East Carolina Football. Pirate Traditions

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2 East Carolina Football Pirate Traditions

3 Cannon A tradition that dates back to at least 1967, the cannon in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium end zone is fired at the end of the National Anthem, when the team runs onto the field, when the Pirates score and at the conclusion of all games. Purple Haze The classic Jimi Hendrix tune is played prior to the start of every home football game as the Pirates take to the field through a cloud of purple smoke. The team entrance was enhanced in 2002 with the addition of an inflatable tunnel that leads from the new Murphy Center to the west end zone. Mascot The costumed Pirate mascot became associated with East Carolina in Other team mascots through the years have been a dog, Pete, which accompanied the team in the 1970s, students dressed as parrots or pirates, and even a live wildcat, which served as the mascot in First Down Pirates! The First Down... Pirates cheer was begun by former public dress announcer Jon Moore and has continued since his retirement. The cheer follows a key ECU first down play when the announcer gives the spot of the ball and saying, Where it is a first down... followed by the crowd s yell of Pirates! Alma Mater The ECU Alma Mater is "Hail to Thy Name So Fair". It first appeared in the ECTC Student Handbook where it was attributed to a student by the name of Harold A. McDougle ('44). McDougle later became a part-time instructor in the Music Department at ECTC ( ) and a music teacher at Greenville High School ( ). School Colors The school colors for East Carolina University - purple and gold - go back to the time when the first students arrived on campus in ECU historian Dr. Mary Jo Bratton, the author of East Carolina University The Formative Years , said the selection of school colors represented one of the first traditions established by the students. In the early fall of 1909 the administration asked students for their suggestions on school colors. Old gold and royal purple won the vote. In the following year, the colors carried over to the school's first baseball team, a club team that won most of its games. According to Bratton the opening game produced a 6-2 win for East Carolina against a local Greenville team. The newspaper account of the game credited the effective cheering of the young ladies of the school for winning the victory for the purple and gold East Carolina Football 197

4 Jeff Blake ( ), a Second-Team All-America pick in 1991, led ECU to a No. 9 national ranking after a win over N.C. State in the 1992 Peach Bowl. Blake set or tied 32 ECU records, earned ECAC Player-of-the-Year honors and finished ninth in the 1991 Heisman Trophy balloting. Blake has spent 15 years in the NFL after being drafted by the N.Y. Jets in He has passed for more than 21,000 and has 148 touchdowns, 134 coming through the air. Marcus Crandell ( ) was named First-Team All-South Independent an ECAC All-Star in Crandell ranked among the nation s top 10 in total offense in 1994 and In 1996 he was a Unitas Golden Arm Award candidate and participated in the East-West Shrine Game. David Garrard ( ) rewrote the school s record books in his four seasons at ECU. He holds career records with 10,238 yards in total offense, 9,029 yards passing, 666 completions and 60 touchdown passes. Garrard, a three-time All- Conference USA selection, was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft and enters his fifth season in the NFL. Danny Gonzalez ( ), a 1997 Blue- Gray Game participant, holds single-game records for pass attempts (62) and completions (37). He ranks sixth all-time in passing yards (3,868). Quarterbacks David Garrard Jeff Blake Marcus Crandell Dan Gonzalez East Carolina Football

5 Earnest Byner ( ) was named Honorable Mention All-America in He ranks 11th on ECU s all-time rushing list (2,049). A two-time Pro-Bowl selection, Byner guided the Washington Redskins to a victory over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVI. Carlester Crumpler ( ), a two-time Honorable Mention All-America, all-state and All-Southern Conference player, ranks third all-time on the Pirates career rushing charts (2,889). Scott Harley ( ) holds ECU s singleseason rushing record (1,745) and the single-game record (351). Leonard Henry ( ), a Third-Team All-America (2001) and two-time All-Conference USA selection, was the nation s sixth-leading rusher in He holds the single-season scoring record (108 points) and ranks second on the all-time career rushing (3,089) and second on the singleseason (1,432) charts. Junior Smith ( ) is ECU s all-time leading rusher with 3,745 yards. He was a three-time Honorable Mention All-America and two-time All-South Independent selection. Earnest Byner Running Backs Carlester Crumpler Scott Harley Leonard Henry Junior Smith 2006 East Carolina Football 199

6 Carlester Crumpler, Jr. ( ) was named a First-Team Walter Camp All-America as a tight end in Crumpler also was a two-time Honorable Mention All-America ( ) and two-time First- Team All-South Independent selection. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 1994 NFL Draft. Hunter Gallimore ( ), a 1991 Honorable Mention All-America and First-Team All-South Independent choice, recorded five catches for 113 yards and one touchdown in the 1992 Peach Bowl victory over in-state rival N.C. State. Mitchell Galloway ( ) ranks third alltime in receptions (131) and second in receiving yards (1,754) in Pirate history. He was a two-time All- Independent selection and named to the 1994 All- Liberty Bowl Alliance and All-ECAC first-teams. Larry Shannon ( ) led the nation in yards per reception (21.4) as a junior on his way to being named to the 1996 ECAC Division I-A All- Star Team. He was a 1996 Biletnikoff Award candidate and a 1998 Senior Bowl participant. In 1998, Shannon was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round. Troy Smith ( ) ranks third on ECU s single-season reception list (54) and has 1,982 career receiving yards, which is the school s all-time record. Receivers/Ends Troy Smith Carlester Crumpler, Jr. Hunter Gallimore Mitchell Galloway Larry Shannon East Carolina Football

7 Wayne Inman ( ), a two-time All- South Independent selection, was the first ever offensive position player for the Pirates to earn Associated Press All-America honors (1979). Inman anchored an offensive line that ranked as the No. 1 rushing offense in the country in Terry Long ( ) was ECU s first-ever First-Team All-America honoree and the first consensus All-America in A participant in the 1983 Blue- Gray Game and the Hula Bowl, Long earned First- Team All-South Independent honors in 1982 and He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 1984 NFL Draft. Brian Rimpf ( ), a two-time Honorable Mention All-America and three-time First-Team All- Conference USA pick, paved the way for three consecutive 1,000 yard rushers while at ECU. In 2001, he anchored an offensive unit that ranked No. 25 nationally in rushing. Rimpf participated in the 2004 Senior Bowl and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Tom Scott ( ) started all four-years at ECU, garnering All-America honors in Scott was a two-time All-South Independent first-team selection ( ) and participated in the 1993 East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl. He was drafted in the sixth round by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1993 NFL Draft. Tom Scott Offensive Linemen Terry Long Wayne Inman Brian Rimpf 2006 East Carolina Football 201

8 Roderick Coleman ( ) holds six sack records for the Pirates, including the career mark with 39. He earned First-Team All-Conference USA honors as a senior and participated in the 1998 Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Game. Coleman was a fifth-round draft pick by the Oakland Raiders in 1999 and helped the Raiders win the 2002 AFC title and a Super Bowl XXXVII appearance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Travis Darden ( ) started 42 of 44 games during his four-year career for the Pirates. He earned First-Team All-Conference USA honors in 1998 after recording 42 tackles and four sacks. George Koonce ( ), a two-year starter, recorded 84 tackles and seven sacks as a senior. He earned Second-Team All-South Independent honors in Koonce spent nine seasons in the NFL, eight with Green Bay, where he helped guide the Packers to consecutive Super Bowl appearances in Jody Schulz ( ) earned 1982 Associated Press All-America honors and was named to the All-South Independent (first-team) squad after posting 105 tackles for the Pirates. In 1981, he led the team in tackles with 125 including nine sacks. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 1983 draft, the second-highest pick in ECU history. Defensive Linemen Rod Coleman Travis Darden George Koonce Jody Schulz East Carolina Football

9 Pernell Griffin ( ) earned Fourth-Team All-America honors from The Sporting News in A 1998 Freshman All-America and three-time First-Team All-Conference USA selection ( ), Griffin led ECU in total tackles for three consecutive seasons ( ) and ranks third on the all-time tackles chart with 460. In 2004, he was named to the Conference USA s All-Decade Team. Robert Jones ( ), a 1991 consensus First-Team All-America and three-time All-South Independent selection, ranks second all-time in tackles with 478. He holds the junior record for tackles in a season with 167 and led the Pirates for three straight seasons in total tackles. Jones, drafted No. 24 overall in 1991 by the Dallas Cowboys, is ECU s highest-ever draft pick and is a three-time Super Bowl Champion with the Cowboys. Jones was enshrined into ECU s Hall of Fame in Jeff Kerr ( ) is a three-time All- Conference USA selection who holds the sophomore record for tackles in a season with 167. Mark Libiano ( ), a two-time First- Team All-South Independent selection ( ), was named All-South Independent Defensive Player-of-the-Year in Harold Randolph ( ), a two-time Honorable Mention All-America pick ( ), holds the Pirates record for tackles with 493. Linebackers Pernell Griffin Robert Jones Jeff Kerr Mark Libiano Harold Randolph 2006 East Carolina Football 203

10 Kelly Hardy ( ) set a school record with 30 pass breakups during his career. In 2002, he led the Pirates in total tackles with 110 and was selected to participate in the 2003 Rotary Gridiron Classic College All-Star Game in Orlando, Fla. Emmanuel McDaniel ( ) led the Pirates in interceptions for three-straight years ( ) and earned First-Team All-South Independent honors in After being drafted in the fourth round by the Carolina Panthers in 1996, McDaniel spent nine seasons in the NFL playing for the Cardinals, Giants, Panthers, Colts and Dolphins. During the season, McDaniel helped the N.Y. Giants to the NFC Championship and an appearance in Super Bowl XXXV against the Baltimore Ravens. Reggie Pinkney ( ), a First-Team All-Southern Conference selection in 1976, led the Pirates in interceptions in 1974 and He is tied with Dwight Henry ( , 1997) for the second longest interception return for a touchdown in ECU history (98 yards). A sixth-round draft pick by the Detroit Lions in 1977, Pinkney participated in the 1976 North-South Shrine Game and also holds five ECU interception records. Junior Robinson ( ) earned The Sporting News Second-Team All-America and First- Team All-South Independent honors in 1989 and led the Pirates in interceptions for two consecutive seasons ( ). Defensive Backs Emmanuel McDaniel Kelly Hardy Reggie Pinkney Junior Robinson East Carolina Football

11 Andrew Bayes ( ), a 1999 consensus First-Team All-America and three-time All-Conference USA selection, led the nation in punting average (48.1 yards) in He became Conference USA s firstever consensus All-America performer. John Jett ( ) ranks fourth on the Pirates career punting average chart (40.0 yards). In 1991, he was named Honorable Mention All-America and Second-Team All-South Independent. He spent 11 seasons in the NFL playing four with the Dallas Cowboys and his last seven with the Detroit Lions. Kevin Miller ( ) became ECU s all-time leading scorer during the season. Finishing with 287 points, he shattered the old record of 251 set by Jeff Heath ( ) and finished third on the Conference USA all-time scoring chart. Miller, a two-time Lou Groza Award semifinalist, holds 14 ECU kicking and scoring records. Keith Stokes ( ) earned Second-Team All-Conference USA honors as a junior. He averaged 15.5 yards per punt return during the season on the way to setting a then ECU career mark. Henry Gizmo Williams ( ) was the nation s No. 1 kick returner (31.1 yards) in 1983 and performed his trademark front flip in the end zone each time he scored a touchdown. He was enshrined into the CFL Hall of Fame in January, Specialists Keith Stokes Andrew Bayes John Jett Kevin Miller Henry Williams 2006 East Carolina Football 205

12 COACHING GREATS Pat Dye ( ) recorded at least seven wins in all six seasons as head coach. Dye led ECU to an 8-3 mark in its first year as a Division I independent school in Ed Emory ( ) led ECU to its first appearance in the final national Associated Press poll in 1983 with a ranking of 20th after posting an 8-3 record. The three losses that season came to Florida State, Florida and Miami (Fla.) by a total of 13 points. Skip Holtz (2005-present) became the 19th head coach of the Pirates on Dec. 3, In his first year at the helm of the Pirate ship, he led ECU to five wins the highest total since Bill Lewis ( ) led the 1991 Pirate team to a national top 10 ranking with an 11-1 record and a victory over in-state rival N.C. State in the 1992 Peach Bowl. Lewis was named 1991 National Coach-of-the-Year. Steve Logan ( ) is the Pirates all-time winningest coach in history with 69 wins. He guided ECU to five bowl appearances and a No. 23 ranking in the final 1995 national poll. Clarence Stasavich ( ) is the only coach to guide the Pirates to three straight nine-win seasons. He was named 1964 National Coach-of-the-Year. Coaches Skip Holtz Clarence Stasavich Pat Dye Ed Emory Bill Lewis Steve Logan East Carolina Football

13 ECU BOWL SUCCESS 2000 galleryfurniture.com Bowl East Carolina 40 Texas Tech Peach Bowl 1995 St. Jude Liberty Bowl East Carolina 19 Stanford Peach Bowl East Carolina 37 N.C. State Independence Bowl East Carolina 35 Louisiana Tech Tangerine Bowl East Carolina 31 Maine Tangerine Bowl East Carolina 14 Massachusettes Eastern Bowl East Carolina 27 Northeastern 6 Bowl Victories Tangerine Bowl Independence Bowl Peach Bowl Liberty Bowl Gallery Furniture Bowl 2006 East Carolina Football 207

14 NFL GREATS East Carolina has had 53 players selected in the NFL Draft dating back to The Pirates have had at least one player chosen in 12 of the past 16 drafts, with former offensive tackle Guy Whimper being the last selected in the 2006 NFL Draft by the N.Y. Giants. Robert Jones is the only Pirate to ever be chosen in the first round of the NFL Draft. The Dallas Cowboys selected Jones with the No. 24 overall pick in In 1984, eight Pirates were selected in the draft, the most in school history. East Carolina has produced eight players who have played in 11 Super Bowls dating back to Five of those Pirates have won World Championships, with Robert Jones winning three with the Dallas Cowboys. ECU has 12 former players scheduled to be in NFL training camps when the league preseason workouts began in July. NFL Pirates John Jett Anthony Collins David Garrard Terry Long Vinson Smith East Carolina Football