In the good old days of sportswriting, when print was king and everyone knew what a catch was, I used to receive a stack of actual glossy football media guides every summer that, when piled on top of one another, could double as an ottoman. These magazines killed many trees, yes, but they also proved… [ More… ]
The Bradsher Beat on ECU Football
The Bradsher Beat on Women's Basketball
Pirates tip off before rollicking young crowd
Kim McNeill knew that her opening campaign as East Carolina’s head women’s basketball coach would involve a matchup with a program with 18 NCAA Tournament appearances and a trip to the 2019 WNIT. She might not have realized that it would also feature a high-decibel singalong to “Baby Shark.” This wasn’t just any season opener.… [ More… ]
The Bradsher Beat
Once-lowly cross country rises up at ECU
When you’re a competitive runner on a team, progress can be measured in several different ways. You can strive for a personal record, or a season record, or a higher team finish. But for the upperclassmen on the East Carolina cross country team, the program’s growth can be tracked with an even longer view —… [ More… ]
The Bradsher Beat on Basketball Media Day
Pirates undertake fresh start with a big goal
With eleven new players on their roster, there’s no doubt that the preseason held some moments of consternation for the East Carolina basketball coaches. But Tuesday’s media day revealed nothing but big smiles, bright white uniforms and descriptions of the team’s upgrade with its new personnel. After head coach Joe Dooley gave a standing-room-only press… [ More… ]
The Bradsher Beat
Pirates making big waves in the pool
Swimming and diving is one of a handful of East Carolina sports that have split seasons. For the aquatic Pirate athletes the portion of the schedule before the new year is distinctly different from the stretch that kicks off with the new year. The squad, led by coach Matt Jabs in his third season at the… [ More… ]
The Bradsher Beat
Temple’s ground game stymies Pirates
Like the brilliant pinpoints of light that glowed from Pirate fans’ cellphones to accent the No Quarter music, East Carolina’s loss to Temple Thursday night was an exercise in finding the bright spots. The Pirates weren’t deep enough on any part of the field to stop a 4-1 Temple team that added Thursday’s 27-17 result… [ More… ]
The Bradsher Beat
Questions that need answers
At the one-third mark of the season, a football team is finding its rhythm, clarifying the depth chart and getting used to practice and game day routines. But even as some aspects of the season become more comfortable for the East Carolina players and staff, they travel to Old Dominion this weekend with a handful… [ More… ]