All sporting events are altered by momentum, but a sport like volleyball — one not dictated by a clock — is even more prone to one team building a lead and running away with it. It’s a dynamic that makes East Carolina’s Tuesday upset of N.C. State — a 3-2 victory achieved after falling into… [ More… ]
The Bradsher Beat
The Bradsher Beat
ECU’s post-Dorian plan: A positive fan experience
When my sister called from Texas this morning to check on my two kids who are home evacuated from UNC-Wilmington, she proposed, “Maybe that college should consider starting classes after hurricane season ends.” Some might say the same of the East Carolina football season, so prominently have names like Floyd, Florence and Matthew figured in… [ More… ]
The Bradsher Beat
Houston raises the bar on game week
August is a month of forging new routines — for kids returning to school, for parents, for teachers and for East Carolina football players. During this first official game week of the Mike Houston era, the staff has been focused on maintaining intensity and consistency as the season opener against N.C. State looms larger every… [ More… ]
The Bradsher Beat
A tale of two moments
At Wednesday’s post-practice press conference, East Carolina coach Mike Houston told a tale of two moments in recent Pirate football history. One was uplifting; one was anything but. One was captured on film but no one enjoys watching it; one wasn’t recorded but Houston wishes it had been. Let’s start with the highlight, which occurred… [ More… ]
The Bradsher Beat on ECU Volleyball
Pirates mesh on, off court
In place of their regular afternoon practice on Wednesday, the East Carolina volleyball team volunteered to help move freshmen into their dorm rooms. They carried boxes and shelves and televisions, and when they left they gave their new friends Pirate volleyball posters, complete with the 2019 schedule. This effort to inspire new fans — and… [ More… ]
Special Photo Feature
Facilities Tour Gallery
Bethany Bradsher captured this collection of photographs during a media tour of of ECU’s updated athletic facilities conducted by Pirate AD Jon Gilbert on Monday, August 12, 2019.
The Bradsher Beat
Pirates’ grand facilities visions becoming real
New athletic facilities don’t just allow collegiate teams to pursue broader opportunities; they provide a visual representation of where a program plans to go. If the media tour of East Carolina’s new and renovated spaces Monday is any indication, the Pirates’ top athletic leadership has grand visions indeed. “It’s almost like a dream,” said J.J.… [ More… ]