Trade Club Unveiled as TowneBank Tower Completion Nears

GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina University Athletics and the ECU Pirate Club unveiled the Trade Club, located in TowneBank Tower at Bagwell Field in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, upon receiving a $1-million leadership gift from Edwin and Ann Clark of Greenville towards the $60 million Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium Southside Renovation project.

The Clark family continues in the legacy of the late Walter Williams and his wife Marie, parents of Ann. Loyal and passionate supporters of ECU Athletics and the university, the Williams and Clark family has given generously in providing Pirate student-athletes, coaches and teams the tools and resources necessary to compete throughout the years.

A champion of ECU, Walter passed away in 2018 at the age of 88. He was a loyal Pirate Club member for over 50 years, serving as its executive president from 1997 to 1998 and director emeritus until his death. His ECU legacy lives on through the completion of the Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium Southside Renovation project.

"Ann, Edwin and the entire Clark family are synonymous with East Carolina University and our athletics department for their loyalty and passion for the Pirates. Personally, I value my friendship with Ann and Edwin and always enjoy spending time with them talking about the Pirates and how we can improve," said ECU Director of Athletics Jon Gilbert. "This entire community will get to enjoy and benefit from the Trade Club at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. We can't thank them enough for their continued support."

Walter Williams '51, '55 founded Trade Oil Company in 1984 with Edwin and his son David. In 1993, Trade Oil Company contributed the Educational Foundation's first $1 million gift to the university's Shared Visions campaign.

Edwin continued to serve as co-owner and Executive Vice President after the company merged into WilcoHess in 2005. A 1979 graduate of ECU with a bachelor's degree in business administration, he recently served for eight years on the ECU Board of Trustees. Along with his sons, Edwin currently manages the Trade Family Office, which is involved in real estate development, private equity, and owns companies like UNX Industries and TideLand Construction & Petroleum.

Edwin's son Josh stated, "Our family considers it a privilege to continue my grandfather's legacy by giving generously to all of eastern North Carolina, especially ECU."

"Walter and Marie's unceasing passion and generosity to ECU Athletics and the university will always define the Williams family legacy," affirmed Edwin. "Ann and I, along with our five children, will continue to exemplify this legacy and carry on the tradition through future generations."

The Trade Club continues the Williams family legacy as ECU Athletics writes its next chapter.

The Trade Club offers a private premium seating experience. Formerly the Scholarship Club, the level will provide a comfortable game-day viewing experience in oversized chairback seats with arm rests. In addition, each seat holder will have access to a pre-game buffet and a full-service bar.

"The gameday experience offered in the Trade Club and throughout TowneBank Tower goes beyond enhancing the experience, it sets the standard," Executive Director of the Pirate Club Phillip Wood said. "From the staff to the environment, our goal is to provide Pirate Nation an unmatched experience. This renovation project wouldn't have been possible without the support of individuals like the Clark family."

Part of a long-term facilities master plan, the project includes the construction of TowneBank Tower resulting in the creation of 1,000 premium seats through the addition of the Trade Club Level, loge boxes, suites and founder's suites. The project also enhances the game day experience for Pirate Nation with the new Carl and Connie Rogers Pirate Club Level and premium parking spaces. Beyond the stadium, the project provided needed functional space for student-athletes in the Ward Sports Medicine Building and the construction of the Walter and Marie Williams Hitting Facility adjacent to Clark-LeClair Stadium.

The Trade Club Level announcement comes in advance of Friday's ribbon cutting ceremony, celebrating the official opening of TowneBank Tower.

On Saturday, ECU Athletics will host the 25th Annual "Meet The Pirates" event, a preseason football fanfest, presented by Piggly Wiggly Fresh Buy. A guided tour for all attendees will be offered from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. through the recently-completed TowneBank Tower.

For more information on premium seating opportunities in TowneBank Tower, contact the ECU Pirate Club at 252-737-4540 or ecupirateclub@ecu.edu.

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