ECU 3/28/24

On

One panelist, Dr. Bibha Das, said the event is to provide an opportunity for ECU community members to hear from ECU women leaders about advancing opportunities for themselves and others through the lens of care and belonging. She will be discussing her leadership journey, including mentors who have shaped her into the leader, teacher and researcher that she is along with strategies she has used to create advancement for herself and the students she mentors.

Another member that will be participating in the panel, Dr. Ballard said the purpose of the event is to kind of highlight women in leadership. By attending this event, participants can learn more about leadership opportunities and think about their own leadership path.

Ballard said one of the questions they will be answering is regarding their own leadership journeys. The four

panelists are all in different positions and have had a host of life experiences that they will be discussing during the panel.

“This is one of those ways that we can support and empower women, not just here at ECU, but regionally and globally,” Ballard said. “I firmly believe that women need to support each other and provide mentoring. Women can be leaders in whatever position they’re in.”

Dr. Aisha Powell, another participant of the panel, said the event is organized by ECU Staff Senate Diversity committee collaborating with the Women and Gender Office. The theme of the panel is Advancing Opportunities through Care and Belonging. They have reached capacity for the in-person meeting, but you can still RSVP to attend virtually in the virtual livestream link.

game will be a quick turnaround for the Pirates on Saturday with a noon start time.

(11-12, 1-2 American Athletic Conference) this weekend from ursday through Saturday. East Carolina fell ve spots in NCAA’s D1 baseball ranking a er dropping two out of three games against the University of Texas at San Antonio.

e Pirates will look to sweep last weekend’s series under the rug and focus on potentially coming out with three wins in this favorable matchup. UAB is 3-5 when they go on the road, and have also lost the last three out of ve games they've played.

First pitch of game one is set for 6 p.m. on ursday with East Carolina looking to make a statement. Game two of the series will also be started at 6 p.m. the next day, and the nal

East Carolina will have home eld advantage as they play all three games of the series at Clark-LeClair stadium in Greenville. is is particularly favorable as East Carolina is 9-1 at home, and just 6-5 when they go on the road.

e last time ECU faced o against UAB was in 2013, where the Pirates won three straight games against them.

e University of Alabama at Birmingham recently joined the American Athletic conference on July 1, 2023 of last year, making this a conference series. East Carolina has an overall record of 28-6 against UAB, looking to add more to the win column.

> BASEBALL page A8

Garett Skillman FOR THE EAST CAROLINIAN

Dr. LaNika L. Wright

Jessica Doyle-Mekkes

Dr. Bhibha Das Dr. Sharon M. Ballard

Trisha Rangaraju

TEC STAFF Giuliana Barberio FOR THE EAST CAROLINIAN

PRYOR SHELTON I THE EAST CAROLINIAN

Graduating students were able to decorate their caps or stoles for graduation on March 26, hosted by S.A.B. ECU's annual Commencement Ceremony will be held on May 3 in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

Candidate Josh Stein hears student concerns

Josh Stein, current North Carolina Attorney General and Democratic candidate for governor, spoke directly to student journalism publications across the state to share his plans for governorship and to hear the concerns college students may have. Stein held a video conference for student journalists on March 22. He said his vision would lead him to build an inclusive state by prioritizing students and issues that directly affect N.C. schools.

“Students are an absolutely critical part of North Carolina, a critical part of the election and I want to make sure that young people understand their choices,” Stein said.

The Supreme Court's decision to fund the appropriate amount of money to local school systems was addressed. Stein said that to reach the state's constitutional obligation to young people funding is crucial for a solid basic education.

“Right now we as a state are underfunding all of that and in essence undermining the quality of public education being delivered in North Carolina,” Stein said. The money should

be going to education, Stein said, and the court should not be reconsidering that ruling.

Stein said that 90 percent of educational funding goes to salaries. He said our teachers starting pay is lower than the states surrounding NC. With North Carolina's pay being so inadequate leads to thousand of job vacancies each school year. Stein proposes a plan to fill these necessary jobs with capable teachers.

“Leandro is a great opportunity for us to do right by the students with my office was part of negotiating along with the govern and the plaintiffs to come up with the comprehensive plan that is billions of dollars over an eight year period of time that can get North Carolina back up where it needs to be,” Stein said.

He also stresses the importance of other schools staff personnel such as counselors. This highlights Steins views on the mental health crisis and its effects on students.

“As attorney general I have spent a lot of energy prioritizing youth mental health in a number of different ways,” Stein said. He has a webinar series to protect the next generation.

Stein also takes a stand against youth addiction ranging from e-cigarettes and

opioids to social platforms. He was the first Attorney general in the country to take Juul, the e-cigarette company, to court.

Substances such as nicotine highten anxiety and other mental illnesses. Stein explains that is a key reason he took Juul to court. “They are paying the state of North Carolina 48 millions dollars in order to help young people who are addicted to nicotine overcome that addiction,” Stein said.

The outcome was rules and regulations on how Juul markets and sells their products. Stein was also apart of a bipartisan group who sued Meta for designing their platforms to be addictive.

Stein said that these social platforms create anxiety and depression in the youth, “twhat is confirmed by Facebook's own internal studies and that is why we have taken them to court to try to get them to redesign the product so it’s less addictive to young people.” He says they are also investigating TikTok for the same reasons.

He said we need to invest in the institution to make sure the youth of N.C. has the skills they need to be successful. He says this will build our K-12, community colleges, and universities.

The Cherokee Indians revealed this week who can buy products at their cannabis superstore set to open April 20 in the North Carolina mountains.

April 20 is recognized by marijuana users and producers as the national cannabis holiday.

In a historic vote on Sept. 7, tribal members overwhelmingly approved adult use of marijuana on tribal land. The tribe on the 57,000-acre Qualla Boundary had already approved the use and controlled sale of medical cannabis.

Dispensary sales, however, will be limited to those with a medical cannabis patient card, officials with Qualla Enterprises LLC, the Cherokee cannabis subsidiary, said in a news release on Monday.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians established a Cannabis Control Board that issues the cards.

“We will also extend reciprocity to individuals with out-of-state medical cards, or other tribal medical cannabis cards,” according to the news release.

The dispensary is in the tribe’s massive, refurbished old bingo hall at U.S. 19 and Bingo Loop Road, near Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, 46 miles west of Asheville in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Called Great Smoky Cannabis Company, the dispensary will open at 10 a.m. opening day “with high-quality tested products,” according to the news release.

Products include flower, vape items, edibles and topicals, officials said, and the selection “will continue to grow and evolve each month.”

The dispensary will be the only place in North Carolina where such sales are legal.

On an exclusive tour by The Charlotte Observer of the tribal cannabis operation in March 2023, officials with Qualla Enterprises said the dispensary would open at first only to tribal members with patient cards and eventually to N.C. residents and others with such cards.

That was seven months before the adultuse referendum passed. The vote led many in the general public to think the dispensary might open to everyone - whether they had a medical card or not.

Qualla Enterprises officials said they may open to everyone someday, but announced Monday they wanted to start with those with patient cards first.

The dispensary could generate nearly $206 million in gross sales revenues in its first year if limited only to medical patients, compared with $385 million if product is available to all adult users, according to figures released by Qualla Enterprises before last year’s adult-use referendum.

Cannabis industry consultant HedgeRow Analysis developed the estimates for Qualla Enterprises.

In its fifth year, the dispensary could generate a respective $578 million and $843 million in gross sales revenues, according to the HedgeRow Analysis estimates.

North Carolina residents can apply for patient cards, although tribal officials have said cards are being issued at first only to tribal members with qualifying medical conditions. Patient card applications are available at www.ebci-ccb.org.

OUR VIEW

Fundraising plays role in campus funds

Following another successful year of Pirate Nation Gives, an annual fundraising event at East Carolina University, it’s important to remember the importance and reasoning behind why individuals donate to a large cause.

However, it’s important to make an effort to donate to causes all throughout the year, rather than only at special donating events.

We, the editorial staff of The East Carolinian, believe students should be giving back to various organizations that support a great cause. Each donation can make a huge difference, even if the amount doesn’t seem to be very large. In some way or another, donating can spread an abundance of positivity.

There are thousands upon thousands of organizations and charities that students, staff and faculty can support year round. By participating in donating, you are making an impact.

It is also a great idea to encourage those around you to donate as well and ensuring everyone understands the significance of donating.

For individuals who are interested in becoming a regular donator but do not know where to start, there are many organizations that you can begin with that need your help.

Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, The American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, American National Red Cross, and Feeding America are all popular charities that are in need of support among many others.

PIRATE RANTS

The

It is March and the majority of y’all still have not figured out that you can pay for your parking garage ticket BEFORE you get to the gate? Thanks for holding up the line, dumb dumbs. Can’t believe some of you are here to get degrees.

The pollen is everywhere! It’s on everything and really aggravating my allergies. They’ve been awful lately.

I am loving the warmer weather. It feels nice to be able to be comfortable and not have to wear a winter coat walking around campus.

I am so tired of eating at the same restaurants on campus. Everything has gotten old to me, I just wish some new restaurants would open.

The Wi-Fi at my apartment is absolutely awful. I was trying to register for courses today on PiratePort, and the Wi-Fi kept continuously going in and out. I had to keep reloading the site just to register for each class and one was even full by the time I was able to try to register.

I’m actually so glad that it rained. All of this pollen collecting on everything had gotten really aggravating. Maybe it’s just me but it always seems like the amount of assignments I have to submit doubles towards the end of the semester. I’d much rather have the coursework more spread out throughout the semester. Everything just seems rushed.

Over the last 50 years, the world has made significant strides towards female representation in business leadership. As we celebrate Women’s History Month in 2024, we now see women every day across all industries breaking barriers, shattering glass ceilings and making their mark in decisionmaking positions. Yet, as of 2023, only 10.6 percent of Fortune 500 companies currently have a female CEO. There is still much work to be done to achieve true gender equality in business leadership.

This is where dedicated forums for women leaders come into play, providing a platform for women to lean on one another, discuss timely topics and drive change toward a more inclusive future. As the president of the local Florida Chapter of the International Women’s Forum (IWF) and principal of LMA Consultants, a womenowned communications and consulting firm, I have witnessed the power of these forums firsthand.

IWF, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, has been at the forefront of advancing women’s leadership

and championing equality worldwide for decades. With over 8,000 accomplished women represented within its membership — inventors, entrepreneurs, CEOs, heads of state, academics, scientists, astronauts, athletes, artists, filmmakers, financiers, philanthropists and more — IWF is a prime example of why this model works.

In every industry, women face unique challenges as they climb the corporate ladder. Some obstacles are specific to our experience and navigating those can be daunting. Having a community of like-minded individuals who understand these challenges and can provide guidance and support is invaluable to keeping your momentum.

Forums like IWF offer a safe space for women leaders to share experiences, network for opportunities and build lifelong relationships as they build one another up.

However, dedicated forums for women leaders are about more than just networking. They are catalysts for change and vehicles for advancing gender equality in leadership positions. A key area where these forums have a significant impact is increasing female representation on corporate boards and other decision-making positions.

The recent move by the House of Representatives to advance legislation forcing ByteDance to divest its ownership of TikTok represents a potentially alarming infringement on our fundamental rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. Despite national security concerns, coercing the divestment of TikTok sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the principles of free expression upon which our republic is built.

While it is undeniable that there are legitimate concerns regarding the security implications of foreign-owned platforms accessing some data of millions of Americans, curtailing access to TikTok based on these concerns constitutes an overreach of governmental authority.

The current ban on TikTok on federal devices is a reasonable precaution, but the government restricting access to the platform for the public goes too far (and it is a decision for parents for those under the age of 18.)

Former president Donald

Moreover, forums play a crucial role in incentivizing the next generation of female leaders. Organizations like IWF often create pathways for young women to pursue their dreams and aspirations by offering scholarships and other professional development opportunities to rising stars. Fostering connections between established leaders and emerging talent is a critical step toward helping women reach their full potential and creating a stronger tomorrow of gender representation among leadership.

As we celebrate 50 years of IWF it is important to acknowledge the progress we have made and the challenges that still lie ahead. The fight for gender equality in leadership is ongoing and requires collective effort and collaboration from similar organizations. More access to these dedicated forums for women leaders will give critical platforms for collaboration, knowledge exchange and support that propel equity.

©2024 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald. com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Thursday,

underscores the coercive nature of the proposed measures. They really have no choice based on the threatened consequence.

Moreover, the absence of concrete evidence demonstrating the Chinese Communist Party’s use of TikTok for surveillance or propaganda raises questions about the necessity of such drastic actions. While it is conceivable that Beijing could exploit TikTok for nefarious purposes, it is essential to weigh these potential risks against the broader principles of free speech and individual autonomy.

Trump’s reversal of his previous advocacy for banning TikTok is simply motivated by fears of Meta (Facebook and Instagram) becoming even more powerful. He has a political point — but not a constitutional one. His recent flip-flop on this issue underscores the political nature of such decisions. However, the motivations behind the legislation should not overshadow the potential erosion of individual liberties and the consequences they entail.

Proponents of the legislation argue that it does not amount to a ban, citing Rep. Mike Gallagher’s assertion that the TikTok user experience can continue and improve if ByteDance no longer owns the company. Yet, the looming threat of a complete ban if ByteDance fails to comply

Put simply, banning TikTok violates of the free speech rights of millions of Americans, especially young people just learning to find their voices and form opinions. This may be why President Biden has indicated support for the banning consequence in the legislation while simultaneously having an account for his campaign on the platform. Hypocritical and political can be synonyms.

©2024 The News Herald. Visit thenewsherald.com/. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Arts & Entertainment EVENTS

‘Quiet on Set’ sheds light on film industr y

Child actors were exploited and sexually abused by the adults they worked with on several hit Nickelodeon shows throughout the ‘90s and 2000s. When one such adult, Brian Peck, was arrested on 11 charges of child sex abuse and then pleaded no contest in 2004, dozens of notable actors and television industry figures openly supported him during the sentencing portion of his case.

Layer after layer of depravity is revealed and alleged in “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” a four-part Investigation Discovery docuseries about the abuse endured by multiple child actors while working on hit Nickelodeon comedies such as “All That,” “The Amanda Show” and “iCarly.”

The shows are decades behind us, but the hushing effect of power and the quiet acceptance of predatory behavior is still an evergreen in Hollywood, as evidenced by all the folks who’ve released weak-sauce defenses, or maintained total radio silence since the documentary aired this week.

The documentary from directors Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz is full of bombshells, but much of the outrage now is around the contents of court documents unsealed for the first time in nearly 20 years.

The documents show that 41 letters were written in support of Peck, who was a Nickelodeon dialogue coach and actor before his 2003 arrest. Heartfelt testimonials about Peck rolled in during the sentencing portion of the case from actors like

Public pressure is building for Peck’s defenders to explain why they threw in support for Peck, whose charges included sodomy of a person under 16, sexual penetration by a foreign object, four counts of oral copulation of a person under 16, oral copulation by anesthesia or controlled substance, and using a minor for sex acts.

While Marsden and company are the most publicly recognizable names in the cry for accountability, Disney and Nickelodeon have also offered little in the way of an apology or accountability for their blind-eye policies. Jason Michael Handy, a former Nickelodeon production assistant, was sentenced to six years in prison in 2004 after pleading no contest on two felony counts, including lewd acts on a child and distributing sexually explicit material.

Maybe things have since changed for child actors, but Nickelodeon’s nebulous responses at the end of “Quiet on Set” episodes, and in statements sent to the media last week, do little to assure audiences that there’s been any notable transformation inside their fiefdoms.

Former child star Drake Bell, who was a co-star on “Drake & Josh,” is one such courageous soul. He says he was the unnamed child at the heart of the case against Peck, and he speaks publicly for the first time in the ID documentary. Peck was convicted at that point, and Bell says that he was shocked by all the support Peck got from people in the industry.

After Peck served his 16-month prison sentence, he was hired to work on “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.” Rich and Beth Correll, who worked as a director and first assistant director on the show, knew of Peck’s background because they were among those who had written a letter in his defense.

Central to the network’s success was producer Dan Schneider, and he’s also a central figure in allegations of a toxic work environment on set and behind the scenes at Nickelodeon. Several former actors from his shows, now adults, speak out in the documentary about how Schneider bullied his casts and crews, created adult-like, sexualized scenarios on their shows and pushed them to perform extreme, if not crude, stunts.

Behind the scenes, one of two female writers who worked for Schneider in the 1990s recalled a harrowing event in the writers room, when Schneider pressured one of them into recounting an event from their high school years while pretending she was the recipient of anal sex — all in the name of laughs.

She sued the network, they settled, and her career was ruined. Schneider went on to become the network’s golden boy. And now those former employees, along with a slew of former child actors, have horror stories to tell thanks to a network that failed to protect the children behind the ratings.

©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes. com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Over the last few months, a legendary name in the music world has faced a series of shocking allegations of sexual abuse.

In civil lawsuits, four women have accused Sean “Diddy” Combs of rape, assault and a litany of other abuses, dating back three decades. One of the allegations involved a minor. The claims sent shock waves through the music industry and put Combs’ entertainment empire in jeopardy.

Now, the hip-hop mogul’s legal troubles have worsened considerably.

Law enforcement sources told The Times that Combs is the subject of a sweeping inquiry into sex trafficking allegations that resulted in a federal raid Monday at his estates in Los Angeles and Miami.

Authorities have declined to comment on the case, and Combs has not been charged with any crimes. But the scene of dozens of Department of Homeland Security agents — guns drawn — searching Combs’ properties underscored the seriousness of the investigation.

Legal experts say it could take time to build a criminal case against Combs but note that the civil suits could offer investigators a road map.

Dmitry Gorin, a former L.A. County sex crimes prosecutor who is now in private practice, said the allegations in the lawsuits would likely have been enough for a judge to grant search warrants for Combs’ homes.

Investigators likely would seek authorization to “search for videos

or photographs on any devices connected to the target ... anywhere where digital images can be found in connection to sexual conduct that would have been recorded,” Gorin said.

Shawn Holley, an attorney for Combs, did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday.

Combs has previously denied any wrongdoing.

Gorin and other legal experts said investigators could be focused, in part, on the sexual assault allegations involving a minor. If a minor is moved across state lines for the

purpose of sex, “that is enough for at least an argument ... of sex trafficking because somebody underage cannot consent,” Gorin said.

“Sex trafficking for adults usually involves some sort of coercion or other restraints,” he said, and can be tougher to prove. Prosecutors would need to show you “encouraged somebody to engage in sexual activity for money or some other inducement.”

Coercion, he added, is not limited to threats of violence. It could involve being held against one’s will or someone simply saying, “I don’t

want to participate in group sex, and now I’m being forced to.”

Meghan Blanco, a defense attorney who has handled sexual trafficking cases, said they can be “incredibly difficult cases to prove.”

“They have [in the Combs case] convinced one or more federal magistrates they had enough probable cause for one or more search warrants,” Blanco said. “Given the scope of the investigation, it seems they are further along than most investigations.”

Combs’ legal troubles have been building for months. His former girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, the singer known as Cassie, accused him of rape and repeated physical assaults and said he forced her to have sex with male prostitutes in front of him. Joi Dickerson-Neal accused Combs in a suit of drugging and raping her in 1991, recording the attack and then distributing the footage without her consent.

After the filing of the fourth suit, Combs wrote on Instagram:

“Enough is enough. For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”

©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

James Marsden, Ron Melendez, Alan Thicke, Rider Strong, Will Friedle and former “The Amanda Show” co-star Taran Killam.

Lorraine Ali LOS ANGELES TIMES | TNS

Dan Scneider onstage during

27th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards in March 2014 in

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HOROSCOPES

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Consider financial options with a shared challenge. Stick to the budget. Avoid buying stuff you don’t need. Stay practical. You can get what’s needed.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Lead with your heart. Collaborate to manage the impact of recent changes. Avoid risk or fuss. Do something fun together. Realize shared dreams.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Slow for physical obstacles. Avoid accidents or mistakes. Maintain your healthy practices. Do the work nobody sees. Nature, art and music feed your spirit.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Romantic obstacles confront. Love finds a way. Teach another to appreciate something you like. Keep your agreements. Wait patiently. You’re especially attractive now.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 7 — Make domestic improvements for efficiency, durability and ease. Nurture your family around a challenge with love. Make repairs. Beautify home spaces. Generate dreamy outcomes.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Keep your cool despite temporary overwhelm. Patiently listen. Everyone won’t like everything. Keep your objective in mind, and share persuasively. Express a possibility.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — Take advantage of lucrative conditions. Adapt budgets around unexpected changes. Keep generating positive cash flow. Put love into your work and it pays off.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Guard special time for yourself. Patiently let negative thoughts pass. Write gratitudes to discover them. Personal dreams come true with consistent action. Patiently persist.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 6 — Keep a low profile. Fix something you’ve been neglecting before it breaks. Especially nurture your health and wellness. Rest, review plans and recharge.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Steadily advance a shared vision. Set your goals high. Things may not go as planned. Express your affection and appreciation for your team.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Focus on professional priorities. Adapt your project around a surprise. Take action behind the scenes. Important people are watching. A dreamy prize beckons.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Try new flavors and concepts. Not every experiment produces a winner. Heed recommendations and warnings. Study, research and investigate your subject. Make bold discoveries.

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

BLISS

BREWSTER ROCKIT

WHERE’S PEEDEE?

TEC spertZ'

East

Trevon McGlone Sports Reporter

UAB VS. ECU Score Prediction?

ECU 3-0

Why?

The Pirates should bounce back from the tough series against UTSA with a sweep against UAB. The toughest game should be in Alabama but I do believe ECU should be able to take care of business and win. The Pirates pitching core should come through for ECU in this one after giving up 20 runs in three games after UTSA.

Nick Bailey Sports Editor

UAB VS. ECU Score Prediction?

ECU 2-1

Why?

Cliff Godwin had his squad on a eight game win streak heading into conference play last weekend against UTSA, and the Pirates disappointed most by their outcome. They lost their first series of the season 1-2, and it proved that anything can happen in conference baseball. After a midweek matchup with UNCW, I predict the Pirates win the series at home this weekend, but drop a game to the Blazers. Sweeps are hard to come by in the American, and ECU could catch a team that’s just hotter on a particular day.

Eli Baine Managing Editor

UAB VS. ECU Score Prediction?

ECU 2-1

Why?

The Pirates baseball team failed to meet expectations last week on the road against UTSA but proved they still have what it takes to best UNCW last Tuesday. UAB is currently at a neutral record with some bad losses, but they did manage to win a game against Wichita on March 22, a solid team that swept the Pirates in the 2023 season. I think that ECU will still come out on top in this series but without the sweep.

Parker Smith Production Manager

UAB VS. ECU Score Prediction?

ECU 3-0

Why?

The Pirates are coming off a convincing win over UNCW on Tuesday, sweeping the season series against them. I see ECU continuing to ride off the bats of Jacob Jenkins-Cowart and Jacob Starling when they host UAB, bringing home a conference series sweep.

Eight athletes shine at ECU’s 2024 pro day

With the National Football League (NFL) draft coming up on April 25, the East Carolina University football team held their annual Pro Day at their practice facility on March 26 for players to showcase their talents in front of many NFL scouts.

Though the Pirates did not achieve the overall team success they had planned for in the 2023 season, eight student-athletes felt they demonstrated the ability to compete at the next level by participating in Pro Day.

These athletes include:

-Graduate student linebacker BJ Davis

-Senior wide receiver Jaylen Johnson

-Graduate student wide receiver Jarett Garner

-Senior wide receiver Jsi Hatfield

-Graduate student defensive back Jonathon Jones

-Senior outside linebacker Jeremy Lewis

-Graduate student punter Archer Trafford

-Senior defensive back Julius Wood

Davis spent four years at South Carolina State University before transferring to ECU for his final season, when he appeared in all 12 games and started four. Despite this limitation, Davis finished the season with 59 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss, ranking third on the team.

This year, Davsis ranked second on the team in pass breakups with seven and forced a pair of fumbles. This play earned him a spot on the College Football Network’s All-American Athletic Conference Third Team.

Johnson began his college career walking on at the University of Georgia, as he was a part of the 2021 National Champion winning team, before transferring to ECU for his last two seasons. Johnson caught 76 receptions for 855 yards, averaging 11.3 yards per grab in 48 career games.

Johnson scored all six of his touchdowns while wearing a Pirate uniform, including two this season, which tied him for first on the team. Johnson’s most productive game was against the University of Texas at San Antonio, when he recorded a career-high 105 receiving yards and scored a touchdown.

Garner had a six-year collegiate career, with the majority of his impact coming at Duke University, where he played four seasons. Garner found himself open a lot in the Pirates first game of the season against the University of Michigan and caught four passes, a career high.

Hatfield was a Pirate for his entire five-year career, working his way up the depth chart since his freshman year and starting a personal best nine games during the 2023 campaign. Hatfield was an all-around weapon for the Pirates, appearing in 48 games and starting 20 of them. He played in the pass game, run game, and special teams.

He accumulated over 2,000 career all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns. He gained 1,104 yards in the pass game, with 75 career catches and an average of 14.7 yards per catch. Hatfield also starred in the kick and punt return game, earning 804 return yards and returning a kick return for a score in 2022. He added 93 yards in the backfield as well.

Jones was a four-year player at Campbell University before transferring to ECU for his senior season, when he appeared in all 12 games as a reserve. He broke up two passes this season against Appalachian State University and recovered a fumble against Gardner Webb University. Jones ended his collegiate career with four interceptions.

Lewis is the most probable player from this Pirates group to be drafted to the NFL, having started 33 consecutive career games. The team’s co-captain was awarded All-AAC third team by the conference’s head coaches during his 2023 season, when he produced 40 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.

Lewis had 150 tackles in his career, including 23.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks, as well as three forced fumbles, and was named to the All-AAC Academic Team four times.

Trafford transferred from Mississippi State University and spent his final season in purple and gold as a field goal holder. He appeared in all 12 games and played 53 special teams snaps. The team made 18 of 25 field goals while he was holding, and he punted seven times for 317 yards with a 45.3 average.

Wood played the least amount of seasons out of the bunch but only needed three to build his NFL draft stock. After a career year starting all games, Wood led the team in tackles for two straight seasons in 2022 (87) and 2023 (86) and grabbed four interceptions combined in those two seasons, returning one of them for a touchdown against the University of Memphis.

The lockdown corner was also a hard hitter, causing 5.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles and eight pass breakups in his career. Starting every game in his final season, Wood earned the honor of First Team All-AAC, the only Pirate to do so in 2023.

The NFL Draft will take place from April 25 through April 27 in Detroit, Michigan. The three-day event will be broadcast live on ESPN and ABC, with various commentators available on each network.

The

Carolinian Sports experts predict this week’s events

Football’s spring game brings on annual Pig-Out party

As spring time approaches, the East Carolina University football team began their annual spring practice on March 19 under sixth-year Head Coach Mike Houston. Fundamental drills will lead to tough full-padded practices before the Pirates annual Purple and Gold spring game, where fans are encouraged to join the all day events of the Pigskin Pig-Out Party.

The first day of practice established the first on-field practices for six new assistant coaches who joined Houston’s staff over the offseason: John David Baker (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Rodney Freeman II (running backs), Hunter MacKay (tight ends), Damon Magazu (safeties), Matt Mattox (offensive line), and Rico Zackery (defensive ends/outside linebackers).

Piggly Wiggly will host its 39th annual Pirate Purple/ Gold Pigskin Pig-Out Party on April 12 through April 13. The Pigskin Pig-Out is a family-friendly festival-style event held along with the Purple-Gold spring football game at DowdyFicklen Stadium.

All events listed below will take place on the Grady-White Boats Athletic Campus on April 13. Information on all the weekend’s festivities can be found on the Pigskin Pig-Out Page.

SATURDAY, APRIL 13

10 a.m.: BBQ Competition Winner Announced

The morning will start on Taft Family Plaza as they announce the winners of the Pirate Club BBQ cooking competition. If you are interested in signing up as a cooker in either the novice or advanced categories, please complete an application here. Spots are limited.

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.: BBQ Plates for Sale

A BBQ meal, which includes barbecue and fixings, is available for $12. Pepsi products, bottled water, beer and wine will also be available for purchase. All activities will be located on the South Side of Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in front of TowneBank Tower. Please note in conjunction with all ECU Athletics events, the Pigskin Pig-Out BBQ plate and beverage sale will be cashless.

10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: 3rd Annual “Pig-Out Your Ride” Pigskin Car Show

Participants may sign-up to enter a vehicle in the show here. Cost to enter is $10 per spot pre-registered, and $20 per spot day of the event. The show will be held in the Burt Family Premium Lot.

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: 3rd Annual Touch-ArrrghTrucks

There will be local representatives and their vehicles from emergency, construction, and more all in one place! Children

will be allowed to touch, climb on, and ask questions about their favorite trucks and cars in a safe and supervised environment. The opening hour will be a silent, horn-free hour to create a sensory-friendly experience. This event is free for guests of all ages! Read more about this event here.

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Kids Zone & Skills Station

The Kids Zone & Skills Station will be held on the Turf Practice Field located on the southwest end of the Burt Family Premium Lot. This area will feature various kids orientated activities and attractions. Cost to participate is free.

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Pigskin Pig-Out Vendor Palooza

Participants may sign-up to sell and/or display their items here. The cost to reserve a 10x10 spot is $25. Local businesses and artists are encouraged to apply to showcase their creations, materials, and more. All setups are subject to approval by ECU Athletics. The Palooza will be held in the Burt Family Premium Lot. Learn more information about this event, here.

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: 2024 Pirate Football Team Meet and Greet

Meet the 2024 Pirate Football team as they sign autographs and mingle with their fellow Pirates. Cost to participate is free.

11 a.m.: PeeDee’s Birthday Party

PeeDee will be celebrating his birthday with all of his Pirate friends. The first 100 kids will receive a free cupcake. This event will be held on the Taft Family Plaza in the Burt Family Premium Lot. Cost to attend is free.

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Spare Change Concert

Come out and watch local band, Spare Change, perform on-stage at the Taft Family Plaza in the Burt Family Premium Lot.

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.: Purple-Gold Spring Game

Fans are invited to enjoy the 2024 spring football game free of charge! Get your first glimpse of the 2024 Pirates in action as they prepare for the upcoming season.

4 p.m.: Baseball First Pitch vs. Charlotte

Join the No. 15 team in the country at Clark-LeClair Stadium and watch the Pirate baseball team versus the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. To purchase tickets, contact the ECU Ticket Office at 252-737-4500 or purchase them online at ECUPirates.com.

Any questions can be directed to the Pirate Club at (252) 737-4540.

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

Analysis: WBB fell just short of repeating last years’ success

Trevon McGlone TEC STAFF

The quest to repeat last year’s success for the East Carolina University women’s basketball team was sunk in the final American Athletic Conference (AAC) tournament game against The University of Rice.

Going into the 2023-2024 National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball season, ECU was predicted to finish second place in the AAC preseason rankings. The actual standing was lower than that, with the Pirates finishing in sixth with a 19-14 record. The previous year ECU had a 23-10 record.

On the surface, the Pirates seemed to have kept their identity in tack: a strong defensive unit that stops the opposition from scoring. This season, the Pirates allowed 62 points per game to opposing teams. However, compared to last year’s defensive stats where the Pirates allowed only 56 points per game, you’d see that the six point differential took ECU from the No. 23 best scoring defense in the nation to No. 139.

On Offense, the Pirates statistically relied heavily on the presence of ECU graduate student guard Danae McNeal. McNeal was the leading scorer for the Pirates in 24 of the Pirates 33 games. While the team won 12 games when McNeal

led in scoring, they also lost 12 games when McNeal led in scoring, often coming when scoring as a whole was limited.

On the year, only McNeal and ECU sophomore forward Amiya Joiner finished the year in double digits for points. The next closest scorer was ECU senior guard Micah Dennis with 8.9 points per game.

FInally, multiple collapses in the final quarters of games sunk the Pirates in more games than not. There were a few occasions during the season in which the Pirates held a late lead entering the final minutes, only to break down defensively to let teams pull away. A key example of this was the game against North Texas, where the Pirates fouled multiple opposing shooters in two of the overtime periods to extend the game.

Going into the AAC title game with Rice, while the Pirates held them under 62 points, the offense went cold early, shooting 1-12 to open the first quarter. From there it was too much to come back from, thanks to Rice shooting 55 percent from three-point percentage.

The future of the Pirates will be interesting to see with the departure of McNeal and how head coach Kim McNeill tries to build on the end of this season without her.

BASEBALL continued from A1 This

The Pirates will look to ride the hot bats of their star players, senior first baseman Carter Cunningham, and junior catcher Ryan McCrystal. Not only will the offense need to be clicking, East Carolina needs to make sure their pitchers take care of business.

Cunningham has had a blistering start to the season, with a .422 batting average, and totalling 38 hits on the season. Ryan McCrystal has a batting average of .395 with seven hits coming in the last three games against UTSA, 4 of them being RBI’s.

Following the series against UAB, the Pirates will be facing off against in-state rival North Carolina State University (15-7, 5-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) on the road at Dail Park stadium in Raleigh, N.C. With a tough test against N.C. State, East Carolina will want to take care of business in this three-game series against UAB while they are at home.

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

XAVIER