, D.C. (GWDC). In L’Arche, assistants (people without disabilities) share their lives with core members (people with disabilities). We live in community together.

In my role as an assistant, core members trusted me to help them with cooking, getting dressed, brushing teeth and other aspects of their daily routine. I trusted core members to teach me how to live more authentically and with more compassion.

I realized shortly after my SSLP that eight weeks would never be enough. In that summer, I discovered a home, a family and a mission that I hope to carry forward for the rest of my life. It was so impactful, in fact, that I committed to L’Arche as an assistant for my next two summers at Notre Dame, and, after my graduation this May, I will return to L’Arche GWDC as a full-time assistant and community member.

When news broke of Vanier’s despicable behavior, I originally didn’t know how to simultaneously hold the story and community I love and this terrible discovery about its author and founder. The theology and mission of L’Arche were now attributed to a man who gravely hurt others and then lied about it.

Part of what originally drew me to Vanier’s writings in the first place was that they seemed to be matched by the way he lived his life: he preached about vulnerability, mutually transforming relationships and human dignity while modeling those values everyday (I thought) by choosing to live in intentionally

inclusive communities. Reading the news from L’Arche USA on Saturday was therefore certainly a shock: the “authentic” lived theology I knew was suddenly called into question.

But then I was reminded, as I often am in L’Arche, that the story of L’Arche was never really Jean’s. The story at its heart always belonged to our core members (people with disabilities).

While writings and press about L’Arche sometimes focus on the fact that Jean chose to live with people with disabilities (which at the time was certainly revolutionary), it is important to remember that core members also made the choice to believe in a vision of inclusion, with incredible faith and trust and considerable risk. Core members are our founders.

It is often said that on one of the first nights in L’Arche, the power went out in the house, and assistants (people without disabilities) could not figure out how to turn on the lights. One of the founding core members taught them how to flip the breaker, restoring light to the home. I believe that this is a time where the light in L’Arche homes will once again be turned on by our true founders. L’Arche was never meant to be led by assistants, or the founder: it was meant to be led by core members, who have always been at the heart of our communities around the world.

Core members will lead us in praying for the courageous women who shared their stories, in sharing love and support with them and in healing our communities. Core members will guide our new, authentic and honorable stories of togetherness and mutuality.

On Saturday, I was especially heartened to hear how some of the core members in my L’Arche community responded to the news about Vanier. One

core member, who I consider to be my brother and one of my dearest friends, previously truly admired Vanier; this core member was known for his talent in retelling our founding story to new assistants as part of their orientation. After hearing the news, he paused for a few moments to collect his thoughts before replying that tomorrow, at Sunday Mass, he would add the women Vanier hurt to the prayer list.

This is the mission of L’Arche: aligning ourselves always with the most vulnerable in our communities.

While I am not a L’Arche spokesperson, my personal experience has made it abundantly clear that the mission of L’Arche, of sharing the gifts of those with intellectual disabilities through mutually transforming relationships, is alive and well, despite the reprehensible actions of Vanier. While we now know that Vanier did not authentically live the ideals that L’Arche was founded on, our core members always have and always will. If you want to learn about our true theology, about how we choose to center our lives around caring for each other and the most vulnerable among us, please rest assured that our best teachers — our core members — are just as committed as ever.

While my faith in Vanier is broken, my trust in our core members has, if anything, been strengthened. I trust our core members to guide us through this disillusionment. I have immeasurable and unshakeable hope in them, and I am honored to follow their lead, alongside many assistants and community members around the world, today and everyday.

Alice Felker senior Feb. 24

Notre Dame’s civic disengagement Notre Dame is woefully unprepared to host the first Presidential debate of 2020. Not in terms of their capacity to physically execute an event like this, but due to the fact that the University has zero clue on how to handle political engagement, much less political conf lict.

Allow me to share a story explaining what I mean: In November 2019, Notre Dame welcomed Nancy Thomas of Tufts University, an expert on youth political engagement and voting. Thomas met with several different groups on campus, from the Office of the President, to the Community Engagement Coordination Council, to a group of students who worked diligently on campus to promote political engagement. As the co-chair of ND Votes, I was naturally very interested to know Thomas’s thoughts on our strengths and weaknesses as a campus, especially ahead of an election with some of the highest anticipated turnout in decades.

What Thomas expressed to me was a truth that I had always felt, but never had the words to actualize what I was experiencing. She said that Notre Dame had the quietest group of administrators she had ever presented to, and she has visited hundreds of colleges and universities while presenting on this topic. I had the privilege of sitting in on a few of these meetings, and it was resoundingly obvious how little Notre Dame faculty, staff and administrators wished to speak about politics.

At one event, Thomas asked faculty from various areas of the University to share how they would respond to potentially difficult situations, such as students feeling unwelcome in their classroom

because of their political beliefs or racially insensitive remarks made by one student directed at another. After being given several minutes to write responses to all of the hypothetical situations, Thomas asked these faculty members to share. Of the 25 or so in attendance, probably only five or six gave a response to any of the prompts. Others looked uncomfortable and most did not engage for the entirety of this two-hour training. I was the only student in the room.

I share this anecdote not to cast aspersions on the silent faculty, but to illustrate the culture of disengagement that permeates every corner of this University. It seemed to me most people in the University were hesitant to engage on the mere subject of engaging in politics — not even the political discussion itself. Perhaps this stems from the fear of being called “too liberal” or “too conservative” or any other deviation from a non-offensive, tepid middle ground the University all too often stakes out.

This culture has enveloped Notre Dame to the point where even I, a political science student and the leader of an organization whose mission is the promotion of civil discourse, choose the path of least resistance and stay quiet on political topics when they arise. The repercussions of this extend beyond discomfort. When politics are shied away from, they become less salient in people’s minds.

And when politics are not salient, the probability one votes drops dramatically. And when people don’t start voting at a young age, they are far less likely to start voting as they get older. In the 2018

midterms, we saw exactly that: a voting rate among students that was less than the national average and less than other comparable universities — including University of Michigan and USC. While I can sit here all day and criticize the University, the fact of the matter is that it is on us to cultivate the environment we wish to see. In fact, rejecting the culture of silence the University has foisted on students is perhaps the most elegant act of rebellion I can imagine. But we know this will not happen naturally, at least not in this climate.

So that is why ND Votes, Student Government, BridgeND, College Democrats and College Republicans have joined forces to bring you Civics in Action, a new initiative to encourage political discussions on campus. A trained facilitator in each dorm will lead a series of conversations, offering an accessible, nonjudgemental dialogue on issues that matter.

So if talking about, thinking about or even existing in this current political climate stresses you out, we urge you not to disengage. In the vacuum left by the University, we have the power to shape the discourse in the way we want. Let’s work towards cultivating an inclusive, respectful environment — one dorm conversation at a time.

To sign up, be on the lookout for your ND Votes’ liaison’s email, or follow @ndvotes on Instagram to find the link to sign up.

Sheila Gregory, co-chair of ND Votes senior Feb. 24

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Classifieds

The observer | THURSDAY, february 27, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Crossword | will shortz

Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: Take command of your personal life, health and the events you decide to participate in this year. Poor decisions will ruin your chance to advance. Don’t take risks or overdo it, and you’ll not only thrive, but you will excel, professionally and financially. Use common sense. Channel your energy wisely, and doorways will open and opportunities will unfold. Your numbers are 5, 18, 21, 24, 30, 38, 45.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Emotions are likely to conflict with professional duties. An attitude adjustment will help you bypass someone who is giving you a hard time. A humble, gracious approach to dealing with others will make them look bad, not you. Be wise, not foolish.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A change will lead to benefits that will help you establish your next move. A chance to get ahead and to use your skills in a way you can enjoy yourself more is within reach. Make suggestions and excel.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Push your way up using charm and persuasive tactics, but make sure that you will be able to deliver what you promise.

Getting what you want is one thing, but honoring your word will be what seals a deal.

CANCER ( June 21-July 22): Concentrate on what’s important. Emotions will surface if you are too sensitive to comments others make. It’s OK to say no if you feel pressured. Reduce stress — don’t add to it. Stay in control, and you will eliminate negativity and unwanted interference.

LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22): Use your flare, and don’t be afraid to allocate what you want to happen. If you are friendly but forceful, the people you deal with will help you. Generosity will play a role, so don’t forget to offer incentives. Romance is encouraged.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Love, social activity and networking will pay off.

You will entice people to see things your way and help you get what you want. Promote and present, and someone you attract will offer the boost you need to make the right connections.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You will attract attention. The objective is to make sure that it’s favorable, not detrimental, to getting ahead. A sophisticated look, coupled with an intelligent approach to the things you want to do, will help you reach your goal.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Refuse to let emotions or indulgent behavior stand between you and what you need to accomplish. Discuss sensitive issues openly and honestly, and you’ll eliminate tension as well as wasted time. Use your intelligence to get your way.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take time to put yourself together. A new look, image or attitude will give you a better perspective on life and what you want to pursue. Focus on your happiness, health and emotional wellbeing. Romance is featured.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’ll end up confused if you let someone play with your emotions. Ask questions, get background information and leave nothing to chance when it comes to love, personal matters or your health. Keep your guard up and personal information a secret.

AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Follow through with your plans. Live up to your promises, and avoid making unnecessary changes or purchases that add to your stress. Focus on learning, raising your awareness and making self-improvements. Challenge yourself to get fit and to live a healthy lifestyle.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Monitor what you do. Offering too much will end up being to someone else’s benefit, not yours. Pick and choose where you allocate your time and effort. Make the most of your skills, knowledge and experience.

Birthday Baby: You are smart, curious, and fearless. You are helpful and persistent.

Sudoku | The Mepham Group

Jumble | David Hoyt and Jeff knurek

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SPORTS

ndsmcobserver.com | THURSDAY, february 27, 2020 | The Observer

Sports Authority

nd men’s tennis

End one-time transfer policy Trey Turner Sports Writer

On Feb. 17, the Atlantic Coast Conference released a statement via Twitter in support of a penalty-free, one-time transfer for all student-athletes in all ACC schools. Currently, studentathletes from 20 NCA A sports can transfer once without sitting out a year. This legislation would affect baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, ice hockey and football — sports for which the majority of transfers have to sit out a year after transferring before becoming eligible to play. The ACC’s proposal comes four months after the Big Ten proposed a similar piece of legislation.

On the surface, the proposed changes to the transfer policy seem as if they are elevating the status of student-athletes to that of their coaches, who do not have to wait a year to start coaching at a different college after “transferring.” It is hard to look through ESPN and Twitter without finding a large percentage of reporters and fans stating that the current system is unfair because coaches and players do not have equal rights when it comes to transfer rules and pay. Players are the ones scoring the points, so why can’t they switch teams just like their coaching counterparts?

A popular objection to the opinion that coaches and players need to be treated equally is that coaches and players are not equal and that the impact that coaches have on their teams is more indirect, but no less important, than that of their players. Some may argue that coaches are paid not only to coach games but to handle the press, organize their players and organize their staff. Those same people will argue that players, especially scholarship players, are compensated with complete or partial payment of education and the perks that come with competing at the collegiate level.

While both sides of these arguments make appealing points, both go about the remedy of coach and player equality in the wrong way.

Players should not be able to transfer to other teams without sitting out a year just because their coach can change schools without waiting to coach for a year. Such a rule, which is what the ACC and

9

Big Ten are proposing, would disproportionately hurt the Group of Five conference teams whose goal for each season is not to win a College Football Playoff game or to make the Sweet 16, but rather to make it to a bowl game or finish with a winning record.

These teams — the New Mexico States and Loyola Chicagos of the NCA A — will no longer have a distinct, unifying, team goal. Players will no longer go to these schools to possibly make The Big Dance as a 16 seed but will instead see these teams as mere stepping stones on a path to the top of the NCA A totem pole. Talented players who have a good season with their Group of Five teams will search for spots to fill on ACC and Big Ten teams after a star gets injured, transfers to another school, or leaves to play professionally.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the only conferences to endorse the free one-time transfer policy belong to the Power Five and are dominant in every sport they play. It only makes sense that the schools in these conferences would want ready access to talented, power-five caliber players that went under the radar during recruiting so that their teams don’t tank due to freak injuries or underperforming players. The increased power that these rule changes will give Power Five teams will transform NCA A football, basketball and baseball into a pseudo minor league structure in which the Group of Five teams act as the farm system and the Power Five teams act as the professional teams that all players strive to play for.

This is not to say that there are not times and places in which players and coaches should be treated equally. I am only arguing that giving players and coaches the same ability to transfer schools will create a constant f low of talent out of the Group of Five teams and into Power Five teams. The stories of underdog teams from the Mountain West beating powerhouse teams from the Big Ten will become even more rare when talented players on those underdog teams are constantly looking for their next home in the Power Five.

Contact Trey Turner at tturner5@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Irish prepare to begin conference play at home Observer Sports Staff

This Friday, Notre Dame w ill kick off ACC conference play when they take on Louisv ille (7-3) at home Friday. The Irish (5-5) w ill be looking for a bounceback performance against the Cardinals, after suffering a close defeat against the Wolverines (11-3). Notre Dame w ill be heading into the contest w ith confidence after several members of the team were able to defeat ranked opponents in their match against Michigan.

The Irish w ill need a good start in doubles once again and put on a ver y solid performance against

the Wolverines, which should bode well for them.

However, they w ill be facing off against a Louisv ille team that has secured the doubles point in the last three matches they have played. The number-one doubles team for the Irish consisting of 29th-ranked junior Tristan McCormick and sophomore A xel Nef ve as well as the number-t wo doubles team of junior Richard Ciamarra and senior Matt Gamble have been consistent performers for Notre Dame and w ill need to put on another solid one to help power their squad.

In singles, 10th-ranked Ciamarra w ill be looking to

build off of his massive w in last weekend after dow ning 17th-ranked sophomore Andrew Fent y of Michigan, which helped him secure ACC co-player of the week.

He w ill most likely face off against Louisv ille’s 66thranked junior Tin Chen this week. Noth w ill also be looking for a solid performance out of 98th-ranked Tristan McCormick, who is coming off of a big v ictor y against 112th-ranked junior Mattias Siimar of Michigan.

The final home match until March 20 is set for 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Eck Tennis Pav ilion w ith doubles play. Singles play w ill directly follow.

allison thornton | The Observer

Irish junior Matt Gamble returns a shot during Notre Dame’s 6-1 victory over Boston College on Feb. 8, 2019 at Eck Tennis Pavilion. The Irish return to action Saturday afternoon at home.

ann curtis | The Observer

Irish senior Guillermo Cabrera prepares to return a shot during Notre Dame’s 6-1 win over Boston College on Feb. 8, 2019 at Eck Tennis Pavilion. Cabrera went undefeated at home last season.

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Sports

The observer | THURSDAY, february 27, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

M Bball Continued from page 12

yet another double-double.

Sophomore guard Prentiss Hubb and sophomore forward Nate Laszewski notched 10 points apiece, while Gibbs chipped in nine for the Irish.

The game got off to a very offensive start, with both teams making their first two field goal attempts, and the Eagles, on the strength of a pair of threes, jumped out to a 6-4 advantage. Boston College stayed in the lead until Gibbs drilled a triple for a 14-12 Notre Dame advantage with 13 minutes to go in the half. The two squads tussled back and forth for the next eight minutes, with neither squad being able to seize control of the game. Notre Dame, still somewhat in play for an NCAA tournament berth, had a lot to play for, while the Eagles were looking to secure a season sweep over their rivals and move up in the ACC standings. As both teams took turns punching each other in the mouth, the Eagles gradually began to gain the upperhand. After Notre Dame tied the game 27-27, Boston College’s Julian Rishwain drained a three to kickstart a 10-0 run, and the Eagles stretched their lead all the way to 41-31, but Irish graduate student guard Rex Pf lueger stole the ball and fired up a prayer at the buzzer which fell through the net to cut the deficit to seven points at the half.

Much like their first meeting, Boston College’s offense dried up in the second half, but Notre Dame struggled to put up enough points to pull off a comeback. The Eagles increased their advantage to 45-36, but the Irish ripped off a 7-0 run to pull back within three, with a Hubb

3-pointer fueling the spurt.

After a Boston College bucket, Laszewski calmly swished a 3-pointer to cut the Eagles’ lead to one. However Boston College countered with a three, and then neither team found the hoop for nearly four minutes of clock time, as sophomore guard Dane Goodwin got a free throw to rattle home with 9:48 to go in the game to break the scoring drought.

Unfortunately for the Irish, they were victimized by another well-timed Rishwain 3-pointer, which extended Boston College’s lead to six points. Down 55-49, Notre Dame again turned to Laszewski who poured in five straight to bring the Irish back within a single point. Finally though, Notre Dame’s struggling offense took advantage of their stellar second half defensive efforts, and with 3:44 remaining on the clock, Gibbs fed Hubb for a triple and 58-57 lead. Boston College made a jumper to jump back ahead, and then neither team scored for another two minutes and eight seconds, but Gibbs broke the drought with a layup. Down 60-59, Boston College got the ball, and after scoring just 18 points in the half, broke through the Notre Dame brick wall of defense, laying the ball in with eight ticks left. Hubb took the ball, and it looked like he might have to launch a desperation three, but with seconds left, he dished it off to Gibbs in the paint, who turned and lofted a f loater that dropped through as the buzzer sounded for a 62-61 lead.

Notre Dame improves to 9-8 and rockets up to fifth place in the ACC as their quest to secure an at-large NCAA tournament bid continues.

They visit Wake Forest, who is coming off a double-overtime upset of Duke, Saturday.

nathanial george | The Observer

Irish senior forward John Mooney shoots the ball during Notre Dame’s 82-84 loss to Syracuse on Jan. 22, at home. Wednesday’s win moved the Irish to fifth place in the ACC as they continue for an at-large bid.

nathanial george | The Observer

Irish sophomore guard Prentiss Hubb prepares to shoot the ball during Notre Dame’s 82-84 loss to Syracuse on Jan. 22 at Purcell Pavilion. The Irish return to action Saturday at Wake Forest at 4 p.m.

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Sports

Track&Field Continued from page 12

this level of competition,” he said. “You have qualified for the conference meet, you have proven to the coaches that this is a level that you can excel on, and now you just have to come out and do what you have done all year because so many people when the lights are brighter tr y to change what they have done all year.

“Especially for some of those elite kids, they just need to come out and do what they have done all year and they w ill be in a good place.”

With such an important meet looming, Sparks says the team is taking measures to ensure ever yone is in a good state both mentally and physically.

“There are just two days of practice and then teams are here and facilities shut dow n for pre-meet stuff on Wednesday,” Sparks said.

“There might be a little bit extra energ y just from the fact that we are tapering and the workouts w ill be a little bit lighter this week. There is not a whole lot of extra training that can be done this week.’’

Sparks said the resting period w ill allow the team to prepare for the championships, where they w ill compete in more events than

ndsmcobserver.com | THURSDAY, february 27, 2020 | The Observer

normal.

Sparks also discussed the advantages and disadvantages of hosting the events at their ow n facilit y. W hile members of the track and field team have the home field advantage, they also have to go to class Thursday and Friday, unlike the v isiting teams, Sparks said.

“Ever yone reading the paper in Notre Dame land knows that school is challenging here, he said. “We are going to be in class for the whole week for the most part, but the teams we are competing against won’t have to worr y about anything besides competing. We still sleep in our ow n beds and have our normal routines, but sometimes that wears you a bit thin when you are still going to class during that time.”

W hatever the case, Sparks and his team are ready to test their mettle when the moment is the biggest.

“It’s our first really significant, scored meet of the year and with that comes added pressure,” Sparks said.

“We’ve had some big things from [Nuguse] to [Tanczos] to other kids that have stepped up and done well when the lights aren’t as bright. This is the first time for anybody on the team to step up when the stakes are bigger.”

Contact Hayden Adams at hadams3@nd.edu

Follow us on Twitter. @ObserverSports

11

nathanial george | The Observer

Irish graduate student guard Marta Sniezek dribbles the ball down the court during Notre Dame’s 6268 loss to Virgina Tech on Feb. 20 at Purcell Pavilion. The Irish are 11-17 on the season overall.

W Bball Continued from page 12

last season in Chapel Hill to give the Irish their second loss of the season, but the Irish would run over the Tar Heels in the ACC Championship a few months later.

Barring any miracles at the ACC Championship this year, it looks like Notre Dame w ill not be making the tournament in March.

Heading into this season, the Irish had made 24 straight appearances and 26 total at the NCAA Tournament, a streak stretching back to the 1996 team.

Additionally the Irish hold a home record of 5-9 this year. The Irish have

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never finished w ith a losing home record in the 33year tenure of head coach Muffet McGraw.

McGraw said that she w ill be giv ing a special thanks to Irish fans after the last home game of the season, who have stuck w ith the team through mostly thick but for what seems like close to the first time now — thin.

“I’m planning on getting on the microphone after the game tomorrow to thank them, because it has been a challenging year and we really appreciate more than ever, what our fans mean to us,” McGraw said. “There’s been a lot of new things for us to learn this year.

“I think that the whole year has been a great learning experience for our

freshmen. There’s so many things, so many teachable moments, so many opportunities to grow as a team to learn a little bit more. A nd they keep coming back, and they just keep fighting and that’s probably the most important thing to me.”

With a smaller graduating class than last year, Senior Day festiv ities w ill likely be brief. Guards Kaitlin Cole and Marta Sniezek w ill be honored before the game.

Cole, a senior hailing from Toledo, Ohio w ill play her final game in Purcell Pav ilion after play ing the role of the sixth woman this past season. McGraw commented on Cole’s production.

“She has really given us a boost this year, and been just a major contributor off the bench just to have her energ y, what she does defensively, I think, are things that don’t show up in stat sheet, div ing for loose balls, taking charges. She’s really contributed quite a bit to our team,” McGraw said.

Sniezek, a graduate transfer from Stanford w ill also be honored prior to tipoff.

McGraw also spoke on the McLean, Virginia native.

“I think Marta and Cole have given us those intangible moments of defense and taking charges,” McGraw said. “They’ve given us that experience that an upperclassman has. So it’s difficult to come in for one year and really leave a mark and she has definitely left her mark.”

Tipoff against the Tar Heels is scheduled for 7: 00 p.m. inside Purcell Pav ilion.

Contact Jimmy Ward at wward@hcc-nd.edu

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The observer | THURSDAY, february 27, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

nd men’s basketball | nd 62, bc 61

track and field

Irish to host ACC Championships

By HAYDEN ADAMS Associate Sports Editor

The Notre Dame Track and Field squads are preparing to host the ACC Championships starting Thursday and running through Saturday. The Irish are coming off a strong showing at the Alex Wilson Invitational where the men’s distance medley relay team set a record for the secondfastest time in NCA A history.

Head coach Matt Sparks gave credit to a couple of the unsung runners that allowed them to have such success.

“Everybody gives all the credit to [junior distance runner] Yared Nuguse, which he deserves for being the killer at the end of any race that he ever runs,” Sparks said.

“But the overlooked heroes of that race were [graduate student sprinter] Ed Cheathem and [junior middle distance runner] Sam Voelz in the 400 and 800 legs respectively.”

And that’s been something

Gibbs leads team to a buzzer-beater victory

Sparks has emphasized for his team: contribution comes from many members.

Not only that, it comes from members who weren’t scholarship athletes.

“We talk about [Nuguse] as a walk-on doing the great things that he has done,” Sparks said. “[Junior thrower] Rachel [Tanczos] is the same way. Abbey [Kapitan] is the same way. They are both walk-ons as well to get to where they are now. They are two of the best throwers in the country.”

Now, the Irish are gearing up for the all-important postseason, and Sparks says another point of emphasis for his team has been their preparation to this point.

“The theme that we have had with discussing the meet with the athletes — and we will talk more about throughout the week— is that you have done things to get to see TRACK&FIELD PAGE 11

Observer Sports Staff

nathanial george | The Observer

Irish senior forward John Mooney goes up for the shot during Notre Dame’s 82-84 loss to Syracuse on Jan. 22 at Purcell Pavilion.

see M BBALL PAGE 10

nd women’s tennis

nd women’s basketball

Squad to close out regular season with Senior Day

ND to face Syracuse, BC

By JIMMY WARD

By CONNOR MULVENA

Sports Writer

Sports Editor

Notre Dame will host their last home game of the regular season Wednesday, concluding on Senior Day against North Carolina.

The Tar Heels (16-11, 7-9 ACC), despite boasting a solid record, find themselves on the wrong end of a five game losing streak.

The slump started in just their second game of the month at Duke on Feb. 6, where they lost by 10 to the Blue Devils.

The scoreline would be the slimmest margin of defeat for the Tar Heels in all of their losses up until their overtime loss last weekend at Wake Forest.

Notre Dame (11-17, 6-10 ACC) leads the overall series record against North Carolina 8-2 and has never been beaten by the Tar Heels at home. The Tar Heels beat the then No. 1 ranked Irish

After opening conference play last weekend with a loss to No. 4 NC State and a win over Virginia Tech, the Notre Dame women’s tennis team will continue its ACC schedule with a road trip this weekend.

The Irish (8-4, 1-1 ACC) will travel to Syracuse on Friday and then head to Chestnut Hill, MA on Sunday to take on Boston College.

Despite opening conference play with a loss after upsetting then-No. 20 USC, Irish head coach Alison Silverio said she was confident about her team’s play last weekend. She lauded her team’s ability to overcome its struggles in doubles, which had been a point of concern for Silverio before conference play, and said she felt her squad had made immense progress from the start of the season.

Silverio also emphasized the importance of developing a championship mindset, especially considering that the

see W LAX PAGE 11

W hen Boston College (1316, 7-11 ACC) visited Notre Dame (18-10, 9-8 ACC) in December, the Eagles rode a hot shooting performance to a large first-half lead, and then, despite struggling to score against the Irish zone defense, just barely held on for a one-point victory. W hen Notre Dame visited Chestnut Hill on Wednesday night, the game followed largely the same script, but this time, Notre Dame got just enough offense to polish off their rally, with senior guard TJ Gibbs dropping in a layup at the buzzer to lift the Irish to a 62-61 road victory.

In a game where offense, especially in the second half, was hard to come by, it was once again senior forward John Mooney leading Notre Dame with 22 points and 12 rebounds, recording

nathanial GEORGE| The Observer

Irish freshman Sam Brunelle shoots the ball during Notre Dame’s 62-68 loss to Virgina Tech on Feb. 20 at Purcell Pavilion.

ACC presents tough opponents week-in and week-out. And according to her, this week will be no different for the Irish.

“Two great teams again in the ACC,” she said. “The ACC is the strongest conference in the country, and so every weekend, we’re going to be tested physically and mentally. And, on the road, traveling to Syracuse and to Boston is always a tough road. But we’re looking forward to the challenge and the ability to step up in those moments for us to capitalize and keep moving in the right direction and continuing with our championship mindset.”

Syracuse is 6-2 with a 1-1 ACC record, having lost to conference opponent Duke and beaten conference opponent Boston College. Boston College has posted an 8-4 overall record thus far, but the Eagles are winless in the ACC, having lost to Syracuse, Duke, Georgia Tech and Virginia.

Contact Connor Mulvena at cmulvena@nd.edu