The Hofstra Chronicle March 10, 2026

HEMPSTEAD,

THE HOFSTRA CHRONICLE

KEEPING THE HOFSTRA COMMUNITY INFORMED SINCE 1935

TUESDAY March 10, 2026

Preston Edmead’s 3-pointer sends Hofstra to championship in overtime win against Towson

By Eric Leaf STAFF WRITER

The Hofstra University men’s basketball team played the biggest game of the season on Monday, March 9, and delivered a moment that will be remembered for years. The Pride stunned Towson University with a 68-65 dramatic, overtime gamewinner in the last second during the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Men’s Basketball Championship in Washington, D.C. The win keeps the Pride’s championship hopes alive in breathtaking fashion.

Early in the extra period, the CAA Men’s Basketball Player of the Year, Cruz Davis, fouled out, leaving the Pride without their star guard for the remainder of overtime. With just over four minutes left, and the Pride suddenly missing its best player, the Tigers were handed a golden opportunity to seize control of the game.

“As soon as I went out [of] the game, Preston [Edmead] gave me a hug,” Davis said. “He told me he got me, so just having that – having my teammates – I know they got my back.”

“The adjustment was simple, get [Edmead] the ball, and get out of the way and try to go rebound it.”

Hofstra needed their other star to rise to the occasion, and he did.

The Pride’s backcourt two-headed monster was down a man, but CAA Rookie of the Year, Edmead, didn’t flinch. The freshman guard seized the biggest moment of his young career. Playing like a man on a mission, he refused to let Hofstra’s season slip away.

“The adjustment was simple, get [Edmead] the ball, and get out of the way and try to go rebound it,” said Hofstra head coach Speedy Claxton.

The Pride got a hold of the ball tied at 65-65 with the shot clock off and the seconds burning away.

Edmead took his time ensuring that Towson did not receive the ball.

Edmead drifted to the right wing, standing nearly 27 feet from the basket as the final seconds ticked away. With Towson defender Dylan Williamson smothering him and the clock about to expire, the freshman guard rose up and launched a deep 3-pointer.

“Coach said ‘Get one last shot,’ and I [saw] the time ticking down, and I just shot it,” Edmead said.

The shot kissed off the glass and dropped through the net, stunning the crowd and sending the Hofstra bench into chaos. The Pride had sealed the win with just 0.3 seconds remaining.

“Gutsy win by my guys, man,” Claxton said. “I thought [Towson] came out and they fought from start to finish. Credit to Towson; they did not lay down, but we knew that. They’re preseason favorites for a reason. I told these guys before the game this morning that the team that we saw last game is not the same team we were going to see tonight.”

The intensity of the game was evident even before the opening tip. Although the CAA Championship is played at a neutral site and Hofstra entered the matchup as the designated home team, the CareFirst Arena felt anything but neutral; fans of the Towson Tigers – much closer to home – packed the building and made their presence known, creating a booming environment that set the tone for the high-stakes battle.

The energy carried over onto the hardwood, where the first half turned into a defensive grind. Both Hofstra and the Tigers played with

relentless physicality, trading stops and keeping the score tight throughout the opening 20 minutes. The teams produced nearly identical numbers from the field. Hofstra went into the locker room trailing by a single point after shooting 35% from the floor while Towson shot 37%.

Davis struggled to find his rhythm early. The junior guard was held to just two points in the first half, shooting 1-7 from the field. Towson’s defense focused heavily on slowing down Hofstra’s leading scorer.

The all-out war continued into the second half, but Davis, once again, earned that title and fought through the defense. He shot 5-10 from the floor and dropped 16 points in the second half alone. He ended the night with a total of 18 points.

Last season’s CAA Player of the Year, Tyler Tejada of Towson, was electric throughout the game, pouring in 29 points and carrying his team offensively. Tejada nearly delivered the game’s defining moment in regulation, rising for a potential game-winning shot with 31 seconds remaining. The attempt missed the mark, sending the game into overtime.

A championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament will be on the line Tuesday, March 10, as the Pride take on Monmouth University in the nation’s capital for the title game. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

“We’ve got to get ready for a tough Monmouth team,” Claxton said. “They’re playing well also. We know they’re going to guard us. They’re going to be tough. They’re going to be physical. We’ve got to go back to the hotel, get some rest, get some ice baths and be ready to go tomorrow.”

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Editor-in-Chief

Madeline Sisk

Managing Editor Ryan Monke

Secretary

Business Managers

Timothy Daly Anthony Favilla

News Editor Sahana Shastry

Assistant News Editors

Katelyn Buchalter

Arts

Abby Gibson

Craig Mannino

Assistant

Federal Grant of $495k aids investment in Hofstra University history

By Sahana Shastry NEWS EDITOR

Searching for historical materials in dusty bookshelves will soon be a thing of the past at Hofstra University. The Long Island Studies Institute (LISI) at Hofstra has received a $459,000, three-year federal grant to digitize historic and regional documents that will increase accessibility and visibility of Long Island history.

The grant will aid significant investment in the technological infrastructure of the university’s archives of Long Island history by expanding public access through digital initiatives. The grant will go toward new scanners, archival space, technical infrastructure for finding student aids and other facilities.

Last year, Chanda Washington, associate to the President for Government & Community Affairs at Hofstra, approached the Axinn Library’s administrators with the opportunity for possible federal funding. The grant offer was championed by United States Senator Chuck Schumer through the Financial Services and General Government appropriations process.

“We’re working on making our collections much more accessible,” said Sarah McCleskey, vice dean for Administrative and User Services. “We’re trying to work on the visitor experience. [We are] trying to just improve access, improve our intellectual and physical control of the collections.”

As part of this digitalization, LISI is participating in the JSTOR Digital Stewardship Services charter program. The JSTOR platform was started in 1994 as a way of converting printed journals into digital forms. The Stewardship program is a two-year initiative that invites institutions to allow them to develop their artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

twice before publication.

“[The JSTOR platform] made a transcription for us, so we were able to compare the one we had, that a person made, with what the AI had done, and between the two of them, you come up with a really good transcription,” McCleskey said.

LJ Forest, a sophomore writing for the screen major, is a student aid at the LISI archives. He said that the initiative integrates historical research with curriculum, supporting his historical interests in class projects and assignments.

“It’s a great opportunity for students to get more involved with the archives, because we are sort of tucked away in the corner down here,” Forest said.

So far, 33 libraries and archives have signed up for the charter program in order to give feedback to improve “AIassisted collections processing.” Hofstra was among the first three to sign up, according to McCleskey.

To assist with the digitaliza-

“We have so much material that it provides such a rich pool of resources for teaching just about anything ...”

tion, new positions are being added in the special collections department, such as student aids, archivists, managers and administrative positions.

Assistant

Mariana

Editor-at-Large

McCleskey said that AI has helped with the description and transcription of two Hofstra archive collections that are currently available on the JSTOR platform. She also noted that the AI transcriptions were checked

Although the digitalization of all the historical documents will take longer than three years, through this initiative, the archives that were once tucked away in the Axinn Library’s basement will be able to be integrated into the curriculum to enhance the educational landscape at Hofstra.

“We’re also hoping to have students and course classes develop digital exhibits or physical exhibits based on some of these interesting documents – kind of

tell the story in different ways,” said Lorrie McAllister, dean of Library and Information Services. “That’s another thing we [would] like to do.”

The impact of digital archives expands beyond technological accessibility.

“Digitalization is definitely going to help research and also accessibility because, honestly, our area is not the most accessible for anyone with physical disabilities,” Forest said. “It is not the easiest to come in here.”

Espen Johnson, a freshman urban ecology major, is a student aid at the archives. They talked about the efficiency – and the risk – of sending documents to

people digitally.

“[With] the internet, there’s always the chance that something will get deleted, will get hacked, stuff like that,” Johnson said. “And, also, sometimes people will digitize things and then get rid of the original version altogether, which is always a risk and just getting rid of history. I think it’s a big asset to have things be digitizable, [but] even then, there’s some things that are just really hard to digitize. Some of these books are so incredibly old that trying to digitize them would be very dangerous to the book itself.”

The historical collections will be available through the JSTOR platform to anyone with internet access, which will dissolve the need to spend hours sorting through documents and will aid the educational experience at Hofstra.

“We have so much material that it provides such a rich pool of resources for teaching just about anything,” McAllister said.

What you may have missed

AM

Israel and the United States attack Iran –Saturday, Feb. 28

A series of air and missile strikes were launched by Israeli and United States armed forces, targeting multiple cities in Iran including the capital, Tehran. President Donald Trump said the strikes were to eliminate immediate threats from Iran’s regime. Iran retaliated with airstrikes on Israel and U.S. assets in the Gulf region.

Doctors Without Borders workers missing after attacks in South Sudan – Tuesday, March 3

Twenty-six Doctors Without Borders aid workers remain missing nearly a month after violent attacks on two Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospitals in South Sudan on Feb. 3, according to a statement by MSF. The attacks forced staff and residents to flee, and MSF said there has been no contact from the missing workers.

Cuba’s power outage leaves millions without power – Wednesday, March 4

An unexpected power outage in Cuba left millions without electricity, affecting areas from the western parts of Pinar del Río to central-eastern Camaguey province, including the Las Tunas province. The outage was one of many linked to the cut of oil shipments under U.S. sanctions. Parts of eastern areas remain online and have contributed to recovery efforts.

Three men in Britain arrested on suspicion of spying for China – Wednesday, March 4

Three men were taken into custody in Britain on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, according to AP News. Authorities released the names of one of the men, revealing him to be David Taylor, husband of United Kingdom lawmaker Joani Reid. In a statement from Reid, she says she has never suspected her husband of illegal activity and that the neither she nor her children are involved.

Students face bug crisis in residence halls

By Emilie Morrissette ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR

On Feb. 2, a post on Fizz, a social media application for college students, went viral for showing a video of two cockroaches allegedly sitting on a toilet in a Hofstra University dormitory. The anonymous post received about 1,400 interactions but has been taken down from the platform since then.

With the warmer months approaching, the seasonal bug scare is right around the corner.

In an informal poll of 2,058 people, many Hofstra students reported that bugs have been an unsolved problem in residential living. Around 62% of students agreed that they, or someone they know, have experienced unwanted insects in their dorms.

Allison Kosteck, a freshman music education major, recently found a caterpillar in her dorm in Tilburg Hall in the Netherlands Complex.

“I was in Rhode Island for

grow and get ready to turn into a moth.”

Kosteck is one of many students who have experienced a similar scenario.

Alexis Mitrakis, a sophomore psychology major, dealt with a few spiders in her dorm in Portsmouth Hall.

“Last week, I was sitting on the couch, and I thought I saw a piece of fluff, so I moved my hand and I saw that it was a spider dropping from the ceiling,” Mitrakis said. “I was freaking out because I was like, ‘How am I even supposed to get it?’ and it crawled back up the web. It’s actually my biggest fear.”

Unfortunately, she said this has been a recurring issue for quite some time. Mitrakis said that she had similar issues in her Stuyvesant Hall dormitory last year.

“I had to spray Raid down the drains because [bugs] were crawling up the drain,” Mitrakis said.

One story, in particular, caused

the floor or they would be flying around,” Anderson said. “It was crazy. We kept opening the window and trying to get them out.”

The bee problem persisted, invading the dorm of Anderson and her roommates for around

That is not going down,’” Anderson said. “My insurance didn’t cover it, so I was out 120 bucks. I had to go on medication three times a day for one week.”

The issue seemed to be bigger than Anderson’s dorm.

remove the hive and that [the bees] were just gonna get stuck on the traps. They think [the bugs were getting in] from a crack in the windowsill.”

This seemed to be a temporary solution for a more permanent

“My insurance didn’t cover it, so I was out 120 bucks. I had to go on medication three times a day for one week.”

five days for a conference, and I came home to find that we had a new roommate,” Kosteck said. “You can imagine my surprise when I looked inside [the enclosure] and found a caterpillar. It’s been kind of fun to watch her

quite a buzz back in Sept. 2025.

Noelle Anderson, a sophomore forensic science major, kept waking up to find bees in her room in Portsmouth Hall in the Colonial Square Complex.

“We would find dead [bees] on

two weeks. The problem hit its peak when Anderson was stung by a bee.

“One morning [when I woke] up, I just went to move my foot and suddenly I [felt] the sting,” Anderson said. “It was a Sunday. I was not in the mood; I had reached my limit.”

Anderson said that her family has a history of allergic reactions to bees and there was a possibility that she would react badly to the sting.

“My foot blew up,” Anderson said. “I ended up going to CVS to get stuff to help it, but the swelling wasn’t going down.”

She scheduled an appointment with Hofstra’s Wellness and Campus Living Center, where she was told to take Benadryl. When the swelling still didn’t subside, she went to urgent care.

“The guy looks at my foot and goes, ‘Yeah, you’ve got an issue.

“There was a beehive right by my window, but it wasn’t just my dorm,” Anderson said. “Apparently, the whole building kept finding bees. They kept finding them in the hallways, they were floating around or they were finding them dead.”

Anderson and fellow Portsmouth Hall residents discussed the issue in the resident hall’s GroupMe chat. Anderson was directed to email Residence Life (ResLife) after submitting two work request orders which received no response.

“ResLife basically told me that I needed to email [building maintenance] so I kept getting redirected three different times,” Anderson said.

The work order was addressed after the weekend.

“They put these sticky traps on my windows and around my room,” Anderson said. “They told me that they were going to

problem, as the crack in the windowsill was identified but was never fixed.

ResLife was contacted for comment on the recurring bug issue and their solution.

“Facilities staff regularly walk through the residence halls and when they notice areas where cracks in concrete or gaps around fixtures could allow insects to enter, they submit work requests so carpenters can seal and repair those areas,” said Novia Ramsay, executive director of Residence Life, in an email statement. “The University also conducts preventative pest-control treatments in residence hall buildings as part of its routine maintenance program to help reduce the presence of insects.”

Anderson is waiting for the spring to see if this issue resurfaces.

New housing opportunity for upperclassmen cont.

By Mark Lussier STAFF WRITER

The Hofstra University Graduate Residence Hall has long been the exclusive home for graduate, law and medical students.

On Wednesday, March 4, Novia Ramsay, executive director of Residence Life, announced a change allowing juniors and seniors over 21 years of age to begin living in apartment-style accommodations within the Graduate Residence Hall.

The housing being made available is centered around the independence that most upperclassmen look for in off-campus housing. This opportunity would allow more students to live on campus for a longer time.

The apartment-style accommodations are unique compared to any other housing option on

campus. The hall is designed with larger layouts and more amenities, such as a full kitchenette, private or semi-private bathrooms and more personal spaces for residents.

The current configuration of the Graduate Resident Hall offers a quieter environment and fosters greater independence, while also allowing students to continue living on campus. These factors played a role in why upperclassmen are being given this housing option.

Ramsay described what made this building such a sought after place of residence for students.

“Graduate residence halls offer an environment that is a bit quieter and more independent, which can align well with the lifestyle of older undergraduates, who are preparing for life after graduation,” Ramsay said.

“It allows more freedom for juniors and seniors ... to live without the stressful aspects of living off campus ...”

Ramsay acknowledged the potential concerns of current graduate students regarding the addition of undergraduates to residence halls.

“We are approaching it thoughtfully and with care to ensure that the experience of current graduate residents remains respected and supported,” Ramsay said.

There will be a designated number of four-person double room suites for eligible juniors and seniors, while the rest of the rooms in the building will remain exclusively for graduate students.

Those interested in this housing opportunity would select their rooming preferences in the traditional housing selection process in order to get a chance to live in one of these spaces.

Residence Life expects the availability of these rooms to be very competitive. They also foresee additional steps to confirm eligibility, to ensure the option is reserved for the intended group of students.

Jessica Sucharski, a junior elementary education major and member of the STEM Studies program, spoke about what she believes are the potential benefits of

living in an apartment-style room.

“It allows more freedom for juniors and seniors … to live without the stressful aspects of living off campus” Sucharski said.

Sucharski talked about the appeal of the new housing option, especially with the transition to graduate school.

“I’m 21 already; I’m going to be a senior next year,” Sucharski said. “I could move into [graduate] housing and have some consistency going into graduate school.”

Kerry Thomas, a law student and current resident of the Graduate Residence Hall, pointed out what a housing option like this could do for prospective graduate students.

“When someone is going into something as difficult as medical school or law school, it’s helpful to have as few unknowns as possible … [dorming] would be one less thing you would have to adapt to,” Thomas said.

The housing application opened on Monday, March 2, with plenty of time for students to figure out their housing plans for Fall 2026. An individual’s Residence Life Room application can be filled out on the Hofstra portal.

– Hempstead Fire Department

On Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 10:53 a.m., the fire alarm in Gittleson Hall activated due to condensation. The building was evacuated within seven

minutes without incident.

PS and UFD responded to the location. The situation was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset.

On Thursday, Feb. 26, at 9:20 p.m., the fire alarm in the Science and Innovation Center activated due to an unknown cause. The building was unoccupied at the time. PS and UFD responded to the location. The situation was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset.

On Saturday, Feb. 28, at 4:13 a.m., an HU employee reported to PS that at approximately 2:35 a.m., an unknown person defecated in a desk drawer in Hofstra USA. PS and the Director on Duty were notified after the unknown person left the building. An investigation is being conducted into the matter.

On Saturday, Feb. 28, at noon, the fire alarm in Mason Hall activated due to a heat issue in the base-

ment. The building was unoccupied at the time. PS and HFD responded to the location. The situation was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset.

On Sunday, March 1, at 4:30 p.m., the fire alarm in the Graduate Residence Hall activated due to an unknown cause. The alarm sounded and the building was evacuated within three minutes without incident.

PS and UFD responded to the location. The situation

was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset.

On Monday, March 2, at 12:50 p.m., an HU student reported to PS that, while exiting their parking spot in the Saltzman Community Center parking lot, vehicle one – driven by the HU student – was struck by vehicle two – driven by an HU employee – which caused mild scuff marks on vehicle one. Police assistance was declined at the time.

FEATURES

Personal Essay: I will always be a bunny mom

By Denivia Rivera FEATURES EDITOR

When I was in third grade, I had a best friend whose mother was a rabbit breeder. My best friend would tell me all about the little bunnies she had at home and that some of them were for sale. When I had my first sleepover at her house and saw the tiny balls of fluff, I knew I had to have one.

I went home to my mom and shared how cute the little bunnies were and how badly I wanted one. After taking care of hamsters, I felt that I had proven myself ready to care for a rabbit. She said, “We’ll see.”

One day, when we were on our way home from school, I begged her to stop by the pet shop to see if there were any rabbits for sale. Lo and behold, there was an adult black and white rabbit sitting in a glass cage with a sign that read “FREE.”

I couldn’t believe it. What were the odds that I would find a rabbit for free? I begged my mother for it, and she said we had to see what my dad would say. I called my dad, and he gave me the green light. I walked home with the utmost excitement because that was the day I became a rabbit owner.

Oreo was my first rabbit and first big responsibility. I was used to caring for hamsters, but I had to educate myself about rabbits because they are sensitive ani-

mals that require more complex, attentive care. Oreo quickly became my best friend. I spent my afternoons after school sitting on my kitchen floor observing his every move, making sure that he was fed and had enough water, keeping his area clean and giving him adequate love and attention. My love for him grew, as did my love for being a rabbit mom.

I got Oreo in 2013, when I was only 8 years old. By my 13th birthday, he was still my best buddy. Five years in and my passion for caring for this rabbit had overcome my entire life. It had become second nature to do everything in my power to ensure that my baby was happy and had whatever he wanted. In his later years, Oreo began having dental problems, as

from my older brother saying that Oreo wasn’t looking his best. I told Oreo I loved him over the phone with tears in my eyes, knowing that his time was coming to an end. Shortly after Oreo heard my voice, he passed on. After the passing of my best friend of five years, I never wanted a rabbit again. I felt that owning another one would be replacing my Oreo. I told my mom “No more rabbits,” and definitely none that looked like him: black and white.

Eight months passed by, and I was finishing eighth grade. I had accepted Oreo’s passing, but I remained firm in my decision to not get another rabbit. My mom, on the other hand, missed having a little friend hopping freely around the house.

comfortable with me, and I got to see a fun, spunky side of her. She spent the vacation running around the room I was staying in, bolting quickly under the bed and out again. Once again, I fell in love with the joy of being a bunny mom.

Throughout high school, I had

“Being a rabbit mom has changed my life for the better. My love for rabbits has taught me compassion and patience.”

rabbits often do. The severity increased over time until he could no longer eat solid food. His system started failing due to his age, and in October of 2018, my baby passed away.

I was devastated beyond belief at Oreo’s passing. I was away on a trip when I received a call

One day, on my way home from school, my mom called me and said that she was coming home with a bunny. I couldn’t believe it; I had said that I didn’t want another rabbit to replace my Oreo. However, a part of me was still excited to meet this new friend after hearing about how tiny she was at only four months old.

That day, I walked into my kitchen and met Bella Rose. She was another Dutch, black and white rabbit, exactly what I didn’t want. I thought that it would be too painful to have another rabbit with the same colors and pattern as my Oreo. But when I saw Bella’s tiny ears, nose and face, I instantly fell in love.

Bella was with me through one of my first big milestones: middle school graduation. That summer, we took Bella on a road trip for our annual family vacation. She was getting more

many achievements, milestones, hardships and life-changing experiences. Through it all, Bella was there. During COVID-19, Bella became an emotional support animal for me and brought happiness in hard times. When high school graduation finally came, I realized that Bella was with me through both graduations I had had in my life. She became my best friend.

I did everything in my power to ensure that Bella received the best possible care by giving her a large play environment in my room, researching the best foods for her to eat, finding a trustworthy veterinarian to ensure that she received the best care and giving her all my love and attention.

Starting college was already a huge life adjustment, but it was also the first time I would ever be apart from Bella since I was 13 years old. It was strange and

difficult not having Bella as my roommate and to no longer be responsible for her care. I went home almost every weekend during my first semester to visit her and make sure all was well.

As my time in college progressed, I adjusted to being apart from Bella, and my love for her grew. In the back of my mind, I always knew that, no matter what obstacles I was facing during this new chapter of my life, Bella was still at home waiting for me with a lot of love.

On Feb. 20, my Bella Rose passed away. While my heart is grieving for the baby I’ve cared for since I was 13, her passing has made me reflect on how much of an impact pets can have on our lives. Not only do they bring us joy, but they are also a constant in our lives through changes, challenges, life lessons, achievements and milestones. We grow as people with our pets by our side.

Being a rabbit mom has changed my life for the better. My love for rabbits has taught me compassion and patience. Rabbits are timid and have a quiet nature around others, but they show pure joy and are comfortable around those whom they trust, and all this is reflected in my own life.

Now at 20 years old, I have been a bunny mom for nearly 13 years and am confident that I will always be a rabbit owner. To my Bella Rose and my Oreo, thank you for trusting me to be your person and give you all my love. You are forever in my heart.

FEATURES

Alumni Feature: Connor Martin-Cox

By Hannah Mudry FEATURES EDITOR

Connor Martin-Cox, a 2018 Hofstra University graduate who studied percussion performance, made a name for himself in the a cappella world postgraduation.

“I’ve worked with Pentatonix a couple times – which was very cool – on their holiday [repertoire],” Martin-Cox said. “It was surreal. They basically filmed a livestream of one of their shows. They sent me the recording of the show and said, ‘Hey, we want to get a livestream of this done in the next, like, three days.’”

Martin-Cox connected with the a cappella group through their producer, Ed Boyer. Martin-Cox worked with Boyer on little projects before producing the Pentatonix livestream. Boyer recommended Martin-Cox for the role because Boyer’s fulltime job and at-home commitments prevented him from giving

the livestream his full attention.

“At the time, I had a little lull in work, and I basically was like, ‘If I work on this, I’m [going to] have to work, like, 13- or 14-hour days,’” Martin-Cox said. “I actually ended up pulling an all-nighter to finish it.”

His job was to clean the vocals and put the livestream together, then send it off to the next person to complete.

“The coolest part was watching it,” Martin-Cox said. “I watched the livestream around Christmas time with my family because [Christmas] is a holiday where they listen to [Pentatonix] the most. So, we watched it, and at the end, my name scrolled on the screen. I was like, ‘Hell yeah.’ Oh, my God, it was crazy.”

Altogether, Martin-Cox produced a total of four projects for Pentatonix long after solidifying his love for a cappella.

Despite having experience in all areas of music and beginning his career in percussion, Martin-Cox found a love for a cappella and even started his own a cappella group after graduation.

“We’re called ‘Black to Gold,’” Martin-Cox said. “We’re six members; we have three Hofstra [graduates] – my wife, me and my best friend, Leah [Petraglia]. We’ve headlined some festivals. In the holiday season, we get hired to sing at swanky holiday parties, which is really funny. We’ll pull up to this massive mansion and sing holiday music for an hour and get paid a bunch.”

“Black to Gold” host educational festivals, teaching young a cappella artists how to beatbox and arrange music. Currently, they are working on their second album.

Martin-Cox found his place professionally in the a cappella world at an a cappella production retreat right after graduation.

“I was like, ‘This could be cool: learning about producing a cappella music, recording people, just learning more about the art form,’” Martin-Cox said.

From there, he worked part time at the MET Opera, producing music and growing his clientele.

“I’m recording the vocals –whether I’m doing it myself or they do it on their own – and then I’m kind of polishing it, making it sound really clean and then mixing it together, much like any song you hear on the radio, whether it’s rock or pop or jazz or electronic music, ” Martin-Cox said. “That’s what my job is and what my career has turned into.”

Unlike most musicians, Martin-Cox found the COVID-19 pandemic to be an opportunity for him to grow professionally. He produced virtual, educational videos for Hofstra’s a cappella programs, then continued to help other universities, such as Northwestern University and the University of Arizona.

“I actually feel like once I pivoted to virtual choirs, my income and consistency of work during the pandemic was pretty frequent compared to other musicians that were used to playing live and couldn’t go,” Martin-Cox said. “The freelance life in general –it’ll chew you up and spit you out.”

Despite some challenges in self-employment, Martin-Cox acknowledges that the industry can be very rewarding, especially during award season. Martin-Cox submits his music to the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARA), which, for the a cappella community, hold the same level of prestige that the Grammy Awards have in music.

“[The CARA nominations] came out the other day, and I got 29 nominations,” Martin-Cox

said. “I’ll have some tough months – maybe working to get through everything – and then my work is valued, you know, and it makes it worth it.”

In total, Martin-Cox believes he has received over 165 nominations since starting his career, winning around 28 awards.

“It’s just that every year is a little different. It depends on what projects I work on and what groups I’m working with,” Martin-Cox said. “I would say my production style is very unique. People in the community either like it or they don’t, but they seem to like it. I have an interesting angle of that when I went to school, it wasn’t vocal music; it was playing in a symphonic band and playing in an orchestra and learning choral conducting and all this stuff.”

Martin-Cox works from home 90% of the time, and travels to colleges and universities the other 10%.

“For the Hofbeats, specifically, as an alumni [sic], my first huge project as a producer was the Hofbeat’s first [Extended Plays (EP)],” Martin-Cox said. “It was at a time where the a cappella groups on campus weren’t even getting funding from [the Student Government Association] yet. I just kind of did it more for the love of the group.”

The Hofbeats is where Martin-Cox found his place during his college years and where he met his wife.

“When they compete in the [International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella] tournaments, I arrange their music,” Martin-Cox said. “We have a pretty good working relationship. They trust me; I trust them to sing my charts. I’m the great

grandfather or an ancient relic, but at this point, I still like being part of the community and helping them out. Because when I was in school – in the Hofbeats – we hadn’t even competed yet.”

The Hofbeats have now worked with Martin-Cox to arrange six EPs. He meets with the group between March and May to record sounds and begin the producing process.

“While producing a cappella is my main thing, I still perform in musicals throughout the year as a drummer or percussionist,” Martin-Cox said. “I have written two musicals with a friend –that was pretty fun. Just kind of grinding. I mean, that’s what the self-employed music life is; it’s just on to the next thing.”

MAN ON THE UNISPAN

“What’s one thing you’re looking forward to over spring break?”

By Denivia Rivera FEATURES EDITOR

“Going to Canada and not having to be in class or do work.”

- Tarae Stevens, junior

“Relaxing after midterms.”

- Wesley Toribio, freshman

“No homework, no classes and just being able to chill.”

- Cheyenne Flythe, sophomore

O verheard @ h O fstra

“If I were autistic and I was overstimulated by the other autistic kids, that would make me more autistic.”

“My professor comes into class at 9:40 hootin’ and hollerin’.”

“Goals: red lipstick is fierce.”

“If I’m not available, go to the TA. If the TA’s not available, go to ChatGPT. If ChatGPT is not available, then you cry.”

“He says he’s not bisexual, but his eyes are.”

“Don’t worry, Mercury’s still in retrograde it’s not our fault.”

“It wasn’t opera. It was Cats.”

“Someone brought a whole sweet potato to my class.”

“Sue Sylvester? No!”

If there’s something funny you overhear, you can now submit it here!

FEATURES

Personal Essay: The Yankees ruined my life (and I thank them for it)

By Tom Norman OPINION EDITOR

When I was about four years old, I found my first love: the New York Yankees. It started out simple; my parents liked them, so I had to like them as well. When you are that young, you don’t exactly get a choice on what goes on the television, and the more I paid more attention to it, the more I liked it.

For a while, it stayed that way: just me and my Yankees. I would look forward to Opening Day every year, at first because it would always fall around my birthday, but also for my new love of baseball. It took me a while to catch on to other sports, but eventually I got into football, basketball and – as of this year – hockey.

I often hear the phrase, “you care too much,” when it comes to consuming sports. There is a common notion that because sports aren’t a matter of life or death, they matter inherently less than other things one could care about. That somehow, passion for

something so inconsequential is silly and childish.

To that, I say, you just don’t get it.

You don’t get how much it hurt to watch Juan Soto leave for the New York Mets. You don’t get how awesome it is to watch Matthew Schaefer play hockey. You don’t get how much one win can bring a city together, or how one loss could tear its collective heart to pieces. You probably never will.

“It’s not that deep.” To some of us, it is. Why does everything we care about as a society have to be a matter of grave importance? Why should anyone care about anything at that point? Should we all move on, only caring about breathing? No, the fate of the universe won’t be decided by the outcome of a sports game, but that doesn’t make it something to just scoff at.

You don’t have to know what a first down is or be able to tell the difference between a normal foul and a flagrant foul, but you can still understand the impor-

tance of sport when surrounded by people who care. My sister has always been the type to refer to everything as “sportsball,” yet whenever I watch one of my teams around her, she gets it. Even if it’s just cheering for the team with the right jersey on, it’s the thought that counts.

Because within these environments, we can find ourselves. Whenever I attend a game, everything else turns off for a couple of hours. For the duration of the game, I don’t care about any kind

of difference or disagreement you and I may have. If we are wearing the same logo on our shirts in the stands, we are friends for the time being. To me, nothing else has that unifying power.

What is really that different between being a sports fan and a fan of a musician? Or a specific filmmaker? How different is it to watch every snap the New York Jets take versus being a “Disney adult?” It’s all entertainment, just different types.

So, no thanks, I will not chill

out about my favorite teams. I will keep yelling at my TV when Anthony Volpe strikes out on a pitch in the dirt. I will keep pumping my fist in the air when the New York Islanders score a goal. I don’t plan on ever stopping.

I am forever grateful that my parents decided to subject me to the Yankees in my youth. I can’t wait to do the same for my kids someday. If they like them even half as much as I do, it will have made it all worth it.

Personal Essay: Merlin the plastic turtle

By Katelyn Buchalter ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

I have a small, plastic turtle figurine named Merlin – well, technically, I have three. They’re all exactly the same yet drastically different. You can’t really understand the whole story without starting with the original, Merlin Number One. It’s easy to tell that he’s the first because of the dark areas around his shell. Many fingers and hands have added oils to the settled plastic and helped create the texture he has now. Merlin started with my grandma; she always had a habit for collecting knickknacks and

giving them quirky names. I had little to nothing when I moved to New Jersey – maybe some shirts, a raggedy blanket and other remnants of my previous identity – but mostly nothing. Then after only a week of living at my grandparents’ house, my grandma introduced me to Merlin. I don’t know why he has that name. I wish I did. I could theorize that in the 1990s my grandma and aunt came up with it together – an odd unique name for an odd unique little turtle.

Merlin is really nothing more than a silly tradition of hide and seek that started with my grandma saying, “Merlin went

on a beautiful, warm and sunny vacation.” That was my signal to go looking. We had rules so he’d never get lost and so the search never took too long. Eventually I’d find him: banana on his head, bandana around his neck, perched somewhere around the house.

After that, it would be my turn to send Merlin traveling. “Merlin had a great vacation but decided to come home and sort through his wardrobe,” I’d say, which was my grandma’s cue that it was now her turn to find him.

He had surely seen every nook and cranny of my house and beyond, and then Merlin was gone. My grandma had hinted that his “vacation” seemed to be nearing a particularly long time and for the life of me, I couldn’t remember who hid him last. I knew my grandma would be devastated if Merlin ceased to return. I bought Merlin Number Two for an astonishing $26, plus shipping on eBay and hoped she would believe his lack of shell

pigment was from sitting on a windowsill for too long.

The new Merlin lacked an oily shell and a darkened bandana, but it was still better than no Merlin at all. So, after Merlin’s extended vacation came to an end, he returned to my grandma’s night table.

I remember beaming as I happily told my grandma Merlin had returned. Her happiness in seeing that Merlin was in fact not lost was worth every penny of the money I scrounged together for Merlin Number Two.

I didn’t know it at the time, but Merlin only had a few more trips up and down the stairs left. On Nov. 4, Merlin had his last “vacation.” It made sense it would end that way, sat next to my grandma as she slept for the last time.

That evening, gathered solemnly in my living room, my aunt straightened up the couches and tables for shiva as we made funeral plans. As her hands shifted the handcrafted basket centerpiece on the coffee table, a hint of that

original oily green shell peered out. Tucked into that centerpiece appeared the original Merlin: long lost, happy and content.

I’ve always tried to believe in signs, signals from people I’ve lost that let me know I’m not alone. Merlin has continued to be my favorite reminder and sign from my grandma that, no matter what or where, she will find a way to remind me she’s still there. Shortly after that, Merlin Number Three came about: a memorial tattoo for my grandma, a reminder that Merlin’s trips, along with mine, don’t end when we hit a wall or tough time. Whether it be Merlin Number One, taking a break from his trips, happily perched on the seashell jar in my dorm, Merlin Number Two secured to the dash of my car, or even Merlin Number Three on my arm, with his bandana and banana, he’s a reminder that the worst of my today’s will be the best of my tomorrows.

Hear the crackle

The Hofstra University student members of the American Chemical Society hosted an event on Wednesday, March 4, during common hour, inviting students to make their own rock candy. Using sticks, food dye and liquified sugar, they were able to create their own sweet treat. Students had a scientific experience connecting with their peers over their shared love of candy.

‘A Little Night Music’

“A Little Night Music” is the latest performance by Hofstra University’s Department of Drama and Dance. The play follows Desiree Armfeldt, lawyer Fredrik Egerman and Count Carl-Magnus Malcom in an entanglement of love set in the Swedish countryside. Keith Michael Pinault, adjunct assistant professor of Drama and Dance, directed the show which premiered on Friday, March 6. “A Little Night Music” performs on Thursday, March 12; Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14.

Arts And EntErtAinmEnt

Harry Styles brings back disco fever

By Vanessa Flanagan ASSISTANT ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Harry Styles released his fourth studio album, “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally” (KATTDO) on Friday, March 6, four years after his third album, “Harry’s House,” released in 2022. During an interview with Capital FM, Styles admitted that he was worried no one would remain interested in his music after four years of not releasing any, but he felt loved when he received positive reactions from fans.

He released the lead single, “Aperture” in January, which recently surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify. It was his 37th song to do so, and at the time, he only had 37 songs released. “Aperture” opens the album, setting the tone of the record. “KATTDO” heavily leans into synth-pop with a buzzing baseline, which is unlike anything he has previously done. It has disco elements, occasionally,

which make for a fun pop album. Notable songs with an upbeat feel are “Pop,” “Are You Listening Yet?” and “Dance No More.” While doing promotions before the drop, Styles went on Brittany Broski’s “Royal Court,” where she asked him to make a face representing the album. He made a perfect groovy stank face that goes with every song. Even the slower, mellow songs, like “Coming Up Roses,” “Paint By Numbers” and “Season 2 Weight Loss,” have spunk, adding to the disco feel of the album. In these songs, he showcases his soft vocals well. Every song – whether it’s upbeat or calm – makes you want to dance. His previous album genres have primarily been pop, poprock, indie-pop and rock. With “KATTDO,” Styles proves that he can take on any genre and excel. In his Capital FM interview, he talks about spending much of his time off traveling. While in Berlin, he listened to different types of music that influenced the sound of this

album. He took his time with it, saying that he wanted to slow down instead of constantly being on the go. After he finished his most recent tour, “Love On Tour,” in 2023, he needed a strong reason to make another record other than “I finished the tour, so now I’ll make another album.” He took the time to hang out with his friends and attend other concerts – something that he doesn’t get to do much when he is touring himself.

Styles is going back on tour in May, though. Starting in the Netherlands, the tour will be called “Together, Together.” In August, he will play 30 consecutive shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden, doubling the time of his residency from 2022. In New York, Styles is also bringing back his Halloween show, affectionately called “Harryween.” In December, the tour will end in Australia after seven months on the road.

Country singer Shania Twain is joining Styles on tour for all

12 nights at Wembley Stadium in the United Kingdom. He names Twain as a huge inspiration for his singing career and remembers singing along to her songs with his mom when he was young.

Styles said that he wants fans attending the tour to bring their friends, to be whoever they want to be and to just let go.

“I just want them to come ready to dance,” Styles told Capital FM.

Styles has been receiving backlash about the ticket prices for his shows, with fans saying that they are too expensive. The “nosebleed” seats average at $300, with lower seats going for over $1,000. Despite the sky-high prices, Styles doesn’t have to worry about his shows not selling out.

Putting as much time into the album as he did paid off, and it shows up in the quality. It’s meaningful and intentional with a carefree attitude. “KATTDO” was definitely worth the wait.

'Are there no true knights among you?'

By Peter Massarrone STAFF WRITER

As the “Game of Thrones” theme song plays over the opening scene of HBO Max’s new spinoff, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” the audience is reminded of the controversial ending that smudged the series’ eradefining reputation. To everyone’s surprise, the theme song harshly ends, cutting to our main protagonist defecating behind a tree. Within six episodes, the spinoff exemplifies the power of honor, justice and resilience, showcasing the brutish, downright comical nature of the medieval world, which regains the reputation it lost over six years ago.

The show chronicles the short adventure of newly crowned hedge knight Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall as he rises in the ranks of knighthood in the land of Westeros alongside his young, bald squire, Aegon “Egg” Targaryen. Dunk, played by former pro-rug-

by player Peter Claffey in his first major role, is a simpleminded, tall knight known to no royalty, yet his encounters with such stand to test his resilience. He seeks to wager his former mentor’s horses to join a jousting tournament to prove his worth and be showered with glory, just as most noble knights are. When he encounters Egg, who seemingly has no family to support himself, Dunk brings him along to squire in the tourney and teach him, just as his late mentor raised and knighted Duncan himself.

The royal houses of Westeros, such as the ruling Targaryens, come to the tournament, and Dunk is unwillingly thrust into the politics and brutal reality of the upper class. His caring, soft nature comes into conflict when he attacks the arrogant prince of the Targaryens for beating a woman, and this simple story quickly unfolds into epic proportions with Dunk’s trial by combat.

The fantastical, medieval

setting that the show places us in feels utterly real. The quiet, grassy plains Dunk travels through are vast and gleaming with vivid, green foliage. The knights in the background of scenes are draped in heavy metal armor, with intricate detail such as their shields’ sigils representing their loyalty to a certain house. The bombastic feasts these peasants, knights and royals partake in are alive with song and ale; they are simply impossible to turn away from.

Unlike “Game of Thrones,” this show has an easy-to-follow, small cast of characters. Dunk and Egg are the primary focus of every scene, building their mentor-squire relationship in a quiet, heartwarming fashion. There’s also the joyful Ser Lyonel Baratheon, whose witty lines and bashful love for Dunk’s simple nature creates a character that steals whatever scene they’re in. As well as the previously mentioned Targaryen

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prince, Aerion, whose young and vile nature works as a formidable villain to Dunk’s desires.

Yet apart from its engaging narrative and immense detail, the show’s theme is what stands out above all. Dunk is a pure-of-heart protagonist to root for, whose character stands in comparison to the carefree, occasionally vile royals he comes into contact with. He aims to be the one who stands up for the innocent, to fight for the weak and, above all, to be a true knight. It's this deeply respectful theme that protrudes through the show and relates to the desire of every human to stand up for those unspoken for.

If you’ve given up on “Game of Thrones” because of its anticlimactic ending or you wish to experience the rush of honor and justice, HBO Max’s “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” will deliver upon what made its original series special and provide a short, powerfully entertaining story for anyone to enjoy.

Editor's Picks

ALBUM

'Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occsasionally' (2026)

Artist: Harry Styles

BOOK

'An Academic Affair' (2025)

Author: Jodi McAlister

VIDEO GAME

'Metal Gear Solid Delta' (2025)

Creator: Konami

SONG

'DANCE ...' (2026)

Artist: Slayyyter

SONG

'Spring Into Summer' (2024)

Artist: Lizzy McAlpine

'Bridgerton' brings romance back to 'the Ton'

By Lyba Khan STAFF WRITER

*SPOILER WARNING*

Netflix’s hit show, “Bridgerton,” received mixed reviews following its third season. Many viewers felt it was losing its Regency-era charm. Modern dialogue, certain beauty choices and other small details felt out of place. As a result, Season 4 arrived with lower expectations and a lot more to prove. Season 4 follows Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and his love story with Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha). Similar to previous seasons, it centers on a specific romantic trope. Season 1 focused on fake dating, Season 2 on enemies-to-lovers and Season 3 on friends-to-lovers. This season takes on the “Cinderella” storyline with a side of forbidden love. While the trope can feel overused, the show adapts it in a way that feels personal to Benedict and Sophie.

The fallout from Lady Whistledown’s reveal in Season 3 made the first half of Season 4 feel slightly uneven. Since Penelope

publicly exposed herself as Lady Whistledown earlier than she does in the books, this season shows her struggling with criticism and pressure, ultimately leading to her putting down her quill for Whistledown. However, by the finale, a new anonymous Lady Whistledown appears, leaving viewers wondering why her identity was revealed as soon as it was. Although the change was meant to show Penelope stepping into her power, it sometimes distracted from the main story.

Benedict and Sophie’s romance is the strongest part of the new season. Their love story stands out as it directly challenges class status. Benedict openly says he would give up his wealth and title to be with Sophie, even when his family warns him of the consequences. This shows real growth for Benedict, who seemed unsure of his place in the world earlier in the series.

His passion for the arts also reflects his growth. Early in the season, he admits that he has never finished a painting. But in the final

episode, he completes a portrait of Sophie as the Lady in Silver, creating that full circle moment. The woman he admired from afar and the woman he fell in love with are the same, just as he finally finds clarity in both love and art.

Sophie’s storyline adds further depth to the season. She confronts her stepmother for stealing her inheritance and forcing her to live as a maid. In the end, she agrees to present herself as legitimate so she can be accepted by society and marry Benedict. Even the Queen, aware that the story is not entirely truthful, chooses to go along with it for the sake of drama and entertainment.

Outside of Benedict and Sophie’s romance, the season sets up storylines for the future of the show. John’s death is one of the most emotional moments. His loss deeply affects Francesca and quietly paves the way for her connection with Michaela in her upcoming season. The show handles this shift with care, allowing grief to shape what is to come.

Eloise also shows noticeable

growth. Once strongly against marriage, she begins to reconsider her views. In a conversation with Hyacinth, she admits that marriage might not be so bad if it is built on the right partnership. In the endcredit scene, Eloise even says she loves weddings, hinting that her season may be coming next. Overall, Season 4 feels more grounded and sincere than the last. By focusing on emotional growth and meaningful change, it brings back the Regency-era charm of the earlier seasons. Production on Season 5 is expected to begin soon, giving viewers plenty to look forward to as the remaining Bridgerton siblings’ stories continue to unfold.

'Porto Rico:' A love letter to La Isla Del Encanto

By Hailey Hernandez SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Audiences are getting their first look at “Porto Rico,” a film being described as an “epic Caribbean western.” As of Feb. 18, it has been confirmed that René Pérez Joglar, a Puerto Rican rapper known as Residente, is making his directorial debut with this movie. Following a memorable Super Bowl LX performance, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, commonly known as Bad Bunny, will be starring in the film. This will be Bad Bunny’s first lead acting role, as he’s had three supporting roles in the past. Acting alongside Bad Bunny will be Edward Norton, Javier Bardem and Viggo Mortensen. The film was cowritten by Residente and Oscarwinning screenwriter Alexander Dinelaris. Through their passionate approach, their film aims to communicate a powerful message and embody a story based on true events.

The movie has been in development since 2023 and will be produced by Residente and Erick Douât through 1868 Studios. Live Nation Studios, Class 5 Films and other strategic partners are backing the movie as well. The team also includes Alejandro González Iñárritu, a Mexican Oscar-winning director, who is the executive producer alongside Scott Budnick and his label 1Community. International sales for the movie are represented by UTA Independent Film Group. With no shortage of support from all angles, the project is confirmed to be in the works. Despite no official release date, the announcement has given audiences a glimpse of what to expect.

The film will partly follow the true story of revolutionary José Maldonado Román, or “Águila Blanca,” who fought against Spanish colonialism in the late 19th century and early 20th century. He was known for his efforts toward acquitting Puerto

Rico from colonists. Puerto Rico was colonized by Spain in 1493 and remained under Spanish control until it was ceded to the United States following the Spanish-American War in 1898. Román was a crucial figure in the resistance toward Spanish colonialism during the war with the U.S. Román’s story is significant to tell because he sought freedom and independence for the island against both Spain and the U.S. “Porto Rico” will be a film that follows a story critical to Boricua history; it is a movie about Puerto Ricans told by Puerto Ricans. There is an abundance of excitement surrounding the announcement of this movie. Amidst the announcement of the film, Residente shared in a press statement that, “This film is a reaffirmation of who we are, told with the intensity and honesty that our history deserves.” As a 29-time Latin Grammy Awards winner and four-time Grammy Awards winner as part of the musical duo Calle

13, Residente has augmented his directing experience through most of his music videos, including the award-winning “Atrévete-Te-Te” and “La Perla.” He has also directed short films such as “Quiero Ser Baladista” and “Bajo y Batería” as well as his self-titled documentary “Residente.” “Porto Rico” will be his first fiction feature film. The release of this movie will mark a major milestone in Puerto Rican history as it challenges many narratives and highlights an authentic story on a global scale. In the same press statement, Residente stated, “I have dreamed of making a film about my country since I was a child. Puerto Rico's true history has always been surrounded by controversy.” His words reaffirm that this movie will pay homage to his island and his people. “Porto Rico” will reclaim cultural identity and honestly represent Puerto Rican history.

The views and opinions expressed in the Opinion section are those of the authors. They are not an endorsement of the views of the Chronicle or its staff. The Chronicle does not discriminate based on the opinions of the authors.

Art should be created with passion

By Matthew Carlinsky STAFF WRITER

Recently, I have noticed that a fair amount of people seem to want to create things – be it art, music, literature or even culinary arts – purely for recognition of being good at something, rather than out of a genuine passion. That said, while it is completely natural to want to improve at something and be recognized for it, I cannot think why you would strive to become good at something you do not truly enjoy doing. While achieving proficiency in your passion and seeking recognition is important and natural, it shouldn’t be your sole motivation to engage with the activity.

Out of every book I have read, every movie or television show I have watched and

By Kumba Jagne MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Picture a locally owned coffee shop on Hempstead Turnpike. There is a group of people laughing in one corner, and the barista is discussing last night’s hockey game with a customer. Imagine someone new walking in, grabbing a cup of coffee to go and leaving without saying a “how are you?” This coffee shop could have been a “third place” for them, instead, their behavior is an exact example of why Generation Z lacks third spaces; they are not engaging with them.

According to @ssummarymagazine on TikTok, a “third place” or “third space” is defined as a place that is neither work or home. This definition, however, ignores central components outlined by the term’s creator, sociologist Ray Oldenburg. According to him, characteristics that define a third place are wide accessibility,

every game I have played, the ones that have stood out the most to me are those that have clearly been made with passion. The amount of passion that a piece of art is made with bleeds through to its quality, and those that lack fervor do not reach the same level of quality as those that have it.

This is one of the many reasons that it is important to make things for yourself, rather than for commendation. It is worth noting that, as humans, we are a social species. It only makes sense to seek out validation for the things we create. I admit, I am guilty of this whenever I make a new drawing; I look forward to people saying I did a good job. But I do not draw because I want people to think I am talented. I primarily draw things for myself because I have the most fun drawing things from

the media I enjoy. I allow myself to feel proud of the things I make, regardless of whether they are objectively good or not, because I know I have put effort into them.

Part of having an intrinsic motivation to make art and maintaining a healthy relationship with creating, involves allowing oneself to be proud of ones efforts. I stress this because I know of some friends who have posted art that they have made online and have struggled to gain traction, even on well-made pieces. This eventually led to them giving up on making art. The issue there is that gaining any sort of following takes quite a while. This is why popularity is one of the worst things you can have as a motivator.

I find it frustrating how many people do poorly at something and then give up,

saying they just do not have what it takes. While they may think they are naturally untalented, it seems to me that they don’t actually care to put any effort in. Things are not always going to be perfect, especially not on the first try. It can really take a while before you get a feel for something.

Do not be mistaken; I can relate to being disappointed with the quality of one’s own work. “You are your own worst critic” is a popular saying for a reason. But good quality or not, you can always simply choose to not share what you made. A failed attempt is not the end of the world, and there is still an opportunity to see what parts you think you did well on and can apply that to the things you make in the future.

Not worrying too much about quality allows you to be

experimental with whatever it is you are making – write from different perspectives, try different drawing techniques, try new sounds in music. Whatever it is, do not be afraid to do something new. I have had times where trying out a new technique to draw something yielded far greater results than things I have made before, and I continued to use those new techniques going forward. Overall, I think the most important thing a person can do is go where their passion takes them. Again, things do not have to be perfect, what matters is that you put effort into them. Do it for the love of it, rather than forcing yourself to do something you do not truly care for.

Matthew Carlinsky is a senior English major and computer science minor.

Third places are made, not given

playfulness, comfort, no social hierarchies, conversation as the main activity and welcoming of regulars and newcomers. This definition presents third spaces as a series of actions, not establishments.

According to the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), third spaces are vital to civic engagement because creating closeness among neighbors of different walks of life reduces polarization and leads to participation in democracy. They give people connection and foster a sense of community, according to the blog, Verywell Mind.

TikTok content creator @Cosactz’s reasoning for why there are fewer third spaces than ever echoes Gen Z’s sentiment: traditional third spaces are no longer free. Other common reasons are that independent establishments got absorbed by chains and that car-focused suburbs do not provide an adequate platform for third spaces, according to AEI.

I do not doubt these are true,

but these reasons neglect a swath of free community places that already exist. Libraries hold free events and weekly meetings, making them the perfect candidate for third spaces. Volunteer organizations like soup kitchens, food pantries and animal shelters, accept volunteers every week or every day. Parks, front lawns and living rooms are ideal places to have consistent meetings with other people. Outside of the brickand-mortar establishments, apps like Nextdoor and Facebook have digital neighborhood meeting groups that become weekly book clubs or gardening sessions. Inexpensive options like the YMCA, bookstores and local cafés can serve as third spaces as well. Third spaces are all around us.

So, if third spaces do exist in some sort of abundance, what is the problem? I would argue that it’s the lack of “third spacers.”

My definition of this term is “someone who can success-

fully create and participate in third spaces.” They are accepting, willing to talk to strangers and able to contribute to the community. Gen Z generally lacks the latter two traits. It is not their fault, as social media and COVID-19 have rotted Gen Z’s communication skills, but people being able to develop third-spacer characteristics is essential to successful third spaces.

One cannot walk into a third space and expect to immediately reap its benefits without embedding themselves into its community first. They must put themselves out there and engage with people.

The rise of put-yourself-first culture on TikTok values independence over inconvenience. Putting oneself first is perfectly healthy, but when does it come at a cost to the communities that a person wants to be a part of? Joining a third space means occasionally doing things purely for the benefit of continuing the

third space. For example, they can donate to or purchase goods from this third space to help keep its doors open. Expecting a third place to be inexpensive is in-line with the characteristic of accessibility, but expecting all third spaces to be free is unrealistic.

Third spacers can also create new third spaces. TikTok creator @bee_lovlii hosts “coffee shop hours” in her house every Monday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. She invites her friends to hang out, make crafts or do work. The best thing about third spaces is that they are just a set of principles, so anyone willing to exercise those principles with a group of others can create a third space.

Kumba Jagne is a junior jounalism major and creative writing minor. You can find her on Instagram @kumba.jagne. media.

OPINION

The views and opinions expressed in the Opinion section are those of the authors. They are not an endorsement of the views of the Chronicle or its staff. The Chronicle does not discriminate based on the opinions of the authors.

ACROSS 1 Dull

5 Greek goddess of wisdom 11 Everything 14 Sioux City's state

15 Cozy ski lodge

16 Parent honored in May 17 Dwelling for a cellular carrier?

19 Notable period of time

20 Is seeing someone

21 Lion's locks

22 Reverse

23 Number of stars in the solar system

24 Profile blurb, for short

26 Sunscreen measure acronym

28 Wireless connection for an airline?

34 Leafy lunch choices

37 ___ buco (Italian dish)

38 Constricting snake

39 Financial subject, for short 40 Break the ___ 41 Show displeasure

42 Genetic carrier, for short

43 Carve

45 Welcomes in

47 Postal worker's past relationship?

50 Cellular broadband service, for short

51 Zodiac sign in August 52 Rapper Lil __ X 55 Folder for unwanted emails 58 Tree with needles 61 __ and Link, of Good Mythical Morning

Paddle

Media conglomerate lost at sea? 66 Drink suffix

News bulletin

Used to be 69 Princess' mattress item

70 Cheapen

71 Kardashian matriarch DOWN

1 "Same here!"

2 One historically in a toga 3 Got up

4 Baseball great Ruth

5 Knee injury, for short 6 Mafia, familiarly

7 Bit of laughter

8 Tech icon Musk

9 Sworn enemies 10 Had a snack 11 Prayer response

12 Prayer receiver, with "the"

13 Texter's 7-Down

18 Not yet up

22 Alien aircraft acronym

25 "__ A Small World"

35 Facial flare-up 36 Burden 40 Emergency hospital ward, for short

41 Scholar's pursuit

43 Phone number add-on, for short 44 Catholic leader

45 Dubai's nation, familiarly

46 Pigsty sound

27 Compensated break from work, acronym 28 Year opener, for short 29 Scottish bodies of water 30 Purpose 31 Orchestral woodwind 32 Concert itinerary 33 Fedoras or beanies, for example 34 Feudal worker

48 Shady tree 49 Goat sounds 52 More modern 53 Video game pioneer

Eyelid nuisances 55 Handwashing necessity 56 Ashen 57 Zone 59 Website with film stats 60 March Madness org. 62 Taloned bird of prey 64 Twice-chewed food 65 Witness

The views and opinions expressed in the Opinion section are those of the authors. They are not an endorsement of the views of the Chronicle or its staff. The Chronicle does not discriminate based on the opinions of the authors.

Boy Scouts shouldn’t go back to ‘just boys’

By Peter Massarrone STAFF WRITER

The Boy Scouts, now known as Scouting America, recently struck a deal to revise policy with United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth after he issued threats to cut support. In a short video by Hegseth, he calls upon Scouting America to “go back to being the Boy Scouts…a group that develops boys into men.” What our defense secretary states here ignores the unequal divide that persists between Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, demeaning the hundreds of thousands of women who have contributed to scout troops over the past 100 years.

Hegseth stated that the Boy Scouts “lost their way” in 2012, citing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as well as the acceptance of girls into Scouting America. He claims merit was destroyed in favor of an “insidious, radical [and] woke ideology that is Anti-American.”

To Hegseth, these as the reasons for the declining membership and their filing for bankruptcy in 2020. Surprisingly, Hegseth fails to mention the $2.46 billion Scouting America owed to boys who were sexually assaulted as minors under their program, which was the primary reason for the organization’s bankruptcy. Hegseth states the policies Scouting America has in place violate Executive Order 14173, entitled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-based Opportunity.” He states Scouting America will comply with the Executive Order by removing DEI initiatives, disbanding the Citizen in Society merit badge, removing any semblance of gender fluidity in their program and introducing a new merit badge for scouts who join the military as well as waiving fees for those with active duty family members. Fundamentally, Hegseth’s rhetoric here ignores the unfair advantage Boy Scouts

have over Girl Scouts, and would exclude him from earning the now-defunct Citizen in Society merit badge.

When you hear the title “Eagle Scout,” you think determination, drive and resilience – someone who has earned something in their community and is deserving of your respect. For any “Eagle Scout,” this title is a recognizable award by most Americans. Now, tell me what the equivalent for a Girl Scout is? It’s the “Gold Award,” and if you weren’t in Girl Scouts, I guarantee you had zero idea what the name was.

While an “Eagle Scout” has the reverence of their title, the same title of the “Gold Award” does not have the prestige and renown across America. Any employer or college admissions counselor can see “Eagle Scout” and instantly think “Wow!” while a “Gold Award” is something they’d glance right over.

Let’s run further with what Hegseth says here; “let’s bring

Boy Scouts back to ‘just boys’ and take the women out of the picture.” Over 200,000 girls in Scouting America would be kicked out, and every mother who runs a troop would be stricken from their post. Hopefully, he’s not literally calling for this, but by stating he wants “just boys” in scouting, he certainly implies it.

Unlike Hegseth, I was a scout. A few of my community’s fathers ran our Cub Scout troop in elementary school, and I look fondly on the days of selling popcorn outside the local Stop & Shop in freezing weather. When some of the boys moved on to Boy Scouts and their fathers followed them, there were not enough leaders to run our pack, so my mother stepped up into the role of Den Leader. She made sure us boys had a place to grow and learn. If not for her – a woman whom Hegseth is directly insulting with his statement – our scout pack would have disbanded.

Thankfully, Scouting America has not yet heeded Hegseth’s call to bring Boy Scouts back to “just boys.” In their statement describing the upcoming policy changes, they state their commitment to girls being a part of scouting is “unwavering.” However, Hegseth’s rhetoric is harmful to the millions of Americans who trust what the Secretary of War says and creates a disgraceful effect that can trickle down to our communities. Leaders of America have been demeaning the women who hold our community together and ignoring the unfair advantage Boy Scouts have had over them for the past 100 years. All Americans – including those who run Scouting America –should show some backbone and ignore their demands.

Peter Massarrone is an English and political science double major.

Why Marvel Studios’ biggest 2026 movies feel quiet

By Farhan Alam STAFF WRITER

For two of the biggest movies coming in 2026, the marketing has felt strangely quiet.

On one side, we have “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” and on the other hand, “Avengers: Doomsday.” These are not small studio projects. These are billion-dollar franchises with viable mainstream appeal. Yet, the way they are being promoted feels very different from previous projects and in some ways very odd.

Let’s start with Spider-Man. Even though Spider-Man appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), movie rights are still owned by Sony Pictures. This means that “SpiderMan: Brand New Day” is technically a Sony movie, even if it connects to Marvel’s bigger world. The movie is set to be released in July 2026, yet we still have not gotten a single real sneak peek. No trailer. No short teaser. No official look

at the story, just radio silence on Marvel’s end. The only real marketing over the last few months has been fan hype from the last movie, “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”

Even with the lack of a trailer, the hype is still expected. “Spider-Man; No Way Home” made over $1 billion worldwide without even releasing in China, a huge market for American cinema. It proved how powerful the Spider-Man brand is and brought people back to theaters during COVID-19. Fans clearly care, so why does it feel like there is no push for the next movie?

Right now, the biggest news about “Spider-Man; Brand New Day” is the casting. We know that Punisher will appear, which has fans who loved the old Netflix Marvel shows excited. Mark Ruffalo is returning as Bruce Banner, and Sadie Sink has also joined the cast in an unknown role.

Spider-Man is also expected to skip IMAX screens this time,

leaving room for “The Odyssey” instead. This is unusual for a major superhero movie, especially one connected to Marvel. IMAX usually helps boost ticket sales and missing that format could affect it’s returns.

For a film that could easily be the highest-grossing movie of 2026, the marketing is almost silent.

Now compare that to “Avengers: Doomsday.” There is no official budget yet, but Marvel movies usually cost around $200 million to make. This one will likely cost even more. The studio clearly expects it to be huge. And unlike with “SpiderMan: Brand New Day,” Marvel has already started building hype.

The first big moment happened at Comic-Con, where it was announced that Robert Downey Jr. would return to Marvel – not as Iron Man, but as Doctor Doom. The news shocked people, even though many already guessed Downey would return in some form.

Then came four short character teasers. One confirmed that Chris Evans is coming back as Steve Rogers. Some fans were mixed about this because it could affect the ending of “Avengers: Endgame.” But in comic books, heroes’ stories are rarely ever truly over. If we can have two “Batman” movie series at the same time, we can handle seeing Steve Rogers again.

Another teaser revealed Chris Hemsworth returning as Thor. His trailer stood out because of its warm colors, something Marvel movies have been criticized for their lack of in the past. It showed a more emotional Thor praying for strength – not for himself, but for his daughter.

The third teaser focused on the X-Men. We saw Charles Xavier and Magneto in comicaccurate outfits, played by their original actors. Then we saw James Marsden as Cyclops.

The final teaser showed a crossover between the Fantastic Four and the MCU heroes.

But even with four teasers, we still have not seen anything from the actual story. There has not been a single full scene. Most importantly, we still have not seen clips of Downey in costume as Doctor Doom.

Just like “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” “Avengers: Doomsday” is also skipping IMAX screens. Instead, those screens are reportedly going to “Dune: Part Three.” This means two of Marvel’s biggest movies are losing one of the most profitable formats to other films.

So here we are. One massive movie is almost completely silent, and the other is giving us small bites of hype but still hiding the main course.

For two films that could define 2026 at the box office, the question is simple: can they deliver?

Farhan Alam is a senior journalism major. You can find him on Instagram @f.alam1.

Four place for Pride in EIWA’s

By Olivia Hillestad EDITOR AT LARGE

Four Hofstra University wrestlers medaled after the second day of the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Championships on Saturday, March 7. Gauge Shipp (133), Chase Liardi (141) and Will Conlon (197) all took sixth

by that score in both of his matches: first against Dylan Chappell of Bucknell University, then to Bryce Kresho of Franklin & Marshall College. Conlon’s final match of the night was uneven against No. 27 Wolfgang Frable of the United States Military Academy, who beat him by technical fall 172. His consolation semifinals match before that was slightly closer with the U.S. Naval Academy’s No. 31 Zyan Hall beating Conlon rematch from the first round of the tournament, Turley battled F&M’s Pat Phil-

lips in his lone match of the day for seventh place. The day before, Phillips won 4-1 with a takedown in sudden victory overtime. In the rematch, Turley scored a takedown in the first period and Phillips responded with an escape in the first, four near-fall points from a tilt in the second and an escape in the third period. Turley scored another takedown at the end of the third period

to tie it up after regulation at 6-6. Turley scored the winning takedown in sudden victory, making 9-6 the final.

It was the first time all four wrestlers placed at the EIWA Championships. Hofstra earned no automatic qualifiers for the NCAA Championships, though at large bids have yet to be announced. The 2026 Championships start on Thursday, March 19, and end Saturday, March 21.

Hofstra finishes regular season on heater

By Thomas Montana STAFF WRITER

To win their final game of the season, the Hofstra University women’s basketball team dominated Northeastern University 62-46. After starting the season 3-18, the Pride won five of their last eight games, finishing the year with an 8-21 record and 6-12 in conference play. Hofstra ended the season 10th in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) standings, securing a first-round bye in the CAA Tournament.

“Great way to finish out this regular season,” said Hofstra

head coach Danielle Santos Atkinson. “We were able to hold on and finish strong.”

The Pride started this game with another lackluster first quarter, falling behind 14-9 and shooting just 4-15 from the field. Like the game against Drexel University, the ball kept finding the bottom of the basket. Alarice Gooden led the charge in the second, giving Hofstra the lead with a pair of 3-pointers. She capped off her impressive half with 11 points, and Hofstra led 29-21.

It was all Pride from there, with Hofstra fully taking over in the third quarter. In the last five minutes of the quarter, Hofstra outscored the Huskies 16-6, shooting 7-15 from the field and 3-6 from beyond the arc. Nevaeh Brown fueled the run with seven points of her own, finishing the game with 10 points on 4-5 from the field and 2-2 from 3-point. Hofstra led 47-29 going into the final 10 minutes.

Hofstra struggled to start the fourth quarter. They committed five turnovers in just one minute

and allowed a 10-0 Northeastern run. But with their lead shrinking, the Pride broke the press and the offense regained its rhythm. They matched Northeastern shotfor-shot in the final six minutes and came out with the win.

“We expected them to be able to pick up their pressure; we’ve worked on it,” Santos said. “I think not having that pressure throughout the entirety of the game, we weren’t as prepared when they did throw it on.”

Both sides of the floor flourished in Boston, Massachusetts, on Saturday, March 7. Offensively, Hofstra scored their third most points against a conference opponent as well as their most 3-pointers made in a game all season. Defensively, the Pride held the Huskies to 15 made shots, with only three from beyond the arc. Northeastern also turned the ball over 20 times, the Pride have consistently won the turnover battle since the start of the conference season. On top of this, seven Hofstra players recorded at least one steal, with

Hofstra University has won five of their last eight games.

Chloe Sterling grabbing two.

“We had talked about [our connection] early in the season, how connected we are as a team,” Santos said. “That plays a role in what that looks like on the offensive side and the defensive side. There’s been a better connection on the floor with our team, and amongst our team, and so defensively they’ve been able to play better as a unit.”

The Pride will now travel down to Washington, D.C. for the CAA Tournament. Their first game will be Thursday, March 12, at 6 p.m. against Towson University. Towson defeated Hofstra in both matchups this season, with just a four-point combined margin of victory. Hofstra will look to grab its first tournament victory since the 2023-24 season.

Late rally not enough to lift Pride to series victory

By Shannon Bickert SPORTS EDITOR

In the rubber game, the Hofstra University baseball team’s late rally fell short in a 5-4 loss against the College of Charleston on Sunday, March 8. The Pride nearly made a comeback with a two-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Cougars pitcher Kurt Rogers put the Pride away. With the loss, Hofstra fell to 1-8 on the season, and 1-2 in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play.

Hofstra’s JJ DeVito hit four of the Pride’s nine hits of the day, tallying a triple, stolen bag and RBI in the loss.

Freshman Nick Reese got the ball for the Pride and saw the largest workload of his career, tossing six innings and allowing five runs on six hits, while sitting down four. Only one of Reese’s runs was earned. The Jefferson, Pennsylvania, native was tagged with the loss.

Charleston’s Kaden Myers twirled 4.1 innings of relief work out of the bullpen for the win, allowing no runs on two hits.

The Pride opened the scoring in the bottom of the first frame. DeVito led off and took the second pitch from Carson Bryant to right field for a base knock. CJ Griggs moved DeVito to third on a double to the opposite field.

Gabriel Melara capitalized on a dropped third strike, taking first on a throwing error by Charleston catcher Dylan Johnson, loading the bases.

Michael Craig brought DeVito home on a fielder’s choice to second base.

Reese allowed baserunners in the first two innings but was able to get out of trouble until the Cougars finally broke through in the top of the third inning due to Pride misplays.

Hofstra shortstop Sam Leonard made a throwing error on Will Tippett’s contact. The Pride

followed with a second error in the inning, which put two runners on. Daniel Escalante couldn’t corral the ball at the hot corner on the ground ball off Ethan Plyler’s bat. Johnson knocked home the first run of the day on a double to center field. The wheels continued to fall off for the Pride as Reese’s wild pitch scored Plyler. Alex LaCoste left the yard on a 1-0 pitch to right field, which gave the Cougars a 4-0 lead early in the game.

Hofstra got one back in the bottom of the fourth. Melara led off the inning with a double to left field, and Craig followed with a single up the middle, forcing a pitching change. Myers came out of the bullpen and instantly tossed a wild pitch to move Craig into scoring position. Escalante grounded out to shortstop, scoring Melara to cut the deficit to two runs.

The long ball continued to be an issue for the Pride. In the top

of the sixth frame, Stow Rogers hit a blast to deep left field off Reese to give the Cougars a 5-2 lead into the seventh inning.

Brayden Gregg pitched for the Pride in the seventh, allowing a baserunner in his first inning of work. Through 2.2 frames, Gregg struck out one and allowed two hits, while holding the Cougars scoreless. Hofstra fought down to the wire, rallying in the ninth inning. Nick Biddle drilled a one strike pitch to left center field – his first homer this

season. With two outs, Danny Corona worked a four-pitch pinch-hit walk, setting up Giovanni Bausone for an infield single. DeVito’s fourth hit of the ballgame came at a much-needed time. He singled up the middle to score Corona. Despite the late rally, the Cougars forced a ground-out to end the contest.

The Pride will take a detour from CAA play for a mid-week home matchup against Rider University on Wednesday, March 11. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.

Madison Steppe dazzles in sweep of Seawolves

By Frank Chiapperino STAFF WRITER

As the Hofstra University softball team swept Stony Brook University in the battle of Long Island on Sunday, March 8, Madison Steppe pitched her second complete game of the opening Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) series. The third consecutive 2-1 victory moved the Pride to 6-10 overall and 3-0 in CAA play while the Seawolves sit at 1-15 on the season and 0-3 in league play. Steppe had another

phenomenal performance for the Pride, allowing one run on one hit, striking out six Seawolves. She pitched to contact, allowing eleven fly balls and holding hitters to 0-7 in the leadoff spot. Chelsea Villar and Gabby Sultan recorded an RBI apiece, while Mackenzie Fitzgerald added two hits and a stolen base. Jayci Finch started in the circle for the Seawolves for the second time in the series. Through six innings of work, she allowed two runs on six hits, striking out three hitters. With two outs to start the first

inning, the Pride strung together two-out hits to score the game’s first run. On a full count, Sultan smacked a double to right center, advancing to third on a single by Fitzgerald. Villar brought home Sultan on the first pitch of the at-bat with a single to left field. After a circle visit, Finch got Victoria Frobosilo to ground out to end the inning.

The Pride doubled their lead in the third inning. Alanna Morse led off the inning with her third collegiate triple. Sultan recorded her eighth RBI of the season with a groundout to Elena Gonzalez. Fitzgerald ripped an 0-2 pitch to center field and swiped second for her second collegiate stolen base. Finch worked out of further trouble, as Villar grounded out to second.

After allowing a baserunner in the second inning via hitby-pitch, Steppe retired nine straight Stony Brook hitters until Malorie Hill sent a ball over the left field fence in the fifth inning, which trimmed the

Hofstra lead to one.

The Pride had an opportunity to answer in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, Dahlia Palacio sent a 1-1 pitch to left field for her fifth double of the season. Sultan walked to place runners on first and second. The inning ended after Sultan was thrown out at second as Fitzgerald reached first on a fielder’s choice hit up the middle.

Steppe entered the circle in the seventh and recorded a 1-2-3 inning, retiring her eighth straight batter, as Ashlyn Burgess grounded out to Morse to end the game.

In all three games, Hofstra

head coach Susan Cassidy-Lyke and Stony Brook head coach Megan T. Bryant did not use their bullpen.

Throughout the series, the Pride outhit Stony Brook 21-8, including nine hits with twoouts. The Pride currently hold an all-time record of 27-14 against the Seawolves and 11-6 against Stony Brook as CAA rivals since 2023.

The Pride will head to Fairfield, Connecticut, to kick off a doubleheader against Sacred Heart University on Wednesday, March 11. First pitch from Pioneer Park is scheduled for 2 p.m.

By Conner Keough STAFF WRITER

The Hofstra University men’s lacrosse team got back in the win column with an 11-10 victory over the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Senior Anthony Mollica put on a star-studded performance with six goals, ending the Pride’s four-game losing streak.

“I’m trying to be happy about the win, I really am,” said Hofstra head coach Seth Tierney. “We faced a very similar team record-wise, but I didn’t think we played as smart as we can play or have the poise to play this game the right way.”

Gus Langtry added a goal, and Trevor Natalie had two goals in a strong offensive first half for the Pride.

Natalie broke the seal under a minute into the game for his 14th of the season. Defender Blake Cooling rifled a shot

Pride win nailbiter battle

home from long distance doubling the Pride’s lead. The goal was Cooling’s first of the year.

Cooling, Will Delaney and Austin Clarke had a strong game, picking up a combined 14 ground balls.

“The defense did a good job of getting their sticks in lanes,” Tierney said. “On the flip side, we were very poor at clearing the ball, so everything we won, earned from those turnovers, we probably gave back about 75% of that on failed clears.”

UMBC entered the game with the 17th least turnovers per game in Division I lacrosse; however, they suffered a season-high 25 turnovers compared to Hofstra’s 18.

The Pride caused 12 turnovers but struggled to materialize on those plays by going 19-27 on clears.

The Pride built a four-goal lead going into the half with Mollica scoring the final

marker with less than two minutes left in the second quarter. The goal was Mollica’s 50th career goal as a member of the Pride.

“I’m proud of [Mollica] because he took advantage of his opportunities,” Tierney said. “He also took advantage of other players’ hard work, and he put himself in a good spot to succeed. At least of these two goals, he picked up a groundball in front of the goalie and scored.”

The Pride were 1-0 on the season when taking a lead into halftime.

The Pride’s four-goal cushion was necessary because UMBC started the second half winning 10 of 11 faceoffs.

“They had a two-headed monster at the faceoff X,” Tierney said. “It got in our heads, and we needed to adjust. Towards the end, we tried to just tie them up. We need to figure out our faceoff game.”

UMBC made the game close in the second half, holding the Pride scoreless over the final 11 minutes. With under two minutes left, Jake Kucinski brought the deficit to one goal, but the Retrievers never got another chance.

The Pride held on to win their first game since Feb. 2 and improved to 2-4 ahead of their conference opener against Stony Brook University on Friday, March 13.

“Ahead of conference play, I’ve learned we have to be more disciplined, there is no getting around it,” Tierney said. “As crazy [as it is], I thought we played better against Rutgers [University] last week and lost, then what we did today and won. The way we play needs to be different. We’re gonna learn a lot about Stony Brook and come ready to play in our first conference game.”

Shannon Steck shines in dominant victory

By Royce Dickson-Child ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The Hofstra University women’s lacrosse team showed no mercy in an 18-1 victory over Wagner College on Saturday, March 7. Shannon Steck continued her hot run with her third hat trick in her last four games.

Steck was not alone in recording a hat trick, as attackers Meaghan Tufano and Nikki Mennella each recorded one as well. Natalie DeMeo, Kate Lemery, Julia Harris and Madeleine Rudolph also got on the board for the Pride.

“It was really nice to see a lot of different goal scorers and players gaining confidence,” said Hofstra head coach Shannon Smith. “[It was] a great way to end our nonconference before we get into conference play.”

Mennella scored Hofstra’s opening goal of the game just over four minutes in, thanks to a Jordyn Poll free position attempt. Poll elected to pass

the ball instead of using the shooting lane, allowing Mennella to capitalize on the unsuspecting defense.

The Pride scored five more goals in the first quarter, with the next four all coming in similar fashion. Hofstra moved the ball from outside the eightmeter arc to the front of the net for an easy shot past the Wagner goalie.

With 43 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Harris cashed in on a player-up opportunity for the Pride to extend the lead to six. Harris rolled around the crease on a pass from DeMeo and finished her shot for the wraparound goal.

The second quarter followed a similar story to the first for Hofstra. The Pride registered eight shots on goal while finding the back of the net for another six goals.

Hofstra began the second quarter on fire with Lemery opening the scoring just 13 seconds in. Steck took no time following Lemery up, as she potted one just 38

seconds later. As the second frame progressed, Mennella completed her hat trick and grabbed her fourth goal, while Steck and Tufano also added a tally of their own.

Although the Pride dominated the second quarter, Wagner was able to score a goal in the waning moments of the half to make it 12-1. Amelia Logan’s goal came on Wagner’s second shot of the game.

Smith elected to pull goalie Luchianna Cardello at the end of the first half in favor of their backups to get Avery Lanzarotta and Saoirse Feerick each a quarter of action. Lanzarotta and Feerick did their jobs successfully, as they both recorded a save and zero goals against.

“[Cardello’s] our starting goalkeeper and she had been having a really tremendous season, and [Lanzarotta] and [Feerick] have been working just as hard,” Smith said. “We were put in a position where we could get them minutes, and I think they deserve their

minutes based off of their hard work they’ve put in.”

Hofstra slowed down their offense in the second half, only recording seven shots on goal compared to the first half’s 17.

Steck’s third-quarter goal was Hofstra’s only tally in the stanza. In the fourth quarter, however, Hofstra found their footing once again, scoring five goals. Steck and Tufano each added another two while DeMeo buried one.

The 18-1 final is the Pride’s largest margin of victory so far this season and

puts Hofstra at a 4-4 record heading into Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play. The Pride open CAA action with a date at home against Elon University on Saturday, March 14.

“It’s going to be a playoff game,” Smith said about the upcoming game against Elon. “This game’s going to have a lot of impact on where teams fall. There’s tiebreakers for the playoffs. We have to be ready to go, it’s not going to be given to us.”

A Speedy rise to the century mark

By Eric Leaf STAFF WRITER

When Hofstra University men’s basketball head coach Speedy Claxton notched his 100th career win earlier this season, the milestone came and went without much fanfare, at least from the Hofstra legend himself.

Claxton didn’t even know it had happened.

As the team walked toward the locker room following their win over Northeastern University, Hofstra’s trainer Evan Malings congratulated Claxton on the milestone –Claxton thought there had been a mistake.

“I see our trainer, [Malings], telling him, ‘Speed, 100 wins. Congrats,’” Hofstra guard German Plotnikov said. “And I saw [Claxton] tell him, ‘Nah, I think I’ve got one or two more to get there.’ So, he definitely didn’t know it was happening.”

For Claxton, the accomplishment didn’t hold much weight; the number simply isn’t the point for him.

“Personally, not that much honestly,” Claxton said referring to what the milestone means to him. “I didn’t get into coaching for wins, per se. I truly got into it to help these kids achieve their dreams and goals and just make them better players.”

That mindset has quietly shaped one of the most successful coaching starts in Hofstra basketball history.

Claxton’s relationship with

Hofstra started long before he began racking up wins from the sideline.

He arrived in Hempstead as a player recruit in the late 1990s and found Hofstra to be the perfect fit.

“What brought me here as a player was the relationship I had with the coaching staff,” Claxton said. “Jay Wright, Tom Pecora [and] Joe Jones – those guys recruited me extremely hard. This is where I felt like … home.”

Claxton went on to become one of the most decorated players in program history. He earned national recognition and became a first-round pick in the NBA Draft. He played a decade in the league and won an NBA championship.

Coaching, however, was never part of the original plan.

The trajectory of his career changed late in his playing career during a conversation with legendary NBA coach Don Nelson while Claxton was with the Golden State Warriors.

“He pulled me to the side after practice and asked if I ever thought about coaching,”

Claxton said. “I said, ‘Not really.’ But when a Hall of Fame coach like [Nelson] says something like that to you, you start thinking about it.”

Still, the transition didn’t happen immediately. Claxton initially joined Golden State’s front office as a scout. When Joe Mihalich became Hofstra’s head coach in 2013, Claxton saw an opportunity to return to the program that had shaped

him.

“That’s when I pivoted,” Claxton said. “I spoke to [Mihalich] and asked if I could get into the fold here.”

Claxton spent eight seasons as an assistant coach before becoming Hofstra’s head coach in 2021. As he adjusted to the role, he began seeing the game from an entirely different perspective.

“It’s a lot harder coaching than it is playing,” Claxton said. “As a coach, you think players should be able to do things, but then you’ve got to remember they’re still kids and they’re still learning. So, you really have to teach every detail.”

Once Claxton was named head coach, he assembled a strong supporting cast and built a coaching staff that shared his vision of prioritizing player development. Associate Head Coach Mike DePaoli was brought into the fold at the start of Claxton’s tenure and has been here ever since.

In five years, DePaoli has watched the Hofstra Hall of Fame player evolve from a first-time head coach to a leader in full command of a program on the rise.

“The thing that always stands out about [Claxton] is he’s very comfortable in his own skin,” DePaoli said. “Whether we win by 20 or lose by 20, he’s the same guy every single day.”

That consistency, DePaoli says, sets the tone for the entire program.

“When a coach’s identity is tied so closely to wins and losses, you can feel that anxious energy,” DePaoli said. “But [Claxton’s] temperature never changes. That allows everybody in the program to feel comfortable.”

The collaborative atmosphere extends throughout the coaching staff as well.

“You never feel like you’re working for him,” DePaoli said. “You feel like you’re working with him.”

Claxton’s philosophy is simple: focus on development, and the wins will follow.

Over the past several years, Hofstra has become known for

producing high-level players, including stars like Tyler Thomas, Aaron Estrada and Cruz Davis.

Players like Thomas and Estrada came into the program from bigger schools, barely scratching the surface of their true ability. Both of those players blossomed under Claxton and company. Both players captured Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Player of the Year awards with Estrada winning two in backto-back seasons.

Davis, the Pride’s go-to scorer all season, won CAA Player of the Year for the 20252026 season, giving Claxton a Player of the Year winner in four of his five seasons as head coach.

his team.

“Just the development of guys stands out the most,” Claxton said. “We’ve had a number of ‘players of the year.’ That’s what it’s all about: developing our guys and getting better every year.”

There is a common denominator between the Player of the Year winners: they are all point guards, which is the same position Claxton once played at Hofstra, where he dominated and carved his path to the NBA.

“It’s easy because I’ve played that position my entire life,” Claxton said. “We say this is ‘GuardU.’ This is a guarddriven system.”

For the players, having a coach with Claxton’s resume carries weight.

“He doesn’t need to be doing this right now,” DePaoli said. “The guy made a lot of money playing in the NBA, but he’s here because he wants to help these kids maximize who they are.”

Four-year program veteran Plotnikov has only ever known Hofstra as home. The guard from Minsk, Belarus, has Claxton’s fingerprints all over his development as a player.

“He always tells me to stay confident,” Plotnikov said. “It doesn’t matter if you make eight shots or miss 10 in a row. Stay confident. That doesn’t change what kind of player you are.”

The win came on the road in a packed arena against a highmajor opponent that had just missed the NCAA tournament.

“It kind of had that ‘300’ feel to it,” DePaoli said. “There’s a sea of red, and it’s just us. But we kept finding a way.”

For Plotnikov, the atmosphere made the moment unforgettable.

“You walk in, and all you see is a sea of red,” Plotnikov said. “And then you look behind our bench, and there are just two rows of blue and gold. When we won, it was chaos. Everybody was hugging each other on the court.”

The 100-win milestone is impressive, especially considering how quickly Claxton reached it. Those within the program say the number is simply a reflection of the culture he’s built.

“The beauty of the 100 wins is that he doesn’t care about 100 wins,” DePaoli said. “Winning is a by-product of doing things the right way.”

For Claxton, his ultimate goal is bigger.

“Go to the tournament,” Claxton said. “Once I get to the tournament, I would have done everything I needed to do here.”

Until then, the focus remains the same as it was on day one: develop players, build a program and prepare for the next game. The wins, as they have for the first 100, will take care of themselves.

SPORTS

Ema Karim: From introvert to star

By Ethan Poole SPORTS EDITOR

Ema Karim has emerged as a key player for the Hofstra University women’s basketball team this season. After only playing in 10 games last season, she has played 29 this year and started in 22. Her growth this season started last offseason, when she went home to Portugal for the

“The coaches gave me a paper about all the stuff that I had to improve for [the] next year, so I looked into that paper, and I worked over the summer,” Karim said. “I worked on shot selection, ball handling and defense.”

Karim was around the sport all summer. She has represented her home country of Portugal in international play for years, participating in the 2025 U19 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup, the 2024 U18 Women’s EuroBasket Tournament and the 2022 U16 Women’s European Championship. Last summer, she scored 5.4 points per game, while averaging 2.7 rebounds and two assists. While the consistent game reps helped her development, Karim was diligent to work on the areas that the coaching staff told her to improve on.

“[I would] go to practice early and shoot with my friends,” Karim said. “I’d work on my [ball] handling. I was extra focused on my footwork and on my defense.”

Karim is incredibly close with her teammates in Portugal.

“We’re like a family over there because we have known each other from years of playing basketball,” Karim said. “It’s really fun being with your best friends over the summer and playing with them. And you get experience playing against other countries and in other countries, it’s great.”

Karim and her teammates had

many great experiences while traveling for the national team, like staying in a five-star hotel.

“It was our first time in a five-star hotel. There was a pool, so we were just all jumping in; it was a lot of fun,” Karim said.

There have been plenty of good memories on the court, too. In this summer’s FIBA World Cup, Portugal took on Israel with a spot in the final eight on the line. In a back-and-forth game, which Portugal won 83-80, Karim scored 17 points. The win put Portugal into the final eight for the first time.

Playing for the Portuguese National Team brings out a sense of national pride in Karim.

“[Playing for Portugal] means a lot, it’s such a

personally one time, it was really awesome.”

While Karim has continued to play at home, she realized in her senior year of high school that she wanted to play college basketball in the United States. Karim was late to the game; the recruitment process usually starts in a player’s sophomore year, sometimes even earlier. Nevertheless, Karim started looking, and it wasn’t long before she popped up on Hofstra head coach Danielle Santos Atkinson’s radar.

“I got a message from [Santos] saying she was interested in me, [asking] if we could talk,” Karim said. “We had some Zoom meetings after that with my parents and my brother. Two talks in, and I knew I was going to Hofstra.”

Karim is close with her family, so leaving for America

was all different, [and] my teammates were helping me through it.”

Because of her commitments to team Portugal, Karim missed summer practices with the Pride. Despite her late arrival, her new teammates welcomed her with open arms.

“I was the only one who

“We’ve just got to stay locked in and do the job we did until now. Stay connected, stay as a team and have a bond and that will show on the court.”

small country and women’s basketball is growing over there,” Karim said. “I’m really proud to represent Portugal.”

Basketball is a rapidly growing game in Portugal. Not only are their international teams becoming more successful, but they are now sending players to the National Basketball Association (NBA). Neemias Queta is the first Portuguese player in the NBA.

was difficult, even if it meant realizing a dream.

“It’s always hard leaving your family, you’ve always been with them,” Karim said. “But I’ve always dreamed about playing in the United States, so sometimes you’ve just got to do what you’ve got to do.”

Even though Karim is separated from her family and friends by an ocean, she still talks to them all the time.

“I call my mother and father almost every day when I’m getting ready for school. When I’m bored, I’ll just call them, my brother too,” Karim said. “[My friends] and I are just always talking and checking on each other.”

When she came to Hofstra, the culture shock Karim experienced was eased by her new teammates.

‘‘At first I was speechless about everything,” Karim said. “The culture and the language

didn’t know the people, but my teammates made it easier,” Karim said. “They came to me, they were talking to me, they were just inviting me to stuff.”

Karim returned to Long Island the day after Portugal’s elimination from the FIBA World Cup and immediately rejoined the team. Being with the team for the second half of the summer was important for

of her shell this year. Last season, the coaching staff knew that they’d need to help Karim be less quiet, and they got creative.

“Last year after the season, [Lance] White made me sing in front of everyone,” Karim said.

While Karim was able to avoid singing for the team, she understood what White was doing.

“They were just trying to get me out of my shell,” Karim said. “I needed to, and that made me a better player.”

Santos has had a hand in bringing Karim outside of her comfort zone as well.

“There was a meeting we had where she looked at me and said, ‘I’m not going to say anything, you just talk,’ And I was just like, ‘What? I’m going to talk for the whole meeting?’ She said, ‘Yeah, I want to hear you more,’’’ Karim said.

Karim has become a vocal member of the Pride this season and has been a huge reason for their late

THE HOFSTRA CHRONICLE

March 10, 2026

‘C

hip C hasing

Preston Edmead, CAA Rookie of the Year, hit the game-winning 3-pointer in overtime to advance Hofstra to the CAA Championship.