We remember...

Remember the Founder

...the Founder, especially today, the anniversary of his death, October 31st. Buried in the Holy Cross community cemetery, located on the north side of St. Mary's Lake, Fr. Sorin's grave is front and center of all others. Even though Fr. Sorin did not want this, it is only fitting, for without him, none of this would be! Fr. Sorin, we are in your debt in so many ways. Requiescat in pace!

ND Day...

The camera that captures it all

…funds at work! As funds continue to be dispersed, improvements are continuing to be made around the Hall. Yet another improvement thanks to Notre Dame Day funds is the purchasing of a hall camera. Could we take pictures for our Hall's blog and website with our smartphone cameras? Yes. Yes we could, and DaVinci and Michelangelo could have used Etch-A-Sketches and Play Doh to paint and sculpt. No! Something better than a smartphone camera was required to provide you, our faithful viewers, with pictures of the life and times, nay the joie de vie, of St. Edward’s Hall. So, in consultation with the Hall Photographer, Luke Golichowski, a search was conducted and a camera found. On the new hall camera, Golichowski said, “They say a picture is worth a thousand words- and it very well might be- but a Steds photo captures so much more than that paltry amount. Having the new camera has been great. The guys love the feeling of being harassed by the paparazzi, and I love harassing them to sit still for the shot. Still, there are inherent difficulties in capturing the historical moments of St. Ed’s, namely they are so frequent and fleeting. Luckily for all of us, this camera shoots fast, and I don't like to spend too much time studying."

Indeed, we are lucky, and that's for all that you did Mr. Hall Photographer. 

Your Sunday picture...

We'll always have that summer...

...from Notre Dame. Here's a different view of the Main Building and the Basilica from the north side of St. Joseph's Lake. As leaves continue changing color and colder temps become more the norm, this tranquil view of Notre Dame taken last month reminds us that summer has come and gone. Indeed, summer is in the rear view mirror! Still, it never hurts to reminiscence just a bit. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Floating...

The bluest blue water

...continues every Game Day Saturday. Even though it was Saturday of Fall Break, the Gentlemen did not shy away from keeping their tradition of running through the Hesburgh Library's reflecting pool. While the crowds and the ND Marching Band may not have been there, as the ND vs USC game was a night game, the Gentlemen were, and float they did. On the Float for USC weekend, Aidan Thorpe, Steds sophomore, said, “Despite the great running game by Josh Adams, the run through the library’s reflection pool by Steds was the real rushing highlight of the day. I feel the ferocity and volume of our chants, coupled with our lightning speed through the pool, intimidated the Trojan defense and was clearly a key factor in ensuring the victory, beatdown really, on Saturday."

STILL YET...

Hall Photographer, Luke Golichowski, was able to get a most unique view of the Steds Float. How did he do it? He's not telling! Enjoy.

VIDEO:  Click HERE.

Oh, the things...

Mark your calendars.

…the Gentlemen write on their whiteboards! If it's not something witty or philosophical, then it’s certainly informative. And that's what the residents of 406 must have had in mind with this message on their whiteboard… they wanted us not to forget in how many days banks and post offices would be closed as well as when mattresses would be on sale. On the reminder, Dan Riley, Senior and 4th floor RA said, "Thanks for the reminder, and I am making the appropriate preparations today...not tomorrow nor 118 days from now."

Thoughts from abroad.

Benedict: A Gentleman pondering his place in the cosmos

Every year a number of Notre Dame students continue their matriculation abroad in far away places around the globe. One student who is studying abroad is Steds junior, Braeden Benedict. Braeden joined his fellow students in taking advantage of the opportunity to study abroad, to have the world as a classroom and a three month vacation. Oh, to be a student again!

Taking a break from his classes in London, Braeden traveled in Italy and Greece over Fall Break. Suffice it to say, he saw many ruins in Rome and Athens, but the ruins of Pompeii were his favorite. The ruins of Pompeii have been so well-preserved that even the artwork is still intact. On the ruins of Pompeii, Benedict said, “It's amazing how well-preserved the statues are at Pompeii. Why just look at this one!"

Spotlight RA.

Jack Kill: Always professional

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 secret sauce is to the Big Mac... indispensable. Who are these seniors? Let's put the spotlight on one of them... the 3rd floor resident assistant, a Texan, a Houstonian, and an avid Astros fan, Jack Kill.

St.Ed: Why did you become an resident assistant (RA) for your senior year?  As a senior, you should be dialing it in, sipping hot cocoa in your pjs.

Kill: Good question. While my buddies are running off to Chicago, New York, and D.C. to secure jobs and rub elbows with America's elite, I'm dedicating my senior year to the Gentlemen of Saint Edward's Hall. Why? - because as Master Samwise pointed out, "there is some good in this world...and it's worth fighting for." Saint Edward's Hall, its residents, and its traditions are a shining spot in a world looking for light. I'm honored to be in a position to help this hall shine brightly for all to see.

St. Ed: Many times those who live on the third floor feel like Texas. With more Stedsmen calling the third floor home, they tend to dominate everything… from elections to intra-hall competitions. So, how do you help your residents have a healthy amount of humility less they become too big for their breeches?

Kill: Well, for starters, I've recruited Sted's AR Jimmy White to acquire some hair shirts for my residents, and I've contacted each resident on the third floor about starting a regular regimen of fasting, prayer, and alms giving. I'm hoping that these practices will inject a good sense of humility in a very successful group of men. However, a spirit of competitiveness does pervade the third floor. To paraphrase our Commander-In-Chief, "If your on the Sted's third floor, we will win in everything we do."

St.Ed: Rumor has it that you played soccer in Europe? That you were the back up to Christano Ronaldo.

Kill: Yes, the rumors are true. I was Christiano Ronaldo’s backup. I spent a brief ten day stint in Spain during high school, and I trained with both Real Madrid and the Spanish National Team. I could've been a star, but alas, school work and my mother called me back to Texas. Ronaldo should consider himself lucky.

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

Kill: Apparently before the renovation, our elevator closely resembled the elevator in the Los Angeles morgue. Who knew? But now, the elevator looks classy. You get in, and you cannot help but think, “I am in the elevator at the Ritz Carlton in Beverly Hills.”

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

Kill: In the immortal words of Julius Caesar, "Veni, Vidi, Vici": "I came, I saw, I conquered". But in all seriousness, I hope that my legacy at Steds is comprised of the various interactions with the Gentlemen everyday. I hope that through my work, I can help the Gentlemen of this hall strive for excellence: excellence in their faith, academics, areas of personal interest, and most importantly as a Gentlemen of Saint Edward's Hall.

Thank you Jack for all that you do!

ND Day...

I am confident St. Ed would approve...

…funds at work! As funds continue to be dispersed, improvements are continuing to be made around the Hall. Another improvement thanks to Notre Dame Day funds is the exit window of St. Ed’s Hall Chapel. Instead of a bland, clear window, we now have a window  the has coat of arms of our patron, St. Edward the Confessor. St. Edward, Confessor and King of England, has a coat of arms that holds a gold cross on a blue shied with five martlets… a stylized bird similar to a martin or swallow.  Ancient and reserved only for royalty, St. Edward’s coat of arms added instant legitimacy to those who had it as a part of their own, and perhaps that why Henry VIII banned its use and executed others for using it. On the new window, Fr. Ralph said, “It's really just a big sticker, but make no mistake about it. It's a sticker that's added to the uniqueness of our chapel, and at the same time, given us a unique reminder of the one who has a close eye on us, our patron, St. Edward the Confessor!"

On assignment: Fall Break

Steeler fans, Ben and his dad, having fun in K.C.

During Fall Break, Stedsmen went far and wide in search of a break from their matriculation. As they return, we are beginning to learn about their travels... where they went, what they did and didn't do, and more, much more. For Ben Merrick, a Steds freshman, break had him traveling to Kansas City to watch his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers take on the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. On his visit to Kansas City, Merrick said, "My visit to the Arrowhead Stadium to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Kansas City Chiefs was quite thrilling. Despite it being labeled as the loudest stadium in the world, it was very quiet after my favorite team, crushed the Chiefs. As cliche as it may sound, the game was like taking candy from a baby. I had a great time watching the game with my dad and representing St. Edwards Hall on my trip!""

BUT there's more...

Prior to the start of the game, Ben and his dad were able to visit the game field as players warmed up. And it was during that visit Merrick had the opportunity to speak with Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh wide receiver and punt returner. Merrick asked Brown his signature question "How's Bussiness?" Watch the video below and listen closely, and you can hear Brown's signature response of "Boomin!"

To see Merrick's video, click HERE.

Your Sunday picture...

A beautiful sunset...

...from Notre Dame. Here's a beautiful sunset seen from South Quad looking towards the Rock athletic center. The sky looks like a Claude Monet painting... and when you see one, it's a masterpiece! Enjoy God's masterpiece, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

Let all living things praise Lord!

As fall continues to take hold, let us continue to take in and enjoy the waning splashes of color and life on campus. While walking to South Dining, this radiant yellow butterfly was spotted in a purple hydrangea. The brilliant contrast of colors made it stick out like the proverbial sore thumb. Did the purple contrasting in such a way so as to attract this yellow butterfly ? Whether it did or did not really doesn't matter as the sight is simply stunning and just another reminder of the beauty of God's creation... things both great and small!

A rare...

St. Edward's making a splash...

...find at the Notre Dame Bookstore was had. After making the perfunctory purchases as one is apt to do on a football weekend, something unexpected was spied on the way out... wine bottles! Recently, the University released of collection of wines from nine wineries owned by alumni to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the University's founding. But what makes this collection even more unique and rare is that Notre Dame's oldest and most storied hall, St. Edward's, is on one of the labels! Well, on second thought, how could it not be? On this unique discovery, Fr. Ralph said, "Since a young child, I have been told that you can't judge a book by its cover, but when it comes to wine, I think its label tells you everything you need to know!"

For more information about these wines, click HERE.

A label that speaks for itself!

The best kept...

Jack Ryan taking a corner kick...

...secret is that Steds is a soccer powerhouse. It started with Steds freshman Conal Fagan '21 walking onto the ND Men's Soccer Team, and it continued with the ND Men's Club Soccer Team which is full of Stedsmen. Yes, the Men's Club Soccer Team has the power and skill of Senior Jack Kill, Juniors Jack Kaspar and Jack Ryan Williams, AND Sophomore Christian Kirby. What can one say, but Steds is flush with Rinaldos! Recently, the ND Club Soccer Team took on Butler, securing a win of 3 to 1. Important to note, two of the three goals were scored by Stedsmen... Kill and Williams! Too bad they weren't with Team USA in Trinidad and Tobago! Okay, too soon, too soon. Still, something else that needs to be noted is that there is a small Steds fan support squad, composed of Juniors Chris Brady, Brook Meadowcroft, and Matt Lupo, that makes a vocal appearance at every game. With Stedsmen on and off the pitch, how can they lose?!

On playing club soccer, Williams said, “Club soccer has four excellent players representing St. Edward's Hall: Jack Kill, Jack Kaspar, Christian Kirby, and myself. The club soccer team is great group of guys who play in a competitive league against other universities in the Midwest simply because we love the game. It also prepares us for the inter-hall season. We hope to bring a championship to our great hall in the spring!”

On having support from off the pitch, Kirby said, “The support and enthusiasm from our fellow Stedsmen has been unparalleled this year. As the only Stedsman on the team not named Jack, I have seriously considered changing my name so our supporters’ iconic ‘JACK!’ chant can apply to myself as well. Their energy is just so inspiring that I have no choice but to change my name.”

On cheering his fellow Stedsmen on the pitch as a super fan, Meadowcroft said, “As club soccer super fans we wanted to make a sign for all three of St. Ed's "Jacks" on the team, but when we took our sign to Saturday’s Floating and it broke in half, we realized our destiny and incorporated our other Stedsman on the team, not named as the other three but nevertheless beloved, Christian Kirby a.k.a. CK!”

The Cheer Squad of Lupo, Brady, and Meadowcroft

They're getting married!

Careful, you never know what can happen during a hike...

It’s official. They’re getting married! Stedsman AJ Tablada ’15 and Melissa Guarino of Miami are getting married. AJ proposed to Melissa during a recent hiking trip in Arches National Park, Utah. Despite AJ planning everything to the proverbial t, Mother Nature was not cooperating, and AJ and the photographer had the most deft interaction, all by chance while on the road, so that it was a complete surprise to Melissa. Thankfully, Melissa said yes… AJ was excited… and all Stedsmen breathed a sigh of relief! The happy couple look forward to exchanging their nuptials in the spring of 2018 in Miami. On their engagement, Tablada said, "I'm so blessed to be able to marry my best friend and spiritual partner on our life journey. I am eternally grateful to our LORD for her and can't wait to officially welcome her to the St. Ed's family! There's no one we would rather celebrate our Wedding Mass than Father Ralph, a mentor, friend, and Rector of our Hall. Cheers, go Irish!"

The happy couple....

Steds Cross Country...

Steds X Country: Swift, Yerkes, Utley, Trzaska, Worth, Peterson and Arnold

...is not forgotten! Without doubt, the Steds Cross Country team, X Country for short, is overlooked, and how could it not be? When there's football, inter-hall football, baseball, basketball, inter-hall basketball, lacrosse, ping pong, and video games being played in and outside of the Hall, well, for most residents X Country is just going to fall, sadly, into the abyss of oblivion. Still, we remembered that we had some people running in this fall, and let’s hear what exactly is their motivation to run…

John Swift, Steds freshman, said, “Blessed Basil Moreau said, 'the mind must not be cultivated at the expense of the heart.' And it is this thought that motivates me to keep on running. Running is not only a great sport for cardiovascular fitness, literally strengthening the heart, but also, when you are able to keep on running while your legs feel like cement and you’re out of breath, you are building character and strengthening that part of the heart as well.”

Patrick Yerkes, Steds senior and RA, shared, "We saw another hall pose for oldest with a poorly sharpied 1888 on yellow singlets. Steds rallies around one man, the president, and to him we give the lone Steds singlet without the need to write 1882.”

Walker Utley, Steds sophomore, said, "Being two years removed from competitive running, I had forgotten my opinion on cross country. After this season of Steds Cross, I realized that I do, in fact, still hate running."

Ben Worth, Steds junior and Hall sacristan, added, “Running cross country gave me a great chance to compete alongside my Steds brothers. Plus, it gave us a chance to display our chiseled physiques.”

Kendrick Peterson, Steds sophomore and ND Marching Band member, retorted, "I run XC because I was running out of excuses to randomly find my classes during my first year. I still have no sense of direction but at least I can beat the Zahm guys in 5ks." 

Finally, Arnold replied, “Why face my problems when I can just run away from them instead?"

There you have it folks. What else can be said?

It's time...

Wherever you go, whatever you do... break well!

...for a break! Yes, when the leaves are changing color, you know that it is time for a break...Fall Break. Thanks to the tall sugar maple tree in St. Edward's Park and the changing color of it's leaves, Stedsmen always  know when it is time evacuate from campus. On the start of break, Jimmy White V '13, Steds AR and MTS graduate student, was walking out of the Hall and said, "The serenity of campus during these days of break had me wondering at first if I missed the rapture, but, alas, the Gentlemen have just (momentarily) left for other pastures. They will indeed be back since the grass is always greener on the other side of Fall Break: because on the other side is St. Edward's Hall!"

Your Sunday picture...

An early, early morning view

...from Notre Dame. Here's a view of Mary and the Dome from the south portico of St. Edward's. The glowing orb in the sky is not the sun but rather the moon. Yes, the moon, and if you're curious, its present phase is that of waning gibbous. A most unique view indeed. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Anniversaries,...

It's been four years of fun!

... several anniversaries, are being celebrated today. First, today marks the 4th anniversary of the creation of Notre Dame's most insightful, preferred, and cherish residence hall blog- "The Gentlemen's Monthly!" Like the gospel light that must be put on a lamplight to give light to all so too with this blog... it must be put on the internets and shared with all who love Notre Dame's oldest and most storied residence hall- St. Edward's Hall. On the Gentlemen's Monthly, Fred Schoenhut, Steds dad and true friend of St. Edward's, said, "It's a monthly so good, you get it daily!" Indeed you do Fred... indeed you do!

Still yet, it is the anniversary of a dear friend of St. Edward's. Today marks the 6th birthday of the former St. Ed's Hall's pet dog, "Edwina."  Though her time at St.Ed's was brief, too brief, Edwina has gone on to a truly pampered life in the country.  When asked about life in the country with her own pool, Edwina was heard saying, "Ruff, ....ruff ruff."  Whatever that was... indeed, Edwina, indeed it is!

Happy Birthday Edwina!

Everyday is my day, but especially today!

Today is the Feast Day of St. Edward the Confessor, King of England and patron saint of the Founder... Fr. Edward Sorin, CSC. Since its inception, the University has celebrated  this day as "Founder's Day." Back in the day, students had the day off from classes, "iced cream" was served, games were played, and St. Edward's residents sent "congratulatory" cards to Fr. Sorin. Matter of fact, one lucky resident was selected to recite a poem, especially penned for this auspicious day, to Fr. Sorin himself! On this special day, Fr. Ralph, Rector of St. Edward's Hall, said, "We CONTINUE not to get the day off as they did in the past, but nevertheless, I encourage every man of St. Edward’s to take it off! Well, do this AFTER your last class today.”

Also to note...

Despite occurring last during Founder’s Week, but in keeping with tradition, the Order of Gentlemen recipient is announced this day. Today, Brandon Ruggles '17 is the 2017-2018 inductee into the Order of Gentlemen, an award given for service to Hall and King.

Congratulations Brandon!

Tour de Steds.

Gambardella, Susco, Andrade, and Isakson chilling

Our Tour de St. Edward- a weekly tour of resident rooms, study lounges and popular hangouts in Notre Dame’s favorite residence hall- continues. Our today’s tour stops by room 406, a freshmen quad for Josh Gambardella, Chris Susco, J.P. Andrade, and Nick Isakson. Here's what they had to say about Steds living...

St. Ed: What did you think when you received your housing assignment placing you in St.Ed’s?

Susco: The first thought that came to my head was an excessive amount of testosterone. I had never had an experience with a roommate, much less three of them. I immediately thought of a crowded room with two sets of bunk beds and the four of us squeezing by each other every time we wanted to leave the room. I honestly thought that all of my roommates were foreign exchange students because they all had some pretty exotic last names that I could barely pronounce. I was not looking forward to a year of hand gestures and speaking in a loud voice all the time. However, it turned out all good in the end because now we only have to use the hand gestures.

            Now Steds was a completely different train of thought. I asked two of my cousins, both of whom had graduated from Notre Dame, how St. Eds was and if I had to start thinking about transferring dorms after the first year. One had lived in Keough and the other had lived in Morrissey, but they both had no idea how Steds operated. I was intrigued because my cousins know a heck of a lot about Notre Dame so I assumed that Steds was the black ops sector of Notre Dame residence halls. So, I had to go in Welcome Weekend with a blank slate with no insight to what I was getting into. I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that Steds was more about traditional ops instead of black ops.

 St. Ed: How’s “loft living”?

Isakson: At first, loft living seemed like it would be a pain.  You have to climb all the way up to the bunk to sleep every night, you can’t fully sit up in bed due to the ceiling, and trying to get air conditioning up that high can be difficult.  However, it actually has not been that bad. The close proximity of the bunks lets us all hold hands while we sleep. The lofts also allow for more space to do whatever we want below them. There’s plenty of room for a couch and television which is really nice when you are really stressed and just want to lay down and watch TV.  I love coming back from classes to see my roommates cuddling on the couch watching the Bachelor or Dance Moms. The lofts are also great places if you want some privacy to study or if you are just trying to hide from roommates. Nobody will ever find you if you’re playing hide and seek and hiding in the loft!  As for the heat, we have adapted and gotten multiple fans up to the top bunks to keep us cool.  It makes it much easier to sleep and it isn’t even that difficult to get power up to the loft.  Loft living in Steds has definitely been good for our room because we have so much more space and it gives us a nice place to lay down and not be bothered.

St. Ed: Aside from your loft, what makes your room unique among the other rooms of St.Ed’s?

Andrade: Gambiarra - (n.) The Brazilian cultural practice of solving problems creatively in alternative ways, with low cost and lots of spontaneity, or giving unusual functions to everyday life objects; the use of improvised methods / solutions to solve a problem, with any available materials.

Other rooms in Steds may look cool with their fancy lights and stolen street signs, but only one of them has an expert Brazilian like myself to practice this fine art, for one does not simply create a gambiarra masterpiece on their first try. There are plenty of examples in 406 of gambiarra, some which have already fallen as anyone would have predicted them to. There will be new additions of gambiarra to the 406 scenery in the upcoming months, as we keep purchasing more and more things-that-we-have-no-space-for.

Yet the fact that we are the smallest quad isn’t all that bad. It is actually a way to bring us closer together, and allows for the fans to reach across the room. It also means there is less space to cover with Christmas lights.

St. Ed: What do you wish your room had?

  Susco: More light.
   Isakson: Air conditioning.
   Andrade: More space.
   Gambardella: A cardboard cutout of Jennifer Lopez

St. Ed: Say, the word in the hallway is that all of you want to transfer to another hall. Is that true?

Gambardella:  The only other halls I’d consider are Lewis and Cavanaugh. I mean I could definitely see JP in Walsh. For those who are less-informed, all three of these are female halls. But on a more serious note, I love it here in St. Edward’s Hall. The “Gentlemen” name certainly doesn’t get left at the doorstep. There truly is a mantra here of togetherness, community, manners, and respect. On top of that, nothing beats waking up at the crack of dawn on game days to go vandalize the reflecting pool (we call it floating. I’m sure Fralph will give you guys an article about that sooner or later. But Steds truly has it all. We have the best rector, the best traditions, and the best in-hall eatery. Nothing beats a chocolate milkshake from Ed’s. The Milkshake Mass at Dillon is actually an entire Sabbath Day dedicated to our milkshakes. It’s kind of humbling.

            One of the best, and certainly most underrated part of Steds is the lounge life. Our Sky Lounge is the site of some of the best conversations to be had. Sure, you won’t get any work done, but it sure is a heck of a time. I once tried to study in the Sky Lounge, huge mistake, and have since learned that it is a place to kick back and enjoy the brotherhood that embodies our Hall as a whole. Still, it was in our first floor lounge that we assembled before taking on our trip across enemy lines to visit the other school across the road. Loyal readers read about our trip to St. Mary’s. I had previously never had a conversation with a female before, so it was a big step for me. I owe it to Steds!

There you have it folks... room 406!

His fifteen minutes…

…of fame he has had. Yes, a Stedsman was on national tv, and maybe, just maybe, you saw him. Corey Gayheart, Steds junior and political science major, is not studying abroad but rather studying domestically in Washington D.C. this semester. Recently, Gayheart had the opportunity to be a part of CNN’s Town Hall with Nancy Pelosi. Held at CNN headquarters in D.C., the town hall covered a wide range of current topics. Going into the town hall, Gayheart knew that he might have an opportunity to ask a question, but he also knew there were no guarantees of it. Whether it was the stars being aligned or something more earthly like slipping someone a $20, Gayheart got to ask his question. What was his question? Here it is…

Gayheart’s question: My grandfather worked for the CIA, during the Cold War, and worked on military aircraft intelligence with the Air Force. I feel the sense of urgency and deep concern regarding the Russian interference in our election and or institutions that I am  sure he felt during the Cold War. I ask you, if my grandfather were here today, what would you do to reassure him that Russia will not get away with what they have done to destabilize and dis-unify our country?

On being CNN's Town Hall, Gayheart said, "I got to ask my question, AND they sent a car to get me!"

The set...

...Gayheart in a choice, front row seat...

...yes, the car that collected him for the town hall.

Founder's Week...

A sweet ending

...is truly over. Yes, following Mass and the distribution of the St. Edward's medal, there was a social in the first floor lounge. Amid the sharing of stories from Founder's Week- and the frustrations of Sunday Fantasy Football- various treats and cider were served. Indeed, it was a sweet ending to the sweetest of all weeks for the Gentlemen of St. Edward's. On the closing of Founder's Week, Fr. Ralph said, "It was magical week for all Gentlemen, and we shan't another like it until next Founder's Week. And I am okay with that... I think that we're all a bit tired." 

...many treats, but a cookie cake...

...makes it complete!

For love of the game!

North Quad has never seen so much fun

Three years ago, they said that it couldn't be done, but nevertheless, under the direction of the Trzaska Administration, the Shuttlecock Showdown continues! While the temps were agreeable, there was something Shuttlecock players never had to contend with in the history of the Showdown… a strong and driving wind from the south. Without any doubt, the wind was the rise and fall of many shuttlecocks as well as teams. Thankfully, there were no injuries, but there were a number of bruised egos. As expected, the competition was spirited and fierce, and the play was finessed, controlled, and, yes, even refined at times. In the end, there could be only one winner, and the championship game was reminiscent of David’s victory over Goliath… a complete surprise. Surprisingly, a team of upstart freshmen- Josh Gambardella and Dan O’Brien- took down a team of seasoned juniors- Chris Brady and Mark Miclean. Congratulations to our winners and those who participated!

Thoughts from losers and winners...

Albert Oh, junior and loser, said, "What can I say? I got cocky, and now, I have this green ribbon."

Jack Olmanson, freshman and third place winner, said, "It was an honor to be able to play our hearts out for the love of the game. I am counting down the days to the opportunity for redemption next year."

Peter Haley, freshman and fellow third place winner, added, "It felt good to take some hardware home, but overall we're not satisfied and we will use this as motivation for next year. I'm proud of our heart and effort out there, but it just didn't turn out the way we had hoped. We'll be using this as motivation for next year and the years to come."

Chris Brady, junior and second place winner, shared, "On a day like this, most teams battle the wind, but Mark Miclean and I used it to our advantage, securing the 2nd place finish we desired. As we all know. First is the worst, second is the best."

Mark Miclean, junior and fellow second place winner, commented, "Chris Brady and I were able to use the sun and strong wind to our advantage. We have to continue our legacy of excellence at the Shuttlecock Showdown that we set forth our freshman year."

Josh Gambardella, freshman and first place winner, remarked, “The gale force of winds were blowing at tornado speeds, managing to knock me over twice. We also discovered quickly that you can never underestimate the power of the Indiana sun in October. We battled hard and shuttlecocked even harder. In the end, nothing beats the feeling of Hall President, Joe Trzaska, bestowing upon us a ribbon for our victory.”

Dan O’Brien, freshman and fellow first place winner, said, "It really all boiled down to teamwork. As avid shuttlecocker Martha Stewart once said, 'practice like you've never won and play like you've never lost.' That's what we did and it worked out alright."

Fr. Ralph said, "Today, the Founder smiled upon us all... winners and losers... and even those like myself who didn't play at all!"

Time to play: President Trzaska gives the signal

Who goes first: Play a game of rock, paper, scissors 

Food

Schelble and Meadowcroft enjoying victory

Digenan and Davis enjoying the comforts of defeat from their chairs

Fr. Ralph consoling Oh in his loss 

The loser's ribbon

Olmanson and Haley taking third place

Miclean and Brady receiving second place

Proud winners: O'Brien and Gambardella

Your Sunday picture...

Looking better than ever...

...from Notre Dame. Here's a beautiful view of the south facade of the Hall. With a busy Founder's Week, jammed packed with tradition, fun, and gentlemanly diversions, we all need some rest this Sabbath day. Your enjoy Sunday wherever you may be!

Thus concludes yet another Founder's Week... and what a week it was! May the Founder continue to smile upon this hall and all who love it!

Founder's Week...

Clubbing it country club style

...continues with round two at South Dinning's Oak Room. Earlier this week, the Gentlemen gathered for dinner and the feting of Brandon Ruggles, but on Friday, they gathered for the Founder's Week Dance. Themed "country club," many came as golf and tennis players... some even came as diners, lunching or supping at the country club restaurant. Dance goers enjoyed great music that was composed by not only the request of the Gentlemen themselves but also the the musical stylings of Dan Riley, Steds senior and RA, known for the evening as DJ Danimal. Of course, DJ Danimal had help from another dj... Poz, Steds sophomore and quasi dj in his own right. In short, it was a magical evening. On the night at the "country club," Dan Delfico, Steds sophomore, said "Yesterday, we, Gentlemen of Steds, took a quick trip to the "South Dining Hall Country Club" for a fine night of dancing after a hard week of work. Everyone looked ready for a day on the links or at the tennis courts, and topics of conversation were all of your classics: stock portfolios, mortgage payments, etc. It really was another magical night in the Oak Room."