Print Edition for The Observer for Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023

Students honor 9/11 first responders

Students climbed a staggering 110 flights this Monday for the sake of this year’s ND 110 Stair Climb

By ZACH TAYLOR news writer

w hile a gray s outh

b end sky loomed overhead m onday night, n otre d ame s tadium lights illuminated nd 110, d uncan’s h all signature charity event. o n the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attacks on s ept. 11, 2001, students gathered to climb

110 flights of stairs to mirror the climb faced by the firefighters and police officers who responded to the w orld Trade c enters in n ew y ork on s ept. 11.

m ore people joined the climb than any other year since d uncan h all began hosting the nd 110 half a

decade ago.

“ w orking for the event has been amazing,” s ean m iller, one of d uncan h all’s vice presidents said. “ i t means a lot to everyone in the dorm, especially those who have connections to 9/11, and we’re really excited for this year.”

The event began in 2019, when over 120 students and firefights ran the stairs while raising over $2,000 for h eart 9/11. i n the tradition’s fifth year, d uncan h all president m atthew s ims said that almost $21,000 was raised this year.

“ i t was so awesome

see 9/11 PAGE 4

nd K-pop dance club performs in fusion fest Saint Mary’s hosts Spirit Week

By AMELIA BOSTETTER news writer

from sept. 11 to the 15, the saint mary’s campus will be packed with exciting events to commemorate this year’s “smick cinema”-themed spirit week.

each night will feature a fun activity based around a different movie. events offer snacks, activities and bonding with fellow belles. The various days of the themed week will be hosted by a different committee under the residence hall association (rha).

Notre Dame’s ASCEND K-pop dance club showcases their skill and passion for music via a performance live on stage at South Bend’s ethnic festival Fusion Fest. striking a pose to conclude their choreography.

by eT han chiang news writer

This weekend at howard p ark, notre d ame’s ascend K-pop dance club showcased their dancing skills and passion for Korean music at f usion fest, s outh b end’s ethnic festival.

a irrial Tutton, a senior who serves as co-president of the club, said the festival sought to include cultural performances from all regions of the world.

i n addition to dancing, Tutton said, the club held an instructional portion for audience members.

“ we brought kids onto the stage to try to make it interactive and [help] spread a bit of Korean culture,” she said. a ccording to Tutton, this interactive segment was a mini-version of what the club usually does at its

see K-pop PAGE 3

“all of our committees host spirit week events, except for our fundraising committee which is in charge of creating the spirit week giveaway,” said Katie hunter, rha president.

The week kicked off monday, as rha’s first years’ committee organized a viewing of “The great gatsby” in the vander vennet Theater. The “smick speakeasy night” included popcorn and mocktails. The lavish break from the first week classes allowed students to have fun like gatsby himself.

on Tuesday night, students let

elle woods’ fabulous style guide them during an evening of diy planners inspired by “legally blonde.” This event, hosted by the formal committee, was a hit among saint mary’s students looking to get more organized.

wednesday night will feature a beach bash, hosted by the hall improvement committee. The event begins at belle’s corner at 7 p.m. with a showing of the disney channel original movie “Teen beach movie.” Those who attend will have the opportunity to singalong with friends, sip mocktails and craft diy coasters.

Thursday is “footloose” night, hosted by the events committee. in the belle’s backyard, line dancing will begin at 6 p.m. students can also play cornhole, grab a snack from a food truck and snag a T-shirt from a giveaway. The events will be held in the student center if weather prevents outdoor activities.

saint mary’s first-year sam mcgrath is most excited for Thursday’s event.

“food trucks, T-shirts, cornhole i’m there,” mcgrath said.

see spiriT weeK PAGE 3

Courtesy of ASCEND

Zach Taylor | The Observer

Participants of this year’s ND 110 Stair Climb event, hosted by Duncan Hall, climb up Notre Dame Stadium to honor the first responders who died in 9/11, raising nearly $12,000.00 for the charity Heart 9/11.

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Students wait in line for Bonnie Doon ice cream

Katie O’Connell freshman mccandless hall “dublin or newport, r hode Island.”

K-pop

con T inued from Page 1

weekly practices.

“members have the opportunity to learn various K-pop dances from boy groups and girl groups — all taught by our members,” Tutton said. “a nyone is allowed to teach a dance if they have interest.”

o n top of practices on Tuesdays, Thursdays and sundays in d uncan student c enter’s studio o ne, Tutton said members have the opportunity to do dance covers. a fter learning the

choreography and coordinating costumes, they film the dance and post it to their YouTube channel.

“We try to [film on] all the popular locations on campus so that if you saw the video and saw the [ g olden d ome], you would learn that notre d ame has a [K-pop] dance club,” Tutton said.

While there have been K-pop performances in the past at annual showcases like the Korean student a ssociation’s (K sa ) s eoul’d o ut, the club was only formally established this year, according

to Tutton.

“K-pop was under K sa , so usually people would only gather around [ a sian a merican a ssociation’s] a sian a llure and s eoul’d o ut,” Tutton said. “b ut last year, we saw there was a need from people who wanted to dance more.” s ophomore g abby b enitez, who serves as the club’s all-event coordinator, started out by performing in s eoul’d o ut last spring.

“a fter that, i joined dance covers for music videos from girl dance groups,” she said. b enitez, who hails from

the Philippines, said her high school didn’t have many dance-adjacent opportunities.

“i wasn’t able to develop my dancing skills as much as i wanted to,” b enitez said.

Through the club, b enitez said she was able to connect with other students who shared her interests in music and dancing.

“i think the excitement we get from listening to the songs together [and] dancing the songs together is really fun,” she said.

b enitez encouraged those who are hesitant about their dance skills to try ascend to get out of their comfort zones.

“People say that they’re not good at dancing, or they’re not immersed into that type of culture. i would just say to try it — it’s for fun,” she said.

a s a new club, ascend is still in the process of determining what their showcase will be, but Tutton said the club hopes to improve the production behind it. s he also noted that for aaa’s upcoming show, a sian a llure, the club’s theme will be “a rcade.”

Contact Ethan Chiang at echiang@nd.edu

Spirit Week

This year’s spirit Week concludes at the saint mary’s student center for “be a star and give back night.”

The “sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”-themed festivities begin at 7 p.m. at this event, the winner of the spirit week prize basket giveaway will be chosen. The event is hosted by the Tri-campus/community committee.

Throughout the week, donations for st. margaret’s house, a local south bend charity that helps women and children in the community, will be collected. each donor will be entered into a raffle to win the “be a star and give back” prize basket.

hunter said the prize basket will include popcorn, face masks, tri-campus merch and more. hunter is encouraging students to donate full or mini-sized hygiene products, new socks, period products and hair products made for women of color to help st. margaret’s house. donations will be accepted all week long at the student center from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each donation increases the chances of winning the prize basket.

Contact Amelia Bostetter at abostetter01@stmarys.edu

Courtesy of ASCEND

Members of Notre Dame’s ASCEND K-pop dance group put on a live performance at South Bend’s Fusion Fest, similar to those they’ve done at showcases like the Korean Student Association’s (KSA) Seoul’d Out.

to know we were able to give that much to an organization that provides so much good in the world,” s ims said.

The fundraising effort was bolstered by around 850 climbers, which included individuals, several sports teams and different ro T c branches.

a group of s outh b end firefighters who attended the climb this year said they participated in d uncan h all’s event because of the 343 firefighters and 60 police officers who lost their lives on 9/11. The firefighters said they continue to mark 9/11 each year to represent the first responders who died and their families.

Liam b utler, a freshman who did the climb this year, said nd 110 was a memorable experience for him.

“ i have a lot of friends who were impacted by 9/11, so it really meant a lot to me running out there. i t was humid, it was hot, but i loved it,” b utler said.

b ut while this event may be five years old,

d uncan h all unveiled a new component to nd 110 this year, known as the “Flag r un.”

s tarting at 7 p.m.

s unday night, members of d uncan h all began running an a merican flag around campus, taking turns over the next 24 hours to ensure that the flag remained moving until the start of nd 110.

b raden Whitelatch, a freshman in d uncan h all and member of a ir Force ro T c , shared what it was like to be one of the flag bearers.

“ i t was probably the best run i ’ve ever had in my whole life,” Whitelatch said. “ i felt like i had wings the whole time and i didn’t slow down.”

Fellow d uncan flag bearer and freshman m att Wich was equally optimistic about the effects of the run.

“ i think we got a lot of people to sign up by doing that, and it really spread the word about the great event we were putting on,” Wich said.

Contact Zach Taylor at ztaylor3@nd.edu

St. Joseph County Council passes resolution on Clay High closure

By PETER BREEN Interim Notre Dame News Editor

The s t. Joseph c ounty

c ouncil adopted a resolution Tuesday in support of c lay h igh s chool and s ave c lay, a group dedicated to protecting the school which the s outh b end c ommunity s chool c orporation ( sbcsc ) voted to close in a pril. “ s ometimes somebody needs an advocate,” said council member a my d rake, whose district includes c lay h igh s chool.

“People that came to me from s ave c lay did not feel heard by the s outh b end schools.”

i n their decision to close the high school, the sbcsc board citied the number of open seats in district-wide high school enrollment: 2,400 and projected to grow.

The resolution, which passed by a vote of 5-4, called on i ndiana s ecretary of e ducation Katie Jenner to look into creating a new school corporation to serve unincorporated areas of s t. Joseph c ounty such as c lay Township.

“The resolution does not establish another [school] district,” said Peter a gostino, s ave c lay’s attorney, during the public discussion part of the council meeting. “ i t seeks information, it seeks help, it seeks aid from the s ecretary of e ducation in the state of i ndiana.”

s ave c lay board member

Jennifer Fox said she had always been an advocate of public schools but moved her children out of sbcsc to s aint Joseph h igh s chool this year because she doesn’t trust the district’s administration.

“Please pass this resolution to see if it is feasible to start our own corporation in the county,” Fox said. “ s outh b end c ommunity s chool c orporation is only concerned with its city schools. They have closed g reen, h ay, e ggleston and now Warren and c lay. i t is time to let the county have its own district.”

b efore voting no to the resolution, council member b ryan Tanner said the council did not have an elected responsibility or right to dictate how sbcsc was run.

Tanner said it was the duty of sbcsc , the i ndiana d epartment of e ducation

and the legislative arm of the state to answer the question posed by the resolution.

“This is representative of government overreach,” Tanner said.

m ichael m c m anus, a s outh b end resident who spoke against the resolution, said he was happy that a large number of community members attended the meeting both in support and opposition to the resolution.

“ i ’m very glad to see so many of you from my neighborhoods here tonight participating in democracy. i t’s good that you stand up for what you believe in,” m c m anus said. “ b ut i don’t need a study to tell me that for every year for the past several years, the number of public school students in this area has been declining because of vouchers and students fleeing to

charter schools and private schools.”

a ccording to the resolution, sbcsc has voted to close, consolidate, repurpose or merge ten schools in s t. Joseph c ounty during the past seven years.

i n addition to the resolution, s ave c lay has explored other means to raise awareness about and achieve its cause.

a gostino will argue on s ept. 26 at the s t. Joseph c ounty c ourthouse that c lay h igh s chool should remain open because of a decades-old consent decree on racial balance in s outh b end schools, according to the s outh b end Tribune. s ave c lay is also hosting a tailgate at i vy i nn and s uites this s aturday before n otre d ame takes on c entral m ichigan.

Contact Peter Breen at pbreen2@nd.edu

Paid a dverT isemen T

Peter Breen | The Observer

South Bend resident Michael McManus speaks out against the council’s proposed resolution on the South Bend Community School Corporation during this Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Council meeting.

By ANNA FALK scene editor

everyone’s favorite yearning Irish lad released his third studio album titled “Unreal Unearth” on Aug. 18. While it was not well-received by everyone, the majority of listeners across the internet agree it’s some of his best work so far.

In anticipation of the LP, hozier released a threetrack eP on march 17 titled “eat Your Young” featuring a self-titled song, “All Things e nd” and “Through me (The Flood).” From these early tracks and a beyond the stage newsletter, fans began to make conjectures about the work’s subject matter and thematic components. even before the release of the completed work, it was quite evident that hozier was making something based on all his favorite books, histories and tales.

“Unreal Unearth” as a whole descends through the nine circles of hell as depicted in dante’s “Inferno.” each level has a different grouping of the songs, and many of them feature characters or ideas discussed in “Inferno.” “Francesca” is one example of this, illustrating the real story of Italian noblewoman Francesca da r imini and her affair with Paolo malatesta (her husband’s brother). In “Inferno,” the lovers inhabit the second circle of hell — the circle of lust — and are punished for eternity by constant winds, representing the way in which their passion had swept them away. hozier’s song tells their story but also creates

another narrative emphasizing enduring devotion to one’s partner despite life’s challenges (“da-ah, darlin’, I would do it again (Ah-ah, ah-ah) / If I could hold you for a minute”).

The tracks are also laced with references to Greek mythology — with lines like “I drank dry the river Lethe” from “First Time” and titles like “I, carrion (Icarian),” “son of nyx” and “Abstract (Psychopomp).” combining the material from well-known tales with those of “Inferno” adds depth to the parallels he makes to his own life throughout the album.

In “Abstract (Psychopomp),” hozier puts himself in the position of a psychopomp — a guide who primarily escorts someone to the afterlife but can act as a supporting force throughout life transitions. he describes an instance where he saw someone run into traffic after an animal was hit, placing themselves in harm’s way in order to be there in the creature’s final moments. Paralleling this moment with the death of a romantic relationship makes it one of the album’s most heartrending pieces. I am physically incapable of sitting through the song without crying, especially with lyrics like “The poor thing in the road, its eye still glistening / The cold wet of your nose, the earth from a distance / see how it shines” being the standard.

As I’ve begun to describe, one thing the Irishman does best — which is especially illuminated in this album — is that he can masterfully weave his own stories of love and its hardships into familiar histories.

h is metaphors can distract from the masked truth — the truth that his relationships can be just as challenging as everyone else’s.

hozier has been long-lauded for his lyrical prowess over the course of his career, but just because he can write incredible prose about his love for his partner does not mean his relationships are better or more enlightened than those of the rest of the world. he still knows heartbreak and pain like any other person. An abundance of lyrics from this album — including “do you know I could break beneath the weight? / of the goodness, love, I still carry for you / That I’d walk so far just to take / The injury of finally knowin’ you” and “And though I burn, how could I fall / When I am lifted by every word you say to me?” — showcase his romantic struggle.

The final track, titled “First Light,” brings home the messaging of the album, simultaneously painting a picture of dante’s re-entrance into the world after his journey in “The divine comedy” and assuring the listener of the ephemerality of hardship.

not everything in the LP is about heartbreak — see “damage Gets done (feat. brandi carlisle)” and “butchered Tongue” — but hozier’s vulnerability throughout the project lends a certain sense of intimacy and establishes a rapport with his audience. It is truly unreal.

Contact Anna Falk at afalk@nd.edu

By LUCIA AGUZZI scene Writer

early this year, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) entered negotiations with the Alliance of motion Picture and Television Producers (A mPTP) over paying screenwriters for movies and T v shows on all platforms better wages. Among the A mPTP’s members are netflix, Amazon, Apple T v+, disney, and Warner bros. discovery, all well known studios that everyday consumers turn to for streaming media.

As of late April, however, the A mPTP had rejected the WGA’s requests and negotiations had not been resolved. As a result, the WGA officially went on strike may 2. Pictures immediately went viral of celebrity actors and writers on the picket lines — Tina Fey, seth meyers and Pete davidson among the many — supporting the WGA’s cause, and not long after, word of sAG-AFTr A (the screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and radio Artists) possibly joining the strike started circulating.

It was no surprise when sAG-AFTr A went on strike July 14, but the historical significance of a double strike in the entertainment industry is huge. A double strike had not happened since the 1960s, and it was a long time coming. streaming services have overtaken cable television in viewership in recent years. The high

demand for content has put a strain on all involved, and the public has been hearing about concerns within the industry for a while now.

Amog the most significant problems with wages at the moment are residuals. As of right now, when a show is streamed on any of these services, the writers and actors receive pay for their work only once. That means that for shows that boom to the top of netflix’s Top 10 their first weekend, like “Wednesday” did recently, none of the people behind the scenes get compensated for its streaming success. considering the fact that it is their art and work, the idea that big studios are making ridiculous amounts from viewership and subscriptions and not paying their writers and actors livable wages is absurd.

both unions have specific requests and concerns apart from the residuals, but one that has been in the news recently is AI cloning of actors’ voices and faces. We’ve all heard the audios on TikTok of AI song covers, but AI could pose a real problem for people spending countless hours in studios and behind the scenes working on screen projects in the future. Protecting their livelihood before things get out of hand is, validly, a priority for the union members.

While both unions remain on strike as of september 11, a few smaller studios have gained approval from sAG-AFTr A to move forward with specific projects.

Among the most well-known is A24, whose hit movies like “everything, everywhere, All at once” have been putting their name on the map recently. These smaller studios and productions have received approval due to having no association with the A mPTP.

regardless of the viral pictures of celebrities protesting for livable wages, it is important to note that this has never been about the millionaires who are a part of these unions. It’s about the people attempting to make a living from their art, who are working tirelessly behind the scenes to make content at an insane pace for all of us to consume and bond over every day. It is important we all recognize that the longer the A mPTP refuses to comply with any terms the unions have put forward, the more jobs are lost behind the scenes. stagehands, costumers, v FX artists and countless others are without jobs at the moment alongside those protesting. As all of these issues come to light, we as the audience should be more mindful of what we consume and how we credit these incredible artists. In a few years, when no movies or shows are coming out because of the delay in work right now, let’s remember the importance of thanking those who work hard day in and day out to provide us with laughs, smiles and tears whenever we need them.

Contact Lucia Aguzzi at laguzzi@nd.edu

Andrew McGuinness

Quotes I know that occupy a special place saying ‘yes’ to the unexpected: rowing and community at notre dame

There are a lot of things that come up during the three eight to 10-hour sequences a week when The observer produces a new paper. There are even more ways to remember them, from the old papers hanging around our office to stories I’ve heard from writers past and present. one of the ways our editorial board is trying to do this is through a document in our Google drive entitled “observer office Quotes,” currently featuring a dozen or so goofy if not outright hilarious lines for our exciting but sometimes delirious shifts making the paper you know and (hopefully) love.

For whatever reason, quotes have always fascinated me. maybe because one of my five actual skills is being able to memorize the play-by-play calls of every Philadelphia Phillies home run hit in the 2022 postseason. maybe it’s because I’m (as former managing editor Aidan o’malley once called me) an “old soul.” regardless of the reasoning, I have a quote list of my own, full of 47 phrases of wisdom coming from everywhere, from the bible to “stranger Things” and everything in between. here are a couple that have stuck with me over the years and are on my mind as my senior year of college begins — whether I’m willing to acknowledge it or not.

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” - often attributed to Confucius

This quote is a large part of why I’m writing for The observer in the first place. sports have been at the center of my life since I was 7-years-old, and I want to keep them there for as long as possible. other than my friends and family, they are probably the thing that makes me the most excited. There are plenty of fields that pay more, have better hours and more stable jobs than sports media. but writing and talking about sports are things I have loved from a young age. I know I’m going to be surrounding myself with sports for a long time to come — I may as well see if I can get paid for it.

“I’ve decided that I’m going to be more honest. I’m going to start telling people what I want directly. So, look out world.” - Pam Beesly, The Office: S3, E17

The moment I heard this, I knew it was exactly the mentality I needed to adopt. It was late 2018, early in my junior year of high school, and I was navigating the precarious, stressful balance of trying to find a friend group later than most. At this point, I had a couple of close friends, knew their friends well and liked them a lot, but was utterly terrified of putting myself out there.

Pam feels the same way during many moments of the first few seasons of “The office,” caught between a long-standing relationship with roy Anderson that she thinks should bring her happiness and a friendship with Jim halpert that does. Like Pam, it took me a while to make the right decision, and the road there certainly wasn’t linear. but we both made it to the other side, and that’s what matters. no one can read your mind — you have to ask for good things before they will happen.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” - Matthew 6:34

I struggle with this quote a lot. case in point, I’m writing this article at 12:30 a.m. a week before it’s due. There are so many things to do in college, and I’m more than keeping myself busy even as senioritis slowly starts to set in. I could work all day, every day if I really wanted to and still not have accomplished everything at the bottom of my to-do list. however, there’s no need to do that, even if I am the kind of person who likes to plan ahead. There are so many simple beauties in each day — the taste of my favorite foods, the bright sunshine that fills campus this time of year, the smile I get from looking at the Gritty magnet on my mini fridge — that are important to enjoy. They only happen a finite number of times. soon enough, may 19 will hit, and everything after that will be different. but that’s may 20th’s problem, and that reality makes today a little easier to power through.

“Just because something ends doesn’t mean it wasn’t worthwhile.” - Faux Pelini speaking of may 19, it’s hard to believe my formal education is likely down to its final few months. I dreamed of going to notre dame my whole life, taking an unofficial visit (aka going to my first Irish football game) at literally 1-year-old. every day here is a little bit surreal, and every accomplishment is just a little more significant here than it would’ve been at any other school.

I have gotten so much out of the first three years of my notre dame experience. It’s a bit sad to think that the wonderful things I get to do and see here will soon be in my rearview mirror. but everything that’s happened here, including if not especially just getting here, has happened for a reason. same to you and everybody else. The end doesn’t erase that; it affirms it.

“There are certain feelings that can never be replicated and that is why they occupy a special place.” -

Matt Gelb

I almost cried hours before this quote was written on Aug. 8, 2021, after seeing J.T. realmuto round the bases in front of the largest crowd for a Phillies game in almost two years. The Phillies, kings of heartbreak for a decade at that point, suddenly looked like a team capable of reaching the postseason for the first time since I was 9-years-old.

I’d been unable to access the special feelings of those big games that doubled as high-water marks of my adolescence until that day. It wasn’t the same as it used to be, of course. but it was close, and it made me appreciate those feelings more. It didn’t matter that those Phillies didn’t bring me a red october (although it helps that the 2022 team did). This is a universal experience, one that’s far bigger than baseball. It happened when I made those great high school friends, and some pretty great ones in college and other places, too. As I said goodbye to my childhood home of 14 years last month. As I spent my first few months truly on my own this summer. And it countless other moments, big and small.

It’s helped me be more present in life. I know the importance of taking a deep breath during a vibrant editing shift or while I’m out with friends. I know the joy of those moments can never be duplicated, and because of that, I’m able to enjoy them even more.

Contact Andrew at amcguinn@nd.edu.

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

our Lady’s University is worldwide known for its incredible alumni network that, no matter where in the world you are, will try to help you find your home under the dome. As someone who didn’t live close to any notre dame club, my family and I spent countless hours on phone calls with current students, alumni and notre dame families hearing all about the people they met, their favorite moments, special advice and what they thought made this place so special. All of these stories we heard had one thing in common: They all started when the student and their families decided to say yes to a completely new experience.

With this in mind, I started my college life with the goal of embracing all that notre dame could offer, even if it was something I didn’t think I would enjoy or at times that I didn’t exactly feel like exploring new things. As a result, I attended the first meetings of all sorts of clubs on campus, including the notre dame biology club, which, let’s be honest, was way out of my comfort zone given that I am an economics and chinese double major with no talent whatsoever for the biological sciences. however, I kept making myself explore new things, even if they didn’t “connect to me” personally, because I was still trying to find a spark, that one unexpected thing that would help shape my college experience and give me the community that all the students, parents and alumni talked about.

Finally, in my search, I found myself becoming a coxswain for the men’s rowing team, which, to clarify, is the person responsible for guiding and steering the boat, maintaining a race strategy and motivating the rowers. so, despite my lack of experience or knowledge about rowing and the role of a coxswain at the time, I decided to take the plunge and give it a shot.

As time passed, the sunrises and sunsets on the water, the chill in the air and the anticipation of another practice became a routine that now defines a big part of my college experience. The early mornings, though challenging, hold a sense of excitement and camaraderie that is hard to find

anywhere else. The quiet hum of the boat house, the soft lapping of water against the dock and the conversations among teammates waiting to hit the water create a unique atmosphere that is both serene and electric.

In the boat, there’s a trust that binds us together. I feel the power of our collective determination, the unity in our movements and the shared goal of pushing ourselves to the limit. It’s a feeling of synchronicity and purpose that transcends the physical demands of the sport. during those challenging workouts, we push ourselves to our limits, but we do it together. The sound of oars slicing through the water and the rhythm of our breathing becomes a harmonious melody, and in those moments, we are more than just individuals; we are a cohesive unit striving for excellence.

but what truly makes coxing special is the bond with the rest of the team. We know each other’s strengths, quirks and most embarrassing stories. We celebrated together after a well-fought race and leaned on each other during tough times, and it was in one of these moments, right after the end of the national competition in Tennessee, that I realized I had found the community that all the alumni talked about.

In the end, I realized that what it’s all about is not just saying “yes” to new experiences; it’s about continually saying “yes” and letting those experiences become a part of you. It’s about embracing the unfamiliar, stepping out of your comfort zone and allowing those unexpected sparks to shape your college journey. Through rowing, I discovered that it’s the persistent pursuit of these moments — the willingness to keep saying “yes” — to new challenges, that truly makes the notre dame community a home under the dome.

Lara is a member of the class of 2026 from Taubaté, Brazil with majors in economics and Chinese. When she is not complaining about the weather, you can find her studying in a random room of O’Shaughnessy with her friends or spending all her flex points in Garbanzo. You can contact Lara by email at lvictor@nd.edu.

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

sports editor

Lara Novaes Victor diary of an International student

The best outdoor study spots on campus

the b asilica, r emick has a lovely yard with tables in the shade. h ead just around the corner to the Grotto or walk around the lakes for a peaceful study break.

new pens for a productive afternoon.

s eptember. s outh b end’s annual thirty days of perfect weather is finally here! It’s the best time of year to study outside and soak up some v itamin d before the permacloud sets in. If you are like me and have a very particular taste in study environments, this presents the challenge of finding the ideal outdoor study spot. A picnic blanket out on the quad simply isn’t going to cut it. I need shade, a desk or table to work at, low pedestrian traffic, few distractions, excellent scenery and a convenient location. We all know about the tables outside LaFortune and on Library Lawn, but there are plenty of more secluded spots that are perfect for the outdoor study enthusiast.

h ere’s a list of these hidden gems.

m alloy h all/ d ecio h all courtyard: Is Library Lawn too public, too sunny or just not to your taste? Just a few yards away, tucked between d ecio h all and m alloy h all, is a beautiful courtyard with ample study space. h ead over for an excellent outdoor alternative to the library.

b ehind r emick Family h all: If you haven’t yet discovered r emick and its free Keurig, you are missing out. Tucked right behind the d ome and

h esburgh c enter patio: Located right on n otre d ame Avenue, the h esburgh c enter has a spacious patio complete with large tables and adjustable umbrellas. If you live on s outh Quad, grab some Garbanzo and enjoy this shady study space!

s tayer c enter: You probably haven’t heard of the s tayer c enter for e xecutive e ducation, but this building on the south end of d e b artolo Quad boasts a large patio with lots of outdoor seating. This quiet spot is perfect for a study session after class in m endoza or the s tinson- r emick h all of e ngineering.

h ayes- h ealy/ h urley courtyard: If you don’t have classes in these buildings, you’re missing out on a lovely – and usually empty – courtyard with plenty of tables to work at. This courtyard is fully enclosed by the building and enjoys a convenient location just a few yards from LaFortune. Like the s nite, this courtyard is only accessible while the building is open.

h ammes b ookstore: The tables outside of the bookstore are packed during game weekends, but on a regular school day, they are up for grabs! s top for coffee at the Gilded b ean and buy some

d orm patios: e ach dorm has its own outdoor study features, so try exploring some other residence halls for a new study spot! m y personal favorites are the patios outside m orrissey m anor and Lewis h all because they both have lake views and a fireplace.

The s nite r esearch c enter courtyard: This one deserves an honorable mention. h ead through the lobby of the s nite r esearch c enter and out back you’ll find a beautiful courtyard with outdoor artwork, tables to work at and high walls to block the wind and sun. b est of all, you’ll probably have the whole place to yourself! Unfortunately, you can only access the courtyard when the s nite is open and the center is currently closed to the public.

Rose is a senior from Buffalo, NY with majors in Economics and the Program of Liberal Studies. Her writing interests include ethics, campus culture and the intersection of economics, politics and philosophy. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading on the tenth floor of the library, losing intramural basketball games or working at the Law School. You can contact Rose by email at rquiniaz@nd.edu.

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

six places to sleep on campus that aren’t in your own bed!

instead of using it for an exorbitant and unnecessary painting project. Wait a minute.

3. Room 101 in DeBartolo Hall

1. The Hotel Hesburgh

At The hotel hesburgh, we believe that your staycation is an opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime. Through our legendary service, thoughtful amenities and commitment to craft, we inspire life’s most meaningful moments, each and every day. reserve a new home with us today. hesburgh’s world-class team of innovators are committed to improving the experience of its guests by consistently undertaking ambitious renovation projects. o ne can find a comfortable night’s rest at any of the 14 stories. If you are a true high-roller, enjoy a night at the penthouse suite on the 13th floor. The hotel hesburgh’s proximity to academic buildings and excellent dining options make it an attractive option for students. Take a short 8-minute car ride to the stadium Lot. s elf-valet park. stroll 6 minutes to d eb artolo hall. how convenient!

I recommend brunch at the highly popular restaurant Au b on Pain, whose authentic French cuisine will take you right up to the e iffel Tower. Your meal would not be complete without a hot cup of coffee for the low price of only your life savings, in fake money of course. Another option if you are craving American “cuisine” is the dining hall of the north Quad. This is undoubtedly my favorite because of the variety and quality; I have been an outspoken advocate since the beginning!

2. The couch in your residence hall’s 24-hour space

This is the go-to: tried and true, convenient and air-conditioned. If you are exiled from your room because it is occupied after 12 p.m., seek refuge on your crusty couch of your choice, which has not been washed or refurbished since 1842. What could be more relaxing than sleeping in a room with air conditioning? I am so thankful that the University of notre dame utilized its $1.6 billion endowment to equip every residence hall with air conditioning

The biggest challenge surrounding sleeping in d eb artolo hall is the super-r A who shuts the whole operation down at 10 p.m.. The easy but expensive way to circumvent security is to bribe him with $20 and he will look the other way. The alternative is to hide until he leaves for the day. I suggest lying prone for a few hours in a central location in row F where the security camera cannot see you. Then, you can resume your sleep in a seat, the design of which is catered to left-handed adolescents with freakishly good posture.

4. The Grotto spend your time in contemplative prayer for an allnight vigil at the Grotto of o ur Lady of Lourdes. You will have to endure the elements, but you can use the candle fire for warmth. The biggest downside of this venue is that you will have to fall asleep kneeling while pretending to be engaged in deep prayer for 8 hours. not a task for the faint of heart.

5. The closet of your significant other’s room

In the interest of “foster[ing] the personal and social development of students and at the same time respond to the safety, security, and privacy needs of those sharing common living space,” you should avoid being caught sleeping by hall staff. o therwise, the fate of your future will be at the whims of the o ffice of c ommunity standards ( ocs ), a bureaucratic entity whose charge is to surveil and crack down on negligent sleeping habits. o f all the 3 letter agencies, this one might be the most controversial. Therefore, to bypass all this headache, sleep standing up and hide in your significant other’s closet.

6. Under the Dome sleeping under the d ome is the true embodiment of home under the d ome. nothing more needs to be said.

There are plenty of other unmentioned places that

are attractive options to spend the night. I am a proponent of comfortable sleeping, which is often not possible in your residence hall. For one, the claustrophobic confines existing in many of the older halls have been the cause of frustration for unsuspecting first-years. The rooms at notre dame are generally glorified closets with a sink and mirror. Additionally, there is no air conditioning in 56% of the residence halls. Think about that statistic. remember the $1.6 billion value of notre dame’s endowment. recall the previous weather that merited a heat advisory. r ight.

I am also an opponent of the ridiculous notion that poor living conditions somehow build community. Yes, I am quite compelled to make merry with my fellow residents while I sweat bullets from just standing. Yes, why would I drink lead-infused water alone when we can drink lead-infused water together? Yes, I feel the famed overwhelming sense of belonging!

I challenge that this opinion is a poorly supported justification with feigned conviction on the part of students who are just happy to be here.

Furthermore, the University offers bread and circuses to distract us from the issues concerning quality of life. When the University tells us it is hot outside (as if we could not tell ourselves), it offers us a hydration station and free water bottles at the dining hall. It sends out an email to educate us on how to cool down by spending time in air-conditioned spaces which do not include your own room. The collection of these suggestions is honestly insulting, but it is nothing more than another one of the University’s misplaced priorities.

If I can succinctly describe the University’s masterplan to fix the poor living conditions in many residence halls, I would say: Zahm hall. regilded d ome. Football season.

Jonah Tran is a first-year at Notre Dame double majoring in Finance and Classics with a minor in Constitutional Studies. He prides himself on sarcasm and his home — the free state of Florida. You can contact Jonah by email at jtran5@nd.edu.

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

Jonah Tran saturae et sapientia

Rose Quinlan

A contrarian’s contribution

The road to progress starts with listening, not speaking

Maddie Colbert BridgeND

With the division that our country has experienced in the last few years, we have also heard many different perspectives on what we can do to fix it. Some of these methods preach peace and understanding of one another, and I couldn’t agree more. It is vital for us to make an effort to listen to each other’s perspectives rather than shouting our own viewpoints and opinions. Often though, it can feel like the methods of mending divisions are rarely acted on in daily interactions. Especially being at Our Lady’s University, I think that the key to listening to others’ views can be found in Scripture, as in James 1:19, when we are told to be “quick to hear, slow to speak [and] slow to anger.” While this might be taken as a nice sentiment that’s clearly difficult to act on, I believe that listening is key to creating a stable and collaborative environment.

One thing that Notre Dame is known for is the encouraging its students to investigate the foundations of our world and to better understand the teachings of the Catholic Church. As for my own experience, my faith has become the primary foundation for my worldview. When I was in 9th grade, I attended a non-denominational Christian summer camp. Although I loved going to camp, I was one of two Catholic girls in my cabin, so it was the first time that I really thought about what I believed about the Church and the interpretation of Scripture. Up until that point, I generally took what I heard from priests and my religion teachers as truth. I went through the week generally agreeing with what was being taught, but I was also captivated by the differences in methods of teaching, which were often quite effective, and considered what made Catholicism different from the beliefs of my evangelical Christian friends. When I told my Bible Study leader that I was Catholic, she asked me what Catholics believe that was “different.” I told her that most of the beliefs were the same, but one difference was the real presence in the Eucharist. After giving my best explanation, she asked me, “and do you believe that?” No one had ever asked me this before, something deep in my gut told me yes. After that, I intentionally sought experiences that helped me discern my own beliefs, which resulted in an even stronger Catholic faith. I am forever grateful for this experience because not only did I discern what I believed, but I also learned how to listen with the intent to understand and how to have difficult conversations about big questions.

As much as people don’t want to be confronted with the possibility of being wrong, I believe it’s a powerful experience to have conversations with people with differing beliefs. When we take the time to understand each other well, we’ll find a common humanity in one another that can often be forgotten amid heated opposition. I tell this story about my experience at camp because I think this lesson can also be applied to political and controversial conversations. While we constantly hear about learning to listen to each other, we can put on a posture of listening, but instead, we are just formulating our next thought. This is clearly exemplified in heated presidential debates from the last few elections. Candidates of all positions cut each other off while speaking to attack the other.

Take the recent immigration and asylum tussle between Texas, Florida, Arizona and New York earlier this year. New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams received criticism because of his remarks about the lack of resources to assist the newly arrived. Texas Governor, Greg Abbott has received much criticism for the “shipping of immigrants” to New York City and other cities. But the outrageous reality is that immigrants — men, women and children — are being shipped around the country as a political statement and because we have not found a solution that everyone can agree on. There have been strong attempts to find a bipartisan solution, like the Dream Act of 2023. However, most recently, members of Congress have threatened a government shutdown unless hardline border control action is taken, even amidst negotiations. Unwillingness to listen to each other is putting lives at risk — something that is very much in our control.

I am by no means claiming to be great at listening intently — I also have to actively work on listening to people I disagree with and really understanding them. Going back to Scripture, Proverbs 18:2 says that the fool “takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind.” As humans, we have a tendency to assume we know more than the next person, but I’ve learned that real logical thinking comes only after considering other perspectives. One of the wonderful things about the United States is the varying origins and perspectives that people have. With each person comes a different background that informs their experiences and beliefs. In that vein, you cannot fully understand their view if you don’t listen to their story. Some say that trying to be “open-minded” and listening to other perspectives leads us in the wrong direction and that we have a responsibility to condemn what is wrong. I’m not suggesting

that we condone immoral behavior, or even that we have to agree with opposing viewpoints. We do have a responsibility to act on what is right, and we can hold our beliefs however strong they may be, but the road to progress starts with listening.

Following the legacy of Fr. Hesburgh, Notre Dame’s mission has always called people to a deeper understanding of each other, and in particular for bipartisanship. Just a few weeks ago at the Opening Mass for the academic year, University President Fr. Jenkins emphasized the need for this type of collaboration in his homily following the reading from St. Paul to the Corinthians. The passage calls upon the Body of Christ to use their gifts and voices to work together for the good of the whole. The background for the letter to Corinth, as described by Fr. Jenkins, has significant parallels to the current climate in the United States: “Paul addressed these words to a fractious, bickering, Christian community. Various groups were vying for supremacy, claiming that their founder was more prestigious and their gifts more valuable. They were the opposite of the kind of community they were called to be ... We are not so different from the Corinthians,” Fr. Jenkins said. He continued to highlight Paul’s message: “[Individuals and their gifts] are valuable only insofar as they contribute to the proper function of the body, and when they do contribute, they are essential to that body.”

Religious or not, we are all part of a community and living in a “fractious” nation. Like the passage, one side or one person’s perspective cannot solve every issue. Part of the beauty of living in the United States is the variety of perspectives that people bring to the table, and how those backgrounds inform our conversations. Listening does not call for silence or to ignore the issues at hand; rather, it’s a call to voice our perspectives so that they contribute to the good of the whole — which can only be accomplished by listening to one another.

Maddie Colbert is a sophomore from Dallas, Texas and lives in Howard Hall. She is studying global affairs and theology and currently serves as the director of publications for BridgeND.

BridgeND is a multi-partisan political club committed to bridging the partisan divide through respectful and productive discourse. It meets bi-weekly on Mondays at 7 p.m. in Duncan Student Center Meeting Room 1, South W106 to learn about and discuss current political issues, and can be reached at bridgend@nd.edu or on Twitter @bridge_ND.

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

happy birthday: don’t give away your secrets. be discreet regarding what you know and the changes you adopt. stay focused on your endgame, and stop fretting over things you cannot control. listen to your inner voice, be true to yourself, take pride in your work and embrace challenges. you have plenty to gain if you are willing to go the distance. your numbers are 4, 15, 22, 28, 31, 39, 45.

ArIes (march 21-April 19): do something exhilarating. once you start, you’ll get into the groove and enjoy the process. A high-energy approach to life and love will help you tap into something you excel at and enjoy. don’t settle for less when you can achieve more.

TAurus (April 20-may 20): stick close to home and protect yourself and your possessions from anyone trying to exploit you. Put your energy into doing your best and avoid appearing vulnerable to someone trying to compete with you. keep your thoughts and plans simple and doable.

gemInI (may 21-June 20): reach out to friends and relatives who share your sentiments; together, you will accomplish something to strengthen your bond. Protect against people who don’t share your beliefs or are diligent regarding changing who you are and what you want. romance is favored.

cAncer (June 21-July 22): An orderly home and lifestyle will put your mind at ease. Ask an expert for input and follow through with noteworthy suggestions when in doubt. A networking function, fundraiser or self-improvement project will occupy your time and encourage you to move forward with an open mind.

leo (July 23-Aug. 22): emotional issues will surface if you jump into something prematurely. be a responsible observer and spare yourself grief. focus on selfimprovement and tidying up loose ends. by decluttering your life, you’ll clear your head and find something meaningful to pursue.

vIrgo (Aug. 23-sept. 22): view options, decide what you want to achieve and don’t waste time on trivialities that won’t make a difference to the desired outcome. Take the path that will get you where you want to go, even if it is the road less traveled.

lIbrA (sept. 23-oct. 22): station yourself where you feel most welcome or pursue something that makes you feel helpful and good about yourself. dedicate your thoughts and time to making a difference and doing things your way. It’s ok to have personal preferences. Initiate your dreams with passion.

scorPIo (oct. 23-nov. 21): be a friendly observer, but don’t get involved in something that might jeopardize your time, position or reputation. dedicate your time and skills to worthwhile improvements and contributions. say no to waste, excess and unnecessary change. strive for peace of mind.

sAgITTArIus (nov. 22-dec. 21): have confidence in yourself and what you can accomplish. Walk away from negativity and those using misleading tactics to distract you from the path that beckons you. Think for yourself, learn to say no and love the person you choose to be.

cAPrIcorn (dec. 22-Jan. 19): strive for perfection, get the most out of whatever situation you encounter and speak the truth. be the one to set an example and open your doors to those who need a pep talk, but don’t offer to pay for someone else’s mistake.

AQuArIus (Jan. 20-feb. 18): set a budget, put a plan in motion that contributes to your security and ease stress. Put time and effort into how you represent yourself. build the life you want and associate with those who fit a profile that makes you feel comfortable.

PIsces (feb. 19-march 20): get in the game and have some fun. explore what’s possible and affordable. distance yourself from frivolous people eager to part you from your cash, position or reputation. choose your path and stick to it, regardless of the decisions others make.

birthday baby: you are sensitive, underrated and meticulous. you are persistent and unique.

While e stime would finish with 134 yards on just 14 carries, it was sophomore Jadarian Price who got the ball rolling. Price picked up 29 yards on three straight plays in the first quarter. e stime took over from there, breaking free from his slow start with the 80-yard house call and adding another score in the second half. it wasn’t the steadiest performance from the group. but they eventually hit their stride and were a valuable part of the i rish offense’s second-half scoring breakout.

Weekly Grade: b +; s eason

Grade: a-

Wide Receivers

The wide receivers were largely quiet against nc state. notre dame only completed 15 passes, and nine of those went to running backs or tight ends. but limited targets did not stop the group from making big plays, particularly during the i rish’s crucial scoring drive to close out the first half.

a fter a first down incompletion, hartman found c hris Tyree uncovered down the field, and the speedy senior went for 65 yards before being taken down. o n the very next play, freshman Jaden Greathouse came down with a contested catch in the endzone for his third score of the season.

noticeably absent from the stat sheet was junior Jayden Thomas, the team’s leading receiver. he still impacted the game in other ways, including by making the key downfield block that sprang e stime’s 80-yard touchdown run. but notre dame would no doubt like to see the ball in the hands of one of their top playmakers more often.

no single receiver has posted a gaudy stat line to this point in the year, although the group as a whole has been solid. The i rish will continue looking for players to step up as they move into the bulk of their schedule.

Weekly Grade: b ; s eason

Grade: a-

Tight Ends

The tight ends were the clear standout of the offense on s aturday. most of the production came from sophomore holden staes, who has become one of hartman’s top targets over the last two games and should continue to see his role grow as the season progresses.

staes posted a m ichael mayer-esque stat line of four catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns, contributing in a variety of ways. m idway through the third quarter, he caught a pass in the flat and showed off his impressive blend of speed and strength by

shrugging off a would-be tackler and racing down the sideline for a 40-yard touchdown.

h is downfield receiving chops were on display in the fourth, when he crossed the middle of the field and hauled in his second touchdown from 35 yards out.

it wasn’t just staes, either.

Junior davis sherwood’s first career touchdown reception stretched notre dame’s advantage to two possessions in the fourth quarter. The i rish tight ends have gotten better each game, and having several reliable targets at the position will keep opening things up for hartman and the wide receivers.

Weekly Grade: a +; s eason Grade: b +

Offensive Line

it was the most difficult game of the season to date for the offensive line, though that’s not saying much after the unit’s near-flawless prior efforts. a fter ceding no sacks through two games, they allowed the Wolfpack to take hartman down four times, two of which led to a fumble. The unit also struggled at times to create holes for the i rish run game, especially in the first 15 minutes.

The good news for notre dame is that the line improved steadily as the game went on. i n the second half, they consistently gave hartman adequate time to pick apart the Wolfpack secondary and gave e stime space to break through the defense’s front line. a n adjustment period was to be expected against a front seven far superior to that of the i rish’s previous opponents, but the unit will look to be sharper out of the gate against c entral m ichigan.

Weekly Grade: b ; s eason Grade: a

Contact Matthew Crow at mcrow@nd.edu

Saints look for golf coach, soccer season progresses

By TOM ZWILLER s enior s ports Writer

Soccer off to slow start

Last year, the h oly c ross men’s and women’s soccer teams both made it to the ccac Playoffs in early n ovember before losing to o livet n azarene. n ow, both teams are trying to make a return to the postseason, with mixed results.

The men’s team began their season on the road against a quinas, falling 0-2. The team had much better results in their next two games, winning against i U e ast and Goshen by a combined margin of 5-0. h owever, the team is still searching for its first win of s eptember, as they have started 0-3-1. The team fell 3-0 to c alvin in its final game before conference play on Tuesday.

The current scoring leader with two goals is junior forward Kevin v idana. s ophomore goalkeeper i saias r ubio leads the team with minutes in net at 225. i n that time, he has allowed eight goals. Junior a rmin m ahmutovic has faired much better in nearly an iden

tical workload, allow

ing just three goals and posting a save percentage more than twice as high as r ubio’s.

The s aints will officially start conference play when they host Governors s tate at 2:30 on s aturday.

The women’s soccer team began their season with an upset of then n o.

16 Grace c ollege, knocking off the Lancers 2-0 at home. i t has been tough sledding for the s aints since their season opener, however, as the team is now 2-4 in non-conference play.

The team lost 4-1 to b ethel before snagging a 3-2 win against i U e ast. The team closed a ugust with a tough 2-1 loss to Goshen. i n s eptember, the team lost both home games to Lourdes, 3-0, and r ochester, 2-1. s enior midfielder o livia s haw leads the team with four goals and two assists. Junior goalkeeper Taylor Primack started the season in net, but an injury sidelined her. n ow, first-year goalkeeper Payton Ladson is starting for the s aints. s he has allowed 13 goals across five games.

The team will begin conference play this s aturday while hosting Governors s tate at s aints Field. Last season, the team beat Governors s t. 5-0 at home.

Golf searching for new head coach

Last year, the men’s and women’s golf teams saw their head c oach, T.J. m annen, resign in late s eptember. Then assistant coach a aron m artinez stepped in to fill the interim role with the school looking to begin a coaching search

at the end of the season. The results of the coaching search were officially announced on July 17, with the school hiring m arc Green. Green was also hired on to fill the role of s ports i nformation d irector.

a ccording to the school’s press release, Green had coached golf at a ncilla c ollege from 2005-2018 before coaching varsity softball at Tippecanoe valley m iddle/ h igh s chool. Green also played golf at Goshen c ollege.

When The o bserver reached out to interview c oach Green, he did not reply. The o bserver then contacted the a ssistant a thletic d irector, Tyler b raidic, to inquire about c oach Greens’ current status at the school.

a ssistant ad b raidic declined to comment on c oach Green’s employment status with the college. h owever, he did confirm that the school was actively looking for someone to fill the role of head golf coach.

b oth golf teams are scheduled to play in the b attle at b lackthorn on s ept. 29 and the h oly c ross s aints c lassic on o ct. 9. Then, a week later, the two teams will finish fall play at the h arbor s hores i ntercollegiate on o ct. 16. The men’s team will also play in the Yellow Jacket Fall i nvitational on o ct. 14. Contact Tom Zwiller

at tzwiller@hcc-nd.edu

Paid a dverT isemen T

Week 3 notre dame football grades: Irish secondary takes control late

By J.J. POST Associate sports e ditor

For the third consecutive week, notre dame football turned in a commendable performance on defense and special teams. And for the first time this season, it did so against a Power Five opponent. In saturday’s 45-24 victory at nc state, the Irish limited the Wolfpack to 344 total yards, including just 84 on the ground. notre dame also picked off sixth-year quarterback brennan Armstrong three times, completely inverting the game’s second-half momentum. Factor in a school-record field goal and a mediocre game for Wolfpack returns, and evaluating the Irish defense and special teams comes with plenty of positives.

Defensive Line

All afternoon, nc state couldn’t generate much of anything on the ground. For the third consecutive week, the Irish held their opponent to less than three yards per carry, slowing the Wolfpack to 84 yards on 30 attempts. Led by graduate student howard c ross, notre dame consistently won in the trenches and clogged up lanes. c ross spent plenty of time in nc state’s backfield, finishing with five tackles and making an impact

Volleyball

con TI nued From PAGe 8

first match against oberlin. s aturday, the belles faced the Kenyon o wls for their final match of the tournament. The belles played strong and steady throughout the match, sweeping the o wls with set scores of 25-19, 25-21 and 2520. Junior bethany di silvestro was vital in the team’s victory, leading the match with 17 digs.

van de Walle praised the team for a high hitting efficiency, notching a rate of .163.

“This third and final match really showcased what we can do when we are all on the same page mentally,” van de Walle said after the match. “We fought for this one, and all six players on the court at each moment fought well and swung smart. The pin hitters especially hit down the line very well.”

e nding the tournament on a win brought the belles record to 3-4 on the season and gave the belles positive momentum heading into the rest of the season. s aint mary’s hosts its first home match of the season against the manchester spartans on s eptember 19.

all game. on the flip side, notre dame sacked Armstrong just once on 50-plus dropbacks. but the mobile quarterback couldn’t improvise much beyond his first passing touchdown of the day. And in terms of metrics, notre dame’s defensive line is still in great shape. Per sports Info solutions, the Irish have the fifth-best pressure rate in America. Though the results may not show it, head coach marcus Freeman believes plenty of sacks are on the way.

Weekly Grade: b +; season

Grade: Low A-

Linebackers

The assignment was clear for notre dame linebackers: limit Armstrong’s potent rushing game. In week one, the Wolfpack signal-caller had racked up 96 yards and two touchdowns at 5.1 yards per carry. on saturday, he was bottled up from the get-go. The Irish slowed Armstrong to 26 yards on 12 carries, spying him especially well in passing scenarios.

Four different linebackers finished with at least four tackles, including sophomore Junior Tuihalamaka for the first time in his career.

Graduate student Jack Kiser paced the group with six tackles, with fellow graduate students J d bertrand and marist

SMC & HCC SoCCER

Liufau each adding five more. bertrand and Liufau were particularly effective in Al Golden’s blitz schemes, consistently hurrying Armstrong. The group as a whole consistently made sure tackles in the open field. Finally, not a single defensive penalty went against the Irish linebackers, making for a strong evaluation.

Weekly Grade: A-; s eason

Grade: h igh ASecondary

A reasonable argument can be made that the Irish secondary blew the game wide open. At worst, it changed the trajectory of the game significantly. sophomore cornerback benjamin morrison secured his first pick of the season in one-on-one coverage and nearly snatched another on an unsuccessful tackle for loss. meanwhile, graduate student safety Thomas harper, who made a team-high seven tackles and two pass breakups, thrived early on as well. but the secondary fell back to earth right before halftime. on nc state’s first scoring drive of the afternoon, defensive backs accounted for 21 penalty yards, including 15 on an extracurricular unsportsmanlike conduct foul against morrison. Then, midway through the third quarter, the Wolfpack burned graduate student corner c am

hart on a 38-yard deep shot. The ensuing touchdown narrowed the Irish lead to 24-17.

Two plays later, a strip sack deep in Irish territory placed the Pack 17 yards from a tie game. but the Irish secondary stood tall, denying two immediate shots to the end zone. nc state would go three-and-out, missing a 34-yard field goal and handing momentum back over to notre dame. on the Wolfpack’s next drive, senior safety Xavier Watts snagged his first career interception, setting up an Irish touchdown. The next drive gave way to an interception by graduate student safety dJ brown, who made a perfect break on the ball over the middle.

o verall, Armstrong struggled to move the ball through the air. h is 46.8% completion percentage marked his worst in over a year, and his 260 passing yards appeared unimpressive given a career-high 47 attempts. notre dame also owned the 5050 ball, limiting “nc state to three catches on 14 contested balls. As a wise man once said, the Irish secondary faced a test and exceeded expectations.

Weekly Grade: A; season Grade: h igh b +

Special Teams

marty biagi’s group enjoyed

another largely successful day at the office. defensively, the Irish limited all runbacks well and forced a fumble on a second-quarter kick return. In addition to his sixfor-six showing on extra points, graduate kicker spencer shrader drilled the longest field goal in program history, a 54-yarder which opened the scoring late in the first quarter. Though he hit the left upright from 56 yards later on, he again provided more than enough distance. on the topic of distance, sophomore punter bryce mcFerson averaged more than 50 yards on his boots. h is second kick of the afternoon traveled a career-best 59 yards in the air.

Kiser accounted for the only Irish blemish on special teams. With the play clock running low on a secondquarter fourth-and-four, he attempted to time the snap but jumped offside, handing the Wolfpack a first down. but the notre dame defense made Kiser’s rare mistake forgettable, allowing nc state to gain just three additional yards after the foul.

Weekly Grade: b +; season

Grade: Low A-

Contact J.J. Post at jpost2@nd.edu

saints, belles drop home matches

By ANNIKA HERKO sports Writer

It was a tough weekend for holy cross and saint mary’s soccer as all three teams lost at home saturday.

The holy cross men’s team played marian, who shut out the saints 2-0. A sebastian

Gonzalez goal assisted by Josh Wesseling gave marion an early lead in the 6th minute.

Phillip seifert followed suit by scoring in the 24th minute.

While holy cross was outshot 16-10 overall, marian only mustered a 5-4 advantage in shots on goal.

The second half was a battle that saw no one put the ball in the back of the net.

the saints accumulated four

Soccer

con TI nued From PAGe 12

notre dame head coach c had r iley. “They executed their game plan, [the spartans are] a team that plays compact, [so] if they

yellow cards during the game. The saints, who accumulated four yellow cards during the game, got a nice performance from junior goalkeeper Armin mahmutovic who came for the second half of the game. mahmutovic recorded three saves and allowed no goals by the Knights in his second appearance for the saints. After starting the season 2-3-1, the team will play next at calvin university, who has started the season with a fast 5-0 start, on Tuesday night.

The women’s team faced off in a non-conference game against rochester. The Warriors struck first with a goal by Faith staley off an assist from Kaulah Joyce in the

get the first goal it becomes even more difficult to break down.”

Following this result, the Irish head on the road for the first time this season.

notre dame travels to north c arolina in an Acc c oastal

26th minute of play. holy cross was only able to get two shots off in the first half. The saints came out firing after halftime as senior olivia shaw scored off a m ia Garatoni assist three minutes after returning to the field. The game remained tied until the 88th minute when rochester forward sammi springer scored a dagger to put holy cross away. saints goalkeeper Payton Ladson performed well with eight saves. u ltimately, the saints struggled to get scoring opportunities at the net, with rochester outshooting them 24-6. now 2-4, the women’s team will start conference play saturday, hosting the 2-2 Governors state university Jaguars.

d ivision matchup this Friday at 7:00 p.m. on the Acc network. The team then plays Akron on Tuesday.

“The road is always going to be a little bit different, but it can also be exciting depending on where you’re

saint mary’s matched up against dePauw at home saturday. The belles struggled to find the back of the net all game, falling 1-0. The only goal of the game came from dePauw midfielder madison shields in the 26th minute. The Tigers outshot the belles 14-10 overall and 7-3 in shots on goal. sophomore goalkeeper caroline m iklavcic recorded six saves, but the saint mary’s offense was unable to translate strong play overall to anything on the scoreboard. The now 1-2 belles will travel to Anderson university for their next match Wednesday against the 1-1-1 ravens.

Contact Annika Herko at aherko@nd.edu

going. You also get more rest, so the road can be tougher, but I think it crea tes a good opportunity as well,” said r iley.

Contact Nicolas Morles at nmorles@nd.edu

Week 3 Notre Dame football grades: Offense impresses after slow start

By MATTHEW CROW Associate sports e ditor

For much of notre dame’s game against nc state, the Irish offense looked like it might take its first misstep of the season. After jumping out to hot starts against navy and Tennessee state, they scored just three points in the first quarter and were held to 10 until the final seconds before halftime. but they eventually figured things out, as four second-half touchdowns pushed them over 40 points for the third straight game to open the season. For a little context, that marks the first time a notre dame team has achieved that feat since 1932. here’s a look at how each offensive position group fared during the 45-24 victory in r aleigh.

Quarterbacks

Graduate student s am hartman’s weekly masterclass has started to feel routine. For the third straight game, hartman played as well as anyone in the country. Unlike in those previous weeks, though, he had to overcome some early adversity to do so.

hartman, like the rest of the Irish offense, was stifled in the first quarter by the Wolfpack defense. but he would dominate to the tune of 261 yards and four touchdowns in the following three quarters.

As usual, he spread the

ND MEN’S SoccER

wealth, connecting with eight different receivers. he was on target all afternoon, controlling the offense efficiently despite the wet conditions. And he continued to dominate in two-minute scenarios, guiding the Irish 78 yards in just 30 seconds at the end of the first half.

he came into the game having thrown six interceptions in his last two outings against the Wolfpack but was clearly unphased by that track record. hartman’s grade drops slightly because of his two fumbles, one of which gave nc state a golden opportunity to tie the game at the end of the third quarter. but overall, it was another big outing from the Irish’s Qb1.

Weekly Grade: A-; s eason

Grade: A+

Running Backs

nc state put much of its defensive focus on stopping the run. With the exception of one play, they did a great job of it, otherwise holding the Irish to just 90 rushing yards on 36 attempts. but that one play, junior Audric e stime’s 80-yard touchdown on the first snap following the lightning delay, was a big one. It snapped the Irish offense out of their early slump and was the clear highpoint of what was an up-anddown day for the running back unit.

see oFFense PAGE 10

Irish suffer first loss of 2023 by 1-0 final

By NICOLAS MORLES

sports Writer

e ntering Tuesday’s matchup against the m ichigan state spartans, the notre dame men’s soccer team hoped to continue the four-game win streak they had built over the past two weeks. In addition to this, the Irish were ranked no. 10 in the United s occer c oaches rankings before the match, their highest position all season.

A gaffe within the first minute of the match led to a good opportunity for the spartans. but a diving save from senior goalkeeper bryan d owd kept the score level early on. recovering from this mistake, the Irish were able to maintain their

composure throughout the opening 30 minutes of the match. notre dame controlled possession, placing strong pressure on their opponents after losing the ball.

As a result, m ichigan state was unable to break into the final third while the Irish managed five shots during the same period.

Good opportunities arose from sophomore midfielder KK b affour and junior forward e no nto troubling the m ichigan state goalkeeper. however, the first goal of the match came from the spartans. After the Irish lost possession on the left wing, Jack Guggemos was able to push the ball forward in transition and assisted s ean Kerrigan for a counterattack

goal. b efore this game, notre dame had not trailed at any point all season, showing the elite level the team has performed at in their opening five games.

The rest of the first half was mostly quiet for both teams. A great defensive effort from freshman defender s ean mcd owd prevented m ichigan state from marking another. h is clutch clearance prevented an own goal late in the period.

e ntering the second half down 1-0, the Irish had to stay disciplined in order to remain undefeated for the year. The spartans continued to show their tenacity from late in the first half. Another transition opportunity from forward Jake spadafora

ended at the hands of d owd. While m ichigan state was able to create opportunities in transition, notre dame focused on maintaining the majority of the possession. however, when they were on defense, notre dame was effective at stopping the runs made by the spartans. After a yellow card on mcd owd led to a free kick outside the box, the Irish were able to safely deflect the cross away from the box. Following this deflection, senior forward daniel russo stung the opposing goalkeeper’s gloves with a good counterattack opportunity. but he could not find the back of the net. The Irish had another great chance after b affour’s direct free kick outside the box

was aimed far post. Yet once again, m ichigan state keeper Zac Kelly was just able to get to it for the save.

d own a goal with 15 minutes in the match, the Irish remained resilient while looking for an equalizer. s ome through-balls created good opportunities for the team. but nothing materialized as the team was unable to get another shot on goal. notre dame ultimately lost 1-0 in a close, well-fought match, marking the team’s first defeat for the season.

see

ARI DENNING | The Observer

Irish graduate student quarterback Sam Hartman breaks through a defender’s grasp during Notre Dame’s 45-24 victory over North Carolina State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Sept. 9.