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College Sports in the Carolinas
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from the East
Monday, May 3, 2004
By Al Myatt
ECU Beat Writer for The News &
Observer |
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Purple Alert needs boost from
rank-and-file
©2004 Bonesville.net
Here’s an alert on ... Purple Alert. The initiative to keep East Carolina
constituents abreast of matters important to the university in order to
facilitate advocacy on the school's behalf, had 605 people signed up as of
Friday.
In consideration of the fact that the effort formally
got off the ground less than a week
ago, the enrollment of hundreds of soldiers in the cause indicates the
concept has struck a nerve among some supporters.
But organizer Allen Thomas says it's imperative that many more enlistees
sign on quickly. He projects that the group needs at least 1,000 to 1,500
proactive participants to carry the desired clout.
Purple Alert, which has been embraced by the university's Board of Visitors,
is intended to provide timely information about key issues to ECU
supporters, who in turn will be armed with that knowledge to formulate and
express their own thoughts and opinions to legislators and other shapers and
makers of policy.
Initial response has been less than had been hoped for in light of 80,000
phone messages and 30,000 e-mails that were sent out last week from interim
chancellor William Shelton.
Ideally, Thomas would like to have 10 people signed up from each county and
he notes that those who board the ship won't have to pull out their
checkbooks.
“We don't want any money,” Thomas said. “All we ask is for them to make one
phone call ... when they receive a Purple Alert. They have to be part of the
network to receive the alert. That’s all. ... It will make a huge difference
for ECU.”
That collective phone call, Pirate fans — if it comes in its own uniquely
conceived form from multitudes of university supporters — can swing a big
stick in places where it counts... such as the N.C. General Assembly.
Thomas said the legislative agenda involving ECU’s interests is of
strategic importance, perhaps more so this year than most.
“We have a lot at stake in a week — when the Senate and House go into
session.” Thomas said. “Our folks always complain about ‘not having a voice’
yet here we are with a great tool — and most are dragging their feet.
"Those not signed up need to understand they won't be notified (via a Purple
Alert), if they aren't a part of the network — and they won’t have anyone to
blame but themselves if we fall a vote short" on a project or other matter
deemed important to ECU and its constituents.
One such vital objective with almost universal support in the university
community and which has attracted legions of proponents in the region at
large is a proposed major Cardiovascular Diseases Institute that last year
fell by the wayside in last-minute legislative maneuvering.
As was the case last session, the Cardiovascular Institute will be vying for
funding with the concept of a new Cancer Center in Chapel Hill.
To get with the program concerning the Cardiovascular facility and other
strategic issues affecting ECU, you can go to
www.purplealert.ecu.edu and take a
moment to sign up.
Thunder-storms over Europe
The tutelage of Steve Logan appears to be working for Rohan Davey. The
former LSU quarterback who was allocated to NFL Europe’s Berlin Thunder by
the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots has been playing well under
Berlin quarterbacks coach Steve Logan, who had a school record 69 wins
before his dismissal as ECU football coach in December, 2002.
Davey threw for four touchdowns and ran for another in host Berlin’s 33-29
win over the Amsterdam Admirals on Sunday. Davey, the league’s top-rated
passer, completed 10 of 17 passes for 149 yards with no interceptions. His
favorite target was former ECU receiver Richard Alston, who had six catches
for 84 yards with two touchdowns.
The versatile Alston also ran once for 10 yards, completed his only pass for
11 yards, had a punt return for eight yards and returned a kickoff for 34
yards.
Elsewhere in NFL Europe, the Frankfurt Gaklaxy defeated the Cologne
Centurions 24-17, although former ECU back Leonard Henry didn’t play because
of a groin injury sustained last week.
Berlin visits Cologne on Saturday.
Spetman a candidate at South Florida
Randall Spetman isn’t waiting for incoming chancellor Steve Ballard to make
his call May 19 on the next athletics director at East Carolina. The former
Air Force AD is among three finalists for the vacancy at South Florida,
according to the Tampa Tribune.
Mark Hollis, an associate AD at Michigan State, and Jon Oliver, senior
associate AD for administration at Virginia, also are reported to be
finalists.
Streaking Pirates play Seahawks
The last game at Harrington Field as we know it is scheduled for Tuesday
night when the
Conference USA leading Pirates put
their school record
19-game winning streak on the line
against UNC-Wilmington at 7 p.m.
The Pirates and Seahawks began a game on March 31 which UNCW led 1-0 in the
third inning. Jody Jones of the ECU sports information department said this
will be a new game rather than resuming from the point where weather
resulted in the previous game being halted.
This is the 33rd season Harrington Field has been home to the Pirates, It
was named in honor of Milton Harrington and was dedicated on May 9, 1971.
Work will begin on an $8 million stadium which will seat 3,000 after the
UNCW game and ECU will play the remainder of its home games this season at
Kinston’s Grainger Stadium.
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02/23/2007 12:45:38 AM
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