A Message To The Pirate Nation
January 28, 2010 | Football
Jan. 28, 2010
It is clear that the Pirate Nation has endorsed and embraced its opportunity to take ownership of our football program in partnership with one of our own. An important part of that ownership is re-establishing the Pirate mentality that WE (and only we) control our own destiny.
We should not be distracted by the fact that the current structure of the BCS makes it difficult for the C-USA champion to reach a BCS Bowl. The degree of difficulty has not prevented four other institutions in similar circumstances from earning a total of six BCS Bowl appearances in the last six years. During that same time span, the four institutions that are our closest competitors have sent one team to a BCS Bowl even though their conference champion has automatic qualification.
Each morning we need to awake with Coach McNeill's battle cry ringing in our ears ... "what can I do to better East Carolina today?" At the same time, we need to acknowledge the premise that to reach our dreams ... "if it is to be - it is up to me!"
ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK! Everything that has been accomplished to date, as well as our future success, has been and will be built on the game atmosphere in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
RUFF AND READY TO BE ROWDY IN DOWDY! You, the members of the Pirate Nation, have created this foundation for future success by first welcoming our visitors and then giving your full energy to supporting the team so they can do our talking for us through their actions on the field.
Your support for a loud, but first class environment, has begun to make Dowdy-Ficklen a "destination" for college football fans. We hear from visiting fans who tell us they want to come back to see us play someone other than their own team so they can "cheer for the Pirates!" The addition of 7,000 seats this fall means more space for those who want to enjoy ECU Football while making Dowdy-Ficklen even louder.
NCAA rules prevent you from being involved in recruiting but your passion in the stands has a huge impact on recruiting. Every recruit who has signed with us over the last few years credits the Dowdy-Ficklen game atmosphere as the final and convincing reason for coming to ECU.
Coach McNeill and his staff will get us into the homes of the best recruits and those prospects will come to our home games. Therefore, through your support for the team, you will have the opportunity to recruit student-athletes and their families as well as to recruit new Pirate fans.
Our expanded stadium will not be larger than the stadiums of our competitors, but the game atmosphere will be second to none because of the passion of the Pirate Nation. There will be ups and downs as there are in all college programs today, but if we can stay focused and unified/together through the good and tough times, we will always own and control our future.
You might enjoy seeing a few of the many e-mails and messages that have come from non-ECU folks about our new coach:
Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 10:25 AM
To: Holland, Terry
Subject: Great Hire
I think you have scooped the football world with your hire of Coach Ruff. Back in 1982, I was a FCA counselor from Mississippi and met an ECU football player who was a huddle leader. He represented ECU so well I have been a fan every since. Way to take the High Road. Good Luck
XXXXX (deleted)
XXXXX High School
Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 2:45 PM
To: Holland, Terry
Subject: RE: Ruffin McNeil
Mr. Holland,
It was incredible to watch Ruffin's leadership in action. To win the Alamo Bowl in the midst of all the controversy was amazing to witness.
As a Texas Tech alum and a high school coach here in Texas, I do not have Ruffin's email address so could you forward this to his attention. Let him know XXXXX has a couple of Texas boys he might be interested in.
His personal touch and sincerity is obvious and genuine. It is what sets him apart. Ruffin will be successful because he is who he says he is.
New Pirate Fan!
Coach XXXXXX(deleted)
XXXXXX High School
XXXXXX, TX
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 4:21 PM
To: Ballard, Steve
Subject: Texas Tech player's father's view of Ruff
Chancellor Ballard,
I felt compelled to write a short note about Coach McNeil from a father's perspective. East Carolina is simply fortunate to have the opportunity to bring Ruff back home. You've made a great decision.... and as we've all learned in life...timing is everything and you're the lucky one this time!
Timing was also good for my son as he graduated from high school. We were fortunate that Ruff called our house about five years ago in an effort to recruit my son. Ruff spoke clearly, honestly and extremely straight-forward about what would happen at Tech...and Ruff honored every 'word'.
But his 'words' indicated that he would make my son a better person and better man. I wouldn't trade my son's time with Ruff for anything and to be honest, I'm tearing up as I write this. Ruff is special. All he has to do is call me and I will do anything for him and I'm not alone.
Ruff will win because he's prepared and because his players will run through a wall for him. And when their playing time evaporates, they'll graduate for him because he expects it, and they succeed in life because he patterns the way. If this father's experience means anything, then the payoff for the player's and your university will be amazing
ENJOY RUFF'S IMPACT! You're one bunch of lucky Pirates!
XXXXXXX (deleted)
XXXXXXX, TX
From: Swain, Brenda
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 3:55 PM
To: Holland, Terry
Subject: Bobby Knight
Bobby Knight called to sing Ruffin's praises. He couldn't say enough good things about him and asked me to let you know that he thinks you made a great hire. If you want to talk to him it's XXXXXXXXXX, but not necessary.
Brenda
