Saturday's Mullet.

Molyneaux: The man, the myth, the mullet

During these trying times, strength and courage for the fight can be drawn from looking to the past, particularly to one Stedsman. The one I speak of is Peter Molyneaux, Steds senior and resident Iowan. Described as impressively hideous by his father, Molyneaux's mullet and accompanying mustache and sideburns are legendary among our fighting boys. The power, the beauty, the majesty of it all leaves one speechless and malaria dead in its tracks. With the boys off at the front, I was able to catch up with this Steds legend and ask him a few questions. Here's what he had to say...

St.Ed: What do you think the wearer of a mullet is communicating to world through his hair?

Molyneaux: The mullet is a bad hairstyle, no way around it. Because of this, those of us in Steds who choose to wear it put charity before looking good. We choose to look bad for the benefit of others. Sounds like something Jesus would do to me! 

St.Ed: When you see “younglings” about campus with mullets, racing stripes, and skullets, what do you think?

Molyneaux: It makes me proud to be a member of this Hall. Although my mullet has come and gone I can see the tradition is being carried on. Nothing makes me happier 

St.Ed: Can a mullet really do anything against malaria?

Molyneaux: I am 100% convinced that, after a mosquito net of course, the mullet is the single most effective way to beat malaria into submission. No explanation required.

As our boys are fighting malaria, let's do our part in this battle and bring them and their

hairstyles back to normal! To make a donation, click HERE!

It all started...

Stedsmen: Getting ready for the fight...

... this afternoon. It was pleasantly quiet on the home front, but then, suddenly, there was a cacophony from the Flounge and flurry of activity going up and down the main staircase. What was happening? A Chipotle give away in the Greg? A flash sale at Ed's? No, it was none of these. Rather, all the noise was our brave Stedsmen preparing for the fight against our nemesis. Reporting to the Flounge, our boys, with the help of three University hairstylists, received malaria's worse nightmare- a mullet. Having their locks crafted into the quintessential 80's hairstyles, the Stedsmen were finally ready for the fight. With mullets, racing stripes, and even skullets, the Stedsmen headed off to the front. Rest assured, we will bring you news and photos from the front lines of the battle, hearing from our brave boys, their heroics as well as their coiffures that just won't quit. On seeing his younger brother, Jack, with a mullet, Ryan Shelley said, "Not bad work at all, though the stripes leave something to be desired. I give 7.5 out of 10. But, it’s all for the kids… so 10.”

As our boys are fighting malaria, let's do our part in this battle and bring them and their hairstyles back to normal! To make a donation, click HERE!

... and the President did his part...

... while even the Hall mailman delivered more than just the mail...

... with the Man from Maine, Will Dieterich, undergoing a transformation... 

... with Deustch looking better than ever...

... just like Jack Shelley...

... all trying to be cool just like these guys.

Back to school...

Alec and Keenan: Sun and surf...

... but still reminiscing about Christmas Break. It has been a fast start to the new academic semester, and it's tough getting back in the swing of things, especially with the reappearance of snow and winter winter. So, it is no surprise then why minds drift back to the recent past and linger on sunnier days, literally and figuratively. And here's such a story. During Christmas Break, Alec Lis and his parents traveled to Oahu and spent five days on the Big Island, and while there, a mini-sheds reunion happened as fellow Stedsman and native Hawaiian, Keenan Lofton, caught up with them and extend his Aloha. 

What happened? Hawaiian things of course. Steds Moms, Debbie Lis and Suzanne Lofton, had a blast reconnecting as they had not seen each other since Moms’ Weekend 2019 while Alec and Keenan enjoyed the sun and surf… even giving stand up paddling a go. Still, Keenan also took Alec to favorite local haunts-  the Rainbows Drive Inn for their famous “Loco Moco” plate and Leonard’s Bakery for some hot malasadas, Portuguese doughnuts that are very popular in Hawaii. But don’t worry, the Steds dads, David Lis and Randy Lofton, went NOT left out as they did dads things. 

On the Steds Hawaiian Christmas Blast, Suzanne said, “It really was so awesome to spend my birthday weekend with the Lis family. Keenan and Alec came off of a grueling finals exam schedule so to see both in the beautiful clear blue water under the Hawaiian sun enjoying themselves made my heart so full of joy.”

On the Steds Hawaiian Christmas Blast, Fr. Ralph, who was not there, said, “For the future, please remember I carry bags really well, and I speak the language.”

... and smiles with Suzanne.

Reinforcements have...

A proud Smith with an astonished Carson...

... arrived, and just in time too! As the offensive against malaria is about start, the Stedsmen received a much needed boost confidence, and that boost came in the form of Mullets Against Malaria t-shirts. Designed by the Hall President, Josh Gambardella, the shirts have a degree of subdued flare that says, "Hey, look at me," but yet at same time,  a healthy dose of gravitas that communicates to onlookers, "Seriously, look at me!" Without any doubt, these perfectly balanced t-shirts will raise the spirits of the Gentlemen as well as draw attention and others to their cause. On the arrival and distribution of the mullets t-shirts, Jacob Smith, captain of the Steds' Mullets Against Malaria forces, shared, “As the men of Steds begin to fill the trenches, it is always important to feel a sense of camaraderie around a gorgeous uniform. The mullets and these beautifully designed shirts will serve just that purpose. Take that malaria!"

To join our Stedsmen in the: CLICK HERE.

... while DiLella put down his guitar and gave his vote of approval.

They said...

You just had to be there...

... it couldn't be done. But who are "they," and what do "they" know? With this in mind, Steds dared to dream the impossible dream, and in the end, they went where no other Notre Dame hall has gone before. What did Steds pull off? Super Chinese Groundhog's Day ^TM! A celebration that only comes once in the lifetime of a Steds resident where three celebrations- the Super Bowl, Chinese New Year's, and Groundhog's Day, were rolled up into one, mega, amazing, spectacular celebration. With the Super Bowl on and the best Chinese food in South Bend served up- all in done in the shadow of groundhog- history was made in the Flounge this past Sunday. To be honest, it's surprising that the Flounge was able to contain all of the explosive celebratory power of this most special day. On his first and only Super Chinese Groundhog's Day, Vince DiFilippo, Steds freshman and resident Ohioan, said, "I was blown away by the dazzling, stunning, and riveting celebration of Super Chinese Groundhog Day. This was the most ambitious crossover since peanut butter and jelly. I just hope both teams playing in the Super Bowl had fun."

... to take it all in, literally and figuratively.

Your Sunday picture...

... from Notre Dame. Here's a picture of the Basilica's Lady Chapel's altar. Originally from Rome and a part of a traveling international exposition in the late 1800's, Fr. Sorin saw the altar, took a shine to it, and invited it to be displayed at the Basilica. Not surprisingly, when the altar made a stop at Notre Dame, it never left. Something else that is interesting about the altar is that behind it is a door! Really. Take a look when you make your next visit. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be! 

Saturday Squirrel.

Oops...

We are not alone. Even when away from campus, our furry friends are there watching us, and this became all too evident this past weekend while in Florida. Enjoying a walk on the beach and passing briefly through a wooded area, a presence was felt... a presence that hadn't been felt since... And then, turning around abruptly, there was a Florida beach squirrel staring right at me.  On being spotted, the squirrel climbed higher into the trees and disappeared. While he did not non-verbal anything, his eyes said it all... his cover had been blown and the gig was up.