No one has looked at East Carolina athletics like Wilson Raynor has. In his role as long snapper for the Pirates in football from 2005 to 2008, he saw things upside down before initiating punts and field goals. In his present avocation as a baseball umpire, he has seen pitches through a mask when calling behind the plate, including the Keith LeClair Classic earlier this … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EAST
VIEW FROM THE EAST
‘Mags’ returns with memories, aspirations
In a sense, Damon Magazu never left East Carolina. After an outstanding playing career for the Pirates from 2010 to 2013, he spent some time in the work world as a corporate head hunter, applying his degree from ECU in business administration. But he realized that football was still his passion and he got into coaching as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in 2016 and … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EAST
‘New season’ starts for Pirates
East Carolina opens play in the American Athletic Conference Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth against Tulsa today at 12:30 p.m. (ESPNU). "It's an exciting time of the year with conference tournaments," said Pirates coach Mike Schwartz on Tuesday. ECU (14-17, 7-11 AAC) has a 5-game losing streak. The Pirates closed the regular season with an 82-72 loss to … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EAST
Charlotte … and beyond
There will be an in-state rivalry taking place on Saturday other than North Carolina-Duke. East Carolina hosts Charlotte at 4 p.m. (ESPN+). The Pirates and 49ers don't have the depth of tradition or the national rankings of the Tar Heels and Blue Devils, but the Minges Maniacs have the same potential to impact an outcome as their blue blood cousins, the Cameron … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EAST
LeClair’s legend lives on
East Carolina will play in the annual event named for Keith LeClair, the baseball coach who passed away from Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) in 2006. The Keith LeClair Classic will be played at Clark-LeClair Stadium. The Pirates are coached by Cliff Godwin, who played for LeClair. Godwin said LeClair still has a strong presence in the program. Godwin wears No. 23, which was … [Read more...]