Miles Hayford

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Recent Articles

NEWS 4/17/24 10:56am

Elon University no longer offering Google accounts to alumni

By Miles Hayford

Earlier this month, Elon University sent out an email notifying all Elon employees that as of April 15, Elon will no longer offer Gmail, Google Workspace, or Google file storage to alumni not employed by the university.  Previously alumni were allowed to use their account to use the storage and stay connected to Elon. 

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NEWS 4/15/24 8:21pm

Elon Town Council discusses 2025 budget

By Miles Hayford

The Elon Town Council met on April 15 in a special work session to discuss Town Manager Rich Roedner’s proposed $10.9 million 2025 fiscal year budget. The council began the session by discussing the proposed fees for the 2025 budget. As a result of Burlington planning to raise their water fees by 4%, the council plans to match that raise. However, taxes would not be increased to cover these heightened fees.

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NEWS 4/11/24 11:06am

Early Spring Break presents problem for Elon University Catholics

By Miles Hayford

This year April 1 was Easter Monday, a holiday that marks the second day of Easter celebrations for many Christians. Typically, this has been a day that Elon students have had off in the past because Spring Break was usually scheduled earlier in March. However, with Easter Monday taking place directly after Spring Break this year, it was not counted as a day off. Because of this many students had to travel back to campus on Easter. This affected the Catholic community at Elon, in particular members of CCM.

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SPORTS 4/10/24 8:51pm

Elon University men’s basketball star transfers to University of Portland

By Miles Hayford

Elon University men’s basketball star player sophomore Max Mackinnon announced that he is transferring to the University of Portland in an Instagram post on April 9. After entering the transfer portal in March, Mackinnon found a new home in the Pilots’ basketball squad — who finished this season with a record of 12-21. Mackinnon will be leaving a Phoenix squad that finished the season with a slightly better record of 13-21. Elon will now look to the team’s leader in points per game last year, sophomore TK Simpkins, to spearhead the team’s efforts moving forward.

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SPORTS 4/2/24 3:58pm

Elon University men’s basketball stars enter transfer portal

By Miles Hayford

Elon University men’s basketball star players sophomores Max Mackinnon and LA Pratt have officially entered the transfer portal. Though this development does not guarantee that they will leave Elon, it grants a release so that other schools are allowed to contact them about playing for their team next season. If both Mackinnon and Pratt were to leave Elon, the Phoenix would be facing a big loss to their offense. In the 2023-24 season, Mackinnon was second-leading scorer with 12.1 points per game. Pratt was also an impactful presence on the floor with 6.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.

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SPORTS 3/13/24 10:58am

An analysis of Elon University's athletic budget

By Miles Hayford

As a private institution, specifics about Elon University’s athletic budget aren’t public; However, the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act — passed in 1994 — requires universities and colleges to make gender equity information about their athletic programs available. This is to give prospective students a chance to judge a school’s ability to have equitable opportunities for both its male and female student-athletes. As a result of this, it is possible to analyze Elon’s athletic budget from a broad perspective. According to Elon professor of sport management Alex Traugutt, Elon’s athletic budget is in a good place right now due to their spending and return on investment.

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NEWS 3/4/24 8:11am

Opposites face off in upcoming North Carolina governor race

By Miles Hayford

Primary elections will conclude on March 5. Vying for the state governor nomination on the Republican ticket is current Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, State Treasurer Dale Folwell and Salisbury Attorney Bill Graham. The Democratic side features Attorney General Josh Stein, North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Mike Morgan, Tryon Mayor Pro Tempore Chrelle Booker, Lumberton Attorney Marcus Williams and Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Deputy Gary Foxx. Despite this crowded field, Robinson and Stein are the clear front-runners and are already preparing for the intense general election that is ahead, according to Duke University professor of public policy Mac McCorkle.

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SPORTS 2/29/24 10:49pm

Elon University men’s basketball wins penultimate game

By Benjamin Berfield and Miles Hayford

Elon University men’s basketball team with a balanced scoring attack beat William & Mary 76-71 on Feb. 29 in Schar Center. With a potent offense and tough defense down the stretch, Elon eventually prevailed over William & Mary despite trailing for the majority of the game. Winning their penultimate game of the season boosted their record to 13-17. Elon’s next game will be Senior Day at 1 p.m. on March 2 against Monmouth University at the Schar Center. It will be their final regular season contest before traveling to Washington D.C. where they will compete in the CAA Tournament starting March 8.

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NEWS 2/25/24 9:42am

Elon Wheels rolls into new era, helps design skatepark

By Miles Hayford

Two years ago, then freshman Kai Whiteside was the only student skateboarding through Medallion Plaza. Now, after the creation of Elon Wheels, Whiteside is at the forefront of a growing skateboarding community that is working to create Alamance County’s first public skate park. Elon Wheels as an organization has undergone a transformation over the last three years. Building a skate park has always been a goal of the town, according to Elon Mayor Emily Sharpe. The town will begin working on this goal now that this year’s fiscal budget has $250,000 to be spent on building a skate park for the community.

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SPORTS 2/19/24 7:23am

Online sports betting comes to North Carolina in March

By Miles Hayford

Starting in March, sports wagering in North Carolina will be undergoing a historic transformation. After being signed into law in June 2023 by Gov. Roy Cooper, House Bill 347 will be put into effect on March 11, and online sports betting will be legal for those 21 and older in the state for the first time ever. After almost 40 states legalized online sports betting, North Carolina has joined the rest of the country. Sport management professor David Bockino said he always expected for the state to eventually legalize sports betting.

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SPORTS 2/15/24 10:57pm

Elon University men's basketball pulls off upset against Delaware

By Miles Hayford

Elon University men's basketball team pulled off an incredible upset against the defending Coastal Athletic Association champions, defeating Delaware 73-67 on Feb. 15 at Schar Center. It was an upset no one saw coming with Elon missing star player graduate student Rob Higgins and coming off a brutal loss at Towson on Feb. 12.  The win was Elon’s first win against Delaware since 2019, and represents a turning point for the program. Elon will play next at University of North Carolina, Wilmington at 7 p.m. on Feb. 17 in Trask Coliseum.

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NEWS 2/11/24 1:17pm

Town of Elon faces vacancy crisis

By Miles Hayford

The town of Elon is currently facing a vacancy crisis among their staff, facing vacancies at the positions of town planner in the developmental services department, recreation and parks director and a position in human resources. Town clerk is also vacant, but will have someone filling the spot on March 4. But the department that has felt these vacancies the most is the police department. Elon’s police department currently has two vacant positions. The department has had the highest level of turnover over the course of this past year, and is the hardest one to find candidates for, according to Town Manager Rich Roedner. 

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SPORTS 2/8/24 11:05pm

Elon University men’s basketball poor shooting, rebounding proves fatal in loss to Stony Brook

By Miles Hayford

The Elon University men’s basketball team couldn’t find much success shooting or rebounding in their 79-64 loss to Stony Brook at the Schar Center on Feb. 8. Elon couldn’t get it going from the jump. Sophomore Max Mackinnon’s turnover on the first possession of the game was a foreboding sign, it would seem. The Phoenix struggled from the field in the first half, going an abysmal 29% from the field. Early in the first half, Elon went on a five and a half minute scoring drought where they went 0-8 from the field — along with an air ball to add salt to the wound.

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NEWS 1/22/24 9:35pm

Elon Town Council approves 5% raise for town employees

By Avery Sloan and Miles Hayford

Elon Town Council voted to add a 5% pay raise for all town employees. With multiple vacancies across the staff, including town planner, parks and recreation director and multiple positions within the police department, Elon Mayor Emily Sharpe said she hopes this will help attract and retain employees. During the town council meeting Jan. 22, in a 3-2 vote, the council voted to increase pay for all town employees. The vote came after discussion on how to increase pay of staff employees, with either a flat rate or a percentage increase based on salary.

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SPORTS 12/1/23 10:11am

Elon University men’s basketball dominates on historic night

By Miles Hayford

The Elon University men’s basketball team made history and along the way defeated Warren Wilson 127-56. It was apparent from the tip-off that Division III opponent Warren Wilson was outmatched. Elon started the game 8-0 thanks to a hot six-point and four rebound start for junior Sam Sherry. Shortly after, Elon went on another 8-0 run. A few minutes later, the Phoenix went on a 7-0 run. It was scoring run after scoring run, Elon had a permanent hot hand. The Phoenix will next play at Radford at 2 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the Dedmon Center. 

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NEWS 11/30/23 7:36am

Dean of Elon College candidate offers vision for liberal arts education

By Miles Hayford

Jennifer Fredericks presented and spoke to Elon faculty members about her vision for the College of Arts and Sciences, along with her philosophy on the ideals of liberal arts education. Following Gabie Smith’s decision to step down as the Dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, Fredricks is one of four candidates interviewing for the position of dean of the college. Nicole Guajardo of Christopher Newport University, the next candidate, will speak to Elon Nov. 30 from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. in Lakeside 212.

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SPORTS 11/27/23 11:22pm

Miraculous buzzer beater gives Elon University men’s basketball team dramatic win

By Miles Hayford

Elon University men’s basketball team defeated Presbyterian College 82-79 with the help of a buzzer-beater victory at Schar Center on Nov. 27. The heroic win was a statement win for Elon, defeating a previously 5-2 Blue Hose squad that already had a win over Vanderbilt under its belt. The Phoenix seemed to get off to a rough start, squandering their opening possession by turning it over and going on a 0-7 scoring drought in the opening minutes of the game. But graduate student Zac Ervin’s explosive first half propelled Elon back into a lead. 

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NEWS 11/17/23 8:22am

Invicta Water collaborates with Elon University students to combat PFAS

By Miles Hayford

Invicta Water, a private water treatment company, is working to remove PFAS from water sources along with the help of Elon students. Elon and its surrounding area has recently faced multiple chemical leaks into nearby water sources such as the Haw River. Additionally, drinking water in the Alamance County area has PFAS levels higher than the Environmental Protection Agency recommends. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — otherwise known as PFAS — is a group of chemicals that is used in products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water. 

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NEWS 11/15/23 5:20pm

Town of Elon permanent plaza set for Dec. 2

By Miles Hayford

The launch date for the permanent plaza in downtown Elon has been set for 6 p.m. Dec. 2, according to Elon’s Downtown Development Director Jill Weston. The construction of the new gathering space began Aug 3., and after three months of construction, it is expected to debut at the town of Elon’s Hometown Christmas event. The plaza will include dining tables, umbrellas and a stage area for events and musical performances.

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SPORTS 11/9/23 11:16pm

Elon University men’s basketball wins home opener in thrilling finish

By Miles Hayford

The Elon University men’s basketball team defeated East Tennessee State University 79-76 in its home opener Nov. 9 at the Schar Center, fueled by first half dominance and last second heroics. This was their first win over the Buccaneers since 2005, and avenged a brutal loss against ETSU in the Asheville Championship last year. The Phoenix got off to a rocky start, plagued by early turnovers and superb defense by ETSU. In the first three minutes, Elon found themselves having committed four turnovers. ETSU quickly found themselves up by 10. However, sophomore LA Pratt helped Elon get back on track with back-to-back 3-pointers.

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