Print Edition of The Observer for August 23, 2018

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Volume 53, Issue 4 | thursday, august 23, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com

Affleck-Graves announces retirement Notre Dame executive vice president will leave position June 30, 2019, after 15 years of service Observer Staff Report

After serving as Notre Dame’s executive vice president since 2004, John AffleckGraves will retire on June 30, the University announced in a press release emailed to the Notre Dame community Wednesday.

“It is with mixed emotions that I send along the attached press release announcing the retirement in June 2019 of the University’s executive vice president, John AffleckGraves, a trusted colleague, cherished friend and highly regarded member of the faculty,” University President Fr. John Jenkins said in the email.

“John informed me of his decision to retire from the EVP role earlier this summer, and

we agreed that we would make this news public soon after the start of the new academic year.”

Affleck-Graves said he appreciated the opportunity to work with Notre Dame’s administration during his tenure, and thanked the University’s staff for its service.

“It has been a privilege to work with Fr. John, Provost Tom Burish and the Board of Trustees for these 15 years,” he said in the release. “I have been blessed to have a tremendous team of leaders in the EVP Division and am especially grateful for the commitment and dedication of all the staff who deliver such exceptional service to our campus see AFFLECK-GRAVES PAGE 3

KATELYN VALLEY | The Observer

John Affleck-Graves addresses staff members at a town hall meeting in Washington Hall in 2017. Since his tenure began in 2004, the University’s endowment fund has expanded from $3.5 billion to $11.8 billion.

DPAC sponsors art crawl, Campus Ministry hosts annual promotes performing arts ‘Feed Your Faith’

By SERENA ZACHARIAS News Writer

In celebration of the arts at Notre Dame, the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center hosted its annual event, Art Attack @ DPAC, featuring live performances by a number of performing arts groups on campus including PEMCo, The Echoes, Halftime, Notre Dame Swing

and Unchained Melodies, along with information tables regarding jobs involving the arts, auditions and upcoming shows.

Art Attack @ DPAC is a chance for the performing, visual and literary arts at Notre Dame to be recognized and to recruit new members who have an interest in the arts.

Senior Lydia Costello,

executive producer of Not So Real Shakespeare Company, said she joined the club her freshman year and subsequently found an amazing community and lifelong friends.

“I think the strong community aspect is really the case with a lot of the performing arts

see ART PAGE 4

Saint Mary’s sophomore starts clothing business

By MAEVE FILBIN News Writer

Saint Mary’s College sophomore Giavanna Paradiso recently started a repurposed clothing business in collaboration with her older sister Chiara Paradiso, a 2018 graduate of the University of Toledo. According to their website, the self-named “Bleach Buddies” sell fun, one

NEWS PAGE 3

of a kind, custom-made recycled clothing under the brand name Redo By 2.

While the sisters design each piece with cutting-edge fashion in mind, they also keep their work loyal to the Redo By 2 mission to produce clothing that is “unique like you,” Chiara said.

“I think unique clothes are so expensive these days, and if you look out there there’s

Scene PAGE 5

not that much variety that you can choose from in a store, so we both wanted to create something unique,” she said.

“When someone has one of our shirts on, no one else in the entire world will have that exact same shirt, and that makes it unique, just like you because there is no one else in the world exactly like you.” see REDO PAGE 3

viewpoint PAGE 6

By MORGAN JOHNSON News Writer

The fourth-annual “Feed Your Faith” took place Wednesday evening on South Quad. The event offered Notre Dame students the opportunity to discover organizations on campus that promote religious growth and community. Campus Ministry and a variety of student groups gathered to share their missions and encourage students to join or learn more about faith.

Associate director of communications at Campus Ministry Danielle Collins said in an email that the goal of Campus Ministry is to support students in living out their faith at Notre Dame and beyond. Collins said Feed Your Faith gives Campus Ministry the chance to spread its mission since students organizations from many areas of interest such as social justice, service, choirs, and pilgrimages attend.

“It’s really cool to see all the different opportunities that

ND volleyball PAGE 12

Campus Ministry offers,” senior Megan Wilson, a Campus Ministry intern, said in an email. “They are not often all displayed at once. You don’t often get to see all the facets. I often talk about Campus Ministry like a banquet. There is all this rich food to offer, but you have to take advantage of it. Here, you get to see the whole buffet.”

Feed Your Faith had 38 tables present for the faith-based groups along with five food trucks and balloons. The balloons were each different colors to represent the categories to find groups. For example, green balloons represented multicultural ministries while yellow balloons signified musical groups. Students who checkedin received a free t-shirt and two tickets to be used at the food trucks and also subscribed to Campus Ministry’s weekly newsletter.

Campus Ministry’s Assistant Director of Evangelization Kayla see FAITH PAGE 4

ND WOMEN’S SOCCER PAGE 12

2

TODAY

The observer | Thursday, august 23, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com

Question of the Day: ndsmcobserver.com

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When do you buy your books for school?

P.O. Box 779, Notre Dame, IN 46556 024 South Dining Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556 Editor-in-Chief Courtney Becker Managing Editor Tobias Hoonhout

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junior St. Edward’s Hall

“Three weeks before every time; I hate to not be prepared.”

“No. Sometimes I just never buy the books.”

Bethany Boggess

Thomas Krill

senior off-campus

senior off-campus

“I always wait until after the first day to buy my books, unless the prof emails about it ahead of time.”

“I like to buy them early, so that I get the used books that aren’t falling apart.”

Luke Morgan

Trebor Goodall

senior off-campus

senior off-campus

“Second week of class. Maybe third.”

“I always buy them on Friday morning and I never buy from the bookstore.”

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EMMA FARNAN | The Observer

Senior Bailey Kendall hands out information at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center on Wednesday as part of “ART ATTACK @ DPAC.” The event provided free food, audition information, giveaways and performances by student music groups.

The next Five days:

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Thursday

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Saturday

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Monday

Snite @ Nite Snite Museum of Art 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Sample the Snite’s old and new exhibits.

Flick on the Field Notre Dame Stadium 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

“Rudy” will be played on the big screen.

Chinese Language Mass Cavanaugh Hall 6 p.m.

All are welcome.

Sunday Mass Basilica of the Sacred Heart 10 a.m.

Open to the public.

Arts and Letters Resume Reviews Waddicks, O’Shaughnessy Hall 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

LGBTQ Welcome Back Picnic Fieldhouse Mall 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Hosted by the GRC and Prism ND.

Men’s Soccer vs. St. Louis Alumni Stadium 7 p.m.

Game played in honor of Mike Berticelli.

Volleyball vs. Toledo Purcell Pavilion, Joyce Center 7 p.m.

Part of the Golden Dome Invitational.

Play: “Othello” Patricia George Decio Theatre 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Part of Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival.

Prepare for Consulting Recruiting Duncan Student Center 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

RSVP online at GoIrish

News

ndsmcobserver.com | thursday, august 23, 2018 | The Observer

3

Saint Mary’s hosts international students

By MARIA LEONTARAS Associate Saint Mary’s Editor

Saint Mary’s College frequently promotes its study abroad opportunities, providing its students opportunities to travel around the world.

But the College’s international reach extends beyond sending its students to every corner of the globe, it is also working towards bringing a global community to campus by providing various opportunities for international students.

This year, Saint Mary’s is hosting 14 degree-seeking students, two first-year students, two exchange students and two Fulbright Scholars. These students are from around the world, hailing from China, Spain, Vietnam, Germany, El Salvador, South Korea, Egypt and South Africa.

“Saint Mary’s sends about 200 students to study abroad in 18 countries and serve as global peace ambassadors around the world,” Alice Yang, the assistant director for Global Education, said in an email. “In the same way, our international students can serve as global peace ambassadors on campus to build mutual understanding and international friendships through international education and cultural exchange activities — women going global for building peace.”

Yang works directly with international students by providing immigration services, advising the Chinese Culture Club and hiring Chinese students to assist with programs and international education events. She said that she is always impressed by students’ passion, knowledge and skills

Affleck-Graves Continued from page 1

community on a daily basis.”

The University will search for a successor to Affleck-Graves in the coming months, Jenkins said in the email.

“I am confident that, working closely with our Board of Trustees, we will identify a visionary leader who will carry forward and build on John’s extraordinary legacy,” he said.

Affleck-Graves has also served as chief financial officer of the University, managing “the operating budget, endowment, finance, information technology, human resources, campus safety, event management, construction, building services, landscaping, food services and auxiliary operations, including the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore, Morris Inn and licensing,” the release said.

“John Affleck-Graves is key to why Notre Dame is universally respected for its superb management by institutional leaders across the country,” John J. Brennan, the University’s chair of the Board of Trustees, said in the release. “He shepherded the greatest expansion and modernization of Notre Dame’s physical plant, including research and residential facilities, in ways which were fiscally responsible, environmentally sound and beautiful. At the same time, John has stewarded a huge increase in financial aid for our students to more than $147 million from $58 million during his tenure.”

Since 2004, when Affleck-Graves began his tenure, the University’s endowment has grown from $3.5 billion to $11.8 billion and its operating budget has increased from $650 million to $1.5 billion, according to the release. Notre Dame has added 3.3 million square feet in new structures, through the 36 buildings constructed under Affleck-Graves’s tenure, including the Campus Crossroads project. According to the release, the University “maintained its construction timelines and never laid off employees,” under AffleckGraves, despite pressures to do so

of identifying resources.

“International students come to the U.S. to pursue their academic dream and life dream,” she said. “They come to learn and to be inspired. In the meantime, they bring their languages and cultures along with them. We can always learn from their experiences and expertise.”

Assistant director for International Student and Scholar Services Adriana Petty said in an email that working with international students and scholars has helped her broaden her perspectives and learn more about the world.

“It is so rewarding to see the transformation and growth that each international student and scholar have from the first day they arrive on campus to the day they leave,” she said. “Each of them have had a tremendous

during the economic recession that began in 2007.

“The University has benefited immeasurably from John’s intelligence, good judgment, leadership ability, tireless work ethic and, above all, his devotion to Notre Dame and its mission,” Jenkins said in the release. “It has been a personal privilege to work with him as a colleague and a friend for 18 years.”

Originally from South Africa, Affleck-Graves earned an undergraduate degree in finance at the University of Cape Town, as well as a master’s degree in the same field.

He also holds a doctorate degree in mathematical statistics from the University of Cape Town.

His career includes 11 years as a professor and researcher at the University of Cape Town. He first came to Notre Dame in 1986 and stayed until 2000, serving as chair of the Department of Finance and Business Economics in his last three years. He then spent a year at Florida State University, before returning to Notre Dame and serving as associate provost, vice president and Notre Dame Chair in Finance.

Affleck-Graves’s predecessors include Congregation of Holy Cross priests, Fr. Edmund Joyce, Fr. E. William Beauchamp and Fr. Timothy Scully. According to the release, he is the first lay executive vice president.

Affleck-Graves has been recognized with eight teaching awards at Notre Dame and two at the University of Cape Town, the release said. During his tenure, it stated, he has served on “the Academic Council, Academic Code of Honor Committee and Faculty Senate and as chair of the Provost’s Task Force on Curricular Innovation.” As chair of the Regional Development Authority in north central Indiana, he played a key role in procuring at $42 million state grant for his work in cross-county development plans.

According to the email announcing Affleck-Graves’s retirement, the University administrator plans to continue teaching at Notre Dame, traveling and spending more time with his children and grandchildren during his retirement.

impact in my life and with our campus community.”

Junior Yijie Ren, a native of China, said in an email she first heard about Saint Mary’s while attending high school in Indiana. She visited the campus twice before deciding it was where she wanted to pursue a degree. Ren said participating in the Belles Connect Program before her first year made her more comfortable in the new environment.

“The Belles Connect Program and first welcome week brought me so much joy and reduced my stresses and pressures,” she said. “I made many good friends and leaned many studying skills from upperclassmen.

Saint Mary’s College always brings me the feeling of coming back home.”

Petty said she finds the friendships students make to

Redo Continued from page 1

The Paradiso sisters started by catering to the gameday needs of college students, bleaching, cropping and embellishing old t-shirts from universities around the U.S. They said they decided to appeal to their younger, more cashstrapped customers by keeping prices low.

“Anything that’s not custom is under 30 bucks, and custom things are a little more expensive because Chiara hand-paints all the designs,” Giavanna said. “We wanted to keep it affordable, and we wanted to keep it available to as many people as we could.”

Outside of donations, it’s up to the sisters to stock Redo By 2 with materials. Since starting their company, Giavanna and Chiara have traveled to consignment and re-sale shops in their home state of Ohio and all over the country. The girls are regular customers at their local Goodwill in Columbus, Ohio, where the staff knows them by name and makes sure to point out new additions to the inventory, Giavanna said.

“We go all over the place. We’ve gone to Dayton, we’ve gone to Athens, we’ve gone to West Virginia, Michigan, Alabama [and] Colorado,” Chiara said.

“You have to go all over and find that special diamond in the rough place.

I like to get [clothes] at second hand stores because there’s a story to [them].”

Giavanna said she and her sister always enjoyed repurposing clothing since it resulted in relatively cheap fashion statements that reflected their more creative sides. Redo By 2 repurposes used clothing in the name of sustainability, and the Paradiso sisters said they wanted to keep their brand environmentally conscious by resurrecting old materials.

“It’s a big problem nowadays. There are landfills filled with clothes, which don’t break down easily. We upcycle old clothes because it’s better for the environment,” Giavanna said. “We thought we’d work with materials that were already available. Nobody was using them, so they were kind of unloved clothes. Then we make them prettier and better for everybody.”

be one of the most valuable aspects of having international students at the College.

“In our mission, it states that our campus is one ‘where students develop their talents and prepare to make a difference in the world,’” Petty said. “Hosting international students and scholars introduces U.S. students to individuals who are from other parts of the world that they may not have ever met or learned from if they were not attending classes alongside with them. It is a great gift to have fellow classmates who bring global perspectives to class discussions. The international students and scholars on our campus connect us to the world in a very unique, personal and profound way.”

Contact Maria Leontaras at mleontaras01@saintmarys.edu

The sisters have found the learning curve of owning and running a small creative business to be challenging but rewarding, Chiara said. In order to fulfill their shared dream of creating an upcycled fashion line, the Paradisos had to learn how to build a website, buy a domain name, maintain an inventory and accounting, obtain a vendor’s license and manage taxes.

“I’m still learning some of this,” Chiara said. “That’s one thing I really like about [running a business] is that every single day is different. You are constantly learning and challenging yourself.”

The Bleach Buddies also made discoveries about the chemistry of their namesake chemical product, witnessing varying results with different fabrics.

Giavanna said the bleach ate through the denim on more than one occasion.

“There’s a lot of trial and error when it comes to the stuff that we do,” she said.

“We’ve lost a lot of pieces along the way.”

Redo By 2 has grown beyond the two sisters, with the entire Paradiso family contributing to both the creative and business sides of the business. Their younger sister Vinni, a high school sophomore, has even stepped in to run the Redo By 2 Instagram. Friends and others have also helped expand the clothing line, volunteering to model pieces and promote the brand on social media.

“I am so lucky to have my family involved in supporting Giavanna and I 100 percent,” Chiara said. “Even when I didn’t have faith in myself, my family and friends always did. I can’t thank them enough for that.”

In the future, Chiara and Giavanna said they would love to give Redo By 2 a physical home with a store in the Short North Arts District of Columbus, Ohio.

No matter how big their business grows, the pair said they’ll never forget how it all started.

“One day at church I listened to a visiting holy sister who said that we can’t stop doing what we want to do because we might think it’s too big,” Chiara said.

“I came home from church and I said, ‘G, I want to go full in with you. Let’s make this happen.’”

Contact Maeve Filbin at mfilbin01@saintmarys.edu

4

NEWS

The observer | thursday, august 23, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com

Art Continued from page 1

clubs on campus, and I think that’s why we have such a thriving arts community as a whole on Notre Dame’s campus,” Costello said.

Senior and artistic director of the Pasquerilla East Musical Company Shane Dolan said the arts at Notre Dame was a supportive community.

“We encourage people to get involved and audition even if they are scared because the

Faith Continued from page 1

August wanted students to know that faith truly matters at Notre Dame and wanted to give students a time to invest and connect. In this way, she sees a clear connection between religious and academic education.

“Part of the educational experience at Notre Dame is to answer the deeper questions of the heart and find where God may be calling us to use your gifts for the benefit of the world,” August said in an email. “The classroom is not the only place you’ll learn. Feed Your Faith is a part of that holistic education. Feed Your Faith gives you a chance to

community will help support them,” Dolan said. “And if people aren’t interested in performing we also have a community for backstage work, directing, stage managing, helping with costuming and more.”

Freshman Zoe Case, who attended the event to learn more about the arts at Notre Dame, said the event encouraged her to audition for a few of the performing arts clubs.

“I was involved in a lot of visual arts clubs in high school, but not any performing arts clubs,” Case said. “After coming to [Art

Attack], though, I feel comfortable joining a couple of the clubs here because the community seems so great.”

The event also provided students with information regarding the visual arts. Sophomore Meg Burns and junior Rachel Mills, representatives from the student programming committee at the Snite Museum of Art, promoted the museum’s various events for students on campus that are based on the works of art at the museum.

Mills said the Snite is a great resource on campus for students to

enjoy.

“People walk by the museum all the time, but not that many people come in, so we are reimagining what the space of the art museum can be through collaborations with all different student groups,” Mills said. “In the same way, letting people know in the beginning of the year how the arts can really connect to anything they are interested in through the variety of student groups we have [at the Art Attack], is important.”

Senior and executive producer of Student Players Tyrel London said Student Players lets

students “put on theater with a purpose.”

“We look to plays that try to challenge structural inequality and systems of violence in a way that isn’t too didactic so people can digest that information better,” London said. “And that’s the reason why people should be involved in art. Art is the lens through which we can help make meaning in the world, and we live in a world where we could use some good meaning right now.”

connect to choirs, clubs, service organizations, retreat, pilgrimages and many other opportunities to pursue your continued education of the heart.”

Senior Marissa Griffith, another Campus Ministry intern, said Feed Your Faith was an inclusive environment where new students or returning upperclassmen feel comfortable and confident in growing in faith.

“I like Feed Your Faith because it’s a total blast of a time and you get to meet people who all explore their faith in such different ways,” Griffith said in an email. “They all have the purpose of welcoming you into the community and making you feel at home.”

Collins hoped to attract all

types of students to the event, no matter their religious tradition or experiences.

“Any student searching for God and even asking the question of if God exists and what role He may play in their life is welcome,” Collins said. “Life is a continuing journey of faith and Campus Ministry is here to help you on that journey. Feed Your Faith puts all the opportunities in one place, so you can if and how you’d like to plug-in.”

Student organizations in attendance included Iron Sharpens Iron, Folk Choir, Compass, the Muslim Student Association and groups that promoted retreats and getting confirmed in the Catholic faith.

Liturgical Choir member and

sophomore Savannah Anez believes that Feed Your Faith is an effective way to promote groups on campus that are not advertised much.

“It’s good to come here and get some ideas on things you might have missed out on at Welcome Weekend or even as an older student,” Anez said.

“I joined Liturgical Choir as a freshman and it all started here at Feed Your Faith. I put my name on the audition list, and the rest is history. The choir has done wonders to revive my spirituality just because of the music we sing. You never know where putting your name down on a list might take you. It’s all about finding what’s right for you.”

Campus Ministry promoted Feed Your Faith on campus through table tents in the dining halls, posters in residence halls, newsletters, social media, the Campus Ministry website and word of mouth. Campus Ministry staff and students who are part of the faith groups represented also wore green Feed Your Faith t-shirts all day yesterday.

In addition to Feed Your Faith, Campus Ministry supports faith development on campus through choir concerts, pilgrimages, retreats, speakers, service organizations and prayer opportunities.

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Contact Serena Zacharias at szachari@nd.edu

Contact Morgan Johnson at mjohn56@nd.edu

5

The observer | thursday, august 23, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com

By CHARLIE KENNEY Scene Writer

Reverend Ernst Toller, as portrayed by Ethan Hawke in Paul Schrader’s “First Reformed,” is a man who has been divorced, whose son is dead and who lives in relative isolation. His life is not particularly out of the ordinary.

Couples frequently get divorced, young people often pass away too soon and isolation, although not often a chosen form of existence, is something that affects a great deal of people.

What makes Reverend Toller’s life worth one hour and 53 minutes of your time, however, is not its commonality.

It’s the fact that his profession is a religious one and that instead of seeking consolation for his divorce, lost child and isolated life, he gives that consolation to others. For the nearly the entirety of the film, Reverend Toller bottles up his emotions, urges and wants. And when bottles become full, they almost always tend to break.

These internalized passions of Reverend Toller, in all their uniqueness, naturally draw comparison to those of the protagonist of Paul Schrader’s most famous film — Travis Bickle in “Taxi Driver.”

Reverend Toller is an outwardly calm minister; Travis Bickle is an outwardly calm taxi driver. Toller gives consolation to his ailing parishioners; Bickle gives consolation to those passengers who choose to trust him. Yet by the end of “First Reformed,” Ethan Hawke is bound in barbed wire, bleeding through his clerical attire. By the end of “Taxi Driver,” Travis Bickle is a mohawked,

By CARLOS De LOERA Scene Writer

The MTV Video Music Awards died of irrelevance Monday night, officials of the University of Common Sense said. The show had been suffering from the disease for years, a disease brought on by the increasing popularity of the internet. The show was surrounded by some of its closest friends Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith at the time of its death and will join its cousin “Total Request Live” — T.R.L. — in TV show purgatory.

When MTV first started in the 1980s, it changed how people consumed music by catapulting the art of music videos to the forefront of music marketing. For the first time there was a television network dedicated to airing music videos and people ate it up. MTV became the best way for artists to bolster their sales. The premise was easy enough: make a great video, sell a boatload of records.

This led to an era of increasingly creative, innovative music videos like A-ha’s “Take On Me” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

To reward the artistry behind music video making that was overlooked by the Grammys, MTV decided to create its own award show celebrating this art form. So, in 1984, it held the first ever V.M.A.s and, right off the bat, the show was the center of attention. The first show most notably featured Madonna performing her hit “Like A Virgin” in her now-famous wedding dress/bustier outfit. People loved it, people hated it, but most importantly, people were talking about it. In 1988, Michael Jackson had a memorable performance of “Bad.” In 1989, Bon Jovi performed an acoustic rendition of “Wanted Dead or Alive” that planted the seeds for MTV’s “Unplugged” series. The ‘80s were good to the V.M.A.s.

anarchist shell of his former self who almost succeeds in political assassination.

They both desperately want to live normal lives and maintain external calmness, but the isolation and subsequent overthinking that they almost constantly endure brings out the worst in them. It’s one thing to sit with your violent thoughts next to a psychiatrist, but it’s completely different when the only thing you have next to you is a whiskey bottle or a taxi seat.

“First Reformed,” however, is not merely a self-obsessed, “Taxi Driver” spinoff that strictly focuses on the dark, carnal thoughts of a minister. Those thoughts exist and certainly manifest themselves physically in the film, but for the large majority of the film they rest on the periphery.

The film is almost entirely about Reverend Toller’s dayto-day life — his planning for the 250th anniversary of the Dutch Reformed Church he oversees, his confessional and the parishioners that visit him in it and his trashcans that he fills with empty whiskey bottles.

“First Reformed” is a film that in no way attempts to use action or suspense to keep you in your seat. Instead, Schrader drops hints and blurs the ordinary for a second or two to make sure that you don’t get up and leave.

It’s the man who tells Reverend Toller how long life on Earth is possible before climate change ends it, it’s the choir director who is much more sexual towards Toller than she should be, it’s Reverend Toller puking blood instead of bile, it’s the contrast between his small, historical church and the nearby over the top megachurch.

These small, almost unnoticeable details that drive Reverend Toller to the brink are what keep you watching, not some car crash, gunshot or bloodstain. It’s hiding the devil in the details, and its something that Paul Schrader does incredibly well.

Recognizing this character building and incredible attention to detail, however, is not meant to downplay the efforts of the lead actors and actresses of “First Reformed.” They give those details their significance and allow those characters to develop. But just as Travis Bickle was much more a creation of Schrader’s script than Al Pacino’s acting; so too, the existence of Reverend Toller and the other characters are much more results of Schrader’s meticulous writing and direction than the efforts of any actor or actress. Any number of actors could have portrayed Reverend Toller in “First Reformed,” but only a screenwriter and director as storied and skilled in building complex, troubled characters as Paul Schrader could have molded them out of words and actions.

“First Reformed” is a film that was released in May and isn’t in theaters anymore. But it’s a film that is still worth watching and one that has only done more to bolster the reputation of a company. Whether it is put on streaming services in the coming months or available at a local movie rental store, it’s worth a few dollars, the click of the button and just under two hours of your time.

The ’90s continued to carry the momentum forward for the award show. The decade featured more great performances from Madonna, Nirvana, Michael Jackson, TLC, Oasis and so many more. While many performances were lauded for their artistry, this was a decade of controversy for the show. The 1991 show featured a fist fight between Poison bandmates Bret Michaels and C.C. DeVille and a glorious performance by Prince in butt-less, yellow chaps. In 1992, Axl Rose wanted to pick a fight with Kurt Cobain that led to Cobain spitting on what he thought was Rose’s piano before Guns N’Roses’s “November Rain” performance. In 1996, there was a moment when Oasis’s Liam Gallagher mocked his brother/enemy Noel during a guitar solo before tossing beer all over the stage and storming off — classic Oasis.

In 1997 and 1998, Rose McGowan and Lil’ Kim showed up at the red carpet wearing provocative dresses. The ‘90s were wild.

By the 2000s, winning a Moonman statue at the V.M.A.s really meant something — it was like winning a Grammy, except without having to deal with the snootiness of the the Recording Academy. More importantly, however, performing at the V.M.A.s was still a much coveted opportunity for artists. A notable performance meant free press for days or even weeks. There would prove to be many shocking moments through the 2000s. At the 2000 show Britney Spears made headlines by stripping down to her underwear by the end of her two-song set. In 2003 Madonna, Spears and Christina Aguilera all locked lips during a Madonna medley, much to the outrage of many media outlets.

Perhaps the most memorable moment of the V.M.A.s in the 2000s came in 2009 when Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video,

forever changing the public perception of both of these artists.

Since the start of this decade the popularity and social relevance of the V.M.A.s has steadily dipped. What are the great moments of the 2010’s V.M.A.s? Bruno Mars had a truly great tribute to Amy Winehouse in 2011 and Miley Cyrus twerked in 2013; that’s pretty much it.

But what led to tragic death of a once great institution?

Well, the V.M.A.s lived off of two things — the presence of superstar performances and its ability to shock. With the rise of the internet, superstars have realized that they don’t need to show up to award shows to get exposure, they could just go to Twitter, live stream a concert or do something more engaging with fans than a TV performance. Many big name stars like Beyonce, Drake and Bruno Mars all skipped out on the show. What also came with the rise of the internet was the inability of audiences to be shocked. Most of the things that made the award show shocking would barely make people bat an eye now, and no shock means no talk.

Ratings for the 2018 show were down double digits from last year, with many people not even taking notice that the event even happened, and why would they? It took place late on a Monday night and most of the performances were uncharismatic, uninspiring and unoriginal. People don’t really watch stuff on TV as it is, and there was no need to waste their time on this.

Remember August 20, 2018, the day the V.M.A.s were ushered into death by the unneeded, unwanted collaboration of Post Malone and Aerosmith.

R.I.P.

Contact Charlie Kenney at ckenney4@nd.edu

Contact Carlos De Loera at cdeloera@nd.edu LINA DOMENELLA | The Observer

6

The observer | thursday, august 23, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com

inside Column

Why journalism?

Natalie Weber News Editor

I stumbled home from work ex hausted and exasperated while I was interning at The Denver Post. I had spent the day tr ying to reach several spokespeople — all of whom seemed to be busy. I stayed two hours past my shift to finish an obituar y.

The next day, I received a phone call.

The man on the other end of the line was cr y ing.

“Thank you for w riting that obituar y for my dad,” he said. “You captured him so well.”

As much as I tried to shake the feeling, I could not. Up until this point, I had been haunted by a quiet but persistent fear that what I was doing this summer didn’t really matter. But in the moments after the man hung up the phone, I began to shed any uncertainties I had about my line of work.

As I interacted w ith readers and spent more time reporting, I began to see the impact of local journalism. I learned alongside dedicated journalists, who traveled hours to cover w ildfires in Southern Colorado or had spent nine months reporting on a single stor y about court cases concealed from the public.

Ever y single reporter I’ve met genuinely cares about their communit y and their countr y. They’re at the cit y council meetings, high school basketball games, sentencing hearings and the count y fair.

These reporters are curious indiv iduals who want to make the world a better place.

I saw how their work brought to life the struggles and joys of local residents, and revealed the issues these communities sought to address. Their work highlighted the times the communit y has come together — both to mourn and to celebrate.

And there’s something almost sacred in being entrusted w ith some of the most v ulnerable moments of others’ lives, and tasked w ith telling their stories publicly.

During the summer, I spent five minutes on the phone w ith a man who had just w itnessed a shooting. He ultimately hung up, apologizing that he had simply seen too much, and didn’t want to talk. I watched in a courtroom as a woman addicted to heroin offered a tearful apolog y during her sentencing hearing and talked to a family who had lost their childhood home in a w ildfire.

Yet, I also had the priv ilege of recording some of the most joy ful times in others’ lives — the pure relief of two sisters whose historic site had been preser ved, despite a 108,000-acre w ildfire, or the pride of immigrants sharing their citizenship stories.

At its core, journalism reminds people that what they do matters, and is worth remembering. It ser ves as a watchdog institution for powerful institutions but it also highlights the ways in which indiv iduals can improve the world — even if only in their small corner of it.

Contact Natalie Weber at nweber@nd.edu The views expressed in the Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Thoughts from the Metra Lucy Collins Madame’s Musings

First, I thought I could use the time on the train to meditate or pray — I’ve been rediscovering my faith this past year. I underestimated how hard it was to treat others how you’d like to be treated while commuting with hordes of angr y businessmen who hate their lives. W hen people, myself included, are tired and late for a job they hate, there’s really no amount of prayer and ref lection that can redeem your belief that humans are naturally good at heart. Any sort of human decency is lost when there is one seat left on the train and a financial CEO needs to rest his wear y feet. After being shoved, stepped on and cursed at — all within the first week of work and all by adult men — I lost all my faith in a higher power. Just kidding.

Kind of.

After losing my religion, I began downloading podcasts to commute with. This worked for a while, until the irony of listening to inspiring podcasts ever y day, getting amped up, then sitting at a desk and staring at a wall for eight hours a day really sunk in. There are only so many “How I Built This” success stories you can hear before you drive yourself mad with regret for settling for a boring old corporate internship. I did tr y switching to truecrime podcasts for a while, but then the mutual anger of all on-board became a factor again. I was constantly paranoid and certain that one of these angr y bankers would shove me in front of another train if I didn’t sprint down the platform fast enough. The podcasts were out.

With reading out of the cards due to motion sickness, I was forced to resort to the noblest of pastimes — thinking. And, given the stage of life I’m in, my thoughts usually followed a certain course.

For the first time in our lives, we are staring into a future with absolutely no assumed plan or “nextstep”(I’m referring to seniors I suppose, but really all college kids are in the same eventual boat, destined for the unknown). I’m aware there are those who have had an internship with the same finance firm (firm? company? I suppose I should nail the lingo before I tr y and generalize) ever y summer and are all set to jump onto the full-time

locomotive. For the rest of us plebeians, however, there’s not a clear-cut path and it paralyzes us. Think about it — at ever y other “landmark” transition period, you really had little room for speculation.

The biggest decision we’ve made as of yet was where to go to college, and really, that was a pretty meager excuse for a decision. You may not have known in what state you’d be on the weekends, or what size the school would be when you’d be ignoring your studies in favor of aimlessly staring at a cinderblock wall for hours, but you knew you were going to some college somewhere.

Now? The questions take a turn for the existential: W here the hell am I going to be spending eight hours a day? W here will I be living and which of my friends will be there? Will I meet my potential husband or will I just adopt a lizard and call it a day?

Both viable, yet polar opposite, ways to approach the plate, and I will soon be up to bat. Not familiar with my sporty lingo? Let me sum it up, plain and simple: It’s decision time.

Or maybe … it’s not? I will defend the idea that an unknown future is exciting until the day I sell my soul to corporate America. As of right now, I have absolutely no plans after graduation, which means nothing is off limits. I can finally spend the summer working in a National Park, which I’ve wanted to do for years. Or … I can study for the LSAT/GMAT/GRE, should I change my mind about grad school. Now that I’ve spent three months in a banking internship, I can say confidently that there are worse jobs than waitressing, so that’s another option. I recognize it is from a certain point of privilege that I can fantasize about my looming unemployment, and I will have to become acquainted with living without many luxuries I’m used to once May hits and my parents cut me off. But so long as I can swallow my pride at not having a “prestigious job” post-grad, the opportunities abound.

And if, after a year or so of bumming it, I decide I don’t like that either, I can always marr y rich.

Lucy Collins is majoring in economics and history, and continues to write despite knowing no one cares what she’s going to say. She can be reached at lcollin8@nd.edu The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Join the conversation.

Submit a Letter to the Editor: viewpoint@ndsmcobserver.com

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The observer | thursday, august 23, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com

Letter to the editor

Bringing concerts to Notre Dame Stadium A headline reading “Notre Dame invites Garth Brooks to play first-ever concert in legendary stadium” was widely circulated this summer and appealed to many country music lovers in the area. Having seven diamond albums (beating out the Beatles with six diamond albums) and being America’s best-selling solo artist are certainly accolades that shouldn’t be overlooked. While I’m sure Brooks’ performance will be beautifully executed, it may not appeal to music lovers outside of the country music genre.

While we await this future concert that still doesn’t have a date locked down at the time of writing, I look at the surrounding area and don’t see many other nationally-known acts coming through Northern Indiana. Not counting festivals that local radio stations put on, large acts just tend to drive straight through Michiana on their way to their

shows in Illinois or Ohio.

One example of a band doing just that would be the Foo Fighters. Foo Fighters are a rock band founded by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl following the dissolution of Nirvana. They have top hits such as: “Everlong,” “The Pretender,” “Best of You,” “Learn to Fly,” “All My Life” and several others.

The list goes on and on and spans many decades.

This summer, Foo Fighters played in at Wrigley Field in Chicago for two back-to-back shows to sold out crowds. While there, I witnessed younger “Generation Z” kids, Millennials and Baby Boomers from all walks of life fully immersed in the threehour set led by energetic frontman, Dave Grohl.

Artists can occasionally have an “off” night but I can assure you with Foo Fighters, even a broken leg won’t stop Grohl from keeping you entertained.

(He fell off the stage at a past show and managed to

finish the show and the remainder of that tour.)

How great would it be to have an artist like the Foo Fighters perform at the University of Notre Dame? As part of the Campus Crossroads Project, the University stated that they are trying to get more use of the Stadium outside of the handful of home football games each year. While I think they are on the right track getting a well-known artist such as Garth Brooks, I’d like to pressure them to take it even further. Bringing in artists like the Foo Fighters or similar artists in the same genre could possibly appeal to an even larger number of fans.

What if the iconic Notre Dame Stadium became a common stop for national touring acts?

Matt Frazier Department of Biological Sciences Aug. 4

Counting calories and lost moments Mara Diego Show Some Skin

My name is Mara. I am in the recover y phase of my eating disorder.

W hile gone are the days of obsessively weighing myself ever y morning, driving my finger as deeply into my throat as possible or gulping down some la xatives I once convinced myself were safe — the bottle indicated things like “herbal” and “all-natural,” I wonder when I will ever really get over this fear of food. The thought of this seems far-fetched.

I was not always the uptight and serious person a lot of my college acquaintances make me out to be, a person who is constantly yelling out things like, “you need to work less” or “you need to get out more.” In fact, behind this tough exterior is a simple, corny girl, chock-full of dad jokes, desperate to re-establish connections and make up for lost time.

I cannot keep blaming things on others’ criticism or victimizing myself. Yes, being bullied as the outgoing and confident fat girl in grade school contributed to my eating disorder. But, it was what I did to my body that caused the hormonal and emotional imbalances I now have to take medication for. It was I who not only alienated myself from food but also from those who loved me; those who loved me as the carefree,

laugh at her own silly jokes girl, who loved life and good company.

I have never felt more alone and estranged than I have this last year, with my obsession with counting calories and my weight preventing me from doing things I used to love. It is an incapacitating struggle. To all the dear friends I f laked out of dinner and drinks on because of the 500-calorie blueberr y muffin that put me way over my daily caloric intake, the same muffin I had skipped out on breakfast for so I could indulge over lunch, I offer my sincerest apologies.

I am sorr y my fear of being out and surrounded by food I used to love has proven to outweigh my great love for you.

I know I will joke about it, calling myself a croissant because I am “so f lakey,” but I hope you might understand that my life continues to crumble under the fear of becoming the fat, 160-pound, size 14 girl I once used to be. It is an irrational fear, I know, as weight gain does not happen that quick ly and, quite frank ly, should be my objective. It has caused me not only to lose weight, but also the many friendships I once had with people who were there for me, through thick and thin.

I now find myself alone, counting calories and all the lost moments I could have had making memories to grow old with. Friend, I am so sorr y that in this self-destructive condition I now have, I have dragged you down with me and made you

feel unloved and unworthy. My selfishness has prevented me from being there for you and helping you carr y the burdens you might be crushed under as well. It breaks my heart to think that food, what often brings people together, is what has torn my life apart. #firstworldproblems Maybe one day, I will grow out of it. Maybe the next self-love book I pick up will finally have the answer. But right now, I still feel as if I am drowning under the waves that keep crashing down on me, roaring, “you are not good enough;” that I will never be thin enough to deser ve the love and attention I have desperately been seeking. But, until then, I am wholeheartedly sorr y I was not there when you were drowning and needed me to throw the rope. As I continue to kick and push myself to surface and fight the currents pushing against me, I hope to find the ropes you once left out for me still there. Until then.

Mara Diego can be reached at mdiego@nd.edu Show Some Skin is a student-run initiative committed to giving voice to unspoken narratives about identity and difference. Using the art of storytelling as a catalyst for positive social change across campus, we seek to make Notre Dame a more open and welcoming place for all. If you are interested in breaking the silence and getting involved with Show Some Skin, email tcarter8@nd.edu The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

@ObserverViewpnt

8

Daily

The observer | thursDAY, aUGUST 23, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com

Crossword | Will Shortz

Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: Plan your actions carefully this year, and make the most of whatever opportunities come your way. Discuss your plans, and look for positive changes that will encourage greater stability. Personal improvements should not only enhance your looks, but your health as well.

Strive for perfection and do what’s right. An unexpected setback will turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Your numbers are 5, 12, 19, 27, 31, 33, 45.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take a practical approach to work and dealing with peers. Don’t let your emotions interfere in the decisions you have to make. Get along, regardless of what others decide to do. Evaluate your relationship with children, older relatives and romantic partners.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Keep an open mind if you want to get things done.

Your enthusiasm coupled with a thought-out plan will help you overrule any negativity someone tosses your way. Offer dedication, honesty and ambition; success will follow.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Personal improvements should be made for the right reason. Don’t overspend on items or products that aren’t necessary or that promise the impossible. Spending time with someone will be revealing regarding his or her emotions, motives and intentions.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Discuss problems you face with a loved one.

Partnerships have to be handled fairly, and the desire to build a strong relationship should be your intent. Taking an unusual approach to how you handle personal and professional changes is advised.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Keep your expenses under control, and be willing to work with what you have. A change will end up grounding you, so don’t fight the inevitable. Use experience and physical skills to your advantage; progress will be made.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Short trips, business meetings and unusual partnerships will all lead to an interesting partnership with someone who brings out the best in you. Put your ideas into motion, and don’t stop until you are satisfied with the results you get.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Not everyone will agree with the choices you make.

An emotional setback is apparent if you can’t get along with someone you live with or near. Don’t let anger take over. Patience and fair solutions will help resolve the problem.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Set up a conference call if it will save you travel expense. Getting your point heard is important, but so is listening and coming up with a plan that will satisfy the person you are dealing with.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Express your thoughts, but don’t reveal personal information, passwords or financial records. Don’t trust anyone to take care of something that is important to you. A commitment you make will bring about a financial change.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Turn on the charm if you want to get others to see things your way. A change of plans or surroundings will help ease stress and give you a chance to recap what’s happened and what you want to see unfold.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Dealing with hospitals or financial institutions will be stressful. Try not to overreact or let the changes that take place undermine your intelligence. Make decisions based on facts. Form partnerships with those willing to meet you halfway.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Get involved in something you feel strongly about. The input you offer will lead to suggestions and help that will make a difference to the professional choices you are given. A chance to advance is within reach.

Birthday Baby: You are original, curious and strong-minded. You are bold and progressive.

WINGIN’ IT | BAILEE EGAN & Olivia wang

Sudoku | The Mepham Group

Jumble | David Hoyt and Jeff knurek

Draw comics.

Email Courtney Becker at cbecker3@nd.edu

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Sports

ndsmcobserver.com | thursDAY, aUGUST 23, 2018 | The Observer

Sports Authority

MLB | RANGERS 4, ATHLETICS 2

An ode to Mr. Triple Double Charlotte Edmonds Associate Sports Editor

Having begun my amateur journalism career in news, the thought of writing a sports opinion piece is my own personal eighth circle of hell. However, there are few things I love talking about more than my hometown of Oklahoma City and its beloved basketball team — the Thunder. Consider yourself warned that the majority of my Sports Authorities going forward will probably reference the team.

I love Russell Westbrook, everything about him — his King Kong stomp when he posterizes someone, his infamous #whynot brand and, of course, his adorable son, Noah. But perhaps, my favorite quality of his is his intense loyalty, evident in his relationship with his family, teammates and the city that took him in as a 20 year old wild card with unparalleled athleticism.

Westbrook is the backbone of the Thunder and, by extension, the backbone of our city. That might seem dramatic to those of you from major cities that boast multiple professional sports teams and industries.

A state long scarred by tragic events — the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murray building, devastating tornados and dust bowls — has been transformed over the past decade. This birth of culture and industry is undoubtedly a result of the Thunder and their success. This new relevance has made Oklahoma City feel as though we finally belonged in the conversation with other major cities, even if we clearly didn’t.

Credit to Thunder general manager Sam Presti, who took on a nearly impossible task and created a playoff contending team within three seasons. There’s a reason I want to like Kevin Durant so badly. His presence and investment is still felt very much around the city. But, like any bad breakup, the thought of him serves as a scar for the boy who upgraded to a flashier, more popular model.

I often talk to friends from the coasts who don’t understand why Thunder fans still hold such resentment towards Durant, but it’s simple — we hate him because we used to love him. And then came Westbrook. Just over a year after Durant permanently ruined July 4th for an entire city, Westbrook announced his commitment to stay the course in OKC, not coincidentally on Durant’s birthday. Unlike his first extension Westbrook was committing to the franchise when things were looking rather bleak. As the only remaining member of a big four, it would’ve been easy to blow the whole thing up. But the former drama king demonstrated that same steady loyalty.

For those of you who aren’t

9

quite as enamored by Westbrook as myself, I get it. He can be cocky, strutting around in his newest capri set and Gucci sweatshirt.

He’s a hot head who may not be the easiest teammate. You could argue that his sometimes questionable shot selection and need to be an alpha male eliminates him from a list of greats. But there’s no denying that Westbrook treats all 82 games as though they could be his last.

For you data junkies, Westbrook’s numbers are obscene. Anytime a player joins Oscar Robinson as the sole companion in a category, you know they’re in good company.

For the detractors who claim his stats are only further proof of stat padding, he’s had to lead a team the only way he knows how to — commandingly. That’s not to say Westbrook is without help.

Steven Adams has developed into a dominant big man along and there’s obviously no denying the huge boost the Thunder earned in re-signing Paul George (just don’t talk to me about that whole Carmelo experiment). But that has required time and patience by Westbrook, something he rarely gets credit for.

I’m not trying to suggest that Westbrook is a great player by virtue of his commitment to one team. By that logic, Udonis Haslem would’ve been inducted to the Hall of Fame by now.

Rather, I’m arguing that players like Westbrook represent one of the things that are still great about sports — standing by a community instead of trading in a “sacred legacy for cheap jewelry,” in the words of Reggie Miller.

That said, there shouldn’t be an expectation that players stay with their original team their entire career. But the creation of super teams is ruining the quality of the league. As part of the summer of “King James,” LeBron was able to leave Cleveland with much more grace as he took his talents to Los Angeles. As an avid NBA fan who never missed playoff season, I couldn’t have been less interested in the 2018 finals.

As much as I hope it’s this year, I don’t imagine anything will change in the near future. I am, however, optimistic that there will be a shift in team configuration.

The NBA shouldn’t want this period of lopsided dominance for the league to thrive. I hope to one day watch Westbrook hoist the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, dawning some strange glasses and his blue and orange jersey, proud that his decisions to reject the easy route are finally being rewarded.

Contact Charlotte Edmonds at cedmond3@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Texas Rangers avoid third-straight shutout Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. — ShinSoo Choo’s home run on the first pitch of the game ensured the Texas Rangers would avoid a third consecutive shutout.

A fourth straight strong outing from Mike Minor was just as big for manager Jeff Banister’s ballclub.

Minor pitched six scoreless innings of one-hit ball to win his fourth straight, Joey Gallo backed up Choo with his 33rd homer and the Rangers snapped out of their offensive slump to avoid a series sweep, beating the Oakland Athletics 4-2 on Wednesday.

“Choo getting off early, getting a run on the board, allowed our offense to kind of settle in,” Banister said.

“It gave our guys some confidence to go out and swing the bat and attack.”

Texas was shut out in the first two games of the series and had a 19-inning scoreless streak before Choo’s leadoff homer on the first pitch from Oakland starter Edwin Jackson (4-3) in the first inning.

It was Choo’s fourth gameopening home run this season and the 27th of his career.

After Choo walked and scored on Beltre’s single in the third, Gallo opened the fourth with a towering drive off Jackson. Gallo’s 74 home runs since the start of last season are the most by a Rangers player over a twoyear span since Mark Teixeira had 76 from 2005-06.

“We kept fighting,” Gallo said.

“That’s baseball.

Sometimes you get shut out and that’s the way it goes.

Sometimes things don’t go your way.”

Adrian Beltre had a pair of RBI singles to help the Rangers end a six-game losing streak to the A’s. Jurickson Profar added two hits. Elvis Andrus singled and scored after going hitless in his previous 12 at-bats.

Stephen Piscotty had an RBI double for Oakland, which fell one game behind Houston in the AL West.

“You look at the homestand and you have to feel good about winning the series,” Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. “We’ve been playing great and bringing the same attitude every day.”

The same could be said of Minor, who has been the Rangers’ most effective starter for the past three weeks.

Minor (10-6) was crisp while striking out four and

walking one in his most effective start in nearly two months. The lefty, who was scratched from his scheduled start last Friday because of back stiffness, allowed only two runners and faced the minimum through six innings. Both runners were erased on double plays.

“I feel good about the zeros on the board, but I think there’s room for improvement,” Minor said. “I still didn’t throw good breaking balls, the changeup was just OK and the fastball location was OK.” Cory Gearrin, Alex Claudio, Chris Martin and Jose Leclerc combined to retire nine batters and complete the four-hitter.

The A’s loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth, but Leclerc struck out Nick Martini on a check swing for his sixth save in 10 opportunities.

Beltre singled in Andrus in the fifth to make it 4-0 and chase Jackson, who allowed four runs in 4 1/3 innings and lost for the first time since July 20. The right-hander had yielded two runs over his previous 24 1/3 innings.

“I was off today,” Jackson said. “I was under the ball a lot and that caused the ball to go f lat and up in the zone.”

MLB | CUBS 8, TIGERS 2

Cubs capitalize offensively to beat Detroit, 8-2 Associated Press

DETROIT — Jon Lester pitched into the sixth inning and the Chicago Cubs homered three times, finally breaking out of their offensive funk in an 8-2 v ictor y over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night.

The Cubs had scored exactly one run in each of their prev ious five games.

Dav id Bote ended that streak w ith a t wo-run homer in the fifth, and Lester (14-5) allowed a run and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Five Chicago relievers finished. Pedro Strop came in w ith the bases loaded in the eighth and walked in a run, but he retired James McCann on a grounder to end that threat w ith the Cubs still up 4-2.

Jav ier Baez and Anthony Rizzo hit consecutive homers in the ninth for Chicago to break the game open.

Baez’s drive, a three-run shot, was his 26th of the year.

Francisco Liriano (3-9) allowed four runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Daniel Murphy singled home a run in the fifth in his first game w ith the Cubs after being acquired in a trade from Washington on Tuesday.

Lester, who pitched six innings in a 1-0 w in over Pittsburgh last Thursday, was sharp again in Detroit.

He allowed an RBI single to Ronny Rodriguez in the second, but that was all the scoring against him for Detroit.

Liriano didn’t get out of

the second inning in his prev ious start, but he blanked Chicago for the first four innings before running into trouble in the fifth.

The first six Chicago hitters of that inning reached base, and Bote’s drive put the Cubs up 2-1, snapping an 0-for-16 drought for the Chicago third baseman.

Murphy added his RBI single, although a baserunning blunder by Willson Contreras and a doubleplay grounder by Rizzo helped Liriano escape the inning w ith only three runs in.

Contreras hit an RBI infield single in the sixth to make it 4-1.

The NL Central-leading Cubs snapped a three-game losing streak.

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Sports

The observer | thursday, august 23, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com

Westendorf Continued from page 12

she presses well,” Norman said. “Her hold-up play, which has always been good, has improved ...She’s always been a great goal-scorer, but she’s just become so much more of a complete player and a

complete leader too, off the field.”

Norman has seen Westendorf enthusiastically adopt the team’s community-based philosophy and set a strong example for underclassmen.

“We try to build our team around some core values, these pillars that we talk

about,” he said. “I think Jen deliberately works very hard to represent all of those. She’s increased her work ethic; she’s someone who isn’t selfish, who’s aware of her teammates, who’s always trying to help them on and off the field.”

With most of the season ahead of them and conference play still yet to begin,

Westendorf and the Irish will strive to continue their positive momentum. The team will likely look to Westendorf as they look to navigate a tough schedule of three top25 matchups before conference play, including a game against top-ranked Stanford.

The competition will continue into ACC play where they Irish

will face five top-25 teams in the regular season.

Notre Dame looks to continue their undefeated start when they face Stony Brook at home on Thursday. Kickoff at Alumni Stadium is slated for 7 p.m.

Contact Peter Baltes at pbaltes@nd.edu

ZACHARY YIM | The Observer

Irish junior forward Jennifer Westendorf dribbles between defenders during Notre Dame’s 3-0 loss to Duke on Sept. 21 at Alumni Stadium. Westendorf had one of only two shots on goal for the Irish against the Blue Devils. Westendorf also enters the 2018 season as the leading scorer among returning players and will be expected to power the offense.

ZACHARY YIM | The Observer

Irish senior midfielder Sabrina Flores runs toward the middle of the field during Notre Dame’s 3-0 loss to Duke on Sept. 21 at Alumni Stadium.

Sports

ndsmcobserver.com | thursday, august 23, 2018 | The Observer

11

Nd volleyball

Irish hope to build on success under new coach Observer Sports Staff

The Irish will start the regular season Friday as they take on Weber State at Purcell Pavilion in the Golden Dome Invitational.

In addition to the Wildcats, Notre Dame will be hosting Toledo and Northern Kentucky on Saturday to wrap up the event.

The season-opener will also be the debut for new head coach Mike Johnson.

Johnson, a former associate head coach, who has six years of experience as a head coach, most recently at Xavier, where he led the Musketeers to over 20 wins in each of his seasons in charge.

Notre Dame is ranked No. 4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference volleyball preseason poll for the second straight season.

Senior Ryann DeJarld and junior Jemma Yeadon were on the Preseason All-ACC Team.

As one of the top liberos in the country, DeJarld had 747 digs in her junior season, setting a single-season program record. She also averaged 6.12 digs per set, as well as set the Notre Dame record for career digs in three seasons at 1,808. She earned American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American honorable mention honors last season and will be looking to build on her accolades in her junior campaign.

Yeadon, one of the team’s most consistent hitters, averaged a team-high of 3.91 kills per set on 453 sets total in last season. She also recorded 315 digs, 70 blocks, and 29 aces.

Notre Dame is entering the season off of a 22-10 record from 2017, recording back to back 20-win seasons for the first time since 2004 and 2005 with nine of their 14 home matches coming against ACC foes.

The matchup against the Wildcats will be the first in a series of four home games, before the Irish take the road for a long stretch, playing nine of their next 10 games away from Notre Dame.

KATELYN VALLEY | The Observer

Irish senior forward Thomas Ueland dives towards the ball during Notre Dame’s 3-1 win over Michigan on Oct. 10 at Alumni Stadium.

Ueland Continued from page 12

spring getting to know the new system and using the recent weeks to get the freshmen up-to-date, Notre Dame plans to stick to a more attack-oriented 4-4-2 formation than that which was used under former head coach Bobby Clark.

“The old coach, coach [Bobby] Clark, he played a 4-4-2,” Ueland said. “He played w ith two strikers, four midfielders, and four in the back. [Coach Clark] was ver y defensive minded — our defensive shape w ith him was ver y good, we always knew what we were doing. Coach [Chad] Riley has come in and he’s given us more freedom … in terms of going for ward and being creative.

“Our starting position is a little bit higher up than in the old system. Instead of sitting off a little bit and then pressing from there, it’s more, we start a little bit higher and then tr y and w in the ball in their half, then go immediately one-t wo passes to goal.”

W hile some may be concerned that this system w ill be ver y tiring for the team because of the reliance on sprint work, Ueland notes that they are “fortunate enough to have a ver y deep squad.”

Ueland said play ing soccer at Notre Dame has been one of the most important parts of his college experience.

“I think [soccer] has made

my experience [at Notre Dame] a lot better having this core group of guys that you spend a ton of time w ith, get to know really well and play w ith on the field,” Ueland said. “Off the field, they become some of your best friends, they’re [some] of the most good-natured people I’ve ever met. To be in a place where you can have that skill on the field but, then not be a jerk off the field is prett y unique to Notre Dame and it’s something I’m really grateful to be a part of.”

Ueland, a three-time ACC Academic Honor Roll honoree, said his favorite Notre Dame memor y was a double-overtime game in 2015 against then-No. 14 Indiana.

“One of the most memorable moments that kind of jumps out [was in] freshman year,” he said. “We were play ing Indiana, it’s one of my first games, and I’m fortunate enough to knack the w inning goal in overtime to beat them. That was really an incredible experience for me, especially w ith [Indiana] being kind of our soccer rivals. Really an incredible – hard to put into words – [experience].”

That goal was his first collegiate career goal and his first of four goals in that season.

As for his goal this year, Ueland plans to apply to medical schools, and of course, to w in the 2018 national championship.

EMMA FARNAN | The Observer

Contact Charlie Ortega Guifarro at cortegag@nd.edu

Irish junior libero Ryann DeJarld prepares to place the ball during Notre Dame’s 3-0 win against Clemson on Oct. 15 at Purcell Pavilion . DeJarld recorded 12 digs on the night against the Tigers.

12

The observer | thursday, august 23, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com

Nd Women’s soccer

Westendorf set to pace Irish on both sides

By PETER BALTES Sports Writer

ZACHARY YIM | The Observer

Irish junior forward Jennifer Westendorf runs toward the ball during Notre Dame’s 3-0 loss to No. 4 Duke on Sept. 21 at Alumni Stadium. The two teams will meet again on Oct. 25.

Irish junior for ward Jennifer Westendorf added to a long list of impressive performances in her tenure w ith Notre Dame on Sunday.

Westendorf prov ided a spark to the head coach Nate Norman’s offense, contributing a goal and an assist in No. 17 Notre Dame’s (2-0-0) come-from-behind 2-1 v ictor y over Loyola Chicago (1-1-0).

Westendorf made her mark late in the game after neither team could score, despite Notre Dame taking six more shots than the Ramblers.

Trailing the Ramblers 1-0 in the 75th minute, Westendorf found senior midfielder Sabrina Flores on a through ball into the penalty area; Flores promptly found the back of the net. No more than two minutes later, Westendorf scored on a header from Flores’s corner kick, giving the Irish a lead they would maintain until the final whistle. Over the course of the match Westendorf led the Irish in shots fired off

at eight, four more than her nearest teammate.

Norman has seen Westendorf perform a role as an attacker who can help create plenty of scoring chances for the Notre Dame offense.

“She strikes the ball so well with both feet, so if you can free her up, she’s a great finisher,” Norman said. “She always gives us that threat at the top of the box ... She’s tall, so she can get on the end of things in the air ... she causes constant danger for other teams from that center forward position.”

Westendorf is coming off a sophomore season in which she was one of two team leaders in assists and goals with seven and 10, respectively.

She is on pace to create a similarly strong offensive output this fall. However, while Westendorf has clearly been an integral part of the Irish attack, the forward has made significant improvements in her play on the other side of the ball as well.

“Her defending has just gotten tremendously better; see WESTENDORF PAGE 10

nd men’s Soccer

Ueland prepared to step up for final season

By CHARLIE ORTEGA GUIFARRO Sports Writer

The No. 14 ranked Irish w ill take the field of A lumni Stadium against St. Louis on Friday in their first game of the season, sporting a new head coach in Chad Riley and a new play st yle.

However, before the first whistle is blow n, one player w ill be looking to make the most of his final round in the Irish jersey — Thomas Ueland.

Play ing for ward and midfielder for the Irish, Ueland, a senior, can usually be found on the w ings, getting the ball into the box or into the net. The Lex ington, Kentuck y, native has played an increasingly pronounced role in the lineup, spending his freshman year as a key reser ve for the Irish, starting five times his sophomore season, and starting in thirteen matches during his junior campaign.

Despite the personal accolades however, Ueland does not focus on his stats,

preferring to focus on being a team player instead.

“I tr y not to be as personally focused, [instead] more team focused,” Ueland said. “As a team, we obv iously want to w in a national championship ... Any kind of personal things that come of that are kind of grav y.”

Barring a national championship this year, Ueland hopes that his biggest contribution to the team w ill be his attitude towards improv ing himself and his teammates.

“I don’t know if I would say I have a ‘I did this, and this is the best thing I did for the team’ [attitude]. I think it’s more of just tr y ing to come to practice ever y day w ith an attitude of ‘how am I going to get better and how am I going to make the guys around me a little bit better? ’ If I can do that, I think I’ve done my job,” he said.

Ueland said the Irish w ill be changing up their tactics under their new head coach. After spending the see UELAND PAGE 11

PETER ST. JOHN | The Observer

Irish senior forward Thomas Ueland looks to a teammate during Notre Dame’s 2-1 win over Northwestern on Oct. 3 at Alumni Stadium. Ueland recorded two shots on goal for the night.