An Update From AD Jon Gilbert
June 29, 2026 | General
Pirate Nation:
I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer with family and friends. It's been a busy and exciting time for ECU Athletics. Our football program and both basketball teams are on campus, facility projects continue to move forward at an impressive pace, and preparations are underway for another exciting year of Pirate Athletics.
It is hard to believe we are just over two months away from the start of the 2026 football season. Following the Beast Games event in May, Bagwell Field inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium has been completely re-sodded and will be ready for preseason practice in August.
The excitement surrounding Pirate Football continues to grow. Season tickets are well above last year's pace, and we are optimistic about a strong finish over the coming weeks. Premium seating demand remains at an all-time high with all Trade Club, Loge Box and Suite tickets in TowneBank Tower sold out for the sixth consecutive year. Williams-Clark Club inventory continues to move quickly, and we encourage fans to secure their seats as we head into July.
As we prepare for another season, I also wanted to update you on where we stand with the Pirates Unite Campaign, the ambitious initiative we launched in 2022.
We asked Pirate Nation to dream big and invest in the future of ECU Athletics.
You answered the call.
Because of the continued generosity, we achieved something remarkable that we should all be proud of. Together, we fully funded numerous projects – an accomplishment that will have a lasting impact on generations of Pirate student-athletes.
As we move toward the finish line, we ask for your help with one final step. If you have an outstanding Pirates Unite Campaign pledge, we respectfully ask that you fulfill your commitment according to your pledge schedule. Fulfilling every pledge allows us to meet the commitments made to these projects and will help us complete this historic campaign as strongly as we began it.
If we remain on schedule, we will have several new facilities and enhancements completed by the end of the year.
I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer with family and friends. It's been a busy and exciting time for ECU Athletics. Our football program and both basketball teams are on campus, facility projects continue to move forward at an impressive pace, and preparations are underway for another exciting year of Pirate Athletics.
It is hard to believe we are just over two months away from the start of the 2026 football season. Following the Beast Games event in May, Bagwell Field inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium has been completely re-sodded and will be ready for preseason practice in August.
The excitement surrounding Pirate Football continues to grow. Season tickets are well above last year's pace, and we are optimistic about a strong finish over the coming weeks. Premium seating demand remains at an all-time high with all Trade Club, Loge Box and Suite tickets in TowneBank Tower sold out for the sixth consecutive year. Williams-Clark Club inventory continues to move quickly, and we encourage fans to secure their seats as we head into July.
As we prepare for another season, I also wanted to update you on where we stand with the Pirates Unite Campaign, the ambitious initiative we launched in 2022.
We asked Pirate Nation to dream big and invest in the future of ECU Athletics.
You answered the call.
Because of the continued generosity, we achieved something remarkable that we should all be proud of. Together, we fully funded numerous projects – an accomplishment that will have a lasting impact on generations of Pirate student-athletes.
As we move toward the finish line, we ask for your help with one final step. If you have an outstanding Pirates Unite Campaign pledge, we respectfully ask that you fulfill your commitment according to your pledge schedule. Fulfilling every pledge allows us to meet the commitments made to these projects and will help us complete this historic campaign as strongly as we began it.
If we remain on schedule, we will have several new facilities and enhancements completed by the end of the year.
- Isley Indoor Performance Center – Construction continues to progress at an impressive pace. One side of the facility is fully enclosed, while the other is nearing completion. Electrical work is underway, and one of the final additions will be the full-length turf football field that will benefit every one of our sport programs. The Struyk Family Walkway is also beginning to take shape and will create a memorable entrance experience for future generations of Pirates.
- The Dick and Sarah Bennett Baseball Building – Construction is in full swing as interior renovations continue and the exterior of the new addition begins to come together. This project will significantly enhance the experience for our student-athletes while adding nearly 100 premium seats.
- Golf Training Facility at Ironwood Golf & Country Club - We are excited about the progress being made on this outstanding facility, which will feature team locker rooms and indoor hitting bays for both golf programs. In the past year, a new driving range was constructed, and new greens were installed at Ironwood Golf & Country Club thanks to the generosity of the Harold Varner Family. Anyone who has visited Ironwood recently has seen firsthand the quality and momentum of this project.
- Tailgate Plaza – A permanent shade sail was installed in the area to further enhance the experience. We have already sold several tents for the entire season as individuals and businesses begin preparing for their game day tailgate. You can find more information here.
What makes all these facilities even more meaningful is how they came to life.
These are not simply athletics facilities—they are facilities built by Pirate Nation.
Every brick, every beam and every improvement represent the commitment, passion and generosity of supporters who believe in the Pirates and the life-changing opportunities athletics provide our student-athletes.
We are excited that all these projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2026. We cannot wait to welcome you back to campus to see firsthand what your investment has made possible.
Because of you, ECU Athletics is stronger today and even better positioned for the future.
On behalf of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, thank you for believing in our vision, honoring your commitment, and continuing to invest in Pirate Nation.
Go Pirates!
Jon
These are not simply athletics facilities—they are facilities built by Pirate Nation.
Every brick, every beam and every improvement represent the commitment, passion and generosity of supporters who believe in the Pirates and the life-changing opportunities athletics provide our student-athletes.
We are excited that all these projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2026. We cannot wait to welcome you back to campus to see firsthand what your investment has made possible.
Because of you, ECU Athletics is stronger today and even better positioned for the future.
On behalf of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, thank you for believing in our vision, honoring your commitment, and continuing to invest in Pirate Nation.
Go Pirates!
Jon
Friday, May 29
Thursday, May 28
Sunday, May 24
Sunday, May 24
