Author Archives: Outside the Huddle

The Case Against Notre Dame Trustee Cathie Black

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Outside the Huddle

“For we let our young men and women go out unarmed, in a day when armor was never so necessary.  By teaching them all to read, we have left them at the mercy of the printed word.  By the invention … Continue reading →

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Notre Dame Professor: “Two Cheers for Drones”

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Outside the Huddle

In a November op-ed piece in the Irish Rover, “Two Cheers for Drones: The ethics of UAV’s in the war on terror,” Notre Dame political science Professor Michael Desch argued for the ethics of drone warfare.  In doing so, he omitted … Continue reading →

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Looking Back: Did Osama’s Death Announcement Warrant a Kegger?

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Outside the Huddle

Notre Dame students react to Osama bin Laden’s Death Announcement, May 2, 2011 (Source: The Observer) It’s a question of epistemology:  how do you know what you know?  Given that these students came of age in the Homeland Security era, their deference to official … Continue reading →

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Stephen Colbert Speaks at Fordham U: Why?

Posted on October 21, 2012 by Outside the Huddle

           In a September joint appearance at Fordham University, the Comedy Central personality and New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan swept the Catholic student body into a delirium of funny.   Such an odd and powerful couple.  While many motives could be attributed to … Continue reading →

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Jim Tressel’s Implosion and ESPN Metaphysics

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Outside the Huddle

In a Sports Illustrated article from an earlier era, Notre Dame President Fr. Hesburgh warned that college football should be “kept within proper bounds of time, place and emphasis.” Christian author C.S. Lewis likewise laid out the inadequacy of newspaper reporting. “…I think … Continue reading →

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Who sacked Notre Dame’s moral autonomy?

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Outside the Huddle

“Father Hesburgh made his position on the war very clear Friday afternoon as he introduced Senator Charles Goodell to a group of over 350 students in the Stepan Center.  ‘If I had the wisdom and the power I would stop the war … Continue reading →

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Is Rashard Mendenhall the John Lennon of the War on Terror?

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Outside the Huddle

In May, when the US announced it had killed Osama bin Laden, the Pittsburgh Steelers running back caused a stir with controversial tweets. The official response was harsh. The Steelers organization issued a rebuke. Champion pulled its endorsement deal. And … Continue reading →

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Notre Dame Football as a Platform for State Iconography

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Outside the Huddle

In the fourth quarter of the Michigan State football game on September 17th South Bend Police Sergeant Tim McCarthy warmly incanted that physicians AND drivers are similar in that they both need patients. If traffic safety requires patience, patriotism calls … Continue reading →

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Student Indebtedness as a Planned Response from 1960’s

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Outside the Huddle

Noam Chomsky connects 1960’s student activism to the shackles of debt pressed on today’s university students. “Elite sectors and centers of power want students to be passive and apathetic. One of the reasons for the very sharp rise in tuition … Continue reading →

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Fr. Hesburgh’s Warning on College Football

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Outside the Huddle

Hesburgh’s words, as excerpted from Sports Illustrated, Dec. 12, 1966, describe college football in terms of social justice and equality of opportunity.  In beautifully crafted prose, he placed spiritually and ethically-based  limits around the game.  I believe his framework is relevant today and illuminates a need for … Continue reading →

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