VIEW THE MOBILE ALPHA VERSION OF THIS SITE

Bonesville: The Authoritative Independent Voice of East Carolina
Daily News & Features from East Carolina, Conference USA and Beyond

Mobile Alpha Roundup Daily Beat Recruiting The Seasons Multimedia Historical Data Pirate Time Machine SportByte™ Weather

GAME DAY SLANTS

Memphis 38, East Carolina 35
Saturday, Nov. 20, 2004
By Denny O'Brien
Story posted Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004

Despite loss, healing has begun

 

Bonesville Magazine
WHERE TO BUY...


• PAT DYE: Short on Tenure, Long on Impact

• INSIDE PIRATE FOOTBALL
• Recruit Profiles
• Rookie Books
• Tracking the Classes
• Florida Pipeline
• NCHSAA & ECU: Smooth Sailing Again

• HIGH HOPES FOR HOOPS

• STEVE BALLARD: New Leader Takes Charge

• SCOTT COWEN: Busting Down the Door

• KEITH LECLAIR on ECU's Field of Dreams

• BETH GRANT: Actress Still a Pirate
 

©2004 Bonesville.net

GREENVILLE — Years from now, if you could pick one day to best summarize East Carolina football in 2003-04, it would have to be that picture-perfect autumn Saturday that followed the announcement of John Thompson's dismissal.

In some ways, East Carolina's 38-35 loss to Memphis on that day — which happened to be yesterday — was a microcosm of Thompson's brief tenure as the Pirates' coach.

Name it and chances are it probably happened. From the early offensive pounding the Tigers unleashed on the permeable Pirates' defense to a questionable decision from the ECU sidelines, this was the canvas around which the Thompson era can be framed.

But to focus on the heartache that no doubt lingers from Steven Gostkowski's game-winning field goal for the Tigers would undermine the core theme that underscored Thompson's final home game.

The spirit and passion that had been ripped from the core of East Carolina made a welcome appearance again.

"Man, am I proud of this football team, these young men," Thompson said. "When most people would have given in and done it a different way, they chose to compete, fight, stick together, hang in there under a lot of situations.

"...There are so many things that we can draw from in real life. Don't ever forget that this game is about these players and they never gave in and they never quit."

As a result, there was a rebirth inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, one that extended beyond the sidelines. There was a refueling of the emotional tank that for two months has been sputtering dangerously near empty.

In addition to Pirates' gutsy effort on the field, there were signs that the division that long has existed within the fan base was beginning to mend.

Whether or not it was a response to the actions taken by athletics director Terry Holland is beside the point. What's important is that Pirate Nation again was unified with support for its purple soldiers.

"We took some steps forward this week in manhood and courage and staying with it and doing the right things that will stick with them for the rest of their lives," Thompson said. "They took some things tonight in proving that... don't be afraid to make some plays. Don't be afraid to stick out and do something.

"I think Travis Williams taught our team that tonight. Go make some plays and sticking with it and staying with it — that's what it's all about."

Williams produced the type of fireworks reminiscent of former fan favorite Keith Stokes. His 69-yard punt return was the spark ECU needed to claw itself into contention against a more talented foe.

That was complemented nicely by quarterback James Pinkney, whose 336-yards passing was a reminder of the spotlight role his position has traditionally played in the lore surrounding ECU's proud football program.

At times Saturday, it seemed as if the Pirates were playing for a Conference USA title, not a position just outside the league cellar.

"I am so proud of everybody on this team," Thompson said. "I am so proud of this coaching staff, that they stayed with it, they stayed focus and they competed. They gave it all they had, and we are going to do that again this week.

"We have a whole lot to be thankful for. We're looking forward to Thanksgiving, looking forward to some time with our team, with our families, and looking forward to playing this team from Raleigh and finishing this thing out the right way."

No question, a win over N.C. State would be a heartwarming farewell for J.T. More than that, it would generate needed momentum within the fanbase as the coaching search unfolds.

That alone should be enough to emphasize the importance of this next hire. The pressure is squarely on Holland to produce a coach who is perceived as a winner and has enough stature to lend a major jumpstart to ticket sales and fundraising.

The healing that began against Memphis won't be complete without the naming of a new leader of ECU's flagship program around whom all constituencies will rally.

Send an e-mail message to Denny O'Brien.

Click here to dig into Denny O'Brien's Bonesville archives.

02/23/2007 01:57:38 AM

©2001-2002-2003-2004-2005-2006-2007-2008-2009-2010-2011-2012-2013 Bonesville.net. All rights reserved.
Articles, logos, graphics, photos, audio files, video files and other content originated on this site are the proprietary property of Bonesville.net.
None of the articles, logos, graphics, photos, audio files, video files or other content originated on this site may be reproduced without written permission.
This site is not affiliated with East Carolina University. View Bonesville.net's Privacy Policy. Advertising contact: 252-349-3280; Editorial contact: editor@bonesville.net; 252-444-1905.