East Carolina Pirates

From Hoopedia

East Carolina University is a public, coeducational, intensive research university located in Greenville, North Carolina, United States. Named East Carolina University by statue and commonly known as ECU or East Carolina, the university is the largest institute of higher learning east of Raleigh, North Carolina and the third largest university in North Carolina. With an enrollment of over 24,300 students, it is the fastest-growing campus in the University of North Carolina system.

The East Carolina Pirates are the intercollegiate sports teams representing East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. All varsity-level sports teams sponsored by the university compete in NCAA Division I as a member of Conference USA.

The Mascot/Logo

Pirates have long been associated with the North Carolina coast. One of the most famous pirates, Blackbeard, resided in the North Carolina coastal communities of Bath and Ocracoke. The modern day mascot is based on the description of Blackbeard. Many other pirates used the shallow coast and Outer Banks to evade the captures. ECU officially became the Pirates in 1934. In 1983, a contest was developed to name the Pirate. Children all over Pitt County submitted their ideas and Pee Dee the Pirate was chosen. The Pee Dee River is a river along the North Carolina and South Carolina border where pirates often set up camp. In 1985 Chancellor Howell decided on his own to drop "Pee Dee" and be known only as "The Pirates". People still use the terms Pee Dee and Petey as the terms for The Pirates.

The Colors

One of the first order of business once students arrived to East Carolina in 1909 was to decide on colors for the school. The students voted and Old Gold and Royal Purple won. ECU has been purple and gold ever since.