[Posted 02.08.03]

Pirates set for Labor Day kickoff on the tube

Bonesville.net staff report

East Carolina will start the John Thompson era against Cincinnati, the same team the Pirates concluded the 2002 season against with a 42-26 loss at home on Friday, Dec. 6.

The 2003 schedule will send ECU to Cincinnati for a game on Monday, Sept. 1, which is Labor Day. Thompson's first game as Pirates head coach will be shown on one of the ESPN networks.

Former ECU offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler will be working the same position for the Bearcats this season.

"That will be interesting," said All-Conference USA offensive lineman Brian Rimpf of the Pirates.
Shankweiler's son, Kort, a redshirt freshman quarterback last season, plans to remain in the ECU program.

The Pirates will have a short week to prepare for their first home game on Sept. 6 against West Virginia. There are six home games in all, including North Carolina's first-ever trip to Greenville on Oct. 11.

The Houston game will be Tuesday., Sept. 30 or Wednesday, Oct. 1 in Greenville, depending on ESPN, which will show the sequel to last year's triple overtime win in Houston. ECU will also host league foes Louisville (Oct. 25), South Florida (Nov. 8) and Southern Miss (Nov. 29).

The Pirates will go on the road to play league members Army (Oct.18), Memphis (Nov. 1) and Tulane (Nov. 22).

ECU will not meet C-USA opponents UAB or Texas Christian.

The Pirates' non-conference schedule also includes a game at Miami in the Orange Bowl on Sept. 13 and a continuation of the series with Wake Forest in Winston-Salem on Sept.20.

"We are looking forward to the Conference USA games and we've got a great non-conference schedule as well," Thompson said in a university release. "The lineup of home games is outstanding and I think it's great that we are able to have our players experience some unique road venues such as the Louisiana Superdome, West Point and the Orange Bowl."

The Pirates also play in the Liberty Bowl at Memphis, a site they would like to return to later in the season as C-USA champions.

There are 12 regular season games for the second straight year. There are no Friday night games but the schedule is subject to change. Kickoff times will be announced later.

Six home games with some attractive opponents plus the excitement Thompson intends to bring to the program should boost season tickets sales.

"We feel this is as good a schedule as any we've ever had," said athletics director Mike Hamrick.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW EAST CAROLINA'S 2003 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE...

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