Read + Pray + Bowl: Thank you Notre Dame Football

It is the most wonderful time of the year! As a teacher, I have over two weeks off and all of but a few final exams left to grade. Whether it's at the gym, in the dental chair or for from my friends—people always want to know what I will do with "all that time off." Given some health issues that my mom is facing, I am grateful that I can be of help to her and my Dad and enjoy Christmas together. But, that topic is tough and during this festive time of year, "we need a little Christmas." Once again, thanks to the University of Notre Dame football team, I have my answer. Move over Elizabeth Gilbert, it's time to read, pray, bowl. 

Read
In total sincerity, I have seven different books I want to read before I begin two new sections of Sports and Spirituality. I am not the master of reading more than one book at a time, but the shorter days and longer nights of this winter recess allows me this luxury.

Among the "magnificent seven" is one Sci-Fi novel (Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card), one American Studies classic Travels with Charley, by John Steinbeck), one autobiography (Truly, by Lionel Richie) three theology reads (Why Religion Went Obsolete by Christian Smith, The Miracle Collectors by Katie Mahon and Pray Like a Champion Today by Nate Wills, C.S.C.), and one comic book (Jeremonster by Jeremyiah Love). Actually it's more than a superhero comic book or graphic novel. As written in the ESPN article,

Jeremonstar is a sports-anime comic universe where legendary powers meet the grit of the gridiron.

Created by Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, this story blends intense football action with supernatural abilities and fierce competition.

 ⚡ It’s a world of speed, skill, and heart — built for fans who love sports and anime alike.

I discovered Love's work thanks to social media. A once in a generation type of player, it was hard not to watch Love run the ball, break the tackle, hurdle over the D-line and bring his two hands into that iconic heart. Love me some Love.

For those of you looking to play by the "Four Gift Challenge," this is a fun and unique way to give "something to read." It's not just a story...

But this wasn't simply a superhero story. It was Jeremiyah's story. It had to be perfect, and that's where the Loves kept running into problems. They'd hire an artist, a writer or an agency, and after a few months of work, they'd realize the whole output was perfunctory. Most artists they talked to saw dollar signs because of Love's football prowess, but Love needed the story to be personal.

In December 2024, they met Chris Walker, and finally, they felt a connection.

"Chris was Yoda for us," Jason said.

Walker had spent a decade working with Marvel and DC Comics, had worked as a creative director at an agency and had even helped design the cover for a graphic novel by rapper Ghostface Killah. He now runs his own creative agency, Limited Edition, and he had recently found some success partnering with the Chicago Bulls and MLB Network on sports-related properties. He was hoping to grow that market when he reached out to Notre Dame's NIL collective, which connected him with the Loves.

Jeremiyah is like a lot of comic-book heroes. By day, he shows one side of himself. Then he dons a uniform and becomes something else.

Sure, Irish fans love that "something else," but this book offers an invitation to further understand and appreciate who he really is. At the Heisman Award finalist ceremony, Jeremiyah's mother said "thank you, for being Jeremiyah Love." What a great story to love.

Pray
I have always been a person of prayer. I believe in the power of prayer and though my prayer life is far from perfect, in the last few weeks, I have had to lean into God's love and as my friend Owen said, "give the rest to God's extremely capable hands."

Every Advent, the ND Alumni Association shares a Sacred Story with alumni and friends. Listening to and refelcting upon these testimonies is one of my favorite ways to pray. When I saw that Irish cornerback, Christian Gray had a Sacred Story to offer, I wasn't surprised. 

I have watched #6 take an extended moment in personal prayer in the end zone before each game. He was profiled in Season 1 of "Here Come the Irish" for the vision board that he creates at the start if each new year. He said "This is something my mom and I make every year. This is all the vision that God has given me. I put it as my mission to live out this entire vision." 

Through Christian's testimony, I am reminded that when we pray, when we ask others to pray for us, when we remain unrelenting in our prayer and make the time and space for it—we are carried and we sheltered by God's abiding love. He said, “Faith brought me here. My mother’s prayers, along with my grandmother’s and my sister’s prayers, are still guiding me every day through the ups and the downs, every win and every loss."

None of us can do it alone, nor should we. Prayer reminds us that we can always do something for others. The gift of faith celebrates that prayer is an important reminder: we can always do something for others and ourselves.

And my message for Christian: your faith and your joy is both inspiring and infectious. Thank you for your pick-six against USC in 2024.

Bowl
I've known a number of couples who have taken a break in their relationship. Some reconnect, others don't. A little time, space and distance can be a good thing. 

Those of us who golf and identify as a golfer, understand that this game isn't all that much different than a relationship. And although I have the time to play golf during my vacation, I am taking a break from it. I just feel a little too much pressure to play well. I am always seeking signs of improvement. I self diagnose and when I can't figure out my problems, I get even more frustrated. From time to time, I enter into a "dark place" on the golf course. It's important that I name it, because I know how quickly it devolves. The inner -monologue moves from hard to harsh is less than 60.

Instead, I have an alternative activity that I love: bowling. It's an excellent winter sport—a multigenerational one that I have played for years. I've loved taking my nieces to the now closed Danville Bowl every time they visit during the holidays. It's a good way to have fun and focus on the task at hand. And, I was thrilled to see that Team 139 did too.

As written in Yahoo Sports,

The Notre Dame football team is going bowling after all — but not the kind fans expected. Following a season that ended just outside the College Football Playoff field, the Fighting Irish found a unique and creative way to close out the year, hosting a lighthearted but meaningful charity bowling event designed to bring together players, coaches, and fans. Rather than competing for trophies or television ratings, the program decided to focus on teamwork, goodwill, and giving back to the South Bend community that supports them year-round. The event reflects the program’s broader mission to inspire both on and off the field, even in the face of postseason disappointment.

I have NO doubt that some of those guys are outstanding bowlers. I would love to see Coach Free getting strikes and picking up spares. I wonder if any of his six kids played.. And, I imagine there was some friendly competition—O-line vs. D-line? Positions coaches vs coordinators? 

In Conclusion
Both the Notre Dame football team and I have different plans than what we had hoped for this holiday season but we have many, many blessings. The ability to learn, to connect with God and others in prayer and have fun in something like bowling, remind me that this Christmas, the best gifts are shared with and among each other.

And please keep my mom, Sheila in your prayers. I am praying for her healing and strength. During this Advent, I find it so important to find hope, even in the darkest hours. He awaits.

Photo credits
Irish Give Back
Jeremonster
Love Book Signing

Among My Favorite "Things"—the Pick-Six

In a recent essay, a student wrote, "Well, it's a thing." I did not know how to respond to that. "A thing?" I asked. "I need some direction. Help me understand," I added. I found myself eating my own words this past week as I considered what I like best in sport and spirituality.

There are several reasons to savor the Notre Dame victory over USC, but one that stands out is that it featured one of my favorite "things" in sports. Yes, I am using the ambiguous word "thing," because I'm not sure how else to categorize it. Football fans know, that a Pick-6 is when a defensive player catches the ball from the quarterback and scores a touchdown for their team (six points). Recalling the two late in the fourth quarter invited me to revisit how we think about, categorize, appreciate, and celebrate what happens in athletics. Given that both sport and spirituality are dynamic—ever-changing, unfolding, evolving, and inspiring, this work is never done. To me, this is a good problem to have!

When I started teaching Sports and Spirituality, an elective course for seniors I created a “personal inventory.” The purpose of the poll is to take stock of the experiences in athletics and in the spiritual life that stand out among the others. Some do. You can see my list here!

In teaching and writing about this topic, I have come to understand that "Sports and Spirituality" is more meaningful and memorable when one can draw from their experience as an athlete or a sports fan to think more concretely about the spiritual life. In the same way that not all athletic disciplines need to be tedious, challenging, or painful, those in the spiritual life need not be either.

I enjoyed creating categories for each domain. Some students struggle with prompts like "I have read a great book about sports. It is..." or "I have seen a great movie about spirituality. It is..."  Others have an answer for each item on the list. 

This semester I asked my students to partner up and add to this list. Look at the cool categories they added! I made this request shortly after a friend sent this creative video of the two pick-sixes in the fourth quarter of the Notre Dame vs. USC game. One of the personal highlights of that game is that my friends and I sat in the end zone where we had an unobstructed view of each interception. 

As written on CBS Sports, "Notre Dame defensive back Christian Gray returned an interception 99 yards the other way for a touchdown with 3:39 remaining. On USC's following drive, Irish safety Xavier Watts returned an interception 101 yards the other way for Notre Dame's second defensive touchdown to seal the win." Not only did that put the Irish up by two possessions, it changed the momentum of the game. The Irish D made a statement, and then they did it less than 3 minutes later once again.

A pick-six is a remarkable feat. It's a bold act. I think it is one of the best "things" in sports. But how else might we categorize it: Momentum changer? Surprise move? Furthermore, I realize this claim is riding an emotional high given where and when it was completed. Give me some time and distance from the game and I might say the same thing. Maybe not. This is what makes sports...and spirituality fun.

Here is the new list authored by my students

Personal Inventory: Sports

• My favorite uniform in sports
• My favorite mid-range shooter

• My favorite sports brand


• My favorite Hall of Fame
in Sports 
• Favorite rivalry in sports


• Best MVP
in sport

• My favorite victory / emote dance
• My favorite team mascot



Personal Inventory: Spirituality

• My favorite Bible verse
• My favorite spiritual symbol
• My favorite way to pray
• My favorite person in the Bible
• My favorite Church/cathedral
• My favorite Religious Holiday

I love their ingenuity and creativity!

I moderate the Bowling Club at St. Ignatius, where I teach. Earlier this week, we had our holiday/ugly sweater/Christmas Cookie bowling night. One of my students turned to me and said "Ms. Stricherz, the guy next to us has a perfect game." I looked up at the scoreboard and sure enough, seven frames in, all I could see were Xs on the scoreboard. Other people in the alley realized what was happening and you could hear a semi-silent buzz as we looked on. Strike, strike, strike and strike. 300! We saw perfection. Our group gave this amateur a round of applause. His wife took his photo and gave him a hug. I wanted to do the same. I quickly looked up the odds of bowling a 300. For professionals, it's 450 to 1 but for the mortals like us, it is 11,500 to 1. Amazing!

Again, I began to wonder how I might categorize what I just saw on my personal inventory. Favorite perfect feat? Best in show? Excellent thing? I only want to put experiences like what happened at the LA Coliseum and on bowling night into some sort of context because it helps me to recall and remember an event in a particular space in time. Sports fans are blessed with said moments regularly. When people tell me the downside of sports, how they are tainted and corrupt, and the ways they clog the conversation—I don't totally disagree. But I also know how I feel when I have been a witness when I have seen something special or hit something so purely—that too can be spiritual. That's a good "thing." 

Photo Credits
Christian Gray
Xavier Watts

Lessons in Cultural Anthropology

My good friend claims to be a cultural anthropologist. She takes great pride in her identity. I don't blame her. To me, the study of "humans and their cultural, social, biological, and environmental aspects of life in the past and the present" is utterly fascinating. And the best part about being a cultural anthropologist is that it will allow you to meet a lot of people, attend innumerous events, travel to unsuspecting places and ask all kinds of questions—all in the name of this social science.

To the surprise of no one, Taylor Swift was named TIME's person of the year. No one, right? I imagine Karen will read the article for its cultural anthropology 101. In October, she asked me go with her to see the Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour documentary. I was a little surprised she wanted to go. I shouldn't have been. 

I saw it opening weekend and she went later with her niece—expensing it in the name of cultural anthropology. While her husband questioned the need to do that, I loved it. It was a raging celebration of  love and friendship bringing together women, girls and even a few "girl-dads" all summer long. I need to ask Karen about the conclusions she came to after watching the show. No doubt they justify the price per ticket.

Looking through this world through the lens of cultural anthropology makes life infinitely more interesting. In a way, cultural anthropology is liberating. One can observe, take note, and enjoy it all in the name of curiosity. From time to time, I feel that I can only give my time to events or causes aligned with my passions or my values. However the field of cultural anthropology allows one to expand their horizons.

Following the second gathering of the SI bowling club on Monday night, the club leader and I sat down for a few moments to catch up and watch members of the bowling league compete against one another. Every single one of them had their own ball, their own bag and approach to the game. Their style and speed...and their scores were fascinating. Not a single game was under 200. 

The next day, I mentioned this to a colleague who I know likes to bowl. She said "oh yeah, Monday night leagues are usually a lot of football fans." I said, "that's exactly right. I saw tons of Niner gear." She added "I bet the game was on. That's a drinking crowd, too." Without being at Classic Bowling Lanes, my co-worker described perfectly who was in the house. I walked away from our conversation thinking two things: One: I'm sure every sports league in America has its own subculture. I have seen Dude Perfect capitalize on their groups and make them into humor "stereotype" videos. They're only funny because they are so accurate. Two: I honestly started thinking about how good of a bowler Niner running back Christian McCaffrey probably is.

Will cultural anthropologists study bowling leagues hundreds or thousands of years from now? Probably not—but they will consider how human beings take leisure find ways to play.

Ted Lasso popularized the quote written by Walt Whitman, "be curious, not judgmental." To become a cultural anthropologist—for work, pleasure or both is to live the spirit of this motto and more. 

Photo Credits
Niner Bowling
Bowling League
TIME

We Need Not Bowl Alone: Putting an End to Gun Violence

On Monday, October 23, 2023 I began class with a P.S.A. for the St. Ignatius College Prep Bowling Club. As the moderator, I wanted my students to know that they were welcome to join the club's inaugural event of the year and why they should. I asked them, What are the virtues of bowling? My seniors said it was fun and friendly competition that doesn't require a ton of skill  Another said it's an affordable activity. Still another recognized that bowling is a multi-generational sport. Good input. I added that it is an ideal sport for cold weather climates; warm ones too (e.g. Washington DC in August!). Bowling is largely without bias—meaning— a judge or referee doesn't factor into fair play. It is gender inclusive and can accommodate for all shapes and sizes. In short, bowling is a great way for our community to come together.

And that's exactly what happened all across America this past week, except that one ended in utter tragedy as the site of the thirty-sixth mass shooting of the year. 

In Daly City, CA ten students and I met at the Classic Bowling Center for two games. In that time two sophomores and eight seniors bowled, ate pizza and even watched some Monday Night football together (Go Niners!). We talked a little strategy and scoring, and a whole lot of school, service and sports. Our time was cut short because the Monday night bowling league was about to commence. The club president thanked everyone for showing up and we made plans for our holiday bowl in December. Ugly Christmas sweater or shirt required.

As I exited the alley, I noticed the shared shirts worn by teams in the league. Men and women, ranging in age from their 20s to their 70s were warming up, having a beer, greeting their teammates and the competition. There was a buzz in the air, spares to pick up and strikes to knock down. Only one man has his picture hanging on the wall. Jerry Yee 300 on 10/18/21. 

This experience—the images, sounds and smells of the bowling alley—the energy and excitement made hearing the news about the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine that much more unbearable. Though we are across the country and it took place two days later, the fact that Robert Card "unleashed a barrage of bullets on the bowling event at Just-in-Time Recreation, where he killed seven people" is harrowing. It is utterly tragic. This is our America.

A woman is hugged by a man at the reunification center at Auburn Middle School, in Auburn, Maine, after shootings in Lewiston on Wednesday.

NBC News writes,

It was supposed to be a night of fun competition.

A group of young people gathered at a bowling alley in Lewiston on Wednesday evening for youth league matches. Four miles away, members of a cornhole team for deaf people hosted an evening of games.

But before long, the revelry was interrupted by gunfire.

“They’re just innocent people out for a night of bowling,” said Kim McConville, whose cousin and his 14-year-old son were killed at the bowling alley. “This was a children’s event. Who expects a shooter to go into a children’s event?”

In ten months time we have had lives lost to gunfire at an Independence Day block party, another on Father's Day, at a Lunar New Year dance, in homes, and now at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley. Incidentally, this is the second in Maine this year. The information about mass shootings in the United States is worth reading carefully, prayerfully and intentionally. We must take ownership for who we are and what we have become.

One need not be a political scientist or a Harvard student to have heard about or read Robert Putnam's book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. 

The truth of the matter is no one needs to bowl alone—on Monday nights or Wednesday nights, in times of tragedy or times of reconciliation. Whether its through a high school club, a new league, a call from an old friend or an outing with your family, we can come together to bowl, to build and sustain community. We simply have no choice, we must take ownership for ourselves and for one another. The stakes are just too high: life and death. Gun violence is a community problem. It is a sign of the collapse of our community. How might putting an end to it lead to our revival?

Prayer: Let the Shooting End by Sisters of Mercy

God, our hearts are broken with pain at the senseless deaths caused by gun violence. Families mourn, children live in fear, and some in our nation respond by arming themselves with more guns with greater capacity to end life. Our disconnection and alienation has caused some to turn to guns for protection and safety. We ask that you touch our hearts with your love, heal our brokenness, and turn us away from violence toward peace. Help us to transform our own hearts and to seek peaceful ways of resolving our differences. Let our hands reach out and connect with those who feel alone, those who live in fear, and those suffering from mental illness. Let our voices be raised asking our legislators to enact gun laws to protect all in our society, especially those most vulnerable. Let our pens write messages demanding change while also scripting words of hope and transformation. We ask this in the name of the God who desires that we live together in peace.  Amen

Photo Credits
Maine reunification