Saturday's Squirrel.

A feast on the quad

One person's garbage can be another person's treasure. Indeed that was the case with our furry friend above. Having taken the allotted "one item" from the dinning hall, NDH to be exact, a student discarded the item, a red delicious apple, on the quad. Again, what's discarded as trash can be a treasure for someone else, and that certainly the case for our campus squirrel. So busy was he devouring the remnants of this apple that he didn't even look at me as I snapped this photo of him chowing down. On finding a red delicious treasure, this squirrel was too busy to non-verbal anything.

From highs...

Kirby: A Big Cat in the making?

... to lows. After the high from a win against the Big Cats in the St. Edward's Derby, the Steds A Team faced off against Keough Hall in another a late night game. As the game got underway, it was clear that it was going to be a close game, and indeed it was! At the end of the second half, it was all tied up 1-1. The game then went into a shootout, and as the case has been of late for all Steds sports teams, it didn't go our way. In the end, Steds lost on Keough's very last kick on goal. With the "golden goal," Keough won with a score of 2-1. On the heartbreaker of a loss, Christian Kirby, Steds sophomore, A Team player AND ND Soccer Club player, said, "My one goal last week highlights the difficulty of breaking down the Big Cats' defensive unit. I couldn't even score a sitter against them last week. After tonight's game, we all need to channel our 'inner-Big Cat' to make a respectable run at the championship."

Painful, sublime...

Definitely ars gratis artis

... or painfully sublime? That is the question put residents about campus art. Is it painful, or is it sublime? Maybe, it is painfully sublime? Indeed, art is in the eye of the beholder, and with that being said, let's ask the beholder... a Stedsman. Even though he may be a budding mechanical engineer, John Lucciola is not a lego geek... he's a man who appreciates the arts. Lucciola knows art when he sees it, and on seeing this piece of art on campus, he said, “Ah yes, Man with a Broken Kite, an absolute classic. I am always taken aback by the sheer pathos this mysterious man has, as he knows the only memories he will share of this windy weekend are ones of disappointment. Painfully sublime.”

Shut down...

It got sour at the end: Steds B Team 

... the stand. Yes, shut down the lemonade stand. No matter how many quarters you have, the sad truth is that the pitcher of sweet lemonade has run out. Yes, the lemonade the Steds B Team was making out of a lemon of season in the playoffs has come to an end after an unexpected, or expected, loss to the number one seeded team in the tourney. Still, what a season it was, filled with many memories for this all senior squad. 

On the season, Chris Rho, Steds senior, said, "With the experience we had and the belief we had in each other, we were able to create a Cinderella story of our own to reach the Elite 8, knocking out two favored opponents. However, with our growing age as well as what some might say a 'little lack of athleticism,' we ran out of gas against the #1 seed of the bracket coming fresh off of a double bye. Regardless, it was an unforgettable season for the St. Ed's seniors, enjoying this one last ride together and creating an unbelievable tournament run as the #25 seed that will be remembered in the Recsports history book for a long time... a really long time!"

They really put...

Squeezed out...

... the squeeze on these lemons, and now, sad to say, there is no more lemonade. Yes, a promising season, which actually turned out to be a lemon of a season, that later turned into making lemonade out of lemons, came to end this past Sunday as the Steds A Team crashed out of the playoff tourney. Dunne Hall put the proverbial squeeze on Steds, dashing hopes of for a run at the championship. Will Connolly, Steds A Team captain and sometimes basketball player, said, "We started well but were ultimately outmatched by the large Dunne team. Our seniors will be severely missed next season!"

He's back!

Vogel: Singing with full voice and heart 

Making the most of his two week Spring Break at Yale, Ned Vogel '17 came back to his Notre Dame  and Steds home. Aside from late risings in the morning, Vogel reconnected with friends and faculty, but he also did something else. Vogel gave a Friday afternoon concert featuring various British and American vocal pieces at the Chapel of Sts. Edward and John. Lasting forty minutes, the concert left concert goers wishing they could sing like that! On his return, Vogel said, “The final song in the concert was called 'The Road Home,' which couldn’t have been a more appropriate way to wrap up this visit to what will always be my home away from home.”

He may be a Yale man, but Vogel will always be a man of Steds! Best of luck to him!!!

Your Sunday picture...

Spring trying spring...

...from Notre Dame. Despite winter’s refusal to release its grip, spring is defiant. One way spring’s defiance can be seen is through the snowdrop flower, blooming about campus. The snowdrop flower, Galanthus nivalis, is a bulb plant, and its name come from gala, Greek for milk and anthos, Greek for flower. And nivalis is Latin for snow-like. So, there you have it… a pretty picture and a Greek and Latin lesson. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday Squirrel.

Did I hear something...

On a recent walk, this furry friend was spotted in a tree outside of Pasquerilla West Hall. Our furry friends are playful, frisky, and downright clownish, and all of these words would describe our squirrels on campus, even this one perched in a tree.  But all of this playfulness, friskiness, and clownishness disappeared in the squirrel above disappeared when Frs. Terry and Ralph crossed his path. On crossing his path, this furry friend non-verbaled, "Keep walking... this tree is taken!" 

...keep walking

More lemonade...

A Fairy tale tale: Steds B Team

...from Steds inter-hall sports. Like the Steds A Team, the Steds B Team had a mainly down season. Tough league? Maybe. Bad refereeing? Again, Maybe. If there was anything to blame, perhaps it was the age of the players after all they were ALL seniors! Veterans for sure, but without any doubt, not moving as spryly as they once did in their youthful freshmen days! 

Regardless of age, B Team somehow managed to turn a lemon of a season into lemonade, and they are now in the playoffs. How is this possible? It remains a mystery, but what is not a mystery is the tenacity and determination of this squad to dash the dreams and bust countless inter-mural basketball brackets. On entering the playoffs, Steds senior Dan Riley said, “Having lost ALL regular season games, we knew we were an upset team. Question is: are we Loyola or UMBC? Well scoreboard says Loyola. See you in Round 3!”

Something to note: the B team is not wearing the hall basketball jerseys. On not wearing the hall jerseys, Riley said, "Nah. We're seniors, and we let the young guns, teams A and C, to have them."

Wow... true Gentlemen ballers these seniors are!

They made lemonade...

The Gentlemen Ballers

...out of a lemon of a season! It must be said... taking the court wearing those jerseys, the Stedsmen do give the impression of being like a bunch of lemons... and if their jerseys don't reflect that, then their level of play would. Yes, the Steds inter-hall basketball team has had it's share of downs and down rights crashes this year; however, the "Gentlemen ballers" never completely crashed out nor threw the proverbial towel in. AND thank God they didn't because they made to the playoffs! Sweet lemonade! On the making of playoffs, Will Connolly, sophomore and coach, said, "The 20th seeded Stedsmen pulled out a huge upset victory over 13th ranked Knott Hall. The Gentlemen won by 25 points. They were led on offense by freshmen phenom Michael Brannan and on defense by the senior leadership of Kurt Roemer and Jon Carr. The team continues its improbable tournament run Sunday evening at 6 pm against Dunne!"

St. Edward's Derby.

Steds being Steds...

For many, when we hear the word derby, we think of a horse race, namely the Kentucky Derby. But for many outside of the United States, especially those who watch soccer, the word derby refers to a showdown between two rivals. That's what Steds had with the St. Edward's Derby... a showdown between Steds A Team and Steds B Team, a.k.a. Big Cats. And what a showdown it was! 

The Big Cats, lead and coached by junior Matt Lupo, were outfitted with the red pullovers and played at a level that was ferocious and aggressive so much so at half time the game was scoreless. Much of the Big Cats' success in the first half was the result of a rising star from Omaha, freshman goalie Matt Coffey, known as Snarf in the Big Cats' pride. Coffey's mettle and prowess as a goalie was certainly tested, and without doubt, the A Team regretted cutting this rising star from their roster.

While the Big Cats' pride was filled with pride, the second half of the derby unfolded in a way that did much to silence their roar on pitch. As the A Team scored several goals, the pride's hope of a draw diminished, but the pride did not give up. They played right up until the bloody end, and despite losing, the cats landed on their feet, gaining the respect of all present.

On the Derby Day, Lupo, known as "Rumpus Cat" in the pride, said, "The Steds Derby was the most historically significant sporting event since the last Steds Derby. Although a rousing halftime speech from Old Cat (Fr. Ralph) himself could not propel us to victory, I’m pleased with the talent I saw tonight. Watch out A League - Tuesday Night @ 9/10pm Division, the Big Cats are on the prowl.

Still, of the Derby, Jack Kill, coach of the A Team added, "Interhall competitions are often competitive. But when you pit brother against brother in a test of skill, strength, and endurance, the competition becomes much more meaningful. Everyone today competed honorably for Hall and King. All those who know Steds should be proud of those who played today. It was match for the history books, and no matter the outcome, Steds was guaranteed a victory!"

Moms' Weekend...

For all moms, sisters, aunts, grandmas and all special women! 

... is coming up. Yes, that favorite and special weekend for Steds is fast approaching, and sophomore Dan Rahill, Moms' Weekend Commissioner, has been busy since the fall to ensure that this event is every bit special and memorable as it was last year. Known as a stickler for detail and for his discerning tastes, many Stedsmen would agree that the weekend is in good hands with Rahill at the helm. While there has been radio silence as of late from Rahill concerning the details of the weekend, I was able to ask a few questions of him. Here's what Rahill had to say concerning Moms' Weekend 2018.

St. Ed: What is Moms’ Weekend?

Rahill: Moms' Weekend is a like a normal weekend at Notre Dame, but with our moms, better food, better company, and way more classy.... and there is NO football game.

St.Ed: Okay, it's a classy weekend, but do moms, grandmas, aunts, sisters and other honored guests really come for the weekend?

Rahill: Moms, grandmas, aunts, and sisters were all present and welcomed at last year's Moms' Weekend, and we hope that they all would attend again. This is your chance for moms to meet their sons' family away from home. 

St.Ed: I know that a copious amount of planning has been done, but is there anything different about this weekend than in previous years?

Rahill: You know, it's as they say... something new, something old, something borrowed sort of thing. Some things will be the same, but hands down, some things will just be better. All I am doing is continuing to build on the success of the former commissioners, and thanks to them, there's a lot to build on...

St.Ed: What word would you use to describe this year’s celebration?

Rahill: It's going to be a hullabaloo of a time. 

ND Day Funds

Delfico with a lacrosse curious Rutherford

...funds at work! As funds continue to be dispersed, improvements are being seen around the Hall. Another improvement thanks to Notre Dame Day funds is lacrosse jerseys. 

It’s true. Until now, Steds has never fielded a inter-hall lacrosse team with matching jerseys, but this year, it will be a different story. Designed by sophomore and lacrosse team captain,  Dan Delfico, the jerseys embody a simple elegance as well as a certain practicality as they are reversible. In the end, these jerseys convey one thing only- Steds. 

On the new jerseys, Delfico said, “Coming off a season where the men of St. Edward's Hall found their first ever inter-hall lacrosse playoff victory, Fr. Ralph and I agreed that it was time for the team to truly represent the Hall with pride and purchase some real uniforms. This, coupled with the addition of some new young talent this year, is all making for a promising season, but I believe our secret weapon comes from the old adage that infallibly proves true time and time again: "Look good, feel good, play good!”

Your Sunday picture...

Not in session: classes

... from Notre Dame. The Jordan Hall of Science, on the east side of campus, has a planetarium as well as a green house. Currently, it's all quiet as students are still away from campus spring breaking, but come Monday morning, it will be a different story. As the students are enjoying their last day of break so you your Sunday wherever you may be!

Best of...

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

Your Sunday...

                                                                 *Photo by Neil Sielski

...photo of Notre Dame. A beautiful photo of fall colors is a great reminder that this campus isn't just permanently white and grey.

Saturday Squirrel.

Witch Hazel: Part Four. The last three Saturday Squirrels have been devoted to a special tree / shrub on campus, the Witch Hazel. Even though it is the first to bloom, signaling that spring is near, the Witch Hazel doesn't always call right it. See last Saturday’s posting. On a recent walk on the east side of campus, Frs. Ralph and Terry found a number of unknown yellow Witch Hazel trees between the library and McCourtney Hall. On being asked by Fr. Terry if this discovery was “blog worthy,” Fr. Ralph said, “It is… well, it has to be. The blog has never had a ‘Part Four’ anything. Still, unlike the Witch Hazel that cannot guarantee that there won't be any more snow, I CAN guarantee that this is the LAST of the Witch Hazel for a very, very long time.”

Word in the hallway...

Alberto: Making Steds look and smell good

... is from Alberto, one of the Steds housekeepers. Even though the residents may be spring breaking, Alberto and Gloria, the other Steds housekeeper, are at their posts, tending to the Hall. With the residents scattered across the nation and world, Alberto and Gloria have been able to address those things, well, that they can't amid the hassle and bustle of daily life at Steds. On the residents being gone on Spring Break, Alberto said, "I love it... but I miss them too."

Best of...

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

Spring Breaking.

Sielski catching a few flakes after a lazy morning.

It's Spring Break, and the Gentlemen have dispersed to the four winds in search of rest and relaxation. Of Spring Break, Neil Sielski, Sted's Junior and native Buffalolian, said, "It's nice to still be able to soak up the sun without all the commotion of the popular spring break locations. Gotta go apply more SPF -50!"

There's nothing...

Let it snow... really

...better than a late winter snow at Notre Dame. Well, I guess that depends on what kind of snow storm is, but I am referring to the snow that comes in large flakes and brief spells. The kind where it come snow all day and not amount to anything substantial. That is the type of snow that campus has been experiencing as students have taking a break from their matriculating to spring break elsewhere, namely warmer climes.  On the recent snow fall, Fr. Ralph said, "Let it snow... let it snow... let it snow before the kids come back!"

He's a running...

Meares: He can do only with your help!

...man! Running in the Chicago Marathon not for personally glory nor bragging rights, though I am sure that he wouldn't eschew them if they came his way, Joe Meares '10 is going the distance for inner-city, Catholic schools in Chicago. His training has been demanding, but like a true runner, Meares has pushed through all of it to make his upcoming 26.2 mile run the proverbial walk in the park. But this can only happen with your help. Just as every step counts in this run, so does every dollar... even a $1 donation counts! On his upcoming run, Meares said, ""I don't even want to drive 26.2 miles...but it's for the kids!"

TO HELP Meares and the kids in Catholic schools in inner-city Chicago, click HERE.

Your Sunday picture...

Always a view worth taking in

...from Notre Dame. When you're gone from campus, like the students are for Spring Break, here's what are you missing- a great view of the Jesus statute, Basilica, and the Main Building. Don't worry, those of us still here are soaking it all up. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

Not always right

Witch Hazel: Part Three. The last two Saturday Squirrels have been devoted to a special tree / shrub on campus, the Witch Hazel. Even though it is the first to bloom, signaling that spring is near, the Witch Hazel doesn't always call right it. As proof of that, look at the stark contrast between the red blossoms and the white snow. On calling it wrong, Fr. Terry Ehrman, CSC, said, "The Witch Hazel never said that it wouldn't snow anymore only that spring was near... and it is." 

It snowed...

St. Ed: My crown for spring weather

... again. With energy levels down and many simply kicking it into neutral and coasting into Spring Break, this second blast of winter isn't helping matters in the least bit. Snow is one thing, but snow combined with strong north winds is simply to much for even the strongest of heart. After sharing his thoughts on campus art yesterday, Jake Harris, native San Diegan, said, "As a Californian, I had high hopes for the warm weather to finally make its return, but instead I received a reintroduction to the bitter cold that is the South Bend winter."

Painful, sublime, or...

Not telling you where this is...

...painfully sublime? Yes, today starts a new regular addition to the blog where we take a look at campus art. Is it painful, or is it sublime? Maybe it is painfully sublime? Indeed, art is in the eye of the beholder, and with that being said, let's ask the beholder... a Stedsman. Even though he may be a computer science major, Jake Harris is not a computer geek... he's a man who appreciates the arts. Harris knows art when he sees it, and on seeing this piece of art on campus, he said, "Painfully sublime. The grandiose structure leaves me more lost as to its true meaning than a freshman is on the first day of class."

It's back...

Spring and Spring Break needed

...but hopefully not to stay. It's hard to see for sure, but it's there. Look around the statue of St. Edward. During the night, snow has once again made a campus appearance. Unfortunately, a warm spell in late February lured many of us into thinking that spring had sprung early, but how wrong that thinking was! More snow is on the way, and all of this makes many of us now think that winter has worn out its welcome. Thankfully, Spring Break starts next week, but for some, like Steds senior Jake Miller, it won't come soon enough. On the recent and predicted snowfall, the native Floridian said, "Only the great Will Smith’s “Miami” on repeat keeps me sane during these troubling times."

Say it ain't so...

Yerkes (in red) making Steds proud

But unfortunately it was. Yes, in the second round of his bout in the Finals of Bengal Bouts, Patrick "Pay Day" Yerkes was pulled from the match by the referee. Still, there's no absolutely reason why Patrick should be downcast. As a fifth year senior, Patrick has had a terrific run- even returning after a defeat in the quarterfinals only to win in the semifinals! Pay Day? Call him Lazarus! Even though "Pay Day" wasn't able to cash out with a win, he had his day- and that's more than a lot of boxers can say! Congratulations to Yerkes... and we look forward to the return of Steds boxing next year!

On his appearance in the Finals, Yerkes said, "Being in the Finals is special. It's definitely something I won’t forget. Thanks for all the support, and stay tuned for my future boxing endeavors. First stop is some golden gloves tournaments."

Congratulations to Yerkes and all our boxers, and we look forward to the return of Steds boxing next year!

Steds was there, cheering their man on!

Your Sunday picture...

Watching over us still: Fr. Sorin

... from Notre Dame. Here's a view of God Quad from the Sorin statue. People often wonder what book Fr. Sorin is reading, but I don't think that there can be any doubt as to what it is. What is the book? A copy of the DuLac- Notre Dame's rule book- of course! Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday Squirrel.

Amazing

Who knew? Yes, who knew that the Witch Hazel came in both red AND yellow varieties. Still yet, who knew that BOTH varieties are here on campus? I certainly didn't know this, and I don't think Fr. Terry Ehrman, CSC, theologian and part-time botanist, knew this either. Yet, one day, on one of his early morning walks, Fr. Terry stumbled upon this on campus find. On Fr. Ralph's question of "Why is there a yellow Witch Hazel?" Fr. Ehrman said, "God likes to paint with many of colors."

A building update.

Getting closer to being done

Progress is being made on the new architecture building that's going up across from Legend's. Set to open in the Fall, the Walsh School of Architecture will replace the school's current home of Bond Hall which some may remember was the original campus library. If you look closely, you will notice that the building has two brick colors- red and yellow. A special, one of a kind red brick reflects the future while the yellow brick harkens back to the past, paying homage to yellow brick made by the Holy Cross Brothers from the marl of the lakes. On the use of a unique, one of a kind red brick, an unnamed Stedsman said, "Yes, the red brick needs to be special. After all, it's a special building for those who are special because they build special things."

Jonah was...

Shelley: Twenty lost minutes

... in the belly of the whale for three days, but Steds very own, Ryan Shelley, was in the belly of the Steds elevator for... well... a long time... at least twenty minutes. Yes, for twenty minutes, Shelley endured a captivity like none other being trapped in that metal tube that is the Steds "vator." And while Shelley was suffering so were his roommates.  

Recounting the ordeal...

Sophomore Joe Corcoran said, “Ryan texted to a small group of Steds guys and said, ‘who do I call if I’m stuck in the elevator? I’ m covered in sweat and just confused!’ When he was released, we definitely felt a great wave relief swept over us, but for Ryan, there was a tsunami of embarrassment as a group of firemen rescued him. Still, I felt bad and a little worried for him while he was stuck in the elevator, but as soon as he was free I couldn’t stop laughing or joking about it.”

Junior, Chuck Rioux shared, “I felt worried and helpless. But at the same time, I have been eyeing Ryan's ray-ban for a while now so... plus, I wouldn't mind a 4.0 GPA.”

Sophomore Greg Connors, added, “Honestly, I got the text and immediately started doing Hail Marys in the middle of NDH. I was terrified at the possibility of losing my loft mate, and thank God in the end, I didn’t. It would have been funnier if he was stuck in there longer.  We should have kept him up there for a couple hours to let him just think about life.

Finally, Shelley said, “What do I want from all of this? Aside from the free tank top that Fr. Ralph offered me, I would like a framed likeness of me in the elevator telling of my heroic story.  Perhaps a book deal, and /or a firm handshake with the key to the Dome presented to me by Fr. Jenkins would do just nicely!”