ECU announced a donation to its athletics and softball programs.
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Photo credit: (ECU Sports Information)
By ECU Sports Information
Former East Carolina University student-athlete Marnie Oursler, and husband, David Richardson have made a leadership gift to ECU Athletics and the softball program, Pirate Club Executive Director Ryan Robinson announced today.
Oursler played shortstop for the Pirates softball team and graduated from ECU with a degree in business education. She later earned her Master of Business Administration from Duke University Fuqua School of Business. In 2021, she established the Marnie Oursler Construction Management Scholarship at ECU.
“We are honored to give back to a school and athletics department that has meant so much,” Oursler said. “My time at ECU holds a special place in my heart, and the relationships I built there will last a lifetime. My experience as a Pirate played a major role in shaping who I am today, and I’m proud to support future generations of student-athletes.”
A Washington, D.C., native, Oursler serves as President and Owner of Marnie Custom Homes, an award-winning custom home design-build firm based in Bethany Beach, Delaware. Her successful career has earned numerous honors, including being named the 2023 Custom Builder of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders, the industry’s highest individual honor awarded annually to one builder nationwide. She also hosted the television series Big Beach Builds for two seasons on the DIY Network.
“We are extremely grateful that Marnie and David are investing in the future of our department with a gift that will benefit all Pirate student-athletes,” ECU Director of Athletics Jon Gilbert said. “Marnie is a leader in the custom home building industry, and she is an outstanding role model for our young men and women who aspire to build successful careers following graduation. She has remained connected to ECU over the years, and it was an honor to welcome her, David, and their children – Picabo and Tate, back to Greenville in May for the American Softball Championship.”
“This is an extraordinary gift by Marnie Oursler and David Richardson and one that will have a lasting impact on past, current and future Pirates,” Robinson said. “It’s always inspiring when former Pirates choose to invest in the place that helped shape them during such an important chapter of their lives. Marnie and David’s generosity and continued commitment to ECU Athletics will make a meaningful difference for years to come.”
The generous contribution will be directed toward the Purple & Gold Society. The Purple & Gold Fund is designed to provide critical support to ECU Athletics as it meets current challenges and creates new opportunities for current and future student-athletes. Gifts to the fund support student-athlete recruitment and retention, scholarships and other operational priorities that enhance the overall student-athlete experience.
Individuals interested in joining the Purple & Gold Society can click here for further information or call the Pirate Club at 252-737-4540.