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News Nuggets, 08.06.06
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Media day no day off for Pirates

After conducting its annual media day activities indoors, the East Carolina football team returned to high heat and humidity levels at the Cliff Moore Practice Complex for a three-hour afternoon practice in shorts and helmets, according to a release from the university's athletic media relations department.

The session, which followed a one-hour mid-morning walk-through, marked the Pirates' second workout of fall camp. East Carolina will enter its next stage of preparation Sunday by progressing to shoulder pads before putting on full gear Tuesday afternoon.

Head coach Skip Holtz remained upbeat about the influx of new talent and the summer physical enhancement of his returners after guiding the Pirates through the introductory, but fundamental-based team and individual workout.

"I've been impressed so far with the athleticism of our signees," Holtz said. "I'm also pleased with the strength and growth gains that our returners have made. We've added a lot of girth which I hope will help us do something we had a hard time doing last year - preventing a yard on defense or getting a yard on offense on a third-and-one play."

In addition to Saturday's practice, East Carolina also welcomed approximately 30 media members representing 20 different agencies to the Murphy Center for Media Day '06. Newspaper, radio and television personnel from local and regional outlets in North Carolina and Virginia joined a pair of national correspondents for interviews with requested players and members of the coaching staff. A total of 20 players were made available for the opening segment of interviews which began at 11:00 a.m. at Harvey Hall.

Drew-Skip check goes to Greenville Rec. Dept.

At the conclusion of East Carolina's season-opening press conference, there was a check presentation from The Drew Steele-Skip Holtz Golf Classic to Boyd Lee of the Greenville Recreation and Parks Department for the sum of $15,000 to go toward access walkways to playground equipment.

The Classic was created to funds the area's Special Populations Program to meet the needs of the growing community. Drew Steele spoke briefly to the attending media in the Murphy Center thanking those who organized the event bearing his name.

Greenville recreation director Boyd Lee said he had been hopeful initially of raising $10,000. That was before Pirates coach Skip Holtz became involved.

This first annual golf tournament raised $165,000. A total of $150,000 was designated for the Drew Steele Endowment with plans for the endowment to eventually fund a center for Special Populations.

Coordinator of ACC refs hanging up whistle

Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford has announced that Tommy Hunt will retire from his duties as the Coordinator of ACC Football Officials, effective at the end of the 2006-07 academic year, according to a release on the league's website.

Hunt, a native of Durham, came to the ACC on March 17, 1999, replacing Bradley Faircloth as the Coordinator of ACC Football Officials. During his eight-year tenure with the ACC, Hunt's primary responsibilities have been in the development of the league's football officials, game assignments and the implementation of the conference's instant replay system this past season.

"For the past 33 years, Tommy has been very successful serving this conference as both an official on the field and as the coordinator of football officials," said Swofford. "Tommy has shown great leadership to this conference and he will again be a tremendous asset this season as he rounds out eight years of service as the league's coordinator."

Prior to his appointment as the league's officiating coordinator, Hunt was a member of the ACC officiating staff for 26 years. He called over 240 Division I football games, including 10 bowl games.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically based on material supplied by staff members; data published by ECU, Conference USA and its member schools; and reports from other sources. Copyright 2006 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007 12:50 PM