2022 East Carolina Football Kickoff
September 01, 2022 | Football
ECU Athletics and the Pirate Club are looking forward to welcoming fans to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Saturday, September 3rd for the Pirates football home opener against NC State at 12 noon (ET). The game is sponsored by ECU Health.
All parking lots will open at 7:00 a.m. Saturday and gates to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium are set to open at 10:00 a.m., two (2) hours before kickoff. The ECU Athletics Ticket Office will open at 9:00 a.m.
Be sure to be in your seats early for the Sound of Pirate Nation: The Marching Pirates' pregame show and the debut of this year's intro video.
Stripe Out
We are excited to coordinate a stripe out this game, make sure you wear the color that is assigned to your section to help create a great atmosphere. The sections are marked below:
Purple Sections: 11, 9, 7, 5, 3, 2, 1, boneyard, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 214, 216, 218, 220, 221
Gold Sections: 10, 8A, 8B, 6, 4A, 4B, 19, 17, 15, 13, 213, 215, 217, 219
Carl and Connie Rogers Pirate Club Level with New Fan Enhancements
If you are a Pirate Club member, make sure you stop by the Carl and Connie Rogers Pirate Club Level each game. This is a great area for Pirate fans to gather and socialize before entering the game or to discuss the game at halftime. Pirate Club members and their guests will be admitted with at least one Pirate Club membership card.
The ECU Pirates Flagship Station, 94.3 The Game, will broadcast live from right outside the area from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday and throughout the season. Special guests will make appearances throughout the show each week including ECU Director of Athletics Jon Gilbert.
Carl and Connie Rogers, Pirate Club members and season ticket holders of 30 years, have displayed their commitment and support to ECU Athletics through significant gifts to various capital campaigns including the Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium Southside Renovation, Clark-LeClair Stadium, Smith-Williams Basketball Practice Facility and the Step Up to The Highest Level Campaign.
Pirate Walk
The Pirate Walk will begin two hours and 30 minutes prior to kickoff on the Howard & Lyn Swain Pirate Promenade in front of TowneBank Tower. Saturday's Pirate Walk will begin at 9:30 a.m.
Fans are encouraged to cheer on the Pirates during the walk
The ECU Marching Band and members of the Spirit Squad will lead head coach Mike Houston and student-athletes down the walkway leading to TowneBank Tower. The group will walk in front of historic Scales Field House toward the Ward Sports Medicine Building and the team's lockerroom.
Kids Zone
The Kids Zone is back again for the 2022 season. The Kids Zone is located in the grass area right behind Sections 10-11 with Gate 4 being the nearest gate.
Description: Featuring interactive games, an inflatable mini-golf course, pop-a-shot, and a football toss among other games, the Kids Zone will be open two hours prior to kickoff. In addition to games, the area will have a device charging station, coloring station, and a photo zone where young Pirates can try on uniforms and dress like their favorite Pirate. The kid zone will be operated until the end of the third quarter.
Recognizing Our Donors
We will be recognizing some of our Pirates Unite donors during the break between the first and second quarter! These individuals have helped us jump start the campaign, and we are proud to have them support our great university. Make sure to stay in your seats and give them a big round of applause for their generous donations!
Click here to give to the Pirates Unite Campaign.
Social Media
If you are not already, make sure to follow us on social media to get the latest updates on all things ECU Athletics: @ECUAthletics and @ECUPiratesFB
The World-Famous Budweiser Clydesdales
The World-Famous Budweiser Clydesdales will be marching around Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Saturday morning starting at 10 am after the Pirate Walk. The Clydesdales will be making stops in front of the Towne Bank Tower and the Smith/Williams Courtyard for photo opportunities.
Beer and Wine
Beer and wine will continue to be sold at select locations inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
Fans will be able to purchase beer and wine at eight stand-alone locations around Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Each person 21 or over will be required to wear a wristband to purchase, possess or consume alcohol. Wristbands will be issued with a valid ID to individuals 21 and over at kiosks inside the venue. Individuals consuming alcohol must always be able to produce a valid photo ID as stadium personnel may ask to see an ID at locations away from the original point of sale.
Two beverages may be purchased per person per transaction. Sales will begin two hours prior to kickoff inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium with all sales scheduled to end at the end of the third quarter.
In partnership with Aramark, a variety of domestic, imported and craft beers will be available for purchase. Concession stands inside the student section will not sell beer and wine.
Clear Bag Policy
To enhance safety and expedite fan entry at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, East Carolina University has implemented safety policies for fans bringing bags into the stadium.
Only one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon, clear, resealable plastic storage bag per person will be permitted. Fans will also be allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.
Diaper bags and non-medically necessary items are allowed if accompanied by an infant or young children. Each member of a family, including children, can carry an approved clear bag and clutch purse into the stadium.
Fans interested in purchasing an approved clear bag may visit the Dowdy Student Store in the ECU Main Student Center as well as other area retailers.
Rideshare service
East Carolina Athletics has established a pickup and drop-off point for Uber and Lyft on Saturdays.
Prior to kickoff and during and after game, ride-sharing drop-offs will continue at 14th Street between Elm and Berkeley. Ride sharing and personal vehicles, including golf carts & low speed vehicles, will NOT be allowed access beyond campus roadblocks without proper credentials. This policy includes all ride sharing services.
We can't wait to see all of you inside of Dowdy-Ficklen this fall cheering on our pirates! Thank you for your continued support of ECU Athletics, GO PIRATES!
All parking lots will open at 7:00 a.m. Saturday and gates to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium are set to open at 10:00 a.m., two (2) hours before kickoff. The ECU Athletics Ticket Office will open at 9:00 a.m.
Be sure to be in your seats early for the Sound of Pirate Nation: The Marching Pirates' pregame show and the debut of this year's intro video.
Stripe Out
We are excited to coordinate a stripe out this game, make sure you wear the color that is assigned to your section to help create a great atmosphere. The sections are marked below:
Purple Sections: 11, 9, 7, 5, 3, 2, 1, boneyard, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 214, 216, 218, 220, 221
Gold Sections: 10, 8A, 8B, 6, 4A, 4B, 19, 17, 15, 13, 213, 215, 217, 219
Carl and Connie Rogers Pirate Club Level with New Fan Enhancements
If you are a Pirate Club member, make sure you stop by the Carl and Connie Rogers Pirate Club Level each game. This is a great area for Pirate fans to gather and socialize before entering the game or to discuss the game at halftime. Pirate Club members and their guests will be admitted with at least one Pirate Club membership card.
The ECU Pirates Flagship Station, 94.3 The Game, will broadcast live from right outside the area from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday and throughout the season. Special guests will make appearances throughout the show each week including ECU Director of Athletics Jon Gilbert.
Carl and Connie Rogers, Pirate Club members and season ticket holders of 30 years, have displayed their commitment and support to ECU Athletics through significant gifts to various capital campaigns including the Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium Southside Renovation, Clark-LeClair Stadium, Smith-Williams Basketball Practice Facility and the Step Up to The Highest Level Campaign.
Pirate Walk
The Pirate Walk will begin two hours and 30 minutes prior to kickoff on the Howard & Lyn Swain Pirate Promenade in front of TowneBank Tower. Saturday's Pirate Walk will begin at 9:30 a.m.
Fans are encouraged to cheer on the Pirates during the walk
The ECU Marching Band and members of the Spirit Squad will lead head coach Mike Houston and student-athletes down the walkway leading to TowneBank Tower. The group will walk in front of historic Scales Field House toward the Ward Sports Medicine Building and the team's lockerroom.
Kids Zone
The Kids Zone is back again for the 2022 season. The Kids Zone is located in the grass area right behind Sections 10-11 with Gate 4 being the nearest gate.
Description: Featuring interactive games, an inflatable mini-golf course, pop-a-shot, and a football toss among other games, the Kids Zone will be open two hours prior to kickoff. In addition to games, the area will have a device charging station, coloring station, and a photo zone where young Pirates can try on uniforms and dress like their favorite Pirate. The kid zone will be operated until the end of the third quarter.
Recognizing Our Donors
We will be recognizing some of our Pirates Unite donors during the break between the first and second quarter! These individuals have helped us jump start the campaign, and we are proud to have them support our great university. Make sure to stay in your seats and give them a big round of applause for their generous donations!
Click here to give to the Pirates Unite Campaign.
Social Media
If you are not already, make sure to follow us on social media to get the latest updates on all things ECU Athletics: @ECUAthletics and @ECUPiratesFB
The World-Famous Budweiser Clydesdales
The World-Famous Budweiser Clydesdales will be marching around Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Saturday morning starting at 10 am after the Pirate Walk. The Clydesdales will be making stops in front of the Towne Bank Tower and the Smith/Williams Courtyard for photo opportunities.
Beer and Wine
Beer and wine will continue to be sold at select locations inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
Fans will be able to purchase beer and wine at eight stand-alone locations around Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Each person 21 or over will be required to wear a wristband to purchase, possess or consume alcohol. Wristbands will be issued with a valid ID to individuals 21 and over at kiosks inside the venue. Individuals consuming alcohol must always be able to produce a valid photo ID as stadium personnel may ask to see an ID at locations away from the original point of sale.
Two beverages may be purchased per person per transaction. Sales will begin two hours prior to kickoff inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium with all sales scheduled to end at the end of the third quarter.
In partnership with Aramark, a variety of domestic, imported and craft beers will be available for purchase. Concession stands inside the student section will not sell beer and wine.
Clear Bag Policy
To enhance safety and expedite fan entry at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, East Carolina University has implemented safety policies for fans bringing bags into the stadium.
Only one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon, clear, resealable plastic storage bag per person will be permitted. Fans will also be allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.
Diaper bags and non-medically necessary items are allowed if accompanied by an infant or young children. Each member of a family, including children, can carry an approved clear bag and clutch purse into the stadium.
Fans interested in purchasing an approved clear bag may visit the Dowdy Student Store in the ECU Main Student Center as well as other area retailers.
Rideshare service
East Carolina Athletics has established a pickup and drop-off point for Uber and Lyft on Saturdays.
Prior to kickoff and during and after game, ride-sharing drop-offs will continue at 14th Street between Elm and Berkeley. Ride sharing and personal vehicles, including golf carts & low speed vehicles, will NOT be allowed access beyond campus roadblocks without proper credentials. This policy includes all ride sharing services.
We can't wait to see all of you inside of Dowdy-Ficklen this fall cheering on our pirates! Thank you for your continued support of ECU Athletics, GO PIRATES!
12/25/25 Inside Pirate Athletics
Tuesday, November 25
East Carolina Head Football Coach Blake Harrell's Weekly Press Conference (Nov. 24, 2025)
Monday, November 24
East Carolina Postgame Press Conference (Nov. 22, 2025)
Monday, November 24
Jon Gilbert Facilities Update
Wednesday, November 19
