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BAILEY'S
TAKE ON PIRATE SPORTS
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From the
Anchor Desk
Tuesday,
February 8, 2010
By Brian
Bailey |
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No. 23's Omaha dream
lives on in Homan, Pirates
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Austin Homan |
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(ECU SID image) |
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By
Brian Bailey
©2011 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
Austin Homan truly
relished
wearing the number “23” to honor former East Carolina baseball coach
Keith LeClair during the 2010 season. Now, Homan will close out his
career with “23” on his jersey.
Homan became the first
two-time winner of the award that honors the coach who lost his
courageous battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The
announcement came at the annual “Meet the Pirates” luncheon over the
weekend.
“You know it’s awesome,”
said Homan with a big smile on his face [Select
Audio Clip...]. “There were definitely a lot of guys that
were worthy of this award. I’m certainly humbled and honored to wear it
again, it’s amazing.”
“It doesn’t get any easier
and that speaks volumes for what this award is about,” said Coach Billy
Godwin [Select
Audio Clip...]. “For what Keith meant to this community
and this program.
"I would think as time
passes, and this is my sixth year, it would be easier. It went to an
outstanding recipient.”
Homan says he enjoyed
everything that came with wearing “23” last season.
“Last year it was new,"
said Homan. "It was exciting. Obviously it was a goal of mine since I
came in as a freshman. This year it’s hard for me not to get emotional.
I know what it’s about. I know what to expect now. It’s more about God.
It’s more about Coach LeClair then it is the player this year.”
Godwin expanded on his
decision.
“That was a tough one for
me because we have some other good candidates,” said Godwin. “But when
it came down to it he wore the number with such grace last year. He was
the best fit for it. I don’t think it could have gone to a better
person.”
The announcement of the
number “23” was the highlight of the luncheon. Godwin mixed things up a
bit by letting each player introduce himself. He then gave each senior a
separate assignment.
Each senior had three to five minutes to talk about a different topic,
ranging from what it was like to be a Pirate to the Pirate pitching
staff.
Each player did a nice job
in his own, individual style.
Over 400 Pirate fans
poured into the Murphy Center for the announcement on an absolutely
miserable day of cold and rain in Greenville. Still, the faithful were
there in force.
Godwin was thrilled with
the huge turnout.
“This is Pirate baseball,”
said Godwin. “They believe. They believe in the same vision that Keith
had, it’s the same one that I share that we will get to Omaha.”
Homan says it would be the
ultimate dream to wear the number “23” in Omaha for the College World
Series.
“Absolutely,” said Homan.
“I don’t put any extra pressure on myself, but I think it’s my turn to
lead and take charge of this team and get us to Omaha. That would be
unbelievable. Obviously that was Coach LeClair’s ultimate dream, so that
would really be exciting.”
Omaha is and will always
be the goal for the East Carolina baseball program.
Won’t it be something to
see that “23” in Omaha someday!
BB
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02/08/2011 01:36 AM |
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