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From The Desk Of Terry Holland
Sept. 21, 2006
A BLACK EYE FOR THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AND THIS UNIVERSITY Saturday night's comeback win against the Memphis Tigers was fueled by a great deal of positive energy from the Pirate Nation. The synergy developing between our team and our fans was never more evident than when the team first thanked the student section and then sang the Fight Song with the ECU Marching Pirates. Along with many others, I stood there with tears streaming down my cheeks as I thought "this is what it is all about and that makes everyone's hard work to make this happen worthwhile." The game atmosphere was terrific and intimidating because our crowd had become a "team" behind the team on the field. When our fans respond to the team and each other in such a manner, WE ARE THE PIRATES OF ECU described in our fight song. However, a magnificent victory for everyone who cares about ECU was marred by these reports from Memphis fans who attended the game: Gentlemen, AND Mr. Holland: These fans preceded to run down to our section, yell and cuss in front of women and children, give the middle finger repeatedly. So, instead of preparing for a great showdown with the first Top Five team to visit Dowdy-Ficklen in almost 20 years, we are spending valuable time writing letters of apology. Much of the week will have to be spent developing plans for how to deal with the behavior our own fans. The subsequent loss of energy and momentum in the competitive environment of today's big-time athletic world can be critical. . The WVU Head Coach, Rich Rodriguez and Ed Pastilong, the Athletic Director, are personal friends. I admire the work both have done at WVU to create a first class nationally ranked program. One important step they have taken is to change the environment in their stadium. At one time, WVU fans were considered among the most obnoxious in the country. During our trip to Morgantown last year, we found a remarkably different environment. Our fans were welcomed and even protected by the WVU fans sitting around our proud group of Pirates. The behavior described by Memphis fans can not be tolerated by anyone who cares about East Carolina University. No amount of law enforcement or athletic department planning can change the ability of a few people to embarrass this great university in front of the whole nation. However, our REAL fans can more than make up for the few hooligans by continuing to welcome our visitors and congratulating them on the national ranking of their team. Those real fans can also help by letting the hooligans know that their behavior is not appreciated and by identifying the hooligans to security personnel when necessary. Any fan who acts with malice and/or vulgarity toward our visitors will be escorted from the premises and lose their ticket privileges to ECU events. Here are comments from one of our own fans who brought his family to the game: I apologize for the language I'll use...but to accurately illustrate what my 4yr old and 10 month old had to take in, here is what my family had to listen to for chants: -Instead of "BLOCK THAT KICK!!" we heard thousands saying "XXXX XX XXXX!!" and worse. Pretty graphic huh?!? We sounded like ignorant, trashy rednecks!! Thats not what I want other schools to know us for. If we are to succeed in our goal of building a first class program that represents the best of ECU, then every single one of us has to be accountable and responsible for our actions. GO PIRATES is our battle cry but if we are going to get to the top of the heap we must GO "first class" in everything we do. When ECU takes the field against the nation's fourth-ranked team on Saturday, the whole country will have the opportunity to watch and learn more about our great institution. Terry Holland ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ... the letter I read concerning bad, not poor, bad sportsmanship. There are many "big time" programs that have the same problem. The really neat thing is, the majority of teams have fans who appreciate the sport. I am a Husker. I'm sure you are aware, but beginning the first time Joe Paterno and PSU (1981) visited Memorial Stadium, they received a standing ovation as the team entered their locker room after beating us 30-24. It became a tradition. Every team, win or lose, receives the same standing ovation. Another case in point: anyone who has watched college football knows what the Nebraska-Oklahoma rivalry once was. As much as it was hard hitting on the field both teams and fan base respected one another's program. Win or lose, they received a standing ovation. Ricky Williams, after beating us, not only received a standing ovation but also received chants of "Ricky, Ricky, Ricky" the year he won the Heisman. Remember, this is came from NU fans in the NW corner of the stadium; Texas fans sat in the SW corner. The point is, the Ohio State's, the Michigan's, the Florida's of college football have class fans. I do not want to see ECU rank low enough to match the classless. I had three kids attend ECU, 2 graduated and 1 transferred back to Charlotte. My wife and I loved attending ECU games. "Go Pirates!" ********************************************************************************************************* I would like to personally apologize for the actions of my classmates at last weekend's game. Although I did not personally contribute to what went on, I saw it and did nothing to stop them. I have never felt more ashamed to be a Pirate or to be from eastern North Carolina for that matter. I promise to help create a better atmosphere along with other true pirate fans so thatour athletic department as well as the entire university can say they are proud to adorn the purple and gold. I thank you for all you do and once again apologize for the hurt this has caused our team, fans, and the reputation of this great university. Sincerely, ECU Student |
