NCAA grants ECU's Pinkney sixth year of eligibility

By: Journal Staff Report | Winston-Salem Journal
Published: January 23, 2009

JOURNAL STAFF REPORT
GREENVILLE — The NCAA has granted East Carolina's request for a sixth year of eligibility for quarterback Patrick Pinkney, Coach Skip Holtz of ECU confirmed yesterday.
Pinkney, who missed all of the 2005 season because of a shoulder injury and several subsequent surgeries, will return to the Pirates as a senior in 2009.
"I consider myself very blessed with the opportunity to enjoy another year with my teammates and coaches, and play one more season at East Carolina," Pinkney said in a statement. "To be a part of this program's first conference championship in many years last season was rewarding, and I'm looking forward to being in a position to help contribute to a new set of goals in 2009. …I'm thankful for the NCAA's decision to allow me to get one year back."
Pinkney has played a key role in ECU's 17 victories and two bowl appearances over the last two seasons. He also guided ECU to the 2008 Conference USA championship, its first league title since 1976, and early-season upset wins over Virginia Tech and West Virginia.
Pinkney completed 223 of 363 passes for 2,675 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, including a season-high 296-yard effort against Kentucky in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. He ranks fifth in ECU history with 4,033 passing yards and sixth in completions with 344.
"We're all excited for Patrick and our program that he'll be with us another year," Holtz said in a statement. "It's nice to see his resiliency and ability to face adversity on and off the field rewarded in some respect…."