Last weekend was that big football game which millions ignore to watch everything else that goes on around it. A lot of defense was played and a quarterback of mature years seemingly concluded his career on a high note. One of the several occurrences that people found more interesting than the game itself was the press conference during which the defeated quarterback was laconic, surly, and dismissive before dismissing himself from the press conference. I’m told this fellow attended no fewer ...
Notre Dame Men's Basketball
Freshman Spotlight: Rex Pflueger
Notre Dame has had a few spelling issues in the past and a member of the basketball team has just been added to the list of Notre Dame misspellings. Rex Pflueger, Barstool ND’s favorite basketball player and this week’s Freshman Spotlight had the unfortunate experience of being an example of why we proofread things. (I don’t necessarily follow this advice ¯\_(ツ)_/¯, but I am also not as important as Under Armour) The best part is that it took until halftime for anyone on the team to ...
Good Fridays w/Padre: 2025 A.D.
There is a class of third-graders in California that has adopted the University as something of learning partner, teacher’s aide, and mentor. These young lads and lasses call themselves the Notre Dame Class of 2029. I enthusiastically applaud this kind of bold, audacious vision and aspiration; after all, in 1842, I declared a mildewed log cabin on the Midwestern American tundra to be a University. Didn’t go from mission to school to college – never used the word ‘impossible’ – didn’t bother to ...
Good Fridays w/Padre: Being Generous
In this season of giving, in what I’m told is now a Year of Mercy, the Alumni Association is giving away lanterns to people who “Be the Light.” I’m not sure if this is a command, a wish, or slang. But vague grammar aside, it is a very nice idea to send lanterns to those who light up your days and nights. I would have loved it if someone had sent me a lantern or two around Christmas of 1842 – my log cabin was quite dark and things growled outside the door at night, seeking entry and food. I have ...
Wedding and Wake: A Tale of Notre Dame vs. Kentucky
The bride and groom had long since finished their first dance, toasts delivered, and the cake cut. The DJ did his level-best to fire up the dance floor, but the only dance at Table 11 was the setup of iPads and a WiFi hotspot. Such is life at a Domer wedding when one of the major sports just happens to take center stage on your big day. But honestly, who could have seen this interruption coming, especially if you make the conscious decision to avoid scheduling the dreaded fall ...
Sometimes The Bad Guys Win: Dealing with Defeat
"HAVE you news of my boy Pat? " Not this tide. "When d'you think that he'll come back?" Not with this wind blowing, and this tide. "Has any one else had word of him?" Not this tide. For what is sunk will hardly swim, Not with this wind blowing, and this tide. "Oh, dear, what comfort can I find?" None this tide, Nor any tide, Except he did not shame his kind--- Not even with that wind blowing, and that tide. Then hold your head up all the more, This tide, And every ...
Friday Roundup: The “Elite” Edition
I awoke this morning at around 3:30 AM paying for a celebration that is typically reserved for a football victory. I'm sure celebrating with some fellow Sorin Otters did aid the situation, but then again, I can't ever remember a time in which we gathered together for a basketball game. Yet here we are, in a world in which Notre Dame easily dispatched Wichita State on the heels of a late 15-2 run, advancing to the Elite Eight with a 81-70 victory. And a world in which Mike Brey can give a ...
Step Three: Wichita State
Game one was challenging to say the least. Game two was a heart attack just waiting to happen but somehow the Irish fought back and got the win. How will game three play out? Lets take a peak at game three's opponent: Wichita State. The Wichita State Shockers play in the Missouri Valley Conference, and they finished their regular season play with a record of 30-4, with a conference record of 17-1, and a non-conference record of 13-3. In the Missouri Valley Tournament, Wichita State lost to ...
Thank You, Mike Brey
How do you describe the indescribable? How do you treat the supernatural with the respect it deserves? These are the questions I struggle with attempting to write a piece about Mike Brey today. It’s easy to write a glowing piece about the coach coming off a tremendous win. While I don’t apologize for getting to do so, I worry that it cheapens what I’m about to write. I stress because I have so many words stuck in my mind about Mike Brey right now, and I don’t think a single one does him justice. ...
Step Two: Butler
Hopefully you’ve caught your breath from Notre Dame’s first round win versus Northeastern because it’s about time to start holding it all over again. The frenetic activity that is March Madness tastes so good, though, doesn’t it? I’d forgotten the joy of passionately, personally caring about the Men’s tourney through the first weekend, but since Notre Dame’s #notdoneyet, neither are my emotions. The second round opponent is Notre Dame’s neighbor to the south, the Butler Bulldogs. Some ...