NEWSLETTER 4, February 11, 2008
CONGRATULATIONS, COACH KEE, ON
CAREER WIN 500!
I must admit that until recently, I
was not aware that we had a head coach at ECU that was even close to 500 wins,
especially not softball.
Like many of the casual fans, I knew
there was success with the softball program, and I would even go to games on
the prettier days. But about all I could tell you was that Coach Tracey Kee
used to play softball at ECU, taught school for awhile, and became the 3rd
head coach for ECU softball in the 90’s.
The local news would make us
aware if the team did something really great or had a “superstar” on the team,
but other than that, softball was pretty low key.
Then, because of my granddaughters
and lack of proper bathrooms at the softball field, I began my mission of
creating awareness for the women’s sports especially softball at ECU. I must
admit all of this has been very rewarding.
As a result of this mission, I have
had the privilege of getting to know Tracey Kee, not just the coach, but also the
teacher. I have learned that the
education of the student athlete is at the top of her list as it should be. Watch
Coach Kee as she interacts with her players during games. She is always the teacher. When Coach Kee
recruits her athletes, the parents know that their daughter will get the best
education possible on and off the field. All you have to do is talk to the parents and
you learn how much they appreciate Coach Kee for this.
As a retired school teacher, I find
the success in the classroom which carries over in the real world to be the
true measure of success.
So congratulations Tracey Kee for not only reaching the 500 win milestone, but for teaching your student athletes that there is much more to life than wins and losses.
BLOGGERS UPDATE:
If you haven't noticed, shame on you, but we had another blogger, Sissy
Jimenez. She has done a great job, giving us a perspective from a
freshman student athlete. Thanks to Sissy.
Thanks goes out to senior Erin St. Ledger for the terrific job she had
done with the first blog.
Be looking for a new blogger this week.
February 10, 2008
ECU completed their first tournament of the
year by winning 4 games and losing 2 at the Carolina Classic in Chapel Hill. The East Carolina
softball team bounced back after a season-opening 5-1 loss to North Carolina to
route North Carolina Central in five innings, 13-0, in the nightcap. Head coach, Tracey Kee, picked up her 500th career win on Saturday
as the East Carolina softball team took a pair of contests. They took out
preseason Mid-American Conference favorite Kent State 2-1 in Saturday's first
game before returning to defeat George Washington 6-1 in the final contest of
the day. After slipping past Kent State 3-2 in the first game on Sunday,
the East Carolina softball team dropped a 5-2 decision to North Carolina in the
championship contest of the Carolina Classic in Chapel Hill.
February 9, 2008
First softball tailgate was a success. You could see the yellow
tent from the stands, so as the UNC fans cheered on their team, they had to do
it with a feeling of envy. I think they could learn a lot about
tailgating from PIRATES. AAARRRRGGGGHHHH!
For those of you WEST COAST Pirate fans, get ready to tailgate March
22 at Stanford. Here’s some information:
Tailgate with WEST COAST Pirate fans on Saturday, March 22 at the
Stanford Invitational II in Palo Alto, CA. This is being organized by
Jamie Jimenez, the Dad of one of the players. More information will follow
for all of you WEST COAST PIRATES. But in the meantime if you have any
questions, Jamie can be contacted by cell phone @ 209 495-0322 or email @ jj@jjsportsc.com
February 4, 2008
ECU is # 2 in C-USA preseason softball coaches'
poll.
CSTV also predicts that the Pirates will make NCAA regionals
this year! But that shouldn't surprise us! We all know they should have been
there last year.
February 1, 2008
“Give Kids a Smile.” That
is exactly what softball players Jessica Johnson, Toni Paisley, and Erin St.
Ledger did. They volunteered to hold hands and give support to kids that
were getting dental work done.
___________________________________________________
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
DINNER WITH THE ECU SOFTBALL TEAM
FEBRUARY 21, 2008
6:00
Club Level at Football Stadium
JOIN FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FANS
AS WE HAVE DINNER WITH
THE COACHES AND PLAYERS
$5 for Adults
$1 for Kids
(13 and under)
(Collected at the door.)
RSVP
CARRIE
HARRIS
(Olympic Sports Secretary)
252 737 1430
Women's
Basketball vs. UAB
Call ticket office for group rates
Greenville: 252-328-4500
Toll Free: 800-DIAL-ECU
UPCOMING EVENTS for 2008
SEASON (more info to follow)
First
home game of the season (2/15/08)
“THINK PINK” (2/16/08)
Dinner
with the Team (6:00 on 2/21/08)
Followed by Women’s Basketball at 7:00
Softball/Women’s Basketball DH
(2/23/08)
Softball/Baseball DH (3/1/2008)
Tailgate
at the Stanford Invitational II (3/22/08)
Softball Alumni Weekend
(4/19/08)
If
you are a softball alumnus and have not been contacted by the ECU Alumni
office, please email me so that I can pass that info on.
Blackbeard’s
Ballers home game tailgate (TBA)