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Insights and Observations
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Henry's Highlights
Thursday, April 15, 2004
By Henry Hinton
Broadcaster & Owner
of Greenville Cable 7 |
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New captain signals he will do
it his way
©2004 Bonesville.net
Dr. Steven Ballard’s visit to Greenville this week is a
great indication he wants to move his agenda forward post haste.
The new Chief Pirate is showing us early that he is in
charge and wants to have a hand in things that will affect the future of the
university — even if the efforts were already underway before his
appointment by UNC System president Molly Broad.
The hiring of the new director of athletics is a great
example. There is no question that there were those who wanted the new AD
hiring placed on the fast track months ago. Luckily, cooler heads prevailed
and this mega-important decision is still to be made.
Not that the decision is not needed immediately, but
there are those, yours truly included, who felt strongly from the outset
that the new chancellor should have the chance to feel totally comfortable
with this hire.
Many, including some members of the search committee,
wanted the decision made prior to the hiring of the chancellor. That would
have created an opportunity for another disjointed administration.
It is not clear that Ballard is insisting on a slower
process, but what is certain is that he will absolutely make the final call.
That is as it should be.
The discord that has marred the ECU program for the
last 18 months has given us a black eye. Everyone should be on the same page
as we move forward, especially the chief executive officer of the university
and the director of athletics.
Ballard is faced with several good candidates and from
all indications has not closed the book on some other potential late-comers.
This approach can only solidify the process and make
the bond stronger once the final decision has been made.
It is a solid decision and in my view allows Ballard to
set the right tone as he faces his June 1 start date.
Thunder gets bang from
Logan
When former ECU coach Steve Logan accepted a position
with NFL Europe's Berlin Thunder franchise, many were scratching their heads
and wondering how he would do in that new environment.
In the first two weeks of the season it is becoming
apparent that Logan is having a tremendously positive effect on his team.
Logan flew to Boston to meet with New England Patriots
head coach Bill Billichek and the offensive staff of the Super Bowl
Champions before leaving for training camp in Tampa six weeks ago.
The Patriots wanted Logan to implement their offense
into the Thunder’s game plans to allow Rohan Davey, the team's back-up
quarterback, to develop.
Logan has tutored Davey, a former star at LSU, since
camp began and through the first two weeks of the season. The results have
been very positive.
Davey was named the NFL Europe Offensive Player of the
Week after the Thunder defeated Amsterdam 28-17 last Saturday.
Davey ‘s passer rating of 110.2 is tops in NFL Europe
and in Saturday’s game he completed 12 of 18 passes for 164 yards, two
touchdowns and no interceptions.
In addition to Davey’s accolades, Logan’s top receiver,
Jorg Heckenbach, was named the National Player of the Week after grabbing
two touchdown catches of 52 and 43 yards.
Logan is responsible for both the quarterback and
receiver positions for the Thunder.
Berlin is off to a 2-0 start, its best ever.
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02/23/2007 10:13:26 AM |
