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News Nuggets, 04.06.06
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Pirates hold final session before Purple-Gold

East Carolina wrapped up the practice portion of its spring schedule in near-perfect weather conditions Wednesday at both the Cliff Moore Practice Complex and Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, working for two hours under abundant sunshine with temperatures in the low-70s, according to an ECU sports media relations release.

The lively full-pad session completed the Pirates' weekday workout slate and served as a final tune-up for the annual spring game scheduled for Saturday beginning at 3:00 p.m.

"I believe we made a lot of progress this spring," said ECU Head Coach Skip Holtz. "I think we all want to be in a position to put all of the pieces of the puzzle together but we missed arguably four of our most productive players this spring in Pierre Bell (LB), Marcus Hands (DE), Aundrae Allison (WR) and Chris Johnson (RB). At the same time, it forced a lot guys to step up at those particular positions. There were many
positives that came out of the spring and I'm really pleased about that."

Holtz and staff will refine their current depth chart Thursday morning to identify the first and second units in an effort to establish rosters for Saturday's contest. Similar to last season, the two teams will be divided up as "East Carolina" and "Pirates" and each will feature either the No. 1 offense or the top defense in order to stage competition between equal units of the two-deep.

Holtz also indicated the format of the scrimmage will resemble a true game as much as possible with the utilization of a game clock throughout all four quarters with live hitting permitted in all positions. The only exception to the norm will be the elimination of kickoff, punting and return situations. In addition, the Pirates will attempt all extra-point and field goal tries.

"I think we're all looking forward to Saturday," Holtz said. "We really need another scrimmage situation with live tackling, executing our offense and defense. Lining up and playing in a game-day environment is critical because there are so many new faces in our two-deep."

Along with the game and festivities of the two-day Pirate Purple-Gold Pigskin Pigout Party, many former Pirate greats and current or retired National Football League performers — including Rod Coleman, Terrance Copper, Damane Duckett, Vonta Leach, Brian Rimpf, Vinson Smith and Keith Stokes — will be in Greenville this weekend and present at the game.

Tickets, which are priced at $5.00 for the contest or $10.00 with the addition of a plate of barbeque from the Pirate Purple-Gold Pigskin Pigout Party, can be purchased at the ECU Athletics Ticket Office or by calling (252) 328-2300 locally or (800) DIAL-ECU outside the Greenville area.

Pressler resigns as Duke lacrosse coach

Duke athletics director Joe Alleva announced Wednesday that Mike Pressler has resigned as men’s lacrosse coach, effective immediately.

“Coach Pressler offered me his resignation earlier this afternoon, and I accepted it,” said Alleva, according to goduke.com. “I fully support President Brodhead’s decision to cancel the remainder of the season as well as his outrage at the latest developments involving the men’s lacrosse program. I believe this is in the best interests of the program, the department of athletics and the university.”

Pressler spent 16 seasons at Duke, compiling a 153-82 record with three ACC championships, 10 NCAA Tournament berths and an appearance in the 2005 national championship game. A three-time ACC Coach of the Year and the 2005 USILA National Coach of the Year, Pressler’s overall head coaching ledger stands at 229-102 in 22 seasons.

Division I athletes face summer drug tests

The NCAA plans to conduct drug testing on Division I athletes this summer, according to a report in The NCAA News, which was summarized at espn.com.

The NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports reportedly wants the focus this year on football and baseball players, but any Division I athlete could be subject to testing.

"This has been coming for some time," Mary Wilfert, the NCAA's associate director of education outreach and staff liaison to the committee, was quoted as saying in the report. "We've previously been hesitant to test into the summer months, because of concerns about extending student-athletes' participation in a sport beyond a traditional season and also logistical considerations.

"But the reality is that student-athletes don't take the summer off."

The NCAA News reported that testing probably will occur even if athletes are not on campus, meaning tests could take place at homes, jobs or other locations.

Wilfert said that NCAA rules allow for testing at any time of the year, and athletes sign forms that tell them a test can take place from the beginning of the academic year through Aug. 31 of the following year.

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.

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