MU seeks to expand geographic diversity
The goal is to have "Securing Our Future" plan finalized by 2031
By Sahil Gupta sahil.gupta@marquette.edu
Marquette University unveiled the 2031 “Securing Our Future” plan in March 2024, in which they an-
nounced that the university intends to reduce spending by $31 million and reinvest 40% of that back into the university.
The plan is to have all the efforts finalized in time for Marquette's 150th anniversary in 2031, which has led to 15 programs on and around campus being put under review for restructuring and possible termination. Implementation of the "Securing Our Future" plan is being over-
seen by a steering committee, which is co-chaired by College of Nursing Dean Jill Guttormson and Adjunct Law School Professor Ralph Weber. Increasing new student population
The plan is being implemented under the backdrop of an increase in new students entering Marquette. On Aug. 21, 2024, more than 2,100 new students and their families packed the Al McGuire Center for
Marquette’s annual new student convocation. The number of new students entering Marquette in the fall 2024 semester was the highest since the pandemic and nearly tied with the record set back in 2017.
The increase in students required the university to take measures to accommodate the influx of students, including reopening O’Donnell Hall. They were also forced to hire more custodial staff and
desk receptionists to accommodate the additional dorm space.
In a presentation to the Marquette University Student Government earlier this semester, Vice President for Enrollment Management Brian Troyer conceded that Marquette’s current infrastructure and financial situations require changes to enrollment strategy, saying that new
New Irish Studies minor offered in fall 2025
By Ellie Golko elizabeth.golko@marquette.edu
March is Irish-American Heritage Month, and while some Americans celebrated this by attending St. Patrick’s Day parades, drinking green beer or listening to bagpipes, there is more to learn about Irish Heritage and Irish culture yearround.
Marquette University offers different majors and minors related to cultural studies, and its most recent
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addition is a minor in Irish Studies. Students can declare the minor in the Fall 2025 academic semester and are able to take classes like Rhetorics of Irish Storytelling, James Joyce’s "Ulysses," Introduction to the Irish Tin Whistle and Introduction to Irish Dancing. Program origins Timothy McMahon, a professor in the College of Arts & Sciences, said that he and Leah Flack, a fellow professor in the College of Arts &
Sciences, have had the idea for an Irish Studies Minor since 2016.
“[We] team-taught classes, she on the literature of the Irish Revolution and me on the history of the Irish Revolution, and we actually had students enroll in both classes and they could do a final project that kind of brought things together in an interdisciplinary way," McMahon said. “It took a little longer for us to make [the minor] happen than
we had wanted, but that was the genesis of it.”
McMahon said he and Flack have known each other for a long time and both have attended a number of meetings of the American Conference for Irish Studies, the largest Irish Studies organization in the world. They are just two of the faculty at Marquette who have Irish expertise.
“We have a number of people on campus who have Irish expertise, and
more now, with people like Brigid [Kinsella-Alba] joining the Office of Ministry and then Father [Jim] Pribek, [S.J.], who's in both that office and in English, and then Father [Ryan] Duns [S.J.] in Theology, we were like, 'Let's bring this thing together.'”
McMahon said that the classes in this minor will serve a variety of disciplines. It can help one who studies it broaden their academic horizons and
Photo by Alex DeBuhr With an increasing new student population, Marquette is hoping to expand
alumni network to market the university.
UNIVERSITY: Student yield and retention
Continued from page 1
student populations at the levels seen in 2024 are not sustainable.
Some additional goals of the new strategy include increases in rates of student yield and graduation, along with a decrease in size fluctuation between classes from year to year. Marquette's current yield rate sits at only 14%, meaning that only 14% of students admitted to Marquette choose to enroll.
Expanding geographic diversity
One of the biggest initiatives outlined in the new enrollment plan is an effort to significantly expand the geographic diversity of students on campus. Currently, 70% of Marquette students originate from three U.S. states: Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota.
Troyer highlighted the success of a fly-in program that provides opportunities for prospective students from around the country to visit Marquette. He explained the program and
the impact that it has on prospective students.
“The team in Undergraduate Admissions has done a wonderful job making a campus visit a reality for a large number of students,”
Troyer said in an email.
Troyer highlighted the fact that campus visits often increase likelihood of students enrolling who would not have enrolled without visiting campus.
For students like Tyler Hegdahl, a sophomore in the College of Business Administration, the efforts to expand geographic representation on campus are a welcome sign.
Originally from Portland, Oregon, Hegdahl first heard about Marquette when he saw a table representing the university at a Jesuit college fair near his home. However, he struggled to find his community when he first came to campus in 2023.
“Being from Portland, I came here not knowing really anybody,” Hegdahl said. “When you have more people from all
across the country… it definitely brings a more welcoming and more diverse community.”
Using Marquette's alumni network
Troyer highlighted plans to utilize Marquette’s extensive alumni network to help make the university more known to students in different spots around the country.
“In addition to broadening our reach with marketing, communications and travel to these new markets, we are also tapping into the Marquette connections we have with over 115,000 alumni around the world,” Troyer said in an email.
Troyer added that efforts will be taken to give stakeholders the opportunity to provide feedback on the new initiatives, something he considers to be a priority.
“It is important to me that efforts to enroll future students are never done in isolation,” Troyer said in an email. “Collaboration across the many groups that
are proud to call Marquette home has been incredibly rewarding.”
Troyer said he hopes to have the plans implement-
ed within the next two to three years, in time for Marquette University’s 150th anniversary in 2031.
IRISH STUDIES: Storytelling, Irish dance
Continued from page 1
gain new perspectives on thinking that they could only learn outside of their primary major. Archaeologists can learn from historians in this major and vice versa.
“I think what we're doing is giving students the opportunity to get to know a place and a people in ways they might not otherwise," McMahon said.
McMahon said this minor should be of interest to students because it provides an opportunity to learn about a unique group of people with culture and history all around the world, hinting that there are opportunities to earn credit while going abroad, but there is also a large Irish presence locally in Milwaukee.
“Here in Milwaukee, we have the world's largest Irish music festival, Irish Fest, the third weekend every August,” McMahon said.
Rhetorics of Irish Storytelling Jenna Green, a professor in the College of Arts & Sciences, said she will be teaching Rhetorics of Irish Storytelling for the first time next fall. She has taught classes on rhetoric before and is excited to incorporate Irish culture into her work.
“Ireland, for how small of a country it is, just has such a rich history of wonderful orators and storytellers, authors, so it just feels like there's just like a wealth of culture and kind of gives us a framework
to work through things,” Green said.
Green said she was excited for this minor to come through and that she can have a place in it. She said her class will bring in elements from Irish storytellers new and old.
“Specifically, what we're looking at is Irish writers and more contemporary Irish writers. And again, not just like books and texts, we're going to look at film and music. We're going to do some experiential storytelling work as well. So, I want to make it really engaging,” Green said.
Green said much of Irish storytelling skills stem from historical struggles like colonialism, the Troubles and the famine. This shaped their clever use of language and storytelling.
Despite Ireland's small size, its linguistic diversity is striking.
Additionally, Green said that students will be working in tandem with Marquette’s Narrative 4 chapter on campus.
Narrative 4 is a storytelling exchange program that is owned and operated by Irish author Colum McCann, who visited Marquette for Mission Week.
“Students are gonna be in the class, but they'll be working with Narrative 4 chapter as well to do some of those more integrative kind of active learning and participatory learning,” Green said.
Green said students should learn a lot about literature, but also about
themselves in her course and this minor.
“Because it's a minor, you can really study whatever career thing you need to study, but if you want to learn more about yourself and your past, and you think about your future in an engaged, experiential, less mediated way, I think there's a lot of ways that these courses can help students grow,” Green said.
Introduction to Irish Dancing
One of the more unique classes students can take as a part of this minor is the Irish Dance class, taught by Brigid Kinsella-Alba, assistant director of Mission Engagement for the Office
of Mission and Ministry.
The class has been running since last semester, but Kinsella-Alba has been teaching Irish dance for over 15 years. She said that no dance experience is needed to take the class.
“This is a real feel-good class,” Kinsella-Alba said.
“The biggest part of the grade is attending.”
Each class starts with a student-led warm-up to a song of their choice, followed by conditional warm-ups with traditional Irish dance music before everyone dances in the Ceilidh.
Kinsella-Alba said a big part of her class is promoting community, so she has
"bring-a-friend day," where students in their class can bring their friends and everyone can dance together.
“I’ve never taken an Irish dance class, so I’m really excited, I’m just here with my friend,” Alexi Walker, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences who was visiting, said.
Walker said she was previously unaware that there was an Irish dance class offered at Marquette, but she may someday be open to taking it herself.
As students are selecting their classes for the upcoming academic year, they could consider looking into fitting an Irish studies minor into their plan of study.
Troyer discussed a program for faraway prospective students.
Marquette Wire Stock Photo
Marquette students will be able to enroll in the new Irish Studies minor in the fall 2025 semester.
Photo courtesy of Marquette University
The MarqueTTe Tribune
Student Director of Marquette Wire Izzy Fonfara Drewel
Print Production Manager of The Marquette Wire Clara Lebrón
Assistant Print Production Manager of The Marquette Tribune Trinity Zapotocky
NEWS
Executive News Editor Mia Thurow
Assistant Editor Ruby Mulvaney, Sophia Tiedge
Reporters Ellie Golko, Lance Schulteis, Sahil Gupta, JJ Vander Loop
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Executive Arts & Entertainment Editor
Sophie Goldstein
Assistant Editor MaryKate Stepchuk
Reporters Allison Scherquist, Annie Goode, Alison McMillan
OPINIONS
Executive Opinions Editor Joey Schamber
Assistant Opinions Editor Rachel Lopera
Columnists Lilly Peacock, Katie Mancini, Christopher Hayden
SPORTS
Sports Director Matthew Baltz
Assistant Editors Kaylynn Wright
Reporters Benjamin Hanson, Mikey Severson, Brian Wilson, Raquel Ruiz, Max Mullin, Eamon Bevan
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AmFam second-best for tailgating
By Mia Thurow mia.thurow@marquette.edu
The smell of sizzling brats, greasy fried cheese curds, ice cold beer and blistering asphalt signals the start of baseball season in Milwaukee.
Tailgating, which can be defined as a social gathering that takes place in a parking lot and involves grilling, eating, drinking and talking with other fans, is a tradition a number of Wisconsin sports fans enjoy participating in before baseball games.
Brewers fans are in luck when it comes to having a place to tailgate before games, thanks to the 16 parking lots and over 12,000 parking stalls surrounding American Family Field. In addition to stalls for cars, the stadium boasts hundreds of slots for RVs, something not most Major League Baseball parks offer.
According to a ranking by RV Trader, American Family Field is the second-best ballpark for RV tailgating in 2024-25. The Brewers' stadium was ranked No. 1 the year prior.
RV Trader considers itself to be the premier destination for buying and selling recreational vehicles, offering over 160,000 new and previously used units for sale across the country. The company's website states that millions of active buyers visit the site monthly in search of their next RV.
The Marquette Wire had the opportunity for a Q&A with RV Trader regarding their ranking of American Family Field for RV tailgating. The questions and responses, which were facilitated via email, are listed below.
April 1
What are the key reasons for American Family Field continually remaining at the top of RV Trader’s rankings of best ballparks for tailgating?
American Family Field consistently earns one of the top spots on our list due to its exceptional RV-friendly environment. The stadi-
April
um offers over 400 marked spaces for buses and RVs, with the flexibility to adjust as needed, ensuring ample room for tailgaters. Its minimal restrictions allow fans to fully embrace the pregame festivities, creating a vibrant atmosphere much like the one already created by Milwaukee’s beer and sausage culture. The proximity to nearby attractions and the sheer volume of parking options make it a standout choice for RV enthusiasts looking to elevate their tailgating experience. What specific factors gave Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals, the edge over American Family Field this year following Milwaukee’s #1 overall ranking last year?
This year, Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City took the top spot due to its unique blend of spacious tailgating accommodations and a lively, fan-driven atmosphere. The stadium provides designated RV parking in Lot M, with a prepaid parking pass system that ensures ease of access. What gave it the edge was the passionate Royals fanbase, known for arriving early — sometimes days in advance — to secure spots and kick off festivities, paired with Kansas City’s renowned barbecue culture. This combination of logistical ease and an unmatched tailgating vibe nudged it ahead of American Family Field, which held the #1 spot last year. How can tailgating Brewers fans utilize their RVs to make the pregame experience more fulfilling than any other?
Brewers fans can maximize their RV tailgating at American Family Field by leveraging the vehicle’s amenities to create a homeaway-from-home experience. Set up grills under the RV awning for a classic Milwaukee sausage cookout, use the onboard kitchen to prep sides like cheese curds, and tap into the RV’s power supply for music
April 3
or a flatscreen TV to catch pregame coverage. The spacious lots allow for games like cornhole or ladder toss, while the RV’s interior offers a cozy retreat if the weather turns—perfect for enjoying a cold brew in true Wisconsin style. It’s about blending comfort with tradition to make the pregame unforgettable. What should RV tailgaters know about any rules, restrictions or guidelines they may need to follow when arriving at American Family Field with their vehicle, or any other ballpark in general?
At American Family Field, RV tailgaters should note that RVs and buses are directed to the American Family Lot, with over 400 spaces available, though it’s wise to arrive early as spots fill up fast on game days. Tailgating is encouraged, but fans must keep setups within their allotted space and follow basic stadium policies—no open fires beyond grills, and alcohol consumption must comply with local laws. Across all ballparks, including those in our list, common guidelines include securing parking passes in advance (like
at Kauffman Stadium), adhering to size restrictions (Progressive Field limits RVs to standard spaces) and respecting arrival/departure times (Oakland Coliseum allows overnight parking with permits). Always check each stadium’s specific website for details, as rules can vary widely. How does the experience of tailgating contribute to baseball season as a whole?
At RV Trader, we see tailgating as an integral part of the baseball season, amplifying the communal spirit and excitement that define America’s pastime. It transforms game day into a fullfledged event, where fans bond over food, games and team pride before the first pitch is even thrown. For RV tailgaters, it’s an elevated experience—bringing the comforts of home to the parking lot fosters longer, more immersive celebrations that extend the joy of the season. Whether it’s the roar of the crowd at Kauffman or the sausage-scented air at American Family Field, tailgating builds memories that rival the action on the diamond, making every game a home run.
April 4
p.m. - American Family Field Tattoo Fest Milwaukee
Details: - 11 a.m.-7 p.m. - Baird Center
Photo courtesy of Flickr
Sobelman's serves students on St. Paul Ave.
By Lance Schulteis lance.schulteis@marquette.edu
In 1999, a crowd from Marquette’s now-defunct wrestling team spent part of one random Thursday at Sobelman’s, a local bar and restaurant. The visit sparked a decades-long connection between the university and the restaurant, which included appetizers, burgers, a network television appearance and a new location that brought Sobelman’s directly to campus.
From 2011-2023, a small building on the southwest corner of 16th Street and Wells Street housed the Sobelman’s at Marquette establishment, which bonded the university and its community over meals and drinks. However, the brick building that was once full of life has sat vacant since June 2023, while memories of its livelihood begin to collect dust.
Now, two years since its on-campus closing, Sobelman’s on St. Paul continues to serve Milwaukeeans at its original location. The restaurant, built in 1999, sits nestled in the in the Menomonee Valley, just beyond the southerm edge of Marquette's campus.
Before the restaurant considered the university home, Sobelman’s itself was an abode to Marquette students from its inception. The original nexus between the eatery and university was the wrestling team, which included the first flock of Golden Eagles to patron Sobelman's.
Shortly after the opening of the restaurant on St. Paul Avenue, Dave Sobelman, who co-owns the restaurant with his wife Melanie, ran outside to meet members of the team that were jogging past and greeted them with business cards that were good for a free beer on tap.
“A couple days later, on a Thursday night, maybe 12 guys came in,” Sobelman said. “And that was the beginning of my popularity with Marquette students.”
It was the beginning of a relationship that only grew over time, evident in a 2010 episode of Travel Channel’s "Food Wars," in which Sobelman’s featured its Big SOB Burger. At the time of filming, the restaurant was filled with Marquette students donning the university’s blue and gold.
While Sobelman’s was busy building relationships with students on campus, Marquette was in the middle of buying properties. Until late 2010, there was only one property that the university did not own on the south side of Wells Street from 11th Street to 17th Street: 1601 W Wells Street.
The property formerly housed Angelo’s Pizza, which served slices to the Marquette community from 1956-2010. Once Marquette owned the building, Dave Sobelman was paid a visit by then-assistant to the vice president of Marquette, Mike Whittow, who asked him about opening up a new location.
Eight months later, Whittow took another trip to Sobelman’s for the papers to be signed, and before the ink dried, Channel 4 was already outside the building with a tripod.
As part of the signing, the university gave Sobelman $140,000 to update the building, which was built into the original ten-year lease.
“It was outdated. The whole kitchen and most of the basement had to be gutted,” Sobelman said. “It took us several months. I worked all summer long. It was really difficult.”
Originally, Sobelman was told that the location had to be open by move-in day for the new school year, which was a Thursday. But after a long summer of work, he surprised everyone by opening the doors early.
“On the Sunday prior, I looked around [and] I realized everything was good. And I said, 'Let's open up tomorrow,'" Sobelman said. “We surprised everybody.
We surprised the campus. All the news crews showed up and we were packed all day.”
The surprise opening was just the first chapter in a long story that was Sobelman’s at Marquette, as the restaurant became a hotspot for students, faculty and staff for twelve years.
“People couldn't wait to get out of their last class, they go home, they drop off their books and they all want to meet at Sobelman’s,” Sobelman said. “And the kids just had a blast. You walk in there, and the place is packed at 5, 5:30, 6:30, 7. Happy faces; everybody's having a good time.”
Luke Dudley, a senior in the College of Communication, cited the tradition behind the restaurant when reflecting on it. Having a large family that graduated from Marquette, it was the first place he was taken to following the new student convocation in 2021 to begin his journey as a Golden Eagle.
“Having so much family that has gone to Marquette, before I decided to come here, I definitely had heard about [Sobelman’s],” Dudley said. “It was a household name.”
However, the restaurant struggled at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, as several older workers left, students were not on campus and the general public was going out to eat less.
Even following a slow return to normalcy, Sobelman’s struggled with staffing at its Marquette location, and finally made the decision to close in October 2022. Seven months in advance, Sobelman told the university that its final operating day would be May 21, 2023— graduation day.
“People showed up and said goodbye and cried,” Sobelman said. “And that was it— it was over. Just like that, we’re not a part of this Marquette community anymore.”
Sobelman described feel-
ing an initial disconnect with the opening of the Commons dining hall in 2018 and the lack of student patronage during the pandemic but said that even after closing the location, growing apart from Marquette felt sudden.
“I was such a part of the community,” Sobelman said. “My daughter did her first year of college there and played soccer for Marquette. The vice president invited me out and we went to the Marquette game together. We went and ate dinner together, me and my wife, him and his wife. It goes on and on. I knew everybody— teachers and big shots there, they'd come in. We were such a part of the Marquette community, and now it's so weird that it's just over.”
Despite the closing, Sobelman’s has still found success selling its signature burgers and Bloody Marys while maintaining a 4.6-star Google Reviews rating in service of Milwaukeeans. However, the cracked connection with Marquette remains a strong point of consideration.
“I knew the president, the vice president, the staff members, Marquette police… and just like that, it’s over,” Sobelman said.
In an effort to rebuild its relationship with Marquette, Sobelman’s on St. Paul holds Tuesday promotions to encourage students to pay a visit, offering burgers and wraps for 50% off. It also maintains a social media presence, where it has nearly 70,000 followers combined between Facebook and Instagram.
As for the building that introduced over a decade of memories for the Marquette community, it still lies vacant, cast into darkness by the shadows of the buildings that surround it.
“At the time [Sobelman’s closed], I didn't think a ton
of it,” Dudley said. “But after a while, I was like, looking at that empty brick building is a little weird. [I] definitely would have appreciated it more.”
According to Lora Strigens, vice president for Planning and Facilities Management, there was initial interest among prospective tenants after Sobelman’s closed, but none of the opportunities came to fruition. For some, the barrier was the investment needed for space in need of improvement, regarding maintenance and aesthetic fixes. For other potential suitors, the seasonal shifts of foot traffic involved with owning a business on a college campus posed a problem.
For the future, Marquette’s effort towards planning projects has cast a light upon the space where the building sits. Though there are no imminent plans to do so, there is potential for the lot to be redeveloped to make better use of the property than the building with a foundation currently set there.
“Our hope is to ultimately redevelop that site as part of a more comprehensive master plan for that area of campus,” Strigens said in an email.
Much like the relationship between Sobelman’s and Marquette that existed under its roof, the building stands alone while the world grows around it. While the building lies in wait for its future, the uprooted connection between the restaurant and university also hopes for a happy resolution.
While there is no longer a Marquette wrestling team to spark decades of attachment, Sobelman’s remains perched alongside a hill on St. Paul Avenue, awaiting the next wave of Marquette students to pass by and walk through its doors.
Sobelman helps in the kitchen during the restaurant's first opening.
Photo by Elise Krivit
The old brick building that once housed Sobelman's at Marquette lies vacant on 16th and Wisconsin.
Photo by Jack Belmont
Another March ends in heartbreak
Marquette's seniors bid farewell to the program
By Matthew Baltz matthew.baltz@marquette.edu
CLEVELAND — All the emotions of March were experienced on Friday night.
First, there was the anxiety, as Marquette men's basketball prepared for tip-off, hoping to make another deep NCAA Tournament run. Then, there was the disappointment, when Marquette got down by as many as eight points while trailing for the majority of the first half.
Excitement was felt when the Golden Eagles roared back. MU had battled its way back into the game, leading by three with 12:29
to play. But in the end, a 10-0 New Mexico run down the stretch led to perhaps the most detected and persistent emotion of the night: heartbreak.
"You know, this hurts," MU head coach Shaka Smart said after MU's season-ending 75-66 loss to New Mexico. "Losing this game is very hard to accept for everyone in our locker room. But it's our reality right now. We've got to use that to push us to be better."
While the end of the season almost always stings for everyone inside the program, it’s always the worst for the seniors. Especially, these seniors. A group of guys that stuck together for four years. Through the highs and the lows, the ups and the downs, MU’s quartet was unbreakable.
To make four NCAA Tournaments in four years, with the same core guys, is incredibly rare given the state of college athletics today with the transfer portal and the rise of NIL, but it took time to get to that point.
When Smart took over at Marquette in the spring of 2021, he walked into a room where familiarity was far from reality.
"When we first got here, I remember we had a meal as a team in the Al McGuire Center and everyone was kind of sitting in different corners of the room and nobody knew each other," Smart said earlier this season. "I remember thinking, man, we got a long way to go with the relationships that we need to build."
But the journey that Smart would go on over the
MEN'S BASKETBALL
next four years with Stevie Mitchell, Kam Jones, David Joplin and Cameron Brown, would be nothing short of special.
But four years, a Big East regular season championship, Big East Tournament championship, three NCAA Tournament wins and a Sweet 16 later — the ride came to an abrupt stop.
The Golden Eagles had fallen short, thus ending one of the greatest four-year runs by one single class in program history.
"This has been a lot of fun wearing this uniform," Jones said through tears.
"Being with these guys every day, spending time with these guys. No other group I'd rather play with.
"I love these guys to death, and I hate it ended this way."
The MU seniors amassed 98 wins together, but the on the court stuff will always serve secondary to the relationships that they built off the hardwood.
"The things I'm going to miss the most is off-thecourt stuff," Joplin said. "Yeah, we don't have practice tomorrow. There's not going to be no more locker room talk. But the best moments that we have are just when we're together, just at the dorm, at our apartment hanging out, fooling around, being us, being kids, doing what we love, playing basketball everyday. Those things I'm going to remember for the rest of my life. I've built relationships with these guys I'm going to have for the rest of my life."
Dissecting the madness of the transfer
Record numbers enter the portal
By Brian Wilson b.c.wilson@marquette.edu
March Madness season is in full swing, but both coaches and players who are still dancing are simultaneously splitting their focus to the controversial transfer portal, which first opened up March 24 and will close April 22.
Some coaches have already expressed their frustration with the transfer portal opening up before the NCAA Tournament concluded.
“So Monday, we’re really prepping for a game and were having individual meetings about, ‘Are
you coming back? What are you doing?” Arkansas men’s basketball coach John Calipari said in a press conference after his team’s second-round win over St. John’s March 23.
Michigan State men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo expressed his frustration last week during a press conference, but still wanted to stay focused on the task at hand.
“I’m gonna worry today about the guys I got in this program that have done an incredible job this year, and that’s it,” Izzo said.
This is a problem for all the coaches who are still in the tournament, but like Izzo said, the focus needs to be on the task at hand,
which is winning a championship. For some teams, it is easier than for others to be focused on that task. While Michigan State is focusing on the title chase, there seems to be a distraction with the other Michigan team in the Sweet Sixteen.
Michigan guard Justin Pippen, who is the son of legendary NBA star Scottie Pippen, entered the portal last Monday while his team was preparing to take on Auburn in the Sweet Sixteen. Pippen averaged 1.6 points per game and shot 27.3 percent from the field in his only season in Ann Arbor. Because of the timing of
Stevie Mitchell, Kam Jones and David Joplin amassed a total of 98 wins together and they'll go out as one of the most accomplished classes in Marquette history.
Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics Over 1,000 players have entered the transfer portal since Mar 24.
Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics
SPORTS COLUMN
THIS WEEK: PEACOCK ON The portal
Coming off a 23-10 regular season run, the 7-seed Golden Eagles fell short of making it deep into this year's NCAA tournament. They had the kinetic energy to get it done, the pieces just didn’t seem to fit together. When a piece is missing, there isn’t much you can do besides fill it in.
When Shaka Smart arrived at Marquette in 2021, he was met with a five-player roster that he built up through the transfer portal and previous recruiting from his time at Texas. Currently, Marquette is the only power-conference team that hasn’t signed anyone from the D1 portal since the 2022-2023 season.
Shaka hasn’t transferred players in, and no one had transferred out since 2023 until last week when Al Amadou announced his departure. The 2024-2025 roster does feature one transfer from a Division III institution.
Jack Anderson is a senior guard from Florida who transferred in from Keystone College in 2024. Before Anderson, Zach Wrightsil was the last player to come in from the portal in 2022. Smart has stated before that the lack of use is purposeful, which is evident in the continuity of his starters over the last few seasons. Eight players have started for Marquette since the 20222023 season; Tyler Kolek, Oso Ighodaro and Olivier-Maxence Prosper left the current starting lineup behind when they entered the NBA.
Following MU's loss to 10seed New Mexico March 21, Smart said there’s a lot of growth ahead of the team, both within the game and personally. That being said, a huge part of the loss came from a lack of action and aggression in the paint. Missed shots and minimal rebounding have cost the Golden Eagles a game several times before. Going into the season, it felt like anything was possible with this year’s roster. Marquette men's basketball values community and relationships, the starting lineup remained the same for the entirety of the season for this reason. But in the
words of Smart, the team was not poised to advance in the tournament.
For a team that started its season on an 8-0 run, making a first-round exit because of repeated mistakes should be a hint that it might be time for a change.
Smart prefers focusing on the roster he has and approaches his coaching with player-development in mind. But without senior starters David Joplin, Stevie Mitchell, and Kam Jones, growth may not occur without trying something new.
Use of the transfer portal would allow for the introduction of a player who can contribute to the team immediately, rather than waiting for younger players to develop. A player that’s able to fill in a missing piece right away allows more room to focus on what must be developed. Specific skills and plays cannot be transferred in, but a new piece can enhance existing progress and provide a new foundation to build on.
It’s been two seasons since a Division I transfer has been introduced to the roster. Kolek was one of the last major additions that came through the portal, and his impact on the program is undeniable. His departure, alongside Ighodaro at the end of the 2023-2024 season, left gaps that Smart hoped to fill internally with his rising seniors.
Moments at the start of the season, such as a dominant win over Purdue just five games in, felt like the roster wouldn’t be impacted much. The first-round exit was the culmination of a roster that is missing a piece. Without reinforcement of the pre-existing roster, Marquette’s basketball program risks losing momentum and continually falling short of championship aspirations. The culture Smart has developed is one defined by what players bring to the program. It shouldn’t matter how they got here, and at this moment, bringing in the right player could be the difference between another early exit or a deep tournament run next March.
Lilly Peacock is a sports columnist. She can be reached at lilly.peacock@ marquette.edu or on Twitter/X @LillyPeacockMU.
WOMEN'S LACROSSE
Off to a strong start
Women's LAX is on a four-game winning streak
By Max Mullin maxwell.mullin@marquette.edu
Marquette (8-3, 2-0 Big East) dominated Xavier (19, 0-2 Big East) for 30 minutes, building a 15-3 lead on its way to a 19-9 victory. Starting quick
The Golden Eagles wasted no time forcing a turnover on Xavier’s first possession of the game. The turnover turned into a Meg Bireley goal, and after that, Marquette would score four consecutive goals to take a 5-0 lead five minutes and change into the game.
Xavier tried to hang tight with two first-quarter goals, but the Golden Eagles’ offensive firepower was too much to handle. In the first period, Bireley scored a hat trick, and junior attacker Tess Osburn scored a pair of goals. Ultimately, the Golden Eagles matched the Musketeers’ goal total in the first period with nine
goals.
The second period was eerily similar. Marquette went on a 6-0 run after the Musketeers put in the period's first goal. Bireley had three more goals, and Osburn scored another two.
The Golden Eagles forced 13 first-half turnovers on their way to a 15-3 halftime lead.
Pressure defense on full display
Xavier won 18 draw controls to the Golden Eagles’ 14, but Marquette created extra possessions with stifling defense.
The Golden Eagles forced 22 Musketeer turnovers and directly caused 14 of those giveaways. Additionally, Marquette was actively getting loose balls, grabbing 29 ground balls to Xavier’s nine. 14 different Golden Eagles grabbed a ground ball, with senior midfielder Hannah Bodner leading the way with 5. When the Musketeers got a chance to shoot (19 shots on goal), senior goalkeeper Bryanna Nixon and sophomore goalkeeper Mikayla
Yang took care of the business. Nixon saved three of six shots (50 percent), and Yang saved seven of 13 shots (54 percent).
After the Golden Eagles got stops on defense, they were 15-of-15 on clears, their highest mark of the season.
Stars shine Marquette’s preseason all-conference selections lived up to the hype.
First and foremost, Bireley led the way, scoring seven goals on 14 shots and dishing out an assist while having zero turnovers. Osburn was also excellent, contributing five goals in nine shots with an assist.
Other Golden Eagles stepped up, too. Bodner scored a hat trick and lit up the stat sheet, grabbing five ground balls, three draw controls, and assisting one goal. First-year attacker Tessa Boehm had three assists, and sophomore midfielder Lauren Grady scored once, dished two assists and grabbed two ground balls.
Snapping the streak MTEN picks up first conference W
By Mikey Severson michael.severson@marquette.edu
In its last home match of the season, Marquette men's tennis (3-15, 1-3 Big East) sealed its first Big East conference win of the campaign by defeating Villanova (3-13, 0-3 Big East). The victory came amidst a season filled with growth from its youthful roster, with all four first years in the lineup triumphing in singles play.
Combined with a 4-1 victory over Hampton University during the spring break multi-team event in Orlando, the Golden Eagles have generated some positive momentum heading into next week's matches, riding a two-game winning streak.
The Wildcats started the match by claiming the doubles point and taking the
1-0 early advantage. Firstyear Cyrus Ahmad won in two sets, 6-4, 6-3, to give Marquette its first point and tie the team score at 1-1. For Ahmad, it's his ninth win in singles play of the season. He said that playing with consistency and using momentum has been a key for success this season.
"I thought in my match, the opponent was a really good grinder, he definitely was challenging me all throughout the match," Ahmad said. "I noticed he started to break down as the match progressed, when we got into those long rallies, and I didn't give balls back. So, I definitely took advantage of that, I played really aggressive on my forehand, thinking a lot of forehand winners whenever I had slow balls (to return).
"I felt like I could've held serve a little bit better, it was 50-50 when I held it, had some deuce points. But overall, I thought it was a
good match, playing the way, I usually try to play, and got the job done."
First-year Remi St. Laurent won in two sets as well at No. 4, and junior Blake Roegner pulled away at No. 1 in three sets, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, to notch two more points for the Golden Eagles.
First-year TJ Ryerson clinched the match for Marquette at No. 3 singles, his first win at the position and seventh singles victory of the season. The Boca Raton, Florida, native fell in the first set, 5-7, but came back convincingly in the next two, only giving up three games combined across the final two sets, (61, 6-2). Ryerson said that a strength to his game is utilizing an aggressive baseline strategy.
After Ryerson's clinch, Hugh Perrill won the No. 5 singles match, 8-4, in a proset, while Villanova took the No. 6 singles pro-set for a 5-2 team score.
MEN'S TENNIS
Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics Marquettte is off to its second-best start in program history through 11 games at 8-3.
Continued from page 5
Joplin tried to will the Golden Eagles to the finish line Friday against New Mexico, scoring a game-high 28 points. However, 40 combined points from the battery that powers the Lobos — Donovan Dent and Nelly Junior Joseph — resulted in the Golden Eagles missing the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022. Marquette was once
a top-five team in the country back in December. It walked out of the non-conference portion of its schedule with one of the strongest résumés in the country. However, inconsistencies resulted in a 5-8 finish for the Golden Eagles in their final 13 games, something that they will be left pondering in the offseason.
"I think that's a question that we'll be thinking about a lot over these next several weeks and
MEN'S BASKETBALL
ENDS: Coming to a close
months," Smart said. "Obviously, we've been thinking about that.
"As a coach, it's my job to help our guys be our best. It's such a fine line between caring as much as our guys do, but then also letting go of certain things outside of your control, including the result. Because if we could control the result every time, it would be a win, and going after it."
It'd be fair to say MU dealt with its fair share of adversity this season. Mitchell dealt with a hodgepodge of injuries, as did Chase Ross. It also didn't help that Sean Jones had to take a medical redshirt due to a torn ACL that he suffered about halfway through last season.
But this is March, and only the strong can survive. Joplin emphasized that the only thing you can do in The Big Dance is win.
"There's no excuses in the tournament," he said. "They (New Mexico) had guys that made plays. They were able to get deflections that were costly for us."
The Milwaukee, Wisconsin native became the program’s all-time leader in games played on Friday (139), passing Lazar Hayward (138 in 2006-10) in the loss.
Long after the dust had settled, and the loss be -
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
gan to set in, Mitchell — who scored just three points on 1-of-7 shooting from the floor in 28 minutes of action — fought through tears to try and accurately sum up what his four years at Marquette meant to him. "It's been great," he said. "Several years, summer practices, just everything. We tried to give it everything we had. We had some great moments, and we had some terrible moments, like today. Unfortunately, terrible mo -
"I'm extremely confident, and I'm going to be the biggest fan going forward. I love these guys so much; I love their coaches, and I love Marquette so much."
ments are the ones that tend to stick more to the memory.
"I'm proud of everybody, when you just love your teammates, your coaches and the place so much, it makes everything so much worse when you feel like you failed."
Looking ahead to the future, Marquette is set to have 10 scholarship players back next season if they would choose to return. It's also got a highly touted four-man recruiting class set to arrive on campus this summer.
Regardless, Joplin, Jones and Mitchell aren't guys that the Golden Eagles can just replace, but that's not deterring the confidence that any of them have for the future of the program, even as they move on from it.
“I’m extremely confident, and I’m going to be the biggest fan going forward,” Mitchell said. “I love these guys so much; I love their coaches, and I love Marquette so much.
“Getting to see these guys every day, I know how much they’re capable of, how great they’re going to be and how hard they work. So, I know they’re going to be better than we were ever able to be, and I’m going to be right there cheering for ’em.”
The first chapter of the Consuegra era ends
MUWBB falls short in WBIT
By Max Mullin maxwell.mullin@marquette.edu
The first chapter of a new era of Marquette women’s basketball has come to an end.
After a hard-fought loss against top-seeded James Madison (30-5) that went to overtime, the Golden Eagles (21-11) came up short, falling 80-76 in the second round of the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament at Atlantic Union Bank Center in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
MU's fight falls short after sending game to overtime
James Madison started the game on an 11-0 run, but Marquette weathered the storm, eventually tying the game at 24 a piece with 6:23 in the second quarter. The Golden Eagles went into the halftime break up 32-30.
The second half was back and forth, with neither team leading by more than four points until a pair of Kseniia Kozlova free throws gave the Dukes a 66-60 lead
with 2:31 to play.
Yet again, Marquette fought back with a 6-0 run, ending with a pair of sophomore forward Skylar Forbes free throws to tie the game with 56 seconds. Senior guard Lee Volker had an open deep ball with 13 seconds left that bounced in and out. The Golden Eagles got a defensive stop to force overtime.
Marquette fell behind early in the extra period before sophomore guard Halle Vice cut it to a one-point deficit with 44 seconds left. Ro Scott hit a dagger layup followed by a Volker missed triple to secure the Dukes' 80-76 victory.
Standout performers
Volker, Vice and Forbes carried the Golden Eagles on the offensive end, scoring 59 of Marquette’s 76 points.
Forbes led all scorers with 25 points (8-for-15), adding eight rebounds, three assists and three blocks. She also set the all-time single-season blocks record in the loss, surpassing 54 blocks.
Vice earned a double-double, dropping 22 points (7-of-16) and grabbing 11
rebounds. Volker scored 12 points, and Jaidynn Mason finished with nine points and seven rebounds.
For James Madison, Kozlova dominated in the paint, scoring 20 points (6-for-15) and collecting 11 rebounds. Scott and Jamia Hazell scored a combined 29 points for the Dukes.
Season overview and senior impact
Marquette finished fourth in the Big East and went 2111 in Cara Consuegra’s first season at the helm.
Expectations for this team
were low from the national media and other Big East coaches. Nevertheless, the Golden Eagles proved they were better than others expected. They finished the season 98th on offense and 30th on defense, according to predictive metrics site BartTorvik.
Most importantly, Consuegra laid the foundation for the culture she seeks to build at Marquette. The Golden Eagles were a connected group that relied on core values, unselfishness, toughness, and resilience.
As for the seniors, guard Abbey Cracknell increased her output in her senior season in Milwaukee, appearing in 28 games. Volker, a forward who transferred from Duke, was an influential part of the culture MU built this year. She also improved immensely on the floor, increasing her scoring average from 3.5 to 12.6 points and grabbing 2.1 more rebounds per game. Both seniors had an impact on and off the floor in a new era of Marquette basketball.
Marquette women's basketball finishes 21-11 in Consuegra's first year as head coach.
Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics
Stevie Mitchell Marquette senior guard
Stevie Mitchell was named Big East Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics
MANIA: Trekking through a
Continued from page 5
the transfer portal, coaches and players are being put in a tough spot. While Pippen wanted to transfer, it now looks like he is quitting on his team since they were still dancing when he announced his decision.
The transfer portal is only open for 30 days, and the NCAA is not considering the teams that are still dancing when thinking about opening up the portal.
All over the sports world, people are talking about how ridiculous it is that the transfer portal is opening during the postseason tournaments. Former NFL star and CBS analyst J.J. Watt tweeted this out on Sunday: “Literally cannibalizing your own sport.”
He is saying what everyone is thinking. The NCAA is putting the athletes in a tough position, and you do not ask that of profession-
al athletes, so how can you ask that of college athletes?
The transfer portal is not only affecting the men’s tournament, but it is affecting the women’s as well.
“It really plays on your ability to compartmentalize,” South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley said last Thursday.
The transfer portal, over the last few years, has also affected how far the Cinderella teams have gone. In this tournament, the lowest seed in the Sweet Sixteen is 10-seeded Arkansas, which is a power-five school. This is the first year since 2007 that an 11-seed or higher has not made the Sweet Sixteen.
We have seen over the past few seasons that a lot of players from those mid-major teams after they make a run in the tournament and then transfer to a power-five program. Purdue is the only school in
the Sweet Sixteen whose starters played their entire career to this point at one school.
Former UC San Diego women’s basketball player and current sports communication professor at Marquette University Lillian Feder said that she noticed a reason for this trend.
“Over the last 10 years, we have seen a trend towards athlete autonomy, and you see the culture of college athletics shifting where the athletes feel more empowered to advocate for themselves in a variety of capacities,” Feder said.
Athletes used to have to sit out a year if they transferred, but in 2021, the regulations changed, and athletes were allowed to play right away. Name, image, and likeness have been a huge part of that, which has helped shift the college athletics landscape to the way we know it today.
That is why we see so many teams in college basketball and football go to the transfer portal to get players who can make an impact immediately.
The problem that people in the sport have, and those who are outside the sport but love it, is not that there is a transfer portal or that athletes are getting paid through NIL. The problem is that the transfer portal is opening up while teams are still playing in postseason tournaments, and all the great players are getting poached from the mid-major schools by all the programs with the most money. That eliminates the parity between the programs all around the country.
With the portal opening up during March Madness, it creates an unwanted distraction in programs that may not be able to be avoided. The problem can be solved by opening the
portal on April 8, once the season is over, and closing 30 days later on May 8.
The number of players that have entered the transfer portal is out of control — 1,000+ men's and women's players entered in the first two days it was open. To control that, there will have to be a conversation between commissioners to figure out if it has gotten out of control and how to move forward.
All we know now is that the first transfer portal session in the spring opened up too early and is affecting teams in the Sweet Sixteen. It does create a competitive disadvantage for the teams still in the tournament because they are trying to focus on winning a championship, while other teams are adding players from the transfer portal for their team next season.
The question is, what happens next?
Losing streak
Women's tennis falls to 3-15 on the spring season
By Kaylynn Wright kaylynn.wright@marquette.edu
Marquette women's tennis has now lost eight matches in a row.
Last week, it extended its losing streak to six after falling 6-1 to St. John's (114, 4-0 Big East) in its final home game of the season at Sprovieri Tennis Complex March 23.
St. John's started the match by securing wins at the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles spots to take the doubles point. The Red Storm then notched five-straight singles victories to clinch the team win. MU's only point came from a retirement at the No. 6 position.
And this week, in their road trip to Omaha, Nebras-
ka, the Golden Eagles’ (3-16, 1-6 Big East) bad luck continued, as they fell to both the Creighton Bluejays (11-6, 1-2 Big East) and the University of Nebraska at Omaha Mavericks Friday and Saturday, respectively.
In Friday's match, Marquette opened the game by securing the doubles point with wins at the No. 1 and No. 3 spots. However, it was all Creighton in singles play, as it notched five straight victories to clinch the 5-2 team victory. Senior Andie Weise earned MU's only singles point at the No. 2 position.
The following day, the Mavericks took control of the match immediately, earning the doubles point and four straight victories in singles play to win 5-2. The Golden Eagles' two points came from Weise and first-year Aiyana Abbott in the No. 1 and No. 4 spots, respectively.
Senior Andie Weise earned a singles win in each of MU's two losses to Creighton and Omaha.
Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics
WOMEN'S TENNIS
Opinions
EDITORIAL: Vote for Crawford
By Joseph Schamber joseph.schamber@marquette.edu
On April 1, Wisconsin will vote to elect Susan Crawford or Brad Schimel to the State Supreme Court in what will be one of the most consequential elections in 2025.
Judge Crawford, who sits on Dane County Circuit Court Branch 1, has a history of protecting worker’s rights, domestic violence victims and reproductive health, while “Top Cop” Schimel of the Waukesha County Circuit Court is dangerously conservative and backed by billionaire Elon Musk.
The choice should be clear: We do not need partisan justices presiding over the Supreme Court. We need fair, impartial leadership. We need Susan Crawford.
Before she was a judge, Crawford worked as a private-practice attorney and a prosecutor. She built strong relationships with victim advocates, protected voting rights and represented Planned Parenthood to defend abortion access in Wisconsin.
In their only debate, Schimel attacked Crawford’s record by claiming she has doled out light sentences to child sex offenders such as Curtis O’Brien. This is a dangerous lie that reveals Schimel’s misunderstanding of the law and dis-
loyalty to the truth.
O’Brien was charged with repeated sexual assault of a minor in 2018, a felony with a maximum sentence of 60 years. However, the defendant was found incompetent because his IQ was in the 60s and 70s and he had spent over two years in jail during his trial.
These mitigating factors led to O’Brien receiving two more years in prison with six years of supervised release. While Schimel complained that the victim pled for a harsher sentence, experts warn that Crawford cannot give maximum sentences without ample justification.
Jonathan LaVoy, defense attorney of 25 years and partner with Kim & LaVoy Attorneys at Law in Milwaukee, told Wisconsin Public Radio that a defendant’s competency is “incredibly significant and very, very important to a judge” during sentencing.
LaVoy told WPR that judges are required to consider the lowest restrictive sentences, or they risk the case being overturned by a higher court. It should be no surprise that Schimel does not know how the law works, because despite his record as a prosecutor, Attorney General and circuit judge, he frequently disregards it.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he disobeyed a state
court directive by refusing to wear a face covering while presiding in court and was barred from court by Chief Justice Patience Roggensack until he agreed to wear a mask.
Schimel violated Wisconsin state law that prohibits judges from engaging in partisan political activity by emceeing at an Ozaukee County Republican Party fundraising event and attending a rally for Donald Trump as a self-proclaimed Trump supporter.
He is much more than a sellout for MAGA Republicans though, he is a complete partisan puppet. Musk, an advisor for the Department of Government Efficiency who sunk more than $277 million
into Trump's presidential campaign, has now spent $6.5 million on Schimel, putting him in the company of other Musk-backed politicians including the Neo-Nazi adjacent AfD party in Germany. Wisconsin does not need Musk to meddle in our elections and push politicians that break the law and play identity politics. Schimel is bringing the culture wars that have become the new normal in national politics to a Wisconsin election, but we can refuse to play those games by voting for fair, intelligent leadership on April 1.
What's up with "The Bachelor?"
By Katie Mancini katherine.mancini@marquette.edu
With "The Bachelor" season finale last week, fans awaited who bachelor Grant Ellis will choose as his final rose, some happy and some disappointed at the result. However, the usual fast-paced emotional intensity that makes the show so captivating doesn’t seem to be landing the same.
The drama seemed to dominate every episode, but not in an engaging, jaw-dropping way. Instead, it was filled with pettiness and unnecessary arguments. It picked up this previous finale, with buildup throughout the episode, as Grant did not know which girl to choose.
Grant, a fan favorite from previous season of "The Bachelorette," came close to winning the heart of Season 21 star Jenn Tran.
Grant's transformation has been a standout characteristic that viewers have keenly noticed, as it ap-
pears his priorities now lie far beyond settling down. This is shown in the release of his song just before the premiere that celebrates living in the moment and partying.
From day one, Grant seemed indecisive and uncertain with his feelings, all the way up to the finale. Throughout the season, Grant sent home women that many felt didn't deserve it. I question how contestants like Carolina Quixano and Zoe McGrady who have stirred up a lot of drama this season managed to outlast other strong contenders who were sent packing. Some of his choices come across as producers' decision for the dramatics of the show, rather than Grant's own feelings and connections.
Grant's journey so far is like past Bachelor leads struggling with indecision and making choices that don’t always make sense to viewers. Fans are comparing him to Joey, and not in a good way, who was seen
as more likable due to his authenticity, emotional maturity and consistency throughout the show. Meanwhile, Grant's unpredictability has made people question his character and whether he is ready for marriage. With fan favorites Juliana Pasquarosa and Litia Garr as the final two, there are compelling arguments for both women. Grant even struggled to decide between the two, and it seemed he made up his mind at the last minute. Still, it came as a surprise when Julianna was ultimately chosen, especially as it felt Litia was a front runner. Litia even confronted him, expressing she felt misled after Grant said throughout the season that he wanted to end the show and was planning to propose to her, not Juliana.
Social media has not been kind to him either throughout the season. Posts about his instability have played a major role in shaping public opinion, specifically post-finale, often portray-
Editorial Board
Joey Schamber Executive Opinions Editor
Izzy Fonfara Drewel, Executive Director
Clara Lebrón, Print Production Manager
Trinity Zapotocky, Assistant Print Production Manager
Shannyn Donohue, General Manager of Marquette University Radio
Mia Thurow, Executive News Editor
Sophie Goldstein, Executive A&E Editor
Matt Baltz, Executive Sports Editor
Emma Fishback, Copy Chief
Online Exclusives
Find more Marquette Wire opinion columns online by going to www.marquettewire.org or scanning this QR code!
ing him in a negative light. The online hatred was even addressed in the recent episode after Grant proposed to Julianna.
There's growing speculation about Grant's ability to be a husband to Juliana after what was said in the finale. His decision-making has raised doubts about the partner he will be to Julianna and, ultimately, if he makes the right choice for his future wife.
With the mixed reception this season, fans are losing interest, a struggle the franchise has had for years, and some believe it could have lasting effects on "The Bachelor." Incorporating the Golden Bachelor contestants into this coming season's "Bachelor in Paradise" has also received mixed signals. If fans continue to be unhappy, structural changes, especially in positive audience engagement, might not be benefi-
Katie Mancini is an opinions columnist. She is a first-year studying journalism.
Statement of Opinion Policy
The opinions expressed on the Opinions page reflect the opinions of the Opinions staff. The editorials do not represent the opinions of Marquette University nor its administrators, but those of the editorial board.
The Marquette Tribune prints guest submissions at its discretion. The Tribune strives to give all sides of an issue an equal voice over the course of a reasonable time period. An author’s contribution will not be published more than once in a fourweek period. Submissions with obvious relevance to the Marquette community will be given priority consideration. Full Opinions submissions should be limited to 600 words. Letters to the editor should be between 150 to 300 words. The Tribune reserves the right to edit submissions for length and content. Please e-mail submissions to: joseph.schamber@ marquette.edu. If you are a current student, include the college in which you are enrolled and your year in school. If not, please note any affliations to Marquette or your current city of residence.
Graphic by Joseph Schamber Crawford’s promise of fair leadership is a beacon of hope.
Joseph Schamber is the executive opinions editor. He is a sophmore studying journalism.
Fun & Games
CROSSWORD
April Fools' Day
Across
2. In countries like Canada, Australia and the UK, pranks have completed by this time or it's bad luck
4. Big Ben once said they were changing to this type of clock
5. This country calls it "Poisen d'Avril," which means "April Fish"
7. A popular April Fools' beginning theory is when France switched their _____ from Julian to Gregorian
8. In Scotland, April Fools' runs for two days and also is called '_____' Day
9. April Fools' Day is referred to as '_____' Fools' Day
11. If you successfully prank someone in Greece, it is supposed to bring you '_____'
Down
1. Wayfair once created a 'smart sofa' named _____
3. In Ancient Rome, they had a festival called The '_____'
6. This fast food company said they bought the Liberty Bell one year
10. One of the first pranks was when the Tower of London had these animals being washed
Last Tribune’s answers:
Submit finished puzzles to clara.lebron@marquette.edu by May 6. Most accurate crossword submissions wins the grand prize.
1. (Down) Britain, 2. (Across) Emerald, 3. (Down) Leprechauns, 4. (Down) Harp, 5. (Across) America, 6. (Across) McDonald's, 7.(Across) Shamrock, 8.(Down) Chicago, 9. (Down) Gingers, 10. (Across) Gaeilge.
Arts & Entertainment
Faithful Flow brings praise dance to MU
This was the organization's first showcase
By Annie Goode annie.goode@marquette.edu
Marquette’s Christian Praise Dance group Faithful Flow had their first-ever showcase in the Varsity Theater on March 23.
The group was founded by juniors in the College of Arts & Sciences Ela’jah Dixon and Kamaria Gragston in November 2024. Other than the founders, the group is made up of first-years in the College of Arts & Sciences, Kumani Browne and Zhian Lagare, first-year in the College of Health Sciences Brandon Rosemond, sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences and College of Communications Aryana Street and sophomore in the College of
Arts & Science Iyanna Phipps.
“Me and [Gragston] work together. After coming together and saying that we really wanted to build our connection with God a little more, we said that we wanted to start a praise dance group,” Dixon said.
The showcase consisted of five dances by Faithful Flow, a solo singing performance from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee first-year Ashley Nash and a performance from the Marquette Gospel Choir.
“I used to praise dance when I was 12 or 13 and I wanted to bring that experience of ministering God’s words to Marquette’s campus,” Dixon said. “The purpose is just to celebrate a shared faith and inspire others through a meaningful performance and outreach.”
The group originally start-
ed with four members, but gained two more in the past month and a half, and practiced anywhere from two to six times a week.
“We have scriptures that go with our dances and then, throughout the process and after we pick a song, everyone kind of freestyles and then we integrate it all together,” Street said. “Literally everyone is the choreographer for our dances because we want everyone to feel comfortable doing the dances and we want everyone to feel like it makes sense.”
The first two dances were “Speak the Name,” by Koryn Hawthorne and “Your Spirit,” by Kierra Sheard and Tasha Cobbs, both of which brought the mood in the room in a more serious direction.
The Marquette Gospel Choir performed after the intermission, which came about 30
minutes in after the second dance concluded. Browne and Rosemond are members of both MU Gospel Choir and Faithful Flow.
“We have a really great group of people and we really built bonds with each other,” Dixon said. “There was one point where we hung out every day for two weeks — we had to study together, pray together and we’re all filled with excitement to show everybody what we created over the past semester.”
The show concluded with the final three dances, to “Imagine Me,” by Kirk Franklin, “Better,” by Jessica Ready and “Victory,” by Tye Tribbett. “Victory” brought the energy up a notch to end the show, with the dancers getting the audience involved in clapping and singing along.
“In our group, even if we butt heads, we always know
this is for God, and we have to get over it,” Street said. “We have a mission and we know what we need to do, so I feel like I’ve grown as a person with my communication and people skills because it can get hard and frustrating, but we’ve always overcome.”
The show ended with bows from each of the performers and a few words from each of the members of Faithful Flow. Each member introduced themselves and expressed their gratitude to the audience for coming out to see them perform.
“I honestly learned that there’s so many ways you can express your love for God, and there’s so many people out here who want to do the same thing,” Dixon said.
Evan Honer headlines Turner Hall Ballroom
Timmy Skelly opened for Honer March 21
By Alison McMillan alison.mcmillan@marquette.edu
Evan Honer’s performance at the Turner Hall Ballroom March 21 was nothing short of emotional storytelling and backflips.
Honer’s unique sound blends together folk, indie, Americana and alternative pop music. He became famous for his rendition of Tyler Childers’ “Jersey Giant,” released in 2022, which now has over 120 million streams on Spotify.
This is his third time headlining a tour but his first time coming to Milwaukee. He told the crowd that one of the first things he did was, surprisingly, go to Sky Zone.
However, it certainly has not been all fun and games for Honer. He has successfully released two albums in two years as an independent artist.
A third album is currently in development, but no release date has been set yet; however, on March 21 he released his new song “Place I Hate” — safe to assume it will be a part of his wupcoming album.
Opener: Timmy Skelly
Timmy Skelly made his debut touring as the opening act for Evan Honer. However, some might remember this Sandwich, Illinois native from his appearance on Season 19 of “American Idol” where he auditioned with his mom, Jacquelin.
Wearing patchwork overalls and a Coors Light cap, he was ready to give the fans a taste of alternative Midwestern music. The second song he played called “Soul on Fire” had people bopping their head to the folk country beat.
Then, he shared how he has waited seven years to finally go on tour and how his song “Dear Depression” was inspired by this period of waiting. The rawness of his
tenor voice brings you back to a soulful type of country and blues mix.
His band added to this feel as well by singing along with him. Their smiles, hair flips and crowd interactions were what really told the crowd to get excited.
Not to mention that Skelly also played an electric guitar through his sister’s karaoke machine. For those that did not get to see him this time around, he will be playing at Summerfest this year.
Evan Honer
At 9 p.m., Evan Honer’s entrance was filled with his infectious energy. He cartwheeled and backflipped onto center stage with ease as an Irish jig played in the background.
The first song he played was “Everything I Wanted.” The catchiness of his lyrics mixed with the smoothness of the piano being played got people clapping along in excitement along with his next song “Nowhere Fast.”
After, he joked, “I got all my
fun songs out of the way; now it’s just the depressing ones.”
While funny, it was true.
The rest of his set was rooted in a lot more personal matters. Honer opened up to the audience by sharing that his brother is his favorite human being and who unfortunately was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, which is a combination of bipolar and schizophrenia symptoms.
“I think the worst pain is the feeling of being misunderstood” he said when introducing his song called “Brother.”
The sad lyrics tugged at the heartstrings of his fans in attendance. He took the crowd on a beautiful rollercoaster of emotions, opening up not only about his brother but also about his struggles with heartbreak and losing yourself in new places.
However, one person was missing from his band: the violinist. People in the crowd were screaming “Where’s the violinist?” To which he replied, “She’s out doing her own thing.”
Due to not having a female vocalist to help out with some of the songs, he pulled female audience members to fill in. The crowd did not seem to mind because of how beautifully the girls’ voices paired with Honer’s on stage. Two covers were also included in his setlist. These songs were Tyler Childers’ “Jersey Giant” and The Cranberries’ “Linger.” Both of which proved to be crowd favorites judging by the loudness of people singing the songs back at Honer.
When he came back out for the encore he took song suggestions. Loud screams coming from the crowd shouting “Mr. Meyers” made it easy for him to decide on what to play next. It was a bittersweet ending to an overall good first performance in Milwaukee for Evan Honer.
Fans, don’t worry, the fun is not over! He will be joining Vance Joy on a couple of his tour dates this fall.
Timmy Skelly opened for Evan Honer, who performed at Turner Hall Ballroom on March 21 where he blended folk, indie, Americana and alternative pop music.
Photos by Alison McMillan alison.mcmillan@marquette.edu
Tuesday, april 1, 2025
REVIEW: What went wrong in 'Snow White'
Movie received the lowest Disney IMBD score
By Alison McMillan alison.mcmillan@marquette.edu
If you are thinking about seeing “Snow White,” don’t – unless you want a good laugh.
The movie, starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, hit box offices on Friday, March 21 and the bad reviews came flooding in. The live-action remake received the lowest Disney IMBD score, coming in with just 1.7 stars out of 10, and a whopping 42% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Despite the poor reviews, “Snow White” topped box offices by taking an estimated $87.3m globally during its opening weekend — the film reportedly cost more than $270m.
Originally, the film was set to release March of 2024, but was pushed back due to the writer’s strike and other production is-
sues. However, it sparked controversy way before that in 2022 when Zegler did an interview with Variety. “I mean it’s not 1937 anymore,” she said in the interview. “She’s not going to be saved by the prince and she’s not going to be dreaming about true love.”
I won’t lie, I went into watching this movie with low expectations; however, it definitely exceeded them because of poor writing, performances and casting decisions.
It felt as though I was watching a musical remake of “Snow White” that theater kids in my high school could have written. At the beginning, it is revealed she was named Snow White because it snowed the night she was born — a very creative choice made by the writers.
Not to mention, every five minutes there was another song being introduced — most of which were not in the original.
Within what felt like the first 30-seconds, there was a big song and dance num-
ber to a new song called “Good Things Grow,” which was meant to signify how life was when Snow White’s parents ruled the Kingdom and allowed everyone to grow into the best versions of themselves.
Cutting from this happy song to the sudden passing of her mother with no explanation or smooth transition set a comical tone, for me, the rest of the movie. I understand that the backstory needs to move quickly to make time for the main story, but it just felt rushed.
Another misstep by the writers was having a bull horn type sound go off whenever the Queen’s guards would come looking for Snow White and the bandits in the forest. It didn’t make any sense. If they were realistically trying to catch them off guard they would not be blowing a loud horn.
However, poor writing does not excuse Gadot’s awful performance as the Evil Queen. Her outbursts of what were supposed to
be anger, were pure comedy. To me, and to others laughing in the audience, it was not believable at all. There was also no need for her to be singing a song — it just seemed like a fill in song to waste more time.
The popular song from the original movie “When Will My Prince Come” was changed to “Waiting on a Wish.” The new song follows Snow White’s journey of trying to become the fearless leader she knows she can be.
Zegler’s performance was not all bad. Her singing was phenomenal, she hit all of the high notes with the necessary poise and perfection needed when playing Snow White. Where she fell short was in the acting. The romantic chemistry between Snow White and Jonathan, the bandit, was not believable either. The attempts at flirtatious banter to me were just cringe worthy. It also just seemed weird because of what looked liked a major age difference between Zegler and Andrew
Burlap. After looking online, it seems this proves to be true. Burlap is 34 years old, while Zegler is only 23 years old.
Some of the classics such as “Whistle While You Work” and “HeighHo” were still included but were sung by CGI dwarfs. Aesthetically, it was not the most pleasing to see real–life actors next to what were clearly CGI dwarfs — either it needs to be completely CGI or completely real–life people, especially when Disney could have used actors who have dwarfism to educate viewers.
Despite the movie being two-hours long, it went by fast. Normally, I am waiting for these types of movies to be over out of sheer boredom, but this was not the case. I accredit this to the fast pace of the movie to poor acting simply because it enticed me to see how bad it could actually get.
Saoirse Dance Team holds annual showcase
Show included nine Irish dance performances
By MaryKate Stepchuk marykate.stepchuk@marquette.edu
What better way to continue the March Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations than with some Irish dance?
On Saturday, March 22, Saoirse — Marquette’s Irish Dance Team — held their annual showcase in Weasler Auditorium. I got the opportunity to watch the hour-long show which featured nine performances by Saoirse, a guest performance from Marquette’s Bhangra Academy and MU’s all-male acapella group The Naturals — who even attempted an Irish dance performance themselves.
The show began with a bit of a twist from typical Irish dance music. The number was called “The Eire(s) Tour,” featuring a melody of songs by Taylor Swift, serving as an ode to her famous “Eras Tour.”
The group sported multi-colored bows in their hair, blue plaid skirts, black tights and black leotards, reminding me of Taylor Swift’s “1989” era, which was fitting, as the first song was “Welcome to New York.”
During the number, the dancers danced to “Anti-Hero,” “Love Story,” “Look What You Made Me Do” and many other Swift
songs. My personal favorite was “Look What You Made Me Do,” featuring, sophomore in the College of Engineering, Alannah Justinich, senior in the College of Health Sciences, Callie Johnson and, junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, Brigid Gannon. The girls wore hard shoes, creating a very ominous and serious vibe on stage that grabbed my attention.
Throughout the showcase, many girls wore soft shoes — ghillies — or hard shoes, as they serve different purposes. Soft shoes are usually associated with more elegant dances, while hard shoes are for more rhythmic movement, creating louder sounds that heavily align with the beat.
After the opening number, the upperclassmen of Saoirse performed to a Michael Jackson classic, “Smooth Criminal.”
The dancers wore silver sparkling hats with one sparkling glove, and besides a few troubles with getting the hats to stay on their hands, under the lights, they truly shined. Alongside many classic Irish dance moves, they also moonwalked on/off stage, in true MJ fashion. After dancing to pop music, they switched to more traditional Irish music, performing the Slip Jig — one of the four most common Irish stepdances. The number featured graduate student in the College of Engineering, Veronica
Bevan, senior in the College of Health Sciences, Emma Courtney, Johnson, Justinich, sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences, Molly Reardon and, sophomore in the College of Health Sciences, Allison Shannon, all wearing soft shoes.
In this number, the use of soft shoes shined. The dance felt extremely elegant, with smaller groups flowing on and off stage. The entire number felt very peaceful, which was a nice change of pace from the faster dances before this.
The following number, “Reel Step About,” featured the entire team. They formed a U-shape around the stage, and each dancer had a shining solo moment. It was wonderful to see each dancer show off their skills, allowing them to be highlighted for all the hard work that goes into a showcase like this.
Nevertheless, one dancer specifically stood out: sophomore in the College of Health Sciences, Elise Weske.
Weske, arguably the star of Marquette’s Irish dance team, is currently placed 16th in the world for Irish dance. This April, she will be competing in the 2025 World Irish Dance Championships in Dublin, Ireland, with high hopes of medaling.
After this full-team number the Mid-America Oireachtas Champions of the 4-hand reel took the
stage, featuring Johnson, Justinich, sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences, Kyla Lewna, and Reardon. The Mid-America Oireachtas is a regional Irish dance competition used to qualify for national and world championships — and Marquette’s 4-hand reel placed first in their category.
This number exemplified teamwork, and the four made a great team. As an audience member, I could tell that their dancing improved each other, and it enhanced their number.
It was time for Saoirse to throw the music away for a number. Courtney, Gannon, Johnson, Lewna, first-year in the College of Arts & Sciences, Emily Madden, first-year in the College of Arts & Sciences, Lauren McManus, Reardon and, first-year in the College of Health Sciences, Abbie Smith, danced to no music, hence the dance’s title of “Acappella.”
The team utilized a mix of hard and soft shoes, and it was the responsibility of the hard shoes to keep the counts and beat going. Performing without music requires extreme accuracy and precision, and these girls did not disappoint. This was by far my favorite number, mainly because of the skill it takes to execute a performance like this.
Then, for a bit of entertainment, The Naturals attempted the Irish jig. Not only was it incredibly en-
tertaining to observe this all-male acapella group try to dance, but I also admired their ability to perform on stage something they had just learned.
When I heard “Dancing Queen” by ABBA over those speakers, I knew I was in for a good time.
The first-years of Saoirse took on this classic song with energy. They wore blue and gold scarves around their waist with blue lighting on the stage, and the “Mamma Mia” vibes were rampant. All these ladies were genuinely dancing queens on stage, making me want to get up and dance with them.
Last but certainly not least, the Saoirse dance team gave us one final number that went out with a bang.
They danced to “Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)” from “Hamilton,” and the audience was electric. The use of hard shoes stood out to me the most in this one, as they were highlighted in parts of the song, including Mulligan’s rap.
All around, Saoirse put on a fantastic showcase. The audience was heavily engaged the entire time, finding different moments to clap along and provide many hoots and hollers for the dancers.
Learn more about Marquette’s Irish dance team and upcoming performances on their website.