Aug. 1, 2012

GREENVILLE, N.C. - East Carolina University is participating in the inaugural Pledge Your Allegiance for College Colors Day spirit competition and is asking for fan support to help win the prestigious College Colors Day Spirit Cup and $10,000 toward the general scholarship fund.

By visiting www.espn.com/collegecolorsday, Pirate fans can register to pledge their allegiance to East Carolina as the school with the most college spirit and loyal fan base. All registrants are entered to win weekly $50 gift cards from ESPN Shop and one of two grand prizes including a $500 college shopping spree at ESPN Shop.

"The support of the Pirate Nation is the foundation of our success at East Carolina," said East Carolina Athletics Director Terry Holland. "The spirit and passion shown by ECU fans at athletic events for their Pirates is second to none. As we kick-off the 2012-13 year, this is a great opportunity for the ECU alumni, students, staff and fans to display their Pirate spirit on a national platform by going online to www.espn.com/collegecolorsday and registering for East Carolina."

The website-based rivalry competition, which includes 165 participating colleges and universities and is an element of this year's 2012 College Colors Day celebration, is set to go LIVE beginning August 1, 2012 and will run through the entire month leading up to College Colors Day on August 31. Throughout the competition, standings will be tracked nationally, as well as by conference.

College Colors Day is an annual celebration dedicated to promoting the traditions and spirit that embody the college experience by encouraging fans across America to wear their favorite college or university apparel throughout the day on Friday, August 31.

The inaugural national spirit competition is presented by The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), a division of IMG College, and NCAA Football.

"We are excited to engage fans in the first-ever College Colors Day spirit rivalry competition on ESPN.com," said Catherine Gammon, Senior Vice President-Brand Development, The Collegiate Licensing Company, a division of IMG College. "We encourage all fans to cast their pledge and spread the word with fellow fans to ensure their favorite school is crowned the winner of the College Colors Day Spirit Cup."

Pirate Fans are also encouraged to share the Pledge Your Allegiance for College Colors Day competition through Facebook.