PDF for Tuesday, November 16, 2010

The Independent Newspaper Serving Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s

Likins describes role in investigation

Appointed reviewer says background qualifies him to evaluate Notre Dame’s findings on Sullivan’s death

By SARAH MERVOSH News Editor

When the University completes its investigation into the death of junior Declan Sullivan, it will turn over its findings to Peter Likins, who will conduct an independent review.

Likins, 74, is the former president of Lehigh University and the University of Arizona and has a doctorate in engineering mechanics.

He told The Observer his experience with tragedy while serving as a university president and his background in

engineering prepared him for his role in the investigation.

“I think my background as an engineer helps me look at the facts in situations like this,” he said.

“[Engineers] want to know exactly what happened … That’s the way we’re disciplined.”

Sullivan, a videographer for the football team, died on Oct. 27 after the hydraulic scissor lift from

which he was filming football practice fell.

Likins also dealt with tragedies during his 24 years as a university president.

In 1986, Likins was the president of Lehigh when a female student, Jeanne Clery, was murdered in her dorm room. A federal law mandating that every university report the occurrences of crime on and near its campus was later named after Clery.

He was also president of the University of Arizona when a student shot three professors to death in a classroom in 2002.

“Those are two very dramatic

examples, kind of book ends, 1986 and 2002, and a lot in between,” he said. “Because I have that kind of trauma in my own presidential experience, that helps me understand all the dimensions of what is going on now at Notre Dame.”

Likins is not being paid to review the University’s findings.

“[University President Fr. John Jenkins] called me and asked if I would help him, and as a fellow president I’m pleased to do that as best I can,” he said.

Likins clarified that he does

see LIKINS/page 5

Ugandan student to discuss non-profits

By SARA FELSENSTEIN News Writer

Francis Tuhaise knows from first-hand experience that non-profit organizations can make a difference in the lives of Ugandan citizens.

Tuhaise, a student in the Kroc Institute’s Masters Program of Peace and Conflict, will speak Wednesday about the challenges, justifications and opportunities for the nonprofit sector in Uganda.

He is currently the co-director of the Kyembogo Farmer’s Association (KYEFA), a nonprofit organization in Uganda that works with farmers in the region. He received a bachelor’s degree in adult and community education from Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. Tuhaise also worked for the Ugandan

government as a community development officer, mobilizing communities for government-funded programs.

Fr. George Muganyizi, a Holy Cross priest, founded

KYEFA in Western Uganda in 1998. Tuhaise was involved in the initial planning stages of the organization and became co-director after two years.

KYEFA works to improve

farmers’ access to education and medical care by increasing their incomes, Tuhaise said. The organization focuses

see UGANDA/page 4

Policeto examine gameday arrest

By MOLLY MADDEN News Writer

St. Joseph County Police will conduct an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest of a Notre Dame student at an on-campus tailgate Saturday, according to a St. Joseph County Police press release issued Monday.

St. Joseph County Police Sgt. Randy Kaps, a 19-year veteran of the department, arrested a 21-year-old male student for public intoxication at approximately 2 p.m. Saturday, the release stated.

The release referenced a third-party video of the arrest, which a Notre Dame student posted on YouTube Saturday night. The video received more than 10,000 views before it was made private Monday afternoon.

“Our department was made aware of the YouTube video early [Monday] morning depicting the arrest,” the press release stated. “Our administration has viewed the video. At this time, we are gathering further information relating to the circumstances leading to the arrest of the suspect in the video.”

The release also stated the investigation would

see ARRESTS/page 5

International Student Services promotes Education Week

By REBECCA MORIARTY News Writer

The Office of International Student Services and Activities is presenting a series of events this week to promote International Education Week at Notre Dame.

McKenna Pencak, assistant director of communication and outreach for International Student

Services and Activities, said the week would promote an understanding of different cultures.

“I think this week is important to the Notre Dame community because it allows students to enjoy other countries and cultures,” Pencak said.

She also mentioned it is important for students to learn about other cultures because Notre Dame has such a large international

student population.

International Education Week events began Monday with a dessert reception and screening of the film “Streetball.” The film follows the stories of eight men as they journey from playing soccer on the streets of South Africa to playing in the Homeless World Cup game.

“It is a great story of people defying the odds and overcoming everything to accomplish a dream,” Pencak said

about the film.

Mike Mastrocinque, the film’s associate producer, was also in attendance to answer questions from the audience.

Other events include the International Taste of South Bend, today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the LaFortune Ballroom. Local restaurants will showcase their international cuisine, and the event is free and open to all members of the Notre Dame community.

Ten Thousand Villages, a non-profit organization that helps craftsmen in third world countries, will sell crafts in the Hesburgh Library Atrium from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day this week, Pencak said.

The Asian American Association of Notre Dame will present its annual Asian Allure show both Friday and Saturday in Washington Hall. see EDUCATION/page 4

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Madeline Buckley

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“Dobby.”

Dianna Bartone sophomore Pangborn

“Snape, hands down.”

Lauren Sullivan freshman Welsh Family

“Ron Weasley.”

John Mullaney sophomore Dillon

“Fred and George.”

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Students celebrate on the field

28-3, on Saturday. The win improved the Irish to 5-5 and gave the team’s seniors a victory in their last home game.

OFFBEAT

Man urinates on police cruiser after DUI arrest

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn.— Johnson City police said a man urinated on a police cruiser during a traffic stop for drunk driving.

The Johnson City Press quotes the police report’s description of the incident. It said police stopped 23-year-old Darinel Lopez Cruz at about 3:30 a.m. on Sunday after they saw his Chevrolet Blazer weaving in and out of its lane.

TODAY’S STAFF

Police gave Cruz a field sobriety test and then arrested him. That’s when he urinated on the cruiser.

Cruz was charged with DUI and indecent expo-

sure. He was jailed at the Washington County Detention Center on a $4,000 bond. It was not immediately clear whether he had obtained a lawyer.

Man accused of tampering with public water system FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A Florida man was jailed on charges of tampering with a public drinking water system.

The FBI said Earl Davis climbed a fence on Nov. 1 at the city of Hollywood water treatment plant. Davis allegedly took off all his clothes and then turned off some power switches in a control room.

Then, the FBI said Davis put on a hazardous materials suit and turned off more switches and a backup generator. That’s when plant personnel stopped him, halting a potentially hazardous situation.

Police said Davis gave the false name “Mike Myers” when he was arrested.

Court records don’t indicate why Davis may have done this. At a court hearing Friday, Davis was given until Monday to get an attorney and a bail hearing is set for Nov. 17.

Information compiled from the Associated Press.

IN BRIEF

The seminar “Water, Energy and Insatiable Human Demands” will take place today at 11 a.m. in Fitzpatrick Hall Room 258 Bryan W. Karney , associate dean of applied science and engineering at the University of Toronto, will present this installment in the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Seminar Series. He will be discussing creative and responsive stewardship.

The lecture “Latin American to the Left” will take place today at 12:30 p.m. in the Hesburgh Center for International Studies Jorge Quiroga , former president of Bolivia, will speak. The lecture is free and open to the public.

The lecture “Research on Weak and Falling States: Making an Impact on Policy” will take place today at 4:15 p.m. in the Hesburgh Center for International Studies Pauline Baker , president of the Fund for Peace, will speak. The lecture is free and open to the public.

International Taste of South Bend will take place today at 7 p.m. in the LaFortune Student Center Ballroom. Local international restaurants will highlight their cuisines at this International Education Week event.

The Education, Schooling and Society (ESS) minor will sponsor a screening of the film “The Lottery” today at 8 p.m. in Geddes Hall. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring some of Notre Dame’s experts on education.

To submit information to be included in this section of The Observer, e-mail detailed information about an event to obsnews.nd@gmail.com

SGA launches finance committee

By ASHLEY CHARNLEY

Saint Mary’s Editor

In an effort to run Saint Mary’s Student Government Association (SGA) more efficiently and consistently, the Board created a Finance Committee to supplement its weekly meetings, student body president Rachael Chesley said.

“The SGA Finance Committee was implemented in order to enhance clarity, transparency and consistency in regards to financial policies, sponsorships and travel grants,” Chesley said.

Clubs and organizations can apply for event sponsorships and travel grants if the group travels somewhere in representation of Saint Mary’s College, she said.

In years past, these requests were brought before the entire board for review, but the Finance Committee will now handle grant applications.

“The newly established Finance Committee focuses on the sponsorships, travel grants and finances for SGA, so that SGA can focus on issues, initiatives and the student body during the big board meetings once a week,” Chesley said.

Chesley said the committee allows for more to be accomplished during SGA’s Wednesday evening meetings.

Board executives who meet separately from the larger board, but are still answerable to all members of SGA, she said.

“The Finance Committee has removed bias and increased consistency and efficiency.”

“It has allowed SGA to focus meetings on campus initiatives, such as the Co-Ex meal ticket reconfiguration, Students for South Bend Discount Program in tangent with Notre Dame and Holy Cross College, the SMC-SGA website, and the social place in Le Mans Hall basement currently being designed and planned,” Chesley said. Committee members include

Chesley said the Finance Committee is comprised of six members: treasurer, SGA president and vice president, chief of staff, secretary and campus club commissioner.

Rachael Chesley student body president Saint Mary’s College

“Although this committee is small, it is held accountable through the Finance Committee Bylaws, SGA Constitution as well as the entire SGA board,”Chesley said.

Chesley said she believes the new committee also helps remove unfairness in giving out funds. If a club or organization

does not agree with the decision made by the smaller committee, they are able to appeal to the larger board. If the larger board votes that the appeal is valid, then the Finance Committee will meet again on the issue.

“The Finance Committee has removed bias and increased consistency and efficiency,” Chesley said.

Students interested in applying for their clubs or organizations can find forms in the SGA office on the second floor of the Student Center or on the student government website, she said. They can also contact SGA with questions.

“Sponsorship and Travel Grant forms must be turned in 15 business days before the event or day of travel, and forms must include necessary documentation for expenses listed on the form as well,” Chesley said.

Contact Ashley Charnley at acharn01@saintmarys.edu

Lecturer discusses Swedish saints

By ASHLEY CHARNLEY

Mary’s Editor

Saints were a democratic feature of Christian religion in medieval times, according to Anders Frojmark, senior lecturer in History at Linnaeus University in Sweden.

Frojmark discussed the role of saints and miracle tales during his lecture “The Voice of the People: Pilgrims’ Miracle Tales at Medieval Swedish Shrines” Monday in Haggar Parlor at Saint Mary’s.

He spoke about the miracle tales of saints from Sweden, of which he said there are approximately 600. He talked about how these tales impacted the pilgrim, or peasant, society of the region during the medieval times.

He narrowed his discussion down to the more significant tales of certain saints from Sweden, and talked about the role these saints played during the 15th century.

“I will say, a saint was a good person, essentially a dead person, who lived in one way or another and who now lives with God.” Frojmark said.

Peasants and other members of society during medieval times could use particular saints for guidance, he said.

“You are free to choose. You decide which saint to turn to,” Frojmark said. “If saint No. 1 doesn’t help, then you are free to go further.”

Turning to stories of saints also helped Swedish peasants connect with God, he said.

“God lives everywhere and so do the saints who live with him,” Frojmark said.

He also said saints are accessible to people seeking help through miracles.

“Miracles count as an important role in the biography of saints. After their death … they are more accessible,” Frojmark said. “Now I can go visit [a saint]. I can stand some inches from her body and talk to her.”

In order to keep the saints and their stories alive, those who had interacted with them would become storytellers and spread their stories throughout the region, he said. Frojmark equated these storytellers from medieval times who had experienced the miracles with modern television stars.

“Those who have miraculous experiences became the object of a lot of attention,” he said.

The significance of these storytellers was their faith toward the saint they were discussing, Frojmark said.

“Miracle stories were a prized offering that concerned the saint’s honor, not one’s own,” he said.

According to Frojmark, these stories were important because they provided average citizens with role models.

“You never walk alone. [Saints] are there and they are willing to help,” Frojmark said. “So no matter where you are, you can talk to them.”

Uganda

continued from page 1

its resources on agriculture because it makes up more than 70 percent of the Ugandan economy. The primary crops in Uganda are pineapples, coffee and tea.

“We give [the farmers] improved seeds, we assist them in forming groups, and by forming groups, they are able to market their crops more effectively,” Tuhaise said.

He said these collective marketing groups are essential to building income.

project assists children in buying basic materials for school, like pencils, paper and proper clothing.

“In Uganda, we have free primary education, but these orphans do not have the basic [resources] they need to attend school. We help over 1,000 orphans,” he said. “We have 3,000 orphans [in total] but we cannot provide for them all. We select the ones with the most need.”

“We give [the farmers] improved seeds, we assist them in forming groups, and by forming groups, they are able to market their crops more effectively.”

Tuhaise said the people of Uganda are generally more willing to embrace help from non-profit organizations than government, because they trust the non-profits more.

Francis Tuhaise co-director

Kyembogo Farmer’s Association

“The nonprofit sector provides a very good opportunity for development in developing countries,” he said. “People have a lot of trust in them, and they are less bureaucratic … They are very transparent as opposed to government, which is seen as very corrupt.”

When KYEFA was first founded, 15 families were willing to invest. Now, it has grown into a network of 36 associations serving 936 families in 64 village communities.

These families live on isolated farms scattered throughout the Kyembogo region of Uganda.

Tuhaise said KYEFA’s goals for the future include increasing funding and expanding its network of associated organizations.

“Over 36 groups are associated with us, [but] we want as many groups as we can associated with us,” he said. “We want each group to be independent, have a strategic plan, have its own programs, and sustain its own activities.”

Uganda Farmers, Inc., a tax exempt, non-profit group, was formed in solidarity with KYEFA in 2007. Tuhaise said this organization, founded in Connecticut, is key to KYEFA’s programs.

Founding KYEFA was not very difficult, Tuhaise said, because it had a wide support base from the beginning. He said the idea for KYEFA actually came from the farmers themselves.

“From experience, I have seen non-profits grow more with less compared to government. Something very small can create a very big impact.”

Francis Tuhaise co-director

KYEFA also assists farmers by providing a tractor to share between several farms. Farmers may borrow the tractor but must pay for their own gas.

Kyembogo Farmer’s Association

Tuhaise also said KYEFA offers support to farmers beyond the monetary realm.

“Not all the support is just financially related,” he said. “We also offer technical advice.”

The organization also works on two other projects: one focusing on water distribution and another on orphans.

The water project helps to sufficiently hydrate families, their animals and their crops, Tuhaise said. The orphan

Education

continued from page 1

Pencak said students perform songs and dances from Asian cultures during the show, which has been well attended in previous years.

All International Education Week events will benefit the Saint Joseph’s County Red Cross, which Pencak said is a new addition this year. The money will go toward The Red Cross’ aid for international refugees who resettle in South Bend from all over

“There was already the support, [the farmers] just needed someone to organize and put the papers together,” he said. “The government values non-profits in Uganda.”

He said in Uganda, the non-profit sector is able to grow faster and with fewer resources than governmental initiatives.

“From experience, I have seen non-profits grow more with less compared to government. Something very small can create a very big impact,” he said. “You are near people, and you don’t need to spend on the big structure. This gives a lot hope.”

Tuhaise will speak Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Geddes Hall.

Contact Sara Felsenstein at sfelsens@nd.edu

the world.

Attendees at all events this week are encouraged to bring household items to support this cause, Pencak said. There will be collection boxes at all events.

Pencak said this week is a good way for students to learn about other cultures while staying close to Notre Dame.

“Students can get a touch of the world while still being in the United States,” she said.

Contact Rebecca Moriarty at rmoriar2@nd.edu

Likins

continued from page 1

not have a team to assist him and is not conducting the investigation. Rather, he will assess the internal investigation conducted by the University.

“I’m not going to conduct a parallel review,” he said. “If I have to say to them, ‘Gee, you ought to calculate blank, blank, blank,’ they will calculate [it].”

not explicitly asked him to come to campus, Likins said he expects to come to South Bend at some point to respond to questions regarding his review of the investigation.

“If [Jenkins] is going to put forth in an open and transparent way a review of this tragedy, part of that seems to me is to put me in the arena also so people can ask me questions,” he said.

“I speak to the president [Fr. Jenkins] roughly once a week just to serve in whatever role he seeks from me.”

While waiting for the University to complete its investigation, Likins remains in Tucson, Ariz., and stays updated through weekly communication with Jenkins.

Peter Likins University-appointed reviewer

“I speak to the president roughly once a week just to serve in whatever role he seeks from me,” Likins said. That role sometimes includes answering questions, but Likins said he mainly serves as a sounding board for Jenkins.

“That is one of the things that a president needs in a crisis such as this, is someone who understands the depth of his pain,” he said. “Someone he can talk to — not in a matter of reviewing the facts, that’s not the role that I play in my conversations with the president — but just hearing his account of what this experience has meant to him and to Notre Dame.”

Likins said he had no previous affiliation with Notre Dame and has never visited the University.

University spokesman Dennis Brown said University officials suggested several individuals as candidates to conduct an outside review of the investigation, including Likins.

“As a highly regarded university administrator, engineer and leader in college sports, he has ideal credentials for this assignment,” Brown said.

“As a highly regarded university administrator, engineer and leader in college sports, he [Likins] has ideal credentials for this assignment.”

Dennis Brown University spokesman

Likins said it is not clear if he will review the University’s findings before or after they are released to the public.

“That has not been explicit in our conversations, but what is clear is they are trying to keep me informed and they have given me anything I asked for,” he said, but added, “None of it is to draw judgment. It’s too soon for that.”

Although the University has

Arrests

continued from page 1

look at other evidence and accounts of the arrest.

“The information to be considered includes police reports from other police officers at the scene, as well as other video obtained of the incident which may have been captured by security cameras on campus,” the release said.

After the student’s arrest, police transported the student to the holding facility at Notre Dame Stadium before booking him into St. Joseph County Jail. He was released from jail on $150 bond and is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 2.

In a statement Monday, University spokesman Dennis Brown praised past cooperation between Notre Dame Security Police and St. Joseph County Police on football weekends.

“The University, local law

“We very much appreciate him accepting our request to take it on.”

Likins was a member of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics from 2004 until his retirement and served the NCAA as a member of the Presidents’ Commission. He later served as a member of the Executive Committee and chaired a presidential task force on the future of intercollegiate athletics, according to a press release.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Stanford University and his master’s degree in civil engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also received a doctorate in engineering mechanics from Stanford.

Contact Sarah Mervosh at smervosh@nd.edu

enforcement agencies and our fans have worked in a spirit of cooperation the past two years to create an environment on football weekends, that, by all accounts has been overwhelmingly positive,” Brown said.

Brown said the University is aware of St. Joseph County Police’s investigation of the arrest Saturday.

“We know that the incident that occurred Saturday is under review by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department in order to fully understand all of the circumstances surrounding the confrontation,” Brown said. “University leaders will closely monitor the conclusions of that review, but believe that the positive momentum of the last two seasons will not be derailed by a single incident.”

Notre Dame Security Police declined to comment Monday about this and other gameday arrests.

Contact Molly Madden at mmadden3@nd.edu

INSIDE COLUMN

A Cut Above Hermione

Bouncing right back

Harry Potter mania is upon us. The comparison between South Dining Hall and Hogwarts will become much more apparent when swarms of students in gold and scarlet file in to drink Butter Beer and eat whatever exactly it is that they eat in Harry Potter. Chocolate frogs perhaps?

Andy Ziccarelli Moment of Inertia

Courtney Cox Assistant Scene Editor

The stars of the film have been on a media rampage for the past week, beginning with the film’s London premiere and continuing on to the New York premiere this week. Of course the attention is amplified by the fact that this is the beginning of the end of an era for Harry Potter lovers around the world, but no topic has permeated the consciousness of the public as much as Emma Watson’s haircut.

Emma Watson has portrayed Hermione Granger, the best friend of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley for the past 11 years. Of all Hermione’s characteristics (intelligence, a strict adherence to the rules, a borderline neurotic obsession with Hogwarts: A History), none of her physical attributes stood out more than her bushy hair.

It was a symbol that she was too serious and too wise to truly care about her looks. She wasn’t some bimbo like Lavender Brown; she was a smart, independent young woman. She gave hope to millions of girls that they would one day be able to grow out of that awkward stage and join the ranks of gorgeously smart women as Ms. Watson has.

At the end of an era that has been so formative to millions of young adults, Emma has chosen to throw all caution to the wind and chop off her hair into a bold pixie cut. She had grown so familiar to Potter fans everywhere, and her long hair was something they could be sure of being perfectly in place. Despite the sloppy days her costars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint may be having (and let’s be honest, they seem to have too many to count), Emma Watson would always have her golden brown locks to compliment whatever stylish ensemble she sports.

Now that Harry Potter is over, she seems to be an entirely different person from the lovable know-it-all. Emma Watson is no longer synonymous with Hermione Granger. And I commend her for that. Many may not agree with me, but the choice to cut her hair was as smart as I’m sure it was liberating. While Hermione will always have that bushy brown hair, Watson will not.

A haircut as drastic as hers can define a career. We have seen it with Natalie Portman in V for Vendetta, and we have seen it with Demi Moore in G.I. Jane. It is a powerful moment, but that is only if the moment is chosen wisely. In this state of transition, Watson has most certainly chosen wisely. She can be seen on the red carpet of the premiere looking demure as usual but totally different from the little girl on the screen. She is edgier and much cooler.

As Emma Watson transitions to someone older and more bold than the character she portrays, perhaps it’s time for Harry Potter fans (myself included) to do the same.

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

Contact Courtney Cox at ccox3@nd.edu

This past Sunday was shaping up to be a memorable day. Coming off of the excitement of Senior Day, the football team from my dorm and home for the last four years, Dillon Hall, was playing in the interhall football championship game against Sorin, and it turned out to be a thrilling game.

Unfortunately, Dillon lost 7-6 in overtime. And while it may have been disappointing for me as a member of the Dillon community, my heart went out to the players who had put so much time and effort into the team and had sacrificed so much to win a championship. It isn’t possible to be any closer to winning a championship than those guys were. But in the end, they walked away empty handed, just like every other team in the league not named Sorin. It just seemed so unfair.

That’s not to say that I haven’t experienced disappointment of my own over my time here. There has been plenty. I have been completely ignored by girls that I’ve had crushes on, like I didn’t even exist. I once got a test back and felt satisfied with my grade, thinking it was out of 50 points. It wasn’t. It was out of 100.

The football game at Michigan last year was so frustrating and upsetting that it made me feel physically ill. And while I fully realize how ridiculous that sounds, it is completely true. I had spent all summer before my junior year counting down the days until football season started; with visions of BCS bowl games and top-10 finishes dancing in my head. And with one gut-wrenching last minute drive, all of those dreams came crashing down. I seriously considered, on a number of occasions, asking my buddy who was driving to pull over because I thought I was going to throw up.

I also trained for four months my

EDITORIAL CARTOON

freshman year to participate in the Bengal Bouts, only to get dominated in my first fight. I sacrificed a lot to train for the tournament: I gave up going out during training, I was eating meals unsuitable for an elementary school kid in an effort to cut weight and I was sleeping through class because I was so exhausted, not to mention the few hours every day I was spending in the gym. Just like that, in less than four minutes, I had lost and it was like none of that even mattered. So, knowing what I was up against, I trained my sophomore year and entered the tournament again. I then lost my first fight. Again.

A natural human response in the face of repeated disappointment is one of apathy, an absence of emotion or enthusiasm. Apathy is a defense mechanism created by the subconscious to protect yourself from pain. Rationally, this makes sense. If you tell yourself that something doesn’t matter, there is no way that you could be hurt by that thing because, well, it doesn’t matter.

A dangerous thing happens, though, when you become apathetic: not only do you shield yourself from disappointment, you also shield yourself from excitement. This is because there can’t be one without the other, the same way that there can’t be light without dark or good without evil. And by not allowing yourself to get hurt, you also don’t allow yourself to be truly happy.

One man who knew this well was President Theodore Roosevelt. He is responsible for my favorite quote of all time, which I have on a poster in my bedroom. In a 1910 speech, he told listeners in Paris: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by

dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming … who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Whether or not they have actually heard that quote before, Notre Dame students certainly act like they have. One of the best things about this place is the enthusiasm and passion that every person bring to campus, regardless of whether it’s music, athletics, art, or anything else. Domers do not sit life out on the sidelines, and the buzz that everyone brings every day is one of my biggest sources of inspiration.

It is an uncertain time for us seniors. There are a lifetime’s worth of hope and dreams behind each job or service or grad school application, and we have been met by a work force that, essentially, is telling us not to get our hopes up. A lot of us are sitting by the phone, waiting (and praying) that the company that we interviewed with, or the medical school that we want to go to, will call us back.

So even though I’ve been beaten down before, both mentally and physically, I’m bouncing right back up. It’s the only way I know how to live, and I’m nothing if not stubborn, as my family can attest. So bring it on, real world. I’m ready.

Andy Ziccarelli is a senior majoring in civil engineering. He welcomes your adulation and veiled threats at aziccare@nd.edu

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

“Eighty

percent of success is showing up.”

Allen

“Art is anything you can get away with.”

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

U WIRE

Viewpoint

Facebook breakup study

Students concerned their relationships are on the rocks and could end soon can gain some insight from a study of Facebook statuses.

A new graphic circulating on the Internet charts the use of the phrases “breakup” and “broken up” in Facebook status updates to show what time of the year couples split.

Kaitlin Ek The Daily Nebraskan

David McCandless, a Londonbased writer and designer who focuses on data journalism and information design, along with colleague Lee Bryon, created the data visualization in 2008 by scraping 10,000 Facebook status updates for data.

McCandless exhibited the graphic during a July TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Conference on data visualization.

He described the graph to the audience, saying, “People clearing out for Spring Break, coming out of very bad weekends on Monday, being single over the summer. And then the lowest day of the year, of course: Christmas Day. Who would do that?”

The graphic shows spikes in breakups after Valentine’s Day and in the two weeks before Christmas.

There was also a significant spike on April Fool’s Day.

Jessica Semin, a freshman pre-nursing student at U. Nebraska-Lincoln, said she thinks people may break up more frequently in the weeks before Christmas because of winter break for college students.

“Maybe since people are with their friends, and not together,” she said.

“During Christmas in college, students go back home and see old friends.”

Jesse Barlean, a sophomore at UNL, had a different theory.

“I was actually just talking about this with my friends,” he said.

“We thought people break up over Christmas and stay broken up until Valentine’s Day because they don’t want to buy gifts.”

He thought Spring Break breakups were also explainable.

“No one wants a girlfriend for Spring Break,” he said.

Semin said that the Monday breakup spikes seemed likely to her.

“Mondays are never a good day for anyone. And it’s coming off a weekend,” she said, adding that sometimes couples have fights over weekend events.

Barlean agreed, saying, “People have bad Mondays.”

As for April Fool’s Day, Barlean doubts that more couples actually split up on that day.

“On April Fool’s Day, maybe it’s just a joke,” he said.

During his TED talk, McCandless uses his visualization as an example of the wealth of data available to researchers on the Internet.

“There’s a titanic amount of data out there,” he said. “It’s unprecedented.”

This column first ran in the Nov. 15 edition of the Daily Nebraskan, the daily publication serving the University of Nebraska.

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

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR

International life lessons: Dorms 101

People say that abroad experiences are supposed to open up new perspectives and enlarge your world because of their differences.

Well, they’re definitely right that studying abroad is different from South Bend, Indiana.

Here in Perth, Australia, the weather is warm all semester, drinking is legal at 18, and people stare at you funny for eating peanut butter and jelly. Craziest of all, however, is that dorms are co-ed.

For many people reading, this may shock and surprise you. “Impossible,” you might say. Contrary to popular belief, males and females in their late teens and early 20s can live together, in the same building, with little to no supervision. Despite what I expected when I first arrived, this living arrangement did not lead to unbridled debauchery, (more) binge drinking or rampant intercourse.

While there were certain revelatory insights (hint: girls, in fact, do not poop Starbursts and

rainbows), living with the fairer sex actually led to, gasp, closer friendships and more straightforward relationships. Dorm life, as it were, actually benefited from having ideas coming from female perspectives. Dorm events, at least in my opinion, were more exciting, fresh and fun as a result, although the active role of legal drinking may have had a role to play to this extent.

So Notre Dame, fresh off of a new experience, as my world has definitely been enlarged, I can only wonder if it matters. In the spirit of opening new perspectives, why not consider a co-ed dorm when it comes time to open up another residence for the young inhabitants of the University? And no worries, I won’t complain if you name it Keeler Hall.

You know who you are

To Whom It May Concern:

In 2001, Lance Bass starred in On the Line, a miserable film in which he searches endlessly for a girl he saw from afar. Let’s look past the obvious irony in that last sentence and focus on the bigger picture. I, too, am looking for a particular girl. I’ve resorted to The Observer to find you. Consider this an allpoints bulletin to the girl that I’ve been stuck behind in the vegetable line four times in the last week. You know who you are, and your conduct is unacceptable. While others respect the dignity of students around them by moving swiftly through the vegetable line, you literally stand there with a spoon and pick out individual carrots. One by one, my patience simmers into a controlled rage as you take five minutes to fill a single bowl.

As the line backs up, you single-handedly throw a

EDITORIAL CARTOON

wrench into the gears of hundreds of hungry people in North Dining Hall.

Let this serve as a friendly reminder that your inability to use a spoon as it was intended has to change. I refuse to stand by as a silent witness to your rude, irrational, habitual crime against the Notre Dame population. As we move forward, hurry up. I didn’t want to have to resort to The Observer, but your brash disregard for common courtesy has left me no choice. In Notre Dame,

Kachadoorian

Jessica Lea Mayfield, “Kiss Me Again”

This is the epitome of lo-fi brilliance. Take your average female, add a nose ring, guitar, formal dress and … seethrough white board, and you get the main ingredients for this YouTube gem. With I-couldn’t-care-less vocals and a penchant for split-screen, this video makes setting up a camera and letting it roll seem like easy business. But it is perhaps the do-it-yourself simplicity of this video that makes it so appealing and so mysterious to watch.

3OH!3, “Double V ision”

The Situation: Music hunters seek, read, blog and cull music from radio, print and, most often, the interwebs. Music gatherers collect mix CDs, free digital downloads, and whatever their friends happen to be listening to. If you are a gatherer, this space is for you. If you are a hunter, e-mail me your latest find, and I promise you’ll find it written up here. (Seriously. E-mail. Even if you’re not a student.)

Today we deal in the newest medium — specifically, the video. It is the grand culmination of sound and image that has enticed us since the late 1920’s. The “music video” has come a long way from its early days as the driving force behind MTV (oh where, oh where did our MTV go?). But alas, now we are inundated with teenage mothers and the … uh … other Situation. Now, music videos live on the internet, heavily promoted behind every Vevo video you watch or streaming politely to 200 viewers on a MySpace page. But no matter your budget, or your fame, or even your musical talent, you can mash video and song to create your own aesthetic experience. Here are some particularly clever ones.

From the people who warned you not to “trust a ho” comes one of the most inventive videos I’ve seen this year. Instead of flashing colors and booties in your face, this whole video is done in one take. With people lying on their backs looking up at a camera from a bird’s eye view, they imitate a computer screen. As the screen “scrolls up” (and the camera moves down) the performers move into different positions to imitate watching a concert video online (meta to the max), playing a computer game and even a re-creation of the viral Daft Punk video of two girls with the words painted on their bodies.

Kylie Minogue, “Come Into My Wor ld”

For another exercise in videos done in one take (or built to look thus) is this trick video directed by Michel Gondry. Kylie walks around town with a shopping bag, seemingly in circles. Except, each time she circles through, everything around her multiplies (including the Kylies singing the song). It is so seamless that you won’t be able to resist watching the “making of” video behind it.

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer Contact Stephanie DePrez at sdeprez@nd.edu

By ROSS FINNEY Scene Writer

When Weezer announced that its next release would be a collection of rarities, fans of the band saw a glimmer of hope. After a slew of inconsistent albums from the radio-rock mediocrity of “ M a k e B e l i e v e ” t o t h e p u z z l i n g - a t - b e s t “Raditude,” many questioned whether front man Rivers Cuomo had lost the ability, or simply the will, to recreate the power-pop glory of the first few Weezer albums.

So, logically, scouring the archives for the best B - s i d e s a n d u n u s e d t r a c k f r o m t h e b a n d ’ s 1 5 year tenure with the David Geffen Co. should be a return to form for the band. Right?

Well, it’s not that simple. Cuomo described the album as the band’s 9th studio release and the logical follow-up to their latest original record a n d i n d i e - d e b u t , t h e s o m e w h a t a v e r a g e “Hurley.” It is apparent after a listen that “Death to False Metal” is surprisingly cohesive sounding for a collection of songs spanning over a decade. As it turns out the band picked the songs and then brought them into the studio where they reworked and re-recorded them.

In that sense the record never lives up to what it could be — that is, a unique glimpse into the evolution and development of the band. Instead, it oddly does seem like a follow-up to “Hurley,”

n s looking for classic Weezer T

terms of quality On these types of albums it is rare to find huge standout cuts — after all, they didn’t make it onto the records for a reason but there are a couple very strong songs.

Leading the album is “Turning up the Radio,” a g o o d , i f n o t s o m e w h a t s t a n d a r d , s o r

With light feel, good lyrics and a big hook for the chorus, the song epitomizes the good-not-great sort of song the band has become best known for in recent years.

“Everyone” is an interesting experiment for the

band. Though fans of Weezer’s poppier side may n o t l i k e i t , t h e s o n g i s g o o d B y f a r t h e m o s t hard-rocking track on the album, Cuomo seems to be trying for a Nirvana-grunge sound, which the band pulls off to some success.

“I’m a Robot” is an upbeat, extremely wry take on middle-class living that, in spite of its catchiness and interesting premise ultimately fails to d e l i v e r T h o u g h a m b i t i o u s c o n c e p t u a l l y, t h e lyrics are mostly unsatisfying and kind of goofy, but not in the way that makes a lot of Weezer’s songs endearing.

The standout track is “Trampoline.” The song is straightforward power-pop reminiscent of the “Blue” or “Green” albums and the lyrics get right at the heart of the awkward angst that Weezer is really about. The song has “fan favorite” written all over it, and really stands as one of the better Weezer songs to come out lately, not just from this album.

The rest of the tracks are largely interchangeable. With mostly dull lyrics and plenty of catchy

picked and reworked for this collection. Like the album as a whole, they aren’t bad, they’re just not special.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Stephen Susco, a 1995 Notre Dame graduate and co-writer and co-producer of “High School ” credits Notre Dame for helping him develop his interest in filmmaking Susco’s freshman film class piqued his interest in the field Susco, who lived in Pangborn Hall “before [the dorm] was neutered,” wrote several films while at Notre Dame. Also highly significant for Susco was his experience with “Rudy ” which was filmed during his time as a student. Susco auditioned for the film, and was runner-up for a part as one of Rudy’s brothers. Although a role in the film did not pan out for Susco, observing t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f t h

glimpse into the industry

S u s c o h a s a

movies “The Grudge” and “The Grudge 2 ” both of which enjoyed huge box office success. A screenplay, as described by Susco, is the film “in its rawest form” and undergoes constant editing and changes throughout the production process.

Wr

(Matt Bush), who is reunited with his childhood best friend Travis Breaux (Sean Marquette) when the pair are involved in a parking lot accident.

Straight-laced Henry later takes his first hit of marijuana at the urging of his former best friend and hilarity ensues The next day, the overzealous high school principal (Michael Chiklis) mandates a school-

M a t t & K i m , a B r o o k l y n - b a s e d d u o

c o m p o s e d o f M a t t J o h n s o n o n v o c a l s

a n d k e y b o a r d s a n d K i m S c h i f i n o o n

d r u m s a n d v o c a l s , h a s b e e n m a k i n g catchy, lo-fi synth-punk for more than five years. However, very few had heard

o f t h e b a n d p r i o r t o i t s h i t s o n g “Daylight” being featured in a Bacardi commercial last summer

“ D a y l i g h t ” w a s t h e l e a d s i n g l e f r o m Grand, which was the band s second and breakthrough album “Grand” saw the duo receive critical praise for tightening its “do it yourself” sound without c o m p r o m i s i n g i t s f a s t - p a c e d r a w nature.

O n “ S i d e w a l k s , ” t h e b a n d ’ s l a t e s t album released on Nov 2, Matt & Kim hired semi-legendary hip-hop and indie producer, recorder and studio juggern a u t B e n A l l e n , w h o s e p a s t c r e d i t s include Gnarls Barkley’s “St. Elsewhere” and Animal Collective s Merriweather Post Pavilion,” among other criticallya c c l a i m e d a l b u m s W h i l e i t m i g h t b e unfair to Johnson and Schifino to credit A l l e n w i t h s i n g l e h a n d e d l y b r o a d e n i n g and improving upon the duo s blitz-like style, Allen’s influence can certainly be heard in songs such as “Cameras,” the a l b u m ’ s f i r s t s i n g l e w h i c h f e a t u r e s a h o r n s e c t i o n , h i p - h o p s a m p l e s a n d murky electronic noises three things one would not expect to hear on a Matt & Kim record. Beyond diversifying the band’s sound, A l l e n m a n a g e s t o a m p l i f y t h e b e s t

a s p e c t s o f M a t t & K i m ’ s m u s i c : Johnson’s huge vocal hooks and bouncy

s y n t h e s i z e r r i f f s , c o m b i n e d w i t h S c h i f i n o ’ s r a p i d - f i r e p e r c u s s i v e s t y l e Album opener “Block for Block” is clas-

s i c M a t t & K i m b u t w i t h a m o r e sophisticated feel. This does result in the duo losing some of the “amateur charm” that might have p r e v i o u s l y b e e n a l a r g e p a r t o f t h e i r appeal, but losing some of its charm at

fails To solve this problem and save Henry’s bright future, the duo utilizes the aptly named drug dealer Psycho Ed (Adrian Brody) in a plot to get the entire school high.

The story is highly entertaining from start to finish and possesses a surprising amount of suspense, due largely to the volatility of Brody’s character His wild-

appears His interactions with Sean Marquette are particularly hilarious, and were largely the result of improv, according to Susco.

The majority of the humor was raunchy and certainly not for everyone, but most will laugh consistently throughout the film Most of the comedy and the situations the pair of friends find themselves in are hysterical. Recurring jokes, such as Henry’s nausea in response to Psycho Ed’s terrifying threats, are big hits throughout the film.

A

“Superbad,” “High School” features a dangerous and h

raunchy, gross-out humor and high school drama.

T

friend, Travis, is one of the highlights of the film. The film’s portrayal of ex-“besties” on divergent life paths is really well done. It’s easy to sympathize with both characters, and the ending is really satisfying.

Susco said this film has been described as a “stoner movie,” but he also sees it as a “coming of age story about two friends ” Susco also said in an interview with The Observer that the film deals with the “fact

forced to watch in detention bolsters this viewpoint. Susco’s current projects include a prequel to “High

Susco is also working on an action movie starring tween-favorite Taylor Lautner Although Susco couldn’t divulge any details about the movie yet, it’s promised to be awesome. “High School” hits theaters this spring, and comes highly recommended.

School’

Director: John Stalberg

Starring: Adrien Brody, Michael Chiklis, Colin Hanks

Contact Troy Mathew at tmathew2@nd.edu

t h e e x p e n s e o f f a r superior songs is not a bad trade-off at all.

less-than-appealing part of the band’s n e w s o u n d T h e l y r i c s s o m e t i m e s f e e l hollow and insincere when juxtaposed with the bright musical approach.

However, there is still room for blissful m o m e n t s a m i d J o h n s o n ’ s m o r e d o w ncast ruminations, such as in the album’s penultimate track “Silver Tiles,” which was actually the first song the band ever wrote as a duo It had never been featured on an album before now

The final aspect of Matt & Kim’s newfound expansive sheen is that Johnson’s vocals have changed slightly from their previously nasal and jittery qualities. He sounds more confident and much more willing to go for the soaring melody as o

One would never have thought it likely given their previous work, but Johnson has developed a genuinely good singing voice not just an interesting one That b

some of his old, more raw singing style o

album’s closing track.

major reinventing on “Sidewalks” with

band

‘Sidewalks’

B e c a u s e o f t h i s “Sidewalks” also has a “bigger” feel to it a stark contrast with s o m e o f t h e i r p r e v io u s m a t e r i a l t h a t s o u n d s a s i f i t m a y w e l l h a v e b e e n recorded in a 10-by1 0 f o o t b e d r o o m M i d - t e m p o s l o wb u r n e r “ G o o d f o r G r e a t ” s h o w c a s e s t h i s p e r f e c t l y T h a t song combines one of Johnson’s signature floating keyboard riffs with a huge string sample, reverb-drenched vocals

Label: Fader

Best Tracks: “Cameras,” “Block for Block,” “Silver Tiles”

a n d S c h i f i n o ’ s b e s t w o r k b e h i n d t h e drums yet.

J o h n s o n s l y r i c s echo this more open sound Matt & Kim’s s o n g s p r e v i o u s l y h a v e b e e n c o l o r f u l c o l l a g e s o f l i f e i n B r o o k l y n i n o n e ’ s 20s. “Sidewalks” sees J o h n s o n a d o p t i n g a m o r e p e n s i v e , c o nt e m p l a t i v e m o o d a t times, such as in the a f o r e m e n t i o n e d “Good for Great.” “So m a n y b o o k s t h a t I didn’t read / But there’s so much air I chose to breathe / How about the colors that I’ve seen? / So I’ll leave these pages in the trees,” Johnson sings in the chorus. This new lyrical approach is the one

each song has its own distinctive sound. For a group that made its name mostly through simplistic, fast-paced songs, hiring a new producer and evolving stylistically was risky

around as well “Sidewalks” is Matt & Kim’s best album to date and a step in

band.

Contact Chris Collum at ccollum@nd.edu

Panthers’ Clausen day-to-day with concussion

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Just when rookie Jimmy Clausen and the Carolina offense finally showed some spark, albeit in another loss, the Panthers were hit with more bad news as Clausen’s status for next week is uncertain because of a concussion.

The Panthers were seething Monday over the play that may have gotten Clausen hurt. They claim a couple of Tampa Bay players recklessly dove into the pile as Clausen was stuffed shy of the goal line on fourth down on Carolina’s final offensive play Sunday in the Buccaneers’ 31-16 win.

Receiver Steve Smith said Aqib Talib and Sean Jones “went head first into Jimmy.” Replays showed Talib appeared to hit Clausen with a helmet-tohelmet hit. Smith then shoved Talib and was given a 15-yard penalty.

“Despite what people might think, actually I am a team player and I’ll do it again, and I’ll do it 10 out of 10 times, 100 out of 100 times,” Smith said of the penalty. “Guys going in there, he goes head first in there, so I’m going to follow.”

Coach John Fox declined to comment Monday for fear of being fined, but did say they would send in a tape of the play to the league office. Fox also said he wasn’t certain Clausen sustained the concussion on that play, but believed that’s

when it happened.

Fox said Clausen, who completed 16 of 29 passes for 191 yards, no touchdowns and no turnovers, didn’t show signs of a concussion until after the game. Clausen attended meetings Monday but was not made available to reporters.

“I talked to him after the game and he had a little headache,” backup quarterback Tony Pike said. “He said he was trying to watch tape (Sunday night) and the headache got a little worse.”

It could leave Carolina (1-8) in an even bigger predicament than a week earlier, when Clausen was promoted to starter after Matt Moore’s season-ending right shoulder injury.

If Clausen can’t go Sunday against Baltimore, and Fox would only says he’s “day to day,” the Panthers would turn the rookie Pike, a sixth-round pick who has thrown 12 passes this season.

“Always got to be ready,” Pike said.

Behind Pike is another rookie, Armanti Edwards, who played quarterback at Appalachian State but was converted to receiver when he was drafted in the third round. He didn’t take snaps at QB for Carolina until last week when he ran the scout team.

The Panthers signed Brian St. Pierre, who has thrown five passes in his NFL career, to the practice squad on Friday.

Fox wouldn’t say if they’d try to sign another QB.

“We had Brian St. Pierre around last week, just to have a third quarterback in the building,” Fox said. “I think it was helpful as far as getting acclimated to our offense, but we’ll just assess that day to day.”

It’s been that kind of season for the Panthers, who are now tied for Buffalo for the worst record in the league.

Clausen’s injury spoiled his best performance in four starts, all losses. While the Panthers scored just one touchdown — they have nine this season — they moved the ball better. The second round pick from Notre Dame avoided major mistakes and looked more poised in the pocket.

“I thought he made some good third down decisions,” Fox said of Clausen. “We had some mishaps early in the first half where we were maybe not quite as clean as we needed to be and had to use some timeouts. But all in all I thought he performed pretty well.”

Clausen was also helped by fourth-string running back Mike Goodson, who rushed for 100 yards in Carolina’s best performance on the ground this season amid numerous injuries.

Still, it wasn’t enough to lead Carolina to its second win, with a leaky defense to blame. The Panthers gave up 421 yards, including 186 on the ground.

Two weeks ago, the Panthers

were ranked fourth in the league in total defense. They’ve dropped to 14th after allowing 829 yards in two weeks to New Orleans and Tampa Bay.

“The opponent has a little something to do with it,” Fox said.

Now the Panthers have uncertainty again at QB — and at receiver and the offensive line. Left guard Travelle Wharton was knocked out of Sunday’s game with what Fox called turf toe and was in a protective boot Monday.

Wharton said he had “no idea” if he’d be able to play Sunday. No. 3 receiver Brandon LaFell also left with a concussion.

But despite all the losses and injuries, the Panthers claim they haven’t quit. And Smith’s aggressive reaction on the final offensive play Sunday may prove that.

“I don’t see really a way I can comment on that, other than it shows a lot about Steve to take care of his teammate,” Fox said.

Redskins, McNabb agree on five-year, $78

NFL Associated Press

LANDOVER, Md. — Never mind whether Donovan McNabb can go for two minutes. The Washington Redskins have decided they’d like to have him around for another five years. And never mind whether he was worth a pair of draft picks. The Redskins figure he’s worth $40 million in guaranteed money.

Two weeks after they caused an uproar by benching him in the final 1:50 of a loss to the Detroit Lions, the Redskins on Monday signed McNabb to a five-year contract extension worth $78 million — giving topgrade money to a quarterback who is about to turn 34 and is having his worst season since

CLASSIFIEDS

he was a rookie.

But the Redskins have decided the six-time Pro Bowler is a centerpiece in coach Mike Shanahan’s rebuilding project, even as both endure growing pains with the Redskins’ new offense.

The deal came with impeccable timing. It was announced a few hours before McNabb and the Redskins faced the quarterback’s longtime team, the Philadelphia Eagles, in the Monday night game. It also came before McNabb was able to take his first snap following the bizarre Halloween events in Detroit.

With the Redskins trailing by six, Shanahan yanked McNabb for Rex Grossman, only the second time McNabb has been

benched during a game in his career. Grossman lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown, and Washington lost 3725 to drop to 4-4. Pulling McNabb was baffling enough, but Shanahan compounded the matter by offering varying explanations over multiple days. First, Shanahan said he felt Grossman was more knowledgeable in the team’s two-minute offense. Then the coach said McNabb lacked the “cardiovascular endurance” to run a fast-paced drill because of nagging hamstring injuries.

Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said McNabb had been tipped in advance that the team might go with Grossman; McNabb claimed he didn’t hear that.

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The confusion put the Redskins in the spotlight during their bye week. It had always been assumed the Redskins would sign McNabb to an extension before his contract expired at the end of the season, but had Shanahan lost confidence in him? And would McNabb even want to stay?

The answers, apparently, are no and yes. McNabb’s agent, Fletcher Smith, said the benching had no effect on the negotiations, which had been ongoing to some degree since McNabb was acquired from the Eagles for a pair of draft picks in April.

“Once the regular season started, we really were aiming toward the bye week, and it came together,” Redskins general manager Bruce Allen said.

“I think coach and myself said that Donovan’s going to be here from the beginning and Donovan has been real clear in his intent of being a Redskin. So I think it just puts an exclamation point on it.”

Still, McNabb’s adjustment to his first new offense in more than a decade has been a bigger challenge than expected. He was completing 57.4 percent of his passes with seven touchdowns and eight interceptions and a rating of only 76.0 entering Monday’s game. That said, he’s been working behind a sub-par offensive line — he was sacked 22 times through the first eight games — and has only two reliable wideouts in Santana Moss and Anthony Armstrong.

If you or someone you care about has been sexually assaulted, we can help. For more information, visit Notre Dame's website: http://csap.nd.edu. UNPLANNED PREGNANCY? Don't go it alone. Notre Dame has many resources in place to assist you. If you or someone you love needs confidential support or assistance, please call Sr. Sue Dunn at 1-7819 or Ann Firth at 1-2685. For more information, visit ND's website at: http://pregnancysupport@nd.edu.

If you can dream it, you can do it.

-Walt Disney

A true friend laughs at your stories even when they’re not so good, and sympathizes with your troubles even when they’re not so bad.

-Proverb

A friend is one who knows us, but loves us anyway.

-Jerome Cummings

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.

-Helen Keller

The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.

-Ayn Rand

Don't let what you can't do stop you from doing what you can do.

You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore. -Christopher Columbus We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit. -Aristotle The Observer accepts classifieds

Posey, Feliz named leagues’ top rookies

NEW YORK — San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey and Texas Rangers closer Neftali Feliz wound up together on the winning side Monday when they were voted the Rookies of the Year.

Earlier this month, Posey singled off Feliz as the Giants beat Texas in the clinching Game 5 of the World Series.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been two weeks,” Posey said.

Posey hit several key home runs in the stretch, then helped the Giants win the crown for the first time since 1954. He easily outdistanced Atlanta outfielder Jason Heyward for the National League award.

Feliz, the rocket-armed righty who set a rookie record with 40 saves as Texas reached its first World Series, finished far ahead of Detroit center fielder Austin Jackson for the AL honor.

“I hope it’s not a fluke. I hope I have a better season next year,” the 22-year-old Dominican reliever said through a translator on a conference call.

Promoted from Triple-A on May 29, Posey quickly adjusted to the big leagues — both at the plate and behind it.

The 23-year-old Posey hit .305 with 18 home runs and 67 RBIs. He homered eight times after Sept. 1 in leading the Giants to the NL West title, and his homer on the final day of the regular season helped them clinch the division.

Posey was picked first on 20 of 32 ballots in voting by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Voting was done by two members of the BBWAA in every league city after the regular season, with each person listing three players.

Posey was left off the ballot by Yasushi Kikuchi of Kyodo News from the Los Angeles-Anaheim chapter. Kikuchi chose Florida first baseman Gaby Sanchez first, Heyward second and St. Louis pitcher Jaime Garcia third.

“I think Rookie of the Year is for the rookie player who plays better than any other through the entire season. From this standpoint, Gaby and Jason produced more hits and played more games than Posey. Also, Jaime Garcia pitched as a

starter through the entire season,” Kikuchi said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Born Gerald Dempsey Posey III, the nickname “Buster” runs in his family. He was driving with his wife to the Florida Keys when he got word that he had won. He acknowledged he was wondering about the outcome.

“I think I’d be lying to you if I said I didn’t think about it,” he said on a conference call.

Feliz got 20 first-place votes and was listed on all 28 ballots. He drew seven seconds and one third. He was at Rangers Ballpark, where the World Series ended, when he found out he’d won.

The NL Cy Young will be the next major award to be announced. Philadelphia ace Roy Halladay is considered the front-runner for Tuesday.

Posey hit third and even cleanup for the Giants as they brought the championship to San Francisco for the first time. He was equally praised for handling a pitching staff that seemed to get better throughout the postseason.

“How rare and amazing it is to have a rookie catcher lead a team to a World Series championship,” Giants managing partner Bill Neukom said.

In fact, the last rookie catcher to play for a World Series winner was in 1966 with Baltimore’s Andy Etchebarren.

Posey became the first Rookie of the Year winner to become a World Series champion in the same season since Boston’s Dustin Pedroia in 2007. The last NL player to do it was Florida’s Dontrelle Willis in 2003.

A star at Florida State, the Georgia native went to see the Seminoles play Clemson last weekend. Several football fans in the crowd recognized one of baseball’s fastest-rising stars.

“That was nice,” he said.

Posey played briefly at first base when he was called up and moved to catcher when the Giants traded Bengie Molina to Texas. He had a 21-game hitting streak in July.

Posey finished with 129 points in the rookie voting. Heyward, who hit .277 with 18 home runs and 72 RBIs, got nine first-place ballots and 107 points.

Garcia drew one first-place vote and 24 points. Sanchez got the other two first-place votes and had 18 points.

Colts prepare for tough stretch

Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts never expected this November to be easy, not with road games against the Eagles and Patriots and a visit from the Chargers.

And that was before a rash of injuries. The next two weeks, starting with Sunday’s game at New England followed by San Diego, may be more of a survival test.

“They (the Pats) are a good team, arguably playing as well as anybody and it’s a tough place to play,” Caldwell said Monday. “It’s always been a huge rivalry because both teams have been playing well whenever we’ve met, so there’s a lot at stake.”

Especially in this wild and wacky season.

“I

answer about injuries. “Guys have been working hard and rehabbing diligently.

Hopefully, it will be like last week where we got a couple of guys back, and, hopefully, we’ll get a couple of more back this week.”

The good news in Indianapolis is that the health concerns may finally be ending.

Last week, team president Bill Polian told his radio show listeners he expects most of the Colts to be back on the field for the Dec. 5 game against Dallas.

haven’t seen the Patriots at all, I haven’t studied them at all, but it sounds like they’re a typical Patriots team. At the same time, I think we really need to focus on getting the Colts better.”

Eleven of the 16 AFC teams are within one game of first place, and, strangely, the depleted Colts are the only AFC team with sole possession of a division lead in the conference.

Peyton Manning Colts quarterback

The question: How long can they keep it?

Indianapolis (6-3) opened Sunday’s game against Cincinnati without any of its three opening-day starters at linebacker, without safeties Bob Sanders and Melvin Bullitt, without tight ends Dallas Clark and Brody Eldridge, without receivers Austin Collie and Anthony Gonzalez and without running backs Joseph Addai and Mike Hart.

Caldwell was optimistic some of those guys might return for this weekend’s tussle with the Patriots.

“I wish I could tell you who they are,” Caldwell said, giving his standard Monday

between the 2001 and 2004 seasons. Four of those games were played in Foxborough, Mass. Since then, the Colts have had the upper hand, winning five of the last six including the AFC Championship game following the 2006 season.

San Diego, meanwhile, has won four of the last five against Indy, including backto-back playoff games after the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

So the Colts know what it will take.

Hester provides spark for Chicago’s offense

But between now and then, the Colts need to survive two key games that could help clear up the AFC playoff picture. The Patriots (7-2) are tied for the AFC East lead with the New York Jets, and the Chargers (4-5) are suddenly one game behind AFC West co-leaders Oakland and Kansas City.

Not that the Colts are paying attention to other teams given their own issues.

“Every game is about surviving,” Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne said after Sunday’s 2317 victory earned them a day off Monday. “Every game is going to be tough, no matter who we have out there, if we have the original starter or the new starters. They are going to look at it just like it’s the plan old Colts out there, no matter who is out there. They are trying to survive also.”

It likely means, however, that the Colts will face their two biggest nemeses shorthanded.

New England won six straight over the Colts, including two playoff games,

“I’ve always kind of said, ‘Hey, we’ve got to focus on us and getting us better,’“ Peyton Manning said. “I haven’t seen the Patriots at all, I haven’t studied them at all, but it sounds like they’re a typical Patriots team. At the same time, I think we really have to focus on getting the Colts better.”

The top priority will be scoring touchdowns.

Twice on Sunday, the Colts settled for short field goals after driving into the red zone. The previous week, they also settled for a 37-yard field goal in a 26-24 loss at Philadelphia.

That’s not typical Colts ball, and against a Patriots squad that hung 39 points on the Steelers’ vaunted defense, well, Manning and Caldwell know field goals won’t cut it this week.

Sure, some will contend Indy’s red-zone struggles are a direct result of the missing pieces, but that’s not how the Colts see it.

They still have to win these games and put themselves in position to control their own playoff fate during the season’s final month — regardless of who’s playing and who’s not.

“Anything can happen. Everybody’s got a shot,” Caldwell said. “I think whoever can get hot and get on a roll can get control of this thing. But the way this thing is going, it could up to Week 14, 15, 16 before everything is solidified.”

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Once again, the Chicago Bears are getting many happy returns from Devin Hester.

The specialist who set records running back kickoffs and punts in his first two seasons seems reborn on special teams after struggling the past few years while trying to adapt to a bigger role on offense.

“Devin has it going right now,” coach Lovie Smith said. “Guys are doing a great job blocking for him. He’s feeling it, of course.”

Hester did a little bit of everything against Minnesota on Sunday.

He handled kickoffs for the first time this season and wound up returning two for a total of 100 yards. He was effective again on punts, running one back 42 yards. Throw in a 19-yard touchdown catch, and it was a good afternoon all around for Hester.

The 27-13 win over the Vikings put the Bears (6-3) in a tie with Green Bay for the NFC North lead with a tougher schedule looming.

Five of the Bears’ six wins are against teams with three

wins or less at the moment, including two with 2-7 records (Detroit, Dallas) and a pair that are 1-8 (Carolina, Buffalo). The exception was Green Bay in September.

Now, they’re in a short week with Thursday’s game at Miami, although Chicago might be catching the Dolphins at a good time. Tyler Thigpen most likely will start at quarterback after Chad Pennington suffered a season-ending shoulder injury and Chad Henne injured his knee in Sunday’s win over Tennessee. Coach Tony Sparano said Henne might be available, but the Dolphins signed veteran Patrick Ramsey on Monday.

For the Bears, there are few breaks after this week, with home games looming against Philadelphia, New England and the New York Jets along with a trip at Green Bay.

It would help if Hester keeps this up.

No one has more combined punt and kickoff returns for touchdowns than Hester, who shares the league’s career record with Brian Mitchell with 13. They are also tied for second with nine punt returns for TDs, one behind Eric Metcalf, but it was a long time between big plays.

He went two seasons without returning a punt or kickoff for a touchdown and was taken off kickoff returns last year. The TD drought ended when he ran a punt back 62 yards in a win over Green Bay in September. He had a 50-yard return against Carolina in October and returned another punt 89 yards for a touchdown against Seattle the following week.

Now, he and Dez Bryant are tied for the league lead with two punt returns for touchdowns. His five returns for 20 or more yards are tops in the NFL.

And he just showed he can still be dangerous on kickoffs, too.

That’s an opportunity Hester welcomed and he got it against Minnesota, even though the Bears have two solid options in Danieal Manning and Johnny Knox.

“It’s a team effort thing, and whenever I get the opportunity to make plays I want to be a part of it and so my teammates have faith in me, let them know that you can always count on me,” Hester said. “I’m going to go out and bust my tail and help them get the job done.”

continued from page 16

“It was a similar format as last week, more like how it will be in the spring,” Stone said.

Despite its brevity, Stone said his squad had a successful fall season and that he now has a good grasp of what his team needs to accomplish during the offseason.

“We had some things we wanted to accomplish and we were able to accomplish those,” Stone said. “We have a pretty good idea where we are and what we need to improve on. Overall, the team is pretty good.”

Now that the offseason has begun, the Irish can only hold

St. Mary’s to open vs. Wheaton

By JOE WIRTH Sports Writer

Saint Mary’s opens up the 2010-11 campaign with a road matchup against Wheaton College.

The program is coming off another successful year under the helm of Belles coach Jennifer Henley, as they tallied fifteen victories and finished in the top three in the conference for the second straight year. A victory over Albion in the first round of the MIAA Tournament last year marked the fourth straight year the Belles advanced to the semifinals of the tournament.

The Belles only have two returning seniors, but that lack of experience does not mean a lack of talent. The squad boasts two key returning starters in junior forward Kelley Murphy and senior guard Liz Wade. Murphy led the team in scoring last year while registering at least 10 points in 23 of the team’s 27 games. Murphy was selected to the AllMIAA Second Team and finished the season among the top 10 individuals in the league in seven statistical categories.

Meanwhile, Wade set a new Belles single season record with 102 steals last year. She also became the first player to record 100 assists and 100 steals in the same season and the second to amass 200 assists and 200 steals in a career.

The Belles face a difficult test in the Thunder, who return all five starters. Wheaton also features a 6’2” freshman in Maris Hovee, who should pose a serious threat in the post.

The Belles begin the journey for a conference title Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Wheaton College’s King Arena.

official practice for eight hours each week until the second half of the 2010-11 season begins. Stone said this time will be used for improving the fitness and strength of his athletes.

“It’s about getting stronger and more fit, improving physically,” he said. Stone also mentioned that the winter offseason can also be a good time to address individual needs based on what the coaching staff noticed during the fall season regattas.

“Everybody’s a little different on what they need to improve, and that’s what the winter is for,” Stone said. “Telling them they need to work on this or work on that.”

Contact Cory Bernard at cbernard@nd.edu

Hodges

continued from page 16

“We’re just better defensively,” Irish coach Muffet McGraw said. “I think we’re quicker. I think we have a mindset, and defense is all about the mindset. I don’t think we had it as much in the past and now this group really likes to defend and you can tell.”

Notre Dame had 26 steals three days after setting a new school record with 36 against New Hampshire Friday. The Irish scored 35 points off of 40 total Eagles turnovers.

continued from page 16

respectively, in the 200 yard butterfly in one of the tighter races of the meet.

Freshman Frank Dyer earned two more Irish wins in the 50yard and the 100-yard freestyle events. Senior Joseph Raycroft secured another first-place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke, followed by senior Peter Koppel in third.

The Irish swept all of the meet’s diving events. Senior diver Eric Lex won both the 1meter and 3-meter, while senior Wes Villaflor finished second in the 1-meter and third in the 3meter. Senior Nate Geary second in the 1-meter and third

“Offensively, from the start of the game, from the jump, I saw it was going to be a good game,” Diggins said. “On the first play of the game, Becca was wide open.”

Diggins finished the game with nine points and eight assists, one away from a personal best.

Freshman guard Kayla McBride led the scoring with 14 points. She also had six rebounds and two steals.

“Everybody on this team has a role and when we all play together, we’re dangerous.”

Skylar Diggins sophomore guard

“That’s something we’re trying to pride ourselves on, is how we’re playing defensively,” McGraw said. “We are playing hard for 40 minutes.”

By the time Eagles forward Channing Hillman made an easy layup with 11 minutes to go in the first half, Notre Dame had 20 points. Senior forward Becca Bruszewski scored the first basket of the game just six seconds after tip-off.

Freshman forward Natalie Achonwa wasn’t far behind, with 10 points and three rebounds.

“They’re capable of having big nights,” McGraw said. “Both of them have lots of poise for freshmen.”

Junior guard Natalie Novosel followed McBride with 13 points and sophomore guard Kaila Turner had 10. Six more players scored at least five points.

Bruszewski led the team with seven rebounds, and eight more players had at least three boards.

“Everybody on this team has a role, and when we all play together, we’re dangerous,” Diggins said.

place in the 3-meter. After a competitive meet against Purdue on Nov. 6, where the Boilermakers defeated the Irish 173-127, the Irish put in the work to prepare for Utah.

“We swam well against Purdue, so it was not a question of swimming well [against Utah],” Welsh said. “We swam well both weeks. Part of our idea and hope is that we improve from week to week. We continue to see that happening.”

Welsh was quick to point out that the Irish had more than a home-pool advantage.

“They [Utes] do most of their competing and all of their training at altitude,” Welsh said. “When you get to sea level, things are different. To be fair,

Eagles guard Chynna Bozeman led the scoring for her team with 12 points. The Eagles shot just 17.5 percent from the field, including a 2of-18 effort in the first half.

The Eagles played their first game Friday at No. 9 Kentucky, losing 84-48. Notre Dame will play at Kentucky Saturday after facing No. 16 UCLA at home Thursday.

“We’re ready for the chal-

we’d have to compare ourselves to them at altitude.”

In Friday’s meet against Utah, Welsh particularly credited the senior class for leading the team to victory.

“What I was happiest to see is our senior class racing really well,” Welsh said. “That was the last two-team dual meet in the pool of the season. To see the seniors swimming well was very gratifying — the divers, too.”

The Irish will not compete again in their home pool until late January at the Shamrock Invitational. The team hits the road on Dec. 3 for the Iowa Invitational, where they will compete against Iowa and Denver.

Contact Maija Gustin at mgustin@nd.edu

lenge,” McGraw said. “I think we’re all looking forward to the next game just to see where are we really. We have an idea after two games of some things we’re good at. Now we need to find out what we’re not good at.” Thursday’s game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Purcell Pavilion.

Contact Laura Myers at lmyers2@nd.edu

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Getting defensive

By CORY BERNARD

By MIKE TODISCO Sports Writer

p h o m o r e d i v e r J e n n y C h i a n g e a r n e d t w o g o l d m e d a l s i n t h e 1m e t e r a n d 3 - m e t e r d i v e s , w h i l e s e n i o r S a m a n t h a M a x w e l l a l s o t o o k t w o g o l d s i n t h e 1 0 0 - y a r d a n d 2 0 0y a r d b r e a s t s t r o k e S o p h o m o r e K i m H o l d e n r o u n d e d o u t t h e v i c t o r i e s w i t h a p a i r o f g

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By MAIJA GUSTIN Sports Writer

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