The winter season has given Notre Dame fans plenty to be excited about. In addition to success from the men’s hockey and basketball teams, the Notre Dame women’s basketball team is having a strong season, and is poised to make a run for the Big East and NCAA Championships.
At 24-5 overall and 13-2 in conference play, the Irish are second in the Big East and currently top-10 in the country. Two players contributing to the success and the excitement of the fans are walk-ons to the Notre Dame women’s team, senior forward Mary Forr and junior guard Veronica Badway.
Both Badway and Forr walked onto the team this season. For Badway, this was her first time trying out. She commented that going to Notre Dame had always been a dream of hers, and having the opportunity to combine her love of Notre Dame with her love of basketball was something she never thought was possible. She said, “This is something that I dreamed of as a little girl watching the team win the 2001 National Title, and I am truly blessed to be a part of this team.”
This is not Forr’s first experience with the team. After spending her freshman year on the practice squad, she spent the next two years practicing at Rolfs, mentored by John Rompf and playing every day with guys who grew to be her closest friends. When she finally made the team her senior year, she described it as “awesome, not only for me, but for everyone who helped me as well.”
Even if their experiences are slightly different, both players attributed their success to their families. Whether it was Veronica’s parents, who encouraged her to try out, or her younger sister, for whom she strives to be a role model, or Mary’s dad and brother practicing with her or her mom and sister cheering her on, success for both athletes started at home. Mary also acknowledged the support she received from her friends in her dorm, Pasquerilla West, and from Rolfs, as well as friends who walked onto the football team, adding that she “probably would have given up if it wasn’t for them.”
Forr and Badway also have a lot of respect and gratitude for Head Coach Muffet McGraw.
Badway commented that she “cannot describe” the feeling of playing for a coach who has won a National Championship. “Coach McGraw is one of the most knowledgeable individuals I know in the game of basketball…Her thorough preparation for every practice and game truly demonstrates her love for the sport and commitment to our team’s success,” she said.
In addition to praise for her coach, Forr expressed her gratitude to McGraw for giving her the chance to play in her senior year. “She’s also made this year extra special for me by giving me the opportunity to play in a number of games,” she said, “I’m very grateful to her.”
With the regular season coming to a close, Notre Dame is looking ahead, first to the Big East, then the NCAA tournament. Both players are confident in the team’s ability to make a deep run.
Badway is excited to be participating with the team in the upcoming tournaments, adding that “[the team is] fortunate to have so many talented players and will definitely be heading into these next few weeks prepared and determined to win it all.”
Forr commented on the hard work the team is putting in to be successful. She concluded by stressing the importance of her faith: “As we move forward I just pray that we all play to the best of our ability and that we use all the talents God has given us.”
Look for Mary Forr, Veronica Badway, and the rest of the Notre Dame women’s basketball team to make runs for both the Big East and NCAA Championships in the upcoming weeks.
Mike Johnson is addicted to the History Channel’s “Pawn Stars,” and wishes he had something cool to bring to their shop. He is accepting donations and can be contacted at mjohns32@nd.edu.
