Print Edition for The Observer for Friday, August 18, 2023

smc welcomes largest class in recent history nd enrolls most diverse class ever

By MEGHAN LANGE saint mary’s news e ditor

saint mary’s will welcome one of the largest classes of first-years in recent history with the class of 2027. This year the college will see an 8% increase from last year in the number of students in the first-year class, according to sarah gallagher dvorak, dean of enrollment management and marketing.

“i could probably point to a few things that helped to positively impact enrollment this year, but three were likely more significant than others,” dvorak said when asked what she thought caused the increase in enrollment.

“First, we expanded our partnerships with community-based organizations and ramped up recruitment in a number of markets across the country,” dvorak said. “second, saint mary’s is expanding our accelerated bachelor’s to master’s degree opportunities both at the college and in partnership with notre dame, some of which offer direct entry right out of high school. These are incredibly attractive to prospective students. Finally, we made some tweaks in our financial packages for students including additional funding opportunities and free books for incoming first years.”

The observer asked dvorak

about her outlook for the class of 2027.

“we are incredibly excited about the class of 2027 as it’s one of the biggest, most diverse and academically talented classes we’ve had in recent history,” she said.

The class of 2027 boasts a grade point average of 3.88 on average and 26% of students are from underrepresented backgrounds or are people of color, which is a 4% increase from last year’s first-year class.

“we saw big increases across the board this year and more students applying than ever before,” dvorak said. “This

By KATHRYN MUCHNICK a ssociate news e ditor

a bout 2,060 first-year students will arrive on campus this weekend, beginning their time at notre d ame with welcome weekend festivities. The class of 2027, compiled from a pool of 28,354 applicants, was the most selective and most diverse class in notre d ame history.

The 2023 admissions rate was 11.9%, down from 12.9% in 2022 and 15% in 2021. m icki Kidder, vice president for undergraduate enrollment, said this matches trends from peer institutions.

“ w hat’s impressive yet admittedly difficult for our team is that 75% to 80% of this applicant pool is academically prepared for notre d ame.

That has been the case for a while and definitely continued to be the case with this applicant pool,” Kidder said.

The challenge, then, is to invite a class that demonstrates an authentic commitment to service and desire for a notre d ame education, Kidder said.

Kidder said her team looks to compile “a really vibrant, talented, other-centered group of scholars with a consistent commitment to the mission, see noTre

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Transfer students arrive at ND

By LIAM KELLY Associate News Editor

The class of 2027 comes to campus Friday morning, but another group has already made Notre Dame their home. On Thursday, 195 transfer students arrived in South Bend.

The group is a diverse one, consisting of 73 students making their way across the street after one or two years at Holy Cross as a part of the Gateway program, as well as 122 students hailing from other colleges and universities across the country.

Mirella Riley, director of transfer enrollment at the University, explained Notre Dame looks for similar attributes in its transfer students as it does in its freshmen.

“Without exception these are exceptional students who have demonstrated strong academic achievement and character attributes just like our first-year incoming students,” Riley explained. “It’s very similar.”

A key benefit of enrollilng transfer students is their ability to bring different perspectives and experiences to the community, Riley said.

“They’re coming to Notre Dame having maybe worn a different lens and bringing contributions … and skills that they have developed or acquired at other places,” she said. “I feel like that only adds to the vibrancy of our overall campus community here.”

Riley said she was not aware of the exact acceptance rate for transfer students. She explained the number is skewed

by students in the Gateway Program who are guaranteed acceptance as long as they maintain a 3.5 grade point average and are in good disciplinary standing.

“That Gateway program is one that has been a strong one for us, that helps students … acclimate earlier to the University, and … know that it’s their intention to go here when they’re even going through that firstyear experience at Holy Cross,” she added.

Most transfer students’ packed Welcome Weekend schedule begins as they move into their dorms Thursday morning. Housing is now guaranteed for students in the Gateway program. However, it is not guaranteed for other transfer students.

At the same time, Riley emphasized most transfer students are able to live on campus and are encouraged to do so.

“We do encourage those types of students to consider that option given the strong culture of residential life that exists here,” she said.

Juan Maldonado, an academic advisor for the Gateway Program noted Gateway students usually find the social transition to living on campus relatively easy.

“In terms of socially, I know because a lot of Gateway students are already involved with clubs around Notre Dame, that aspect is relatively seamless because when students are involved in freshman year, they continue on and sophomore, junior (and) senior year so they

have already begun making friends within that community,” he explained.

Gateway students expressed their excitement to move over to Notre Dame.

Sophomore Matt Baldwin said he “couldn’t be more excited to spend the next three across the street with the 10.0 cohort.”

“After a year of Gateway, I am excited to live and work among students in my major,” sophomore Carson Goldrick added.

Residence halls will have programming for new students on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights to introduce them to the University and their new home on campus, according to the Welcome Weekend website.

After moving into their dorms in the morning, students and their families will take part in a welcome dinner and reception in Dahnke Ballroom specifically for transfer students and hear from University administrators about the resources available for them. The next evening, transfer students will join freshmen in attending the official University welcome in the Joyce Center where University President Fr. John Jenkins will address the students.

“Having that opportunity to kind of move in and get settled and do some of these dedicated events, I think is important and it’s helpful, I hope, to students in terms of orienting them to Notre Dame but in particular, the University’s leadership and our faculty and staff while they’re here,” Riley said about the events.

Saturday afternoon, students will be able to attend an academic open house where they can speak with faculty and students from all of the undergraduate colleges. Riley praised the programming for helping students “be set up for success right from the get go.”

Maldonado said the Gateway Program itself, in which students take two courses a semester at Notre Dame, is designed to create a smooth academic transition for students.

“In terms of academics, I think that it’s hopefully relatively seamless as well because … the advisors over at Holy Cross are prepping them for whatever college or whatever pathway they want to go down, whether it’s Mendoza, or the College of Science, whether it’s Arts and Letters, pre-health, architecture, wherever within the University that students might transfer into all their courses are helping them to prepare for that,” he said.

Students will attend orientation events such as the Student Services Resource Fair Saturday and the Building Community the Notre Dame Way event Sunday, as well as social events such as DomerFest — a carnival-like event held at Duncan Student Center every year.

After a busy weekend students will conclude their introduction to Notre Dame by attending a peaceful mass at the Grotto on Sunday night.

Contact Liam Kelly at lkelly8@nd.edu

SMC hosts second Convocation

By KATELYN WALDSCHMIDT Associate News Editor

Saint Mary’s will hold its second annual Convocation ceremony to welcome new students Sunday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Mona Bowe, executive director of the office of retention strategies, explained the purpose of the recently created ceremony.

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“It is an opportunity for our new students to be welcomed into the community by returning students,” Bowe said. “It is held on Sunday because then all of our new students have been here for three or four days and a lot of our returning students are already on campus to start classes on Monday.”

She also discussed the reason the College began this tradition last year.

“There are a number of women’s colleges around

the country that have similar ceremonies where your ‘upperclasswomen’ are welcoming the brand new students and we haven’t done that at Saint Mary’s before,” Bowe said. “We do it in small ways. So you might have the athletes do that, you might have the choir do that, you might have people within a department or a residence hall. But we didn’t have one place where it was college wide.”

Bowe said she believes Convocation is the perfect way to make new students feel welcome and to help them feel at home away from home.

“I think any of us can think back and put ourselves into what it was like to be at college for the first three days. It is overwhelming. It is a big change.

“It is the first time they’re leaving home for a long period of time. It’s

uncertainty and excitement and new things and to have the returning students sit in the audience and cheer you in as your walking across the stage. I think it helps with a sense of belonging. It helps with a sense of welcoming them to our family,” she said.

Chris Dunlap, a chemistry professor, is the College Marshal this year.

“(I’m) the person who’s in charge of making sure faculty and students go where they’re supposed to when we’re dressed in cap and gown,” Dunlap said.

“But because this is sort of a ceremony of the College, I got pulled in, so I helped plan last year and this year. I will be in charge of organizing the first-year students.”

During Convocation, all first-year and new transfer students walk across the stage, while returning students and faculty sitting in the audience cheer

them on. Last year, during the first Convocation, Dunlap was also in charge of organizing the firstyears and said that they weren’t too sure what was happening.

“I’m not entirely sure they know what’s coming. We give them their pins, they get some beads and then we say ‘Okay, off you go!’” Dunlap said.

Beyond new students, Dunlap also discussed why returning students should engage in Convocation.

“There is a couple things. They get to see one of their own win the St. Catherine’s medal. They get to see the faculty, who many of them have had, win these big awards,” Dunlap said. “And then it’s also important because it helps start to build that community between returning students see

notre dame hosts Welcome Week for students

By KELSEY QUINT news Writer

c ampus comes to life again this Friday, a ug. 18. The class of 2027 will settle into their new home under the dome with the beginning of the annual Welcome Weekend.

a s the suitcases and i K ea bags roll in, the class of 2027 will make their first encounters with residential staff, faculty and one another.

Welcome Weekend showcases an array of campus resources — academic, spiritual and social alike.

o ne of the annual events, First Lecture s eries, provides a unique opportunity for students to choose their own programming — attending a lecture about their life-long passion, or perhaps, exploring a new one. a ndrew Whittington, director of first-year programs, explains that there is a new networking component to the “First Lecture s eries” tradition.

“This year, students can opt into connecting with other students who registered for the same First Lecture by joining a First Lecture Groupme interest group,” Whittington said. “a Groupme is only a small tool, i know. b ut it can

Saint Mary’s

speaks to the strong national reputation of saint mary’s and makes me feel even more confident in our continued success.”

dvorak spoke about the importance the college places on diversity in its student body.

“students of color make up 26% of the class of 2027 and 28% are first generation,” she said. “We recognize the importance

be used by students to introduce themselves, ask a question about the First Lecture and perhaps even invite some new classmates to join for a meal in the dining hall.”

Whittington explained this is an example of precisely what makes notre d ame distinct: community.

“The fact that we bring together the entire first-year cohort of 2000-plus students simultaneously for a singular welcome experience is distinct. not only do we all share ‘one Welcome Weekend’ as opposed to several disconnected ‘summer orientations,’ but we gather together as a class cohort routinely for lectures, celebrations and prayer,” Whittington said.

he explained that this is one of many building blocks which create the indescribable “notre d ame experience.”

“it is most definitely a part of what makes notre d ame special and speaks to our distinct way of teaching and learning,” Whittington said. “We believe education takes place in genuine and meaningful communion with others.”

a ‘notre d ame experience’: how to take part in Welcome Weekend

of bringing together women from different nations, cultures and races in helping our students grow and become the best versions of themselves.”

dvorak referenced the seven different countries that are represented in the class of 2027. official international students come from the countries of brazil, china, honduras, nicaragua, nigeria and Ukraine. The first-year class also has students from 31 of the 50 states.

Whittington said Welcome Weekend is not so much about creating belonging or inviting students to join the community, but rather it is about helping them realize they are already a part of it.

“o ne aim is to make known the reality that all new students are active and contributing members of this scholarly community immediately upon their arrival,” Whittington explained.

e mily o rsini, program director for new student engagement and formation at the d ivision of s tudent a ffairs, explained this year’s Welcome Weekend places emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as health and wellness initiatives.

“We host the ‘You b elong here: Welcoming a ll b ackgrounds and identities to notre d ame’ program. This event is intended to fully and distinctly welcome incoming families of underrepresented backgrounds to the community at notre d ame to allow space for these families and students to meet one another and hear about what it means to join the notre d ame community,” o rsini said.

i n between lectures, socials and last-minute trips to

“We continue to expand the work we do through our division for inclusion and equity, which was founded to ‘educate and empower the saint mary’s community through collaboration and resources to create a welcoming, inclusive and safe environment for all constituents and to cultivate a culture of academic and institutional excellence,’” dvorak said. “We have also expanded partnerships with a number of community-based

Target, the class of 2027 is encouraged to take a breath during the “r est and r eflection Time.”

“d uring this time, students are encouraged to take a step back and take a muchdeserved break from the busy weekend,” o rsini said. “This could include taking a nap, going for a walk with a friend, journaling, praying or engaging in other practices of restoration and reflection.”

a s plans for Welcome Weekend come to fruition, both Whittington and o rsini expressed gratitude for their role in forming the first few notre d ame experiences for the class of 2027 and their families.

“a s far as my role goes, i’m in the business of communicating those first truths that each new student belongs here, can grow here and can do good here. a nd it is such a privilege to do so,” Whittington said. he advised new students to take it all in with patience.

“i think it is important to remember that Welcome Weekend is the gateway, an entry point, a beginning. it is rare that a new student has all questions answered or has a complete sense of belonging

organizations in markets, including but not limited to, chicago and houston. Through these relationships, we’re able to more adequately serve families and provide greater access to a saint mary’s education for their students.”

saint mary’s saw an increase in their first-year applications, according to dvorak.

“The total number of applications between first-year and transfer (students) is 2,475,

after the first 72 hours,” Whittington said. “it isn’t possible to pack all of what makes notre d ame such a transforming experience into one weekend. i mean, how limited and disappointing would the notre d ame experience be if it could be so easily summed up?”

o rsini offered a glimpse into her own inspiration for her work in planning a Welcome Weekend that radiates “radical hospitality.”

“o ne person i find a lot of inspiration from is s t. a ndre b essette. s t. a ndre was a brother who served as a doorkeeper in montreal who was known for his radical hospitality, his ministry to all those he encountered and his desire to meet their needs,” o rsini said. “ s t. a ndre met everyone he encountered where they were at any given moment. he made them feel truly loved and valued, and he provided a sense of personal dignity, inviting them into a deeper relationship with God, with others and with themselves so that they might become the person that they were created to be.”

Contact Kelsey Quint at kquint@nd.edu

which is a 7% increase in total applications for the fall of 2023,” she said.

of the 2,375 first-year applications, 160 applied as early decision, meaning if admitted the student must enroll.

saint mary’s saw an overall 2% increase in first-generation college students from the class of 2026. additionally, 29% of the class of 2027 have a legacy connection, meaning at least one of their close family members attended the college.

The class of 2027 is also diverse in their personal interests. Within the class of 2027, there is a four-time world champion in equestrian riding, an international gold medal-winning irish dancer and even a student who is working to publish her first book.

additionally, 71% of the new class were athletes and 28% of those athletes were captains of their respective sports teams. about 57% of the class held positions of leadership in high school and 22% were officers in student government.

dvorak spoke about her hopes for the incoming class and transfer students.

“as they transition into life at saint mary’s, i wish for all our new students to be open to new friendships, new experiences and new opportunities to expand their horizons and grow into successful, intelligent and compassionate young adults.” Contact Meghan Lange

Paid a dverT isemen T

which is hard to articulate in a number.”

Kidder cited data published by the c ommon a pp, illustrating that the number of applications per applicant has increased over the past few years. The c ommon a pp found that in 2013-14, just 0.4% of applicants applied to the maximum of 20 schools, and 7% applied to over 10 schools. i n 2021-22, 1.8% of applicants applied to 20 schools, and 17% applied to over 10 schools.

notre d ame has witnessed a similarly growing applicant pool in recent years.

“i n many ways that reflects, i think, the impressive academic rigor, undergraduate research and the inclusive community that our students experience here,” Kidder said. “s o that’s, in some ways, an indicator of success.”

o f the roughly 3,500 admitted students, 60% enrolled at notre d ame.

The class of 2027 is also the most diverse class in notre d ame history — 20.5% of the class is first generation or Pell recipients, 34% of the class identifies as students of color and 8% of the class is international.

“We have record percentages

of lower-income students, students of color and international students, and i think this is really important as we seek to fulfill notre d ame’s mission,” Kidder said. “i view it as really essential to our student body that it reflects the vibrancy of the global c atholic community and that this a dmissions o ffice works really hard on outreach and recruitment efforts in order to achieve that vibrancy and diversity.”

The class of 2027 was admitted before affirmative action was overturned by the supreme c ourt in June.

i n response to the ruling, University President Fr. John Jenkins said in a statement the University “will study the supreme c ourt’s decision and consider any implications for our admissions process as we strive to fulfill our distinctive mission.”

This year, the recruitment strategy already in place will be “amplified,” according to Kidder. s he highlighted purposeful relationships with prospective students.

“This isn’t a one-time outreach that notre d ame makes to a diverse group of prospective families and assumes that they’re going to apply to notre d ame,” Kidder said. “We really need to authentically invest in relationships so that

we can continue to increase the diversity of our applicant pool.”

The University is in its third year of a test-optional admissions process, which began during the pandemic. a bout 37% of the class of 2027 applied without a test score, up 4% from the previous year.

Though the test-optional practice has been extended in the short term — through the 2025 application year — it is unclear whether that policy will extend long term.

“a fter only being test optional for a couple of years, i don’t think we have sufficient information to make the long-term policy decision,” Kidder said.

Kidder emphasized her excitement for Welcome Weekend and the arrival of the class of 2027.

“i love Welcome Weekend. i think we welcome students to this family better than any university in the world,” she said. “a fter reading the materials of these students, they are incredibly impressive, wonderfully kind human beings. a nd i’m very excited to welcome them home.”

Contact Kathryn Muchnick at kmuchnic@nd.edu

Ceremony

and first-years.”

b owe added that returning students should check in to receive their class pin.

“ e ach class receives a different pin. a nd then at one point, d r. c onboy will ask the new students to get up and turn around and they will face a returning student. Then they will exchange pins and will pin that on you. s o as a returning student, you are truly welcoming a new student by pinning them,” she said.

“ s o starting with the class of (2022), when they graduate, they will have four pins as long as they come to c onvocation every year. They have a pin for every year and it will be one of the things they can wear on their gown for commencement.”

a long with cheering in new students, there is also a series of awards that are handed out. d unlap explained “we are also using this to celebrate a couple faculty who are awarded the c ollege’s highest awards.”

“The highest award in teaching is the m aria Pieta a ward, and in service, is the s pes Unica a ward,” he

said. “We also give the s t. c atherine’s m edal, which is an award to a student who exemplifies the best of s aint m ary’s, especially in the mission area.”

d espite these prestigious awards being handed out, d unlap stressed that it isn’t a formal event.

“People think of a ceremony as formal, but we don’t even have a program. i think the president talks for a little bit and we have the faculty member who won the m aria Pieta a ward talk. i t’s Jennifer Juszkiewicz from the Writing c enter. h er talk is going to be awesome,” d unlap said.

h e added that the ceremony is brief before students head off to b elle’s b ash to “have more fun before they have to do some real work.”

“ i f you’re a returning student, and you want to get a T-shirt at b elle’s b ash, you need to come to c onvocation,” b owe said. “Your ticket for a shirt will be your pin.”

The ceremony with be held in o ’Laughlin a uditorium. a ll returning students are asked to wear white shirts and all first-years to wear blue.

Contact Katelyn Waldschmidt at kwaldschmidt01@saintmarys.edu

The writing on the wall: A letter to a freshman

I see my mom. s he’s the photo cut from the prayer book she gave me before my own college move-in.

Welcome to the pages of The o bserver, and welcome to the tri-campus. We’re so glad you’re here.

When I think about move-in, I imagine freshmen unpacking their things. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but many of those posters, twinkling lights and cheekily worded flags are about to fall off the sticky s outh b end summer walls, over and over again.

d uring my first week on campus, I made one of my best friends by asking her about the Pinterest collage on the wall. o ne of the photos was a woman with dark hair in a long white dress, running through a flower petal lane. Another featured a yellow “cool bus” with a sneaky missing “s.”

m y own first-year decor was nothing to write home about. b ut one meditative day during my sophomore year, I spent a few hours collecting free posters and slips of paper, anything that I’d call art: a well-designed coaster, a ticket stub, a poem inside a campus publication, a photo of the m ichigan lilacs, a forgotten sticky note.

It’s a habit I picked up from a summer roommate on m ackinac Island. b ut it’s not new. I’ve always liked to treasure things.

When I look at my cancerous collage now, my eyes brim with a glinting kaleidoscope of memory. I’ve diagnosed myself: I’m a walking symbolism machine.

I see my good friend, newspaper mentor and former d allas summer roommate. s he’s in the soda can sticker that says “It’s called pop.”

I see another friend and o bserver editor, now abroad. h e’s the gradient oval that screams

“ h I s T or Y I s F re AKI n G coo L. -LIZZ o .”

I see one of the very first friends I met at n otre d ame in the rainbow watercolor paper she once gave me. Another hides in the Florida postcard.

I see a little girl who held onto her 2017 n otre d ame football ticket, hoping she could one day attend. (That was back when this University still had paper tickets.)

c ut with yearning hands, I see every newspaper masthead I ever wanted to write for.

A little antique “Letter c arrier” badge graces the behemoth’s top left corner. That’s the one that always falls down. I pick it up, again and again. It torments me, reminding me of what I love to do. And I just keep writing letters to the world. “The world never wrote me,” as e mily d ickinson would say. I think that’s my next addition, a page from her poetry book.

A smattering of pressed flowers makes me smile too, although they remind me that some beautiful things don’t last forever. The faded memory contains a wonder all its own.

r ight now, I see all of you too — students on the tri-campus and especially the c lass of 2027.

You’re hidden away on a cardboard rectangle with black-ink type set, a quote from Jack London that reads: “I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.”

I’m no philosophy major, and I couldn’t tell you the precise difference between living and existing. s till, I see each one of the first-year students in these words. It’s the best advice I can offer.

These will be some of the shortest and fullest four years of your life. There’s going to be a lot of things to tape to your wall.

Will you be ashes or dust?

Whatever you’re passionate about, don’t shy away from the fire.

Want to know the real writing on the wall? The truth that takes more courage to read?

d uring your time here, you will be scared. You will be lonely. You will be angry. You might learn — if you haven’t already — that caring deeply means you get hurt. n ever apologize for those things that set your heart alight. They are your greatest strength.

e nroll in the club. s end the letter. c all your grandpa. Talk to your dorm custodian. s tart the petition. s ign up for the retreat. b elly laugh. Go to office hours with the professor you admire. b e the friend that suggests dining hall soft serve, with sprinkles. Take the challenging class. Learn how to box. s lay the Jabberwocky. Join the newspaper!

I can’t promise you it will be easy. It’s worth it. e ven as a senior, I admit I’m still figuring it out. e ven working a job I’ve always wanted, I’m still just learning how to swim.

b ut that’s addressed by another sticky note on the wall, the one that says:

Flowers duck-taped to my wall like me and you. Yeah, life is far from perfect, but I think it’s better to display the gray strip holding it all together. Flowers are pretty, but let’s not pretend we can beat gravity.

Unironically, the sticky note also includes a crossed-out line, a failed attempt at writing it. I promise that no one has it all together. I certainly don’t.

We’re learning. Isn’t that a beautiful thing? Growing pains are worth it. A little longing is good for body and soul.

Welcome to the tri-campus. If you’re worried about making friends, just ask your section mates about their wall decor. It worked for me. And if you want your own o bserver byline to hang on the wall, check out the s outh d ining h all basement. s end me a carrier pigeon (or an email) anytime. I’ll write you back.

Contact Maggie at meastlan@nd.edu.

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

Maggie Eastland e ditor-in- c hief

LeTTeRS To The eDIToR

Welcome home

d ear students, I extend a warm welcome to each of you. Whether you are arriving on campus for the first time or returning after a summer away, we are very glad you are here.

n otre d ame’s mission is distinctive. We offer an undergraduate education that is second to none, committed to educating the whole person. We cultivate scholarly excellence and advance human understanding through top-tier research and post-baccalaureate programs. In all that we do, we ensure that n otre d ame’s c atholic identity informs our efforts.

As you know, the University has a rich history. Generations of n otre d ame graduates have been shaped by their experiences here, and they, in turn, have left their mark on the

University. We invite you to do the same. You are now part of n otre d ame’s present, as well as its future. Individually and collectively, you have tremendous talents and gifts to share.

At a time when the world’s need for compassionate and creative leaders has never been greater, I hope you will approach every day, every place on this campus and every conversation with those you encounter here as an opportunity to engage, learn and grow. Take time to listen to and engage with those whose perspectives and backgrounds might be different from your own, and be an active participant in building a community where every person experiences a true sense of belonging. You are n otre d ame, and we are better

because you are here.

As we mark the beginning of a new academic year, I invite you to attend the o pening m ass on Tuesday, August 22 at 5:15 p.m. in the Purcell Pavilion of the Joyce c enter. I hope you will join me as we ask for God’s blessing in the coming year. This gathering is an important opportunity to come together in prayer, and everyone is invited to attend.

o nce again, welcome. I wish you every grace and blessing. Know that my prayers are always with you.

In n otre d ame,

e mbrace the amateur

d ear s aint m ary’s students, I join the faculty and staff of s aint m ary’s c ollege in welcoming smc students in the c lass of 2027, transfer students, returning students and graduate students! You join over 23,000 living alumnae around the world who recognize the power of s aint m ary’s. We have a proud history as a barrier-breaker, a place that empowers women to lead and to succeed. And while our campus, curriculum and traditions will always be at the center of your experience, that unique experience is turbocharged by the tri-campus community. We had a busy summer here at s aint m ary’s, but there is nothing more energizing than having our student body back in our classrooms, residence halls, laboratories and social spaces. We are ready for you to animate the campus with your energy and intellectual curiosity — to make our community an invigorating hub of activity! Your time here will be marked by great self-discovery: you will

accumulate knowledge and experience and you’ll grow the confidence to create a life of meaning and purpose.

At smc , we promote an open-hearted and inclusive community. Take advantage of the opportunities to expand the boundaries of who you are. e xplore your faith. e ngage with people who have different backgrounds, experiences, beliefs, or opinions. Approach them with a spirit of curiosity and be open to learning with them and from them. b e energized by difference! This spirit will make our community and our world a better place. And take care of yourself by adopting a healthy lifestyle. This, too, will support your success — at s aint m ary’s and beyond!

Finally, I’d like to encourage you to keep a beginner’s mind as you arrive and progress through your time at the c ollege. It’s good to be an “amateur”— to continue or start some learning just for the love of it (which is what the word amateur means). Try some

Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. President, n otre d

ame

Aug. 18

things you are not already good at and feel the ways they stretch you to become broader and deeper. We can always be in the process of becoming.

In fact, s aint m ary’s itself is still “becoming.” We were founded by a group of trailblazing women — the s isters of the h oly c ross — and they continue to be our inspiration. Almost 180 years ago, they created s aint m ary’s to educate women, and they knew that empowering women would make a difference in the world. You are now part of that tradition, and it’s your turn to make history here. s o, prepare for leadership, both on campus and in a world that needs you. I look forward to accompanying you on this exciting journey.

b est regards,

A soul-sized endeavor

Welcome back to a new year!

I want to especially welcome those of you who are first-year students. I pray that you will receive the same kind of h oly c ross hospitality that I experienced this past year. What you are about to embark on is so much more than a college education. As s ister m adeleva Wolff, c s c ., the president at s aint m ary’s c ollege from 1934-1961 would say when welcoming her first-year students, this endeavor is “soul-sized.”

About a decade ago, the leadership at h oly c ross c ollege, s aint m ary’s c ollege and the University of n otre d ame adopted a term that has become common parlance — the tri-campus community. I discovered in my first year that there is truly no place like this tri-campus community anywhere in the country, and maybe even in the world. o ur common roots and heritage date back to early 19th century France when b lessed b asil m oreau founded the c ongregation of h oly c ross. At a time of intense division and despair, Fr. m oreau and the young brothers, sisters and priests embarked on this educational enterprise to change the world, as disciples with hope to bring.

When Fr. s orin and the six brothers who accompanied him stood on the hill overlooking s aint Joseph’s and s aint m ary’s lakes, he envisioned a university community that would go on to become one of the greatest forces in the world … and indeed it has as carried out by n otre d ame since 1842, s aint m ary’s c ollege since 1844 and h oly c ross c ollege since 1966. Together, we stand on this hallowed ground. Together, we learn through the lenses of the c atholic Intellectual Tradition, c atholic s ocial Teaching and our h oly c ross tradition, considering how we will make a difference in the world. Together, we can change the world!

In front of you lies an extraordinary opportunity to be formed as engaged scholars, courageous citizens, virtuous leaders and hopeful disciples. With this opportunity, and on this platform, you also have great responsibility. The most familiar line from b lessed b asil m oreau’s treatise on education, titled “ c hristian e ducation,” written in 1857, states that “the mind must not be cultivated at the expense of the heart.” From this mandate, the tri-campus community, in our own unique ways, seeks to form our students in both virtue and scholarship balancing faith and

Katie Conboy, Ph.D. President, s aint m ary’s c ollege Aug. 15

reason, instruction and education, school and community, virtues and daily living, kindness and truth, justice and peace and between the human condition and the transcendent. For m oreau, these implied tensions prepare us to be “citizens in this world and for heaven” who possess “the competence to see and the courage to act” ( c onstitutions of the c ongregation of h oly c ross).

As you begin this “soul-sized” endeavor, know that you are in my prayers. I look forward to meeting you in person and to walking this journey with you. I also ask that you pray for one another, for your faculty and staff, for the administrators and volunteers, for the donors and benefactors, for your parents and family, for the priests, brothers and sisters of h oly c ross, for the s outh b end/ m ichiana community and for the world. Let us collectively be disciples with hope to bring and continue the legacy as one of the greatest forces for good in the world.

Ave c rux, s pes Unica,

Marco J. Clark, Ed.D. President, h oly c ross c ollege

Listen. Grow. Flourish.

Welcome b ack, n otre d ame!

“ h ey, aren’t you the guys who make those silly s tudent Government videos?”

Yes, yes we are. b ut when we decided to graduate from filming themed videos in front of a dimly-lit greenscreen (shameless plug–follow @ndstugov on IG) to leading s tudent Government, we formulated a three-tiered approach to our leadership philosophy: Listen, Grow and Flourish. And while the year is only getting started, we’re proud of the progress we’ve made.

As m ark Twain once said, “If God intended us to talk more than listen, he would’ve given us two mouths and one ear.” Per Twain’s advice, we listened during the early months of our term. We’ve taken what you’ve told us — whether it’s the desire for more fruit in the dining halls to more reliable transportation options off-campus — and we’ve focused our efforts on turning it into action. And while we don’t have the space here to go over all 97 of our initiatives, we highly suggest you check out our Progress Tracker, located on the student government website. Additionally, follow the aforementioned student government

Instagram (that’s @ndstugov again for all you article skimmers out there … ) for all the most up-to-date info.

n ext up, grow. All growth is aimed at the development of the mind and spirit, and our directors have been hard at work this summer crafting events that are focused solely on improving the lives of students who call this place home. Whether it be annual traditions like “Flick on the Field” (hosted Aug. 25), b ack the b end and Walk the Walk Week, or brand new initiatives like Women’s Advocacy Week, International s tudents c elebration n ight and our Local Interfaith s eries, we are so excited to share all the wonderfully engaging and beneficial things we have in store for you this year.

Lastly, flourish. We believe that every student on this campus can flourish, becoming the compassionate, inspiring and empowering individual God intended you to be. b ut flourishing isn’t possible without absolute transparency. s o whether it be coming to our c offee c hats, using our (soon-to-be-released) “Let’s m ake It h appen Form,” writing us an email or even just stopping by the new office

(109 Lafortune), we want to hear from you.

Yes, you!

b y year’s end, our hope is that every student on this campus will be able to point to a multitude of events or initiatives that student government executed to tangibly improve the student experience. Please know it is truly an honor for us to serve you, in any way that we can. While we may have traded out silly videos for o bserver articles, our love for n otre d ame and dedication to you remains all the same.

If you ever have a question, comment or recommendation, please never hesitate to reach out to d aniel, Aidan or c ollette. o ur door is always open (109 Lafortune), and we can’t wait for this year to get rolling!

e njoy the year, and welcome back to campus! Go Irish!

Daniel Jung

s tudent b ody President Aidan Rezner

s tudent b ody v ice President

Collette Doyle

s tudent Government c hief of s taff

e mbark on a new adventure

h ello tri-campus community, We are so excited to be back on campus with all of you. With the start of a new school year, we can’t help but reflect on how amazing these past three years have been. We are so excited to be back in The b end: excited for new and old friendships, new classes and (for many of us) the football games!

Whether you are a freshman moving in for the first time or a senior moving in for the last time, we are sure you are feeling all of the feelings, from excitement to fear to nostalgia. We understand and have either been in your shoes before or are alongside you, going through the emotions of senior year.

c herish these feelings, as they are a sure sign that you are embarking on a new

adventure. The start of every new year school year is a new adventure. d on’t be afraid to take chances and try new things. You have a roadmap already with a class schedule, but really it is all the times in between when you get to actually embark on the adventure that is your life. You are in control. Join the club that none of your other friends are in. s ay hi to the person in the dining hall or the person sitting to your left in class.

n ever forget that life is what you make it. You have four incredibly short years here and whether you are a nervous first-year or an indenial senior, you have to make this adventure your own.

As the student leaders of s aint m ary’s c ollege, we are ready to welcome a new school

Aug. 16

year in the place that has quickly become our home. The Avenue is waiting to be walked down, the library is waiting to be studied in and b linkie is warming up. As a member of the tri-campus community, s aint m ary’s welcomes all students, and we look forward to seeing our campus full of life.

The energy is high at s aint m ary’s, and we are excited to share that with the tri-campus community.

Go b elles! Go Irish! Go s aints!

Scarlet Peters s aint m ary’s s tudent b ody President Hannah Kaczor s aint m ary’s s tudent b ody v ice President Aug. 15

happy Birthday: keep close tabs on your health, finances and legal matters. Precision and detail will make a difference in the outcome of such issues and bring positive results. use charm to get the attention you desire and the help you need to reach your target. Personal growth and self-improvement will pay off. Someone will be jealous or use temptation to lead you astray. know when to say no. your numbers are 4, 12, 18, 23, 30, 34, 42.

ArIES (March 21-April 19): Social events, personal growth and physical fitness are favored, but before you set your sights on something, evaluate the emotional, financial and material costs involved. Too much of anything will prove more harmful than good. Don’t let temptation and shortcuts take over.

TAuruS (April 20-May 20): Don’t jump for joy prematurely. There will be some ifs and buts to deal with before you get what you want. your persistence will pay off, so don’t get discouraged; giving your very best is essential to reach your goal.

gEMINI (May 21-June 20): Stifle your emotions, keep your plans to yourself and adjust your lifestyle to fit your needs. Taking on someone else’s fight will not solve your problems. Think before someone lures you in a direction that benefits them more than you. Make self-improvement a priority.

CANCEr (June 21-July 22): Adjust your home to suit your needs. fuel your imagination and build a space specific to a pursuit that interests you. refuse to let outside interference redirect you from the things that are important to you. follow your heart and please yourself.

lEO (July 23-Aug. 22): you’ve got the right idea but the wrong team. redesign your plans to fit the talent in the room or change your helpers to fulfill your original concept. Being a take-charge leader will ensure your success. Set standards and fulfill promises.

vIrgO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): focus on how you want things to unfold, and make it happen. your perceptive determination will take you where you want to go and give you the platform to get others on board. Study information and educate others, and significant opportunities will transpire.

lIBrA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Participation will lead to exciting connections, but don’t let it break the bank. Cap what you will spend or donate before you get involved. An opportunity is only good if it will get you where you want to go.

SCOrPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Pay attention to what’s happening in the rearview mirror. Study the past, and you’ll make better decisions based on common sense and logistics. use your voice to inform others of the truth and possibilities. Make changes that propagate trust, loyalty and respect.

SAgITTArIuS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): What you see is what you get. Don’t believe everything you hear. Ask questions, go directly to the source and make decisions based on what you see and experience. Don’t be a follower. Change what’s necessary. Make personal improvement a priority.

CAPrICOrN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): you are sitting in a better position than anticipated. Strike while the iron is hot, but stay within budget. refuse to let someone you love or want to impress push you into something that will add stress or inconvenience to your daily routine.

AQuArIuS (Jan. 20-feb. 18): Assess partnerships and reset how you structure your life. Peace of mind comes from doing what’s best for you, not putting others first. focus on your achievements and protecting what’s important to you. Self-improvement will lead to good health and happiness.

PISCES (feb. 19-March 20): Don’t miss an opportunity because you are too afraid to move. look at your options, discuss your plans with an expert or someone you respect, and make changes that complement how you envision your life. It’s time to dump dead weight.

Birthday Baby: you are knowledgeable, friendly and thoughtful. you are persistent and vigilant.

Ten questions for Irish sports teams in 2023-24

By ANDREW MCGUINNESS, J.J. POST, TYLER REIDY, RYAN MURPHY sports e ditor, Associate sports e ditor, Associate sports e ditor, sports Writer

notre dame fall sports are officially back. Irish women’s soccer kicked off their season against milwaukee on Thursday, and men’s soccer, volleyball, cross country and football will soon follow suit with their season openers. While The observer will provide plenty of coverage on the start of the football season, football is far from the only team on campus. here are 10 questions and storylines to watch for as notre dame’s other teams take the field and court in 2023.

1. Can women’s soccer keep building?

notre dame women’s soccer has made steady progress each year of head coach nate norman’s tenure, with the exception of the strange, abridged 2020 season. said progress culminated in a trip to the last eight of the ncAA tournament in 2022, the Irish’s best finish to the season in a decade. notre dame loses prolific forward olivia Wingate and dynamic midfielder Korbin Albert (among other departures). They add a highly ranked recruiting class though, and return the entirety of one of the Acc’s best backlines. The losses are notable, but the bones remain for a potential run if the offseason development that defined each of the team’s last two summers continues. J.J. post

2. What will year two of the rockwell era look like in volleyball?

head coach salima rockwell’s first year was one of learning and development for the new notre dame volleyball coach. The former Penn state standout will continue to develop a defense focused around standout Libero hattie monson.

monson played all 108 sets for the Irish last fall and looks to become an even more vocal leader among the backline. As for the offense, look to Avery ross and

tri-CAMpuS

Lucy Trump to make larger contributions this year on the attack. Trump and ross gained valuable experience last season, earning 17 and 19 starts respectively as freshmen. With a year of Acc play under their belt the duo will now have had a full off-season to prepare for what will be a grueling slate of conference matchups in the back half of the season. The young team could very well surprise many as they appear to finally be meshing under a stronger motion offense — Jacob irons

3. Who leads the line for men’s soccer?

The Irish men’s soccer college cup run in 2021 was followed up by a relatively disappointing 2022 encore. A rebuilding year wasn’t much of a surprise — notre dame lost three players from the 2021 squad to the first round of the mLs superdraft, but the team is primed to once again be in contention for an ncAA tournament bid in 2023. To do that though, the team will need production in front of net — no player scored more than six goals in 2022.

returning goalkeeper senior bryan dowd should give the Irish a reliable backstop, and several notable defenders (including senior Paddy burns, junior Josh ramsey and graduate student mo Williams) are back for the fall. The defense will, barring injury or unexpected regression, be solid. but can anyone break out in a major way in attack to give the team another dimension and take notre dame to the next level? — post

4. how good will hockey’s freshmen centers be?

notre dame hockey’s eightmember freshman class is their largest in four years, and their contribution to the team’s offense will be a key question heading into the year.

U.s nationalTeamdevelopment Program product danny nelson and Fargo Force alumnus cole Knuble seem particularly poised for important roles. both are coming off strong pre-college seasons and were drafted in June’s nhL entry draft.

nelson shined at the IIhF under-18 World championships, with seven points in seven games and was selected by the new York Islanders 49th overall.

Knuble put up 30 goals and 66 points in the top flight of junior hockey, the United states hockey League (UshL), earning a fourth round selection by the Philadelphia Flyers. If those two can step into a center role and produce right away — a big ask for any freshman in college hockey, let alone two competing in a stacked big Ten — it would be a boon for an Irish offense that struggled to score last year.

— ryan Murphy

5. is strong pitching enough for softball?

After wrapping up last season in the ncAA Fayetteville regional, notre dame softball should pitch at least as well as they did last season. breakout freshman micaela Kastor returns with a consistencyseeking shannon becker, joining graduate transfer and two-time Ivy League Pitcher of the Year Alexis Laudenslager (Princeton). but to break out of a 24-year super regional drought, the Irish must replace a handful of high-impact position players, including 40-rbI contributors Joley mitchell and Lexi orozco. slugging senior first baseman Karina Gaskins and do-it-all senior catcher carlli Kloss will be around to lead the charge, but 2024 success will hinge on the progression of unproven hitters around them.

tyler reidy

6. Which new contributors will step up in men’s basketball?

There will hopefully be a plethora of players that fit this description. otherwise, a difficult campaign is likely in store for the Irish, who enter their first season under head coach micah shrewsberry with the challenge of having to replace nearly all of last year’s veteranheavy rotation.

In terms of returning players, the one to watch is junior guard J.r Konieczny, an impressive athlete who redshirted last year and could be in line for a breakout season. shrewsberry also pulled in a strong

recruiting class despite having to work on a condensed timeline during his first offseason in south bend.

Freshman guard markus burton, who earned Indiana mr. basketball honors, and freshman forward carey booth will both be counted on to make an impact from day one. Finally, the rebuilding Irish should get significant production from the transfer portal, having brought in sophomore forward Kebba njie, who played for shrewsberry at Penn state, as well as junior guard Julian roper II from northwestern. With a youthful and largely inexperienced group, expect notre dame to utilize a far deeper bench than they have in recent memory. It should be an exciting season to watch for Irish fans as they get to know the players that will make up the core for the next era of notre dame men’s basketball. —

Matthew Crow

7. how does women’s lacrosse reload?

While the men’s team finally authored their long-awaited breakout run, 2023 was the latest soclose-but-yet-so-far season for the women’s lacrosse team. The Irish put together another solid season, going 20-6 and reaching the third round of the ncAA Tournament. The team is bringing back plenty of starpower, as seniors or graduate students account for a majority of the team’s top players. This season has a very “Last dance” vibe for christine halfpenny – can the Irish make it count? — Andrew

McGuinness

8. how well can the graduate transfer class fill baseball’s veteran void?

In an often-promising 2023 campaign that ended with a mid-may flameout, Irish baseball’s top four hitters all ran out of eligibility. With the graduate student core of brooks coetzee, vinny martinez, Zack Prajzner and carter Putz moving on, notre dame’s offense will look very different in 2024. To help ease the transition, head coach shawn stiffler added five graduate transfers over the summer. outfielders Josh hahn (UcLA) and nathan

manning (cal) are coming off breakout seasons, while outfielders Tito Flores (michigan) and david Glancy (st. John’s) and utility man simon baumgardt (Tulane) have combined to play 452 collegiate games. — reidy

9. how dynamic can the guard play of women’s basketball be?

There’s no question that notre dame women’s basketball, once fully healthy, will be a guard-driven team this season. olivia miles is already one of the best point guards in the country. Incoming freshman hannah hidalgo was the highest ranked true point guard in the class of 2023, per esPn Transfer Anna deWolfe averaged over 18 points per game last season at Fordham. Junior sonia citron is more of a combo player than a guard, but she’ll technically be listed as an option at the position for 2023 as well. head coach niele Ivey likes her teams to play fast, and this team will have the guard options to always be out and running this winter. Will it be enough to power a team without much in the way of proven production down low to a Final Four? — post

10. Can Notre Dame’s two reigning national champions do it again?

Irish eyes have already had a lot to smile about in 2023. In march, the Irish fencing team brought home its third straight national championship, with now senior Luke Linder and sophomore eszter muhari also winning individual titles. Three months later, notre dame celebrated again, as the men’s team erased years of frustrating close calls, beating duke to win its first championship in program history. The team returns a good amount of its stars, although junior chris Kavanagh will be without brother Pat by his side for the first time in his collegiate career. McGuinness

Contact Andrew McGuinness at amcguinn@nd.edu, J.J. Post at jpost2@nd.edu, Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu, and Ryan Murphy at rmurph22@nd.edu

Fast facts about every tri-campus fall sports team

By MADELINE LADD

Associate sports editor

ND Football

With the marcus Freeman era reaching its second year, the Irish look to build upon last season’s 9-4 record and no. 18 final ranking. 2022-23 marked a rollercoaster for the Irish, with a big-time win against no. 5 clemson but embarrassing losses against unranked marshall and stanford.

The expectation now, however, is national titles. And a 9-4 season with losses to lesser-ranked opponents isn’t acceptable. This

year’s preseason AP Poll ranked the Irish no. 13. Transfers such as graduate quarterback sam hartman and defensive end Javontae Jean-baptiste are expected to make an immediate impact.

however, hartman is the name everyone will be watching as he tries to play his way into the heisman conversation.

The arrivals of freshman Jeremiyah Love and Penn state transfer devyn Ford, along with the return of junior running back Audric estime, sophomore Gi’bran Payne and sophomore

Jadarian Price, will give the Irish a strong run game. With another year under defensive coordinator Al Golden, the defense is expected to take giant steps and avoid the big play breakdowns and red zone failures experienced last season.

The loss of special teams coach and punt block guru brian mason hurts.

but his replacement marty biagi shouldn’t miss a step. If the wide receivers can gel, the Irish have the potential to make a run this season.

ND Men’s Soccer

With three exhibition matches under their belt, the Irish kick off their regular season at home on Aug. 24 against Indiana, looking to build upon see TrI-cAmPUs pAGE 14

Tri-Campus

con T inued from Page 12

a four-game unbeaten run to end the 2022 regular season. in postseason play, though, the irish fell to clemson in the first round of the acc Tournament.

head coach chad riley cites consistently getting into the quarterfinals as a future goal for the team.

Junior goalkeeper bryan dowd was a big contributor last season, totaling 43 saves at a .652 clip. dowd will return for another season, bringing with him consistency and the ability to develop young players. also returning are sophomore midfielders KK baffour and sebastian green, who had particularly notable developmental seasons last year. also watch for award watchlist players this year, such as senior defender Paddy burns, as the irish begin their campaign.

ND Women’s Soccer

The irish saw a wildly successful season last year, reaching the quarterfinals of the ncaa tournament for the first time since 2012. entering 2023 ranked no. 3 in the country, high expectations abound for the irish. however, the departure of star Korbin albert to Psg in france and the graduation of an excellent senior class leaves a hole in the offense this season.

Look to graduate transfer midfielder Kristina Lynch for her wealth of experience and to potentially shake things up on offense after she missed all of 2022 with an injury.

captain and graduate student midfielder Kiki van Zanten also returns with experience from the 2023 World cup.

graduate forward maddie mercado has excelled in preseason.

The irish will also especially look to the defense to shine, with three starters returning on the backline in all-acc Preseason team member senior eva gaetino, graduate student Waniya hudson and sophomore Leah Klenke.

ND Volleyball

after a rocky 10-18 season, the irish are looking to rebuild with head coach salima rockwell in her second year. showing signs of promise with several win streaks, the team looks to draw on the highs of 2022 to create a winning culture this year.

some of the irish’s strongest players will be returning, such as junior setter Phyona schrader and senior libero hattie monson. schrader averaged over eight assists per set, ranking seventh in the acc monson finished with 4.19 digs per set, the third-most in the conference.

ND Golf for the irish women, head

coach caroline Powers ellis enters her second season after learning the ropes of south bend in 2022-23. The team has lost three graduating players, though four freshmen enter the roster for the season. The upperclassmen trio of graduate student Lauren beaudreau, senior chloe schiavone and junior montgomery ferreira will return to help guide the talented freshman class.

The men suffered a disappointing season, failing to place any higher than fourth in any competition. The return of emerging sophomore nate stevens and established star graduate student Palmer Jackson will allow them to build upon his stevens’ promising freshman season.

ND XC

emily hosker-Thornhill makes her season debut as assistant coach for the irish. after posting a 15th-place finish for the men and seventh for the women at the ncaa championships, the irish are looking toward higher finishes 2023.

SMC Volleyball

The belles faced a difficult season last year, going 5-19 with a 1-7 conference record. With the departure of three seniors at the end of last season, the belles will rely on new recruits to fill the gaps in the program. nevertheless, according to head coach denise

van de Walle, team morale is high and a small roster provides for more personal attention.

SMC Soccer

an inexperienced roster, new coaching staff and difficult slate of opponents led to an 0-13-3 season for the belles in 2022. Last year, 16 of the 23 players of the belles’ roster were underclassmen. however, with a year under their belt and an understanding of their shortcomings, the belles prepare to take on the season with a huge group of sophomores and incoming recruits.

SMC XC

after some late-season success and a sixth-place finish at the miaa championships last year, the belles are hoping to build on this momentum in the upcoming season. With last year’s roster featuring six seniors, the underclassmen will be put to the test as the team vies for personal bests and strong team finishes.

HCC Men’s Soccer

The saints put together a 105-4 season last year, hanging tough with nearly every team they played. much of the roster returns this year. That’s a good thing considering last year’s team set a program record with a 12-game unbeaten streak. With sights set on a deep postseason run, the team will build on their performance from last year and

look to new recruits to step up.

HCC Women’s Soccer

an injury-riddled season for the saints concluded with a 6-67 record last year. This season though, a strong incoming freshman class will bring the saints some big-time players and much needed added depth. focused on specifying the team’s needs while recruiting, coach omar gallo believes he will foster his talent to where a championship could be on the line in the foreseeable future.

HCC/SMC Golf

both hcc and smc had difficult 2022-23 seasons. for the saint mary’s golf team, their average was the lowest it has been in eight years last year.

The team hopes for more consistent play this season in order to achieve their goals.

both the holy cross women’s and men’s golf team faced the sudden departure of their head coach T.J. mannen partway into last season.

assistant coach aaron martinez stepped up into the interim head coach position, and he’ll lead the team again this year. With only four female golfers on the roster at the end of last season, the team hopes to build a stronger, deeper roster in 2023.

Contact Madeline Ladd at mladd2@nd.edu

need to take a huge step forward from last year for n otre d ame’s offense to reach its potential.

Post: i t has to be wide receiver. n otre d ame has a lot of talent at wideout but proven commodities are far and few between. Junior Jayden Thomas has proven a reliable option and a versatile one at that. b ut behind him, the i rish and h artman will need to find production out of the likes of senior c hris Tyree (in his first season playing slot), sophomore Tobias merriweather (one career collegiate catch), junior deion colzie (nine catches in 2022), graduate student matt salerno (five catches in 2022) and the freshman trio of r ico Flores, Jaden Greathouse and braylon James. notre dame doesn’t need merriweather to catch 15 touchdowns or salerno to become a biletnikoff winner for success this fall. but they will need at least a few success stories that weren’t seen last season.

Sanchez Cordova: i’m a bit concerned about special teams. often overlooked, last year they made themselves the focal point more than once with all those blocked punts. but special teams coordinator brian mason moved on to the n FL and the team lost its starting kicker, punter and main punt returner. it’s a lot of turmoil to overcome in a short time. Graduate transfers spencer shrader and ben Krimm came in to cover the kicking and punting duties. but i think it’ll take a few games before i feel confident new special teams coordinator marty biagi picked up where the unit left off last season.

Crow: at the moment, notre dame’s biggest weakness might be the tight end position, if only because it has the most question marks of any unit. mayer was responsible for essentially all of the group’s production last season. notre dame’s available tight ends enter 2023 with just six total career receptions after senior Kevin bauman was lost for the season due to injury. Luckily, there is a lot of talent

at the position. Junior m itchell evans and sophomores holden staes and e li raridon are expected to feature on the depth chart.

Tom Zwiller, Sports

Writer: The defensive line. The rotation is incredibly deep; defensive line coach a l Washington said he felt the i rish could have a rotation of up to ten players. however, i think those players are all currently rotation-level good, not starting-level. notre dame will need a few players on the line to take a step up.

Breakout Player

McGuinness: it wasn’t that surprising that notre dame had a star freshman cornerback emerge last year. Who it was was a bit of one, though. While morrison balled out in the second half of 2022, Jaden m ickey had a bit more of a traditional up-and-down rookie season in south bend. but it was m ickey who was the higher-rated recruit entering the season. despite the valleys, m ickey did show some positive signs last fall and will have all the opportunity to become a key member of what could be a vaunted i rish secondary.

Ladd: Tobias merriweather. This season’s young wide receiver crew will need to step up to replace mayer’s receiving consistency. hartman will rely heavily on the 6’4, 204 pound merriweather. he’s one of the most talented wide receivers on the team but has yet to fully show it on the field. he has room to stand out this season and contribute greatly to the i rish offense.

Post: stop me if you’ve heard a prediction for senior defensive end rylie m ills to be a breakout player before. m ills was tabbed for this exact honor at this exact time last season, and to a lesser extent the season before that. Will his tools finally translate into tangible production? Last year m ills was solid, notching six tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. This year, he’ll need to be a leader on a retooled i rish defensive line.

Crow: senior defensive lineman Jordan botelho was arguably onsenior defensive

lineman Jordan botelho was arguably one of the i rish’s biggest breakout players in 2022. a nd he could have another major leap in store this season. botelho is an explosive pass-rusher who finished second on the team in sacks as a junior despite taking limited snaps behind a ll-a merican isaiah Foskey. Getting his first opportunity to start during the Gator bowl against south carolina, he showed his ability to step into a larger role, recording two sacks in the i rish victory. botelho will be a crucial part of a largely unproven defensive line and will look to carry his impressive finish to last season into a standout senior campaign.

Zwiller: i f a position group needs a player to answer the call, it is the wide receivers. i think Jaden Greathouse has the potential to be that player. i like Greathouse in the slot and think he could be an excellent weapon for hartman. The 6’1, 204-pound freshman has looked good to me in practice, and i think he can be a great second option while other W r s (like merriweather) draw more eyes.

Overall Season Prediction

McGuinness: h istory says it usually takes an i rish coach at least three years before their first signature campaign. so, while there’s a temptation to expect marcus Freeman to reach for the stars in year two, a steady but not meteoric rise is probably what’s in store. The combination of a big-three opponent gauntlet of ohio state, Usc and c lemson combined with other quality opponents in nc state and duke (both of which the i rish play on the road) will prevent the i rish from having a shot of playing for a championship. but after going 10-2, the i rish will still make history this season, winning a new Year’s six bowl for the first time since 1993.

Ladd : 9-3. The introduction of new talent mixed with the maturity of the old makes for a promising season for the i rish. however, there is always the potential for a clunker as the

team finds its groove. i predict competitive and respectable matches against ohio state and Usc, though the i rish will ultimately fall short against these two giants. a Usc loss will fuel the fire and we will see a winning streak to end the season 9-3, which includes an on-theroad win against c lemson. however, i hope the i rish prove me wrong. What is the saying … underpromise and overdeliver?

Post: 10-3, with a bowl game win. This should be a fun notre dame season. The best quarterback the i rish have had in years. a schedule packed with both marquee home games (ohio state, Usc ) and underrated road tests ( duke, Louisville). Ultimately, i see too many potential minefields on notre dame’s schedule to not expect the i rish to lose at least one of the games they will be favored in. That being said, i think the combination of a dynamic quarterback, strong ground game and an improved defense will allow notre dame to pull at least one big upset. can the i rish take more than one out of three though? That will be the question that defines where notre dame is playing in January.

Sanchez Cordova: i’m quite optimistic. i feel like this is a really talented roster that can to notre dame back to a new Year’s six bowl and maybe more. but there’s are definitely some questions on offense that make me nervous. Ultimately, the three games with ohio state, Usc and c lemson are going to define the year. r ight now, i think they go 1-2 and beat rival Usc under the lights in south bend, but drop the other two and finish 10-2. This should be enough to land them an new Year’s six bowl where they’ll break the big game curse.

Crow: i think the i rish’s no. 13 preseason ranking in both the coaches and a P polls almost perfectly splits the difference between the ceiling and floor for the 2023 team. notre dame saw the departure of several key contributors on the field and on the coaching staff. on the other hand, the i rish

defense should be strong as ever, and the offense looks poised to take a step forward behind hartman and potential a ll-a merican e stime. i’ll tab the i rish to win two of their marquee matchups against ohio state, Usc and c lemson and take care of business elsewhere, finishing 11-1 and directly on the college Football Playoff bubble.

Zwiller: i n all likelihood, notre dame will have a similar finish to last year. The offense has gotten a massive upgrade at Qb but the wide receivers are genuinely starting to worry me with how little they flash at practice. i love the defensive secondary, but notre dame may sometimes struggle to generate a pass rush. at a minimum, the i rish will stumble twice in their big three games; my money is on ohio state and c lemson. i think nd loses three games, finishes in the teens in the polls, and wins a decent bowl game for a 10-3 finish.

Niche Prediction

McGuinness: The i rish will have at least one game-winning punt or kick return touchdown this season.

Ladd: botehlo has 10 sacks, leads the team in tackles and is a finalist for the bednarik award for the top defensive player in the country.

Post: sophomore bryce mcFerson attempts and achieves at least one fake punt this fall.

Sanchez Cordova: notre dame’s offensive line will win the Joe moore award at the end of the year.

Crow: notre dame will make a statement with another threepossession win against ohio state, Usc or c lemson.

Zwiller: notre dame will go 1-2 against the big three. i have notre dame losing to ohio state 24-21, defeating Usc 3835 and losing to c lemson 28-21.

The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer.

FooTbAll

roundtable: Previewing the 2023 Irish football season

Observer Sports Staff

Another n otre d ame football season is right around the corner. The usual time to settle into campus life before the season begins is brief this year, thanks to a Week 0 trip to d ublin to take on n avy. With the number of days until kick off in Ireland down to single digits, The o bserver’s football beat discusses their thoughts on the team.

b iggest Strength

Andrew McGuinness, Sports Editor: There are some positions where the Irish have depth but not an established standout player. And there are others with a clear star talent but not much behind them if injuries or underperformance wreak havoc. At running back, however, there is both. Junior Audric e stime established himself as a driving force in n otre d ame’s offense last year, rushing for 5.9 yards per carry and 11 touchdowns. Though the three backs behind him

– freshman Jeremiyah Love, sophomore Gi’ b ran Payne and graduate student d evyn Ford – have never played a snap for the Irish, all three have talented resumes and reportedly have flashed brilliance during camp.

Madeline l add, Associate Sports Editor: The secondary is the area to watch this season for the Irish. r eturning safeties senior r amon h enderson and graduate student d J b rown have the ability to make more plays and impact the defense. s enior Xavier Watts’ late-season standout performance last year fuels this optimism, as do graduate transfers Thomas h arper ( o klahoma s tate) and Antonio c arter II ( r hode Island). c leaning up missed tackles and more aggressive play could be key for the Irish defensively. s ophomore phenom b en m orrison and senior c am h art are a great returning duo at cornerback, and sophomore Jaden m ickey and highly touted freshmen c hristian Gray and m icah b ell will provide

excellent depth.

J.J. Post, Associate Sports Editor: In just a few years, cornerback has turned from a potential weakness of the n otre d ame roster to a unit the Irish expect to lean on. m orrison had one of the most impressive rookie campaigns of any freshman in college football last year, and there’s little evidence to suggest he’ll slow down in 2023. h art’s career has been plagued by injuries, but when healthy he’s overqualified for the job of n o. 2 cornerback. If h art stays healthy and h arper proves to be a shrewd portal add, this could be the best n otre d ame cornerback room in over a decade.

José Sanchez Cordova, Assistant Managing Editor: Graduate student quarterback s am h artman. I know he hasn’t suited up for n otre d ame yet, but a stellar track record at Wake Forest has me totally sold. h e holds multiple A cc records and led the d emon d eacons to the 2021 conference

championship game. h e’ll bring a level of stability and consistency to the quarterback position that the Irish have lacked since Ian b ook left. h e was already named a team captain and that leadership on the offensive side is something n otre d ame will need with a young group of receivers and tight ends. I’m hopeful h artman’s passing prowess and ability on the ground will keep defenses on their toes, giving the strong running back group a chance to shine.

Matthew Crow, Associate Sports Editor:

The true strength of the Irish’s offensive attack will be found in the trenches. n otre d ame’s offensive line is headlined by juniors Joe Alt and b lake Fisher, who form one of the top offensive tackle tandems in the nation. They are joined by a third returning starter in graduate student center Zeke c orrell. Uncertainty remains at both guard spots after the departures of standouts Jarrett Patterson and Josh Lugg to the n FL. b ut the competitive

offseason battles for those roles indicate that the line should feature a strong starting five and quality depth, with several starting-caliber backups ready to step in if needed. In the absence of a consistent passing game last season, n otre d ame’s offensive line played a key role in helping the Irish establish one of the best rushing attacks in the country.

b iggest Weakness

McGuinness: For all of the hype around h artman’s arrival, everyone seems to be forgetting a quarterback is only as good as the people he is throwing the ball to. m ichael m ayer is gone, and with him so are 36% of n otre d ame’s receiving touchdowns and 30% of its receiving yards. Last year, the Irish failed to produce a 400-yard receiver for the first time since before b rian Kelly took over. There is talent in the group, especially among the underclassmen. b ut n otre d ame’s passcatchers will