Print Edition for The Observer for Friday, February 2, 2024

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VOLUME 58, ISSUE 46 | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM

University leaders meet Pope Francis The pontiff praised Notre Dame and encouraged service during a meeting at the Vatican Observer Staff Report

University President Fr. John Jenkins and the Board of Trustees met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Thursday.

The pope referenced Notre Dame’s founder, Fr. Edward Sorin, while giving the University’s current leaders his blessing to continue to enhance the University’s Catholic identity.

“It is likewise my hope that your contributions to the life of this institution will continue to enhance its legacy of a solid Catholic education and enable the University to be, as your founder Father Edward Sorin desired, ‘a powerful means

for good’ in society,” the Pope said, according to a University press release.

Francis emphasized that the basis of Christian education is educating the head, heart and hands.

By educating the head, or mind, Catholic universities should tap into the “intrinsic harmony” of faith and reason, the pontiff told the audience, which included Presidentelect Fr. Robert Dowd.

“Indeed, these educational endeavors undertaken by Catholic institutions are grounded in the firm conviction of the intrinsic harmony of faith and reason, from which flows the relevance of the Christian message for all areas of personal

and social life,” Francis said.

He added that religion plays an essential role in educating young people’s hearts.

“It also means promoting dialogue and a culture of encounter, so that all can learn to acknowledge, appreciate and love each person as a brother or sister, and most fundamentally, as a beloved child of God,” Francis said.

The pope also said he was pleased with the University’s atmosphere.

“Consequently, I am pleased that the University of Notre Dame is marked by an atmosphere that enables students, faculty and staff to see POPE PAGE 4

BUSINESS

Trio launches menstrual product subscription

By JENNA ABU-LUGHOD News Writer

Aiming to make an impact on period poverty, three members of the tri-campus community came together to start a period product subscription service called “Monthlies.” Launched in September by Jenny DeMarco, Jonathan DeMarco and Katie Cole, the small business offers 16 different products that are shipped

to their customers on a monthly basis.

“Last summer, my brother Jonathan was set on the idea of creating a startup. Jonathan, Katie and myself had been brainstorming most of the summer and writing down various ideas,” Notre Dame alum Jenny DeMarco ’21 said.

“Then I believe one day Katie was on her period when the thought occurred to her about how inconvenient the entire process was and

that a subscription service would be much more convenient.”

Customers can subscribe or place a one-time order by visiting the Monthlies website which can be found on their Instagram page. Subscribers have the option to choose both the mix of products and the frequency of delivery.

“Each customer is able to choose whatever amount of each product see MONTHLIES PAGE 3

BAVO paints for stalking awareness event The Belles Against Violence Office (BAVO) hosted “Stones of Strength: Painting Together for Stalker Awareness” on Thursday night.

Honoring the end of Stalking Awareness Month, BAVO invited students to decorate glow-in-thedark stones with acrylic paint.

BAVO coordinator Shannon Warfield said the event was

designed to highlight the importance of showing students facing violence that they are not alone.

“We just wanted to bring awareness to stalking by shedding some light on it. In order to do that, we’ve got some glowin-the-dark rocks that we are painting inspirational words on or drawing or coloring,” Warfield said. “We are just bringing beauty into this unfortunate situation.”

“I think that’s really great that Saint Mary’s has events like this

through BAVO because not a lot of schools and people talk about it. It’s a very taboo topic,” Kayli Zelinkse-Mader, BAVO student assistant, said.

Warfield shared a similar sentiment and touched on what it means to have BAVO on the campus of a historically women’s college.

“To me, it’s amazing. College campuses that are larger don’t

FR. HESBURGH

GUN VIOLENCE

BARBIE SNUBS

By SARAH CATE WHITE News Writer

NEWS PAGE 4

VIEWPOINT PAGE 5

see STALKING PAGE 4

SCENE PAGE 7

Courtesy of Vatican Media

Fr. Robert Dowd (left) and University President Fr. John Jenkins applaud Pope Francis at a meeting at the Vatican on Thursday morning.

ND announces $100 million poverty initiative

By KAELEIGH PICCO News Writer

In a historic move, an alumni couple donated $100 million toward the University’s new Notre Dame Poverty Initiative, the largest single donation toward an academic priority in the University’s history. The University announced the gift in a press release last Wednesday.

Led by economist and professor Jim Sullivan, the poverty initiative aims to position Notre Dame as a global leader in poverty research, empower students across all three campuses for impactful service and translate research into realworld solutions to fight poverty.

The gift comes from two anonymous benefactors who both attended the University. Sullivan shared that their generosity is a clear indication of a “deep love for Notre Dame, and what Notre Dame can do to be a force for good.”

Sullivan said that benefactors choose Notre Dame over institutions like Harvard, MIT and Stanford because Notre Dame has strong relationships with nonprofit service providers across the U.S. and the globe.

HOCKEY PAGE 12

“You know, I found that not to be an unusual trait, benefactors that come back to the University,” he said. “It’s a core belief that the work that Notre Dame is doing has a tremendous positive impact.”

The new initiative is not the first working toward researching and developing solutions to global poverty. The Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) in the College of Arts and Letters and the Pulte Institute for Global Development at the Keough School of Global Affairs have completed countless projects and worked with partners across the country in the last 12 years. These organizations have successfully partnered with entities like Goodwill Industries, Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Relief Services and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The poverty initiative aims to enhance the efforts of LEO and Pulte and stoke collaboration on future projects. The initiative will also dedicate resources to the Center for Social Concerns and the Building Inclusive Growth Lab. see POVERTY PAGE 3

KONIECZNY PAGE 12

2

TODAY

THE OBSERVER | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM

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Editor-in-Chief Maggie Eastland Managing Editor Ryan Peters Asst. Managing Editor: Gabrielle Beechert Asst. Managing Editor: Hannah Hebda Asst. Managing Editor: José Sánchez Córdova Notre Dame News Editor: Saint Mary’s News Editor: Viewpoint Editor: Sports Editor: Scene Editor: Photo Editor: Graphics Editor: Social Media Editor: Advertising Manager: Ad Design Manager: Systems Administrator:

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Today’s Staff News

Scene

Isa Sheikh Liam Price Annelise Demers

Ayden Kowalski

Graphics Ethan Chiang

Viewpoint Claire Lyons

Photo Richard Taylor

Sports Andrew McGuinness

Corrections The Wednesday, Feb. 1 paper had an incorrect headline on page 1 story.

The photo on page 4 is courtesy of Mark Evgenev.

The Observer regrets these errors.

RICHARD TAYLOR | The Observer

Two students play frsibee on South Quad by the Law School. The sun emerged for the first time in weeks, giving students the opportunity to take a break from their studies by spending time outside. Fortunately, the sunny skies should continue into the weekend.

THE NEXT FIVE DAYS:

Want your event included here?

Email news@ndsmcobserver.com

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Girls and Women in Sports Day Clinic Angela Athletic Complex 5:30 p.m.

Clinic for girls 6-12

Holy Cross Men’s Basketball Pfiel Center 3 p.m.

The Saints play Calumet College.

Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Purcell Pavillion 2 p.m.

Notre Dame plays Pittsburgh.

Red Cross Blood Drive Duncan Student Center 8th floor 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Donations accepted all day.

Raclin Murphy Chapel Drop-in Hour Raclin Murphy Museum of Art 11 a.m. - noon Talk on new chapel.

Notre Dame Hockey Compton Family Ice Arena 7:30 p.m.

The Irish take on Michigan State.

Latin Dance Night Legends 8 - 10 p.m.

A night of dancing.

Free entry with student ID.

“The Little Mermaid” DPAC 1 p.m.

Screening of the live action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid.”

Lecture on Humility Eck Hall of Law 12:30 p.m.

Professor Julian Velasco will speak.

Absentee Ballot Workshop Duncan Student Center Room W134 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Voting info session.

NEWS

NDSMCOBSERVER.COM | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024 | THE OBSERVER

Course defines, explores ‘camp’

By GABRIELLE BEECHERT Assistant Managing Editor

Pam Wojcik meets with about 16 students in DeBartolo Hall to talk about ‘camp,’ coming together every Wednesday of this quarter. Wojcik, chair of the film, television and theatre (FTT) department, is teaching a course called “Camp: Performance & Spectators,” is a one-credit, upper level course offered through the FTT department.

Camp is a type of aesthetic that was famously defined by Susan Sontag in her 1964 essay entitled “Notes on Camp.” In the essay, Sontag wrote that the “essence of camp is its love of the unnatural — of artifice and exaggeration.”

Wojcik added that theatricality, “performativity,” comedy and adoration are other important aspects of camp.

“With camp, there is a kind of investment, right? You love the thing, even as you find it ridiculous,” Wojcik said. “You identify with it, even as you find it ridiculous, or over the top, or histrionic or all those things.”

Claire Schaffler, a senior studying, said she was first introduced to camp in the queer

theory section of her “Critical Approaches” class, also taught

by Wocjik. She said she did some of her own research on camp for a paper she wrote in that class, but didn’t know that much at the time. Schaffler said this course has helped her develop a much clearer understanding of the topic.

“I’ve already learned so much more because I knew what [camp] was abstractly, but I couldn’t put it into words before taking this class,” she said.

Many of Wojick’s other students also say they had a limited understanding of camp. On the first day of the course, Wojcik asked her students why they were taking the course and if they knew anything about camp. For many of her students, the 2019 camp-themed Met Gala was their first introduction to the concept.

“I feel like I use it in jargon, like, ‘Oh my god, that’s so camp.’ But what does it mean?” said senior Paulina Rey, another student in Wojcik’s class.

According to the course syllabus, the class is designed to examine camp through a variety of lenses. Each week, students are assigned a film and two readings,

as well as recommended additional resources to explore these more subtopics in depth during in-class discussions.

On Wednesday, Wojcik’s students spent their 75 minutes watching clips of Judy Garland and learning about how both Garland herself and her performances are interpreted as camp.

“I have a lot of clips of Judy Garland, so if you’re a Judy fan, it’s a great day,” Wojcik said at the beginning of the class.

In addition to examining the performances of Garland, the students will explore gay male camp, feminist camp, lesbian camp, Black camp, the mainstreaming of camp and the meaning of camp in 2024.

Wojcik first became interested in camp during graduate school, and she was first introduced to the topic through feminist theory.

During one of her classes, her line of questioning led to her dissertation topic: feminist camp.

Even though Wojcik’s expertise in camp dates back to her time in graduate school, this is the first time Wojcik is offering the course.

The genesis of the topic was a joint effort between Wocjik, Schaffler and Rey. As FTT majors, Scaffler

and Rey took a few FTT fundamentals courses with Wojcik, and they both knew they wanted to take an upper level course with her after being unable to do so during the fall semester.

“We were like, ‘We want to take one final class with you like, we love being in class with you. Can you please teach an upper level?’”

Rey said. “She was like, ‘Meet with me, come up with a topic and I’ll teach one credit a hundred percent.”

After meeting with Wojcik and throwing out different ideas for a one-credit course, the trio settled on camp.

Now that she has begun her time teaching, she is so pleased with the course and student engagement that she is thinking of turning it into a three-credit class.

“I also think the culture of Notre Dame has shifted a lot. I don’t know that I would have had students for a full course on camp when I got here in 1998,” she said.

“So you know, the fact that 16 or so students showed up for one credit class is great.”

Contact Gabrielle Beechert at gbeecher@nd.edu

Senate discusses campus dining

By KAELEIGH PICCO News Writer

Representatives from Campus Dining appeared before the student senate Wednesday and discussed developments with food options in the last semester and plans for the spring. The senate also voted down an order for a referendum regarding the ban on personal electronic vehicles (PEVs).

Student Body president Daniel Jung ran the meeting because vice president Aidan Rezner was out sick. Student Union secretary Isabella Tardio asked members of senate about the last movie they watched during attendance.

Jung got the last meeting’s minutes approved and invited executive director Luigi Alberganti and other representatives from Campus Dining to speak.

Campus Dining Reggie Kalili, director of student dining, highlighted several notable results from a campuswide survey that was conducted

Poverty CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Sullivan said LEO plans to expand within the economics department and create a concentration for “building causal evidence.” Students in the concentration will have the opportunity to take courses that build skill sets geared toward

at the end of last semester and had 1,493 responses. In the survey, South Dining Hall received a 79% satisfaction rating to North Dining Hall’s 76%. Students reported loving quesadillas in the survey, according to Kalili, and Campus Dining hopes to send out a similar survey in the coming weeks.

Kalili also hinted toward the renovation coming to South Dining Hall.

When asked by a student if the renovation would take away from the traditional charm of South, Kalili clarified that the renovations would focus on the “center of the building” and maintain the classic gothic architecture of the dining rooms. A second student asked if there was any talk of building a third dining hall, to which the representatives promptly responded, “No.” Marc Poklinkowski, director of auxilary dining, discussed his work overseeing dining at Holy Cross, St. Mary’s and for Holy Cross religious at places like Corby Hall. He reminded the senate that all students at Notre

Dame are welcome to dine at St. Mary’s and Holy Cross.

Senior executive chef Greg Larson discussed the special events in Campus Dining during the spring semester. The chef brought to attention the staff’s work toward “exploring more seafood options” to benefit students while Lent takes place.

Larson also previewed International Foods Week, which runs from Feb. 12 to 16. During the week dining staff are given the opportunity to share recipes from their own cultures, including cuisine and recipes from “Brazil, Argentina, Ireland, the Balkans and the Mediterranean.”

A taste of South Bend is also coming to the dining halls in February, when Campus Dining will partner with local restaurants to showcase small businesses and support the greater community.

Cheryl Bauer, director of supply chain and sustainability, turned the focus to the new dining initiative Waste and Weigh, which is meant to show “how much food is actually wasted during a meal period.” Based on data collected

from last semester, staff found that on any given night more than 430 pounds of food are wasted.

Bauer called attention to recent work with students to explore causes of food waste, and how the student body and dining staff can work together to lower these numbers going forward.

running their own experiments and conducting research. This program would start in economics, but Sullivan said the institute would soon expand this curriculum “more broadly across disciplines.”

Currently, LEO is home to 11 undergraduates who work full-time as research students in the summer, but Sullivan said the hope

“is to significantly expand” the program. He mentioned similar hopes for the Pulte Institute.

Sullivan said his long-term goal is for Notre Dame to become the place that is “known for doing great work for poverty.”

Beyond research, Sullivan mentioned the “impact of training the next generation of

experts, so students are training students, who will go on to be researchers … So when they’re the leaders of nonprofit organizations, they can bet that will help make them better leaders … it’s our students who are our greatest asset in terms of having future leaders.”

Executive announcements and general orders Moving to executive announcements, Jung reminded the senate about Civic Engagement Week, which begins Feb. 5 with a voter registration drive from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Duncan Student Center. An absentee ballot workshop will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 6.

Three orders concerning language in the constitution of the undergraduate student body were speedily passed. The vote on the order for a referendum on the PEV ban failed by a narrow margin.

Contact Kaeleigh Picco at kpicco@nd.edu

Contact Kaeleigh Picco at kpicco@nd.edu

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Monthlies CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

they would like. We provide the average facts and then our customers can figure out what works best for them based on that,” Holy Cross graduate Katie Cole ‘22 said.

By launching Monthlies, the team hopes to destigmatize conversations related to menstruation, as well as increase the accessibility of period products, particularly for college students.

“We aim to make premium menstrual products affordable and accessible to people from all walks of life, regardless of their financial status. Additionally, my goal is to contribute to normalizing conversations around menstruation, challenging the taboo associated with periods,” junior computer science major Jonathan DeMarco said.

One of Monthlies’ core values is their commitment to providing premium products at the cheapest possible price.

They also offer free shipping to all tricampus students who use the code “sbfreeship” at checkout, and 15% off for any student nationwide.

“We believe in using name brand products, so that our customers are receiving quality products,” Cole said.

“The four brands we currently sell are Always, Tampax, Playtex and U by Cortex.”

Despite conducting most of their research and planning on their own, the team said they have also made use of Notre Dame’s IDEA Center.

“The IDEA Center has been super helpful. We got to meet with their economics expert who was able to help us get the specific vocabulary we need. We are also able to use some of their funding for advertising,” Cole said.

While each member of the Monthlies team spends approximately 10 hours per week working on the project, they each have their own roles and responsibilities.

“Jonathan coded and designed the entire website and oversees other logistics such as shipping and credit card processing. Katie is our social media manager and visionary. She does almost our entire social media. I am the marketing analyst and sales professional. My main focus is the marketing research behind the scenes,” Jenny DeMarco said.

Cole and Jonathan DeMarco also personally deliver packages to those in the tri-campus community.

The team is hoping to partner with other U.S. universities in the near future in order to provide free, quality products in campus bathrooms.

“We want to make premium period products more accessible. I mean who really likes using cardboard tampons?”

Jenny DeMarco said.

Currently, the team is prioritizing advertising on social media and in the South Bend area. They have been in contact with several female dorms at both Notre Dame and Holy Cross, and are working on developing relationships with apartment complexes such as The 87.

“All in all, the experience has been very fun and a really interesting venture because there are a lot of things I didn’t even think of. At this point, working on Monthlies has become second nature,” Cole said.

Editor’s Note: A full version of this story can be viewed at ndsmcobserver.com.

Contact Jenna Abu-Lughod at jabulugh@nd.edu

4

NEWS

THE OBSERVER | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM

History professor details Hesburgh’s legacy

By ANNELISE DEMERS News Writer

Fr. Wilson Miscamble spoke at the Law School on Thursday evening about his book, “American Priest: The Ambitious Life and Conflicted Legacy of Notre Dame’s Father Ted Hesburgh.”

Miscamble, an Australian who joined the Holy Cross priesthood, is a professor of history. He studied history at Notre Dame, later serving as chair of the history department at Notre Dame from 1993 to 1998.

“I’m trying to connect his story to a larger story about the race of Catholics and in particular about Catholic higher education, how Catholics have been engaged and been influenced by the world,”

Miscamble said.

Fr. Theodore Hesburgh served as University president for 35 years from 1952 to 1987, advising multiple presidents of the United States during that time.

Miscamble said Heburgh’s pragmatism and ability to seize opportunities equipped him well to lead Notre Dame during a “remarkable period of American higher education.”

Hesburgh was known for his charisma and larger-than-life personality, Miscamble said.

“I argue, he became caught in the embrace of an increasingly secular liberal establishment, especially through his membership of the board of the Rockefeller Foundation, which he eventually

chaired,” Miscamble said.

According to Miscamble, there was an understanding that Hesburgh would abstain on issues regarding contraception, sterilization and abortion when he was appointed to the foundation’s executive committee in 1966.

“I think we can say he was an extraordinary institution builder, dramatically enhancing today’s size, wealth and reputation to store the major decisions, to transfer ownership from the Congregation of Holy Cross to the board members and to admit undergraduate women to the University,” Miscamble said.

Miscamble was asked a question about the dismissal of sociology professor Tamara Kay’s lawsuit against the Irish Rover.

SMC holds art exhibition

By SALLY BRADSHAW News Writer

Saint Mary’s College is holding a faculty exhibition this month, allowing professors in the art department to showcase their work.

Julie Tourtillotte, chair of the art department, said the faculty exhibition is held every four years so that all students have an opportunity to see the studio practice of the faculty during their time at the college.

This year’s exhibition will showcase work from Tourtillotte, Janice Cervelli, Brian Hutsebout, Doug Tyler, Sandi Ginter and Shreejan Shrestha, who is also the director of the Spark Lab. The works are as distinct as the artists themselves, with mediums ranging from landscape architecture to 3-D printed sculpture to hand dyed fabric and more.

In her own work, Tourtillotte chose pieces that all utilize natural dyes.

“About 2 years ago, I started growing my own dye garden at home and began doing tests with dyes, so there’s a large piece that’s framed there on the wall that’s 25 different dye samples that I was collecting… and I wanted to be able to exhibit that in some way,” she said. Tourtilotte’s large display of framed textiles is “almost encyclopedic, so it goes from indigo blue all the way down to walnut in the bottom right”.

In her artist’s statement, Tourtillotte said “one thread that connects all of the pieces is my interest in expanding my knowledge of and direct experience with natural dyes, a fascinating subject with deep histories and cultural importance in many parts of the world”. She said her interest in sustainability drew her to working with and teaching about natural dyes as she looks to use materials in her art practice that are both safe for human health and the planet.

Tourtillotte’s exhibition also includes handmade felt and knitted pieces crafted from

hand-dyed yarn.

The exhibit also includes a plan for landscape architecture designed by Cervelli that seeks to improve life around the tricampus and in the South Bend community. She is a member of a task force who will present her plan to the city council. This work includes improvements to the intersection of I-31, restructuring of wildlife trails and a bus system that attempts to alleviate traffic and improve South Bend transit.

Ginter’s work features an interactive space, where she invites attendees to respond to her ceramic work. In her artist’s statement, Ginter said “on a micro scale, these works deal with the unbreakable, magical and sometimes frightening bond a mother has to her children. On a macro scale, they touch on the notion that we are all small parts of a whole. Like it or not, we will forever be a part of something larger than ourselves.”

Tyler, professor of screen printing, photography and new media, presents works of photography created while on his sabbatical. “In the digital photography that I teach, I encourage students to consider a variety of different types of recording tools that they can use,” Tyler said. In keeping with this teaching, he used the panorama function in the camera app of an iPhone to create distorted images that bring up questions of “how these different devices and mechanisms redefine how we experience different times, different places and so on”.

In the center of the exhibition, Hutsebout’s installation piece explores “the importance of the body, the mind and memories contained within by recontextualizing my family’s history, both factual and perceived”.

“Through sculpture, installation and performance art, I pose a physicality to abstract concepts like memory,

ancestry and trauma; as an effect, I consider my own identity and perceptions,” Hutsebout said in his artist’s statement.

The faculty exhibition this year provides students and members of the community the opportunity to interact with the studio practices of art department faculty and see the new ideas being explored at Saint Mary’s College.

“Art was one of the first programs at Saint Mary’s College.

I think this institution’s always had a reputation as a very creative institution where there was a real emphasis put on examining how we interact with our world and doing it in a creative fashion.Creativity, to a greater or lesser extent, is kind of what’s the primary focus of contemporary economies. Creativity is the basis of new ideas and those new ideas become new products, new products become new businesses, et cetera. So we like to say that students get an opportunity to rethink themselves as creative people,” Tyler said.

Contact Sally Bradshaw at sbradshaw01@saintmarys.edu

Pope CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

grow spiritually and bear witness to the joy of the Gospel, its power to renew society and its capacity to provide the strength to face wisely the challenges of the present time,” he said.

Finally, Francis encouraged leadership to continue to place an emphasis on educating “the hands.”

“We cannot stay within the walls or boundaries of our institutions, but must strive to go out to the peripheries and meet and serve Christ in our neighbor,” he said. “In this regard, I encourage the University’s continuing efforts to foster in its students zeal for meeting the needs of underprivileged communities.”

“I probably took sinful delight,” said Miscamble, who is a faculty advisor for the publication, causing the crowd to erupt in laughter.

Miscamble was also asked how he thinks Hesburgh would feel about hiring professors who have opposing values to Notre Dame’s mission.

“I would say a criteria of hiring should be commitment to the mission and that includes non-Christian faculty, as well as non-Catholic faculty. Deep commitment on the part of some Jewish and Muslim faculty members to Notre Dame’s mission [provided] they buy into it,” Miscamble said.

Miscamble said Hesburgh pushed for academic freedom during his tenure, including hiring a

history professor that was widely known as being pro-Fidel Castro.

He hired professors who he believed would improve the University’s academic standing.

“The Catholic university has a crucial duty to prepare faithful and thoughtful men and women who have a capacity to think clearly and act courageously so that they do not really conform to the world but hold true to their faith convictions,” Miscamble said of Hesburgh’s vision for the University. “He wanted Notre Dame to play a key role in shaping such men and women, needed more than ever during these challenging times.”

Stalking

violence that is not really talked about in the media very much,” she said.

Krause went on to explain that stalking is a form of domestic and emotional violence that does not garner similar levels of attention as sexual violence and assault.

“We talk about sexual violence and assault quite frequently but stalking isnt really touched on,” Krause said.

Zelinske-Mader said BAVO plays an important role on campus in offering support and resources to those affected or indirectly affected.

“And I think the fact that Saint Mary’s is pushing the social norm of being silent about those things and making people aware is important,” ZelinskeMader said. “Whether they can help the issue by preventing it or teaching people how to support one another or teaching people how to support themselves is a really big thing.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

have anything like BAVO. So for us to be a smaller, all-girls school that offers resources like BAVO is tremendous. I mean, in regards to caring for and supporting our students,” Warfield said.

Freshman Ellie York said she appreciates BAVO’s work and the stalking awareness event.

York attended the event with friends and wrote inspirational reminders on their stones.

“I think it’s good to have events like this so that people know about BAVO just in case they need it,” York said.

Sophomore Allyson Krause attended the event and said awareness of the problem of stalking is underrepresented in the media. Krause is part of the president’s committee on sexual violence and wanted to show her support for BAVO by coming to the event.

“I think that stalking is a form of relationship violence. It is a

Contact Annelise Demers at ademers@nd.edu

Contact Sarah Cate White at swhite01@saintmarys.edu

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LETTER

5

EDITOR

Unity in the face of gun violence inaction Students are taught to love a country that values guns over our lives.

Some of us hear the sound of gunfire when we watch fireworks on the Fourth of July or when we watch a drumline performance at halftime. But all of us have heard the siren of an active shooter drill and fear that one day our campus will be next.

By painful necessity, we have grown to become much more than students learning in a classroom. We have shed every last remnant of our childhood innocence. The steady silence of Congress is as deafening as gunfire.

We will not wait for individual trauma to affect us all before we respond together — our empathy is not that brittle. Our generation responds to shootings by bearing witness and sharing solidarity like none other. We text each other our last thoughts and we cry on each others’ shoulders and we mourn with each other at vigils. We convene in classrooms and we congregate in churches and we deliberate in dining halls. We’re staunch and we’re stubborn and we’re steadfast.

Our hearts bleed from this uniquely American brand of gun violence. Yet, we still summon the courage to witness firework shows and remind ourselves that we love our country so much that we expect better from it.

We believe that our country has the capacity to love us back. There are bullet shaped holes in our hearts, but our spirits are unbreakable.

History has taught us that when injustice calls students to act, we shape the moral arc of this country.

Students in the civil rights movement shared their stories through protest, creating the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) that

organized Freedom Rides, sit-ins and marches. In demanding freedom from racial violence, this group’s activism became woven into American history.

Students across America organized teach-ins during the Vietnam War to expose its calculated cruelties. In doing so, rediscovering this country’s empathy.

Their work, in demanding freedom from conscription and taxpayer-funded violence, is intertwined with the American story.

Last fall, UNC Chapel Hill students’ text exchanges during the Aug. 28 shooting reached the hands of the President. The nation read the desperate words of our wounded community, as we organized support, rallied and got thrown out of the North Carolina General Assembly. We demanded freedom from gun violence, just as we have in Parkland and Sandy Hook and MSU and UNLV. For 360,000 of us since Columbine, the toll of bearing witness, of losing our classmates and friends, of succumbing to the cursed emotional vocabulary of survivorship, has become our American story.

Yes, it is not fair that we must rise up against problems that we did not create, but the organizers of past student movements know from lived experience that we decide the future of the country.

The country watched student sit-ins at Greensboro and Congress subsequently passed civil rights legislation. The country witnessed as students exposed its lies on Vietnam and Congress subsequently withdrew from the war.

In recent years, the country watched student survivors march against gun violence, and the White House subsequently created the National Office of Gun

Violence Prevention on Sept. 22, 2023.

So as students and young people alike, we should know our words don’t end on this page. We will channel them into change.

We invite you to join this generation’s community of organizers, all of us united in demanding a future free of gun violence. We understand the gravity of this commitment because it’s not simply our lives we protect with prose and protest. It is our way of life itself.

We will not allow America to be painted in a new layer of blood. We will not allow politicians to gamble our lives for NRA money.

And most of all, politicians will not have the shallow privilege of reading another front-cover op-ed by students on their knees, begging them to do their jobs. We do not need a permission slip to defend our freedoms.

They will instead contend with the reality that by uniting with each other and among parents, educators and communities, our demands become undeniable.

We feel intense anger and frustration and sadness, and in its wake we search for reaffirmations of our empathy — the remarkable human capacity to take on a tiny part of someone else’s suffering. We rediscover this fulfillment in our organizing, in our community, in not just moving away from the unbearable pain of our yesterday but in moving toward an unrelenting hope for our tomorrow.

Our generation dares politicians to look us in the eye and tell us they’re too afraid to try.

Alexander Denza Co-president, March for Our Lives UNC Chapel Hill Jan. 24

Lessons to learn during a semester abroad Kat Regala The Absurd-ver

This semester, I will be studying abroad in Santiago, Chile. In the past week, I have been questioning if I am some sort of masochist, choosing to spend five months in Latin America, attending university, staying with a host family and navigating a big city fully immersed in Spanish. I have been wondering why I did not just go to Europe where I could always speak in English, or choose an international study abroad program with other English-speaking students.

These dramatic, woe-is-me lamentations have sparked genuine questions. What is the importance of language?

What is the purpose of attempting to learn another language in an increasingly globalized world, where many people know English? What role does language even play in a time when learning Python, C++ or JavaScript is more important than learning German or Hindi? Is language anything more than tokens and probabilities?

I do not have the answers to these questions, but thinking about language has prompted me to reflect on my relationship with it, particularly during my time at Notre Dame.

At the beginning of their first year, Notre Dame students are required to take two writing intensive courses — a university seminar and Writing and Rhetoric (WR) — unless they are lucky enough to have earned Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credit to bypass WR for another writing intensive course.

The core curriculum’s six courses in the liberal arts are meant to foster students’ relationship with and appreciation and understanding of language. On top of that, the colleges can have additional language requirements, including the College of Arts and Letters’ one to four semesters of foreign language and Architecture’s six credits of Italian.

That’s all to say that Notre Dame prides itself on fostering language skills within its students. The ability to digest texts, persuasively argue, effectively write and communicate with others — in English or otherwise — is an essential component of a Notre Dame education.

I have always been fascinated by language. As a child, instead of playing with Barbie dolls or Legos, I would pretend to write. Knowing how to write letters but not spell words, I would group together letters in an imaginary syntax, attempting to translate the stories in my head onto paper. As I learned to read, I gulped down books like they were oxygen, and I was drowning. In school, my teachers admonished me for how much I spoke, with one likening me to a “Chatty Cathy” in my report card.

As I grew up, I was praised for my use of language. I thrived in speech-writing, debate, poetry and story competitions. I aced English exams. I published literary magazines with friends that shared my love of writing. I gave the commencement address at my high school graduation. I felt comfortable with my identity as a writer and my relationship with language.

However, at Notre Dame, my relationship to language — and my confidence in that relationship — has changed. Once a star writer, my writing often feels

clunky and vapid among classmates with formal and elegant prose. I have come to dread writing essays, as they are the predominant way that my grades are evaluated.

I sit at my computer for hours on end, agonizing over the logical flow of my ideas, sentence structure, word choice and fretting that I have incorrectly applied grammar rules.

In addition to writing, enrolling in seminar-style classes and teaching yoga classes have put my speaking skills to the test. I have gotten better at public speaking and putting coherent thoughts together, but I regularly find myself stuttering and struggling to present myself as the intelligent, collected person I am in my head.

Despite my insecurities and rather pessimistic perception of my language skills, I have no doubt that Notre Dame has fostered growth in my language abilities. My liberal arts education has furthered my love of reading and pushed me to be a better writer and communicator.

During my time in Santiago, I will foster a different relationship with a new language. I will approach Spanish with the child-like perspective I once approached English. In the process of struggle, failure and eventual success with Spanish, I hope to gain new understanding and insight into the common threads weaved throughout all languages.

Kat Regala is a junior at Notre Dame studying liberal studies, computing, digital technology, science, technology and values. You can contact Kat at kregala@nd.edu.

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

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THE OBSERVER | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM

INSIDE COLUMN

What if...?

Christina Sayut Graphics Editor

As a second-semester senior, I stand staring at the myriad of “what-ifs” on the doorways to my future. The cap and gown that I hold in my hands symbolize the many years of hard work that I put forward — radiating a sense of potential.

Amid the celebrations and excitement, the “what-ifs” echo in the back of my mind — not as daunting uncertainties, but as beacons guiding me toward a future full of promise.

My first “what-if” is one that I have continued to battle the entire time I have been at Notre Dame. What if I did not pick the right major and am unhappy with my career? I have changed my major time and time again at Notre Dame, ranging from neuroscience & behavior to ceramics and to my seemingly final destination, visual communication design (with a few other majors in between). Each major change came with that same what-if, wondering if I made the right decision. After four years, this what-if is no longer met with trepidation, but instead a spark of excitement.

Whether or not I studied the “right” major, the knowledge that I have cultivated these past four years is a powerful compass in navigating the world ahead of me. It is an affirmation that my academic journey was not just a means to an end, but a foundation that allows me to build and grow into a purposeful career.

My second “what-if” comes from my love of structure and a booked and busy Google Calendar. What if I follow the path that is laid out before me? I can see my future ahead of me: I go to graduate school, enter the workforce and live a corporate and comfortable life. This well-worn map promises me the stability and predefined trajectory that I crave to have in my life.

I don’t think that stability always has to equal stagnation. Instead, it serves as a stable platform from which I can jump into expiration and growth, having wisdom from both successes and failures.

My third “what-if” opposes this idea completely. What if I embrace the uncharted territories? The allure of the unconventional calls to me when I think of my post-graduate life, the idea of veering off of the beaten path and changing course completely. I like the idea of being able to make a mark in spaces that are untouched, living a life that overf lows with innovation. In this life, the unknown isn’t a source of anxiety, but instead is a canvas where I can paint my own unique narrative with colors pulled from courage, resilience and the willingness to play with the unfamiliar.

My fourth “what-if” is more of a whisper in the back of my mind. What if I prioritize my passions over the idea of practicality? I love art, and I love creating. My dream is to own my own combination of a coffee shop and ceramics studio, where I teach classes and bake to pass the time. This what-if encourages me to seek a path that resonates with my heart instead of being driven by the pragmatic. It invites me to pursue not just a career but a vocation, where my daily endeavors are fueled by passion. This balance between practicality and passion

seems delicate, but I find it to be a dance worth mastering.

My fifth “what-if” moves away from a career-centric lens and is instead more of a mantra for post-graduate life. What if I focus on my own growth and self-discovery?

Since I am still not completely sure what the next years of my life will hold, this time outside of the Notre Dame academic bubble is the perfect time to explore new interests, nurture relationships and cultivate a more holistic sense of well-being.

Maybe I will really follow through with my dreams of running a marathon, maybe I will pick up another artistic hobby. This what-if is more of a reminder that my life extends beyond what I can accomplish in a career. The pursuit of personal evolution is not just a choice but a responsibility to myself.

My sixth “what-if” is brought on by a guiding principle, something that I want to lean into more in my life. What if I embrace failure as a stepping stone to success? As an art student, I am genuinely so scared of failure. The idea that my work would be unsuccessful in some way or be critiqued harshly during the process is always in the back of my mind when I create.

Rather than dread failure, I want to see failure as an extension of the classroom where resilience is cultivated, lessons are learned and my character is truly brought to life. Every stumble I’ve ever made has always led me to a cataclysmic moment of growth.

My seventh and last “what-if” comes from one of my first columns. What if I had put Michael Masten on the “hot” list instead of “honorable mentions?” Would he have found another thing in my column to make fun of me for? I guess we will never know. While we are here, I want to take a moment to affirm that Michael deserves to be on the “hot” list.

As the canvas of my post-graduate life begins to fill with paint, I want to remember that these “what-ifs” are not roadblocks, but instead milestones along my path of continual growth. Every question and contemplation is a brushstroke that adds on to the never-ending masterpiece of my life. It is not about having all of the answers but about embracing the uncertainty with unwavering belief in my ability to navigate the twists and turns. I find motivation in the fact that every choice and decision propels me forward with a love of hope and curiosity. I am not solely defined by the career I choose or the path that I take, but instead am shaped by the lessons I have learned and the passion that fuels my journey.

I am stepping into the future with a heart brimming with optimism. I am not alone in my travels. I am surrounded by friends, family and the knowledge that the choices that I make today shape the narrative of my tomorrow. The “what-ifs” are not questions to be feared, but invitations to imagine, explore and create a future where my potential unfolds in ways that I cannot yet fathom.

You can contact Christina at csayut@nd.edu.

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

My first Inside Column Aynslee Dellacca News Writer

This is the first Inside Column I’ve ever written. Don’t mess this up. It has to be good. No, it has to be great. I can do this. I’ve written stories for years.

But how should I even begin?

What should I write about? I have so much to say, and yet, none of it seems relevant or important enough to include in the eternal archives of The Observer, to be published for so many to see.

Since joining my high school’s newspaper my freshman year, every story I’ve ever written for a news publication has been about somebody else. For almost five years now, I’ve covered events, student features, beloved teachers, sports games, state and national competitions, renovations, global issues, music releases, politics and even a parking lot. (I wish I was kidding.) I’ve never had to write something about myself.

Here’s what I’ll do. I’ll rattle on about something I’m interested in. Anything at all.

“Music will forever be an inspiration.” No, that’s way too overdone.

“Movies have always been an escape for me.” No, gosh, what a cliché.

“Books can open an entirely new world.” I don’t read nearly enough books for that.

“Thrifting isn’t a hobby. It’s a lifestyle.” What am I even trying to say here?

I’ve seen others at The Observer write about an event in their lives, a relationship that’s forever changed them or simply an idea so beautifully written, you sit there reading in astonishment. I like to think of myself as a relatively interesting person. I could write something like that.

“I met my best friend in my seventh-grade math class.” Cute, but everyone has a story like that.

“My step-grandmother tried to kill me one Christmas morning.”

Woah, let’s not scare anyone here, and what clickbait.

“The meaning behind my first tattoo.” That’s way too personal, no way.

How do my editors choose what to write about? They make it seem so easy, their writing style effortless and their stories so well written. Every column I’ve read, I would’ve never been able to come up with a topic so interesting.

Don’t mess this up.

Sometimes it feels like anxiety overwhelms every part of me,

paralyzing my decision-making and over-analyzing each moment that ticks by. But I’d rather never try something new than fail.

Do you really mean that? You try to be so exciting and full of spontaneity, up for anything. But now the spotlight’s on you. What will you do? Everyone’s watching.

Everyone’s reading.

Don’t mess this up.

I have to pick a topic that not only wholly represents who I am, but will impress others and still be completely original and unique. I set this standard for myself.

Don’t mess this up.

Why do I expect so much from myself? Why can I never let myself make mistakes? How much of my life has been controlled by the fear of not being good enough?

If you stick to what you’re good at, you’ll never show what your weaknesses are. Never showing weakness must mean you only project your strengths. If people always see your strengths, they will only believe the facade you hide behind.

This facade isn’t really you, though, is it? Like those strange mirrors in fun houses, they change your appearance to fit inside its frame. You step back, to the side, get up close. The mirror reflects back all sorts of images of you, but it changes as you place yourself in a different space. It’s only a mere reflection highlighting certain parts of yourself — the parts of yourself you wish to accentuate.

Don’t mess this up. I’m trying not to. What a cage I’ve put myself in.

I constantly try to remind myself that someone out there may feel the same way as I do like they’re holding the key and still trapped. In many ways, I think we all hold a key (or several keys) that would let us out of our selfconstructed cages, but we’re scared to leave a cell that’s become so familiar and comfortable for us.

At some point, you have to walk away from the mirror. At some point, you have to use that key. You have to make that jump, step out of your comfort zone and try something new.

This is the first inside column I’ve ever written. I hope it was good enough. No, I hope it was great.

You can contact Aynslee at adellacca01@saintmarys.edu.

The views of this Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

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THE OBSERVER | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM

‘BARBIE’ SNUBS: WHAT PEOPLE OVERLOOKED IN THEIR ANGER

By CLAIRE McKENNA Scene Writer

When the nominations for this year’s Oscars were released last week, everyone expected the usual discourse around nomination snubs. What no one could have expected was how much that discourse would explode when Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig did not receive nominations for their roles in “Barbie” in the Leading Actress and Director categories respectively.

Within the furor, there were some expected people chiming in – see Ryan Gosling’s statement — and then there were the people that made you think it was all going too far, such as Hilary Clinton, who chimed in on Twitter. (Yes, Twitter. I will never call it X.) People were aghast that the two women leading the movie on and off-screen were not credited for their work, but their comments also raise questions about who should be nominated and why.

Someone would have to have been living under a rock last year to miss the cultural explosion that erupted when “Barbie” was released. Everyone and their mother went to the movie decked out in pink.

People debated themes of the movie online. (Was the feminist message not sophisticated enough? Why did they make Barbie apologize to Ken? Why didn’t Ken apologize to Barbie?) And, by the numbers,

the movie earned over $1 billion worldwide. But do Robbie and Gerwig deserve nominations for Best Leading Actress and Director because “Barbie” was a cultural phenomenon and a box-office hit?

Maybe the reaction would not have been so big if Ryan Gosling had not received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. People were so angry in part because Ken was nominated while Barbie was not. The movie was named “Barbie” and not “Ken” after all.

The snubs for Robbie and Gerwig may have seemed to sting more since their male co-worker received a nomination instead of them. Except, that view completely overlooks one important fact.

In the anger about the missed nominations, people totally forgot that America Ferrera received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Ferrera’s role in the movie, while not leading, still served as an important communicator of the movie’s feminist themes. Whether or not people thought her speech was too Feminist 101, it was still the moment in which “Barbie” articulated its theme. Ferrera should have been allowed to speak more about this important moment in her career. Instead, news sites were more interested to hear her talk about Robbie and Gerwig’s snubs.

Is the anger around these snubs truly in accordance with the themes of “Barbie” when it overshadows the achievements of other women in this way? This

question is especially important regarding Robbie’s nomination. By saying that she deserved the nomination, one is also implicitly saying that one of the other women in her category was somehow less deserving.

While the initial anger is understandable, it is also important to remember that both Robbie and Gerwig are still nominated for awards in other categories for their work on “Barbie.” Robbie is nominated for her work as a producer in the Best Picture category, and Gerwig is nominated for writing the script in the Adapted Screenplay category. The nomination for Robbie is especially important for her career as she has never been nominated for an Oscar as a producer before.

In the end, however, the recognition of the Academy is not the be-all end-all. After all, the people who have historically voted for the winners of the Oscars have been men. Should the crowning achievement of Robbie and Gerwig’s work on “Barbie” be that a group of men think they did the best job? Or should it be that they made girls and women cheer, cry and laugh in theaters all over the world last summer? Their performances would not have suddenly gained worth when they got that little gold statue. Their performances already have worth because the movie touched people everywhere last year with its message?

Contact Claire McKenna at cmckenn4@nd.edu

ON ICE SPICE

By PETER MIKULSKI Scene Writer

“Te ea merda esse putas, serve; tu ne bumbulum quidem es.”

To whom ought we attribute this epigram (a precious kernel of ancient wisdom, surely)? To some great Latin rhetorician or a notable Roman orator, no doubt.

Well, that’s actually Ice Spice, and it reads, “You think you the sh*t, b*tch? You not even the fart.”

But doesn’t everything look so nice and academic and dignified once you italicize it and translate it into a dead language?

Like so many venerable writers of old, Martial and Chaucer for instance, Ice Spice is preoccupied with the scatological — poop. In 2022, she tweeted, “in the stu shi*ting,” and in “Deli,” she raps, “I’m the sh*t, I’m that b*tch, I’m Miss Poopie.” In her most recent release, the new single “Think U The Sh*t (Fart),” she adds one more excretory idiom to her body of work — but probably not her last.

A lot of Ice Spice’s music is objectively bad. She tends to be lyrically scatterbrained, and “Think U

The Sh*t (Fart)” is no exception. Her ideas never last longer than a few lines, and certainly no longer than a verse. The result is a song that feels not like one coherent work, but instead like a list of cheap quips.

“Barbie Dreams” by Nicki Minaj is the counterexample to this style of writing. The song’s a diss-track — a genre which can easily devolve into aimless series of setups and punchlines, setups and punchlines, ad infinitum — but Nicki manages to maintain her momentum, to keep a thread running from the first word to the last. It’s a satisf ying listen (if you ignore the chaos surrounding Nicki right now, of course). Maybe Ice Spice will achieve this level of lyricism one day, but I’m not holding my breath.

Her production isn’t always great, either. I know it’s drill, and that to some extent, it’s supposed to sound like it does, but there’s good drill and there’s bad drill — there’s good drill and there are beats in which the percussion sounds like someone whisking a snare drum and the bass imitating the Vine boom sound effect. A lot of the beats

by RIOTUSA over which Ice Spice raps fall into the

latter category, but the beat on “Think U The Sh*t (Fart)” is an exception. It’s colorful and rich — surprising, coming from a producer who usually gives us dry and gray.

And yet, even despite all her deficiencies, I can’t stop streaming Ice Spice. W hile some rapstresses have lyrics, and while other girls have beats, Ice Spice has the it-factor — and that’s what leads to success.

If I had to identif y Ice Spice’s it-factor, I would select her apathy. She delivers her lines so softspoken she almost comes off as nervous or shy. Her presence on stage and her demeanor on video are so straight-faced you can read her as disinterested or distracted. W hen she twerks, she looks like she’s thinking about something else.

There’s something alluring about Ice Spice, a blank-eyed diva. There’s something very Gen Z about her — something relatable in her apathy, something which makes me want to stream her new single “Think U The Sh*t (Fart),” even though it’s called “Think U The Sh*t (Fart).”

Contact Peter Mikulski at pmikulsk@nd.edu ETHAN CHIANG | The Observer

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SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM

Hockey CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

conference by 5 points, clear of fourth-place Notre Dame by 13.

On the Irish side, it’s a multi-layered prove-it weekend for several reasons.

They want to f lip the script on MSU, against whom they are 2-8-1 over the past 11 meetings. Notre Dame could also use a statement series w ithin the conference. Against the three teams ahead of them, the Irish are 1-5-0 w ith a -9 goal differential. Those metrics stand in contrast to a 6-2-2 mark and a +18 margin against the bottom three.

Solving the Spartans The last time Michigan State came to South Bend, it ended Notre Dame’s 2022-23 season.

And though December’s sweep loss offered up no Irish retribution, this weekend may present a better chance.

MSU, for the first time all season, has f lashed inconference v ulnerabilit y in recent weeks. The Spartans lost 7-1 to Michigan (Jan. 19) and 5-1 to Minnesota (Jan. 27) at home, a place where they started 8-0-1.

Still, Michigan State ow ns a strong collection of v ictories a month into 2024.

Spart y went into Hockey Valley and handily swept Penn State three weeks ago. The Spartans bounced back from their aforementioned Michigan loss by potting 7 goals in a w in at Yost Ice Arena. That’s not to mention a November sweep against Wisconsin, the highest-ranked team in the Big Ten. “They have good depth on both their for wards and their defense, and obv iously a really good goaltender, too,” Jackson said of MSU. “So I think it’s their depth that creates problems for teams, and depending upon which team they’re play ing, it shows differently … I think they’re just a well-balanced team, and they do a lot of things really well.”

For Michigan State, depth has translated to the Big Ten’s most lucrative offense in league play. The skaters on Spart y’s top three for ward lines average an impressive 0.82 points per game. Comparatively, Notre Dame’s top nine for wards average 0.57 points per contest. Joey Larson, the rightw inger on MSU’s terrific third line, leads the team w ith 15 goals and 28 points.

On the blue line, the Spartans w ill counter an improv ing Irish offense w ith arguably the top defensive pairing in the Big Ten. Senior captain Nash Nienhuis brings 117 games of experience and a career-high 17 points. Freshman Art yom Levshunov, a projected topfive pick in the 2024 NHL draft, adds 26 points. They help protect freshman netminder Trey Augustine, who played to a .956 save percentage in the December series against Notre Dame.

Can the power play press on?

Like last season, the Irish power play has taken a while to get going. At this point, its 19.3% success rate stands a whisker ahead of Wisconsin at the bottom of the Big Ten. But as far as the man advantage goes, Notre Dame’s last game was its best. Two Saturdays ago, the Irish went 3-for-6 on the power play w ith 13 shots. Most importantly, they capitalized on both special teams opportunities in the third period, turning a tight battle w ith Penn State into a 6-3 w in. “[The power play] starts w ith w inning faceoffs and getting possession of the puck. And then it’s about getting into the zone w ith possession, it’s about entries as

well,” Jackson said. “We did a better job of that, we’ve been working a little bit more on that and those details. Once we get into the zone and gain possession, then it’s a matter of making plays.”

Among other factors, improv ing personnel has helped the Irish power play as of late. Senior for ward Landon Slaggert has kept his foot on the gas and now has 16 goals. His fellow w inger, graduate student Patrick Moy nihan, scored t w ice on the man advantage last Saturday. A lso w ith 2 goals in that game, freshman forward Danny Nelson, who has 4 in as many games since returning from the World Juniors.

Jackson also mentioned that freshman defenseman Paul Fischer has added a spark at the power play’s f lank position. With his v ision and aggressiveness on the outside, Notre Dame can move more pucks into Nelson and freshman forward Cole Knuble at the bumper.

During the December series, Michigan State ow ned the special teams game. On the power play, MSU went 3-for-8 to Notre Dame’s 1-for8. Overall, the Spartans still rank second in the conference w ith a 27% power-play success rate. Their matchup

w ith Notre Dame’s 83% penalt y kill w ill certainly have a say in the series’ outcome.

A February reckoning Over the next four weekends, Notre Dame w ill face the rest of the Big Ten’s top five. The schedule breaks dow n to home series against No. 8 Michigan State and No. 9 Minnesota and trips to No. 4 Wisconsin and No. 12 Michigan.

The Irish have already faced each of those teams bet ween November and Januar y, going 2-6-0.

Looking ahead, Jeff Jackson hopes his team can top said record in the final month.

“It’s dow n to crunch time, and we’re play ing the best teams in the countr y and the conference these next four weekends,” Jackson said. “So we’re gonna have our hands full, and we’re gonna find out if we’ve had any grow th since the first time we played each of those teams.”

That grow th w ill be put to the test beginning Friday at 7:30 p.m. Saturday’s series finale w ill follow at 6 p.m. from Compton Family Ice Arena. Peacock w ill prov ide coverage of both games.

Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu

SPORTS AUTHORITY

Bailey: How the Los Angeles Clippers found their missing piece in James Harden John Bailey Sports Writer

Sometimes, a ll a person needs is t hat one missing piece. For Ryan Gosling in “Blade Runner 2049,” it was conf irmation of his natura l birt h. For Ryan Gosling in “Barbie,” it was reciprocated romantic affection and approva l.

A nd if Ryan Gosling ever stars in a basketba ll f lick, it would be perfect ly placed pocket passes from James Harden.

W hen t he Los A ngeles Clippers acquired t he yet-again disgrunt led Harden on Oct. 31, t hey did so w it h t he hope t hat t he 2018 M V P had enough left in t he tank to reinv igorate t he stagnant, underachiev ing franchise and t hrow up t he sash on t heir closed championship w indow.

Upon arriv ing in t he Cit y of A ngels, Harden g uaranteed t hat his contributions to t he team would y ield great postseason success.

“I’m not a system player, I

am a system,” he said.

Ev ident ly, t he Clippers struggled to effectively implement t he Harden system, losing t heir f irst si x games w it h him on t he team. Since t hen, t hey have won 28 of t heir last 36 games, equiva lent to a 64-w in pace and t he best record in t he NBA during t hat span. Per Cleaning t he Glass, t he Clippers are second in t he leag ue in offensive rating (125.8) and have outscored teams by 15.2 points per 100 possessions excluding garbage time, giv ing t hem t he secondbest point differentia l in t he leag ue.

Harden’s resurgence has been a revelation, his onba ll creation sk ills leading t he Clippers to t he t hird seed in t he Western Conference and consideration for t he best team in t he Association.

Similar to his play st yle in Brook ly n, Harden has embraced t he point g uard role for t he Clippers, sacrif icing his high usage and scoring for greater eff iciency and

team success. Much like Houston Harden, t hough, t he offense often runs t hrough multiple pick and roll progressions.

A maestro of t he pick and roll, Harden has developed great sy nerg y w it h center Iv ica Zubac, often f inding him coming off t he screen in t he middle of t he paint for a spin and slam or at t he cup for an easy lob. Once Zubac has been established as a roll t hreat w it h Harden, opposing defenses start creeping towards t he paint and hedging screens, opening up sk ip passes to t he corner for open t hreepoint shooters. Though Harden has lost some burst on his f irst step driv ing to t he basket, his immense streng t h a llows him to barrel dow nhill t hrough t he lane, bounce off defenders and f inish w it h f inesse on a slick f inger roll.

Of his 10.6 drives per game, Harden passes out

of ha lf of t hem, his highest percentage dating back to at least t he 2013-14 season. The Beard has bought in on coach Ty Lue’s philosophy of indiv idua l sacrif ice, completing his transformation from a Jordan-esque scorer to a pass-f irst g uard responsible for organizing his team and attracting help on drives to generate open t hree-pointers.

Harden’s great size and streng t h a lso helps him as a passer from t he elbow, much like Nikola Jok ić or Domantas Sabonis, stif ling opposing defenses w it h anot her offensive w rink le.

W hile operating from t he elbow, Harden can more easily hit cutters like Paul George, who excels in an off-ba ll role.

George frequent ly runs from one side of t he court to anot her on an Iverson cut before transitioning into a backdoor cut.

Harden whips t he ba ll to George under t he basket for an easy lay up. W hen t he Clippers run t he same play later in t he game, t he defense sw itches to cover George on t he backdoor, so he pops back out to hit a t hree at t he top of t he key.

Harden’s 20.4% usage rate is t he lowest since his sophomore season in Ok la homa Cit y. Similar to his years w it h t he Thunder, Harden’s eff iciency has sk y rocketed, posting t he second-highest true shooting percentage (63.9%) of his career and putting him on pace to shoot above 40% from t hree for t he f irst time ever.

This increase in Harden’s offensive eff iciency has helped ease t he play ma k ing work load for George and a llowed him to t hrive as a shooter off t he catch, w it h a career-high 58.4% of his see NBA PAGE 11

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CROSSWORD | WILL SHORTZ

9

HOROSCOPE | EUGENIA LAST Happy Birthday: Make reductions this year. Less consumerism, temptation, consumption and debt will ease stress and help you return to what’s meaningful.

Consider how simplicity can work in your favor. Jump at the chance to spend more time with loved ones, help those less fortunate and deal with concerns that give you a sense of pride and motivate you to make a difference. Choose to give more and use less. Your numbers are 7, 12, 24, 27, 36, 42, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Spend more time creating and putting everything in its place and less time trying to convince others to support your goal. You’ll have a more significant impact on your future if you move forward alone and prove you can call the shots and finish what you start.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Think before you act. Put a plan in place first if you want to be successful. Opportunity is available, and working for yourself is necessary, so choose to change whatever’s essential to clear the path to victory. Celebrate with those you love and trust.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Talk to experts, learn all you can and consider what’s valid and fits your plans. Have the confidence to follow through with your plans. Refuse to let anyone put you down or make you feel inadequate. Don’t let someone take over; run the show.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Dive in and show everyone what you can offer. Mingle, share thoughts and make plans with people who have something to contribute to reaching your goal. A change of plans will encourage an opportunity to learn, excel and share something magical with someone special.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Implementing too much too fast will slow you down.

Concentrate on one thing at a time, and you’ll put a dent in your to-do list. A partnership that offers excitement and temptation will weigh you down and lead to regret. Learn to say no.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Live and learn. Step into the mainstream and discover what’s available to help you advance. Network, share your thoughts and be ready to act. The changes you make will serve you well. A change of scenery will open your eyes to new beginnings.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Stay focused on your responsibilities. Refuse to let outside influences take over or manipulate your time and skills to serve their purposes.

Protect what you’ve worked hard to achieve, and offer alternative solutions but not your time.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Set the record straight, say what’s on your mind and move forward with gratitude and determination. Step outside your comfort zone if it will help you get the results you need to prove your point and get things done. Show leadership qualities and forge ahead.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Rely on those who have never let you down. Question anything that might jeopardize your position or reputation. Poor behavior will change how others perceive you. Be a straight shooter, put truth and loyalty first, and live up to your promises.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Pay attention to detail; your work will far exceed any competition you encounter. Don’t brag about your accomplishments; if you proceed with confidence and determination, you’ll gain the respect and opportunity you deserve. Personal growth, physical improvement and romance are in your best interest.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take a moment to rethink what makes you happy and brings peace of mind. Fine-tune your life; a simple adjustment can make a difference. Expand your options to include laughter, learning and love, and you will enjoy and be grateful for what you create.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Don’t limit your achievements. Be innovative and use your skills uniquely, and you’ll attract the people and opportunities that enable you to turn your goal into something tangible. Love and romance are in the stars, and putting your best foot forward will bring happiness.

Birthday Baby: You are optimistic, demonstrative and changeable. You are thoughtful and proactive.

SUDOKU | THE MEPHAM GROUP

JUMBLE | DAVID HOYT AND JEFF KNUREK

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SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM

ND MEN’S BASKETBALL

HCC BASKETBALL

Cavaliers get redemption Saints split with against Irish Indiana Northwest

By HENRY LYTLE Sports Writer

Following a close loss to Boston College loss at home, Notre Dame men’s basketball went on the road for the first time in more than two weeks and was defeated by Virginia 65-53.

The Irish earned their biggest win of the season against Virginia just over a month ago, defending home court 76-54. This time, however, the Cavaliers never trailed and controlled the pace of the game. Markus Burton had 17 points on 58% shooting, and Braeden Shrewsberry added 16 points off the bench with four made threes, but it was not enough as the Cavaliers battled to earn their seventh ACC win of the year. Notre Dame falls to 2-8 in ACC play and 7-14 overall. Virginia started things off with an Isaac McKneely 3-pointer, the first bucket of an 11-point night for the sophomore.

The Cavaliers amassed a quick 11-5 lead, aided by a 3-pointer from Jacob Groves. The Irish would go on to cut their deficit to three after a Julian Roper II jumper with eight minutes left in the first half, but that would be as close as the score came on the night.

Notre Dame has struggled immensely when falling behind in the first half

this season and this night was no different. The offensive struggles continued as the Irish only added eight more points in the first half and fell behind 3823. Following the halftime break this year, Notre Dame has consistently made scoring adjustments and gotten themselves back into the game. The Irish began the second half on a 17-10 run, eventually bringing the score 48-40 off of a Logan Imes 3-pointer with 10:28 remaining.

However, Virginia never took their foot off the gas and outscored the Irish 1713 to close the game and win 65-53. Led by senior guard Reece Beekman with 21 points, the Cavaliers dominated from the 3-point line. Groves added six made 3-pointers off the bench and Virginia looked in complete control.

The biggest story tonight was the Cavaliers shooting. W hile the Notre Dame defense has defended the three well, Virginia shot 13-25 from beyond the arc.

W hile the Irish held the Cavaliers to 54 total points on 18% shooting from three point range in the last matchup, this game was a completely different story.

W hile the Irish shot an impressive 9-18 from three, they also turned the ball over 18 times. Over their now-five last consecutive

losses Notre Dame are averaging 14.8 turnovers and losing the turnover battle by an average of 5.2 each game.

With point guard Markus Burton leading the ACC in usage rate, the freshman guard has struggled to cope with the majority of the Irish ball handling this year. Looking to minimize giving turnovers, head coach Micah Shrewsberry will have to figure out how to spread out the ball handling duties. Considering the Irish only have two conference wins and trailed at the end of the first half facing MA AC foes Marist and Niagara, they’ll need to figure out ways to minimize the scoring woes in the first half. One bright spot for the Irish has been freshman shooting guard Braeden Shrewsberry who is averaging nearly 14 points on 47% shooting over the last 7 games. Shrewsberry has been the only real scoring threat from deep since Notre Dame’s overtime victory against Georgia Tech on January 9.

The Irish have gone 1-7 in January and will look to fare better in February.

Notre Dame is set to play their next game at Pitt on Saturday, Feb. 3.

Contact Henry Lytle at hlytle @nd.edu

By ANDREW McGUINNESS Sports Writer

Holy Cross basketball returned to the hardwood Wednesday with both the men’s and women’s teams hosting Indiana Northwest. The women’s team earned its second straight victory, winning 84-60. The score of the men’s game was similar. But this time, the Saints found themselves on the wrong end of the ledger, falling 83-65.

The third quarter was when the women’s squad truly separated themselves from the RedHawks. Already with a solid 10-point lead coming out of halftime, the Saints put up 29 points in the third frame, more than doubling their lead during those 10 minutes. Junior forward Grace Adams put up half of her 24 points in that quarter alone, while freshman guard Lilly Toppen sunk more than half of Holy Cross’ nine 3-pointers on the night herself.

Adams also pulled in a gamehigh 15 rebounds for her tenth double-double of the season.

The RedHawks shot just 32.8% from the field, including an ugly 3-17 mark from beyond the arc. The Saints were the better team in numerous areas, from ball movement (208 edge in assists) to protecting the paint (51-41 advantage in rebounds and 8 more points in the paint). The team’s postseason outlook improved as a result of the win. The Saints are sixth in the CCAC and just

2 games back of Saint Xavier for home court advantage in the first round. They are three games ahead of St. Francis for a spot in the conference tournament.

However, one game after scoring 94 points in a lastsecond thrilling win over St. Ambrose, the men’s squad’s offense regressed Wednesday night. The first half was very competitive, with neither team leading by more than 7 points and the RedHawks taking a small 4-point lead into the locker room. But a 9-0 run from the 5:20 to 8:02 mark in the second half gave Indiana Northwest some breathing room. After shooting a strong 50% from the field in the opening 20 minutes, the RedHawks shot a blistering 65.5% in the second half, going 60% from deep. Holy Cross matched pace in the first half before shooting below 40% in the final 20 minutes.

The loss puts Holy Cross behind the eight-ball in a fourteam race for the No. 8 seed in the men’s CCAC tournament.

Governors State currently holds the No. 8 seed with a 4-8 record in conference play. Giving chase behind are Calumet, St. Francis and Holy Cross, who are all within a game and a half.

Both teams will take their home court again as Calumet comes to town on Saturday. The women’s game starts a 1 p.m. and the men follow at 3 p.m.

Contact Andrew McGuinness at amcguinn@nd.edu

ND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Irish cruise past Yellow Jackets, return home looking to stay hot against Pitt

By J.J. POST Associate Sports Editor

Notre Dame women’s basketball powered past Georgia Tech on Thursday night, controlling the contest w ire-to-w ire in an 85-48 v ictor y.

For a brief stretch of time in the first quarter, the teams traded baskets in a back-and-forth affair.

With 6:22 remaining in the opening frame, the game was knotted at a 9-9 scoreline. But then the Irish hit the accelerator.

A Kylee Watson lay up sparked a 26-0 run for Notre Dame, a dominant stretch that spanned across both the first and second quarter.

The Yellow Jackets were held w ithout a point for over ten

continuous minutes of game action as the Irish asserted their w ill on both sides of the ball.

Watson had perhaps her best game of the season, notching 19 points to go w ith 9 rebounds. The senior for ward was held scoreless in Notre Dame’s big w in over UConn last Saturday, and the Irish seemed to make it a point to get her the ball early on in Atlanta.

Eight of her points came off assists from Hannah Hidalgo, who added another chapter to a phenomenal freshman campaign. Hidalgo poured in a in a new careerhigh 35 points, surpassing the mark set in her last outing against UConn. She also added 6 steals to her ACCleading total, continuing a

pace that has her on track to break the Notre Dame record for thefts in a single season.

The Irish w ill ride the w in into a home matchup w ith a Pitt team that has struggled mightily this season, despite giv ing Notre Dame a serious scare in early Januar y. The Panthers have just one w in in ACC play this season and have lost seven of their nine conference games by double-digit margins.

A theoretically comfortable w in over Pitt at Purcell Pav illion would set the Irish up nicely for what w ill likely be their toughest stretch of the season. After the Panthers, Notre Dame w ill play three games against teams in the top half of the see WBB PAGE 11

INDIA DOERR | The Observer

Irish freshman guard Hannah Hidalgo dribbles the ball on Jan. 25 against Syracuse. She scored 35 points Thursday against Georgia Tech.

SPORTS

Konieczny CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

It would have been difficult to fault Konieczny for considering transferring during any point in that time period.

But he never had any intention of leav ing his hometow n. Any possible doubts he had were immediately assuaged upon meeting new Irish head coach Micah Shrewsberr y for the first time.

“Loyalt y’s kind of been a big thing for me... I talked to my family, talked to my friends, a lot of them said they would support me w ith whatever I chose to do. I just love it here, honestly,” Konieczny said about his decision to return to Notre Dame. “Coach Shrewsberr y, he came in and he said, ‘We don’t want guys that are one foot in, one foot out. We want guys that are fully locked in w ith the program.’ That’s when I knew I wanted to stay.”

With a new era of Irish basketball set to begin, Konieczny’s time off the f loor brought him into the season more motivated than ever.

“I’ve just kind of redefined my whole thinking when it comes to basketball,” Konieczny said. “I just want to be out there on the court, I want to be play ing again, so I have a new hunger for the game. I have a new love for the game, new respect for the game.”

However, his wait to become a major contributor for the Irish continued at the start of his junior season. Konieczny played only 20 combined minutes in Notre Dame’s first t wo

NBA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

made f ield goa ls coming off assists. Though his drives are dow n, he a lso projects to shoot a career-high 41.2% from t hree on 8.3 attempts per game. George’s spacing and Harden’s playma k ing have a lso benef itted Kawhi Leonard, who is shooting 52.6% from t he f ield, t he highest clip of his career.

Wit h Leonard only missing four games and George missing t hree since Harden joined t he team on Nov. 6, t he unprecedented hea lt h of t his Clippers team has a llowed for strong continuit y to form. In t he 667 minutes Harden, Leonard and George have shared on t he hardwood, t hey have a plus-17.2 net rating, good for t he best point differentia l among t he 105 t hreeman combinations to log at least 500 minutes.

Harden’s role as t he

NDSMCOBSERVER.COM | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024 | THE OBSERVER

games and scored just 4 total points.

Ironically, it was during the Irish’s largest defeat of the season to date that Konieczny established himself as a player that Notre Dame needed on the court. In an 83-59 loss to Auburn at the Legends Classic in Brook ly n, he set huge career highs w ith 18 points and 11 rebounds in 29 minutes of action. The next day, he recorded another double-double while sinking a pair of crucial free throws to lead Notre Dame to an overtime v ictor y over Ok lahoma State.

He also earned his first career start, a spot he has yet to relinquish in the 17 games since.

As the Irish’s non-conference slate rolled on, Konieczny began to cement himself as an offensive centerpiece. That led to Notre Dame’s home matchup against Virginia on Dec. 30.

The game was dubbed “574 Day” (the northern Indiana area code) to celebrate South Bend, and it only made sense for Konieczny to dominate in front of a raucous hometow n crowd.

He did just that, drilling three consecutive 3-pointers in the first three minutes of the game to put the Irish ahead 9-0 en route to stunning the heav ily favored Cavaliers 76-54. Konieczny finished the day w ith 17 points and 8 rebounds while connecting on 6 of his 8 shot attempts.

“Honestly, I’m kind of [at a] loss for words right now, just being out there, the atmosphere was amazing. I had a smile on my face through half the game, I couldn’t get the smile off my face just seeing the fans there and all that stuff. It just makes

steady ing ba llast of t he ship lies in his abilit y to lead t he team as its onba ll play ma ker who excels in quick ly reading t he defense to ma ke ma king t he pass to f ind t he open man. His addition to t he Clippers prevents t hem from over-rely ing on George and Leonard, a llow ing t hem to stay fresh and hea lt hy for a dominant playoff run. For t he f irst time since t he NBA shut dow n due to t he pandemic, t he Los A ngeles Clippers are ta k ing t heir opponents seriously during t he reg ular season, ferociously competing night in and night out for t he top seed in t he West to prove t hey deser ve to be tit le favorites.

Contact John Baile y at jbaile y9 @ nd.edu T he views expressed in this Sports Authorit y are those of the author and not necessarily those of T he Observer.

me happy,” he said after the game. “That’s the biggest thing for us, we want to put on a show for the people here in South Bend, so that’s what we’re going to tr y to do ever y single night.”

Shrewsberr y has been quick to praise Konieczny, in part because of the versatilit y he prov ides for the Irish on the f loor as the team’s second-leading scorer, rebounder and 3-point shooter. But just as important is the positive energ y that he brings, especially critical for a young group that has struggled to w in consistently this season. After t wo years of no game action, Konieczny is hav ing more fun play ing basketball than ever and taking nothing for granted.

“The one thing about J.R. — and our staff w ill talk about it all the time — he just brings a joy ever y single day.

He loves play ing basketball and he’s hav ing fun doing it. And when you see that, it just takes you back sometimes to, ‘W hy are we playing? ’ And we play because we love it,” Shrewsberr y said on the Wake Up the Echoes show. “We love coaching guys that have that joy and he brings that joy on a daily basis.”

For Konieczny, that love for the game is what drives his insatiable w ill to get better each and ever y day.

“It just gives me the sense of being free, and I can go out there and kind of do what I want to do,” he said about basketball. “It’s kind of like an art form, really, you get to go out there and perfect your craft ever y single day.

And you really have to love the work to love basketball, I think. So I love going out there, practicing ever y day, tr y ing to become the best

WBB CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

ACC in a seven-day stretch, two of which w ill be on the road. The three-game sw ing w ill start w ith a trip to Louisv ille, currently first in the ACC standings and No. 16 nationally, and end w ith a home contest against NC State, third in the conference but No. 5 in national polls.

Notre Dame’s weekend w in on the road over UConn has instilled a renewed energ y around the program,

11

version of myself that I can be.”

And the Irish have needed that best version, as Konieczny has made the rapid leap from redshirting last w inter to shouldering a significant load on both ends of the court this season.

“It’s been different this year than the past t wo years, that’s for sure. I’ve definitely been hav ing a lot more fun, finally being out there and play ing. It definitely took me a few games to get comfortable play ing at the college level, and the pace of the game is so much different,” Konieczny said. “Coach Shrews and all the other coaches, they’ve been doing a great job getting me more comfortable in my role and play ing freely and loosely out there … And that intensit y [at practice] — we know that it’s all love at the end of the day. They just want us to get better and they want us to trust and believe in the process.”

An Indiana native himself, Shrewsberr y understands what it means to have local players like Konieczny and freshman guard Markus Burton (who grew up in nearby Mishawaka) suit up for the Irish.

“I think it’s special for [Konieczny and Burton] to be young kids and see it and watch it and really kind of dream about what it would be like, and now to be a part of it, see all of your hard work coming to fruition.

There’s just an energ y and a v ibe that the people of South Bend — they love their ow n,” Shrewsberr y said. “They’ve seen these guys, watched them throughout their careers, and now they get more years of getting to cheer for them right here.”

That’s why it’s easy to

hear the roar that rises up from the crowd at Purcell Pav ilion when Konieczny is announced in the starting lineup for the Irish. It’s a moment that’s not lost on Konieczny, who waited more than four years after committing to Notre Dame to finally hear his name called as part of the starting five.

“Yeah, I do,” Konieczny said when asked whether he gets chills ever y time he hears ‘the junior guard from South Bend’ blasting over the Purcell Pav ilion loudspeakers prior to tipoff.

“Definitely. Definitely.”

This season — and certainly the current fivegame losing streak — has brought challenges for Notre Dame. But Konieczny, the Irish’s hometow n hero, is not taking a single second of his time w ith the Irish for granted. He’s ready to continue working hard and has full confidence in his team’s abilit y to turn these losses into w ins, sooner rather than later.

After t wo years of uncertaint y about whether it would ever be the case, Konieczny is at the forefront for Notre Dame and w ill be a leader for the program for the foreseeable future as it looks to return to the top of the ACC. It took a long wait, but J.R. Konieczny has arrived.

And he and the Irish are just getting started.

“I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Konieczny said about play ing for Notre Dame. “I’m really blessed and fortunate to be so close [to home] and have this opportunit y.

I’m just grateful.”

prov iding credibility to the idea that this Irish team can take dow n the countr y’s best squads. Entering the game, Notre Dame was 0-4 on the season against teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25.

But first, the Irish w ill need to dispatch a Pitt team that took them to the w ire in their first meeting.

The Panthers led that game heading into the fourth quarter.

Notre Dame eventually pulled away late for a 5-point w in. But the smaller margin of v ictor y no doubt

w ill instill a boost of confidence in the Panthers as they look to f lip the script on their season in South Bend.

The Irish are back in action on Sunday at Purcell Pav illion against the Pittsburgh Panthers. The game is slated for a 2 p.m. tip and w ill be broadcast on the ACC Network.

Contact Matthew Crow at mcrow@nd.edu

Senior Sports Writer Jake Miller contributed to this article.

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

WRITE SPORTS. Email Andrew McGuinness at amcguinn@nd.edu

12

THE OBSERVER | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM

ND MEN’S BASKETBALL

‘He loves playing basketball’: The time is now for breakout Irish star J.R. Konieczny

By MATTHEW CROW Associate Sports Editor

ROMINA LLANOS | The Observer

Irish junior guard J.R. Konieczny takes a jumper during Notre Dame’s 73-61 loss to Miami on Jan. 24 at Purcell Pavilion. Konieczny played in just seven games as an underclassmen before his breakout this year.

W hen junior guard J.R. Konieczny committed to play basketball at Notre Dame in August 2019, it was the fulfillment of a lifelong goal. The South Bend native starred at local St. Joseph High School and dreamed of one day donning the Irish’s blue and gold.

Less than t wo years later, that dream became a realit y when Konieczny arrived on campus for preseason practice the summer prior to his freshman year.

But while his path up to that point sounds like a stor ybook, the next t wo years quick ly turned into a series of challenging t w ists and turns.

As a true freshman, Konieczny — a four-star recruit according to ESPN — played sparingly, averaging just over three minutes of game time in seven

appearances. The following year, Notre Dame opted to redshirt him, and longtime Irish head coach Mike Brey announced midseason that he would be stepping dow n at the end of the year.

For someone whose life revolves around basketball, sitting out for t wo years was an extremely difficult experience. But Konieczny’s strong support system helped him stay grounded throughout the process.

“It’s ver y difficult, I just had to get over the fact that there’s more to life than just basketball itself,” Konieczny said prior to this season about being kept on the sideline. “And I have my family, I have my friends, I have the coaches here … They’ve been by my side this whole time, so I’m just really grateful for them.” see KONIECZNY PAGE 11

HOCKEY

Irish return to the ice with crucial weekend series against Michigan State

By TYLER REIDY Associate Sports Editor

In recent years, Notre Dame hockey has developed a knack for performing well after extended periods of rest. Excluding season openers, the Irish are 14-4-3 in regular season games follow ing 10 or more days of rest since 2016-17.

That’s the situation Jeff Jackson’s team faces at home this weekend against No. 8 Michigan State. Since dropping six consecutive conference games, the Irish (13-11-2, 7-7-2 Big Ten) have won three straight, including a sweep of Penn State t wo weeks ago. And during the first part of Notre Dame’s recent bye week, that momentum only proliferated.

“We kinda treated it as an in-season training camp,” Jackson said. “We tried to make sure we got our conditioning up, our competitiveness stayed at a high level

and this week was about getting into a little bit more preparation for Michigan State.”

But as hockey fans, even when you do ever ything right, the results don’t always follow. Fift y shots on goal might hand you a loss to a hot goaltender. Perfect defensive positioning could redirect a puck into your ow n net.

For the Irish, a solid week of training has given way to a f lu bug for a handful of players.

“That last week I thought we had a fair amount accomplished,” Jackson said. “But it’s been kinda set on its backside here, and for us, it’s just gonna be probably a matter of who’s healthy come Friday night.”

W hoever does suit up w ill face the challenge of Michigan State.

The Spartans (17-6-3, 11-3-2 Big Ten) lead the see HOCKEY PAGE 8

GRAY NOCJAR | The Observer

Notre Dame celebrates a goal during their 6-3 win over Penn State at Compton Family Ice Arena on Jan. 19. The Irish are fourth in the Big Ten standings as they host the conference’s top dog in Michigan State.