Natalie Pierre
Verified- Sports Director, The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)
- None, The Courier Journal,The Courier Journal Online
Minneapolis, United States
As seen in:
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY),
USA Today,
AL.com,
The Oregonian,
The Charlotte Observer,
The Sacramento Bee,
Daily Herald,
Kansas City Star,
The Fairview Observer,
The Tennessean,
The News & Observer
and
Covers:
SEC football
@StarTribune sports editor
Articles by Natalie Pierre
The C.L. Brown Show is coming soon: Don't miss 1st episode with Louisville football coach
C.L. Brown has already covered a lot of ground in his first few months back at The Courier Journal. Since returning to the CJ as a sports columnist in early April, Brown has written about everything from horse racing safety at Churchill Downs to the late Denny Crum’s impact on the Louisville basketball program to what comes next for Kenny Payne and his Cardinals following a 4-28 finish in his inaugural season at the helm of the U of L basketball program.
NC State vs Wake Forest live updates: ACC Atlantic Division college football showdown
As freshman MJ Morris gets his first start as N.C. State’s quarterback, Wake Forest’s Sam Hartman looks to rebound from a bad showing at Louisville as the No. 21 Pack (6-2, 2-2 ACC) and No. 20 Demon Deacons (6-2, 2-2) play under the lights at Carter-Finley Stadium Saturday at 8 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ACC Network and News & Observer columnist Luke DeCock and photographer Ethan Hyman are at the key ACC Atlantic Division rivalry game and will have updates from all the action.
ACC Atlantic Division college football showdown
N.C. State quarterback MJ Morris (16) gets ready to head out onto the field before N.C. State's game against Wake Forest at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022.
ACC Now podcast: Hubert Davis on UNC’s experience, Jim Larrañaga shares NCAA tournament vision
Entering a new season following his team’s run to the national championship game, UNC basketball coach Hubert Davis joins News & Observer sports columnist Luke DeCock to discuss how his players have grown from last season’s experience, the addition of forward Pete Nance and more. Davis said he’s “shocked” Nance is playing for the Tar Heels this season and not in the NBA.
ACC Now podcast: Is UNC the favorite? Does Duke have a shot? Breaking down Coastal Chaos
It’s been a grim year in the ACC’s Coastal Division so far. The N&O’s Steve Wiseman and Luke DeCock take a look at the progress (or lack thereof) on that side of the ACC. North Carolina stands out as the favorite, Duke is resurgent, Miami is ... Miami, the Virginia teams are miserable, Georgia Tech got its coach and AD fired and who knows what to make of Pitt?
ACC Now podcast: Biggest game in NC State football history? Is Pack’s trip to Clemson it?
The News & Observer’s Andrew Carter and Chip Alexander discuss No. 10-ranked N.C. State’s game at No. 5 Clemson this Saturday and try to decide if it’s the Wolfpack’s biggest game in program history. While they don’t agree on the answer to that question, they do agree that a win would be the Pack’s biggest win ever. They also talk about how N.C. State’s game at East Carolina was helpful for the Wolfpack ahead of its primetime game at Death Valley.
ACC Now podcast: NC State AD Boo Corrigan on changing college sports landscape and CFP
Ahead of his term as chairman of the College Football Playoff selection committee, N.C. State athletic director Boo Corrigan joins News & Observer sports columnist Luke DeCock to discuss his CFP role, the changing landscape of college sports and everything from the Holiday Bowl fiasco to PNC Arena renovations to whether the Wolfpack women’s basketball team could end up playing in a hostile environment ... again.
ACC Now podcast: Breaking down key issues for UNC defense, bright spots, players to watch
North Carolina defensive coach Gene Chizik embraces head coach Mack Brown prior to the Tar Heels game against Appalachian State on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com The N&O’s C.L. Brown and Luke DeCock recap the first three games of UNC’s season, from the defensive issues to quarterback Drake Maye’s impressive start.
ACC Now podcast: A look back at NC State vs ECU football series ahead of Week 1 opener
N&O staff writer Chip Alexander was present for the first N.C. State-East Carolina football game in 1970, the brawl at Carter-Finley in 1987, the 1992 Peach Bowl and the Wolfpack’s only win in Greenville (in 2007). He joins columnist Luke DeCock to go through the history and look ahead to a potentially historic N.C. State football season. You can also listen to this episode of the ACC Now podcast, and others, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Audible, TuneIn and Stitcher.
ACC Now podcast: Conference realignment, future of league, UNC and Duke as package deal?
News and Observer reporters C.L. Brown and Jonas Pope IV talk about conference realignment following the recent announcement that USC and UCLA will leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten in 2024. They discuss how the move could impact the ACC – what the league’s future looks like, which programs it could add, which programs might try to leave and more. You can also listen to this episode of the ACC Now podcast, and others, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Audible, TuneIn and Stitcher.
ACC Now podcast: Deja Kelly on expectations UNC enters next season with, her NIL deals
Deja Kelly, who led the UNC women’s basketball team in scoring last season and continues to secure name, imagine and likeness (NIL) deals, joins the N&O’s C.L. Brown to discuss her success and development on the court and in the NIL space along with the expectations for next season’s Carolina team that is projected to be ranked among the top 10 when preseason polls are released.
ACC Now podcast: Grant Hill on career, Duke’s Jon Scheyer era, college basketball future
Grant Hill joins the N&O’s Steve Wiseman to talk about navigating his basketball career — from his four years at Duke in the 1990s to his 19-year NBA career, how college basketball is different for players now and the future of the game. The former Duke All-American, NBA all-star and Naismith Hall of Famer, who recently released his autobiography, “Game,” also discusses Duke’s Jon Scheyer era following the retirement of Mike Krzyzewski.
ACC Now podcast: After nearly year of NIL, what’s in store for future of college sports?
News and Observer reporters Steve Wiseman and Andrew Carter discuss the name, image and likeness (NIL) era of college sports, which began nearly a year ago. How could the lack of regulations and absence of a true market value for a legitimate NIL deal impact the future of college athletics? If schools were to move to a model where athletes are recognized as employees, how would that impact some schools? They discusses these questions and more.
ACC Now podcast: UNC’s impressive play entering NCAA baseball tournament, Vance Honeycutt
North Carolina’s Vance Honeycutt (7) celebrates as he rounds second base after hitting a three-run home run during N.C. State’s game against UNC in the ACC baseball championship at Truist Field in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, May 29, 2022.
ACC Now podcast: UNC’s Shakeel Rashad and NC State’s Scott Wood on NIL collectives
Former UNC linebacker Shakeel Rashad and former N.C. State basketball player Scott Wood join The News & Observer’s C.L. Brown and Jonas Pope IV to discuss the name, imagine and likeness (NIL) collectives they are part of that help pool money and resources together to present deals for athletes at their former schools.
Gene Banks, who starred at Duke from 1977-81, joins the N&O’s Steve Wiseman to talk about his experience playing for Mike Krzyzewski during his first season coaching the Blue Devils, what it’d mean to him to have his jersey retired by the school, and how Coach K could have added to his legacy by naming Tommy Amaker or Johnny Dawkins as his successor.
ACC Now podcast: Roddy Jones on NC State football this offseason vs UNC last year
ACC Network college football analyst Roddy Jones joins the N&O’s Jonas Pope IV to explain why N.C. State football fans should feel better entering the 2022 season than UNC fans prior to last season. They also discuss if the Wolfpack’s Devin Leary could be the top quarterback in the ACC this season, how the Tar Heels bounce back from last year’s 6-7 season, why losing Sam Howell may not be bad for Carolina and who could be next up at QB for Mack Brown’s program.
ACC Now podcast: Clark Kellogg on top coaches retiring, NIL, transfer portal, Final 4
CBS college basketball analyst Clark Kellogg joins the N&O’s C.L. Brown to discuss Jay Wright suddenly retiring as Villanova’s head coach and what factors may have led to his decision along with the decisions of Hall of Fame coaches Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams who have retired in the last 13 months. They also talk about the impact NIL and the transfer portal have had on college sports, the Duke-UNC Final Four game and next season for the Tar Heels and Blue Devils.
UNC vs Duke Final Four in New Orleans: Complete coverage from our on-site N&O team
New Orleans Shades of blue have taken over downtown New Orleans. Duke and North Carolina meet tonight in the NCAA tournament semifinals. The rivalry showdown is scheduled to begin just before 9 p.m. ET on TBS, 40 minutes after the first Final Four game — between Kansas and Villanova — concludes. The News and Observer has seven journalists in New Orleans who will cover tonight’s Duke-UNC game at Caesars Superdome. They get you ready for tonight’s historic meeting.
ACC Now podcast: Leonard Hamilton on Final Four and his NIL, transfer portal concerns
Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton has a word with RaiQuan Gray (1) during the first half against North Carolina on Saturday, February 27, 2021 in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com New Orleans Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton joins the N&O’s C.L. Brown to discuss the ACC’s presence in the Final Four, with North Carolina and Duke set to play Saturday night in New Orleans.
ACC Now podcast: Duke-UNC III in Final Four, how last meeting led to postseason runs
North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) works against Dukeís Mark Williams (15) during the second half of UNCís 94-81 victory over Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, March 5, 2022.
ACC Now podcast: Sam Perkins on UNC this season, 1982 title game, Philly Final Four in ’81
UNC center Sam Perkins celebrates with teammates on the floor of the Super Dome after the Tar Heels defeated Georgetown to win the 1982 National Championship. Mike Sargent News & Observer Former North Carolina star Sam Perkins joins News & Observer reporter C.L. Brown to discuss his memories of winning a national championship with the Tar Heels 40 years ago, the 1981 title game UNC lost to Indiana in Philadelphia the year prior, coaching his daughter’s AAU team and this season’s Carolina team.
ACC Now podcast: NCAA tournament’s first week, UNC-UCLA and Duke-Texas Tech previews
North Carolinas Armando Bacot (5) and R.J. Davis (4) react after a basket by Brady Manek to give the Tar Heels a commanding 56-38 lead over Baylor in the second half on Saturday, March 19, 2022 during the NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Ft. Worth, TX. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com With UNC and Duke advancing to the Sweet 16, News & Observer sports reporters C.L. Brown and Steve Wiseman provide insight into the NCAA tournament’s first week and the ACC’s showing.
Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski encourages his team during the Blue Devils’ open practice at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., Thursday, March 17, 2022.
ACC Now podcast: Bracketologist Patrick Stevens breaks down NCAA tournament field
The NCAA board of directors on Wednesday passed a long awaited, but interim, policy related to name, image and likeness. Matt Slocum AP Last year’s most accurate bracketologist, the Washington Post’s Patrick Stevens, joins N&O columnist Luke DeCock on the ACC Now podcast to break down what the NCAA committee got right on Selection Sunday and where it lost the plot. The ACC was fairly seeded in Patrick’s opinion, but find out who got robbed — and Indiana fans, cover your ears.
Georgia Tech head coach Josh Pastner yells to his team during the first half of Duke’s game against Georgia Tech at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., Tuesday, January 4, 2022. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com New York Georgia Tech lost Tuesday night in the ACC tournament, but Yellow Jackets coach Josh Pastner was still in Brooklyn Wednesday watching games.
ACC Now podcast: Tournament time, league awards and breaking down UNC’s win at Duke
North Carolina’s Leaky Black (1) and Caleb Love (2) trap Duke’s A.J. Griffin (21) during the second half on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com The N&O’s Steve Wiseman and C.L. Brown break down North Carolina’s win at Duke and what it could mean for the Tar Heels on Selection Sunday.
Coach K’s last home game: Early observations from the scene at Cameron Indoor Stadium
Durham History happens tonight at Cameron Indoor Stadium. As Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski prepares to coach his last home game at 6 p.m., the celebration in honor of his 42-year career leading the Blue Devils started well before the game. The News & Observer has five writers, two photographers and an editor on site for the rivalry game between Duke and North Carolina. Here are some of their early observations from the scene at Cameron.
Coach K’s last home game: Early observations from the scene at Cameron Indoor Stadium
Durham History happens tonight at Cameron Indoor Stadium. As Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski prepares to coach his last home game against North Carolina at 6 p.m., the celebration in honor of his 42-year career leading the Blue Devils started well before the game. The News & Observer has five writers, two photographers and an editor on site for the game. Here are some of their early observations from the scene at Cameron.
ACC Now podcast: Coach K’s final home game, Duke’s development, pressure to beat UNC
READ MORE Coach K’s final game at Cameron Complete coverage leading up to Saturday’s game between Duke and North Carolina. The March 5 rivalry matchup will be Mike Krzyzewski’s final game at Cameron Indoor Stadium before he retires at the end of the 2021-22 college basketball season. Expand All The Konclusion: Luke DeCock and Steve Wiseman break down Mike Krzyzewski’s final home game and share a few Coach K stories.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Natalie
Contact Natalie, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack