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Carolinian The

YOUR CAMPUS NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1925

VOLUME 99, ISSUE 14

Thursday, 1.18.24

ECU achieves 2024 community engagement title Staff Report

East Carolina University has earned its 2024 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. According to an ECU News Services release, the designation is only given to 40 institutions in the country every two years, and ECU has maintained its classification since 2008. “We recognize these institutions for their exceptional commitment to community engagement, and their work to transform knowledge into meaningful action,” Timothy Knowles said, president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. “They exemplify the true spirit of the Carnegie endorsement and the power of serving the public good.” Chief Research and Engagement Officer at ECU Sharon Paynter said the designation shows how ECU is committed to working with its outside collaborators, according to the release, and supporting mutually beneficial community engagement efforts. Paynter said the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement is a way ECU has kept its promise to be a shining example of an institution focused on student success,

public service and regional transformation, according to the release. “Growth in community engagement since our initial classification is evidenced by the number of partnerships and the grant support that includes community engagement efforts,” Paynter said. “In fiscal year 2023 alone, more than $25 million in grants and contracts was received by the university to support 142 projects involving community partnerships.” Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor for Economic and Community Engagement Angela Lamson led the application process for the certification, according to the release. Over 80 ECU faculty, staff and students were part of the effort, she said, not including the partners from the communities the university engages with. “It was important to showcase through this self-study a variety of ways that ECU engages with our region through teaching, research and service,” Lamson said. “This designation is an important recognition for university faculty, staff and students, but also for the community partners who trust the university to collaborate with them.”

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

N.C. trains see record ridership in 2023 Staff Report NC By Train, North Carolina’s passenger rail service, achieved new record ridership in 2023, topping its previous record in 2022.

“We’re pleased

that NC By Train continues to grow and be an important transportation option„ for North Carolinians -Joey Hopkins The rail service transported over 641,000 passengers in the last year, according to a North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) release, 23 percent more passengers than the record from 2022 with 522,000. "We're pleased that NC By Train continues to grow and be an important transportation option for North Carolinians," Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins said. “Based on the success of the last two years, we are continuing to explore opportunities to further increase frequencies and expand service to communities across the

state.” According to the release, the implementation of a fifthround trip between Raleigh and Charlotte and several other new stops added such as the N.C State Fair, the Lexington Barbeque Festival and football games likely contributed to the overall rise in passenger numbers. NCDOT encourages people to take advantage of the growing train network, according to the release, and enjoy its features including comfortable seating, charging outlets at each seat and free internet. NC By Train offers a variety of everyday discounts for children, students, active military personnel, veterans and seniors and Share Fare, which allows groups of up to eight people to save money with each additional ticket that is purchased. Taking NC By Train, according to the release, is a highly sustainable mode of transportation that helps reduce traffic on the N.C. highway system. The NC By Train website can be visited to view ticket prices and individual trips.

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

XAVIER SUBER I THE EAST CAROLINIAN

Junior guard Jaden Walker jumps up and makes his way through two Northwestern defenders on his way to the basket.

ECU MBB to face UAB Diego Lerma TEC STAFF

The East Carolina men’s basketball team (9-8, 2-2 American Athletic Conference) is set to face the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) (10-6, 2-1 AAC) on Jan. 20 in Birmingham, Alabama, at Bartow Arena. The Pirates have had a rough start to the new year with close games, winning two of their last four games. The two most recent games were a win and loss against Temple University (8-9, 1-3 AAC) on Jan. 10 and Southern Methodist University (11-5, 2-1 AAC) on Jan. 13 respectively. The game against Temple was the first win for the Pirates on the road, with a final score of 73-62. ECU’s junior guard RJ Felton had another great performance after scoring 20 points and shooting 8-10. Felton has only scored less than double digits twice this season, FULL STORY with the last time being against The University of North Carolina Wilmington

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resulted in a loss. UAB's last win came against the University of South Florida (USF) (9-5, 2-1 AAC). Before that UAB was riding a six game win streak dating back to early December. UAB beat USF 75-71, in a close back and forth game leading the first half by one point. UAB’s junior forward Yaxel Lendeborg would record a double-double with 23 points and 15 rebounds during his 35 minutes of play. Some of the Blazers that helped contribute to points on the board were sophomore guard Efrem Johnson and junior guard Alejandro Vazquez. After the Pirates face the Blazers, ECU will play its third game in a row on the road against Wichita State University (8-8, 0-3 AAC) on Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. in Charles Koch Arena where the Pirates will search for just their second win in program history over the Shockers.

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

Sportsbooks offer promos in N.C. Mark Strotman

TH E CH AR LO TTE OB SERVER

The long wait is almost over: North Carolina sports betting sites are almost live. Sports fans in the Tar Heel State will need to wait until later this winter, but that date will be here before you know it. It will come at an excellent time for all sports fans and prospective bettors, who will get access to odds on college basketball, NFL, NHL and NBA odds—along with all the other markets that various North Carolina sports betting apps will provide players during the winter months. It also means that North Carolina sportsbook promos will come into play for new players when that time comes. These codes, when used during registration, will unlock a stellar welcome bonus that can be used on your initial bets to increase potential payouts. What those offers look like remain to be seen, but we’re breaking down what potential offers might look like based on what other states have done for new players.All major online sportsbooks have a welcome bonus offer to provide new players. They all have the same effect—

ONLINE » Find out how the Polar Plunge went later today

(11-5, 2-2 Coastal Athletic Conference) back in Nov. 30, 2023. Some other Pirates that had stand out performances against Temple were sophomore forward Ezra Ausar with 18 points, redshirt sophomore forward Brandon Johnson with 15 points, and junior guard Cam Hayes with nine points. The Pirates played SMU on Jan. 13 at home which resulted in a loss 75-64. Even in a losing effort, the Pirates were still able to put on a performance in the second half. As the game went on the Pirates would gain momentum but SMU was just a step ahead. The standout player of the game was Ausar. He managed to score a season-high 25 points, 8 rebounds and 9-12 from the field. Some of our other doubledigit scorers were Felton and Hayes. Felton scored 15 points, 1 block and 2 steals during his 32 minutes of play. Hayes scored 12 points and 1 rebound during his 23 minutes of play. The Blazers played against Florida Atlantic University (134, 3-1 AAC) on Jan. 14 which

increased potential payout on your very first wagers. However, they’re all delivered differently in separate formats, and some will work better for players than others. That’s why we’ve listed out examples of the top welcome bonus offer that will be available to bettors once online sports betting in the Tar Heel State goes live.

HALIE MILLER | PIRATE MEDIA 1

A sports gambling app showing odds.

The BetMGM North Carolina bonus code should deliver something similar to $200 in bonus bets to all new players who register for a new account and place a $10

real-money wager on any set of odds. While the current national offer for BetMGM is: Bet $5, Get $158 in Bonus Bets, that’s sure to change b e f o r e launch. FULL STORY I t ’ s possible more guarantees are available to new players who use the DraftKings North Carolina promo code offer. Here’s how the current national offer works: Register for a new account and place any $5 realmoney wager and automatically earn $200 in bonus bets. These are delivered as eight $25 bonus bets, allowing you to spread them out across the dozens of sports betting markets that DraftKings North Carolina will provide its players. What’s more, bettors can earn cash profit if that first wager is successful. If betting security is more your style, you may be able to get it with the Caesars Sportsbook North Carolina promo code.

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NEWS

Thursday, 1.18.24

CRIME LOGS Editor's Note: The East Carolinian Crime Logs are derived from East Carolina University Police Department’s (ECU PD) public crime logs accessible to all individuals. Crime Logs are not done within the partnership of ECU PD and The East Carolinian, as this publication is meant to act as an additional resource for Pirate Nation. Below are listings of criminal activity that has occurred on or within proximity of main campus.

Jan. 13, 2023 At 12:41 a.m. in Tyler Hall, an investigation began into a charge of Injury to Real Property. At the Minges Coliseum parking area, Hit & Run - Failure To Stop was found at 6:23 p.m. and remains an open investigation.

Jan. 14, 2023 At Jones Hall, Injury to Real Property was found at 8:33 p.m. and became an open investigation.

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A United States 100 dollar bill. President Joe Biden's new student loan forgiveness program, SAVE, will be in operation in February, six months early.

SAVE loan forgiveness plan launching soon Muri Assunção

Jan. 15, 2023 Breaking or Entering was found at ECU Building 215B and became an open investigation at 3:56 a.m. At the College Hill Drive & 10th Street intersection, an open investigation began at 1:15 p.m. into charges of Possession & Manufacture Fraudulent ID and Identity Theft.

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

NE W Y ORK DA ILY N EWS

President Joe Biden said Friday some student borrowers will have their debts canceled as early as next month as the new SAVE repayment plan gets underway six months ahead of schedule. As part of the administration’s effort to “fix the broken student loan system,” the Biden-Harris administration in August announced the launch of the Saving on a Valuable Education repayment plan, or SAVE. Touted as “the most affordable repayment plan ever created,” the income-driven repayment plan — which calculates payments based on a borrower’s income and family size, instead of their loan balance — was initially scheduled to begin in July. But on Friday, Biden said one of the most impactful provisions of the plan would kick off nearly six months ahead of schedule. “Starting next month, borrowers enrolled in SAVE who took out less than $12,000 in loans and have been in repayment for 10 years

will get their remaining student debt canceled immediately,” the president said. The move, part of the administration’s ongoing effort to quickly “give more borrowers breathing room so they can get out from under the burden of student loan debt,” is designed to particularly offer help to community college borrowers, who according to the Department of Education typically borrow smaller amounts. “Beyond being the most affordable student loan repayment plan ever available, the Biden-Harris Administration designed the SAVE Plan to put community college students and other low-balance borrowers on a faster track to debt forgiveness than ever before,” said Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona The White House’s ability to speed up debt relief “is a testament to the Biden Administration’s commitment to delivering relief to as many borrowers as possible, as quickly as possible,” Cardona said. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Biden’s ambitious $400 billion loan forgive-

ness plan. In response, the president declared “this fight [was] not over,” and announced the administration would launch a process so borrowers could see their debts canceled by other means, Around 6.9 million borrowers have enrolled in the SAVE plan, which allows single borrowers who earn less than $32,800 per year or those in a family of four making less than $67,500 to have a $0 monthly payment. “In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision on our student debt relief plan, we are continuing to pursue an alternative path to deliver student debt relief to as many borrowers as possible as quickly as possible,” Biden said. “I won’t back down from using every tool at our disposal to get student loan borrowers the relief they need to reach their dreams.”

Opinion

theeastcarolinian.com

Thursday, 1.18.24

OUR VIEW

Preparing for emergency weather Due to recent events with severe weather, it is important for all students, staff and faculty to be prepared for future weather events and alerts. We, the editorial staff of The East Carolinian, believe each individual should be informed of the latest weather trends and be prepared to act in case of potential emergency weather events. Aside from simply using Google or The Weather Channel, there are many resources available for students to utilize in order to keep track of current weather conditions or emergency notifications. For an East Carolina University resource, students can view alert information for severe weather and safety tips on ECU’s website for severe weather. In the case of an emergency or if the university makes the decision to cancel classes, ECU notifies students, staff and faculty via ECU Alert, a communication tool for keeping individuals in the loop in all campus related emergency notifications. ECU’s Alert website also provides additional information and resources about emergency contacts, procedures and tips for staying safe in dangerous weather. We, the editorial staff of The East Carolinian, believe each individual at ECU should prioritize their safety and wellbeing in the event of severe weather threats or events which could potentially threaten one’s safety.

NIA CRUZ I THE EAST CAROLINIAN

Attending Graduate School might not s students first choice for their after graduation plans, however it helps to further education and boost resumes.

Graduate school should be encouraged

If you had told me several years ago that I would be in graduate school, I would have been a bit shocked. I planned on attending a university, but Kristin Outland never really considered T E C S TA FF applying for a graduate program after completing my undergraduate degree. From a young age, I have always genuinely enjoyed going to school, learning and everything about obtaining an education. Today, I can say it’s something I am very passionate about and want others to be passionate about. Upon high school graduation, I received my Associate degree in science from a local community college in addition to my high school diploma. This allowed me to enter East Carolina University as a junior in college credits. During my undergraduate studies in communication at ECU, many professors and faculty strongly encouraged me to attend graduate school. After much discussion,

thought and research, I decided I wanted to obtain my master’s degree. For those that are interested in furthering their education, there are many things to consider when applying to graduate school. These considerations range from financial aid, university program and location, size and reputation of selected school, etc. Personally, for me, I decided to continue my education at ECU due to my awesome experiences with the faculty and staff and within The School of Communication. My undergraduate experiences encouraged me to hold onto the Purple and Gold for a bit longer. Although I am currently only a week into my graduate studies, I wholeheartedly believe that higher education is something that everyone should strive for. It can be an excellent opportunity to further build skills and attract potential employers all while building your resume simultaneously. By earning a master’s degree, one can expand their career opportunities and increase networking opportunities by tenfold. Ultimately, it allows you to become a professional in one’s chosen field and also increases

your knowledge about the real-working world we live in. The choice of attending graduate school has allowed me to further explore my interest in the field of communication. For others, this could mean becoming a professional in political science or social work. Whatever the degree program may be, the decision to pursue a master’s degree shows true initiative and leadership to future employers. Being able to attend graduate school and gain this experience is a blessing in itself. I have always dreamed of accomplishing a big goal - and the decision of attending graduate school has a big step in my personal life. Although it may seem intimidating at first, graduate school can have a big impact on your life, too. It can open an entire door of opportunities that were previously not available. In fact, it could lead you to the dream career you’ve been wanting to fulfill. With higher education, the possibilities are endless. Kristen Outland is a graduate student majoring in Strategic Communication and a TEC columnist. To contact her email opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.

PIRATE RANTS The East Carolinian does not endorse the statements made in Pirate Rants. Please be kind to campus employees during this time, we’re all so tired. First week of school the Wi-Fi has been terrible. It’s always so aggravating how congested campus during the first week or two back to school. The parking garage is almost always full and the traffic is awful. I’ve seen a lot of talk that we have a lot of transfer students this year and more than usual. I wonder what brought this many transfers this semester. I hope Pirate Nation had a great first week of classes. Let’s make it a great semester! This cold weather really has me missing being able to wear shorts around campus. The cold is almost unbearable to walk in. The Rec is always packed at the start of the semester and it really sucks. In fact, a lot of the time most machines are in use or you have to wait a long time to work with the equipment. One thing that has always been so aggravating are the wait times at restaurants on campus like Chick-Fil-A. The lines are always so long even at unusual times every now and then. My workload this semester is so heavy and I can already tell it’s going to be a bit of a struggle balancing it this semester. Questions regarding Pirate Rants can be directed to Kiarra Crayton at editor@theeastcarolinian.com.

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

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According to the website Sportico, the NFL accounted for 93 of the top 100 TV broadcasts of 2023 yet subscriptions are required to watch some games.

Organizations prioritizes profit over viewership Dion Lefler

prophecy came Sunday night, with the announcement that Jan. 12—OPINION AND Saturday’s NFL playoff game COMMENTARY — Editorials between the Miami Dolphins and other Opinion content offer and “your own Kansas City perspectives on issues important Chiefs” will only be available on to our community and are inde- over-the-air television in those pendent from the work of our two cities. newsroom reporters. The rest of the country, “As we celebrate mediocrity, including our own colonial all the boys upstairs want to see outpost of “Chiefs Kingdom,” will /how much you’ll pay for what only be able to access the game you used to get for free.” via a paid streaming service, It was more than 20 years ago NBC’s Peacock. that Tom Petty tried to warn us. I already have a subscription But don’t kick yourself if to Peacock, and this still ticks me you’re not too familiar with his off. song “The Last DJ.” It landed I’m right there with my a little too close to home for good friend and former Eagle executives in the entertainment colleague Scott Rothschild, who industry who decide what we get wrote on Facebook: “An NFL to see and hear and how much it’s playoff game not on network TV. going to cost us, so it never was Did I wake up in Russia? This the hit that it deserved to be. will not stand.” The latest proof of Petty’s Sadly though, I have to

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disagree with the last part of his comment. Not only will this stand, it will only get worse. I’m dating myself here, but I can remember when folks of ordinary means could afford to go to a Chiefs game once in a while. Now that the stands are filled with corporate execs and other assorted bougies, charging Average Joe to watch on TV is the inevitable next step. Saturday will be historic in a way, because it’s the first time an NFL playoff game has been yanked off free TV in favor of paid streaming. But it’s a continuation, not the start of a trend. You already need an Amazon Prime subscription if you want to watch Thursday Night Football, and ESPN to see Monday Night football. You might bleed Chiefs red and gold, but the simple fact is

the NFL doesn’t care about you, your loyalty to your team or your love of their products. To them, your good will is nothing but an entry on a profit statement, to be exploited for all it’s worth. I can’t find any statement from the NFL or NBC as to why they picked Chiefs/Dolphins as their Peacock-only game, but I think we can all solve that equation in our heads. Even if every Chiefs fan skipped the game in protest, they’d still make bank off all the Swifties tuning in to watch Swift watch Kelce. This story was originally published January 9, 2024, 5:15 AM.

OUR STAFF Kiarra Crayton Eli Baine

Kristin Outland

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Copy Editor

Nick Bailey

Sports Editor

Parker Smith

Production Manager

Nia Cruz

Creative Director

Abby Brennan

Multimedia Manager

Jaylin Roberts

Visual Arts Editor

Serving ECU since 1925, The East Carolinian is an independent, student-run publication distributed every Wednesday during the academic year and during the summer. The opinions expressed herein are those of the student writers, columnists and editors and do not necessarily reflect those of the faculty, staff or administration at East Carolina University or the Student Media Board. Columns and reviews are the opinions of the writers; “Our View” is the opinion of The East Carolinian Board of Opinions. As a designated public forum for East Carolina University, The East Carolinian welcomes letters to the editor limited to 500 words. Letters may be rejected or edited for libelous content, decency and brevity. All letters must be signed and include a telephone number. One copy of The East Carolinian is free. Each additional copy is $1. Unauthorized removal of additional copies from a distribution site constitutes theft under North Carolina law. Violators will be prosecuted.

Contact Info The East Carolinian Mendenhall Ground Floor, Suite G51, Greenville, NC, 27858-4353

Email: editor@theeastcarolinian.com Newsroom: (252) 328-9238 Ads: (252) 328-9245 Fax: (252) 328-9143

Arts & Entertainment theeastcarolinian.com

A4 Thursday, 1.18.24

EVENTS

TODAY Sip Savor & Create workshop Emerge Gallery and Art Center 404 S. Evans St., Greenville, N.C. 27858 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Auditions for “The Sparrow” Magnolia Arts Center 1703 E. 14th St., Greenville, N.C. 27858 5 to 6:30 p.m. 1(888) 622 - 3868

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A set of plateware on display in the Graduate Exhibit in the Janice Hardison Faulkner Gallery in Joyner Library. The exhibit will be on display until Feb. 29.

SOAD presents Annual Graduate Exhibit Aida Khalifa T E C S TA F F

New Year, New Art City Art Gallery 511 Red Banks Rd., Greenville, N.C. 27858 6 to 8 p.m. (252) 353 - 7000

TOMORROW Alice in Wonderland Wright Auditorium 212 Wright Circle, Greenville, N.C. 27858 3 to 5 p.m. (252) 355 - 7880

East Carolina University’s School of Art and Design (SOAD) hosts the 16th Annual Graduate Exhibit featuring artwork from current graduate students of the program. Exhibit dates are from Dec. 11, 2023 to Feb. 29, 2024 with a reception and awards ceremony being held on Feb. 22 at 4 p.m. in the Janice Hardison Faulkner Gallery. Jordan Krutsch, instructor of visual arts at Pitt Community College, said he was a juror for the 15th annual exhibit last year. He said the graduate students had an opportunity to submit their work to the exhibit and as a juror he worked to give specific awards that were funded by alumni and various scholarships. Krutsch said he walked around the exhibit and discussed the attributes of certain things, specifically in terms of elements, principles of design, technique and the craftsmanship. Based on this, Krustsch said, the artistic elements decided the type of award the graduate student received. “The most challenging part is knowing that this is essentially giving someone a grade,” Krutsch said. “In this case it is a public grade so if someone’s work is not chosen to get an award it doesn’t mean

they get an F, but it is disheartening to see your peers being lauded for their work and you aren’t mentioned.” Kate Bukowski, director of the School of Art and Design(SOAD), wrote in an email statement she works to support the exhibit and allocate funding to support one of the awards given to the graduate students participating in the exhibit. Graduate students submit their artwork digitally, wrote Bukowski, to be participants in the exhibit. She wrote the artwork is then reviewed by a juror chosen by Charlotte Fitz Daniels, who will judge the artwork on certain criteria based on their knowledge of the artwork. “Masters of Fine Arts students gain valuable skills submitting their work to an exhibition through this annual partnership between Joyner Library and the School of Art and Design,” Bukowski wrote. “Students whose work wins an award receive a monetary gift. The student whose work is purchased by the Friends of Joyner Library has their work included in the Library’s permanent collection and is on view for many years to come.” Charlotte Fitz Daniels, events and programs coordinator for the Janice Hardison Faulkner Gallery, said there is a form for students to fill out

if they wish to have their work displayed in the exhibit. She said students are asked to submit three images along with expectations the gallery has for their artwork. Daniels said the reception is a time to celebrate the artwork of the graduate students and it is a really good way to have people come and take time to appreciate the art. Other students, friends and faculty of the SOAD, Daniels said, will come and celebrate and every year the library will purchase one of the art pieces so the winner of that is also announced at the reception along with three other awards. “For a couple years the art was really conceptual and super narrative,” Daniels said. “This year there are 35 artworks with 13 from students in the Masters of Fine Arts program. We have some ceramic and metal design work this year which we don’t always have and three large weavings which we haven’t had in quite awhile so it’s exciting to see new work this year.” Aida Khalifa is a sophomore majoring in Psychology and Neuroscience and a TEC columnist. To contact her, email arts@theeastcarolinian.com.

GrungeFest ‘24 The State Theatre 110 W 5th St., Greenville, N.C. 27858 7:30 to 11:59 p.m.

Spring Youth Classes Emerge Gallery and Art Center 404 S. Evans St., Greenville, N.C. 27858 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. (252) 551 - 6947

SATURDAY Marauders Exhibit Greenville Museum of Art 802 Evans St., Greenville, N.C. 27858 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (252) 758 - 1946

Spare Change Pitt Street Brewing Company 630 S Pitt St., Greenville, N.C. 27834 8 to 11 p.m. (252) 227 - 4151

Nostalgic Knights The Doghouse Tavern 506 2nd St., Ayden N.C. 28513 9 to 11 p.m. (252) 304 - 2291

CONTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

A student on the University of Southern California’s campus holding a Stanley Cup. The reusable water bottle sparked in popularity in November 2023.

The recent hype around reusable water bottles

Jaimie Ding

L OS A NGE L E S T I M ES | TN S

LOS ANGELES -- If you’ve spent any amount of time on TikTok or talking to your 12-year-old niece, you’ve probably heard of the Stanley cup by now. The 40 oz. insulated tumbler with a handle has led to long lines, fights and a crazy resale market. We’re only days into the new year, and already some marketers have gone so far as to proclaim 2024 the “Year of the Water Bottle.” Hydration vessels, they say, may be this year’s “most covetable, most fashionable accessory.” But the Stanley cup is just the latest in a long line of water bottle trends, aided by social media virality and declared cool by the arbitrators of the internet — teenage girls. Before Stanley, it was Hydro Flask, and before that, S’well. Owala took off on social media last year as well. Given the fierce devotion with which some fans wield their Stanleys, I wanted to know if water bottles really have become the latest extensions of our identities. So I spent a day traversing the city to see what Angelenos have to say. Stanley: The trendsetter The cup’s popularity was likely initially sparked by a woman’s viral TikTok video in November of a Stanley cup that survived a car fire. In response, the Stanley company offered to replace her cup — and her car. Since then, influencers and popular collaborations have propelled the Stanley cup to new heights. (Stanley couldn’t be reached for comment on the trend.) University of Southern California (USC) master’s student Hannah Gomez, on the other hand, initially thought people were talking about the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup. She received the popular Stanley tumbler as a gift from her younger sister and did not realize the cachet it

would have. “I’ve gotten like five comments on it today,” the 26-year-old said after I accosted her on her way to grab dinner. “People don’t usually stop you for your water bottle.” She likes the handle design and straw, which she said makes her drink more water throughout the day. Plus, it kept her water ice cold from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Runyon Canyon hikers Priscilla Ramirez and Diana Gonzalez said they bought one for its ability to keep water cold — a must at Gonzalez’s warehouse job in the summer. — but they also were intrigued after hearing it could float in a pool. They confirmed that it does, indeed, float in a pool. Gonzalez considered buying a red Stanley featured in Target’s Valentine’s Day collection but quickly changed her mind after seeing the hubbub around them. “I wanted it, but I will not go and fight for one,” said Gonzalez, 33. For hiking purposes, they opted to buy something cheaper at Marshalls. Hydro Flask: The populist In 2020, the Hydro Flask was the “it” water bottle, the kind that middle schoolers put at the top of their Christmas lists just like the Stanley cup of today. Teens carried them separately rather than in their backpacks, covering them with stickers and artwork. They were a statement that you were cool and eco-conscious. According to the company, the average Hydro Flask purchaser ranges from teens to mid-30s and “live full and active lives.” Of all the reusable water bottles I could identify in public, I saw the most Hydro Flasks. On a Monday afternoon at USC, students lugged their Hydro Flasks across campus in backpacks and on skateboards in all different colors. Leslie Compean, 22, carried a white Hydro

Flask she received from her sister for Christmas. She already owned a gray bottle from the same brand but wanted a larger one. “I feel like I’m a simple person,” Compean said. Even if unintentional, it seemed to match her white shoes, paired with black pants and a mustard yellow sweater. She doesn’t care about trends, she said, but this bottle “does the job.” Over at Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade, Alfredo Torales, 39, sat outside during his lunch break with a black Hydro Flask. It came from the ever-growing lost-and-found pile at the high school his wife works at. “These boys always leave Hydro Flasks behind as if they’re worth nothing,” Torales said. “If no one scoops it up after a few weeks, she brings them home.” He doesn’t particularly care about what kind of water bottle he has, but he’s a Bruin, so that means “no SC colors ever.” The best water bottle? Anything reusable “My rule of thumb is, don’t spend more than $20 on a water bottle,” said 18-year-old Sofie Fisher. “Maybe $25.” Fisher had some thoughts about water bottle trends Monday afternoon after school in Culver City as she waited for her ride. “Fads have been like a thing forever,” she said. It’s more important to “try to reuse what you have and not consume more.” Fisher uses a Tripalink-branded water bottle she thinks her mom bought on Facebook Marketplace (Tripalink is a property management startup). She doesn’t care for Stanley or any other trendy bottle. ___ ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes. com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Classifieds & Puzzles

A5 Thursday, 1.18.24

theeastcarolinian.com

CROSSWORD

FOR RELEASE AUGUST 14, 2022

THE TV CROSSWORD by Jacqueline E. Mathews

CLASSIFIEDS FOR RENT 4 Rooms for Rent. Close to campus .7 miles. Historic Home. Shared bath.call Marshall 704-953-0804

HOROSCOPES A r i e s ( M a r c h 21-April 19) — Today is a 9 — Take advantage of lucrative HOROSCOPES conditions to build for the future. A prize lies within sight. Bargain and negotiate terms. Put together profitable deals. Sign contracts.

L e o ( Ju ly 2 3 - Au g . 2 2 ) — To d a y i s an 8 — Keep or change deadlines and promises. Maintain close communication, especially regarding delays or complications. With focus, a professional project can soar to new levels.

Tau r u s (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Unexpected doors open toward a personal dream. Disciplined action plus communication lead to victory. Discuss your longterm vision. Express and develop your plan.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — Enjoy lovely conditions for exploration, near or far. Advance an investigation by making a long-distance connection. Wi d e n y o u r h o r i z o n s . Discover new flavors, views and ideas.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 7 — Find a quiet spot to process recent changes. Peaceful privacy suits your mood. Envision perfection. Research and articulate options and potential routes. Recharge.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Others help you past the tough spots. Revise the budget together. Then do the practical thing. Together, you can find the necessary resources.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Coordinate with your team around an unexpected obstacle. Your friends are really there for you. Together, follow the one ahead. Share support, ease and results.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Connect at a deeper level with your partner. Discover an unexpected collaborative opportunity. Together, you can get farther, faster. Share support, ease and rewards.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 9 — Physical action now can get farther than expected. Practice your moves for higher performance levels. You’re growing stronger. Nature and exercise energize you.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 9 — Get enchanted by beauty, truth and goodness. Express creative ideas to share your inspiration. Notice how much you love someone, and let them know.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — You’re motivated to make a domestic change. Take advantage of an unexpected opportunity. Connect with a family member at a deeper level. Love wins.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Make a persuasive case. Tap into a fascinating story. Creative dreams can come true by networking, connecting and communicating. Share news, resources and collaboration.

Created by Jacqueline E. Mathews

43 Steve, once of “60 Minutes” 47 Nothing 48 Bread for a Reuben 49 WWII hero __ Murphy 50 “__ Maria” 51 “__ Complicated”; Meryl Streep film 52 Passover meal 53 Natalie __ of “La Brea”

ACROSS 1 “__ Sky” 4 __ Park of “A Million Little Things” 9 “Murder, __ Wrote” 12 Hockey’s Bobby 13 “Peter, Peter, pumpkin __…” 14 “__ Jude”; Beatles song 15 Misery 16 “Jack Reacher: __ Go Back”; Tom Cruise film 17 “__ Life to Live” 18 Trap 20 Smells 22 “Judge __” 26 “The __ Burnett Show” 27 Dentist’s letters 28 “What Kind of Fool __?” 29 Sleeve filler 32 Small religious groups 35 “Blue Bloods” role 39 “The Fresh Prince __-Air” 40 Satchel feature 42 Miss Piggy’s word for herself Solution to Last Week’s Puzzle Solution from 11/09

8/14/22

DOWN 1 Present toppers 2 Actor Jeremy 3 “The __ Gatsby”; DiCaprio movie 4 Populous Swiss city 5 Charlotte __ 6 Quad bike, for short 7 So-so grade 8 Boo-boo 9 __ away; chased off 10 Fonda & Winkler 11 “Bright __”; Shirley Temple film 19 __ room; spot for a pool table 21 Netflix rental 23 Clear the slate 24 One of the Simpsons 25 Waitress at Mel’s Diner 29 Big name in auto racing 30 Dog bite concern 31 Butterfly or Bovary: abbr. 33 Food sampler 34 Bilko or Pepper: abbr. 36 Actress Chase & others 37 Desi __ 38 Unsuspecting 39 Actor Katz 41 “Guilty” or “Not guilty” 44 Actress McClanahan 45 “The __ Couple” 46 Old-fashioned word of disgust

SUDOKU COMICS

Level

BREWSTER ROCKIT

BLISS

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

WHERE’S PEEDEE?

Solution to Solution frompuzzle 11/09 Tuesday’s

9/6/23

Sports

theeastcarolinian.com

Thursday, 1.18.24

TEC spertZ '

The East Carolinian Sports experts predict this week’s events

Trevon McGlone Sports Reporter

Charlotte VS. ECU Score Prediction? 68-64 ECU Why? If ECU keeps SMU’s senior guard Tiara Young contained and away from the free throw line, things should be a bit less chaotic. The Pirates play better at home and with the defense’s ability to force turnovers and score off of them should help ECU overcome SMU’s offense. It’s close but ECU should win this one.

Nick Bailey Sports Editor

Charlotte VS. ECU Score Prediction? 72-69 SMU Why? The Pirates and Mustangs will have an exciting match up because they are currently neck and neck in the American Athletic Conference standings. ECU has recently been in a shooting slump following a 26-point defeat to Tulane, and with SMU shooting far more efficiently from beyond the arc, I expect the Mustangs to pull off a close victory.

Kiarra Crayton Editor-in-Chief

Charlotte VS. ECU Score Prediction? 78-70 ECU Why? The Pirates need to snap back into the swing of things if they want to make another run for the NCAA tournament. I have faith the struggles ECU has been having on offense will settle and their dominance and confidence will reemerge.

Eli Baine

Managing Editor

Charlotte VS. ECU Score Prediction? 70-64 ECU Why? Being a conference game between two teams with similar records, this will most likely be a close one. I think the women’s team this week is looking to bounce back after the Tulane loss last Saturday, so the Pirates will work hard for a respectable win.

COURTESY OF ECU PIRATES

Sophomore guard Bobbi Smith stares down her defender when the Pirates beat the University of Memphis 64-63 in a road victory on Jan. 6.

ECU WBB look to tame the Mustangs Trevon McGlone T E C S TAFF

East Carolina University’s women basketball team (9-6, 2-2 American Athletic Conference) gears up to take on Southern Methodist University (SMU) (8-8, 2-3 AAC) at the Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on Jan. 20 in Greenville, North Carolina. This is the 28th time that ECU and SMU have faced off in their program’s histories. The last time they played, SMU won 68-66 on January 14, 2023. Both sides remain in the middle of the AAC so far, with ECU holding No. 9 place in the standings while SMU is just behind them with No. 10. A win over SMU would give ECU their 3rd conference win of the season. The Pirates came into this game following a matchup against Rice University (9-6, 3-1 AAC) on Jan 17. If they were to lose that game, it would extend ECU’s current streak to three consecutive losses, the longest of the year for the Pirates. ECU statistically hasn’t gotten their usual results on the defensive end, letting up 73 points against the University of Alabama-Birmingham (13-4, 4-1 AAC) and 81 points to

the University of Tulane (8-7, 1-3 AAC) in back-to-back games. This is only the second time the Pirates have allowed opponents to score more than 60 points in back-to-back games this year. It’s also important to note that SMU, on offense, averages 71 points per game. SMU’s offense is spearheaded by senior guard Tiara Young, who’s averaging 19 points per game. Young has scored 30 or more points in each of her last two games. The Pirates will have to try to keep her away from the foul line, as Young racked up a staggering 31 free throw attempts, converting 26 of them in her last two games. Defensively, SMU allows 67 points per game to opposing defenses, which is only two points less than ECU’s scoring average on the year. SMU also only turns the ball over around 15 times per game, but committed 22 against the University of Memphis (5-11, 1-4 AAC) earlier this year. ECU forces around 13 steals per game and averages 24 points per game of turnovers. This could benefit ECU graduate student guard Danae McNeal, who continues to average 3.7 steals per game, which is 4th best in the NCAA. McNeal has recorded 17 steals

in her last four games for the Pirates. ECU also has four other players recording at least one steal per game: including ECU graduate student Micah Dennis, sophomore forward Amiya Joyner, senior guard Synia Johnson and freshman guard Karina Gordon. While both sides are similar in rebounding per game, Joyner’s 8.1 rebounds per game is higher than anyone else’s on SMU’s roster. SMU senior forward Amirah Abdul-Rahim leads her team with 6.3 per game. Joyner almost records a double-double in stats when ECU is at home, averaging 12 points and 9 rebounds per game. She achieved that mark with 16 points and 15 rebounds in the Pirates last home game against UAB. Following this game against SMU, the Pirates will travel down to Boca Raton, Florida, to take on Florida Atlantic University (5-11, 0-5 AAC) on Jan. 25 at 5 p.m. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+.

Trevon McGlone is a senior majoring in Communications and a TEC columnist. To contact him email Sports@theeastcarolinian.com.

All football offseason coaching hires and transfers Nick Bailey T E C S TAFF

East Carolina University’s football team (2-10, 1-7 American Athletic Conference) has been reflecting on their second 10-loss season in program history, which has resulted in immediate firings and hirings, as well as the addition of transfer players, to help patch up the wound that was last season, in hopes of returning Pirate nation to bowl game contention. It first started with the dismissal of former Offensive Coordinator Donnie Kirkpatrick following the Pirates 2023 campaign. A move most ECU fans were hoping for after the Pirates statistically had one of the worst offenses in all of college football. After parting ways with his longtime friend, Head Coach Mike Mike Houston Houston was soon to hire former Co-Offensive Coordinator/ Tight Ends Coach John David Baker from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) as their new Offensive Coordinator on Dec. 1, 2023.

During his three years with the Rebels, Baker oversaw an Ole Miss offense that produced two of the top five seasons in total offense in program history. David Baker’s offense ranked third in the SouthEastern Conference in yards per game with 462 in his final season with the Rebels. Other changes to the coaching staff were on the way, with the second being the hire of a new Offensive Line Coach in Matt Maddox. Maddox has 20 years of coaching experience where he has coached in seven bowl games and nine conference championship teams with schools like the University of Texas at San Antonio, the University of South Florida and the University of Texas. Houston continued his hiring frenzy for assistant coaches on Dec. 14, 2023 with the addition of new running backs coach Rodney Freeman from Utah State University and new tight end coach Hunter MacKay from Ole Miss. Last year, Freeman managed a running back group that averaged 186 rushing yards per game, while MacKay recently completed a two-year stint with the Rebels as an offensive line graduate assistant and analyst. Damon Magazu, a lifetime Pirate, has returned to Greenville, North Carolina, to serve as Houston’s new safeties coach. Magazu

played for ECU from 2010 to 2013, finishing his career with 265 tackles and 11 interceptions, the most notable of which came against North Carolina State quarterback Russell Wilson in the Pirate endzone, preserving ECU’s 33-27 overtime victory at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Magazu returns to ECU after spending three years at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). While at UNLV this past season, he helped the passing defense allow only 239 passing yards per game, while also accumulating 17 interceptions. Along with the new additions to the coaching staff, Houston has been aggressive in bringing in more talent through the transfer portal. Despite the fact that the Pirates have also lost crucial players to the transfer window, the roster revamp has been eye-opening. Here is an up-to-date list of all the players that have left or joined the ECU squad.

Transferred In:

Transferred Out:

•

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • •

Redshirt freshman quarterback Katin Houser (Michigan State) Junior defensive end Ryheem Craig (Louisville) Sophomore wide receiver Anthony Smith (North Carolina State) Sophomore linebacker Dameon Wilson (Missouri) Sophomore wide receiver O’Mega Blake (South Carolina) Senior wide receiver Winston Wright Jr. (Florida State) Sophomore offensive lineman Darius Bell (Maine) Freshman offensive lineman Qae’shon Sapp (Florida State) Sophomore defensive back Andrew Wilson-Lamp (West Virginia) Senior defensive tackle Jaden McKenzie (Ohio State) Sophomore defensive back Gavin Gibson

Nick Bailey is a sophmore majoring in Communications and a TEC columnist. To contact him email Sports@theeastcarolinian.com.

Sophomore quarterback Mason Garcia Junior offensive lineman Isaiah Foote Freshman offensive lineman Elisha Samples Junior defensive tackle Jason Shuford Freshman wide receiver Zion Agnew Freshman offensive lineman Omari Allen Sophomore defensive tackle Xavier McIver Sophomore defensive back Ty Moss Sophomore running back Joseph McKay Sophomore offensive lineman Richard Pearce Junior linebacker Teylor Jackson Junior linebacker RaRa Dillworth Freshman defensive back Antoine Jackson Senior running back Gerald Green

COURTESY OF ECU PIRATES

The East Carolina University football team has completed a rehaul of their coaching staff and roster after their second 10 loss season ever.