There's a new...

Tompkins with the Hall Government Mace

... president in the Hall. That's right. Steds has a new Hall President, Aidan Tompkins. A Steds sophomore and stand up comedian, Tompkins, with his ticket of Vice Presidents of John Digenan and Dan McGuire, won the presidency in a run off election held earlier this month conducted under the watchful eye of Election Commissioner, Louis Rauch. Folks, it's no joke... this comedian, now president, means business. And on his first day in office, President Tompkins wasn't slouching around but instead delivered a new set pool table balls to his constituents. Seemingly insignificant, but if you're a pool players, it was like Christmas in July. On becoming president, Tompkins said, "I came to Notre Dame for the incredible tradition. To be placed in the oldest dorm is an absolute dream. I feel honored to have been elected president. I am so happy to be a Stedsman and excited to get to work." 

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Remember St. Ed's

Do it for old St. Ed!

... this Notre Dame Day! Yes, it's happening, again. Everyone's favorite day, Notre Dame Day, the day were Notre Dame students, staff, and faculty are feted all while donations are made, is happening April 24th and 25th. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY FOR ST. EDWARD'S! Again, mark your calendars and remember Steds! More information coming soon. On Notre Dame Day happening next month, St. Edward said, "As always, we need every man, woman, child, person of good will, cat, dog- anyone and everyone really- to do his and her duty for King and Hall!" 

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And then...

Thank you but good bye

... they were gone. Yes, the last vestiges of the pandemic have left the building. With signs coming down earlier, the last reminder of the pandemic were the hand sanitizer stations placed throughout the Hall. But with the recent University announcement stating that all visitors were welcome to all parts of the campus, including residence halls, and the discontinuation of testing and quarantining, the time for stations was up. From the fourth floor to the first floor and all points in-between, the stations were rounded up and taken to a secure off campus location, hopefully, never to be seen again. On the decommissioning of the hand sanitizer stations, Marshall Smith, resident fourth floorer and Californian, shared, "The sanitizing stations’ removal marks a triumphant victory for Steds over the Covid-19 pandemic. This day has been long awaited, though the stations will be dearly missed by the few people who actually used them."

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room...

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They got married!

Fr. Ralph with Mr. and Mrs. Jon and Halie Heintz... 

It's official. Jon Heintz ’09, NDLS ’14, and Halie Vilagi of Ohio State were married at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on what turned out to be a beautiful cold and snowy spring at Notre Dame. With Fr. Ralph witnessing and surrounded by family, friends, and the Steds family, Jon and Halie exchanged their vows with much joy and happiness... and emotion. Still yet, this couple really wanted to get married that they started the wedding early, making Fr. Ralph late for first time in seventeen years. On Halie joining the Steds family, Dr. Kevin Sonn ’09, Stedsmen and classmate of Jon, declared, “For someone who can handle herself in court, we will see how Halie handles joining the family of the most prestigious residence hall in the country. My guess is quite well.”

Congratulations and best wishes to Jon and Halie!

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... and Jon with some of his fellow Stedsmen.

Your Sunday picture...

A beautiful, colorful sight...

 

... from Notre Dame. Here is a picture of the first bunch croci to bloom. Found on the north side of St. Joseph's Lake, the wooded area is about to drench in purples, whites, and yellow as all types of spring flower are about to bloom. Not only are the pretty to look at but also a great sign that spring has sprung. And that's we must remember especially since it's going to snow today. Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room...

on SoundCloud, click HERE.

on Spotify, click HERE.

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BUT THERE'S MORE...

Using these links, watch the Hall's Sunday 10PM Mass. 

Facebook page: Click HERE.

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...no matter what the color!

Saturday squirrel.

Enjoying the view

Our squirrels are always going here and there, doing this, doing that. But some times, our furry friends take a rest from the labors wherever they may be. Walking around St. Jospeh's Lake, this squirrel was spotted at the very tip of a very small fallen tree log. Taking five in the sunshine? Looks like it. On being spotted taking a break, this squirrel said, " I am not! Don't laugh, but I stopped here because I am afraid of heights!"

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What's all the...

McKeon posting and Kafel staring...

... commotion? Room picks! The posting of the room picks lottery list, the list that determines order of choosing a room, and the room maps, noting which rooms are available for selection, caused a mini stampede in the lobby. A little after 9pm, Nate McKeon posted the lottery list in the lobby while Alec Lis posted the room maps in the Flounge, and once they were spotted by Anthony Kafel, the first of there, a crowd quickly appeared. Of course, there were cheers and tears as the Gentlemen learned their number, but regardless of what number they got, the good news is that they all will get rooms at Steds! That's right, when everyone selects their room on next Thursday, everyone is a winner because they have a room at Notre Dame's oldest and most storied residence hall. On seeing his lottery number, Kafel stated, "Anthony looked in misery as he realized what his room pick was, but on a happier note, I’m excited to see what next year holds. Looks like we're going to have a nice size freshman class."

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... at so many possibilities!

They're at it...

Team Steds: Kolodychak, Brach, McClimon, Gallagher, and O'Leary

... again. That's right. The Stedsmen are at it again with another spring sport, 4X4 football. A Steds squad has entered the fray, looking for yet another coveted RecSports Championship for King and Hall. The season started off at the Loftus Center with a game against Dunne. Taking the field was an all junior squad made up by Alex Kolodychak, Jonathan Brach, Drew McClimon, Tommy Gallagher, and Jack O'Leary. From the start, it was a fast paced game and that was the case right up until the end. And what an end it was with Gallagher securing a catch for an extra point just as the clock hit 0:00, making Steds end up on top by a score of 40-39! Clearly, this game was not for the faint of heart. 

On securing the winning catch, Gallagher said, "Catching the winning touchdown was something I’ve been dreaming about my whole life, but I couldn’t have done it without my QB. And as they say ‘it ain’t over till it’s over.’"

Still, a sentimental Kolodychak shared, “Most football fans reminisce over the ‘85 Bears, the ‘07 Patriots, and many other all time greats. After this performance, the 209ers (our room number at Steds) should be in that conversation. Undefeated since it’s founding, our team puts on quite show. Our game winning extra point was so exciting that my Chick-fil-A from dinner had to make an appearance!”

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room...

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They are...

Rauch and Storch are smiling...

... the champions! To surprise of many, an upstart freshmen duo won the Hall's pool tourney. Tourney Dark horses for sure, these freshmen, Dane Storch and Louis Rauch, quickly emerged as a pool powerhouse, taking down their older and more experienced competitors, and landing themselves in the finals. Despite all the late night practicing in the Billards Room and all the distractions during the final game, nothing could shake the focus nor disrupt the "A game" play that these two freshmen were throwing down. But less the achievement of Storch and Rauch be forgotten like an early morning calculus lecture, a plaque for the Billards Room was created to commemorate forever their victory as well as all the victories of future pool tourney players. 

But there's more...

But the all glory cannot go to the victors because others have a legitimate claim on some of it too. Who? Well, the Stedsman who organized the tourney! And so, John DiLella, organizer of the event signed the back of the plaque. Writing a brief ditty for posterity, DiLella's scribblings only added to the history and mystique of the plaque. On having a plaque to immortalize winners, John DiLella shared, "A legacy of billiards excellence may have been born with the victory of Louis and Dane in the First St. Edward's Hall Pool Tournament, but we can't forget the one who came up with the idea in the first place. My contributions, though vital, shall remain in the background, forever behind the scenes and behind the plaque, until the day I can rip it off the wall and go 'I told you so!' to my confused children." 

... and DiLella is smiling too!

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room...

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On the prowl...

Big Cats: A Pride full of pride!

... the Big Cats are. Big Cats, the Steds "B Team" for soccer, are on the prowl for a RecSports championship, and their hunt began with a game against Dunne. Playing at Ricci Fields, the Pride got off to a fast start, drawing first blood, with a goal scored early on in the game. But disaster struck when a Big Cat, who was not the goalie, got a bit too frisky and used his "paws" to defend the Steds goal during a corner kick. This meant an automatic red card and ejection from the game and a penalty kick which Dunne capitalized on, giving them the equalizer. Playing a cat down, Steds held Dunne off so that the game went into over time and a penalty kick shoot out. But thanks to the goal tending of a young Big Cat, Stephen Heritage, freshman and Sted baseball catcher, Steds edged out Dunne by a single goal, thus winning the match. On the win, Heritage shared, "It's been a blast to be able to get on the field with the Gentlemen, and I cannot wait for our matchup with Carroll this Wednesday. I always like to remember that if we score we might win, but if the other team doesn't score, we cannot lose!" 

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room...

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They threw...

Steds: Should've, could've, would've!

... everything they had into that game! Yes, the Steds Hockey Team threw everything, except the Ed's kitchen sink, into the RecSports Championship game against the combined power of Keough and O'Neill Halls. After a slow start and last minute loss, the Steds squad, paired with Alumni Hall, caught fire and secured for the first time not only wins but also an invite to the tourney. With the squad continuing to catch  fire, Steds became the Cinderella team, but sadly, the clock finally struck Midnight for Steds. After a playing a great game that ended in a tie, it went to a shoot out where Steds loss four to three. On the game and season, Kyle Rubin, Steds senior, apparel designer, and star hockey player, shared, "Obviously losing in a shootout is a really hard way to end my competitive hockey career, but I couldn’t have been prouder of how the boys competed all year long to get to that point. We were always the underdog and I think we proved everyone wrong and gave ourselves a legitimate chance at winning a ship and that was all I could ask for.” 

Congratulations to our Steds Hockey Team for a great season!

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room...

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Your Sunday picture...

Almost full...

... from Notre Dame. Here is the moon next to the newly refurbished steeple of Washington Hall and the Hesburgh Memorial Library in the background. The moon, a waxing gibbous, would a become a full moon the next day... just in time for St. Patrick's Day. See picture below. Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday and FIRST DAY OF SPRING wherever you may be!

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room...

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BUT THERE'S MORE...

Using these links, watch the Hall's Sunday 10PM Mass. 

Facebook page: Click HERE.

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... and now full.

Saturday Squirrel.

Out on a limb and prayer for sure

Many things can be said of our furry friends on campus, but one thing that cannot be said is that they are afraid of going out on a limb, literally and figuratively. And that was certainly the case with this squirrel spotted in the a tree along Notre Dame Avenue. Coming out of nowhere, this squirrel flipped himself upside down so as to nibble on a branch. What was he nibbling on? Who knows, but what we do know is that he showed off some impressive acrobatic moves as he went out on a limb. On showing off his acrobatic moves, this squirrel non-verbaled, "You haven't seen anything yet!"

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A very special...

Raus: Say it loud, say it proud

... accessory. A trip to campus would be filled with visions of flips flops, shorts, sweat pants, and t-shirts... all those things you would wear if you rolled out of bed and went straight into the world, or in this case, into the classroom. But it doesn't mean there aren't exceptions to the traditional grab of students, and to see this, one only need to swing by Steds. Bucking the trend is Peter Raus. This Steds senior, Navy ROTC, and resident Californian is raising the dress standards in the Hall and campus by designing a couture belt buckle. They said it couldn't be done, but Raus found a way, and now, wether in khakis or in fatigues, his belt buckle is raising the fashion standards around here. Still yet, it's catching the attention of everyone who sees it. On his couture belt buckle, Raus said, "They often say, ‘How do you know somebody went to Notre Dame?' And the answer is, 'They’ll tell you.' Or in this case, it’s obnoxiously broadcasted."

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Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Making all eyes smile...

This day is marked by parades, bagpipes, soda bread, merriment, and of course, the wearing of the green. At Notre Dame, all of this and much more happened to mark this special day. But something else that added to the festivities was the appearance of Galanthus, or more commonly known as, snowdrops. Yes, just in time for St. Patrick's Day, snowdrops appeared all about campus from the lakes to grotto and beyond. The appearance of these delicate spring flowers only brought more smiles to a day already filled with smiles. On the appearance of the snowdrops, Fr. Ralph said, "Seeing the snowdrops TODAY on St. Patrick's Day was like the cherry atop a sundae... and the second was the return of the missing Irish flag banner!"

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... doubly so!

Just in time...

Now, go out there and win!

... for tonight's game! The timing couldn't be more perfect. The Steds soccer jerseys, for its two teams, Steds A and Big Cats (Steds B), arrived just in time for their first games of the season. Designed by senior Kyle Rubin, these jerseys are more than just "talk of the pitch" as they really do capture and reflect the espirt de corp of the Steds quads. In the traditional colors of St. Ed's, gold and green, the uniform has a slight, almost unnoticeable, pattern of alternating dark and light green horizontal stripes, with the player's number and the St. Ed's crown in gold. Rounding out the Steds kit are matching shorts and socks. With these uniforms, regardless of the final score on board, Steds will always be winners... in victory and defeat... as only Steds can do. On being the first to get new uniform, Nathan Biergans, sophomore and resident Michigander, said, "As I first felt the fabric made of the finest silk my adrenaline began to surge as I anticipated representing the fine Gentlemen of St Edward’s Hall!"

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Went downtown...

All smiles here!

... and connected for fun! That's what Steds parents did recently when they gathered for the ND Men's Basketball against Georgia Tech. Debbie and Gavin Ryan, Cindy and Cully Olmanson, and Stacey Carr took in a great basketball game and renewed bonds of friendship made when their sons lived in Notre Dame's oldest and most storied residence hall, St. Ed's. And while their sons may have graduated and off in the world, it doesn't mean that the fun times have to come to an end. On their recent trip to Notre Dame, Gavin Ryan shared, “Our kids are gone, but we’re still here!” and Debbie Ryan added, "Steds moms don't need their sons to have fun."

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Yet another...

At the lanes: Cherek, Eggleton, Jung, and Smith....

... championship for Steds! When it rains, it pours, and it's pouring RecSports championships at Steds. Under the leadership of senior and captain Jacob Smith, the RecSports Bowling championship was brought home to Steds. How did Steds pull it off? Simple. Brains and youth. In Smith, the Steds team had the experience and knowledge of a senior at the helm, and in the three remaining spots, it had the power of youth with freshmen Levi Cherek, Nikolai Eggleton, and Daniel Jung. This combination proved to be unstoppable. And there's still more good news... with the team composed entirely of freshmen, next year's team looks well positioned to take it all again. On winning the bowling championship, Smith shared, "This is second championship won this school year and the fourth in my fours years here. But I’m not done yet…"

Congratulations to our Gentlemen bowlers!

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... Smith strategizing...

... and delivers a championship!

Your Sunday picture...

Good bye Spring Break

... from Notre Dame, well, from Spring Break. Spring Break ends today and so does the fun in the sun and the surf, afternoon naps, and wearing of pjs for the majority of the day. And whatever our Gentlemen may have done this break, the setting sun over the White Tank Mountains in Phoenix captures this moment best. We look forward to everyone returning to campus as well as hearing their stories, but in the mean time, enjoy the view... and your Sunday wherever you may be!

During Spring Break, In the Red Room is on hiatus. But don't worry, it will be back next week!

BUT THERE'S MORE...

Using these links, watch the Hall's Sunday 10PM Mass. 

Facebook page: Click HERE.

Zoom Meeting Link: Click HERE.

Saturday's squirrel.

Didn't get the memo

With the snows of winter now melted, our furry friends have the chance to find their buried treasures. Our furry friends were very busy this past fall, burying various items for the long and cold winter that was ahead. Unfortunately, the deep snows prevented them from accessing their hidden stores until now. Mild temps mean that buried treasure can now be unburied. But this squirrel, spotted on God Quad, seemed to be a bit confused by it all by burying nuts instead of unburying them. On burying nuts, this squirrel said, "Mind your own business."

Watch this video: click HERE

During Spring Break, In the Red Room is on hiatus. But don't worry, it will be back next week!

Best of...

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

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!

What's all that...

DiFilippo and his jazz devotees 

... jazz about? Well, this time, we actually have someone who can give us an answer! Steve Sayles, Steds junior and resident New Yorker, recently attended the jazz performance of fellow Stedsman, Vince DiFilippo, at the Duncan Student Center. With his saxophone, DiFilippo treated listeners, like Sayles (above in red) and his fellow Stedsmen, to his smooth jazz musings which brought a chill vibe to all. But before you think we have the next Sam Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, or even Kenny G, stop. Don't think too small1 On DiFilippo's jazz performance, Sayles sAID, "Vince Difilippo is truly the greatest saxophone player to ever exist.”

During Spring Break, In the Red Room is on hiatus. But don't worry, it will be back next week!

Spring is...

Spring has really sprung

... here. Well, speaking meteorologically, spring arrived on March 1st, and whether it felt like it or not, it was spring. Even though astronomical spring is some ways off, there is another tell tale sign that spring has arrived. And what is that? The witch hazel bush of course. Yes, the witch hazel bush is the first bush or flowering shrub to bloom, and recently, the witch hazel bush on God Quad, outside of La Fortune, bloomed, heralding the new season. On the witch hazel blooming, Fr. Ralph said, "Overlooked by virtually everyone, including myself, it was only Fr. Terry Ehrman, who in tune with Mother Nature, noticed this small yet great sight. Many thanks for pointing out the end of our winter!" 

During Spring Break, In the Red Room is on hiatus. But don't worry, it will be back next week!

Vote early...

Rauch (seated) turns away an ineligible voter...

... and vote often is usually the line one hears when speaking of voting in Chicago. But not on this Gentleman's watch. That's right. There was no "voting often' with Election Coordinator Louis Rauch, who despite being from Chicagoland, ran what had to be one the cleanest, fairest, and most organized elections at Steds for some time. At the direction of the current administration, paper balloting was reintroduced, foregoing the impersonal, electronic voting, and tapped the young Rauch to make it all happen. In the end, Rauch delivered, and once again, democracy triumphed at Notre Dame's oldest residence hall. On overseeing the recent Hall election, Rauch said, “The St. Edward's Hall election is an important event, arguably as important as the U.S. presidential election.  President Mike and I decided that in person voting was the best way to hold this momentous occasion.  Voter turnout was through the roof at 81% for the dorm with fourth floor having an impressive 94% of residents voting.”

During Spring Break, In the Red Room is on hiatus. But don't worry, it will be back next week!

... but allowed President Lynch to vote...

... who then returned to his Election Day perch.

Your Sunday picture...

Take it all in

... from Notre Dame. Here's a picture of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart with the statue of Mary peeking out where the west transept meets the nave. It was a magnificent day with a beautiful blue sky with high, wispy cirrus clouds. With the permacloud retreating, it means spring is around the corner. Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

TO HELP CHASE MILLER '21 AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH CANCER, CLICK HERE

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