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News Nuggets, 08.22.06
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

End of preseason camp in sight for Pirates

East Carolina moved one step closer to the official end of preseason camp by completing its last two-a-day practices on Monday morning and Monday afternoon at the Cliff Moore complex, according to a university athletic media relations release.

The Pirates worked for two hours in shells during the morning session before returning in full gear for a two-and-a-half hour practice in the afternoon. Head coach Skip Holtz will close camp with a single workout early Tuesday afternoon before returning to a traditional in-season schedule Wednesday, which also marks the first day of classes on the East Carolina University campus.

"I thought the morning practice was very spirited, as if they're finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel," Holtz said. "In the afternoon, our attention was on Navy. We've got to get our players comfortable with Navy's offense and defense. It was more of a teaching day, perhaps a little robotic at times."

Prior to implementing offensive and defensive game plans to ready themselves for their matchup against the Midshipmen Sept. 2, the Pirates keyed on plenty of ball movement work, third down and distance, redzone efficiency and two-minute drills during the morning session.

The Pirates received good news on the medical front regarding redshirt freshman defensive end Scotty Robinson on Monday morning. Robinson, who suffered what was originally feared to be a serious knee injury during Saturday's scrimmage, was upgraded to day-to-day status after additional medical testing revealed no significant damage.

Senior wide receiver Bobby Good (leg) missed Monday's work.

After Tuesday's workout, the Pirates will celebrate the end of camp by conducting their Second Annual Talent Show. Acts such as freshmen performing ECU's fight song will be one of the many performances featured.

Once classes begin Wednesday, the Pirates will return to their daily 4:00 p.m. practices.

ECU has one more scrimmage remaining, set for Friday afternoon at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The simulated game will be a dress-rehearsal of sorts with scout teams emulating Navy's defensive and offensive alignments and schemes.
Today's workout is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3:40 p.m.

ECU opens the 2006 season at Navy at 5:30 p.m. on Sept.2.

ECU's Ray gets honor for summer league play

According to an announcement from the East Carolina athletic media relations department, Pirates junior outfielder Jamie Ray was one of 15 collegiate baseball players named to the 2006 SEBaseball.com summer all-star team, which was comprised of players from southern college programs who excelled in amateur leagues.

Ray, who is the lone representative from the Coastal Plain League, helped the Martinsville Mustangs to a first place finish in the west division with an overall record of 35-16. On the season, the Casar, N.C. native started 46 of 49 games played, ranked fourth in the league in batting (.350), fifth in hits (63) and swiped 17-of-20 stolen base attempts. He also was selected to National All-Star Team in the CPL.

Miami, Northwestern set tribute to Walker

The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Inc. has announced that Miami (OH) will pay tribute to the memory of Randy Walker before kickoff of its Aug. 31 game against Northwestern.

Walker, who coached at both schools, passed away suddenly on June 29 of a heart attack at the age of 52.
Widely respected as one of the most energetic and intelligent coaches in the college ranks, Walker's loss continues to be felt throughout the greater football community.

Prior to the 7:30 p.m. game, a ceremony will take place at Miami's Cradle of Coaches Plaza. During the game, players from both teams will wear a decal with the number "41" in red, the number that Walker wore as a standout tailback for the Miami teams that went 32-1-1 from 1973-75. The decal will also bear his Northwestern nickname, "Walk," in purple.

A video presentation will be shown at halftime that highlights Walker's life as a coach and player. Featured speakers at the ceremony will be former Miami head coaches Bill Mallory, who coached Walker for two seasons before directing programs at Colorado and Indiana, and Dick Crum, who also coached Walker for two seasons before hiring him as an assistant at both Miami and North Carolina.

During the ceremony the school will dedicate a plaque in Walker's memory. Walker's plaque will be the first to adorn the plaza, which was constructed to honor the many legendary coaches who have passed through Miami, including hall of fame coaches Sid Gillman, Woody Hayes, George Little, Ara Parseghian and Bo Schembechler.

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