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News Nuggets, 06.13.04
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NOTES FROM ECU AND BEYOND...

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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Logan, Alston capture World Bowl title rings

Former East Carolina star Richard Alston is still making the most of his multi-faceted talents. The Berlin Thunder wideout flung a 60-yard touchdown pass to Chas Gessner to stake the Thunder to a second half lead they would not surrender in defeating the Frankfurt Galaxy 30-24 Saturday for the World Bowl XII championship.

The game was staged in front of 35,412 fans at Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

Alston, proficient at both the receiver and quarterback positions at ECU, relishes his role as a receiver and return specialist for Berlin, but he still gets a charge when the opportunity arises to use his passing skills.

“I used to play quarterback, but now I have to say I prefer catching, but I still get a great joy when I throw it," he told nfleurope.com in post-game locker room comments. "It is kind of even — about 60-40 — in favor of catching.”

An odds calculation that is not even close in Alston’s mind is the satisfaction of playing a key role in the Thunder’s World Bowl title victory.

"It won’t hit me until tomorrow — once I see it in the newspaper it will hit me that I am a champion," he said in the nfleurope.com account of the game. "I am the type of player that when it comes to a big game, I am going to rise to the occasion."

Alston and Berlin quarterback Rojan Davey were catalysts all season in an explosive offense that had the stamp of former East Carolina head coach Steve Logan all over it. Logan served as the Thunder’s quarterbacks and receivers coach.

Alston, allocated to Berlin by the Cleveland Browns, is a Warrenton, NC, native. He was a key senior in Logan's final season with the Pirates.

Logan served at ECU from 1989-2002 — the last 11 as head coach — and still maintains a permanent residence in Greenville.

Davey, NFL Europe’s Offensive Player of the Year, completed 19 of 29 passes for 212 yards in the World Bowl win. Assigned to NFL Europe by the New England Patriots, he had already  won one title ring this year when the Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

Huggins benched over DUI escapade

CINCINNATI — Bob Huggins is getting a second chance.

Embarrassed by Huggins' arrest on a drunken driving charge, Cincinnati put its basketball coach on indefinite, paid suspension Saturday so he can get his life in order.

Athletic director Bob Goin declined to fix a length to the suspension, and held out the possibility Huggins could be back for next season, which would be his 16th at Cincinnati.

"I'm not going to say it's 60 days, 90 days, one year," Goin said. "When I feel comfortable that he's ready to resume his responsibilities, then I'll make that recommendation."

For the second time in less than 24 hours, Huggins appeared at a news conference and, with teary eyes and a halting voice, accepted responsibility. He said he would do whatever the university asks so he can return as soon as possible.

"I made a terrible mistake that I will pay deeply for," Huggins said. "My intention is to do the right things. My intention is to do everything in my power to meet whatever conditions, whatever I'm asked to do by my superiors."

Huggins declined to take questions because his case is pending in mayors court in suburban Fairfax, where he was arrested Tuesday night. The arrest report said Huggins failed a sobriety test and had vomit on the inside of his car.

Goin equated Huggins' suspension to a sabbatical that will give him time to examine his life. Huggins had a massive heart attack while recruiting 21 months ago and his mother died from cancer last year, but he has not taken time off from coaching.

Goin will meet with Huggins before deciding what he must do for reinstatement.

"This will permit him the opportunity to reflect, re-energize and update his life priorities," Goin said. "It will also let him address any personal matters which he has ignored."

Huggins' arrest was the latest black mark on a program with a history of players getting arrested or suspended for various infractions, ranging from domestic violence to punching a police horse. Several have been acquitted or had the charged dropped.

The NCAA put the basketball program on two years' probation in 1998 for various rules violations, and stripped the university of scholarships as part of its punishment.

Huggins' arrest most likely will get the attention of NCAA investigators. In the arrest report, Sgt. Jeff Bronson said Huggins told officers he had been talking to recruits and drank beer with a recruit's family Tuesday.

Huggins informed Goin of his arrest two days later. He also told Goin he wasn't recruiting, as indicated in the arrest report. Goin plans to tell the NCAA there were no recruiting violations.

"I think we'll probably be proactive on that and say it was erroneous," Goin said.

Duke football star dies in car wreck

RALEIGH — Duke defensive lineman Micah Harris was killed in a single-car accident in Virginia, police said Saturday.

Harris, 21, was traveling north Friday on Interstate 85 when his car ran off the road, struck several trees in the median and burst into flames about two miles north of Warfield, Va., said Sgt. D.S. Carr with the Chesapeake division of the Virginia State Police.

The accident happened shortly before noon Friday. Witnesses stopped and tried to help Harris before the car caught fire, Carr said.

"Nobody could get to him in time," he said.

Carr said it was unclear why Harris, a native of Poland, Ohio, ran off the road and into the tree-lined median, which divides the four-lane highway about 25 miles southwest of Petersburg, Va.

But Duke coach Ted Roof said he was told by authorities that Harris apparently fell asleep at the wheel.

Harris was on his way to visit a friend in Richmond, Va., Roof said.

"It's a sad day, a big loss for his family and our football family," he said.

Harris, a senior, was a two-year starter for the Blue Devils. Last year, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound defensive end had 32 tackles, 2½ sacks and two forced fumbles for the Blue Devils, who finished 4-8.

Harris has 124 tackles and 6½ sacks in his Duke career. He was expected to anchor the defensive line again this season.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2004 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007