ECU Pirate Club Unveils “All Hands on Deck” Campaign
February 08, 2018 | General
Hands on Deck Campaign Video
GREENVILLE, N.C. – The ECU Pirate Club announced the launch of its All Hands on Deck campaign Thursday in an effort to increase membership to 20,000 and reach $12 million in scholarship support.
As outlined in the campaign video available here, the five-year initiative will look to engage, motivate and empower all members of Pirate Nation to make a positive impact on the future of ECU Athletics. The All Hands on Deck membership drive will require all of Pirate Nation to join together and take part in forever changing the course of all our athletics programs.
"Our potential for membership growth and success begins at the chapter level because of the passion and commitment of Pirates across the region and beyond," Pirate Club Executive Director Phillip Wood said. "Every dollar from every donor counts in our effort to support our student-athlete scholarship bill, while establishing ECU Athletics as a leader in academics and athletics. It begins – one Pirate at a time."
Built on the continuous support from loyal donors and fans, the Pirate Club has grown into one of the premier collegiate support organizations in the country. This support provides over 470 Pirate student-athletes the resources needed to succeed on and off the field, and has helped ECU Athletics become nationally-recognized in the American Athletic Conference.
However, the need for increased financial support continues to grow.
Due to increases in tuition costs, removal of the out-of-state scholarship exemption and the addition of full cost of attendance, the total scholarship bill has increased by 116% since 2010.
The Pirate Club currently funds only 80% of the annual scholarship bill. The remaining 20% is funded through the athletics operations budget, which inhibits the department from investing in other areas in its pursuit of academic and athletic excellence. To fully fund all 20 Pirate sports, an approximate $2.5 million shortfall remains.
Despite ticket sales and annual fund scholarship support being at the top of the American Athletic Conference, the Pirates rank 11th among the 12 football member institutions in overall athletics budget. Compared to other conference institutions, ECU receives significantly less state and university support.
To meet its financial operating needs, ECU Athletics is forced to allocate money and resources from other budget categories to meet critical areas of need, such as recruiting, facilities, strength and conditioning, nutrition and academics.
The All Hands on Deck initiative will enhance ECU Athletics and directly impact the lives of Pirate student-athletes. The challenge to answer the call across Pirate Nation has been sounded. From current or previous Pirate Club members, Young Grad members, SPC members, letterwinners, faculty and staff members to alumni, the Pirate Club needs every Pirate to get involved to make this goal become a reality.
"Among the 170,000 living ECU alumni, only 4% are current Pirate Club members," executive president Tim Martin pointed out. "For this endeavor to be successful, we are looking to our alumni to hoist the colors and join us in supporting ECU Athletics. They are Pirates. They bleed Purple & Gold, and we need them."
By making a commitment to the Pirate Club and the All Hands on Deck campaign, each member has the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of ECU student-athletes and provide them the resources to succeed among the nation's elite programs.
In the forthcoming weeks, an action plan will be released outlining the All Hands on Deck campaign. For more information, please contact the Pirate Club office at (252) 737-4540 or ecupirateclub@ecu.edu.
As outlined in the campaign video available here, the five-year initiative will look to engage, motivate and empower all members of Pirate Nation to make a positive impact on the future of ECU Athletics. The All Hands on Deck membership drive will require all of Pirate Nation to join together and take part in forever changing the course of all our athletics programs.
"Our potential for membership growth and success begins at the chapter level because of the passion and commitment of Pirates across the region and beyond," Pirate Club Executive Director Phillip Wood said. "Every dollar from every donor counts in our effort to support our student-athlete scholarship bill, while establishing ECU Athletics as a leader in academics and athletics. It begins – one Pirate at a time."
Built on the continuous support from loyal donors and fans, the Pirate Club has grown into one of the premier collegiate support organizations in the country. This support provides over 470 Pirate student-athletes the resources needed to succeed on and off the field, and has helped ECU Athletics become nationally-recognized in the American Athletic Conference.
However, the need for increased financial support continues to grow.
Due to increases in tuition costs, removal of the out-of-state scholarship exemption and the addition of full cost of attendance, the total scholarship bill has increased by 116% since 2010.
The Pirate Club currently funds only 80% of the annual scholarship bill. The remaining 20% is funded through the athletics operations budget, which inhibits the department from investing in other areas in its pursuit of academic and athletic excellence. To fully fund all 20 Pirate sports, an approximate $2.5 million shortfall remains.
Despite ticket sales and annual fund scholarship support being at the top of the American Athletic Conference, the Pirates rank 11th among the 12 football member institutions in overall athletics budget. Compared to other conference institutions, ECU receives significantly less state and university support.
To meet its financial operating needs, ECU Athletics is forced to allocate money and resources from other budget categories to meet critical areas of need, such as recruiting, facilities, strength and conditioning, nutrition and academics.
The All Hands on Deck initiative will enhance ECU Athletics and directly impact the lives of Pirate student-athletes. The challenge to answer the call across Pirate Nation has been sounded. From current or previous Pirate Club members, Young Grad members, SPC members, letterwinners, faculty and staff members to alumni, the Pirate Club needs every Pirate to get involved to make this goal become a reality.
"Among the 170,000 living ECU alumni, only 4% are current Pirate Club members," executive president Tim Martin pointed out. "For this endeavor to be successful, we are looking to our alumni to hoist the colors and join us in supporting ECU Athletics. They are Pirates. They bleed Purple & Gold, and we need them."
By making a commitment to the Pirate Club and the All Hands on Deck campaign, each member has the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of ECU student-athletes and provide them the resources to succeed among the nation's elite programs.
In the forthcoming weeks, an action plan will be released outlining the All Hands on Deck campaign. For more information, please contact the Pirate Club office at (252) 737-4540 or ecupirateclub@ecu.edu.
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