East Carolina University: Off the Record

College guides written by students for students.

East Carolina University Students Tell It Like It Is

Arrgh! Wanna be a pirate? Then East Carolina University might be the place for you! ECU's sports teams are nicknamed the Pirates and even feature "PeeDee" the pirate mascot. PeeDee's image has changed over time, from the cartoonish icon of yesteryear to the sinister plunderer that he is today.

Varsity sports include Football, Baseball, Softball, and Swimming and Diving. Sports are popular at ECU, but not because the teams are known for winning.

"It's so funny how ECU keeps losing at most of the big sports, but the fans who are still going to the games are still enthusiastic. Are they too drunk to notice?

Freeboot Friday is held every Friday evening before home football games in Greenville. On these days, there are free concerts, free food, children's activities, and wine and beer for the over-21 crowd.

For those students not interested in sports, there are other options. Barefoot on the Mall takes place every spring, where musicians from all genres gather and perform an all-day concert. The event features games, rides, and food vendors.

Whether the Pirates win or lose, it's how you play the academic game, right?

"It seems like ECU is always developing new programs, like the new undergraduate security studies program, and the University is even a member of the National Consortium for Homeland Security, which is sort of cool, but scary, too."

Visiting campus isn't enough.

Read our East Carolina University insider's guide and discover what it feels like to be on campus for 4 years.

Discover if ECU is right for you.