East Carolina University Athletics: A Storied History

East Carolina University (ECU), located in Greenville, North Carolina, boasts a rich athletic history. The East Carolina Pirates, as the university's athletic teams are known, compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) for football) as a member of the American Conference. With a wide array of varsity-level sports teams, including 7 for men and 9 for women, ECU has established a strong presence in collegiate athletics.

The Pirate Nickname and Mascot

The "Pirates" nickname has deep roots in the history of the North Carolina coast. The association stems from the numerous pirates who once roamed the shallow coast and Outer Banks, using the area to evade capture. Among the most famous was Blackbeard, who resided in coastal communities such as Bath, Beaufort, and Ocracoke. ECU officially adopted the Pirates name in 1934.

In 1983, a contest was held to name the Pirates' mascot. "Pee Dee the Pirate" was chosen from submissions by children across Pitt County. The name was inspired by the Pee Dee River, a river along the North Carolina and South Carolina border where pirates often set up camp. Although initially unpopular with ECU students, the "Pee Dee" part of the name was eventually dropped in 1985, with the mascot simply known as "The Pirates". The modern-day mascot is based on the description of Blackbeard.

Fight Song and School Colors

"E.C. Victory" serves as the official fight song of East Carolina University. It is played at various athletic events, including football and basketball games. During football games, the Marching Pirates perform "E.C. Victory" three times during the pregame show, and the song is also played after touchdowns or field goals. At the end of football games, the team joins the student section to sing "E.C. Victory" together.

The university's colors, Old Gold and Royal Purple, were chosen by students in 1909 and officially standardized in 1916.

Read also: Affording ECU

Men's Basketball

The ECU Men's Basketball team, coached by Michael Schwartz, competes in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum. The Pirates have appeared in the NAIA National Tournament twice (1953 and 1954), losing in the first round each time. Their combined record in the NAIA was 2-2. They have also made two appearances in the NCAA Tournament, the latest being in 1993 against the North Carolina Tar Heels. In the 2010-2011 season, Coach Jeff Lebo led the Pirates to their first postseason game since 1993, where they lost to Jacksonville in the first round of the 2011 CollegeInsider.com Tournament. In 2013, under Coach Lebo, the Pirates had a twenty-win regular season and participated in the College Insider Tournament.

Women's Basketball

The ECU Lady Pirates won the American Athletic Conference (AAC) tournament in 2023. They have reached the NCAA Women's Division I Tournament three times: in 2023, 2007, and 1982. In 1982, the Pirates had a 17-9 record and were seeded 6th in the Midwest Regional, losing to South Carolina in the first round. In 2007, the Lady Pirates won their first Conference USA tournament title. The team also won back-to-back Colonial Athletic Association tournament titles in 1984 and 1985. In 1986, they made their third consecutive Colonial Athletic Association title game appearance.

Football

The East Carolina Pirates football team plays its home games at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Blake Harrell is the current head coach. Football began in 1932, and the Pirates have participated in 20 bowl games. In 2007, they played in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl against the Boise State Broncos, winning 41-38. Running back Chris Johnson was named the game's most valuable player, setting an NCAA record with 407 all-purpose yards. During the 2007-2008 season, ECU achieved upset victories over #17 Virginia Tech and #8 West Virginia, ultimately winning their first C-USA championship by defeating Tulsa. In 2009, the Pirates won the C-USA Conference Championship game against the 18th-ranked University of Houston. The East Carolina Pirates are the first back-to-back C-USA champions since divisional play began in 2005.

Twenty-one Pirate student-athletes have been recognized as football All-Americans, and 63 players have been selected in the NFL draft since 1951. ECU had at least one player chosen in the NFL draft from 2006 to 2011 and has had two first-round selections. Eight players have played in 11 Super Bowls.

The team played its inaugural season in 1932. From 1949 to 1962, home games were played at College Stadium on the main campus. Since 1963, with the exception of the 1999 Miami game, they have played their home games at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The stadium underwent an expansion in 2010, increasing the capacity to 50,000.

Read also: Your Guide to ETSU Academics

Swimming and Diving

The men's team started in the 1953-54 season, and the women's team started in the 1977-78 season. In 1957, the men's swimming and diving team, under Dr. Ray Martinez, became the first team at ECU to win a national championship. Over the years, 87 ECU swimmers and divers have been All-Americans. Head Coach Rick Kobe (1982-2017) won 11 championships with the Pirates. The men's teams were conference champions in 1986 and 1989 in the Colonial Athletic Association and 2015, 2016, and 2017 in the American Athletic Conference. The women's team won conference championships in 1995, 1996, 1997, and 2000 in the CAA; 2001 in the East Coast Athletic Conference; and 2003 in C-USA. The most recent championship came in 2020 when the men's team won another American Athletic Conference title. Both men's and women's swimming and diving programs were cut in the spring of 2020.

Baseball

The ECU baseball team, known as the Diamond Bucs, is a Division I NCAA program competing in the American Conference. They play at Clark-LeClair Stadium on campus. ECU baseball has consistently maintained a winning record. The Pirates have been to the NCAA Regional Tournament 25 times, appeared in three NCAA Baseball Super Regionals, won two Conference USA regular-season championships, won one Conference USA conference tournament championship, and have won 40+ games in five of the last seven seasons. Fifteen players have been honored as All-Americans, over 100 former players have played in the Major Leagues, and the Diamond Bucs won the 1961 NAIA National Championship.

Women's Soccer

The women's soccer team represents East Carolina University in NCAA Division I college soccer and competes in the American Athletic Conference. The Pirates are coached by Emily Buccilla and play their home games at Bill Clark Homes Field at Johnson Stadium, which opened on August 19, 2011. The stadium was selected as one of the hosts for the 2020 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament and 2020 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament. The Pirates won the 2024 American Conference Tournament Championship, reaching their first-ever NCAA Tournament.

The Pirate Club: Fueling Athletic Success

The Pirate Club, also known as the East Carolina University Educational Foundation, plays a vital role in supporting ECU Athletics. Established in 1961, the Pirate Club has grown from a small group of Greenville businessmen to an organization with over 17,000 members. The club's primary goal is to raise funds for the university's athletic programs, with a focus on student-athlete scholarships.

The earliest roots of the Pirate Club can be traced back to October 1961, when the first major organized fund-raising campaign on behalf of ECU Athletics kicked off. Dr. Leo Jenkins, Chancellor of then East Carolina College, felt the best way to get the school on the national map was through the development of a major college athletics program, with a new football stadium high on the list of priorities. So a group of Greenville businessmen, led by W.M. 'Booger' Scales, Jr., took it upon themselves to raise the needed funds for this project.

The 'Untouchables' efforts were a huge success. Almost a year later with stadium construction well under way, Clarence Stasavich was hired to become ECC's head football coach and Athletics Director. Both Stasavich and Dr. Jenkins felt that private financial support was necessary for the Department's progress. On September 4, 1962, they, along with thirty-seven businessmen in the Greenville community, held a meeting in the school's gymnasium and voted to officially organize the Century Club.

During those formative years of the Century Club, the group continued to work towards its original goal, getting closer each year to 400-member/$40,000 mark. One of the major driving forces behind the growth of the Century Club was Dr. Ray Minges. The club's president from 1965-68, Minges' close friendship with Stasavich stemmed from a shared vision for East Carolina Athletics.

In 1972, the Century Club and the Pirates Club (for those contributing between $15 and $99 for the funding of sports other than football), merged into the East Carolina University Educational Foundation or Pirate Club. With the formation of the Pirate Club, the group felt the need for a full-time person to handle daily duties.

Throughout the years, the Pirate Club has experienced significant growth in membership and financial support. In 1994, the Pirate Club turned over $1 million in student-athlete scholarship support to ECU Athletics for the first time in its history. In 1997, the Pirate Club reached the 6,000-member mark (6,049). In 1998, the Pirate Club crossed the $2 million threshold, as $2,204,140 was received in unrestricted contributions. As the Pirate Club entered a new millennium, growth in membership and financial support has continued. In 2000, the Pirate Club crossed the 7,000-membership plateau, with 7,800 active Pirate Club members at year-end. Further, in 2000, the Pirate Club turned over in support of Student-Athlete Scholarship funding and other funding on behalf of ECU Athletics, more than $2.5 million.

The Pirate Club continues to play a critical role in the success of East Carolina University's athletic programs.

Football Through the Years

Early Years (1932-1941)

East Carolina began organized football in the fall of 1932. The first football coach in school history was Kenneth Beatty. They played under the nickname Teachers because the school was a teacher training school. The team played five games, with two in Greenville. They however did not score a point the whole season, while opponents scored a combined 187 points. The 1933 season started just as they left the 1932 season. The team lost the first four games not scoring a point. The first victory in school history came against Campbell on November 11, 1933. The final score was 6-0. The 1933 team lost their final game against Appalachian St. 14-0. Coach Beatty left after the season. G.L. "Doc" Mathis was appointed the head coach after Coach Beatty left. Before the season, the school decided to change their nickname. The Men's Athletic Association wanted a nickname to inspire "more spirit and enthusiasm." The name was changed from the Teachers to the present Pirates. His first year, the team lost four games. But, they did win against Presbyterian Junior College and tied Old Dominion. The 1935 season included three wins, which was the largest total so far in history. Bo Farley was introduced as the third head coach. The 1936 season was the first winning season in school history. Coach Farley's team won against Old Dominion, Duke Junior Varsity and Louisburg. He only stayed for one season. J. D. Alexander began coaching in the 1937 season. He had been the head coach at Lincoln Memorial in Tennessee. The season started off badly, losing the first five games, but the team finished on a high note, beating both High Point and Louisburg to finish out the season. The one win in the 1938 season came against Western Carolina. The 1938 team also tied against Guilford. O. A. Hankner coached for only one season at East Carolina. His team managed only 18 points and lost every game. The team had numerous injuries that prevented the team from winning a game. After the disastrous 1939 season, John Christenbury was tapped as the new head coach. His 1940 team had the first winning season since the 1936 season. The team won the first four games, and lost to North Carolina St. Freshmen and High Point. The only undefeated season happened in the 1941 season. The team scored 159 points compared to allowing 20.

World War II and the North State Conference (1942-1954)

East Carolina did not field any athletics from 1942 to 1945 because of World War II. Coach Christenbury was killed in an explosion at Port Chicago, California on July 1, 1944. Replacing him at coach was Jim Johnson. Coach Johnson was a 16 letterman while at East Carolina. He was brought in to revitalize the athletic program that was on hiatus because of World War II. His football team went 5-3-1 in 1946. The 1947 season brought East Carolina into the North State Conference, their first conference affiliation. In the first year of conference play, the team had three wins compared to six losses. The next year was even more disastrous; as his team did not win once. Bill Dole became the Pirates eighth coach after Coach Johnson left. His teams went 4-5-1 in 1949. That made the third consecutive losing year for East Carolina. The 1950 season turned out better. The team tied the number of wins from the past three years with seven. Coach Dole's last year with the Pirates was in 1951. It was another losing season 4-6. Coach Dole left East Carolina and became the head coach at Davidson. Jack Boone stepped in as the new head coach after Coach Dole left. During his first year, he guided the Pirates to a 1952 regular season record of 6-2-2, and the team was invited to the Lions Bowl, their first bowl game ever. The Pirates came up short against Clarion College, losing 13-6. Coach Boone led the school to another first the next season, as the football team won the North State Conference championship. During the 1953 regular season, the team won eight while losing one en route to this championship. For the second time ever, East Carolina went to a bowl game. The team competed in the Elks Bowl, against Morris Harvey College, losing 12-0. The 1954 season would be the last winning season for four years.

Stasavich Era and Southern Conference (1962-1970)

The tenth head coach for the Pirates was Clarence Stasavich. He came to East Carolina after 16 years at Lenoir-Rhyne College. His team went 5-4 his first year. The Pirates went to their first bowl game in nine years in 1963. The team went 9-1 and was invited to the Eastern Bowl. They beat Northeastern, 27-6 in their first ever bowl win. The next two years, the team again went 9-1 and was invited to the Tangerine Bowl. They won both games against Massachusetts, 14-13, in 1964 and Maine, 31-0 in 1965. Also in 1964, Coach Stasavich was named the NAIA Coach of the Year. The 1965 season also marked entering their first conference, the Southern Conference, since the North State/Carolinas Conference. Despite going 4-5-1, Coach Stasavich guided the Pirates to their first conference championship in 13 years. Even though East Carolina won eight games in 1967, they were not invited to a bowl game. The last two seasons for Coach Stasavich were losing seasons. Mike McGee coached at East Carolina for only the 1970 season. His team recorded wins over Furman, Marshall and Davidson. The victory over Marshall was the final football game for the 75 Marshall players, coaches, and administrators that departed on Southern Airways Flight 932 for Huntington as their plane crashed, leaving no survivors. This tragedy is memorialized in the movie We Are Marshall, and a plaque memorializing the victims is located outside the visitors' locker room at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. McGee left for the 1971 season to become head coach at his alma mater, Duke. The 1970 season would also mark the first game in the ECU-NC State series. He was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

Randle, Dye, and Emory (1971-1984)

Former NFL wide receiver Sonny Randle, an assistant coach in 1970, was tapped to take over as head coach after McGee left. His first season only saw four victories. But one victory came over instate rival, North Carolina State. The 1972 season accumulated the most wins in a season for the Pirates, since the 1965 season. The team won the Southern Conference Championship, which was the first time since the 1966 season. The only two losses of the season came against North Carolina State and North Carolina. The 1973 season was much like the 1972 season. The team again won nine games, while only losing to North Carolina State and North Carolina. They also won the conference championship. East Carolina brought in Alabama linebackers coach Pat Dye as their new head coach in 1974. In his first season, the Pirates won seven games, while losing four. The next year, Coach Dye won even more games. On October 24, 1975, longtime coach and administrator, Clarence Stasavich died. This was one day before the Pirates beat the UNC Tar Heels for the first time ever, 38-17, with Coach Dye preemptively ending the game and taunting the Tar Heels by downing the ball just yards from goal line late in the game. Coach Dye brought the team to the nine win plateau again in 1976. His team also became Southern Conference Champions for the first time under his tenure. It would also be the last time the Pirates ever would become Southern Conference champions. East Carolina left the conference after the 1976 season. The team again became independent. The team had a winning season in 1977. The Pirates won its opener again NC State, 28-23. The next game it went to Durham to play Duke. Former Pirates coach Mike McGee was still the coach. East Carolina beat the Blue Devils 17-16. The team went on to win eight, while losing three for the season. East Carolina began the 1978 season under the new Division I-A moniker. Coach Dye guided the Pirates to an 8-3 record after the season. The team only lost to instate rivals North Carolina and North Carolina State, and Southern Mississippi. With the winning mark, ECU went to their first bowl game in 13 years. They beat Louisiana Tech in the Independence Bowl, 35-13. The 1979 season would be the last for Coach Dye at East Carolina. Georgia Tech defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Ed Emory, an ECU alum, became the Pirates fourteenth head coach. His first two years were lackluster, going 4-7 and 5-6. After a 7-4 campaign in 1982, Emory lead East Carolina to a Pirate first in the 1983 season. That team went 8-3, losing only to Florida State, Florida and Miami. The Pirates lost by a combined 13 points in those three losses. The team was ranked number 20 in the final AP Poll, the first time East Carolina finished ranked in the polls.

Baker and Lewis Era (1985-1991)

Florida State quarterbacks coach Art Baker, a former ECU assistant, became the next head coach. He had been the head coach at Furman and The Citadel. Coach Baker led the Pirates to records of 2-9 in 1985, 2-9 in 1986, 5-6 in 1987 and 3-8 in 1988. Baker never had a winning record as head coach at East Carolina. East Carolina tapped Georgia defensive coordinator and former Wyoming head coach Bill Lewis as Baker's replacement. His first year, Coach Lewis won six games, including wins over Cincinnati and Virginia Tech. This was the first winning season for the Pirates since the 1983 season. The 1990 season was mediocre for the football team, going 5-6. The best winning season for East Carolina occurred in the 1991 season. After losing the opening game to Illinois, 31-38, the Pirates won every other game. Notable wins were South Carolina, Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech. For their accomplishment, the Peach Bowl invited them to play in their 1992 contest. The team played NC State and came from behind to win 37-34. The Pirates finished the season ranked number No. 9 in the AP and Coaches Poll. After the season, Lewis won the 1991 Coach-of-the-Year Award.

The Logan Years (1992-2002)

The Pirates chose their offensive coordinator Steve Logan to succeed Lewis, promoting him to serve as their 17th head football coach. He led East Carolina for eleven seasons, from 1992 to 2002. In 1994 Coach Logan logged his first winning season as a head coach, with ECU winning seven games and losing four in the regular season. The team was rewarded by being invited to the Liberty Bowl to face Illinois. The Fighting Illini shut out the Pirates 30-0. This was their first bowl game shutout since the Elks Bowl against Morris Harvey in 1954. The Pirates took the momentum from the 1994 season and increased their win count to nine, while losing three in the 1995 season. The only losses were to Tennessee, Illinois and Cincinnati. The 1996 season was another winning year, where they went 8-3 with wins over South Carolina, Miami and NC State. Because they were still Independent, with no bowl tie-ins, the Pirates were left out of post-season play. For the 1997 season, the university was invited to Conference USA. This would be the football team's first year of conference play since they left the Southern Conference in 1976. The next three years were more fruitful for the Pirates with quarterback David Garrard. Garrard would go on to a successful NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars as well as one season with the New York Jets. The team enjoyed three straight bowls, losing two while winning one.

Recent History

Coach Thompson's tenure set the Pirates back several years, accumulating only three wins over two years, with records of 1-11 in 2003 and 2-9 in 2004. His teams beat only Army both years and Tulane his second year. In his first season, Coach Holtz helped turn the team around winning five games, two more wins than the John Thompson had accomplished in his entire tenure. His second season marked the Pirates first winning season since 2000, winning seven games, and East Carolina was bowl-eligible for the first time since the 2001 season. The 2006 team had notable wins over Virginia, Southern Miss, Central Florida and North Carolina State. A loss to Rice in the last conference game of the year kept the Pirates out of the Conference USA Championship Game. In 2007, Holtz' Pirates continued their winning ways. On August 30, 2008, the Pirates pulled off a stunning upset against then 17th ranked Virginia Tech 27-22 on a late blocked punt returned for a touchdown by senior wide receiver T.J. Lee. The following week they pulled off an even stronger upset of then 8th ranked West Virginia by the score of 24-3, not allowing a touchdown for the entire game. This was the Pirates third straight victory against a top-25 ranked opponent.

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