ECU 2/08/24

ECU SOFTBALL SEASON SET TO BEGIN IN CHARLESTON A6

East

Carolinian The

VOLUME 99, ISSUE 17

ECU hopes to break losing streak vs. UTSA

YOUR CAMPUS NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1925

Thursday, 2.8.24

Diego Lerma TEC STAF F

The East Carolina University men's basketball (11-12, 4-6 American Athletic Conference) will travel to San Antonio, Texas, in search of a win against the University of Texas at San Antonio (8-14, 2-7 AAC) on Saturday at 4 p.m. after suffering back to bavck losses.

The Pirates and Roadrunners have only faced off against each other twice in program history. The last time they played was during the 2013-14 season, in which ECU walked away with both victories.

The Pirates are 0-2 in their two recent games at home in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum. Those losses came against the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (15-5, 8-1 AAC) on Feb. 3 and the University of South Florida (14-7, 8-1) on Jan. 31.

In both games the Pirates had their hopeful moments but couldn’t get the victory.

In the game against the 49ers, ECU kept it close and competitive going into the second half 26-24. The momentum the Pirates did have fell apart as 49ers scored 41 points in the second half to the Pirates 28.

The game finished 67-52 after ECU failed to score more than three field goals on offense in the final 10 minutes of the game. During the game the score was tied six times and there were five lead changes. The Pirates only had the lead for about four and a half minutes, the entire game.

The Pirate junior guard RJ Felton, who played 38 minutes was the led scorer for the team with 20 points.

Unfortunately he had little help as the second highest scorer was junior guard RJ Felton Jaden Walker with nine.

East Carolina went 17 for 52 in field goals and four for 21 in 3-point shots, compared to Charlotte’s 24 for 53 in field goals and four for 17 in 3 pointers.

In the game against USF the game would play out similar to the game against Charlotte.

The Pirates would start off the game on the wrong foot ending the half 40-28. The game would be more competitive in the second half but it was too little too late, USF would win the game 71-60.

The transfer junior guard Cam Hayes led the team with 14 points however Felton was hot on his heels with 13. The bench for East Carolina came through with 28 points, almost half of the team's total points. Unlike the Charlotte game, ECU never had the lead against USF, nor was the game ever tied.

Similar to ECU, USTA is also on a two game losing streak. Those losses have come against USF 89-72 on Jan. 27 and Rice University (9-13, 3-6 AAC) 89-72 on Feb. 3.

The game is set for for Saturday at the Convocation Center in San Antonio, Texas.

The game can be viewed on ESPN+ with the tip off being at 4 p.m. The next game after this will be against Wichita State University (9-13, 1-8 AAC) on Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.

This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.

CONTIBUTED BY ECU PIRATES

Senior sprinter Melicia Mouzzon currently holds the program record for the fastest womens 60 meter time with a recorded 7.29 time.

ECU's Mouzzon wins AAC Track AOTW Trevon McGlone TEC STAFF

The title of American Atlantic Conference (AAC) track athlete of the week was given to East Carolina University’s senior sprinter Melicia Mouzzon. She earned the honor after her performance in the South Carolina Invite on Feb. 3 after participating in the 60 meter and 200 meter events.

She placed second in both events.

Melicia Mouzzon In the 60m, Mouzzon recorded a time of 7.30.

This was just a second off from her program record of 7.29 time. In the 200m, she recorded a time of

Kraft said. “Before her career is over, she will have rewritten all the records in the record books. Melicia is very deserving of this award. This will motivate her to do bigger and better things moving forward.”

Mouzzon is the first Pirate to obtain the award since Jared Harrell in outdoor track. She is also the first to do so for indoor track since Royal Burris in the 2022 season. This is also the first time Mouzzon has received the nod in her career.

Following the South Carolina Invite, the Pirates will head down to Lynchburg, Virginia, to compete against Liberty University in the Liberty Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational starting on Friday.

This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.

CONTRIBUTED BY MATTHEW BURLEY

The East Carolina Interfraternity Council Executive Board. The IFC concluded its week of recruiting this spring with 64 new members.

Interfraternity Council ends recruitment

Trisha Rangaraju TEC STAFF

East Carolina University’s Spring Recruitment Week for the Interfraternity Council helped welcome 64 new fraternity members.

Christopher Cooper, Interim Associate Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life, said Spring Interfraternity Council (IFC) Recruitment Week proved to be a success, spanning from Jan. 21 through Jan. 27. The schedule included orientation on Jan. 21, formal recruitment rounds on Jan. 22 to Jan. 23, open rounds on Jan. 24, preference night on Jan. 25, and bid day on Jan. 26. Bid Day is the last day of recruitment when invitations to join are handed out.

Cooper said, a total of 109 individuals registered for recruitment, with 88 actively participating in the process. Among them, 64 accepted bids to join a fraternity. Notably, all 18 fraternities involved in Recruitment Week welcomed at least two new members into their respective folds.

“ECU has four governing Greek councils: the Panhellenic Association,

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23.65, second fastest time in program history.

“We as a staff could not be more excited for Melicia to receive this honor,” director of Track & Field Curt Kraft said according to ECUPirates.

“Melicia has worked extremely hard to this point in her career. This is Melcia’s 5th year in our program and she would be the first to tell you how much she would be the first to tell you how much she has grown and matured to get to this point.”

Kraft also mentioned the work that Mouzzon put in with assistant coach Udon Cheek saying, “Coach Udon Cheek has done a tremendous job of developing her into what she is today.

When Melicia has accomplished, it does not happen by mistake, it happens through hard work and dedication,”

the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the Multicultural Greek Council, and the Interfraternity Council,” said Cooper. “The Interfraternity Council distinguishes itself by being home to the oldest traditional fraternities.

Every semester, each council conducts recruitment in its unique way, but all organizations strive to attract new members annually or semesterly through various methods such as Fall formal recruitment, Spring recruitment, Continuous Open Bidding, or Intake.”

Daniel Walker, a founding member and Internal Vice President of Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) said they had a total of 14 people sign bids. This marks Pike as a considerable fraternity since its comeback as a provisional chapter. The original PKA fraternity got banned in 2017 because of alcohol-related hazing and this is their first recruitment week since then.

“Our recruitment week went better than expected,” said Walker. “We were not expecting to gain this many people right away but we are very happy with

how it worked out and confident with the selection of new member recruits.”

Walker said their rush process, structured similarly to other fraternities, began with formal rounds on Jan. 22 and Jan. 23. Jan. 24 included a bonfire and barbecue event where they could get to know the members even more. Jan. 25 was preference night by invitation and Jan. 26 was the night where the members received their bids. Some of the more promising candidates received bids earlier in the week to solidify their position in the fraternity early on.

“We are so excited about our new members,” said Walker. “Recruitment week went great and we are certain our new guys will represent the core values of Pike in the best possible way. We are building a strong network of people that can all count and rely on each other.”

This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.

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NEWS

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Thursday, 2.8.24

BRIEFS Joyner Library to host Valentine’s Day event On Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., students can stop by the first floor of Joyner Library on Main Campus for Valentine’s at the Library. Anyone can come to the building and read some highlighted books part of the library’s Valentine collection, craft DIY Valentines, or get some complimentary candy. No prior registration is required to attend or participate.

Career Services to hold Job & Internship Fair Also on Feb. 14, ECU Career Services is offering a free Job & Internship Fair for students seeking employment, temporary internships or co-ops. The event is from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Greenville Convention Center, and transportation there is provided.

Free professional photos will be taken at the event as well. CareerServices encourages students to thoroughly prepare before attending and to bring a resume.

Foreign Languages and Literatures Department to hold symposium On Feb. 14 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in SciTech Building C Room 209, ECU Foreign Languages and Literatures will host an event where its faculty and graduate students will present about their experience teaching and researching in their programs.

Attendees can learn about new technologies in language, get insight into study areas, and find opportunities for collaboration.

CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS If you feel there are any factual errors in this newspaper, please contact Kiarra Crayton at editor@theeastcarolinian.com.

CRIME LOGS Editor's Note: The East Carolinian Crime Logs are derived from East Carolina University Police Department’s (ECU PD) public crime logs accessible to all individuals.

Crime Logs are not done within the partnership of ECU PD and The East Carolinian, as this publication is meant to act as an additional resource for Pirate Nation. Below are listings of criminal activity that has occurred on or within proximity of main campus.

ALAYNA BOYER I THE EAST CAROLINIAN

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Greenville. The museum has been given a grant to partner with ECU and drive science education.

Greenville science museum partners with ECU Eli Baine

T E C S TA F F

The Office of Naval Research has awarded an East Carolina University professor and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Greenville a $648,000 grant to offer STEM experiences for K-12 students in eastern North Carolina.

Museum Education Coordinator Sam Eubanks said Lab R.A.T.S. (Research and Advancement in Technology and Science) is a program to drive interest in STEM fields Pitt County seventh grade students and to help them succeed in the classroom.

Sam Eubanks Serving 300 in its first year, Eubanks said, the program will offer in-class lessons covering topics like physics, computer science and engineering. One lesson will focus on life support systems and how they work, Eubanks said, and on some days, the students will design a roller coaster, a magnetic train and a wind turbine.

“At the end of the program, there'll be a symposium where we'll bring a lot of different scientists into one place and bring the students to them so they can kind of meet them, interact with them, ask some questions, get a little demonstration of what kinds

of science they do,” Eubanks said. “We're focusing all these lessons on seventh grade science standards and also next generation standards, so that way what they're doing is supplemental to what they're learning in the classroom.”

Using the funding received, Eubanks said, the museum and ECU faculty will gauge the program's effectiveness by keeping up with the students years down the line. Lab R.A.T.S. will be available for 600 students in its second year, Eubanks said.

The Lab R.A.T.S. program will also include a trip to ECU campus, Eubanks said, and the middle schoolers will be able to work in real laboratories and talk to researchers at the university.

“Well, we're just really excited to work with ECU,” Eubanks said. “This is the kind of programming we've been providing to the community for a while. But to be able to work with an organization to measure the impact of the programming that we provide is really special.”

According to a News Services release, Assistant Professor of Physics Francis Manno is the principal investigator on the grant.

The program provides a boost in education for students in schools that may lack teachers specializing in STEM-related fields, Manno said.

“ECU and A Time forScience are

teaming up to propel young minds into science by introducing them to basic physics concepts and lab-based instruction. We hope to give students experiential learning opportunities,” Manno said.

Museum Director Emily Jarvis said the new location of the museum in Greenville has just opened on Feb. 3, and it will be a great opportunity for youth to get interested in science outside of Lab R.A.T.S. “This is an amazing space as it's one of the most historic buildings in Greenville,” Jarvis said. “I feel like it is built for inspiration and that is what we are all about.”

The new location in Greenville will offer high-quality exhibits, educational programs, and special events that may help serve the needs of eastern N.C. residents, according to a press release from the museum.

Lab R.A.T.S. among other programs under the A Time For Science initiative aim to expand interest in science for youth. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, and admission is free.

“In addition to science, art may be what brings some people in and inspires them to engage, explore and create,” Jarvis said. “I think it’s incredibly important to infuse the arts in a community space like this.”

This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.

Greenville ENC Alliance hires ECU Alumna Justyn Lane T E C S TA F F

The Greenville Eastern North Carolina Alliance (ENC) hired Pitt County native and East Carolina University alumna Julia Davis to fill the position of marketing and investor relations coordinator.

Davis said she wasn’t actively looking for a new job opportunity, but when she stumbled upon the position on social media, her interests peaked. As a Greenville native, the ENC’s efforts and goals paired well with hers.

“Their commitment to advancing the economic development of Greenville and Pitt County deeply resonated with my personal mission,” she said. “I’m passionate about

contributing to and serving my community, which made this opportunity the perfect fit for me.”

As she settles into her new role, Davis said she is most excited about the opportunity to play an important part in promoting economic development, fostering connections and highlighting the greatness that she sees about Greenville.

Davis said the College of Business provided her with the knowledge, skills and mindset to take on positions such as these.

Additionally, she said that maintaining relationships with her professors and academic

advisors has provided her with mentorship and even enhanced her communication skills in general.

“Through coursework, hands-on projects, and collaborative activities, I developed and refined my critical thinking and problemsolving skills,” she said. “ECU’s commitment to fostering a well-rounded education has deepened my skills in marketing and also left a lasting impact in my sense of adaptability and resilience.”

This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.

Feb. 4, 2024

At 3:08 a.m., there was an unfounded report of Assault by Pointing a Gun and Weapon on Educational Property (Felony) in Jones Hall.

At the Jimmy John’s parking lot on Cotanche Street, a Warrant Service for Other Agency was cleared by Arrest at 9:26 a.m.

At 6:27 p.m., charges of Possession of Marijuana <½ oz., Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia, Possession of Alcohol by Person not 19 or 20, and Molesting a Fire Alarm System were found at Tyler Hall and cleared after a prosecution was denied and a referral was issued.

At the Galley in Jones Hall, Larceny was found at 8:09 p.m. and remains an open investigation.

At 9:25 p.m., Larceny (Felony) was found at Eakin Student Recreation Center and became an investigation.

Second Degree Trespassing was cleared by arrest at Towne Bank Tower at 10:38 p.m.

COURTESY OF TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid. FAFSA forms have been slow to return, so the Department of Education is pledging $50 million to colleges.

Feds to help colleges during financial aid delays Vanessa McCray

T HE AT L A NTA JO U R N AL-CON STITU TIO N

The U.S. Department of Education will provide $50 million to help colleges with financial aid work in response to delays caused by the slow rollout of the revised Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The agency on Monday said nonprofit groups will be charged with hiring current and retired financial aid professionals to supplement existing college staff and offer technical assistance and training as schools process FAFSA data and prepare financial aid offers to students. The Education Department also said it will deploy about 50 of its own experts to provide on-campus and virtual support to schools in the coming weeks and months.

The help is targeted for schools that are most in need of support, including those with fewer administrative staff, older computer systems, as well as historically Black and tribal colleges.

“Our hope is that the steps that we’re announcing today are going to go a long way to helping colleges and universities make the most of the better FAFSA,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in a Monday press call.

Delays have beleaguered the financial aid process for the FULL STORY 2024-2025 school year, slowing down the admission and enrollment timeline for high school seniors applying for colleges.

The FAFSA form typically opens to students Oct. 1. But it didn’t launch until Dec. 30 because of a redesign intended to streamline the application and make more students eligible for federal aid.

Colleges had expected to start receiving FAFSA data in late January, but last week, the Education Department announced it won’t send that information until the first half of March. Colleges need that information to

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prepare financial aid offers that students use to compare the cost to attend different schools.

Officials have blamed the delays on several factors, including most recently time taken to update calculations to account for inflation, work that critics have said should have been done earlier.

A senior official in the Education Department said the funding and additional support unveiled Monday arose out of ongoing conversations with colleges and their vendors.

The sluggish start means students won’t have as much time to review financial aid information before the May 1 decision deadline by which many colleges require students to make deposits for fall enrollment.

©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Opinion

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Thursday, 2.8.24

OUR VIEW

Being sustainable is important As community members at East Carolina University, it’s important for individuals to do their part and support environmental and sustainability efforts on campus.

Students can assist in these efforts by recycling, using public transportation, and reducing usage of plastic can all be useful etc.

We, the editorial staff of The East Carolinian, believe students should contribute in eco-friendly practices to promote ECU as a positive, environmentally friendly campus that welcomes all students.

Students can become involved in organizations on campus, like ECO Pirates, ReLeaf, Planet ECU and many others to learn more about sustainability efforts and participate in initiatives that support a clean, healthy campus environment. A full list of campus organizations can be found on the Pirate Experience website.

Awareness is one of the biggest issues at hand surrounding student impact on the environment. Many students may be unsure of how influential they can be to make a large change in the community.

We believe students can play a large role in leading a sustainability initiative throughout campus and the city of Greenville. There is much debris scattered throughout campus and the city that could be prevented if students assisted in clean up efforts and educated others about the importance of creating an eco-friendly environment.

PIRATE RANTS The East Carolinian does not endorse the statements made in Pirate Rants.

People probably wouldn’t complain so much about cyclists, skaters, and scooter riders if they just stayed out of the bike lane. I can’t tell you the amount of times I or others trying to use the lane have had to swerve out of the way or just fall so that we don’t hit someone. The lane is clearly marked, just stay out if it doesn’t apply to you.

I don’t know if it’s just me, but the semester seems to be flying by already. A whole month of the semester has already passed and gone and it’s already February.

It’s officially the month for Pirate baseball! I’m super excited for all of the game days and to show some Pirate pride for our team.

I’m so glad the robots are still on campus and that students have grown to not be aggressive towards them.

They really make my day.

ECU could do a better job of providing more resources for students who struggle with mental health. There are so many college students who could benefit from more on campus facilities or additional support.

My workload this semester seems heavier than usual and it has really been stressing me out!

The traffic here in Greenville can be really bad. Sometimes it takes a really long time just to make it to campus, especially if you live a decent drive away.

Questions regarding Pirate Rants can be directed to Kiarra Crayton at editor@theeastcarolinian.com.

Submit your Pirate Rants on our website under the opinion tab or scan the QR code.

PC - CHAD MOREHEAD | UNSPLASH

Due to its extreme popularity in Tennessee, Nashville-themed bars have become a popular trend among various locations in the United States.

Charlotte welcomes new country bar Chyna Blackmon

T HE C HA RLO TTE OB SERVER | TN S

Say goodbye to a popular dance nightclub in South End, because a new country music bar is taking over.

After nearly a decade in business in Charlotte, Oak Room has closed and been redesigned into a new Nashville-inspired bar called The Rose Honky Tonk.

“Oak Room had been open 11 years, 10 years, so it was a long time and it ran its course … The business was kind of off so we wanted to make a change,” said Britton McCorkle, president of Bottle Cap Group — the team behind Slate, All American Pub and other local bars (one known for its controversial name and a former one with a divisive statue). “To take what Oak Room did and become new again was going to be very difficult in this building.”

The nightclub was open for New Year’s Eve, but shortly closed after a bit of water damage from rain, McCorkle said, which is what really initiated the push to open up the new concept of the country bar.

“I was gonna stay with Oak Room as long as it would go,” McCorkle told CharlotteFive. “You know, I think in hindsight, we probably rode this out a little longer than we should have. We let things fall apart a little bit, which in turn sacrifices some of the quality of some of what we were doing. So a fresh start is always good. But it wasn’t a plan to change this here.”

Why a country music bar?

With the popularity of live music in the South, McCorkle says the Bottle Cap team saw the opportunity to capitalize on that in Charlotte with a country bar in South End. “South End is so popular, you know, and growing. We see all different kinds of different avenues. People are trying to build

and stuff like that, and there hasn’t really been a country bar,” said Adam Moran, who also works for Bottle Cap Group. “(So we thought) let’s do a country theme in South End, try to bring the energy back to South End station … you know try to vamp up All American, try to vamp up Slate, just try to get the energy back in this building.”

With so few country music bars in Charlotte, the vision is to bring a taste of Nashville’s Broadway scene to the Carolinas.

“In Nashville…they were not anything elaborate. They weren’t these big theaters.

They were just a place where you heard good music, and people kind of brought up in that honky tonk feel, so everytime we go, we love to wander the streets of Broadway in Nashville … so I think everybody relates it to that and that’s what we’re trying to put out there, as well,” McCorkle said. “I like the rustic, old, honky tonk vibe. I think it’ll do well.”

Combined with his love for live music, The Rose also pays homage to an old family business run by McCorkle’s stepfather and business partner.

The Yellow Rose throwback

“He had a place called Yellow Rose when I was a kid … and it was a live music place.

He tells me that David Allan Coe played there one time. It was just a little dive bar, honky tonk-type thing and it was cool,” he shared.

“So I have that vision always in my mind of that. We try to make it a little more modern than some of the hardcore stuff … but I think we’re looking for just an easy, laidback kind of bar and a place that we can open ourselves up to whatever music comes along.”

In addition to live music from local to regional artists, the 21+ bar will also

have different events throughout the week, including line dance, karaoke, trivia and more, along with “honky tonk bar food” with a Southern twist, including nachos, pork rinds and barbecue.

“People want to be entertained…this is more of an entertainment style. It is a bar, but we’re doing a mix of both,” Moran told CharlotteFive.

Different from Oak Room, The Rose will also be open Tuesdays-Sundays, instead of just on weekends.

“The big picture is to have one of these three (The Rose, Slate and All American) always be open seven days a week,” McCorkle explained. “In the past, with working from a club schedule, we were tied to the club schedule and we kind of gave into that schedule a little bit and we weren’t open, in my opinion, enough…We’re going to take this as a fresh start to rebrand the whole thing and kind of be open more and be able to offer more.”

Right now, the bar is in a soft opening phase but will have a grand opening later this month.

The group is also planning on opening another music bar. As far as reopening Oak Room in another location, McCorkle said they would entertain the idea, but there aren’t any plans to do so at this time.

The Rose Honky Tonk Location: 200 E Bland St, Charlotte, NC 28203 Instagram: @therosehonkytonk ©2024 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Music can be used therapeutically For many individuals including myself, music can play a large role in one’s personal life. It can serve multiple functions - stress reduction, mood improvement and entertainKristin Outland ment, just to name a T E C C OL U MN IST few. Additionally, it can also be utilized in a therapeutic sense.

Most individuals listen to music on a daily basis, whether it be during a car ride, gym session, walking to class, etc. It’s quite unavoidable, as it is present in most social settings such as restaurants, grocery stores, doctor offices, etc.

There are so many musical genres and artists in the music industry that it’s almost certain everyone will have at least a few favorite genres or artists in mind. Although music has evolved throughout the years and will continue to do so, it still serves a useful purpose.

Personally, in almost every chance I get you can find me with my AirPods in or playing music on a speaker. I listen to most music genres, but my most frequent ones include pop, rap, hip-hop and country.

It may be fun to try switching things up from your usual norm and listening to a variety of musical genres you typically do not listen to. By doing this, you can expand your music library and you may even discover a new favorite artist or genre.

Music can be beneficial for several

MARCELA LASKOSKI | UNSPLASH

Listening to music can be a stress reducer.

reasons, and it may even allow you to accomplish some of your biggest goals.

For example, many college students enjoy listening to music while completing school work or completing other tasks for their job

or work.

This is very common for most individuals, especially college students. In fact, it may not be shocking to hear that I am listening to music while typing this exact sentence.

I have always really enjoyed listening to music, and believe it serves a large therapeutic purpose in my own life. Whenever I am feeling stressed, one of the first things I usually do is turn on some music. I’ve found this helps calm my nerves and allow for a mental reset.

Some songs even allow me to “relive” certain special memories I have experienced with close friends or family members. It can even be healthy for your brain and memory functions, too.

If you don’t already use music in a therapeutic sense, the next time you start to feel stress - play some music. In most cases, it can help get your mind off of tough experiences or worries that may have been bothering you recently.

Kristin Outland is a graduate student majoring in strategic communications and a Copy Editor for The East Carolinian.

To contact her, email opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.

OUR STAFF Kiarra Crayton Eli Baine

Nick Bailey

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Sports Editor

Kristin Outland

Copy Editor

Parker Smith

Production Manager

Nia Cruz

Creative Director

Abby Brennan

Multimedia Manager

Jaylin Roberts

Visual Arts Editor

Serving ECU since 1925, The East Carolinian is an independent, student-run publication distributed every Wednesday during the academic year and during the summer. The opinions expressed herein are those of the student writers, columnists and editors and do not necessarily reflect those of the faculty, staff or administration at East Carolina University or the Student Media Board. Columns and reviews are the opinions of the writers; “Our View” is the opinion of The East Carolinian Board of Opinions.

As a designated public forum for East Carolina University, The East Carolinian welcomes letters to the editor limited to 500 words. Letters may be rejected or edited for libelous content, decency and brevity. All letters must be signed and include a telephone number.

One copy of The East Carolinian is free. Each additional copy is $1. Unauthorized removal of additional copies from a distribution site constitutes theft under North Carolina law. Violators will be prosecuted.

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Arts & Entertainment

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Thursday, 2.8.24

EVENTS

TODAY Bachata and Salsa Lessons Riverside Recreation 817 Dickinson Ave., Greenville, N.C. 27834 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

(252) 215 - 0878 Line Dancing and Karaoke Buccaneer Music Hall 2120 E. Fire Tower Rd., Greenville, N.C. 27858 7 to 11:30 p.m.

(252) 756 - 5505 Live Music Thursdays 5th Street Hardware Restaurant and Taproom 120 W. 5th St., Greenville, N.C. 27858 6 to 9 p.m.

(252) 364 - 8921 Open Mic Night Pitt Street Brewing Company 630 S. Pitt St., Greenville, N.C. 27834 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

(252) 227 - 4151

TOMORROW 123 Andres Wright Auditorium 212 Wright Cir., Greenville, N.C. 27858 7 to 9 p.m.

(252) 737 - 5444

JAYLIN ROBERTS I THE EAST CAROLINIAN

The essentials to presenting the best gift to a significant other or loved one on display in Walmart. Ideas for gifts are listed below but presentation matters too.

The best gift list for Valentine’s Day bliss Aida Khalifa T E C S TA F F

With Valentine’s Day approaching the time to search for that perfect romantic gift has come. Don’t know what to get? That’s okay! Here’s a quick guide of 10, genderless gift ideas perfect for a loved one or significant other. Each item can be purchased through Amazon with further details on each product listed below the item.

Portable Projector$40.00-$100.00

TV’s can be expensive and take up a lot of space, so an affordable, portable projector is a perfect and easy gift for dorm or even apartment living. The projector is the perfect gift for a movie night, tv show binge, or even enhance video game playing experiences!

Price range depends on technological advances based on size, with several different options including mini ($39), tripod ($49), home theater ($60), and capsule ($70-$80).

I heart... clothing- $10.00-$30.00 By now, I’m sure people have seen the viral sweatpants around campus and on TikTok of the “I heart MY BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND”

sweatpants. These are affordable, comfortable and romantic gifts for a significant other that can be gifted as a matching set for both people or as a single present.

The print comes on various different articles of clothing. This includes T-shirts, sweatpants, sweatshirts, beanies, socks and much more.

in various different colors and styles

Water bottle- $10.00-$50.00 to match different clothing tastes

With people drinking more water and understanding the importance of hydration, water bottles have become trendy and popular with teenagers and young adults. Several different types of water bottles including Stanley’s ($25-$45) and Owala ($23$30) have become popular and with the Valentine’s Day Stanley ($45) Watches- $15.00-$40.00 recently being released it makes for a Watches are a perfect accessory perfect and easy gift! to spice up or dress up any outfit.

This gift works well for a date night, LEGO Set- $15.00-$60.00 dressing up for an event or going LEGOs are always a great and safe out with friends and while dressing gift for any occasion and with several business casual.

Valentine’s LEGO sets, this holiday Watches on Amazon vary by makes no exception to the idea. design, color, shape and digital or LEGO sets such as the Valentines analog. Prices vary with these factors Brown Bear ($25), Valentines including with metal watches ($26), Lovebirds ($40), Roses ($15) and Leather bands ($39), and sports the bouquet ($60) are romantic ($15). and fun gifts to give to a significant other. They make for great quality Wallet- $10.00-$20.00 for people who choose to build them Wallets are a convenient way together and work as a nice reminder to carry belongings around in a and decoration in the home. convenient and efficient way. They can be a perfect accessory to an outfit Athletic set- $25.00-$60.00 and make for easy travel. Wallets Athletic leisure and athletic on Amazon come in different sizes sets have become comfortable and including wristlet ($15-$20), bifold practical outfits for day-to-day ($10) and card holder ($10-$15). wear and working out. Sets come

and preferences and can come in matching options for couples.

Prices vary based on styles including long sleeve ($23), three piece with shorts ($30), two piece sweatsuit ($45-60) and many more with lots of colors and cuts to browse and choose from for preferences.

Slippers- $15.00-$110.00

With the weather continuing to stay cold, comfortability and warmth is at the forefront of everyone’s mind.

Fur slippers, including the recently popular and more heavily priced UGG slippers ($70-$100) and other duplications have made their way into most homes and dorms across campus for the warmth they provide during the cold months and for walking around at home.

Slippers are a practical and useful gift for couples to keep warm and fashionable, with the slippers coming in styles such as slip on ($23), memory foam ($16) and clog ($20-$60).

This writer can be contacted at arts@theeastcarolinian.com.

Wine & Design Specialty Day Wine & Design 808 Dickinson Ave., Greenville, N.C. 27858 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

(252) 321 - 1200

Paper Marbling Workshop Jenkins Fine Arts Center 610 Trustees Way, Greenville, N.C. 27858 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

(252) 328 - 6665

African American Music Series Emerge Gallery and Art Center 404 S. Evans St., Greenville, N.C. 27858 7 to 11:59 p.m.

(252) 551 - 6947

SATURDAY Day of Dance Messick Theatre Arts Center 1300 E. 5th St., Greenville, N.C. 27858 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

(252) 328 - 6390

COURTESY OF UNSPLASH

It’s never too early to start planning for Valentine’s Day, although the actual day is around the corner, preparation starts today! Make this year the best one.

Events in Greenville: Valentines Day edition Aida Khalifa

T E C S TA F F

Looking for something to do for Valentine’s Day? Look no further! Here is a list of some activities and events happening around campus and Greenville to celebrate the day with a significant other or loved ones beginning Feb. 9.

Feb. 9 - Friday

The Black Student Organization at ECU will be hosting their second annual “Charity Date Auction” in Hendrix Theatre starting at 6 p.m.

The event is ticketed and free tickets can be picked up from the Student Center Ticket Office.

Anyone interested in being in the auction can direct message @ecu_bsu on instagram for the link to sign up!

neighborhoods. Tickets can be on the Crawl website starting at $30.

This is a free Pre-Valentines Pop Up Shop event filled with local and non local vendors expanding their businesses for Valentine’s Day. The event will have music, prizes, food and lots more from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Arlington Blvd.

There will be a second opportunity to shop the pop-up on Feb. 13.

Feb. 11 - Sunday

Rhythm and Ice will take over Carolina IceZone and bring an eventful evening full of ice skating, R&B music, food and games to the Greenville area. The event is for anyone with two times set for different age ranges. Group one will be from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. for all ages and group 2 will be from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for Feb. 10 - Saturday those eighteen years old and up. Tickets start at Starting at 8:45 a.m. there will be a Cupid’s $25 with couples skating priced at $60 on the Crawl 5K and 10K that will start and end at Elm booking website.

Street park and go through the surrounding

Feb. 14 - Wednesday

ECU Ballroom Dance club will host a Valentine’s Day Dance at the Health Sciences Student Center Grand Room 202. There will be food, music, a chance to dance, socialize and enjoy free dance lessons for four hours from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Yacht Club ECU will be hosting a “Shoot your Shot” event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. where people can send special packages and gifts to loved ones.

Orders can be placed from now until Feb. 11 and items will be picked up on Valentine’s Day. Juniors, Florist and Bakery, is having a Valentine’s Day sale with sales on flowers and personalized Juniors Cheesecake. “A little sweeter for your sweetie” is the slogan for the day, and a great dessert option for loved ones and significant others!

This writer can be contacted at arts@theeastcarolinian.com.

Classifieds & Puzzles

A5 Thursday, 2.8.24

theeastcarolinian.com

CROSSWORD

FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 4, 2022

THE TV CROSSWORD

by Jacqueline E. Mathews

HOROSCOPES A r i e s (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Connect with like-minded friends. This two-week New Moon phase benefits team efforts. Grow through friendships, social networks and community participation. Have fun together.

HOROSCOPES

L e o ( Ju ly 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 9 — C ollaboration comes naturally, especially over two weeks following tonight’s Aquarius New Moon.

Take your partnership to the next level. You’re on the same wavelength.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Profit through communications.

Po s s i b i l i t i e s s p a r k i n conversation over this twoweek New Moon phase.

Creative projects flower.

Express, share and connect.

Write your story.

Tau r u s (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — This New Moon in Aquarius illuminates professional opportunities.

Develop interesting projects over two weeks. Pursue exciting possibilities. Your career, status and influence rise.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — You’re energized.

The New Moon tonight initiates two weeks of growing work, health and strength. Put your heart into your actions.

Practice makes perfect.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 9 — Begin a lucrative New Moon phase.

Discover fresh markets and rising prosperity. Strengthen financial foundations for growth. Rake in and preserve a healthy harvest.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 7 — Educational opportunities arise after tonight’s New Moon. The next two-week phase favors study, investigation and exploration.

Consider new perspectives.

Make connections, contributions and discoveries.

Libra (Sept.

23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Enjoy yourself.

Stir up some romance. The New Moon begins a two-week family, fun and passion phase.

Get creative. It’s all for love.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Pursue personal dreams. Expand talents, capacities and skills over two weeks, with the New Moon in your sign. Grow and develop. Shine your light.

C a n c e r ( June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Find creative ways to grow your family nest egg. A lucrative two-week phase dawns with tonight’s New Moon. Launch valuable initiatives with your partner.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Realize domestic visions with upgrades over a twoweek New Moon phase. Get creative. Improve the beauty and functionality of your home. Nurture family.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — To day is a 7 — Insights, breakthroughs and revelations sparkle in tonight’s New Moon. Dreams seem within reach. Enjoy a two-week creative, imaginative and organizational phase. Imagine

Created by Jacqueline E. Mathews

ACROSS 1 Harmon of “NCIS” 5 “Murder, __ Wrote” 8 Jai __ 9 One of the Simpsons 12 “__ You Glad You’re You?” 13 “Candid __” 14 Modern message 15 Lincoln & Ford 16 Zsa Zsa’s sis 18 “Life __ House”; Kevin Kline film 19 LeBlanc of “Man with a Plan” 20 Unnatural blonde 21 Role on “The King of Queens” 23 Actress Peregrym 24 __ up; feed the kitty 25 Olivia, to John-Boy 26 Commandment verb 28 Sherman Hemsley sitcom 29 Thurman’s namesakes 30 “The __ Collector”; Denzel Washington film 32 Deadly viper 35 Buddy Solution to Last Week’s Puzzle Solution from 11/09

©2024 NANCY BLACK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY.

COMICS

©2022 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.

BREWSTER ROCKIT

9/4/22

9/4/22

36 Skin lotion brand 37 Suffix for gang or young 38 “T.J. __” (1982-86) 40 Actress Sharon 41 “The Addams Family” actor 42 Shriver & Dawber 43 Kennedy or Knight 44 Actor Gross DOWN 1 Winningham & others 2 Actress on “FBI: Most Wanted” 3 Make a scene 4 “The Adventures of __ Carson” (1951-60) 5 “Get __” 6 Show-offs 7 Prior to 10 Series for Chandra Wilson 11 Wasp nest sites 12 “One Day __ Time” 13 Felix or Garfield 15 Actor Nicolas 17 Suffix for custom or vision 19 Comic strip “__ and Jeff” 20 Thin coin 22 Change for a five 23 “Auntie __”; Roz Russell film 25 “The __ Loves of Dobie Gillis” 26 “Tin __”; Kevin Costner movie 27 City in Nebraska 30 Mixer speed 31 Crew member’s item 33 “The Sixth __”; 1999 film 34 Prefix for view or paid 36 Merle Haggard’s “__ from Muskogee” 37 “__ Trek: Voyager” 39 Mel the Giant 40 Health club offering

SUDOKU

Level 1 3

BLISS

2 4

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, please visit sudoku.org.uk

WHERE’S PEEDEE?

Solution to

Solution from 11/09 Friday’s puzzle

9/9/23

© 2023 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

Sports

A6

theeastcarolinian.com

Thursday, 2.8.24

TEC spertZ '

The East Carolinian Sports experts predict this week’s events

Nick Bailey Sports Editor

ECU VS. UTSA Score Prediction?

72- 60 ECU Why? Following a streaky and inconsistent offensive game against Charlotte, the Pirates play a lower-ranked conference opponent who needs a conference win to stay afloat.

I envision ECU bouncing back and improving their overall shot making game with a major scorer stepping up outside of RJ Felton. The strong ECU defense that has been evident all season will appear in San Antonio for a momentous victory.

Diego Lerma

Sports Reporter

ECU VS. UTSA Score Prediction?

78 -70 ECU Why?Both teams have had mixed results so far in the AAC. ECU will start slow during the first half, resulting in a Roadrunners lead. The Pirates will start the second off better, leading to a victory.

CONTRIBUTED BY ECU PIRATES

The East Carolina University softball team plays their first home game of the season against the University of North Dakota State on Tuesday.

Softball season set to begin in Charleston Ashleigh Cash T E C STAFF

East Carolina University’s softball team opens the 2024 season this week in Charleston, South Carolina, taking on Charleston Southern University to begin their campaign on Feb. 8.

After that game, they’ll stay in South Carolina to take on Saint Joseph’s University, Cleveland State University and the College of Charleston in the Charleston Invitational.

The Pirates are coming off a 27-28 2023 season in which they went 3-15 in conference play. They look to build up from last season and make their mark in the newly enlarged conference.

In 2023, the Pirates finished the season ranked sixth out of seven teams in the American Athletic Conference. This year, the conference looks a little different, and the rankings reflect it.

The AAC saw a drastic reshuffling over the offseason, as the University of Houston and the University of Central Florida departed for the Big 12 conference. The AAC then welcomed five new members in Florida Atlantic University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), University of North

Carolina at Charlotte, University of North Texas, and University of Texas at San Antonio.

In this new 10-team softball conference, ECU enters the season ranked No. 8.

Defending AAC regular season champ Wichita State University is the favorite to win the conference again this season, after going 16-2 in conference play last season and compiling a 44-12 record overall.

The Pirates play 35 games at home this season, including a 19-game homestand. The first home game is set for Tuesday against North Dakota State. Additionally, ECU will hold three weekend tournaments: the Pirate Clash, the Pirate Invitational, and the PurpleGold Invitational.

This season is the Pirates’ third year under Head Coach Shane Winkler, whose record with the club sits at 47-64. ECU tallied up their most number of wins in Shane Winkler a season since 2014 in the 2023 season, Winkler’s second year as

head coach.

Winkler, ECU softball’s first male head coach, will begin the season with a homecoming of sorts, as his current squad travels to Charleston Southern, where he spent a decade as head coach, leading the Buccaneers to a program-record 261 wins and leading them to their first NCAA Tournament berth in 2014.

The Pirates’ first game will stream on ESPN+, and first pitch is set for 5 p.m. at the CSU Softball Complex. After the first game against CSU, ECU will face Saint Joseph’s and Cleveland State on Friday, along with the College of Charleston and Saint Joseph’s again on Feb. 10 and then they’ll finish the weekend against Cleveland State on Sunday.

This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.

Kiarra Crayton Editor-in-Chief

ECU VS. UTSA Score Prediction?

75 - 78 UTSA Why? The Pirates have kept it close in the last couple of games, and only average .7 more than their opponents. The Roadrunners average 82 points per game, 14 more than ECU. I think the Pirates losing streak will continue with this one.

Ashleigh Cash Sports Reporter

ECU VS. UTSA Score Prediction?

75-67 ECU Why? ECU needs to regroup before this win, but the week of rest should do some good for the injurystricken squad we saw last game. I think they’ll come out with some fire in them and be ready to play.

CONTRIBUTED BY ECU PIRATES

Graduate student guard Danae McNeal led the Pirate team with 23 points in a 72-51 road win against Wichita State University on Feb. 4.

ECU preps for homestand against Charlotte Trevon McGlone T E C STAFF

East Carolina University’s women’s basketball team (13-8, 6-4 American Athletic Conference) will be at home this week to take on the University of Charlotte (13-9, 6-4 AAC) on Saturday in the Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum in Greenville, North Carolina, at 2 p.m.

The Pirates have been on a good stretch of wins, winning four of their last five games including their most recent game against Wichita State University (6-17, 2-9 AAC), 72-51. ECU now sits at No. 4 in the AAC standings after floating below the top five for much of the season. The matchup against Charlotte is the first of two games between the two this year.

Charlotte averages 66 points per game (ppg) while giving up 63 points to opponents this year. ECU outscores that amount, averaging 64 ppg. The Pirates defense also only allows 59 ppg to opponents this year.

The 49ers are led in points by their junior guard Dazia Lawrence, who averages 18.4 points per game. There were 11 games this season in which Lawerence was held under 18 points, Charlotte has lost six of those games. Charlotte senior forward Tracey Hueston is second in scoring, averaging 13 points per game.

The Pirates have been having success limiting three-point shots this season, holding opponents under 30 percent from that range.

In this five-game stretch for ECU, they’ve held four of those opponents to 26 percent or lower three-point percentage. Charlotte has four players that average 30 percent or better from three, including Lawrence and Hueston.

Charlotte has a slight advantage statistically in rebounding over ECU. The Pirates average 36 rebounds per game compared to Charlotte’s 37 per game, while also allowing 39 rebounds to opponents. However, Charlotte’s starting lineup as of their last two games consists of four guards, which would give ECU a height advantage because of their preferred two forwards approach.

ECU’s defense continues to force opponents into committing turnovers. In their game against Wichita State, The Pirates got their opponents to turn the ball 22 times. ECU scored 23 of their 72 points off of Wichita’s turnovers, making the opportunities count.

This will be the 38th meeting between the two programs. Charlotte has won seven of the last 10 meetings. ECU’s last win against Charlotte occurred on Nov. 30, 2017.

ECU freshman guard Karina Gordon has scored 16 points in back to back games this year. The correlation between Gordon scoring on more shot opportunities, while

complimenting ECU leading scorer graduate student guard Danae McNeal is proven. When Gordon has 16 points or more in games this year, the Pirates are 4-0.

McNeal is fifth in steals per game with 3.3. in the National Collegiate Athletes Association (NCAA). In the Pirates’ last four games played, Mcneal recorded Danae McNeal 12 steals. Charlotte allows 8.8 steals to opposing teams this year.

Following this game against Charlotte, ECU heads down to Houston, Texas, to play against the University of Rice (12-9, 6-4 AAC) on Wednesday at 8 p.m. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+.

This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.