ECU Mourns The Passing Of Hall Of Fame Athlete Richard “Rooster” Narron
June 24, 2026 | General
GREENVILLE, N.C. – Richard "Rooster" Narron, an East Carolina Athletics Hall of Famer, passed away on Saturday, June 20 at the age of 80. A two-time All-Southern Conference selection and 1967 All-American, he helped the Pirates to a pair of SoCon championships and was inducted into the ECU Hall of Fame in 1978.
Narron came to East Carolina in 1965 after graduating from Goldsboro High School where he was a two-year letterman (1966-67) helping the Pirates and ECU Hall of Fame Head Coach Earl Smith to a pair of Southern Conference Championships (1966-67). As a sophomore in 1966, he earned All-Southern Conference, all-state and all-district honors after guiding the team to a 17-10 record.
A year later, the 1967 team captain, garnered Third Team ABCA All-America accolades after leading ECU in hits (33) and batting average (.452) which led to his second consecutive All-Southern Conference honor and another league title. Narron went on to sign a professional contract with the New York Mets in 1967 and played there until moving to the Baltimore Orioles organization for the 1970 season.
Following his collegiate career, Narron founded and co-owned the Sportsman's World, which operated for 46 years, selling sports equipment to the communities of Eastern North Carolina. Through his foresight and wishes, he passed along his father Sam's story creating and enhancing the Johnston County baseball experience. Since 1998, his commitment to the presentation of the Sam Narron Award, which is in the JCPS Board of Education Building, recognizes a senior baseball player who has "shown the most love for the game of baseball through 'Determination, Dedication and Sacrifice'". As of 2025, 28 senior baseball players have been honored with their name on the plaque and have received a small scholarship.
Narron, a member of the George Whitfield and the Johnson County Athletic Hall of Fames, served his country in the North Carolina National Guard during the late 1960s. He was a devoted member of the St. Paul Methodist Church and was involved in numerous civic and professional organizations, including the Golden K and the Professional Baseball Representatives. Narron was also a member of Archer Lodge #165 AF&AM Masonic Lodge for over 50 years and was instrumental in helping reignite the Goldsboro Hot Stove League, ensuring opportunities for young athletes and helping keep baseball thriving in the community he loved.
Narron came to East Carolina in 1965 after graduating from Goldsboro High School where he was a two-year letterman (1966-67) helping the Pirates and ECU Hall of Fame Head Coach Earl Smith to a pair of Southern Conference Championships (1966-67). As a sophomore in 1966, he earned All-Southern Conference, all-state and all-district honors after guiding the team to a 17-10 record.
A year later, the 1967 team captain, garnered Third Team ABCA All-America accolades after leading ECU in hits (33) and batting average (.452) which led to his second consecutive All-Southern Conference honor and another league title. Narron went on to sign a professional contract with the New York Mets in 1967 and played there until moving to the Baltimore Orioles organization for the 1970 season.
Following his collegiate career, Narron founded and co-owned the Sportsman's World, which operated for 46 years, selling sports equipment to the communities of Eastern North Carolina. Through his foresight and wishes, he passed along his father Sam's story creating and enhancing the Johnston County baseball experience. Since 1998, his commitment to the presentation of the Sam Narron Award, which is in the JCPS Board of Education Building, recognizes a senior baseball player who has "shown the most love for the game of baseball through 'Determination, Dedication and Sacrifice'". As of 2025, 28 senior baseball players have been honored with their name on the plaque and have received a small scholarship.
Narron, a member of the George Whitfield and the Johnson County Athletic Hall of Fames, served his country in the North Carolina National Guard during the late 1960s. He was a devoted member of the St. Paul Methodist Church and was involved in numerous civic and professional organizations, including the Golden K and the Professional Baseball Representatives. Narron was also a member of Archer Lodge #165 AF&AM Masonic Lodge for over 50 years and was instrumental in helping reignite the Goldsboro Hot Stove League, ensuring opportunities for young athletes and helping keep baseball thriving in the community he loved.
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