The Notre Dame extended Research Community (NDeRC) will host its fifth annual Collaborating for Education and Research Forum tomorrow in the Jordan Hall of Science.
Thomas Loughran, a professional specialist in the Department of Physics and member of NDeRC, said the event is designed to enhance interaction between local K-12 teachers and University administrators. The forum fosters a vibrant science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) community between the educators, he said.
“The forum presents a broad spectrum of engagement opportunities for STEM professionals for both researchers and educators at the university and K-12 levels,” Loughran said. “We’re trying to foster an integrated STEM community.”
Loughran said a function -
FORUM/page 3
State seizes student houses
Houses to be demolished for improvement of State Road 23
By SAM STRYKER News Editor
Living off campus is a rite of passage for many Notre Dame seniors, but the state of Indiana threw a wrench in several students’ housing plans for next year before they could even move in.
In an email sent Feb. 9, Mark Kramer of Kramer Properties notified students who held leases for the 2012-13 school year at 916, 920 and 922 South Bend Ave. that their houses were being seized by the state
under eminent domain.
Jim Pinkerton, director of communications at the Indiana Department of Transportation, said the houses would be demolished as part of a larger project to improve State Road 23 in the Five Points area.
“The entire project is designed to increase mobility and safety through that area,” he said.
Pinkerton said the state claims properties under eminent domain far in advance for preliminary work. He said the project is
Candidates explore religious life
By TORI ROECK News Writer
Candidates at Moreau Seminary and undergraduate seminarians at Old College deciding to become Holy Cross priests or brothers may live on Notre Dame’s campus but lead very different lives than the average student.
Fr. James Gallagher, director of the Office of Vocations, said Moreau Seminary and Old College give young men the opportunity to experience religious life and determine if it is their calling.
“The Moreau Seminary and Old College Undergraduate Seminary are run independently from the University of Notre Dame,” Gallagher said. “They are programs the Congregation of Holy Cross offers to help men consider a vocation as a Holy Cross priest or brother and helps to prepare
expected be completed by the end of 2013.
“[There will be] utility relocations, which in this urban area, will be quite detailed,” he said. “The properties are acquired … before construction begins so they can be cleared to make way for these types of operations.”
Juniors Kelly Taylor and Betty Graham signed a lease for 920 South Bend Ave. in October 2010 with three other people.
Construction causes issues for parking
By NICOLE MICHELS News writer
Construction of the Wellness Center in the D2 South lot has forced students to park further away from their on-campus destinations. Another project planned for the B1 lot this spring will also temporarily restrict parking.
Notre Dame Security Police director Phil Johnson said students still have space to park on the North side of campus, though there is decreased capacity in D2 South.
“With respect to D2 Lot and construction of the Wellness Center, occupancy surveys indicate that there is capacity in the adjacent lots, D2 Middle and D2 North, to accommodate spaces lost in D2 South due to construction,” Johnson said.
But construction began to frustrate students after the semester break.
Senior Colleen Coley said commuting to and from her job off-campus at the Logan Center is problematic due to the lack of parking spaces.
Professor discusses Barbie doll’s impact
By CAITLIN HOUSLEY Saint Mary’s Editor
With blonde hair and blue eyes, Barbie seems like an allAmerican girl next door — but behind the plastic doll lies a mysterious past and a troubling message, according to Terri Russ.
Russ, a communication studies professor at Saint Mary’s College, outlined the truth behind Barbie’s life and her impact on women in her lecture “Barbie — Love Her, Hate Her, Who Cares?!” on Thursday evening in the Saint Mary’s Student Center.
“[Barbie] is this really interesting toy,” Russ said. “She’s been around for well over 50 years now … [but] even though she’s a doll, she … represents more than that. Clearly, she’s part of our cultural under-
standing of a lot of things.”
Barbie, whose full name is Barbie Millicent Roberts, is a teenager with an interest in fashion. She hails from a makebelieve town in Illinois where she lives with her architect father and stay-at-home mother, Russ said.
The story behind Barbie’s creation is guarded closely by her manufacturer Mattel, , Russ said.
“One of the things [Mattel] has … done is been very protective of what the public knows and doesn’t know about Barbie,” she said. “One of the ways we see that play out is in terms of the creation of Barbie.”
Mattel advertises that Barbie was named for the daughter of her creator, Russ said. However, there are other possible stories
BARBIE/page 7
PAT COVENEY/The Observer
Student houses located on South Bend Avenue have been seized by the state and will be demolished in preparation for the improvement of safety and mobility in the Five Points area.
Photo courtesy of Fr. James Gallagher
Undergraduate seminary candidates hold mass in the log chapel. The students attend Notre Dame while living in Old College.
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Albany ZweberLanger sophomore Farley
“I will be going to extra weekday Masses every week and giving up DH desserts.”
Tony Villano freshman Duncan
“This Lent, I am reading Bible verses aloud with my roommate Phil Shiv.”
Blake Weaver freshman Morrissey
“I’m giving up Facebook, Twitter and Dining Hall desserts.”
Nick Schmeidler sophomore Zahm
“I’m doing the Howard Hall Chapel Crawl and Zahm Mass.”
Daniel Rish sophomore St. Edward’s
“Elevators, specifically the St. Ed.’s ‘Vater.’”
Will Holmes sophomore Duncan
“I am giving up video games and unhealthy food, and I will go to daily Mass at least once.”
In BrIef
The Faculty Lecture Series will host a lunch with professors today from 12 to 1 p.m. in in the Oak Room of South Dining Hall. Today’s speaker will be professor Brad Gregory of the history department. Complimentary lunch will be provided for those without meal plans.
The Annual Graduate Student Research Symposium is today from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Jordan Hall of Science
The symposium is an opportunity to see research done by graduate students in the Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences and Engineering. For more information, email Ellen Childs at echilds@nd.edu.
Today at 5 p.m., Kristen Hawkins, the executive director of Students for Life of America, will speak during the lecture “Pro-life Apologetics Training: Learn How to Defend Your Views.” The lecture is in room B34 of Geddes Hall Free pizza will be provided.
staff
News
Family receives $100k bill
CHICAGO — A family living in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park was shocked to discover their monthly electric bill was more expensive than most families make in an entire year: $107, 625.16.
Kathy and David Rajter had used 2,236 kilowatt hours the previous month and received a bill for for $276. But the following month, their bill said the couple had used closer to 1,647,499 kilowatts.
“The taxes (and fees alone) on the bill were $16,000,” Kathy Rajter told the Chicago Sun Times.
And to add to the anxiety, the Rajter’s home is signed up for automatic bill payments. Thankfully, they contacted Integrys, who supplies
the local electricity to their home, and ComEd, who handles the billing.
While neither company is exactly sure how the strange meter error took place, ComEd assured the Rajter’s that the six-figure total would not be deducted from their account. In fact, ComEd has reset their bill to zero while they investigate the issue.
Woman cons email scammers BRISBANE, Australia — Nigerian email scams have become nearly as commonplace as the Internet itself. But one Australian woman wound up in jail after turning the tables--to the tune of $30,000--on a group of con artists.
Sarah Jane CochraneRamsey, 23, was employed as an “agent” in March 2010 by the Nigerians, but didn’t know they were scam artists. Her “job” was to provide access to an Australian bank account opened in her name where the Nigerians could then transfer money they had received from a phony car sales website. CochraneRamsey was told she could keep eight percent of the transfers.
But, then she decided to steal from the thieves themselves. According to the Courier-Mail, she received two payments, totaling $33,350, but spent most of it on herself.
Information compiled from the Associated Press.
Student Affairs is now accepting nominations for the Denny Moore Award for Excellence in Journalism, named after the University’s late Associate Vice President for Public Affairs. Candidates must be seniors who exemplify the qualities for which Denny Moore was known, including personal integrity and character, commitment to Notre Dame and writing ability. Candidates may be nominated by faculty, staff or fellow students. The deadline is Friday, March 2
To submit information to be included in this section of The Observer, email detailed information about an event to
ASHLEY DACY/The Observer
From left, senior Nicole Burnham, president of Women in Politics, senior Sarah Essaied and freshman Emily Voolde, secretary of Women in Politics, sell cookies and cupcakes during a bake sale Thursday in the LaFortune Student Center to benefit St. Margaret’s House.
Students to compete in Mobile Summit app contest
By LISA SLOMKA
News Writer
Students interested in mobile apps can satisfy their curiosity at the Notre Dame Mobile Summit 2012, a twoday event held by the University Council of Academic Technologies (UCAT).
Junior Yiting Zheng, the campus technology director for Student Government, said the summit features speakers, brainstorming sessions and discussion on
Notre Dame’s mobile strategy.
Zheng said the Mobile Summit has been in the works since last semester. She said Ron Kraemer, vice president of the University and chairperson for UCAT, wanted students to be very involved in the weekend’s events.
“I had the idea of doing a competition among students, and as we discussed, we decided to have a mobile app idea contest,” Zheng said.
Zheng said today’s events include discussions on the mobile strategy at Notre Dame. Saturday is geared toward student participation in the mobile app idea contest, she said. Student teams will send in their content today for approval before their presentations.
“We have about twentyeight registered teams right now who will be presenting five minutes each, and then it’s basically a contest to see who has the best idea,”
Zheng said. Zheng said students will share their ideas on posters accompanied by descriptions of how the app will function.
Highly sophisticated mobile apps are not necessary for the contest. However, some student teams are working on their apps already, she said.
driven audience response system used by Google and the US Census, she said. Zheng said the contest allows for a wide range of academic fields to join and brainstorm together in one summit.
“I had the idea of doing a competition among students, and as we discussed, we decided to have a mobile app idea contest.”
Yiting Zheng Campus Technology director Student Government
Judges and audience will vote to determine the winners.
“We have three judges, and then a fourth prize will be decided by an audience vote,” Zheng said.
Audience members will be able to text in votes for their favorite competitors on Poll Everywhere, a technology-
Forum
continued from page 1
ing STEM community is essential for both teachers and students.
“Teachers and administrators know one another and have a sense of belonging to the same social entity, and because they belong, they give invitations to students to belong too,” Loughran said. “That issuing of effective invitations into the STEM community is the model of STEM education we are working with.”
To reach teachers, Loughran said the NDeRC emails registration invitations to approximately 350 Michiana STEM educators.
The event promotes conversation among professionals from local schools and universities. Loughran said
“We have some IT management students, two psychology majors, two science preprofessional students and all sorts of majors.” Zheng said.
“It’s not limited to a certain group of students.”
The Notre Dame Mobile Summit 2012 will be held from 9:30 to 4 pm today and from 1 to 4 pm on Saturday in the Mendoza College of Business.
Contact Lisa Slomka at lslomka@nd.edu
the forum averages around 150 teachers every year.
“In years past we had 25 spots for our BioEYES initiative, a study of the development of zebrafish, and received 100 applications,” Loughran said. “At another forum, we launched a blog and got 100 subscribers over the weekend.”
Loughran said the forum’s commitment to building STEM education and research locally is gaining momentum.
“It’s an enduring atmosphere,” Loughran said. “You know the community is alive because we keep meeting and collaborating.”
The Collaborating for Education and Research Forum will be held tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Jordan Hall of Science.
Contact a d am Llorens at allorens@nd.edu
‘The Glee Project’ contestant speaks about true beauty
By CHRISTIN KLOSKI
News Writer
The cast of ‘The Glee Project’ presented True Beauty at the Carroll Auditorium in Saint Mary’s Madeleva Hall last night. Members of the
show discussed their definition of beauty and self esteem as a part of Love Your Body Week. The Glee Project’s contender, Hannah McIalwain, said the True Beauty Program promotes confidence in
women’s self-image.
“Everyone is going to struggle with some insecurity, but come back to yourself and say, ‘Yes, I am good enough,’” McIalwain said.
McIalwain said she struggled with self-image in her younger years but gained confidence before entering high school. She said she became active in school plays and felt happier.
When her parents divorced during her junior year, she ate for comfort, McIalwain said.
changed her life, she said.
“I went for everything in the show. I turned around and I felt beautiful and confident,” McIalwain said.
McIalwain said she attended college at Queens University with a fresh perspective. Though a heartbreak set her back, McIalwain decided to audition for The Glee Project as well. She was chosen to be in the show with eleven other contenders.
“Everyone is going to struggle with some insecurity, but come back to yourself and say, ‘Yes, I am good enough.”
Hannah McIalwain contestant
“I felt alone and I continued to gain pounds. This was a low point,” she said. “I had no one else who knew the real me and I portrayed myself as happy and bubbly.”
‘The Glee Project’
“This gave me more selfconfidence than before, but I still felt like I was not good enough, but each week I kept growing,” McIalwain said. “Eventually, I gained a strong selfconfidence out of the show.”
In her senior year, auditions for MTV’s Made arrived at her high school, she said. McIalwain auditioned and landed a spot. The show
Parking
continued from page 1
“My conception of a good parking spot is so different than it used to be,” Coley said. “It used to be the first two rows, but now it’s the
and held their sign in front of strangers.
“My insecurity was simply, fat. I felt embarrassed before the cameras were on and broke down,” McIalwain said. “ But … It does not define me; it does not matter.”
McIalwain said she remained in Los Angeles for two months after the show ended for auditions, but no jobs were offered. She left Hollywood and moved back home with her mother.
“I felt like I was being left behind,” McIalwain said.
McIalwain said she worked minimum wage jobs until she had enough money to move back to Los Angeles. She is currently looking for more opportunities there, she said.
“You have to keep going. All of us are beautiful and perfect,” McIalwain said. Through the True Beauty Project, McIalwain speaks to women about the influence the media, peers and parents have on the definition of beauty.
The most difficult task in The Glee Project was the week of vulnerability, she said. Contenders wrote their insecurities on a white board
first two lots.”
Coley said the most convenient lots for her schedule are full when she returns from work on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. This forces her to scramble for a spot to make it to class on time, she said.
“The problem is it … is frustrating for people who have nowhere else to go and need to park every day,” Coley said.
Sophomore Dan Smyth said the location for the new Wellness Center is inconvenient for students.
“You have to know your confidence. You have to realize what is beautiful and redefine what beauty is,” McIalwain said.
Contact Christin Kloski at cklosk@saintmarys.edu
“We have opened the visitor’s lot to provide additional spaces for faculty who are displaced from lot B1,” Johnson said. “The impact from the Stadium project should not have a significant impact on students who use [neighboring] lot C1.”
“My conception of a good parking spot is so different than it used to be. It used to be the first two rows, but now it’s the first two lots.”
“Since they fenced off half the lot, you can’t drive all the way through any of the close aisles,” Smyth said. “It’s always a gamble when you’re browsing for a spot.”
Colleen Coley senior
To adapt to these changes, students like sophomore Jack McLaren strategically plan when to search for a spot on campus. “I’ve noticed since the construction started that it’s harder to find a spot,” McLaren said. “I just try to time it so I get back when people are leaving, so I get a good spot.”
Senior Ellen Reinke said walking back to campus from the more removed lot next to the Stepan Center creates safety concerns.
Doug Marsh, associate vice president and University architect, said another project is scheduled to begin in the B1 lot by the Stadium. Plans to install a new storm sewer system will temporarily affect the number of parking spaces there.
“There is a temporary loss of 100 spaces,” Marsh said. “These spaces will be restored by the third week of March.”
An email sent to the student body on Feb. 12 said the project schedule was modified to minimize impact on faculty and staff parking during the academic year.
Johnson said construction by the Stadium lot will not present significant longterm challenges for students or professors.
“You’re standing out in the middle of Stepan,” Reinke said. “Sometimes when I’ve come back really late, I‘ve debated calling Safe Walk because it’s a really far way to walk by yourself in the dark.”
Johnson said calling Safe Walk is a wise choice for students returning from the further lots.
“Safety is of paramount importance. I encourage everyone to make use of Safe Walk, especially if you are walking to or arriving at a perimeter campus parking lot during hours of darkness,” Johnson said. “A Safe Walk team will walk you to any point on campus.”
Contact Nicole Michels at nmichels@nd.edu
continued from page 1
them for that life and ministry.”
The Process Young men without undergraduate degrees reside in Old College, where they live for up to three years while enrolled at either Notre Dame or Holy Cross College, according to the Office of Vocations website.
Stephen Barany, an undergraduate in Old College studying philosophy and industrial design at Notre Dame, said seminarians fulfillspecific academic requirements from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
“[The USCCB] requirements involve mostly philosophy and some theology,” Barany said. “Beyond that, if it’s possible, we are allowed to major in something else.”
According to the Office of Vocations website, men who already have undergraduate degrees enter Moreau Seminary and spend one year as a candidate.
Moreau Seminary candidate Walter Pruchnik III said candidates, who are mostly Notre Dame graduates, take the same classes as graduate students in the Masters in Divinity program. They also must meet the same USCCB academic requirements as undergraduate seminarians, he said.
“[The candidate program] focuses on academic preparation for the Masters in Divinity Program and growth in … spiritual formation and formation for community life in Holy Cross,” Pruchnik said.
Moreau Seminary candidate
Brendan Ryan said all of his classes this semester arewith undergraduates.
“I’m 26. For some of the undergrads, they probably think it’s a little strange I’m in their classbut I think that makes us a little more well-rounded,” he said.
After their candidate year, the seminarians become novices and spend a year of contemplation at a novitiate in Colorado Springs, according to the Office of Vocations website.
Brian Ching, a temporarily professed seminarian, said
they profess formal vows for the first time after the novitiate year.
“After that year in Colorado, you take for the very first time the vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience,” he said. “You profess them for one year at a time and renew them for one year at a time for the next three or four years. The purpose of that is to live it but to also have an out if … you decide this isn’t part of your life.”
Ching said seminarians then return to Moreau in the professed program and learn about being a priest or brother.
Seminary Life
Barany said life in Old College is more structured than students’ experiences in otherdorms.
“Prayer is more organized and our formation schedule is very organized,” he said. “Consequently, that leads to the rest of our lives essentially having to be organized, as well, whereas the average college student is able to basically come and go as they please.”
Residents are required to wake up for 7:10 a.m. morning prayer in the Log Chapel, Barany said. Eucharistic adoration runs until 7:45 a.m.
Pruchnik said candidates follow a similar routine. They attend a 7:15 a.m. prayer, daily Mass at 5:05 p.m. and eve -
ning prayer, he said.
“Morning prayer, Lauds, and evening prayer, Vespers, frame our day and help build a structure of prayer in our lives,” he said.
Moreau Seminary and Old College come together for full community events a few times a week, Pruchnik said.
“We play basketball here Sunday nights,” Pruchnik said. “About half the guys participate.”
The seminarians train for the Mundelein Seminary Shoot Out, a basketball tournament among regional seminaries in late January, Pruchnik said.
Ryan said other sports are popular, as well.
“We play racquetball a lot here,” Ryan said.
The seminarians also gather every Thursday at Moreau Seminary for a meal, attend a larger Mass and host public Lucernarium, an evening prayer service, in the seminary chapel with a social afterward, Pruchnik said.
“We have a larger Mass, a fancier dinner,” he said. “It’s a good night to invite guests, faculty from our classes or friends from the community.”
The Old Collegians host a public Log Chapel Mass and a social afterward every Tuesday at 9 p.m., Barany said.
Role of Notre Dame Community
Although Moreau Seminary
and Old College are separated from the University, Gallagher said the Notre Dame community plays a large part in seminary life.
“What makes our seminary programs unique from stand alone seminaries is that it offers our men an opportunity to study side by side with their peers, who are training for a whole range of other jobs and vocations,” he said. “They are ready and able to understand and interact with the men and women who will be their parishioners as well as their peers in academia.”
Pruchnik said going to undergraduate classes sometimes feels like “commuting.”
“I’m not staying up ridiculously late anymore hanging out with the guys in the dorm playing video games, but you’re still embedded in the culture at Notre Dame,” he said. “We’re still very much active and involved.”
Ryan said he feels some distance from undergraduates is a good thing.
“It’s nice to have some separation because we’re not fifth year seniors,” Ryan said.
However, Ryan said students should reach out to the seminarians in their classes.
“I think some people are afraid to talk to us,” he said. “We’re just normal guys.”
Contact to ri Roeck at troeck@nd.edu
Indiana election official sentenced for perjury and theft
Associated Press
NOBLESVILLE, IN — In -
diana’s ousted top elections official was sentenced Thursday to a year of home detention for six felony convictions that a judge refused to reduce to lesser crimes — a ruling that, if upheld on appeal, will likely cost him not only his office but also his law license and livelihood.
Hamilton Superior Court Judge Steven Nation said the intentional disregard that Secretary of State Charlie White showed for the law outweighed portrayals of him as a loving father and husband. The judge refused to reduce the six felony convictions to misdemeanors that would have given the 42-year-old Republican a chance to hold onto his office.
“I believe he violated the trust of the people,” Nation said.
White told the judge he
would appeal the one year’s detention on each of the six felonies, to be served concurrently, and Nation stayed the sentence pending that.
The judge also fined White $1,000 and ordered him to serve 30 hours of community service.
But White, his wife, and his attorney said his legal problems have cost him much more than part of his freedom and his political and legal career. Defense attorney Carl Brizzi said White and his wife, Michelle, have stopped making mortgage payments on the condo that was at the heart of his legal troubles and likely will lose ownership of it. White said his assets have dwindled to whatever equity he might have in the home and small stock and bank accounts and a 5-year-old, beat-up Jaguar automobile.
“His life is in tatters,” Brizzi said. White said the charges he
was convicted of Feb. 4, including perjury and theft, ignored a complicated personal life in which he was trying to raise his 10-yearold son, plan a new marriage and campaign for statewide office in 2010. He said he stayed at his ex-wife’s house when he wasn’t on the road campaigning and did not live in the condo until after he remarried.
Prosecutors said White listed his ex-wife’s address instead of the condo on his voter registration form because he didn’t want to give up his Fishers Town Council salary after moving out of the district he was elected to represent. “I never intentionally meant to do any of the things I was convicted of,” White said in a nearly 30-minute statement to the judge, pausing at times to regain his composure.
Nation didn’t buy that explanation, and neither did special prosecutors John
Dowd, a Republican, and Dan Sigler, a Democrat, who also rejected defense arguments that White was the victim of a political persecution.
“He’s wreaked havoc with a statewide office. He’s wreaked havoc with the whole election process,” Dowd said in court.
White declined to comment on the sentence as he left the court with his wife, walking swiftly to a waiting elevator and saying only, “I’m going to be with my wife. I’m really happy to be with my wife.”
Indiana law prohibits public officials convicted of felonies from holding office. White’s conviction bars him from reclaiming the job he held onto for more than a year despite calls from Democrats and Republicans, including GOP Gov. Mitch Daniels, for him to step down.
White could be reinstated if his conviction is reversed
on appeal.
The appeal isn’t the only legal wrangling left in the case. Another battle continues over who will replace him permanently.
Daniels named White’s chief deputy, Jerry Bonnet, interim secretary of state after White’s conviction, but he isn’t expected to make a permanent appointment until the Indiana Supreme Court rules in a civil lawsuit over White’s candidacy. The state Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments next week in the lawsuit, in which Democrats contend White was never eligible to run for office because he was improperly registered to vote. They want White’s candidacy declared invalid so that runner-up Vop Osili, a Democrat who lost to White by about 300,000 votes, can be named to the job, which also oversees business registrations and enforces Indiana’s securities laws.
Photo Courtesy of Fr. James Gallagher
Candidates from Moreau Seminary and Old College gather together for Mass in the Moreau Seminary Chapel.
Photo Courtesy of Fr. James Gallagher
Undergraduate candidates in Old College gather together to share a meal. The men attend Mass and host a public evening prayer service in the seminary chapel every Thursday.
Barbie
continued from page 1
downhill, so [Ryan] needed to find something to do,” Russ said. “He was really good with plastics, so he went to work for Mattel.”
chase Barbie accessories instills consumer behavior in girls, Russ said.
“[One] story is that Ruth Handler, the woman who we think came up with the idea of Barbie, wanted to design a doll for her daughter, Barb, so that her daughter and her friends could practice being an adult in play and make believe,” Russ said.
At that time, the only other popular dolls on the market were made of paper, she said. Handler wanted to enrich her daughter’s playtime, so she turned to another doll on the market for inspiration — a highly sexualized German fashion doll named Lilli.
Some believe Ryan’s interests dictated the appearance of Barbie, Russ said.
“Jack was kind of like the Hugh Hefner of his time,” she said. “He had a preference for thin, blonde women with big boobs.
“While we all know Barbie is just a doll and she’s unrealistic, there’s still that part of us that asks, ‘Well, what if? What if I could do that?’”
Terri Russ Saint Mary’s professor
“Lilli was a sex toy doll marketed to men in Germany and other places in Europe,” Russ said. “So, you can kind of tell why Mattel would want that [sanitized].”
The second story, Russ said, starts with a man named Jack Ryan — an engineer employed in the defense industry.
“After World War II, the defense industry kind of went
Houses
continued from page 1 of Barbie’s creation.
“We were given no idea that we might lose the house when we signed the contract,” she said. “Even if there were plans … we were not aware of them.”
Kramer said the state notified him around late November the houses were going to be taken, but was not sure when demolition was going to occur.
In the time between the state notification and the email sent to students, Kramer said he explored arrangements to physically relocate the houses. He said this would allow students to retain their lease during construction.
“At that time, we started to negotiate to allow us to turn the houses around and face the new access road. [The state] denied that,” Kramer said.
When the state turned down his idea to move the houses across the street, Kramer notified his tenants of the demolition plans. He said he did not inform students until he was certain a compromise could not be reached.
“We were negotiating with the state, and thought we had a solution to the problem … In the midst of all that, the state changed their mind,” he said.
Taylor said her future housemates heard about this possibility and looked into the matter before they were officially informed of the demolition.
“We sent multiple emails to Kramer awaiting a response, and finally had to personally call him only to hear that our house was getting demolished,” she said. “He technically never even reached out
The story is that he designed Barbie.”
However, Russ said most Barbie scholars believe the true creation story is a blending of the two.
Beyond mystery surrounding Barbie’s creation, the doll also has a powerful effect on the lives of little girls around the world.
“[Barbie] is this idea of little girls getting to practice being a woman, and they do that by buying Barbie,” Russ said. “But, buying Barbie is never enough, because she only comes with one outfit, and the whole purpose of Barbie is to dress her up. To do that, you have to buy more outfits, and all the accessories.”
This constant need to pur-
to us, we had to reach out to him.”
Juniors Duggan Everage and Ryan Kelleher planned to live in 922 South Bend Ave with three other friends. Everage said he wished Kramer alerted the group of the situation as soon as it came to light.
“According to [Kramer Properties], they told us as soon as they knew for a fact that they would not be able to move the houses,” he said.
“If we had known about the possibility of this hassle, we would have asked Kramer to allow us to change our lease to a different house to protect ourselves.”
Kramer said he believed moving the houses was the best solution. He said ground planners and movers were prepared to relocate the houses in time for students to move in this fall before the state denied his request.
“We did the best we could with what was available as far as information is concerned,” he said. “Until we had answers to those questions, it was difficult to give answers to the students definitively.”
Kelleher said while Kramer Properties offered to help find alternative housing in addition to returning their full deposits, the group opted to search on their own.
“I spent a great deal of time the past few weeks coordinating with all the other housing companies trying to find suitable housing, much more than I would have liked,” Kelleher said.
Kramer said he advocated for current residents of the homes, who the state originally would have required to move out this semester.
He said after negotiating with the state, these students were allowed to maintain their lease through the end of the year. Additionally, ten -
“As we know from other research, that whole consumer identity continues in other forms,” she said. “We’re marketed that we can improve ourselves if we buy the right product. That presents this really interesting phenomenon.”
Despite Mattel’s idea that Barbie should inspire girls to pursue careers as doctors, teachers, dentists and more, there is a strange reality left out of this empowering thought, Russ said.
“It’s interesting, because we’re supposed to view Barbie to help us be anything we want to be as a girl, but it’s very controlled by Mattel,” Russ said. “If you think about all the careers Barbie has been, which is a lot, there’s also a lot of things she hasn’t been.”
Barbie has never been a professor, single mom or other realities women face, Russ said.
“If [Barbie] is supposed to represent what it’s like to be grown up as a woman, it presents a very narrow view, not just physically, but holistically,” she said.
Russ said Barbie’s physique creates an ideal body that is unrealistic.
“We’re not going to find anyone who even comes close to looking like Barbie,” Russ said. “Even if they are blonde and thin, still nobody can really look like Barbie. She’s just completely unreal. I mean, hopefully no one has feet like that.”
In fact, she’s creating a body
ants received compensation from the state for moving costs and disparity of cost in future rent and utilities.
Senior Paul Scheel, a current resident of 920 South Bend Ave., said the state was very blunt with both Kramer and his fellow tenants.
“It all kind of hit us at once and we were very much taken aback by it,” he said. “We definitely did not want to move out of the house prematurely, especially in the middle of the school year, because that just creates undo hassle.”
Scheel said he and his housemates were ultimately able to complete their lease and were pleased with how Kramer handled the situation.
“From our perspective Kramer was our advocate,” he said. “He too seemed frustrated with how it was handled because he told us the state just walked in and gave him a price.”
Kramer said there was no way his company could successfully stop construction on the properties.
“When you’re dealing with the state and eminent domain, there is really no fighting,” he said. “It’s ‘fait accompli.’ They hold all the cards, and the best you can do is try to negotiate with them.”
Graham said while she understands Kramer is not at fault for the houses being torn down, she believes he could have handled the situation better.
“The fact that it took for us to call him seems backwards,” she said. “It seems that even when potential discussions about the future of the home came into conversation, we should have been notified and made aware of the situation.”
Contact Sam Stryker at sstryker@nd.edu
image paradox that is not ideal, Russ said.
“While we all know Barbie is just a doll and she’s unrealistic, there’s still that part of us that asks, ‘Well, what if? What if I could do that?’” she said.
“There is this ambivalence. We love her, but we know we shouldn’t love her, but we don’t really hate her, and she’s hard to hate. She’s a doll.”
terious career paths and disjointed thought paradoxes, Russ said Barbie does not have to be hated.
“Nothing … is good in excess and nothing is good in a vacuum. It needs to be contextualized,” she said. “At the end of the day, [Barbie] is a toy — a doll — but a really, really famous doll.”
Contact Caitlin Housley at chousl01@saintmarys.edu
COURTNEY ECKERLE/The Observer
Professor Terri Russ discusses the impact Barbie has on society Thursday as part of “Love Your Body Week.”
What I Don’t Know
Last week, a friend told me light roast coffee has more caffeine than dark roast.
“Um, that can’t be true,” I said as I frantically turned to Google to verify my preconceived understanding of the beverage. It’s a Wikipediaconfirmed fact, however, that caffeine content is actually burned off during the roasting process. In most cases, the darkest roasts are the least stimulating.
Sarah Felsenstein Associate News Editor
I tried to justify why I’d assumed the opposite, but came to no conclusions. Everything I thought I “knew” about coffee was shaken. I was a victim of the placebo effect.
This incident got me thinking about all the things I “know” and “don’t know.” About the many things I have always assumed to be “true,” without ever consciously arriving at their truth.
In a college environment like Notre Dame, we’re constantly revising, molding and adding to our perspectives on truth. The process is both exciting and uncomfortable. It reminds us of how little we know.
In an introductory history class my sophomore year, I assumed the entire semester a girl I had befriended was a freshman, simply because almost everyone was. On the second to last class day, she arrived wearing an engagement ring and brought up her plans to get married after graduation.
She was a senior? And getting married? I couldn’t believe it.
My views on her were turned entirely upside down. I realized she had knowledge I didn’t have — about relationships, Notre Dame and life in general. I didn’t know how to relate to her because I was no longer the older one.
I felt ridiculous for making that assumption, because while other characteristics might have led me to realize her age, the fact that she was in a freshman class overruled them all. First impressions do matter — I had closed my mind off to revisions after that first class day.
As a senior English major, I’ve realized the liberal arts education is as much about changing one’s way of thinking as it as about studying texts. The liberal arts education forces students to be cautious about making assumptions.
Every point must be supported, every thought defended. Reasoning and critical thinking are essential. These skills are applicable not only in the job world but in everyday life, and I’d argue that’s what makes a liberal arts education so strong.
Over my four years, I’ve gained a wide range of knowledge, some of which I’ve retained and some which is stored in some locked part of my memory.
But my English major education has also encouraged me to be comfortable with the unknown.
It’s a terrifying thought that in a few months, I’ll be leaving a place of comfort, a place that was home for four years. But it’s also it’s thrilling. There are so many things I don’t know.
Contact Sarah Felsenstein at sfelsens@nd.edu
The views expressed in the Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Forgoing the pity party this Lent
In case you didn’t notice people walking to class with ashen crosses on their foreheads this Wednesday, Lent has officially begun. At Mass on Ash Wednesday, we were told, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.”
This somber attitude will continue through the days leading up to Easter. The dining halls will stop serving meat on Fridays and the usual “Alleluia” will be removed from daily Mass. The campus takes on a more reserved mood overall. It’s a time of contemplation and penitence.
And to commemorate Christ’s 40 days of fasting and temptation in the desert, as well as the month proceeding Easter, Catholics traditionally give up some kind of luxury.
Lent is a time of mourning, penitence and self-denial, but we also face temptation. Within every sacred holiday or observation, we run the risk of feeding one of our worst characteristics: our pride.
It becomes too easy for us to focus on what we gain and forget about what we lose, and why.
On Tuesday night, Twitter statuses featured Notre Dame students’ well-intentioned Lenten plans. We bid adieu to our guilty pleasure television shows and our favorite desserts. The University held multiple Masses throughout the day, even though Ash Wednesday isn’t a Holy Day of Obligation. The Observer even had a poll and ran an article: “Lenten promises: a how-to guide.”
When it comes to choosing something to give up for Lent, Notre Dame favorites include television, chocolate, Facebook, video games and other modern day vices.
But as the Lenten season approaches, what we choose to let go seems to escalate.
“I’m giving up Facebook.”
“Well, I’m giving up social networking.”
“Then I’m giving up the internet altogether.”
This seems more like a contest than a commemoration. And as a result of this contest, we might find ourselves thinking we should have made a bigger sacrifice. The students who give up the most are “good Catholics,” while those of us who give up something small are “bad Catholics.”
These sacrifices should challenge us to look inwardly at our own faults and draw us closer to Christ’s sacrifice, but the competiveness can become distracting. When it comes to Lent, it’s easy for us to lose sight of its true purpose. As usual, Notre Dame students feel the need to be the best at whatever we do, especially if that includes being a “good Catholic.”
For example, some of us might give up junk food with the intention of getting back into shape after a long South Bend winter. While stepping back from the fro-yo and heading for the fruit might bode well for our Spring Break plans, Lent isn’t spring training. If giving up dining hall desserts will be one of the biggest challenges for us, we should give it up. During Lent we practice self-discipline without reaping a reward.
But if we don’t purposefully disrupt our day-to-day routine, we’re not really making a sacrifice. By removing something from our lives, we create a space. We need discipline and reflection to choose something selfless and meaningful to fill that void.
And having an ulterior motive certainly won’t get us into a selfless state of mind. When we’re too busy thinking about how much we miss our venti Mocha Frappuccino, we might have the temptation to complain about how much we’re giving up. This fills the space with concerns about caffeine-withdrawal headaches — not exactly a constructive pastime.
If Lent is about self-discipline, we should focus our thoughts as much as our actions. The mindset behind our sacrifices is as important as the sacrifices themselves.
So maybe for Lent, instead of giving up another item on the dining hall menu, we can choose to yield a selfish way of thinking. Pity parties may run rampant as we mourn the loss of Huddle candy or video games, but consider the alternative: What if we forgo the time spent feeling sorry for ourselves and spend it thinking about the suffering of others?
Even though Lent is characterized by mourning and penance, focusing on the solidarity of sacrifice is something we can celebrate to the fullest.
Quote of the day
“But
screw your courage to the sticking-place, and we’ll not fail.”
William Shakespeare English dramatist & poet
edItorIal Cartoon
February 24, 2012
Vanquishing my Lenten death in Madrid
Count me among the scores of Catholics who greeted Lent this year by barely giving a damn. I have been numbed by our American bishops’ recent stodgy obstinacy and refusal to oppose once again a modern complex issue without offering measured modern solutions.
Caruso Capitol Comments
They follow Pope Benedict XVI, who last month callously pronounced the family unit so fundamental for the development of individuals and states that gay marriage “threatens human dignity and the future of humanity itself.”
Call me crazy, but the future of humanity ain’t going into decline from the small percentage of gay couples who adopt children, period.
With the Catholic Church dwindling throughout Europe and North America, parishioners — in my archdiocese Hispanic heritage members — either quit attending any church or moved to the “feel good” offerings of the relatively new so-called megachurches. These churches offer the “how to get out of debt” and “how to better raise your children” or “how to be born again and beam with joy and confidence” feelings not presented by the Roman Catholic Church. So many flee because of the Vatican’s tone-deafness to the modern needs of parishioners.
The Vatican need not move from Christ’s core values, but for God’s sake,
letters to the
edItor
it should at least realize the next pontiff better revise out-of-date, man-decreed dogma that is seen by the flock as simply silly. For example, currently, another religion’s married priests can convert and become a married Catholic priest. Furthermore, Eastern Orthodox priests can marry. Where is the universal and modern consistency?
Politically, newly elevated Cardinal Timothy Dolan sends mixed messages to publicly elected Catholics. Notre Dame graduate and Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is considered a good pro-life politician for opposing abortion, but not considered an outright killer for executing a convicted woman with an IQ of about 72 — especially when McDonnell, and only McDonnell, held the authority to stay her execution. Are bishops outraged over the actual death of a living person through a preventable execution, or are perceived forced contraception rules more outrageous to them?
Purely put, Jesus reached out to accept rather than reject. Little today is as black-and-white as when the Bible’s chapters were selectively assembled by our — as a fellow Eucharistic minister at St. Matthew’s Cathedral likes to call them — “old-men rulers.” The inconsistencies of man-made policies and constant backwards thought persist from our Vatican “old-men rulers.” Dolan proves that it will continue as he enters the College of Cardinals. With bombast Irish bravado he swore during a “60 Minutes” television interview never to
A gliding star
Impossible means nothing to young Krista Kellner, who is a perfect example of an individual who has persevered through both physically and mentally limiting obstacles and has inspired athletes of all abilities from all over the world. Krista’s genuine passion for ice-skating acts as a driving force to prevent her from being defined or limited by her disability.
Krista is a figure skater who was born with autism, yet embraced the opportunity to learn to skate through a program called Gliding Stars when she was just 3 years old. When Krista began skating she was nonverbal, and her fine motor skills, balance and tactile senses were below average.
At first she was intimidated by this new activity, and she was not particularly thrilled about the loud arenas, the large crowds, or the tricky ice skates. However, with the support of her coach, Elizabeth O’Donnell, Krista has built up the confidence as a skater to perform in front of over 2,000 fans and has even had a performance broadcast on TV.
Krista has achieved national recognition for her skating and was given a solo performance in “Musselman’s Applesauce Presents the Music of Seal on Ice,” which starred singer and songwriter Seal performing live along with a cast that consisted of Olympic gold medalists Kristi Yamaguchi and Brian Boitano and many other world and national champion skaters. The show was broadcast on NBC in 2009.
Krista has been able to take the skills and disci-
support marriage for priests.
Others leave Catholicism for a myriad of unreasonable conditions perpetrated by the Church. Divorced Catholics face huge hurdles if they care to remarry. Contraception sometimes is necessary as a medical remedy to regulate a Catholic woman’s debilitating irregular cycle rather than prevent pregnancy. Taxexempt American churches oftentimes discriminate using religious freedom claims while also “double-dipping” by accepting public funds for services. Unfortunately, Church leadership prefers to preach about how to exclude.
In Illinois, while accepting public funding, bishops sued to prevent gays as foster parents. The Catholic Charities threatened to end all services to the poor. Fearing that their philosophical differences might provide “special rights” afforded to others, Notre Dame refuses to include sexual orientation in workplace anti-discrimination clauses and refuses even to recognize gay students on campus.
Our church leaders must collectively become more like Jesus who did not give a damn to sit with the hated Gentiles, eat with tax collectors and speak to prostitutes. Otherwise, leaders alienate Catholics like me who reach out to everyone without nuanced conditions.
For me, Fat Tuesday is typically the time for one last-ditch party before personally contemplating a Lenten sacrifice and preparing for death on Good Friday. But I spent Fat Tuesday in Spain. I had
pline that she has learned through skating and apply them to other areas of her life. In high school, she was in advanced Spanish, held an Aaverage in most of her classes, and won hardest working senior in her class. She also maintained honor roll status since the fifth grade, was inducted into the National Honor Society, and won an award for one of her short stories published by Canisius College.
This weekend Krista and her coach will travel from Amherst, N.Y., to put on a special ice performance for the students and members of the local community. The event will take place on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m., at the Compton Family Ice Arena. It will be hosted by speaker Charlie Adams and will also include performances by the Notre Dame Figure Skaters and Notre Dame hockey goalie Joe Rogers. The night will conclude with a quick game of Sled Hockey. With joined efforts from students involved in Best Buddies, SuperSibs, Special Olympics, Inspire and LOGAN Rec. we have planned a very special evening that will allow people to recognize and be inspired by the great accomplishments and talent of those who have not let having a disability prevent them from pursuing their dreams.
no Lenten plans, no proposed sacrifices and no desire even to consider Lent — that is, until I wandered through the corridors of Madrid’s famed national art museum. The Museo del Prado houses iconic masterpieces by Spanish artist Francisco Goya. I happened upon his so-called “Black Paintings” collection — scenes painted nearly 200 years ago directly on the walls of his house and never intended for public display.
“The Dog,” his simplest but most powerful of paintings teared my eyes. A drowning dog’s head peers for help at his owner’s shadowy figure against a dirty-yellowed backdrop. It gazes above the dark depths and unidentifiable waterline. It is visually lost in the vastness of the overall painting’s size. While everyone assumes that the dog will drown, I see myself in that painting peering at the Church, which optimistically saves both itself and me from our current conditions. Our paths, like Lent, may survive our sacrifices if each of us has the courage to vanquish death within our existences.
Gary Caruso, Notre Dame ‘73, serves in the Department of Homeland Security and was a legislative and public affairs director in President Clinton’s administration. His column appears every other Friday. He can be contacted at GaryJCaruso@alumni.nd.edu
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
A case for progressive taxation
Mark Easley (“A case for fair taxation,” Feb. 23), We should have the same marginal tax rate for everyone. It makes sense, doesn’t it? In reality, a progressive tax structure is the most equitable taxation system in existence because of diminishing marginal utility of wealth. In non-economic terms, think of the willingness of a millionaire to shell out $100 versus the willingness of a minimum wage earner. The millionaire derives less utility from that $100 because she has less need and more disposable income than the laborer. Also, as a person’s income increases, marginal propensity to consume decreases. A progressive tax targets individuals who contribute less to aggregate demand and places a lesser tax burden on those who consume more at the margin.
Our economy is suffering from a lack of demand rather than any sort of crowding out scenario, showing a failure by politicians and the populace to understand liquidity trap economics and the Fisher equation. In addition, progressive taxes provide a deterrent to income inequality, which has greatly risen in America, as real wages have not been keeping up with productivity since the ‘70s. Some income inequality is necessary to motivate workers, but too much leads to situations comparable to that of Latin America and the violence stemming from wealth disparity. Progressive taxes are not an attack against the wealthy. They are an attack against a large wealth gap and on the destructive nature of said gap on the country as a whole.
Mr. Easley, there are some things that need to be addressed concerning your statements other than your underlying logic and lack of a proposed solution. You equated a higher tax on the wealthy to discrimination against minorities such as African Americans and Jews. This is at best, ignorant, and at worst, extremely offensive to these communities that have suffered through things such as slavery and the Holocaust. The trivialization of such atrocities should never be condoned in our political or economic discourse. Furthermore, your comparison of arguments supporting a progressive tax to communist tactics is again ignorant, if not McCarthyist, in nature. A rational debate that results in the best possible action is not possible when one side stigmatizes the other.
Gary
Madison Maidment freshman McCandless Hall Feb. 23
Scene
staffers make their Oscar predictions
The best picture category is cluttered as ever, but no film can compete with the award season momentum of “The Artist.” It just has so many qualities awards voters love. It’s weird. It’s a movie about a movie about a movie about a movie or something like that. Like 13 people saw it, and, best of all, it has that intangible quality of giving those 13 people an undeserved sense of being cultured. Also, it’s a really good movie and deserves the award.
KEVIN’S PICK: “THE ARTIST”
Brandy Cerne Scene
Writer
It’s a neck and neck race between Dujardin and Clooney. Clooney had long been favored to take home his second Oscar (the first was for “Syriana”) but the tide has swiftly been moving in Dujardin’s favor, with wins at the Screen Actors Guild and BAFTA awards. Dujardin is riding high on the tails of “The Artist’s” sweeping success this awards season. At this point, it seems the award is Dujardin’s to lose.
MAIJA’S PICK: JEAN DUJARDIN, “THE ARTIST”
This one belongs to Viola Davis. Streep completely embodied Margaret Thatcher, but Davis captured our hearts. Taking what could have easily been an offensive role in the hands of someone less talented, Davis infused her downtrodden Southern maid with real pathos. She made audiences feel joy, heartache and weariness with each nuanced facial expression and her body language. Davis deserves it for this role.
BRANDY’S PICK: VIOLA DAVIS, “THE HELP”
Best Supporting Actor
Mary Claire O’Donnell
Scene Writer
In “Beginners,” Christopher Plummer plays a father who comes out of the closet at age 75. Plummer portrays the role beautifully, embracing his character struggling to come to terms with his sexuality. Nick Nolte, however, in his role as the alcoholic father of two mixed martial arts fighters, however, should have garnered more praise and Oscar buzz.
MARY CLAIRE’S PICK: CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER, “BEGINNERS”
Best Supporting Actress
Mary Claire O’Donnell Scene Writer
This was a tough choice. Bérénice Bejo played Peppy Miller fantastically, especially given that she was in a silent film. But in the end, Octavia Spencer’s performance as Minny Jackson captured hearts and minds. She is sassy and speaks her mind, but at the same time must deal with a tough situation at home.
MARY CLAIRE’S PICK: OCTAVIA SPENCER, “THE HELP”
Patrick McManus Scene Writer
This is Allen’s seventh nomination in the Best Director category, with his only win coming for 1977’s “Annie Hall.” “Midnight in Paris,” Allen’s nostalgic paean to the city, is his best movie in a long time. It is a timeless tale with a unique message and is deftly woven together by the septuagenarian director.
PATRICK’S PICK: WOODY ALLEN, “MIDNIGHT IN PARIS”
Meghan Thomassen Viewpoint Editor
Felicia Caponigri
Scene Writer
“Midnight in Paris” is the obvious winner in this category. Woody Allen charmed his audiences by fulfilling everyone’s fantasy of living in a different era. The eclectic cast of literary and artistic figures comes together seamlessly. But ultimately, it’s about pursuing the ideal life, and against the backdrop of Paris, it’s perfectly enchanting.
MEGHAN’S PICK: “MIDNIGHT IN PARIS”
Apart from the absolute disgrace that Angelina Jolie’s “In the Land of Blood and Honey” was not nominated, this year’s Foreign Film nominees pack a hard-hitting international punch. This fashionista’s bet, however, lies with Iran’s “A Separation.” The film centers on a wife who desires to divorce her husband because he will not leave the country with her due to his father’s ill health. However, she must stand by him when he is accused of murdering that same father’s caretaker.
FELICIA’S PICK: “A SEPARATION”
Alexandra Kilpatrick Scene
Writer
Alexandra
This catchy piece, written by Bret McKenzie of “Flight of the Conchords,” was just one of a number of Oscar-worthy songs in the allages appropriate comedy, among them “Life’s a Happy Song” and “Pictures in My Head.” Performed in the movie by Gary (Jason Segel) and his brother Walter (voiced by Peter Linz), “Man or Muppet” is the third Muppet song to be nominated for an Academy Award.
ALEX’S PICK: “Man or Muppet”
(BRET MCKENZIE FOR “THE MUPPETS”)
Kilpatrick
Scene Writer
Although there is some controversy over the film’s inclusion of Bernard Hermann’s “Vertigo” score, Bource’s grand and stately score carries “The Artist.” It both celebrates and comments on Hollywood during the late 1920s and early 1930s as silent cinema gradually falls out of fashion.
ALEX’S PICK: “THE ARTIST” LUDOVIC BOURCE
By MARIA FERNANDEZ Scene Writer
The Oscars are not only the mostawaited awards of the year, but they are also one of the most important events for fashion. From choice of colors to innovative dress silhouettes, actresses have walked the Oscar’s red carpet wearing amazing ensembles that embody the trends of the moment, becoming unforgettable pieces in fashion history.
Although I might dare to predict some of the trends our favorite actresses will sport on Sunday (lace, pastels and deep red and blue colors are so in right now!), we have yet to see the final result. So, while we wait, let’s reminisce on some of the Oscar’s most avant-garde and iconic gowns of all time.
Audrey Hepburn, 1954
Audrey Hepburn was already a style icon before she won an Oscar for Best Actress in 1954 for her role in “Roman Holiday.” However, the Givenchy dress she wore that night made fashion headlines and continues to be a source of
Kevin Noonan
Associate Scene Editor
Best Picture
Maija Gustin Scene Editor
Best Actor Best Actress
Friday, February 24, 2012
inspiration for designers and fashionistas alike.
Her simple and sophisticated signature style is perfectly exemplified in this sweet and delicate floral-adorned belted gown. Hepburn’s style will never cease to influence the fashion world.
Nicole Kidman, 1997
Accompanied by her then-husband Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman made her entrance into fashion royalty with a Christian Dior Couture gown at the 1997 Academy Awards.
With elegance and poise, Kidman turned this creative and eclectic handmade masterpiece into a fashion hit. The dress’s bright green color, embroidered details and thigh-high slit definitely captivated everyone’s attention that night.
Halle Berry, 2002
The 2002 Oscars were undeniably Halle Berry’s night. Not only did she win Best Actress for her role in “Monster’s Ball,” but she also stole the show with a daring Elie Saab creation. Its deep red skirt and sheer embroidered top are not easy to pull off, but Berry did so successfully. Her simplicity and
effortlessness went perfectly with this intricate gown, encouraging viewers to embrace the sheer trend that is still en vogue.
Jessica Alba and Michelle Williams, 2006
Who can forget Jessica Alba and Michelle Williams’ ensembles for the 2006 Oscars? I know I can’t. Although very different gowns, both stars rocked gold and yellow tones that evening.
Alba’s curve-hugging gold Versace gown is a classic dress full of unique and unforgettable details. She looked spectacular, and since then has been thought of as a leader in fashion.
Williams was also a red carpet favorite in 2006, as she accompanied her former beau, Oscar nominee Heath Ledger, to the awards. Her bright yellow Vera Wang dress gave her an edgy, but elegant look that has inspired many fashion lovers.
Jessica Biel and Reese Witherspoon, 2007
The 2007 Oscar fashions were all about bright and bold colors, and Reese Witherspoon and Jessica Biel perfectly embodied this trend. Biel opted
for a fuchsia Oscar de la Renta gown. Its simple halter silhouette and thin black belt paired with diamond jewels is a classic combination that can never go wrong.
After a heart-breaking divorce, Witherspoon quickly reinvented herself and her style by wearing a jaw-dropping purple Nina Ricci gown to the Academy Awards. This strapless gown with a beautiful scale-like skirt will remain in fashion history as the dress that proved Reese was back and ready to continue her successful acting career.
Sandra Bullock, 2010
Sandra Bullock showed off her fashionable side to the public with a silver embroidered statement gown from Marchesa as she received her Oscar for Best Actress in 2010. The actress made an unexpected choice with this original dress and confirmed she was not only Oscar material, but also a fashion icon in the making.
Let’s see what new and unforgettable gowns will these 2012 Oscars bring.
Contact Maria Fernandez at mfernan5@nd.edu
Sandra Bullock rocks silver at the 2010 Oscars.
Trade deadline comes with risks and rewards
Next Monday marks one of the most exciting days of the NHL season. It is one of a handful of days throughout the whole year where fans of both Stanley Cup contenders and cellardwellers alike have something to look forward to. I am of course talking about the trade deadline.
The Boston Bruins made three different trades within two weeks of the deadline a season ago on their way to the Stanley Cup. The blockbuster deal that got most of the media attention was for Toronto defenseman Tomas Kaberle, for whom the Bruins gave up a first-round pick, a conditional second-round pick and touted prospect Joe Colborne. The deal was useful for the Bruins, who were looking for an immediate boost in the playoffs. It was also beneficial to the Maple Leafs, who were out of the playoff race and looking for pieces for the future in exchange for Kaberle, a free agent at the end of the season.
While the Kaberle trade got the most buzz, two other trades the Bruins made were not as big, but arguably more important. Boston acquired Chris Kelly from Ottawa for a second-round pick and Rich Peverley from Atlanta for NHLproven young players Mark Stuart and Blake Wheeler. While the trades were both a bit risky and not as high-profile as the Kaberle trade, Kelly and Peverley each finished in the top eight in scoring in the playoffs for the Bruins, playing an integral role in Boston’s championship.
There has already been buzz this the past week that Columbus Blue Jackets star Rick Nash, one of the best power forwards in the world, might be on the trading block. The New York Rangers are the rumored front-runners for Nash, but some are critical of whether the Eastern Conference leaders should mess with strong team chemistry. Toronto and Los Angeles are among other teams interested.
What makes the Nash case particularly unique is unlike most stars traded near the deadline, Nash is not an unrestricted free agent at the end of
the season. Quite the contrary, in fact, as Nash is signed through 2018 at a salary cap hit of $7.8 million per season. In addition, Nash’s contract has a no-trade clause.
The contract is notable for a few different reasons. The first is Nash has the ultimate say in where he ends up, due to the no-trade clause, as he can block a deal to any destination he does not want to go.
The second is while the Jackets are hurt by Nash’s notrade clause because it limits their options, they are also in no rush to move him, since he is signed for the next six years. They do not have to worry about him walking at the end of the season and getting nothing in return. If a team doesn’t offer what the Jackets are looking for, Columbus can try again in the offseason or keep its captain and face of the franchise indefinitely. This means that if he is traded at the deadline, the team he ends up going to would likely have to pay an extremely hefty price.
And of course, the contract means the team he would be traded to not only would have to deal with changing the chemistry in the locker room and giving up lots of assets, but they would also be taking on his salary for the next halfdecade. As good of a player as Nash is, there is some debate as to whether he’s worth $7.8 million on his own, before even factoring in the pieces the Jackets would require in return in a trade. This would likely include some combination of draft picks, prospects and/or an elite young goaltender.
It will be interesting to see if Nash gets dealt and what other big-name players end up on the move by Monday. But it will also be interesting to look back in June and see what small moves, if any, went largely unnoticed in February but propelled a team to hoist the Cup. Further, it will be interesting to see four or five years from now if the pieces acquired by a seller in a major deal help to turn that franchise around. Sit back and enjoy these next three days, NHL fans. They should be a treat.
Contact Sam Gans at sgans@nd.edu
The views expressed in this Sports Authority column are the views of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
mlB Braun’s suspension overturned
Associated Press
NEW YORK — National League MVP Ryan Braun’s 50game suspension was overturned Thursday by baseball arbitrator Shyam Das, the first time a baseball player successfully challenged a drugrelated penalty in a grievance.
The decision was announced Thursday by the Major League Baseball Players Association, one day before the 28-year-old outfielder was due to report to spring training with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Braun’s urine tested positive in October for elevated testosterone, and ESPN revealed the positive test in December.
Braun has insisted that he did not violate baseball’s drug agreement.
“I am very pleased and relieved by today’s decision,” he said in a statement. “It is the first step in restoring my good name and reputation. We were able to get through this because I am innocent and the truth is on our side.”
MLB executive vice president Rob Manfred said management “vehemently disagrees” with Das’ decision.
Das, who has been baseball’s independent arbitrator since 2000, informed the sides of his decision, but did not give them a written opinion. He has 30 days to do so.
“Today the arbitration panel announced its decision, by a 2-1 vote, to sustain Ryan Braun’s grievance challenging his 50-game suspension by the commissioner’s office,” a statement from the players’ association said.
Manfred and union head Michael Weiner are part of the arbitration panel, and management and the union almost always split their votes, leaving Das, the independent panel member, to make the decision.
“MLB and cable sports tried to sully the reputation of an innocent man,” Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said on Twitter. “Picked the wrong guy to mess with. Truth will set u free”
Brewers closer John Axford added on Twitter: “All I can say is that Braun has exemplary character is continuing to handle this in an unbelievable manner.”
An evidentiary hearing on Braun’s appeal was held Jan. 19-20 in New York, ending the day before the player accepted the NL MVP award at a blacktie dinner.
“We provided complete cooperation throughout, despite the highly unusual circumstances. I have been an open
book, willing to share details from every aspect of my life as part of this investigation, because I have nothing to hide,” Braun said in his statement. “I have passed over 25 drug tests in my career, including at least three in the past year.”
A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that, after being informed of the positive result, Braun asked to have another urine test taken, and that the second test was within normal range.
During the hearing, Braun’s side challenged the chain of custody from the time the urine sample was collected by Comprehensive Drug Testing Inc. to when it was sent nearly 48 hours later to a World AntiDoping Agency-certified laboratory in Montreal, the person said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because what took place in the hearing is supposed to be confidential.
Baseball’s drug agreement states that “absent unusual circumstances, the specimens should be sent by FedEx to the laboratory on the same day they are collected.”
Positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs have been relatively rare under the major league testing program, with just two others in 2011: Tampa Bay outfielder Manny Ramirez and Colorado Rockies catcher Eliezer Alfonzo. Ramirez at first retired rather than face a 100-game suspen-
sion for a second positive test. Wanting to return this year, he is serving a 50-game penalty — the length was shortened because he missed most of last year.
“It has always been Major League Baseball’s position that no matter who tests positive, we will exhaust all avenues in pursuit of the appropriate discipline. We have been true to that position in every instance, because baseball fans deserve nothing less,” Manfred said. “As a part of our drug testing program, the commissioner’s office and the players’ association agreed to a neutral third party review for instances that are under dispute. While we have always respected that process, Major League Baseball vehemently disagrees with the decision rendered today by arbitrator Shyam Das.”
Braun hit .312 with 33 homers and 111 RBIs last year and led Milwaukee to the NL championship series, where the Brewers lost to the eventual World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Brewers are counting on his offense following the departure of Prince Fielder, who became a free agent and signed with the Detroit Tigers.
Braun already was signed through 2015, but the Brewers gave him a new deal running through 2020 that added $105 million and guaranteed him a total of $145.5 million over a decade.
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personal
UNPLANNED PREGNANCY? Don’t do 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. For more information, visit ND’s website at: http://pregnancysupport@nd.edu
Wanted
Artist needed for children’s book/ program
Contact mkarle@alumni.nd.edu for
aac, Canadian fiddler
1975 - Maurizio Giuliano, writer and traveller
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AP
Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun celebrates after a win Sept. 13, 2011. Braun had his 50-game suspension overturned Thursday.
Sam Gans Sports Writer
Irish use loss as inspiration prior to double home matches
By KELSEY MANNING Sports Writer
In their second of three consecutive home weekends, the No. 23 Irish will take on two formidable opponents — No. 16 Georgia Tech and a No. 74 Indiana squad on the rise.
Notre Dame (6-3, 1-0 Big East) battled through two 4-3 decisions last weekend, falling to No. 13 North Carolina on Saturday before turning around to top No. 57 Illinois on Sunday.
Irish coach Jay Louderback said the loss to North Carolina helped his team refocus in practice this week.
“It was a tough one just because we definitely had chances to win,” he said. “We lost at a few positions we’ve been winning at, and those kids were really not happy with losing. I think that’s something that they didn’t like, and I think it was pretty motivating.
“We had really good practices all week, and I think that was a lot of it — knowing we were right there with UNC and definitely could have won that match.”
Though the Hoosiers (8-2) arrive in South Bend today as a team that has just recently cracked the top-75 for the first time this season, their ranking belies their talent, Louderback said.
“[Indiana] is a good team. They beat DePaul who’s ranked. But that’s the only ranked team they’ve really beaten so they just haven’t played a really tough schedule so far,” he said. “I would
put them pretty even with Illinois right now, and we had a tough match with Illinois over the weekend. I think they’ll be anywhere from No. 25 to No. 40 this year. They’re very good, they just haven’t played the schedule yet. So it should be a really good match.”
This will not be Notre Dame’s first encounter with the Hoosiers, as a few Irish players saw Indiana players in individual fall tournaments. At the Indiana Invitational on Sept. 25, both junior Chrissie McGaffigan and sophomore Julie Sabacinski dropped two-set matches to Indiana freshmen Alecia Kauss and Katie Klyczek, respectively. McGaffigan will get another shot at Kauss at the five spot today.
“Our kids know they’re going to be good.”
“Our kids know they’re going to be good,” Louderback said.
The Irish will have one day to recover before they take on Georgia Tech (4-4). The Yellow Jackets have a .500 record. Their only dual match losses have come from Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina and UCLA – all teams ranked in top 13.
A major focus for the Irish will be the elusive doubles point. Despite boasting the No. 3 doubles team in the country with seniors Kristy Frilling and Shannon Mathews, Notre Dame’s doubles play has not been as consistent as anticipated, Louderback said.
“Going into the year, we really felt like [doubles] would be our strength,” he said. “I don’t know what it’s been — it just hasn’t been consistent.
Jay Louderback Irish coach
[For example], we won at No. 1 and No. 2 against North Carolina, and then we turn around the next day and lose at No. 1 and No. 2 to Illinois. And we lost at No. 3 to North Carolina and we beat Illinois at No. 3, so it’s been a little inconsistent.
“We haven’t played big points really well in the doubles, and it’s definitely something we’ve been working on a lot.”
The Irish will look to build off a week of practice as they take on Indiana today at 3 p.m. and Georgia Tech on Sunday at 9 a.m., both at the Eck Tennis Pavilion.
“[Georgia Tech] played in the [ITA National Team Indoor Championships] and they went 0-3, but they lost three tough matches, but they’re good,” Louderback said. “They’re a legitimate top 20 team, so for us it’ll be two really tough matches this weekend.”
Contact Kelsey Manning at kmannin3@nd.edu
GRACE KENESY/The Observer
Freshman Katherine White prepares to serve in a match against IPFW on Jan. 22. White won her singles match 6-1, 6-2.
Irish return home to host double dual meets
By PETER STEINER Sports Writer
After defeating No. 28 Michigan 4-3 on the road last Saturday, the Irish return to their home court Sunday against Michigan State and Big East opponent Marquette.
The No. 56 Spartans (8-5) enter the match with a record similar to the Irish (94). Irish coach Bobby Bayliss said his team will not underestimate the Spartans.
“Michigan State has always played us really close matches,” Bayliss said. “They probably have the best team they’ve had at Michigan State in 20 years. I think they are underrated. We anticipate having our hands full with Michigan State and having to play a great match in order to win it.” In their second match, the Irish will face a Golden Eagles (5-3) squad that has yet to win a match on the road this season. Despite their struggles away from home, the Golden Eagles boast a strong set of doubles teams and two solid No. 1 and No. 2 singles players, Bayliss said.
smC BasketBall
Belles fall to Calvin in playoff opener
Observer Staff Report
Saint Mary’s lost their MIAA playoff opener against Calvin College, falling to the No. 5 ranked Knights 78-50 at Calvin on Wednesday.
The Belles faced a very strong defensive performance from Calvin. The Knights held the Belles to 30.2 percent shooting on only 19 made baskets.
Turnovers also proved key in the game, as Calvin
BaseBall
the Irish have relied on strong play from No.1 singles player senior Casey Watt and No. 2 singles player sophomore Greg Andrews to lead them to victory.
“We are starting to win and play really good tennis in the top of our lineup,” Bayliss said. “Casey Watt played a terrific match at Michigan. He lost 7-5 in the third set to the No. 6 player in the country. Greg Andrews won comfortably at No. 2.
“There is also going to be a short turnaround because we are going to play Michigan State and only have an hour to get ready to play Marquette ... We think our team is in great shape and we feel we are going to be able to do this, but that’s going to present some challenges as well.”
Bobby Bayliss Irish coach
“I consider our team to be a team that essentially has two number one players, and either one of them is comfortable of playing one at this time. I’m happy to see Casey’s improvement and I look forward to more strong play at the top of our lineup.” Because the Irish play two matches in a row, fatigue is another obstacle the Irish might face in the match against Marquette.
“Marquette is a Big East opponent and they are very well coached,” Bayliss said. “They traditionally play really good doubles. They are very strong in their top part of their lineup. The challenge for us is going to be making sure we win at the top to get that match in the win column.”
In the last few matches,
“There is also going to be a short turnaround because we are going to playing Michigan State and only have an hour to get ready to play Marquette,” Bayliss said. “We think our team is in great shape, and we feel we are going to be able to do this, but that’s going to present some challenges as well.”
Contact Peter Steiner at psteiner@nd.edu
was able to capitalize on 28 Belles turnovers for 26 points.
Calvin started the game strong, jumped to a 10-point lead early into the game and caused an early Saint Mary’s timeout.
The Belles kept the game close for much of the first half, but Calvin finished the half on a strong run to take a 40-21 lead into the break.
Saint Mary’s cut the Calvin lead to 14 midway
through the second half, but that was as close as the Belles came for the remainder of the game.
Calvin closed the game on a 30-16 run, ending Saint Mary’s MIAA tournament title hopes.
Senior forwards Jessica Centa and Kelley Murphy led the Belles with 10 points each.
Saint Mary’s will wait to see if they receive a berth in the NCAA Division III tournament.
Hudson sets example for weekend
By VICKY JACOBSEN Sports Writer
The Irish will try to keep the bats smoking as they head to Carey, N.C., this weekend for a three-game series against Hofstra.
Notre Dame (2-1, 0-0 Big East) collected 26 runs on 44 hits during the three-game Big East/Big Ten Challenge on Feb. 17 and batted .379 as a team.
Junior catcher Joe Hudson led the Irish onslaught, racking up seven hits, two home runs, three runs scored, seven RBIs, two runners caught stealing and the Big East Player of the Week award.
“I think it was certainly very well deserved,” Irish coach Mik Aoki said. “It was a monster weekend for him, and I’m really pleased for him. He’s one of the coolest guys on our team and he’s an extremely hard worker, so I was happy to see him have some recognition for an unbelievable weekend.”
Although the Notre Dame batting order put up high numbers in the team’s first three games, Aoki said he’d like to see tighter play from the pitchers and fielders, who accumulated 17 walks, 11 hit batters and 10 errors over the same stretch.
“I’d like to see our pitching staff be in the strike zone a
little bit more,” Aoki said. “I’d like to see us take care of the baseball a little bit better than we did last weekend on defense, and then continue to improve on some of the things that we did well.
“I thought we did a really good job of competing and playing very hard, and I thought that offensively that our at-bats by and large were really good at-bats. I just want to see our team continue to develop and get better from game to game and week-to-week.”
The Irish will send sophomore pitcher Sean Fitzgerald to the mound for the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader, while junior right-hander Adam Norton will start the later contest. Senior right-handed pitcher Will Hudgins will take the ball in the series finale on Sunday.
Fitzgerald allowed six runs in two innings in the season opener Feb. 17 while Hudgins gave up three runs in five innings in Notre Dame’s eventual 15-8 loss to Purdue (3-0, 0-0 Big 10) on Monday. Norton shined against Iowa (1-2, 0-0 Big 10), allowing just two runs in a completegame victory.
The three will face a Hofstra lineup that dropped three games to No. 8 Florida State (4-0, 0-0 ACC) over its opening weekend, Feb. 17 to 19. The
Pride (0-3, 0-0 CAA) held leads in each contest, but a sixth-inning grand slam in the opener, a four-run fifth inning on Saturday and a five-run Seminole rally in the finale ruined Hofstra’s chance at an upset.
Aoki said a short series against one of college baseball’s perennial powers does not give a full picture of what Hofstra is capable of.
“They swing the bat pretty well. They’re aggressive on the base paths. They stole a bunch of bases against Florida St. last weekend,” Aoki said. “It’s a little bit hard to tell. The only thing you have to go on is a three game sample set based off of one of the storied programs in college baseball in Florida St.
“They’re going to come out and do a really good job of competing. They have some talented young arms on the mound, so I think we need to worry less about the opponent than us making sure that we’re getting better as a team and that we’re playing as close to our potential as we can.”
The first pitches will be thrown at 12:05 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday and 12:05 p.m. Sunday at the USA Baseball Complex in Carey, N.C.
Contact Vicky Jacobsen at vjacobse@nd.edu
ALEX PARTAK/The Observer
Sophomore Greg Andrews returns a serve against IUPUI on Feb.
12. The Irish swept the match, winning 7-0 in the Eck Center.
SARAH O’CONNOR/The Observer
Junior pitcher Adam Norton winds up to throw during an Irish practice Jan. 27. The Irish travel to North Carolina this weekend for a three-game series against Hofstra.
Halfpenny, Tamasitis to face off with Duquesne
By JOSEPH MONARDO
Sports Writer
After capturing a 1714 victory over then-No. 6 Stanford in the season opener, the No. 15 Irish will host Duquesne on Saturday in their second game under first-year coach Christine Halfpenny.
“Defensively, we would like to get closer to our goal of keeping our opponents in single digits,” she said.
“That’s absolutely one of our goals this year. We would like to limit some of the unforced errors that we had, limit some of the fouls … win the ball control battle.
“We are really honing in on the few mistakes that we made and fixing those because we see the kids having ‘a-ha’ moments right now. That is what this week is about — looking back, seeing what went well and seeing what we want to improve on.”
Against Duquesne (1-1), Notre Dame’s defense will face a challenge right away. In their first game of the season, the Dukes used an overpowering offense to hand Bucknell an 18-4 loss.
“They are very scrappy, aggressive … they have some really nice one vs. one drivers,” Halfpenny said.
Following their impressive season debut, Duquesne dropped their next contest on the road, suffering a 16-5 loss to No. 20 Penn State.
Regardless of their opponent’s early season results, Halfpenny said the Irish will concentrate on getting ready to play Saturday.
“We are really focused on what we are doing and what we can control,” she said. “We are not as focused on the opponent. It is mostly, ‘This is what they do, and this is the brand we are going to play.’
“We scout our opponents, but again, we feel confident in the style that we are going to play, and we are going to control what we can control. We are showing up and being consistent, [and] we are staying away from looking too far ahead.”
As they head into the second game of the e Halfpenny era, the Irish have managed to avoid any external pressure to perform.
In Halfpenny’s first game, the Irish (1-0) scored 12 goals in the opening half and recorded nine assists in the game. Senior midfielder Maggie Tamasitis notched a career-high seven points and tied the school-record six assists, en route to being named Big East Offensive Player of the Week.
“They are certainly going to compete in their conference. They compete in the top four of [the Atlantic-10] for a bid to the tournament, so we are expecting a battle. We are expecting them to give us all they’ve got.
Despite the team’s offensive success in the seasonopening contest, Halfpenny said the Irish still have plenty to work on.
“They opened it up [against Bucknell,] so they can score goals. We are well aware of how much offensive power they have, so we have some things to fix.”
“The only pressure that we should feel the whole season is the pressure we put on ourselves, and we don’t really have any pressure,” Halfpenny said.
Looking to improve to 2-0, Notre Dame will host Duquesne in Arlotta Stadium on Saturday at noon.
Contact Joseph Monardo at jmonardo@nd.edu
Bednarski, Irish look to retain national championship title
By MATTHEW ROBISON Sports Writer
As the postseason rapidly approaches, the Irish are preparing to defend their national championship. This weekend, Notre Dame will travel to New York, N.Y. to compete in the Squad Championships hosted by NYU.
The event will give the Irish an opportunity to prove themselves against some of the best fencers in the country. The No.1 Irish women’s sabre squad will face No. 6 Columbia, No. 8 Penn, NYU, Yale and North Carolina. The No. 1 men’s foil squad will face No. 4 Penn State, No. 5 Ohio State and Johns Hopkins.
Irish coach Janusz Bednarski said that while the players are working hard to prepare themselves for postseason play, the coaches have to make the difficult decisions of who to select for each tournament.
Bednarski compared this weekend’s Squad Championships to a football tryout in which the coaches try to determine who the best linebacker and quarterback are.
The Irish coaches will have to
find their best men’s and women’s foil, sabre and epee contestants during the Squad Championship event and select them to represent Notre Dame at the Midwest Conference championships and the NCAA championships in March.
“We are in the final process of preparation,” Bednarski said. “We are seeing who is the best. The most important question is who will be a qualifier. We have to make those decisions in the next two weeks.”
“The conference championships will give us some answers,” Bednarski said. “We have a pretty big group of fencers who are equal to each other, and we have to look at their positioning and at their form. Selection is a frustrating time for fencing coaches.”
“We are in the final process of preparation ... We are seeing who is the best. The most important question is who will be a qualifier. We have to make those decisions in the next two weeks.”
Janusz Bednarski Irish coach
Before the Irish can attain their goal of a second-consecutive national championship, they must decide who to send onto the mat for the Irish. The conference championships will be another chance for the Notre Dame coaching staff to see the Irish fencers compete against other fencers, rather just than in practice.
Last season, the top performers for the Irish were clear-cut, as there was an obvious upper echelon of fencers on the squad, Bednarski said. This year’s team has a much more equitable distribution of talent and ability among the fencers, which Bednarski said will make the decisionmaking process difficult for the Irish coaching staff.
NYU’s Squad Championship competition will last all day Sunday.
Contact Matthew Robison at mrobison@nd.edu
E LEEN V iEHMEYER/The Observer
Sophomore midfielder Kaitlyn Brosco charges the goal during a 14-11 loss to Northwestern on Feb. 19. This weekend the Irish face Duquesne at home in Arlotta Stadium.
SARAH O’CONNOR/The Observer
Sophomore foil Alan Markow competes in the Notre Dame Duals on Jan. 29. The Irish swept the day, winning 12-0.
continued from page 20
us,” sophomore center David Gerths said. “We have to get our confidence back and start believing in ourselves again. Pucks will start going in, and after that first one I’m sure the floodgates will open and we’ll start feeling better.”
Lee said his team is close to a breakthrough.
“Everyone just seems a little bit off,” he said. “We’re playing well, we’re clicking, everyone’s on the same page. Right now, we’ve just been scattered a little bit. It’s been a good week of practice, and we’re getting alright here.”
Gerths said a fresh mindset heading into the regular-season finale will help the Irish defeat the Spartans (18-12-4, 13-10-3-2).
“We just have to kind of put everything behind us,” he said. “We have to learn from mistakes throughout the season — stuff that we’ve done wrong as a team and individually — and put that behind us, and just move on and believe in ourselves again.”
The Spartans, however, will pose a stiff challenge to Notre Dame.
“[Michigan State] is playing pretty good right now,” Gerths said. “They’re a pretty hot team right now, so we’re pretty excited for the challenge.”
The Irish host Michigan State Friday at 8:37 p.m. in a game televised by CBS Sports Network and again Saturday night at 7:38 p.m. Both contests will take place in the Compton Family Ice Arena.
Contact a l lan Joseph at ajoseph2@nd.edu
nd softBall
Irish set to face tough opposition at Chapel Hill
By KATIE HEIT Sports Writer
Coming off of a four-loss weekend, the Irish look to prove their worth as they head to North Carolina to face four new opponents at the North Carolina Invite in Chapel Hill, N.C.
The Irish (1-4) have another tough weekend ahead of them in North Carolina. The weekend starts with a doubleheader Saturday against Penn State and North Carolina (2-0).
Notre Dame will face Minnesota on Sunday, followed by a rematch with North Carolina directly following. The tournament will mark the beginning of the season for both the Nittany Lions and the Golden Gophers.
Despite the amount of competition Notre Dame will face, junior pitcher Brittany O’Donnell said she is not worried about the other teams.
“The biggest competition this weekend will be ourselves,” O’Donnell said. “If we can play the game within our control to the best of our ability, we will be able to beat any team.”
O’Donnell said that if Notre Dame wants to be successful this weekend, it needs to start strong from the very first game against Penn State and carry that momentum
through the entire weekend.
“The team goals heading to North Carolina are to go out there and play to the best of our ability, attack every game with intensity, and to get four wins.”
The Irish are a fairly young team, and no clear leaders have risen in the ranks. Instead, O’Donnell said that every teammate does her best to encourage one another.
“With this team there is no one successful leader,” O’Donnell said. “Each person on the team contributes in different ways making this team successful. There are different people everyday stepping up to make the team better.”
O’Donnell said that her goal is to perform to her own highest ability to set a standard for her team to follow.
“My personal goals this weekend are to put the team in the best possible situation to be successful and to get some wins for the Irish,” O’Donnell said. The Irish will kick off the North Carolina Invite with a double header against Penn State and North Carolina on Saturday, before playing two games against the Tarheels and the Golden Gophers on Sunday.
Contact Katie Heit at kheit@nd.edu
continued from page 20
great defensive league. There are a lot of really good teams, but for us to really have an explosion like that on offense really felt good. I think we all just kind of relaxed a little bit and said, ‘Finally, this is it, we are back,’ and we’ve had really good practices since then.”
The Irish will welcome a South Florida team (15-13, 7-7 Big East) boasting a three-game winning streak. In the Bulls’ 62-50 victory over Pittsburgh on Saturday, senior guard Jasmine Wynne scored a team-high 14 points in her first game back since missing three games due to concussion symptoms. Wynne leads the Bulls in scoring and rebounding, averaging 15.6 and 5.8, respectively, and heads the versatile South Florida offense.
“Their guards are really good — they are athletic, they are fast, they can shoot,” McGraw said. “Their post players like to shoot threes, so it is a little different look for our post.”
South Florida currently occupies the ninth spot in the Big East rankings, while the Irish sit atop the conference standings. On senior night, the Irish will have to be especially careful to not overlook their opponent.
“Sometimes we can play down to our competition’s level,” senior guard Natalie Novosel said. “I think with South Florida, we need to come in and take care of it. It’s going to be an emotional night.”
Senior guard Fraderica Miller, graduate student forward Devereaux Peters and graduate student guard Brittany Mallory join Novosel as this year’s Irish
graduating class. In an attempt to help the team focus, the Irish will wait until after Saturday’s game to celebrate the careers of these four players.
McGraw said emotions will run high, despite the fact that the team will play in the Purcell Pavilion during the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament.
“We are going to try to push the festivities after the game,” she said. “I think that will maybe lessen the emotion at the beginning. Because we are hosting the first and second rounds, this won’t really be the last game we are playing here, but … when I look at those seniors, it’s sad for me … It’s going to be emotional for me.”
Only two days after facing off
with South Florida, the Irish will travel to Connecticut to conclude their regular season Monday against the Big East’s No. 2 team.
“Once we take care of [South Florida], it will be easier to go into Connecticut, to get some momentum going,” Novosel said.
“We’ve got a lot of seniors and a lot of good veterans coming back, so I think with that experience we will be able to calm the team down and take one game at a time.”
Notre Dame will tip off against South Florida at 2 p.m. at the Purcell Pavilion on Saturday before travelling to battle the Huskies at 9 p.m. Monday.
Contact Joseph Monardo at jmonardo@nd.edu
ASHLEY DACY/The Observer Junior center Riley Sheahan handles the puck during Notre Dame’s 3-0 loss to Ferris State on Feb. 10.
Freshman
continued from page 20
face the majority of Big Ten teams, including the meet hosts, the Boilermakers. Purdue defeated the Irish 168-131 in South Bend earlier this season.
“The competition will definitely be difficult, especially since our [NCAA] zone consists of a majority of the Big Ten schools,” Chiang said. “It is a much higher level of competition than we are used to, but it is by no means out of reach for any of the girls on the team. It could be anybody’s day on the day of competition.”
“We have all been working extremely hard this year and have greatly improved ... Now that it is the end of the season, this is the time that all your work throughout the year pays off.”
Jenny Chiang junior diver
also focusing on repetition of the skills they spent all season perfecting. “We have all been working extremely hard this year and have greatly improved,” Chiang said. “Now that it is the end of the season, this is the time that all your work throughout the year pays off. We have been really focusing on repetition during practice and focusing on strengthening the weak dives in our lists. I personally know how to do all my dives, it’s just a matter of conditioning them to be technically sound and consistently correct.”
As the season approaches its conclusion, Chiang said the team will strive for improvement and growth while
The Boiler-Make-It-Last Chance Meet will begin at noon at Purdue’s Boilermaker Aquatic Center.
Contact a n drew Cardoza at acardoza@nd.edu
ALEX PARTAK/The Observer
Freshman Emma Reaney swims in the 200-yard breaststroke at the Shamrock Invitational on Jan. 28. Reaney won three titles at the Big East championships from Feb. 15 to Feb. 18.
Undefeated
continued from page 20
undefeated.
“It’s always good to beat a team like them with the rivalry we have and the high ranking they had,” Kemp said. “It’s important to not have too much overconfidence, but [it helps getting] a boost of confidence and knowing we can compete with pretty much anyone.”
Penn State (1-1) received a dose of confidence of its own in a dominant 16-9 victory over Michigan of Feb 18.
Brey
continued from page 20
off a noteworthy week filled with significant accomplishments. Fresh off a 20-point comeback win at Villanova on Saturday, the Irish victory over the Mountaineers (17-11, 7-8) broke the Notre Dame record for Big East conference wins with nine and gave Brey his sixth-straight 20win season.
“It’s very special,” Brey said. “They really wanted that record. It’s really special for this group to do it. It’ll be a great story in the history of our basketball program, and [we will] see if we can keep riding it past nine.”
The Irish benefitted from four scorers in double-figures and shot at a season-high clip — over 60 percent in each half — against the sluggish Mountaineers, who could only tally 16 points in the entire second half.
“I think we are shooting the ball better,” Brey said. “We are trending up as shooters. Our numbers were so bad in early January from the 3-point line. Thankfully people weren’t shooting very (well) against us and that has continued. We are more confident shooters.”
The road test against St. John’s (12-16, 5-10) provides the Irish with a chance to preview the same court hosting the Big East tournament, as well as the opportunity to exact revenge after last season’s 72-54 drubbing at the hands of the Red Storm. But for some of the young Irish team, the matchup grants a special prospect of playing at the
The Nittany Lions scored nine goals in a heavily offensive third quarter, which featured six different scorers.
Penn State bounced back from a season-opening loss to North Carolina, when it fell to the Tarheels despite scoring 10 goals.
Penn State senior attackman Jack Forster, who recorded five goals and six assists in two games, will present the Irish with a challenge on the defensive side of the ball.
“In a lot of ways it’s a similar challenge to Duke because they’ve got a number of good offensive players,” Irish coach Kevin Corrigan said. “Part of the challenge is keeping them out of a situation where you
world-famous arena for the first time.
“It’s big for me. [Madison Square Garden] is just a historic place,” sophomore guard Jerian Grant said. “I want to play well, I want the team to play well.
“We are going to be back there in two weeks so it’s important for the whole team to play well … It’s a bonus to be able to get in there, play a game and get a nice rhythm in there. It’ll be good for us when the tournament comes.”
The “Fresh Five,” St. John’s all-freshmen starting lineup, leads the Red Storm, who have won two-straight at home with recent victories over UCLA and DePaul. Freshman guard D’Angelo Harrison leads the Red Storm in scoring with 16.9 points per game and anchors an athletic attack that ambushes teams with the fastbreak.
“We will get a little rest tomorrow and get some spacing,” Brey said. “It’ll be a tough weekend for us at St. John’s and on Monday down there [at Georgetown].
“[Last season, St. John’s] toyed with us there, pressured us and beat us up. And Monday is a heck of a challenge. We are a lot different than the team that was in D.C. in that building in December. That’s the amazing thing … It’s another great challenge for a team that loves challenges.”
The Irish will head to New York City to take on St. John’s on Saturday at noon in a game televised on ESPN2.
Contact a ndrew Gastelum at agastel1@nd.edu
know they’re going to be hard to defend.”
The Nittany Lions will look to break through a solid Irish defense, led by senior defenseman Kevin Randall and Kemp. In his first match of the season, Kemp recorded 14 saves and allowed just three goals.
Kemp said the Irish will look to limit turnovers and penalties against Penn State.
“We have to come out and take care of the ball,” he said. “We’ve got to have good possessions and make sure the game is played the way we want to play. [The key will be] getting good shots, taking care of the ball and also not getting a lot of penalties.”
Penn State’s defense allowed 23 goals in its first two games this season, but the defense features several dangerous players, Corrigan said.
“They’ve got an excellent goalie,” he said. “They’re a little unknown as a defensive group because they’re young, but they’re extremely athletic.”
Corrigan said the Irish have no choice but to focus on one game at a time and cannot afford to overlook Penn State.
The Irish face a daunting first-half schedule, which features matches at Hofstra and at Ohio State. Four of Notre Dame’s next five opponents are currently ranked.
Kemp said the Irish captains have made an effort to keep the team focused on this weekend.
“We kind of try to think about [one opponent at a time] as a team and coaching staff,” Kemp said. “Our schedule is pretty challenging, but it’s a challenge we look forward to. It lets us know where we are as a team and it gets us toward our goal of winning a championship in May.”
The Irish will face off against the Nittany Lions at 1 p.m. Sunday at Notre Dame’s Arlotta Stadium.
Contact Megan Golden at mgolde01@saintmarys.edu
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Irish junior attack Ryan Foley charges through two defenders during an exhibition game against Robert Morris on Feb. 5 at Notre Dame. The Irish take on Penn State this weekend.
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February 24, 2012
men’s BasketBall
Going to the Garden
No. 18 ND to play for tourney double–bye
By ANDREW GASTELUM Sports Writer
Following a 71-44 rout of West Virginia on Wednesday, the No. 18 Irish can clinch a coveted double-bye in the Big East tournament with a win against St. John’s. They can do it on the same court where they hope to apply it: Madison Square Garden.
Rather than worry about the prospect of a double-bye, Irish coach Mike Brey said his team’s performance at the Garden on Saturday carries more clout.
“It’s very simple what I talked about [with the team]: playing well on that floor because we will be back there in two weeks to try and win a championship,” Brey said after Wednesday’s win. “That’s kind of where it’s at and the bye stuff will take care of itself. That is our focus these next two days.”
Notre Dame (20-8, 12-3 Big East) will strive to add its second-straight double-bye to top
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hoCkey
men’s laCrosse
By MEGAN GOLDEN Sports Writer
Coming off a win over then-No.2 Duke on Saturday, Notre Dame looks to carry its momentum into action against No. 20 Penn State on Sunday.
The No. 4 Irish (1-0) netted seven goals in their win against the Blue Devils last weekend and moved up five spots in the rankings.
Following Notre Dame’s upset over Duke, junior goalkeeper John Kemp garnered Big East Defensive Player of the Week honors, and senior midfielder and co-captain Max Pfeifer earned a spot on the honor roll.
Kemp said the Irish are looking to stay levelheaded in their attempt to remain
Squad hopes to break out of slump in regular season finale
By ALLAN JOSEPH Sports Editor
No. 18 Notre Dame started the season ranked No. 1 in the country. This week, the Irish (16-15-3, 11-12-3-0 CCHA) fell out of the USA Today poll on the heels of a five-game losing streak that began nearly a month ago.
Now, the Irish host No. 14/13 Michigan State in the last series of the regular season. They’ll look to break out of their slump heading into the CCHA tournament with home ice in the first round on the line.
“We’re definitely looking at the standings a little bit, and trying to do some math problems with it all,” senior captain
nd Women’s sWImmIng and dIvIng
Freshman Reaney to lead team at West Lafayette
By ANDREW CARDOZA Sports Writer
The Irish will travel to Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., on Saturday for the BoilerMake-It-Last Chance. The meet represents one final opportunity to qualify for the NCAA championships on Mar. 15. The Irish (5-5) are coming off a second place finish in the Big East Conference championships. Freshman Emma Reaney led the Irish and added another first place as she propelled past the field in the 200-IM to claim the gold medal for a meet, pool and Notre Dame record time of 1:56.42.
Junior diver Jenny Chiang also won points for the Irish, placing first for the third-
consecutive time in the 3-meter diving event. She became the sixth individual to win three conference titles in the same event in Notre Dame history.
Chiang said that the Irish have to bring the same intensity to this weekend’s meet.
“This meet gives us the opportunity to focus on being able to perform both in prelims and in finals,” Chiang said. “I think the freshmen did a really good job at their first conference meet, and the set-up is much different than any meet they have been to. I think they were able to handle it very well and will also do the same this weekend.”
At Purdue, the Irish will
Billy Maday said. “But I think it makes our game a little simpler to look at one game at a time, because we know what we need is just to accumulate wins one game at a time. So right now, we’re just focused on Michigan State, and we’ll worry about playoffs later.”
The Irish have particularly struggled at the beginning of
their contests, falling behind in 20 of their 34 games this season. In the first period this season, Notre Dame has been outscored 37-22.
Sophomore wing Anders Lee said the Irish haven’t scored the first goal very often this year.
“It would be huge to get a big momentum goal to start off this game, and get the crown back
into it, and set us up great for the rest of the game,” Lee said.
While Notre Dame has struggled to score in its last few games, especially at full strength, the Irish believe they have the ability to regain their scoring touch.
“Right now it’s kind of all on
Seniors to play last home game
By JOSEPH MONARDO Sports Writer
As the Irish head into the final two games of their season, the team’s seniors prepare for their final regular season game in the Purcell Pavilion.
On senior day Saturday, No. 3 Notre Dame will attempt to take another step toward earning the Big East regular season championship when it hosts South Florida.
After suffering their second loss of the season on Feb. 12 when unranked West Virginia escaped from South Bend with a 65-63 victory, the Irish (262, 13-1 Big East) responded with two convincing wins, most recently at Louisville.
“In the second half against Louisville we scored 40 points. We haven’t done that in a long time,” Irish coach Muffet McGraw said. “The Big East is a
KEViN SONG/The Observer
Sophomore gaurd Eric Atkins runs to catch a loose ball during Notre Dame’s 71-53 win over Rutgers in the Purcell Pavilion on Feb. 15. Atkins contributed ten points in the victory.
nd Women’s BasketBall
SARAH O’CONNOR/The Observer
Senior guard Fraderica Miller battles for positioning during Notre Dame’s 66-47 win over Providence on Feb. 16.
