Asking the AR.

Heintz- Please give me a different photo to work with!

The fourth and final installment of Jon Heintz’s response to my question of, “Aside from Coach Brey, name some college basketball coaches who we should invite to Sted’s to be an honorary coach for our Sted’s basketball teams?”

1st Place:  Fred Hoiberg, Iowa State

Fred Hoiberg has quickly turned around Iowa State and now leads one of the Big 12's top programs.  Having knocked ND out of the tournament last season, I would like to hear his thoughts on Coach Brey, the ND program, and what we can do to improve.  But more importantly, Coach Hoiberg can teach the Stedsmen about the importance of loyalty.  Fred grew up in Ames, Iowa, was a high school basketball legend, and then stayed home to attend Iowa State, where he was a four-year starter and scored nearly 2,000 career points.  Fred seized the opportunity to return to Ames and lead his hometown Cyclones.  He now boasts the nickname "the Mayor" (@ISUMayor32) and is beloved by all in Ames.  Plus, he has some pretty sweet dance moves. Check them out...

Thank you for your thoughts Heintz, and I hope that Coach Hoiberg isn’t going to be your inspiration at the Yacht Dance.

Your Sunday...

                                                                      * Photo of Neil Sielski

...photo of Notre Dame. Enjoy knowing that fall is coming along with a new football season.

Asking the AR.

Does Heintz ever leave his room?

Installment three of Jon Heintz’s response to my question of, “Aside from Coach Brey, name some college basketball coaches who we should invite to Sted’s to be an honorary coach for our Sted’s basketball teams?”

2nd Place:  Archie Miller, Dayton

Archie Miller is basically an American hero this week, having defeated both Ohio State and Syracuse in the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament.  That's an entire year's worth of good deeds packed into one weekend.  But more than that, I think Archie can relate to Stedsmen.  He coaches at Dayton, a small Catholic university that -- despite its size -- has maintained an excellent and well-supported basketball program.  Also, like Coach McCaffrey, Archie is a native of Pennsylvania -- a state that has produced many of the greatest Stedmen of all time. 

But who take 1st place?

Where are they now?: Alumni Spotlight

P.V.- aspiring lawyer and Burt Reynolds stunt double

Known by many to be an ardent Stedsman, talented French horn player and “Man of Intrigue” and known by friends simply as “V”… P.V. took the time to stop “reading the Law” to tell me what he’s up to these days. Here’s what P.V. had to say…

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

P.V.: Oh, you know, the usual. Law school takes up most of my billable hours, but in my free moments I like to go ambulance chasing with my friends. I have also recently been spearheading a movement to get law students to join the local militia in Colonial Williamsburg.

St. Ed: Oh, studying law. Say, is possession really nine-tenths of the law?

P.V.: I'd say possession is more like seven-tenths of the law. The other five-tenths are an odd mix between consent, liability, and student loans.

St. Ed: If you had to have lunch a Supreme Court justice, who would it be?

P.V.: Definitely Justice Sonia Sotomayor.  I feel like she knows a thing or two about some exciting cuisine!

St. Ed: The upcoming football season is almost upon us. Do you have any predictions for the ND Marching Band?

P.V.: I'm calling it now: there's a 100% chance the band performs with Chicago.

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

P.V.: Take it all in now. The best four years of my life were in Steds, and if I could experience it all over again, I would in a heartbeat!

Asking the AR.

He's back because the tourney will be over soon

Installment two of Jon Heintz’s response to my question of, “Aside from Coach Brey, name some college basketball coaches who we should invite to Sted’s to be an honorary coach for our Sted’s basketball teams?”

3rd Place:  Fran McCaffrey, Iowa

Coach McCaffrey has many great attributes.  As a young basketball player, he acquired the nickname "White Magic."  As an assistant coach, he spent 11 seasons at Notre Dame and coached ND greats like LaPhonso Ellis and Pat Garrity.  And as a head coach, he has had excellent graduation rates at both Siena and Iowa.  I would especially like to hear Coach McCaffrey's thoughts on what ND needs to do to improve its basketball program and compete with the best programs around the nation.

More to come.

It's just one...

...of those days. With yesterday's snow, it's just one of those days. Really...

Asking the AR.

He's back...

Recently, I posed a question to Jon Heintz ’09, Assistant Rector of St. Ed’s and 3^rd year law student. I asked, “Aside from Coach Brey, name some college basketball coaches who we should invite to Sted’s to be an honorary coach for our Sted’s basketball teams?”

Here's what Heintz had to say:

Last Place:  Jim Boeheim, Syracuse

Jim Boeheim is last on most lists that I make, but this being a list of college basketball coaches ... well, it was a perfect fit.  What would Boeheim even talk to us about?  Picking our nose? Whining?  No thank you.  Last time Boeheim visited Notre Dame, we sent him home with a loss.  I'd like to keep it that way.

Well said, well said counselor. 

But who will get an invite? Stay tuned.

Parting Thoughts.

Sarda- making study abroad look serious

It's sad, and it's true. TJ Sarda, Sted’s senior, is nearing the end of his matriculation at Notre Dame. While he keeps an "active" senior schedule, Sarda was gracious enough to share his wisdom and “senior” insights. Here’s what Sarda had to say when asked for some parting thoughts.

St.Ed: What are you looking forward to in these last days of your last semester?

Sarda: Wearin' all my fresh pastels that have been collecting dust..and the yacht dance. 

St.Ed:  What is one of your favorite memories of St. Ed’s?

Sarda: Multifloor hallway golf.  (Hint: use the elevator, don't mess with the steps)

St.Ed: Looking back, would you have done anything differently?

Sarda: Start lifting earlier in college

St.Ed: What advice would you have for those following in your wake?

Sarda: My advice is…

1.  You might love sitting around all day in St. Ed's watching the tube, but hit the gym more and your future you will thank you (and me).  

2.  Study abroad.  (Go to Fremantle!!)

3.  Enjoy every moment you have with your bros in Steds -- it goes by faster than you think.

Starting September, Sarda will be in NYC working for Fahrenheit 212, an innovation consulting firm.

Good luck Sarda, and being in NYC, expect some call from your fellow Stedsmen!

Your Sunday...

                                                                                        *Photo by Neil Sielski

...photo of Notre Dame. We still need more green around here, but at least the snow is disappearing.

Spring Break Memories.

I wasn't invited, but I am sure I'll get postcard

It's over, but these Sted's seniors will always enjoy the memories of soaking up the sand, surf, and sun of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.  Of Spring Break, Bobby Weltner said, "I would strongly encourage the University to consider starting a study abroad program in Punta Cana." Right, Bobby. I'll take that recommendation on under advisement.

A Sted's Top 10 List.

But did we win the game?

What does Michael McGuire, Sted’s junior and Notre Dame Marching Band saxophonist, do with the roughly twenty-five hours of weekly free time that he gains since the marching band season has ended? Let’s find out…

10. Additional studying.

9.  More band-related things (concert band, basketball band, it never stops).

8.  Getting to sleep a little earlier (thank goodness).

7.  Actually getting to eat dinner with roommates and dorm friends.

6.  Learning how to play curling.

5.  Receiving random Snapchats from Andrew Borchert in London.

4.  Getting into heated dinner debates over minor sports topics.

3.  Watching terrible horror movies selected by Josh Schultz.

2.  Playing late-night basketball at Rolfs.

1.  Sleeping some more.

More sleep...I don't think that any of us can argue with that!