VIEW THE MOBILE ALPHA VERSION OF THIS SITE

News Nuggets, 09.26.03
NOTES FROM ECU AND BEYOND...

Previous Day Nuggets...             Next Day Nuggets...

Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Muse resignation paves way for Cowen to make NCAA waves

NEW ORLEANS — Tulane president Scott Cowen, an outspoken critic of college football's Bowl Championship Series, will join the NCAA Board of Directors as its Conference USA representative.

Cowen will fill the opening created by the resignation from the board of East Carolina chancellor William V. Muse, who stepped down under pressure two weeks ago as the school's CEO.

"Everybody is laughing now that I'm on the board," Cowen said. "They're going to wonder if I'm going to cause havoc there."

Since Tulane decided to keep it's football team at Division I-A in June, Cowen has sharply criticized the BCS, forming a group that aims to change the current bowl system.

However, Cowen said he did not expect to use his new position on the NCAA board to gain leverage in his effort to scrap or change the BCS, which he contends is unfair because it sharply limits the ability of teams outside of BCS conferences to play for a national title.

"I do not think the NCAA board will get into the BCS issue because this is really being handled outside the NCAA. They have not been involved other than (NCAA president) Myles Brand," Cowen said. "So that particular issue, I will continue to sort of lead the effort among the 54 presidents on the BCS issue. But that will be done outside the board."

Tulane was 11-0 in 1998, but did not go to a major bowl. It instead played in the Liberty Bowl, which it also won, while Tennessee and Florida State played for the national title in the Fiesta Bowl.

Ticket deals announced for ECU-Houston game

GREENVILLE, N.C. -- A variety of special promotions and ticket packages are available for East Carolina's upcoming Tuesday night home football game against Houston, ECU athletics officials announced today.

The Pirates and Cougars will square off in a Conference USA matchup on Tuesday night, Sept. 30, at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The game, which will kickoff at 7:30 p.m., will be televised nationally by ESPN2.

The game has been designated as Appreciation Day for the military, public school employees, public service workers, and ECU faculty and staff. Qualifying members of each of these groups can purchase tickets for $5.

In addition, a special End Zone Fun-Zone Package is being offered to all fans.

Read complete details and prices on ECUPirates.com >>>

Pirates set out in pursuit of Omaha treasure

GREENVILLE — East Carolina's renewed endeavor to reach the College World Series is underway.

ECU head coach Randy Mazey welcomed his 36-man squad to the first day of fall practice Wednesday afternoon at Harrington Field. The Pirates worked for 2 1/2 hours on the field, in the batting cages and bullpen.

Sixteen new Pirates, 12 pitchers and four position players suited up for the first time for ECU. The Pirates had to replace 14 wins off the mound in graduated senior starters Will Brinson, Neal Sears and Glenn Tucker and 22 total wins from last season's pitching staff.

Read complete story on ECUPirates.com >>>

Tulane says to students: 'Get on the bus, Gus'

NEW ORLEANS — The Tulane University Department of Athletics is offering students the opportunity to bus to Austin, Texas on Saturday to support the Green Wave football team as it battles No. 14 Texas at 6 p.m.

For $99 per person, students will receive round trip bus transportation, a ticket to the game and lunch. The bus will depart from the Reilly Center at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning and will return to New Orleans immediately following the game.

To reserve a spot on the bus, call the Tulane Ticket Office at (504) 861-WAVE. Individual tickets to the Texas game are also available through the Green Wave ticket office for $40.

Three-year walk-on earns SLU hoops grant

Saint Louis University head men's basketball coach Brad Soderberg has announced that senior guard Phillip Hunt (St. Louis, Mo. / Clayton) has earned a scholarship for the 2003-04 season.

Hunt began his Billiken career as a walk-on player during the 2000-01 season and has been a non-scholarship performer for three seasons.

"Phillip has established himself as a solid part of this team," Soderberg said. "He always provides quality competition on a daily basis. Phillip is a good guy to have in our back pocket. If injuries hit, we're confident that he can go in and contribute. We decided to reward Phil's efforts by providing a scholarship to him this year. He's earned it."

Hunt had some highlight reel moments during the 2002-03 season. His three-point goal and defense against St. Bonaventure fueled a Billiken rally that resulted in Soderberg's first career win as SLU's head coach. Hunt also made the pass leading up to Marque Perry's game-winning bucket in the Billikens' upset of No. 2 Louisville.

Hunt has appeared in 27 career games averaging 1.0 points per game, but is an acknowledged three-point threat with a career shooting percentage of .438.

The Billikens begin practice for the 2003-04 season on Sat., Oct. 18.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2003 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007