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ACEnet rings in season with holiday market for local vendors … pg. 5 OU and WVU tackle opioid epidemic … pg. 7-9 OU fumbles media response to Brian Smith’s leave … pg. 16 Follow The Post on social media

DECEMBER 9, 2025

VOLUME 116, ISSUE 17

THEPOSTATHENS.COM

Renovations continue at The Lostro LAYNEE ESLICH | FOR THE POST

he historic building known as The Lostro, located at 63 S. Court St., has undergone two renovations on its ground floor over the past year. The first project introduced a Raising Cane’s, which opened Oct. 7. The current renovation brings a Playa Bowls, a superfruit bowl franchise, to the site in January 2026, according to Zach McBride, the superintendent and project manager of Arccon Construction.

People walk by the Lostro Building as it undergoes construction, Dec. 8, 2025, on the corner of Court Street and Union Street in Athens. MEGAN VANVLACK DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Construction for the Playa Bowls location began Oct. 22. The Athens branch is the ninth Playa Bowls in Ohio, according to the company’s official website. McBride said the project has faced delays due to miscommunication with another contractor, Miles-McClellan Construction. One setback involved ventilation placement, which differed from initial plans. “Our goal was to be done before the end of the year, but for that to happen in construction anymore, you have to have all the right pieces in place,” McBride said. “We had a couple of mixups.” Originally built as an automotive

car dealership, The Lostro’s first floor served as a showroom while the second floor houses a repair shop. The building is named after its first owner, John R. Lostro, according to its website. Over time, the building has hosted multiple businesses, including a restaurant,

modern convenience,” The Lostro’s website said. Despite ongoing renovations, maintaining the building’s historic character remains a priority. Miles-McClellan Construction was hired in summer 2024 as general contractor for the renovation, according to Bethany Lewis, the company’s strategic communications director. “Historical renovations typically involve complications, and diligent progress is being made to complete

drugstore, bookstores and soon, a short-term rental complex. “Located on the second and third floors, The Lostro has 20 thoughtfully designed units featuring fully furnished suites combining historic charm with

the work,” Lewis wrote in an email.

Arccon Construction follows the Historic Preservation Certification Application Amendment/ Advisory Determination provided by the National Park Service to guide the renovation. McBride said the certification requires certain design adaptations to preserve historic features.

According to the certification, Playa Bowls’ design for the south storefront is consistent with the chain’s recognizable brand.

“There were a couple of things that we wouldn’t normally do in our design,” McBride said. “They wanted us to have a rustic-looking floor, so we couldn’t do the normal tile that we would do in Playa Bowls.”

Schatzer’s Instagram account showcases her past work, which reflects the surf town lifestyle that inspired the founders, Robert Giuliani and Abby Taylor, to create Playa Bowls.

The certification, reviewed by the Secretary of the Interior, ensures the building’s rehabilitation conserves its historic character. If approved, the project is eligible for federal tax incentives for historic preservation.

Ramona Schatzer, co-owner of the Playa Bowls at Penn State, hand-paints murals on the walls of Playa Bowls across the country, and the Athens location is no exception.

“One of the things that makes Playa Bowls popular is the art that is painted on the walls,” McBride said. The renovation process pays homage to the integrity of the building and foundation on which Playa Bowls was created.

LE211424@OHIO.EDU @LAYNEEESLICH

NEWS

Police blotter: Dog on duty,

not-there snakes, multiple arrests KAITLIN HOGG NEWS STAFF WRITER 28 Fri ________________________

Nevermind, no help needed! Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies received a call from a woman requesting help catching her dog. The woman called back before deputies arrived to say she had found the dog. Missing Person Deputies of the Athens County Sheriff’s Office received a call from Glouster regarding a missing woman. A be on the lookout was sent to the counties surrounding Athens for a wellbeing check on the individual.

29 Sat _________________________

Helping hands … kind of Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to help the Logan Police Department on Matheny Road in Nelsonville with an investigation. Deputies attempted to make contact with individuals at a residence, but were unable to. Just drive normally! Deputies with the Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to 33 Westbound by The Plains after reports of a reckless driver. On the scene, deputies were unable to locate any such driver.

30 Sun ________________________

There is a suspicious person! Athens County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the post office in The Plains after receiving reports of a suspicious individual. Deputies made contact with the individual, who was an official driver for Amazon. Over-the-phone harassment Deputies of the Athens County Sheriff’s Office received a call about an over-the-phone harassment report. The caller was told to cut all contact with the individuals.

1 Mon________________________

Warrants of the week The Athens County Sheriff’s Office has warrants of arrest out for Brent Johnson and Derrick Lawson. Johnson is wanted for aggravated vehicular assault, receiving stolen property and failure to comply. Lawson is wanted for illegal possession of a firearm in liquor permit premises, receiving stolen property, assault and carrying concealed weapons. Anyone with any information is to contact the Sheriff’s Office immediately. There are snakes in here! Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Mansfield Road in Athens after a caller stated she thought there were snakes in her house.

Deputies went to the residence and looked, but no snakes were found.

2 Tue ________________________

Your arrest is warranted Deputies with the Athens County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the Kimberly Meadows apartments in Nelsonville after receiving a warrant of arrest for John Musser. Musser was wanted for several misdemeanors, including criminal trespassing and menacing by stalking. Contact was made with Musser, and he was taken to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail with no incident. Another arrest! Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies were patrolling near Connett Road in The Plains when they came across Robert Maffin, who had an active warrant out for his arrest. Deputies were able to make contact with Maffin, who was transported to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail.

3 Wed ________________________

Police dog duty The Ohio State Highway Patrol requested assistance from the Athens County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit to investigate a car during a traffic stop. K-9 Cody was dispatched to the scene for a sniff around the outside of the car, and gave a positive indication of the presence of drugs. During the search, deputies found suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine. OSHP is pursuing charges. K-9 Cody was given extra treats for being a good worker. Ding Dong Ditching?! Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to East Fourth Street in The Plains after receiving reports of kids ding-dongditching a house. Deputies searched the area, but the kids were not located.

4 Thur________________________

Protection Order Violation The Athens County Sheriff’s Office was visited by a Guysville resident who said their protection order had been violated. Deputies took a report, and at the time the media report was released, an investigation was pending. Leave those kids alone! Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Bean Road in The Plains in regard to an adult man texting a juvenile. There was nothing criminal in the messages, but the man was blocked on the juvenile’s phone. Deputies then called the man and told him to stop messaging the juvenile.

THEPOSTATHENS.COM

U.S. Weekly Headlines: Redistricting battles, immigration restrictions AVERY ST. GEORGE | FOR THE POST 1 Mon _________________________

Bipartisan support for review of Trump’s drug boat strikes Both Democrats and Republicans expressed support for a congressional review of U.S. military strikes on boats, according to the Associated Press. The military has conducted multiple strikes on vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean for suspected drug smuggling, which have been subject to scrutiny from members of Congress. Leaders of the Armed Services Committee in the House and Senate have opened investigations regarding the legality of these strikes. The Trump administration claimed the strikes are aimed at cartels and only target boats carrying drugs

2 Tue _________________________

Trump administration halts immigration from 19 nations The Trump administration is pausing immigration applications from 19 countries in response to the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington. The administration released a memo on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website detailing the new changes to immigration applications, including a pause on green cards and naturalizations from countries the administration labeled high risk. The full map of each country banned or restricted can be found on the AP website.

3 Wed _________________________

U.S. military allegedly knew about boat strike survivors before second attack The Pentagon reportedly knew there were survivors in a September attack on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean Sea, but still carried out a follow-up strike. Sources close to and familiar with the matter said the second strike was allegedly needed to sink the boat, according to AP News. The attack reportedly killed all 11 passengers aboard the vessel. The administration has not been clear on who is authorizing these strikes, and whether Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is involved. The attacks were subject to close

review from lawmakers who are concerned about the ethics of the boat strikes. Some legal experts said a followup strike violates peacetime laws set in place around the globe, the AP News reported.

4 Thur _________________________

Supreme Court allows Texas congressional map in 2026 The Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Texas congressional map that favors Republicans. The decision allows next year’s midterm elections to be held under a new redistricting plan. The decision was expedited due to an emergency request from Texas to ensure they can hold primary elections in March. The Court ruling goes against a lower court decision that said the map discriminates based on race. The justices found the lower court’s reasoning about race to be unfounded and did not feel the Texas map had a partisan bias, according to AP News. These redistricting efforts come as a result of President Donald Trump’s push to maintain the Republicans’ small majority in the House, sparking a nationwide battle.

6 Sat _________________________

Supreme Court to rule on expanding presidential power The Supreme Court will hear a case Dec. 8 that has the ability to increase the power of the presidency. The decision could overturn a 90-year-old case that limits presidential authority, according to AP News. The 90-year-old case, otherwise known as Humphrey’s Executor, “established that presidents cannot fire the appointed leaders of the alphabet soup of federal agencies without cause,” including the Federal Communications Commission, FBI, CIA, Drug Enforcement agency and more. Chief Justice John Roberts and the conservative majority in the Supreme Court have a history of ruling in favor of the executive branch.

AS781522@OHIO.EDU

DEC. 9, 2025

NEWS

HB 29 ensures access to hygiene products, showers for female inmates FINN SMITH NEWS STAFF WRITER

access to feminine hygiene products in correctional institutions.

Ohio House Bill 29 is a bipartisan proposed legislative bill that ensures incarcerated women are provided the necessary feminine hygiene products and showers when needed. The bill, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Latyna Humphrey of Columbus and Republican Rep. Marilyn John of Richland County, answers a call-to-action from residents and organizations across the state calling for a formal policy that enshrines access to appropriate tampons and menstrual pads. Humphrey discussed with The Post how this is an unjust and unfair policy that harms women. “Not everyone has a support system at home to ensure that they get their menstrual products every month or to put money on commissary,” Humphrey said. “If they’re working inside of the facilities, you only get so much money a month. If menstrual products are $10 and you make $15, you got to make some choices about what you need and what you’re going to get.” In 2022, Humphrey had conversations with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and the Correctional Institution Inspection Committee that led to a variance passing, which provided free unlimited

“We already worked on the variance together to do at least 80% of what we were trying to do with this bill,” Humphrey said. “So essentially, we are just trying to codify what we already created in the variance for our state prisons. Again, lots of our jails are already doing this.” Humphrey mentioned the difference between a variance and the proposed house bill, which will now confirm its stance if the current administration changes. Since the variance has been in place since 2022, the department spent approximately $173,500 in FY 2024. During the House Government Oversight Committee’s second hearing April 8, former incarcerated women and public advocates gave written statements calling for the bill’s necessity. Courtney Alspaugh, who served five years at the Dayton Correctional Institution, worked as a plumber while incarcerated and detailed her poor experience working while not receiving adequate hygiene products, sometimes having to use state-issued wash cloths in place of tampons or pads

ALLIE STEVENS | FOR THE POST CONTINUED, PAGE 4

Scripps College of Communication

25 years of inspiring generations of storytellers.

THANK YOU

STAN

ALOST!

“Stan’s legacy as a faculty member is obviously the impact he has had with students. He is committed to helping students develop an authentic voice and professional orientation. Personally, I will miss Stan’s good humor, collegial spirit and savvy use of a cowboy hat to set a tone.” SCOTT TITSWORTH Dean of Ohio University’s Scripps College of Communication

NEWS

“The sanitary pads were so poor that I would tear the cloth and cotton apart to roll the cotton into the cloth and tie off to make a homemade tampon,” Alspaugh said in the proponent. “Sometimes this was even done on the job site. A lot of days I felt depressed and didn’t want to leave my cell. Not having enough feminine products led me to begging other inmates or asking corrections officers for them—just to hear them tell me that it wasn’t their problem. I couldn’t get any help and that made me feel dehumanized and helpless.” Heidi Arnold, a longtime advocate for incarcerated women, wrote a proponent stating she has spent 12 years working with women in prisons and jails through mentorship upon release and academic research. She also instructed a college course within a prison for 10 years.

Arnold said in the proponent she volunteered in the Montgomery County Jail and spent the last few years researching the experiences of women who are menstruating while incarcerated. Arnold said in her research, she uncovered stories of women who were refused necessary supplies by men, convinced they must exchange sexual favors for products and how makeshift tampons caused toxic health effects.

extensive research in criminal justice.

Additionally, Arnold raised the issue that prisons that put feminine hygiene products in housing units cause inmates to hoard the products, forcing women in need to buy, beg or humiliate themselves to receive hygiene products.

According to a fiscal note and impact statement for HB 29, as of March, the population of the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s three correctional institutions totaled 3,669. The three institutions include the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, the Dayton Correctional Institution and the Northeast Reintegration Center in Cleveland.

Pavel Vasiliev, assistant professor of instruction in sociology and anthropology at Ohio University, did

“It’s a systemic, structural issue, partly because the Corrections has been run by men,” Vasiliev said. “And most inmates used to be men, and they still are, but the population of women skyrocketed from the ‘80s, and in many ways, the old thinking was that kind of man as the average inmate, so the only budget for those particular situations is called vengeful equity.”

THEPOSTATHENS.COM According to a 2020 study done by the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, since 1980, female incarceration in jails has increased by 617% and 600% in prisons. Vasiliev raised two main concerns with the inadequate feminine hygiene resources provided to women. He said there are health risks that could arise with using the same products multiple times, possibly causing toxic shock. He also discussed how guards can manipulate the items, using them as a form of leverage on inmates. The bill was unanimously passed by both the House and the Senate, and now awaits Gov. Mike DeWine’s signature.

FS227223@OHIO.EDU @FINNSMITH06

Free holiday market serves locals, spreads positivity On Saturday, Athens locals were invited to explore tables and clothing racks set up in the Fairfield by Marriott Inn and Suites hotel. Happy Snacking collaborated with the Fairfield Inn to host the No Spend Holiday Market. FIONA PETTICREW HUMAN INTEREST STAFF WRITER Athens locals and nearby residents traveled to the Fairfield Inn and Suites on Saturday to gather holiday gifts

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and goodies completely free of charge. Happy Snacking Athens and the Inn co-sponsored a No Spend Holiday Market, filling the hotel lobby with racks of clothing, tables of books and toys locals donated. Krista Brewer, Happy Snacking’s owner and chef, said this was her first free market event. Brewer said the holidays can be hard for many people, and wanted to support locals in some way. “I’m always passionate about helping my community, so I’ve been doing a lot of that stuff within Happy Snacking lately,” Brewer said. “So I think this is just an extra thing to help the community celebrate the holidays and keep things out of landfills.” Through these donations, Athens is not only supporting those in the community but also preventing landfill overflow. In 2023, Ohio landfills received 22.0 million tons of waste, with 13.2 million tons from “residential and commercial” waste. Happy Snacking was founded in 2022, after Brewer left her former job to pursue cooking. Happy Snacking is a charcuterie business, and Brewer spends her days creating various sized charcuterie boxes for any occasion. Brewer said local businesses and residents donated items and she brought gift certificates for attendees to try out her charcuterie. The market provided attendees a range of different products, including clothing for all sizes, toys for all ages and household appliances. Brewer said she hopes the neighborhood will think about refraining from buying from large corporations and instead, give items a second life. “We don’t need to be buying stuff on Amazon and we don’t need to be

The front of Fairfield Inn & Suites, Dec. 8, 2025, on State Street in Athens. (MEGAN VANVLACK | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAHY)

buying stuff from Walmart,” Brewer said. “We don’t need new things. There’s still a lot of life left in things.” More than 400 people responded to the event post on Facebook and Brewer said they advertised the holiday market constantly. Melissa Bailes-Jewell, manager at the Inn, said she posted on TikTok about the event and set up an Amazon wish list for people to donate directly from their phones. “I mean, we just want to share that holiday cheer, and nobody needs to go without, that’s the most important thing,” Bailes-Jewell said. “I know everybody is struggling this time of year, and you know, we want to help.” Bailes-Jewell said before the event started at 2 p.m., the hotel had its annual drive-thru Santa, complete with elves, a Santa and an official letter drop-off station. Attendees

took photos with Santa and received a goodie bag. Bailes-Jewell said the community members really helped with the event, and she would be glad to partner with Happy Snacking next year. “Athens county is just absolutely amazing,” Bailes-Jewell said. “I can’t say (it) enough.” Kiarah Tibner, shopper at the No Spend Holiday Market, said she heard about the event from her sister. Tibner said she was looking for clothing for her sisters. “I think it’s very helpful to those who can’t afford things so they can get some things for their families so they’re happy,” Tibner said.

@FIONAPETTICREW2 FP074825@OHIO.EDU

DEC. 9, 2025

NEWS

Department of Education redefines professional degrees FINN SMITH NEWS STAFF WRITER The U.S. Department of Education recently narrowed what the federal government defines as professional graduate degrees. The change, outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed July 4, excludes degrees such as nursing, physical therapy, social work, education, accounting, audiology and architecture from the professional distinction. The term “professional degree” is an internal definition from the ED, which determines what programs qualify for higher loan limits. “(It’s) not a value judgement about the importance of programs,” an ED fact sheet said. Students enrolled in professional programs, such as pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, law, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatry, theology and clinical psychology, are able to borrow up to $200,000 in total. Students enrolled in any other graduate programs are limited to borrowing up to $100,000 in total, according to Investopedia. In previous years, all graduate students had a loan cap of $138,500. The new loan caps go into effect in July 2026. The decision was made by the Reimagining and Improving Student Education Committee, formed by President Donald Trump, and has stirred controversy with students and educators across the country. Ohio University offers over 250 graduate programs. Rachel Bican, assistant professor in the OU Department of Physical Therapy, expressed her disappointment in the decision. “I think there are a few factors that go into it,” Bican said. “One is the impact of not being recognized

for the skills that we have. We’re a doctoral-level profession, same with the other ones that also were left off, and so I think it’s kind of devaluing what we bring to healthcare and to our patients.” A coalition of health professions, education programs and professional associations detailed their concerns with the change in a letter sent to ED Federal Negotiator Tamy Abernathy and RISE committee members. A major concern, the letter states, was the reduction in student loan amounts offered could deter students from pursuing certain graduate programs. They argue this will intensify the health workforce shortage, specifically impacting rural and underserved communities. The Appalachian region has a long-standing history of healthcare shortages spanning multiple sectors. The number of primary care physicians per 100,000 people in Appalachia is 12 % lower than the national average, according to the Appalachian Regional Commission. Laney Grubb, a graduate student in the advanced standing master’s program for social work at OU, said the social services in Athens and the surrounding area are available primarily due to OU’s presence. She believes the decision could negatively impact the communities. “If we didn’t have people going to school here in Athens, they wouldn’t even be able to recognize things like that,” Grubb said. “It’s just going to have so much more of rural or Appalachian struggles pushed under the rug, and they’re gonna continue to fall into this systematic cycle that they’ve been in for generations.” Bican also said the workforce is already too small and cannot keep up with the demand of the aging baby boomer generation. She also said there are not enough people trained in healthcare fields, and

commented on how the decision is going to worsen the issue. “I think it’s going to cause an increase in shortages of health care providers across the nation,” Bican said. “Particularly medically underserved regions are probably going to be hit the hardest because they already are lacking healthcare providers.” Olivia Demaree, a graduate student in the advanced standing master’s program for social work at OU, discussed how not classifying social work as professional is going to impact marginalized communities, like the ones she serves in Appalachia. “There are people that are going to die from this, and that sounds insanely dramatic when you look at it from their high-up perspective, but it’s not dramatic,” Demaree said. “You are going to lose social workers; therefore, people who are marginalized are going to lose access to care, food and shelter. Losing social workers, making social work an inaccessible degree to obtain, is going to cost people their lives, and it’s not noticed by those who are unaffected by that.” According to the ED fact sheet, the department also believes by capping loans, graduate programs will be forced to lower the cost of tuition. “I don’t see that as a possible outcome because public universities are operating at the lowest budget that we can be operating at,” Bican said. “... I think all educators in this profession work really hard to advocate for keeping costs the lowest that they can. But at the end of the day, there is an operating budget, so I don’t think that this decision is going to influence how much professional programs cost.” The plan is still being finalized, according to the Associated Press. @FINNSMITH06 FS227223@OHIO.EDU

Students leaving and sitting outside of Grover Center, which contains departments from the Patton College of Education and the College of Health Sciences and Professions’ School of Nursing, Dec. 4, 2025, in Athens. (ALLIE STEVENS | FOR THE POST)

HUMAN INTEREST

THEPOSTATHENS.COM

ACEnet features, toasts local businesses LIBBY SHOEMAKER FOR THE POST

quality jobs and connect with other entrepreneurs for mutual benefit.”

The Appalachian Center for Economic Networks brought the holiday spirit to Athens by highlighting local businesses. ACEnet hosted its annual holiday open house Dec. 4 with food, wine, holiday music, a cake walk raffle and holiday shopping.

Thursday’s holiday open house featured local businesses including AfrimArt, Appalachian Herb Co., Community Food Initiatives, Elza Pearl Wildfarm, EventFull Catering, Flour & Thyme, Fusion Wave, Goldenrod Gatherings, Happy Snacking Athens, Hei Hei, Lone Wolf Lavender and Root 56 Farm.

ACEnet is a “community-based economic development organization” with a mission to grow the regional economy by supporting “residents who want to start businesses, obtain

These businesses transformed ACEnet’s Food Ventures Center into a holiday marketplace. The marketplace flourished with different booths to get

shoppers in the holiday spirit, featuring everything from on-site cooking to live holiday music.

Polanosky said she benefits from ACEnet, as it provides storage space and kitchen facilities for her business.

Shoppers saw a glimpse of local businesses in the area and had the opportunity to support them. Daniel Gates, a shopper at the event, said he started supporting ACEnet about 20 years ago, when he moved to Athens.

“(ACEnet) takes down the barriers to entry for small businesses; this storage space would cost a lot more money somewhere else,” Polanosky said. “It’s really about reducing barriers and having a shared communal space.”

“I think (the event) is excellent for the community,” Gates said. “It’s important to bring in small businesses, it really is.”

Ana Leon, ACEnet’s regional program manager and OU alumna, strives to empower and support new entrepreneurs in the area. Leon said the holiday open house is essential in showcasing ACEnet’s hardworking clients and to collaborate with locals.

The open house showcased clients and tenants who use the space or have received support from ACEnet. As shoppers observed the holiday festivities, business owners expressed gratitude toward ACEnet’s support and attendees. Featured at the open house was Goldenrod Gatherings, founded and owned by Alexandria Polanosky, a client of ACEnet. Goldenrod Gatherings offers vintage tablescape rentals, dishes and glassware.

People mingle and shop at local vendor booths during ACEnet’s Holiday Open House, Dec. 4, 2025. (TALITHA MALOY | PHOTO EDITOR)

An alumna of Ohio University, Polanosky has been involved with ACEnet since her graduation and works for the university as the strategic communications coordinator for student affairs.

“Each year brings people we haven’t before or invites people that haven’t been part of the event,” Leon said. “We do have a limited amount of space, but it works out pretty well.” For vendors and visitors alike, the holiday mart celebrated products and featured the hardworking individuals behind the businesses at ACEnet. “(The event) is to celebrate in the community, to enjoy with all the people that also love our work and support us,” Leon said. “There’s a lot of community members that are here to support us.”

Band-O-Rama returns, cacophony echoes from Memorial Auditorium MARY KATE MCNAMEE FOR THE POST Ohio University’s annual Band-ORama returned, featuring music from the University Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony and the Marching 110. The free concert was held in Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium, located at 33 University Terrace on Thursday. William Talley, director of bands at OU, said there are several musical ensembles Bobcats can join. “The marching band is the most visible aspect of our instrumental music program,” Talley said. “But our concert bands, the Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band, are audition bands and they consist primarily of music majors.” At the beginning of each semester, students audition and are placed in one of the two ensembles. “The Wind Symphony is the most advanced group, and then the Symphonic Band is kind of the second tier of players,” Talley said. “The University Band is not an audition group, and most of the players that are in there are community members or just students who are at OU who maybe played in their high school band and want to continue to play.” Talley said Band-O-Rama’s name comes from the fact that all of OU’s bands participate, and the concert is

held as part of the Honor Band Festival for high schoolers. “We’ll have about 180 high schoolers here on campus arriving Thursday and Friday morning … so while those students are here, in addition to preparing music with us, we want them to see what opportunities there are to perform music on our campus,” Talley said. “And so that’s what the Band-ORama concert is about, letting them see all the ensembles that are available to them.” Talley said performing is paramount for college students, as they can use performance opportunities to prepare for their future careers.

performance are really key, and that’s what we need to learn how to do as professional musicians,” Talley said. Some students are involved in multiple bands, as various members of the 110 also participate in the other ensembles on campus. Maecy Voytek, a junior studying hearing, speech and language science, is a member of the 110. Voytek said she went early to the concert to see her friends perform in their numerous ensembles. “I think the audience doesn’t realize that there are a ton of Marching 110 members in the concert bands,” Voytek said. “So I have quite a few friends that are in the Wind Symphony, which performs right before the 110. So they have to get off stage and switch instruments because they don’t play the same instrument in the Wind

Symphony and the 110.” The Symphonic and Wind Symphony bands presented audience members with thoughtfully arranged performances, as days and weeks have been put into perfecting them. “It’s really nice to hear some really well put together charts, especially from the Symphonic band and the Wind Symphony,” Voytek said. “They are just absolutely beautiful every single time.” Alden Laipply, a sophomore studying engineering, technology and management, is a member of the 110 and said he was excited to hear the various sets performed.

“It’s cool because it’s something that I’m not really exposed to most of the time,” Laipply said. “I am not in (University Band) or any other band, so it’s neat to be able to come and see them, especially because I Graduate conductor Alexis Carlson conducts the University Band during Band-O-Rama at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium at have so many friends in them.” Ohio University in Athens, Dec. 4, 2025. (TALITHA MALOY | PHOTO EDITOR) Band-O-Rama, while initially intended for high schoolers, also provided the campus and the neighborhood a chance to hear carefully crafted performances.

“The opportunities to perform for people and put all of our hard work in practice and rehearsal into practice for

“I think everyone should be involved with the arts,” Laipply said. “I think it’s really important, no matter what you do. I mean, I’m an engineer, so I don’t really do a lot of artsy stuff besides this, but I really love it. I think it’s really important.”

DEC. 9, 2025

SOLUTIONS

Two Appalachian states bound by one epidemic take different paths forward ABBY WAECHTER DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS STRATEGY NATALIE SADDLER SLOT EDITOR MARIA SAUNDERS FOR THE POST The opioid epidemic has quietly shaped daily life across Appalachia for decades. Although addiction touches every corner of the U.S., the burden in Appalachia is heavier and more persistent. At the start of the 2000s, overdose death rates in Appalachian counties mirrored the rest of the nation. By 2017, those same counties saw overdose death rates 72% higher than non-Appalachian areas, according to the 2019 Opioids in Appalachia report by the National Association of Counties and the Appalachian Regional Commission. This crisis took root decades earlier, as prescription painkillers flooded rural communities in the 1990s and early 2000s. As medical providers turned increasingly to opioids for chronic pain, access soared while safeguards lagged. Prescription rates in Appalachian counties were 45% higher than in the rest of the country by 2017, according to NACo. Leftover pills became a pipeline to misuse: more than half of patients had unused medication, and most people who used painkillers non-medically got them from friends or family, according to a report by Governing. Today, the human cost continues to grow. In 2023, opioid overdose deaths nationwide were 10 times higher than in 1999, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Behind each statistic is a family and a community navigating loss, stigma and limited access to treatment. To move beyond the statistics and examine what is being done in response, and whether those efforts are working, The Post traveled to West Virginia University in Morgantown to compare its approach, and that of Monongalia County, with Ohio University and Athens County. Both towns sit in the heart of Appalachia, and both face similar challenges, but their responses reveal how policy, resources and community partnerships can shape recovery in markedly different ways. On campuses, the response to the opioid epidemic has centered on education and naloxone access. In communities, institutionalized treatment, recovery programs and group therapy have formed the foundation of local response, with differing results that raise the central question of this project: what actually works, and why?

TWO CAMPUSES, TWO PREVENTION PLAYBOOKS With comparable student populations and economic pressures, both OU and WVU campuses are taking active roles in addressing the opioid epidemic. Less than three hours apart by car, both universities serve about 20,000 undergraduate students and are located in counties classified as “high poverty,” according to

the U.S. Census Bureau, where more than 20% of the population lives below the federal poverty line. As a result, both campuses have centered their harm-reduction efforts on education alongside free access to naloxone, aiming to ensure students not only have the medication but also know how and when to use it. Naloxone distribution at WVU’s Office of Wellness and Health Promotion began in fall 2020 in partnership with the local county health department, according to Senior Health Educator Wesley Thomas. At OU, five naloxone cabinets are spread across campus. The Office of Health Promotion and the Collegiate Recovery Community also maintain supplies for students and have distributed about 133 boxes of Narcan through cabinet locations and the main office. At WVU, naloxone access is far more widespread, with 25 distribution locations across campus – five times the amount as OU – and almost half of them are located inside WVU student residence halls. Both schools also offer free fentanyl testing strips in various boxes and offices. Together, the data suggests that while naloxone access and training alone cannot fully account for statewide declines, the states investing most heavily in layered, campus-to-clinic harm reduction are seeing the steepest shortterm drops in overdose deaths.

Wesley Thomas poses for a portrait in his office located in the WVU Student Health Building, Nov. 20, 2025.

(CAMDEN PAELTZ | FOR THE POST)

BREAKDOWN OF OPIOID RESPONSE RESOURCES BY UNIVERSITY University

Ohio University

West Virginia University

Campus resources • • • • • • •

Basics (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students). Collegiate Recovery Community R.I.S.E Collegiate Recovery Community WELLWVU WVU Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP) WVU Medicine Center for Hope and Healing WVU PEERS

Community resources • • •

Recovery Connections of Southeast Ohio Hopewell Health Centers Health Recovery Services (HRS)

• • •

WVUS Medicine Center for Hope and Healing Center of Addiction Excellence Comprehensive Opioid Addiction Treatment (COAT)

(NATALIE SADDLER | SLOT EDITOR)

While both campuses rely on naloxone access and education as their frontline defense, the scale and structure of those efforts reflect fundamentally different philosophies of prevention. WVU’s model prioritizes saturation and institutional integration, embedding Narcan into residence life and student organizations. OU’s approach is more decentralized, routed through offices and voluntary participation, making harm reduction available, but less unavoidable. At WVU, Narcan training has been a part of resident advisor training for several years, and the Interfraternity Council requires fraternities to keep a naloxone kit on hand. At OU, Narcan training is not currently included in required RA training or listed as a part of their job responsibilities. Although campus naloxone access alone cannot explain community overdose trends, statewide data still points to broader change. Overdose deaths in West Virginia fell 36% from January to July 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, according to the West Virginia Department of Human Services, reflecting expanded harm-reduction and education efforts also seen on WVU’s campus. In Ohio, the decline has been more modest. The state recorded 4,452 unintentional drug overdose deaths from 2022 to 2023, a 9% decrease and the second consecutive year of decline following a 5% decrease from 2021 to 2022, according to the Ohio Department of Health. That drop exceeded the national decrease of 2% in the same time period, but it remains far smaller than West Virginia’s recent reduction. Illicit CONTINUED, PAGE 8

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SOLUTIONS

Ohio has big choices ahead

Sherrod Brown is running to replace a Trumpy guy as Senator from Ohio. The primary takes place 5 May 2026, and the election takes place 3 November 2026. Jerrad Christian is running to replace a Trumpy guy as Representative for Ohio’s 12th District.

A Holiday Reminder: Kindness Never Goes Out of Style Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Everyone In Kent, Ohio, early in his vaudeville days, W.C. Fields found himself stranded. (At this time, he was still being victimized by tour managers who would abscond with their performers’ salaries.) He had six dollars, sold his coat for two dollars, and then went to the railroad station to inquire about the fare to New York. The railroad agent told him that it was just over $10. (Ten dollars in 1894 was the rough equivalent of over $377 in the year 2025.) “Well, I guess I’m stuck,” Mr. Fields said. “I’ve got eight dollars.” The agent asked if he was an entertainer, and on hearing that Mr. Fields was, he said, “People don’t put much trust in you folks, do they?” (At this time, being an entertainer was about as low on the social scale as a person could be.) “We’re used to it,” Mr. Fields said. The agent then gave Mr. Fields $10 and said, “I’ve always wondered what there was to that story. When you get a little ahead, send this back.” That rare act of kindness impressed Mr. Fields so much that he sat on a bench and cried. Two years later, Mr. Fields was finally able to repay the debt. On Christmas Eve, 1896, he sent $20 to the railroad agent ($10 was for “interest”), and then he stood in line at a free soup kitchen for a Christmas dinner. Years later, after Mr. Fields became a huge success, he visited the agent, as did other famous show people who learned what the agent had done for Mr. Fields. Comedians Jimmy Durante and Eddie Cantor were very giving of their time to good causes. On New Year’s Day of 1943, Mr. Durante met Mr. Cantor while taking a walk. “Eddie,” Mr. Durante said, “I’m just thinkin’. This must be a tough time for the guys over there in that hospital. Here it’s New Year’s Day, they’re sick, some of ’em have amputations. What do ya say we go over and entertain?” The two comedians rehearsed for a short time, and then they entertained at the hospital from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Afterward, Mr. Durante said hoarsely to Mr. Cantor, “Eddie, tell me, don’t a t’ing like dis make ya feel good?”

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The WVU Student Health Clinic located in Morgantown, West Virginia, Nov. 20, 2025.

(CAMDEN PAELTZ | FOR THE POST) fentanyl was still involved in 78% of Ohio overdose deaths in 2023, highlighting both the progress and the limits of current prevention efforts. At OU, most fraternity and sorority chapter houses keep Narcan on site and receive annual training on how to use it, according to Chris Medrano Graham, the director of sorority and fraternity life. “We do this type of education for our Greek Community annually and are consistently providing training on highrisk behavior and prevention,” Medrano Graham wrote in an email. Both universities also train faculty and staff, the scale and consistency, however, differ. At WVU, more than 100 faculty and staff members have received some form of naloxone training over the years, according to Thomas. That number, however, is only a fraction of WVU’s 8,346 faculty and staff, only making up about 2% of the population. At OU that number is roughly three times higher than at WVU, with about 7% of the 6,023 faculty and staff trained when campus naloxone cabinets were first installed, according to Ann Brandon, the associate director of prevention and education in the Office of Health Promotion. Providing naloxone is only part of the equation. Access alone is not enough, Thomas and Brandon said, stressing that students and employees must also be trained to use it in emergencies. At WVU, naloxone education is built into the academic year, with multiple trainings offered during welcome week and at least one open training scheduled each month for students and employees, according to Thomas. Students and faculty can also request training for clubs or classes, and many first-year seminar instructors do so. Students and employees at OU can

similarly request naloxone trainings. Many first-year students participate in learning communities during their first semester, where alcohol and other drug education is incorporated into the curriculum with support from the Office of Health Promotion. Since 2022, there have been 4,375 students enrolled in a learning community, with 98% of the first year students being enrolled this year. Despite these efforts, neither university requires mandatory Narcan training for students at any point during their academic journeys. As a result, the reach of overdose education remains limited by awareness, scheduling and student interest. Staffing constraints further shape what both campuses can offer. OU’s Office of Health Promotion operates with two full-time staff and six to eight Bobcat Peer Educators. At WVU, Thomas said expanding education efforts requires broader campus partnerships, including student-led advocates who now assist with training. In an overdose emergency, access to Narcan and the knowledge to use it can mean the difference between life and death. But the limits of the medication, the rise of non-opioid substances and capacity constraints continue to shape how far harm-reduction efforts can extend on both campuses. As the opioid crisis evolves across Appalachia, both universities remain in the process of adapting their approaches while balancing data, resources and student safety.

TWO COUNTIES, TWO RECOVERY ROADMAPS Athens County and Monongalia County share more than just close relationships CONTINUED, PAGE 9

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CASSIE DYE DIRECTOR OF MULTIMEDIA CAMDEN PAELTZ FOR THE POST

Source: Robert Lewis Taylor, W.C. Fields: His Follies and Fortunes (Garden City, NY: Doubleday and Company, Inc., 1949), pp. 48-49, 61-62. Eddie Cantor, Take My Life (Written with Jane Kesner Ardmore. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1957), p. 59. Anecdotes retold in David Bruce’s own words. David Bruce paid for this ad, which is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s campaign.

The Appalachian regions of West Virginia and Ohio have borne a disproportionate share of the opioid epidemic’s impact compared with the rest of the country.

DEC. 9, 2025

SOLUTIONS

Chris McNeil poses for a portrait outside the Recovery Connections of Southeast Ohio building in Athens, Dec. 5, 2025

Jeremiah Hopkins poses for a portrait in his office located in the WVU Student Health Building Nov. 20, 2025.

(CAMDEN PAELTZ | FOR THE POST)

Two communities in recovery with their flagship universities, OU and WVU. In both, student populations drive the local economy and shape public health infrastructure. That dependence has positioned each university as a central player in how its community responds to the opioid epidemic, but the strategies that have emerged look different. In Monongalia County, the response is heavily clinical and tightly measured. According to a county naloxone report, 582 people received substance-userelated assistance in October, and 291 Narcan kits were distributed that same month. This reflects both sustained overdose risk and a scaling harm-reduction system designed to meet it with frequent contact, medical supervision and accountability. Athens County’s response is more community-centered and less medicalized. In 2023, the county’s opioid dispensing rate stood at about 40 prescriptions per 100 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Monongalia County’s 2023 rate was significantly higher at 59.6 per 100 that same year, though it has since declined while Athens County’s rate has continued to rise. The diverging trends reveal a core tension in Appalachian recovery efforts: while Monongalia has leaned into treatment intensity and structured monitoring, Athens has prioritized peer support and recovery access outside formal clinical settings. In Athens County, much of that work flows through Recovery Connections of Southeast Ohio, a nonprofit that provides non-clinical recovery support and connects people to long-term services. The organization operates locations in both Nelsonville and Athens, where weekly meetings offer people in recovery

a consistent, substance-free environment focused on peer connection rather than medical intervention.

part of our events … has been a really good collaboration because the largest employer in town is the university.”

Executive director Chris McNeil said public visibility is central to the group’s strategy. Partnerships with local festivals including Nelsonville Music Festival and Paw Paw Festival, Recovery Connections and OU Collegiate Recovery Community create on-site sober spaces for attendees navigating substance use.

Monongalia County’s response, by contrast, is anchored in clinical integration through WVU Medicine, the Center for Hope and Healing and the Center of Addiction Excellence. Psychiatrist Jeremiah Hopkins works with both students and community members through the Comprehensive Opioid Addiction Treatment program, a structured treatment model built on frequent supervision and layered care.

“A lot of festivals have alcohol and drugs, and sometimes people just need a break from that,” McNeil said. The model’s strength, accessibility without clinical barriers, is also its greatest limitation. Opioids carry one of the highest documented relapse risks among substances. DrugAbuse.com reports 91% of people recovering from opioid use disorder are at risk of relapse. For a system built largely around peer support rather than continuous medical oversight, that volatility presents ongoing challenges to long-term stability. “That’s part of the brain makeup of somebody who has an addictive personality,” McNeil said. “I was like, ‘OK, I just need to get this under control.’ Well, my brain just wouldn’t allow me to do that without completely relieving it or getting rid of it.” McNeil said OU’s role remains essential to maintaining momentum in Athens County’s recovery network. “You can’t do anything in this town and ignore Ohio University,” McNeil said. “Reaching out to organizations to be a

Through COAT, patients receive coordinated services from a psychiatrist, therapist and case manager. Treatment typically begins with weekly visits, with intensified monitoring when relapse risk rises. “More touch-base points means better accountability,” Hopkins said. “(Patients are) more likely to improve in the future

as they progress through the program.” Hopkins also pointed to Chestnut Ridge Center in Morgantown as a key facility offering multiple levels of inpatient and outpatient care based on patient need. Together, these programs form a tightly regulated clinical pipeline, one that prioritizes medical accountability and structure alongside harm-reduction access. In two neighboring Appalachian counties facing the same epidemic, recovery has taken different shapes, one rooted in community connection and visibility, the other structured through clinical oversight and medical accountability. Neither offers a cure-all, together they reveal how the choices a community makes about response determine not only who receives help, but also what kind of help is possible. For students and residents on both sides of the Ohio River, those choices can be life changing.

The Recovery Connections of Southeast Ohio building in Athens, Dec. 5, 2025. (CAMDEN PAELTZ | FOR THE POST)

SPORTS

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Women’s Basketball: Ohio prevails late in battle against UIC CARLY KUNKLER | FOR THE POST Ohio (4-3 overall) welcomed the University of Illinois Chicago Flames to The Convo for a tight battle where every second counted Friday night. Despite shooting 46% in three-point range and 43% from the field, the UIC offense was bested by Ohio’s. The Bobcats shot 32% in the three-point range and 39% from the field, and the game ended 72-70 Ohio. Ohio had 18 turnovers compared to UIC’s 22 turnovers. However, the Bobcats only grabbed 38 rebounds, 13 offensively and 25 defensively, while the Flames had 41, with 11 offensively and 30 defensively. Asiah Baxter started off the first quarter for Ohio with a huge three-point jumper assisted by guard Bella Ranallo just nine seconds into the game. UIC picked up the rebound just to turn the ball back over to the Bobcats, earning Baxter a steal. After going back and forth with missed shots, the Flames tied the game with a three by Sara Zabrecky. They continued on a scoring run and led the Bobcats 10-3 before Ranallo added a layup. This run pushed the Bobcats into a onepoint lead over the Flames, just to be forced into a tie due to a foul by Ranallo. However, Ohio prevailed for the first quarter with a 16-13 lead. The second quarter started with a three-point jumper by guard Bailey Tabeling, which was quickly answered by another three-pointer by Zabrecky. The Bobcats’ offense started to heat up, outscoring UIC 13-3 over two minutes and 58 seconds, leading to a Bobcat lead of 32-21.

Then, they went straight into a scoring drought for almost 5 minutes, adding only one more three-pointer before the end of the quarter. UIC added 7 more points, and the second quarter ended with a 35-28 score and a Bobcat lead. Despite going into the second half with the lead, the Ohio offense slowed down. After being able to add four by Ranallo, if let the Flames’ offense fight their way back to eventually take a 47-46 lead. The third quarter was packed with offense on both sides, and Ohio finally took the lead back and ended the quarter with a tight 56-54 lead. The fourth quarter started with two steals by the Bobcat defense, but only one point, off a Danni Scully free throw, was to show for it.

scoring 37 points, despite the Flames scoring 42 points. Both teams kept the game close in the second half and had fans on the edges of their seats. Ranallo led with 18 points, seven rebounds, three offensively and four defensively, and six assists. Samantha Serrano led the Flames with 18 points, eight rebounds, only one coming offensively, and four assists. Ohio goes back on the road and heads to Radford, Virginia, to face the Radford Highlanders on Saturday at 2 p.m. CK313923@OHIO.EDU Guard Bella Ranallo (3) during the Bobcats’ game against UIC, Dec. 5, 2025. (JOHN FOUSS | FOR THE POST)

When UIC finally held onto the ball, it made two threepoint jumpers and a layup, flipping the score to 62-59 and grabbing the lead. Baxter grabbed a free throw before the Flames pushed the score to 66-60. Aliah McWhorter took initiative and added a layup and a free throw before Tabeling gave the Bobcats three more points and a 67-66 lead, with just two minutes and 56 seconds remaining. Ranallo fouled Zabrecky, allowing for a free throw point and a tied game. Tabeling then scored another three-pointer to take the lead back. However, Zabrecky fought back with another three, tying the game again, but McWhorter’s layup with just two seconds to go gave the Bobcats their fourth win this season. The Flames only made one of seven field goal attempts at the end of the game. The Bobcats’ offense came alive in the second half,

Men’s Basketball: Ohio wins its second straight over Marshall

OWEN LIPSTREU | ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Ohio (3-6 overall) took care of business at home, winning its second straight over Marshall (5-4 overall), as all starters scored double digits, including a doubledouble by senior forward Aidan Hadaway. Coming off its second win of the season, Ohio welcomed rival Marshall into The Convo to wrap up its two-game homestand. The Bobcats started hot Wednesday against Maine and got right to work Saturday afternoon, jumping out to an early 8-4 lead behind a trifecta of buckets from senior forward Aidan Hadaway, including two three-pointers. “I mean, with (redshirt junior Javan) Simmons, (senior guard Jackson Pavaletzke) and (senior guard Ajay) Sheldon shooting, (their defense was) kind of not worried about me, especially on the perimeter, so, I was just open,” Hadaway said. “If I’m open, I get told to shoot it. So I shot it, and it was falling tonight.” Hadaway stayed hot for Ohio out of the first timeout, collecting a miss and putting it back up and in to put Ohio ahead 10-6. The rest of the Bobcats wanted to get in on the scoring, and it started with a pull-up jumper from Sheldon. Marshall responded on the other end with an and-one to cut the lead to 12-11. The Bobcats continued to spread the ball and kept the slim lead behind a pair of free throws from redshirt senior Jalen Breath and a turnaround jumper from Paveletzke to give them a 16-15 edge. The pace slowed down dramatically with a couple of fouls in quick succession. Ohio took advantage once play quickened again. First, it was another jumper by Paveletzke, and then a fast break layup by freshman guard JJ Kelly on a pass from Hadaway as the Bobcats extended the lead to 22-18. Breath kept doing the dirty work down low and was rewarded with a couple more trips to the free-throw line, where he made three of four. Paveletzke then found some space behind the arc and made a three-pointer, but the Bobcats were not done there. The immediate inbound was thrown into the hands of sophomore guard Elijah Elliott, who found Kelly for another transition layup, allowing the Bobcats to go up 30-24. After another Marshall miss, Ohio got the ball to Kelly, who once again beat his man, getting into the paint for another bucket.

The Thundering Herd found a little life after a timeout, but Ohio quickly took back the momentum with backto-back-and-ones by Simmons as the crowd roared to life with the lead reaching double digits, now 38-28. Ohio went into the locker room with a lead for the third consecutive game and had the shooting advantage from the field and from beyond the arc. The Bobcats also hung their hats on the advantage in free throw attempts, having taken nine more than the Thundering Herd. The second half started just like the first with the hot hand of Hadaway. Ohio spread the ball around and found him on the right wing for an open three-pointer, and then on the following possession, he sought out contact and dunked over a Marshall defender down low. The hot play continued into the third possession when Ohio again found Hadaway, this time in the left corner for another three-pointer and a 48-37 lead. Marshall was not just going to let the Bobcats pull away. It went on an 8-0 run that included a pair of pull-up Guard Ajay Sheldon (0) during the Bobcats game against Maine, Dec. 3, 2025. The Bobcats beat Maine 7957 in The Convo. (JOHN FOUSS | FOR THE POST)

three-pointers and a flashy layup to seize momentum and force an early second-half timeout by the Bobcats, who now only had a slim 48-45 advantage. Ohio needed a spark, so who else but the high-flying Kelly to do so. After a hustle rebound by Sheldon, he found Kelly for a three-pointer. Then, Kelly was found cutting to the rim where he was fouled on a ferocious dunk to put Ohio up 54-47 after the free throw. The Thundering Herd changed the pace up in the second period, putting the Bobcats on their heels and collecting some easy buckets to trim the lead back to just three, at 59-56. Ohio needed to regroup and did so after a Marshall miss with a physical drive by Paveletzke, where he converted the floater and the free throw that followed to push the lead back to six. Both teams went back and forth before senior guard Dior Conners got hot, first making a contested layup, and then followed it up with a massive three-pointer. He was not alone. Sheldon followed with another threepointer on a pass from Kelly to reassume a double-digit lead for Ohio, up 73-62. Sheldon felt himself and kept firing, hitting another three-pointer. Marshall responded with physicality and free throws, cutting the lead to 10 with just under six minutes to play. Ohio put this one away with hustle and grit. The final nail in the coffin came at the three-minute mark on an inbound steal by Sheldon that resulted in a scoring chance for Hadaway, who was fouled, making one of two at the charity stripe as the lead continued to grow, Ohio was now up 86-70. “He always shoots extra, watches film, and you know, sometimes you have to see one go in, and, last game he was a beast defensively,” Ohio head coach Jeff Boals said. The Bobcats ran out the final couple of minutes to capture their second consecutive win by a score of 88-81. Paveletzke led Ohio with 22 points, but it was a complete team effort with all starters reaching double figures in the afternoon. “Our staff has done a great job, you know, staying positive, keeping the work ethic, and you know, to get a win Wednesday, to build on that and get another win tonight. Hopefully that gives us momentum,” Boals said.

OL415422@OHIO.EDU

DEC. 9, 2025

SPORTS

4 Ohio swimmers participate in Toyota U.S. Open CAMERON CREGO | FOR THE POST Four Ohio swimmers traveled to Austin, Texas, to participate in the 2025 Toyota U.S. Open Championships Friday-Sunday. The Bobcats competed in a total of six events, and qualified for finals in all six. It was a successful trip to the Lone Star State for Ohio, as it competed on the highest level against some elite schools. The Toyota U.S. Open is a swimming-only event, and it saw four of its best swimmers take to the water to compete. Friday began with Casadie DiBetta swimming in the 100-meter breaststroke. She set a new personal best time of 1:10.08, qualifying for the event’s B Final. She improved her time in the final to a time of 1:09.93, and finished 10th overall in the event. Also on Friday, All-American junior Zita Szoke qualified for the finals in the 200m freestyle. She reached the B Final with a qualifying time of 2:02.31, which she improved to a time of 2:01.64 in the finals, and placed 13th in the event.

Ohio swimmers performing the backstroke during the Green and White Scrimmage, Oct. 4, 2025. (JOHN FOUSS | FOR THE POST)

All four Ohio swimmers competed Saturday. Jordan Claypoole made the C Final in the 50-meter butterfly, where she set a personal best of 27.94 and finished 22nd. Juliana Slaninka made the B final in the 200m backstroke with a qualifying time of 2:18.81, and finished with a 15th place time of 2:18.05. DiBetta again improved her personal best twice, this time in the 200m breaststroke, and qualified for the B Final with a time of 2:33.67. She finished 10th in the finals after she improved to a time of 2:32.37. Szoke rounded out the Bobcats’ weekend with the strongest performance of any Ohio swimmer. Her time of 54.94 in the 100-meter freestyle qualified her for the A Final. She ended up swimming a time of 54.96 in the final. She got 8th place and took home a medal for Ohio. The competition against some of the nation’s best is beneficial as Ohio reached the halfway point of the season and is beginning preparations for the MidAmerican Conference and NCAA championships. With the divers getting a break with this swimmingonly event, they are next up to compete when the Bobcats travel north to a MAC foe Buffalo for a divingonly event Jan. 8-10. Ohio’s next meet is at home Friday, Jan. 16, where the Bobcats host Senior Day against Bowling Green. The Bobcats have done well in MAC play up to this point in the season, with two wins against Buffalo and a win over Ball State while also earning a victory over a former MAC member in Marshall.

Ohio divers during the Green and White Scrimmage, Oct. 4, 2025. (JOHN FOUSS | FOR THE POST)

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ENTERTAINMENT

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Streaming services impact holiday specials AUSTIN YAU | FOR THE POST

This has created a negative spiral as fewer Christmas specials are being produced.

The holidays are here, and that means holiday specials resurface on TVs. Classics such as “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965) are enjoyed across America. However, it feels like these holiday classics are becoming less important concepts in the entertainment industry.

Cosmopolitan’s guide to Christmas TV specials this year, it seems a little bare. Most of the suggested shows are live music and dance performances, evening show specials, parades or reruns. There are some new notables, such as Apple TV’s “The First Snow of Fraggle Rock” and ABC’s “Prep and Landing: The Snowball Protocol.”

The first-ever animated Christmas special, specifically adapted for TV, “Mister Magoo’s Christmas Carol,” aired on NBC Dec. 18, 1962. In an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” Mister Magoo is cast as Ebenezer Scrooge in a Broadway adaptation of “A Christmas Carol,” and we follow him and the rest of the characters through their portrayal of the story. For those who want to watch it, the full 52-minute Christmas special is available on the Internet Archive. “Mister Magoo’s” started a wave in the 1960s. This decade produced “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965), and beloved classics like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1964) and “Frosty the Snowman”(1969). Network television shows realized the value of Christmas-specific episodes. Big sitcoms like “Friends” and “The Office” produced Christmas episodes now widely recognized as classics. Tim Havens, a communications professor at the University of Iowa, said the charm of these Christmas specials was that “In the early days of TV, only a handful of holiday specials aired, often only one time during the season.” This has changed with the rise of streaming services. Many of these specials can be found on streaming services, and as people cut cable, the occasions for these specials isn’t the same.

Due to streaming, people keep going back to what they know. “We rewatch old movies because they allow us to relive a time we remember with fondness.” Dr. Robert Kraft said for Psychology Today. Christmas is at the peak of this idea. All the traditions and things that feel like a necessary part of Christmas trigger these desires to relive times. For many, these specials are part of what helps them relive the moments they treasure, since people rewatch them to feel nostalgic; there isn’t an incentive for creating new Christmas specials. This hasn’t stopped some shows from trying their hand at Christmas episodes. “Abbott Elementary” released a double feature of Christmas episodes in 2024, which garnered positive reception from viewers. Shows have also switched how they do Christmas episodes. “The Bear,” which has dominated awards, took a wildly different approach to Christmas specials with episode six of season two, “Fishes.” The hour-long flashback episode isn’t filled with the typical joy of Christmas but feels like more of a tensionladen stand-off between a mother and son. It caught the attention of critics and awards. The episode was

© Disney, All Rights Reserved nominated for 16 awards and won seven. “Fishes” might have laid the groundwork for something attention-grabbing for Christmas specials going forward. Nostalgia keeps a consistent audience for the older products they grew up watching. Christmas episodes and specials are not a thing of the past, but the approach might need some tweaking. AY490124@OHIO.EDU

‘Zootopia 2’ is Disney at its best LUKE REAM | FOR THE POST

Nine years following the release of the Academy Award-winning Disney feature, “Zootopia” (2016), its sequel has finally landed on the big screen. “Zootopia” has an Oscar, a 98% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an over $1 billion box office total. The sequel had large shoes to fill to meet fan expectations. Those expectations were blown out of the water just one week into the release.

This world of Zootopia had so much potential and used the ability to meet numerous new characters in every environment it held. Audiences were introduced to the world of Marsh Market, where the reptiles lived in hiding and got to experience the history of Zootopia, including its founding.

This constant cycle of remakes and sequels was met with mixed to negative reviews from both audiences and critics alike. Notably, the live-action remake of “Snow White” received such a strong backlash it grossed only $205 million against a $270 million budget.

The first film’s focus on discrimination and power is only expounded in this film. It explored topics of fearmongering by people in power and the discriminatory displacement of people from their land. It shows how the rich and powerful can easily create a narrative, taking more power for themselves.

With 180 reviews from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, “Zootopia 2” holds a 92% positive rating. It has grossed over $900 million and is estimated to make $1.5 billion to $1.7 billion. This includes a near $300 million opening weekend from China, the second-largest for a foreign film in Chinese history.

“Zootopia 2” directly follows the events of the original, with the dynamic duo Hopps and Wilde, now partners at the Zootopia Police Department, continuing their endeavor to prove that a fox and a bunny can work together. Hopps then learns about the Zootennial Gala, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Lynxley

After they are discovered by police, Wilde and Hopps are separated. Wilde is arrested and Hopps is rescued by the snake and Pawbert Lynxley, who is working with the snake. Hopps learns it wasn’t a Lynxley that wrote the journal and created the weatherwalls, but a snake who has the original patent hidden in her home. “Zootopia 2” did everything the original does and, in some ways, better. The franchise continued its phenomenal world-building of the ever-expanding Zootopia, and it was undeniably funny, never shying away from a good pun or from the morals and lessons established in the first film.

Disney’s last few projects have been everything but original. From the releases of sequels like “Moana 2” and “Freakier Friday,” along with live-action remakes like “Mufasa: The Lion King,” there are very few notable original releases from Disney as of late.

This film is one of Disney’s few recent sequels that holds its own against its original at the box office. It’s cast only helps, with the original cast returning, including Ginnifer Goodwin (Judy Hopps), Jason Bateman (Nick Wilde) and Shakira (Gazelle). Disney brought in huge supporting acts with Andy Samberg (Pawbery Lynxley), Patrick Warburton (Mayor Winddancer) and Ke Huy Quan (Gary De’Snake), along with a series of celebrity cameos.

learned a secret message is hidden in the metal cover of the journal and can only be read by a snake.

Journal, which created the weatherwalls that separate the climates of Zootopia. A century ago, a snake attempted to steal the journal, which led to the killing of a tortoise and the banishment of snakes and reptiles from Zootopia. Wilde and Hopps went to the gala out of concern another snake would try to steal the journal. Their concern was proven right, but the snake insisted the Lynxleys are the bad guys. After believing the snake, Wilde and Hopps went on the run after protecting a fugitive and almost killing Chief Bogo. While on the run, they are led by Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune Feimster) into a secret, underground society of the last remaining reptiles in Zootopia. There, they

Of course, the best part of both of these films was the dynamic between Wilde and Hopps. The confession scene following their near-death experiences was nothing but a tear-jerker: a gorgeous proclamation of care and love. This film is for all ages. It featured many pop culture references that older generations can enjoy, along with a masterful visual journey and fun characters kids love. Disney proved it can expand its original ideas without relying on older plot points. w Disney absolutely has a blossoming franchise in their hands, and with the post-credit scene showing it may expand its world by introducing birds, it looks like it will capitalize on it. LR344324@OHIO.EDU

DEC. 9, 2025

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Heidi’s Hot Takes ‘Stranger Things’ is more than a TV show HEIDI BARTOLONE | FOR THE POST Pop culture is in a constant state of remakes and scraps from the past, which feel like old memories. Lately, TV consists of reboots, remakes and sequels, each one more sloppy than the last. Then came “Stranger Things,” a science fiction show set in the 80s, created by the Duffer brothers, Matt and Ross Duffer. The show is something genuine and thrillingly new; it was meticulously designed to be revolutionary. The hit show, highly rated on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 90%, debuted on Netflix in July 2016, and since then, the series has been off the charts. The show, set in the small, fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, is a tribute to 80s pop culture, giving it a strong sense of nostalgia. The story begins with the vanishing of a young boy. However, the show became popular for its blend of childhood friendship, government conspiracies and supernatural horror. The show is not a simple story written to impress an audience. “Stranger Things” gives a familiar sense of nostalgia with its 1980s fashion and culture. The revolution of the multi-season show isn’t in a new visual effect or a never-before-seen plot; it’s in the complete mastery of emotional storytelling. It’s a show that not only understood its audience but also carefully crafted its audience. The Duffer brothers created a world where bicycles and Dungeons and Dragons campaigns were the setting, not the point. The point was the raw emotion of childhood friendship, the terror of the unknown and the fierce love of a protective mother pushed to her limit. Joyce Byers, with her Christmas lights and desperation, became one of television’s most iconic and relatable figures, grounding the sci-fi horror in a universal human truth: you will do anything for the people you love. What makes this show so revolutionary is its narrative power. The 80s aesthetic draws the audience in, but the characters are the hook. The show does not focus solely on the kids as a singular unit. “Stranger Things” wove together multiple, equally compelling narratives.

Fans care just as much about the awkward evolving relationships of teenagers Nancy Wheeler, Johnathan Byers and Steve Harrington, with his flawless redemption arc, as they do about Eleven’s sacrifice or government conspiracy and every character from Chief Jim Hopper to Barb Holland, whose brutal ending showed mastery in storytelling. Furthermore, “Stranger Things” rewrote the rules for television. The release of Season 5 Volume 1 on Nov. 26, 2025, was an event for many fans. Similar to previous seasons, the release of Season 5 hit like a meteor, breaking records, dominating conversations and social media feeds. It created a global community of fans dissecting every frame, musical cue and cryptic clue. The anticipation was high for “Stranger Things” Season 5, resulting in an opening with 59.6 million views, making it Netflix’s biggest English-language TV debut ever. After Volume 1, fans took over Reddit, Instagram and TikTok with theories, ship names and even drew parallels to the game Dungeons and Dragons. “Stranger Things” is not only a hit show, but also a revolutionary series that proved that a smart, heartfelt story can resonate with fans everywhere. It showed its audience that nostalgia is not just a trick to bring them in, but a powerful tool for connecting with them emotionally and creating a story that feels both comforting and excitingly new. It reminded fans what it felt like to believe in the magic of a good story and be huddled around a screen with friends and family. “Stranger Things” set the bar for what television could be and will go down in history.

Heidi Bartolone is a sophomore studying communications at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Heidi about her column? Email her at hb963023@ohio.edu or message her at @heidibartolone

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Kickin’ with Kyra | Writing is a therapeutic tool important for society KYRA DAPORE | FOR THE POST

Pulling out a pen or phone and jotting down thoughts can bring forth creative ideas and stories to share. Writing is an art that allows for release, creativity and connection. It can also be done easily, making writing more accessible. Writing might seem obsolete in a world of screens and more wealth-focused professions; however, writing and the relief it brings is vital to society. College is a time of transformation for students, and many decisions to make and classes to join. Writing is a way to organize the often overwhelming thoughts and take a break. Journaling, when used as self-care, fills the time spent on social media apps. It might feel cliché, but journaling actually reduces anxiety and depression by allowing for a greater process of emotion. It could also have other benefits, such as enhancing mood and possibly improving memory. Take a

break from studying at Donkey Coffee and just journal, writing down how you feel. This could greatly improve your mental state and provide a quick pause from studying to self-reflect and reset. Samantha Imperi, a creative writing PhD student and a graduate assistant instructor at Ohio University, is someone who saw her passion for writing and created her career around it. “It’s the only art form that requires, maybe not the only, but one of the only art forms that requires no special tools, skills, or training,” Imperi said. “If you’re taught how to use language, you can be a writer, right? And so it becomes this incredibly accessible point of art for people who are living in this world where everything is falling apart, and we need that artistic relief.” Writing, though a potential hobby and a form of self-care, is a passion and even a talent for many. High-paying careers are often prioritized above careers that can

bring great joy. Everyone has different interests, and happiness in a person’s chosen profession is also important to consider. Writing is a profession, and even if someone is pushed away from it, pursuing writing professionally can be so rewarding. There should be more push for people to find their passions rather than stick in the box they’re told to. Writing remains a passion for many. Looking for a passion can create a more fulfilling life, focusing on strengths as well as happiness. Writing doesn’t just help with internal struggles and emotions; it can also connect people. When we share our own thoughts and read others’, we learn more about human nature and can find common ground with others. Writing is an art, but it is also a form of communication and understanding, making it so important in times of uncertainty.

Imperi’s current big project is a collection of poems about deciding not to have children as an able-bodied woman of a certain age. She will use this work to bring attention to something she finds important, and writing has allowed her to share it. She also plans to collect more stories from other women. At OU, there are so many ways to be involved in the world of the written language. Whether writing for a news organization or joining a creative writing workshop as a course, there are ways to develop skills. It can be both informative and imaginative, and that is what makes it such a powerful tool. Writing doesn’t need to and doesn’t deserve to falter. Writing can preserve ideas, allowing us to relate to others from different times. An art form that can be done almost anywhere, shares as much as we want it to and works our brains deserves to have a place everywhere.

Oh Well | College students shouldn’t be expected to give gifts CASSIDY MCCLURG FOR THE POST Shopping and gift-giving have been at the forefront of the holiday season for decades with advertisements for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. We cave and hand our money to big businesses for the perfect gift for a loved one and for all the wants and needs. As 2025 was a record-breaking year for college enrollment, many students are wondering whether they should save or spend the money. I was discussing with my mom about how I was struggling to buy gifts. I asked her what she wanted and what I could get for my other family members. Since saving money is a priority, it seemed like stopping progress to get gifts. Even though I bought us a new Christmas tree, I still felt obligated to spend more money. Many people struggle with gift giving and turn to gift cards; however, with online wish list makers like Amazon and

apps like Giftful, it’s never been easier to create wish lists. Online influencers are jumping in to share gift ideas or to be personal shoppers. But for college students, spending money on gifts might be too much of a strain financially. Because 59% of college students consider dropping out due to financial stress, according to Ellucian, spending money on gifts is stressful. Gifts can be expensive, but if a student has given gifts in the past, many people in their life might expect this to continue. For college students, it’s much easier to agree with friends not to give gifts, but parents might be expecting more. My mom made the point that parents usually give students pocket money and do a lot for them, but most parents don’t expect any gifts in return. Parents should not expect this of their children, especially since they know their financial situation better than most. I hope parents want to support their students throughout college

so that their students can support themselves and their parents after graduation. Still, I am torn about whether to give a gift. For each parent-child relationship, this might be different. Asking your parents if they expect a gift would be best; otherwise, a parent might appreciate your company and a heartfelt handwritten card. I will try to avoid spending the money. Although giving gifts psychologically releases oxytocin, a hormone that creates closeness and further bonds, a thoughtful gift can strengthen that. Loved ones might appreciate the effort handmade gifts take more so than the effort a store-bought one takes. The attention to detail on what someone really enjoys can be easily reflected through handmade items. If you still insist on spending money as a college student on friends and family, there is a trendy, practical gift. A basket full of makeup, soap, socks or other

stocking-stuffer-like items. Many have coined this as a “Burr Basket.” I made this gift last year for my exboyfriend’s sisters. I decided to get them each a book, candy, socks, chapstick and an item personal to them, like a blind box or Legos. It’s perfect to throw cheap things together that someone will actually use. Everyone uses soap, chapstick or gloves. It can even come with a theme like Star Wars or Harry Potter if you want to get more creative. Parents are there to support you, and the time will come after graduation when you can fully support them. Don’t stress about shopping for the perfect gift; instead, just cook with family or play board games with friends. The spreading of goodwill and love is what the holiday season is most about. Oh, well. I am sending holiday letters in the mail this year.

Emily’s Evidence | Checking out of politics is concerning EMILY STOKES | FOR THE POST Despite young people historically being at the front lines of change, members of Generation Z are going through political withdrawals. Some of the younger audience members label themselves as “not into politics” and see civic engagement as mere drama. The degradation of old-fashioned respect-based politics is driving young people crazy. Although civic engagement and responsibility are a right and a duty of all American citizens, the fanfare has scared some into silence. This idea of apoliticism, or not being interested in politics, comes from the privilege of not having to worry about them. Being “into” politics doesn’t mean you are following up with every latest jab from popular politicians. It doesn’t even mean you have to subscribe to a mainstream party or work on a campaign.

Registering to vote, staying informed on active issues and becoming a participating citizen in holding our government officials in power accountable are rights we must exercise. In a Harvard Youth Poll from fall, key findings indicate only 13% of young Americans say the country is headed in the right direction, with many indicators pointing to widespread financial, emotional and social strain. Other findings from the survey of 2,040 young Americans between 18 and 29 years old highlight erosion of trust in institutions, social situations and both major political parties. So, we know young people are checking out, choosing not to get involved and are overwhelmed with the conflicts of our era. This shows a larger, more concerning pattern of behavior among young adults, which can be partly addressed by intention. It starts with everyday democracy

and finding ways to connect with others, bridging divides with meaningful dialogue. As with politics, we tend to analyze when things become uncomfortable, but by doing so, we are relinquishing our right to participation.

“If current trends continue and aren’t reversed with serious investment that is sorely needed, millions of 18-year-olds will be disenfranchised in 2026, just as they have been in every midterm election this century,” the Center said.

In the current presidential administration, fear tactics play a large role in the control element. If we are scared into not participating in the complex nature of the conflict our country is facing, then we cannot check the imbalance we see on a dayto-day basis.

So, with this, I ask my fellow young adults to hang on for a little longer. Keep learning, advocating and staying positive even when things become difficult. Because if you check out now, you might not be able to check back in when we need you most.

Registering to vote is a good way to initiate participation. It’s not about becoming the most political family member at the Thanksgiving table, but following the basics, such as legislation that can and will impact you. The Civics Center reports further the need for action now, before it’s too late.

For more community and civic engagement resources, check out Ohio University’s Center for Community Impact. Stay happy and healthy, and know that you are not alone. We are stronger together. With love, Emily

DEC. 9, 2025

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Athens has a sunny but windy start to the week before a storm system moves into the region bringing rain on Wednesday. This rain will transition to snow through Wednesday night into Thursday with snow chances increasing into the day on Thursday. Snow showers will linger through Friday with the weekend remaining dry, but very chilly and mostly cloudy. (EMMA EDWARDSON | SCALIA LAB)

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The Weekender

Letter from the Editor

Cookies, study breaks and ballet

OU must explain Brian Smith’s leave

CAITLYN VANCE FOR THE POST TUESDAY, DEC. 9 Bobcats studying at Vernon R. Alden Library can stop by room 319 for Focus with Friends from 5-7 p.m. Academic coaches are available to provide support and build effective study habits. Bring assignments and a friend to focus with a group in a productive environment. Admission: Free Luke Boyd is hosting a holiday cookie decorating event at Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, in Nelsonville from 7-9 p.m. Participants 18 years and older can kick off the holiday season with a handmade treat. Admission accounts for all supplies, including one cookie, icing and knives. Admission: $35 for craft only, $40 including two beverages, $45 including craft, two beverages and a Stuart’s wine glass Donkey Coffee is hosting its weekly Designated Space spoken word open stage event from 9-11 p.m. at 17 W. Washington St. Those interested in literature and writing can stop by to enjoy refreshments and poetry. Admission: Free

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 10 To prepare for exams, students can visit room 251 of Vernon R. Alden Library for board games and puzzles from 1-11 p.m. This event is open to all students for as long as they wish to stay. Students can also drop in on Thursday. Admission: Free

THURSDAY, DEC. 11 Ohio University Eastern campus students and residents in Belmont County can attend Oglebay Institute’s annual Youth Ballet production of “The Nutcracker.” The show begins at 7 p.m.

at the Shannon Hall Theater at 45425 National Rd. Admission: $20

ABBY WAECHTER DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS STRATEGY

The Dairy Barn Arts Center on 8000 Dairy Ln. is hosting its annual Holiday Bazaar, featuring over 40 vendors, raffles and a cocoa bar. From 3-8 p.m., shoppers can stop by and browse a wide variety of items.

On Dec. 1, Ohio University Athletics posted on X that defensive coordinator John Hauser had been named interim head coach of Ohio Football. Attached was a 117-word press release stating, “Head Coach Brian Smith will be on leave for an undetermined period of time beginning December 1.”

Admission: Free

That is where transparency stopped.

SATURDAY, DEC. 13

The release praised Hauser’s tenure and recapped Ohio’s pending bowl selection. It did not explain why the sitting head coach of a Division I football program abruptly disappeared weeks before a bowl game, whether the leave is paid or unpaid, whether Smith remains a university employee or whether the leave was voluntary or forced.

FRIDAY, DEC. 12

The weekly Athens Farmers Market is at the Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St. from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.. Shop syrups, vegetables and pastries. SNAP/ EBT is accepted. Admission: Free The Athena Cinema is showing The Muppet Christmas Carol at 3 p.m. as part of its Holiday Film Series. All food and monetary donations brought to the event go to a local food charity. Admission: A canned or non-perishable food donation. Monetary donations are also accepted.

SUNDAY, DEC. 14 Ohio University’s Women’s Basketball travels to play Radford University at 2 p.m. The game is streamed on ESPN. Admission: $6.23-9.39 Ohio University Chillicothe students and residents can enjoy the Columbus Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops Spectacular at 4 p.m. The show is at the Shoemaker Center Gymnasium at 101 University Drive. Admission: $7.18-28.52 Ohio University Men’s Basketball plays St. Bonaventure University in Cleveland at Rocket Arena as a part of the Cleveland Hoops Showdown at 5 p.m. Live audio of the game is streamed on PassThaBall. Admission: $44-281 MEGAN VANVLACK DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Since then, despite repeated requests for information, OU has said nothing further. This silence is not neutral; it’s reckless. I study public relations and will graduate in six months. I am walking directly into an industry built on trust, crisis management and public accountability. What OU is doing right now is a textbook example of what not to do. According to Ed Powers, PR faculty lead for Northeastern University’s Master of Science in Corporate and Organizational Communication program, the number one rule of crisis communication is to respond quickly. “In most cases, if you don’t respond within the first few hours, people typically jump to two conclusions,” Powers said to Northeastern University. That is no longer a theoretical warning. It’s exactly what is happening now. With no answers from the university, people are jumping to conclusions. Divorce documents are being pulled, police records are being requested and rumors on Reddit are being treated like leads — not because journalists want to speculate, but because OU has created a vacuum where speculation thrives. “If you don’t tell your story, someone else will,” Powers said. And that is exactly what has happened here. The secrecy behind Smith’s leaving is made stranger by precedent. Although sudden coaching changes, like Lane Kiffin’s move from Ole Miss Rebels to Louisiana State University Tigers just weeks before the postseason, are on the rise, it is still unusual and historically inconsistent for OU to effectively remove a head football coach after one season without explanation.

Smith’s predecessor, Tim Albin, served four seasons as head coach and spent more than 20 years with the university before taking another job at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Sudden coaching changes typically follow sustained performance failure, not a single season and not in the middle of bowl eligibility. Smith wasn’t hired casually. A December 2024 term sheet confirmed by the university showed his contract running through 2029 with an average annual value of $850,000. His base salary alone was $615,000, according to USA Today. This does not indicate Smith as a temporary hire, but rather a major public investment. In the vacuum created by OU’s silence, deeply personal claims have circulated about Smith and his family. This isn’t accountability. It’s the predictable consequence of institutional stonewalling, and it has drawn private individuals, including members of Smith’s family, into a public crisis they didn’t create. Crisis experts agree on five core principles: respond quickly, be transparent, remain consistent, show empathy and act proactively. OU is failing at every one of them. Transparency doesn’t require releasing every private detail. It does require acknowledging what the public is owed, especially when the individual involved represents the university on a national stage and oversees a multimillion-dollar athletic program. OU is now following a dangerous trajectory: say almost nothing, let speculation grow and allow reputations to bleed in the dark. Smith is not just a private citizen. He is, by definition, a public figure entrusted with representing the university. That comes with accountability, and accountability begins with truthful and timely communication. OU can still stop this by issuing a clear, factual statement that sets boundaries, protects privacy where appropriate and restores credibility. Smith can also choose to speak and clear the air. But continued silence only deepens the damage and expands the harm. This silence is no longer neutral. It is the crisis. Abby Waechter is a senior studying strategic communication at Ohio University. Please note the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Have something to say? Email Abby at aw087421@ohio.edu.