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News Nuggets, 08.07.06
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Pirates strap on shoulder pads

For the first time in preseason workouts, East Carolina headed out for its daily afternoon practice session on Sunday wearing shoulder pads, the school's athletics media relation office reported.

The Pirates completed a 3-hour session at the Cliff Moor Practice Complex in their third workout of the fall camp. Single workouts scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, and three two-a-day practices are slated to begin on Wednesday.

On Sunday, Coach Skip Holtz and staff emphasized schemes and alignments. ECU closed the workout with a five-minute scrimmage period involving the third and fourth offensive and defensive units.

"The intensity level was very high today," said Holtz. "I liked the excitement and enthusiasm that the team showed coming out in shoulder pads. In just three practices we have come a long way and I can't wait until we put on the full pads."

The Pirates will spend Monday's workout in shoulder pads and shorts before putting on full gear for the first time on Tuesday afternoon, according to the ECU release.

Ex-Duke lacrosse coach has new program

Mike Pressler, the Duke lacrosse coach who resigned his position after sexual assault allegations were made against his players following an off campus party in March, has been hired by Bryant University to fill the same position at the Division II school in Smithfield, RI.

Pressler compiled a 153-82 record at Duke that included three ACC championships and 10 appearances in the NCAA tournament. His 2005 Blue Devils team was national runner-up and the 2006 team was expected to contend for the NCAA title before the season was terminated by Duke officials following alleged events which led to charges against three players.

NIT will trim field from 40 to 32 teams

The National Invitation Tournament continues its evolution with an announcement at ncaa.org that the event's postseason field will be comprised of 32 teams.

At its recent summer meetings in New York City, the NIT Committee recommended that the postseason NIT be a 32-team format, reversing a change in 2002 when the tournament was expanded to 40 teams. A study of team and fan feedback concluded that the tournament is best structured when comprised of four regions of eight teams each.

“After examining the structure and operation of the event, the committee determined that a 32-team field is in the best interest of the championship," said chairman C.M. Newton. "It is more logical in terms of structure, easier to follow for fans and participants, more workable in bracketing, it allows more scheduling flexibility and it also eases the burden on travel.

“We studied different options very carefully and having been through the post season tournament last March, we are confident that a 32-team NIT is the way to go.”

The 2006 postseason NIT was the first ever chosen by an independent at-large committee, a change that came about when the NIT, which is owned by the NCAA, took over the tournament reigns in August of 2005. The NIT will continue to offer berths to any regular season conference champion which is not included in the NCAA field.

Besides Newton, the selection committee includes Dean Smith, Don DeVoe, Reggie Minton, Carroll Williams and Jack Powers, all of whom have experience as basketball coaches.

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.

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