Today's Stories
  • Sports
    • Notre Dame Athletes of the Year: Aaron Heilman returns for senior year, sparks Irish baseball resurgence (By ANDREW SOUKUP Associate Sports Editor)
      One inning. Just one inning.
    • Notre Dame Athletes of the Year: All-American Ruth Riley leads Irish to first national championship (By NOAH AMSTADTER Sports Editor)
      Most members of the Class of 2001 spent this past week enjoying the rewards of their four years on campus — a trip to Cedar Point, an outing to Wrigley Field to see the Cubs and Wednesday night's formal dance.
    • Saint Mary's Athlete of the Year: Cook ends two successful years with championship (By KATIE McVOY Associate Sports Editor)
      Sad circumstances brought her to Saint Mary's, but senior Natalie Cook will leave with a smile.
    • Women's Basketball: Irish bring home championship (By TIM CASEY Senior Staff Writer)
      Before the season, anyone associated with women's college basketball stated the obvious. Connecticut and Tennessee, the two glamour programs, the defending national champion and runner-up, would more than likely meet once again for the bragging rights (and another banner) on April Fool's Day, 2001.
    • Track and Field: Grow, Shay head to NCAAs (By NOAH AMSTADTER Sports Editor)
      They started out as two teams of the many, working together for the best possible team finish at each weekend's competition. What remains are the few and the proud, athletes who already have or are working to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Track and field track athletes.
    • Track and Field: Graf makes B-cut, leads Belles in final meet (By KATIE McVOY Associate Sports Editor)
      Junior transfer student Laura Graf made history for Saint Mary's College at the MIAA track championships last weekend as her 800-meter time was good enough for a provisional qualification for nationals.
    • Belles bring home first-ever MIAA championship (Katie McVoy Associate Sports Editor)
      It was a small but lively crowd that greeted the Saint Mary's tennis team on a Monday night when most students were studying for finals. The 15 members of the tennis team were all smiles as they entered an Angela Athletic Facility rally held in their honor to accept the first ever Saint Mary's MIAA title.
    • Baseball: Notre Dame hopes for first Big East Tournament title Championship (By JEFF BALTRUZAK Assistant Sports Editor)
      The Notre Dame baseball team will most likely be at graduation this weekend, but don't expect them to be especially perky.
    • Season-ending bowl loss taints successful season (Tim Casey Senior Staff Writer)
      One night. That's how long it took for the 2000 football campaign to change from being termed a surprising success to being treated as another Bob Davie-led failure. It all "came apart" on Jan. 1, in front of a national television audience when Oregon State destroyed Notre Dame 41-9 in the Fiesta Bowl.
    • Softball: Irish make history, earn first No. 1 regional seed (By PETE FRASSO Sports Writer)
      As students, parents, and faculty and the President of the United States gather this weekend for graduation and Commencement at Notre Dame, the Irish women's softball squad still has some work to do.
    • Inglesby, Murphy spark Irish to regular season success (Kathleen O'Brien Senior Staff Writer)
      Every year during the last decade, the Notre Dame men's basketball program found itself on the outside looking in at an exclusive party — March Madness. This year, the Irish earned themselves an invitation to the NCAA Tournament.
    • Softball: Belles play hard, but can't make the grade (By KATIE McVOY Associate Sports Editor)
      It wasn't a question of solid pitching or getting hits. The Saint Mary's softball team just couldn't put the two together to bring home enough wins to put the team over .500 this season.
    • Women's Lacrosse: Fourth season makes firsts (By ANTHONY BISHOP Sports Writer)
      The fourth season of Notre Dame women's lacrosse was a season of firsts. The team achieved its first-ever victory over a ranked team, Delaware, and then proceeded to defeat a top-10 team, Yale. These victories helped the Irish gain national recognition and their first ever ranking — peaking at No. 18 — and first ever 10-win season with an overall 10-5 record.
    • Irish to make second quarterfinal appearance (By MIKE CONNOLLY Sports Writer)
      The Irish have been here before but this time everything is different.
    • Huskies end Irish tournament play (Katie Hughes Sports Writer)
      The Irish men's tennis team ended its 2000-01 campaign in the second round of the tournament with a 4-1 loss to Washing-ton, ending a path that soared past expectations.
    • Rowing: Irish rowers miss out on NCAA Championship regatta (By JEFF BALTRUZAK Assistant Sports Editor)
      It will take two seconds to read this sentence. And two seconds was all that Irish rowing coach Martin Stone believes separated Notre Dame from a trip to its first NCAA Championship regatta.
    • Makinen leads Irish to Final Four (Mike Connolly Sports Writer)
      For 24 straight games, the Irish women's soccer team never found itself trailing when time ticked off the clock. For 17 straight games they held on to the No. 1 ranking in the country. For 45 minutes, they dominated defending champion North Carolina in the semifinals of the Women's College Cup.
    • Irish make second consecutive trip to NCAA tournament (Andrew Soukup Associate Sports Editor)
      Sixteen teams arrived in Georgia. Only one will leave with a championship.
    • FALL SPORTS: Teams face highs and lows in fall season (Observer Staff Report )
      Notre Dame Men's Soccer

  • Inside
    • The ride of a lifetime (By Christine Kraly Senior Staff Writer)
      I'm going to die. I'm going to die.

  • Viewpoint
    • Students comment on parietals, protest (Sarah Brook sophomore)
      In a letter to the editor Tuesday, Ben Powers encouraged all those who slept on the Quad last night to "stand up for something that might actually be worthy of a protest." Hundreds of students (and some interested faculty) gathered on South Quad not to quibble about times, but to let the administration know that we will be respected. The messy result of years and years of students and administrators battling over this issue has overwhelmed the initial statement of protest: we should have a right to choose. We deserve the responsibility.
    • Students comment on parietals, protest (Tim O'Malley freshman)
      I would like to discuss the use of the terms "dictator-like administration" and "tyranny of the administration" on the flyers passed out in front of Debartolo Hall regarding the protest of parietals.
    • Students comment on parietals, protest (Megan Flynn Colleen O'Connor)
      We agree that the granting of the extension would not drastically alter gender relations at the University. Still, we believe that we, as students, deserve to be heard by University officials. Most people who attended the protest did not actually think that the protest would lead to the revocation of the decision. The camp-out was merely their expression of general frustration with higher-ups. They, like Brigid Sweeney with her letter in Tuesday's Observer, have the right to complain.
    • Students comment on parietals, protest (Adam Frick senior)
      This letter is in response to the criticisms made by Brigid Sweeney and Ben Powers Tuesday regarding the protest over parietals which took place last night.
    • Students comment on parietals, protest (Paul Schofield junior)
      The decision not to extend parietals was a disappointment to many students on this campus.
    • Students comment on parietals, protest (David Baroni sophomore)
      Princess Sweeney I feel your pain. There is nothing wrong with you or this school. The infamous flier distributor is the enemy. The evil distributor's efforts to have the administration actually listen to us for once is absolutely preposterous.
    • Students comment on parietals, protest (Paul Graham sophomore)
      As students at Notre Dame, our freedom is constrained. Faculty Senate recognized this constraint when they tried to include an academic freedom clause in duLac. Similarly, Student Senate passed a resolution that would grant many forms of free speech to students and student organizations; these freedoms included leafleting, demonstrating and chalking campus sidewalks. Student Senate also passed a resolution to extend parietals by one hour on weeknights.
    • Refined etiqette would benefit Frisbee-players (Brendan Egan junior)
      I would like to respond to the letter sent in by Steve Hemkens, the off-campus senior who plays and defends the sport of Ultimate Frisbee.
    • Notre Dame athletes work hard, earn few benefits they receive (Karen Swanson sophomore)
      Monday night I received a phone call from Maribel Morey requesting an interview for an article on services provided to Notre Dame athletes. Thinking that the article would be a realistic representation of how and why it is different to be a varsity athlete at Notre Dame, I happily obliged. I was appalled by Maribel's article when it ran in the yesterday's edition of The Observer because it so negatively portrayed varsity athletes, my team and me.
    • Perspectives on neoliberalism (John Sniegocki visiting assistant theology professor)
      In recent weeks there has been much discussion of "neoliberalism" in these pages of The Observer. On one side of the debate are persons who argue that neoliberal economic policies — emphases on "free trade," free markets and structural adjustment — will ultimately be to everyone's benefit.
    • Quote of the Day (Mike Newlin writer)
      "The problem with many athletes is they take themselves seriously and their sport lightly."

  • News
    • Hall director, 4 rectors to leave Saint Mary's, Notre Dame (By Scott Brodfuehrer News Writer)
      By SCOTT BRODFUEHRER
    • Farewell to graduating seniors (By KIFLIN TURNER Assistant News Editor)
      In a few days, nearly 3,000 students will receive their diplomas and become alumni, no longer students of their respective schools. There will be more football games, basketball championships and sub-zero temperatures for future classes, but for 2001 graduates this weekend's commencement marks the last and most monumental milestone of their time spent at Notre Dame and Saint Mary's.
    • Weir, Scheib to be honored as valedictorians - Weir credits faith, curiosity for success at ND (By KATE NAGENGAST Associate News Editor)
      Carolyn Weir said she doesn't pay much attention to grades — but her curiosity, faith and fascination with her majors helped her to achieve a 3.95 grade point average and the position as Notre Dame's 2001 valedictorian.
    • Weir, Scheib to be honored as valedictorians - Scheib has no regrets about SMC career (By NOREEN GILLESPIE News Writer)
      As a high school senior, Julia Scheib thought her college path would lead her straight down Notre Dame Avenue to the Golden Dome.
    • ND, SMC Valedictorian selection process (By KATE NAGENGAST Associate News Editor)
      1. The registrar's office provides a list of the students with the highest grade point averages in each college — approximately three students from each college.
    • The Year in Review 2000 - 2001 Irish lose to 'Huskers. SMC "Girl of Choice." Assault policy changes. Lieberman visits. Bar busts. `Monologues' cancelled. ND loses Clary, Murphy. ND joins WRC. Women, champs change history. (By KATE NAGENGAST Associate News Editor)
      Sea of Red
    • Construction winds down on Hayes-Healy-Hurley, Malloy Hall (by Scott Brodfuehrer News Writer)
      When this year's graduating seniors first stepped on campus, they bought their books in a small cramped bookstore at the site of the Coleman-Morse center, were the first freshmen to live in McGlinn and Welsh Family Halls and the first male freshmen to live in Knott and Siegfried Halls. The class was here through the renovation of the Main Building and South Dining Hall, the building of the Rolfs Sports Recreation Center and the opening of the newly renovated Notre Dame Stadium.
    • Malloy dedicates Coleman-Morse Center (By Scott Brodfuehrer News Writer)
      By SCOTT BRODFUEHRER
    • Madison, Bush to deliver Commencement speeches LA TV president speaks at SMC (Observer Staff Report )
      Paula Madison, president and general manager of KNBC-TV in Los Angeles, will deliver the Commencement address at Saint Mary's graduation ceremony.
    • Madison, Bush to deliver Commencement speeches Bush is fifth (By SAM DERHEIMER News Writer)
      President George W. Bush will join the ranks of Dwight Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and his father, George Bush Sr., as he becomes the fifth American president to speak at a Notre Dame Commencement ceremony.
    • Protesters object to decision to honor Bush (By KERRY SMITH News Writer)
      The administration's decision to invite President Bush to give the Commencement address and award him an honorary doctor of laws at Commence-ment has sparked controversy from within the University community.
    • Higgins wins Laetare Medal (By ALYSON TOMME News Writer)
      Monsignor George Higgins can now include himself in the company of former President John F. Kennedy, social activist Sister Helen Prejean and Catholic Worker founder Dorothy Day. As the recipient of the University's Laetare Medal for the year 2001, Higgins has distinguished himself as a prominent and honorable American Catholic.
    • ND, SMC award honorary degrees (Observer Staff Report )
      Notre Dame and Saint Mary's will award honorary degrees to distinguished figures in a variety of fields this weekend.
    • Graduating seniors leave behind lasting contributions Koelsch instills pride at SMC (By MYRA McGRIFF Saint Mary's Editor)
      You see her painted face at almost all of Saint Mary's home athletic games. Behind the face paint and large bell adorning her head, though, lays a much larger message, the message of Belles Pride.
    • Graduating seniors leave behind lasting contributions NDToday.com offers students valuable services (By SAM DERHEIMER News Writer)
      What began humbly as www.nd.edu/~fhelgese has become one of the most vital resources Notre Dame students have to keep up to date on campus events. Originally created by graduating seniors Frank Helgesen and Andy Warzon, who were later joined by Nick Fellers, NDToday.com may be the most prominent contribution the Class of '01 has left to the Notre Dame community.
    • SMC student alleges rape, files suit against football player (By JASON McFARLEY News Editor)
      A 19-year-old Saint Mary's student recently filed a lawsuit against Notre Dame football player Clifford Jefferson Jr., claiming he sexually assaulted her in March.
    • ND grad Poirier remains missing in Bolivia (By JASON McFARLEY News Editor)
      An FBI team has left Bolivia after investigating the disappearance of a 1999 Notre Dame graduate and Peace Corps volunteer who has been missing for seven weeks.
    • ND trustees grant Hatch another 5-year provost term (By JASON McFARLEY News Editor)
      Notre Dame's Board of Trustees has elected University Provost Nathan Hatch to a second five-year term in his current post.
    • ND officials likely to extend parietals Committee to consider other suggested revisions to du Lac this summer (By JASON McFARLEY News Editor)
      At the urging of students, rectors and campus government representatives, University officials this summer will likely approve a Campus Life Council resolution to extend parietal hours in Notre Dame residence halls.
    • SMC student to make presentation at Cambridge (By MYRA McGRIFF Saint Mary's Editor)
      As seniors prepare for graduation day, one question Alyson Leatherman will not have to answer is what she is doing after graduation. She will spend her summer not only preparing for the working world, but also preparing a presentation for the Popular Culture Association International Conference at Cambridge in England.
    • Group files complaint against College Organization charges that Saint Mary's failed to report rapes (By MYRA McGRIFF Saint Mary's Editor)
      Security on Campus, Inc. (SOC), a non-profit watchdog organization, filed a complaint of with the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), accusing the College of violating federal laws pertaining to the reporting and disclosure of sexual assaults on campus.

  • Scene
    • What a long, strange trip it's been ... Paul Grush reflects on his Notre Dame education, and the long road he took to get there (By AMANDA GRECO Scene Editor)
      It is a cold Monday morning. Your alarm clock screams to rouse you in time to make it to your 8 a.m. class. More than a foot of snow has come down to cover South Bend — and Notre Dame, with all her luxuries, is not yet immune to such displays of Mother Nature's midwestern might. As you hit the snooze button and snuggle down under the covers, you think "There's no way I'm walking across campus in this weather."