Print Edition for The Observer for Monday, March 3, 2025
Rare Disease Day calls attention to illnesses Students discuss Black history
By SOPHIA TRAN Staff Writer
Green, blue, pink and purple lights illuminated the walls of Hesburgh Library to commemorate Rare Disease Day in the Notre Dame community on Friday, Feb. 28.
The month of February marks the official observance of Rare Disease Month, a time for individuals to honor patients with rare diseases and raise awareness. This year, Notre Dame continued its tradition of lighting up Hesburgh Library with the official rare disease colors while also organizing other activities to commemorate Rare Disease Day.
Events were led by Katrina Conrad, program manager for the Patient Advocacy Initiative, and Barbara Calhoun, director of the Patient Advocacy Initiative. The two work as a team to plan outpatient facing programs and began Rare Disease Day event planning almost six months ago.
Although some parts of Notre Dame’s Rare Disease Day have remained the same, such as
illuminating Hesburgh Library’s outer lights, Conrad and Calhoun also implemented changes, such as an increase in the involvement of students in the science and patient advocacy minor and the general community.
“We have over 30 students that signed up to volunteer in some way or another, whether it be by
doing luminaries, doing Grotto prayer requests or helping to run activity stations tonight,” Conrad said. “In addition to students in the minor, we’re also excited to be joined by RareND this year, as well as the Make A Wish club on campus.”
Investing summit features thriving businesswomen
By ISABEL TORRES News Writer
On Thursday and Friday, the Notre Dame Institute for Global Investing (NDIGI) hosted their annual Women’s Investing Summit. The summit included 11 events and 21 speakers hailing from various investment sectors.
This year is the seventh consecutive year that NDIGI has hosted the event. According to the event’s website, the summit aims to “promote diversity within asset management“ and inspire students. The event featured eight panels on investing, including a discussion with the former president of the Indiana Fever.
The second to last of the panel discussions, titled “Investment Themes and Ideas - Across Asset Classes,“ focused primarily on
the pharmaceutical industry and how, from a healthcare standpoint, individuals select which companies to invest in. The panel included Jamie Franco, managing director and global head of sustainable investment at the TCW group, Lauren Godlasky, head of investor relations and marketing at Avoro Capital, Ann Mennel, senior vice president and CFO at Merit Energy Company and Paige O’Neil, president of Shapack Partners. The panel was moderated by Colleen McQuillan Nikam, an investment advisor at Goldman Sachs.
Franco spoke on the necessity for larger companies that are looking to invest to not only partner but look out for smaller pharmaceutical companies.
“As the investor, you have an outsized ability to help [smaller]
companies,” Franco said.
Godlasky spoke on the need for direct collaboration and communication within the spheres of advocacy and legal discourse.
“We talk to patient advocacy groups. We talk to D.C. to make sure we are following regulatory processes,” Godlasky said.
Through this, she highlighted her belief that being a leader within her field requires an innate ability to be approachable and easy to work with. Godlasky expressed that leadership, specifically in investing, requires interpersonal relationships and skills.
“Empathy can translate into finding a pattern that can be worked with,” Godlasky said.
Before transitioning to a networking lunch, the
By JESSICA MAYOR News Writer
With Black History Month now over, Black students took the time to reflect on the month and its significance.
Several officers of the Notre Dame Black Student Association (BSA) offered their perspectives. Senior Corey Bowden is president of (BSA) and serves alongside senior vice president Izayah Edwards and junior outreach commissioner Nayi Osunbor.
“Black History Month isn’t just a celebration of a single moment in time, it’s a legacy that existed then, now and will
continue to exist,” Bowden wrote. ”It is important now more than ever that we use this month to educate people about Black History, which is so closely intertwined into American History. Being knowledgeable about the past provides valuable lessons to help us shape a better and more inclusive, equitable future.”
Edwards expanded on Bowden’s points.
“It’s not just history, it’s a living, breathing narrative that influences the present and inspires the future,” Edwards wrote. ”But it shouldn’t stop at
SMC’s Battle of the Belles returns
By BERHAN HAGEZOM Staff Writer
On Saturday, from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., at the Angela Athletic and Wellness Complex, students gathered for the revival of “Battle of the Belles”. The event included classes competing and earning points through games provided, including hot potato, musical chairs, tug of war, dodgeball, basketball knockout and hungry hippos.
This school-spirit event was originally started in the early 2000s known as “Midnight Madness” for community-building.
Head STUNT coach Jillian Humphrey mentions the history behind the event and why it was being held for students.
“Battle of the Belles was an event that was done years ago at the College and we brought it back. I believe the last time we did it was around the early 2000s. So this year, the College just wanted to bring it back as another school spirit initiative,” Humphrey said.
Adriana Petty, the senior class team leader for Battle of the Belles, stated more about how the position was organized and what specific responsibilities were included. “There were four of us staff that were partnered with four professors, and our roles were to organize the players for each of the games.”
The event started at 8:15 p.m, with a speech from Saint Mary’s president Katie Conboy on the Donor Challenge event that occurred on Wednesday, raising over $1.5 million dollars, in which seniors were mentioned as the class having the largest donations made out of the student body. The ‘spirit stick’ was also given as an honorable mention, which is provided to the class who earns the most points following all of the games.
Humphrey states the incentives
Students who attended the event had the option to either RSVP in BelleTower to be awarded three tickets, or check in-person to have two tickets provided. Any ticket given could be used to either participate in the games or be picked for the biggest prizes offered to each class year. As mentioned through email by the director of athletics Julie Schroeder-Biek, the activities required little to none athletic skill, and contestants are organized with class team leaders at the basketball court.
SOPHIA TRAN | The Observer
David Faverty, his daughter and a Notre Dame student pose for a photo under a colorful balloon arch at the Rare Disease Day event.
Marcus Freeman high-fives Notre Dame women’s basketball guard Hannah Hidalgo during the home game March 2. Hidalgo dropped 20 points, helping Irish women’s basketball defeat the Louisville Cardinals 72-59 earning a share of the ACC women’s title.
Today’s Staff
News Grace Tadajweski
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Corrections
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Art History Works
3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Talk on Dormition icon.
8 p.m. - 9 p.m. Performance by
Tuesday
French
7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Tabling for king cake.
Irish
8 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Seven musicians perform Irish melodies.
Wednesday
Lecture
12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Discussion of Taras Shevchenko’s work.
Drop ND17 Charges
Thursday
“Invisible Child” Book Presentation
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Journalist discusses book with reception.
Stand-Up March
MARIELLA TADDONIO
of participating in Battle of the Belles, and the impact of class participation. “Everybody is encouraged between first years, second years, third years, fourth years and grad students as well. We want everybody, as many people on the floor as possible and I believe there’s about 340 opportunities to play and over 100 gifts to give away.”
The first activity was musical chairs, in which 10 students from each class year were picked to compete in a series of several rounds and resulted in the sophomore class winning the game.
The next game was basketball knockout, where freshmans went against sophomores and juniors competed with seniors. Sophomores also won that round following an all-round class competition. Students were able to win blenders as prizes.
Following this, hungry hungry hippos were next, including freshmans vs juniors and sophomores vs seniors, where nine people from each class participated. Following internal class competition, the freshman class won and 75 flex points were awarded for winners.
Hot potato was played next with all individuals who would like to participate from each
class joining in a circle. Prizes were given to every person who participated based on the letters announced on the balls, including massage guns, room diffusers, Keurigs, heated blankets, lanyards, wallets and gift baskets.
Dodgeball occurred with 10 people competing per class, including freshmans vs juniors and sophomores against seniors.
Freshmans and seniors were finalists, in which the freshman class won and each individual player received a digital camera.
Lastly, tug-of-war was played with freshmans against seniors and sophomores against juniors. The third round led to the juniors winning against freshman, and receiving massage guns as well.
The event concluded with the announcement of grand prizes, ranging from $200 to $1500, where one student drawn from each class had the opportunity to receive a Saint Mary’s jewelry assortment, an Apple watch, Apple headphones and a two night-stay in Chicago at a Four Seasons hotel with a variety of museum and architectural tours along with spending money given.
Students also had the opportunity to cheer on class peers who competed from the bleachers. Free food included from Chick-fil-A, along with snacks,
pizza, and drinks.
Attendees felt energized by the event, and were excited from what it had to offer. Some students were also encouraged to participate through their teams and coaches attending.
“My whole softball team participated, our coach really encouraged it and we were really excited to come out today,” sophomore Madi Ingolia said.
Attendees also saw this as a great way to get into schoolspirit when choosing to attend. “I went to my friend’s room and they were getting ready to go and I think it was just kind of a spur of the moment. We knew that there was a lot of incentive towards it, so that’s why we came. But when we got here, it was really entertaining,” junior Maureen Burnham said.
Humphrey hopes that the event is able to continue growing and having more participants in the future, and states what they would like for students to get out of having this event.
“I’m hoping that this will just be a year one, that the campus can experience it and that the event keeps growing … Just bringing the girls together, having fun laughs and getting the students involved,” Humphrey said.
Contact Berhan Hagezom at bhagezom01@saintmarys.edu
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the end of February. It’s not just about remembering the past but also about making a difference now. It’s not just about celebrating but about keeping the momentum going and being the change you want to see. If we do that, Notre Dame will continue to be a place where history drives progress and unity grows through action.”
Osunbor spoke beyond Notre Dame, in consideration of the federal government.
“With everything happening at the federal level of government, it is more important than ever to focus on lifting each other up and celebrating one another, fostering a sense of unity that transcends political or ideological divides,” Osunbor wrote.
She then elaborated on how Black alumni impacted her this year.
“During the Black Excellence Dinner this past January, we were fortunate enough to hear from Don Wycliff. He told us his story of how he made his decision to come to Notre Dame and his journey here. Being in a room filled with so much wisdom was extremely inspiring,” Osunbor wrote.
Wycliff graduated from Notre Dame in 1969. He was a
journalist.
“However, as a Black student on campus, that feeling isn’t always reflected throughout campus. This is why it is essential to use Black History Month not just as a time of celebration, but also as a catalyst for ongoing education and empathy,” Osunbor wrote. “We should be intentional about learning from one another, acknowledging the lived experiences of Black students and working to create an inclusive campus environment not just in February, but throughout the entire year.”
Students on the Diversity Council of Notre Dame also offered their perspectives. Senior Shelby Clennon is secretary of the council, and sophomore Kefina Wright is assistant chair of residential life and wellness.
“It’s important to educate the student body on Black history because of the political climate we are living in now,” Clennon wrote. “Without it, history will be erased and names forgotten, we can’t let that happen. Without Black History, everyone loses vital points of their history.”
Wright took on a different approach and reflected on her own experiences with Black History Month.
a Moreau Peer Leader
attention to women in sports.
SMC dining staff reflect Summit
final discussion, “Building a Championship Culture: From the Pentagon to the WNBA,“ welcomed Allison Barber, former president of the Indiana Fever and CEO of To the Hoop Strategies. The discussion was moderated by Jenna Liberto, director of internal communications at Notre Dame.
Liberto opened the discussion by highlighting Barber’s extensive career path involving a variety of institutions.
“I’m in my eighth career, not jobs, but careers,” Barber said.
She stressed the importance of not limiting one’s aspirations to a single job or profession. Barber highlighted that when individuals confine their creativity and ambitions, it often leads to dissatisfaction and missed opportunities.
“I’ve never had a dream career. I’ve set the work and the mission as the dream. I’ve always said ‘yes’ to the things that I felt mattered to me,” Barber said.
Barber continued, explaining that sometimes the most impactful things, not only to the individual, but to society as a whole, are what end up shifting and aligning goals for everyone.
After being asked to work in the Pentagon for the United States’ Department of Defense, Barber recounted the impact the events of 9/11 had on those willing to fight for and give their energy to the United States.
“There are times in your life and in society that are transformational moments, and you cannot plan for that,” Barber said.
Additionally, Barber spoke to the case of drafting Caitlin Clark to the Indiana Fever, noting the massive shift in public attention to women’s sports. According to Barber, she believed drafting Clark would open the window to pulling more
“The behavior changed in society, and similar to drafting Caitlin Clark, it was a different shift in society, but I needed to maximize on it,” Barber said.
Later in the discussion, Liberto asked Barber what continually drew her to maximize opportunities and keep pushing for more, even when others would feel threatened to continue.
“To the Hoop mentality, you get one chance in life. You just have to go for it. Having the ball in your hand and take it to the hoop,” Barber said.
Barber emphasized keeping motivation high and utilizing every opportunity as a means and not an end. Additionally, when Liberto asked if Barber had seen a direct shift in social behavior towards the Fever, Barber highlighted a shift in people’s reactions to the team logo.
“I felt that if my job was to build the brand, then it was my job to build the brand,” Barber said.
Before drafting Clark, Barber noted that wearing the team logo often led people to assume she worked for the team. She attributed this assumption to the broader issue of undermining the visibility and recognition of women in the sports industry.
“When I wear Notre Dame, no one asks me if I work there. When I wore Fever, people only asked if I worked there,” Barber said.
However, Barber highlighted that once there was social engagement surrounding the draft, and specifically Clark, she felt a largescale positive shift in women’s professional sports.
“The day since we signed Caitlin, no one has asked me if I work for the Fever. That is transformational,” Barber said.
Contact Isabel Torres at itorres@nd.edu
conversation.”
“In much of my past education, Black History Month was used as an excuse to not explore Black history in other parts of the year. To limit our education of black people and their contributions to this country and abroad is to lose sight of what the month is about,” Wright wrote. “It is not just an allotted time to celebrate Black contributions but rather an annual reminder to confront openly who we are as a country, recognize how Black stories are integral to that narrative and how we can use these lessons to continue to progress in the future.”
Wright continued: “Black history is American history, and so much more. Black history is not only about understanding prominent, wellknown figures but also about understanding how our history has informed who we are today and who we can be tomorrow,” Wright wrote. “Black History Month should be part of a much larger
ISABELLA GONZALES Staff Writer
Detailing their years at Campus Dining and workplace camaraderie, employees at Saint Mary’s College’s Noble Family Dining Hall reflected on the workplace community they’ve built.
Alan Pecze shared that he’s been with Campus Dining for about 30 years, beginning with Notre Dame’s North and South Dining Halls before shifting to the Saint Mary’s campus.
Another employee, Christopher Jones, who helps to prepare dishes, shared that he’s worked in the dining hall for “a long time, but [he] was off for probably about six years and [he] decided to come back.”
“This is me, this is what I do. This is my living,” Jones said.
Chef Gwen Mottl, who leads the morning shifts of the day, explained her earlier work experience at Café de Grásta, a former Notre Dame dining location in Grace Hall.
“They shut down de Grásta after COVID and then we were placed here,” Mottl said, explaining how she was able to grow her skill set with the opportunity to engage with the different quantities of food and menus that came with the change in location. She detailed her learning of how to provide food for “five to six hundred people rather than just maybe three hundred” as well as preparing food in bulk at the dining hall vs. individually at the cafe.
Morgan Fredericks, an employee who tends to the salad bar, had
Disease
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Notre Dame hosted several events during Black History Month. Events included the series “That Just Isn’t Fair; Settling for Left-Overs,” which takes place from Feb. 6 to March 31. The series is a spotlight exhibit in Hesburgh Library room 102, featuring magazines from the 1970s of African American women activists and athletes.
On Feb. 27, “Policing in America” occurred, where David Cortez, assistant professor of political science, and Luis Fraga, professor of political science, conversed about the policing events that lead to the death of Tyre Nichols while discussing race and policing.
“I believe an informed student body is better equipped to engage in complex dialogue, advocate for change and justice in alignment with the Catholic mission and play a role in shaping a more equitable society and school community for all,” Bowden said.
Contact Jessica Mayor at jmayor2@nd.edu
a similar experience when she was moved to Saint Mary’s from Notre Dame’s Huddle market in August 2020.
Fredericks explained that she found herself a lot happier in her current position at the Noble Family Dining Hall, saying, “I love all the good vibes, and all the good energy.”
“I have amazing coworkers and they make the shift better,” said Noemi Calihua, a sophomore who also works at the salad bar.
Cook Neil Russell expanded upon this camaraderie between the team, noting that the sense of community is strengthened with the people he serves. “You see a lot of people you get familiar with, so when you see them and you kinda know what they want… little things like that …it’s probably the best job I can do to serve the students,” he said.
The students of Saint Mary’s have also taken notice of the passion of the cooking team.
“They’re so nice and you can tell that they actually care about their jobs and that we have good quality food,” junior Morgan Zack comments.
Sophomore Amira Lolivas has a similar opinion of the dining team, saying that the people behind the dining hall team were really sweet.
“They definitely keep, like, a spirit. Y’know?” she adds. “They always seem to be really happy, and it kind of reflects on the people.”
Other students like Lolivas have made a consensus on how noticeable the team’s camaraderie was. Another sophomore, Sophia Waddell, speaks about the team
having a “connection with each other that’s unspoken”, and she also makes another point about how the team’s energy reflects on the people, saying, “When they’re interacting with the other students here, they usually get them super excited or more ready to go to classes.”
Junior Maddie Jones expands on Waddell’s point on the team’s energy towards the students, expressing that “it makes people wanna come to the dining hall”. She also expresses the point of welcoming the students further by saying how “It can be scary especially when you first come to Saint Mary’s and just come to a new place that you’re either eating alone or you meet new people in the dining hall” but that “they’re [the dining hall team] always nice and that’s positive.”
In turn, the workers at Campus Dining pick up on the gratitude the students hold for them. Peczel, for example, says his favorite part of working at the dining hall is specifically “when I have interaction with the students. When they like something [the food] and they come and they tell me.”
Mottl also shares a similar sentiment about what she liked the most about her job.
“When the girls are really grateful when they come through the line and as they’re getting their food there’s a random thank you,” she answered. “You know? And it’s like that’s really nice to hear that we’re appreciated for what we do.”
Contact Isabella Gonzales at igonzales01@saintmarys.edu
Conrad continued, “We had some additional support from Uplifting Athletes … they had a bunch of their teammates sign footballs in advance for the families, and then several members of the cheer team will also be stopping by.”
Aside from an increase in student involvement, Conrad and Calhoun also noted an increase in attendance of families experiencing rare disease at the event.
“Last year, we had seven families registered, and then this year, it’s 20,” Calhoun said. “Getting the community involved on campus is really what we’re working towards, so that we can let [the families] know that we’re here and that they’re available to come whenever they want and with whomever they want.”
Calhoun elaborated, “The biggest thing about rare disease patients is they are often marginalized in terms of the care that they receive ... they have to travel such distances to see experts that understand their disease, and there are just so many complexities that I think [are] overwhelming and isolating. For these types of events that we have, we want them to come, and we want them to [know that] it’s their day.”
With an increase in both
student and general community attendance, the Rare Disease Day event also had a few other additions in terms of programming.
Different from prior years, this year’s event featured two student remarks delivered by junior Tim Theisen, a student in the science and patient advocacy minor, and junior Annie Hamilton, a student with Friedreich’s ataxia. In addition to reflective prayers and verbal remarks, dinner was held for the families in Jordan Hall, where other family activities such as face painting were also set up for entertainment.
One of approximately 20 families present, attendee David Faverty and his family shared how special it was to find a community among other people impacted by rare disease. Faverty’s daughter, Kyria, is diagnosed with Rett syndrome, a rare neurological disease making it difficult for her to walk and communicate clearly.
As a parent, Faverty discussed the importance of finding and developing a community built upon a desire to uplift each other.
“We came in here, and we’ve met the other families, and it’s kind of like a group that inspires each other,” Faverty said. “We’re just all together, and lift each other up … Our kids have different diseases, so we all have the same steps that we have to go through every day. It’s nice to have
somebody to help support you because you’ve been through it.”
Outside of the Rare Disease Day event, more plans are currently underway for students to involve themselves in patient advocacy for rare disease. Calhoun and Conrad discussed how students in the science and patient advocacy minor are seeking out numerous other ways to involve themselves in initiatives inside and outside the classroom.
Some students have organized initiatives to update state resource guides while others are participating in the Schumacher Summer Immersion Grant Program, an opportunity to work full-time in non-profit rare disease spaces over the summer. The science and patient advocacy minor started with 25 students in 2022 and has since expanded to 90 students in 2025.
Calhoun and Conrad hope the Rare Disease Day event can promote hope and awareness within the rare disease community.
“Rare diseases can be really isolating and lonely,” Conrad said. “Because we have the patient advocacy program here [and] researchers here studying rare diseases, it’s my hope that people know that they’re not alone.”
Contact Sophia Tran at stran2@nd.edu
INSIDE COLUMN
Fr. Dowd, if not now, when?
Thomas Dobbs Assistant Managing Editor
In a January article, Fr. John Jenkins argued against adopting institutional neutrality, insisting that universities should use their voices “wisely.” He is right. At a time when the mission of higher education is under attack and expertise is increasingly dismissed, the duty to speak out is more urgent than ever — both for the integrity of this institution and the future of our nation.
Fr. Jenkins cites Harvard’s policy on institutional neutrality: “‘The university has a responsibility to speak out to protect and promote its core function ... [and] defend [its] autonomy and academic freedom when threatened, but it should not issue statements about other public matters.” He instead argues that universities should reject neutrality altogether so that they can “articulate institutional values and the implications that flow from them.”
Fr. Jenkins is right to claim that self-imposed restrictions on a University’s voice are ultimately insufficient. They serve as little more than risk-averse, superficial compromises — band-aids designed to shield the institution from political controversy. In doing so, universities risk sidelining themselves from the most pressing and contentious debates of our time, not out of principle, but out of fear of provoking backlash.
For all the criticisms leveled at Harvard’s approach, it has at least taken a stand on issues that threaten the core functions of the university, detailing the public benefits of NIH grants. Rather than merely forming committees to assess the latest wave of executive orders or dispatching lobbyists to quietly nudge policymakers away from taxing university endowments, Notre Dame should adopt a more proactive and public stance in defending its fundamental mission.
If there were ever a moment for the University to take a stand, that moment is now.
Unfortunately, threats to Notre Dame’s academic functions go far beyond the actions of the past few weeks. While trust in organized religion has fallen, a fact recognized by the University, so too has trust in institutions of higher learning.
And to be clear, much of this is certainly not any one university’s fault. Some of the loudest calls for censorship now come from within — students demanding speech restrictions, pushing to cancel Pride events and film screenings or obsessing over the threat of “wokeness” while admitting its influence is marginal. Meanwhile, university administrators — the very people once accused of stifling debate — are left defending free expression from their own students. You can’t make this up.
But while they fend off attacks from within, an even greater threat comes from outside. The role and impact of universities ultimately depend on a society’s commitment — both stated and revealed — to valuing knowledge. Yet we are living in an era where facts are treated as optional, expertise is dismissed and entire disciplines are cast as ideological threats. Universities cannot naively assume they can simply lobby or subtly negotiate their way out of this climate. The hostility toward higher education is not a passing storm — it is an intentional pillar of the new political order.
It’s no coincidence that NIH funding, academic research and university endowments have been targeted by the new administration. This is a movement that ran on
anti-intellectualism and science skepticism — promoting vaccine denialism, denying basic facts about climate change and spouting stolen election conspiracies. This is a movement that has promised to punish public health officials and target institutions of knowledge. To treat these attacks as ordinary policy disagreements would be to misunderstand their intent.
Yes, universities have administrative bloat. Yes, some funding could be spent more efficiently.
But we aren’t working with an administration that takes a scalpel to university excess but instead wields an axe, taking with it the very positive externalities of university research and knowledge dissemination and production.
The dismantling of USAID wasn’t a serious effort to root out waste, fraud or abuse; it was a blunt display of power — a message that said, “We don’t care who suffers, or even dies, as a result of these freezes.” Why should universities expect any more grace when it comes to their federal funding?
This disregard for consequences extends far beyond financial decisions — it reflects a deeper erosion of truth itself — an erosion aided by an unfortunate marriage between rejection of truth and peddling of faith.
To be clear, I commend the University for defending the compatibility of faith and reason. In fact, I took an entire theology course dedicated to this theme and found it both informative and reassuring. But today’s science denialism is neither motivated by theological objection nor scriptural misinterpretation — it is rooted in a broader rejection of truth itself.
The fusion of religious faith with conspiracy politics is not an organic development — it is a deliberate strategy, weaponized by political actors who see religion as a means to an ideological end. It is impossible to focus narrowly on attacks to schools’ federal funding and NIH grants without first acknowledging the broader context — the comments of a president who in his inaugural address said he was “saved by God” to return to the White House, the “Jesus 2020” flags on January 6 and a movement that views Trump as a divine instrument, a modern-day King Cyrus.
Ignoring this dynamic while objecting only to specific policies — on DEI, NIH funding or university governance — misses the larger issue. The fight over higher education is not just a budget battle; it is a battle over the role of knowledge in public life, where political movements cheapen faith and manipulate political beliefs to serve their own ends. If Notre Dame believes that faith and reason are compatible it should spend more effort combating the very movements which encourage people to elevate faith over reason, to bring wooden crosses and “Jesus 2020” banners to a faith-driven insurrection.
This rejection of knowledge — and the refusal to distinguish fact from fiction, often cloaked in Christian undertones — has other real-world consequences. It is a country where people no longer read newspapers, if they read at all. When expertise is dismissed, vaccine uptake plummets under the guise of religious objections and once-eradicated diseases return. In rural Texas, 20 unvaccinated children have been hospitalized with measles and one has died — the first U.S. measles death since 2015. A society that devalues knowledge doesn’t just weaken its universities — it puts its own health, prosperity and future at risk.
It’s worth reminding the current administration that the technological and medical
advances which define modern life — including GPS, AI, the internet and mRNA vaccines — owe their existence to federally funded research. Slashing that support isn’t just an attack on academia; it’s a deliberate step toward economic stagnation.
The danger in the hostility lies in the lack of any limiting principle, driven by a belief that the culture of university is more dangerous than losing its breakthroughs. Some would dismantle an entire system of research and innovation to purge “woke” culture from the system. But indiscriminate cuts don’t just target perceived “wokeness” — they gut the very research that fuels medical advances, technological breakthroughs and economic growth. In the rush to purge academia of politics, they risk dismantling the very research and innovation that serve the public good.
In the face of this threat, the University cannot hide behind bureaucracy — renaming DEI offices, forming committees or issuing statements so carefully worded they say nothing at all. The assault on knowledge is not a PR issue; it is an existential one. It demands a clear and unapologetic objection to research cuts and other acts of coercion. The University doesn’t necessarily have to act alone — Notre Dame’s leadership, alongside other leading universities and research institutions, can collectively issue a statement in an unequivocal defense of their academic missions.
The case is clear: A president obsessed with “American greatness” — who stakes his legacy on the stock market and economic growth — should, in theory, be alarmed by the deliberate dismantling of one of the nation’s greatest engines of productivity: its universities.
Does this risk political entanglement? Of course. But Notre Dame has never been shy about engaging in politics when its values demanded it. Fr. Jenkins has criticized both parties when they conflicted with Catholic teaching, condemning family separation under Trump and Biden’s stance on abortion. U.S. bishops have continued to challenge Trump administration policies that violate Catholic social doctrine.
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn warned that “the simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie.” Yet by quietly renaming DEI offices and neglecting to publicly defend federally funded research, Notre Dame is doing just that. Is DEI central to the University’s mission of inclusivity or not? Are federal research grants a public good or a wasteful boondoggle? The University’s silence — its committee formations and reliance on lobbyists — signals a willingness to accommodate rather than resist. But a university that truly believes in its mission does not hedge. It leads.
If Fr. Jenkins was right to reject institutional neutrality, then Notre Dame is wrong to retreat into it now. To remain silent as research funding is gutted and expertise is undermined is to concede that knowledge is negotiable. And it fulfills the very neutrality which Fr. Jenkins rejected.
Most importantly, a university that seeks credibility as a moral voice must first be credible in its defense of truth — defending reason as forcefully as it defends faith.
In a world where research is curtailed and facts are discretionary, history won’t ask why Notre Dame played it safe. It will ask why it refused to fight.
Fr. Dowd, if not now, when?
You can contact Thomas at tdobbs@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the
The greatest drug, the greatest fright: slumber
Carlos Basurto Eudaemonic Banter
As a child, there was no more mortifying experience than that of going to sleep. Once the clock struck due time, my mother would announce the fateful moment — the terrible omen turned truth — and thus, light would succumb. Silence would reign.
In darkness, I lay alone. The moon glared from beyond the swinging curtains, dancing along to the rhythmic pulse emanating from the circling ceiling fan above. Its windy tendrils caressed my hair, sending a shiver down my spine. It hummed, the only sound distinct from my racing heartbeat. Neither darkness nor solitude bothered me, but as I closed my eyes — doing as I ought to do — a horrifying chill would wrap itself around my heart. Oppressively, it would crush my struggling life force, compress my lungs fighting for air. A shriek would rise to my lips, but no sound would escape my dry throat.
Outside, the moon maintained its gaze, unbothered.
“Sleep is just death being shy.” I would whisper, but no one would hear.
I did not wonder if monsters lay underneath my bed or behind the doors leading into my closet. My worries did not involve eldritch beings or serial killers or werewolves. I knew no such things were there. But I knew I was here — breathing, thinking, living. Once slumber took hold of me, however, I was afraid I would never be again.
For when I sleep, I cease to be. The one proof of my existence, the one thing I hold on to, dissolves in dormancy. My rational mind: sole anchor to reality. Perhaps fragments bleed onto the fabric of my dreams, faint tones of what I was, but in truth, it is all gone with the wind.
Every night, as I closed my eyes, I wondered what evidence I had that I would open them again. Anxiously, I could not lie to myself: my hands were empty. A fool’s answer would echo in my mind; prerogatively, it would argue by recalling the images of my waking up every morning. The issue with its words was not merely their inductive fallaciousness, but that those memories offered no proper evidence of my continued existence. Indeed, I could remember falling asleep and waking up. Yet memories of the past are not me. How am I to know that is me? They could be but the recollection of a dead child I believed to be, and I was soon to join them, once I closed my eyes true.
Fact of the matter was, every night I slept was a night I died. Yes, someone would possibly awake in this body, in this very position, with all my memories, in brief hours. But that was not to be me. My stream of consciousness — that which alone remarked my life — indubitably ended. A new one would appear and replace me, but its suspension begged the question of where I would go. And yet, there was nowhere to go.
The moon — final witness of my suicide — stood by and did naught.
As I grew older, my phobia grew into hatred. All I longed for was a future where slumber would not be necessary for human function. Even if I did not die when I slept, a matter that was never to be settled in my heart, something precious was indubitably stolen from me: the one thing I can never recuperate — time. Time asleep meant less time doing what I loved, sharing moments with my beloved or enjoying the pleasantries of life; time asleep was robbed time.
Paradoxically, however, I came to interact with those who fervently longed for sleep. They ached not for more life, but for less. An interruption, a break, but not an end. Cowards that they were, they
Aging out
talk to myself in my Voice Memos app like I’m a podcast host.
anguished for the thought of sparing themselves of life without fully parting from it. They found a wide array of methods with which to escape from it: drugs, careers, social media, hobbies, relationships, addictions, sexual gratification, blindful zealotry. Cowards that they were, they had to be high on something to keep going. Something to forget who they were, for a moment to cease their continuum. They cried and prayed and fought for the opportunity to not be, temporarily.
And what greater drug could there be than the truest momentary escape of all: slumber?
With slumber, one could forget themselves with an ease that could never be found in the bottom of a bottle, or needle, or professional ladder or emotional letter. Genuine, ultimate temporary escapism — and necessary for health, to boot!
We fear death, yet we too chase a taste of that sweet goodnight. We love life, and yet we avoid it. How come we affirm such contrary ideals? I, like anyone else, have been a coward. Answerless, I turn to my fear, my hate, my dear, my drug — sleep. But whatever lie I believe in my wake, when my eyes close, the cold seeps into my heart once more.
For once the clock strikes due time, the terrible omen turns true and light succumbs.
Silence reigns, and I am no more.
The moon retains its watch — as always, a bystander.
Carlos A. Basurto is a junior at Notre Dame studying philosophy, computer science and German. He’s president of the video game club and will convince you to join, regardless of your degree of interest. Now, with the power to channel his least insane ideas, feel free to talk about them further at cbasurto@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
I’m 21 in Notre Dame, IN, and sometimes I think I’m aging out.
My life looks like this: I order overpriced iced coffee from Hagerty every other day and try my best to recycle my plastic cups (although I am still not convinced recycling is a thing here). I occasionally try to craft cocktails at my friends’ apartments and find myself enthralled with the process, but entirely uncertain of my ability to make a good lemon drop martini (or pickletini or dirty martini). I speak to probably three people daily. I don’t drink enough water, but I enjoy a nojumping HIIT workout. Sometimes, I actually can’t shut up. Sometimes, I actually can’t will myself to do the things I don’t want to do (i.e. my simulated internship for Social Media Strategy: I’m so sorry Professor Connelly, I absolutely will get it done).
Sticky dance floors are still the place I feel the most alive, and I’m still caught in a love triangle with CJ’s and Olf’s every Thursday night. Going to the dining hall makes me feel old, so I do it rarely (against my better judgment: my Domer Dollar account). I watch the Bachelor now and am currently rooting for Juliana (or Litia or Alex, maybe Zoe?). Sometimes, I go for long walks around the lake and
This is my life, and it won’t be like this pretty soon. Everyone complains about spring semester in South Bend, but I love it. I mean, I was pretty highfunctioning depressed at this time last year — to the point where I refer to the perfume I wore every day last spring as my “depression scent” (Pacifica Dream Moon). But truly, there’s nothing better than our little world feeling like a snow globe or curling up in your dorm room with the radiator clanking against your bed (very loudly, but it feels like a sauna in here, and thank God).
There’s nothing better than running to the bar from your friend’s car with no jacket, wondering if you’ll ever be this naive again. There’s nothing better than the first warm day all semester, how girls come alive in short skirts and guys who have been wearing shorts all winter continue to wear shorts (to prove their masculinity? I’m not sure. I’ll never know).
When the sun comes out, it all feels worth it. I start playing the songs I listened to from March 2023 — that golden month my sophomore spring when everything felt right. It takes me back to wearing my baggy blue sweatshirt and shorts everywhere no matter the weather, spending all my nights in with the BP girls and all my nights out also with the BP girls (at Newf’s or CJ’s or LaFun or the fourth floor study room with the essential oil
diffuser going).
It doesn’t feel real to me that it’s all coming to an end. But I know it is — because I bought my commencement ball dress, I’m finishing my thesis and we just picked all our new RA’s for next year.
I know it’s ending because I find myself in class fantasizing about my last summer of freedom back home, on the other side of graduation, before moving across the country to properly begin my 20’s. I find myself daydreaming about playing tennis in the hot Virginia sun again or going to O’Connell’s again and catching up with all my old friends. I find myself missing my dog terribly. I find myself knowing this is all ending and being so okay with it because I’m aging out of this experience, and I have to leave to make room.
I’m 21 in Notre Dame, IN, and I’m going to miss this so badly someday. These next few months here, moving through the preemptive mourning and my class’s looming departure, I will take a deep breath every time I pass the dome to take it all in and remember (remember what this all felt like).
Kate Casper is a senior at Notre Dame studying English with minors in digital marketing and Italian. She strives to be the best waste of your time. You can contact her at kcasper@nd.edu.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Kate Casper Outsider Instincts
By NATALIE SWIDERSKI Scene Writer
It’s 9:00 p.m. An eager group huddled in the middle of an Irish Row apartment stare in anticipation at a TV mounted on the wall. Excitement and uneasiness lay thick in the room as the smell of fresh banana bread and suspense envelop the scene. With a trembling hand, someone grabs the remote and presses play. OK, it wasn’t really that dramatic, but that was the site of my Thursday evening last week as I watched the seventh episode of Season 2 of the hit Apple TV+ drama “Severance” (when I should have been studying for my Italian exam the next day). But I regret nothing — “Severance” waits for no one, especially if you’re a member of Twitter’s expansive and spoiler-prone community dedicated to the show.
For those who are not familiar, the show follows Mark S. (Adam Scott), a grief-stricken man who — in the aftermath of the “death” of his wife — opts to undergo a procedure called “severance.” This procedure essentially splits his brain in half, giving him two consciousnesses: one that exists at work and cannot remember anything about his personal life, and one that exists everywhere else and cannot remember anything about his work life. Severance seemed to be a perfect way
to forget his grief for a while, but Mark begins to uncover disturbing realities about the company (Lumon Industries) that severed and now employs him. Season 2 debuted in January, and so far, it has been equal parts captivating and terrifying. Utilizing the mind-bending visuals and elaborate storylines that characterized the first season, the second season of “Severance” continues to provide its dedicated viewers with new twists and turns in every episode. So far, every episode has successfully left me in silent horror, mouth agape and hands covering my eyes — and that’s just because of Adam Scott’s disgustingly greasy but character-appropriate wig.
One can almost forgive the nearly three-year gap between Seasons 1 and 2, as creator Dan Erickson has once again masterfully crafted a world of familiar modern office life. Every stereotypical facet — unflattering fluorescent lights and trivial work incentives — has been meticulously dialed to the extreme. Every single detail, down to the shade of white on the walls of Lumon’s lower offices and the out-of-focus artwork in the background of the scenes, evokes a sense of uneasiness and possesses some meaning greater than mere set design.
The show’s numerous and often blink-and-you’llmiss-them easter eggs are also in a masterclass of
their own, much to the delight of the vast Reddit community of “Severance” fans. One brief Google search will lead you down a four-hour rabbit hole, investigating how the liminal states of Tibetan Buddhism can relate to a psychological drama about work-life balance.
This season has been masterful in normalizing the uncomfortable. Dynamic and frankly vertigo-inducing camera movements as well as not-so-subtle allusions to the Soviet regime characterize work at Lumon as torture, yet its workers keep coming back. But, to be fair, who wouldn’t? I know I’d endure anything just to behold the incredible sight that is Tramell Tillman’s ‘70sesque moustache.
Season 2 of “Severance” continues to be a flawless and often visually horrifying representation of modern work culture. It also serves as a reminder that it actually could be worse — at least corporate hasn’t taken your wife hostage and attempted to indoctrinate you into a cult-like religion. So the next time you walk into your mind-numbing job that doesn’t pay enough for you to deal with that one co-worker you just can’t stand, sit down, take a deep breath, and remember that the work is “mysterious and important.”
Contact Natalie Swiderski at nswider2@nd.edu
By ANDY OTTONE Scene Writer
I have a soft spot for Captain America. Out of the wide-sprawling film franchise Marvel has spawned, Captain America has always been one of my favorites. “Captain America: The First Avenger” was the first Marvel movie I watched; when “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” came out, I was excited to see the big twists and turns it would take the franchise into; “Captain America: Civil War” only fueled my desire to see the next big Marvel movie.
Years later, my passion for Marvel has cooled. I still keep up with the films and the news around them, but they’re not the big events I put so much emphasis on in the past. That being said, I knew I’d go see the newest Captain America film, the fourth entry bearing the subtitle “Brave New World” in theaters. While Marvel may no longer be my number one priority when it comes to film, it’s hard for me not to get excited about Captain America.
This movie is very different from the previous Captain America films; it feels less like a follow-up to any film (though it does pick up characters from one of the many Marvel television shows on Disney+), but
rather two very erratic picks for the typically grounded series: the grand historical epic superhero saga “The Eternals” and the pseudo-monster-film “The Incredible Hulk” have much more bearing on the plot than any previous Captain America film. This is present in both the film’s plot — featuring the titanic Celestial from the climax of “The Eternals” as a focal point — and characters. While Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson is under the mask for this film and remains a charismatic and engaging actor to watch, his new tenure as Captain America is far from the film’s heart.
Danny Ramirez sees an upgrade from his small appearance in “Falcon and the Winter Soldier” on Disney+; his character Joaquin Torres is now a fully fledged superhero and the newest to bear the Falcon mantle. Ramirez was not in much of the precursor series, but he manages to shine in this film through his humor and sincerity. Also returning from the television miniseries is Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley, who manages to make the most of his limited screen time as the formerly incarcerated super soldier.
The most interesting casting of this film, though, lies with its central antagonist: Harrison Ford’s performance as Thaddeus Ross, taking over for the late William Hurt. Ford humanizes a character that is
fundamentally unlikable, especially for longtime fans of the Marvel films; Ross has never been much of a guy you want to root for. That being said, the character arc given by the script fleshes out the former General’s storyline by going all the way back to the second film in this 17-year-long cinematic universe. Minor antagonists throughout the film are less memorable but still fun, specifically Giancarlo Esposito as “Sidewinder,” leader of a terrorist group called The Serpents. Esposito manages to play both towards and against type; yes, he remains a smooth-talking manipulator, but he also gets to partake in the action, engaging in some of the more exciting fight sequences in the film.
“Captain America: Brave New World” is an entertaining film. However, similar to Marvel Studios’ recent output, it feels like the filmmakers picked a random assortment of characters and past films to tie together. The final product does work, but it just doesn’t feel like the right story for a Captain America film. While the film is fun and worth watching, it fails to capture the magic that made me love the Captain America films before it.
Contact Andy Ottone at aottone@nd.edu
HOCKEY
Irish swept by MSU in Jackson’s home finale
By RYAN MURPHY Sports Writer
The video ended, and Jeff Jackson stepped out on the ice. He had coached fourteen years of games on that ice sheet. Just moments before, when the siren sounded to end No. 3 Michigan State’s 5-2 win over Notre Dame, the 20-year head coach of the Irish had finished coaching his last.
After the long line of handshakes and hugs, a tribute video, and some tears, Jackson stepped onto the Compton Family Ice Arena ice. He was going to do something he rarely, if ever, had done before. Hand in one pocket, he walked down to face the band and the student section. He linked arms with his players. They swayed from side to side.
And the alma mater played.
With that, the Jeff Jackson era, at least at Compton Family Ice Arena, came to a close. 20 seasons, 780 games, 417 wins, five conference tournament titles, four
frozen fours and one new rink later, the Notre Dame hockey program reached new heights under Jackson. It has been indelibly changed because of his presence. And it was thanking him in the best way it knows how.
“I usually stand on the bench and watch our guys during the alma mater, and that’s more or less so I don’t kill myself walking on the ice with my shoes, but it’s not a disrespect by any means,” Jackson laughed. “The captains came out to me today and asked me if I’d come out with them to sing the alma mater. I wasn’t going to miss that.”
It is an enduring image that captures an enduring legacy, but Jackson will be the first to point out that his time at Notre Dame isn’t over. His final home series, and final regular season, is in the books. The Irish (1023-1, 4-19-1 Big Ten) provided no storybook ending this weekend at Compton Family Ice Arena. Up against a Michigan State Spartan team (24-6-4, 15-5-4 Big Ten)
motivated by the chance to clinch the Big Ten regular season title, Notre Dame dropped back-to-back 5-2 decisions. But there’s more hockey to be played, at least a little more. Jackson and the Irish will turn the page to a Big Ten tournament quarterfinal series at No. 2 Minnesota beginning next weekend.
“It’s always emotional in these types of situations. I have those conversations all the time with players who are calling their careers, at the end of their careers, and it’s a hard thing,” Jackson said postgame Saturday. “It being the last game here was significant for me, but we still have hockey to play. So until that last buzzer in the last game I coach, it’s a matter of staying focused and just trying to win the next game.”
There should be no doubt that Saturday night’s game,
though, should be remembered as a special one. The game itself was rather unremarkable. The NCAAtournament-bound Spartans outclassed the Irish from the outset. Sitting on 599 career wins, Jackson’s alma mater (he is a Michigan State ‘78 grad) prevented him from reaching number 600 at home. Michigan State recorded their first series sweep since early January, and Notre Dame ended their season losers of seven out of their last eight games.
The remarkable occurred after the game. Each Michigan State Spartan skated over to the Notre Dame bench to shake Jackson’s hand, one-by-one. A litany of alumni faces graced the video board, expressing gratitude for all the coach has meant to them. The remaining crowd rose in a standing ovation, and players and staffers alike exchanged
hugs. Even well after the game was over, Notre Dame players remained on the ice, graduating members of the squad taking pictures with teammates and family.
As it usually does at the end of every hockey season, the focus had shifted to where it really ought to be all along.
“I’ve said it all week long, it’s about the people,” Jackson said postgame, choking back tears. “It’s about my coaching staff, it’s about our players. There’s so many guys that [I] have relationships with, I’m so proud of them all. They’re my life.”
In that way, Jeff Jackson’s coaching career at Compton Family Ice Arena ended fittingly Saturday night, armin-arm with those who matter most: The people.
Contact Ryan Murphy at rmurph22@nd.edu
ROMINA LLANOS | The Observer
Notre Dame’s power-play personnel celebrates a goal by senior forward Justin Janicke in the 5-2 loss to Michigan State at the Compton Family Ice Arena on Feb. 28, 2025. Janicke scored twice on the power play against Michigan State, giving him a goal in five consecutive games. He and the Irish will visit Minnesota for the Big Ten quarterfinal next weekend.
Happy Birthday: Take the time to investigate the details of any project you want to pursue. Being well-informed will save you time and money and ensure you get what you seek. Simplify and budget wisely; you’ll look like a genius when everything is said and done. Keep your emotions in check, private matters to yourself, and your documents up to date. Use your insight and imagination regarding money matters. Your numbers are 7, 13, 20, 28, 34, 42, 47.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Step up and do your part. You will impact everyone you encounter if you share your knowledge and listen to the response you receive. Perfection comes from unity and willingness to give others their moment to contribute. Self-love and personal growth are on the rise. Be true to yourself and thrive.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Feel emotions and let them fuel you forward positively and upliftingly. Focus on the good and the positive aspects of life, love, and happiness, and you will attract helpers and supporters who will contribute to your progress. Embrace personal changes wholeheartedly, and you will discover what makes you happy.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Tread carefully before making impossible promises. Bide your time, survey the situation, and methodically move forward with a concrete plan. Today is not the time for hit-and-miss decisions. Educate, reference, and search for the solution that feels appropriate. Choose intelligence over ego, truth over embellishment, and kindness over cruelty.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): An interesting detour will take you in a new direction. Follow the road that excites and motivates you to use your attributes uniquely and revel by stepping into the spotlight. What you sow is what you reap; make the most of your day, and the rewards will make it worthwhile.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Life experience will pay off. Remember past mistakes, and you’ll find solace in how situations unfold. Personal improvements will help you redesign how you want to live and the surroundings you choose to which you subject yourself. Stick to the facts, initiate what’s necessary, and move forward with dignity.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Be the one to lead the way. Put yourself out there for all to see. Dive in and make a difference in how situations unfold. Change what isn’t working for you anymore, and you’ll find the path to peace of mind and personal happiness. Fine-tune your lifestyle.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Your insight will guide you forward if you stick to facts, figures, and what you know and do best. Protect against physical confrontations and situations that put your health at risk. When in doubt, put your head down and concentrate on taking care of unfinished business, fitness, and resilience.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Mental, physical, and spiritual travel will lead to an epiphany. Breathe deep, digest what you see, hear, and feel, and discard negativity. Change begins with you; move forward with clarity, and you will discover what’s in your best interest. A passionate performance will summon the best people to reach your goal.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Revisit your goals and adjust your path to ensure you don’t veer off in the wrong direction. Refuse to let someone control your destiny. Choose what’s best for you and take advantage of opportunities that resonate with what matters most to you. Truth matters: gather facts and make the right move.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Be selective, spend less, and negotiate on your behalf. Refuse to let anyone manipulate you into doing something you don’t want to pursue. Make domestic adjustments that fortify your environment and relationships with those who influence how or where you live. Take control before someone else does.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Refuse to buy into someone else’s dream. Build your foundation and plan that gives you hope for a better future. Declutter your space and mind, and you’ll gain insight into new possibilities and a brighter future. Mental and physical improvement is your segway to a positive attitude and a better lifestyle.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take a fresh look at something you want to pursue and mix your old and new ideas to devise something fresh and in sync with what’s happening around you. Set high goals, but a reasonable agenda, budget, progress, and high returns will be yours to enjoy. Say no to excessive behavior.
Birthday Baby: You are sensitive, enthusiastic, and generous. You are spirited and engaging.
JUMBLE
ND MEN’S BASKETBALL
Irish miss three tying shots, lose at Wake Forest
By TYLER REIDY Sports Editor
Wake Forest led by a 7471 score with 12 seconds remaining. Notre Dame, which entered the game on Saturday at 3-9 in games decided by eight points or less, needed a 3-pointer to force overtime.
Leading scorer Markus Burton, 29 points already to his name, had a look. Then freshman sharpshooter Cole Certa. Junior forward Tae Davis, the Robin to Burton’s Batman, let one fly as well.
Graduate guard Nikita Konstantynovskyi made the start and opened up space for Davis, who led the Irish out to a 20-10 advantage at the under-8 media timeout.
Both teams would go on runs from there to end the first half. Notre Dame’s shotmaking and ball control slipped coming out of the aforementioned timeout, as the Demon Deacons scored 10 consecutive points and eventually claimed a 23-22 lead on Cameron Hildreth’s triple. The Irish punched back, however, as Burton and Certa each nailed trifectas of their own to pace Notre Dame on an 8-2 run. The blue and gold would enter halftime with more turnovers (12) than made field goals (11), but in possession of a 30-25 edge.
Notre Dame would keep Wake Forest at arm’s length to open the second half, as
All three of the shots, however, missed. And so went yet another close loss for the Notre Dame men’s basketball team Saturday evening in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Finishing the regular season 3-12 away from Purcell Pavilion, the Irish dropped to 12-17 (6-12 ACC) with a 74-71 defeat to Wake Forest (20-9, 12-6 ACC). It was also another game in which the Irish coughed up a lead of 10 points or more. Notre Dame, once again playing without graduate guard Matt Allocco (game-to-game, wrist) and sophomore guard Braeden Shrewsberry (out for the season, abdomen), found success in the early minutes against a Wake Forest team perhaps looking ahead to Monday’s clash with Duke.
senior guard Julian Roper II provided a spark off the bench with a couple of successful jumpers. Burton’s pull-up coming out of the under-12 timeout on the floor gave the Irish a 49-40 lead, their largest of the second half. The sophomore guard’s success continued over the next four minutes, as he tallied four consecutive points heading into the under-8 break and kept the Irish ahead at 58-51. At that point, Notre Dame was shooting better than 70% from the field in the second half.
The switch then flipped in the wrong direction for the Irish offense, which scored three points in the ensuing three minutes. Wake Forest got the game tied up at 60 on a 3-point make from Juke Harris and took the lead at 62-61 on a Hunter Sallis second-chance jump shot. With four minutes to play on the road, Notre Dame trailed for the first time in a while.
The Irish would briefly tie the game at 62 on a Davis free throw, but Wake Forest took the upper hand to follow on Hildreth’s basket and foul.
Over the next two minutes, both teams traded 2-point possessions, keeping the Irish within a single point. However, Wake Forest moved into a 72-68 advantage with 53 seconds left thanks to senior forward J.R. Konieczny’s foul of a 3-point-shooting Hildreth.
With 46 seconds to play, Konieczny would compound the mistake with a miss at the free-throw line, leaving Burton unable to level the score with his two made foul shots in the final 13 seconds.
Immediately after that, Sallis converted Wake Forest’s final two free throws, setting up a final possession full of near game-tying makes for Notre Dame.
Burton paced the Irish with 29 points, leading Notre Dame in scoring for the ninth consecutive road game. Despite turning the rock over six times, he was excellent from the charity stripe, making 9 of his 10 foul shots and adding four assists.
Per usual, Hildreth and Sallis handled the lion’s share of Demon Deacon scoring, with the former delivering 28 points with six boards and three steals at 10-of-14 shooting. Sallis provided 17 points, matching Hildreth with a 7-for-7 effort at the free-throw line.
Overall, Notre Dame needed to be better at the line, especially down the stretch. The Irish left eight total points on the table with their misses, making 18 of their 26 total shots and 14 of their 21 in the second half. Wake Forest, meanwhile, did not miss at any point, connecting on 19 of 19 and draining all 17 attempts after halftime.
Still two games clear of the cut line for the ACC Tournament, the Irish will finish the regular season this week with two home games. Notre Dame will take on Stanford at 9 p.m. on Wednesday before battling Cal at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Davis backed him up with 15 points and seven rebounds, while junior forward Kebba Njie posted 10 points and Certa added 8 in 12 minutes off the bench.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
MARIELLA TADDONIO | The Observer
Sophomore guard Markus Burton takes a fadeaway jumper during Notre Dame’s 76-72 defeat of Pittsburgh at Purcell Pavilion on Feb. 22, 2025. Burton led the Irish with 29 points in Saturday’s loss at Wake Forest, adding four rebounds and four assists while going 9-for-10 from the free throw line. He now
and coaches that trust in me makes it easy to bounce back.”
Despite shooting a subpar 32% from beyond the arc on the year, the Cardinals were kept afloat by 5-13 shooting from deep throughout the first half. Senior guard Jayda Curry, who is second on the team in scoring, canned three triples to lead her team with 11 points.
Curry kept it going on the other side of halftime, draining two early treys to trim the lead back down to three. Aided by yet another nearly 4-minute Cardinals scoring drought however, the Irish embarked on an 18-3 run to attain their largest lead of the afternoon, and also ignite the sold out, “Green Out” crowd inside Purcell Pavilion. Graduate guard Olivia Miles, who struggled
MEN’S LACROSSE
in the Irish’s recent losing streak, buried a fadeaway three at the horn to give her 12 points on the day and her squad a 58-40 edge heading to the fourth quarter.
Ivey addressed the raucous crowd on the public address mic following the game, and again expressed her appreciation of the supporters to the media, saying, “Our student body and fans were great. We fed off their energy and that was the difference in the game from the beginning. They were especially loud during our run in the third quarter.”
The Irish continued the suffocating defense throughout the fourth quarter, picking up the season sweep of the Cardinals and ending the regular season with a key 72-59 victory. Hidalgo broke out of her shooting slump, leading the charge with 20 points, nine rebounds, and six assists to solidify her
case for Naismith Player of the Year. Miles chipped in 15 points and five rebounds for Notre Dame, while Curry led Louisville with 19 points on five made threes.
“I had to change my mindset. I can’t win a national championship by myself - I have to get my teammates involved. I’m just trying to do everything I can to win,” said Hidalgo when asked about her ability to impact the game beyond scoring.
The win secured Notre Dame’s 8th ACC
Championship in 12 years as a member of the conference.
NC State picked up a resounding win at last-placed SMU to close out the season and held the tiebreaker over the Irish due to the last week’s win in Raleigh, meaning Notre Dame will be the No. 2 seed in next week’s ACC Tournament.
“We always have to rely on our defense. It’s the same message going forward. You can’t solely focus on your offense and expect to win big games,” said Ivey. She
concluded by saying, “Next week is 0-0. It’s a new season and we are excited to be in March.”
The 15-team tournament will kick off in Greensboro, North Carolina on Wednesday, but the Irish will have a double-bye into the quarterfinals. Sitting at 25-4, Notre Dame will get the postseason madness rolling on Friday at 5:00 PM, with coverage on ESPN2.
Contact Ben Hicks at bhicks2@nd.edu
Irish drop title game rematch against Maryland
By TYLER REIDY Sports Editor
On Saturday, No. 1 Notre Dame squared off against No. 2 Maryland in Atlanta for a rematch of last season’s men’s lacrosse national championship game. Though the Irish bested the Terrapins on the big stage in 2024, Maryland exacted some revenge this time, handing Notre Dame an 1110 loss.
The result snapped Notre Dame’s 17-game winning streak, which had dated back to Feb. 25, 2024. Meanwhile, Maryland moved to 5-0 with its third top-five win of the season and should take over the national No. 1 ranking
this weekend.
Notre Dame started fast with a pair of goals in the game’s first 123 seconds.
Graduate attacker Jake Taylor went behind the back for the day’s opening goal, and senior attacker Chris Kavanagh followed with his 10th tally of the season only 44 seconds later. After Eric Spanos responded with Maryland’s first goal of the day, both offenses went quiet for nine minutes. Sophomore midfielder Jordan Faison, making his return to Atlanta after playing in college football’s national championship game on Jan. 20, broke the silence with his second goal of the season with 1:44 to play in the first quarter. Spanos
got one back for Maryland in the final 10 seconds, closing the first quarter with the Irish up 3-2. Holding the Irish scoreless through the first eight minutes of quarter two, the Terrapins took their first lead of the day. Jack Schultz and Daniel Kelly provided the scoring, moving Maryland into a 4-3 advantage. However, the Irish swung momentum back in their favor to end the first half. After Taylor tied the game, senior midfielder Will Angrick made a phenomenal play to set up junior midfielder Max Busenkell’s goahead goal. Checked hard to the turf 25 feet away from goal, Angrick kept his eyes
up and found Busenkell from the seat of his pants, and the latter found twine to deliver the Irish a 5-4 lead. Maryland’s defense told the story of the second half, as the Terrapins did not concede a goal in the first 12 minutes after halftime. Meanwhile, Bryce Ford scored back-to-back goals to give Maryland a lead it would not relinquish. Notre Dame nearly tied the game at 6 moments later, but defender Will Schaller made an incredible play to keep the lead intact. With goalkeeper Logan McNaney stranded out of the cage, Schaller was the only man back against a 2-on-1 and made a diving save on freshman midfielder
Matt Jeffery’s shot. Though Taylor completed his hat track, Maryland’s lead held at 8-6 entering the final quarter.
Kavanagh awakened for the Irish in the fourth, scoring three goals in the first nine minutes to keep Notre Dame within one. However, Maryland had the answers, as Eric Spanos finished off his hat trick and Braden Erksa and Daniel Kelly buried additional goals. Kelly’s goal, which came with Maryland a man down, put the Terrapins up 11-9 with 5:22 to play. The Irish could muster only one more driving goal from Faison, as McNaney made a series of massive saves on Kavanagh down the stretch. His final stop in tight, which came with 25 seconds left and Maryland up 11-10, sealed the one-goal victory for the Terrapins.
Taylor and Kavanagh each finished with four points for the Irish, while Busenkell added two assists to his goal.
Senior FOGO Will Lynch was terrific in his role, winning 16 of his 22 draws and collecting a season-high 12 ground balls. In goal, junior Thomas Ricciardelli made nine saves for Notre Dame. McNaney starred for Maryland with 16 saves, while Spanos and Kelly each recorded nat tricks on offense.
Now at 3-1, the Irish will take on Big Ten opponents Ohio State and Michigan before starting ACC play against Duke on March 29. The Irish will host the Buckeyes on Saturday at 2 p.m. before visiting the Wolverines on March 15.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
ND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Irish defeat Louisville, clinch share of ACC title
By BEN HICKS Sports Writer
After consecutive defeats to NC State and Florida State last week, No. 3 Notre Dame women’s basketball was back in Purcell Pavilion on Sunday afternoon to wrap up the regular season against No. 25 Louisville. After starting conference play 15-0, the Irish were faced with their third and final chance to clinch a share of the ACC Regular Season Championship with the Cardinals coming to town for the 11th top-25 matchup of Notre Dame’s season.
Louisville and Notre Dame have developed into the ACC’s most consistent conference rivalry over the last decade, with both programs
qualifying for multiple Final Fours since joining the league. The Irish lead the all-time slate 21-14 after winning this season’s first matchup 89-71 back on February 2nd at the KFC Yum! Center.
Led by 18th-year Head Coach Jeff Walz, the Cardinals won five of their seven games in February to move into a tie for thirdplace in the ACC standings.
After starting the season 0-5 against ranked opponents, Louisville collected marquee top-25 road wins at California, Florida State and Duke last month.
The Irish have also had their fair share of national success this season, even reaching the No. 1 ranking two weeks ago. Notre Dame
has compiled 7 ranked wins on the campaign, including victories against top-5 foes USC, Texas, and UConn.
After imploring her side to improve their defensive effort after Thursday’s loss, Head Coach Niele Ivey’s Irish held Louisville to just 6-20 shooting throughout the first quarter, but still found themselves trailing 15-14.
“Our team came out laser focused on defense and that was the emphasis after Thursday night,” said Ivey in her postgame press conference.
The high-octane Irish offense, which ranks second in the ACC averaging nearly 87 PPG, began to fire in the second quarter led by the backcourt duo sophomore
Hannah Hidalgo and senior Sonia Citron.
Hidalgo, who leads the ACC in scoring and steals, did it all for the Irish throughout the period, entering the break with 11 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
A projected top-3 pick in April’s WNBA Draft, Citron has been on fire recently, averaging nearly 20 points and seven rebounds across Notre Dame’s last six contests. She scored eight points in the frame on perfect shooting, while leading the Irish’s 6-0 run to close the half which sent the team to the intermission with a 36-28 advantage. Notre Dame converted on five of its last seven shots of the half, while holding Louisville to one for its last eight, including a two and a
half minute scoring drought.
“She has been solid ever since she stepped on campus. She is one of the best two-way players in the country. She’s our glue and she does whatever it takes for us to win games,” said Ivey of Citron’s steadying presence in her Irish career. Hidalgo agreed, stating, “She’s such a versatile player. She’s so dangerous – a silent assassin – and her mentality is something that’s great to have on our team.”
Speaking on her own mindset in practice following the Florida State loss, Hidalgo added, “I just trust in my game and know that I’ve been in this position before. Having teammates
see ND WBB PAGE 11
MARIELLA TADDONIO | The Observer
Sophomore guard Hannah Hidalgo brings the ball up the court during Notre Dame’s 72-59 defeat of Louisville at Purcell Pavilion on March 2, 2025. Hidalgo led the Irish with 20 points, adding nine rebounds and six assists as Notre Dame played its final game of the regular season. The Irish are the No. 2 seed in the ACC Tournament and will open play Friday.
