back on
track PIRATES win c-usa indoor championship east carolina university
PURPLE! 1
2 PURPLE!
MAy/june 2012
track and field
back on track A strong foundation and sisterly bond made a first-ever championship win possible. by jessica creson nottingham
18
10
tennis
advantage: Schmitt His positive energy has become a cornerstone of the team. by jessica creson nottingham
24
36
departments
columns
letter from the editor.......... 9
no quarter
sports briefs..................................10 club sports and campus rec............................32 pirate spirit.....................................38 fan cam............................................... 42 east carolina university
Dr. marilyn sheerer................. 8
ship’s log sam hickman.................................40 cover: Aiesha goggins, left, Coach Curt Kraft and tynita butts photographed in the new ECU track and field complex. photo by jay clark.
38 PURPLE! 3
electric slide ECU’s Zach Wright (center) and Jack Reinheimer (top right) cheer on first baseman John Wooten as he slides into home, tying the score against NC State on March 20. Wooten and Reinheimer both scored on a double hit by Drew Reynolds in the third inning. The Pirates would go on to win, defeating the Wolfpack 6–5. photo by jay clark
4 PURPLE!
MAy/june 2012
east carolina university
PURPLE! 5
Strike out cancer The ECU softball team pauses for a moment of silence to remember those whose lives have been affected by cancer before beginning the first game of the Pink and Purple Strike Out Cancer doubleheader versus Longwood (Va.), held on April 18. The team wore special pink jerseys for the event and defeated Longwood 5-0 and 5-2, sweeping the series. photo by jay clark
6 PURPLE!
MAy/june 2012
east carolina university
PURPLE! 7
no quarter Advice from the provost series: I see a bit of impatience sometimes in this generation. Students want to go from graduating college to taking on a management or higher-level leadership position immediately. People, students included, don’t just hop right into a big leadership position. Instead, you have to build your skill set and take advantage of the opportunities offered to you. Leadership skills are earned and honed at each level of life. So, start out leading something small, something simple. Whether it’s within a sport, student organization or somewhere else on campus, find some success that will give you the confidence to lead others.
8 PURPLE!
Sometimes it’s a bit of trial and error. Put yourself in situations where you allow yourself to test out some of your skills (or lack of skills) as a leader. Then, you can move on to something else. When you take advantage of opportunities as you move through the four years of college, for example, in sports or something else, it allows you to build a leadership skill set. You don’t do it all at once; there’s no way you can. With leadership skills, you have to test them out a little bit. You know how you are, how you interact with people and how you actually lead. Determine your leadership style, what works and what
forrest croce
leadership in students
dr. Marilyn sheerer doesn’t work. Then, seek out the next available step or opportunity. Dr. Marilyn Sheerer, Provost and — Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
MAy/june 2012
letter from the editor outstanding performances As East Carolina University students are abuzz about graduations, travel plans, internships and summer jobs, visiting hometown friends and family, and summer courses, it’s important to reflect. Two student-athletes embody what all ECU students should strive for: success in the classroom, involvement in an area of interest or hobby (sports, in this case) and an outlet for serving others. Among the many accolades they each have received throughout their careers at ECU, Kimmy Cummings and Matt Milner were named ECU’s Most Outstanding Male and Female Scholar-Athletes for 2011-12. Cummings is a May graduate and midfielder on the soccer team, and Milner is a sophomore defensive end on the football team. This prestigious award, sponsored by Potash Corp Aurora and the ECU Department of Athletics, recognizes one male and female student-athlete for their academic achievements, demonstrations of leadership and service. Milner, a physics major, maintains a 4.0 GPA and became the first Academic All-American selection in Pirate football history to be elected to the Capital One All-America Second Team. He is just one of three sophomores and the only Conference USA athlete elected to the team. In terms of service, Milner volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House and The Boys & Girls Club as a member of Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Triple major Cummings grew from walk-on to team captain by senior year while finding time to support causes close to her heart. On campus, she was project manager for the Small Business Institute’s volunteer and service learning center. In the community, Cummings is involved with Riley’s Army, the Special Olympics, Relay for Life and Walk for Women. Majoring in marketing, management and management information systems, she holds a 3.92 GPA, which has earned her many honors. All award-winning students remind us that college is a time to grow and face challenges. Before looking ahead to the next endeavor, small or large, reflect on your time as a student thus far. Summer can be a time to recharge and set goals, and it’s never a bad idea to look to others for inspiration. —Jessica Creson Nottingham, Editor Where to find PURPLE!
PURPLE! Volume 1, Number 4 purple! is published six times a year by East Carolina University marketing and publications 1206 Charles Blvd. Greenville, NC 27858-4353
editor jessica creson nottingham ’06, ’08 managing editor/art director jay clark copy editors Jimmy rostar ’94 spaine stephens justin Boulmay student intern CHASE KROLL Contributing writers bethany bradsher sam hickman Dr. Marilyn sheerer photography jay clark forrest croce rob goldberg jr. Cliff Hollis online content Laura Davenport bryan edge ’97 administration michelle sloan director of university marketing clint bailey special thanks to ECU athletics media relations chris stansbury East Carolina University is a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina. It is a public doctoral/ research intensive university offering baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees in the liberal arts, sciences and professional fields, including medicine. Dedicated to the achievement of excellence, responsible stewardship of the public trust, and academic freedom, ECU values the contributions of a diverse community, supports shared governance, and guarantees equality of opportunity. ©2012 by East Carolina University U.P. 12-269
Online: www.ecu.edu/purple On Facebook: search Purple! Magazine
jay clark
We want to hear from you Letters to the editor can be emailed to purple@ecu.edu. Please include your full name, current student classification or graduation year for alumni (if applicable) and hometown. Letters may be edited for clarity and space. east carolina university
PURPLE! 9
SPORTS BRIEFS
edited By Jessica creson nottingham
pirate performers by chase kroll
women’s tennis
Natalie collins
u merchant of tennis Collins is an apparel merchandizing major who someday hopes to own her own store and possibly coach tennis.
Class: Senior Position: Singles No. 1, doubles No. 1-3 Hometown: Vero Beach, Florida
Team Season overview ECU’s women’s tennis team holds a record of 10-16 (0-3 in Conference USA play) for the season. The lady Pirates hold victories over NC Central, NC A&T, Western Carolina, UNCAsheville, Davidson and two collegiate teams based in Puerto Rico.
Collins’ Season Stats After starting the season in the No. 3 singles spot, Collins has now solidified her position in the No. 1 role. She holds a record of 8-9 in the top spot, with an overall record of 12-13. Collins, the team captain and lone senior on the squad, led the lady Pirates with a record of .480. In doubles action, Collins has acquired a 8-9 record working with Renata Bakleva. The pair fluctuates mostly between the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, and have the most doubles wins on the team, followed by Danielle Terkpo and Yilian Zhang with seven.
From the Coach “When the match is on the line, Natalie is the one I would like out there playing, from a coaching standpoint,” said head women’s tennis coach Tom Morris. “Win or lose, you feel good having her out there.” “She has been a solid player for us,” he added. “She is just an extremely hard fighter in matches. You just know what to expect with Natalie—you are going to get a good effort every time. She is going to fight and give it everything she has to try and win the match and it has paid off for her.” 10 PURPLE!
MAy/june 2012
“
When the match is on the line, Natalie is the one I would like out there playing, from a coaching standpoint.
”
— tom morris, head coach
Academic/Career goals Collins, an apparel merchandising major with a minor in business, has plenty to keep her busy off the courts. She has made honor roll the past three semesters and hopes to one day open her own store and possibly coach tennis. Outside of tennis she enjoys going to the beach, shopping and just being a regular college student. “The thing I like the most about the school is probably football games and the ECU Pirate pride. I like being around here,” she said.
ecu media relations/rob goldberg jr.
Like Father, Like Daughter
east carolina university
Collins doesn’t just play tennis here at ECU. When she has some down time, she often competes with her father, Tom Collins, in fatherdaughter doubles tournaments around her home in Florida. Tom Collins played collegiately at the University of South Carolina and coached Natalie when she was younger, but he also had a lasting effect on another Pirate. “Tom Collins hired me for my first real job,” said Morris. “Thirty years later, I am looking at my recruiting list and there is a girl named Natalie Collins from Vero Beach. It’s a neat story. I wonder if I’d be where I am now if he hadn’t hired me so long ago.” PURPLE! 11
SPORTS BRIEFS men’s golf
u lining up for the future
David Watkins Class: Senior Hometown: Hamlet, N.C.
Watkins is studying business management at ECU and plans to play professional golf after graduating. He also volunteers with the local Boys & Girls Club to promote golf and act as a mentor to children.
Team Season Overview The ECU men’s golf team has placed in the top five in seven of their eight tournaments so far this season, with the outlier being a sixth-place finish at the GCAA Match Play Championship. The Pirates notched a first-place finish at the Seahawk Intercollegiate, as well as three other top-three finishes. With two tournaments to go until the Conference USA Championships, the Pirates look to be firing on all cylinders.
Individual Overview Though the 2011-2012 golf season hasn’t been as promising as he had hoped individually, Watkins has been an integral part of the team’s overall success. “He had a fantastic 72 at the end of the (General Hackler Intercollegiate) tournament,” said men’s golf head coach Press McPhaul. “It was a really hard golf course, hard place to play and an excellent field. We needed a timely round and he really delivered.” Watkins entered his collegiate career relatively low on the team’s totem pole, but quickly worked himself into the lineup and produced throughout his first three years on the team. As a junior, Watkins was named first team All-Conference USA, leading to high expectations for his final season. He mainly attributed his successes to his strong sense of determination. “I felt like I’ve never had as much talent as most people, but I’m able to work harder than most,” said Watkins. “My goal is to earn all the respect that I can from my teammates.”
Coach’s Comments “He unanimously holds the respect and admiration of all his teammates. He is unquestionably one of the highest-character kids I’ve had the pleasure of coaching,” said McPhaul. “What’s left of our spring holds his best golf. He is so diligent 12 PURPLE!
MAy/june 2012
“
He unanimously holds the respect and admiration of all his teammates. He is unquestionably one of the highest-character kids I’ve had the pleasure of coaching.
”
— Press McPhaul, head coach
and he is working so hard. I just have an incredibly high degree of faith that he will be rewarded with good play. He is a fantastic competitor.”
Academic/Career Goals Watkins is studying business management and plans to play professional golf after graduating. His immediate plans are to join the eGolf Professional Tour and participate in Monday qualifiers for the Nationwide PGA Tour. Watkins’ first professional competition is the US Open qualifier, but he has had plenty of experience playing in amateur tournaments during the past few summers. “Instead of taking a lot of time off in the summer, I was able to play in several tournaments to get more reps in for the spring,” said Watkins. Those extra reps should help even beyond this season, when he begins competing for a paycheck.
jay clark
Becoming a Leader
east carolina university
Beyond being a diligent, hard-working individual on the golf course, Watkins has developed character and a love for the game that emanates from all facets of his life. As a project for a leadership class, he is getting involved with the local Boys & Girls Club to promote the sport. As part of the class, Watkins volunteers to teach children about golf, increase their interest and involvement, and serve as a mentor on the golf course. This leadership class has helped him “understand what it takes to be a leader,” he said. PURPLE! 13
SPORTS BRIEFS baseball
drew reynolds Class: Sophomore Position: Infielder/Right-handed Pitcher Hometown: Cherryville, North Carolina
2012 Season Stats Batting Average: .350 (leads team) Homeruns: 2 RBIs: 20 ERA: 2.61 Record: 3-0 Saves: 10 (leads team) Strikeouts: 19
Team Season Overview ECU baseball (33-19-1, 13-10-1 in conference) has experienced an early run of success through the 2012 campaign. The team, ranked No. 25 in the nation according to the NCAA Baseball RPI poll, currently sits in third place in Conference USA while boasting wins over NC State and UCF.
Individual Season Overview Reynolds has been an integral part in every facet of ECU’s successes. Leading the team with a .350 batting average and .398 on-base percentage, Reynolds has put a lot of runs on the board for the Pirates while recognizing his priorities. “I’m a real team guy. Anytime we win is a big thing to me,” said Reynolds. “I just try to stay in a good routine, I try to stay loose and joke around with the teammates while focusing on the task at hand.” On the defensive end, Reynolds has pitched 20.2 innings, mostly in the 14 PURPLE!
closer role, and leads the team with 10 saves. Some of his best moments came on the mound, with saves against NC State and UAB (in extra innings). “Drew came to East Carolina highly touted. We really had high expectations for him,” said coach Billy Godwin. “Our guys love him because he is such a tremendous competitor. They know he is about one thing, and that’s winning.” While spending the majority of his time giving it his all out on the field, it’s almost obvious what Reynolds likes to do during any free time: “Sleep. Sleep is the big thing. You always have to find time to sleep in so you can come to the field and be at your best.”
Coach’s Comments “He’s been consistent and I think that’s the thing. One, he is a baseball player, and two, he is a competitor,” said Godwin. “When you put those two things together it’s only a matter of time before you’re going to excel. This year in the offseason, we scrambled around and said, ‘Hey look, this guy could really help us out offensively; what’s the best way to do that?’ We moved him to the outfield to try and protect his arm so he can pitch and close for us. What we have done is matched a role for him and he has excelled in it.”
MAy/june 2012
Academic/Career Goals Reynolds is currently a physical education major with hopes of being a high-school gym teacher and baseball coach. “It’s been my dream ever since I was 10 or 11 years old,” said Reynolds. “My dad’s a high school baseball coach and I want to follow in his footsteps.”
What’s in a Number? Anyone close to Reynolds is quick to comment on his competitiveness and desire to help his team win at any cost. When he was just a freshman, Godwin remembers addressing the team in a locker room meeting one afternoon. He asked the team, “What is the most important baseball statistic?” He expected the team to choose batting average, RBIs or home runs. “What I was really looking for was runs scored. Because, if you score a lot of runs you win games,” said Godwin, adding that you can’t have a high number of runs scored without having good statistics elsewhere. What Godwin didn’t expect was hearing a better answer from one of his new guys. The then freshman Reynolds, answered with, “Coach, there is only one stat, and that is the W.”
t super saver Reynolds currently leads the Pirate bullpen with 10 saves, including impressive performances against NC State and a dramatic extra-inning win against UAB.
jay clark
east carolina university
PURPLE! 15
SPORTS BRIEFS in a League of their own John Wooten and Jharel Cotton (below) take time out for photos with players from the ECBL during a fun day at ClarkLeClair Stadium.
baseball
The East Carolina University baseball team spent the day with the Exceptional Community Baseball League on April 29. The ECBL provides the special-needs population of Greenville and surrounding areas with a baseball league. The ECBL was originally a part of Greenville’s Little League division called Challenger League that formed in 2005. The ECBL formed to allow for all age groups to participate: youth (ages 5-14), senior youth (ages 15-24) and adult (ages 25 and up). Their first spring season was in 2010 and the league has grown from 80 to roughly 150 participants in just a few years. More photos can be found at the ECBL website at myecbl.com/fun/. 16 PURPLE!
photos courtesy of ECBL photographer
exceptional players join pirates on the field for day of fun
MAy/june 2012
Don’t miss another exciting year… Don’t miss another exciting year… Ethencore ! night of rising stars Ethencore ! night of rising stars DECEMbEr 3, 2011
Music by Richard Rodgers Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Music by Richard Rodgers Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
November 17 - 22, 2011
Daily at 8:00 p.m., November 17 except - 22,Sunday 2011 at 2:00 p.m. McGinnis Theatre General Public $15 Daily at 8:00— p.m., ECU Student/Youth $10 except Sunday at 2:00—p.m.
A memorable evening of show tunes, theatre, and dance second to none. Your ticket to this event goes to raising scholarship funds thatof help many of A memorable evening show tunes, these highly talented and hard-working theatre, and dance second to none. students. see a great revue, and Your ticketYou’ll to this event goes to raising know that you’re investing in the future scholarship funds that help many of of theatre and danceand at ECU. these highly talented hard-working students. You’ll see a great revue, and All Seats – $35.00 know that you’re investing in the future of theatre and dance at ECU.
DECEMbEr 3, 2011
All Seats – $35.00
McGinnis Theatre General Public — $15 ECU Student/Youth — $10
Scan for information and tickets.
and there’s still more to come! and there’s still more to come! Scan for information and tickets.
Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the Department for Disability Support Services Printed on recycled paper with nonstate funds. Dates and titles subject to change. at least 48 hours prior to the event at 252-737-1016 (voice/TTY). Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the Department for Disability Support Services Printed on recycled paper with nonstate funds. Dates and titles subject to change. at least 48 hours prior to the event at 252-737-1016 (voice/TTY).
www.ecuarts.com * 252-328-6829
east carolina university
PURPLE! 17
tynita butts high jumper aiesha goggins runner
18 PURPLE!
MAy/june 2012
bac ko n
tr ac k sis te A s rl tr y ch bo ong am nd f pio ma oun ns de dat hip a ion f wi irs n p t-e and ossi ve BY JE SS bl r ICA CR e. ES ON
jay clark
NOTT INGHAM
east carolina university
PURPLE! 19
tr ack an d fie ld
u
The Pirates had an award-winning and record-setting indoor season, but their performance at the Conference USA Indoor Championship in Birmingham, Ala., in February was especially extraordinary. For the first time in the program’s history, the women’s track and field team won the conference title. After being with ECU’s track and field team for seven seasons, head coach Curt Kraft attributes the team’s conference win to the coaches and athletes and simply “couldn’t be happier” about winning the first-ever title for the university. During his time here, he has strived to build not just a team, but a solid track and field program based on more than athletic performance. An aspect of college sports is creating memories, according to the coach. “I’ve been coaching for 27 years and I enjoy watching them enjoy this—that’s the joy of it,” said Kraft. “It has to be done correctly with respect and good grades. The championship is the icing on the cake. I want the ladies to remember this about 2012.” The men’s team claimed third place— the highest the team has ever placed in the tournament. Accolades continued beyond the players and on to the coaching staff. With such a successful few days for the women’s team, Kraft was named C-USA Indoor Women’s Coach of the Year. “I’m not sure if words can describe it,” said Kraft. “We coach for a lot of different reasons, but we want to see our athletes get to the ultimate goal—winning conference championships. To see the fruits of our labor feels so good. And we’ve done it the right way. I believe in structure, discipline and character. The team has been winning already with their community service and GPAs, so this really feels good.” A quartet of Pirates nabbed the winning points against University of Central Flor-
20 PURPLE!
ida in the 4x400 relay tandem. Tyshonda Hawkins, Tiffany Harris, Tania Minkins and Aiesha Goggins finished with a record time of 3:39:00 in the league. The ladies defeated the Knights 123-113.5—a mere five seconds from the automatic NCAA qualifying standard for the Pirates. “Winning was a phenomenal feeling,” said Goggins, a sophomore criminal justice major. “We all have a stronger bond and trust in our abilities to win—we’re doing what we’ve been training to do. It’s a sisterlytype bond on and off the track. We really trust each other” It has been more than a decade since — dennis aliotta, throws the women’s team has won a conference title at the Colonial Athletic Association women’s outdoor championship in 2000, but the whole team is on the same winning page again. “It gets to a point with building a program when the coaches need to get out of the way,” said Kraft. “These ladies could see it, taste it, and smell it because they were so focused and driven. They had a will to win and an obligation not to let their teammates down.” Junior Tynita Butts, who is named the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Southeast Region Field Athlete of the Year, led the C-USA Indoor Championships with a mark of 1.85 meters, fifth in the nation, to win the gold in the high jump. Her performance gave her an automatic place in the 2012 NCAA Indoor Championships in Boise, Idaho.
“
it was like a miracle meet where everyone did what they needed to do.
”
MAy/june 2012
hammer time
jay clark
Dennis Aliotta gets set to launch the hammer during the Quad Meet at UNCW on March 31. Aliotta recorded a mark of 18.36 meters, an ECU record, to claim the gold medal in the shot put at the C-USA Indoor Championship.
east carolina university
PURPLE! 21
tr ack an d fie ld
22 PURPLE!
he also came in second place posting a mark of 14.65 meters. The Pirates sent a program best of six athletes in a single season to the NCAA Indoor Championships after another successful performance at the at the Alex Wilson Invitational inside the Loftus Sports Center on the campus of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. At the invitational, ECU seized two event titles and seven top-five finishes while breaking three school records against high-ranking schools. The same foursome—Hawkins, Harris, Minkins and Goggins—turned in a program-record time of 3:34.02 in the relay event, just barely missing the automatic qualifying standard and the country’s 10th-fastest time by two hundredths of a second. Morrow made a huge jump to a personal-best of 21.15 meters (second place) in the weight throw, ranking 15th in the nation. After just capturing her C-USA event title in the 800-meter run in Birmingham, Brooke Kott broke her own school record time in Indiana with a showing of 2:07.96, which put her at 11th place. Samuels also advanced his program standard in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 7.79, grabbing first place against Ohio State. Lewis won the remaining title for ECU in the long jump event with a 7.18-meter count also out-distancing the Buckeyes. The 2012 indoor season came to a close in Boise, Idaho, at the NCAA Indoor Championships with a record-setting six ECU athletes— the 4x400 relay squad, Butts and Morrow— competing at the national level. The relay team came in 12th place and Morrow at 15th. In less than a week’s time, the team began the outdoor portion of their season. “We can’t rest on our laurels; we have to put this behind us and move on,” said Kraft. “Now, we have motivation to defend the outdoors. There is a huge target on the ladies’ backs, but they know what’s in front of them and they have the self-motivation to prove that they are conference champs and it wasn’t just a fluke or luck that they won the indoor title.”
cliff hollis
Minkins also shined as she broke ECU records in the 60- and 200-meter dash events, running respective times of 7.40 (third place) and 23.88 (second place) winning all-conference honors in both races in Birmingham. Continuing to break records, senior Brittany Copeland set a new C-USA best in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 9:30.08, placing her in the top spot. But it was the 400-meter dash event that the victory for the women, as Hawkins (54.24), Harris (54.36) and Goggins (54.45) placed second, third and fourth, respectively, totaling 19 points in the event. “Any time you win a championship, no matter the sport, it’s something our alumni, Pirate Club, athletic department and passionate Pirate fans can brag about—everybody wins. The shiny trophy and new facility, one of the nicest I’ve seen in the U.S., help with the recruiting process.” Individually, Montrell Morrow won in the weight throw, and senior Dennis Aliotta recorded a mark of 18.36 meters, an ECU record, to claim the gold medal in the shot put. Junior Brooke Kott documented her first league title 800-meter dash victory, clocking in at 2:09.23. Britney Kott, Brooke’s twin sister, also afforded East Carolina a valuable 6 points in the race as she finished third by clocking in at 2:09.72. “When you look at track and field, most people think about it as an individual sport, but the conference championship is one of the few times we earn points as a team,” said Aliotta, a senior sport studies major who has won four titles in shot put. “That’s why everyone performs well at conference meets. It was like a miracle meet where everyone did what they needed to do.” More on the men’s achievements at the conference championship: Joseph Samuels placed second in the 60-meter hurdles, Austin Lewis clocked in at third in the 60-meter dash and Jakub Trzasalski grabbed the bronze medal in the 800-meter run. Not only did Miles Coats break his personal-best in the triple jump, but
MAy/june 2012
He’s Krafty
Head coach Curt Kraft shows off the team’s trophy to the ECU Board of Trustees during a meeting in April. Kraft was also named C-USA Indoor Women’s Coach of the Year for 2012.
“
i’ve been coaching for 27 years and i enjoy watching them enjoy this—that’s the joy of it. — head coach curt kraft
east carolina university
” PURPLE! 23
24 PURPLE!
MAy/june 2012
: e g a t n a dv
t t i m h c S A
e m o c e b s a h . y m g a r e e t n he ee t v i f t o si e His po rnerston k a co y cl a r a j y b ph s BY JES
east carolina university
SICA
CRESON
NGHAM NOTTI
photo
gr a
PURPLE! 25
m e n ’ s te n n is
“
Originally, I wanted to go to a school farther away from home, but I love north carolina so much that i’m glad i didn’t. — John Schmitt
26 PURPLE!
”
What junior quantitative economics major John Schmitt brings to the East Carolina University men’s tennis team takes more than athleticism. As one of the few upperclassmen, his experience is crucial to the team’s success, but it’s not his performance that shines the brightest. With a few years of playing tennis at the collegiate level under his belt, Schmitt has learned the importance of attitude and leadership to his teammates and coaches. A common refrain with Schmitt and head coach Shawn Heinchon is staying positive and clear-minded. According to Schmitt, the team’s coaches have instilled a great energy among the players that endures throughout each match. “It keeps us mentally in shape,” says Schmitt. In a similar vein, Heinchon feels the same about Schmitt’s attitude and disposition. “He doesn’t get over- or underwhelmed by distractions. He doesn’t have the hang-ups some people can have—young people can be temperamental at times. He has an attention to small things, like being on time, and even when he doesn’t play that well, his effort and energy don’t waver. He helps turn the downs around quickly.” Since half of the men’s tennis team consists of freshmen this season, laying a solid foundation for the years to come will be what ultimately makes the team successful. The coaches and upperclassmen (two juniors and a redshirt senior) were prepared for the nature of the new team. “We felt going in that our first timers are all very talented
and can play at a high level, but there are ups and downs with a long season of traveling and playing at the collegiate level,” says Heinchon, who has coached at ECU for eight years. “We are all getting a lot of experience, and the core group that will be around for years will learn from the good and bad.” With the young team came a responsibility for veteran players. To win, the team has to have the right energy, according to Schmitt. “I knew I was going to have to step up because four seniors graduated and we have five freshmen this year,” he explains. “We can’t show nervousness, especially to new recruits. We have to lead them through and support each other.” As many student-athletes realize, performing well in both academic and athletic arenas takes discipline. “I know what I’m doing every minute because it’s easy to fall behind. Making good grades and playing well is hard to do,” says Schmitt, who is a junior. “At first, it was hard to come (to college) and keep up with school and tennis. I feel like I’ve learned how to be organized and disciplined and it will definitely help in my career.” As a math enthusiast, Schmitt continues to demonstrate purpose with plans to continue his education internationally. “Originally, I was a business major, but I’m more of a math guy and changed to quantitative economics—it’s a higher level of business math,” he says. “I get to apply models and theories to our current economic situation and to the 2007-2008 recession.” MAy/june 2012
east carolina university
PURPLE! 27
m e n ’ s te n n is
“
he doesn’t get over- or underwhelmed by distractions. he helps turn the downs around quickly. — head coach shawn heinchon
28 PURPLE!
”
Schmitt is scheduled to graduate in May 2013 and will continue his studies in economics at the graduate level at a university in Switzerland—exact plans are in progress. “I had a roommate who was from Switzerland and I always wanted to go,” says Schmitt, a native of Raleigh. “I’ve never been out of the country.” Another outlet for Schmitt to use his experience and leadership skills is by being a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. SAAC is a group of student-athletes who serve as representatives and liaisons for their team and mediate between their peers, athletic administration, teammates and coaches. The committee members also provide input on NCAA rules for the following year.
MAy/june 2012
As a member, Schmitt feels that it is “important to be a piece of the puzzle and to make a fraction of a difference in things like scholarships and NCAA regulations—our votes count. We gather with freshmen for seminars on things like study habits, time management and safety, and helping their transition from high school to college. We meet monthly and invite a speaker for the student-athletes.” This organization also facilitates community service opportunities for each sports team. The tennis team hosts private and public youth clinics and works with the Salvation Army and the Boys & Girls Club of Pitt County during the holidays. “Christmas could be a bad time for these kids
east carolina university
because of their perception of how happy other people are during the holidays,” says Schmitt. “It’s important to do things for other people who aren’t as fortunate.” Schmitt started playing tennis when his parents signed him up to play in the Unites States Tennis Association on his 12th birthday. “I didn’t do well at first, but got better and ended up with a scholarship to ECU.” It didn’t take long for Schmitt to feel like a Pirate. “I started with ECU and enjoyed it so much that I stopped with ECU,” he says about choosing a college. “Originally, I wanted to go to a school farther away from home, but I love North Carolina so much that I’m glad I didn’t.”
PURPLE! 29
Tomorrow starts here.
30 PURPLE!
MAy/june 2012
School of Music 2012 Summer
Guitar Festival July 14–17, 2012
Dr. Elliot Frank East Carolina University School of Music
July 14
July 16
4:00 p.m. Patrick Lui
4:00 p.m. College Competition Semifinals
7:30 p.m. Elliot Frank/Stephen Aron
7:30 p.m. Akerman Teixeira Duo/Jason Vieaux
July 15
July 17
4:00 p.m. Joseph Ikner
4:00 p.m. Youth Competition Finals
7:30 p.m. Mark Edwards/Duo Spiritoso
7:30 p.m. College Competition Finals
All events are in the Recital Hall in the Fletcher Music Center on the ECU campus. Afternoon concerts: All tickets are $5. Evening concerts: Tickets are $15 adults, $10 students. Seven-event concert pass is $40. Master classes and instruction are available for all interested students.
Please visit www.ecu.edu/music/guitar/workshop or contact Dr. Elliot Frank at franke@ecu.edu or 252-328-6245. Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the Department for Disability Support Services at least 48 hours prior to the event at 252- 328-6799 (voice) / 252-328-0899 (TTY).
east carolina university
PURPLE! 31
campus rec & club sports
[great escapes] A getaway may be easier than you think
adventure program
By jessica creson nottingham
The Adventure Program, a part of ECU’s Campus Recreation and Wellness, makes it easy for students, faculty and staff to get out into the open air. The program hosts a number of trips that range from kayaking for the afternoon on the Tar River to day trips to Pilot Mountain to kayaking in Florida for a week. Even when 32 PURPLE!
the destinations and activities vary, the Adventure Program guarantees low cost, convenience and new experiences. “Most people tend to shortchange themselves and are surprised by what they’re capable of doing,” says Brad Beggs, assistant director of the Adventure Program. “Most trips are at or just past people’s comfort zone. (Participants) translate these experiences into their regular life, for example, meeting strangers or going without a shower for days.” MAy/june 2012
up a creek Kaitlin Keelan, left, and Samantha Proctor (in blue) lead a group upstream during an Adventure Program Friday Float in Washington, N.C.
All trips are student-led and have an eight-person limit to meet safety and quality standards. “Most people like a small, intimate experience,” says Beggs. Friday Floats are particularly popular for both students and faculty. These afternoon trips take a group of about eight people to Washington, N.C., to kayak on the Tar River—and it just costs $10. “Friday Floats are low key, low cost and low commiteast carolina university
ment,” says Beggs. “This is for people who want to get out of Greenville to explore the region, but aren’t comfortable exploring by themselves. Maybe they don’t have a car or don’t own a kayak. All the logistics are taken care of, and it’s all ready for you.” ECU psychology student and New Bern native Mark Mitzen needed something new to do on the weekends. He found the Adventure Program online and signed up for a PURPLE! 33
courtesy ecu adventure program
campus rec & club sports
Friday Float. “(The program) gives students the ability to explore and participate in activities they wouldn’t normally be able to afford,” says Mitzen, who was on his first Adventure Program trip. “The staff is really nice, too. I definitely want to get more involved and go whitewater rafting.” Anne Bunnell, a biology teaching instructor who has been on approximately 10 trips, has seen students, and even herself, start out on a trip inexperienced and grow to be more comfortable taking risks by the end. “I climb on the climbing wall, which is a huge deal, because I’m scared of heights, but I know I’m in a safe environment,” says Bunnell. “My 11-year-old daughter also climbs on the climbing wall.” Each student-leader begins earning the distinction of an Adventure Program Trip Leader by entering the Adventure Program Leadership Expedition course as a freshman, being an apprentice on a number of trips and demonstrating leadership skills at varying levels. “The staff goes through an extensive training program called APLE, where they come in as freshmen and leave as seniors more confident and leaders 34 PURPLE!
p in real situations. It really sets them apart,” says Beggs. pilot program Adjusting to participants’ Adventure Program comfort level, interests and activities also include climbing walls, or even experience, inclement weather, climbing bigger obstabugs and accommodating cles like Pilot Mountain. someone on a trip alone are just a few examples of what the staff is trained to manage. “All the staff, who are students, are well trained and in charge. It’s especially nice to see young women taking charge,” says Bunnell. “The program is a great asset to ECU.” In addition to trips, the Adventure Program offers equipment rentals and clinics that facilitate the ECU community with getting outside. The program is located in the Student Recreation Center by the climbing wall. To view more information, videos and a list of trips, visit the Adventure Program’s website at www.ecu.edu/cs-studentaffairs/crw/ programs/adventure/index.cfm. MAy/june 2012
Pirates Helping Pirates
SUCCEED The Pirate Tutoring Center is now located in the 2300 wing of the Old Cafeteria Building.
P i r at e T u t o r i n g Ce n t e r The Pirate Tutoring Center is for ECU students and provides the following services: • Daytime appointment and evening walk-in peer tutoring sessions on 1000- and 2000-level courses • Individualized academic skills coaching • Tutoring referrals and resource support
Summer
tutoring services will begin on
Wednesday, May 16 for students enrolled in summer courses.
• Specialized academic success workshops • PTC small group study sessions on College Hill
All PTC services are free to ECU students.
To make a daytime appointment, call 252-737-3009 or email tutoring@ecu.edu.
Pirate Tutoring Center 2300 Wing, Old Cafeteria Bldg. 252-737-3009 tutoring@ecu.edu
www.ecu.edu/piratetutoringcenter
east carolina university
PURPLE! 35
campus rec & club sports club bass fishing
gone fishin’ By Chase Kroll
Fishing is a peaceful and relaxing hobby that maintains an old-fashioned image. From this pastime, a modern competition has sprouted that is rapidly growing interest on campuses nationwide. Collegiate club bass fishing fuses the feel of a day out on the lake with the gritty experience of an every-teamfor-themselves competition where winners take all and the scale never lies. The teams’ uniforms are covered with more sponsors than a racecar and the souped-up boats go just as fast. The ECU bass fishing club team, founded in 2008, has infused itself into the sport and sped to relevance. The team of 12 members competes in tournaments from Virginia to Alabama and everywhere in between. Airing on ESPNU and Versus, teams of two compete to catch a fivefish haul with the highest combined weight. In just its fourth year of competition, the team is making a serious impression. This past March, they placed fourth out of 116 teams in the Carhartt College BASS Southern Regional in Guntersville, Ala. “We felt extremely excited about our finish, as well as the exposure we gained from a top-five finish,” said Nathan Hooks, the team president. “It left us wanting more. We want that first-place finish.” Being on the bass fishing club team as a college student not only provides an outlet to enjoy the sport, but it is also a way to give back by cleaning the environment they so frequently use. When the team isn’t competing, the ECU bass fishing club team is doing its part to keep the Greenville environment clean. The Tar River, which is the closest body of water to ECU’s campus, has struggled to stay clean near high-traffic areas. To combat this, the team hosts an annual Tar River Cleanup that collects more than 200 pounds of garbage in the water each year. “As anglers, we strive to keep our waterways clean so that we, as well as others, can enjoy them to their full benefit,” 36 PURPLE!
said Hooks. “The Tar River is right in our backyard, so what better way to spend the day than cleaning its banks.” Their focus on helping the community along with their successes has helped garner the attention of several important sponsors throughout North Carolina. The Greenville Marine, Yee Haw Swim Baits of Winston-Salem and JB Custom Rods of Dunn provide the team with tackle, bait and fishing rods, respectively. MAy/june 2012
tackling litter
jay clark
Ronnie Moore hauls in trash that was collected during the ECU Bass Fishing Club’s Tar River cleanup while other team members secure their bass boat to the dock.
Without their combined help, the team would be nonexistent. Even so, the financial burden still takes a toll on the team members. “For us as a club, a lot of money still comes out of our own pockets, because hauling and using boats burns a lot of gas,” said Hooks. “You have to be extremely passionate about tournament fishing if you have to pay $400 plus for a single trip in just gasoline alone.” east carolina university
In a sport crafted out of passion, it is only fitting that this is the characteristic that drives the team to excel. It’s the reason they wake up when it is still dark out, travel for countless hours to compete and use what little money they have to make it all possible. It is these actions that show the heart of traditional fishing; however, its newest form of competition has really gotten the team’s blood pumping. PURPLE! 37
pirate spirit cheerleading
the man behind the mascot AAron brooks is graduating in May, leaving behind a legacy and one tough act to follow By bethany bradsher
After more than three years performing in the PeeDee the Pirate suit, Aaron Brooks is graduating and saying goodbye to a routine that has dominated his college years. He has performed as PeeDee for every home basketball and football game since 2009, except four games he missed for injury. He has posed for untold photos, risked heat stroke and pumped up home crowds with his dance moves and his antics. He says he often hears that he has set a new standard for the mascot’s persona. “People have said, ‘Nobody is going to be as good as you,’” said Brooks, who was to graduate in May with a degree in construction management. The Apex native hopes to continue as a performer, possibly at Disney World or on a cruise ship. “Honestly, I would love it
38 PURPLE!
if (the next PeeDee) was even better than I was. Being PeeDee is something that I’m passionate about, and that’s why I take so much pride in it.” At most other universities, two or more students share the mascot job, and often split the time inside the suit at games because it’s so hot inside the costume. But when Brooks inherited the suit and had the chance to share the role, he declined because he wanted to be solely responsible for the personality he gave PeeDee. He gets paid a small stipend for his work. “I was almost territorial about it,” he said. “I was like, ‘I don’t want somebody else to do it, because this is my thing.’ People said I brought a new aspect to PeeDee. When I’m in the suit, the crazier you get, the more everybody loves it.” Brooks loves almost everything about being PeeDee. But there are a few things he won’t miss, like the times parents bring their child for a picture with PeeDee even though the child is clearly terrified of the mascot. It also can be worrisome, he said, when parents hand tiny babies to him because his vision is limited in the suit. Once, he came within inches of being hit by a foul ball during a game at Clark-LeClair Stadium. Despite the occasional uncomfortable moment, Brooks has loved the chance to make Pirate fans smile week after week. “It’s like your own stage the entire time you’re in the costume. You’re not yourself; you have to try to be somebody else. That’s one of the reasons I love it so much. It’s not the most glamorous style of acting, but it is acting.” MAy/june 2012
first rule of mascot club...
jay clark (2)
Mascot ettiquette demands a level of anonymity, but Brooks’ identity can be revealed now that he is graduating from ECU.
east carolina university
PURPLE! 39
ship’s log then and now: delivering, giving are part of shackelford’s legacy played with six players on each side of half-court, three-versus-three on both ends, with guards competing at one basket and forwards playing against Louise Shackelford, now 93 years each other on the opposite end. old, was recently honored at East “Shack” noted that when she was Carolina’s women’s basketball home on the sideline and the coach whistled finale at Williams Arena inside Minfor her to enter the game, she just sat ges Coliseum where the Pirates hosted there until it was confirmed if she Southern Miss. would be playing on the guards or Some 70 years removed from her own playing days at East Carolina Teachers College, Shackelford was honored by her family as part of the Step Up to the Highest Level Campaign. The fundraiser is a Pirate Club initiative to raise money for the soonto-be men’s and women’s basketball practice facility. Her son, Dr. Jasper Lewis, and his family donated to the campaign as a surprise to Louise, who said at the game she was “shocked” by the gift. Long before an area in the new practice facility would be named after “Shack,” as she was referred to Louise Shackelford, the original “Shack,” played for the ECTC “Ramby her classmates at teammates at blers” back in 1936. Now 93 years old, ECTC, she made her own mark on she was honored by her family through the hardwood. She played on some of a generous donation to the Pirate Club for the new basketball practice facility. the earliest teams in the institution’s history and by all accounts, was the best player on those squads. forwards side. She reluctantly admitShe recalled that her coach on the ted that sometimes she was inserted 1936 ECTC squad, which was called into both lineups to give ECTC the the Ramblers, realized Shackelford’s best chance of winning. versatility, but it often made for difDuring her days at ECTC, which ficult decisions. Basketball was not a developed out of East Carolina game of fast breaks, alley-oops and Teachers Training School in 1921, highlight-reel-worthy, behind-the-back Shackelford’s talents were not limited passes during her time. The game was to the basketball court. She brought
By sam hickman / ecupirates.com
Fall, 1936...
40 PURPLE!
home the crown for the prized Intramural Horseshoes and Croquet Championships of 1936. She was also asked to teach the archery class as part of the physical education curriculum because the teacher had other responsibilities and she had all but mastered the techniques after just a few days spent in the course. After her days as a Rambler, she went on to teach for several school systems in North Carolina, including stints at Selma, Cherryville and Walstonburg to name a few. Lewis shared, and Shackelford later confirmed, that during her time at Selma, it was a fundraising event in which the teachers squared off against the girls’ basketball team in a game of hoops that her talents were discovered. She said the girls’ team at Selma was “pretty good,” but it was no match for Shackelford and Co., as the teachers at the school easily rolled over the ninththrough 12th-graders. Although stories of dominance in the paint and on the backboards were pushed to the foreground, her story offers much more. She is a kind-hearted, family-oriented woman whose priorities cannot be mistaken. “She’s well-rounded,” said Christy Butts, a longtime friend. “She could do it all. Of course, we’ve talked about how athletic she was. She loves her family, first and foremost. That’s what is most important to her. She would work all day and come home and take care of her husband and children.” MAy/june 2012
FANS STAND UP FOR EAST CAROLINA AFTER A TOUCHDOWN, A SLAM DUNK, OR A HOME RUN.
But what about the rest of the time? Did you know that alumni and fan support plays a significant role in how East Carolina is ranked among peer institutions in the U.S. News and World Report annual ranking of the nation’s best universities? The East Carolina Alumni Association encourages you to become a member so ECU can reach new heights in these rankings. Not only does membership help with national rankings, but your tax-deductible membership contribution supports the programs and services offered by the Alumni Association, including networking events, alumni publications, student scholarships, alumni awards, faculty recognition and numerous events held across the Pirate Nation. Membership is open to all who want to see ECU succeed; you do not have to be a graduate to be a member.
BECOME A MEMBER: ONLINE PirateAlumni.com/jointoday
BY PHONE Call 800-ECU-GRAD IN PERSON Stop by the Taylor-Slaughter Alumni Center at 901 East Fifth Street in Greenville
As a member of the East Carolina Alumni Association, you make a tremendous impact on East Carolina University every day! JOIN NOW AT PIRATEALUMNI.COM/JOINTODAY
east carolina university
PURPLE! 41
fan-cam
Outfielder Jonathan Holt leaps on the outfield wall to celebrate with fans in the Jungle after ECU’s extrainning win over UAB on April 1. The Pirates defeated the Blazers 6–5 in 13 innings after a dramatic comeback in the bottom of the ninth sent the game into extra innings. photo by Jay clark
42 PURPLE!
MAy/june 2012