TECHNICIAN A P RIL 22, 2021
VOL . 101 | NO. 17
Contents
2 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021
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IN THIS ISSUE: page
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Students discuss applying for internships one year into the coronavirus pandemic
WHAT YOU MISSED:
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A quick look at the headlines in and outside of NC State
Deanna Dannels appointed dean of College of Humanities and Social Sciences Deanna Dannels, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences’s associate dean of academic affairs and professor in the Department of Communication, will be the next dean of the college starting July 1. She will be replacing Jeff Braden, who will return to the Department of Psychology.
NEWS
Virtual screenings should stay the norm after the pandemic ends
SOURCE: TECHNICIAN
Black man killed in Elizabeth City by North Carolina deputies Andrew Brown Jr., identified by Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten, was shot and killed early Wednesday morning by sheriff’s deputies carrying out a search warrant. That night, nearly 200 people gathered in the streets of Elizabeth City to call for justice.
OPINION
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Greater Good Textile Group helps promote sustainability and ethics in textile industry
Derek Chauvin found guilty on all counts in the killing of George Floyd Following the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, ex-police officer Derek Chauvin has been convicted of Floyd’s murder on all three counts. Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Sentencing will begin in eight weeks, and Chauvin will be facing at least 12.5 years but could potentially be serving up to 40 years.
SOURCE: CNN
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Six Premier League teams have withdrawn from the European Super League
The legacy of Wanda Billingslea Farrell, one of NC State’s first Black cheerleaders
Following the creation of the European Super League, a new competition league created by 12 of Europe’s soccer clubs, six have withdrawn. The announcement of the ESL rocked the European soccer scene and upset many fans. The Union of European Football Associations stated that any players playing in a closed league will not be permitted to play in UEFA’s tournaments like the World Cup. Many teams’ withdrawal stems from the upset response of their fans.
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Technician (USPS 455-050) is the largest student newspaper of NC State University and is published every Thursday throughout the academic year from August through May except during holidays and examination periods. Opinions expressed in the columns, cartoons, photo illustrations and letters that appear on the Technician’s pages are the views of the individual writers and cartoonists. As a public forum for student expression, the students determine the content of the publication without prior review. To receive permission for reproduction, please write the editor. Subscription cost is $100 per year. A single copy is free to all students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus. Additional copies are $0.25 each. Printed by Triangle Web Printing, Durham, NC, Copyright 2011 by North Carolina State Student Media. All rights reserved.
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TECHNICIAN 3 Students discuss applying for internships one year into the coronavirus pandemic TECHNICIANONLINE.COM
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021
Caryl Espinoza Jaen Opinion Editor
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many internships across the nation have been postponed or canceled for applicants looking for job experience. With a year of social distancing and virtual operations now having gone by, internship opportunities have once again begun to reopen and NC State students have started to apply. Rachel Nichols, a second-year studying biological sciences, said obtaining an internship doing undergraduate research on campus has been harder to land because of the pandemic. “Since I want to ideally work in a lab, there haven’t been many available positions because a lot of labs have been shut down because of COVID-19,” Nichols said. “They’re starting to open up now, but the availability of positions has been a lot less.” According to Nichols, many science, technolog y, engineering and mathematics majors at NC State have a requirement to participate in undergraduate research before graduation. Nichols said many students also find undergraduate research internships useful to obtain experience working with lab equipment and professors. According to Nichols, another challenge she faced this year was reaching out to professors open to undergraduate research internships. “I think one of my biggest hurdles for me with contacting professors was, like, getting over any social anxiety,” Nichols said. “But the worst that can happen is they say no and realizing that kind of pushed me to do it even more, and I think it’s important to take opportunities like that.” Caroline Laughlin, a second-year studying horticultural sciences and sustainable materials and technologies, said she received help from her adviser in applying for a summer internship after many of the application deadlines had closed. “I asked her back in March if there were any internships available I could apply to because I was kind of late since February is the hot spot time to apply,” Laughlin said. “She was like ‘Hey, there’s this new Ph.D. student who came in, and he’s looking for people to assist him with that,’ so I applied and luckily I got it.” While many students found their internships canceled last year due to COVID-19 lockdowns and limitations, Laughlin said this year a lot more op-
GRAPHIC BY JOE LINGO/TECHNICIAN
portunities have been made available to students. According to Laughlin, the department of horticulture also has an internship listing database for students to find open job opportunities in North Carolina, which helped her obtain her summer internship this year. Laughlin said this is her first internship after various internships canceled on her last year because of the pandemic. “I think it definitely also inhibits depending on what you’re doing,” Laughlin said. “Luckily I’m just working with plants in a lab and not in a field with a lot of people, so I wouldn’t be able to do any sustainable materials internships because they have to work with a lot of people in close proximity most of the time.” Coleman Simpson, a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in public administration and agricultural and extension education, said many internships last year were canceled due to employers’ inexperience with online and remote work. “It wasn’t clear as people were trying to figure that out last summer,” Simp-
son said. “I ended up applying for two congressional ones, and they didn’t really go anywhere, so I just kind of settled on not pursuing anything and just worked full time last summer.” Simpson said this year he applied for a leadership development internship in Student Leadership and Engagement. According to Simpson, the application process was “very communicative and really engaging,” something he said was part of internship applications this year being more accustomed to virtual operations. Simpson said internships still face various accessibility challenges that make them imperfect for students. “I think they’re important for getting experience and getting help, but I think there’s a lot of barriers to them,” Simpson said. “I don’t personally see them as the personal be-all of someone’s credibility and expertise, but I think they’re helpful.” Em ma T horssel l, a second-yea r studying electrical engineering, said internships this year were a lot more open to alternative forms of work than during the beginning of the COVID-19
pandemic. “A lot of the internships I applied to sent me emails saying that their internship programs were no longer happening,” Thorssell said. “I think that a lot more places are trying harder to make it happen this year, including remote internships or having more f lexible work schedules so that people can come in when they can and also stay home.” According to Thorssell, electrical engineering majors find internships crucial for career development, as it gives students insight into the variety of jobs available for them. This year, Thorssell said she applied for approximately 20 internships in the Raleigh area around campus, having recently been interviewed a few times while she awaits results from internship employers. “A lot of employers look for work experience when they’re interviewing you for full-time jobs after graduation,” Thorssell said. “Especially with a major that’s really broad like electrical engineering, you want to figure out what you want to do before graduation, and internships also help you do that.”
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Introducing Britanya Wright, the speaker for the
first spring 2021 commencement ceremony Logan Bolduc Correspondent
Britanya Wright, a fourth-year studying electrical engineering, will represent the class of 2021 as the commencement student speaker at one of two ceremonies to be held at Carter-Finley Stadium. Wright will address her fellow graduates during the Friday, May 14 ceremony — the first in-person graduation event NC State has held in over a year. During her time at NC State, Wright has been heavily involved with the Goodnight Scholars Program and has made a significant impression around campus. After graduating, she plans to pursue her master’s in electrical engineering at NC State. Wright spoke about how she applied and was accepted to become this year’s commencement speaker. “At first, I was really hesitant to do it, but I went through with writing the speech, and as I was writing, it kind of flowed very well,” Wright said.“I was really, really nervous… then I got the call that I got the opportunity to do it.” When it comes to this past year, Wright said it was very difficult to adapt for many, including graduates. Having to adjust to online classes was particularly difficult, but she said she tried to make the most of it. “For me, the biggest thing that I had to adapt to was just online classes in general,” Wright said. “I never... ever did well with online classes at all, so to have to be forced to take them was just a huge adjustment for me, and I think a lot of what I had to do was manage my time.” Wright, who transferred from Johnston Community College to NC State in 2018, said being a transfer student helped her, since those different experiences have prepared her for her
role of commencement speaker. “As a transfer student specifically, I think the experience that I had before coming to NC State, having to experience a community college setting and then moving in was very different from the majority of students,” Wright said. “For me being a transfer student, I have a new perspective on things, I have been exposed to a lot more things, and I am able to encourage in a different way than a first-year student would be able to encourage coming in.” According to Wright, the contents of her speech center around the definition of success. “You create your own definition of success… your success does not have to match someone else’s success,” Wright said. “So however you define success — do it well, do it to make you happy, do it to fulfill your idea of success.” Wright said her curiosity and desire to help others have helped propel her toward the field of electrical engineering, and eventually, she wants to take her knowledge and talent to the medical field to help those who need it most. She said she originally wanted to contribute to the medical field but avoid the more grotesque aspects. She eventually came to a realization. “I thought ‘How else can I contribute?’ and that’s with developing the actual machinery, the actual medical devices that are used for implantation or surgery,” Wright said. “All of that stuff just seemed so interesting to me.” Wright said she is hopeful for the future. After graduation, she plans to pursue her graduate degree with a focus on robotics, mechatronics and controls. “After graduating my master’s degree, my hope is to someday work at a company that creates medical devices or prosthetics,” Wright said. Overall, Wright said she had a few main
CONTRIBUTED BY BRITANYA WRIGHT
takeaways from her time at NC State. “College is a time for you to learn a lot, but it is also a time that you should take advantage of in terms of exploring new things,” Wright
said. “Don’t overload yourself, but try new things… take advantage of those four years or three years you are at NC State, or at any college.”
Student talent shines in NC State partnerships Heidi Reid Staff Writer
NC State forms partnerships with corporations, nonprofits and government partners to create job opportunities for faculty and students, and to enhance classroom and laboratory experiences. In return, companies gain access to student and faculty talent. Leah Burton, the director of the office of partnerships, said the main goal behind creating industry partnerships is to offer students direct experience with companies. “We are looking to offer an experiential opportunity for our students where they are able to intern with a company, do research with a company or do hackathons,” Burton said. “There are different sorts of ways that we create those partnerships, but all in the idea of delivering something for our faculty
and students that they wouldn’t be able to get otherwise.” According to Mark Schmidt, the associate vice chancellor for partnerships, many companies want to partner with NC State to have access to the talent of faculty and students. “Our ability to connect those companies with the entity and talent on campus is really the hallmark for the foundation of these partnerships,” Schmidt said. “We like to think of those partnerships as a two-way street, where there is value delivered on both sides; the company benefits from that, but we want to make sure that the faculty and students do as well.” Centennial Campus serves as the co-location of 74 companies and government entities partnered with NC State, according to Burton. “We are always striving to have that connectivity,” Burton said. “Some companies we
create partnerships with are not located on Centennial Campus for a variety of reasons, but we are still interested in working with them.” Companies such as Lexisnexis, Bandwidth and Eastman Chemical have a large presence on Centennial Campus, opening up opportunities for student and faculty research and potential careers for students after graduation. According to Burton, student contribution to product development greatly benefits NC State partners. “Our students should keep in mind that the way that they are working with companies is absolutely contributing to product development within the company,” Burton said. “The days of internships where students are making coffee isn’t the case anymore. They are looking for that perspective that they don’t
already have within their company, and that is contributing to product development ideas.” Although there is a lot of enthusiasm for partnerships, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, NC State approaches partnerships with an interdisciplinary approach to ensure opportunities across many colleges. “Part of our commitment in the office is to make sure we are identifying partnerships for all parts of the University, not just the colleges that perhaps have the most immediate opportunity, like engineering,” Schmidt said. “There is certainly a lot of energy there for partnerships, but we see opportunity for all the different colleges.” STEM disciplines are a very prominent portion of the research opportunities partnerships provide, according to Burton, but
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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021
Get to know Talya Ozbelli, the speaker for the second spring 2021 commencement ceremony Cassie Englund News Editor
Talya Ozbelli, a fourth-year studying communications with a concentration in media and a minor in journalism, will serve as the speaker at the second commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 15 at 9 a.m. In order to promote safety as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, NC State will host two separate ceremonies for graduating students. To become one of the commencement speakers, Ozbelli completed an application, wrote a speech and recorded herself giving the speech to submit for consideration. Ozbelli said her speech centered around the community at NC State and how it has grown stronger since the pandemic hit. Ozbelli has never publicly given a speech she wrote herself, but she believes her experiences both as a Young Life counselor and a university ambassador, along with her knowledge from public speaking classes, will help her as commencement speaker. “At NC State, I took a couple of public speaking courses, and I feel like those have prepared me to deliver a speech well, and I definitely remember some of the key elements, so hopefully that will help,” Ozbelli said. Ozbelli is from Concord, North Carolina and said she knew she wanted to stay in state during her college application process, but it was not until she toured NC State’s campus that she decided to attend. “I saw, first of all, how diverse campus was in terms of how many things to get involved in, as well as people from different cultures and ethnicities,” Ozbelli said. During the tour, Ozbelli, who is Turk-
ish, said she knew she would feel welcome and included in the NC State community. Additionally, she said the noncompetitive nature of NC State helped her feel comfortable when first visiting campus. “I really wasn’t considering NC State until I actually toured, and I was like ‘I can really see myself here’...it’s always a very collaborative environment, and I’ve had the best experience with my professors and my classmates and just being involved on campus as well,” Ozbelli said. In addition to her involvement in Young Life and university ambassadors, Ozbelli worked at Technician. She also interned at undergraduate admissions, which she said
these opportunities are open to students in all majors. “The psychology department has done some pretty impressive user experience projects with our companies,” Burton said. “Within the communication department, there is communication rhetoric and digital media. These are just a couple of programs that come to my mind right away, but our students shouldn’t think about the opportunities with these companies being restricted to STEM disciplines.” NC State will approach companies about a partnership when they recognize that their activity intersects, but more often companies will approach NC State asking for a partnership due to the university’s established reputation. “Our students are extremely desirable for companies, so we have an awful lot of companies coming to us,” Burton said. “We look at it both ways, and ultimately, we are evaluating what it is that the company is interested in and whether we have the best expertise or the best mechanism with which to engage with them.”
According to Schmidt, having an established reputation is beneficial to the University. Since many universities offer partnerships, companies will form a partnership with the one they believe will benefit them the most. “NC State has unique value for the company, and one thing that we’ve learned with a lot of companies is that it’s a buyers market,” Schmidt said. “They can go to a lot of different places to have access to faculty and student talent to do research, but NC State differentiates in a lot of ways.” Schmidt said NC State is a unique partner due to the capabilities of the students and the location of campus. “We are fortunate to be where we are, both with the capabilities of the University and also to be in the RTP area where there is a lot of business activity wanting to partner with universities,” Schmidt said. “Our ability to work with those companies and understand what their needs are and tailor the relationships to that differentiates NC State and also delivers value uniquely.”
CONTRIBUTED BY TALYA OZBELLI
helped her develop “soft skills” and “have an empathy factor.” “Also, my social skills have been really impacted in a positive way because, obviously, I have to converse with people, especially if I’m in a leadership position,” Ozbelli said. “It’s given me a very holistic experience.” Ozbelli said she is excited about the prospect of being a commencement speaker. “I’m really honored that they picked me out of I don’t know how many people auditioned, but they gave me a chance and thought my speech was great,” Ozbelli said. “I still can’t wrap my head around it. It’s kind of surreal that I’m doing this and
I’m addressing the class, but I can’t wait.” In her speech, Ozbelli said she will highlight what makes the class of 2021 unique. “I just feel like our class is super resilient because we are graduating in a pandemic, the job market is kind of struggling right now and we’re up against a lot of experienced people applying for entry-level jobs because COVID made them jobless,” Ozbelli said. “So I think we have a lot of grit and strength, and that really shined through this year.” Editor’s Note: Ozbelli is a correspondent at Technician.
CONTRIBUTED BY HEIDI REID
Opinion
6 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021
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Virtual screenings should stay the norm after the pandemic ends
Some things might need to become a new norm after COVID-19. Beyond the big lessons we learned over the past year, there are also smaller things I definitely hope remain a thing after Mariana the pandemic subsides. One Fabian Staff Columnist of those things happens to be virtual screenings and broadcasts for students. I’m not the only person who’s been able to engage in the vast majority of virtual opportunities that have been presented during the pandemic. About a month ago, the University Activities Board sponsored an event where Antoni Porowski, one of the leads from Netflix’s “Queer Eye,” did a cooking demonstration. The event was completely free, and individuals could even win free stickers or aprons.
I’ve also seen videos of students in virtual classes where their teacher surprised them with a famous celebrity entering the Zoom, such as Joe Gatto from “Impractical Jokers.” In fact, during my Introduction to Film course last semester, my professor actually surprised us by getting Byron Hurt, director of “Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes,” to talk with us about his documentary. The NC State Student Film Society also granted me one of these amazing opportunities, as those in the film club were able to screen “Bad Trip” before it came out. At this screening, viewers got to meet Eric Andre and Michaela Conlin, who both starred in this film. We also got to see behind-thescenes footage which didn’t make it to the film, which was hilarious. I was lucky to be able to attend such a fun event and probably wouldn’t have been able in pre-pandemic
times. A couple of weeks ago, while scrolling through TikTok, I saw an ad for a virtual event for a show I had recently watched. The creators of “The Wilds” were talking about season two and answering fan questions. It was a free event, and anyone could attend through registration. Any in-person screenings for big-name films or television shows are usually done in large cities like New York City or Los Angeles. This is due to the outreach it has in this city and the fact that many celebrities tend to live near large urban centers. However, people who don’t live in these cities can never engage in the films or meet these famous people, since they can’t travel any time there’s a screening. This is why virtual screenings must continue to be popular. They provide accessibility unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Most of
Lemon Squeeze
Kiara Bush, a second-year studying design studies and statistics
the screenings are either free or have a small fee to attend. There’s also no need to travel anywhere as these meetings are generally available to anyone who has a computer. It’s easier for celebrities to be available for these events as well, since it’s simply opening an app on their laptop. I want NC State to continue providing fun virtual activities for our students. It is not only easier to attend a virtual event, but it allows students the freedom to attend something without having to go anywhere. These events being free or low-cost could also help college students, as we are generally notorious for liking free stuff. Besides the number of opportunities this could provide for students, being able to meet famous people is always a plus. I, for one, am thankful for this new practice and hope I can attend many more virtual screenings and events in the future.
TECHNICIAN 7
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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021
The hustle mentality is not sustainable forever
The first time I can recall hearing the word “hustle” in any capacity was likely in middle or high school when a teacher was urging her students to hurry up and get to class, and the term sounded Kristina vaguely out of date. I again Beek recall hearing the word Staff Columnist “hustler” in Beyoncé’s song “Diva” in which she sings “Na-na-na, diva is a female version of a hustla,” indicating a subtle hint at gender bias and how we perceive hardworking women and men differently. Merriam-Webster defines the term hustle as a “readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity” or “to devote serious and sustained effort.” We can gather that this means a person who is hustling is someone who is working hard and putting in the required amount of work, if not more, to achieve a specific goal. Within the last few years, the term hustle has risen to new heights with the help of millenials and Gen Z in particular. Hustling is not something you do to rush to class or to
finish an assignment, but rather a state of mind. It has inspired a younger generation to put in the work and set out to achieve their dreams, whether it be finishing a degree, getting a job, starting their business or generally making more money. This is where terms like “side hustle” deviate from the original form, instead referring to an additional form of income through small jobs and opportunities in addition to whatever it is one does full time. There are mixed feelings and opinions that surround hustle culture, many of which I agree with. Yes, I do find it has been encouraging people around my age to work hard, but I also feel as though it breeds competitiveness and heightens a performative aspect of being obsessed with work. It’s one thing to hustle, which is a conversation in and of itself, but it’s another thing to be a part of hustle culture. In my opinion, it’s something that defines not just a generation but individuals and their lives. You wake up at 5:30 a.m., work out, do your journaling, write 10 pages of your novel, make breakfast, drink your coffee or green juice, get dressed, work
your 9-to-5 job, come home and work on your side business and then go to sleep. Every person who is hustling has some routine that is a variation of this, and it’s likely more intense than the one described above. The issue is it isn’t just one day, but everyday. While routine can oftentimes be the foundation for creativity and success, hustle culture is different in that the routine itself is defined by grit and struggle. We believe it’s supposed to be hard. You’re supposed to be exhausted. Everyday is supposed to be defined by “the grind.” In the midst of all of this, I find it’s important to ask how much of the hustle is genuine and how much is performative. Though I am sure there are people who enjoy the hustle and find the value in it in their everyday lives, I think Gen Z in particular is becoming heavily influenced by this mentality in a negative manner. Hustling is not synonymous with living a life defined by work and constant toil, but it can quickly spiral into that mindset if you don’t take care of yourself and set boundaries. This feels hypocritical coming from myself, who
has tried and failed to heed my own advice, but perhaps because of this, I know how important it is. Yes, you can work hard, and you can even do it every day of your life if that’s truly the lifestyle you want to live. I hope you eventually find the results you’re in search of or achieve the success you deserve. I also think younger people, especially those graduating college and entering the workforce, who will inevitably feel obligated to hustle, should remember they’re allowed to pause and take a breath. You can stop and enjoy your life. Graduation at NC State is in one month. I’ll be trying to write final papers and wrap up on finals before then. I’m also bearing the pressing burden of trying to secure a job, in a pandemic, that I’ll truly enjoy. Every now and then, I will convince myself that I’m defined by these successes and failures. Through all of this, I have to remind myself that these times in our lives are not forever. We get a pass to pause and enjoy these moments because it won’t last. You don’t have to hustle through it. You just have to be in the here and now and enjoy it.
Stop degrading non-STEM majors
As college students, we all have to choose our major eventually. This can be a rather difficult decision for many, especially if you don’t want to go into a STEM-related field. This is primarily Emily due to the fact that science, Cooney Staff Columnist technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors are often viewed as superior for an abundance of reasons that tend to focus on discrediting all other majors. Many have heard the tired old argument that non-STEM careers are “never going to find a high-paying job” or “don’t work nearly as hard.” As a communication media and Spanish double major, I’ve heard countless remarks similar to this throughout my college career. Some people have commented on the fact
that choosing two humanities and social science majors is not the smartest decision considering the job market does not prioritize these. Others have said statements such as “Oh well, you’re bound to find something,” or “That’s good; it must be easy,” which may be intended as a nice comment but in reality feels backhanded. Unfortunately, this is the reality for many non-STEM majors, and while these comments have come from random people, advisors and even professors I have met in passing that do not hold a true importance in my life, the remarks can be hurtful and make anyone feel inferior for not choosing a STEM major. The idea that non-STEM majors are inferior has persisted for long enough and the claims that they are less capable, less intelligent or less likely to get a job after graduation are simply false. The truth is the possibilities are
limitless for all college graduates in today’s job market, especially considering many nonSTEM majors provide a broad education that can lead to many different careers. Personally, my decision to double major in communication media and Spanish was easy because I’ve wanted to become an international journalist for a long time now, and believe the options are endless if I decide to change my career path later on. The fact is that I am passionate about both subjects and am earning a degree in them with specific career goals in mind. This is true for college students of all majors. We all came to our decision of what to study in college with a purpose, which in itself validates us all as equals to one another as we are all earning our undergraduate degrees. The world needs both STEM and non-
STEM majors. We certainly need STEM majors to build upon our knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math. But we also need reporters, authors, artists, teachers, filmmakers — the list goes on — and we must realize both industries have value in their own way. We’ve become too caught up in who’s better and need to realize every student should be able to feel proud of their major as it’s likely important to them. There’s no reason to discredit anyone’s major choice as the fact is it’s their choice, not anyone else’s. We all are working hard toward our degrees and have the right to choose something we are passionate about, which is incredible. So the next time someone asks the possibly most asked question in college, “What’s your major?” answer with pride and confidence, as you should.
Arts & Culture 10 TECHNICIAN Greater Good Textile Group helps promote sustainability and ethics in textile industry THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021
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Myra Bari Staff Writer
Advocating for the betterment of the textile industry, the Greater Good Textile Group is intent on making a difference. According to club President Coby Hart, the club was founded six years ago out of the Wilson College of Textiles, a home for students wanting to discuss ethics in the textile apparel industry, from both local and global perspectives. Created initially to address the ethical treatment of garment workers, the club has shifted towards discussing more general responsibilities within the textile industry. “It’s kind of evolved into overall sustainability,” Hart said. “For businesses, that’s focusing on social and environmental concerns, in addition to profits. Our club looks at the sustainability of textile processes, the ethical treatment of garment workers within the textile industry and then textiles-specific service opportunities within our immediate community.” Prior to COVID-19, the Greater Good Tex-
COURTESY OF COBY HART
tile Group held numerous events each year, from local fundraisers to opportunities for students to network with professionals in the textile industry. In the past, the group’s most popular event
most e h t e Mak of your
! h c e T e t Wak
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has been a clothing swap, held each semester through a partnership with Zero Waste Wolves. “We’re trying to create this idea of community and also avoid textile waste by swap-
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ping clothing with other people in the community,” Hart said. “Creating this kind of trade-in clothing swap reflects how we want to see the rest of the textile industry and our goals in the future.” In addition to clothing swaps, students in the Greater Good Textile Group can anticipate a sustainable business forum centered around ethics and sustainability in the supply chain. While put on pause this year, the event is usually held in downtown Raleigh as a public event. “It’s a more professional event — like a professional panel — and we just let these people talk about their journeys in this industry and what they think is important for achieving sustainability and stuff like that,” Hart said. The club also participates in Fashion Revolution Week, a global movement that started from the outrage surrounding the collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh. During the week-long event, members of the Greater Good Textile Group can be
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TECHNICIAN 11 Arts & Culture Triangle bubble tea restaurants: which are worth it? TECHNICIANONLINE.COM
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021
Sam Overton
wide assortment of fan-favorites printed so aesthetically on the inside wall. Rating: 9/10 Although bubble tea is enjoyable during any season, there’s something about sipping on a Bumble Tea: 3221 Avent Ferry Road, Raleigh There’s no other word to describe it: Bumble cool milk tea during the spring that is intensely satisfying. With the weather turning warmer, I Tea was adorable. The boba shop buzzed with decided to try out five different bubble tea spots the sounds of happy customers, as the employin and around the downtown Raleigh area in ees handed out milk teas, fruit teas and the search of the best boba money could buy. For occasional, massive “Bumble Waffle.” I ordered fairness’ sake, I ordered the same thing from a standard black milk tea with boba, and the every shop: a black milk tea with boba, the little drink was just the right amount of sugary and tapioca pearls that may be in short supply. In earthy at an affordable price point. The boba, case it wasn’t clear, I am by no means a bubble however, left something to be desired — it was a tad smaller, and much softer and chewier tea expert — just an avid enthusiast. than what I would have preferred, although the milk tea base more than made up for it. Although it’s less of a deal-breaker, I will note that the drink was already mixed when I received it — no intense straw-swirling required. Keeping up with the theme, the fish cakes and aforementioned waffle treats were Instagramworthy and definitely scored some points for sheer aesthetic value alone. Rating: 8.5/10 Cha House Raleigh: 3001 Hillsborough Street #108, Raleigh The location of the RYAN FARISCHON/TECHNICIAN Hillsborough Street Cha A customer walks down Hillsborough Street after picking up House is hard to beat for take out on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. most students who are living on or near campus. It’s only a sevenMilk Lab: 6148 Tryon Road, Cary Milk Lab may be a 10-minute drive from minute walk away from Talley Student Union, campus, but the quality more than makes up and the cafe is located right across the street for the distance. Granted, the closest drink from some popular student apartment comthey had to my “control” order was their plexes. Walking in, the vibes were immaculate: brown sugar black milk tea — it was a little Purple flowers dotted the high ceilings, and sweeter than your standard black milk tea, it wasn’t hard to imagine spending a Friday but the drink was intoxicatingly superb. The afternoon there, sipping coffee and enjoying boba was light and sweet with just the right the view of Hillsborough Street. Bypassing the amount of chewiness, the drink itself looked extremely interesting menu options (green straight out of a magazine and it was just sug- scallion pancakes?!), I ordered my standard ary enough for non-tea drinkers like myself to black milk tea and received it in under 10 minenjoy. Pricewise, it was a little on the more ex- utes. Unfortunately, the drink wasn’t as good pensive side for the medium drink I purchased. as I wanted it to be. The milk tea was decent, If you’re particularly passionate about milk but the boba looked sad and tiny as it sat at the tea, I’d recommend buying a large. Way more bottom of a flimsy plastic cup. Walking back bang for your buck, and I imagine it would be to my apartment, bubble tea in hand during difficult to pick a mediocre drink given the a beautiful day was an enjoyable experience,
but it would have been more noteworthy if the drink wasn’t just alright. Rating: 7/10 Boba Brew: 411 W. Morgan Street, Raleigh Out of all the bubble tea shops I visited, Boba Brew was probably one of the least convenient. Located smack in the middle of Morgan Street Food Hall & Market, the place was absolutely packed on a Saturday night. The service, luckily, was incredibly speedy, and I ordered and received my drink in under five minutes despite the crowds. There was no specific atmosphere, to speak of — since Boba Brew is one of many vendors at the food hall, there’s no individual storefront to admire or any artsy, Instagramworthy murals for customers to pose in front of with their friends. However, the black milk tea with boba was pretty good. Like Cha House, the boba was nothing special, but I would recommend the milk tea to anyone who likes a little more sweetness. It was more similar to drinking a milkshake than a tea, but I didn’t hate it one bit. Rating: 7/10 Budacai: 120 E. Morgan Street, Raleigh Just down the street from Boba Brew was Budacai, a cute storefront right across from Raleigh Union Station. Although the atmosphere was a little more flat due to COVID-19, the building is equipped with a “selfie station” on the second floor — perfect for customers to enjoy while they wait for their bubble tea. However, what Budacai made up for in ambience, they lost in wait time. My friends and I arrived around 5:45 p.m., expecting to be out of there in 15 minutes, tops. There were a few more customers milling around, but we still waited for about a half hour before we received our drinks. To add insult to injury, I was left wanting more after trying out the black milk tea with boba. Slightly watery, fairly underwhelming, my favorite aspect of Budacai ended up being the selfie station upstairs, plastered with flowers and a neon sign. Rating: 5.5/10 To be fair, I’m sure any of the places I rated more poorly have some spectacular drinks that I’d be thrilled to try. However, the objectivity of my order placed Milk Lab squarely at the top of my list: From the sweet yet professional atmosphere to the deliciousness of my drink, I’d go again and again, stopping only for my wallet’s sake. For any bubble tea connoisseurs, forgive me if I bashed your favorite place. At the end of the day, I’m more than happy to enjoy a milk tea at any of these sweet cafes.
found tabling in busy areas of campus, with various activities for potential participants to complete. Of course, the group has had to drastically reduce the number of events in the past year due to COVID-19. “For maximum safety, we decided that in the fall semester and this semester to have every meeting virtually,” Hart said. “We have hour-long meetings when we start the
Good Textile Group’s events tend to center around reaching out to students in the community and spreading awareness about lesser-known topics concerning ethics and sustainability in the textile industry. Despite this year’s past challenges, Hart treasures his participation in the Greater Good Textile Group. “It’s just been really great to have been a part of a group like this that’s very service-
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first 30 minutes with some kind of presentation. So anyone in the group can give a presentation on a topic that is of interest to them. Some examples have been discussions about environmental racism, recycling in the textile industry and the circular economy.” The group’s biggest difficulty has been transferring its main events virtually. This is especially a challenge, as the Greater
THE RADAR Events to keep an eye on for the week of April 22
FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING AT THE BELLTOWER Thursday, April 22, 12 p.m. MEMORIAL BELLTOWER Free
Registered graduating NC State students will be able to personally place their class rings in the Belltower for the annual tradition of allowing the rings to sleep in the Belltower for a night. Opening remarks will be given every half hour.
EARTH DAY FILM SCREENING: ‘CHASING CORAL’ Thursday, April 22, 4 p.m. VIRTUAL EVENT Free
“Chasing Coral,” a documentary film by director Jeff Orlowski, portrays the danger of the climate change catastrophe that is already occurring. The screening will be shown over Zoom and will be followed by a discussion about Earth Day.
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER: ‘80S PROM GONE WRONG Thursday, April 22, 7 p.m. VIRTUAL EVENT Free
The GLBT Community Alliance and UAB are partnering for an ‘80s style murder-mystery party. Can you collect the clues and the fashion faux pas throughout the night?
LAST WEEK OF CLASS Monday, April 26 through Friday, April 30 Free
The last week of class is quickly approaching. Make sure you’re getting ready for finals, drinking your water and wearing your mask! Let’s hope for a more “normal” year next year.
oriented,” Hart said. “It’s filled with people that are passionate about this topic, and it’s a great way to make awesome connections with people in the industry and people in the college and to make friendships and just get to do a lot of fun service-oriented stuff.” Students interested in learning more about the Greater Good Textile Group can reach out via their Instagram and Facebook pages.
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12 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021
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Basketball Pack Pros: NC State alumni form team for TBT 2021 Tristan Tucker
Assistant Sports Editor
Former members of the NC State men’s and women’s basketball teams are enjoying plenty of success in 2021. Outside of T.J. Warren’s unfortunate injury, players like Dennis Smith Jr., Aislinn Konig, Cat Barber and C.J. Williams are getting huge opportunities to showcase their skills at the next level. Without further ado, let’s take a look at some updates to former members of the Pack. T.J. Warren, small forward, Indiana Pacers (NBA) After taking the NBA world by storm in 2020’s NBA bubble at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, Warren’s been limited to just four games this season. Unfortunately for the Pacers, Warren was ruled out for the season in March, leaving Indiana without one of its top scorers. Warren averaged 15.5 points per game on 52.9% shooting from the floor in his four appearances this season. Dennis Smith Jr., point guard, Detroit Pistons (NBA) A tumultuous tenure with the Dallas Mavericks sent then-21-year-old Dennis Smith Jr. from Dallas to the New York Knicks in just his second season. Now, Smith at age 23 is on his third team since being selected ninth overall in the 2017 NBA draft. The Detroit Pistons acquired Smith from New York in exchange for onetime MVP Derrick Rose before the 2021 trade deadline. Smith’s time in New York was even shakier than his time in Dallas, and personal reasons paired with a glut of young guards on the Knicks kept Smith at the end of the bench. Toward the end of his career in New York, Smith humbled himself and willingly went to the G League bubble in Orlando, Florida to hone his skills. Now, Smith is getting a chance to show his skills on a rebuilding Pistons team, averaging 7.3 points per game with Detroit. It’s undeniable that Smith is still very much a work in progress, but the Pistons are at a point in which they can take risks. Look no further than Josh Jackson, the player taken fourth overall in Smith’s draft class. Jackson is enjoying a career resurgence in Detroit, playing his way into at least another NBA contract. Smith will look to do the same and has already flashed what made him such a tantalizing prospect. Just 11 games into his Pistons career, Smith posted a triple-double while picking up three steals. Cody and Caleb Martin, forwards, Charlotte Hornets (NBA) After impressing in their rookie seasons, the Martin twins are continuing to improve and become steady contributors at the NBA level. Cody is currently averaging 3.8 points and 2.7 rebounds per game while Caleb is averaging five points and 2.8
DAVID TRACEY/TECHNICIAN
Former forward T.J. Warren celebrates his honored jersey with men’s basketball Equipment Manager Kirk Brown before the game against Wake Forest on Sunday, Feb. 25 at PNC Arena. Warren wore number 24 for the Wolfpack and played for the team from 2012-2014. He won ACC Player of the Year and second-team All-American in 2014, along with many other honors.
rebounds per contest. While those numbers don’t jump off the page, the pair is combining for over 30 minutes per game for a winning Hornets squad. Kiara Leslie and Aislinn Konig, guards, Washington Mystics (WNBA) The Mystics must’ve liked what they saw from Leslie after selecting her with the 10th pick of the 2019 WNBA draft because they doubled down on NC State guards by signing Konig to a training camp contract. While Konig’s roster spot is not guaranteed, Konig figures to have a decent shot at cracking the final roster. In Switzerland, Konig averaged a whopping 21.4 points per game while shooting 48.1% from distance before Eurocup. In Eurocup, Konig averaged 16.2 points in five games. Omer Yurtseven, center, Oklahoma City Blue (NBA G League) Though Yurtseven didn’t finish his collegiate career at NC State, he still spent two seasons in Raleigh and was one of the most important cogs of the 2017-18 Wolfpack, the last time NC State made the NCAA Tournament. After transferring to Georgetown, Yurtseven went undrafted in the 2020 draft, signing an Exhibit-10 deal with the
Oklahoma City Thunder before promptly being sent to the G League. Yurtseven gained many fans during the draft process, confidence in him that ultimately paid off with a dazzling performance in the G League bubble. In 14 games, Yurtseven averaged 15.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 61.7% from the floor and 38.1% from deep in just over 21 minutes per contest. Team Wolf Blood, The Basketball Tournament For the first time ever, NC State fans will get to watch a team participate in TBT, otherwise known as The Basketball Tournament. TBT typically features alumni of the NCAAas they form teams to compete for a money prize. In an appearance on Inside TBT, former Pack guard C.J. Williams confirmed that he was forming a team alongside other NC State alumni to compete in TBT. Williams will be joined by Cat Barber, Trevor Lacey, Scott Wood, Richard Howell, Torin Dorn and Dez Lee. Williams played at NC State from 200812, going undrafted in the 2012 NBA draft but earning NBA opportunities with the Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota
Timberwolves. His most recent professional stint in the Americas came with the Long Island Nets of the G League in the 2019-20 season. This year, Williams played nine games with Pau-Orthez of the French Jeep Elite, averaging 9.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. 2021 has been good to Barber, who’s spent time with two overseas teams this year. Furthermore, Barber recently got a chance to participate in the FIBA AmeriCup, qualifying tournament after he cracked a star-studded 14-man roster. Barber joined NBA legend Joe Johnson on the roster, as well as fan-favorite Isaiah Thomas, recent NBA players in Treveon Graham and Dakota Mathias, current New Orleans Pelican James Nunnally and others. Barber’s best performance in the tournament came against Mexico, against whom he recorded seven points, five assists and two steals. Lacey spent time in Raleigh in the 201415 season after transferring from Alabama. Lacey never crept into the NBA but spent time with the Wisconsin Herd of the G League in the 2019-20 season. Lacey is currently averaging 15.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists for the Rostock Seawolves of German Pro A.
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Howell and Wood both played at NC State from 2009-13, with both going undrafted in the 2013 NBA draft. Both players were fan favorites in Raleigh, leading the Pack to a magical Sweet 16 run in the 2011-12 season, which saw upsets over San Diego State and Georgetown. Howell is currently playing in Israel, where he also spent time from 2015-19, while Wood isn’t playing professionally at the moment but most recently played in Spain.
Dorn is the most recent alumnus of NC State, where he played from 2016-19 after transferring from Charlotte. Dorn was a huge part of some exciting games in the NIT in the 2018-19 season and put up 34 points in his last game as a member of the Pack. In the 2019-20 professional season, Dorn averaged 11.5 points per game in Poland. Lee is the first member of the team to not be included on the announcement roster, joining the team on Tuesday, April
20. After playing with NC State from 201315, Lee became an integral piece of the St. John’s Edge of NBL Canada. In the 2018-19 season, Lee averaged 15.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game and actually played alongside former NBA champion Glen Davis and fellow NC State alum Ted Kapita. According to Williams, the team is also trying to add Lorenzo Brown. Brown played at NC State from 2010-13, getting selected 52nd overall in the 2013 NBA draft and playing with the Philadelphia 76ers,
Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors across his NBA career. This and that Several recent Pack graduates are getting a chance to show off their skills in the professional scene. Markell Johnson is playing in Turkey, averaging 6.9 points and 3.9 assists per game, while Pat Andree is playing in Portugal. Eric Lockett is averaging 14.6 points per game in Britain while C.J. Bryce recently participated in the 2021 G League draft process.
The legacy of Wanda Billingslea Farrell, one of NC State’s first Black cheerleaders Elizabeth Stone Staff Writer
Wanda Billingslea Farrell says she first fell in love with NC State when her high school math club took a field trip from Fayetteville to Raleigh during her junior year. Her Algebra II teacher was an NC State graduate, and Farrell says she inspired her to pursue her studies at NC State. That high school math club visit sparked her remarkable journey to NC State as one of the University’s first Black
cheerleaders. Farrell said she began her freshman year in 1976 as a medical technology major at NC State, later changing her major to business management. She was eager to get involved on campus and noticed the cheerleading team was holding spring tryouts. Farrell cheered in high school for three years and enjoyed the experience so much she decided to pursue the sport in college and tried out for the team. Farrell landed a spot on the NC State
CONTRIBUTED BY WANDA FARRELL
cheerleading team her sophomore year becoming one of the first Black cheerleaders at NC State. Overwhelmed with happiness, she made the team along with two others. “I was not the first, but I was the first announced,” Farrell said. “There were actually three of us that made the squad the first year.” Attending NC State and joining the University’s athletic department was a dream come true for Farrell and a notable personal achievement. Farrell said she learned more about sports during her time as a cheerleader on the sidelines, especially at football games. She said she embraced being a part of the team, and that passion helped her build a legacy for others to follow. “I felt like, compared to my cheerleading background and how we cheered in high school, I felt like that was big time to be able to cheer at a major university,” Farrell said. “I felt like I had accomplished something major for me.” Farrell cheered for the Pack on the sidelines and participated and performed in numerous athletic events on campus, representing NC State. As a cheer team member, she had the opportunity to travel to bowl games. During her first year on the team, Farrell traveled to Atlanta for the Peach Bowl. During her second year on the team she traveled to the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando, Florida, which was her first time getting the chance to go to Disney World. Farrell said she loves coming back to alumni reunions where she can visit with current and former members of the cheerleading team and engage with her alma mater. She is also a member of the Former North Carolina State University Cheerleaders private Facebook page, which helps her stay up to date with events hosted at NC State. “I enjoy going back for the reunions,” Farrell said. “For the most part for me, it was a great experience for me in my life.”
CONTRIBUTED BY WANDA FARRELL
For her accomplishments at NC State, Farrell said she has drawn inspiration from her own surroundings and heartfelt experiences. In addition to being a cheerleader, she was also invited her senior year to join DanceVisions, an African American dance club at NC State. Farrell’s accomplishments extend past cheer to include her triumphant fight with cancer, which provides hope and encouragement to others who struggle with health challenges. Farrell is currently a stage 4 cancer patient with a rare form of cancer called leiomyosarcoma; however, this cancer has not stopped Farrell from fighting, and her health is stable. She said she shares her journey to encourage and bring hope to others. “The mental part is a big part of the battle,” Farrell said. “I try to live each day like I’m not a cancer patient.” Farrell has clearly made a lasting impact and built a legacy at NC State, and all who meet her will find her journey truly uplifting. Wanda Billingslea Farrell is a remarkable and courageous woman. She continues to live each and every day to the fullest, abiding by Jim Valvano’s famous words, “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.”
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14 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021
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Robin Catry continues to elevate his game with Wolfpack men’s tennis despite early obstacles Andy Mayer Staff Writer
Sophomore Robin Catry has quickly established himself as both one of the best young players and leaders on the NC State men’s tennis team. Despite being with the team for just over 30 matches, Catry has already won 18 singles and 12 doubles matches. Given Catry’s success in the face of an unconven-
tional start to his college career, he could certainly become a dominant player for the team in the coming years. Catry’s success has come from his longterm commitment to the game of tennis. He’s played since he was 5 years old and has wanted to come to America, from his native country of France, for college tennis since early on in high school. Despite the tech-
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Sophomore Robin Catry celebrates winning a point against Florida State on Friday, March 12, 2021 at J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center. The Wolfpack won 4-0.
nical and physical gifts the 6-foot-6 Catry possesses, his collegiate success was never guaranteed. The recruiting process for Catry didn’t start until the 11th grade, which put him a little behind in the recruiting process, but it didn’t stop him from fielding numerous offers from Division I programs. While he came on the recruiting scene a little late, head coach Kyle Spencer knew Catry had a real shot to make the jump to college tennis. “He came on a visit, and he had a great personality on the visit,” Spencer said. “He didn’t quite have the results in the juniors where he would’ve been somebody that stood out, but he really showed the willingness to come in and want to work and to earn a spot.” Once at NC State, Catry continued to grow as a player, thanks in part to his ability to take his coaching in stride and quickly apply it to his game. The first real setback for Catry came in the middle of his freshman year when the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The shutdown came at an especially frustrating time for the streaking men’s tennis team. “I came back in January and was expecting a lot, and we got to March and everything was going great for us,” Catry said. “I was refusing to admit that it was over, but honestly, we all thought we were pretty much done.”
After what was his longest layoff from tennis since the age of 5, Catry finally got back to playing in August. Whether it was a result of the time away from tennis or an effective offseason is unclear, but either way, Catry was able to take another step forward in his tennis. With his inexperience in doubles and his height, two areas Catry knew he had to improve were his serve and his volleys. “I’m very tall, so my serve I’ve been working a lot on, and I feel like it’s getting in a good place right now,” Catry said. “The volley is the part of my game where I’ve improved the most.” The hard work has paid off for Catry this season. He finished the regular season tied for first on the team in singles wins and tied for second on the team in doubles wins. For now, Catry is focused on getting better each day and finishing out the season strong. However, he has dreams for his tennis career that go well beyond college. “My ultimate goal would be to play on the tour and to build my way up to maybe the top 100,” Catry said. While this goal may sound lofty now, there’s certainly belief around the program that Catry could reach that level if he continues to improve. “He’s on the right path to continue to develop and improve and become a very, very good player,” Spencer said.
COMMENTARY: NC State needs to grow its national esports brand before it’s too late Wade Bowman Correspondent
Despite the impression some people get when they hear the term “esports,” the impact of competitive video gaming is growing each year. As competitions at the highest level of gaming continue to rake in viewership, many colleges are assessing the plausibility of successful collegiate esports programs. There are currently 175 colleges and universities that are members of the National Association of Collegiate Esports. These schools have recognized the potential that competitive esports teams have to not only draw talented gamers into their programs but also to grow their brand recognition as a college to a new and more diverse audience. A growing trend in college esports is
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smaller schools tend to be the most interested in starting varsity programs for competitive gaming. Of those smaller schools, colleges such as Maryville, Robert Morris and Miami (Ohio) have developed some of the most prestigious varsity esports programs in the country. In the early days of collegiate gaming, the potential benefit for the smaller schools made it far more worth it to them than it was to larger universities. Varsity esports programs allowed them a level of exposure that couldn’t be attained through traditional sports, which has been dominated by Power Five schools which have access to more money to feed into their programs. It wasn’t until 2017 that the University of Utah decided to go against the grain, becoming the first Power Five school to begin a varsity esports program. In the time since making this bold move, Utah has quickly
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used its influence and program funding to become one of the best esports programs in the country. While Utah has proven to be a beacon of hope pertaining to the heights Power Five schools can reach with a well-funded varsity program, other schools with such influence have been slow to jump on board. As such a new industry, with expectations for viewership and revenue not set in stone yet, many schools are hesitant to fund esports programs in fear of low return on investment. NC State has been testing the esports
waters in recent years with the esports club and the League of Legends program. Since the organization was officially created in 2018, NC State has won $68,000 in scholarship money and represented North America as one of the top eight collegiate programs in the 2018-19 season. League of Legends at NC State is developing into a very competitive program on a national level, and with more support from the University, its probability of reaching maximum potential is only getting higher. With that being known, why should NC State stop at competing in only one game?
While League of Legends is a great starting point for colleges to get introduced to the esports scene, getting ahead of the majority of schools in all games would give NC State the edge as an established competitor in varsity esports. This would surely pay off with an increase in popularity for esports becoming seemingly inevitable as viewership increases each year. Other esports scenes that have been taking off recently include Rocket League, Dota 2, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, Valorant and Call of Duty, all of which would serve as great games for NC State
to take part in. The esports club has done everything it can with limited resources, so it’s time for NC State to look into options to support our teams. The days of criticizing and degrading esports are long gone, with competitive gaming taking the world by storm. The COVID-19 pandemic only added fuel to the esports fire, as sports fans were often left with no choice but to use competitive video games to get their fix for sports content. The earlier NC State can go all-in on creating a well-composed program that fosters teams for various games, the better.
Pack look back: College careers of Carlos Rodon, Trea Turner, Andrew Knizner Andy Mayer Staff Writer
When Pack Pros perform in the MLB like Carlos Rodon did in his no-hitter or Trea Turner did all of last season with an OPS of almost 1.000, it can be easy to forget how much they meant to NC State’s past baseball team. While the Pack only has three current players on MLB rosters, all three contributed in big ways during their time at NC State. Pitcher Carlos Rodon - Chicago White Sox The most noteworthy of these three as of late is Carlos Rodon, who recently threw a no-hitter after coming up just two outs shy of throwing the first perfect game in the MLB in almost a decade. Rodon was every bit as electric almost every night he took the mound for NC State as he was on the night of his no-hitter. The choice to attend NC State instantly paid off for Rodon, as he had one of the most impressive freshman seasons in college baseball history. He was the first freshman in ACC history to win the ACC Pitcher of the Year award and first freshman in college baseball history to be named a finalist for the Golden Spikes award. On top of that, he led the ACC in innings pitched, complete games, ERA and opponent batting average. His sophomore season may have even been better than his freshman year. He set an NC State single-season record with 184 strikeouts. What topped his personal accolades that season was the team’s success. In 2013, the Wolfpack reached its first College World Series since 1968. This was in no small part because of Rodon, who had a miniscule 1.20 ERA in eight postseason starts for the Wolfpack. The Pack ultimately fell short of its ultimate goal of winning the College World Series, but Rodon certainly did his job. Rodon’s junior season was his least noteworthy, but that was only due to the incredible career he had up to that point. He still finished with an ERA hovering
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Junior pitcher Carlos Rodon prepares to pitch during the first game of a three-game series against Appalachian State Friday, Feb. 21, 2014. The No. 12 Wolfpack defeated the Mountaineers 6-5.
around 2.00 and struck out 117 batters, which was good enough to be taken third overall by the White Sox in the 2014 MLB draft.
Shortstop Trea Turner - Washington Nationals Rodon’s teammate, Trea Turner, had a college career that was almost as sto-
ried as Rodon’s. Turner’s career got off to a hot start due to his speed and durability. As a freshman, Turner started all 63 of the Wolfpack’s games and stole 57 bases on only 61 attempts. This steal total would have put him at 133rd in the nation amongst entire teams, stealing more bags than over half the teams in college baseball. Turner’s sophomore season also played a huge role in the Wolfpack ’s magical 2013 run to the College World Series. He led the Pack in average, hits, runs, OBP and stolen bases, all despite missing 11 games due to injury. He also took over as the Wolfpack’s all-time leader in steals in just his 94th career game. Much like Rodon, Turner’s junior year was his worst statistically. He had career lows in hits, OBP and stolen bases, but he did take home the Brooks Wallace Award for college baseball’s best shortstop, so his worst season should be taken in relative terms. All of this was enough for Turner to go 13th overall to the Washington Nationals in the 2014 MLB draft. Catcher Andrew Knizner - St. Louis Cardinals The final Pack pro, Andrew Knizner, is not a household name yet, but he certainly deserves recognition for his play with the Wolfpack. As a freshman, he was the first Wolfpack player to be named ACC all-conference as a freshman since Rodon in 2012. This was thanks to 47 RBIs and an OPS well over .800. Knizner’s sophomore and junior seasons were much the same. Knizner continued to hit at a high clip, finishing his time at NC State with a career average over .310 and 119 RBIs. He also collected an All-American recognition, finishing on Perfect Game’s All-American firstteam in his sophomore year. He did fall further in the draft than Rodon or Turner, but he was taken in the seventh round of the 2016 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.
SHEESH! bye-bye <3