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Volume 54, Issue 62 | thursday, january 16, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
Institute promotes cancer research HCRI aims to raise awareness through collaborative medical studies between professors, students By ALYSA GUFFEY News Writer
At the corner of Angela Boulevard and Notre Dame Avenue lies a building unknown to many Notre Dame students: the Harper Cancer Research Institute (HCRI). Established in 2011 as a division of Notre Dame Research, the institute serves as a hub of collaboration between cancer researchers, professors and students. Siyuan Zhang, an associate professor for cancer research, began his lab in 2012, making him one of the first researchers at the institute. Zhang said his
lab centers around the study of breast cancer, particularly its response to drug treatments and its spread to other organs of the body. “The problem with cancer in general is when some tumors metastasize, which means to disseminate to different parts of the body, … they become a new tumor in a different organ and then at that point the surgeon cannot remove them and it’s very difficult to treat,” Zhang said. The close proximity of the HCRI allows students to explore and gain experience in see HARPER PAGE 4
Family donates $25 million gift Observer Staff Report
Notre Dame has been given a $25 million gift to establish the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society, according to a University press release Friday. The institute will expand Notre Dame’s data-based academic programs and serve as “an interdisciplinary, university-wide hub that will connect faculty, students and research across existing data science
and analytics programs on campus,” according to the release. University provost Tom Burish said the Lucy Family Institute will work with University’s existing data-driven academic and research programs to bring data science to a broader range of disciplines, including health, business and the social sciences. The institute see GIFT PAGE 4
Library to open new study space Observer Staff Report
The new 24-hour study space in the lower level of CushwaLeighton Library will officially open Friday, library director Joe Thomas announced in a campus-wide email Wednesday. The space was completed over winter break, Thomas said in the email. “This space was designed with current students’ needs
News PAGE 4
in mind and is aimed to promote collaborative work, whiteboarding, and the use of technology — both shared and personal devices,” he said. “Outlets and charging stations abound.” Other improvements made to the library over winter break include two new hydration stations, a new free coffee machine see LIBRARY PAGE 4
SCENE PAGE 5
Photo courtesy of Jess Hatfield
The Harper Society, pictured, is a student-led club affiliated with the Harper Cancer Research Institute. The center is planning to host events such as charity runs, blood drives and research roundtables this year.
Senate debates resolution on residential life policies By ANDREW CAMERON News Writer
The Notre Dame student senate convened Wednesday for its first meeting of the 2020 spring semester. Student body vice president Patrick McGuire opened with several announcements. He welcomed the senators back from the break, then reminded the senate about the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Luncheon scheduled for 11:30 a.m. next Monday, at which activist and civil rights movement leader Diane Nash will be in attendance as keynote speaker. “I think it’s really important that we all go,” McGuire said. McGuire also reminded senators of the other events planned for Walk the Walk Week, and urged senators to attend as many events as possible and to encourage their constituents to attend. After several other announcements, McGuire suggested that for the rest of the meeting, senators and others in attendance could discuss potential resolutions they had been working on in December, and new resolutions could be
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proposed and brainstormed. Quentin Colo, special interest chairman of the Club Coordination Council, suggested a resolution encouraging the University to abandon the senior exclusion policy — a policy change aimed at reducing off-campus students’ access to on-campus activities and amenities. “I know there was a resolution last year to encourage the University to get feedback on the senior exclusion policies and how students felt about it,” Colo said. “Although I have not looked at the feedback, I can probably assume what it’s saying, and I think it’s fair to say that the feedback’s pretty negative and students want the University to abandon the senior exclusion policies. I was hoping to propose a resolution … to encourage the University to abandon those policies.” After several senators had offered feedback and discussed potential measures Student Government could take, Colo asked sophomore class council president Jordan Theriault, who met with and interviewed associate vice president for Residential Life
Heather Rakoczy Russell on Dec. 10 during a public meeting in the Dahnke Ballroom, to talk more about the discussion and subsequent feedback. “After the meeting we sent out a survey form … we asked ‘Do you understand the policies?’” Theriault said. “So we were just trying to figure out if people understood that it’s kind of malleable. The response was kind of iffy, which was interesting because I think we kind of hoped, and the administration as well, to open it up to the class and make them understand that they’re willing to work and to give them ideas.” Theriault also mentioned that he had been working on a resolution with others regarding club funding, and encouraged any interested senators or other members of student government to speak with him. After those in attendance had offered and discussed several other proposals, the meeting broke into small groups to continue discussions.
nd women’s tennis PAGE 12
nd m basketball PAGE 12
Contact Andrew Cameron at acamero2@nd.edu
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TODAY
The observer | thursday, january 16, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
Question of the Day: ndsmcobserver.com
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What was the best part of your break?
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
Caroline Hills
Shaylee Smith
senior off campus
junior Le Mans Hall
“Turning off all my alarms.”
“Reuniting with my group of friends I met while studying abroad in Australia.”
Hannah Toepp
Grace Dennis
sophomore Holy Cross Hall
sophomore Holy Cross Hall
“Relaxing and reading.”
“Being able to wear extremely baggy sweatpants all day every day.”
Kaley Gresham
Gracie Molnar
sophomore Holy Cross Hall
freshman Flaherty Hall
“Playing Just Dance on New Year’s Eve.”
“Seeing lots of family that I haven’t seen for a while.”
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ALLISON THORNTON | The Observer
The band of the Fighting Irish takes the field at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Dec. 28 . The Irish defeated the Iowa State Cyclones 33-9 in the Camping World Bowl and concluded the 2019 season ranked No. 15 with an 11-2 overall record.
The next Five days:
Want your event included here? Email news@ndsmcobserver.com
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Fitness Class: “Beat Biking” Smith Center Cycling Studio 7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. Free to all students.
Lecture: “Basics of Privacy” Andrews Auditorium 10:40 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. First in seven-lecture series.
Cardio Strength Interval Smith Center Activity Studio 2 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Free to all students.
Basilica Mass Basilica of the Sacred Heart 10 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. All are welcome to attend.
MLK Luncheon Joyce Center 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Featuring keynote speaker Diane Nash. Free ticketed event.
“Minor in Innovation” Duncan Student Center Innovation Garage 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. Learn about the minor.
Exhibition: “New Faces” The AAHD Gallery all day Featuring work by first year MFA students.
Fitness Class: “Zumba®” Smith Center Activity Studio 3 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. All students welcome.
Candlelight Prayer Service Main Building 11 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Commemorates life of Martin Luther King Jr.
Lecture: “Let’s Talk About Race” Geddes Hall 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
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JANUARY 19—25
martin luther king jr. day
COMMEMORATION Sunday, January 19
Candlelight Prayer Service 11:00 p.m. | Main Building Monday, January 20
MLK Celebration Luncheon A Conversation with Civil Rights Leader Diane Nash Diane Nash was a Freedom Rider, co-founded the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and played a pivotal role in the Selma Voting Rights Movement that ultimately led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
11:30 a.m. | North Dome, Joyce Center Doors open at 10:45 a.m.
• Free but ticketed • Classes are canceled from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Community-Building Lunches 11:30 a.m. | North and South Dining Halls Notre Dame ID required for entry.
Members of the Notre Dame community are invited to gather with friends and colleagues for a complimentary meal between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to continue the day’s conversations.
Visit diversity.nd.edu/mlk for additional Walk the Walk Week events.
#NDwalkthewalk
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NEWS
The observer | thursday, january 16, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
DACA recipient talks on Grammy music award By MAEVE FILBIN Saint Mary’s News Editor
Juan-Carlos Alarcon is a DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, recipient whose longheld dreams of creating music were manifested in “American Dreamers: Voices of Hope, Music of Freedom,” a studio album by the John Daversa Big Band, recorded with more than 50 singers and musicians who hold DACA status. Alarcon spoke to the Saint Mary’s Department of Music about his contribution to the Grammy award-winning CD Monday. “[Dreamers] work among you,” Alarcon said, “We’re friends. If you were to see me somewhere else, you wouldn’t know that I learned English or that I’m from another country. You wouldn’t know my immigration status unless you asked.” A native of Puebla, Mexico, Alarcon moved to the United States with his parents when he was eight years old. “I didn’t know any English,” he said. “Like zero, none whatsoever.” At the time he enrolled in school, Alarcon said he had no specific plans for the future but felt particularly drawn to music. “I’ve always known that I wanted to be a musician and have some sort of musical knowledge, but I didn’t know what I wanted to be.” However, this reality changed
Harper Continued from page 1
cancer research. This semester, Zhang has enlisted two postdoctoral students, five graduate students and a handful of undergraduates to assist him in his research. Zhang also teaches a course in the department of biological sciences at Notre Dame, allowing him to work with undergraduates in the lab and classroom. “Through teaching the classes and interacting with the students, both graduate [and] undergraduate, you can literally see that what you do every day is really making a mark on their career trajectory and interests,” Zhang said. In an effort to connect more students with the HCRI, the Harper Society was founded. The society is a student-led club that seeks to promote cancer awareness and bridge the gap between professors in the field of cancer research and
Gift Continued from page 1
will also be host to academic publications and conferences, and seek partnerships with outside entities. Alumnus Robert Lumpkins and his wife, Sara, who graduated from Saint Mary’s, donated the $25 million gift. “We are exceedingly grateful to Bob and Sara for their past
after one of Alarcon’s teachers showed special interest in helping him acclimate to a new language and learning environment, he said. “My teacher would pull me out for 10 minutes every single day,” Alarcon said. “She would stay after school, she would come in early, and she would sit with me and explain to me the difference between a glove and a mitten or a watch and a clock. And I said, ‘You know what? I think I want to be a teacher.’” This realization later inspired Alarcon to study music education at Indiana University South Bend, of which he is a recent graduate, and to serve as a student teacher at local schools and musical organizations in the South Bend and Elkhart communities. “There’s a lot of things that I’ve done, and it’s all because I love children, I love teaching, I love the arts, I love music and I love music education,” Alarcon said. “It’s challenging, hard work, but it pays off.” As one of approximately 700,000 DACA recipients living in America today, Alarcon said he has endured challenges over the years. Before receiving DACA status, Alarcon said he could not legally work or drive and would not be granted federal financial aid for college. “From its inception, DACA was
criticized [by] members of the right that it is unconstitutional and an improper use of executive powers or amnesty,” he said. “But DACA changed my life.” Prior to receiving DACA status, Alarcon said he planned on returning to Mexico after graduating from high school. However, he soon learned he would be allowed to attend a public university and was invited to apply to Indiana University South Bend. He attended the University for two semesters, but was forced to step away from his education in the summer after the Indiana State House of Representatives introduced a bill that would not allow him to remain at IUSB. Alarcon then served a two-year mission through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “During that time, I said, ‘Everything happens for a reason. There are things to learn everywhere.’” In 2012, Alarcon was granted DACA status and was given to a social security number, as well as the opportunity to apply for a driver’s license and “come out of the shadows,” he said. Five years later, when President Donald Trump’s administration announced its plans to terminate DACA within the following year, Alarcon said he and others felt their hopes shatter. Salvador Perez-Lopez, a clarinetist and
friend of Alarcon, wrote an opinion piece voicing these concerns, and it was published in the New York Times. Kabir Sehgal, one of the producers of the “American Dreamers: Voices of Hope, Music of Freedom,” read the piece and invited the author of the article to join his thenbudding project. Perez-Lopez agreed to contribute to the CD, and as the group was searching for an organist with DACA status, asked Alarcon to participate as well. Alarcon said he agreed to contribute to the CD over the phone, in the middle of a piano lesson, and from that point the project began to develop very quickly. Spotify and Apple Music agreed to sponsor parts of the production process, and the University of Miami had donated a recording studio for the musicians to use while students were away on spring break. “The recording experience was lots of hard work, but it was so fun,” Alarcon said. “In the album, there are 53 different Dreamers who participated in the whole project from 17 different countries, which was just amazing.” The CD was released in September, and Alarcon said he later learned it had been nominated for Grammy awards in three different categories — “Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album,” “Best
Improvised Jazz Solo” and “Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella” — through Facebook. “It was just such a humbling experience to have that and to be a part of that,” he said. All 53 Dreamers were asked to attend the Grammy Awards ceremony, an invitation Alarcon said felt like the rewarding result of years of hard work. “I’m a big believer,” Alarcon said. “You work hard, and whether you call it God, whether you call it luck, whatever you want to call it, things just line up.” Alarcon passed around his framed Grammy Awards ticket and described the ceremony itself, including attendees in beautiful gowns and tuxedos devouring McDonald’s burgers and fries in between musical performances. When the CD won in all three categories, Alarcon was able to accompany the group in accepting the award, a moment he said was both gratifying and humbling. “This isn’t your award,” he said, recalling his thoughts while onstage. “This is for the team. This is for the teacher who a long, long time ago sat outside the classroom and told you the difference between a glove and a mitten and a clock and a watch. This is for your community.”
Notre Dame students. Junior Alex Thomas, president of the Harper Society, spoke to the club’s professional relationship with HCRI researchers. “This isn’t a direct goal of our club, but a lot of students are able to do research at Harper through the Harper Society,” Thomas said. “It’s not something that we directly advertise, but it’s a great way for students to get connected with the institute, and being in the society, they’re able to meet with different researchers at the institute and then be research assistants or apprentices for semesters.” Thomas hopes the society can continue to help students interested in research feel less anxiety when searching for opportunities. “Research is one thing students are always super intimidated to start, so we try to make that process a little bit easier and give people the courage to send an email to a principal investigator that they’ve never heard of because you never know what’s gonna
happen,” Thomas said. Although a large aspect of the society is getting involved in cancer research, Thomas explained the club is open to all regardless of interests. He encouraged any student looking for a community to join. “Most people know someone [who] is affected by cancer. So, along with raising awareness about the institute and the research component of it, … we also want to be a club where people are able to come together and unite in the fight against cancer,” Thomas said. Senior Jess Hatfield, vice president of the Harper Society, was inspired to join the club after he witnessed his godmother struggle with breast cancer. “I feel like everyone has their own story where cancer has been there,” Hatfield said. To promote cancer awareness, the Harper Society holds numerous events around campus. Hatfield said his favorite event
the society has hosted so far was a research roundtable where cancer researchers shared their work with students. “We brought in five professors that had research labs, either in Harper or on campus, and we invited the society members to come and just talk with these professors and ask about their research,” Hatfield said. “We had about 40 students come and be engaged, which was really cool to see.” In addition to speakers from the cancer research field, the society hosted a talk with Paqui Kelly — a breast cancer survivor and wife of head football coach Brian Kelly. Thomas explained how Kelly’s story and influence aligns with the society’s overarching goals. “She shared a couple of stories with us about when she was a patient, and then also how she’s used that as motivation to help promote the Kelly Cares Foundation, … highlighting the positive aspect of how she’s been able to do a lot of cancer awareness,” Thomas said.
This semester the club is tentatively planning to sponsor a variety of events including blood drives, a charity run, spiritual events, another research roundtable and an activity for students to participate in for cancer awareness day, Hatfield said. Thomas said he realized the importance of the club’s support system during a reflective event at the Grotto. “Last semester we had a ‘Light the Night’ spiritual event at the Grotto where everyone offered candles. Then, we let members offer up intentions, and it was really amazing to see,” Thomas said. “[We had] about six to 10 students speak up about family members and friends who had been affected by some sort of cancer, and they were able to offer up their intentions and they felt comfortable with doing that which was awesome.”
generosity in helping Notre Dame keep pace with emerging trends in data science and business analytics,” University President Fr. John Jenkins said in the release. “With this latest gift, they have ensured that our undergraduate, graduate and professional students will wield the latest tools, knowledge and innovations to better society and the world.” The Lumpkins have previously helped fund endowed faculty positions, scholarships and
academic programs. “We are pleased to support Notre Dame’s vision in this endeavor, which meshes with our values,” Sara and Bob Lumpkins said in the release. “We believe data science and analytics offer a powerful opportunity to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and learning at the University, and that Notre Dame is uniquely positioned to bring an ethical perspective to its use for the good of society.”
Library Continued from page 1
on the main floor and Keurig vending options provided on the lower level. Additionally, classroom furniture samples are available for student testing, “specifically intended as replacements to older tablet desks found in classrooms across campus.” Later this semester, the
Contact Maeve Filbin at mfilbin01@saintmarys.edu
Contact Alysa Guffey at aguffey@nd.edu
ResNet and IT Helpdesk will relocate to the lower level of the library, Thomas said, in an attempt to make their services more accessible to students. Plans are in place to re-open tunnels linking Le Mans Hall and the library, Thomas said. “Work has begun to make the Le Mans-Library tunnel accessible, including the installation of a lift and a ramp,” he said. “… We hope that this improves your experience on campus.”
The observer | thursday, january 16, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
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DIANE PARK | The Observer
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The observer | thursday, january 16, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
Inside Column
You don’t have to live in an overheated room Natalie Weber Managing Editor
In early fall, the radiator in my room began hissing. I had lived in Cavanaugh for three years, and was used to all the creaks and moans of an old building, but the insistent whir of the radiator concerned me nonetheless. I texted a few friends to complain, and asked if they experienced anything similar. “It’s probably just turning on for the winter,” they said. As the week went by, the room grew increasingly stuffy. Another friend suggested turning the thermostat down, but the radiator only whistled louder, and the room remained cloaked in a dry heat. A couple of other girls in my dorm complained of sauna-like rooms and moaning pipes in their walls. “I suppose our room could be worse,” I thought after these conversations. Learning to live with an overactive radiator seemed like just a normal part of inhabiting an old building in the winter. “I’m just overreacting,” I thought. I had dealt with toasty rooms in Cavanaugh before. But I wasn’t fully convinced. My roommate and I kept a window wide open during the day, and the two fans we used to circulate the cool air didn’t seem to do much for the temperature of our room. Finally, after doing some searching on the internet to find a solution, I decided to submit a work order. Within a week, a person from maintenance stopped by our room and replaced a part of the radiator. Just like that, the room became a normal, livable temperature once again. All of this is to say you don’t have to live in an overheated room — and you don’t have to feel bad about asking for help, or asserting yourself even if your situation isn’t as “bad” as it could be. Maybe your overheated room is mental health struggles, which because they haven’t reached the point of completely interfering with your day-to-day functioning, make you feel embarrassed or guilty for seeking counseling. Or perhaps your overheated room is being asked to take on an increasing number of responsibilities because others won’t pick up the slack, and you feel bad saying no. Or perhaps it’s a fear of approaching someone about annoying or hurtful habits because you don’t want to upset them. Whatever the case may be, you don’t need to make yourself suffer a prolonged, difficult situation merely out of fear that you’ll inconvenience someone whose responsibility it is to address the issue. You’re not a burden for asking for what you need or setting boundaries. And oftentimes, people are more happy to help than you’d realize. Contact Natalie at nweber@nd.edu. The views expressed in this Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Public scholarships for private religious schools Vince Mallett Politically Ambidextrous
More than halfof the Notre Dame incoming class in 2019 did not attend public high school. Catholic high schools, specifically, accounted for 37% of that class. This month, the Supreme Court of the United States will hear argument as to whether it is unconstitutional for a state to invalidate an entire scholarship program on the basis of its possible allocation of public funds to religious educational institutions. It is difficult to overstate the potential impact of this case: the Court might definitively state that religious organizations, including religious schools, cannot be discriminated against in public funding, undermining the variousstate laws to the contrary. The facts of the case at hand, Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue,are somewhat nuanced but not too complex. The state of Montana implemented a scholarship program administrated by the Montana Department of Revenue. The program would provide tax credits to individuals and organizations who contributed, and use those funds to provide assistance to students wishing to attend private schools. The Department of Revenue decided to exclude religious schools from the options available to students using the scholarships. Multiple families sued, and the Montana Supreme Court considered whether there was a violation of Montana’s state constitution,which prohibits public funds from reaching “any church, school, academy, seminary, college, university or other literary or scientific institution, controlled in whole or in part by any church, sect or denomination.” The Montana Supreme Court decided that the entire scholarship program violated this clause, simply by creating the possibility that funds might be used to attend, for example, Catholic high schools. The question before the United States Supreme Court, now, is whether that decision violates the First Amendmentguarantee of free exercise of religion or the 14th Amendmentguarantee of equal protection under the law. Professor Rick Garnett, of Notre Dame Law, wrote an a rticlewith which I largely agree, detailing why the Supreme Court should not allow discrimination on the basis of religion in scholarship funding for religious schools. A few years ago, the Court decided a case called Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia Inc v. Comer,i n which it stated that the exclusion of religious schools from a playground-refurbishing program in Missouri was unconstitutional. That opinion, by Chief Justice John Roberts, asserted that if such “public welfare” programs simply exclude religious organizations who are otherwise qualified from consideration based solely on their religious nature, the state must provide the interest that compels them, and that interest is subject to “the highest scrutiny”. That is, if a church applies to have their playground refurbished through a state program, and the state excludes them from consideration based on their religious nature, that state better have a very, very good reason for doing so. The reason provided in
this case from Missouri was a supposed state interest in maintaining a stricter separation of church and state than is required by the U.S. Constitution. That explanation did not meet the standard of strict scrutiny. Professor Garnett argues that the same principles which applied in Trinity Lutheranapply in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue. A state cannot exclude religious schools or other institutions from receiving public funds simply because the institution is religious. If a school is qualified in all other ways to receive a new playground or a student on scholarship, its affiliation with a religious establishment should be made an obstacle by the state. That is anti-religious discrimination, plain and simple. There are two possible complications, one more substantive than the other. First, in Chief Justice Roberts’ opinion in Trinity Lutheran, he added a footnote apparently limiting the opinion to playground-refurbishing specifically. I cannot imagine that there are a plethora of playgroundrefurbishing lawsuits in the United States, though perhaps I am mistaken; either way, the footnote has been interpreted to severely limit the reach of that opinion. The principles at play with regard to free exercise of religion, however, have nothing to do with playgrounds specifically. One argument might claim that, in Trinity Lutheran,the playground was so removed from the religious nature of the school that it was an ‘easy case’, and the educational experience provided by a religious school is closer in kind to the actual operation of a church. I do not think that argument holds much weight, as playing in a playground and learning in a classroom seem to have the same magnitude of religious worship, namely, none at all. The other complication, which I consider to be the chink in the armor of the arguments of the students in this case, is that the Montana Supreme Court struck down the entire scholarship program in their initial decision. That is, the program which might (or might not) exclude religious schools from receiving scholarship funds is no longer operating. Religious schools are not being discriminated against; they are in the same position as all other private schools in Montana, thanks to the elimination of the program altogether. The general issue at stake is the extent to which religious institutions should be allowed to receive funding for the services they provide to communities, such as playgrounds and schools. The answer might be that public funding of all such services should be eliminated so as to avoid the issue altogether. That seems to be the Montana Supreme Court’s solution, but I find it entirely unsatisfactory. Instead, the Supreme Court should affirm that religious schools cannot be legally discriminated against on the basis of their religious character. Vince Mallett is a junior at Notre Dame majoring in philosophy with a minor in constitutional studies. He is proud to hail from Carroll Hall and northern New Jersey. Vince can be reached at vmallet@nd.edu or @vince_mallett on Twitter. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
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The observer | thursday, january 16, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
A presidential debate at ND – oh, the irony Jackie O’Brien Dear Father Jenkins
Last year, it was announced that Notre Dame would be hosting a presidential debate next September. In the announcement, University President Fr. John Jenkins addressed the importance of democratic discourse and informing voters through debate and dialogue. “The heart of democracy is addressing significant questions in open, reasoned discussion that will inform voters as they prepare to cast their votes,” he said. There is a deeply rooted irony in Our Lady’s University hosting a presidential debate in the name of democratic discourse, instead of the more realistic, undercurrent desire for national recognition and prestige. Here’s why. We have a truly incredible history of inviting distinguished public servants, including the majority of American presidents of the modern-era to come speak on campus. We’ve hosted people with differing views and perspectives, many of them holding opinions which are antithetical to the teachings of the Catholic Church. Our open-speaker policy is an impressive tenant of free speech and recognition of the importance of a fair representation of all views. This perhaps couldn’t be clearer than honoring both former Speaker John Boehner and Vice-President Joe Biden with the 2016 Laetare Medals. In recognizing two individuals across the partisan divide, both inf luential Catholics, with the medal, Notre Dame signaled that both public servants hold equally valid perspectives and deserved not only the recognition of the medal, but a platform to speak from. Unfortunately, this recognition does not extend
to the student body. W hile Notre Dame feels free to welcome both President George H.W. Bush and President Barack Obama, it does not feel comfortable in allowing students to freely express their views and opinions through on-campus activism, student organizations and extracurricular opportunities. I wholeheartedly believe that people form the soundest opinions when their viewpoints are regularly subjected to strict scrutiny. We engage in a challenging academic discourse on campus, but we have struggled as a student body to develop an active and sustained debate centering on political and policy issues. This is due in part to the hurdles imposed on student expression by the administration. The regulations constitute an undue burden on student free speech. W hile it might seem relatively easy to send an email to a specific individual asking to hold a demonstration on campus, this policy is deeply hidden within duLac regulations and student groups not recognized by the university are barred from many of the privileges associated with recognized demonstration. Until we recognize the rights of all students to engage in equally respected political discourse and debate, Notre Dame has no place in hosting a presidential debate. W hy should our institution which is aimed at preparing these students for the future, privilege the democratic rights of every other American citizen, while tarnishing the rights of the very students who attend this University? Our campus currently falls far short of those lofty goals associated with democratic values that were laid out by Fr. Jenkins in the debate announcement. We may be capable of hosting a debate between President Donald Trump and the democratic nominee, but we are currently incapable of supporting students in promoting a
political dialogue. We should be preparing our students to become active and engaged citizens once they embark on their career-driven lives. Clearly, many alumni and administrators would disagree with this claim. W hen students quietly walked out in the middle of Vice-President Mike Pence’s commencement address, they were meet with scathing criticism from alumni as well as some current students. Of course, little was said when the crowd actively booed President Obama. I would disagree with the criticisms the students who walked out received, but at the very least it caused our campus to engage in a discussion of what it means to participate in a democratic discourse, as well as the merits of having Vice President Pence deliver the address. I can only hope that hosting the presidential debate will generate a similar level of engagement on campus. However, I am certain that even if next September our campus becomes engulfed for a brief moment in an open political dialogue, the restrictions placed on student expression will stif le this engagement all too quickly. The burden is on us, as students, as well as the administration to ensure that when we graduate we are prepared to participate in American political culture in a meaningful way. And currently that’s not the case. Jackie O’Brien is a Notre Dame senior studying political science and peace studies, originally from the Chicago suburbs. When she’s not writing for Viewpoint, you can find her attempting to complete the NYT crossword, fretting over law school applications or watching RuPaul’s Drag Race. She can be reached at jobrie21@nd.edu or @im_jackie_o on Twitter. The views expressed in this Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Letter to the editor
The very essence of Notre Dame Perhaps you noticed him this past fall. Even among the tumult and frenzy of a new semester he stood out as he made his way around campus in his motorized wheelchair. Perhaps you noticed his warm smile or the jaunt y way he wore his t weed cap, or the presence of his lov ing companion dog, Kelly, on his lap. You may have seen him at the Morris Inn, where he lived for a time, or near the football practice fields, or traversing God quad, or, more likely, at the Basilica where he ser ved as a volunteer tour guide. His name was Frank Bice and, to me, he was the essence of what makes Notre Dame such a special place. A lthough many other universities field successful football teams and have beautiful campuses, no other universit y can lay claim to the call of a pilgrimage that led Frank Bice to our beloved campus. Much the way we were “welcomed home” when we received that unforgettable message from the admissions department, Frank was also called “home” to Notre Dame and ultimately called to his eternal home on New Year’s Day. First some background on Frank. He was not a Notre Dame alumnus. Frank grew up in Manhasset, New York and attended St. Mar y’s Elementar y School (the same school I attended) and high school at the Canterbur y School in Connecticut. He went on to college at Sienna College, where he ser ved as senior class president, captain of both the football and lacrosse teams, and became a football A ll-American. In 1980, during his senior year, Frank tragically broke his neck while making a tack le. He immediately realized he was paralyzed and would
never walk again. A lthough for a time Frank’s life remained at risk, he recovered enough to return to Sienna to earn his degree in English literature. Later, Frank attended seminar y and earned a masters degree in theolog y and pastoral studies. Frank went on to add another masters degree from Yale Div init y School before becoming ordained as a deacon. And in the midst of all this he worked as a basketball and football coach at Canterbur y from 1991 to 1995 and again in 2015, and he taught theolog y at Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead, New York. He also w rote t wo inspirational books and, for the last decade, posted daily spiritual and inspirational messages on his ow n YouTube channel, beginning all of his messages w ith a simple yet comforting, “Good morning my friends.” In short, Frank was a whirlw ind of grace. In 2018 Frank’s health took a turn for the worse. He was hospitalized for almost a year. W hen he recovered enough to leave the hospital, Frank was not strong enough to return to teaching and coaching. Frank, who held a deep devotion to Mar y, and who had v isited Notre Dame years before, told his friends and family that he felt his recover y should continue at Notre Dame. Frank’s communit y of friends raised the funds necessar y to bring Frank to campus, and in August 2019, Frank settled in at the Morris Inn. In no time he was a daily presence at football practices (armed w ith an all-access pass and mentoring and cheering on members of the team) and a memorable tour guide at the
Basilica. A lthough sports were ver y important to Frank, when speaking w ith him he made it clear that it was the spiritual component at Notre Dame that made the school such a unique institution and the place he wanted to call “home.” He told me he could feel the presence of Mar y on campus and could see it in the good works of the students. I think Frank is right about Mar y’s presence, but Frank (and others like him who are called to v isit our beloved home) also exemplif y the devotion of Mar y. In his book “Seasons of Hope,” Frank w rote, “Just show up when someone is hurting. Be creative versus competitive. Be constantly grateful. If you experience a perceived failure and remain grateful something better w ill come along. W hen times are really tough prove how great you can be by remaining positive. Ser v ice makes you powerful, gratitude makes you inv incible. Be true to yourself. Love yourself. Put on your helmet ever y day and go out there and be proud of yourself for hav ing the courage to enter the game.” How fitting it was that Frank died on the feast of the Solemnit y of Mar y, a day devoted to honoring our Mother. In a year that has already been consumed by turmoil and unrest we should all look to Frank Bice as an example of how to live a life of grace, mercy, courage and love – the essence of our Notre Dame experience. Elizabeth Boyle senior Jan. 14
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The observer | thursday, january 16, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
Crossword | doug peterson, brad wilber
Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: Reach for the stars. Don’t be afraid to show how passionate you feel about what you do professionally or personally. Make your words count, live up to your promises and show others that you mean business. Turn this into a year filled with success, expansion and high expectations. Embrace change, and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Your numbers are 7, 10, 16, 24, 28, 33, 42. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Keep a level head. If you overreact, you’ll make matters worse. Rely on your skills and your ability to pull things together quickly. Collaborating with a peer will make you twice as powerful when presenting what you have to offer. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Set the standard, and follow through with your plans. You can impress someone, but don’t do so if it will affect your reputation. At some point, you’ll be forced to say no. Cut your losses, and walk away from a bad deal. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Times are changing, but are you willing to make a move? Opportunities coupled with your creative ideas should help you make a positive change in your life. Someone you meet through education, traveling or networking will attract your attention. CANCER ( June 21-July 22): Resolving an emotional issue will be much easier if you offer an enticing incentive. Aesthetic changes to your home will cheer you up and encourage you to host a gathering. A little romance will lift your spirits as well as your confidence. LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22): ITake action and do your own thing to get ahead. Talks won’t amount to anything if you can’t demonstrate the result. Empty promises are likely if you trust someone who tends to say what you want to hear. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You may have to reinvent your strategy to fit current economic trends. Don’t hold back; be articulate, detailed and persistent. Someone you respect will stand by you and your decision, even if those closest to you give you a hard time. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You have to play to win. Don’t count on friends and people in high positions to help you. It’s best to take the initiative and go it alone. A problem at home may leave you speechless. Don’t give in to threats. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Start putting your ideas out to the universe. Move fast, and you’ll stay ahead of the competition. Use your creative genius to cut corners. Make contributions to groups you feel have something to offer in return. Make plans with someone you love. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You can get by on charm and capture your audience, but don’t exaggerate, or someone will question you. If you leave something unfinished, the repercussions will be detrimental in moving forward. A lesson you experience will help you move on. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Dominate whatever situation you face. If change is what you desire, start the ball rolling. Make a point to engage in talks that will encourage others to respond favorably to your plans. Romance is on the rise. AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You’ll have a great idea, and if properly executed, you stand to make some cash. You’ll be able to get your point heard and make a difference. Work quickly, leave nothing to chance and focus on finishing what you start. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Keep your thoughts a secret. Take time to help others by providing a service or offering your time. Be a team player, and someone will offer you valuable information that will come in handy. Personal gain is apparent. Birthday Baby: You are charismatic, intense and passionate. You are innovative and tenacious.
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Sports Authority
Football
Thank you for cheating David Kramer Sports Writer
To the now-notorious “Houston Asterisks” organization, Your new name reiterates the tarnished image of a f limsy pastime, one filled w ith subtle and suave delinquency. No longer w ill the malicious strain of 2017 spare you from the scandalous company that surrounds you. Charlie Hustle. The Black Sox. Barr y Bonds. The Louisv ille Grays. Ryan Braun. Truly iconic characters that, like you, adhered to w rongful means for a glorious end. Around these names sw irls a long-w ithstanding argument about the nature of cheating in a sport that’s become obsessed w ith innovation and gaining a competitive edge. Surely these talented, merely misguided deceivers deser ve no greater punishment than the next guy. Ever yone does it, ever yone has done it and ever yone w ill continue to do it, regardless of retribution. No matter the scandal’s prevalence, it goes w ithout say ing that punishment for baseball’s newest cheaters needs to work from the top, dow n. Above the turmoil that you’ve caused, a new message rises up: if you cheat to lose, so be it, but if you cheat to w in, what follows w ill prove the biggest loss of all. You deser ve your punishment and, quite honestly, far more; luckily ow ner Jim Crane found the courage to up the ante. At any rate, your overzealous infidelit y to America’s game of integrit y puts you on the w rong side of histor y. But w ith all of this said and done, I want to thank you for putting the MLB as a whole on the right side of histor y again. The average age of MLB fandom and v iewership continues to sk y rocket. Games stretch unbearably long. For most millennials and rising
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iGens, the slow, static env ironment on display in the liv ing room fares better as ambient noise than entertainment, let alone a sport worth play ing. The wellpressed breed of players feels unbearably innocent, uncharismatic, restrained. “Good pitching beats good hitting,” Justin Verlander told a reporter in 2017. Boring! Without your scandal, your front office staff — and your entire organization — is no different. No number of championship rings w ill stop a predominance of young sports fans from likening baseball to paint dr y ing. But getting away w ith a transparent cheating tactic under America’s nose? Now that’s worthy of some attention! On your account, the last few days have brought perhaps the greatest inf lu x of MLB exposure and coverage since Ryan Braun’s public apolog y for doping. Ever y young socialite w ith a smartphone has firepower — and an opinion — against you, and surely they w ill not hesitate to barrage you w ith it for years. The frenzy of NFL and NBA news that normally receives this demographic’s attention w ill fall by the wayside for a while. Baseball needs this young appeal now more than ever. As I find myself absorbing the countless slants and hot takes around the web, I thank you, Houston Asterisks, for giv ing baseball a voice. Thank you for sparking unprecedented conversation in an otherw ise ignored game. Thank you for show ing America that a darker — and more captivating — era of baseball may soon come to light. Thank you, all in all, for cheating.
Tom Rees promoted to offensive coordinator Observer Sports Staff
Irish head coach Brian Kelly has promoted Tom Rees, former Notre Dame quarterback and quarterbacks coach since 2017, to offensive coordinator. The news comes after Rees called the offensive plays for Notre Dame’s matchup against Iowa State in the 2019 Camping World Bowl, a game the Irish won handily. Rees stepped in as play caller for that contest after
M Tennis CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
in his final match of tournament play, and Fu beat Michigan State’s Jarreau Campbell 6-3, 6-4 in his final contest of the tournament. The Irish even had a standout performance on a national stage at the ITA Fall Nationals, where junior Richard Ciamarra managed to advance all the way to the semifinals, an impressive feat in a national tournament. Ciamarra put on a remarkably consistent performance in New port
former offensive coordinator Chip Long parted ways w ith the program. In Rees’ time as quarterbacks coach, senior quarterback Ian Book finished eighth in the nation in completion percentage w ith 68.2% of pass attempts completed in his junior season. Book also holds the best career completion percentage at 63.5% . A lso under Rees’ direction, former Irish quarterback Brandon Wimbush broke the program’s record
for rushing yards in a single game by a quarterback, w ith 207 yards in a 2017 w in over Boston College. On top of news of Rees’ promotion, Kelly also announced that Lance Taylor, who ser ved as the running backs coach this season, has been promoted to the running game coordinator. Notre Dame’s running backs averaged their fourth highest yards per carr y in the last 25 years, w ith 4.9 yards per carr y under Taylor this season.
Beach, California, w inning four matches to reach the semifinals, where he fell in three close sets. With this impressive mix of indiv idual and group success, the Irish look to get things going on the right track again as the Wildcats come into tow n. The Irish faced off against the Wildcats last year, on Jan. 19, on the road in Lex ington, Kentuck y. The team took care of business in that contest, as Notre Dame tallied its first v ictor y of the 2019 season w ith a 5-2 v ictor y over Kentuck y. The w in sparked a six game w inning streak which
included t wo more road trips. During the match, Ciamarra and now junior Tristan McCormick won their set six games to three, which handed the Irish the doubles point early. Nef ve also won his match in three sets, and now senior Guillermo Cabrera won in t wo straight sets. Notre Dame w ill look to repeat that stellar performance, this time on more familiar turf, and open the 2020 season w ith a decisive v ictor y. Contact Connor Mulvena at cmulvena@nd.edu
Contact David Kramer at dkramer2@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
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Email Connor Mulvena at cmulvena@nd.edu
ann curtis | The Observer
Irish junior Tristan McCormick returns a shot during Notre Dame’s 6-1 home victory over Ball State on Feb. 8 at Eck Tennis Pavilion. The Irish return to action on Sunday to host the Kentucky Wildcats. 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 | thursday, january 16, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
M Bball Continued from page 12
“They’re big, it’s a little bit of the UCLA game plan, where we’re digging in the post, we’re giving up some jump shots, and we’re hoping we can weather them not shooting the heck out of the ball from behind the arc.” Georgia Tech made just four 3-point shots during the game Wednesday night. The Irish were led by sophomore guard Prentiss Hubb, who scored a career-high 25 points, and senior guard TJ Gibbs, who added 17 points. Both made up for a rare poor performance from star senior forward John Mooney, who scored just 2 points in the first half and finished 4-12 from the field. Notre Dame started the game cold from the field, shooting 1-8 in the first four minutes, allowing Georgia Tech to lead 7-4 heading into the under-16 timeout. The Irish then took their first lead of the game after Gibbs drilled a corner three and sophomore forward Nate Laszewski converted an and-one layup. After Georgia Tech battled back, senior forward Juwan Durham made a turn-around jumper and flew in for a putback dunk on the next possession to give the Irish a 6-point lead. Following a Georgia Tech layup, sophomore Dane Goodwin hit a 3 to put the Irish up 7. The Yellow Jackets again battled back and tied the game
with a pair of free throws just before the half, but Hubb went the length of the floor and blew by a defender to beat the buzzer with a layup — giving Notre Dame a 29-27 halftime lead. A Georgia Tech fastbreak slam ignited the home crowd right after the break, but Durham answered with another putback dunk. Mooney got his first field goal of the game three minutes into the second half with a ferocious dunk over a defender. Mooney, who entered the contest with 10 consecutive double-doubles, scored 8 points in the second half to extend his streak. He finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds, tying the all-time school record for consecutive double-doubles despite his poor shooting night. Both teams had difficulty maintaining possession and scoring as the second half wore on. Notre Dame began the second half 0-7 from 3-point range. Notre Dame turned the ball over eight times, but forced 13. A spinning and-one layup gave Georgia Tech a 5-point lead, and Mooney answered with another bucket in the post, but Notre Dame could not keep Georgia Tech from scoring in the paint over the next few possessions. Goodwin and Gibbs kept Notre Dame close, however, and the Irish took another lead with just over eight minutes to play on a tough layup from Hubb. A contested step back from Gibbs gave the Irish a 2-point
lead after Georgia Tech tied the game, but the Yellow Jackets immediately tied it again — which Hubb answered with two threes. This back-andforth rhythm continued in the last eight minutes of the game, as both teams began shooting confidently in the last minutes of the match. Brey commented before the game that he wanted his team to show more poise. “We could just be better in those last four minutes,” he said. “My message to them down in crunch time is just be solid.” The Irish were certainly solid in the last few minutes Wednesday. They led by one point with two minutes left, and extended their lead to three on a tip-in from Hubb before forcing a Georgia Tech turnover. On the ensuing possession, a deep three from Gibbs with just under a minute left gave the Irish a six point lead. Gibbs calmly hit two free throws in that last minute to secure the much-needed win for the Irish. Notre Dame will look to secure another conference win next Wednesday when they meet the Syracuse Orange for the second time this season. In the first, the Irish defeated the Orange 88-87 on Jan. 4 in a nailbiter on the road. Tip off for next week’s match will be at 7 p.m. in Purcell Pavilion.
200 Medley Relay, she comSwim & Dive peted in four events and reCONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
1:30.21. After that, Notre Dame proceeded to win seven consecutive events, including setting a University of Iowa Aquatic Center record with freshman freestyle swimmer Jack Hoagland taking the men’s 1000 Free in a time of 9:07.04. For her efforts, Gillian earned ACC Swimmer of the Week honors. Including the
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Contact Liam Coolican at lcoolica@nd.edu
Former Irish swimmer Meaghan O’Donnell prepares to race during Notre Dame’s meet against Purdue on Oct. 26, 2018 at home. Paid Advertisement
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Irish sophomore guard Prentiss Hubb looks to pass the ball during Notre Dame’s 75-61 victory over UCLA on Dec. 14 at Purcell Pavilion.
corded a sweep of every heat. The Fort Collins, Colorado native won the 200 Fly, 100 Fly and 200 Intermediate. The 200 and 100 Fly saw her record personal bests for the season. With the Iowa City meet in the rearview mirror, Notre Dame is now 5-3 for the women and 3-4 for the men in head-to-head meets this season. The Irish will take on Northwestern at 5 p.m.
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W Tennis CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
success in their doubles matches. Irish juniors Julia Lilien and Bess Waldram defeated Charlotte’s Pierina Imparato and Jenna Dean 6-3 for their first w in of the season. In A labama, junior A lly Bojczuk was dominant in her singles match, defeating Wisconsin’s Miruna Tudor in straight sets (6-3, 6-2). Sophomore Maeve Koscielski also won her match in straight sets, dow ning Ole Miss’ Grace Anne Jones 6-3, 6-4. On the follow ing day, the Irish were able to earn five combined w ins across both tournaments. In Ann Arbor, Lilien outlasted Michgan’s A ly v ia Jones 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 to capture her first singles w in of the season and second w in overall. On the doubles side, the pairing of junior Cameron Corse and senior Bess Waldram earned a 7-6 v ictor y against Michigan’s Anca Craciun and Giulia Pairone. In A labama, Koscieski had a big day on the court. The Indianapolis product won easily (6-1, 6-0) in her singles tilt against Wisconsin’s Christina Zordani. She also partnered w ith Kansas’ Vasiliki
The observer | thursday, january 16, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
Kar vouni to defeat the Ole Miss duo of Isolde de Jong and Victoire de Samucew icz 7-5. Bojczuk and sophomore Zoe Taylor were also able to earn a 6-2 v ictor y against Penn State’s Gabby O’Gorman and Oliv ia Rohrbacher. Koscielski finished the tournament w ith a big singles performance by picking up three v ictories. She defeated Jones again in straight sets (6-3, 6-4), followed by v ictories against Zordani (6-1, 6-0) and Rohrbacher (7-6, 6-1), respectively. For her part, Bojczuk picked up two w ins of her ow n, defeating Tudor and then Kansas’ Carmen Roxana Manu. Taylor also w rapped up her tournament w ith a pair of singles w ins over O’Gorman and Kansas State’s Ines Mesquita. The Irish w ill look to continue the momentum they built in the fall season as they head into 2020. Notre Dame w ill need consistently significant contributions from its entire roster if the team wants to have success against a gauntlet of qualit y opponents. The team w ill certainly have to bring great focus for the duration of the spring season, as they w ill be playing nearly ever y weekend through mid-April.
women’s basketball
Irish look to bounce back against Duke Blue Devils Observer Sports Staff
After falling 90-56 against North Carolina State on Sunday, Notre Dame w ill desperately look to right an apparently sinking ship against the Duke Blue Dev ils on Thursday. The defeat against the Wolfpack marked the second three game losing streak for the Irish this season. W hile the lack of experience on this year’s team was certainly a concern heading into the season, Notre Dame has also struggled mightily on the defensive side of the ball, giv ing up 70 points per game through mid-Januar y. The Irish have had particular trouble guarding the 3-point line, giv ing up eight three-pointers a game while averaging just three a game themselves. However, a number of young players on the team have show n immense potential and are carr y ing the load for the Irish at the moment. Do it all freshman guard Anaya Peoples has been outstanding for Notre Dame,
establishing herself as one of the best freshmen in her conference. The Danv ille, Illinois native is averaging 8.1 rebounds, which leads all ACC freshman. She’s also contributing 12.6 per game, which ranks second among ACC freshman. Peoples has been complemented by fellow freshman Sam Brunelle, who is averaging 12.9 points per game. Brunelle has displayed a polished game for a freshman, show ing the abilit y to score both in the paint and from beyond the arc. If they keep their current scoring pace, the PeoplesBrunelle duo could become only the third pairing in program histor y and the first since former Irish stars Arike Ogunbowale and Marina Mabrey to finish a season averaging doubledigit points. Graduate transfer Destinee Walker has had the hot hand since the start of the new year, averaging 18.3 points per game in 2020. Walker has put together a streak of six straight games scoring in double figures, Paid Advertisement
allison thorNton | The Observer
Irish junior Cameron Corse follows through on a swing during Notre Dame’s 4-0 win over Purdue on Feb. 13 at Eck Tennis Pavilion.
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including three games scoring 20 or more points. The Irish have been w ithout junior center Mikayla Vaughn for the majorit y of the season so far. After suffering an MCL sprain in the season opener, Vaughn missed 11 straight games before returning against Clemson on Dec. 29. Vaughn has settled in since her return, recording her first career double against Sy racuse on Jan. 5. The Irish w ill need Vaughn to continue contributing on both sides of the ball while also prov iding valuable leadership in what has been an extremely difficult season for head coach Muffet McGraw’s squad. The Irish head into this matchup against Duke reeling from one of their worst losses in recent memor y. However, the Irish have had great success against the Blue Dev ils in the past. Notre Dame is 17-1 all time against Duke and is 4-1 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. The Irish and Blue Dev ils w ill tip off at 8 p.m. on Thursday.
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The observer | thursday, january 16, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
nd men’s basketball | notre dame 78, georgia tech 74
swimming and diving
Irish prepare to host Northwestern Observer Sports Staff
The No. 17 Notre Dame swimming and diving team will make their return to Rolf’s Aquatic Center to host Northwestern for a meet this Friday. The Irish are coming off a dual meet against the University of Iowa and the University of Illinois in Iowa City last Saturday. The Irish women’s team notched two wins over the weekend, coming away with victories over both the Illini and the Hawkeyes by scores of 244.00 to 56.00 and 209.50 to 99.50, respectively. The men’s team did not fare as well, falling to Iowa in their lone matchup 159.50 to 140.50. For the women, the weekend started off well with a win in the 200 Medley Relay. Junior back stroke/freestyle swimmer Carly Quast, junior freestyle and f ly/back stroke swimmer Cailey Grunhard, junior freestyle and f ly/
Hubb, Gibbs lead Notre Dame to 2nd ACC victory
intermediate stroke swimmer Rachel Wittmer and freshman f ly/breast/intermediate stroke swimmer Coleen Gillilan recorded a time of 1:40.67 in the first race. Another team of sophomore back/intermediate stroke swimmer Bayley Stewart, senior f ly/intermediate stroke and freestyle swimmer Erin Sheehan, freshman breast/ f ly/intermediate stroke swimmer Elizabeth Fry and senior freestyle swimmer Lauren Heller came in third place for the Irish with a time of 1:43.81. The men’s team consisting of senior f ly/back stroke and freestyle swimmer Jack Montesi, sophomore breaststroke and free style swimmer Matthew Limbacher, sophomore f ly/back stroke swimmer Zach Smith and senior swiss army knife Aaron Schultz came in second place in the 200 Medley Relay in see SWIM & DIVE PAGE 10
By LIAM COOLICAN Sports Writer
Nathanial george | The Observer
Irish senior guard T.J. Gibbs drives the ball to the net during Notre Dame’s 75-61 victory over UCLA on Dec. 14 at Purcell Pavilion.
ND set to begin spring season against Falcons Observer Sports Staff
see W TENNIS PAGE 11
see M BBALL PAGE 10
ND MEn’s tennis
women’s tennis
Notre Dame will begin its spring season on Saturday when the team takes on the Bowling Green Falcons in a matchup at home. The Irish will look to build on a fall campaign that saw a number of strong tournament performances, particularly during the first weekend of the season. Notre Dame began its fall slate with a split squad road trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to compete in the Wolverine Invitational and Auburn, Alabama for the Marliss Gruver Invitational. In Michigan, freshman Page Freeman displayed both impressive skill and composure. The Ashland, Massachusetts, native defeated Yale’s Caroline Dunleav y in straight sets (62, 7-6) on the first day of the tournament to earn her first career individual victory. The Irish also found
Notre Dame (11-6, 2-4 ACC) defeated Georgia Tech (8-9, 3-4 ACC) by a score of 78-74 on Wednesday in Atlanta, Georgia, in what Irish head coach Mike Brey described as a game his team needed to win. “We need a league win,” Brey said before the game. “There is no question about it. The clock is ticking.” The Irish are coming off a 3-point loss suffered against No. 11 Louisville on Saturday, which left them with only one ACC win before Wednesday night’s matchup against the Yellow Jackets. Notre Dame faced the Yellow Jackets three times last year, with each team winning at home before Georgia Tech beat the Irish in the first round of the ACC tournament. “We certainly know them,” Brey said before the game.
Squad prepares to take on Kentucky By CONNOR MULVENA Sports Editor
allison thornton | The Observer
Irish junior Ally Bojczuk follows through on a serve during Notre Dame’s 4-0 victory over Purdue on Feb. 13 at Eck Tennis Pavilion.
After a nearly two-month break from play, No. 23 Notre Dame will resume its season when the team hosts the Kentucky Wildcats this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. The matchup comes after a solid stretch of tennis for the Irish, as the fall season saw a number of standout individual and doubles performances. W hen the Irish travelled to Minneapolis to compete in the Gopher Invitational from Nov. 8 to Nov. 10, the squad managed to tally 18 total victories between double and singles play in four rounds. Among those victories were those of freshman Matthew Che, who went 4-0 in singles play, defeating Daniel Krulig of Denver 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, Northwestern’s Simon Bratholm 7-6, 6-2, Minnesota’s Sebastian Vile 6-3, 1-6, 1-0 (7), and Minnesota’s Kaleb Dobbs 6-4, 6-4.
The squad’s fall campaign was also highlighted by a solid overall performance at the Dick Vitale Clay Court Invitational in Lakewood Ranch, Florida from Nov. 1 to Nov. 3. Most notably, sophomore A xel Nefve and junior William Howells handled their competition swiftly in doubles play, winning four matches and coming from behind 4-1 in the quarterfinals to eventually secure the tournament doubles title. Nefve would also go on to win the consolation singles finals, defeating Michael Heller of Duke 6-3, 7-6 (6) to snag the title. Freshman Connor Fu and senior Johnathan Small showed out in the Vredevelt Invitational on Oct. 4th. Fu and Small both went undefeated in singles play, the only two competitors to go undefeated in singles play throughout the entire tournament. Small beat Illinois State’s Jorge Barta 6-1, 6-3 see M TENNIS PAGE 9