Update from Athletics Director Jon Gilbert

by | Sep 17, 2025

ECU Sports Information has published the latest from Athletics Director Jon Davis

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Photo illustration: (ECU Sports Information

Pirate Nation:

All eyes will be on East Carolina University, Greenville, and Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium as we host back-to-back football games on national television. It all begins this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with a major matchup against BYU and follows with action on Thursday night against conference foe Army at 7:30 p.m.

We are incredibly proud of head coach Blake Harrell, his coaching staff, our support staff, and most of all, our student-athletes. Their effort, energy, and love for ECU are evident every time they take the field. The pride they show in wearing purple and gold is inspiring.

As Coach Harrell said this week, the support from Pirate Nation through the first three games, two on the road, has been nothing short of amazing.

We are looking forward to a full day of celebration on Saturday – from packed tailgates and a high-energy Pirate Walk at 5:25 p.m. to the roar of Pirate Nation under the lights. As I’ve said before and deeply believe: Pirate Nation is about the people, the lifelong friendships formed rooting on the Pirates, the greatest tailgate scene in the country and a true passion for our proud traditions.

Pirate Nation is special – there’s nothing like it. The passion is real. The support is unwavering. And when we come together, we overcome any obstacle in our path.

We’re currently expecting around 46,000 fans to ascend on Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, and we’re hopeful that number will continue to rise over the next few days. If you haven’t already, invite a friend to join the excitement and show them what ECU Football is all about. Our students have been stepping up, claiming their tickets in force, and they remain a vital part of the game day experience.

If you know anyone interested in joining the fun on Saturday, have them give the ECU Athletics Ticket Office a call at 252-737-4500 or go to ecupirates.com.

Parking lots open at 1:30 p.m., and our brand-new Tailgate Plaza will feature live music from The Main Event Band from 5-7 p.m. Bring your chair, relax and enjoy the scene. We are asking fans to show up early and get inside the stadium to enjoy the pregame festivities.

Please make sure to be in your seats early.  We are currently scheduled to have a flyover by two F15E’s from Seymour Johnson and for the first time ever, Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium will have fireworks as the team takes the field and after scoring plays.  So let’s make it count this Saturday. Show up. Be loud. Make Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium electric. We need your voice, your energy, and your passion to carry the Pirates throughout the game.

Let’s paint our city Purple and Gold.

Go Pirates!

Jon

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