V-M Day!

Stedsmen: We have not; yet begun to fight!

Victory! Steds has declared victory in its battle against malaria! While there were some dark days during the campaign and while enemy may not have been completely vanquished, malaria has been dealt a severe setback as the Stedsmen and their mullets raised $6,657.97 for malaria prevention. Take that malaria! As fresh battle plans are drawn up and as they wait for their hair to grow out again, the Stedsmen have made it clear that this war isn't over. On the victory, Corey Gayheart, Steds freshman and "mullet head," said, "Yes, we may have won the battle against malaria; however, it’s not over. Next year, we continue to wage war to stop malaria. Next year, we must advance on all fronts against the enemy, showing no mercy and especially no fear! Next year, we must once again courageously don mullets or the cause… and we will. Together we fight, together we fall... but together, Steds can win it all!"

Thanks to all who supported the Gentlemen... many, many thanks indeed!

Your Sunday Picture...

A really quiet Sunday

...from Notre Dame. After a heartbreaker of a game last night, it's a quiet and lazy Sunday here at St. Edward's. Wherever you be may be, may your Sunday be the same, restful and relaxing!

Saturday Squirrel(s).

But will he see his friend?

They're always up to something... burying a nut for later, begging, or some other silly antic. Still yet, sometimes, our furry friends are simply playing games. On God Quad, two squirrels were seen playing an afternoon game of tag. When asked who was it, one of the squirrels paused and non-verbaled, "food please."

Not everyone got...

Next year kid... next year.

...a mullet. It's true. Not everyone who presented himself to be "mulleted" receive one. Why? Because in the end the final call was in the eyes of the stylists.  Yes, their trained eyes prevented some, who had the spirit but not the hair, from making a terrible mistake... being sent off to the front with a subpar mullet. Kurt Roemer, Steds sophomore, was one of those held back, and when I caught up with him, here's what he had to say...

St.Ed: What happened Kurt? Why don’t you have a mullet or at least a mohawk?

Roemer: I let the team down. I don't have a mullet because I don't have enough hair. I pleaded with them that I do, but they didn't buy it. I was rejected for mulcting.

St.Ed: Sad. How are you dealing with the embarrassment?

Roemer: I am struggling to deal with the embarrassment. While all the other Sted's guys have walked around with their beautiful mullets flowing in the wind, I have had to hide my lame haircut.

St.Ed: Did the stylist suggest a hairstyle that might be more appropriate given your hair’s volume and texture? 

Roemer: Given my hair's minimal volume and lack of texture, the hair stylist suggested a skullet for me. However, I had already seen Corey Gayheart's skullet, and I was aware that mine would not compare to the elegance and beauty of his, so I didn't dare try.

St.Ed: Still, how are you showing your support for the boys fighting malaria?

Roemer: In spite of my shameful effort with my hair, I have still tried to do my job in supporting the cause. I have worn my t-shirt around, donated money and spoken with others to spread the good news of our efforts. You have to remember that we are fighting malaria “for the kids”, and this is something I truly believe in!

St.Ed: What are you going to do differently next year so that you aren’t know as "that guy,” that guy without a mullet?

Roemer: I don't think my little ol' heart can take another year of being "that guy...that guy without the mullet." That being said, I may need to avoid cutting my hair until next year’s mullets. That would make up for my sad showing this year.

St.Ed: Good luck!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Gentlemen, as I am too, are thankful for all the laughs, Yacht Dances, and memorable times associated with this special place, St. Edward's Hall. Thank you to all who help make the traditions and high jinxes carry on. God's blessing upon you all!

Spotlight RA.

Hecht: "That Guy"

Again, the real secret to St. Edward's Hall is its staff, particularly its resident assistants (RAs). These dedicated, undergraduate seniors are to the Hall as Babe Ruth was to the Yankees. Who are these seniors? Let's put the spotlight on one of them... the 4th floor main resident assistant, Chris Hecht.

St.Ed: Why did you become an resident assistant (RA) for your senior year?  Shouldn’t your last year be as easy a slam dunk?

Hecht: Well, I would say that choosing to be an RA has been one of the easiest decisions I have ever made.  When the opportunity presents itself for you to take on a leadership role that allows you to make a lasting impression on the lives of your peers, it’s one that you just can’t say no to.  And just because I’m tall, it doesn’t mean I can dunk.

St.Ed: So, besides your height, what are you bringing to the Steds Hall Staff this year

Hecht: Not to redirect the question, but I feel like I’ve been under appreciated as the resident light bulb changing expert.  Just wanted to get the word out there for awareness.  But anyway, I feel like I bring some raw, unadulterated talents to the Hall Staff this year, including the ability to set a baseball lineup, the ability to roll a sixteen pound ball 60 feet down a lane, and the ability to create soothing guitar rhythms (at a reasonable volume, of course).

St. Ed: So besides being the more popular floors in the Hall, what makes the 4th floor so special?

Hecht: “Those who know [the 4^th floor], no explanation's necessary. Those who don't, no explanation will suffice” – Lou Holtz.

St.Ed: Rumor has it that you are the ringleader of the Hall Staff’s Fantasy football league. Can you share how the league is shaping up?

Hecht: In an intense battle to secure a coveted spot in the Hall Staff Fantasy Playoffs, a four-way tie for the remaining two spots has emerged.  This could possibly be the most balanced league I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen just about everything in this business.

St.Ed: Being an RA for over a semester now, what’s something that you learned about the Hall?

Hecht: Legends aren’t born here, legends are made here.

St.Ed: What would you want your legacy to be at Steds?

Hecht: I want to be the guy who is remembered as being more than just a baseball coach or a bowler or an actuary.  I want to be the guy who people will talk about years down the road and still say ‘I remember that guy.  Too bad he had to graduate.  If he would have just failed all of his classes, he might still be here right now”.  I wish it was as easy as failing my classes, but creating a lasting legacy in the remaining six months I have here is a goal still in the forefront of mind.  Do or do not, there is no try.

It had to come to an...

The first snow fall...

...end. The recent spate of mild weather, with sun and warm temps, had to run out, and it finally did this past weekend. While many people were away in Boston, the heavens clouded up and dropped five to seven inches of snow on campus. On the recent snow fall, Tom Roman, Steds AR, said, “The recent snow fall has warmed the hearts of Gentlemen throughout the Hall! Although, I have heard talk of chestnuts roasting on an open fire, reminder: open fires are NOT permitted in the Hall.”  

It was a game to...

A Steds postgame gathering 

remember! Yes, Notre Dame's game against Boston College was a game to remember if not for the fumbles then certainly for the location... Fenway Park! Fenway was a great venue and a nice home away from home for the Irish. In the end, the Irish prevailed 16 to 13 making all Irish fans breathe a sigh of relief! Still, the game was a time for the "Steds World" to contact and renew the bonds of brotherhood. Of the Irish win and Steds post game gathering with six "generations" of Stedsmen in present, Andrew Blonigan '15 said, "It was an ugly win, but being reunited with my brothers from Steds helped keep our fires lit and our cabins warm" while Andy Thomas '11 said, "The game was way too close for comfort, but the atmosphere at Fenway was phenomenal. And there's no way any other hall could replicate the post-game get together -- Steds Alumni representing 6 graduating classes!" 

Your Sunday picture...

Loving El Nino.

... from Notre Dame. Here's a gorgeous view of Mary and Main Building with the Basilica from the Jesus statue. If only it could stay this way. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

A Special Tree.

If you take two of these, you better call a doctor.

This is not the "tylenol tree" that drops safe and effective acetaminophen. Instead, Fr. Terry Ehrman, C.S.C., theologian and botanist, informs that this is none other than Celastrus Scandent, or more commonly known as American Bittersweet. The Bittersweet, found on campus around the lakes, has bright yellow-orange fruit that ripens in October to November. When asked if the Bittersweet berries could be eaten, Fr. Ehrman said, "You'll be better off using it in your Thanksgiving and Christmas flower arrangements."

Getting ready...

Fenway Park: Notre Dame's home away from home

...for tomorrow. Yes, Boston, which is already very Irish, has become even more so with the influx of Notre Dame Irish fans. It's hard to walk about Boston without running into an Irish Fan or someone sporting the blue and gold, and yes, the green too. On being in Boston for the game, Fr. Ralph said, "With so many of the Stedsmen, past and present, here, I wonder if I can receive a field commission and be appointed temporary 'Rector of Boston?'"

A little extra firepower...

Fr. Ralph: it's all about fundamentals

...never hurts, and that's exactly what the Notre Dame Men's Basketball team had on Tuesday night when they hosted UW-Milwaukee at the Joyce Center. Despite a slow start, the Irish rallied, even leading the Panthers by 20 points. No doubt that superior skills were behind the rally and ultimate win, but there was something else at work... the team's game chaplain, Fr. Ralph. On Fr. Ralph's performance as game chaplain, a university official, speaking on the condition anonymity, said, "When I saw Fr. Ralph sitting the bench, I knew that a win was a "slum dunk"... there was no way that Milwaukee could repell prayer power that magnitude!"

Spotlight RA.

Spesia: Researching for Ed's

Again, the real secret to St. Edward's Hall is its staff, particularly its resident assistants (RAs). These dedicated, undergraduate seniors are to the Hall as the Jedi Knights were to the Old Republic of Star Wars. Who are these seniors? Let's put the spotlight on one of them... the 4th floor wing Resident Assistant, Frank Spesia.

St.Ed: Why did you become an resident assistant (RA) for your senior year?  As a senior wouldn’t you just want to roam the hallways as a “traveling troubadour,” playing sweet nothings on your guitar? 

Spesia: I became an RA after I failed the tryout for the Irish Troubadour Club Team. I was so devastated- I felt like my dreams had been crushed forever. Naturally, I wanted to become an RA so that I could train the future troubadours of Notre Dame, and continue helping the Club Team that I loved, even after they spurned me.

St.Ed: If the Hall Staff was the cast of Star Wars, who would you be? Still yet, who would your fellow staff members be?

Spesia: I am not a huge Star Wars buff, so don't expect anything insightful here. I picture myself as the Han Solo of the hall staff- my heart is in the right place, but sometimes I have to play by my own rules. Obviously Chris Hecht is Chewbacca, due to his incredibly long arms, and Vaishnav is Princess Leia due to his excellent (some would say noble) posture. Dan Meehan is Lando, who I just learned about. Sometimes does sketchy things, but it doesn't matter because he is the mayor. Dawson is C3P0 witty, and has the sneaky one liner at the ready. And finally, Fr. Ralph told me, "You must say that I am Yoda" so... Yoda he is.

St.Ed: The fourth floor of Steds is the most popular floor in the Hall, but what makes the 4th floor wing the most special part of the floor?

Spesia: As a 4 year resident of the 4th floor, I can attest to the special nature of the highest level of the building. 4 Wing is extra special because it has all of the attractions- the bathroom, the water fountain, the elevator, and my room are all on 4 Wing. It comes down to location, location, location. And we on the wing have all the locations.

St.Ed: Rumor has it that you are a member of the Hall Staff’s Fantasy football league. Can you share how the league is shaping up?

Spesia: This year's fantasy football league is an absolute thriller. It has everything- rivalry, trash talk, betrayal, treasure maps, and forbidden romance. I wish I could say that I'm winning the league, but unfortunately I've been really focused on my studies this semester, so I've had basically no free time to invest in my squad. I also took some bad intel and drafted several players who retired in the late 2000s. 

St.Ed: Being an RA for over a semester now, what’s something that you learned about the Hall?

Spesia: Man, and I thought the Star Wars question was hard. I learned that the number of keys needed for an RA to do their job is complete overkill, and that when in doubt, you should print your paper the night before.

St.Ed: What would you want your legacy to be at Steds?

Spesia: I want my Steds tombstone to say, "He was always generous, and he strove to please. His heart was big, but his funny bone was bigger. Those who knew him often called him the coolest cat on campus, but those who didn't know him probably weren't missing too much, in the grand scheme of things. He was a terrible singer, but he sang in the hallways anyway, and he did it for the love of the game."

St.Ed: Frank, thanks for all that you do!

The mullets continue...

Trzaska with his hawk

...to make an appearance on campus, but there is another 80's haircut lurking about as well- the fabled mohawk. They may not be the classic or modern versions. They may not even be the most recent variation- the faux. Still, some Stedsmen sport, well, a special hawk- "Edwardian-hawk" for the cause against malaria. On getting his Edwardian-hawk, Joe Trzaska, Steds freshman, said, "When I took my perch upon the hairdresser's stool, she scoffed, proclaiming that I lacked the hair enough to be emboldened. Clearly, she underestimated my dedication to the cause." Indeed she did Joe... indeed she did!

The word in the hallway is...

Rahill: Chocolate shake connoisseur

... that Logan Arnold, a rookie employee at Ed’s, has reportedly gone back to basics with his milkshake making tactics--and he’s making a killing. What’s Arnold’s secret? The freshman has been using the simple recipe of vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, and milk, rather than the more often used chocolate ice cream and milk. Walk into Ed’s and you can now hear patrons giving directions to their waiter: “Milkshake, but with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.” On Arnold’s milkshake innovation, Collin Rahill, Steds freshman, said, “Though the young man has now had two stints in which the ranch dressing has run out- a classic rookie mistake of not checking up on ingredients- his future looks good in the frozen treat world.”

Your Sunday picture...

The beauty of Fall continues!

...from Notre Dame. Here's an updated photo of the Jesus statue in God Quad. The statue was blogged in early October as the leaves began to turn. To appreciate how things have changed in the span of a month, click HERE. Still, enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Taking a break...

                                   A quiet moment in the Park.  *Photo by J. Clark

...from the week that was and the weekend that is yet to be! Senior, John Clark, who is also a photographer for the Scholastic magazine, captured Steds freshman, Logan Arnold, enjoying St. Edward's Park. Whether Arnold was studying or preparing himself for the last home game of the season, it's always good to spend some  time outside in November. We to have enjoy it while we can!

It was their...

"The Mulleted"

...finest moment! With unwavering determination and firm resolve, the Gentlemen of St. Edward's Hall valiantly stepped forward to do their part in defeating the enemy. Yes, one by one they each came forward to receive their mullet against malaria. Hailed as the pièce de résistance of the campaign, the mullet, coupled with the poppy frocket, will deliver the proverbial knock-out punch, taking out the enemy once and for all and bringing the Gentlemen back home to get regular haircuts! 

Perhaps we don't have a poppy frocket... maybe we didn't have the hair nor courage to get a mullet... but it's NOT too late for us to do our part at the "home front" in supporting our "mulleted" Gentlemen at the front! It's NOT too late to give to the campaign! So, do YOUR part to bring the boys home to get regular haircuts...just in time for Thanksgiving!!!!

To help, click HERE.

Here are some pictures of the brave and mulleted Gentlemen of St. Edward's Hall....

The General take the lead...

... and Senior Pat Krauss follows suit.

Sophomore Dan Riley: Don't worry mom... it will grow out.

 Freshman Ethan Locicero: The lines add a touch of sophistication

Sophomore Brandon Ryan: Mom, my hair will be back before you know!

Gentlemen: Preseeeeeent Mullets!

Malaria: Your days are numbered!

It's the day...

General Mathes (left) lifting spirits and rallying the boys 

…that everyone has been waiting for. It’s the day of the boldest and most audacious maneuver of the campaign. It’s the day when the enemy will be taken completely by surprise as the secret weapons of this war are let loose. It’s the day when the Gentlemen unleash the power of the mullet!

Suffice it to say, among the general populace of the Hall there is excitement and fanfare for this much anticipated moment, but yet, at the same time, quietly, there is a healthy amount of fear and trepidation among those heading off to the front with mullets. Questions of "Should I really get a mullet" and "What can a mullet really achieve?" arise in minds of the young and inexperienced. 

Yet, for these brave Gentlemen who gathered in the lounge the next before, perish such thoughts! On going to the front a mullets, these Gentlemen said:

"Life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. Life gives you hair, you make a mullet," Corey Gayheart (second from left).

"There are only two types of people in this world: people who like malaria and people who get mullets. I hate malaria," Ethan Locicero (not pictured).

"I regret that I have but only one mullet to give for the campaign," Fr. Ralph (not pictured).

Still yet, on lookers said:

"I'm gonna wait for next year... that way I can grow out my flow and hit malaria where it counts," said Jack Kaspar (right).

"The future is still looking bright. But if the war continues next year, well, good things come to those who wait," said Jack Cafferty (second from right).

Want to help the cause, but don't want to go to the front? Click HERE.

Stopping malaria...

Behind the lines, it's all smiles with Jack and Jack Ryan

...with poppy colored frockets! Yes, that's poppy, and the Gentlemen aren't afraid to show their softer side if it draws attention and awareness to the war they are waging against malaria. Designed by Parker Mathes and Daara Jalili and drawing upon the wisdom of last year's shirt, the poppy frocket is not only making a statement on campus but also positioning the Mullets Against Malaria campaign for an explosive breakout and victory. On wearing the poppy frocket, Jack Ryan Williams, Steds freshman, said, "As you can see, some of us here at St. Ed's are eager to spread awareness for the much anticipated and vitally important Mullets Against Malaria campaign; others... cough, cough, Jack... think awareness is going to spread itself."

Want to help the cause, but poppy isn't your color? Click HERE.

Rising to the challenge...

Vaishnav: always a tease

... and taking on malaria! The Gentlemen continue target malaria, and as they enter into the last week of the Mullets Against Malaria campaign, they are pressing everyone into service to do their part to take out this enemy and achieve victory. Tomorrow, the Gentlemen will open another front against malaria as they unveil of the Steds Mullets Against Malaria frocket (shirt with a front pocket). Yet, at the same time, the Gentlemen are preparing for a full frontal assault, the last push if you will, in this war- the official Mullet Cutting Ceremony. Yes, on this Thursday trained hairstylists will cut their mops of hair into mullets all in an effort to raise funds for the charity Nothing But Nets. The more funds raised, the longer the Gentlemen have to keep their mullets. The question now floating around the Hall is, "Are you getting a mullet?" On if  he was getting a mullet, Vaishnav Murthy, Steds senior and RA, said, "While the future of my hair is uncertain, my commitment to the cause remains as strong as ever!"

Want to help the cause, but don't want to rush to the front and get a mullet? Click HERE.

She's a ray of...

Always smooth sailing with this friend...

sunshine on a cloudy day. Dan Meehan's fortunes changed when he ran into an old friend in Chicago. Suddenly, this senior's trip to the Windy City became not just another visit but rather a happy reunion. On being reunited, Meehan said, "The wind gusted across the pier, brisk, but not harsh. The crowds of summer that once filled the pier, were but a shadow of the imagination. As I gazed across the horizon, I saw it. There it lay, the Mystic Blue. Never a finer ship in all the land. Without doubt, she's a comely vessel, and home to the dance of all dances: St. Ed's Yacht Dance. I began to run, nay sprint to her. So many memories, and a few more to make yet."

Your Sunday picture...

Wish you were here!

...from Notre Dame. Here's a beautiful of the view of the south facade of St. Edward's Hall. With little rain and continued warm temps, fall has been beautiful, making every place on campus a vista worth soaking in, even a photo. It's hard to believe that it's November! Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

Climbing the nut house

What are they doing? Yes, this question often crosses the minds of people when they see the antics of our furry campus neighbors. If they're not digging, chasing another squirrel, or begging, they're up to something crazy...like this squirrel. Here's a furry friend who was spotted climbing an exterior wall of Zahm Hall. Whether he was inspired by the new James Bond film or thought he was climbing a tree, this squirrel was a mission. When asked what he doing, our furry friend nonverbal, "Looking for nuts of course." Of course...

Look, it's a man...

Yes, Eagan is phoning a friend for help.

...it's a plane... no, it's a man with a mullet. This past weekend in the 1st floor Steds bathroom, Greg Eagan, Steds junior, crafted Griffin Hilly's full head of hair into a "working" mullet.  For Eagan, it was his first time giving a hair cut, and for Hilly, it was the first of many mullets to be had at Steds for the upcoming charity event of Mullets Against Malaria. On crafting his first ever mullet, Eagan said, "I didn't know what I was doing; it just felt right," while Hilly said, "I took the lead of fellow Chicagoan and fashion trailblazing icon, Kanye West, and created an entire new hairstyle, in the same way that he invented leather joggers. I call my creation the 'Man-Bullet'."

The finished product, the much talked about "Man-Bullet"...

Hey, it's all for a good cause!

Want to help the cause, but don't want a mullet? Click HERE.

It's official...

Fr. Ralph with Mr. & Mrs. Dennis and Courtney Rankin

...they're married! With Fr. Ralph witnessing and a large Steds contingent present, Courtney Marek '10 and Dennis Rankin ’10, former Steds resident, were married at the Chapel of Our Lady of Victory at St. Catherine’s in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was a beautiful fall day with plenty of sunshine, and it was only made more so by this radiant couple. On Courtney and Dennis’ wedding, Jon Heintz ’10, Steds residents and groomsman, said, ”We enthusiastically welcome Courtney to the St. Ed's family, where she will no doubt fit in very well, for she is bright, beautiful, and classy, and so much better than Zahm."

Congratulations Courtney and Dennis!

Steds Shuttlecock Showdown.

Commissioner Mathes commissioning 

They said that it couldn't be done, but nevertheless under the direction of Parker Mathes, Founder's Week commissioner, St. Ed's held the very first Steds Shuttlecock Showdown on the Saturday of Founder's Week. Despite the cold temps and driving rain, the Gentlemen, along with assorted others from various halls, took to North Quad setting up no less than TEN badminton courts. The day saw the rise and fall of many teams. There were no injuries but a number of bruised egos. And despite the rain, the love of the game kept hearts warm and smiles on faces. In the end, it was brother against brother, as two Steds teams faced off against each other in the championship. The competition was spirited and fierce, and the play was finessed, controlled, and, yes, even refined. Still, there could be only one winner, and the sophomores, Jack Kill and Alex Schelhorn, took down the juniors, Kevin Schmitt and Jackson Fox.

On their win, Schelhorn said, "It's a great honor to be the inaugural Shuttlecock Showdown champion. Any time I can have my name mentioned alongside the Shuttlecock Showdown, it's a great day!"

Still, Kill said, "Schelhorn and myself are personally honored and blessed to be the inaugural Shuttlecock Showdown champions. We would like to emphasize that we have a combined 0 years of Shuttlecocking experience. It just goes to show that all it takes is a lot of heart, a little skill, and the Founder's smile upon you!"

Congratulations to our winners!

Some other sights during the day...

Lines? No, we're just eyeballing it.

 2nd place winners: Schmitt and Fox

1st place winners: Schelhorn and Kill

The tradition...

Float on Stedsmen... float on!

...continues! The Steds Float continues every home football game Saturday. The Float for USC weekend marked the last float with the ever so dark blue water of the Hesburgh Library's reflecting pool. During Fall Break, the pool was drained, but don't worry... the float will go on! On the Steds Float for USC game weekend, John Clark, Steds senior, said, "Hyped for hypothermia... a warm up for Mullets Against Malaria!"

Remember to do YOUR part for Mullets Against Malaria! STAND with Steds, and click HERE.

Now is...

It's on!

...the time to stand with Steds! Yes, stand with the Gentlemen of St. Edward's Hall and take a stand against malaria! The Gentlemen are once again battling this disease through Mullets Against Malaria. Growing their hair out for the six months, the Gentlemen will have their "manes" crafted into the unforgettable hairdo of the 80's, the mullet, on Thursday, November 12th, all in the hopes of raising funds for the Hall's charity, Nothing But Nets. The Gentlemen are holding nothing back in this battle, and they need your help in securing victory! On Mullets Against Malaria starting up again, an unnamed Stedsman said, "Everyone- and then some- must rise to the occasion and do their duty to achieve victory!"

If you want to take a stand with Steds, visit our website by clicking HERE.

Your Sunday Picture...

Mother Nature adding a bit of flare

...from Notre Dame. Once again, a beautiful Fall scene on God Quad. Folks, there are just too many scenes like this on campus that I can't show you all of them... you're just coming to have come and make a visit! Still, all of these scenes make me want to live in "eternal Fall!"