Sunday, Dec. 28 Liberty Bowl Blog

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The 2008 East Carolina Pirates continued preparations for the 50th Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl which will be played on Jan. 2, 2009 against Southeastern Conference member Kentucky at the Liberty Bowl Stadium.

Daily Schedule:
10:00 a.m.: ECU started the day conducting a 90 minute practice at the Cliff Moore Practice Facility
12 noon: Lunch at Harvey Hall
12:30 p.m.: ECU Official Travel Party (Staff and Families) arrive at Kinston Airport 1:00 p.m. Players and coaches depart for Kinston Airport
1:30 p.m.:Air Pirate One departs Kinston, N.C. for Memphis, Tenn. carrying equipment staff, athletic trainers, video staff and selected staff.
2:30 p.m.:Air Pirate Two (team charter) departs Kinston, N.C. for Memphis, Tenn.
3:00 p.m.:Air Pirate One arrives in Memphis, Tenn.
4:00 p.m.:Air Pirate Two arrives in Memphis, Tenn. and boards buses for Hilton Memphis Hotel, the home of the 2008 Pirates while in Memphis.
5:00 p.m.Team dinner
6:00 p.m.:Team meeting - Memphis Police Briefing, where the Pirates were officially welcomed to Memphis by Steve Ehrhart the Executive Director of the Liberty Bowl.
6:30 p.m.:Pirates pick up bowl gifts which include: Nero Digital Camcorder and Media Player, Commemorative Fossil Watch, Nike+ Sport Band, Nike+ Running Shoes, Commemorative Game Ball, Nike "Vision" Sunglasses and Nike Sport Sandals.
7:00 p.m.:Free time.

Daily Pirate Quote:
"It was a long and exhausting day," said Van Eskridge of the Pirates travel day. "I've been up since seven this morning packing and getting ready for this road trip. I thought we had a really good practice this morning. It seemed that the team was a little anxious to get the practice over with and get on the road.

"After the two-hour plane ride, it was nice to get back on our feet and move around. And just like the other two bowl games and every road trip we take, once we checked into the hotel it was business as usual. Eat dinner, then meetings which this time was with the Memphis Police department. They discussed all the security issues and risks that are involved during bowl week and gave good advice of where the safe places were to go during our free time."

The Pirates will tour Graceland on Monday morning before conducting its first official practice in Memphis. Also on the docket Monday is a team dinner at Jillian's followed by the Memphis and Cincinnati basketball game at FedEx Forum.