Sports

Gastelum: NHL conference realignment good for fans (Dec. 8)

Still slogging its way through the effects of the 2004 lockout, the NHL did something right. It has nothing to do with this season, nor does it have to do with who will hoist the Cup in June.

Men's Basketball: Notre Dame looks to bounce back vs. Maine

After dropping four of their last five games, the Irish return to Purcell Pavilion today desperate for a win against Maine.

SMC Basketball: Belles rally but fall short to Hope

Saint Mary's hopes of winning consecutive conference games went out the window Wednesday, as the Belles fell to No. 15 Hope 74-56.

Fencing: Irish elite head to Kansas City

The defending champion fencing squad will be back in action Friday in the United States Fencing Association's North American Cup in Kansas City, Missouri.

Hockey: Irish look to end three-game skid

Heading into their three-week long break for final exams and the holidays, the No. 7 Irish hope to give themselves an early Christmas present when they take on No. 10/9 Ferris St. in a home-and-home series this weekend.

ND Women's Basketball: Big East Blowout

In the 37th meeting between No. 3 Notre Dame and Marquette, the Irish turned in one of the best performances in the matchup's history Wednesday with a 95-42 win over Marquette at the Purcell Pavilion.

ND Women's Basketball: Big East beginnings

No other team in the country has played Notre Dame as many times as Marquette, and the Irish are on a 17-game win streak at home against the Golden Eagles. They will meet on Irish territory Wednesday at the Purcell Pavilion for both teams' Big East Conference opener.

SMC Swimming and Diving: Team changes site of winter training to Ariz.

The Belles are off to Arizona State for their annual winter training trip to focus on swimming without the stress of school. Saint Mary's will work on team building and both in-water and non-water conditioning at the neutral site from Dec. 28 to Jan 5.

Monardo: Ocean Race shows the progression of sailing (Dec. 7)

Children grow up imagining the great successes they will have in their sporting careers. They knock down game-winning three pointers over invisible defenders as the buzzer sounds in their heads, hit series-clinching home runs off their dads' pitches in the bottom of the ninth inning with two strikes and two outs and evade nonexistent tacklers en route to fantastic touchdowns in their backyards.

SMC Basketball: Belles look for second MIAA win

Saint Mary's will try to start a win streak in the MIAA when they play No. 15 Hope College tonight. The Belles won their first MIAA game 72-50 against Alma College at home Saturday.

Men's Swimming and Diving: Irish ready for Copa Coqui

For the third Winter Break in a row, the Irish will train and compete at the CopaCoqui collegiate swim meet in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Jan. 6.

ND Track and Field: Irish pass on holiday meet, will have month off

NFLondon

We've all heard the familiar refrains about globalization in our classes at Notre Dame. We've been told the movements toward a global world will affect business, communication and culture. I've learned first-hand it also affects sports, and that has led me to a conclusion that will be unsettling to many — the NFL is no longer just America's game.

Fencing: Kaull balances dual role as coach, competitor

As one of the top junior fencers in the country, James Kaull has a lot on his plate. Between school and fencing, the hours can be long and hard. Throw coaching into the mix, and you will catch a glimpse of the dedication and hard work that have made the Irish favorites to repeat a national championship.

Track and Field: Twins dominate in first races

Any college track and field program in the country would be thrilled to welcome a highly touted recruit with blazing speed and a long list of high school accomplishments. The Irish were lucky enough to get two from the same household.

ND Women's Swimming and Diving: Senior manager plays key role out of the pool

Though he doesn't compete in the pool, senior manager Nick Schappler plays a vital role for the women's swimming and diving team.

Hefferon: Bowl schedule out, the debate begins (Dec. 6)

The college football bowl schedule is officially out, and people are angry, as always. The computer overlords have once again messed up all that is holy in college football, providing the talking heads at ESPN and online with two weeks of screaming material over snubs, rematches and those rankings.

Hockey: Conference conundrum

For something suffering a slow and painful death, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) looks pretty healthy — in the rankings, at least.

Men's Swimming and Diving: Philosopher-'King' garners inspiration from academia

As a veteran presence on an Irish roster loaded with freshmen, senior swimmer Jonathan Whitcomb takes pride in his leadership. The team poet and entertainer is chasing his dreams of becoming a master of knowledge, while offering his teammates a taste of his wisdom.

SMC Swimming & Diving: Belles look to bounce back at invitational

After Saint Mary's lost 137-66 at Valparaiso on Nov. 5, Belles coach Mark Benishek said the team would focus on peaking for the Nov. 18 and 19 Wabash Woehnker Invitational and this week's Calvin Invitational. Despite the Belles' disappointing sixth-place finish at Wabash, they still have an opportunity to bounce back with a strong performance at Calvin.