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Volume 54, Issue 88 | friday, february 21, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Panelists discuss inclusion on campus Students, administrators gather to examine faults of ‘whiteness’ in Notre Dame experience By TOM NAATZ Notre Dame News Editor

A group of students, administrators and faculty gathered for “Identity and Belonging: Highlighting Diverse Voices in the Classroom and Dorm,” a panel discussion about diversity and inclusion at Notre Dame on Thursday evening. Sponsored by End Hate at ND, the Film, Television and Theater Department and the Gender Relations Center, the panel featured speakers who reflected on how Notre Dame could be a more inclusive environment for underrepresented students. Senior Savanna Morgan — one of the principal organizers of the End Hate at ND movement — began by speaking about her positive experiences at Notre Dame. “I’ve had some incredible

experiences here as a student at Notre Dame,” Morgan said. “I’ve met amazing people here and I’ve grown intellectually and spiritually in ways I couldn’t even have imagined growing up.” Nevertheless, Morgan said the positives only comprise a portion of her experience at the University. “While these accomplishments have been essential to my professional and intellectual growth, accomplishments have only made up a small piece of the pie that is my Notre Dame experience,” she said. Morgan then described three instances of overt racism she has experienced during her time as a student. Once during her freshman year, a group of students in her dorm harassed her about her hair and addressed her in a disrespectful way. In a sophomore

Author expands upon research

philosophy class, she said a white student argued that America’s wealth excused the enslavement of African Americans, as well as the “genocide” committed against Native Americans; the professor did not challenge these remarks. Finally, she discussed being the victim of hate speech in Stanford and Keenan Halls last November — the incidents which incited the creation of End Hate at ND. Morgan condemned the systematic racism she said exists at Notre Dame. “We fail to address the preferential treatment of white people and white things,” she said. “Every type of thing at this school is extremely white, even our curriculum. Black and brown voices are not equally prioritized in the classroom or the dorm, so how can we expect student and faculty to value our

contributions as human beings? As equals?” Hugh Page, vice president and associate provost for undergraduate affairs, acknowledged that, though some progress has been made, Notre Dame has work to do in addressing issues of inclusion. “The root problem I would identify is how to enhance belonging on campus in ways that honor the identities and embody the experiences of faculty, staff and students, and empower them to be change agents and move towards becoming a more fully engaged community of compassionate intellectuals,” he said. While he mentioned some recent steps to alleviate the issue — including new administration posts related to diversity and inclusion, more affinity groups and college and school specific

diversity plans — he lamented the lack of diversity at the school. “Some of our undergraduates are likely to receive degrees without ever having been taught or mentored by a faculty-person of color. Some will leave without having encountered or heard the works of some women and scholars of color,” Page said. Justin McDevitt, the rector of Stanford Hall, spoke about his college years at the University of Houston. McDevitt said his school was one of the most diverse in the country, so the whiteness of Notre Dame was apparent to him. “I remember one football Saturday last year, I was walking across campus taking in the sights, and sounds of game day. The bagpipes, the green shamrocks see HATE PAGE 4

College hosts guest writer By MARIROSE OSBORNE News Writer

The Visiting Writers Series of Spring hosted by Saint Mary’s opened with a visit from writer and former Saint Mary’s English professor Dionne Irving Bremyer on Thursday in Stapleton Lounge. The event began with an introduction from English professor Rebecca Lehmann. “The power of [Bremyer’s]

writing is to take the thing we thought we knew and turn it on its head,” Lehmann said in her preface to the reading. Bremyer presented two pieces of creative nonfiction to the Saint Mary’s community. The first, a work in progress started while Bremyer was at Saint Mary’s, described Bremyer’s experiences on her trip to famed entertainer Josephine Baker’s home in France, the Château des

Milandes. “I feel as if I have known [Baker] always,” Bremyer said. “Of course, I wanted to be like Josephine … her performances were a testament to the way she loved herself.” The piece also reflected Bremyer’s experiences as a woman of color and contrasted them with Baker’s life in France, she see BREMYER PAGE 3

One-act plays to debut CHRISTOPHER PARKER | The Observer

Professor Alan Dowty discusses his new book “Arabs and Jews in Ottoman Palestine” detailing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. By CHRISTOPHER PARKER News Writer

Alan Dowty, a faculty fellow at the Kroc Institute, addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its roots in a discussion of his new book, “Arabs and Jews in Ottoman Palestine” on Thursday. Dowty traces the dispute back to 1882, specifically the arrival of a strange group of foreigners. “My basic thesis is that the East /

News PAGE 3

West, or if you like, the European / Middle East cultural clash is at the center of this,” he said. Dowty’s thesis explores the escalation of conflict during two waves of Jewish immigration to Ottoman Palestine, called “aliya.” Dowty said the second wave saw themselves as the pioneers of Jewish Israel. Because of this, the second aliya has received most see BOOK PAGE 3

Scene PAGE 5

By TRINITY REILLY News Writer

The Philbin Studio Theater at DeBartolo Performing Arts Center will run two new studentdirected one-act plays, “Coats” by junior Henry Stone and “The Tea on ND” by senior Samuel Jackson II. Both plays debuted Thursday and will show until March. Each of the two plays are set in a flipped world. “Coats” is an absurdist comedy that takes place in a world where empathy is a disease, and “The Tea on ND” explores a parallel universe in

viewpoint PAGE 7

which being gay is the norm and straight people are the marginalized minority. Senior Amenabar Farias, director of “The Tea on ND” and senior Patrick Starner, director of “Coats,” said these worlds were fleshed out in a workshopping class they took last semester. “The big thing that we focused on was just trying to figure out what this physical world actually looks like, how the characters interact,” Starner said. “We just messed around with that, and it taught me the world of the play — it’s a very unique piece of theater

in this absolutely wonderful world that Henry has crafted.” As director, Starner said he did not come in with a strict plan. Instead, he wanted to collaborate with the actors to create something that felt real. That process, he said, taught him a lot about theater. “I had thoughts and rough guidelines,” Starner said. “But I didn’t want to dictate what all the performers were going to do. We were really able to collaboratively, as a unit, create the show

ND W BBALL PAGE 9

ND W LAX PAGE 10

see PLAYS PAGE 4

TODAY

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How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? (answer: 252)

P.O. Box 779, Notre Dame, IN 46556 024 South Dining Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556 Editor-in-Chief Kelli Smith Managing Editor Natalie Weber Asst. Managing Editor: Maria Leontaras Asst. Managing Editor: Mary Steurer Asst. Managing Editor: Mary Bernard Notre Dame News Editor: Tom Naatz Saint Mary’s News Editor: Maeve Filbin Viewpoint Editor: Evelyn Stein Sports Editor: Connor Mulvena Scene Editor: Mike Donovan Photo Editor: Nola Wallace Graphics Editor: Diane Park Social Media Editor: Mary Bernard Advertising Manager: Landry Kempf Ad Design Manager: Ruby Le Systems Administrator: Stephen Hannon Talent & Inclusion Manager: Zixu Wang

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webmaster@ndsmcobserver.com Policies The Observer is the independent, daily newspaper published in print and online by the students of the University of Notre Dame du Lac, Saint Mary’s College and Holy Cross College. Editorial content, including advertisements, is not governed by policies of the administration of either institution. The Observer reserves the right to refuse advertisements based on content. The news is reported as accurately and objectively as possible. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the majority of the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Assistant Managing Editors and department editors. Commentaries, letters and columns present the views of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer. Viewpoint space is available to all readers. The free expression of all opinions through letters is encouraged. Letters to the Editor must be signed and must include contact information. Questions regarding Observer policies should be directed to Editor-in-Chief Kelli Smith. Post Office Information The Observer (USPS 599 2-4000) is published Monday through Friday except during exam and vacation periods. A subscription to The Observer is $130 for one academic year; $75 for one semester. The Observer is published at: 024 South Dining Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556-0779 Periodical postage paid at Notre Dame and additional mailing offices POSTMASTER Send address corrections to: The Observer P.O. Box 779 024 South Dining hall Notre Dame, IN 46556-077

Today’s Staff News

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Maeve Filbin Callie Patrick Isabella Volmert

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Corrections Thursday’s senate article misrepresented the Student Union’s financial surplus for the 2018-2019 year. The surplus was $81,854. The Observer regrets this error.

ANTHONY REO | The Observer

Notre Dame will hold its 62nd annual Collegiate Jazz Festival Friday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. The festival will take place in the Dahnke Ballroom in Duncan Student Center and feature the Notre Dame Jazz Band and New Orleans Brass Band.

The next Five days:

Want your event included here? Email news@ndsmcobserver.com

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Women’s Tennis vs. North Carolina State Eck Tennis Pavilion 5 p.m. Irish take on the Wolfpack.

Ella Wood (’21), Junior Honors Viola Recital LaBar Recital Hall 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Open to the public.

“Schola Antica” DeBartolo Performing Arts Center 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Featuring music from Renaissance Prague.

Margaret Hill Lecture Moreau Center for the Arts, Little Theatre 7:30 p.m. Featuring Mary Zimmerman.

Red Cross Blood Drive 101 Duncan Student Center 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free ice cream.

Collegiate Jazz Festival Dahnke Ballroom 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Free entry with student ID.

ND Theatre NOW Philbin Studio Theatre, DPAC 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Two new one-act plays directed by students.

Weekly Spanish Mass Dunne Hall 10 p.m. - 11 p.m. Social following Mass.

Astrophysics Seminar 184 Nieuwland Science Hall 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Open to the public.

News

ndsmcobserver.com | friday, february 21, 2020 | The Observer

SMC to host annual Medieval Conference By GENEVIEVE COLEMAN News Writer

Saint Mary’s will host the 36th annual Conference of the Illinois Medieval Association on Friday and Saturday, free for all members of the tri-campus community. Co-organizers and Saint Mary’s professors Jessalynn Bird and Sarah Noonan said conference plans began about two years ago. “It got started when the Illinois Medieval Association sent out a call for host institutions ... and I emailed the executive director of the Illinois Medieval Association and asked him if he’d be interested in venturing into Indiana, and he said he thought it was close enough,” Noonan said. The University of Notre Dame and the Illinois Medieval

Bremyer Continued from page 1

said. “There were no other people of color working or staying at the inn,” Bremyer said. “I wondered: did [Baker] just fall in love with herself?” Bremyer described a bird show put on by the Château for guests. “It was equal parts beauty and violence,” she said. The second piece, “Do You Like to Hurt” is one of Bremyer’s finished works, and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

Book Continued from page 1

historical attention. “The second aliya was very assertive as opposed to the first aliya,” Dowty said. “They were opposed to Arab labor in the Jewish settlements, which created a great deal of conflict, and therefore, this

Association sponsored the conference. “The conference was supported by the Medieval Institute at Notre Dame ... and the Illinois Medieval Association also kind of helps fund the conference in addition to registration fees for those who are outside of the Saint Mary’s and Notre Dame college community,” Noonan said. The event “Medieval Futures” will focus on how ideas from the medieval era still connect to today’s problems. “Medieval studies is having to wrestle with a lot of contemporary issues and with how it represents itself as a field,” Bird said. “I know the Medieval Academy, for example, has recently been issuing position statements explaining what it is that medievalists are all about,

partly because folks from the altright have been trying to appropriate images of the medieval past to justify their agenda.” The two scheduled plenary speakers are professors Bernard McGinn and Dot Porter. “Professor Bernard McGinn [is] coming from the University of Chicago and Dot Porter [is] coming from University of Pennsylvania,” Noonan said. “Bernard McGann thinks more about the medieval past and conceptions of time and mysticism, whereas Porter has been engaged in digitizing medieval manuscripts and making them available. So, she’s worked on a variety of different projects that are making these resources more broadly available to communities around the world.” The conference will also

incorporate visits to both the Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s libraries for medieval manuscript tours. “There’s also going to be two library sessions that are being organized,” Noonan said. “One is taking place at the University of Notre Dame [with] David Gura, the curator of Western manuscripts. [He] is going to be doing a special exhibit on time in medieval manuscripts. Then I’m leading a special session on the manuscripts and early printed works at Saint Mary’s at that same time for participants who want to stay on campus.” The purpose of these library visits is to encourage more people to explore what the universities have to offer. “Part of it was to highlight the

holdings that are here at Saint Mary’s, which Sarah has been kind of instrumental in helping to catalog,” Bird said. “Notre Dame, of course, has a wonderful rare books collection that we also wanted to highlight and try and get students to cross over and use more frequently.” The event is for students who wish to attend the conference for the whole two days or come to a specific session. “There have been quite a few students from Saint Mary’s who have expressed interest and registered and are going to some of the special library sessions, but also planning to attend one of the plenary talks or one of the sessions,” Noonan said.

“Do You Like to Hurt” depicts Bremyer’s experience with a murder committed by one of her high school classmates in the same summer as the OJ Simpson trial. She begins with a description of her life in Florida over the summer. “In midday Florida summer, life in all ways was quieter,” she said. “There was a sort of preternatural calm.” Life speeds up as Bremyer extends her narrative into the circumstances of her classmate, parallel to the trial of OJ Simpson and the story of Nicole Simpson. “My mother read the paper every morning,” she said. “She seemed

on the lookout for violence or maybe she could sense it.” The work shared the story of Bremyer’s classmate, a senior student who killed his mother shortly after graduation. At the time, Bremyer’s family would watch the OJ Simpson trial on TV. “My mother insisted OJ was innocent,” Bremyer said. “She said they wanted to get him because he was a successful black man.” Bremyer said she couldn’t understand her mother’s opinion. “I can’t make this make any sense,” she said in her piece. “My mother had personal experience with battered women.”

Bremyer said her mother experienced domestic abuse, but kept that part of her life from her children. “My mother believed she was too clever to be killed,” she said. “But the seed of domestic violence begins in the home.” Bremyer also explored her personal experience with domestic abuse. “The seed begins in the home,” she said. “When I got home from my honeymoon, my first search was ‘marital rape.’ I didn’t click on any of the links. I didn’t want to see my story, at least a version of it, in the stories of other women.”

Breymer encouraged students to express themselves in their writing. “In order to be personal and candid you just have to write it,” she said. “Put the reaction of others to the back of your mind and write what you need to write.” Bremyer said she escaped her domestic abuse situation, but her experience greatly shaped her writing. “I hope that we can change the culture this way,” Bremyer said. “The only way we can understand these things is through stories.”

is where it begins, so a lot of historians say.” Historical accounts from the first aliya reveal their own pattern of dispute, undercutting the claim that these tensions began in the 20th century. “The first aliya clashes with Arabs did not have any bearing on political relations with the Arabs as a body,” he said.

Dowty believes the European attitude of emigrating Jews consistently motivated antagonism between Jews and Arabs, across both of the aliyas. He quoted early Zionist Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, who saw Jewish emigration as a civilizing mission, believing Arabs to be “impoverished paupers and total illiterates.” “This is positive, this gives

meaning to what they’re doing,” he said. “They’re bringing civilization to a backward part of the world. [This is] what I call the benefit theory: the idea that they were bringing the benefits of Western civilization to this area of the world. This was the main rationale that Zionists adopted. Zionists were European.” The relationship between Europeans and the dying Ottoman

Empire was not a friendly one, Dowty said. “Among the population, big surprise — hostility toward Europeans, going back to the crusades, which they never forgot,” he said. The Jewish immigrants, on the other hand, had no plans for assimilating, Dowty said. “This was the one place in the world where they went because they didn’t have to adjust to somebody else,” Dowty said. “They will form their own society, they will become a majority and all will be well.” For Dowty, the conflict began the moment European Jews arrived in Palestine without regard for the culture already in place. “What happens with the nonEuropean Jews, the Sephardi? People who have lived in the Ottoman empire for two generations? Well, they were very critical of European Zionists,” Dowty said. “Two of the early settlements were of Sephardic Jews, and neither had significant problems with their neighbors.” He also discussed the German Protestant immigrant populations who were not Jewish faced but hostility among Arabic neighbors. “One of the Jewish teachers … said that the natives of the land respect no one who does not speak Arabic. And that’s generally true,” he said.

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Hate Continued from page 1

painted on faces, the Celtic font on shirts and flags and buildings — the sheer Irishness of that experience,” he said. “For the first time, I wondered how Notre Dame got so universally culturally white.” McDevitt said Stanford is committed to improvement after the hate speech incident and has introduced several measures to increase cultural sensitivity in the wake of that incident. “After the protest, dozens of my guys came to me and said, ‘J-Mac, this isn’t us. We’re not like this. We’re better than this,’” McDevitt said. “To which I would always

Plays Continued from page 1

and flush out all these different moments — some of them I didn’t even know were there, and now it’s a great moment in the show.” “The Tea on ND” also explores an alternative universe, and Farias said she hopes people can see the parallels between the play and Notre Dame itself. “It is aimed for the Notre Dame audience,” she said. “We want to make sure that they know that we’re talking about the community they live in. It brings light

reply: ‘We may not have done a lot of harm in the past, but we also haven’t done a lot of good either. And it’s time to change that.’” Director for academic diversity and inclusion Pamela Nolan Young called attention to the lack of diversity among Notre Dame faculty — particularly on the tenure track. While she noted there are several different types of faculty on campus, she said the lack of diversity in this group is troubling. She also noted that while the school offers cultural consciousness training for teachers, such workshops are optional. “Our current tenure track faculty population is 908 … of that number, only 84 have identified as being two or more races, African

American or Latinx. We have 104 Asian-American faculty; 247 of our faculty are female,” she said. “So we have a long way to go in diversifying our faculty.” Arnel Bulaoro, the interim director of multicultural student programs and services, said his group has made progress in mentoring students from underrepresented groups. “For well over a decade, identity and belonging have been the words that have anchored my work at Notre Dame … These [words] over the years have taught me that we have to pay attention to … who’s in the room, and who’s not in the room,” he said. Finally, Lyons Hall rector Kayla August described ways she thought

dorm life could be made more inclusive. She offered several critiques of Welcome Weekend, noting that from the very first moment students arrive on campus they are exposed the school’s whiteness. August — who is African American — said the school’s lack of diversity is immediately visible to incoming freshmen. “I have one-on-ones with all of my incoming freshmen,” she said. “I talk to them about how life is going at Notre Dame. One of my African American freshmen, the first time I had actually sat down with her, said, ‘I just feel like God put me in this hall. … I got a black RA and a black rector. You guys must’ve beat the system.’ It took her only two weeks to think that there

was a system, and that someone beat it, and that she too needed to be invited into that community. I think that says something about what our students experience here.” Speaking about how overwhelming Notre Dame can be for students from underrepresented groups, August said the same student later told her she was just trying to survive her time at Notre Dame. “Our students are carrying weight that is more than books into the classrooms and into the halls,” August said. “We need to help them.”

to all of these issues and raises awareness of these injustices.” Starner, Farias and Jackson have all been involved in plays at Notre Dame before, and Farias said this will be the third play she has directed at the University. She said she was especially excited to work with “The Tea on ND” because it deals with issues and injustices present in the current world. “I’m interested in telling stories that usually go untold,” Farias said. “So when this show was presented to me, I was very interested. It’s not just a show for the sake of being entertaining, because it

is entertaining, but it also has a very deep message.” Jackson said he wrote the play in a different universe to shake up the typical view of the University. “It’s an exploration of the University of Notre Dame in a universe where traditions are upended, expectations are unrooted and perspectives drastically change in a hope to shake up the familiar scene and allow audiences to find a new meaning,” he said. While Jackson found inspiration in his own experience at Notre Dame, he said he also wanted it to be accessible for everyone.

A large part of that was writing humor into the play alongside the issues it tackles, he said. “It’s fun. It’s a really fun show,” he said. “I have my mission and everything — that whole empathy-building thing, being able to shake up the familiar scene and, you know, analyze the social fabric of this place — that’s great. At the same time, come out and laugh. For two and a half hours, just be with your friends, be with the people on stage and live in the moment. Be challenged, be questioned, allow yourself to see, allow yourself to be seen through the emotions being explored on

stage. And laugh.”

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Doing the right thing: Lessons from Phil White

Inside Column

Against Disney World Tom Naatz Notre Dame News Editor

I have never been to Disney World. No, I have never been on Splash Mountain. I have never seen the parade. I have never high-fived Mickey Mouse. My only exposure to that giant castle thing is in the opening sequence of movies. When I share this information with people, many are stunned. Multiple people have told me I never experienced childhood. But here’s the thing. I wear my lack of Disney World exposure like a badge of honor. To be honest with you, the Disney World craze perplexes me. It looks hot and crowded. Given the ads I’ve seen over the years, it strikes me as being kind of expensive. Disney World seems to be an oft-repeated experience: of the people I’ve talked to who have been there, very few have gone there just once. At a more fundamental level, I disagree with the underlying concept. Disney World is often described as “the happiest place on Earth.” But it’s fake. Nothing about it is real. It is — by definition — a fantasyland based on fictional stories. I don’t think there is any deeper exposure that happens at Disney World. Disney wants you to go there and think “Everything is awesome!” The experience is inherently artificial. Sure, you walk out feeling some sort of happiness. But you haven’t deepened your understanding, you haven’t expanded your horizons. It’s like eating a lotus flower. There’s a world out there waiting to be discovered. Yes, it’s big. Yes, it can be overwhelming. But it can offer so much more than a week at Disney ever could. The true reason I’ve never been to Disney World is that my parents consciously decided our family would skip the trip to Florida and try to see the world instead. Travel is one of the great joys of life. In my own experience, for an American kid like me, the act of traveling has deepened my knowledge, my understanding and my empathy more than anything else. It’s why I study another language. It’s why when I give tours for the admissions office I gush about the study abroad opportunities this school offers more than any other subject. So no, I’ve never been to Disney World. But — largely but not entirely thanks to Notre Dame — I’ve been inside Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock. I’ve gotten lost in the breathtaking beauty Spain’s Alhambra Palace. I got a crick in my neck looking at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. By the same token, I’ve been moved to tears by the speechless sorrow I encountered in Berlin’s incredibly moving Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. I’ve heard a Syrian refugee recount his family’s harrowing escape from the bombs flattening Aleppo. I’ve written a report about each one of Spain’s last medieval synagogues and mosques — buildings that were expropriated when the Spanish monarchy forcibly expelled all non-Catholics from the country in 1492. Of course, travel isn’t all fun and games. But neither is life. For every good thing that happens, there’s probably something equally bad. If we’re all going to do our bit to save the world, then we have to know what’s out there. When I studied abroad in Spain, I had an economics professor who point-blank told us we weren’t there to take his class. Everyone sort of giggled — the American study abroad stereotype of the lazy European vacation seemingly confirmed. “No, I’m serious,” he said. “You won’t remember the year Spain entered the European Union. Or what a peseta was. You’re here to see Spain. You’re here to explore Europe. You’re here to become better citizens of the world.” That’s not something the perpetual happiness of Disney World can ever offer. I hope his call was one that all of us can heed. Contact Tom Naatz at tnaatz@nd.edu The views expressed in the Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Krista Lourdes Akiki Lifestyle Nomad

I have come to notice that our society increasingly values charisma over personality. We are constantly trying to prove to the world we are bold, assertive, capable. Yet, as Susan Cane so gracefully says, “The best talker is often times not the best leader.” This distortion that drives our group dynamics and collaboration has sidetracked ambitious men into envying the material possessions that this world has to offer. Aristotle once believed that “ambitious men are more envious than those who are not,” as they are always going after the blissful illusions of reputation, power, wealth, connections, luxury. Recently, I had the great opportunity to meet a very successful lawyer who embodied most, if not all, of what I hope I’ll grow to become. When he showed up at our 8 a.m. Principles of Management class (my professor will be mad at me for calling it Principles of Management instead of Principles of Leadership), I was expecting another quite successful guest who would outline his professional successes and frame them within a few tips he could come up with for college students. Phil White was far from that. Listing his accomplishments could have taken the entire 75 minutes, and yet, he chose to focus on three important factors: service in the legal field, doing the right thing and the stigma lawyers face. As he went on in class, his words reminded me of this quote I like by Anne Lamott: “Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come.” So, on a Wednesday morning, I met with Phil White at Duncan Student Center and interviewed him for this column. Krista: Could you please just start with a brief description of what your professional path has looked like? Phil White: I spent most of my career as a construction and infrastructure lawyer. I obviously started out wanting to do something different. I first graduated from NYU with an economics degree, and I never thought I wanted to go to law school. But then I did, and I believed I just wanted to go to a small town and write wills. I ended being drawn to big New York firms and life just took me in the direction of being a construction lawyer. I ended up being the head of the infrastructure and development group at the largest firm in the world. K: Usually people don’t associate service with law. How do you think the legal field actually embodies service? PW: Well, I think lawyers are service professionals. That’s their job: to help other people accomplish what they want to accomplish. Your job is to take care of others’ desires and not so much your own. There’s also the element called the rules of lawyering ethics: you have to put your client’s interests above your own ones, especially your financial interests. Essentially a lawyering job is to serve others and society.

K: What do you think is a healthy corporate culture? PW: One that embraces diversity and not only talks about it. Everyone has a point of view and a story — it’s important to acknowledge that and also foster respectful discussion. If you’re in a position where you have to make decisions, you need that kind of input. Ideas come from all sorts of places. A corporation needs diversity in recognizing the value of ideas and people. Second, ethics and good boundaries are also crucial. You have to follow the rules. Some things are just not right. This doesn’t mean you can’t change the rules. I have spent a lot of time trying to change the rules. But recognize that changing doesn’t mean violating. K: What is your take on networking? PW: Do it. Do it all the time. I hate to say it, but the truth is who you know is actually more important than what you know. Knowledge is with no doubt crucial, but networking is what gets you to the diverse discussions and opinions, the effective problem solving, the great opportunities … Most of what you want to accomplish can be done through networking. Certainly, in my life it has been the greatest driver of success. K: Some people believe that in law, the thin line between ethical and unethical has been blurred. What do you think about this? PW: There are different ways of looking at lawyers, For some lawyers, the goal is to get as close to the line as possible without crossing it. It’s about doing everything and anything that you can do. I believe lawyers have a duel responsibility: identify the lines and counsel clients. Unfortunately, we often deemphasize the role of counseling in favor of the other. But lawyers have to blend these two roles and tell a client, “You could legally do that, but you probably shouldn’t.” K: How can one create change? PW: One step at a time. I have gone through quite the evolution with this. I used to love giving big speeches thinking they would incite people to change. I don’t know if I’ve ever changed someone’s mind through a speech, yet alone someone’s behavior. True change is about modeling the behavior. Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Big corporations or firms change because you come up to individuals and personally connect with them and try to convince them that change is needed. With a speech, they may say it’s great, they may even feel inspired, but once it’s over they will go on and about with their tasks and do what they’ve always been doing. Krista Lourdes Akiki is currently part of the Mendoza College of Business. Coming from Beirut, Lebanon, she always enjoys trying out new things and is an avid travel lover. She hopes to take her readers on her journey as she discovers new lifestyles and navigates new cities. She can be reached at kakiki@nd.edu or via Twitter @akikikrista The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

K: How would you define service? PW: Very simple. Just working for others. K: You mentioned the stereotypes that people immediately think of when the legal profession is brought up? How do you react to this? PW: I think lawyers have become unpopular. They are often seen as money-centric power people. This is right about some people, just as it is in any other field. To counter that, I have a rule in the house: no lawyer jokes. I don’t tolerate them especially from people around me. How I react will differ based on the power dynamic in the moment, but I always somehow say something about it. At the end of the day, if they did kill all lawyers, there would be no justice in the world.

KERRY SCHNEEMAN | The Observer

The observer | friday, February 21, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Dear Grandpa Tommy Diehl What’s the Diehl?

Dear Grandpa. Somehow, some way, you managed to live through 19 years of my life. You got to watch me grow up. You got to watch me graduate from high school. You got to watch me become a Domer. Never in a million years did I think that all of this possible. Yet, there I was, driving to your apartment two hours before graduation to show you my Benet graduation outfit. And there I was, giving you a hug before I left back for South Bend over winter break, going into my second semester in college. I didn’t know that would be the last time I would ever see you. But looking back, it felt like you knew. You gave me the biggest hug I’ve ever received in my entire life the moment before I left. And that will forever be my favorite memory of you. I hope you know how much you meant to me. You may not have been in the best health during most of my life. You may not have been able to make it to all of my activities because of that. You may have lost a lot of your memory near the end of your life. But that didn’t make you a bad grandpa; you were the best grandfather I could have asked for. You cared for me so much that you became an Irish fan. You gave me a hug every time I saw you and made sure you told me how much you loved me. You let me see you at your most vulnerable. Most importantly, though, you fought so hard to live just to watch me and my siblings grow up. I know you were hurting, and I know it wasn’t an easy road. But you and Yabbe sacrificed that for me, for my siblings and for my parents. I may not have been able to recognize that two weeks ago, but I recognize it now. And I hope you understand how incredibly thankful I am that you endured what you did in order to

be a big part of my life. When I saw my mom’s text on Tuesday morning, it turned into the worst morning of my life. I knew you had been sick, but I had convinced myself that you were invincible. And for the first time in my life, I was faced with the reality that I would never be able to see you again. I wanted to just lay in my bed and cry, but I had Orgo lab. And then I had Writing and Rhetoric. And then I had Orgo tutorial. I had to wait until 3:15 p.m. to be alone again. I wasn’t sure how I would make it. My mind certainly wasn’t there when I was doing Orgo. I’m certain I messed up one or two steps. I just couldn’t stop thinking about you. It was really sad at first, but then I hit a point where the tide turned. I began to think about how lucky I was. I sure as hell was lucky to have known you for 19 years of my life. But more so, the last words you would hear from me were the exact words I would tell you if I could do it over again, knowing you were going to pass away. Yabbe said how you were sad about being in the physical state you were in as a grandpa, and how you wished we could have seen you in your prime. Well, I told her to tell you one thing, and one thing only: You were the best grandpa anyone could have asked for. God works in mysterious ways. The fact that I was able to have Yabbe tell you those words three days before your death still amazes me. What inspired me to call on that Saturday, and why on earth was that the one time I got sappy about you? I don’t know the answer to that question at all, but God was certainly trying to tell me to never hold back from telling people how I feel about them. You died knowing how I felt about you. What more could I possibly ask for? There’s one thing I never told you, though. Grandpa, you showed me just how important it was to enjoy every moment living. I get so caught up in the future sometimes that I forget to live in the present. I think about how

I am going to graduate with an amazing degree, how I am going to go onto medical school, how I am going to marry my high school sweetheart and how I am going to have this amazing life that I have created in my head. I need to remember, though, how amazing my life right here and now is. From telling me how much you loved me when I saw you, to listening and taking in everything I said in each conversation I had with you, you lived in the present better than anyone I know. Maybe it’s because you knew your time was coming soon. Maybe it’s because you felt your body giving out. Either way, it left me with the most important lesson I could receive. And I am forever grateful for it. Thank you for the past 19 years. From the times I got to bike with you at Hilton Head Island to the times I got to help you up from a chair to get into your wheelchair, I cherished every minute of time I spent with you. You may not be around anymore for me to drive over and hug, but I know you’re with me in my heart and that wherever I go, you’ll be with me. You were the best grandpa ever, and I will never forget how much you meant to me. And hey, have some sweet potato fries for me in heaven. You deserve it. Love, Tommy Tommy Diehl is a freshman from the Chicago area majoring in science business and global affairs. When he’s not writing for The Observer, he can be found playing guitar, running or cheering for the Cardinals and the Packers. Tommy loves feedback and can be reached at tdiehl@nd.edu or on Twitter at @tommydiehl5 The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Letter to the editor

For the kids Growing up in Northern California, natural disasters always just seemed like an unavoidable fact of life. Some of my earliest memories of going to school include monthly earthquake and fire drills that ensured we were ready and prepared no matter what inevitable tragedy we were faced with. As we hid under our desks, we truly believed that we would be safe and that we were ready for whatever was bound to happen. Throughout the entirety of my time in middle school, we were in a drought. Short showers, water restrictions and brown grass never seemed like anything out of the ordinary. We would even have class competitions on who could take the most bucket showers or shortest showers in general. The worst fires I remember were in high school. Instead of snow days, we had smoke days because the smoke outside was detrimental to public health even if you were just outside for a few minutes. Once some of the worst fires were contained, my family visited the wine country a little to the north, and the images of blackened hills still haunt me. This past fall, new fires tore through Northern California, and PG&E, the company that provides power to the majority of homes and businesses in the Bay Area, determined they were not equipped to deal with the aftermath and complications of the fires like hefty winds. Their solution was to shut off the power and leave thousands literally in the dark. Without power, people were

unable to do their jobs, use air conditioning to maintain the right temperatures during the simultaneous heat waves or go about their daily lives. In elementary school, I was taught that these tragedies were just a fact of life, but as I have spent more time learning and growing, I now have a better understanding of the truth. While some of these events are bound to happen, the recent increase and expansion in disasters, including 15 of California’s 20 largest fires since I was born in 2000, is due to climate change, and we can do something to stop them. The United States’ carbon emissions are one of the largest contributions to climate change in our world. We as a nation are second in the world for countries that emit the most carbon, yet President Trump announced we will pull out of the Paris Climate Accord that sets emission limits on all nations who sign. With the United States pulling out, now only 80%, instead of 97%, of the greenhouse gas emissions nationwide will be regulated by the Paris Agreement. This impacts thousands of communities like mine who will continue to suffer through extreme weather events and other climate-related tragedies. Specifically, the California wildfires are perpetuated by the dry soil and vegetation due to longer seasons of drought caused by excess carbon emissions, like those from the United States. It is imperative that the United States rejoins the global community in fighting for

environmental protections to secure the future of our community and the world. By rejoining the Accord, the United States takes a step closer to informing young elementary school children, like I once was, that these tragic events are not just a fact of life, but rather are due to climate change and mostly avoidable if the right steps are taken. This tells these children that their lives are worth protecting and that their future is just as valuable as ours. Rejoining shows a willingness to both educate this next generation and to ensure that the world is accessible to the next generation, so that they can protect it for generations to come. We can no longer hide under our desks and think we’ll be okay. We need to act. But how do we do that? Right now, the simplest pursuit of climate protection is voting for candidates willing to promote legislation supporting reduced emissions. Be it for local representatives or for our upcoming 2020 presidential election, voting for these candidates, even if they do not ultimately succeed, relays the message that we care about our future and want to enable the planet to serve for many generations to come. Simple, but effective, a vote is the logical next step we must take to show our care for our world and its children.

Madeline Whitney sophomore Feb. 16

DAILY

The observer | friday, february 21, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Crossword | Joel fagliano

Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: Size up situations, and make whatever move you feel will benefit you most. Putting energy behind your ideas instead of trying to get others to do things for you will make your pursuits more meaningful moving forward. Dump unnecessary baggage, and you’ll have the freedom to take advantage of whatever comes your way. Your experience will pay off. Your numbers are 2, 8, 14, 21, 25, 34, 47. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Don’t wait for something to go wrong. Be counterintuitive and active, and make adjustments that will help lighten any problem you can foresee. Being prepared and having alternatives in place are your best defenses. Put yourself first TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t get upset when you should get moving. Embrace change and challenges openly, and you will gain experience as well as achievements. Look at the possibilities, but use discretion and moderation as you move forward. Traveling and learning are favored. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Don’t play with the devil. Avoid getting involved in tempting offers that sound too good to be true. Do your own thing, and avoid being taken advantage of by someone who is out for his or her gain. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Make adjustments to your personal or professional contracts. Tie up loose ends, and make a point to take better care of your health. An opportunity is heading down the pipeline. Don’t hesitate, or you may miss out on a prosperous prospect. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Let’s get physical. Take pride in the way you look, how you feel and the way you handle meaningful relationships. Don’t worry about what others are doing. Stick to what you know works best for you. A personal gain should be your priority VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Everything will fall into place if you follow your heart and your basic instincts. A change you want to make will give you more freedom to work on an idea you want to pursue. A past partner is likely to surface. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Work alone. Refuse to let anyone interfere in your business or put pressure on you to do something you don’t want to do. Deception is apparent. Verify any information you receive before you take action. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Do things your way. It’s OK to take an obscure route to reach your goal. Your uniqueness is what makes you so special. You can accomplish plenty if you follow your intuition and use your intelligence to reach your goal. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Pay attention to what and who are important to you. Don’t let someone cause doubt or uncertainty between you and someone you love. Meddling and deception are likely if someone is out for his or her gain. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Say what’s on your mind, and you will get your way. Your determination and perception will help you reach your goal. Now is not the time to sit back when there is no potential to gain ground. Rid yourself of dead weight. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take time to enjoy what and who interests you. Participating in causes you care about will lead to exciting people, plans and new beginnings. Personal improvements are favored, and romance will give you an added boost. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Wheel and deal. Keep your life mysterious, and focus on professional gain. You will intrigue the people you encounter, putting you in an influential position with plenty to gain. A humanitarian outlook will win acceptance. Think big. Birthday Baby: You are innovative, curious and independent. You are strongwilled and persistent.

Sudoku | The Mepham Group

Jumble | David Hoyt and Jeff knurek

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Sports Authority

ND Women’s basketball | Virginia Tech 68 nd 62

Ranking all four all-star games Connor Mulvena Sports Editor

This past week’s NBA AllStar Game got some friends and I in a discussion that is all too familiar to sports fans. Naturally, we began to talk about the all-star games of the four major sports in the United States and which ones offer the most entertainment. In the spirit of the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, I thought it appropriate to rank the four major sports in terms of allstar games,because rankings are just a delight, aren’t they?

1. NBA All-Star Game I think it should be clear that the NBA has the best allstar game, right? Even though the implications of the AllStar Game on the actual playoffs is essentially zero, it’s easily the most entertaining All-Star Game to watch. Acrobatic dunks, slick passes and a barrage of threes? What’s not to like? Even with this year’s strange format, which was no doubt confusing to anyone who hadn’t read about it prior to the game, the actual play was easily the most satisfying amongst the four major sports. I think the biggest complaint about the NBA All-Star Game is probably that there is not enough defense being played. I mean, this is a common complaint about the NBA, but let me be clear. If you spend your time complaining about there being not enough defense in the NBA, you are the worst. First off, the defense is a billion times more impressive than it was even 15 years ago. Second of all, do you not like offense? Do you really want to watch an 85-80 NBA game? If so, tune into Virginia vs. Syracuse and stop complaining. But as far as the NBA All-Star Game itself — sure, the defense leaves much to be desired. But that’s to be expected. No one wants to get hurt in a game that really has no bearing on the season. But I ask again, do you not like wild dunks, awesome passes and deep 3-pointers? The NBA All-Star Game offers some of the best athletes in the world the ability to truly showcase how insanely good they are at their craft. I can’t imagine complaining about that.

2. MLB All-Star Game If the MLB All-Star Game still determined home field advantage in the World Series, I would have put it number one. But since it doesn’t, it’ll

have to settle for number two since baseball is naturally more boring than basketball, but that’s a different discussion for a different day. The cool thing about the MLB All-Star Game is that, even though it has little bearing on the regular season, a lot of the players still give it their all. Pitchers show off their arms, and a lot of the big hitters who appear in the game swing for the fences. Again, offense is fun no matter the sport. As a kid, I used to look forward to the MLB All-Star Game months in advance, and all of the fanfare that surrounds it, especially the Home Run Derby. I think the fact that baseball is a largely regional sport — that is to say many baseball fans primarily watch their own team and not many other games — adds to the allure of the All-Star Game. You get to see the guys on your team who have had a fantastic year go up against some of the league’s best players who you might not have seen in action.

3. NHL All-Star Game

ND falls to Virginia Tech By INIGO YTURRALDE Sports Writer

Notre Dame faced off against Virginia Tech at home Thursday night. This was a big game for the Irish (1017, 5-10 ACC) women, as the Hokies (20-6, 10-5 ACC) are a top tier ACC opponent. The final score of the game did not go in favor of the Irish, as the Hokies won the game 68-62. After the game, there was much to debrief and go over as head coach Muffet McGraw analyzed her team’s performance. “We just cannot get a rebound. We’ve been working on boxing out, but it’s just not translating for us,” McGraw said. “Offensively I thought that we had a lot of good looks. In the first half we could not make a shot. We got a lot of layups early. We just couldn’t connect. You know, when you don’t rebound, you miss one shot and that’s all of the opportunities that you get. We have got to find somebody that wants to rebound.” Among the stand out performers for the Irish was sophomore Katlyn Gilbert. The 5-foot-10-inch guard

from Indianapolis led the team in rebounds, an area where McGraw thought everyone was lacking. Gilbert had eight rebounds and six points with 29 minutes of playing time. Another star for the Irish was freshman forward Sam Brunelle. Racking up 20 points against the Hokies, Brunelle led the Irish in scoring. The young Irish player showed great leadership both in transition and in looking to get open for the three ball. Big things are to come for the Irish as Brunelle continues to develop her game with complimentary players around her. McGraw had high praise for Brunelle’s performance. “She always shoots well in practice. I thought that was a great game for her on the offensive end. We didn’t even look for her that much. I think that she found herself some spots. I think that we can look for her even more,” McGraw said. McGraw also explained that the Irish failed to make a scoring push until it was too late. “I think that the fourth quarter was too little, too

late. The first quarter was really disappointing because I think that we got demoralized by our inability to score,” McGraw said. “We would miss a layup, put our heads down and they would go ahead and score. That really hurt us. I think that we looked confused as to who the shooters were. I think that we were trying to guard four and two, but we left [Hokie sophomore guard] Dara [Mabrey] open quite a bit and she made us pay for it. We need to be smarter on defense.” The Irish will play against Syracuse on Sunday at home. This is another big game for the Irish, as the Orange (1511, 9-6 ACC) is currently sixth in the conference. The Irish will need to make quick adjustments from Thursday’s game in order to beat the Orange at home. McGraw believes her team has the necessary pieces to succeed, it is only a matter of putting them all to use at once. Notre Dame and Syracuse will tip off for this game at noon. Contact Inigo Yturralde at iyturral@nd.edu

I will say, I think the skills competition is incredible for the NHL All-Star Game. The shootout competition and all the drills are fantastic. But there just isn’t that much going for the NHL All-Star Game. The captain system isn’t as conducive to hockey as it is to basketball because the NBA has far more individual stars, and although the players really get a chance to show off some incredible stick handling skills in a game situation, there isn’t too much that is unique about the game itself. Again, it’s a fun thing to watch, and I’ll always watch, but I just can’t put it above baseball or basketball.

4. Pro Bowl I don’t think anyone can disagree with me on this. The Pro Bowl just brings nothing to the table. I guess the skills competition is cool? Maybe I’m just a bitter Jets fan who has had no reason to watch the regular season for, well, my entire life. But still, the Pro Bowl is just a bunch of guys who need a rest from a grueling season and are traveling to a warm weather city to have some fun. I’d rather watch “Two Broke Girls” than the Pro Bowl. Contact Connor Mulvena at cmulvena@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Nathaniel george | The Observer

Irish graduate student guard Destinee Walker picks up her dribble and steps back to shoot a 3-pointer during Notre Dame’s 68-62 home loss to Virginia Tech at Purcell Pavilion on Thursday. The Observer accepts classifieds every business day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Notre Dame office, 024 South Dining Hall. Deadline for next-day classifieds is 3 p.m. All classifieds must be prepaid. The charge is 5 cents per character per day, including all spaces. The Observer reserves the right to edit all classifieds for content without issuing refunds.

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The observer | friday, february 21, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

nd women’s lacrosse

Irish look to stay undefeated, host Ohio State Observer Staff Report

The second-ranked Irish look to continue their strong start to their season this weekend against the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Irish proved that they are contenders on the national level last week with a 17-15 road victory against the formerly third-ranked Northwestern Wildcats. They are 3-0 on the season with blowout victories against Marquette and Central Michigan as well. Ohio State owns a 4-1 record on the year, with their only blemish being a 20-7 blowout loss on the road to fifth-ranked Stony Brook. In their most recent contest this past Wednesday, the Buckeyes topped Cincinnati by a score of 15-10. The last game for the Irish came against Central Michigan last Sunday while the Buckeyes played this past Wednesday. The extra rest figures to be an advantage for the heavily favored Irish come Sunday. The Irish will also have the advantage of having one of the best goaltenders in the nation in junior Bridget Deehan protecting the net. Earlier this week, Deehan was named the

M Bball Continued from page 12

of late, winning their last three games — including a triple-overtime contest against Virginia Tech in their last game on Wednesday. Notre Dame will have slightly more rest, not having played since Monday night against the Tar Heels. However, the Hurricanes have slightly more depth, usually playing with a nineman rotation, while injuries have forced the Irish to normally use just seven players. The Hurricanes are led by their veteran guards. Senior Dejan Vasiljevic and juniors Chris Lykes and Kameron McGusty all average more than 13 points per game, and that experience has shown this season. However, the team as a whole has been inconsistent. Before this recent three-game winning streak, they had lost seven of their last eight games. Notre Dame will need strong guard play to counter Miami, but their guards have been inconsistent this season. In their last game, a 77-76 victory over North Carolina, sophomore guard Prentiss Hubb and senior guard TJ Gibbs combined for 34 points, but the game before, at Duke, Notre Dame’s starting guards scored just six points. Additionally, graduate student guard Rex Pf lueger,

ACC Defensive Player of the Week. Deehan had a career high 12 saves and four ground balls in last Friday’s win over Northwestern. Through the first three games of 2020, Deehan has 22 saves with a .523 save percentage and a 7.23 goalsagainst average. For a team like Ohio State who could only muster up seven goals against Stony Brook, having Deehan in goal should make matters even harder for the Buckeyes. So far this season, the Irish have been very good at controlling the draw, which has allowed them to dominate possession. Additionally, they have taken advantage of their opportunities to score, as they have been very efficient with their goal to shots on goal ratio. Looking ahead, the Irish will face plenty of top competition, as they face five opponents who are currently ranked. One game that already stands out is the contest against current topranked team North Carolina, which is slated for March 15th in Chapel Hill. Sunday’s game will take place at 4:00 pm in the Loftus Sports Center. The game can be streamed live on ACC Network Extra.

Irish senior midfielder Savannah Buchanan looks to evade a defender as she carries the ball upfield during Notre Dame’s home opener, an 18-3 win over Marquette on Feb. 9 at Loftus Sports Center.

although only scoring three points, made some huge defensive plays down the stretch against North Carolina. “His scoring is a bonus, but he passes and finds people, his instincts defensively are just fabulous, and his nose for the ball,” Brey said after the game. He has been one of the best defenders for the Irish all season. Notre Dame’s forwards

have been much more consistent, led by the alwaysreliable senior John Mooney, who averages 16.2 points and 12.7 rebounds. However, Mooney may also have a challenge, with Miami having one of the tallest centers in the ACC in seven-foot tall redshirt junior Rodney Miller Jr. Additionally, senior forward Juwan Durham has played very well over his last

Hannah Huelskamp | The Observer

few games despite limited minutes, as Brey often prefers a small-ball lineup with four guards and Mooney at center. Miami beat Notre Dame in their only matchup last season, a 62-47 triumph in Florida; Miami has won the last two games against Notre Dame. The last time the Irish beat the Hurricanes was in 2017. Notre Dame, currently in

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seventh place in the ACC, is looking to climb in the standings over the last five regular season games before the ACC tournament begins March 10 in Greensboro, North Carolina. The game tips off at 6 p.m. Sunday at Purcell Pavilion, and will be broadcasted on the ACC Network. Contact Liam Coolican at lcoolica@nd.edu

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Fencing

ndsmcobserver.com | friday, february 21, 2020 | The Observer

number of positive ways over the course of this season, and he knows his squad is ready. “We have evolved in every phase,” he said. “I give great credit to our coaches and our athletes. It isn’t just the hard work we’ve put in, or the wins

we’ve earned but the technical and emotional maturity that has blossomed. Our kids can’t wait to represent Notre Dame this weekend.”

Hockey

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goaltender [sophomore Strauss Mann] is playing as well as anyone they’ve had in the last few years.” Jackson was also asked about the development of some of his younger players this season, including sophomore defenseman Spencer Stastney. “He’s had a good year this year, and he had a good year as a freshman, but this year we’ve tried to get him a little more offensively engaged,” Jackson said. “We’ve got him playing the point on one of our power plays, and we’re trying to get him to be more transitional in his skating. I’d like to see him jump into the play more without the puck at times. He can make a rush and he definitely has the skating ability to get back and defend. I think there’s definitely still room for growth, but he’s quietly a leader back there for us.” Notre Dame will take on Michigan on Friday. Puck drop will be at 6 p.m.

over Stanford as well as 4-3 decisions against Pacific and Nevada. The Red Hawks are led by senior first baseman Madison Cathcart, who is leading the team in slugging percentage and on base percentage at .571 and .472, respectively. They also get key production from senior outfielder Cherise Silvan, who leads the team in batting average at .333 with a slugging percentage of .455. Six players for the Red Hawks have a batting average over .275. After that matchup Notre Dame will take on Oregon. The Ducks (11-0) come in undefeated and have only allowed 13 runs in their 11 games, shutting opponents out on five separate occasions. Oregon is a tremendous team at the plate, with four players batting over .400. However, their production falls off from there. Of players who have appeared in every game this season, the next two closest batters hit .250 and .222. They are led by redshirt freshman catcher Terra McGowan and sophomore infielder Rachel Cid, who both have greater than .800 slugging percentages and get on base at better than a .500 clip. After Friday’s double header,

the Irish will wrap up the weekend with games against Arizona State and Cal State Fullerton. The Sun Devils (10-2) have racked up marquis wins, with a 6-5 win over Northwestern and two victories over No. 13 Kentucky. ASU presents a balanced attack, with freshman infielder Alynah Torres leading the pack with a .405 batting average and slugging .838. Three other Sun Devils hit better than .300 and every starter gets on base better than .300. Finally, the Irish end the weekend against Cal State Fullerton. The Titans (6-3) have split two games with BYU this year and dropped a 3-2 decision in extra innings to San Diego State. Senior infielder Zoe Richard leads Cal State by batting .524 and slugging .905, while freshman outfielder Megan Delgadillo .412 and slugs .471. The Irish are on the outside looking in with regards to the top 25, so a strong showing this weekend could help them jump up into the rankings after already receiving votes this past week. First pitch against Seattle is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. followed immediately by the showdown with Oregon. Saturday’s games will play out similarly with the Arizona State game at 8 p.m.

Continued from page 12

ACC over the past few years, and although the competition seems heightened this year, coach Kvaratskhelia said the

expectations always remain the same. “Competing at home adds an extra layer of excitement and pressure. We embrace both,” he said. “It’s important psychologically for us to perform in such a situation in order

to get ready for a successful Regionals and NCAAs. Due to Olympic Qualifiers, our lineup is thinner but we still have the same goals as ever — nothing short of a championship.” Finally, coach Kvaratskhelia said his team has evolved in a

Nathaniel George | The Observer

Contact Colin Capece at ccapecend.edu

Irish freshman forward Trevor Janicke crashes the net during Notre Dame’s 2-1 loss to Minnesota on Saturday at home.

Contact Connor Mulvena at cmulvena@nd.edu

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Alexis hernandez | The Observer

Irish senior outfielder Alexis Bazos prepares to swing in Notre Dame’s 9-1 win against Louisville on Mar. 23 at Melissa Cook Stadium.

The observer | friday, february 21, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

fencing

nd men’s basketball

Irish to host ACC Championships By CONNOR MULVENA Sports Editor

After a week off following wins from both the men’s and women’s fencing teams at the Duke Duals, the Irish are gearing up for the ACC Championships, which will be hosted here at Notre Dame. Ahead of the big weekend, head coach Gia Kvaratskhelia said the team feels good and most of the fencers will be available. “We should have our full roster for the team events on Sunday,” he said. “We have some missing people with minor injuries and fatigue from heavy travel who will skip the individual events on Saturday.” Kvaratskhelia also said he was pleased with the frame of mind his team has worked on cultivating this season, and now it is time to follow through. “Our main focus has been on attaining the competitive mindset that winning a championship requires,” he said.

ND prepares for Miami following comeback win

“That will be essential this weekend, and for NCAAs. Our athletes are fully aware of what lies ahead. We are prepared for this part of the season, now it is time to execute.” Notre Dame will face a unique challenge in this year’s ACC Championships, however, since all three of their conference rivals — Duke, North Carolina and Boston College — have upgraded their rosters. Plus, the Irish have yet to face North Carolina and Boston College. Kvaratskhelia said it will have to be a complete team effort to win this weekend. The Irish will need production from everyone. “Fortunately, we have been getting production from all our weapon squads recently,” he said. “It’s difficult to single out any one group or person. It will require everyone to contribute this weekend for us to win.” The Irish have dominated the see FENCING PAGE 11

By LIAM COOLICAN Sports Writer

nathanial george | The Observer

Irish senior forward John Mooney jumps and attempts a layup during Notre Dame’s 84-82 loss to Syracuse on Jan. 22 at home.

Notre Dame (16-10, 7-8 ACC) w ill w rap up its t wogame homestand w ith a matchup against Miami (1412, 6-10 ACC) Sunday. Coming off a draining four-game stretch after which head coach Mike Brey said his team was “ex hausted,” the Irish begin a slightly easier portion of their schedule. The team defeated Clemson and North Carolina, but fell to Virginia and Duke on the road. Notre Dame beat North Carolina in their last contest, a comefrom-behind w in capped by a game-w inning 3-pointer from sophomore for ward Nate Laszewski. “This group, I think they’ve got some toughness about them,” Brey said. Miami has played well as see M BBALL PAGE 10

HOCKEY

nd SOFTBALL

Team to face Notre Dame heads to West Michigan on road Coast to play 4 games Observer Staff Report

Notre Dame (7-3) began a sixgame series in Palm Springs, California, on Thursday as they took on San Diego State and BYU in a double-header. The results of the BYU game were too late to report. Against the Aztecs, both teams opened up the scoring in the first inning with San Diego State taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the first and the Irish cutting it to 2-1 once they took their turn at the plate. The teams then went scoreless in the second before Notre Dame knotted it up at 2-2 in the bottom of the third. However, the Aztecs would reclaim the lead in the fourth inning and hold on to a 3-2 win as the Irish went three-up, three-down in the bottom of the seventh to come up short. Friday, the Irish will take on Seattle and No. 15 Oregon. Seattle (3-7) has already squared off against three ranked teams this season, falling to No. 25 Northwestern 1-0, No. 5 Arizona 4-3 and No. 16 Arizona State 7-0. Their wins came in a 5-4 victory see SOFTBALL PAGE 11

By COLIN CAPECE Associate Sports Editor

Alexis hernandez | The Observer

Irish sophomore pitcher Peyton Tidd pitches during Notre Dame’s 9-1 win against Louisville on Mar. 23 at Melissa Cook Stadium.

Following a 2-1 loss against Minnesota at home Saturday night, Notre Dame will hit the road to face Big Ten rival Michigan in a weekend series. The Irish (12-12-6, 7-8-5) will look to start hitting their stride at the right time as they enter the final stretch of the regular season. Holding onto leads late in games is something that has given the Irish problems all season, and this past weekend was no exception. Notre Dame blew two goal leads on back-to-back nights against Minnesota (14-115, 9-6-5), squandering a chance to pick up two wins against the Big Ten leaders. In his weekly press conference, Irish head coach Jeff Jackson addressed his team’s struggles in the third period. “I think the biggest disappointment from this weekend was that both nights we lost the lead in the third period, and that’s something that’s been a hinderance all season long. Whether it’s taking an unnecessary penalty or making a bad turnover,

which happened on both goals on Saturday, we just have to play smarter,” Jackson said. “When you have guys who are taking bad penalties, you can sit them down or discipline them or whatever, but it’s coming from different sources every night. It’s not just one guy your trying to get the point across to. It’s really about getting everyone to do the same thing to not just hold onto the lead, but to score that next goal.” The Irish will walk into Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor on Friday night to face one of the hottest teams in the country. Michigan (15-12-3, 10-8-2-1) has won seven of its last 10 games, including a road sweep against the Irish back in early January. “I think they’ve definitely found their groove,” Jackson said. “The first half of the year they played dinged up and had a lot of key injuries. But they started getting a little confidence after Christmas, which stared here when they played us here. They’ve been on a roll. They’ve got good talent up front, a good back end see HOCKEY PAGE 11