DATE: Friday, July 18, 1997                 TAG: 9707180816

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C7   EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:   30 lines

NORVIEW'S HINES WILL PLAY FOOTBALL AT EAST CAROLINA

Norview's versatile Erik Hines continued the Pilots' parade into big-time college football Thursday when he made a verbal commitment to East Carolina.

When the 5-foot-11, 175-pound Hines signs a letter of intent this winter, he will become the ninth Norview player in four years to secure a Division I college scholarship. ``Getting 'em into school is what it's all about,'' Norview coach David Heath said.

East Carolina had the jump on most schools regarding Hines because of Pirates assistant Will Robinson, the former Norview coach who directed Hines as a freshman. Hines got the attention of the rest of the ECU staff last weekend, when he ran a 4.48 40-yard dash at an East Carolina football camp.

The Pirates became Hines' choice when they dangled an opportunity to compete for a wideout position. Most schools liked Hines as a defensive back.

``I figure you have a better chance to succeed if you play where you want to play instead of playing where someone's forcing you to play,'' Hines said. ``I want to play offense.''

Hines' grades at test scores are ``well above'' the requirements for freshman eligibility, Heath said.

Hines was a supporting player on a star-studded Norview team last season. He backed up James Whitley (a Michigan signee) at quarterback and defensive back, Larry Austin (Virginia Tech) at running back and David Martin (Tennessee) at wideout. He caught five passes for 75 yards and had 52 carries for 197 yards.

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