It was a game...

Meder, McCartney, Bradley, and Dwyer

...that had its fair share of highs and lows. Unfortunately, the men's basketball game ended with a low as Notre Dame lost to Duke. Still, the game was fill of student antics and frivolities... and the Gentlemen of St. Edward's did their part. Not surprisingly, much attention was directed at one player in particular, Grayson Allen. On seeing Grayson Allen play, St. Ed's sophomores, 

Ryan Meder, said, "Our experience was ok, I would give it 3 stars on TripAdvisor,"

Kevin McCartney, said, "I heard Grayson Allen’s mom only played “Day Tripper” for him as a child,"

Sam Bradley, said, "I fell for Grayson the first time I ever met him. No, literally, he tripped me and I fell,"

Mickey Dwyer, said, "I bumped into Grayson Allen after the game. I wanted to say something to him, but I just kept tripping over my words,"

Still yet, here was the half time show... amazing. To watch, click HERE.

It happened...

The Monday morning from Steds

...while everyone was asleep. Yes, overnight the wind blew from the right direction, starting the Lake Effect snow phenomenon that makes Notre Dame and Northern Indiana a winter wonderland. Dropping anywhere from seven to five inches, the snowfall is the first significant snowfall of in new year. Still yet, the sun came out too. On the snow and sun, Christian Kirby, Steds freshman and only Rhode Islander, said, "When I woke up this morning and looked out the window, I asked myself, 'What is that bright light in the sky? Could that possibly be the sun, or is it just a figure of my imagination?’ Then, I looked down at the snow on the ground and decided winter wasn’t over, and so, I went back to hibernating in my warm bed."

Your Sunday picture...

Always a beautiful sight...

...from Notre Dame. With the always grey, cloudy sky overhead and snowflakes in the air, there is no doubt- it's January. Unfortunately, the beauty of campus is now hidden, but hopefully, there will be a explosion of color and beauty in spring which is right around the corner. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

Sorry, have to dash

Our furry friends are many things, but one trait that stands out is their mercurialness. They are so unpredictable! One moment you are the only person in their world, and suddenly, you're dropped like the proverbial hot potato. But why? Was the food I offered not to your liking? Was it something that I non-verbaled? Why did you run away? Oh, how many nuts I would give to find out why your ran away that day! I guess I'll never know.

The first...

Aulino: Already a Mullets Against Malaria hero

...casualty in the battle against malaria? Thankfully not! No, our Steds freshman, Joey Aulino, broken right hand was not the result of battling malaria but rather the result of an injury sustained during a sporting event. Known to be "accident prone," the broken hand comes as no surprise to Aulino and those who know him, and it hasn't damped Aulino's spirit or resolve in the slightest. On braking his hand, Aulino, "I regret that it wasn't related to the cause... but I guess that why I still have another hand to break."

Behind the front lines...

MAM Shirts: Victory can't be far off!

...forces are gathering for upcoming battle with malaria. Today, thanks to Mike Costin, Steds haberdasher (pictured above right), the Gentlemen received the much needed and anticipated "Mullets Against Malaria"(MAM) t-shirt. Having an 80's vibe, the t-shirts are long sleeved and sport a pocket in the front. Without doubt, it truly is "a must have" for everyone headed to the front lines. On receiving the MAM t-shirts, Jackson Herrfeldt, Steds junior and MAM t-shirt designer (pictured above left), said, "I hoped that by designing the shirts I could both raise money for a the cause AND bring back perhaps one of the greatest fashion decades of all time!"

Mullets Against Malaria

Lupo: He's smiling

As the Hall mobilizes to battle malaria, I thought it best that, before the fireworks begin, we speak to the Steds Gentleman who coordinating the war effort. Matt Lupo, Steds sophomore and New Yorker, has a calm and collected demeanor which all make for a brilliant tactician in the line of "Storm'n Norman" Schwarzkopf. I had the opportunity to speak with our "general," and here's what he could divulge... 

St. Ed: What’s Mullets Against Malaria all about?

Lupo: There are two main components to Mullets Against Malaria: mullets and malaria. A mullet is the greatest hairstyle ever created, and malaria is a deadly disease that is carried by mosquitoes and affects millions of people around the world. It only takes as little as $10 to greatly reduce the risk of infection, but many people do not know this. Mullets Against Malaria raises awareness of both malaria prevention and fashionable haircuts, and it raises money for Nothing But Nets, a charity that provides mosquito nets to those in need.

St. Ed: Are there any hidden challenges to growing a mullet?Lupo: The biggest challenge is resisting the pressure to cut your hair prematurely, especially around the holidays when your family wants you to look "respectable" and not "like a long-haired hippie." Another issue is properly budgeting for a greater need for shower supplies as there is increasingly more hair to shampoo/condition.

St. Ed: How long will Steds wage its campaign against malaria, moreover, we will win?Lupo: Steds will fight against malaria until it is eradicated. I personally will continue to sport the mullet until the fight is won or until other obligations (a job, my parents, etc.) interfere. I have faith that it is a winning fight because even a small donation can do so much good in curbing the spread of malaria.

St. Ed: What would you say to encourage others to join the Gentlemen in this fight?

Lupo: Malaria is a treatable and preventable disease, but hundreds of thousands of people still die every year because they are too poor to afford adequate care. Every $10 you give can help save a life. If that's not encouragement enough, the more money we raise, the longer we have to keep rocking the mullets. So keep your favorite Stedsman in a mullet for as long as possible and donate today.

Join the Gentlemen in the fight against malaria! Click HERE.

A blast...

More to come...

...from the past. Thanks to Neil Sielski '15, we have an insight into Notre Dame's past. Through a patient, Sielski came into possession of the Notre Dame Student Manual from 1941.

This week's installment from the 1941 Notre Dame Student Manual, page 32:

"Notre Dame has no fraternities. It maintains no artificial social groups of any kind."

A story...

Help: for the kids!

...and a favor.  Yes, a former resident of St. Edward’s Hall,  Dominic "Dom" Fanelli, has a story and a favor to ask of his fellow Gentlemen. In Dom's own words...

My name is Dominic Fanelli, and I’m an Assistant Principal of a Catholic School in the South Bronx...actually at school where Fr. Ralph was placed for a brief amount of time. Ask him about it. Anyway, I have the pleasure of coaching boys high school basketball at the charter high school where I worked before moving back into Catholic education.  Last year in my first year as head coach and the teams first year in the OLDEST high school athletic league in the country, the PSAL, we went 15-1. The boys are still learning what it means to be a varsity high school athlete and the growing pains are tough.  This year we’re off to a strong start and are undefeated in conference play, but we have had some setbacks. We have had some tough losses to better opponents. Still, we’ve learned a ton from these losses. 

HERE'S THE STORY...

Recently, the PSAL was able to offer teams tickets to see Notre Dame play Colorado, and of campus, we jumped at the chance.  While at the game, I ran into Dr. Jay and Liz Williams, and they had the opportunity to meet my high school basketball team.  A few weeks later, the Williams saw a write-up of mine on the ND Club of New York’s website, and they asked me how they could help the team. I told them about our 7:30AM Saturday practices.  We get a lift in and have film sessions, but I always wanted  the team to have donuts, you know, to make the early morning practices more enjoyable.  Jay offered to pay for them, and the boys LOVED that someone was thinking of them.  

WATCH THIS VIDEO of the boys showing their gratitude.

HERE'S THE FAVOR...

If you would like to support the Democracy Prep Dragons Basketball Team IN ANY WAY, please contact me at Fanelli.dominic@gmail.com.

Still, if you’re in the New York area and would like to come watch a game, click HERE to see our schedule. We’d love to see you!

IN THE END...

We have different struggles than most programs.  Often, my boys have to miss practice to stay home and babysit because both parents are working multiple jobs till late in the evening every night.  Gym space is tough to come by, and you would laugh at our supposed weight room- a room that at best can fit 3 persons.  Yet, these obstacles have only made us tougher, and we make the most of them. In the end, our goal is to play the beautiful game of basketball- in a beautiful way- and help develop these young men into the best versions of themselves!

Thanks,

Dominic Fanelli

Your Sunday picture...

Come spring... come quickly!

... from Notre Dame. Here's a campus view during, well, a more enjoyable season at Notre Dame- spring. Perhaps you're doing what I am doing- waiting for spring! Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

Oh.. what was on your mind

Our furry friends are everywhere- literally everywhere- so that when you think that you are alone, you should look up. More often than not, a furry friend is looking down just like this guy. What was he doing? Was he looking for a discarded muffin? Was he eavesdropping, or was he just looking for a bit of alone time. Sadly, we'll never know because our furry friend scurried away without non-verbaling anything. More to come?

What's happening...

White truck: a friend in disguise

...at Steds? During Christmas Break this truck was spotted outside Steds. Suffice it to say, it caused quite a stir. What is this truck? Moreover what is it doing outside Steds? The good news is that this truck was not up to anything nefarious. No, not in the least. Instead, this truck was at Steds to clean the carpeting...something that they regularly do during break. On the carpet cleaning, Jen, the Steds housekeeper, said, "The Hall really needed it. The "teen spirit" had built up during the fall, and it was a wee bit, well, overwhelming." 

Just when you thought...

Coming soon to a full head of hair

...it was over, it's just beginning! The battle continues. Yes, the Steds is gearing up to do battle against its nemesis- malaria. Joining forces with the charity Nothing but Nets, Steds will once again don 80's hairstyles all in an effort to defeat this debilitating disease. You too can join these brave souls and the fight, so look for more information coming soon. On the mobilizing the Steds forces, Matt Lupo, Steds Mullets Commissioner, said, "It's on!"

Down, but...

Coach Phineas: Watching his afternoon serials

...not out! Coach Phineas is resting and recuperating from his recent surgery to repair a torn muscles. A fall down the steps at Steds? A slip on a patch of black ice? No. Coach Phineas, while coaching AND playing for the Steds inter-hall football squad, suffered that season ending injury while playing against Dunne Hall... a game that saw not only Dunne Hall done for the season but also Coach Phineas. On his recovery, Brenda Andrews, Coach's mom, said, "In a noble but ultimately quixotic attempt to get Steds to the inter-hall football championship, Coach Phineas suffered the unhappy triad, i.e. MCL, ACL, and meniscus tears. Thankfully, his recent surgery was successful, and he is on the long road to recovery. He should be able to stride confidently across the platform at graduation." 

Later, when asked if it was worth it for the glory of St Edward's Hall, Coach Phineas wisely declined comment. 

We love you Coach Phineas!

The Steds family...

Fr. Ralph and Denise Trinkl

... is EVERYWHERE! On the recent tour of the Notre Dame Liturgical Choir, Fr. Ralph was approached after Sunday Mass at the Basilica of San Juan Capistrano by someone calling his name. Surprised, Fr. Ralph turned around and was even more surprised to see a Steds mom, Denise Trinkl, mother of Steds junior, Greg Trinkl. Small world! On vacation in Southern California, Denise heard that the ND Lit Choir was performing, and so she made it a point to them. On the hearing the ND Liturgical Choir sing, Denise said, "On seeing the ND Lit Choir in Southern California, I was struck by how wonderful they sounded and how big their smiles were -- Disney smiles from the previous day at Disneyland for sure! We were so blessed to have been able to hear these great pieces sung so beautifully in such a perfect setting. They made us proud!"

Best of...

...the Gentlemen's Monthly. Yes, three years ago today, here was today's posting. Enjoy!

The future Mr. and Mrs. Keve having fun somewhere

It's official. They're getting married! Bryan Keve '11, Stedsman and Notre Dame architect, and Stephanie, Keve's high school girlfriend, are to be married this August at Notre Dame's Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Congratulations and best wishes to Bryan and Stephanie, respectively, and I have dibs on getting them a toaster, regardless if it's on the registry.

Your Sunday picture...

Steds with snow is always beautiful

...from Notre Dame. Yes, it's still winter, but the good news is there not much snow. Will that continue? Let's say a prayer. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

Pretty...

Saturday's squirrel has been preempted to bring you this picture of the fora and fauna from Southern California. Creeping along the side of a "Ralph's Fresh Market" was this bush with bright red flowers. The flowers were so foreign looking that they appeared be from another world. When asked what this flower was called, Fr. Terry, Steds resident botanist and biologist, said, "a big red flower."  

A blast...

More to come...

...from the past. Thanks to Neil Sielski '15, we have an insight into Notre Dame’s past. Through a patient, Sielski came into possession of the Notre Dame Student Manual from 1941.

This week’s installment from the 1941 Notre Dame Student Manual, page 32:

"Student life at Notre Dame is meant to be essentially academic."

Western Steds continued...

ND Liturgical Choir and the Basilica San Juan...

Well, it's not all fun and games in California because there's work to be done too. Following the Notre Dame Liturgical Choir is hard work as they tour Southern California. On this past Sunday, the choir sang at the historical Basilica of San Juan Capistrano with additional concerts at Our Lady Queen of Angels in Newport Beach and Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. Suffice it to say, this group of 45 students knows how to sing! Amid great singing, there was a surprise at the concert. Steds very own Ned Vogel directed a piece! See below. On concerts of the ND Liturgical Choir, Fr. Ralph, "They make listeners happy and their University and Alumni proud."

...and Newport Beach with Ned directing. 

Western Steds...

A view of Newport Beach

...is preferable to the real Steds right now. Why? The sub-zero temps and gray clouds of Northern Indiana have given way to the sun and surf of Southern California. On moving Steds out west, Fr. Ralph said, "I am enjoying the change of scenery, and once again, I wish we ALL could be Californian."

Best of...

...the Gentlemen's Monthly. Yes, three years ago today, this was today's posting. Enjoy this blast from the past!

It's still cold

While the Univeristy is no longer closed because of the sub zero temps, it is still cold outside! So, when you return later this week, dress warmly, and for those of you who don't have a winter coat, get one. It's going to be one of those winters... 

Your Sunday picture...

Stay warm

...from Notre Dame. Here's a winter view of Mary and the Dome. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

What you are seeing...

Look up!

...is an astronomical event. Here is a view of the Moon with the planet Venus, just a really small dot, to the upper left. What does this mean? On the astronomical sight, Fr. Terry Ehrman said, "It's winter."

It is...

Pretty, but cold...

...SO cold. On the cold weather, Fr. Ralph said, "I gotta get outta of here and head to somewhere warmer... and sunnier." Stay tuned.

A blast...

More to come...

...from the past. Thanks to Neil Sielski '15, we have an insight into Notre Dame’s past. Through a patient, Sielski came into possession of Notre Dame Student Manual from 1941.

This week’s installment from the 1941 Notre Dame Student Manual, page 30:

"THE ART GALLERY: The Wightman Memorial Art Gallery, occupying six well-lighted rooms and several corridors on the third floor of the University Library, is one of the best art collections of the Middle-West."

Reader's Contribution.

A Football Saturday Tradition

Here's a contribution from a faithful reader, Debbie Ryan. Strolling around campus early Saturday morning of a home football game, Debbie captured the Stedsmen returning from their Float. On capturing this scene, Ryan said, "A peaceful campus morn became more memorable seeing the Stedsmen staying true to their traditions."

Moms' Weekend 2017

Commissioner Gayheart: Moms wanted!

Moms, it's on... Moms' Weekend 2017. Email invitations went out after Thanksgiving, and the proverbial wheels on in motion to make this weekend once again magical and memorable. The Stedman behind all of this is none other than sophomore Corey Gayheart. Here's what our Moms' Weekend Commissioner had to say about the weekend.  

St.Ed: I hear that you were appointed the Hall’s commissioner for Moms’ Weekend. How did you land this important commissionership… perhaps with an U.S. Grant or maybe even a Ben Franklin?

Corey: While this was an extremely competitive selection process, I think that I was the best fit for the job. I was always that kid that my friends would say was going somewhere, just to convince their parents to let them go. I don't know what it is, but moms just like me.

St.Ed: Why would a mom of a St. Ed's Gentleman want to attend this Moms’ Weekend? In the words of Admiral Akbar, that talking fish head in the Return of the Jedi, sounds like “it’s a trap.” Sounds like a weekend of cleaning rooms and doing laundry.

Corey: The weekend is an incredible opportunity to meet your son's friends and their mothers, and it allows us all to appreciate the true Steds Family while having some fun. Moms Weekend gives you time to catch up with your son, eat some amazing food with them, and enjoy each other's company.

St.Ed: Without letting the proverbial cat out of the bag, what are you doing this year to make this weekend even more memorable and magical than last year’s weekend? 

Corey: Moms Weekend has always been an incredible event and has always been extremely well executed. I plan to continue on that tradition of excellent planning, all while putting my own spin on things. New logos & colors? New gifts? New locations, perhaps? We will have to wait and see...

St.Ed: Why aren't you doing a Dads’ Weekend? Isn’t that discrimination? Just saying…

Corey: I'm sure a Steds Dad's Weekend would be a huge hit...maybe one of my fellow gentlemen will take on that duty from the infamous graduate Christ Hecht?

St.Ed: If Moms’ Weekend was a political campaign, trying to get moms to attend, what would its slogan be?

Corey: "Moms We Can Believe In"

Moms, WE WANT YOU HERE! If you need an electronic invite with registration form, DON'T DALLY. Please email Fr. Ralph at haag.6@nd.edu.

Best of...

...the Gentlemen's Monthly. What can I say, but this posting is still good after THREE YEARS. Yes, three years ago today, here was today's posting. Enjoy this blast from the past!

Coach PM’s (second from right) “softer side”

Not to forget the other co-captain of the Saint Edward’s Hall Football Gentlemen, we take a moment to listen to Coach Paul “PM” Rodriguez. Embracing the same coaching philosophy as his co-captain, a philosophy of retaining absolute control of the team at all times, crushing any dissent, Coach PM maintained a united front, enforcing discipline and exacting results from players.

With Coach PM’s tutelage, players learned:

            -The refs are always wrong.

            -Never punt, unless you have to.

            -Practice is for the professionals.

            -Winning is overrated.

Pithy, yet concise… wise words for us all.

Happy...

Old joke, but it still works...

... I mean, Happy New Year's to you and the Steds World- Alumni, family, and friends! Wishing you all the best in 2017!