An Update From AD Jon Gilbert

Pirate Nation:

We are excited to have our student-athletes back on campus as we prepare for a busy winter and spring ahead. Due to the pandemic and cancellation of several fall sports, we will now have 15 sports in action over the next four months. It will be a busy time for our department and staff with the overlap of sports, but I'm excited for our student-athletes who are looking forward to competing again.

Attendance limited to families of student-athletes and coaches
The pandemic has caused many disruptions to our fan attendance. Unfortunately, our athletic venues will remain closed to the public as we head into the spring season. State guidelines allow only two family members of the competing student-athletes and coaches. This includes the following sports: volleyball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, and women's soccer.

Our student-athletes, coaches and staff miss seeing Pirate Nation at our events and understand this is disappointing news. I understand the severity of the pandemic and our department is committed to upholding the safety of our student-athletes, campus and community. We will continue to work with University, local and state health officials and monitor any changes to capacity restrictions. If capacity restrictions are lifted at any time, we will pivot to accommodate as many fans as possible. Please be patient and I'm confident we will have stadiums full of Purple and Gold soon.

We Believe Fund finishes with nearly $900,000
Pirate Nation always delivers. On behalf of our entire athletics department, I want to thank each of you who donated to the "We Believe" fundraising campaign to fund student-athlete scholarships. With the support of our generous and loyal donors, we generated $875,000 in a six-week span through donations and ticket refunds.

We received significant leadership gifts from Bill Clark Homes (Bill, Lance, Heath, Hunter) and TowneBank along with Mike & Page Aman, Rich Balot, Dick & Sarah Bennett, David & Pam Bond, Branch Banking & Trust, Jim Buckman, Travis & Cassie Burt, John & Linda Charlesworth, Tyler & Laura Beth Clark, Leigh & Paul Fanning, Glenn & Jennifer Hall, Woody Hogg, Jr., Home Builders Supply Company, Van & Jennifer Isley, Judy & Sam Lovelace, Brian L. McRae, Rhett & Sharon Raynor, Carl & Connie Rogers, Ray Sharpe, Sean & Andrea Smith, Billy & Becky Tart, Woody & Jennifer Tyner, Bob & Margaret Ward, Henry & Nancy Williamson and Sam & Sandy Wornom.

I want to acknowledge all the individuals have invested in the "We Believe" fund over the past six weeks: David Alexander, Robert Allen, Robert L. Allen, Charles & Tracey Allen, Paul Alston, Cary Ashworth, Bruce Austin, Bagelman, Reginald Baker, Jim Banks, Kyle & Jessica Barber, Bob & Terri Barbour, Julius Gregory Barnes, Stephen & Sharon Barton, Carolyn Bennett, Thomas Allen Bennett Jr., Jim & Lynn Bentz, Kenneth Blizzard, Ken Blocker, Jr., Elizabeth Bolka, Rob & Beverly Boyette, Bruce Bright, Donald Britton, Roger Burton, Tony Cannon, Robert S. Cansler, Ken & Kay Chalk, Jeffrey Champigny, Dr. Ed S. Clark, Lemuel B. Clayton, Jr., Kenton P. Cleary, Cape Fear Pirate Club, Randy Cole, Colombo Kitchin, Dunn, & Porter, LLP, Edward & Ginny Cooper, Don Cormicle, Dick Corrada, Jr., Heath Courtright, C.B. Cranford, Jim & Debbie Creech, Mathew S. Crovitz, Delmas Cumbee, Jr., Stephen B. Curry, Markeba D'Abreu, Ed & Lindy Daughtry, Steven DeBerry, Wilbur Dees, Dick Denton, Matthew Dew, Teresa Dilday, Neil Dorsey, Carolyn Durham, Chris & Eva Marie Dyba, Richard & Edith Edwards, Scott Embrey,

John Fisher, Dwight & Linda Flanagan, David L. Forbis, Matthew Forte, Nicholas & Sharon Forte, Sue Francis, Tony Franklin, Keith & Shannon Frazier, Alex C. French, Randy G. Fussell, Johnny R. Gardner, Mark & Gail Gardner, Jon Gilbert, Thomas Gillen, Doug Gomes & Kathy Herring, Bubba & Mary Grant, Bob & Joan Gray, Gene Graziosi, Greenville Utilities, Jim Gudger, Horace D. Gurganus, Elvis Hall, Ed Hamilton, James Hammond, Michael & Karen Hanley, Charles & Kathryn Hanley, Cathy Hastings, Ken & Susan Hawkins, Mark & Cheri Hessert, Robert & Betty Hill, Joey Hines, Home Builders Supply Company, Curtis Howell, William L. Howerin, Perry Hudson, Geoff Hudson, Albert R. Hux, Jr., Kenny Jenkins, Wesley R. Johnson, Steve Jones, Tab Joyce, Sean Kayes, Stephen E. Kearney, Jr., Alex Keddie, Donald Keller, Thomas P. Kidd, Jr., Ralph C. Kimel, Donna G. King, Philip King, Philip H. King, Chris & Amy Knott, Bill & Karen Koch , Ann Laliotes, Adina & Jerry Leach, Chip Leavitt, Michael Letchworth, Ted Lockamon, Eric Long, Lauren Lumley,

Keith Malatesta, Matt & Laurie Maloney, Terry Mann, David Marsh, Michael Mascarenas, Josh & Lindy Mauney, Scott McAndrew, Major Gen. John McCarthy & Sally McCarthy, Rusty McCown, John McDade, Joe E. McKoy, J.J. McLamb, Paul McRae, Mark & Nancy Meltzer, Chris Melvin, Michael M. Mills, Sarah Mitchelson, Tyre H. Moore, Michael Morgan, Bill & Vicky Morris, Todd & Shelley Moser, David & Mandy Moye, Christopher Murray, John A. Narron, III, Michael Nichols, James H. Nobles, Judy Nobles, Kel Normann, Christian Osborne, John & Becky Osborne, Murphy & Jordan Paderick, George W. Parker, Jake A. Parrott Insurance Agency, Philip Perdue, Wade & Kathy Perry, Hayes Petteway, John Fred & Christine Phelps, Roy Phibbs, Molly Pierce, Robert B. Plybon,

Daniel Rand, Fay Raynor, Jane Reel, Harry Lee Riddle IV, Robert S. Rippy, Gene Rodgers, Lisa Rogerson, Wes Rothrock, John Rous, William Rowe, James & Joanne Salisbury, James Sandlin III, William C. Shelton, Scott & Karen Shook, Matthew H. Slate, Roy Smith, J. Craig Souza, Alison Spivey, Bobby & Miller Stanley, Jim Stevens, Doug & Kay Strickland, Curtis Struyk, Ron Stumpo, Anne Suggs, Howard Swain, Addison Teachey, Julian & Amber Thomas, Heidi Thomas, Rosie Thompson, Jack Thomas Thompson, Sara Thorndike, Paul & Sybil Trevisan, Charles Tudor, H. Morrie Turner Jr., Rhonda Ross Turner, Reid & Marion Tyler, Ronald Vincent, Allen Wagoner, Arnold Wallace, Bert Ward, Donnie & Jennifer Warren, Wendy Weaks, Donald R. Whitaker, Jr., Paul Whittington, Wilkinson – Cadillac, Worth Wilson, Jr., Jerry Wilson, Zachary Womack, Terry Yeargan, Matt Younis.

We apologize in advance if I inadvertently left your name off, please let us know so we can recognize you in the next From the Helm.

Fan Cutouts to be sold for Clark-LeClair Stadium, Johnson Stadium and Max R. Joyner Stadium
While attendance will be limited this spring, you still have an opportunity to get your picture in one of our venues for the entire season. We have had great success with the fan cutouts in Minges Coliseum for men's and women's basketball games, as well as upcoming volleyball matches.

Fans can upload photos of friends, family, or even their pet, and the photo will be displayed inside our venues. Please order quickly so we can have the cutouts ready for the start of the respective seasons. All money raised will provide operational support for ECU Athletics.

You can purchase your cutout by clicking here: EAST CAROLINA FAN CUTOUT.

At the end of the respective season, fans will have the opportunity to pick up their cutouts free of charge.

2021 Pirate Club Renewal Packets
Be on the lookout for the 2021 Pirate Club Renewal Packet. This is a critical year for the Pirate Club as we work our way through the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate the financial impact while continuing to serve our student-athletes.

Your investment in the Annual Fund provides financial support and necessary resources for our student-athletes to compete at the highest levels while earning a degree from East Carolina University. The support from Pirate Club donors is felt by our student-athletes in the classroom, in competition and in our community. We need your assistance and investment more than ever as we continue to provide a first-class experience for our student-athletes.

The Pirate Club plays a pivotal role in providing support for our department and I encourage each of you to join the Pirate Club at any level. You can visit ecupirateclub.com for more information or call (252) 737-4540.

As we move forward together, I want to thank you for your continued support of ECU Athletics.

Go Pirates!

Jon

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