Irish women's basketball could return to past heights | Letters

Hannah Hidalgo turned in a fantastic individual effort and the Notre Dame women's basketball team posted a lopsided early season victory on Nov. 1. Both are typical for Hidalgo and Coach Neile Ivey throughout their Irish careers. Neither has evolved sufficiently, though. The player, the coach and the team, while achieving some success, are theoretically stagnant.The last season Olivia Miles spent at Notre Dame was wasted, as she was forced to sit back and watch as Hidalgo ran wild offensively and ping-ponged about defensively. Hidalgo gave up the ball only when avenues to the basket were blocked. Miles proved a successful floor leader in her lone season at TCU and her rookie season in the WNBA. The same was evident last season. Players stood motionless as Hidalgo did her thing. A litany of excuses and/or reasons were presented as to why Coach Ivey could not (or would not) rein in her high-octane guard: injuries, new players, a short bench.But this season is different. Leah Macy, Jacy Abii, Madison St. Rose and Jenica Lewis put up significant numbers. Their contribution was enough to believe that, with a little leadership, these Irish women might return to past heights. The presence of Skylar Diggins couldn't hurt.Daniel NossSouth BendLasting impactHaving family in South Bend, I read the article "Remembering visits from Archbishop Sheen, Parton and Steinem" (Tribune, Nov. 1) with great interest. Although I wasn't present for any of these appearances, I think I can safely say that Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen's talk before 7,000 people at the University of Notre Dame is likely the most consequential.Just weeks ago, the high dignity of "blessed" was conferred on Archbishop Sheen. This puts him one step (or "miracle") away from full Sainthood. Blessed Fulton Sheen had qualities that the average person doesn't have. Those skills went beyond oratory and being an educator. He sincerely gave people (Protestants, Jews and Catholics alike) a better understanding of Almighty God's relationship to mortal man. For that, Archbishop Sheen is still an inspiration nearly 50 years after his death.James A.MarplesLongview, Texas Daylight saving timeTired of changing the clock? Indiana has an opportunity now to rejoin Arizona and Hawaii as sensible states that do not force their citizens to change time twice a year. We can opt out of the one-size-fits-all time changes imposed on Hoosiers. As you know, for some odd reason South Bend is in the same Eastern Time Zone as New York City or Boston. That results in unusually late sunrises here, forcing children to go to school in the dark. Things are better now since returning to Standard time on Nov. 1. Leave it there! The Uniform Time Act of 1966 lets any state exempt itself from daylight saving time by passing a state law, no federal approval needed. The Indiana legislature could do this for us and the governor could sign it. Do it now, so Hoosiers never have to change their clocks again.James ColleranGrangerThis article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Irish women's basketball could return to past heights | Letters