The East Carolina football team (6-3, 4-1 American Conference) is set to take on the University of Memphis (8-2, 4-2 American) in their last home game of the season this Saturday at 4 p.m. right here in Greenville at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
The Pirates are coming off a homecoming win against the University of North Carolina Charlotte (1-8, 0-6 American) 48-22. After a dominant offensive performance ECU will be looking to carry that momentum into their biggest game of the season. The Pirates have opened as the early favorites by a slim margin at +2.5 according to ESPN.
With a win against the Tigers, East Carolina will keep their conference championship hopes alive. The Pirates are currently in a four way tie for second place in the American a win would get them one step closer to getting their first ever American Conference Championship.
The big story line heading into Saturday's game revolves around the Tigers senior quarterback Brendon Lewis. Lewis was injured and left the game in Memphis’ 38-32 loss to Tulane University (7-2, 4-1 American) last week. He is considered to be day-to-day with an ankle injury. At this time we are not aware of his status.
On the other hand East Carolina’s junior
quarterback Katin Houser has been playing very well all season long, averaging 274.3 yards per game. To go along with Houser's play, both star receivers senior Anthony Smith and sophomore Yannick Smith have been playing very well. Both of them scored touchdowns last week against Charlotte. It is safe to say that the Pirates will be leaning heavily on these three players to carry the load offensively against Memphis. Especially If it’s the shootout that it is expected to be and Lewis ends up playing.
Defensively ECU will need the pass rush to step up and play a big role regardless of who is at quarterback for Memphis. When you can keep pressure on any quarterback it makes it very challenging to win football games. Especially when you have guys like sophomore Ja’Marley Riddle, senior Tymir Brown, and senior Tegan Wilk in your defensive backfield.
The game will be played Saturday Nov, 15 at 4 p.m. at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium here in Greenville. It is Senior Day for the Pirates and the final home game of the season. The game will be broadcasted on ESPNU and will be available to listen to on 94.3 The Game.
East Carolina University student Seth Hardee defeated incumbent Marion Blackburn and Tim Langley for a seat on the Greenville City Council representing District 3.
Hardee, a senior construction management major, said that he credits the ECU student population for his win. He specifically mentioned the business clubs and fraternities as the student sub-groups that helped him get elected.
“We got pushed to the side by a lot of older residents in the districts, as well as republicans and democrats,” said Hardee. “I am a registered Independent because I want to make this about student issues as this is a nonpartisan position, so party politics don’t really play a role,” he continued.
One of the fraternities that was instrumental in Hardee’s win was Pi Kappa Alpha (or Pike). Hardee is a member of the fraternity, and they helped immensely with his campaign.
“We’re looking forward to students having a voice and having someone who is going to think about how decisions affect students before anything else,” fraternity member Zac Wiley said. “We think he is going to be a great advocate for our generation here in Greenville.”
He believes that ECU students are constantly pushed around by their age, and when he decided to run, students believed in him and in what he wanted to do.
Despite many past attempts by students, Hardee is the first ECU student to win a city council seat in Greenville. He said it was the constant disregard for students’ issues that helped him become the first ECU student elected. Hardee claimed that students would always send emails to city officials about their plights, but would ultimately be ignored.
“I believe that it all just boiled over, and students realized that they have to get out and vote. They want to see somebody like them to be able to make these changes possible,” he said.
Hardee said the main thing he learned from running for city council was connecting with students and understanding their issues.
“A lot of these different groups have different problems and concerns, so hearing all of those and giving them an avenue of what you can do about it or what their next steps could be if I can’t directly help them. It really created a lot of buy-in for this campaign.”
One of Hardee’s biggest campaign promises was to stabilize rent. He said he wants to prevent rent increases, and he will do so by getting the cities’ tax rates to be “revenue neutral.”
What this means is that when property values go up, the city lowers the tax rate so that total property tax revenue stays about the same as before. This means a landlord’s costs neither increase nor decrease.
Hardee said the council did not enact this last year, which led landlords to raise rents. He said he wants to keep rent stabilized so it doesn’t keep going up for students.
Even though not seeing an increase in rent sounds great for students, some students believe it is not a good idea because landlords are not trustworthy.
Hunter Reynolds, a sophomore, who talks politics on his radio show for WZMB, said that he was not a big fan of this policy.
“I don’t think it is the most intelligent way to stabilize rent,” he said. “That sounds a whole lot like trickle-down economics to me, and I don’t think it is a very well-working economic theory,” he continued.
Hardee also wants to increase the notice period for noise permits from 30 days to 45 days. To host an event that will cause a lot of noise, vendors must apply for a permit 30 days in advance. Hardee said he wants to give vendors more time to apply for permits. There has been some misunderstanding about the noise ordinances.
In a video on the East Carolinian’s Instagram, Hardee said he wants to supply the Greenville Police Department with golf carts. This idea has been met with student criticism.
“I don’t think that is a particularly smart policy in general,” said Reynolds. “Police should be there solving crime, not transporting college students.”
Reynolds said that a policy like this could expose Greenville to lawsuits if a student is injured while being transported. He also said more money should be spent on increasing the number of buses in the city. According to WITN, incumbent Marion Blackburn is seeking a recount after losing to Hardee by 26 votes. A recount can be called when the margin between the two candidates is not more than 1% of the total votes cast. The recount is scheduled for Friday morning.
Two ECU football players standing and smiling on the field while at a home game at Dowdy.
HAMM
CAROLINIAN
studennt Seth Hardee beat incumbent Marion Blackburn to become the
Caleb Johnson TEC STAFF
Seth Hardee
Marion Blackburn
Student researchers tackle three-minute challenge
Mamdani's NYC win and what it means BRIEFS
East Carolina University graduate students showcased their research skills in the 12th annual ThreeMinute Thesis competition, where 44 presenters explained complex topics in just three minutes using one slide. Elody Bensch took home the Grand Champion title for her presentation, “Biofilms: A Sticky Situation,” and will represent ECU at regionals in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Bensch’s research focuses on how bacteria form biofilms that help them survive and resist antibiotics. Other winners included Maeve Schumacher as first runner-up and Daniel Stevens as the People’s Choice winner, while kinesiology earned the Department Cup. The event helps students practice explaining their research clearly to general audiences.
The competition not only highlights the breadth of ECU’s graduate research but also fosters communication skills essential for success beyond academia. By condensing months or even years of research into a concise, engaging presentation, participants learn to bridge the gap between scientific inquiry and public understanding. Judges commended the creativity and clarity of this year’s competitors, emphasizing how their work reflects ECU’s growing emphasis on innovation and real-world impact.
Scholarship initiative encourages students to choose ECU
East Carolina University’s Chancellor’s Scholars Initiative is helping more students choose ECU by easing financial stress and rewarding academic excellence. Launched in 2024, the program offers qualified in-state students $10,000 over four years, with 75 new scholarships awarded this fall.
University leaders aim to enroll 300 Chancellor’s Scholars within four years and recruit more out-of-state students through the new Voyagers scholarships. Funded by donors and alumni, the initiative strengthens ECU’s recruitment, retention, and long-term growth while showing future Pirates that their hard work and potential are valued.
The initiative has already sparked enthusiasm among high-achieving students across North Carolina, many of whom cited the scholarship as a deciding factor in their college choice.
ECU officials hope the program will continue to attract motivated learners who will contribute to the university’s academic and community life. By combining financial support with mentorship opportunities, the Chancellor’s Scholars Initiative reinforces ECU’s mission to make higher education accessible and transformative for all students.
CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS
If you feel there are any factual errors in this newspaper, please contact editor@theeastcarolinian.com.
Trisha Rangaraju TEC STAFF
Dakota Hamm TEC STAFF
&
Last Tuesday marked a victory for Zohran Mamdani who won the New York City mayoral race. The democratic socialist defeated republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and former governor, Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an Independent.
Mamdani’s progressive platform, centered on affordability, equality, and community, helped energize young voters. His vitalized left-winged campaign stood out in a field of veteran politicians.
"Today we have spoken in a clear voice: hope is alive," Mamdani told his supporters after his historic win.
Mamdani’s campaign features a promise to give power back to the working class and address the cost-of-living crisis for New Yorkers. His other promises were free child care, free city bus service, and city-run grocery stores. The 34-yearold mayoral elect has said that these policies will be paid for by increasing taxes on New York’s wealthiest people; however, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has opposed this action.
Born in Kampala, Uganda, to Indian parents, Mamdani moved to New York when he was seven. The son of renowned filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani, he grew up immersed in both art and activism. After graduating from the Bronx High School of Science, he studied Africana Studies at Bowdoin College, where he co-founded a Students for Justice in Palestine chapter.
Before entering politics, Mamdani worked as a housing counselor in Queens, helping residents facing eviction. This experience shaped his political focus on housing and affordability. Mamdani would like to freeze rents for four years on the city’s one million rent-stabilized apartments.
The new mayor also plans to create cityowned grocery stores to reduce food costs, make public buses free, expand mental health services, and raise the city’s minimum wage to $30 an hour by 2030.
As most change does, Mamdani’s bold and progressive stances have drawn fierce opposition. President Donald Trump has repeatedly labeled him a communist and warned he would block federal funds from reaching the city under Mamdani’s leadership. Mamdani shot back in his victory speech: “Donald Trump, to get to any of us, you’ll have to get through all of us.”
Anya Duffy, a junior Political Science and History major at East Carolina University said this win is a major shift in the politics of the democratic party and represents a lot of dissatisfaction in young people. Mamdani’s campaign features direct responses to the extremism in right-winged politics.
According to Duffy, Mamdani’s victory marks a generational and ideological shift for New York City politics. His progressive vision now faces the test of time in a city that has historically struggled with affordability, safety, and inequality.
Mamdani made a memorable walk out on election night to the theme song from the Bollywood hit movie, Dhoom. This was a choice representative for a candidate blending culture with politics as the movie itself represents rebellion and breaking the rules of a rigged system. This was a moment that captured the youthful, unapologetic energy of his campaign and the song choice mirrored Mamdani’s rise.
“The rent-stabilization proposal is reasonable in principle, but it seems difficult to implement within a capitalist economy, said Duffy. “I believe his goals come from the right place, but I’m uncertain about how effectively they can be carried out.”
Mamdani joins other democratic socialists, such as Bernie Sanders and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, in representing this political ideology in government. The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is an organization that promotes
socialism.
ECU's YDSA chapter endorsed Mamdani last year. The chapter's co-chair, Caleb Burroughs, commemorated Mamdani’s win.
"My initial reaction was joy, of course. I was hopeful for a victory, but nothing is assured; the only poll that matters is the tally at the end," he said.
"Progressive policy is attractive to voters. When given a choice between a positive campaign, something to vote for, and a negative one —i.e., ‘I'm not the other guy’ —voters gravitate toward the positive,” Burroughs said.
According to Burroughs, throughout his campaign, Mamdani was the recipient of a lot of islamophobia, not just from his critics, but from his political opposition as well. Some of the rhetoric came from far-right political activist Laura Loomer, who posted on X, "there will be another 9/11" under Mamdani, and New York councilmember Vickie Paladino calling Mamdani a "known Jihad terrorist."
"Despite the Islamophobic rhetoric he faced, I feel it shows once again that popular policy can beat the mudslinging every time," said Burroughs. Whether Mamdani can deliver on his promises remains to be seen, however, one thing is for certain: this is the beginning of a new era.
ECU to host 13th student success conference
East Carolina University’s Divisions of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs announced the 13th annual Student Success Conference that will be held Jan. 30, 2026, in the Main Campus Student Center.
“Reimagining Higher Education's Role in Leadership Development and Public Purpose” is this year's conference theme. It is designed to promote community engagement through ethical practices, educational impact, and professional growth.
Dr. Dennis McCunney, director of Intercultural Affairs, said the theme was chosen to highlight how community involvement and partnering strategies will help discover a student’s lasting potential.
“This year, we’re trying to take a holistic view of student success and looking at the ways that leadership development, career preparation, and civic engagement all come together to impact stu-
dents and their experiences. Ultimately, to help students be lifelong learners and better citizens,” McCunney said.
The event is tailored for faculty, staff, and regional colleagues as a professional development opportunity. ECU seeks to build connections and communities across campus so that students are welcome, too.
“It's a complex place and sometimes we don’t get too many opportunities to come together under a shared interest, so our hope is to build new collaborations,” McCunney said.
Attendees are encouraged to submit workshop proposals for conference participation by Nov. 21. Early registration is now open until Dec. 19 and will cost $60.
For more information, visit https://studentaffairs.ecu.edu/studentsuccessconference/ or email mccunneyw@ecu.edu
This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.
Pirates to ‘Swipe Out Hunger’
East Carolina University students came together to fight food insecurity through Swipe Out Hunger. This campus-wide initiative turns unused meals into free, nutritious meals for classmates experiencing food insecurity.
The Swipe Out Hunger program, led by the Student Government Association in partnership with the Williams-Ross Purple Pantry and ECU Dining Services, combines convenience with compassion, ensuring that no Pirate goes hungry on campus.
Through the program, students with meal plans can donate unused meal swipes using the GET Mobile app. The Purple Pantry then collects and distributes the donated swipes. From there, the meals are confidentially distributed to eligible students, providing access to balanced meals at ECU dining halls throughout the academic year.
Swipe Out Hunger was introduced in 2023 during Ryan Bonnet's presidency, according to SGA director of operations Samantha Moore.
“It was an idea that Ryan Bonnet and Emily
Yates had during their terms just to help with food insecurity on campus,” said Moore. Hanna Church, SGA director of health and wellness, added that the initiative takes place “for a total of three times throughout the academic year.”
Church said that collaborating with ECU Dining Services makes it possible to provide nutritious meals.
“The dining hall meals are more like well-balanced,” she said, ensuring Pirate success.
Church said the program’s success depends on student participation, as donated meal swipes directly determine how many students the Purple Pantry can support.
“It’s a really good cause, and this year we’ve been low on our donations,” Church said.
“The Purple Pantry relies heavily on this program, and it’s very good to help our students who may not be able to afford meals or whatever their situation is,” Church continued.
As the academic year continues to bring ECU students together, SGA, Purple Pantry, and ECU Dining Services encourage everyone to support their peers by donating meals. Shared compassion ensures the Pirates take care of one another.
COURTESY OF NEW YORK ASSEMBLYN
Despite racist rhetoric, Zohran Mamdani becomes the first muslim elected as New York City's mayor.
COURTESY OF ECU STUDENT AFFAIRS
Peedee reading and holding a book in a library
Mallory Sheldon THE EAST CAROLINIAN
Dulce Perez THE EAST CAROLINIAN
Samantha Moore
Arts & Entertainment
Market on the Square Market on the Square, 252 Main St, Winterville, NC 28590
4:30 PM
ECU
Parade of Flags Showcases ECU’s diversity
Kibryella Hawkins FOR THE EAST CAROLINIAN
TOMORROW
Cosmic Charlie Presents –
The Dark Side of The Dead
The State Theatre, 110 West 5th St , Greenville, NC 27858
8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Holiday Market
Yoga Strong, 425 Greenville Blvd SE , Greenville, NC 27858
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM 252-253-9334
Museum Tour at GMoA Greenville Museum of Art 02 Evans Street, Greenville, NC 27858
Ayden Middle School, 192 Third Street, Ayden, NC 28513
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM 252-746-3672
Thanksgiving Dinner
Party & Auction for Beare Garden Animal Rescue
Brook Valley Country Club, 311 Oxford Road, Greenville, NC 27858
6:00 PM to 9:30 PM 252-746-8463
TOMORROW
Thanksgiving Tea at the Higgs House Inn & Gathering Place
The Higgs House Inn and Gathering Place, 1112 Dickinson Avenue, Greenville, NC 27858
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
252-814-5768
Smokehouse Showdown
Sam Jones BBQ, 715 W Fire Tower Road, Winterville, NC 28590
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
252-689-6449
East Carolina University will hold its Parade of Flags at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 17 starting and ending on the Main Campus Student Center lawn to represent international students on campus.
This event consists of students and faculty carrying flags around campus representing the home countries of international students, scholars, international partners and popular study abroad destinations.
“The parade was started by Jon Rezek, assistant vice chancellor for global affairs, in November of 2023,” said Cathy Knudson, director of international enrollment and engagement.
Rezek created the event to celebrate ECU receiving the Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive International Education that year. With more than 100 attendees, the first parade ended with the presentation of the Simon Award plaque to Chancellor Phillip Rogers at the Cupola.
The parade will formally kick off International Education Week which is a joint initiative of NAFSA, The Association of International Education and the Association of International Education Administrators. It is observed in more than 100 countries and highlights global learning, cultural connection, and opportunities for students to study across borders.
U.S. and international students are encouraged
to connect across cultures and backgrounds. This event’s goal is to foster understanding and unity within ECU’s diverse community.
“Its a moment to learn about one another’s backgrounds, to celebrate what makes us unique, and to recognize the shared values that bring us together at ECU.” said Knudson
The event highlights ECU’s global impact and campus initiatives in international education. More than 300 international students and scholars are currently part of the university community, along with hundreds of internationally minded students, faculty, staff and the local community.
ECU Program offers cultivating excursions
Adventure can mean a lot of things, but for East Carolina University’s Adventure Leadership program within Campus Recreation and Wellness it means friendship and togetherness.
The Adventure Leadership program is a series of trips, workshops, and other activities. Associate Director of Leadership and Programs, Justin Waters, says it gives students a sense of fun and breaks them out of their shells.
“The goal behind Adventure Leadership is to help students create a sense of belonging,” Said Waters, “To go do something fun that they maybe have never got an opportunity to do with fellow students, hopefully they make some friends along the way.”
The program will give students multiple trips to choose from once signing up. The events range from festivals to amusement parks with each trip costing 20 dollars per student to attend.
Friday, Nov. 21, the Adventure program will travel to Cary, North Carolina to take part in the Chinese Lantern Festival. Attendees will be able to watch as people show off their handcrafted, personalized lanterns. They will also have food provided and the chance to take part in interactive show performances.
“We also hope that it will give students the opportunity to grow into the people they want to be and make lifelong friends through these experiences,” Waters said.
Students who have signed up will receive an email the day before from Campus Recreation and Wellness. The email will walk them through the leaving and arrival time to the event.
“It’s an opportunity where you can walk around and immerse yourself in a world of handcrafted, illuminated lanterns, lanterns that showcase various themes that people have made,” Waters said.
The adventure program plans to have a packed
schedule, according to Waters. The goal is to have many events that showcase different outings for students offering various opportunities such as sports games, aquariums, NASCAR races, and mountain hikes.
Waters has a unique perspective for this program that he inherited two and a half years ago. Waters, an ECU alumni, says that opportunities to experience the world around you can change your life.
“I was a first generation student from a rural town who hadn’t even tried sushi before. We want to give students the opportunity to explore different avenues and outlets for their interests,” Waters said.
Students can sign up for the Adventure program at the Campus Recreation & Wellness website. All students are welcome!
ECU holds first America Recycles Day event
East Carolina University held its first ever America Recycles day event on Nov. 10, at the Wright Plaza to promote the importance of keeping our earth clean. The event was organized by Assiyah Mitchell, a senior at ECU majoring in engineering, to help students understand sustainability and the importance of recycling around campus. They want to bring awareness to recycling so that people don’t forget the significance of it.
“It’s our way of promoting to students’ ways to properly recycle, how to be aware of it and keep it in the front of their minds, and reaching our sustainability goal here at ECU,” said Mitchell
The first session from noon to 3pm consisted of a variety of information tables that explained different environmental initiatives on campus. They handed out informational flyers, giveaways, and sustainability pledges.
”We want to get this information out to the students so they know it’s available for them,” said Mitchell.
The second session took place in the Bate building from 5:30 to 7p.m. where students could enjoy dinner from Cucinella’s pizzeria, and play sustainability themed games. They also offered insights from the Department of Sustainability and Recycling interns.
The sessions encouraged students to take a moment to think about how their actions have consequences on the environment. Mitchell believes it’s their responsibility to inform the public, because otherwise it won’t get done.
“This is going to be a generational thing… even if you don’t care about it, I say be informed and you can let the next person know,” said Mitchell, “This is really important because at the end of the day if we don’t do it then who’s going to do it.” This writer can be contacted at arts@theeastcarolinian.com.
group of ECU students and faculty walking together holding differing, cultural flags representing the diverse international community located all over campus
CONTRIBUTED BY EAST
Kelly Bullock FOR THE EAST CAROLINIAN
Opinion
OUR VIEW
Everybody deserves not to go hungry
We, the editorial staff of The East Carolinian, believe that SNAP is an essential program for American citizens and should not be used as a pawn in the government shutdown. SNAP is important for low-income people who cannot afford food. In a time when many people are unable to afford their rent, ensuring food is very important. What the current administration is doing is preventing SNAP benefits from going out to over 40 million Americans and blaming it on the shutdown, even though the current administration has purposefully paused the release of the benefits.
Despite the Trump Administration’s claims that SNAP benefits cannot be issued due to the shutdown, they do have an emergency fund for natural disasters. I believe food insecurity is a serious problem. The only person who can help millions of people is the president. He is currently doing everything he can to prevent its release.
This whole ordeal proves how important food banks are. Food banks are essential for providing food to low-income people, including unhoused people. Throughout the country, we are seeing many people creating their own food banks and even volunteering at their local ones. Millions of Americans are struggling right now, and not knowing if they can eat food is absurd. Everybody deserves to eat, and the person who is meant to do what is best for the country is currently preventing people from eating food.
PIRATE RANTS
Serving in the U.S.
Military is an option for every American through enlistment and in my opinion is a solid career path. Military service is also possible through the commission process if you have a college degree. This will set you up as an officer with higher pay rates and better leadership opportunities. Commission can be reached through a service academy, ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps), or an officer training/candidate school (OCS, OTS) with a college degree.
People who are uncertain about life after college when enrolling in college or nearing graduation should consider serving in the military. There are many benefits to service, some of which I will not discuss, that can lead to a successful career and even more success in the civilian world. My question is, for people with a college degree is military service a good career path?
For those looking for free or reduced education, the military can provide you with that through a service academy or through ROTC programs. If you want to go to graduate school and seek out a master’s degree or a doctorate the military can also help cover that. You can also earn the post-9/11 GI Bill, if you commission through OTS or OCS, by
serving on active duty which can be used for yourself or passed onto your children.
In terms of pay, officers are paid by rank and time of service. Most officers start out receiving give or take $4,000 a month. Military members also receive payment for housing and sustenance which is largely tax free. Bonuses and special pay can also be rewarded depending on your job. If you serve for 20 or more years you become eligible to receive a lifetime pension. You also have the opportunity to add to a TSP or “thrift savings plan” which is similar to a 401k. The government will often match contributions made to TSP’s.
Health care is another big benefit for military members. The government will cover health and dental for the individual and for dependents. Counselling, childcare and relocation assistance are all included. Life insurance is also another benefit and is offered at a low cost for servicemembers.
The military is also a great way to travel. In certain branches like the Navy you will be on regular deployments all around the world and stopping at various different ports regularly. For the other branches there are many opportunities to go overseas on deployment and by being stationed there.
By serving in the military, you may find that it is easier to get a job using your degree because of the way recent job markets have looked. You can also learn transferable skills
during your service skills which you can take into your civilian life.
Service is a great way to build leadership experience and skills at a young age. This goes for all fields across all branches. The military is a great resume booster as well. Service also garners respect from others, for your self, and a sense of purpose.
While there are so many good things to say about the military we must consider the negatives. Service is very taxing both mentally and physically and can have lasting effects on a person’s life. You will more than likely miss many important events in you and your family’s lives because of your service. You are putting yourself at risk to have to see combat and all of the things that come with that. You are also at the government’s beck and call and are locked into a contract for several years.
If you are able to accept and look past some of the negatives or challenges of service then I think it is 100% worth it based on the benefits, relationships, and experience you will form during your time in the military. For those who have a college degree and are unsure of where, how, or if they are going to use their degree in my opinion, service is a great option to consider.
I thought the library was supposed to be a quiet place why are there always so many people talking
The school needs to do a better job of heating their buildings it is absolutely freezing
I thought that the schools homecoming parade last week was slightly underwhelming for what it was hyped up to be
Instead of running specials on upper level tickets at football games we need to be running specials on beer the prices are just outlandish
When are we going to get a handle on all of the recent rapes and sexual assaults it feels like there is a different one every single week
Can we figure out how to actually make a lane for bikes and scooters on campus I almost get hit by one or the other almost every single day
Why are the campus restaurants so expensive for little to no food if you don’t have a meal plan
Can we get some new equipment in the rec center? It is all just dumbbells and squat racks. Planet Fitness has better equipment.
Gen Z calls itself the climate generation. We post infographics, hop on Lime bikes instead of calling Ubers, offset flights we still take for weekend getaways and stage walkouts with reusable bottles in hand. But somewhere between our climate optimism and the dopamine hit of another endless scroll, we became part of the problem we were left to solve.
It’s a relief that corporations — includ-
ing groups like Google, Meta and Microsoft — exist to mask our digital gluttony. They become the public face of environmental harm, letting us believe that climate guilt can be outsourced, as long as someone else is taking the heat.
Last month, a leaked internal document at Amazon showed the company working hard to bury the fact that its data centers consumed a staggering 105 billion gallons of water in
2021 to cool its facilities, outdrinking nearly 1 million homes, or the equivalent of a city “bigger than San Francisco.”
It’s a defining warning that the green economy’s breaking point isn’t just carbon, it’s water. Just in the U.S., data centers consumed more than 211 billion gallons last year, much of it in drought-prone states like Colorado and Arizona.
Classifieds & Puzzles
Jacqueline E. Mathews
Jacqueline E. Mathews
The East Carolinian Sports experts predict this week’s events
Garett Skillman
TEC Sports Editor
ECU VS. ASU
Score Prediction?
31-28
Why?
With hopes for playing in the American championship at stake
I’m expecting a gritty game by both teams. I think being at home gives us a slight edge against a good Memphis team but Katin Houser has been playing like the best quarterback in the conference this season so give me the Pirates to win in a nail biter on Saturday
Caleb Johnson TEC Sports Reporter
ECU VS. ASU
Score Prediction?
38-35
Why?
This should be a great matchup for the last home football game of the season. Both teams are great offensively and have solid defense to back that up. The Pirates are favored ever so slightly in this one and I think that they will walk away with the W. A win in this game could turn this season from good to great and I think everyone associated with Pirate football is going to do everything they can to make that happen. ECU can score with any team in the nation and I think that will lead them to a win on Saturday night against Memphis.
Nick Green
WZMB Sports & News Director
ECU VS. ASU Score Prediction?
45-41
Why?
Two high powered offenses going against each other with a slimmer hope of making the American conference championship for both teams on the line. Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium better be rocking with crowds loud enough to be heard all the way to Farmville. While the score will depend on the health status of Memphis’s Brendon Lewis, no matter what I think ECU handles business on Saturday.
Pirates win homecoming weekend
East Carolina University’s football team (6-3, 4-1 American Conference) delivered a statement win on Homecoming weekend, defeating the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1-8, 0-6 American Conference) 48-22 on Saturday at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The Pirates came out firing, putting up 21 points in the first quarter and never looking back.
For the matchup, ECU revealed retro purple helmets with the gold Flying ECU logo, a nod to the 1991 Peach Bowl season, paired with modern throwback all-purple uniform sets. On a weekend that also honored ECU’s Hall of Fame inductees and returning bowlring winners, the visuals matched the vibe meant to energize the crowd and fill the seats in Dowdy-Ficklen.
Senior quarterback Katin Houser was the dominant force for the Pirates offensive outburst. The Michigan State University transfer continued his strong season by throwing for 224 yards and two touchdowns while adding
two rushing scores of his own. Redshirt freshman running back London Montgomery had 11 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown. His explosiveness in the first half helped ECU establish control at the line of scrimmage, allowing the Pirates to dictate pace and keep the Charlotte defense on the field.
On defense, East Carolina made life difficult for sophomore Charlotte quarterback Grayson Loftis. Even though Loftis ended up throwing for 279 yards and three touchdowns, much of that production came after the game was already out of reach. ECU’s defensive front dominated early, limiting Charlotte to just two rushing yards through the first three quarters.
Junior defensive back TyMir Brown provided the defensive highlight of the night with a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown, a play that ignited the home crowd and widened the Pirate’s lead.
ECU’s defense forced multiple three-andouts and consistently pressured the 49ers’ backfield, keeping Charlotte from establishing any early rhythm. While the Pirates first-half performance was nearly flawless, head coach
Blake Harrell’s team did show some slight lapses after halftime. Charlotte outgained ECU in the second half and found the end zone a few times as the Pirates rotated players and eased off the pressure. Still, ECU’s early cushion proved more than enough.
“I had a long road trying to get here, and last year was my first bowl game. Having a chance to go to another one is just huge”, said quarterback Katin Houser. “It just shows how much hard work you put into this and how it can pay off.”
This win clinches bowl eligibility for the second straight year. Up next, ECU will look to build on the three game win streak momentum and strengthen its standing in the conference race. The Pirates take on the University of Memphis (8-2, 4-2 American Conference) on Saturday, with conference implications as Memphis trails by one game. The game will be streamed on ESPNU for those unable to attend the game.
Mens basketball taking on Richmond
TEC STAFF
East Carolina men’s basketball (1-1, 0-0 American Conference) sailed into Virginia to take on the Richmond Spiders (2-0, 0-0 Atlantic 10 Conference) on Saturday. Despite a strong individual performance from ECU’s senior center Giovanni Emejuru, the Pirates couldn’t sustain the effort needed to keep pace with a deeper, more physical Richmond team.
ECU opened the game grabbing an early 11-7 lead behind a couple of strong drives from sophomore guard Corey Caulker and senior guard Jordan Riley. That spark quickly faded when Richmond went on a 15-0 run midway through the first half. The Spiders turned defensive stops into transition points, pushing their lead to double digits and putting the Pirates in chase mode. By halftime, Richmond led 42-30, and ECU was left searching for answers on both ends of the floor.
The bright spot for the Pirates came from center Giovanni Emejuru, who battled all night in the paint. The big man posted a double-double with 20 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks, giving ECU consistent production inside. Riley added 18 points, six rebounds, and three steals, but the Pirates offense lacked rhythm outside of those two. As a team, ECU shot just 42.6% from the field and 20% from three-point range while turning the ball over 13 times.
The Spiders hit 20 of their 28 two-point attempts and took advantage of their depth, outscoring ECU 36-24 in the paint. Senior forward Jonathan Beagle came off the bench to score 15 points, while freshman guard Aiden Argabright and junior forward Jaden Daughtry each added double figures in limited minutes. Whenever the Pirates began to chip away at the lead, Richmond’s bench provided a timely basket
or defensive stop to keep momentum on their side.
ECU trimmed the deficit to single digits early in the second half thanks to a putback by Emejuru, but Richmond quickly responded with another scoring burst that stretched the lead back to 19. The Spiders physical defense also caused problems for ECU, forcing tough shots and drawing fouls that led to 29 free-throw attempts.
The loss serves as a setback for an ECU squad hoping to build momentum early in the season. The Pirates showed flashes of what they’re hoping to be this season, with Emejuru emerging as a reliable inside presence and Riley providing veteran guard play. With nonconference play still young, ECU has time to figure out rotations before any conference games take place. The Pirates next matchup will be against Elizabeth City State University (0-0, 0-0 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) on Nov. 13 at home inside Minges-Coliseum.
Lady Pirates basketball pick up first loss to Liberty University
Tyler Buonocore TEC STAFF
The East Carolina University Women’s Basketball team (1-1, 0-0 American Athletic Conference) picked up their first loss of the year to Liberty University (2-0, 0-0 Conference-USA) 69-53. After coming off a dominant season opening win over the University of North Carolina Wilmington (1-1 0-0 Coastal Athletic Association), a game in which the Lady Pirates shot 37% from three, ECU shot a measly 15% from three and 27% from the field overall.
One bright spot for the Lady Pirates was graduate forward Anzhane Hutton, who shot perfect from the field putting up 13 points and grabbed six rebounds. The Flames were led by sophomore guard Avery Mills who put up a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. The Lady Pirates opened the scoring with a three ball, which is one of four they would make on the night. Mills responded with a three of her own to get her night going. Liberty was able to create separation early, going up 10-3 with 6:38 left in the first frame.
The teams went back and forth for the remainder of the quarter, and headed to the second with the
Flames up 19-11. Liberty got off to a hot start in the second quarter, going on a 7-2 run to extend their lead to 27-13. The Lady Pirates responded with their best stretch of play of the game, going on a 13-2 run to cut the lead to three. The teams exchanged blows until the end of the half, with the capper being a three pointer by ECU senior guard Savannah Brooks, to make it just a one point Flames lead going into the locker rooms.
A layup out of the break by Hutton gave the Lady Pirates their first lead since it was 3-0. Liberty would get back ahead 40-37 before shutting down ECU on both ends of the floor. The Flames didn’t allow a Pirates point from 7:35 in the third until there was just 17 seconds in the quarter. They went on a 17-2 run to close the quarter, and go up 57-39.
The final frame kicked off with the teams trading a basket each, making it 59-41 Flames with 8:17 left. Both teams then went on a scoring drought, and didn’t see a basket fall until 5:40 when ECU cashed a jumper. The Lady Pirates were able to cut the Liberty lead to 14, but that’s as low as they would get it.
As the final buzzer sounded, Liberty took home a 69-53 to stay unbeaten on the year and give ECU their first loss of the season. The Lady Pirates resume action Nov. 16, when they travel to High Point University (2-0, 0-0 Big South Conference). The game
Logan Harlow THE EAST CAROLINIAN
ECU Football players standing on the field at Dowdy-Ficklen
Josiah Cobb
The East Carolina University women’s basketball team standing.
