Congratulations to the ECU football team for winning The
Hawaii Bowl on December 23rd! The win over Boise State wrapped up
another positive season for Skip Holtz and the team. Skip has improved
his win total each year in his three seasons at ECU (five, seven and
eight wins
respectively). Although ECU's non-conference schedule is tough again
next year with games against BCS Bowl Teams Virginia Tech and West
Virginia and games at Virginia and at NC State, I think expectations in
the Pirate Nation WILL BE to win a CUSA Championship and dare I say
nine-plus
wins next year! In Skip We Trust!
Speaking of the Hawaii Bowl win, wouldn't it be nice if ECU officials
took the time to recognize the fact ECU played in and won a bowl game
this year with some signage around Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium? In an
October
2006 article, I wrote about ECU's Lack of Tradition at their
Athletic Facilities.
Let's hope this bowl win will spark a rebirth and celebration of ECU's
football history and that some signage recognizing the accomplishments
of past teams, coaches and players will be proudly displayed where
everyone can see them on game days. Let's start with a 2007 Hawaii Bowl
Champs sign and work our way backwards!
I love "Credit Card Bowl Week" on ESPN! However, there are TWO things
ESPN, "The Worldwide Leader in Sports", CAN DO to make their broadcast
of games more enjoyable:
(1) Please DO NOT interview any more coaches from
other teams during any of the live coverage of the game you're
broadcasting. It is very disrespectful to the two teams playing, the
two coaching staffs coaching and to the television audience to listen
to some coach on a telephone feed (or in ECU's case June Jones of
Hawaii was live in the broadcast booth during the game) talking about
his football program and his upcoming bowl game. Please save all
interviews with coaches for pregame, halftime or postgame shows on
ESPN!
(2) Please DO NOT have any current or former
players, alumni, celebrities, etc., introduce the starting lineups on
offense or defense during the game. It sounds horrible and the
television audience usually misses a play in the process. I'm sure ESPN
pays announcers a fair wage to point out who the starters, reserves,
coaches, and other important people are involved in the game.
And finally, if Rich Rodriguez doesn't pay West Virginia every penny of
the four million dollar buyout in his contract, then coach's contracts,
not the BCS is the biggest joke in college football.
Cheers to the 2007 Football Season and here's to 2008 being bigger,
better and more bizarre.
Happy New Year!
Jonathan Ellerbe
ellerbe@pirateradio1250.com
