Pirate Club Raises $404,000 in 10-Day Challenge To Honor Military Bowl Team
January 12, 2026 | General
GREENVILLE, N.C. – The Pirate Club announced today that it raised $404,000 during a 10-day fundraising challenge honoring the Pirates Military Bowl team, more than tripling its original goal of $113,000.
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Just over 300 generous individuals contributed to the Athletics Excellence Fund and Purple & Gold Society as part of the Pirate Club 10-day challenge, recognizing the 113 student-athletes, including 28 seniors, who represented ECU on the bowl roster. Each gift directly supports football student-athletes and plays a vital role in the future of ECU Football.
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The funds raised will help ensure the football program under head coach Blake Harrell can continue building a formidable roster and sustaining long-term success.
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"Pirate Club members once again demonstrated what makes East Carolina special," Pirate Club Executive Director Ryan Robinson said. "This challenge was about honoring the young men that stayed and competed in the bowl win, while also investing in the future of the football program. Pirate Nation always responds, and they did so in a tremendous way."
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The fundraising effort followed a memorable postseason for the Pirates, who delivered a victory over Pittsburgh in Annapolis at the Military Bowl. The win marked ECU's second consecutive bowl victory over an ACC opponent, the team's ninth win of the season, which is the most since 2013, and secured back-to-back bowl victories for the first time since 1964-65.
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As an added incentive, individuals earn double priority points by donating to the Athletics Excellence Fund or the Purple & Gold Society. The Pirate Club currently has 69 members of the Purple & Gold Society, individuals who have pledged a minimum $25,000 over five years. The full list can be found here.
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Just over 300 generous individuals contributed to the Athletics Excellence Fund and Purple & Gold Society as part of the Pirate Club 10-day challenge, recognizing the 113 student-athletes, including 28 seniors, who represented ECU on the bowl roster. Each gift directly supports football student-athletes and plays a vital role in the future of ECU Football.
Â
The funds raised will help ensure the football program under head coach Blake Harrell can continue building a formidable roster and sustaining long-term success.
Â
"Pirate Club members once again demonstrated what makes East Carolina special," Pirate Club Executive Director Ryan Robinson said. "This challenge was about honoring the young men that stayed and competed in the bowl win, while also investing in the future of the football program. Pirate Nation always responds, and they did so in a tremendous way."
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The fundraising effort followed a memorable postseason for the Pirates, who delivered a victory over Pittsburgh in Annapolis at the Military Bowl. The win marked ECU's second consecutive bowl victory over an ACC opponent, the team's ninth win of the season, which is the most since 2013, and secured back-to-back bowl victories for the first time since 1964-65.
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As an added incentive, individuals earn double priority points by donating to the Athletics Excellence Fund or the Purple & Gold Society. The Pirate Club currently has 69 members of the Purple & Gold Society, individuals who have pledged a minimum $25,000 over five years. The full list can be found here.
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ECU's Mike Wright at the Military Bowl Charity Event
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