Print Edition for The Observer for Friday, September 1, 2023

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CHRISTINA SAYUT | The Observer

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INSidER

The observer | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 | ndsmcobserver.com

PREDICTIONS

Observer sports staff predicts Notre Dame vs. Tennessee State

By Observer Sports Staff

Jos é S á nchez Córdova, Assistant Managing Editor This game w ill be more interesting in the buildup and aftermath than it w ill be on the field. It’s a historic matchup and I’m glad Notre Dame are using their inf luence and the brand to give a big stage to a great HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) in Tennessee State. But in sports terms, this won’t be close. Notre Dame w ill continue their stellar form from Dublin and take control early and keep TSU off the board all game. This w ill be a comfortable w in for Notre Dame who w ill banish the ghosts of Marshall from the home opener a year ago.

Notre Dame 52, Tennessee State 0.

J.J. Post, Associate Sports Editor Notre Dame couldn’t have offered much of a better debut last week against Nav y.

The offense was clinically efficient. The defense didn’t

waver against the triple option. Notre Dame had the game well in hand by halftime and still kept pushing in the second half.

They’ll get a chance for an even better encore against an outmatched Tennessee State squad this Saturday.

The atmosphere for the 2023 home opener at Notre Dame Stadium after last week’s hope-inspiring performance should be buzzing. A ll the ingredients are there for the Irish to continue their smooth sailing, which is exactly what I expect they’ll do. Graduate student quarterback Sam Hartman gets in rhy thm early, tossing a couple of early scores, including at least one deep shot to sophomore w ide receiver Tobias Merriweather.

The Irish rushing attack stays in committee form and continues to thrive, w ith all five scholarship backs notching carries. Multiple w ill exceed 100 yards.

Sophomore quarterback Steve Angeli and the second unit enters the game late in the third quarter and mops up a comfortable w in. At

football column

some point during the day’s festiv ities, Tennessee State’s Grammy-w inning band steals the show, at least for a few minutes. Notre Dame 48, Tennessee State 6.

Madeline Ladd, Associate Sports Editor Notre Dame’s dominant w in over Nav y last weekend demonstrated their offensive strength as well as a strong defensive effort and team chemistr y. Hartman lived up to expectations as his veteran experience and game intelligence shined on the field, going 19-23 for 251 yards and four touchdow ns, t y ing a Notre Dame record for touchdow ns by a debuting quarterback. This week, the Irish take on the Tennessee State Tigers for the home opener. It w ill be a historic matchup, as Notre Dame w ill face an FCS opponent, as well as an HBCU, for the first time ever.

In terms of the game, I predict this w ill be an easy w in for the Irish. Though Tennessee State is likely to be better than their prev ious season’s 4-7 record, the

Tigers still w ill not hold their ow n against the Notre Dame squad. I think Hartman w ill continue to demonstrate his prowess in his pocket, leading the offense and a budding w ide receiver room to make some impressive plays.

The defense w ill have a chance to show off and completely shut dow n the Tiger offense and even score a touchdow n of their ow n. Head coach Marcus Freeman’s crew w ill control the Tigers throughout the entire game to bring the score. Bring on the touchdow n push-ups and more time for the backups. Notre Dame 59, Tennessee State, 3.

Matthew Crow, Associate Sports Editor Notre Dame’s performance last weekend was about as good as you could ask for, and I don’t expect much to change. After Hartman’s strong Irish debut, offensive coordinator Gerad Parker may dial up a few more deep shots and give him the chance to pick apart the Tigers’ secondar y.

Like Nav y, Tennessee State

leans heav ily on its rushing attack, though Notre Dame should hold the Tigers under 200 total yards. In their home opener, the Irish w ill break 60 points for the first time since 2019 and w ill shut an opponent out for the fifth straight season. Notre Dame 63, Tennessee State 0.

Tom Zwiller, Sports Writer

Senior

Notre Dame was humming last weekend against Nav y, and I expect that trend to continue this week. I also think it is entirely w ithin Notre Dame’s abilit y to pitch a shutout or at least keep a clean sheet for most of the game, much like they did against Nav y. In other words, don’t expect a repeat of Marshall. Freeman should w in his second home opener comfortably.

And as this game should be a blowout, I w ill be curious to see when Freeman puts in Angeli into the game. He got little action against Nav y, so it w ill be nice to see what Notre Dame really has in its backup quarterback. Notre Dame 56, Tennessee State 0

Kiser feature

McGuinness: Irish Kiser looks to elevate Irish linebackers to new heights make history

By ANDREW McGUINNESS Sports Editor

Notre Dame football games have been more than just football games for decades. The Irish have millions of fans across all 50 states and, as everyone was reminded of last weekend, the world. They have won the fourth-most championships of any team in the sport (and rank second if you exclude schools who haven’t won at least one title since 1930). They have a record seven Heisman Trophy winners. From mind-boggling statistics to iconic moments to countless gameday events, few schools can rival the pageantry of a fall Saturday in South Bend.

Of course, Notre Dame’s history goes well beyond the gridiron. The Irish are the only college football team to have played in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, the three biggest cities in the U.S., in the same season. The Irish just returned from playing in Ireland for the third time. Heck, the Irish have even played in Japan, which isn’t exactly a traditional football market.

And this global endeavor goes beyond football. The baseball team played in Wrigley Field last spring. Women’s basketball will take on South Carolina in Paris this fall. The golf team will head to Scotland to play the historic Old Course at St. Andrew’s the same weekend as the Ohio State game. Ted Lasso may have spent his college football coaching days at Wichita State (which doesn’t actually have a football team), but he’d probably like Notre Dame as well, because the Irish are so much more than the wins and losses.

On the football side, a lot of this is a product, at least partially, of Notre Dame’s independence. That, of course, is not a new talking point. Neither is college football realignment. That’s been happening since before the Irish won their first championship. But it’s clear that college football is in the midst of one of its most turbulent periods.

Between the transfer portal and name, image and likeness (NIL) policy, player empowerment has never been higher. The see HISTORY PAGE 13

By JOSE SANCHEZ CORDOVA Assistant Managing Editor

Notre Dame’s 2023 season got off to a flying start with a dominant 42-3 win over Navy in Dublin. Graduate student quarterback Sam Hartman and the offense earned most of the headlines with a nearly flawless performance. While the defense didn’t draw the lion’s share of the attention afterwards, they were just as dominant.

An Irish group with several question marks and newcomers, particularly at the defensive line and secondary, pitched a de facto shutout. The Midshipmen managed a mere pity field goal in the waning moments of the fourth quarter when there was no longer any doubt in the outcome.

There were several standouts for the Irish in Dublin, as one would expect. As usual, graduate student linebacker Jack Kiser was in the middle of the action all game. The fifthyear Royal Center, Indiana, native led the Irish with eight tackles and a QB hit. He also

nearly recovered a fumble forced by fellow graduate student linebacker Marist Liufau, but his foot was just barely out of bounds.

“It’s one of those things you learn from,” Kiser said about the near recovery.

“Hindsight is 20/20, but looking back on film there’s a lot of Notre Dame football players around, so maybe next time I bat that in and let someone else get that ball.”

It’s a sentiment symbolic of the trust Kiser and this Irish defense have in each other.

The linebacker corps returns all three starters and brings over 100 combined games of college experience. Though the secondary also returns three starters and features a preseason All-American, linebacker is the defense’s most important position group. They are already the heart of the defense, but that effect applies to the Irish to an even greater degree. It’s an experienced and talented group that put it all together in Dublin to quiet Navy’s unorthodox triple option.

“The communication on defense was great,” Kiser said. “Any time you get everybody on the same page you’re going to be able to play fast and be able to play at a high level. I think we did that on Saturday.”

That leadership is important both on and off the field. The Irish flew back to South Bend on Sunday with their sights firmly set on the Tennessee State Tigers who come to town as the first FCS opponent the Irish have ever played. Notre Dame’s veteran leadership has no plans to replicate last year’s week 2 buy-game upset against Marshall. The team is looking forward to hosting an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), Kiser said.

“It’s a big deal. Notre Dame has never played a team like [Tennessee State],” Kiser said. “We’re really excited to get them to Notre Dame Stadium.”

Even in the midst of the historic matchup, defensive see KISER PAGE 3

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Volume 58, Issue 5 | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 | ndsmcobserver.com

University publishes AI policy Office of Academic Standards warns against academic dishonesty with AI

By NOL A N HINES News Wr iter

Notre Dame’s Of f ice of Academic Standards issued a rev ised policy on generative artif icia l intelligence (AI) t his Friday to conclude t he academic year’s f irst week of classes.

The policy warned against using AI models in a manner t hat might interfere w it h t he Universit y’s academic mission and included a clarif ication on what sort of AI usage might qua lif y as a v iolation of t he Honor Code. However, A rdea Russo, t he of f ice’s director, said she w ished to ma ke clear t he Universit y was not “anti-technolog y.”

“There are some rea lly incredible t hings t hat

ChatGPT, a long w it h a ll generative AI, can do to enhance student learning, and I t hink we should embrace t hat,” Russo said. “I t hink t hat it would be a mista ke for t he Universit y to say t hat no one can touch it, or t hat we can’t use it. That’s unrea listic.”

Russo, a long w it h a group of peers t hat studied t he current capacit y of generative AI models at leng t h, out lined in t heir policy how AI might be used to augment rat her t han detract from students’ learning experiences. The policy offered severa l examples of ways students could use generative AI as a resource rat her see AI PAGE 3

ND plans to compete in AAU Observer Staff Report

CHRISTINA SAYUT | The Observer

During the first week of classes, the University’s Office of Academic Standards on generative artificial intelligence.

Not re Da me publ ished its st rateg ic f ra mework for t he nex t ten yea rs Wed nesday, h ig h l ig ht i ng t he major goa ls a nd cha l lenges faci ng t he Un iversit y. T he f ra mework or ients t he Un iversit y a s a n i nst it ut ion com m it ted to bot h its Cat hol ic ident it y a nd a h ig h sta nda rd of academ ic resea rch a s a member of see AAU PAGE 4

Blue moons may St. Joseph Beach opens be more common after pandemic shutdown

By MACY VANCE News Writer

Courtesy of Valeria Bautista Misakova

Photo taken at 10 p.m. at the Notre Dame Observatory while observing the moon under a 32 mm telescope Wednesday night.

By KELSEY QUINT New Writer Editor

Court Last night was t he f irst time t he sk y saw a blue moon since 2021, w it h a second occurrence happening tonight, Aug ust 31. But, what exact ly is a blue moon?

Contrar y to t he name, a blue moon is no dif ferent in color t han any ot her night – it is not blue at a ll.

Va leria Bautista Misa kova,

NEWS PAGE 5

a sophomore study ing physics, explains blue moons are not as uncommon and rare as one may t hink.

“A blue moon just means t hat you have a f ull moon t w ice a mont h,” Bautista Misa kova said. “The second f ull moon of t hat mont h is ca lled t he ‘blue moon’. But what is rare is t hat it’s a super blue moon, meaning see BLUE MOON PAGE 4

viewpoint PAGE 6

St. Joseph Beach is open t his fa ll for t he f irst t ime since t he COVID-19 shutdow n. Hav ing just opened its doors last week, t he beach is f u lly stocked w it h sta f f, sa nd a nd sun for t he t ri-ca mpus communit y to enjoy.

During t he t hree yea rs of of f-t ime, RecSpor ts gave t his space a ma keover.

“We took t hat oppor tunit y to do basica lly a f u ll upg rade a nd restorat ion of t he beach as well as t he dock,” sa id Drew Loso, t he assista nt director of Facilit ies Ma nagement a nd Operat ions of RecSpor ts.

The orig ina l dock was a wooden st r ucture attached to t he shoreline, but t he new dock f loats in t he water a nd st retches out fa r beyond where t he orig ina l ever did. This new a menit y is t he f irst stage of a series of added perks t hat RecSpor ts is cont inuing to

Scene PAGE 9

unvei l.

The RecSpor ts tea m collaborated w it h Faci lit ies Desig n a nd Operat ion, as well as a la ndscaping compa ny to ca rr y out t heir v ision of beach restorat ion.

The beach is now open for as long as weat her permits. Veronica Ba l linger, t he assista nt director of Communicat ion a nd Engagement for RecSpor ts sa id t hat sa fet y is of t he utmost impor ta nce for a l l t he beachgoers a nd workers.

“Sa fet y, for us, is t he number one priorit y. We wa nt people who a re not on ly recreat ing dow n t here to be sa fe, but a lso t he fol ks we t r ust a round t he space to be sa fe,” Ba l linger sa id.

RecSpor ts monitors precipitat ion a nd rea l feel temperature ever y day to determine whet her t he beach is sa fe for a l l users a nd workers on t hat day.

The ba nner at t he top of t he RecSpor ts website w i l l stay updated on whet her a ny of t he faci lit ies a re shut dow n

for t he day.

Once w inter weat her hits Sout h Bend, t he beach w i l l shut dow n for t he season but w i l l reopen in t he spring.

“It won’t be before spring brea k a nd t hen it w i l l just depend on when [t he weat her] brea ks,” which va ries yea r to yea r, Loso sa id.

St. Joseph Beach is a f ree a menit y for a l l Not re Da me, Sa int Ma r y’s a nd Holy Cross students, facu lt y, sta f f a nd t heir fa milies. On t he weekends f rom noon to 7 p.m., fa mi ly hours a l low f ree admitta nce to St. Joseph Beach when accompa nied by a current member of t he t rica mpus communit y w it h a va lid Irish1Ca rd. Chi ldren a re a lso welcome on t he ca mpus beach during fa mi ly hours.

A l l people who w ish to sw im at t he beach must sig n t he faci lit ies

GOLF PAGE 15

Cross country PAGE 16

see BEACH PAGE 3

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Sofia CrimiVaroli | The Observer

Pasquerilla West hosted its annual signature event, Snowcones and Slides, on South Quad on Thursday. Students enjoyed the festivities, including inflatable water slides and the popular Kona Ice truck. The festivites went all afternoon from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The next Five days:

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Friday

Saturday

Tom Mendoza Series Jordan Auditorium Noon - 1 p.m.

“Leadership, Culture and the Power of Diversity.”

ND Football vs.

Tennessee State ND Stadium 3:30 p.m.

First home game of the season.

Farmers Market Corner of Madeleva Dr and Taylor Dr 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Vegetables and flowers available.

Victory March Library Quad 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

March from Basillica to Stadium with the team.

Sunday

“The Princess Bride” (1987) Browning Cinema 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Purchase tickets online.

Into Life: Video Series LaFortune Gold Room 3:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Discussion led by Director of Spirituality.

Monday

Tuesday

Daily Mass Basilica of the Sacred Heart 11:30 a.m.

All are welcome to attend.

President’s Faculty Address Leighton Concert Hall 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

“A Roundtable on the Strategic Framework.”

AAHD Exhibition 214 Riley Hall 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

“The Sound of Found Objects” by Neill Prewitt.

ND Men’s Soccer vs.

Detroit Mercy Alumni Stadium 7 p.m.

Home men’s soccer game.

News

Beach Continued from page 1

access wa iver t hat covers a ll RecSpor ts act iv it ies for t he yea r. For ent r y on t he beach, t he lifeg ua rds need to see bot h a va lid ca mpus ID a nd a sig ned dig ita l wa iver, but t he wa iver ca n be sig ned at t he beach.

Loso sa id he has seen a n improvement in t he qua lit y of t he beach ex perience for t he students a nd sta f f.

“The fol ks t hat a re coming a re not on ly enjoy ing it more, but a lso stay ing longer,” he sa id.

Some ha l ls a nd orga ni zat ions have used t he beach for yea rs, a nd Loso sa id he ex pects t hem a l l to return to t heir la ke t radit ions.

One club t hat ut ili zes t he beach is t he sa i ling club, where t hey pract ice Monday to Thursday. They sha re t he space w it h recreat iona l beachgoers as wel l.

Not exact ly in pla in sight, St. Joseph Beach is tucked away a round St. Joseph’s La ke.

“There’s a set of sta irs across t he st reet f rom t he St. Lia m’s pa rk ing lot nex t

AI Continued from page 1

t han an answer key.

Notably, t he policy leaves a signif icant degree of freedom in determining students’ AI usage in each course to t he Universit y’s instructors. John Behrens, director of t he College of A rts and Letters’ Of f ice of Digita l Strateg y and t he Idzik Computing and Digita l Technologies Program, has worked closely w it h Russo on t he policy and t hus conf irmed t his f lex ibilit y in its implementation to be

ndsmcobserver.com | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 | The Observer

to t he f ire stat ion t hat leads st ra ight dow n to t he St. Joseph’s t ra il. Ta ke a right for quick a nd easy access,” Loso sa id.

Ba llinger assured t hat t he lifeg ua rds at St. Joseph Beach were well-t ra ined a nd cou ld be a resource for a ny r unners on t he t ra il.

“W hen we’re open, we’re a lways sta f fed w it h lifeg ua rds. Our lifeg ua rds a re CPR f irst-a id t ra ined,” he sa id. There is a lso a bat hroom in t he white boathouse across t he t ra il to t he beach ent ra nce, ava ilable to t ra il-goers.

St. Joseph Beach has a specia l mea ning for Ba llinger, for she wa nts to broaden t he def init ion of recreat ion beyond int ra mura l spor ts or g roup f it ness class.

“Recreat ion is so much more power f u l t ha n t hat.

Recreat ing is a lso bring ing a book dow n to t he beach … a nd being able to f ill your cup a nd your bucket in ways t hat help you ta ke a brea k f rom t he ot her st resses going on,” Ba llinger sa id.

St. Joseph Beach is open Monday t hrough Friday f rom 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., a nd

deliberate.

“In t hat policy, because t he contexts are changing, we recommend facult y to engage t hese new tools and to start to get familiar w it h t hem,” Behrens said.

“The most important t hing to me is t hat students and facult y start t he dia log ue about where it f its into t he instruction and where it f its into t he classroom.”

In addition to ser v ing on t he task force, Behrens, a professor of t he practice of technolog y and digita l studies, instructs a course on generative AI. Its primar y

3

Macy Vance | The Observer

Saint Joseph Beach is open to the public on Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. Family hours take place from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday a nd Sunday f rom noon- 7 p.m. The beach w ill

be closed September 2, 16, a nd 23.

Contact Macy Vance at mvance2@nd.edu

goa l is to not only empower t he students w it h t hese new resources but to teach t hem how to successf ully eva luate t he generated content as well.

Still, t hat doesn’t mean he’s ma k ing t hem completely reliant on t hese models, Behrens said.

“No matter what happens in t he next si x mont hs, t wo years, you’re going to need t hat larger framework of conceptua lization, t hat larger framework of scientif ic met hod, a yet larger framework of understanding how computing works and

f its into societ y,” Behrens said.

In educating students of appropriate ways of using generative AI, he and Russo said t hey hope to enable students to share in t he advancements t he technolog y w ill inev itably bring.

“I t hink it’s rea lly important for our students to learn how to use generative AI in whatever t heir intended career pat h w ill be,” Russo said. “We’ve crossed t he Rubicon, we are now in a world where ever yone w ill use it as professiona ls. So, we want our students to be

able to use a ll tools available to t hem to t he f ullest, to have t heir employers k now t hat t hey didn’t cheat t heir way t hrough college, t hat we’ve taught t hem et hica l and responsible use v ita l to t heir industr y.”

Still, generative AI has posed a major cha llenge to policy ma k ing during its rapid development.

W hen faced w it h t he possibilit y of t heir policy becoming unenforceable due to t hese advancements, Russo remained resolute. Ta k ing note of t he inconsistencies ChatGPT and ot her models are of ten prone to, she said she had f ull fait h in t he facult y. It was t hrough t heir expertise and professiona lism, she said, t hat so many v iolations of t he Universit y’s Honor Code were caught last semester, when generative AI models were just coming into t he public sphere.

However, not hing lasts forever, especia lly when t he technolog y is evolv ing so rapidly, Behrens said. As such, Russo has conf irmed t he Universit y to be forming anot her generative AI task force t hat she w ill be on.

“We just have to watch t he technolog y caref ully,” Russo said. “Then we have to ma ke sure t hat students are involved in t he conversation regarding how it af fects t hem and t heir learning and t heir career pat hs. We a ll just have to keep ta lk ing about it. A nd t hen we’ll rev ise t he policy as necessar y.”

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Contact Nolan Hines at nhines@nd.edu

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NEWS

The observer | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 | ndsmcobserver.com

SMC hosts Mosaic Welcome for community

By MOIRA QUINN News Writer

St udent Diversit y Boa rd (SDB) k icked of f t he school yea r by host i ng t hei r eig ht h a n nua l Mosa ic Welcome event T hu rsday a f ter noon.

Sponsored by t he Of f ice of Inclusion a nd Equ it y a nd t he Of f ice of Mu lt icu lt u ra l St udent Ser v ices (OMISS), t he ent i re Sa i nt Ma r y ’s com mu n it y wa s i nv ited to help t hemselves to food a nd lea r n about a va r iet y of act iv it ies of fered by t he club.

SDB i nv ited loca l food vendors f rom a rou nd t he Sout h Bend a rea to come to t he event. Opt ions ra nged f rom chu r ros to elote to boba. Severa l ot her clubs on ca mpus had tables w it h i n for mat ion for at tendees

Blue Moon Continued from page 1

t hat it’s going to be at its f ull brightness and about 30% brighter t han most nights.”

According to Bautista Misa kova, multiple factors played into Wednesday night’s f ull moon: its status as a blue moon, as well as what’s ca lled a supermoon.

Professor Lauren Weiss, of Notre Dame’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, explains t hat t he term ‘blue moon’ is largely a product of our cultura l ca lendar system. In rea lit y, not hing

AAU Continued from page 1

t he A ssociat ion of A mer ica n Un iversit ies (A AU ).

T he ta sk of t he f ra mework, accord i ng to t he i nt roduct ion, is for t he Un iversit y to ach ieve its fou r goa ls of lead i ng w it h its Cat hol ic cha racter, offer i ng a complete u nderg raduate educat ion, prov id i ng mu lt i faceted g raduate a nd professiona l prog ra ms a nd adva nci ng resea rch by “t h i n k i ng a s a n i nst it ut ion,” despite t he prol i ferat ion of centers a nd i nst it ut ions across Not re Da me.

“More t ha n a ny prev ious pla n n i ng ef for t at Not re Da me, t h is st rateg ic f ra mework ident i f ies a rea s where col leges, schools a nd d iv isions work i ng toget her w i l l a l low Not re Da me to ma ke mea n i ng f u l cont r ibut ions to quest ions of nat iona l a nd i nter nat iona l concer n,” t he f ra mework reads.

T he f ra mework out l i nes t h ree ma i n d i rect ions for “where ND shou ld go” — st reng t hen i ng fou ndat ions, mov i ng towa rd a g loba l

to lea r n about how t hey pr ior it i ze d iversit y at Sa i nt Ma r y ’s.

T ha l ia Mora, a ju n ior at Sa i nt Ma r y ’s a nd president of SDB ta l ked about t he club’s object ives a nd how t hey work towa rd ma k ing t he Col lege a posit ive place for ever ybody.

“St udent Diversit y Boa rd’s m ission is to create awa reness of d iversit y i n order to educate, prov ide, suppor t a nd celebrate d i fferences w it h i n t he Sa i nt Ma r y ’s Col lege com mu n it y t h roug h socia l event s, educat iona l prog ra m m i ng a nd just a ny t h i ng t hat st udent s wa nt to see,” Mora sa id.

L i l ia n L omel i, a sen ior a nd t he v ice president of t he club, com mented on t he pu r pose beh i nd T hu rsday ’s

event a nd why it ha s now become a n a n nua l t rad it ion.

“It’s to showca se t he d iversit y here on Sa i nt Ma r y ’s ca mpus, not just w it h clubs a nd orga n i zat ions a nd t he st udent body but a lso facu lt y a nd sta f f,” she sa id. “We wa nt to sha re t he v ibra nc y here a nd t he col laborat ions t hat ta ke place.”

Mora a nd L omel i have bot h been a pa r t of SDB for severa l yea rs a nd t hey ref lected on how it ha s i mpacted t hei r col lege exper iences for t he bet ter.

“I got i nvolved w it h SDB my f i rst yea r of col lege,” Mora sa id. “It just prov ided a good sa fe space a nd just a lot of people on ca mpus who a l l k i nd of saw a nd va lue t he d iverse popu lat ion here on ca mpus. It ma kes

me feel l i ke I a m g iv i ng back to my com mu n it y t hat prov ides me w it h so much suppor t.”

T he club ha s ma ny f ut u re pla ns open to t he Sa i nt Ma r y ’s com mu n it y a nd is consistent ly post i ng updates on t hei r Instag ra m accou nt for ot hers to stay i n t he k now, L omel i sa id.

“Nex t on ou r pla ns is Hispa n ic Her itage Mont h com i ng up Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, a nd we w i l l be send i ng out more i n fo,” L omel i sa id.

“We a re doi ng col laborat ions w it h L a Fuerza a nd hav i ng some da nce n ig hts l i ke Sa lsa a nd Bachata.”

A side f rom t he Mosa ic Welcome, SDB ha s ot her a n nua l events pla n ned for t he t r i-ca mpus com mu n it y

t hat w i l l ta ke place du r i ng t he spr i ng semester.

“Ever y spr i ng semester we do a spea ker ser ies,” L omel i sa id. “T h is yea r we wa nt to tack le t he i nt r icacies of hu ma n con nected ness a nd ex plor i ng t he d iversit y of what ma kes us each hu ma n but con nected at t he sa me t i me.”

“We a re t r y i ng to rea l ly celebrate t he d iverse reg ions w it h i n t he L at i n A mer ica n reg ion a nd not just a si ng u la r cou nt r y or a si ng u la r ident it y,” Mora sa id. “We rea l ly wa nt to showca se t hat t h roug h bot h fun prog ra m m i ng l i ke da nce a nd educat iona l prog ra m m i ng.”

dif ferent is happening from an astrophysica l standpoint.

“The time it ta kes for t he moon to go from one f ull moon to t he next is 29 and a ha lf days,” Weiss said. “So, as you can imagine, if you’ve got a f ull moon right at t he beginning of t he mont h, t hen you can just squeeze in anot her f ull moon right at t he end of t he mont h — any mont h except for Februar y.”

Only about 3% of f ull moons are blue moons, meaning t hey occur roughly ever y t wo and a ha lf to t hree years. However, as Bautista Misa kova explained, t his

week’s blue moon is a lso a “supermoon.” Weiss said t hat t his term just refers to t he moon’s location in its orbit around Eart h.

“The shape of t he Moon’s orbit is what we ca ll an ellipse, which means t hat in part of its orbit, it’s a litt le bit closer to Eart h,” Weiss said.

“You can get a f ull moon at any point a long t he moon’s orbit around t he Eart h … a supermoon is just a name for when t hat f ull moon is happening near its closest part to Eart h (t he perigee).”

About 25% of a ll f ull

moons are supermoons.

According to NASA, a supermoon can appear about 14% larger and 30% brighter t han a ‘micro-moon’ (a f ull moon occurring at t he f urt hest point from Eart h in t he rotationa l ellipse). NASA compares t his to t he dif ference bet ween a quarter and a nickel.

It’s time to debunk t he idiom — “once in a blue moon” is rea lly not a ll t hat rare.

“If you t hink about t hat, ever y few years or so t here’s going to be a blue moon,” Weiss said.

“So ‘once in a blue moon’

means, like, once ever y t hree years. You k now, once in ever y college education, or whatever. Or maybe, once per oil change of your car! ” Weiss agreed t hat perhaps a more appropriate phrase might be “once in a super blue moon.” The true rareness of t his week’s blue moon is rat her its position as a supermoon. According to NASA, t he next super blue moon w ill not grace t he sk ies until Januar y 2037.

v ision of Cat hol icism a nd promot i ng science a nd eng i neer i ng for a world i n need.

To i mprove t he i nter nat iona l ra n k i ngs of Not re Da me a nd t he academ ic prest ige of Not re Da me facu lt y, t he Un iversit y pla ns to aut hor i ze a nd rea l locate facu lt y posit ions w it h t he “st rateg ic pla n i n m i nd.”

“On ly a few depa r t ment s a nd prog ra ms ca n plausibly cla i m to be u ndersi zed,” accord i ng to t he f ra mework. “T he cha l lenge is to ident i f y where t he add it ion of a select g roup of facu lt y ca n catapu lt a n a l ready good prog ra m to excel lence.”

T he f ra mework com mun icated t hat Not re Da me a lso a i ms to ra ise g raduate st udent st ipends to at t ract t he most ta lented st udent s.

W it h rega rd to st udent i nvest ment, t he f ra mework h ig h l ig hted a g row t h of f i na ncia l a id, mu lt id imensiona l adv isi ng a nd a reconst r uct ion of Moreau f resh ma n prog ra m m i ng, a s wel l a s a cont i nued comm it ment to on-ca mpus housi ng.

“Deepen i ng t hat

com m it ment — when of f-ca mpus a lter nat ives possess considerable att ract ion,” t he f ra mework read, “requ i res cont i nu i ng renovat ion of older residence ha l ls a nd const r uct ion of new residence ha l ls when renovat ion is i mpract ica l.”

T he f ra mework a lso sa id t he Un iversit y rema i ns com m it ted to d iversit y, equ it y a nd i nclusion, despite t he over t u r n i ng of a f f i r mat ive act ion t h is su m mer.

“Becom i ng more d iverse a nd st reng t hen i ng t he Un iversit y ’s Cat hol ic m ission is a si ng le project, not t wo pa ra l lel ta sk s,” it sa id.

“T h is su m mer’s Supreme Cou r t decisions w i l l compl icate, but not deter, ou r ef for t s to en rol l a st udent body t hat ref lect s t he d iversit y of ex per iences a nd g i f t s of t he hu ma n fa m i ly.”

Accord i ng to t he repor t, ef for t s to “d iversif y ” t he facu lt y a nd sen ior sta f f have faced cont i nued cha l lenges.

“Underg raduate st udent s f rom u nder represented g roups rout i nely attend cla sses for fou r yea rs at Not re Da me w it hout

en rol l i ng i n a cou rse taug ht by someone who look s l i ke t hem,” t he f ra mework read. “A spi rat ions for facu lt y a nd sta f f h i r i ng a nd retent ion need to be a r t iculated a nd prog ra ms to ensu re a n i nclusive ca mpus ex pa nded.”

To promote t hei r science a nd eng i neer i ng goa ls, t he repor t conveyed t hat t he Un iversit y pla ns to ex pa nd faci l it ies.

“In a n era when tea m science i nvolv i ng ma ny collaborators is i ncrea si ng ly t he nor m, t hese older faci l it ies need considerable renovat ion, occa siona l ly demol it ion, to adva nce resea rch,” t he f ra mework read. “T he costs of t hese projects, cu mu lat ively, w i l l be a s sig n i f ica nt a s a ny academ ic capita l projects i n t he Un iversit y ’s h istor y.”

Speci f ica l ly, Not re Da me pla ns to bu i ld a menta l hea lt h faci l it y i n Sout h Bend focused on su icide prevent ion, t rau ma a nd substa nce use.

T he repor t compa red t he Un iversit y ’s percentage of i nter nat iona l st udents to Not re Da me’s A AU peers.

T he average percentage of

i nter nat iona l st udents i n t he A AU is 12.2. At Not re Da me, it’s 7% .

To i mprove t h is nu mber i n a l ig n ment w it h t he model of g loba l Cat hol icism, t he f ra mework sa id Not re Da me a i ms to i mprove i nter nat iona l ra n k i ngs a nd ad m issions out reach.

T houg h ad m issions for i nter nat iona l st udents is not cu r rent ly need-bl i nd, t he f ra mework sa id t hat step is one made by “d ist i ng u ished compa ny.”

T he 2033 f ra mework is a lso t he f i rst Un iversit y 10yea r f ra mework to use t he words “Sout h” a nd “Bend,” a s wel l a s “Ind ia na,” a nd it sa id t hat con nect ion to t he reg ion rema i ns a cha l lenge.

“It is now clea rer t ha n ever before t hat for Not re Da me to t h r ive, t he Sout h Bend reg ion must a lso prosper,” t he f ra mework read.

Un iversit y President Joh n Jen k i ns, Provost Joh n McGreev y a nd execut ive v ice president Sha n non Cu l l i na n w i l l host t wo st udent tow n ha l ls for u nderg raduate a nd g raduate st udents to respond to t he f ra mework .

Contact Moira Quinn at mquinn02@saintmarys.edu

Contact Kelsey Quint at kquint@nd.edu

News

ndsmcobserver.com | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 | The Observer

5

ND senate kicks off year with first meeting

By ANNELISE DEMERS News Writer

At 5:32 p.m. Wednesday night in t he Mendoza College of Business, t he f irst of f icia l Senate meeting of t he year took place. New council members were chosen, a student union parliamentarian was elected and t he role of executive cabinet director of LGBTQ+ advocacy was f illed.

Clay ton Chauncey g uided t he group in prayer t hen t he meeting began, led by student body v ice president A idan Rezner.

The group unanimously approved t he minutes from t he last meeting on May 3.

Rezner discussed upcoming Executive Council events, including t he McWell x StuGov Wellness Expo on Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m., and t he Student Union Showcase next Monday from 8 to 10 p.m.

Rezner and ot her council members continued to stress t he importance of FUEL, First Undergraduate Experience in Leadership, and how anyone interested

should join. Applications w ill be open until Sept. 6 and are for f irst year students only.

The meeting continued w it h genera l orders, including nominations for Campus Life Council and t he Committee on t he Constitution.

The Campus Life Council is open to a ma x imum of t hree students. One must be from a fema le dorm and one must be from a ma le dorm.

The ot her w ill be chosen by majorit y. Due to an overabundance of votes, it w ill be announced at a later date who made t he committee.

The Committee on t he Constitution was a lso voted on and requires a minimum of t hree members. Four senate members ran for t he position: Sam Godinez, Bella Vasquez, Jayden Espinoza and Maura Meyers. A ll four applicants were voted in w it h no objections.

(Editor’s note : Sam Godinez is a former news writer for The Observer.)

The Senate next tack led t he issue of t here being no current student union parliamentarian since Griff in

McA ndrew is seek ing a leave of absence. The nomination and endorsement for t he new student union parliamentarian was w ritten by Kor y n Isa, judicia l council president. Hunter Brooke, hailing from Carroll Ha ll, put up his senate seat in order to run for t his position.

A fter questioning and debate, Brooke was off icia lly voted in.

During t he debate, Brooke was highly praised by his classmates and peers for his incredible work et hic and self lessness.

“I’m continua lly impressed by t he amount of work t hat he puts in and a lso his keen understanding of t he Constitution and of what t his particular role requires. I encourage ever yone to vote yes for t he nomination for parliamentarian and t hanks for giving me some time,”said Derrick Williams of Keough Ha ll.

Continuing on, Sam Godinez of Dillion Ha ll asserted t hat “The parliamentarian position should be ser ved by somebody who is committed strongly for t he

student union and who is w illing to stand up for t he trut h, and I believe t hat t hat indiv idua l is Hunter Brooke.”

Godinez said Brooke is “a man of unquestionable character” who ser ved in FUEL as a freshman and as a ha ll senator.

Wit h Brooks being voted in, his seat as senator of Carroll Ha ll is vacant and w ill be f illed w it hin t he coming weeks.

Next to ta ke t he hot seat was Greg Gehring, who was nominated by student body president Daniel Jung for executive cabinet director of LGBTQ+ advocacy. Gehring shared his experience working for t he LGBTQ+ communit y during questioning before t he debate began.

During t he debate, Joey Kosit zke, who is af f iliated w it h Gehring from his time in FUEL, discussed his va lues and commitment to t he program.

“I just like to issue my support towards Greg. He was a rea lly, rea lly great member of t he cohort last year, a lways super energetic and eager at ever y meeting,

bringing people toget her from dif ferent groups, and I t hink he did a rea lly great job of bringing new ideas to t he table at ever y turn,” Kosit zke said.

“On top of t hat, spea king as t his year’s director of academic af fairs, w it h some of t he potentia l events t hat Greg has planned, I t hink he’s somebody who I’d rea lly love to work w it h. I k now t hat he is rea lly committed to t his role, and I can’t rea lly imagine any ot her person I’d want to work w it h more,” Kosit zke conitnued.

Gehring wa lked back into a room of people clapping, signif y ing he was elected.

There were no objections during t he vote.

The meeting concluded w it h discussions about of f campus programming and ha ll events. Some of t hese conversations included Dillon Ha ll’s Sout h Quad pep ra lly on Friday at 5:45 p.m. and t he launching of a new student-designed app, Campf ire, on Thursday.

Contact Annelise Demers at ademers@nd.edu

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6

The observer | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 | ndsmcobserver.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Inside Column

The impossible task of talking about myself Gabrielle Beechert Assistant Managing Editor

I had just la nded i n Ch icago a f ter m y e i g h t- h o u r f l i g h t f r o m D u b l i n when I received a dreaded tex t.

It w a s V ie w poi nt E d itor C la i re Lyon s rem i nd i ng me (a g a i n) t h at i t ’s t i m e t o s i g n u p f o r I n s i d e C o l u m n s . Ug h .

I wou ld l i ke to preface what I a m about to say w it h a n i mpor ta nt poi nt: T h is ha s absolutely not h i ng to do w it h Cla i re. Cla i re is g reat !

Not on ly is she a n awesome person, b u t s h e ’s a l s o r e a l l y g o o d a t h e r job. Major props to her for sendi ng me rem i nders to sig n up for a colu m n even t houg h she probably k new I wa s i ntent iona l ly put t i ng i t o f f ( a n d i f s h e d i d n’t k n o w t h e n , n o w s h e d o e s — s o r r y, C l a i r e ! ) .

T h is a lso ha s not h i ng to do w it h t he Inside Colu m ns t hemselves. I love t he idea of Inside Colu m ns !

It br i ng s me so much joy to open up a paper a nd read about what my coworkers a nd f r iends have on t h e i r m i n d s . C h r i s t i n a’s h o t o r n o t l i s t ? L o v e ! M a g g i e ’s w e l c o m e l e t t e r to t he f resh men? So sweet a nd so c u t e ! A s E d i t o r- i n - C h i e f e m e r i t u s A lysa Gu f fey once t weeted : “Sor r y b a b e c a n’t t a l k . N e w [ R y a n P e t e r s ] I n s i d e C o l u m n j u s t d r o p p e d .”

T h e r e a s o n I d o n’t l i k e w r i t i n g Inside Colu m ns is ent i rely my ow n f a u l t . I t h i n k i t ’s i m p o s s i b l e t o t a l k about mysel f.

To s o m e , t h i s m a y b e a s h o c k .

I a m a s el f- d i a g nos e d, c h r on ic o v e r s h a r e r. L a s t t i m e I w a s w r i ti ng a n Inside Colu m n, I a l most o v e r s h a r e d a b o u t a t i m e I o v e rs h a r e d . T h a n k f u l l y, I t o o k a s t e p back before subm it t i ng my colu m n a n d r e a l i z e d t h a t I p r o b a b l y d o n’t wa nt t hat ta le docu mented i n T he Obser ver a rch ives for t he rest of t i me. A nd t ha n k God I d id.

My object ion towa rd Inside Colu m ns ha s more to do w it h it s vag ue, qua l itat ive nat u re. Wr it i ng one of t hese feels l i ke when you f i rst meet someone a nd he a sk s you t o “d e s c r i b e y o u r s e l f .” E x c e p t t h i s t i m e , i t ’s 5 0 0 - 8 0 0 w o r d s t h a t a r e a c cessible to a nyone w it h t he abi l it y to G oog le my na me. A nd, of cou rse, t h e m i n u t e s o m e o n e s a y s “d e s c r i b e you rsel f ” i n my genera l d i rect ion, I have sudden ly never had a t houg ht, opi n ion or emot ion i n my l i fe. I lose a l l concept of mysel f.

W h i l e i n D u b l i n t h i s p a s t w e e kend, I was v isit i ng w it h my good f r i e n d I s a S h e i k h , w h o i s c u r r e n tly st udy i ng abroad. I wa s chat t i ng

w it h Isa a nd h is f r iends when h is f r iend Joh n a sked me to descr ibe mysel f i n t h ree words. I ba sica l ly went nonverba l. A f ter a n excr uciat i ng couple m i nutes of t r y i ng to a n s w e r, I r e s o r t e d t o a s k i n g f o r I s a’s h e l p . We e v e n t u a l l y l a n d e d o n t h e w o r d s “ n i c e ,” “o u t g o i n g ” a n d “ S w i f t i e .”

I ’m n o t g o i n g t o s i t h e r e a n d d e n y m y i d e n t i t y a s a S w i f t i e , b u t i t ’s n o t a ver y excit i ng descr ipt ion. T here a re probably bet ter ways for me to d e s c r i b e m y s e l f , b u t I s i m p l y c a n’t do it.

W hen I was i n h ig h school, I met w it h one of my teachers who wa s w r it i ng one of my col lege recommendat ions. W hen we sat dow n at t he table, t he f i rst quest ion he a sked me wa s “W hat ma kes you i nteresting? ” I t hin k t his is a ha rd quest ion rega rd less of who is a ns w e r i n g , b u t I c o u l d n’t t h i n k o f a n y t h i n g . S o , I t o l d h i m I w a s n’t t hat i nterest i ng. He laug hed a nd told me he wa s goi ng to sta r t my recom mendat ion w it h t hat pa r t of t he conversat ion. He may have t houg ht it wa s a bit — a nd wh i le I do love a good bit — I wa s bei ng so ser ious.

I’ve ne ver be en good at qu a l it at ively ta l k i ng about mysel f, a nd ba sed on t he way t h i ngs went i n Dublin, I never w i l l.

L ater i n t he even i ng, t he quest ion was rev isited, but t h is t i me w it h bot h Isa a nd New s Ed itor Peter Breen. Rat her t ha n ta l k i ng about ou rselves, we went a rou nd a nd descr ibed each ot her i n t h ree words.

R i g h t a f t e r, I t o l d I s a t h a t I t h o u g h t he wa s ex t remely wel l-spoken, Peter went on to tel l me t hat I wa s o v e r- s p o k e n . I t o l d h i m t h a t “ t a l kat ive” wou ld su f f ice nex t t i me.

I g uess t h i s w a s my rea l ly longw i n d e d , o v e r- s p o k e n w a y o f t e l l i n g y o u t h a t s o m e t i m e s , i t ’s r e a l l y ha rd for me to ta l k about mysel f.

But , I’ve g i ven you a w hole c olu m n a b o u t i t , s o t h e i r o n y o f t h i s i s n’t r e a l l y l o s t o n m e e i t h e r. N o w I c a n look for wa rd to d read i ng t he nex t one.

Yo u c a n c o n t a c t G a b r i e l l e B e e c h e r t at gbeecher @ nd .edu . T he views of thi s In si d e c olumn are not ne c e ssari l y t h o s e o f T h e O b s e r v e r.

E d i t o r ’s n o t e : G a b b y i s a t a l e n t e d , kind , cur iou s, honest , detail- or iented conversat ionalist with the abilit y to make anyone feel welcome. She can say something va stly interest ing about ne arly any topic — inclu ding t h e t o p i c o f t a l k i n g a b o u t h e r s e l f.

An Alumni Dawg’s bark for help It w a s t h e b e s t of t i m e s , it w a s t h e w or s t of t i m e s . We h a d e m e r g e d t r i u m p h a nt f r om ou r i nt e r n m e nt i n t h e f r i g id w a s t e l a nd of t h e Nor t h Q u a d , bu t ou r e x i le h a d b e e n h a r r o w i n g . We h a d b e e n a l ie n a t e d f r om ou r b e lo v e d M a i n C i r c le , d e pr i v e d of e a s y a c c e s s t o l i f e’s m o s t e s s e nt i a l c om f or t s ( D a v e’s Hot C h ic k e n ) .

C ou nt le s s D o or d a s h or d e r s h a d b e e n lo s t a lon g t h e p e r i lou s t r e k t o t h e Z * * * pr i s on , a j ou rn e y m or e d a n g e r ou s t h a n t h e O r e g on Tr a i l . T h e c old m o d e r n i s m of Nor t h D i n i n g H a l l of f e r e d n o r e s pit e , it s s ou l le s s n a t u r e m or e a pp a re nt w it h e a c h d r opp e d c u p a nd t h e br u t a l s i le n c e t h a t f ol lo w e d .

A nd y e t w e pr e v a i le d o v e r this h a r d s h i p, g row i ng s t r on g e r a s a c om mu n it y, l i k e Wa s h i n g t on a nd h i s m e n a t Va l le y For g e . O u r e xo d u s h om e t o t h e pr om i s e d l a nd w a s g lor iou s , i g n it i n g a n i nt e l le c t u a l a t m o s p h e r e n e v e r b e f or e s e e n s i n c e t h e E n l i g ht e n m e nt . T h e r e w a s s om e t h i n g e le c t r ic i n t h e a i r, a f e e l i n g of e nd le s s p o s s i bi l it y, a p ot e nt i a l t o r e d i s c o v e r ou r r o ot s a nd r e t u r n t o t r a d it ion . L i k e t h e w or d s t h a t hu n g o v e r t h e Te m p le of A p ol lo, w e f e lt w e c ou ld f i n a l l y “K n o w T h y s e l f .” O u r Re n a i s s a n c e h a d b e g u n .

A nd y e t it w a s t h e w or s t of t i m e s , f or v e r y s o on a h a r s h r e a l it y h it u s a c r o s s t h e f a c e l i k e a s w e a t y We lc om e We e k e nd s h i r t . Up on ou r e x p lor a t ion of t h e n e w b a s e m e nt , w e h a pp e n e d u p on a d e v a s t a t i n g d i s c o v e r y. It w a s n ot w h a t w e f ou nd t h a t s c a r e d u s , bu t w h a t w e d id n ot : t h e d r y e r s w e r e m i s s i n g . I n a r iot ou s m o o d r e mi n i s c e nt of t h e P a r i s i a n s i n 178 9, D a w g s s t a l k e d t h e h a l l w a y s , hu n g r i l y s e a r c hi n g f or t h o s e r e s p on s i b le f or t h e i r p l i g ht . I h a d n e v e r b e f or e s e e n a m o o d s o d a r k a nd c ond u c i v e of m ob v iole n c e t ha n si nce t he Dawg Pi z za P r ot e s t s of 2 021. S o c ie t y w a s f ray i ng at t he sea ms, a s we f ou nd ou r f u nd a m e nt a l v a lu e s of l i f e , l i b e r t y a nd l a u nd r y t o b e u nd e r a t t a c k b y a m y s t e r iou s e v i l f or c e .

A D a w g d i a s p or a b e g a n , a s

c ou nt le s s D a w g s e m b a r k e d on t h e i r o w n q u e s t s t o f i nd w or k i n g l a u nd r y.

S o on e n ou g h , n e a r b y d or m s h a d t o i m p le m e nt t r a v e l r e s t r ict ion s , d e s p e r a t e l y h opi n g t o k e e p t h e i r w a s h e r s a nd d r ye r s a v a i l a b le f or t h e i r o w n r e s id e nt s . We f e lt w e h a d h it r o c k b ot t om , bu t ou r s it ua t ion on l y g ot w or s e . D a w g P i z z a l a y id le a s ou r pi z z a o v e n h a d n ot y e t a r r i v e d , n o d ou bt a d i r t y t r ic k b y t h e K e e n a n K n i g ht s t o u p h old t h e i r c a m pu s m on op ol y on pi z z a pie s . O u r f i r s t D i v e N i g ht i n A m e r ic a (w h e n w e a l l g o t o t h e Ro c k p o ol a nd s p l a s h a r ou nd ) w a s d e v iou s l y c a n c e le d b y a n a wf u l l y c on v e n ie nt m e e t i n g of t h e l i f e g u a r d s . E v e n t h e w e a t h e r h a d t a k e n it s t ol l on u s , f or c i n g D a w g s t o s le e p i n a i r- c ond it ion e d lou n g e s i n t h e h op e s of f i g ht i n g of f t h e d e v a s t a t i n g h e a t . ( I f y ou s a w m e s le e pi n g b y t h e d o or t o M a i n C i r c le , s or r y) . T h i s le f t u s w it h on l y on e p o s s i b le c u l pr it . W h o e l s e c ou ld p a y of f Bi g L a u nd r y, Bi g Po ol , t he Keena n K n i g ht s , a nd e v e n Bi g He a t ? A p lot of t h i s s c a le h a d a l l t h e h a l l m a r k s of m y a r c h n e m e s i s .

I h a v e f e u d e d w it h Bi g R e t a i l D i n i n g f or m a n y y e a r s .

B a c k w h e n I w a s a s e n a t or, I h a d t r ie d t o d e s t r o y t h e c or p or a t e ol i g a r c h s of Bi g R e t a i l D i n i n g w it h m y B . I .G . ( B e a u t i f u l l y, I nt e l l i g e nt a nd G i g a nt ic ) R e s ol u t ion , bu t m y t r u s t-bu s t i n g h a d b e e n t h w a r t e d a nd m y r e s ol ut ion n e v e r s a w t h e l i g ht of d a y. Si n c e t h e n , Bi g R e t a i l D i n i n g a nd t h e i r h or d e s of G r u b hu b r ob ot ic m i n ion s h a v e s c ou r e d t h e E a r t h l i k e t h e E y e of S a u r on , h opi n g t o s t op m e f r om s a v i n g ou r h a r d- e a r n e d f le x p oi nt s . A s pr e s id e nt of A l u m n i H a l l , I a m c a l l i n g u p on t h i s c a mpu s t o r i s e u p a nd j oi n t h e D a w g s i n f i g ht i n g b a c k n ot on l y a g a i n s t Bi g L a u nd r y, bu t a g a i n s t t h e bi g g e s t bi g of a l l , Bi g R e t a i l D i n i n g . You c a n h e l p u s b y d on a t i n g t o ou r c a u s e .

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7

The Red Zone is certain.

Safety after parietals is not.

Gabrielle Beechert Subject to Change

At Not re Da me, most c a se s of r ape oc c u r w it h i n re sidenc e ha l l s — t he s a me bu i ld i ng s c on sidere d t he sou rc e of c om mu n it y. A nd e ven t houg h st udent gover n ment ha s publ ic i z e d S a fet y a f ter Pa r iet a l s pol ic ie s, t he r u le s a ren’t pa r t of du L ac.

T he t r i-c a mpu s c om mu n it y t h i n k s it ’s d i fferent . We suppor t one a not her. But w hen it c ome s to sex ua l a s s au lt a nd r ape, we’re ju st l i ke a ny ot her c a mpu s ac ros s t he nat ion .

A s t he f i r st we ek of cla s s c ome s to a n end, ou r t r i-c a mpu s c om mu n it y enter s t he notor iou s “Re d Z one“ — t he per iod of t i me f rom t he be g i n n i ng of t he f a l l seme ster to t he be g i n n i ng of T ha n k sg iv i ng Bre a k w hen t he m ajor it y of c olle ge c a mpu s sex ua l a s s au lt s happen, ac c ordi ng to t he nonprof it or ga n i z at ion P re vent i ng Aw a rene s s V ic t i m E mpower ment ( PAVE ).

W hy doe s t he Re d Z one ex i st ?

W hen f re sh men a re ex pose d to c ol le ge c u lt u re for t he f i r st t i me, t he y m ig ht have l i m ite d k now le dge of c on sent a nd sex ua l v iolenc e — e spe c ia l l y i f t he y c ome f rom a h ig h school t hat lack s c omprehen sive sex e duc at ion .

For t u natel y, bot h Not re Da me a nd S a i nt Ma r y ’s of fer or ient at ion t r a i n i ng su r rou ndi ng sex ua l a s s au lt aw a rene s s a nd pre vent ion .

A pprox i m atel y 8 0 % of c a mpu s ha s pa r t ic ipate d i n sex ua l ha r a s sment pre vent ion e duc at ion at Not re Da me t h roug h t he re qu i re d More au Fi r st Ye a r E x per ienc e cla s s or Welc ome We ekend prog r a m m i ng. Si m i la rl y, S a i nt Ma r y ’s i nclude s d i sc u s sion on t he topic i n a l l SPL L f re sh men sem i na r s.

But i n for m i ng f re sh men of t he da nger s of sex ua l ha r a s sment i s not enoug h . Dat a f rom t he U. S. Depa r t ment of E duc at ion show s sexua l a s s au lt a nd ha r a s sment a re a s much of a problem at Not re Da me a s a ny ot her c ol le ge c a mpu s.

T he f a l l seme ster put s e ver y bod y at r i sk .

Nat iona l l y, t he back-to-school se a son c oi nc ide s w it h f r ater n it y a nd soror it y r u sh — a da ngerou s pre s su re c ooker of exc e s sive d r i n ki ng a nd d r ug u se, gendere d power d y na m ic s a nd u nc ont rol le d spac e s.

A nd a lt houg h t he t r i-c a mpu s soc ia l sc ene lack s Gre ek l i fe, it i s no st r a nger to pa r t y a nd d r i n k i ng c u lt u re. T he f i r st we ekend of c ol le ge

ma rk s t he be g i n n i ng of “d i s-o” or “d i s-or ient at ion” pa r t ie s, some w hat a k i n to r u sh we ek , w h ich welc ome f re sh men i nto t hei r ne w dor m s — of ten w it h c opiou s a mou nt s of a lc ohol. T he re st of t he f a l l seme ster, w h ich i nclude s footba l l se a son, boa st s si m i la r oppor t u n it ie s at ga me day t a i lgate s a nd a f ter pa r t ie s.

E xc e s sive d r i n k i ng at pa r t ie s i nc re a se s t he r i sk of sex ua l a s s au lt i n t wo w ay s. Fi r st, a lc ohol c a n i mpa i r a st udent ’s a bi l it y to c on sent to sex . Ne a rl y 6 3 % of Not re Da me r ape su r v ivor s were u na ble to g ive c on sent be c au se t he y were a sle ep or i nc apac it ate d due to a lc ohol or d r ug s, ba se d on a 2020 c a mpu s cl i mate su r ve y.

Plu s, su r v ivor s a re of ten v ic t i m-bla me d for a n i nc ident i f t he y were i ntox ic ate d, e ven t houg h it i sn’t t hei r f au lt . S e c ond, it c a n ma ke st udent s — e spe c ia l l y u nder a ge st udent s — he sit a nt to repor t a n i nc ident i f a lc ohol i s i nvolve d .

Not re Da me u n iquel y c ompou nd s t h i s u nder repor t i ng i s sue w it h it s pa r iet a l s pol ic y.

Pa r iet a l s pre vent over n ig ht g ue st s of t he opposite gender i n a ny dor m on c a mpu s.

A lt houg h t h i s r u le i s i ntende d to “re spond to t he s a fet y, se c u r it y a nd pr iv ac y ne e d s of t hose sha r i ng c om mon l iv i ng spac e,” t he fe a r of bre a k i ng pa r iet a l s a nd re c eiv i ng a n O f f ic e of C om mu n it y St a nda rd s ( OC S ) v iolat ion m ay c ou nter i nt u it ivel y le ad to i nc re a se d i n st a nce s of sex ua l v iolenc e. Ne a rl y a qua r ter of st udent s s ay fe a r of v iolat i ng Un iver sit y pa r iet a l s a nd u nder a ge d r i n k i ng pol ic ie s wou ld pre vent t hem f rom i nter ven i ng. A mong non-repor ti ng su r v ivor s, 21% cla i me d t he y d id n’t se ek to ma ke a repor t for fe a r of re c eiv i ng a n OC S v iolat ion . Ha l l st a f f c a n not ret roac t ivel y c ite st udent s for m i nor OC S v iolat ion s. T h i s doe s not cha nge t he f ac t t hat a nu mber of su r v ivor s were put i n t he se sit uat ion s due to fe a r of a pa r iet a l s v iolat ion .

T here i s not h i ng on du L ac’s website a bout pa r iet a l s a m ne st y a nd it s i nvolvement w it h sex ua l a s s au lt pre vent ion . T he s a me proport ion of st udent s w ho don’t repor t due to ret a l iat ion a l so don’t repor t due to fe a r of OC S v iolat ion s. Yet, t here i s a Un iver sit y pol ic y c onc er n i ng non-ret a l iat ion, a nd none for par iet a l s a m ne st y.

De spite Not re Da me st udent gover n ment ’s ef for t s to r a i se aw a rene s s a bout “Sa fet y A f ter Pa r iet a l s,” pa r iet a l s a m ne st y i sn’t yet pa r t of of f ic ia l Un iver sit y pol ic y — w h ich me a n s a potent ia l OC S v iolat ion i s of ten up to t he d i sc ret ion of ha l l st a f f member s. De spite t he

pre senc e of t he se poster s i n e ver y dor m at Not re Da me, t he r u le c ou ld be en forc e d d i f ferent l y i n e ach one of t hem . I n m a ny c a se s, t he ha l l st a f f ne e d a c er t a i n le vel of det a i l a bout t he a s s au lt i n order to i mplement t he “S a fet y A f ter Pa r iet a l s” pol ic y. T he on l y publ ic i n form at ion a bout S a fet y A f ter Pa r iet a l s f rom adm i n i st r at ion T he Obser ver c ou ld f i nd c a me i n a 2021 let ter f rom v ic e pre sident for st udent a ff a i r s Fr. G er r y Ol i nger.

“St udent s w ho fe el u n s a fe i n a re sidenc e ha l l a f ter pa r iet a l s shou ld le ave t he ha l l, re ga rdle s s of t he t i me, w it hout c onc er n for a pa r iet a l s v iolat ion,” Fr. Ol i nger w rote.

T he Un iver sit y ha s be en m a k i ng ef for t s to c u rb sex ua l v iolenc e a nd ha r a s sment on c a mpu s, but it s me a su re s of ten f a l l shor t . T he T it le I X proc e s s c a n be qu ite i nv a sive, e spec ia l l y i f you a re a su r v ivor rel iv i ng a t r au m at ic ex per ienc e.

Ni net y-fou r perc ent of r ape s a re ne ver re por te d to t he Un iver sit y.

Si x t y-f ive perc ent of non-repor ter s d id not hi ng be c au se t he y d id not w a nt to go t h roug h t he Un iver sit y T it le I X proc e s s.

Non-c on sen sua l sex ua l i nterc ou r se oc c u r s i n Not re Da me re sidenc e ha l l s more t ha n a nyw here el se, ac c ou nt i ng for 4 6 % of a l l repor te d r ape i nc ident s.

A s a t r i-c a mpu s, ou r sex ua l a s s au lt aw a re ne s s shou ld be d i re c te d tow a rd pre vent ion, not a f ter-t he-f ac t ba nd-a id s. Gre en Dot ha s m a ny by st a nder i nter vent ion t r a i n i ng s to help c u rb sex ua l a s s au lt on c a mpu s before it happen s.

Not re Da me ha s a l so pa r t nere d w it h C a l l i sto to g ive su r v ivor s a n opt ion to c on f ident ia l l y re c ord t he i nc ident a nd opt i n to a n of fender m atch i ng s y stem .

But w hat i f nobod y i s a rou nd ? W hat i f a st udent i s a lone i n a dor m w it h somebod y t he y don’t fe el c om for t a ble w it h ? W hat i f t he y fe el pre s su re d to do somet h i ng a nd t he y a re too sc a re d to le ave ?

T he Un iver sit y ne e d s to i mplement a n of f ic ia l pa r iet a l s a m ne st y pol ic y to en su re c onsi stenc y of en forc ement ac ros s dor m s a nd to enc ou r a ge s a fe behav ior. I f we c a n do it to pre vent a lc ohol poi son i ng , we c a n c er t a i n l y do it to pre vent sex ua l a s s au lt .

But u nt i l t hat day c ome s, we u r ge you to look a f ter one a not her. You r s a fet y i s a l w ay s more i mpor t a nt t ha n a n OC S v iolat ion . Be e ach ot her ’s f i r st l i ne of defen se a nd get out of t he re d z one.

8

The observer | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 | ndsmcobserver.com

Weirdo colleges Kat Regala The Absurd-ver

“You better save my seat,” I warned my friend, Isaac. That night we had the Cronin Award Dinner, the Program of Liberal Studies’ (PLS) annual end-of-year celebration that presents an award for the finest piece of w riting from the past year, and I was going to be late for another commitment. W hen I arrived, thankfully my threats worked and his coat was sprawled across a chair for me.

For a Biolog y major or Economics major, something like Cronin would be foreign. Ever y student and facult y member fits comfortably in a small dining room, wearing suits and dresses, eating from a gourmet buffet, being tended to by waiters and waitresses wearing suits and making toasts w ith spark ling apple juice.

One by one, people walk up to the podium and speak about how much they love the program or some inside jokes directed toward people in the audience, like a sort of wedding.

During one of those toasts, my jaw dropped as one student mentioned an article about Hillsdale College from The New Yorker. He was so impressed that they mentioned Notre Dame’s little old PLS in a national publication. However, that student had forgotten some key context: The article quoted a histor y professor who dubbed PLS as part of “a group of ‘weirdo colleges’… that still believe in teaching a canon of great books.” As such, the article hardly complements PLS but rather criticizes it for its outdated, exclusive ways.

The New Yorker article is centered around Hillsdale College and all of its idiosy ncrasies and challenges. A small Christian liberal arts school in Southern Michigan, Hillsdale College has become a model for many conser vatives — including Ron DeSantis, Republican presidential candidate and governor of my home state, Florida. DeSantis has been making steady efforts to proliferate Hillsdale’s model in Florida, especially at New College of Florida, where he has secured $34 million and a conser vative board of trustees to transform into the “Hillsdale of the South.”

As someone who grew up in Florida public schools, PLS has been a dream. The seminar-st yle classes are small and intimate, the teachers are professional and intelligent and the communit y of people is unlike any other. A liberal education has allowed me to ask questions and have uncomfortable conversations that were largely ignored or left unanswered in my education grow ing up.

I joined PLS the way many people do: by accident. I applied to Notre Dame haphazardly, w ith no serious desire to attend. Not know ing

what I wanted to study, I chose the Program of Liberal Studies, thinking that it was an undeclared humanities option. W hen I was admitted and decided to attend Notre Dame, I received an email from the department adv isor asking if I had any questions about the program that I had totally forgotten I had selected.

As someone who always loved reading and w riting, looking at the curriculum and reading lists, I grew increasingly excited and enthusiastic about the major I had unknowingly chosen. PLS was going to be a super English major on steroids. I was instantly sold.

However, I didn’t understand all the baggage that comes w ith a classical, Western-based education, especially w ithin the broader context of a midwestern Catholic universit y.

For one, there’s a lack of diversit y in the classroom. A t y pical PLS classroom is filled w ith wealthy, white, Catholic, private school-educated students w ith a professor from a similar background. Many of the students have conser vative Catholic beliefs, leading to challenges of inclusiv it y in the program, especially concerning the LGBTQ+ communit y.

And, of course, there is the issue of the Western canon. The program is rooted in six Great Books Seminars and thirteen tutorials, spanning from ancient Greece to mid-t wentieth-centur y America, w ith some possible outliers here and there.

Given the time frame and historical prejudices, most of the readings are w ritten by white men from a limited range of intellectual backgrounds.

There is a lot to be asked about teaching the Western canon in the 21st centur y in PLS. W hy do we read what we read? W hat are we not including in our discussions? W hy do we attract a certain demographic?

W hat can we do better? These questions are what are needed to make us better.

But as I sat in the lu xur y of a celebration dinner, in the glor y that is the PLS lounge or in the comfort of the classroom, I am the beneficiar y of PLS and a firm believer in ever ything that it has given to me. And, as such, I am a believer that in order to maintain PLS’ liberal arts tradition — and to not be swept into the tide of the grow ing politicization of the Great Books programs — that tradition needs to ref lect, adapt and grow.

Kat Regala is a junior studying the Program of Liberal Studies with minors in Computing and Digital Technology and Science, Technology and Values. She originally hails from Naples, Florida, but loves traveling. When not reading or writing, you can find her drinking coffee, practicing yoga or binge-watching reality television.

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

On imposter syndrome Megumi Tamura Subject to Change

This year, I’ve come to the radical realization that I am not exceptional or extraordinar y, and I don’t need to be in order to live a good life.

The words themselves — exceptional and extraordinar y — are pretty interesting. For instance, “extraordinar y” derives from the Latin ”extra ordinem” which means “out of the common order” and “beyond the regular kind.” The etymolog y of extraordinar y calls for a certain “going beyond” — a stretching of the standard and typical. The mere existence of something beyond and greater than the ordinar y suggests that ordinar y is not desirable. If there’s something more to strive for, then why settle for ordinar y, for mediocre?

A fear of mediocrity has followed me around throughout my entire life. I, and I’m sure many who read this column, have always felt an intense amount of pressure to be extraordinar y — to get the 4.0, to win the sports competition, to be wellliked, to get into a “top” college, to get the “best” internship, to have the most amount of friends, to have a memorable college experience worthy of the “best four years of my life” and so on. The thought of not being — or at least striving — for exceptionalism, for perfection and for something more than “average” is a fear that is unhealthy and, unfortunately, rampant at a place like Notre Dame.

I single out Notre Dame because this is the place where I’ve struggled the most with my own mediocrity.

On a campus full of valedictorians, varsity athletes and talented artists, where it seems (emphasis on seems) like ever yone is happy and outgoing, beautiful and popular, social and brilliant, successful and charming, it sometimes feels like ever yone here is exceptional. To be anything but exceptional is a recipe for disaster and misfortune. Being a Notre Dame student as someone who’s shy and unsure, anxious and lost and struggling in the perpetual cycle of imposter syndrome and questioning of self-worth has led me to pursue much ref lection and meditation on this dichotomy of exceptionalism and mediocrity.

My fear of mediocrity — which was already quite high to begin with — escalated the second I got to South Bend for the first time in the summer of 2020. As a Gateway student, I (wrongly) felt behind my peers who had gotten into Notre Dame the traditional way, and I set lofty goals with the purpose of proving myself. I wanted to prove

that I was good enough, smart enough and capable of success. At the time, I wasn’t really sure who I was proving myself to, but looking back, I know it was just myself who I was tr ying to impress. I really wish I could go back in time and tell freshman year Meg — who had no idea about the experiences, challenges and lessons ahead — that, in many ways, she is, in fact, average but that there’s nothing wrong with that.

So, today, I posit that being mediocre is just fine. As I begin my senior year of college, I enter with the knowledge that I likely will not go on to change the world, to leave a legacy behind, to live an extravagant and Instagram-worthy life. I’m also not going to invent something that will change people’s lives, be on the news or travel the world.

I know and embrace now that I am not exceptionally smart or talented or cool, and I probably never will be. And, I’m okay with that.

I’m learning that I no longer need to be, or even strive to be, exceptional or extraordinar y in order to feel worthy of my place on Earth. I can live an ordinar y life — one that involves just a few close friends, healthy relationships with those I love, a 9-5 job that’s enough to provide for my family and myself and maybe a cat — and still be happy. I can be an average person — who is just tr ying my best to live a healthy and happy life with people I love — and still be someone of value. As I get a little older, I’m learning that an ordinar y life can be a good life and that ordinar y people are just as valuable and capable of good as the “extraordinar y.”

I didn’t want to end this column in a cheesy way, but life in itself is an extraordinar y thing. The probability of each of our existences is pretty infinitesimal. I really believe that life is already extraordinar y, even before we humans have the ability to do anything to merit that quality. So, if my chances of even having been born were really 1 in 102,685,000, then I’ve decided that I’m no longer going to spend my days here worr ying about not being extraordinar y or exceptional. As long as I work hard, put my best foot for ward and tr y to be good to the people and communities around me, I’ll be just fine. And so will you.

Meg Tamura is a senior majoring in Political Science and minoring in Data Science and Business Economics. Besides writing, she enjoys spending time with the people she loves, riding on public transportation and listening to good music.

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

Submit a Letter to the Editor viewpoint@ndsmcobserver.com

9

The observer | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 | ndsmcobserver.com

By ALLISON ELSHOFF Scene Writer

There’s no doubt that the summer of 2023 was a win for girls everywhere. We participated in the cultural phenomenon that was “Barbie,” heard Oprah call Beyonce’s Renaissance World Tour “transcendent,” watched the love-triangle-turned-trainwreck in “The Summer I Turned Pretty” and — arguably most importantly — witnessed Taylor Swift take the world by storm on her Eras Tour.

Spanning 53 dates, 20 stadiums and 10 studio albums, the Eras Tour takes fans through a four-hour showcase of each of her different musical “eras.” The setlist includes a mixture of country, pop, folk and more. Fans (including myself) broke Ticketmaster last year just to get tickets, with thousands more snagging last-minute seats at infamously ridiculous prices. With the first leg of the American tour over, Swift is currently going international before returning to the U.S. next year to play recently added dates.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or an occasional “Shake It Off” listener, everyone can recognize the enormous influence Taylor Swift possesses. Cities she played in saw local business boom from the thousands of concert-goers traveling there. In Glendale, Arizona, the opening night of the tour brought in more revenue for local businesses than last year’s Super Bowl. In the U.S. alone, the tour is projected to generate $5 billion in consumer spending.

Internationally, analysts estimate the Eras Tour will likely

By ANDY OTTONE Scene Writer

As last semester came to a close, I noticed a trend in the videos my friends sent me. Across TikTok and Instagram, there were videos turning events into “Wes Anderson movies.” For those unfamiliar with the artist’s films, these videos would certainly give an impression of Anderson’s stylistic choices. These videos captured Anderson’s unique cinematography and framing. But beyond what these videos could quickly demonstrate, what makes a Wes Anderson film? Like most artists, Anderson’s style and techniques have changed over his career, but the fundamentals typically boil down to deadpan humor, a star-studded cast and a stylistic flatness in the film’s space.

Anderson has carved out his own distinctive directorial and written style that cannot be mistaken for anyone else’s. His most recent film, “Asteroid City,” is the most Wes Anderson-esque film yet.

It’s not particularly easy to explain this film. There’s a frame story about a television show discussing playwriting, with these events presented in black and white. In color, we see the events of the play performed for the television program. However, as the film makes clear at the start, this play is not real and solely exists for the creation of

surpass the $1 billion mark in revenue next month, making it the biggest tour in music history.

So, what’s behind the craze? And an even better question, how does she do it all?

As someone who was lucky enough to attend, I can attest to the fact that the show lives up to the hype. I am a megafan, which may make me biased, but this also meant I had very high expectations. And did the show meet those expectations? Of course.

The Eras Tour experience begins before Swift even comes on stage. Upon arriving at the stadium, thousands of fans were there early to wait in line for merchandise, take pictures and — very endearingly — trade handmade friendship bracelets. One gets the feeling of witnessing a large-scale fashion show as fans, significant others, moms and even dads walk around complimenting each other‘s carefully curated outfits. The atmosphere is one of anticipation, camaraderie and glamor.

This excitement reaches its peak as Swift opens the show with “Cruel Summer” clad in a bejeweled bodysuit and sky-high sparkly boots. When the song ends, it’s hard to hear yourself think with the deafening sound of 72,000 Swifties screaming (and probably crying). All the while, Swift just stands there and smiles, taking in the moment and embracing the energy of her fanbase.

What comes next is a non-stop trip down memory lane encompassing 17 years worth of music. Each era has distinct costume changes, stage props and visual effects.

The stage itself is a massive screen with multiple moving

platforms which she struts and dances across. Some of the most notable stage props include the moss-covered Folklore house and the 10 cages with dancers representing each era during “Look What You Made Me Do.” One of the most highly anticipated parts of the show is the acoustic set, where Swift plays two “surprise songs” — those not a part of the regular setlist. Videos of fans grieving their favorite songs getting played elsewhere swept TikTok, as Swift didn’t repeat a surprise song at her shows twice unless she “messed up” during its performance or it was on her newest album, “Midnights.” Regardless, the acoustic set allows her to slow down the show and play songs she may have not played live in years.

I could make this article much longer than anybody wants, so I’ll give a few quick personal highlights from the show: The iconic “Speak Now” dress, the standing ovation after “Champagne Problems,” getting lightheaded from singing all 10 minutes of “All Too Well” (wouldn’t have it any other way), the note change in “The One” and her dancers’ solos for “Bejeweled.” One can’t help but be in awe of her stamina to sing and dance for that long — and look good while doing it. Not only that, but it’s impressive how she makes a sold-out stadium show still feel intimate.

Amanda Petrusich from The New Yorker described it as if she’s “speaking directly to you, confessing something urgent.” With a presence as commanding as hers, it’s hard not to listen.

the television program. When shown in color, the characters act out the events of the fictional play set in the titular Asteroid City. In black and white, the characters are actors seeking to understand the art they’ve been given. During specific moments of the movie, the film’s complexity is obvious: Actors play actors for this television program where they portray actors for a stage play that does not exist.

The film’s cast, a wide and varied ensemble of actors, manage to make this convoluted premise comprehensible. As in many of Anderson’s recent films, he features a mix of megastars alongside stalwarts in Anderson’s past films, such as Jason Schwartzman, whose acting debut was in Anderson’s “Rushmore,” and Tony Revolori, whose breakout role was in “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” Tilda Swinton, Jeff Goldblum and Willem Dafoe have featured in multiple projects of the director and have short but memorable presences in the picture. Beyond these expected faces, the film features many notable and beloved actors: Scarlett Johansson portrays a melancholy actress, Tom Hanks plays a man grieving the loss of his daughter and Margot Robbie features in a small but pivotal role. In a film with such a large cast, it poses a challenge for any actor to stand out, but the stars of “Asteroid City” do not suffer from this. Even the charming group of young astronomers (Jake Ryan, Grace Edwards, Aristou Meehan, Ethan Josh

Lee and Sophia Lillis) all hold their ground alongside their more established co-stars.

Actors wouldn’t be able to perform these roles without an author to script them, though. Written by Anderson and frequent collaborator Roman Coppola, the script is as dry, funny and thought-provoking as usual. I’ve gone in depth on the film’s story already, but Anderson’s dialogue deserves praise solely for the way it can stick with you despite the direction constantly calling for deadpan delivery.

Some of the film’s final scenes present the script’s best lines, with a clear stand-out being the haunting, “You can’t wake up if you don’t fall asleep.”

Taste, ultimately, is subjective. Nothing can prove that more than Wes Anderson movies. His movies are ones that I greatly enjoy, and “Asteroid City” is now among my favorites. However, I understand how some might view them as odd, confusing or even self-indulgent. Because, in all honesty, they are. If you, as an audience member, do not like Wes Anderson films, this is not the movie that will change your mind. But if you enjoy his films, or wish to understand his films further, I feel that there is nothing that demonstrates what makes a Wes Anderson film “his” more so than “Asteroid City.”

Contact Allison Elshoff at aelshoff@nd.edu

Contact Andy Ottone at aottone@nd.edu MARIA TOBIAS | The Observer

10

The observer | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 | ndsmcobserver.com

By PETER MIKULSKI Scene Writer

“Red, White & Royal Blue” is schlock. It’s a rom-com about a forbidden homosexual romance between the son of the American president and the grandson of the British king. The premise is awesome, but because the script sprints through some plot points while lingering randomly on others, it feels like poorly paced fan fiction.

The acting is stiff — comparable to what you see on the Hallmark Channel but par for the course for streaming service movies.

No one turns on an Amazon Prime Original because they’re hungry for craftsmanship, though. It’s unfair to judge a rom-com like it’s a Kurosawa picture. “Red, White & Royal Blue” is artless, but it has mass appeal. It’s not good, but it’s fun, and despite its mediocrity, I still think “Red, White & Royal Blue” is important.

Queer cinema was once synonymous with art cinema.

Gay movies were strange and challenging. Gay directors, auteurs like Luchino Visconti and shock jocks like Pier Paolo Pasolini, flouted conventional (straight) tastes and

By KAIT MILLERET Scene Writer

After a strong summer of releases, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” kicks off the school year with a bombastic reboot of the TMNT franchise.

Starring Jackie Chan as Splinter, Nicolas Cantu as Leonardo, Micah Abbey as Donatello, Brady Noon as Raphael and Shamon Brown Jr. as Michaelangelo, the film features a mix of celebrity and voice talent. But is the film appropriate for children? And how does it measure up to prior entries in the series?

In contrast to its predecessors, the animation in “Mutant Mayhem” is flashy and claymation-inspired, similar to films like “Paranorman” (2012), which makes it stand out amongst its contemporaries. The style suits the tone perfectly while retaining the conventions that make TMNT familiar. Each turtle maintains his characteristic color and weapon, April O’Neil (Ayo Edebiri) wears a yellow jacket and Splinter is clad in red. Despite this familiarity, however, the film isn’t afraid to harken to older elements of the TMNT canon which youngsters may not know of. April’s ethnicity is changed to match her original comic book appearance, and villains Bebop (Seth Rogan) and Rocksteady (John Cena) return from the ‘80s cartoon. This gives the film a sense of identity without forgetting to pay respect to its legacy.

Likewise, the characters are alive with personality, each bringing their own sense of humor to every scene.

Their chemistry is a delight to watch, with my favorite character being the mutant fly, Superfly (Ice Cube).

took pride in the mainstream’s “two thumbs down.”

Queer cinema was peripheral — often by choice, but not always. Take John Waters. His early movies, like “Pink Flamingos,” are hailed as a peak in queer art.

They’re constrained by small budgets because no one dared fund them, but they’re still hilarious. The casts are a handful of drag queens and scenesters Waters found hanging around in Baltimore gay bars. The cinematography is ad hoc, just a single hand held camera. The movies are chocked full of blood and murder and feces and filth and camp.

Once Waters got a little mainstream notoriety and a little mainstream money, though, his style shifted. Waters was able to cast bigger names like Tab Hunter, and he could afford to bring in Hollywood production crews.

These later polished works are still pretty obscene, but they’re vanilla compared to the poop eating drag queens and baby murdering lesbians of “Pink Flamingos.”

The same Waters responsible for said drag queens and lesbians went on to make “Hairspray,” which was adapted into a hit Broadway musical and subsequently adapted into a blockbuster movie starring John Travolta

and Zac Efron. While a lot of the best gay movies — and a lot of the best gay artworks in general — have been made on the outside, there’s also a desire to push further into the establishment, into the mainstream, into the conventional.

“Red, White & Royal Blue” marks the fulfillment of that desire because there is nothing more establishment, more mainstream and more conventional than a crummy Amazon Prime Original movie. Once, if Hollywood discovered you were gay, you were blacklisted from the industry forever. Now, studios can crank out a movie like “Red, White & Royal Blue” in a couple of months, and it’s no big deal.

To get a gay movie funded and made, it no longer needs to censor itself or bury its gay content under a million layers of subtext. It doesn’t have to be a disturbing indie art film or push itself to camp either.

Now, a gay movie can just be schlock. In this way — as schlock — “Red, White & Royal Blue” is a profound achievement.

Though he curses a lot for a PG villain, he’s full of charisma with a sympathetic backstory and a threatening presence. He and Splinter share a human-hating philosophy, showing the danger of allowing radical ideas to be carried to their extreme as Superfly prepares a weapon to mutate every animal on Earth and annihilate humankind.

While the film has a lot of comedy and visual appeal, it’s stuffed with references past the point of cringe.

Nearly every line contains a nod to a famous movie, TV show, anime or game, most of which will fly over the target audience’s head with the exception of an “Among Us” reference early on. Additionally, there’s a running joke of Splinter being afraid of the boys being “milked” by labs for their blood which is … uncomfortable. And while there are ties to earlier entries, the team’s origin is overhauled entirely. Splinter is no longer Hamato Yoshi, but a plain street rat, and Shredder is replaced by the shady Techno Cosmic Research Institute.

One of the most unfortunate holdovers from previous TMNT media is Leonardo’s unrequited crush on April, a subplot thankfully forgotten before the film’s last quarter.

Speaking of subplots, the film’s writing leaves something to be desired. The turtles crave acceptance from humans and earn it by defeating the villain, but this lesson in the importance of not judging a book by its cover can be misinterpreted and lead one to believe that acceptance is only granted to those who are worthy of it. Humans, with the exception of April, are characterized as fearful and intolerant until the final fight with Superfly, where their perspectives are completely

changed by a broadcast from April, who has no evidence to substantiate her claim that the turtles are the good guys. But even April has a tendency to be rude and dismissive of the turtles, and outright admits she wouldn’t befriend them if they did not help get her stolen scooter back. Overall, it feels rushed, in need of more time to show the good in humans and characterize the villains past their introductions. The film could be so much more cohesive if it made room for plot instead of cramming in references.

While there’s a lot to love in “Mutant Mayhem,” the mild swearing, references and inappropriate jokes could make it unpalatable to some families, and older fans may be left underwhelmed by the shallowness of the plot. But for those looking for a blend of action and comedy, “Mutant Mayhem” is the perfect way to kill a Saturday night, preferably accompanied by greasy pizza and a younger sibling. You’d be hard pressed to find another film quite as energetically reverent for pop culture as a whole.

Contact Peter Mikulski at pmikulsk@nd.edu

Contact Kait Milleret at kmillere@nd.edu

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” Starring: Jackie Chan, Nicolas Cantu, Micah Abbey, Brady Noon, Shamon Brown Jr., Ayo Edebiri, Seth Rogan, John Cena, Ice Cube Director: Jeff Rowe

CHRISTINA SAYUT | The Observer

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ndsmcobserver.com | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 | The Observer

Crossword | Will Shortz

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Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: Adjust to make your life less complicated, and make happiness and peace of mind your goals. Take the initiative to get what you want and add valuable people to your circle. Well-thought-out plans and details that address your specific needs will make your life productive and less stressful. Accommodate your needs, and everything else will fall into place. Simplicity will lead to happiness and contentment. Your numbers are 7, 13, 25, 29, 31, 34, 46.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Pay more attention to your health and appearance.

Take time to rejuvenate and spend time with someone you love. Mix business with pleasure, adding to your camaraderie with people who share your vision. Romance is in the stars.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Use your imagination to devise a plan that puts you in the spotlight. Speak up and enjoy the banter with people who want to participate in your plans. The input will stimulate your mind and lead to bigger and better ideas.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Put your head down, and don’t look up until you feel you have accomplished enough. Getting into a debate or letting someone interfere with your goal is a disservice to you. Go about your business, and don’t look back.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Make your time and effort count. You can make a difference by directing your energy precisely where it counts. Call on experts if necessary, but don’t rule out your experience when getting what you want.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Revise how you handle your money, health and joint ventures. Communication will be the key to getting things done right the first time.

Consider how you earn your living and what prospects are available to you. Jump at an opportunity to diversify your skills.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Be open to new beginnings, pursue knowledge and connect to people with something to offer. Use your imagination and expand your mind, interests and friendships. A change of scenery or a reunion will impact how you move forward.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Reach out to someone in need and do your part to make a difference. A chance to earn more money using your skills and experience will become apparent due to outside input. When opportunity knocks, adapt what you can offer to fit the need.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Ask questions, find out what’s trending and adjust to ensure you get the most out of what’s happening around you. Taking advantage of an opportunity will require strategic timing and attention to detail to avoid costly afterthoughts.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take note of how others act and what they say, and adjust how you react to ensure you get the most in return. Focus on what you can accomplish and refuse to let anyone use emotional manipulation to throw you off your game.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Organize your space, pass along what you no longer use and simplify your life. An investment opportunity is apparent. Put together a plan that gives you leeway to expand your chance to reduce debt and secure a stronger financial position. Avoid overindulgence.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Sit tight, even if someone prompts you to make a move. Busy yourself taking care of important details that are holding you back. Keep your plans simple and affordable. Don’t try to please others; you must be content with your decisions.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Show some bravado. Think outside the box, and you’ll attract attention and interest from someone who understands your goal. Trust in yourself, and you’ll feel good about your chosen path. Change how you handle money and career moves.

Birthday Baby: You are curious, sensitive and reflective. You are loyal and persistent.

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The observer | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 | ndsmcobserver.com

History

ND MEn’s soccer recap

Continued from PAGE 13

Irish notch first win of 2023

By ANRDEW McGUINNESS Sports Editor

Though the Notre Dame men’s soccer team didn’t begin its season with a win, the Irish didn’t exactly get off to a bad start. Coming away with a 1-1 draw against No. 2 Indiana was hardly a poor outcome. With a slate of easier nonconference opponents to follow, the Irish have a clear path to get back on a postseason trajectory after regressing in 2022 following a College Cup berth.

On Sunday night, the Irish indeed took that first step. Led by a hat trick from junior forward Matthew Roou, the Irish etched a dominant 5-0 victory over IUPUI. Only twice in the last three seasons have the Irish won by such a lopsided margin.

“It was a good test,” said Irish head coach Chad Riley. “We knew it’d be a good game for us. I think for the most part it was [a] really good contest.”

For the second straight match, the Irish drew first blood, taking just over seven minutes to do so. Junior forward Eno Nto snuck behind the Jaguars’ defense and laced an excellent through ball from sophomore midfielder KK Baffour past IUPUI goalkeeper Lucas Morefield for the opening strike. Less than 15 minutes later, Baffour was the one on the finishing end of an Irish tally. A ball into the box caromed off a Jaguar into his path, giving Baffour his third career multi-point collegiate contest. The two goals not only gave Notre Dame the lead but forced IUPUI to change its playstyle.

“I think goals change the tactics of the game,” Riley said. “And so I think the fact that they’ve got to come out [and be more aggressive] and then the second goal, maybe they have to come out even a little bit more, which creates a little bit more space, but I do think the first goal is always always something you want to get.”

The Jaguars came out focusing on being as defensively stout as possible. That allowed the Irish to control play, outshooting IUPUI 7-1 in the opening 45 minutes. As Notre Dame wore them down throughout the night, the game devolved into the Matthew Roou show. Not only did the junior notch his first career hat trick, he scored in a different fashion each time.

“It’s just probing in probing out like, wearing them down slowly,” Roou said. “You know, they were really good in the first half or the second and by the end they were just worn out out of energy.”

First, he put the game all but out of reach with some fancy footwork and a hard shot from just inside the box. In the 85th minute, he turned the night into his second career multi-goal game, knocking home the rebound of a blocked cross from senior defender Paddy Burns.

That goal could have easily been the exclamation point on a great night for Roou and his team. But he maneuvered back into the box just a minute later, only to be tripped up by Morefield. Roou deliberately stepped up to the penalty area, picked his spot and smashed in the hat-trick goal.

“It was amazing. First career hat trick. It’s always great feeling great when undefeated so far,” Roou said. When asked if he planned his PK or improvised on the spot, Roou said, “I always have it in my head before I kick it so I knew exactly where I was going.”

The victory won’t turn any heads. IUPUI is far from the most formidable opponent the Irish will play this season. But to embark on a deep postseason run for the second time in three years, Notre Dame must go one step at a time. Beating the teams they’re supposed to is step one. So far, so good.

game. A way to tr y and cling to the glor y the program once held during its heyday before falling into an ongoing 35-year championship drought.

But as the futures of so many established programs are throw n into turmoil, suddenly Notre Dame’s hold on its past is the env y of the college football landscape.

Notre Dame has changed plent y over the years, of course. The House That Rockne Built got a massive upgrade in 2017. And it’s not like the Irish are avoiding the NIL scene entirely.

A 24-year-old is starting at quarterback. However, the Irish have carefully threaded a balance bet ween honoring the past and not being afraid to innovate and forge new paths.

Case in point, Saturday’s opponent.

Tennessee State is the first FCS team the Irish have ever faced.

They’re also the first HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) to play against Notre Dame football. It may not be the most exciting development of Notre Dame’s season, but it is an important one.

“We’ll make sure they are grateful for the opportunit y to be able to do this,” said Irish head coach Marcus Freeman about his players on Monday. “I know that they are different universities, but they’re both distinct in celebrating their ow n way. I think at the core, the core values that both universities possess, they align.”

Joining a conference wouldn’t have made scheduling this game as much of a challenge as bigger concerns like maintaining yearly matchups w ith Nav y,

USC and Stanford (the latter t wo of which allow the Irish to end their regular seasons in California, a nice recruiting convenience). But the bigger point still stands.

Notre Dame never wants to become just another college football team, even if those other teams may be ver y, ver y good at football.

That isn’t meant to undermine schools like Ohio State or USC and their illustrious legacies. But the aura around Notre Dame’s status is almost undeniably greater than it was even a few years ago because of how much ever ything has changed around it. Saturdays in South Bend still have that warm, familiar feeling to them (and the equally familiar cold one once the calendar turns to October and November).

College football isn’t going the way of the Titanic, of course. But a lot of schools and fans may find out the hard way that new doesn’t always mean better next fall.

W hen the opening kickoff sails through the air at Notre Dame Stadium a few minutes after 3:30 p.m. tomorrow, the Irish w ill make more histor y. Winning is important, but that’s what has long been the goal of Notre Dame football, and it doesn’t figure to change any time soon. Eaton High School. The Saints traveled to play the 0-3 Maple Leafs of Goshen College for this crucial non-conference game early in the season.

Holy Cross showed purpose and tact from the first kickoff, taking a quick 1-0 lead through the boot of for ward Gabe Nyenka. The senior scored the goal unassisted. However, the real hero of the first half was not Nyenka. Through outstanding positioning, the Saints midfield dominated.

The Maple Leafs to a measly five shots in the first half, failing to put pressure on junior goalkeeper Armin Mahmutov ic.

The score remained at 1-0 Saints going into halftime.

The defensive battle continued deep into a second half that saw Holy Cross consistently play ing in the Maple Leafs defensive half and forcing tough plays from the Goshen center backs. Their line would finally break in the 75th minute. Freshman midfielder Anthony Panay iotou scored the insurance marker, giving the Saints a 2-0 lead.

Junior defender Martin Von Thun notched the assist.

The game would finish a decisive 2-0 for the Saints.

Mahmutov ic made three saves to hold dow n the fort.

Holy Cross finished w ith 11 shots to Goshen’s seven. The Maple Leafs only managed to put three shots on net all game. Holy Cross took seven corners to Goshen’s five, as well. The Saints undeniably controlled the pace of the game and consistently executed at a pace Goshen struggled to match.

Other notable performers included junior Isaac Filippo who recorded four shots on his ow n. Von Thun recorded t wo of his ow n and was a rock on defense for the Saints.

The Saints have now improved their record to 2-1, albeit w ithout any conference play thus far. The Saints w ill be back in action this Saturday at 2 p.m. at Huntington College. Holy Cross w ill look to continue building momentum before conference play begins.

After falling 2-0 in their season opener, the Saints have outscored opponents 5-0 over the last 180 minutes.

Contact Andrew McGuinness at amcguinn@nd.edu

Contact Andrew McGuinness at amcguinn@nd.edu

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Senior defender Paddy Burns fights for the ball in the Irish’s tough matchup against Indiana. Burns’ goal ended the game in a 1-1 tie.

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ndsmcobserver.com | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 | The Observer

TSU FEATURE

HCC WOMEN’s soccer

TSU’s band visits South Bend

By JAKE MILLER Spor ts Writer

Tennessee State’s trip to South Bend is historic in many ways. A slate of events this weekend honor Notre Dame’s first-ever matchup against an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).

The Tigers are bringing their marching band, called the Aristocrat of Bands, along for the journey. Led by Reginald McDonald, the Tennessee State band gained prominence in 2022 after becoming the first collegiate marching band to win a Grammy.

During the game, the Tigers will play tunes from the stands in between snaps as usual for visiting bands. For graduate student quarterback Sam Hartman, playing in a new stadium will already be a challenge. Playing in a new stadium with an elevated environment will add a wrinkle to that challenge.

History of the Aristocrat of Bands Many visiting programs bring their bands to South Bend.

USC’s Trojan Marching Band always makes the trip. Smaller schools, such as Toledo, have also accepted the opportunity.

But the Tigers’ presence will be markedly distinct.

Tennessee State will take the field during halftime to perform a full field show with a higher level of pageantry than Irish fans may be used to. The Aristocrat of Bands is known for their energetic displays, diverse

13

musical repertoire including jazz, R&B and hip-hop and elaborate formations. In contrast to the Band of the Fighting Irish, the Aristocrat of Bands features an added emphasis on the performative aspect of the show. Drum majors are part of the show, rather than just acting as conductors, and engage with fans. The Tigers also have a dance team, the Sophisticated Ladies, that participates in the show.

A unique experience for fans The two bands’ performances should make for a packed halftime. Additionally, new this year, in most instances where a team gains a first down through an in-bounds play, play continues without the clock stopping.

The fan experience will be filled with action from start to finish.

Tennessee State head coach Eddie George’s team comes to South Bend after putting together a 4-7 season in 2022, which included a 16-3 loss against former head coach Deion Sanders’ Jackson State team. Since 2016, Tennessee State has had a handful of matchups against FBS teams, including a win over Georgia State. The Tigers have also faced Mississippi State, Vanderbilt and Middle Tennessee. Tennessee State pose a major threat to the Irish, but the weekend will bring a new display of tradition to South Bend.

Contact Jake Miller at jmille89 @nd.edu

Saints earn decisive 2-0 win at Goshen

By ADA M AK A N Spor ts Wr iter

The Holy Cross men’s soccer team came into their game Wednesday night w ith a 1-1 record, looking to build on a 3-0 w in against Indiana East on Saturday at Eaton High School. The Saints traveled to play the 0-3 Maple Leafs of Goshen College for this crucial non-conference game early in the season.

Holy Cross showed purpose and tact from the first kickoff, taking a quick 1-0 lead through the boot of for ward Gabe Nyenka. The senior scored the goal unassisted. However, the real hero of the first half was not Nyenka. Through outstanding positioning, the Saints midfield dominated.

The Maple Leafs to a measly five shots in the first half, failing to put pressure on junior goalkeeper

History Continued from INSIDER PAGE 2

sport’s landscape w ill change drastically in 2024 as several iconic programs such as USC, UCL A, Oregon, Texas and Ok lahoma sw itch conferences. The College Football Playoff w ill also expand next year to a 12-team format (one that could change based on all that realignment). Oh, and the Pac-12,

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Armin Mahmutov ic.

The score remained at 1-0 Saints going into halftime. The defensive battle continued deep into a second half that saw Holy Cross consistently play ing in the Maple Leafs defensive half and forcing tough plays from the Goshen center backs. Their line would finally break in the 75th minute. Freshman midfielder Anthony Panay iotou scored the insurance marker, giv ing the Saints a 2-0 lead. Junior defender Martin Von Thun notched the assist.

The game would finish a decisive 2-0 for the Saints.

Mahmutov ic made three saves to hold dow n the fort. Holy Cross finished w ith 11 shots to Goshen’s seven. The Maple Leafs only managed to put three shots on net all game. Holy Cross took seven corners to Goshen’s five, as well.

The Saints undeniably controlled the pace of the game and consistently executed at a pace Goshen struggled to match.

Other notable performers included junior Isaac Filippo who recorded four shots on his ow n. Von Thun recorded t wo of his ow n and was a rock on defense for the Saints.

The Saints have now improved their record to 2-1, albeit w ithout any conference play thus far. The Saints w ill be back in action this Saturday at 2 p.m. at Huntington College.

Holy Cross w ill look to continue building momentum before conference play begins. After falling 2-0 in their season opener, the Saints have outscored opponents 5-0 over the last 180 minutes.

a conference that currently includes a Stanford team the Irish have played in ever y non-COVID year since 1997, is in the midst of a five-alarm fire, which is one more alarm than the number of members it’s slated to have after this year ends.

Notre Dame’s status in college football has been perceived as entitled over the years. How dare the Irish have the audacit y to not join a conference?

Especially given that ever y other Irish sport is a conference member — hockey the Big Ten, ever y thing else the ACC. Even the longest bigname holdouts like Penn State eventually relented to the appeal of affiliation.

To Notre Dame’s detractors, this was an advantage that allowed the Irish to ease their football schedule and avoid a difficult conference championship

Contact Adam Akan at aakan@nd.edu

see HISTORY PAGE 12

MSU Continued from page 14

Sargeant have been at the heart of the Spartans’ production.

Wickes sits on a team-high three goals after her hat trick against Northern Colorado. Sargeant, meanwhile, has tallied a goal and a team-best three assists.

Like the Irish, the Spartan defense will look to respond after conceding twice in the loss to Colorado. Its record has been otherwise strong, only allowing one goal in its three other matches.

Sunday should prove to be a competitive matchup between two teams off to formidable starts this season. The Spartans will attempt to get back on track at home after their previous defeat. The Irish, on the other hand, must once again call upon their resilience as they follow an emotional draw with a road test.

Contact Noah Cahill at ncahill2@nd.edu

14

Sports

The observer | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 | ndsmcobserver.com

nd women’s soccer

Resilient Irish set for first road tilt at Michigan State

By NOAH CAHILL Spor ts Writer

SOFIA CRIMIVAROLI | The Observer

On Aug. 24, junior midfielder Sophia Fisher dribbles past Butler defenders. With a 2-0-2 record, the Irish set their sights on MSU.

Golf

Contact Ryan Eastland at reastlan@nd.edu

Beyond completing defensive duties, she has been an immense presence getting for ward for set pieces, terrorizing opponents in the 18.

The Irish defense w ill look to respond after conceding t w ice against a talented Arkansas attack. A clean sheet would be a wonderful confidence booster for a unit that has endured a couple of challenging matches.

They w ill face a Spartan attack that has compiled a strong start to the season statistically but still may have some question marks based on early performances. On paper, 11 goals in four matches would appear as strong as Notre Dame’s scoring record. However, seven of these goals came in a 7-0 rout against Northern Colorado. Other w ise, the Spartans have four in their other three matches, including none in their most recent loss to Colorado.

Jordy n Wickes and Emerson see MSU PAGE 13

Observer sports mailbag

Observer sports mailbag: Will receivers hold Irish back?

Continued from page 15

appearance.

Historically, the Irish haven’t been a national powerhouse.

In fact, the women have never won a national title, while the men boast a singular national title, won in 1944. The Irish will look to make strides this year especially, as neither the men nor women made the Coaches’ Poll top 25 at the end of last season. In last year’s ACC Women’s Golf Championship, the Irish finished dead last in 12th place. The men did not fare much better, finishing 10th above Boston College and Virginia Tech.

The men have found some recent success under Coach Handrigan, but last year was not successful compared to years past. “[We’re] coming back [this season] not even thinking about last year. They’re just thinking about what Notre Dame golf is,” Handrigan said.

“We know we are a championship program and championship team, and we are going to compete that way all year.”

Both programs will look to have better seasons this upcoming year. The incoming freshmen, Coach Serketich and graduate leadership could mark a turnaround for the programs as the men’s and women’s golf teams start their seasons.

Through four matches, the 15th-ranked Notre Dame women’s soccer team has earned an undefeated start to the 2023-24 season, but it hasn’t been easy.

The Irish have already faced several tough tests, most notably against No. 8 Arkansas. After going dow n 2-1, they scraped out a draw courtesy of an 85th-minute equalizer from senior forward Ellie Ospeck. This was one of t wo draws, the other coming on the receiv ing end of a late equalizing goal in a 2-2 result against Milwaukee to open the season.

Despite settling for that disappointing draw, the Irish bounced back w ith consecutive, resounding v ictories over Ball State (30) and Butler (4-1). They w ill need to maintain this identit y throughout the season, especially as they approach conference play against what appears to be ver y

strong ACC competition. For now, they w ill hope to maintain their undefeated status in East Lansing on Sunday as they face off against the Michigan State Spartans.

The Irish attack enters Sunday w ith confidence after scoring 11 goals in its first four matches — almost three per game. That included t wo against an Arkansas defense that had yet to concede through its first t wo matches. The attack is spearheaded by graduate student for ward Maddie Mercado, who leads the team in shots. W hile she has only notched one goal so far, the f loodgates are bound to open ver y soon. Graduate student midfielders Kiki Van Zanten and Erin Hohnstein have emerged in setup roles, each sharing a team-high t wo assists w ith Van Zanten prov iding a goal of her ow n.

However, somewhat surprisingly, senior defender Eva Gaetino leads the team in scoring w ith three goals, performing brilliantly on both ends of the field.

By J.J. POST Associate Sports Editor

For the first time (at least in my time at the Observer), we’re doing a mailbag! You have questions about Irish athletics. I, in my infinite wisdom (and attendance record), will hopefully have answers. One disclaimer: All questions have been edited for clarity and brevity. And with that, off we go …

Is Sam Hartman good enough to win big games with a still-unproven receiver core?

More on this in this week’s Irish Insider! In short, my answer is yes. Notre Dame’s receiving core showed promise last Saturday. But it comes with the important caveat that Nav y’s pass defense is a far cry from a high-level benchmark. This is a secondary unit that ranked 98th in passing yards allowed per game last season. Tennessee State probably won’t provide that test, but North Carolina State won’t be a pushover.

We’ll probably have a better idea of where the Irish passing attack stands on September 10th.

However, the f lashes shown against Nav y do matter for a unit that struggled to generate buzz over the summer. Sophomore wideout Jayden Thomas is a unique weapon that can be used in a variety of roles by new offensive coordinator Gerad Parker. The value of a receiver who looks comfortable both in the slot and on the outside shouldn’t be understated. Junior wide receiver Deion Colzie carried over his strong end to the 2022 season with multiple key catches.

Freshman Jaden Greathouse did as well with eight snaps as could have been reasonably asked (and then some)!

Senior Chris Tyree had strong moments in his new slot role. The only receiver who didn’t chip in was sophomore Tobias Merriweather, who struggled for involvement after an early drop and a long pass break-up.

Merriweather remains the key to the group. Thomas will likely lead the group in both targets and catches.

Greathouse should only get better as the year goes on.

But neither of those players are traditional vertical threats. Tobias Merriweather

could be just that for the Irish — the player that really opens up the passing game underneath. If teams have to account for Merriweather, that’s less attention they can give to the likes of Thomas and Tyree.

Expect Merriweather to garner targets early and often against Tennessee State for this exact reason.

At what fictional sport would Notre Dame athletics most excel?

In the Harry Potter canon universe, Ireland does have a quidditch World Cup, so let’s go with that. Plus, the concept of interhall sports plays so well into the idea of competition between houses.

Would Stanford joining the Big Ten sway Notre Dame to join a conference in full?

This was one of multiple questions from the mailbag concerning Notre Dame’s independence, but it took the most interesting (in the mind of this writer, at least) angle. Stanford joining the Big Ten would certainly create an enticing offer for the

powers-at-be for the Irish to consider.

Almost all of Notre Dame’s yearly rivalry games would neatly align into one potential conference slate.

Traditional rivalries with the likes of Michigan State, Purdue and Michigan could be revived as well. And the money would be lucrative, to say the least.

Notre Dame clearly thinks exceptionally highly of Stanford as a school and athletic program (justifiably so, with the Cardinal running a Directors’ Cup dynasty), highly enough to leverage any sway they have with the ACC to try and find them a home. But would they shed their treasured independence for them? I’d have to imagine it would be a step too far. As long as Notre Dame remains financially capable of staying independent and able to do so with a path to the College Football Playoff, they’ll stand pat.

Submit questions for future Observer sports mailbags at ndsmcobserver.com.

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

sports

ndsmcobserver.com | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 | The Observer

Huskies Continued from page 16

of the 20 goals NIU scored last year, players who scored 15 of them returned. The Huskies also brought in 12 newcomers, four of whom arrived through the transfer portal.

Transplants such as junior forward Kevin Kelly, who leads the Huskies with six shots, have made early impacts.

This past weekend, NIU split its

XC Continued from page 16

about, that’s been with us for a couple years but was out much of last year with some injuries [and] has looked great in practice this year, is Josh Methner,” Sparks said. “He was an All-American [in 2021]. He and [Solomon] should be a great one-two punch, and they’re both very good leaders for the program.”

But postseason races are frequently decided by depth. And high-level performers throughout the top seven are needed for a team to be competitive nationally. To fill those key roles, the Irish took two opposite routes, one of which was to bring in a pair of graduate transfers with big-race experience. “[Graduate students Vincent Mauri] from Arizona State and Tyler [Berg] from Columbia are both guys that have experience on the national level. They were both top-100 at the NCAA meet,” Sparks said. “So they will give us four guys that have competed on the high end on the national level.”

In contrast, the Irish will also count on several sophomores who lack experience but developed well in their first year on campus.

matches with Western Illinois and Memphis. Before defeating the Leathernecks 1-0 in the opener, the Huskies had to overcome a strange circumstance. With the heat index exceeding 100, the teams were forced to play indoors at Rockford.

Thanks to senior defender Dylan Banker’s first collegiate goal, NIU pulled out the victory. But then, the Huskies fell flat in Sunday’s 3-1 loss to Memphis. Sophomore midfielder Angel Rodriguez, who

also assisted in last Thursday’s lone goal, scored to break up the Tigers’ clean sheet.

“We redshirted all the freshmen last year, and they really improved by leaps and bounds as a result of being able to take that year off and not having to jump in and compete immediately,” Sparks said, mentioning sophomores Ethan Coleman, CJ Singleton and Daelen Ackley as standouts from the class. “[We] expect all of those guys to push to find their way into our varsity top seven.”

Graduate transfers join impressive women’s veteran group The Notre Dame women’s team tells a similar story. Graduate student Olivia Markezich, the team’s top runner last season and one of the best in the country, will lead it. Markezich placed eighth at the NCAA meet in 2022 and followed that effort up in the spring by winning the NCAA title in the 3000M Steeplechase and nearly qualifying for the World Championships in the same event.

“It’s been amazing to watch her progression over the last four years,” Sparks said about Markezich. “She has such great composure in the big moments, and that’s infectious.”

Her steady confidence and

15

Halfway through its opening non-conference stretch, Notre Dame has looked sharp. In the blazing heat of game one, the Irish hung with second-ranked Indiana, playing to a 1-1 draw. Though the Hoosiers produced 17 shots, Notre

Dame earned seven corners and found the opening goal.

Chad Riley’s side then took care of business Sunday, thumping IUPUI 5-0. Junior forward Matthew Roou, a four-goal-scorer in 2022, potted his first collegiate hat trick. Notre Dame’s back line was sturdy as well, relaxing senior goalkeeper Bryan Dowd after a four-save effort Thursday. Now, as their schedule thins out to three games in two weeks, the Irish

hope to keep their foot on the gas.

Considering Notre Dame opens ACC play with Clemson, the conference’s preseason favorite, opportunities to build depth and rapport in the non-conference are paramount.

Friday’s match will kick off at 7 p.m. and stream live on ACC Network Extra.

“calm presence” extend to the entire Irish team. Notre Dame returns several runners who performed well last year and look to build off strong seasons on the track.

Sparks pointed to senior Erin Strzelecki and junior Siona Chisholm, Notre Dame’s second and fourth finishers at last season’s NCAA meet, as runners who are likely to be out in front for the Irish along with Markezich.

“There’s a confidence about the group this year that’s really exciting to see on the women’s side, with a very veteran group,” Sparks said. “[Strzelecki and Chisholm are] returners that we expect to make a big impact.”

Part of that veteran presence comes from the team’s incoming graduate transfers, a group led by Ericka VanderLende and Andrea Markezich, twin sister of Olivia.

“Ericka VanderLende came from the University of Michigan.

She was an All-American for them a couple years ago,” Sparks explained. “[Andrea Markezich] is joining us from [the] University of Washington, and she’s run some of the fastest times in [Washington’s program history].”

The Irish have consistently

sought out graduate transfers, not only to find runners capable of making an instant impact competitively but also to add new leadership and fresh energy to the roster.

“It’s nice to obviously bring the performance on the track,” Sparks said. “But the piece that makes it that much more special is the — I feel like the word culture is overused in sports these days - but just the change in energy that comes with bringing in a 22-year-old veteran leader of a team.”

Add all of the pieces together, and both Irish teams appear capable of surpassing last year’s national finishes: 15th for the men and seventh for the women.

Before they get the chance to do so, they will navigate a regular season that, according to Sparks, “gets a little bit more competitive” with each meet. Notre Dame will start its season with the Crusader Invite at Valparaiso on Friday, an exhibition-like event that provides an opportunity “for some of the younger [runners] to put a uniform on for the first time.”

They will host two meets — the National Catholic Invite and the Joe Piane Notre Dame

Invite — during September. The Irish will then close their regular season slate in mid-October with the Wisconsin Nuttycombe Invitational, a highly competitive meet that Sparks says “most emulates the NCAA Championship.”

From there, it’s on to the postseason with the ACC Championship, NCAA Regional and NCAA Championship to follow.

On the men’s side, Sparks mentioned North Carolina, Virginia and Wake Forest as teams the Irish will compete with for an ACC championship and a top-10 national finish. The women will look to challenge defending national champion NC State for top spots on the ACC and NCAA stages.

“We know what the top of the food chain looks like with NC State,” Sparks said. “We’re chasing after them, so we can obviously only get better when the bar is set that high.”

The bar is set and the preparations are complete. The Irish are highly motivated and ready to get their season underway.

Irish look to build on encouraging first weekend

Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu

Contact Matthew Crow at mcrow@nd.edu

nd golf

Irish golf ready to put disappointing 2022-23 behind them

By RYAN EASTLAND Sports Writer

SOFIA CRIMIVAROLI| The Observer

With hopes of improving last year’s performance, Irish golf begins their season on Sept. 4 at Michigan State’s Folds of Honor Collegiate.

As the fall semester kicks off, both the men’s and women’s golf teams will be back in action during the first week of September. The ladies tee off their season at Purdue’s Boilermaker Classic on Monday. The men will also tee off Monday but at Michigan State’s Folds of Honor Collegiate. While the women’s team will not play in South Bend during the fall slate, the men will visit Warren Golf Course on Oct. 1-2 for the Fighting Irish Classic.

Both teams, however, will have a unique opportunity to hit the links abroad. The teams will make a trip to Scotland to play at St. Andrews Links. One of the oldest courses in the world, it often hosts The Open Championship.

“It is the home of golf, and for us to be able to play at the most iconic and probably best golf

course in the world, [it] speaks volumes for Notre Dame golf,” said men’s head coach John Handrigan. The teams will take on St. Andrews from Oct. 23-25.

A new season also means new faces for each team. Both teams will introduce three freshmen this year. For the men’s team, that’s Christopher Bagnall (Pretoria, South Africa), Jacob Modleski (Noblesville, IN) and Rocco Salvitti (Canonsburg, PA). Meanwhile, the women’s team welcomes Mimi Burton (Austin, TX), Anna Heck (Memphis, TN) and Alexsandra Lapple (Pinehurst, NC). These freshmen will look to make an instant impact if they are selected for the fiveman roster.

“We have three new freshmen on the team, and all three of those guys are in a position to travel in the lineup, based on their score [Wednesday],” Handrigan said. “It shows you we are a young team with

those three guys, but it just shows you how good they are if they have a chance to be in that very difficult lineup.”

Not all three will make the five-man roster for every match. But the fact that all three have the scores needed to make the cut speaks very highly of this talented, young team. It is safe to say that with the incoming class, Handrigan has high hopes for his team this season.

Another new addition to both golf teams is Andrew Serketich, who will be the new assistant coach and director of operations for both teams.

Serketich was hired from Queens University of Charlotte this August. Serketich had great success at Queens. In Queens’ final season at the DII level, Serketich’s team finished first at the SAC Championship.

This victory led the Royals to an NCAA Championship see GOLF PAGE 14

16

The observer | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 | ndsmcobserver.com

nd cross country

Irish cross country looks to turn experience into success

By MATTHEW CROW Associate Sports Editor

As has become customary in recent years, last season’s Notre Dame cross country team was among the nation’s best on both the men’s and women’s sides.

But with a strong group of returners at the helm, the Irish are confident in their ability to reach even greater heights in 2023.

“Both teams return a very veteran-led group, with [last year’s top runner] for both teams back this year,” Irish director of track & field and cross country Matt Sparks said about the upcoming season. “Both teams also return a solid nucleus of experienced runners to support them, so spirits are high on the first week.”

Solomon, Methner lead returning core on men’s side For the Irish men, that top returner is senior Carter Solomon, who enters the season following a breakout year. Solomon stepped into a lead role in 2022 and rose to the occasion, winning the individual ACC title and earning All-American honors

by placing 18th nationally. “[The departure of several top runners prior to last season] left a lot of spaces available in the top seven,” Sparks said, “and that allowed Carter Solomon to really assert himself. He’d been here for a couple years but was never asked to really step up and be a front runner and be a leader. And so it’s really exciting for him to take that initiative and become that go-to guy for us last year.”

This season, the Irish bring back most of their core lineup, providing a sense of stability for a men’s program that sorely missed it last year.

“There was a lot of change last year from the direction of the coaching staff. We lost a coach and [assistant] coach [Chris] Neal’s now in his second year leading the men,” Sparks explained. “So the team has a much better expectation of what practices and competition and just general philosophy look like.”

Also at the forefront of their “nucleus” is Josh Methner. Sparks expects the senior to join Solomon, both atop the pack during races and as a team leader.

“Another guy we’re really excited see XC PAGE 15

MAX PETROSKY | The Observer

At the 2022 Notre Dame Joe Piane Invitational, the Irish men’s cross country team finished first, the women’s team fourth. The Irish hope to carry results to this year’s meet, which takes place on Sept. 29.

nd men’s soccer

HCC WOMEN’s soccer

Shaw scores again, but HCC fails to comeback

By JACK HORTON Spor ts Wr iter

The Holy Cross College women’s soccer team entered their game on Wednesday in high spirits after a thrilling last-second goal by freshman defender Abigail Fouts against Indiana East on Saturday. The Saints looked to build on this momentum in a road match in Goshen, Indiana, against the undefeated Goshen College Maple Leafs.

The Maple Leafs came out on the attack and took three shots on goal in the first 16 minutes of play at the Ingold Complex. Goshen then opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Katie Sauder scored her first goal of the season off an assist from Seja Lang.

Despite an early deficit, the Saints stayed determined to bounce back. The team quickly marched down

the field in two minutes and eight seconds and responded with a goal from senior midfielder Olivia Shaw. Shaw continued her hot start to the campaign with the goal, her third in four games this season. She stayed very active throughout the remainder of the game, tallying five shots on goal.

Despite the goal by Shaw, the Maple Leafs also refused to be rattled. Madalyne Swallow, who was substituted into the game just a mere five minutes earlier, entered the scoring party with her first goal of the season in the 29th minute. Midfielder Amy Drew recorded the assist.

From there, the rest of the first half became a defensive battle. Holy Cross managed only one shot on goal during the final 15 minutes of the frame. The two teams played to a standstill for the rest of the game. Both

goalkeepers, Holy Cross freshman Payton Ladson and Goshen’s Victoria Naylor, did not let another ball hit the back of the net for the rest of the game. The teams ended the game with nearly identical numbers of shots, saves and fouls.

The Saints did have three shots on goal in the final 10 minutes of the game.

But Naylor came up big for the Maple Leafs down the stretch, saving all three of them to secure the win for Goshen.

With the loss, the Saints fall back to .500 at 2-2-0 on the year. Goshen, meanwhile, improved to an impressive 3-0-0. Holy Cross will get a week of rest before returning to the field to face Lourdes (1-0-0) on Wednesday, Sept. 6. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. from South Bend.

Contact Jack Horton at jhorton6@nd.edu

Irish take on Huskies at home

By TYLER REIDY Associate Sports Editor

After an opening weekend full of positives, Notre Dame men’s soccer returns to action Friday. The Northern Illinois Huskies, fresh off a disappointing loss at home, travel to South Bend for their first road match of 2023. In five previous meetings, the Irish have two wins to NIU’s one.

The programs most recently met in August 2021, when Notre Dame scored twice and blanked the Huskies at Alumni Stadium.

Both teams were at their best during that 2021 season.

Under then-MAC Coach of the Year Ryan Swan, Northern Illinois tied a program record with 15 wins, including one in the NCAA Tournament. On the other side, Notre Dame pushed deep into the postseason, reaching the College Cup. However, both squads took a step back in 2022, combining

for a 13-15-6 record.

Amid conference shift, Huskies seek production and resurgence The big story of the offseason in DeKalb told of a conference change. After 26 years in the Mid-American Conference, NIU men’s soccer transitioned to the Missouri Valley Conference in which they were picked to finish eighth this season. Fellow MAC free agents, Western Michigan and Bowling Green joined the Huskies in the MVC. Like Notre Dame, Northern Illinois looks to goal-scoring to take a large step toward improvement from last season.

The Huskies’ top 2022 scorer, junior forward Taisei Arima, put just three balls in the back of the net. And that low peak followed the 16-goal 2021 of Nick Markavich, who is now thriving in the USL Championship. Still,

see HUSKIES PAGE 15

insider

Kiser Continued from page 2

coordinator Al Golden talked about the challenge of preparing to play a team they’ve never seen before.

“We have to keep our eyes on the challenge,” Golden said when asked about the unique matchup. “[They have] two talented quarterbacks, three running backs, a really big-time wideout…that’s where our focus is.”

Head coach Marcus Freeman praised the linebackers’ performance against the Midshipmen last weekend. He mentioned Liufau’s forced fumble and a concerted effort to create turnovers. That stands in stark contrast to last season, when Notre Dame didn’t generate a turnover in its first three games.

The unit generated two fumbles against Navy, although the Irish failed to recover one.

“You can see defensive guys being aware of the football, trying to get it out,” Freeman said. “Credit to them, the turnovers and takeaways will come as long as we are constantly aware of where the ball is.”

Tennessee State’s offense marks a big adjustment for Kiser and the Notre Dame defense after months of preparation focused on denying Navy’s triple option rushing attack.

The Tigers’ passing attack is far from elite. But Notre Dame will still have to transition from a game that saw them defend just seven pass attempts. Despite the adjustment, Freeman foresees a seamless transition for Golden’s unit.

Freeman pointed to preparation as a source of confidence in the defense, explaining that the first-team offense and defense practice against each other. The two sides practice “good on good,” meaning the starters get plenty of reps against a “normal” offense in the lead-up to Navy.

Regardless, the coaching staff wants to keep it simple ahead of Tennessee State’s visit and focus on “letting great players play great,” Freeman said.

“I think the adjustment from [Navy] to now won’t be a big one,” Freeman said. “The thing is, we have to be smart about our preparation. You can’t go from the Navy gameplan to a gameplan this week that is super complicated.”

Kiser said he too sees Saturday as a chance for the defense to get back to the system they’re comfortable with: the system they’ve practiced all year and the system they’re counting on to lead them to great heights this season — Kiser’s final one at Notre Dame.

“Schematically it’s a lot different,” Kiser said. “You have to adjust, but we practice this a lot more than the option so it’s a bit easier to go back to it.”

Contact José Sánchez Córdova at jsanch24@nd.edu

ndsmcobserver.com | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 | The Observer

3

Football column

Post: Irish receivers answered questions in Week 1, but star power

By MATTHEW CROW Associate Sports Editor

This column was actually inspired by a question in this year’s inaugural Obser ver Sports mailbag, so thanks to whoever submitted it.

Is [graduate student quarterback] Sam Hartman good enough to win big games with a still-unproven receiving corps?

It’s a good question.

One Notre Dame w ill need to have an answer for by the time they play the likes of Ohio State and USC. Ever yone saw how great Hartman can be last Saturday. He was precise, deft-footed and confident, ever y thing you’d want to see in a graduate student quarterback.

Junior receiver Jayden Thomas was expectedly reliable, posting four catches for 63 yards and a touchdow n. Thomas leading the way in catches and targets is a prett y safe bet for Notre Dame this fall. He’s a vocal leader and a (relative) veteran in a young unit. He led all w ide receivers in yards and touchdow ns last year.

His stripes have been more than earned on the current Irish depth chart.

Freshman receiver Jaden Greathouse f lashed moments of excellence, turning eight snaps into t wo touchdow ns. The highly-touted freshman has been a revelation since the Blue-Gold game, show ing early signs of being a major recruiting w in at a position that badly needed one. He’ll get a whole lot more than eight snaps as the season goes on.

Senior Chris Ty ree looked comfortable in the slot, which says a lot, given he

Greathouse Continued from page 4

more than 400 receiving yards in 2022, creating an opportunity for someone — anybody — capable of stepping up to do so. Greathouse made a great impression in the Blue-Gold game.

He finished with 11 catches for 118 yards, giving onlookers a glimpse of his talent and connection with graduate student quarterback Sam Hartman.

Even though both are new to the school, his chemistry with Hartman was evident even then.

“He’s a tremendous player,”

hadn’t played the position until the spring. He’ll continue to develop, attempting to use his speed to turn short catches into long ones in a hurr y.

That said, neither Thomas, Greathouse nor Ty ree fit the traditional mold of a team’s leading receiver. Think of A.T. Perr y, Hartman’s most recent top target at Wake Forest. Perr y is long, fast,\ and prefers to play on the boundar y. He’s generally at his best sprinting vertically dow n the sideline running dow n deep throws.

A nd it’s not t hat Thomas, t he tea m’s projected leading receiver, ca n’t do t hat.

His 46-ya rd catch in t he Blue-Gold ga me t his spring showed ev idence t hat a simila r connect ion w it h Ha r t ma n cou ld emerge.

But it’s not where he’s at his best eit her. Thomas’ st reng t h lies in his versat ilit y. He’s a Sw iss a rmy k nife, capable of lining up in t he slot or on t he bounda r y.

A nd his va lue as a blocker ca n never be understated eit her.

Notre Dame has an emerging stable of receivers. But it’s difficult to see any being the deep threat Perr y was for Hartman last season.

The man who can potentially change that? Freshman Tobias Merriweather.

Merriweather has a unique profile in the receiver room.

He is, potentially, that vertical threat that Notre Dame needs. He was also the only receiver in the starting rotation that missed the stat sheet in last Saturday’s game.

It’s not for a lack of physical tools.

Merriweather currently lists on the Irish roster as 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds w ith a background in track to boot. It’s not for a lack of pedigree, w ith

Merriweather arriv ing in South Bend a consensus top-200 recruit. A nd it hasn’t been for a lack of opportunities. His 35 snaps against Nav y placed him second after Thomas. He also accumulated over 100 snaps in 2022.

Still, Merriweather’s career stats for the Irish remain a single reception against Stanford. That lone reception, though, showed exactly the player he could become for Notre Dame. In a game where the Irish completed just one other pass for a gain of more than 20 yards, Merriweather’s 41yard score gave Notre Dame their first lead of the contest. Therein lies the power of the vertical threat. A ll it takes is one strike a game to change the complex ion of a game.

A breakout show ing by Merriweather would benefit the rest of the room as well.

Bet ween Thomas, Ty ree and Greathouse, the Irish are well-stocked w ith options that can consistently keep the chains mov ing. Notre Dame’s receivers picked up seven first dow ns against Nav y, none of which came on especially deep throws.

But teams w ill begin to key on this. Thomas and Greathouse in particular have show n a knack for finding space in opposing defenses, but those spaces w ill become less and less common as the Irish face opposition w ith more tape to study on the Notre Dame passing attack.

The benefit of a quarterback like Hartman is, of course, it becomes easier for the Irish to mitigate such effects of stronger defenses, even if they do arrive this season. Hartman’s poise and abilit y to go through his progressions make him

an ideal candidate to break dow n even the most prepared secondar y.

But a breakout from Merriweather would make Hartman’s job considerably easier. A deep threat in the Notre Dame offense would force teams to throw out the current book on how to best defend the pass against the Irish. Committing more and more bodies underneath is far less adv isable if Notre Dame has a player who can stretch the field on any given play.

Of fensive coordinator Gerad Pa rker’s inaug ura l of fensive display aga inst Nav y was surg ica l in nature. The Irish moved t he ba l l w it h rema rkable ef f iciency, sk i l lf u l ly blending a forcef u l r unning ga me w it h a conf ident passing attack. The ef f iciency show n last Saturday didn’t come aga inst t he best opponent but shou ld sca le up to match higher compet it ion.

But t here’s a not her gea r t his Not re Da me of fense, a nd Ha r t ma n, ca n f ind.

It’s one t hing to be ef f icient. It’s a not her to be dy na mic. The Irish hope Merriweat her’s emergence w i l l a l low Ha r t ma n to sling t he ba l l dow nf ield more t ha n he did in Dublin.

The Irish just if iably f lew home last Sunday feeling t remendously pleased w it h t heir opening of fensive show ing. But w it h t he li kes of Ohio State, USC a nd Clemson on t he schedu le, it never hur ts to have more weapons. A nd aga inst a Tennessee State seconda r y play ing its f irst ga me of 2023, Pa rker a nd Co. w i l l no doubt look to get as ma ny of t hose weapons up a nd f iring as possible.

Greathouse said of Hartman following the Blue-Gold game in April 2023. “All of our quarterbacks are, so it’s definitely relieving to have guys like that, that confirm in the ball. So, I’m really appreciative that we had those kinds of guys and I’m super excited for what comes next.”

The consensus four-star recruit was ranked as high as fourth among Texas receivers in his class and led his high school team to three state titles. He chose Notre Dame over powerhouses like Texas and Oklahoma, helping to enhance and further build the Irish recruiting pipeline to some of the best Texas

players in the country.

Greathouse’s size and skills make him a versatile player. The Austin native’s speed characterizes him as a deep threat to opponents’ defense. His ability to go across the middle for a tough catch makes him an even greater asset for Notre Dame. He may have a few months with the Irish under his belt. But Greathouse’s dedication to the team is evident.

“It was amazing,” Greathouse said after the Navy game. “I’ve dreamt of this ever since I was young. The opportunity is finally here. I’m glad that I was able to make the most of it. My teammates out there helping me, I

couldn’t have done it without them boosting me up and elevating my level of play. When we come back to the sideline, everybody is cheering. Everybody is happy for each other. It’s really a beautiful thing.”

With the first home kickoff Saturday, there’s still work to be done.

“We all have a job that we have to do, and so you have to step up to the plate,” Greathouse said.

“I’m so grateful my teammates and coaches have that trust in me.”

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

Contact Madeline Ladd at mladd2@nd.edu

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The observer | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 | ndsmcobserver.com

Greathouse feature

Greathouse in rare company after dazzling debut game

By MADELINE LADD Assisstant Sports Editor

Rarely is a freshman wide receiver a name to watch for a Notre Dame football team. But Jaden Greathouse may be an exception to that rule. The freshman wide receiver had a stellar performance in his debut game for the Irish, hauling in two touchdowns against Navy.

Pulling off such a difficult feat is impressive for any freshman wideout. Let alone one in his first collegiate game. Greathouse’s effort placed him in the Irish record books, joining former wide receivers Michael Floyd, Equanimeous St. Brown, DaVaris Daniels and Will Fuller as the wide receivers to catch two touchdowns in a season opener. Three of those four went on to play in the NFL. Floyd won a Super Bowl. None of those talented receivers pulled that feat off in their freshman seasons. In fact, no one ever has for the Irish.

Greathouse’s first-ever collegiate touchdown was a thing of beauty, a 34-yard catch on a seam route in

stride in the second quarter, putting the Irish up by a comfortable 21-0 margin. This was followed by a 20-yard touchdown reception in the third after breaking off his route and getting wide open in the end zone on a Hartman scramble.

Greathouse led all receivers in receiving yards with 68 and finished tied for second in receptions with three. His performance helped instill optimism in the youthful wide receiver room. It also sets the bar for the rest of the season for all of them to step up and make big plays for the Irish.

“To see Jaden Greathouse go up and score two touchdowns today, it’s a reflection of what hopefully [Wide Receivers] Coach [Chansi] Stuckey has done with that room because I think four wideouts caught a touchdown today,” Freeman said. “That room is continuing to improve.”

There was always a path to playing time for Greathouse due to Notre Dame’s thin wide receiver depth chart. No wideout recorded see GREATHOUSE PAGE 3

MEGHAN LANGE | The Observer

Freshman wide receiver Jaden Greathouse celebrates his first of two touchdowns in the Irish’s Stadium Series game against Navy. That night, Greathouse’s pair of tocuhdowns made Notre Dame history.

Keys to victory

Keys to the game: Tennessee State

By MATTHEW CROW Associate Sports Editor

After a dominant win in Dublin last weekend, Notre Dame football faces off against Tennessee State in its home opener Saturday. The Irish are overwhelming favorites against the first FCS opponent in program history. The game is unlikely to be competitive. But, in recent years, Notre Dame has not always been at its best when expected to win big.

The Irish notably lost to Marshall and Stanford at home last season and were lucky to scrape past Toledo in 2021. After Notre Dame’s last game in Dublin in 2012, they barely eked out a 20-17 win against Purdue the following week. Tennessee State shouldn’t present the same challenge that those teams did. But Notre Dame would be wise not to overlook any opponent. Here are the Irish’s keys to victory as they look to carry the momentum over from their impressive performance against Navy to their home debut.

Get out of the gates fast An important aspect of Notre Dame’s performance against Navy was their fast start offensively. The Irish received the opening kickoff

and worked the ball down the field with a masterful 13-play, 81-yard touchdown drive. They would not be stopped during the entire first half, scoring touchdowns on all four of their possessions before the break. Notre Dame’s offense is capable of doing the same against Tennessee State and will aim to fire on all cylinders the second they step onto their home turf.

Nothing dissipates the energy of a home crowd faster than a few three-and-outs to start the game.

And nothing heightens that energy more than racking up big plays in the opening minutes.

Last year’s Irish team got a clear view of both ends of the spectrum.

They consistently started slow at home early in the season, scoring just 14 first-half points in their first three home games combined.

A huge part of Notre Dame’s second-half turnaround last year was figuring out how to score early in games. The Irish tallied 81 first-half points in the final three games of their home slate.

Notre Dame doesn’t want to wait that long to figure out how to start strong at home this season.

Saturday presents their first opportunity to quickly claim the momentum in Notre Dame Stadium.

Whether it’s through a long run by junior running back Audric Estime or a deep bomb from graduate student quarterback Sam Hartman, the Irish can take complete control of the game like they did against Navy if they’re able to find an early offensive rhythm.

Force turnovers If you’re looking for a defensive stat to explain Notre Dame’s aforementioned turnaround last year, turnovers are a good place to start.

The Irish forced just two turnovers on their way to a 3-3 start. Over their 6-1 finish, they took the ball away 13 times.

Notre Dame was nearly able to carry that trend into their opening game of 2023. In the first half in Dublin, Irish graduate student linebacker Jack Kiser nearly recovered a Navy fumble, but was ruled out of bounds. Later in the third quarter, Navy fumbled on an errant pitch attempt and Irish graduate student linebacker JD Bertrand emerged from the pile with the ball. However, officials ruled that the Midshipmen gained possession before Bertrand’s recovery.

Notre Dame would ultimately come up empty for the game in

terms of turnovers. Changing that won’t be any easier against a Tennessee State offense that prioritizes running and ball security.

“You watch their games, they don’t turn the ball over and they take the ball away,” Irish head coach Marcus Freeman said about Tennessee State. “That’s the sign of a well-coached team.”

Bertrand’s overturned recovery ended up having no real impact on the game’s outcome.

Failing to force a turnover isn’t likely to be a death knell for the Irish on Saturday. But the turnover battle can be what swings a tight late-season game. It would serve the defense well to come away with a few against Tennessee State. As was shown last year, once the turnovers start coming, they often don’t stop.

Spread the wealth The standout play of Notre Dame’s wide receivers against Navy came as somewhat of a surprise. An untested unit that was thought to potentially be a weak point of the offense disproved that narrative — at least for now.

Particularly promising was the effort from freshman Jaden

Greathouse, who finished with 68 yards and two touchdown receptions in his first collegiate game. Juniors Jayden Thomas and Deion Colzie combined for a pair of scores and more than 100 yards, exhibiting a strong connection with Hartman.

“It’s still a really inexperienced room, so this game experience is so valuable for them, because they are talented,” Freeman said after the game. “Now, to be able to show that they have the ability to do it in a game is, to me, what’s going to catapult that room.”

Facing another overmatched secondary, the Irish should again look to share the ball and find targets for their entire receiving corps. Specifically, getting sophomore Tobias Merriweather more involved after his quiet outing against Navy should be a priority. Notre Dame will have to count on their young receivers in big games down the line. So taking advantage of every chance to provide them with in-game reps and build their confidence can only benefit the offense and the team moving forward.

Contact Matthew Crow at mcrow@nd.edu