In response to a March 17 letter, here is a different take on East Carolina University men's basketball. The athletes benefit from the academic and athletic support of the university. It is their door to tomorrow. For the men's team, there is a core of 3,500 ardent supporters, talented coaches, dedicated players, musicians, cheerleaders and dancers who make that coliseum hum with Pirate spirit.

This has been an exceptional year for them. The men's team has grown in individual performance, in coordinated effort and in second-half exuberance.

The coaching staff and the team developed some fantastic three-point shots, scored more from the foul line, stayed busy under the net, got the crowd in the game, got noticed and the list goes on.

There were some very bad games, but mostly, the team almost won or often won. Mid-game, Coach Mack McCarthy forcefully refocused the game and the team responded. Our souvenir win was over N.C. State. Pirate fans were emotionally suited up and created such a cacophony that State struggled in confusion and lost. It was our first time beating an ACC team in 58 tries. We Pirates finally have our winning ways.

With the team up and running on all cylinders, ECU basketball will make in-roads into the ACC local talent pool, as it has already successfully invaded it for baseball. ECU offers a home port for talented athletes who strive for the best through effort, skill and education.

That is what hoop dreams are made of and that is what the American dream is made of. Embarrassed by ECU basketball? No. Enthralled and hopeful? Yes.

ALISON LORD STUART

Greenville