GREENVILLE, N.C. –– Year six of the Bill Herrion Era began at East Carolina University on Saturday as the Pirates held their first practice of the 2004-05 season inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.

"I thought we had a great first day," stated Herrion. "What I really liked about today was the enthusiasm and energy these kids displayed and the way they approached the first day of practice."

ECU is coming off a season in which it won four of its final five regular season games and nearly eliminated Louisville from the 2004 Conference USA Tournament in the first round. The Pirates only return four lettermen from that squad, but welcome in an athletic group of newcomers, eight total, that Herrion feels will allow them to do some new things.

"We've got a lot more interchangeable part with this team," he said. "I think we can move guys around into different positions and different spots. Its only day one, but I think we're going to be pretty quick. We've got some athletes that will allow to do some different thing this season offensively."

Herrion also announced that the Pirates will hold an intersquad scrimmage prior to the ECU-Army football game on Oct. 30 that will be open to the public. The time for the scrimmage has not been determined.

The Pirates will play two exhibition games during November prior to opening the season against Pepperdine in the BCA Invitational at the RBC Center in Raleigh on Nov. 17.