A Message From Coach Houston
June 11, 2020 | Football
Pirate Nation:
As we move forward this summer and prepare for football in the fall, I want to personally thank you for your continued support of ECU Athletics and our football program.
I was informed yesterday that our football season tickets are closing in on 10,000, a significant increase over the past couple of weeks. When the pandemic hit, the administration established a new goal of 10,000 season tickets. Well, it looks like Pirate Nation responded in a big way and now is not the time to let up. Tell your family and friends to get their tickets now.
I had an idea Pirate Nation was answering the call for support when I popped into the Pirate Club offices on Monday morning. Each staff member had a phone to their ear, interacting with fans that were renewing Pirate Club memberships and purchasing tickets. The Pirate Club Annual Fund continues to increase, and those funds not only help our football student-athletes, but they are vital for all our athletics programs.
I'm glad I stopped in because it reassured me how fortunate I am to be a part of this University and community.
As athletics director Jon Gilbert wrote last month, we have an opportunity to create something special again at East Carolina that many people across the country doubt is possible. It's going to take all of us to go on this journey together.
I know our coaching staff and the 2020 East Carolina Football team are committed to putting in the work daily to make you proud to be a Pirate supporter. We began the first phase of returning our football players to campus on Tuesday. This process will continue the rest of the month and we hope to have our full roster on campus by early July.
There's no denying we have a lot of work ahead, but we made huge strides over the past four months during the pandemic. We asked our team in late March to adjust to a "new normal" and they responded as only Pirates would. Our staff conducted virtual calls daily, held position meetings, and were able to cover a lot of ground. Nothing is like being on the field and that time will come soon. We have several new additions to the roster that will be acclimated quickly to our culture and the expectations of our program.
We have developed a detailed plan to get the players in the right physical conditioning before we officially begin fall camp in late July. It's noticeable that our guys worked hard while they were away and they will be ready when we step on the practice field to begin fall camp.
I understand this has been a trying time for so many and your investment in the Pirate Club and football season tickets is deeply appreciated by everybody associated with ECU Athletics. We have an opportunity to take the next step as a football program in 2020 with a group of young men that want to leave a legacy behind.
As a head coach, I don't get into guarantees much, but I do know you are going to see a committed, physical and determined football team take the field at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on August 29 when Marshall rolls into Greenville. I can guarantee you that!
Look forward to seeing you this fall.
Go Pirates!
Mike Houston
As we move forward this summer and prepare for football in the fall, I want to personally thank you for your continued support of ECU Athletics and our football program.
I was informed yesterday that our football season tickets are closing in on 10,000, a significant increase over the past couple of weeks. When the pandemic hit, the administration established a new goal of 10,000 season tickets. Well, it looks like Pirate Nation responded in a big way and now is not the time to let up. Tell your family and friends to get their tickets now.
I had an idea Pirate Nation was answering the call for support when I popped into the Pirate Club offices on Monday morning. Each staff member had a phone to their ear, interacting with fans that were renewing Pirate Club memberships and purchasing tickets. The Pirate Club Annual Fund continues to increase, and those funds not only help our football student-athletes, but they are vital for all our athletics programs.
I'm glad I stopped in because it reassured me how fortunate I am to be a part of this University and community.
As athletics director Jon Gilbert wrote last month, we have an opportunity to create something special again at East Carolina that many people across the country doubt is possible. It's going to take all of us to go on this journey together.
I know our coaching staff and the 2020 East Carolina Football team are committed to putting in the work daily to make you proud to be a Pirate supporter. We began the first phase of returning our football players to campus on Tuesday. This process will continue the rest of the month and we hope to have our full roster on campus by early July.
There's no denying we have a lot of work ahead, but we made huge strides over the past four months during the pandemic. We asked our team in late March to adjust to a "new normal" and they responded as only Pirates would. Our staff conducted virtual calls daily, held position meetings, and were able to cover a lot of ground. Nothing is like being on the field and that time will come soon. We have several new additions to the roster that will be acclimated quickly to our culture and the expectations of our program.
We have developed a detailed plan to get the players in the right physical conditioning before we officially begin fall camp in late July. It's noticeable that our guys worked hard while they were away and they will be ready when we step on the practice field to begin fall camp.
I understand this has been a trying time for so many and your investment in the Pirate Club and football season tickets is deeply appreciated by everybody associated with ECU Athletics. We have an opportunity to take the next step as a football program in 2020 with a group of young men that want to leave a legacy behind.
As a head coach, I don't get into guarantees much, but I do know you are going to see a committed, physical and determined football team take the field at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on August 29 when Marshall rolls into Greenville. I can guarantee you that!
Look forward to seeing you this fall.
Go Pirates!
Mike Houston
Saturday, September 12
Thursday, September 10
Monday, September 07
Sunday, September 06
