Are You Ready for Some … East Carolina University Football?
In the state of North Carolina, the changing of the seasons from summer to fall signifies many things. However, more so than the changing colors of the leaves, or the beautiful, crisp autumn air, one tradition across the “Tar Heel State” that may be the most symbolic of the season is the start of another football season. In choosing to relocate to the premier NC golf community, Belmont Lake Preserve, you truly are “never too far from” a wide selection of both Division I NCAA and even National Football League action. In this, the first of a three-part series on the North Carolina Living tradition that takes us on too the gridiron every Saturday and Sunday (and sometimes during the week, too!) we take a look at the closest squad to Rocky Mount, and ask, “Are you ready for some East Carolina University Football?”
ECU has seen many superstar players move on from the program to the NFL, like Chris Johnson (pictured above)
East Carolina University Football (ECU) play their home games throughout the American Athletic Conference (AAC) schedule and against some home state rivals at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina just over 40 miles away from Belmont Lake Preserve. Entering a new era in the East Carolina University Football program, first year head coach, Scottie Montgomery will look to relive the Pirates past glory which has seen them win a total of seven conference titles, picking up championships in each of the conferences they were a part of prior to joining the AAC. (North State, Southern, and Conference USA)
This season, the East Carolina University Football team will not only play their always spirited conference games, but also have several interesting non-conference matchups as well that should have the Pirates’ “purple and yellow” faithful cheering right from the opening snap. ECU will open the season with two consecutive home games, hosting Western Carolina on Saturday, September 3 before welcoming the NC State Wolfpack into Greenville for “Hall of Fame Weekend” festivities on September 10. The remainder of their tough non-conference schedule takes them on the road for games with powerhouses, South Carolina and Virginia Tech.
As passionate of a fan base as any in the nation, the ECU “Pirate Nation” is always behind their team
Kicking off their home AAC schedule on Saturday, October 1, the University of Central Florida visits Dowdy-Ficken Stadium for “Paint it Purple Family Weekend.” The remainder of the home 2016 schedule for East Carolina University Football will see Navy come to the Greenville campus on Thursday night for a nationally televised game on ESPN, before the final two home contests take place on Saturdays, October 13 against Connecticut and October 29 versus SMU.
The East Carolina University Football program has some of the most passionate fans across the entire state, as do the remaining college and professional teams to be touched upon in the two stories to follow this one, covering the exciting football action that you are “never too far from” at Belmont Lake Preserve. For more information on the ECU Pirates 2016 season including ticket information, visit ecupirates.com.
