GORDON AND KIM DARRAGH MAKE LEGACY GIFT TO WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM

GREENVILLE, N.C. - Gordon and Kim Darragh of Greenville have made a Legacy Gift to the Pirate Club in support of the East Carolina women's basketball program, Pirate Club Executive Director Ryan Robinson announced today. The generous investment will directly enhance all facets of the program led by head coach Kim McNeill.

The Darragh Family are longtime Pirate Club members and have been a part of the Sabre Society for the past seven years. In addition to establishing an endowment for student-athlete scholarships, they are season ticket holders for Pirates men's and women's basketball and have been Loge Box owners in the TowneBank Tower at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium for the past six years.

The Darragh's passion for women's basketball runs deep – Gordon even proposed to Kim at a Pirates women's game in 2016.

"We are fortunate to have the opportunity to invest in female student-athletes and a program that means so much to us," Gordon Darragh said. "Kim McNeill has done an outstanding job leading the program, and it's important for us that we contribute to her success for years to come. Hopefully, this gift will attract other philanthropic leaders who want to invest in the long-term success of ECU Athletics."

"We are so appreciative of Gordon and Kim for their continued loyalty and commitment to the Pirate Club and ECU Athletics," Robinson said. "This gift will directly impact our student-athletes in this new era of collegiate athletics, and it truly is a testament to the belief that our women's basketball can and will continue to compete at the highest levels. Kim McNeill has worked tirelessly to promote our women's basketball program, and I'm hopeful the Darraghs' investment will inspire others to join in supporting our women's basketball team."

McNeill enters her seventh season at the helm of the Pirates, having led the program to three consecutive winning seasons, including an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2023.

"On behalf of everybody involved with our program, I want to thank Kim and Gordon for their friendship, loyalty and passion for women's basketball at ECU," McNeill said. "From my first day in Greenville, they have shown unwavering support for our student-athletes and staff - not only through their generosity but also with their presence. Their commitment is inspiring and will allow us to continue to compete at a high level."

Mr. Darragh has served as president of the Darragh Foundation, Inc. for 12 years and has been an active philanthropic leader at East Carolina University. He is a past member of the ECU Foundation Board and has been a member of the Student Affairs Advancement Council since 2014. In 2019, he joined the Civic Leadership and Civic Engagement Advancement Council. In recognition of his leadership and service, he received the Vice Chancellor's Award for Student Affairs in 2016.

Ms. Darragh, a Wayne County native, has two daughters, Renee and Stephanie. She spent 35 years in human resources at Home Health and Hospice in Goldsboro. The Darraghs attend Goldsboro Worship Center, where Kim has been a member for 31 years and currently serves on the Advisory Team.

The Pirates women's basktball team opens the 2025-26 season tonight against UNCW in Minges Coliseum at 6 p.m. Please visit the ECU Athletics Ticket Office or call at (252) 737-4500 to purchase a ticket.

GORDON AND KIM DARRAGH MAKE LEGACY GIFT TO WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM

Related Videos

Footer