ECU 3/14/2024

St. Patrick's Day events in Greenville

Aida Khalifa TEC STAFF

With St. Patrick's Day approaching on Sunday, here is a guide of some popular events and celebrations throughout the week at East Carolina University and around Greenville to commemorate the day!

The Blackened Kraken St. Patrick's Specials- begins on March 13

e Blackened Kraken, located in Downtown across from Fi h Street, will be introducing a special St. Patrick's Day menu beginning on March 13. ere will be a variety of new drinks such as green beer and gold shooters and food specials like the Blackened Irish Pot Roast served with a Guinness. e Blackened Kraken will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Still Life Block Party- Saturday

Still Life will be hosting a block party in the Hodges parking lot behind the building. ere will be outdoor music with the Jake Bartley Band and LSDJ and drinks like Green beer and several di erent businesses, bars and vendors at the event. Gates will be open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and tickets are $10 online with limited tickets at the door.

Dickinson Avenue Block Party–

Saturday

Pitt Street Brewing Company is hosting a family friendly block party on Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. on Dickinson Ave. It is their annual St. Patrick’s Day event lled with fun activities such as a photo booth, face painting and gold coin toss courtesy of Stumpy’s Hatchet House. ere will be over 20 local businesses including restaurants, breweries and markets.

AJ’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration- Saturday and Sunday

Being the only Irish pub in Greenville, AJ McMurphy’s is hosting two events to celebrate on Saturday and Sunday. ere will be Corned Beef and Cabbage on both days along with a guest performance on Sunday. Doors open at 11 a.m. both days and reservations are not accepted.

Christy’s Euro Pub Event- Sunday

Christy’s will be hosting an event in the restaurant parking lot on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. ere will be food, drinks, live music and more. To get more updates on the event check their instagram for more information.

Ward and Barefoot share new SGA agenda

Anderson Ward, recently elected President of the Student Government Association (SGA), along with Vice President Ava Barefoot, are prepared to enact numerous initiatives and aspirations during their time as leaders at East Carolina University.

Ward said there are several di erent initiatives that Ava and him plan to implement in their term at ECU. One of those initiatives is adding an excused mental health day which would allow students the opportunity to take a break and reset their busy schedules. In addition, they would like to implement advisory reviews, similar to how students complete course evaluations at the end of each semester for their professors. is would allow students to anonymously ensure their advisors are helping them in every aspect.

Barefoot and Ward have been discussing running for Student Body President and Student Body Vice President since their freshman year. Both of them have been attending East Carolina sporting events since they were children, and it has held great signi cance for both of them over the years. ese new positions would not only enable them to advocate for initiatives aimed at enhancing students' experiences at ECU but also empower them to represent the voice of every student at a university they love so much.

“One of our biggest visions for the future of ECU is improving each and every student's personal and professional development skills,” said Ward. “Ava and I would love to do this through an SMS subscription text message to encourage students to get more involved on their campus. is would be put into place by creating a QR Code for incoming freshmen to scan during orientation where they would then be brought to a website to check individual boxes of student organizations they are interested in. Once they have checked every box linked with the student organization, their contact information will be sent to the individual that is incharge of that organization to create a subscription text message keeping them up to date about interest meetings, career fairs, or any other event that pertains to that speci c organization.”

Ward said he and Ava ran on several di erent platform points this previous election. One of those happened to be

Mental Health, as they wanted to help improve upon the accessibility aspect of East Carolina’s mental health hotline and resources. One notable initiative they thought of involved embedding a QR Code on the back of ECU students' ID cards, providing instant access to a wide array of resources o ered by the university. ese resources include, but are not limited to, Telehealth, Group erapy, Online Peer Support, CCSD Urgent Support, UWill, and the Family erapy Clinic. Ward believes that an area that ECU can work on as a university right now is campus safety. He believes one of the best ways to increase the safety for all students is to create a protocol to help students in case of an active shooter on our campus. “ is protocol would help students be aware of how to react to these terrible situations in the best possible way, " said Ward. “Although this may be a tough conversation at times, the Ward Barefoot

campaign is committed to taking a proactive approach against all issues students at ECU to ensure we continue to be one of the greatest colleges in the state!”

“

One of our biggest visions for the future of ECU is improving each and every student's personal and professional development skills

-Anderson Ward „

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

Baseball to host Columbia in weekend series

e East Carolina University baseball team (10-4, 0-0 American Athletic Conference) hosts their nal non-conference weekend series this weekend, as Columbia University (3-7, 0-0 Ivy League) comes to town for a three game set from Friday through Sunday. Columbia comes into the weekend looking to shake a four-game losing streak in which they were outscored 80 to 28. e team's only series win this far was their home opener against Marist College (4-10, 0-0 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference), which they swept. is weekend’s matchup against No. 11 East Carolina is the Lions' third series involving a ranked team so far this season.

Meanwhile, the Pirates are coming o a weekend sweep against Liberty University (5-10, 0-0 Conference USA), marking the program’s rst series sweep of a non-conference opponent on the road since 2020. It’s the squad’s fourth series win of the campaign and their second series sweep of the young season.

Trisha Rangaraju TEC STAFF

COURTESY OF AVA BAREFOOT AND ANDERSON WARD

SGA student body president-elect Anderson Ward and vice president-elect Ava Barefoot.

PRYOR SHELTON I THE EAST CAROLINIAN

The Pirates head back home after a game against the University of North Carolina at Wilmington on March 12 that went into extra innings.

Ashleigh Cash TEC STAFF

BRIEFS

HHP to host panel discussion

ECU Health and Human Performance will hold a panel discussion consisting of ECU researchers to discuss their experiences as National Institute of Health (NIH) reviewers on

Friday, March 15 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Belk Annex 1, 120. Moderated by Joseph Lee, panelists include Leslie Cofie, Deeonna Farr, Joe Houmard, Reeve Kennedy and Sandy Lookabaugh.

Sustainability to host garden and orchard workday

From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on

Saturday, March 16, ECU Sustainability will be holding its Community Garden and Orchard Workday at the 209 Stancil Dr. Community Garden. Tools and equipment will be provided, and it is recommended to wear clothes that can get dirty. Registration for the event is required beforehand.

Off-Campus Student Services to host housing fair

Off-Campus Student Services will have its Off-Campus Housing Fair of Spring 2024 on March 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the Main Campus Student Center. The event will offer attendees information on various off-campus living options and how students can prepare to move from their dorms. There will be free food and prizes.

Greenville to host N.C. tourism conference

e Visit North Carolina Tourism Conference will be hosted by Greenville next week from March 17 to March 19 at the Greenville Convention Center for the rst time since 2017.

According to a Visit Greenville, NC release, the conference will o er its attendees, consisting of marketing professionals, technology service providers, media partners and travel writers many opportunities to track trends in tourism within the state, network with each other, and learn from experts.

“We are excited to have North Carolina’s premier travel and tourism event here in Greenville again this year,” President and CEO of Visit Greenville, NC Andrew Schmidt said. “Hosting provides us the opportunity to showcase the immense growth happening in Greenville-Pitt County to our statewide tourism leaders and state

and national media partners.” Around 500 are expected to be in attendance at the conference, according to the release. Visit Greenville, NC expects the conference will generate around $432,014

for the City of Greenville, according to the release.

e previous Visit North Carolina Tourism Conference was held in March 2023 at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, and the Visit Greenville, NC sta attended, according to the release. Visit Greenville, NC hosted the closing luncheon at the conference and brought along Chef Lucas Owens of Julep Contemporary Kitchen and Native Fine Diner, according to the release.

“We are thrilled to be returning to Greenville for the Visit North Carolina Tourism Conference,” Director of Visit North Carolina Wit Tuttell said. “I love going to Greenville because you can feel the excitement throughout the community when we are in town.”

This

Townebank gifts $1.2 million for athletics facility

TowneBank has invested $1.2 million for the Pirates Unite Campaign for Comprehensive Excellence. e donation will go towards a new athletics facility, the Isley Indoor Performance Center.

Director of Athletics Jon Gilbert and Pirate Club Executive Director Ryan Robinson announced the gi on Monday, according to an ECU Athletics release. TowneBank previously contributed $3 million in 2019 with the opening of the TowneBank Tower, a major addition to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

“We are incredibly grateful for TowneBank and our continued partnership to enhance our student-athlete experience,” Gilbert said. “ e engagement from our donors for the Pirates Unite Campaign showcases the support we have for the Pirates, and I know our student-athletes, coaches and sta are appreciative of the generosity.”

e money will help fund a proposed multipurpose indoor facility to be built in

the current athletic footprint that will be accessible by all university sports programs. e Isley Indoor Performance Center will be 101,000 square feet, according to the release, and it will contain a 120-yard football practice eld, LED lighting, camera platform, scoreboards, clocks, sound systems and graphics. It will be above the current multipurpose turf eld next to the football turf practice eld.

“On behalf of the Pirate Club, we thank TowneBank for such an impactful gi that sends a message to our student-athletes that we will continue to provide the resources necessary to strive for excellence,” Robinson said. “TowneBank plays such an important role in our community, and they are fully committed to our great university and our Pirate student-athletes.”

Launched in May 2022, the $60 million Pirates Unite Campaign is the largest Pirate Club fundraising e ort ever, and the collective impact of Pirate Nation has helped generate more than $30 million.

Learn More

KATE FRANCIS I THE EAST CAROLINIAN

The entrance of the Greenville Convention Center.

East Carolina University student Barry Onsare has created a project with a group of classmates to install free menstrual product dispensers in buildings across campus.

Barry Onsare, junior IT major, said he and a few classmates were working on a project when they realized that there is very little access to menstrual products around campus. He said this makes it hard for people in classes or buildings without menstrual products to have some

Onsare said the project team works with the Women and Gender Office, facilities managers and heads of buildings on campus to ensure that dispensers can be put in place and people on the facilities team can fill up the products. He said the administration was helpful, particularly those in the Women and Gender Office who helped get the project pushed up the chain of command.

Onsare said the project team works with the Women and Gender Office, facilities managers and heads of buildings on campus to ensure that dispensers can be put in place and people on the facilities team can fill up the products. He said there are only two in the student center right now on the first floor and about 80 feminine products

“There’s been a lot of positive feedback so far,” Onsare said. “I have sisters and I have cousins who told me about this problem and as a guy I don’t go through that so it’s really opened my eyes on the importance of having accessible products in at least places with heavy traffic.”

Melvina Nimely, junior political science

major,said she had noticed the dispensers in the student center but she did not know about the project to bring feminine products to campus. Nimely said she thought it was really cool that someone who didn’t have to use these products was understanding the importance of needing them.

products shouldn’t be a privilege and I’m really glad someone is doing something about it.”

It’s really hard to worry about needing these products in an emergency, Nimely said, and most times if an emergency happens and someone needs a menstrual product during class or while they’re studying it can ruin a whole day.

Jehlani Wilkins, sophomore social work major, said she hadn’t heard about the project before and she wished that it was more advertised around campus. She said it is really inspiring to see people care about menstrual products and the issues women face with having access in public spaces.

Wilkins said she’s excited to see more dispensers around campus. It’s assuring to her, she said, to know that there are already two available and that they have already been utilized so much by people.

“It’s frustrating to think about how expensive it is to be a woman,” Wilkins said. “Toilet paper is free in bathrooms, it’s everywhere and something that every woman would use is not there. Emergencies happen and it’s such a day-ruiner when you’re unprepared.”

Barry said he hopes this project is something that will be implemented for years to come across campus. He said he hopes that it will expand to other schools and stadiums as well or in more public spaces in general.

“This is a neglected health problem that a lot of people don’t care about,” Nimely said. “Having access to free or affordable menstrual

Opinion

OUR VIEW

Pirates should be alert

With the recent shooting on 5th Street that resulted in the tragic hospitalization of an East Carolina University employee, it’s more important now than ever for each individual to take as many safety precautions as possible.

We, the editorial staff of The East Carolinian, believe all Pirates should remain alert of their environment both on and off campus and learn best techniques and tips to stay safe in an emergency situation.

Safety should be a priority for the Pirate Nation community. All students, staff and faculty should be informed and prepared to handle emergency threats that may potentially jeopardize their safety.

Many college students may walk to class and cross busy streets around the campus area. It’s important that all students are conscious of their surroundings and report any suspicious activities they may witness.

There are several campus resources available to students, such as ECU Alert, a communication system to keep the campus community informed of emergency information. These notifications can allow students to be informed on possible threats and notified when they are cleared.

Students, staff and faculty can also download the LiveSafe application on their smartphones. This safety can allow users to send their locations to others, spread safety awareness information, and utilize a panic alarm feature.

It’s also a good practice to communicate with students, family or loved ones to check on their status if you believe they may possibly be in a threatening situation. By remaining alert and communicating effectively with others, Pirates can assist in efforts to keep the campus environment a safe environment.

PIRATE RANTS

The East

ECU should’ve built a larger parking deck. It’s already too small.

The school not going on lockdown during the shooting that occurred on 5th baffles me. If we were any other school, we would have been locked down immediately.

I feel like spring break should be later on in the semester. It just doesn’t really feel like spring to me yet, I wish it was closer to the end of the month of March.

I’ve enjoyed being on break but the weather in North Carolina has been terrible. It’s either cloudy, windy or rainy almost everyday. I would just like some sunny days for once please!

It’s hard to believe how fast the semester has already flown by and summer is just around the corner. This semester seems to be going by even faster than usual.

I’m ready for the warmer weather! Tired of the same cold, dreary weather that we seem to have almost every week.

Just a reminder that the end of the semester is approaching, which means final exams are just around the corner!

Ariana Grande has returned to the music industry - and in the best way possible.

After a few years of break from music, Grande has made her official comeback in music with eternal sunshine, an emotional album which explores the ups and downs Grande has experienced throughout the years.

The album was released on March 9, at midnight. Grande’s last album, Positions, dropped back in 2020. Fans had been eagerly awaiting new music from the pop star while she took a break to focus on filming Wicked, which will be released in theaters later this year.

It’s no secret that Grande has made several headlines in the media and been a hot topic in the pop music industry within the last year, despite her extended break from music.

In eternal sunshine, Grande explores many central themes such as loss, grief and a newfound happiness. The album has taken the world by storm - being discussed all over social media platforms such as Tik Tok, X and most media outlets.

As a long time fan of Ariana Grande, I was highly pleased with the album and it exceeded my expectations. In fact, I have had the album on continuous replay since its initial release.

Grande’s growth in music is very apparent in this album. Although she is well known for her pop music, 2020’s Positions explored a bit of R&B alongside pop.

Eternal sunshine also takes a bit of

On the ancient Roman calendar, the Ides of March marked the middle of the month, and it happened to be the day that Julius Caesar was assassinated in the Roman Senate. William Shakespeare famously immortalized it in “Julius Caesar,” as the soothsayer warns the Roman dictator to “Beware the Ides of March,” foretelling the mortal danger that awaits.

March Madness is upon us, as is the March 11 launch of legalized sports betting in North Carolina, which starts the week of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) men’s basketball tournament.

While many will be watching the ACC

this same approach in that it has a different “sound” compared to her other pop albums such as thank u, next and Sweetener.

Thursday, 3.14.24

This particular song has really resonated with me as I have listened to the album throughout this past weekend.

sports wagering last June, and the State Lottery Commission authorized sportsbooks to begin taking bets March 11.

Sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings couldn’t wait to sink their teeth into North Carolina. These predatory gambling companies have been blanketing the airwaves to entice new customers to sign up for their gambling platforms, even offering free money “credits” as an incentive.

Let’s be clear, these online gambling operations don’t just take bets on the spread or the outcome of a game. They offer intense, fast-paced micro-betting throughout the game to keep gamblers hooked and shelling out the dough.

DraftKings puts it this way, “Win cash

tournament in the hopes of rooting their favorite team to victory, many others, especially young male adults, will be tuning in for an entirely different purpose — to gamble their hard-earned money in the hopes of striking it rich. North Carolinians should heed the spirit of the soothsayer’s advice and, “Beware the Ides of March Madness.”

The N.C. General Assembly approved

prizes on anything from football games to your favorite show. Make picks from a list of options. Which team will score more touchdowns? How many cast members will cry during the reunion special? The more you’re correct, the more points you get. The more points you get, the more likely you are to win a share of the cash prize pool.”

For many, gambling on collegiate and professional sports will be of little

consequence. For a significant number of others, however, sports betting will serve as an entry point into a life plagued by problem and pathological gambling.

Studies over decades consistently show that gambling addiction leads to increases in crime, embezzlement, personal bankruptcy, substance abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, divorce and even suicide. And gambling addiction doesn’t just affect those who are addicted; it also impacts family, friends, employers and others.

In addition to the human toll, this form of predatory gambling will invite corruption into North Carolina’s rich sports heritage. Many recall the points-shaving scandal of the early 1960s involving players from N.C. State and UNC-Chapel Hill, and how this brought an end to the popular Dixie Classic basketball tournament.

As cynical as it may sound, the pressure to throw a game in exchange for a big payout may simply be too much for some players, referees or even coaches to withstand.

Even if this doesn’t happen, the everpresent temptation will inevitably result in heightened scrutiny over missed shots, dropped passes and questionable calls.

Regrettably, the fundamental integrity of the games will be called into question.

According to historical reports of Roman culture, the Ides of March was also notable as a day of settling debts. This Ides of March, sportsbooks are gearing up to plunge many North Carolinians into debt. Simply put, all these predatory gambling enterprises are after your money.

Like Caesar’s trusted friend and ally Brutus, sportsbooks are playing nice and presenting themselves as the sports fan’s greatest friend. But in the end, Shakespeare tells us it was Brutus who delivered the final, fatal blow.

Caesar may have avoided tragedy had he heeded the soothsayer’s advice. In the same way, North Carolinians would do well to avoid the pitfalls of gambling, which may also lead to a tragic end.

Classifieds & Puzzles

HOROSCOPES

Aries

(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.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

— Today is an 8 — Navigate professional projects around a challenge. Don’t push someone who’s not ready. Wait for better conditions to advance. Reinforce basic structures behind the scenes.

HOROSCOPES

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Talk about passions and dreams. Forgive miscommunications. Ignore rumors or gossip. Focus on personal priorities. Determine the plan and put pieces in place. Act strategically.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 6 — Take a refreshing pause. Intuition leads to powerful insight. Recharge while awaiting developments. Don’t make assumptions. Monitor conditions closely. Rest and revise plans.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 7 — Share encouragement and support with friends. Don’t get pushy. Patiently resolve misunderstandings or awkward situations. Keep your bargains and agreements. Find laughter in adversity.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 7 — Find a comfortable spot to pause your journey. Traffic delays or blocked conditions encourage patience and alternative plans. Explore options. Find hidden beauty nearby.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)— Today is a 7 — Slow to reduce stress. Financial misunderstandings could get expensive. Practice extra patience, especially with your partner. Save time and money by avoiding arguments.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 7 — Take it easy with your partner. Avoid sensitivities. Support each other by practicing patience and compassion. Help out with practical logistics. Rest and recharge together.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Prioritize practicalities for your work and health. Slow for complications. Avoid accidents or mistakes. Revise routes, equipment and plans. Wait for better conditions.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — You’re especially clever. Find alternative routes around creative barriers. Work could interfere with play. Resolve romantic challenges in communication. Express your love and appreciation.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Home provides comfort and stability despite changes. Practice patience and humor, especially with family and children. Look for the absurdity and find laughter.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Practice diplomacy, especially with controversial situations. Misunderstandings and lies abound. Patiently provide a calming influence. You may need to repeat yourself. Choose words strategically.

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

COMICS

BREWSTER ROCKIT

BLISS

WHERE’S PEEDEE?

TEC spertZ'

The East Carolinian Sports experts predict this week’s events

Nick Bailey Sports Editor

Tulsa vs. ECU Score Prediction?

Tulsa 71-62

Why?

The Pirates have unfortunately been falling apart to end the season, losing their last 5 games in AAC play. Now they match up against a Tulsa team that is hot coming into the tournament, while having P.J. Haggerty, one of the best freshman’s in the country. I see ECU keeping it close till the last 5 minutes, and then fall apart like they have done repeatedly during the final stretch of this season.

Trevon

McGlone Sports Reporter

Tulsa vs. ECU Score Prediction?

ECU 67-62

Why?

ECU took care of business last time they played Tulsa. They forced 18 Turnovers last time they played. If they Repeat the same formula of forcing turnovers while establishing dominance in the paint like before, I expect another Pirates win.

Diego Lerma Sports Reporter

Tulsa vs. ECU Score Prediction?

ECU 65-60

Why?

The Pirates will be hungry looking for a win after suffering five consecutive losses. Tulsa will be heading into this game overlooking ECU after beating first seeded South Florida. Defensive rebounding and turnovers will play a huge part in the Pirates win.

Kiarra Crayton Editor-in-Chief

Tulsa vs. ECU Score Prediction?

ECU 70 - 67

Why? I’m hopeful the Pirates can come out on top as they did in the teams meeting during the regular season. Tulsa averages nearly six points per game more than ECU but I think the teams frustration from the recent losses will fuel and push them to the win.

ECU battle Wichita in softball homestand

East Carolina University’s women’s softball team (21-5, 0-3 American Athletic Conference) will look to get back to their winning ways when they take on Wichita State University (10-8, 1-2 AAC) in a three-game home series at the Max R. Joyner Family Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina from Friday through Sunday.

The Pirates are coming off a three-game series against North Texas University (12-11, 3-0 AAC) where ECU lost every game. The Pirates were outscored by North Texas 4-14 in the three games they played. The offense got stagnant for ECU, getting shut out in two games and finally batting above .150 in the last game.

ECU’s pitching core had a combined earned runs allowed (ERA) of over 5.44, the worst amount in a series this season. ECU pitchers junior Jordan Hatch and freshman Taylor

Apple gave up a combined 12 runs. Wichita State averages a little over 5.7 runs per game.

But statistically, the Pirates pitching still stands firm, allowing a combined .150 ERA on the season. The batting found a little bit of life after being shut out twice, scoring four runs against North Texas in the third game before ultimately losing this game. On the season, ECU have

A batting average of .348, the 11th best batting average in collegiate softball.

Wichita State has a batting average of .283, which ranks them No. 103. One player to note is Wichita State senior outfielder Addison Barnard. Benard ranks top three in batting average, runs, hits and runs batted in (RBI) while leading Wichita in home runs and slugging percentage.

The pitching core for Wichita State is statistically below average, as they have a combined ERA of 5.34, which is ranked No. 246. In 120 innings, Wichita pitchers have given up 139 hits.

Every starter has an individual ERA above four or higher.

Apple still hasn’t lost a start yet this season, holding a 6-0 record. She also leads ECU

pitchers in strikeouts with 57. Hatch is in second with 36.

ECU sophomore outfielder Emma Jackson leads the Pirates in hits, slugging percentage (83 percent). Total bases and batting average. Jackson is second in home runs and RBI’s, sitting behind only ECU graduate student utility player Morgan Johnson. Johnson has seven home runs and 32 RBI’s.

Following this series against Wichita State, ECU will go against the University of Charlotte (12-9, 2-1 AAC) in another three-game home series back in the Max R. Joyner Family Stadium in Greenville, N.C. from March 22 thorugh March 24.

Cam Newton addressed the fight he was involved in that set social media ablaze for the first time on Friday morning, saying in part that he “could play the victim, but I’m not going to do that.”

On his YouTube show, 4th and 1, Newton took ownership for his role in the scuffle that occurred at a youth football 7-on-7 event last weekend in Atlanta and was viewed millions of times across multiple platforms.

“It’s just not called for,” the former Carolina Panther quarterback and NFL MVP said on the show, a trademarked cigar in hand.

He added, “I could easily play the victim. And I’m not going to do that. I’m going to hold myself to that same standard, to say, ‘Look, everywhere that I go, people talk.’ People say, ‘Yo, why didn’t you jump on the fumble?’ People say, ‘Yo, Von Miller your daddy.’ Or, ‘Yo, Mac Jones took your job.’ Or ‘Hey yo, Brock Purdy is better than you. You’re a free agent.’ That’s normal.”

Newton went on to say that he’s used to playing in sold-out NFL stadiums, with millions more watching across the country, “and I let one person dictate how I feel? No, I can’t do that. But I did that day.”

The quarterback, who was likened to Superman in Carolina for his remarkable athleticism and larger-than-life personality, was at the event because he is the founder of C1N, a sports organization that took part in the tournament. It’s still unclear who initiated the physical altercation, but the viral video shows Newton slinging another person by his backpack to the ground before the fight was broken up.

The Atlanta Police Department released a statement Tuesday saying that “neither Mr. Newton (nor) any of the other involved persons who remained on scene indicated that they required medical attention or wished to pursue criminal charges.”

Police also said that officers completed an information-only incident report and that “it is unknown how or why the scuffle occurred.”

On his show, Newton continued to say that while the fight drew some fodder — among them that his Meshika hat stayed on the entire time — he said it was an important opportunity to spread a message to the young kids who look up to him.

“Don’t be like me, be better than me,” Newton said. “I could easily try to advise a kid, ‘Hey bro, no, don’t do that.’ ... But until you’re in that position, and somebody’s talking s--- to you, it’s hard, it’s tough. But heavy is the crown. To much is given, much is required.”

Newton apologized.

“There’s no excuse,” Newton said. “It could’ve been a melee. More violence could’ve stemmed from that.”

©2024

Trevon McGlone TEC STAFF

MBB faces Tulsa in its first match of the AAC tournament

The East Carolina men’s basketball team (14-17, 7-11 American Athletic Conference) is the No. 8 seed and faces No. 9 seed University of Tulsa (16-14, 7-11 AAC) on Thursday, at Fort Worth, Texas, at Dickies Arena.

ECU and Tulsa men’s basketball have a long history of playing against each other, dating back to 2006. The Pirates have been undefeated in all their matchups against the Hurricanes since Jan. 8, 2022.

Their most recent match was earlier this year, on Jan. 7, with the Pirates winning 62-57. The game started like many games this season, with the Pirates down in the first half, but they would pull through to win.

The Pirates are riding a five-game losing streak going into the AAC tournament. These losses have come against Rice University (11-20, 5-13 AAC) on Feb. 24, the University of Memphis (22-9, 11-7 AAC) on Feb. 29, the University of North Texas (17-13, 10-8) on March 3, Southern Methodist University (20-11, 11-7 AAC) on March 6, and University of North Carolina at Charlotte (19-11, 13-5 AAC) on March 9.

The Pirates’ last home game of the season was against

Charlotte, which the 49ers won 82-72. The first half was competitive, with the Pirates having a lead of 25-17 with six minutes remaining in the first. The 49ers would make a run closing out the half 35-31.

The second half would mirror the first, with the Pirates having moments at one point leading 52-46, seven minutes into the game. Again Charlotte would rally, winning the game with the remaining minutes.

During the post-game press conference, Head Coach Mike Schwartz expressed his disappointment in the game.

“Disappointed that we couldn’t hold on to the momentum that we picked back up in the second half,” Schwartz said. “Everybody in the country resets right now and gets ready to go and try and play for the same thing: the opportunity to go play in the big boy tournament.”

Tulsa is riding a two-game win streak heading into the matchup against the Pirates. Those wins came against Temple University (12-19, 5-13 AAC) on March 2 and the University of South Florida (23-6, 16-2 AAC) on March 9.

In their last game, Tulsa beat the top-seeded South Florida 76-70 at home in the Reynolds Center. The game was close, with South Florida leading heading into the second, 37-31.

They maintained the lead 10 minutes into the second until the Hurricanes tied the score. The game was back-and-forth until Tulsa pulled the victory with free throws in the closing minutes.

The first round of the AAC tournament starts on March 13 at 1 p.m., with the first game being between Rice and Wichita. The second game will take place at 3 p.m. against UTSA and Temple.

The Pirates’ first game will be in the second round, which starts at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday and can be viewed on ESPNU live from Texas.

Potential NFL mock draft with top five draft projections

Eddie Brown THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE | TNS

The year’s NFL scouting combine didn’t disappoint.

A very talented group of wide receivers and offensive linemen stole the show, led by Texas’ Xavier Worthy, who broke the combine’s 40-yard-dash record when he ran it in 4.21 seconds.

I’ve heard this draft class described as “top-heavy.” Maybe there’s fewer top-tier prospects spread across all the positions than what we’re use to, but I happen to believe there’s a lot of quality depth.

There will be starter-caliber prospects available on Day 3, especially at receiver, on the O-line and at cornerback.

This is an attempt at figuring out the best players available in this season’s draft class, and which teams they’d match up well with considering the current draft order courtesy of NFL.com. The closer we get to draft day, the more I’ll attempt to match what teams will actually do with their draft picks as opposed to what I believe they should do.

Last season, I was the third-most accurate NFL draft prognosticator in print, according to The Huddle Report. I’m tied for first overall (out of 172) over the past five years.

The draft has become the Super Bowl of the NFL’s second season — the NFL doesn’t have an offseason — and a mock version of said draft is meant to educate, perhaps even entertain. At very least, it helps you pass the time.

First round

1. Chicago from Carolina (2-15) — Caleb Williams, QB, USC, Jr.

It’s very likely the Bears trade Justin Fields before free agency begins next week. General manager Ryan Poles alluded to as much in interviews while he was in Indianapolis. Williams is special off-platform and will likely become Trojans coach Lincoln Riley’s third quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy and go first overall, joining Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield. Williams is fearless and will force the issue for the sake of making a big play, but he balances the mistakes with magic few other signal-callers can conjure. Top needs: WR, Edge, OL

2. Washington (4-13) — Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina, So. Will the Commanders’ new GM Adam Peters go all-in and

swap picks with the Bears to land Williams, a D.C. native? Or will Peters stay here and decide between the other two bona fide first-round QBs in this draft class: Maye or Jayden Daniels? Both would be a good fit in new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s Air Raid-type system. Maye’s prototypical size (6-4, 223), elite arm talent and ability as a runner are the combination of tools teams normally invest a top-five pick in. He only did interviews and physicals with teams in Indianapolis, but he absolutely aced the interviews. Top needs: Edge, QB, DB

3. New England (4-13) — Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU, Sr.

Eliot Wolf, the top executive in charge of personnel, now has control of the 53-man roster and will reportedly be working closely with new head coach Jerod Mayo. Addressing the quarterback position this offseason, whether in free agency or the draft, has to be the top priority. Daniels’ skill set and stature is very reminiscent of three-time All-Pro QB Randall Cunningham. Top needs: QB, T, WR 4. Arizona (4-13) — Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State, Jr. Harrison to the Cardinals here is starting to feel inevitable. If you were to “Weird Science” a wide receiver, the computer would almost certainly produce the No. 1 player on my Big Board. The consensus All-American is a route tactician who features prototypical size (6-foot-4, 205 pounds), strong hands and athleticism with Hall of Fame NFL lineage (he’s the son of Colts legend Marvin Harrison). Top needs: WR, CB, G 5. L.A. Chargers (5-12) — Joe Alt, T, Notre Dame, Jr.

For me, this pick comes down to a pass catcher or pass protector. Either way, new head coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz will have franchise QB Justin Herbert’s best interests in mind. Alt cemented his elite status at the combine in Indy. The massive Irish tackle (6-8, 321) only allowed a single sack in 774 pass-block snaps the last two years and he’s a true finisher in the run game. Top needs: CB, RB, DL

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BASEBALL continued from A1

Junior right-handed pitcher Trey Yesavage (3-0) has continued his dominant start to the season, with 39 strikeouts in 24 innings across four starts. His 1.13 ERA is the best in the conference, as is his .122 opposing batting average. Yesavage has held opponents to three runs in his 24 innings this far in the season, and he sits top ten in the country in strikeouts and hits allowed per game.

Junior right-handed pitcher Wyatt Lunsford-Shenkman has proven himself to be one of the best relievers in the conference, ranking No. 4 in the country in strikeouts per nine and second in the conference in ERA. He’s made eight appearances this season, which is tied for the team lead. He’s struck out 32 batters in 15.2 innings, sitting with a 1.15 ERA.

As good as the Pirates pitching has been, the offense has held its own as well. Senior first baseman Carter Cunningham has been the best offensive player for the Pirates this year, leading the team in hits, home runs, RBI, batting average, OPS and total bases. His .486 average also leads the conference, and he ranks seventh in the country in hits per game.

Junior outfielder Jacob Jenkins-Cowart has had a hot start of his own, batting .406 with six doubles and four home runs. ECU junior Ryley Johnson has also had a good start to the season, batting .286 with seven stolen bases.

Columbia’s offense is led by senior infielder Jack Cooper, who made national headlines recently for his performance in the Lions’ series sweep against Marist.

In that series, Cooper batted .750 with four home runs. He scored seven runs and tallied 15 RBIs. In that week, Cooper led the nation in RBIs and was ranked No. 2 for batting average and slugging percentage. He was named Player of the Week from the NCAA, the Ivy League, D1Baseball and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

On the season, Cooper leads the team with a .486 batting average, with five home runs. Senior designated hitter Cole Hage is also a strong bat, hitting .308 with four homers. The Lions’ pitching is highlighted by junior righty Andy Leon, who leads the team with a 1.80 ERA with 10 innings pitched over two starts.

After this series, the Pirates will head up to Elon University (7-8, 0-0 Coastal Athletic Association) to take on the Phoenixes. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. from Latham Park. Following that matchup, the Pirates continue their road stretch as they head to University of Texas at San Antonio (8-8, 0-0 AAC) the following weekend to begin conference play. Statistics and information mentioned are accurate as of 10:30 p.m. on March 12.

STACY REVERE

TNS

receiver Xavier Worthy of Texas during the 40-yard dash.

Ashleigh Cash TEC STAFF