Saturday Squirrel.

Paw prints...

These paw prints in the recently fallen snow look like they were made by a rather rotund squirrel. These prints belong to a squirrel who is either very good at getting hand outs from students or scrounging up morsels from a drive in a trash can... or both. Whatever it is, he's warm this winter. But   wait... these prints are not from a squirrel but rather from Notre Dame's very own groundhog! Forget Phil from that Pennsylvania town that nobody can spell nor find on a map because we have our own groundhog... Ned. Ned from Notre Dame, who resides around St. Jospeh's Lake, likes to keep a low profile but was spotted through the snow. What he would non-verbal we know not, but I think his empty burrow says it all.

... from Ned tells us spring is springing soon.

V M DAY!

President Gambardella (L) and Vice President O’Brien congratulating 

Commander Smith 

We have victory in our battle against malaria! The power of Steds mullets could not be repelled, and the enemy is now on the run. With the nets that will be purchased through donations, the enemy will cede more territory, and soon, malaria will have no place to hide. So, while the boys are returning home, our fight is not over, the war will go. Indeed, the enemy will see our brave boys and their powerful, magnificent mullets again! But for now, it’s back to the Steds barracks for some R&R and a haircut!

Earlier this afternoon, President Gambardella and Vice President O'Brien received Steds Mullet Commander, Jacob Smith, giving the order to cease operations an demobilize. And as sign of the Hall's gratitude, Smith was promoted to the rank of general. On the successful campaign, General Smith shared, "My dear friends, this is your hour. This is not victory of a class or of any floor for that matter. It's a victory of Steds and Steds nation. We were the first at this University to draw the sword against malaria, but it is with our mullets that we have vanquished this foe.” 

We THANK those who gave their follicles for the fight, but we also must give thanks to all those from who joined us in this fight, monitoring our progress, buoying our spirits, making donations, all of which made this campaign a RESOUNDING SUCCESS, raising $11,226! Whether or not we donned a mullet, today's victory is something that we can all be proud of and celebrate. 

He did...

McKenna: Dropping the curtain on the Iron Curtain...

... it! Stedsman and resident Connecticutian, or some would say Nutmegger,  Greg "The Leg" McKenna, first time Bengal Bouter, took down his rival in the Bengal Bouts Preliminaries. Cheered on by a large contingent of supporters from the Hall, and despite his rector cheering for the wrong the boxer, McKenna was not phased. Composed and focused, "The Leg" from St. Eds's swept his competition, and as he did, he did it in style. McKenna was a boxer who delivered not only the hits but also showboating that assembled crowd quietly wanted. Still yet, he even made his competition look decent, dropping "the curtain" in the final round. On seeing his fellow freshman win, Peter Ferraro, shared, "The first night of the 90th annual Bengal Bouts did not fail to disappoint with Greg “The Leg” McKenna clinching a split-decision win in the first round.  It was an amazing turn of events with The Leg turning things around towards the end of the bout and with this result, his name should be Greg “McKilla” McKenna!"

Continued luck to our "Leg" and all our boxers!

... and signals victory!

A break from the...

Irish fans down under or right side up?: Peter, sister, and dad

... battle. While the conflict against the nemesis of Steds wages on, let us take a short break so that our spirit and resolve might be refreshed and renewed. Yes, let us once again hear what our Stedsmen were doing before the war... what they were doing before hostilities broke out. Oddly enough, let's hear what Hall legend and Mullets Against Malaria hero, Peter Molyneaux, did during Christmas Break. While many went home or went to the game in Orlando, Molyneaux did as well. He spent some time at home in Bettendorf, Iowa, but Molyneaux took in the ND bowl game against Iowa State, not from the couch at home nor in Orlando but in Australia. Yes, Australia! Molyneaux said, “While getting up at 3 am was tough, I felt worse for our neighbors who got to listen to us yell at an iPhone screen for a couple hours!” True fans indeed!

Who are the few...

Steds mullets to malaria: Back off!

... the brave, the mulleted? They are our Stedsmen... from every class level, from all over the country, from purple mountains majesty and the fruited plains, in short from sea to sea... and even beyond! While their hair may be different shades, lengths, and levels of curliness, one thing they ALL have in common is the desire to give their follicles to the noble cause. Damn the ignorance of others who don't understand why they are sporting mullets, racing stripes and skullets. Who cares if others do not appreciate the awesome power of their hair, especially when it is styled by the best decade ever- the 80's?  Ignorance, laughter, nay saying, and anything else that others can throw their way will not deter these brave, brave boys. So, now, thanks to our Hall photographer, Ashton Bieri, let us see these courageous young men, and if seeing their courage should move us, then let us do our part in this fight and help bring them home and their hairstyles back to the present decade!

To make a donation, click HERE!

On getting a mullet, Steds freshman, ND Marching Band trombonist, and resident South Carolinian, Nathaniel Hiott, exclaimed, “When the great lyricist Billy Ray Cyrus sang the words 'I want my mullet back,' he was merely repeating the words uttered by every Stedsman after their next haircut returns them to a normal hairdo. Rest assured, Billy Ray: the mullets will be back to continue fighting the good fight!”

A portrait...

Dieterich's mullet: It fits him well

in courage. It takes a great deal of patience to grow the amount of hair needed for a mullet. Still, it takes even more patience to endure all of the inconveniences associated with long hair. But, let us, at home front, not forget the amount courage needed to wear a mullet. Sadly, the 80's biases, misunderstandings, and stereotypes surrounding this hairstyle continue right down to this very day. While some will be dissuaded from giving their follicles to the cause because of this, one Stedsman whose resolve never waived ever since arriving is Will Dieterich, Steds freshman from South Paris, Maine. Since day one, this South Parisian answered the call, and now, he and his mullet are at the front. Earlier, I was able to speak with a veteran mullet wearer and legend, Peter Molyneaux, but recently, I was able to speak with this youngling, asking him a few questions. 

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

Dieterich: The wearer of a mullet is telling the world he is both confident and compassionate. He supports the kids, and he does it in style.

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

Dieterich: Seeing fellow younglings around campus with mullets makes me think of how amazing our St Edward’s community is and how we all came together and worked- some of us for months- to get our hair ready for the cause.

StEd: Can a mullet really do anything against malaria?

Dieterich: The mullets may be the ultimate weapon against malaria. It has extraordinary fundraising powers, which helps charities battle malaria!

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!

Your Sunday picture...

Moving on up... not to east side but the second floor

... from Notre Dame. Many people have shared with me how campus is inspiring, but you know, sometimes induces a bit of laughter. That was certainly the case earlier this week when walking to the Morris Inn. What is up there on McKenna Hall's elevator shaft? Yes! It's a port-a-potty. How did they get it up there? Some times not knowing is better than knowing. Still, I hope this view from campus brought you a bit of laughter. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!