To all...

ND Day by the numbers

...Stedsmen, moms and dads, brothers and sisters, grand and godparents, friends, Saturday’s squirrels, pets of all kinds, all people of good will…THANK YOU! Yes, thank you for your support this ND Day!

It is because of you that we are once again the #1 residence hall this ND Day, and if you are counting, this is the SIXTH year in a row as #1! 

Yes, because of you, St. Edward's saw all other residence halls in the rear view mirror and left them in a cloud of smoke because we took an early lead and never looked back. On St. Ed's ND Day finish, a Gentleman, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, “Steds knows how to rise to the occasion and do their duty to Hall and King!”

Still, Fr. Ralph added, “I am, as are all the Gentlemen, deeply humbled by this outpouring of support. It is vote of approval and clear sign of love for what we have and what hope to have always at Steds. Without doubt, it is a source of pride for us, but it is reminder of what we are all about at St. Edward’s… the kids. For the kids!”

Many, many thanks... and all of our love!

VIDEO: MUST SEE VIDEO

Now is the time...

... to do your duty to Hall and King! It's always the right time to take a stand with Steds, but now, more than ever, is the right time to do so by donating $10 and giving your votes for Steds this ND Day. With so much at stake, we need you and everyone you can think of to join us in rising to the challenge and winning this ND Day.

EVERYONE, and we mean everyone, can vote, EVEN pets and squirrels. So, pass the word on and SHARE these links with EVERYONE you know.

To see what we have done with past funds, WATCH THIS VIDEO.

To give and vote for St. Ed’s, click HERE.

For Steds… For the kids!

Your Sunday picture...

He is truly risen!

... from Notre Dame. Thanks to Patrick Stevens, a friend of Steds, here's a view of "Touch Down Jesus" on the south facade of the Library. What a spring beautiful scene. Yesterday, it feel like it as it snowed, but thankfully, the sun is out today, helping the flowering trees and plants all about campus. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

ALSO...

Today marks the start of ND Day. Donate $10, receive 5 votes, and vote for St Edward's! $10 really goes a long way for the oldest and most storied residence hall at Notre Dame.

EVERYONE, and we mean everyone, can vote, EVEN pets and squirrels. So, pass the word on and SHARE these links with EVERYONE you know.

To see what we have done with past funds, WATCH THIS VIDEO.

To give and vote for St. Ed’s, click HERE.

The kids are counting on you and everyone!

Saturday Squirrel.

Has a mouthful

What is this furry friend doing? Spotted in tree outside Alumni Hall Joe Restic, father of Stedsman Eric Restic, this squirrel is up to something with a mouthful of leaves. But what?  On what this squirrel is doing, Joe said “When you see a squirrel gathering leaves to build a nest in April, “winter is coming”, or maybe he’s just been watching Game of Thrones, like the Gentlemen at Steds!” And you know what Joe... it snowed today!

Indeed, that might be the case, BUT could it be that this squirrel is trying to do his duty to Hall and King for ND Day?! Yes, maybe he's hawking his leaves and acorns to get $10 and vote for Steds!

EVERYONE, and we mean everyone, can vote, EVEN squirrels. So, pass the word and SHARE these links with EVERYONE you know.

To see what we have done with past funds, WATCH THIS VIDEO.

To give and vote for St. Ed’s, click HERE.

The kids are counting on you and everyone!

ND Day orders...

Rittman and Huber: personally tapped by the President

... have been given. To ensure a successful ND Day, President Josh Gambardella issued an order for the mobilization of the Stedsmen. The order was given because there's so much at risk. Why the very COMMUNITY that every one has come to experience and love is on the line. The Stedsmen cannot afford to rest on their laurels of past successful ND Days. Everyone must do their duty to Hall and King. To learn more about what is at here, we spoke with none other than the President himself, Steds rising junior, Josh Gambardella.

St. Ed: Why is it so important to participate in ND Day?

Gambardella: The importance of ND Day cannot be overstated. It's what allows us to make our hall the special COMMUNITY that it is, to and succeed in our mission to do everything for the kids. ND Day allows each campus organization to secure key funding for huge improvements, and it's what keeps Notre Dame growing and bettering as a whole.

St. Ed: What you personally want for ND Day?

Gambardella: This ND Day, ALL I'd ask for is that friends and family of St. Ed's considers the tremendous impact that living in this hall has on each and every gentleman that comes in and out of these doors. This impact can only be in effect if we are granted enough funds to keep this hall running and constantly improving. To quote Rod Tidwell from the American classic, Jerry Maguire, "Show me the money!” 

St. Ed: What would it means for Steds if they were once again the number one residence hall?

Gambardella: If St. Ed's finishes at the top of all residence halls again this year, as we should, it will truly be an honor. We are consistent with our actions and mission as a community, and finishing at the top will confirm that we haven't missed a beat. As the oldest residence hall on campus, we are definitely the most special, and it's great seeing that come to fruition when we finish first. The ultimate goal, of course, would be to finish as the #1 campus-wide, so we're going to work hard to do so!

Good luck to you Mr. President and all the Gentlemen of Steds!

EVERYONE, and we mean everyone, can vote, EVEN pets. So, pass the word and SHARE these links with EVERYONE you know.

To see what we have done with past funds, WATCH THIS VIDEO.

To give and vote for St. Ed’s, click HERE.

The kids are counting on you and everyone!

What he wants for...

Kyle Crudele: Wisdom figure and visionary; a prophet for our time

... ND Day. We have heard from the upper classmen in the Hall, but what do the underclassmen, the freshmen, want for ND Day? To find out, we went to the hub of late night action at Steds, Ed's, and talked with customer culinary representative, Kyle Crudele. Yes, Kyle is Devin Crudele, Ed's manager, younger brother. On what he wants for ND Day, Crudele said, and rightfully so I might add, "I think with the ND Day funds raised, we should put in an enormous flag pole in front of the dorm so we can fly the Steds flag and the American flag. That way other halls will know we respect America and are classy, but we are still superior to them because we have a flag pole." 

EVERYONE can vote, EVEN pets. So, pass the word and SHARE these links with EVERYONE you know.

To see what we have done with past funds, WATCH THIS VIDEO.

To give and vote for St. Ed’s, click HERE.

Why vote? Because the kids are counting on you and everyone!

What they want for...

Edwards: He's no slouch...

... Notre Dame Day. This is for real, and everyone is playing for keeps. Steds needs YOUR help to keep Steds the special place that it is for the Gentlemen of gentlemen at Notre Dame.

The impact of ND Day on Steds is tremendous so much so that it is difficult to quantify it. Simply put, it impacts EVERYTHING we do as the University's oldest and most storied residence hall.

How St. Ed’s finishes determines what we can do for the following year… and with recent budget cut backs… how St. Ed’s finishes is more important now than ever! 

To see what we have done with past funds, WATCH THIS VIDEO.

To give and vote for St. Ed’s, click HERE.

ANYONE can vote, even pets. So, pass the word and SHARE these links with EVERYONE you know.

On what he would like for ND Day, former Hall President, Cole Edwards, said, “All I'm hoping for is another great year under our new management and the continued support of the Steds family.”

BUT….

Edwards' one time constituent and Steds sophomore, John Lucciola, went further and said, “For ND Day, I’m hoping for another top three overall finish in voting, as it both let’s people know we are the best hall on campus and allows us to keep an environment that’s conducive for the kids to be kids.”

... and Lucciola has real vision.

What they want for...

Lupo: all smiles

...Notre Dame Day. Yes, what do the Gentlemen want for ND Day? That’s the question wafting through the hallways at Steds. Why are the Gentlemen preoccupied with this question? Because the impact of ND Day on the University's oldest and most storied residence hall, St. Edward’s, is truly amazing. No lie, but it’s the proverbial game changer for the Hall.

How St. Ed’s finishes determines what we can do for the following year… and with recent budget cut backs… how St. Ed’s finishes is more important now than ever! 

To see what we have done with past funds, WATCH THIS VIDEO.

To give and vote for St. Ed’s, click HERE.

ANYONE can vote, even pets. So, pass the word and SHARE these links with EVERYONE you know.

On what he would like for ND Day, Matt Lupo, Steds senior and peripatetic wisdom figure, said, “I want something practical and useful…so an elevator operator.”  

BUT….

Lupo’s fellow senior, Logan Arnold, said, “A quality stapler.”

Arnold: Looking to do more stapling

What he wants for...

An Ed's Duo: Devin and Skylar

...Notre Dame Day. After Moms’ Weekend, Notre Dame Day is our most “favorite-est” day of the year at Notre Dame. Why? Because the impact of ND Day on Notre Dame’s oldest and most storied residence hall, St. Edward’s, is truly amazing. 

How St. Ed’s finishes determines what we can do for the following year… and with recent budget cut backs… how St. Ed’s finishes is more important now than ever. 

To see what we have done with past funds, WATCH THIS VIDEO.

To give and vote for St. Ed’s, click HERE.

Anyone can vote, even pets. So, share these links with everyone you know.

On what he would like for ND Day, Devin Crudele, Steds junior and manager of Ed’s, said, “I want new items for the Ed’s kitchen. We need pans, ice cream scoops, oven mitts, and more.”

BUT….

Crudele’s girlfriend, Skylar, said, “I hope Steds does really well so that the Ed’s manager can bring back soft pretzels. They're my favorite item!”

Happy Easter!

And it's a beautiful day at ND!

Resurrexit sicut dixit. He has risen as he said! Here's a picture of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart resplendent in its Easter joy. A very Happy Easter to you and your families wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

Berry good

You never know where or when you might encounter one of our furry friends. What are they doing? Getting some fresh air? Mediating? Perhaps, they are spying, watching us and our movements? Well, sometimes they are doing all of these things, but more than likely, they are simply eating. That's what this squirrel was doing in a tree by the Hesburgh Memorial Library, eating berries of some sort. On enjoying a tree top snack, this squirrel non-verbaled, "No comment."

Steds soccer...

It's looks like Christmas on field...

... continues on! While the Steds B team, Big Cats, went down fighting early in playoff action, Steds A team continues on. Last night, Steds A took on a team from Dillon at Ricci Fields in the second round of playoffs. From the outset, the two teams, Steds in green and Dillon in red, were evenly matched, but early on in the second half, Steds A kicked it into high gear and pressed the attack on all fronts. Soon afterwards. Steds sophomore, Conal Fagan, scored Steds first and only goal. Even though there was only one goal, the number of shots on the Dillon were so many that many lost count. On the win, Luke Distefano, Steds freshman, said, "Coming into the game they said we would a bunch of sled dogs without our driver as our captain Jack Ryan was absent.  But these dogs came to eat. 1-0 isn’t pretty, but a dub is a dub."

... while on the sidelines, coach Henry Bergstrom is looks composed.

Patrons of the arts...

Arnold: Artistically gifted?

... dabble in the arts. Yes, the Gentlemen of St. Edward's have an appreciation of the arts and other refined things, but at the same, they are not afraid to pick up a brush, steady the hand, and have a go at creating art. At the helm of it all was iHAAC (in-Hall Academic and Arts Coordinator) Logan Arnold. A man of letters and an eye for the finer things of life, Arnold wanted to give his fellow Gentlemen an opportunity to experience being the artist. Inviting a graduate fine arts student, the Gentlemen learned the basic techniques of what has been described as one of the most difficult artistic expressions- watercolor. What masterpieces were created? Take a gander below. On the event, Arnold said, "Ars gratia artist... art for the sake art... and some of it is pretty good too!"

The Thought of Another Salad

 Artist: Paddy Millican

Water color on paper

From: Mindscapes: A Vegan’s Dinner Dilemma 
2019

Mountains Of Flavors

Artist: Albert Oh

Water color on paper

From: Purple Mountain Majesties: A Study in Purple Skittles 
2019

Feeling Blue Too

Artist: J. Xu

Water color on paper

From: Rainy Day Trifles: Vol. 3 
2019

ND Day 2019...

We need you!

... is fast approaching! On April 28th & 29th, St. Edward's and its Gentlemen will counting you to help make this ND Day a day to remember for Notre Dame's oldest and most storied residence hall. For those who are unaware, ND Day is a day where anyone and everyone can donate and vote for what matters most to them at ND. Last year, St. Edward's was the number one residence hall in voting, and we hope it will be the same for this year! Without ND Day, St. Ed's just wouldn't be St. Ed's! And that's why we need every mom, father, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, grandma, grandpa, every person of good will, even every pet, to vote for St. Ed's on ND Day. On ND Day, Sterling Bhollah, St. Ed's freshman, said, "I not sure what is it, but I want to win it!"  

To VOTE for St. Ed's, click HERE.

Your Sunday picture...

Can't wait until tomorrow

... from Notre Dame. Sometimes is there no other way to say it but to say it directly, plainly, and without any ambiguity whatsoever. With that said, it's a crummy day here at Notre Dame. Still, it is thanks to the crummy days like this one that we can better appreciate the days that are not! Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday squirrel.

Sweet spring has sprung

We take a break from our furry friends to draw your attention to something most important. And what is that? That spring has sprung at Notre Dame! All about campus there are signs, and right outside of Carole Sander Hall there was this clear sign. On spring being sprung, Fr. Terry Ehrman, C.S.C., theologian and botanist, said, "Forget what the witch hazel bush has to say. This tree tells us what we all wanted to hear... and that is spring is here. Still, I want everyone to know that it will snow tomorrow. Just saying." 

Out of office...

Barrett: Studying the easy way 

... and keeping a low profile. That's what former Vice President Jack Barrett is doing these days. Yes, keeping a low profile is not just the order of the day but really the guiding principle of a new lifestyle for Barrett. How does he do it?  Well, when we caught up with him, Barrett was in the fourth floor Sky Lounge wearing sun glasses while studying. Trying to blend in or just plain odd? For many, odd, but for Barrett, not so much. On his new and unique way of studying Barrett said, "You’re not doing it wrong if you can’t see it."

Room Pick Night...

Maps with available rooms for next year

... is a night that is always filled with nerves, excitement, and emotion. After a list of lottery numbers was posted a week ago, a list determining the order of residents for selecting rooms, it was finally time to actually select a room. With quads, triples, doubles, and singles all available, the Gentlemen had plenty of different room configurations to choose from, and the good news was that there were all great options... because of all them were in Steds! Gathering in the Flounge, the Gentlemen began selecting rooms promptly at 9pm with rising seniors leading the way. But as quickly as it began, it was suddenly over. Yes, selections were made, rooms secured, and emotions subsided, and suddenly, life returned to normal. On room picks, a Stedsman, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, "It's over."

Jake Rittman gives the thumbs up at seeing the lottery list...

... as the atmosphere in the Flounge seems jovial...

... at times becoming circus like...

...but it was serene as Henry Bergstrom selects a room with help from RA Paddy.

When it comes to intramural sports...

Steds Lacrosse: Down but not out

... never count Steds out. Despite being one of the smaller halls at Notre Dame, Steds is known as a hall who always has a team at the ready. Unlike other halls, Steds always fields a team comprised solely of its own residents for any and all intramural sports. Merge with a another hall to form a team? Perish the thought! So, from tennis to dodgeball and everything in between, Steds has its own team ready to take the glory from any court, field, rink, or diamond. With that being said, then it is no surprise to learn that Steds fielded a lacrosse team for the season that is just beginning. On the team's first game, Ben Merrick, Steds sports commissioner and lacrosse captain, said, "We unfortunately lost 9-2 to a COMBINED Dillon/Morrissey team. Despite many of our players not playing for the first time, we definitely worked harder and we all had fun!" 

Where and what are they...

Keeping America safe: Cervantes and Oh

... up to these days? Some times we get caught up with the here and now that we forget about our Gentlemen who have graduated and headed off into the world. It's true, but thankfully, every now and then we receive a message giving an update. But today we have received word about not one but two former Stedsmen, Alex Cervantes '18 and David Oh '16, whose paths happened to recently cross. This past Wednesday, David, an Air Force veteran, who works in the area for the government, took some time off and attended the graduation ceremony for new second lieutenants who finished The Basic School (TBS) at Marine Corps Base at Quantico, VA. It is a requirement for every new Marine Corps officer, including Cervantes. On the graduation, Oh said, “It was a privileged. We had a chance to catch up and reminisce about 6am workouts many years ago under the Dome." 

Alex is now headed now headed out west for additional training before moving on to his final assignment where he'll be serving as a field artillery officer. We wish Alex and David very the best!

Moms' Weekend memories...

Steds Moms ( L to R): Bonnie Trzaska, Pam Gayheart, Susan Arnold, Katie Kimlinger

... abound from that special, special weekend. Still, some of those memories are Steds moms with other Steds moms, and that was certainly the case for moms of Steds seniors. Where were their sons? Who knows, but what we do know is Bonnie Trzaska, Pam Gayheart, Susan Arnold, and Katie Kimlinger were busy reliving the moments from their sons lives. Even though that blue, blue water may not be in the reflecting pool of the library, it didn't stop these moms from recreating the Steds GameDay Float. On floating in the spring, Pam Gayheart said, “Our loving sons learned to float like champions from their moms- whether they knew it or not, it runs in their blood!" Who knew?! Wow!

Your Sunday picture...

Looking more golden than ever

... from Notre Dame. Here's a spring view of Mary and Dome against a blue sky. Soon there will be spring flowers and blooming trees about, adding beauty to this already beautiful sight. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday Squirrel.

An all seeing eye

Our furry friends are special, and everyone of them is unique. Here's a unique friend who happened to  take up a spot in a most unique perch outside of Nieuwland Hall, giving him a great vantage point to watching the passing crowds. Still yet, our perching friend is most unique friend. Yes, he is, and to see that, look at his eye, his silver eye! On his uniqueness, our furry friend non-verbaled, "It may not be a rose colored world I see, but nevertheless, I see you!" 

We have....

Arnold with the prize of winning 

... a winner! In the midst of Moms' Weekend, Logan Arnold, Steds senior and in Hall Academic and Arts Coordinator, managed to run a race. What's he running away from? He's not telling. But what we do know is that he was a winner in the race honoring the men and women who have served in our nation's military. Still yet, we know that Arnold had a special advantage that day. On his advantage in the race, Arnold said, "The weather was not ideal and the course was not as advertised, but neither mattered in the end. Fueled by a cheering section of Steds Moms, I was able to run past the competition and finish second in the Run Forrest Run 10K.” 

Congratulations to Arnold and keeping on running for us all... less we have to run!

It's official...

Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Conrad with Fr. Ralph

… Sarah Myers ’12 of St. Mary’s and Ryan Conrad ’12 of Steds were married at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart this past Saturday. With Fr. Ralph witnessing their vows and surrounded by their family, friends, and of course, their the Steds family too, Sarah and Ryan exchanged their vows and rings becoming husband and wife. The happy day was made all the more so as the Notre Dame Liturgical Choir was present, helping everyone do twice the praising by singing with “full heart and voice.” On the wedding, Peter Vogel ’12, Stedsman and best man, said, "I feel like we haven't so much as lost a Stedsman as much as we have gained a sister." How sweet, Peter, how sweet indeed!

Good night...

Good bye Messrs. President and Vice President!

... and good luck! Yes, it was good bye and good luck to President Cole Edwards and Vice President Jack Barrett as their administration laid down the mantle of government, and as they did, the power vacuum created was immediately filled by the new administration of Gambardella, Merrick, and O'Brien. While it might sound like a law firm, it is actually the new Hall Government of St. Edward's Hall. With Josh "Gambo" Gambardella as President and Vice Presidents, Ben "Big Ben" Merrick and Dan "Pilgrim" O'Brien, on his left and right, the Gentlemen are in good and capable of hands. Still, the change of power was bittersweet. On their administration, Edwards and Barrett remarked, "Tremendous thanks goes out to our ND Day donors, Fr. Ralph, and the guys in Steds for enabling all of our goals and campaign promises to come to fruition. We've had an incredibly successful year and couldn't have made it possible without everyone's love for Steds."

Still yet, speaking on the condition of anonymity, a Steds resident said of the out going administration, "They were always for the kids, and that's how I will always remember them."

Moms took their...

Surprise, we're wading in water

... leave on this past Sunday, but before they did, they was one last special event. Yes, after the festivities and fun of Friday and Saturday, the special and magically weekend ended with Mass in the Hall's Chapel of Ss. Edward and John. As the photo above shows, it was crowded, but don't worry. Being Gentlemen, chairs were offered to moms and guests while themselves took to a seat on the floor. As Mass ended, despite it been Lent, moms were treated to a little Laetare Sunday surprise, and thanks to one mom, Sandy Sweilem, you too can experience it. On the close of Moms' Weekend, Fr. Ralph said, "It all went too quickly, but thanks to Pat Magner, and the great ideas of his own mom, the weekend was filled with great memories that will always live on. And something else that's for sure... I don't want to be the guy who follow's in Magner's step leading Moms' Weekend 2020!"

MOMS' WEEKEND MASS SURPRISE: CLICK HERE.

Moms' Weekend...

The company was best!

... continued. After the Soirée Bienvenue, or Welcoming Reception, of Friday night and Déjeuner, or Breakfast at the North Dining Hall, it was time for the main event the Dîner d’honneur, the Honorary Dinner, in the Dahnke Ballroom on the seventh floor of the Duncan Student. As a string quartet played, moms and sons were treated to campus views and an very unique view of the football field. Still, there was a photographer present to take pictures of moms and their sons as well as their friends. Following dinner, Pat Magner, with the help of his own mom, Jackie, treated the crowd to a game called “Generations,” where a mom and son faced off against each other, trying to answer questions about the other’s generation celebrities, shows, commercial, music sensations, etc. And as the evening drew to a close, everyone was treated to a beautiful sunset. A perfect ending to a perfect day. 

On the weekend, Cindy Olmanson, mom of Stedsmen Nick ’18 and Jack, said, 

“St.Ed’s Moms’ Weekend is the best! To have the opportunity to bond with my son’s friend group and their moms is something so special and unique to St. Ed’s.  

Once again, I have established a moms’ text group and share joys and concerns with other moms from my youngest son’s (Jack) Steds friend group. Many times we even know stuff before our sons! Moms’ Weekend provides the perfect setting to eat and sleep and play together and establish life-long bonds that will last even after graduation. Recently, these life-long bonds became very evident.

Something happened earlier this year that solidified exactly why this amazing mom bond is so important. What happened earlier this year is that one of the Stedsman from my oldest son’s Steds friend group (Nick) was involved in a car crash while traveling on business in a state far away from his home and far away from his mom and dad!Within hours of the crash, his mom sent us photos of his totaled car and prayer requests of gratitude that Tim survived unscathed but certainly shaken. The photos of the car were terrifying so much so that one of our moms in our group, who lived closest to the crash site, took it upon herself to drop everything and drive several hours to connect with Tim and provide a friendly mom face and a loving hug.  

We all felt a sense of relief to see the photo of Tim and her together.  It means so much to have a relationship with other moms who would drop everything and go to our son at his time of need.  And we have Father Ralph and Moms’ Weekend to thank for establishing this bond!”

Stedsmen freshmen taking pictures of their moms...

... while Pat Magner and Fr. Ralph are happy all went well!