An Update From AD Jon Gilbert

Pirate Nation:

The support of our Pirate Club members is unmatched.

When we launched the Pirates Unite campaign in 2022, we knew the road ahead would be ambitious. This campaign represents the most aggressive initiative in Pirate Club history, and you – our incredible supporters – have responded with historic generosity. From the outset, our staff recognized that all funds must be secured before projects could move forward. Thanks to the commitment of individuals and businesses alike, many key projects are now becoming a reality.

We are proud to share that the Pirates Unite Campaign for Comprehensive Excellence is approaching $40 million raised in just over two years. These are record-breaking numbers, and none of this would be possible without the loyalty and dedication of our donors.

Today is an exciting day for all Pirates.

As of late last week, we had 356 generous donors that made investments to build the Isley Indoor Performance Center. We were two million dollars short of completely funding the building through private giving. Pirate Club Executive Director Ryan Robinson and I met with two individuals last week who agreed to fund the remaining cost of the indoor building, plus additional investments to benefit our student-athletes and sports programs. More to come next week on these two special individuals. STAY TUNED.

Next week, we will present this project to the ECU Board of Trustees followed by the UNC Board of Governors in October for formal building approval.

From day one, donors have risen to the challenge, understanding the critical role their support plays in advancing our department. Every gift matters, and it is the collective effort of our donors that allows us to stand where we are today.

We are closing the gap on the Dick and Sarah Bennett Baseball Building expansion project, with $3 million left to raise. We are working closely with these same two individuals to close the funding gap.

Click here to view renderings of the proposed Isley Indoor Performance Center and the Dick & Sarah Bennett Baseball Building.

In addition, several projects have been fully funded through the Pirates Unite Campaign including:

The ECU Golf Facility by the Harold Varner Family featuring a renovated driving range and new greens at Ironwood Country Club for the men's and women's golf programs. Construction on a new clubhouse adjacent to the driving range will begin soon.
Chairback seats in Minges Coliseum, enhancing the fan experience and generating new revenue opportunities.
New LED lighting installed at Minges Coliseum, Clark-LeClair Stadium and Max R. Joyner Family Stadium.
$1.5 million has been raised for sport restricted funds to support our 18 different programs.
New turf installations around the softball and baseball fields.

The campaign has been driven by 13 gifts of $1 million or more.

In total, the Pirate Club has received 109 major gifts (considered $25,000 or more) including 59 six- and seven-figure donations. Of these, 95 gifts represent the largest one-time contributions from those individuals or businesses, demonstrating the deep belief in our student-athletes and the unity we share as we work toward a common goal.

But we cannot stop here. We must continue to find ways to generate revenue to reinvest into our student-athletes and sport programs, ensuring they have the resources they need to succeed.

I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to Ryan Robinson and the Pirate Club staff for engaging our donors and creating memorable events that benefit all Pirate fans. The achievements listed above reflect more than just numbers – it reflects the trust and support you have built with Pirate Nation for the support and future success of our student-athletes. Well done.

Bob and Margaret Ward help complete fundraising with $1 million investment
We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to the Ward family for an incredible $1 million investment last week into the Pirates Unite Campaign. Bob and Margaret Ward, both proud ECU graduates and longtime Pirate Club members, have long been champions of our university. Their unwavering commitment is exemplified by the Ward Sports Medicine Building, which proudly bears their name.

Margaret's active role as a member of the ECU Foundation Board and the Alumni Association Board, along with her receipt of the ECU Alumni Distinguished Service Award and service on the ECU Board of Trustees, highlight her dedication. Meanwhile, Bob's extensive service on the Pirate Club Executive Committee, Board of Visitors, College of Business Advisory Council, ECU Board of Trustees, and the ECU Foundation underscores his steadfast support for our institution.

The Wards embody the spirit of servant leadership, consistently demonstrating their commitment to enhancing the ECU community. We are profoundly grateful for their generous support, which inspires countless others to invest in the future of ECU. Their legacy as tremendous stewards for our great university and athletics department are truly commendable, and we look forward to witnessing the lasting impact of their generosity on future generations of the Pirates.

Thank you, Bob and Margaret, for being such invaluable members of our ECU family!

More NIL initiatives on the way
We are grateful for all members of Pirate Nation who have contributed to Team Boneyard or engaged with our student-athletes for NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities. This is a crucial area that we must continue to garner support.

We are collaborating closely with numerous individuals and businesses along with Team Boneyard on several exciting initiatives which will help strengthen our NIL efforts. It's going to take everybody uniting as NIL has emerged as a significant part of athletic departments across the country.

Please consider supporting Team Boneyard and embrace NIL initiatives because success for our student-athletes and sports programs is directly linked to the support of our fan base.

Pirate Nation, we are filled with deep gratitude for your unwavering support and commitment. We are building a future of excellence for our student-athletes, our programs, and our university.

Thank you for your loyalty, passion, and belief in what we can accomplish together.

Go Pirates!

Jon

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