Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM MARCH 2024 85 ND SPORTS That's Ryan Bischel, jack-of-all-trades, master of each. "My time at Notre Dame has meant everything to me," Bischel said in appre- ciation. "If you allow this place to change you, it certainly will, and that has defi- nitely been true for me, more as a person than anything. "I feel like I've grown into the young man that I want to be." LOTS OF LAYERS Telling Bischel's story isn't easy be- cause of how diverse, involved and tal- ented he is. On the ice, Bischel is an All-American and the reigning 2023 Big Ten Goaltender of the Year. Through 30 games this sea- son as of Feb. 13, Bischel ranked third in the conference in goals-against average (2.46), was second in saves percentage (.927) and led the league with 920 total saves. Off the ice, Bischel and his cousin Robby Kimmel help to operate and de- velop The Push Project — a non-profit organization that assists poor children in under-developed countries through donation and education. For his efforts, the Medina, Minn., na- tive was recently named a nominee for the 2024 Hockey Humanitarian Award, an honor given to college hockey's "finest citizen," according to its website. "I feel like community service is just something that has been really important in my family and I have an obligation to take an active role in it," Bischel shared. "Especially here at Notre Dame, the stu- dent-athletes are given a platform that not a lot of other people have. "I want to do something with it that's productive and benefiting the commu- nity. That's something we're all called to do." The son of a college soccer goalie, Bischel grew up in an athletic family. And intrigued by the individual pressure in a team sport of playing goalkeeper, Bischel was pulled to the position as a youngster, even after a rough start. In fact, at one point during his youth hockey career, Bischel said his parents be- lieved he would hang up skates and never look back. Not hardly. "I tried out the goalie thing, and it wasn't the greatest first experience," Bischel recalled. "But I really wanted to prove to myself that I can do it. So I got back in the net and stuck with it." Fast forward about 15 years, and Bischel's persistence is paying prime divi- dends. "I feel like as a goalie, you take a lot of the burden of the team's success," he said. "When things are going well, you get a lot of praise. And when things aren't going well, you take some criticism. "I kind of like having that pressure put on me, and I think it was a good fit for my personality style." Bischel didn't have to return to Notre Dame last fall for a fifth year and hockey season. He could be preparing for what he hopes will be a successful NHL career instead. But a desire to win a Big Ten title and to hopefully start and play in the first NCAA Tournament game of his career was too much to ignore. "Playing in a national tournament game was something that was a big goal of mine coming into college," Bischel said. "And then there was all of this stuff with the community service too. This commu- nity has supported me so much, I wanted to come back and take more of an active role in terms of giving back. "My work wasn't done here." ✦ PRAYER TO THE BLESSED MOTHER - Oh, most beauti- ful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven. Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Im- maculate Virgin, assist me in this necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands. (3 times). Sweet Mother I place this cause in your hands. (3 times). Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen. This prayer must be said for 3 days and after 3 days your request will be granted and the prayer must be published. Thank you. F.M.V. POWERFUL PRAYER - to the Holy Spirit. You who solve all problems, who lights all roads so that I can obtain my goals. You who give me the Divine gift to forgive and to forget all evil against me and that in all instances of my life, you are with me. I want in this short prayer to thank You for all things and to confirm that I never want to be separated from You, even and in spite of all material illusions. I wish to be with You in eternal glory. Thank You for your mercy toward me and mine. The person must say this prayer for three consecutive days. After three days the favor requested will be granted even though it may appear difficult. This prayer must be published immediately after the favor is granted without mentioning the favor. M.D.N. PRAYER TO THE BLESSED MOTHER - Oh, most beauti- ful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven. Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Im- maculate Virgin, assist me in this necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands. (3 times). Sweet Mother I place this cause in your hands. (3 times). Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen. This prayer must be said for 3 days and after 3 days your request will be granted and the prayer must be published. Thank you. M.D.N. MEMORABILIA Vintage Notre Dame Memorabilia Augie's Locker Room Stop In And See Our Vintage Notre Dame Artifacts In Augie's Locker Room Museum! VOTED BEST NOTRE DAME MEMORABILIA STORE IN THE NATION! NEW LOCATION! 1733 N. Ironwo od Drive South Bend, IN 46635 574-277-NDND (6363) www.augieslockerroom.com FACEBOOK.COM/AUGIESLOCKERROOM NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL GAMES on VHS or DVD for sale, from 1928 to present. Contact Peter Rahas at 7700 Golden Filly St., Las Vegas, NV 89131 or call 1-702-395-2974 PERSONALS M A R K E T P L A C E Call 800-421-7751 to advertise in BGI