It's not too late...

A celebration of moms

...to register for the Moms' Weekend, April 4th through April 6th! If you're new or haven't attended in the past, make sure to come this year. The weekend is a great time with your son, his friends, and other Steds moms, and it expresses what we Gentlemen never say enough, "We love our moms!" Of the weekend, AJ Tablada, Steds senior, said, "It's magical." Indeed it is moms... indeed it is!

They're getting married!

The future Curtis and Meghan Ballard

It's official. They're getting married! Curtis Ballard '09, Stedsman and Army Ranger, and Meghan McKeon, Le Moyne grad, will be married this coming Memorial Day weekend in Sackets Harbor, New York. Congratulations and best wishes to Curtis and Meghan, and I have dibs on getting the happy couple, if they still make them, a Presto salad shooter.

When asked about her thoughts about becoming a part of the “Steds Family”, Meghan said, “ I am very much excited to have a fine group of gentlemen to enjoy an adult beverage with, to share a nice prayer with before ND sporting events, and to have partner to run with when going to Farley Hall.”

He did it his way.

Congratulations, and put that on the resume

Tim Bontrager, Steds Senior and electrical engineer, tuned out the advice of others and took to the catwalk of the Mr. ND competition relying solely on “gut feelings” and “an unusual getup.” Whatever it was, Bontrager quickly won the crowd over, securing the Mr. Congeniality award.

On winning the award, Bontrager said, “I felt a great deal of pride, both for the electrical engineering department and for St. Edward's Hall. As an underclassman, I had watched Stedsmen repeatedly win the Mr. ND competition, and I had long hoped to join their ranks. I was very pleased to continue the Hall’s winning traditions. At this this time, I would like to thank the so many people… I want to thank the Academy… mom and dad… and nothing that happened that night would be possible without all of the great support I got from the Hall, and for that you have my thanks. I would also like to thank…”

Queue music… What did he do? Win an Oscar?

A Gentleman Boxer.

Danny (center) at a football game that hopefully we won

Danny “El Hombre” Espinoza, Steds sophomore, has jumped in the ring for the annual Bengal Bouts. When asked how he felt after winning his first round, Espinoza said, “Going into my first round I knew I would have a tough matchup.  I was just hoping to come out with all my teeth because I was fighting a guy named “BYE”, a scary boxer. So, when I won, I was pretty surprised, and I just wanted to focus on my next match. That’s all that mattered now!”

Good luck tonight, El Hombre, good luck…

Always our A-Team.

Coach MAhlers keeping it classy

While the game may not have ended the way that all Stedsmen would have wished, the Sted's          A-Team played with a defense like none other and a class and professionalism that hasn't been seen since the invention of the game. Hats off to Coach MAhlers and the Sted's A-Team!

VIDEO: STEDS A-TEAM BASKETBALL

Your Sunday...

                                                                       *Photo by Neil Sielski

...photo of Notre Dame. A view of our neighbor at sunset, longing for summer days!

No hanging chads here.

Andrew Noble (middle) learns first hand that Sted's politics is a darn, dirty business.

...since there were no more cash envelopes or checks to be had, Brendan Coyne, Steds senior and the Exchequer of Votes, declared Thursday's Hall elections to be closed and final. The presidential ticket of Michael Murphy (President) and Patrick Krauss and Christian Verhamme (Vice-Presidents) won with the Student Union Board representative being picked by Richard "Theo" Sholly. Jake Wittenberg won Hall senator in an uncontested race.

When asked by what authority did he have to close and certify our election results, Coyne retorted, "by the power vested in me by the 'Constitution of Student Activities!'" Gee, I never knew there was such a thing! The things you learn...

Where are they now?: Alumni Spotlight.

Now only if Rankin could smile in the classroom

Dennis “Drankin” Rankin ’09 and M.Ed.'11, Stedsman and “Man of Letters (academic mostly),” took the time to stop educating America’s future to tell me what’s he up to these days. Here’ s what Rankin had to say…

St.Ed: What are you up to these days?

Rankin: I am down south in Atlanta. This is my fourth year teaching middle school math and science at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School. ACE sent me here and I loved it so much, I stayed. 

St.Ed: I myself ascribe to Whitney Houston’s teaching pedagogy of "believing that the children are the future. Teach them well, and let them lead the way.” What’s your teaching philosophy?

Rankin: My teaching philosophy is equal parts Bill Nye and George Feeny: "SCIENCE RULES...Mr. Matthews."

St.Ed: How many movies do you show the kids in class, and when do you show them?

Rankin: All the students chip in for a class Netflix subscription and I let "Netflix Recommends" lead the way each day. 

St.Ed: Grade Inflation: are you a part of the problem or the solution?

Rankin: Personally, I've been more worried about grade deflation lately. I'm hoping the Fed's bond-buying stimulus program will help. 

St.Ed: What advice to you have for your fellow Stedsmen?

Rankin: Get to know everyone in the dorm by name. Don't be satisfied just knowing your class. 

St. Ed: What is the most important advice you were given at ND?

Rankin: A rector once told me…"You've got to stand up if you want to make a dope sound. Rock it steady, and get the people clapping."

St.Ed: Word.

A Gentleman Boxer.

Now that's a boom box. Word.

Brian Roddy, Steds junior and A-Team soccer captain, has, literally and figuratively, thrown himself into the ring for the annual Bengal Bouts. When asked how he felt after winning his first round on Monday night, Roddy said, "Sublime. I'm one step closer to being a champion, and being a champion opens a lot of doors - I'd like to get a real estate license, maybe sell insurance." Aim high, Roddy, literally and figuratively...

Our first Hall pet...

We barely knew you, but you are greatly missed!

...was short lived, lasting only a few hours, but the good news is that "Edwina," a.k.a. Irish, is doing just fine. After she was asked to vacate the Hall, Edwina crashed at a Stedsman's home. Today, Edwina enjoys barking, napping, and the occasional game of catch. When asked about coming back to the Hall for a visit, Edwina said, "Whoof." I'll take that as a yes.

They made it!

An amazing accomplishment for such young adventurists 

Brennan Lanier and Daniel Meehan, Steds sophomores, climbed Mt. St. Edward conveniently located in the backyard, just off of Plaza St. Edward. Taking advantage of a break in the weather, their ascent started at 3:01pm, and by 3:02pm, their objective was realized. On achieving this remarkable feat, Lanier said, " I've hiked some big mountains before, but this was an entirely different animal. My only regret is that we didn't sled down." 

Where's St. Ed...

 Clearly, there were more Connaughton fans than Eagles fans at the game

...in this sea of Connaughton fans? Pat Connaughton, a small forward for the Notre Dame Men's Basketball team, played before a home town crowd in Boston Sunday night. Scoring 17 points, Pat led the team in downing the BC Eagles for the second time this season. Now, you can see Pat front and center in the photo, but can you see me?

Your Sunday...

A picture of Mary and Dome in springtime

...picture of Notre Dame. Again, one day...all this snow and cold temps will give way to a beautiful spring like this!

If you're not...

                                                                                                                                                   *Ad by John Wetzel

The Hall's ad supporting the Gentlemen boxers.

...intimidated, then you will be! These Steds' boxers are representing the Hall in the annual Bengal Bouts. After much training and dedication, these boxers will have their day in the ring starting this Monday, February 17th. As they "get down to business," we wish them all the best. Make us proud!

They're getting married!

The future Ronnie and Diana Thompson

It's official. They are getting married! Ronnie Thompson '10, Stedsman and native Texan, and 

Diana ‘10, Breen Philips Hall and native Chicagoan, will be married this coming October in Chicago at Assumption Catholic Church. Congratulations and best wishes to Ronnie and Diana respectively. 

When asked about her marriage to a Stedsman, Diana said, “This marriage is a "win- win" for the Steds Family." 

Asking the AR.

Heintz, far right, looking "educated"

Here is the final installment of Jon Heintz's, '09 grad, Assistant Rector of Steds, and 3^rd year law student, answer to my questions of, “Who should receive an invitation to give a lecture to the Gentlemen of St. Edward’s Hall: Vice-President Joe Biden, “Good Will Ambassador” Dennis Rodman, or “Legion of Boom” member Richard Sherman?”

Heintz: That leaves us with Richard Sherman.  Luckily, I think Richard Sherman can impart a great amount of wisdom on the Gentlemen.  For all his troubles, Richard Sherman has worked extremely hard to get to where he is.  A lowly-rated recruit who committed to Stanford when they were one of the worst programs in the nation, Sherman was a big part of Stanford's revival and has emerged as perhaps the best Cornerback in the NFL (I think I'm required to say "National Football League").  Also, Sherman has an edge to him.  He's bold.  As our Gentlemen move into the real world, Richard can teach them its not always the best course of action to be a boring "yes" man.  Fortune favors the bold.  As Cal Hockley (Billy Zane's character in Titanic) once said, "a real man makes his own luck."  And at the end of the day, you know that Richard Sherman's speech won't be boring.  Plus I'd like to know what Erin Andrews is like in real life.

Still, whoever we choose, I hope we are offering free pizza so that some guys actually show up.

Wise advice with the pizza Mr. Heintz, but I would have invited Rihanna. I am just saying...