East Carolina University Quick Facts
East Carolina Joins BIG EAST as Football Member
Five Things to Know About East Carolina
Location: Greenville, N.C.
Enrollment: 28,000
Established: 1907
Mascot: Pirates
Colors: Purple and Gold
Sponsored Sports (19)
Men’s: Cross Country, Baseball, Basketball, Football, Golf, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field (Indoor/Outdoor)
Women’s: Cross Country, Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track &Field (Indoor/Outdoor), Volleyball
Notable Football Accomplishments
- The Pirates averaged a school-record 50,012 spectators at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in 2011.
- East Carolina is 8-4 this season, putting the Pirates in their 18th bowl game overall and their ninth since 1999. ECU reached a bowl in five consecutive seasons from 2006-10.
- East Carolina won Conference USA championships in 2008 and 2009. The Pirates have won a total of seven conference titles in their history, dating to the 1953 North State Conference championship.
- East Carolina has had 20 players achieve all-America status and 63 players chosen in the NFL Draft, most notably, perennial standout running back Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans, who was a first-round choice.
Traditions
Purple Haze
The classic Jimi Hendrix song is played prior to the start of every home football game as the Pirates take the field through a cloud of purple smoke. The team entrance was enhanced in 2010 with an inflatable pirate head through which the team runs to the west end zone.
No Quarter
The Pirates adopted a new set of flag-raising ceremonies at home football games in 2007, and perhaps the most popular has been the “No Quarter.” Hoisted prior to the fourth quarter to replace the traditional black skull and crossbones Jolly Roger symbol, the red “No Quarter” flag signifies that the Pirates will take no prisoners and give no quarter to the opponent.
Mascot
The costumed Pirate mascot became associated with East Carolina in 1983. Other team mascots through the years have been a dog, “Pete,” which accompanied the team in the 1970s; students dressed as parrots or pirates; and even a live wildcat, which served as the mascot in 1930-31.
Notable Alumni
Sandra Bullock – Actor
Velton Ray Bunch – Emmy-winning film and television composer
David Garrard – All-Pro football player
Chris Johnson – All-Pro football player
Vonta Leach – All-Pro football player
Vince McMahon – Chairman and CEO, World Wrestling Entertainment
Kevin Williamson – Television and film producer
