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The Pirate (mascot)
Encyclopedia
PeeDee the Pirate is the official mascot of East Carolina University
. PeeDee is usually represented as a stylized Pirate cartoon, with an over sized head with a full black beard and patch over his right eye. On top of his head is a large purple hat with ECU written in yellow on the front. He wears a striped black and white shirt. Over the shirt is a purple overcoat with yellow lapel. PeeDee wears yellow knickerbockers
, held up by a black belt with a gold buckle. Below the knickerbockers are black fabric attached to black shoes. The Pirate was first associated with the university in 1983. He reflects the tradition of referring to East Carolina students as "Pirates." The Pirate is also one of East Carolina's emblems and trademarks. The Pirate was officially known as PeeDee the Pirate from 1983 to December 1985 and was officially recognized by the University as "The Pirate" afterwards. The University itself continues to refer to the Pirate mascot as "PeeDee" in several University publications.
Pirates
have long been associated with the North Carolina
coast. One of the most famous pirates, Blackbeard
, resided in the North Carolina coastal communities of Bath
, Beaufort
and Ocracoke
. The modern day mascot is based on the description of Blackbeard. Many other pirates used the shallow coast and Outer Banks
to evade capture. East Carolina officially became the Pirates in 1934. In 1983, a contest was developed to name the mascot. Children from all over Pitt County submitted their ideas, and PeeDee the Pirate was chosen. The Pee Dee River
is a river along the North Carolina and South Carolina
border where pirates often set up camp. In the 80's, the name was less than popular with ECU students because they didn't have any say in naming the mascot and in 1985, Chancellor Howell dropped "PeeDee" from the name, leaving the mascot the "Pirate." The name PeeDee continues to be used by many people around the program, but the official name of the mascot remains the "Pirate."
in the Homecoming game with the Marshall Thundering Herd
, the East Carolina athletic department unveiled an updated version of the pirate mascot. The new PeeDee was made to look similar to the athletic logo of the University. He sports a large purple hat with the newer ECU lettering, a shorter purple coat, a thicker and fuller beard with a full smile, and is taller and more muscular.
East Carolina University
East Carolina University is a public, coeducational, engaged doctoral/research university located in Greenville, North Carolina, United States. Named East Carolina University by statute and commonly known as ECU or East Carolina, the university is the largest institution of higher learning in...
. PeeDee is usually represented as a stylized Pirate cartoon, with an over sized head with a full black beard and patch over his right eye. On top of his head is a large purple hat with ECU written in yellow on the front. He wears a striped black and white shirt. Over the shirt is a purple overcoat with yellow lapel. PeeDee wears yellow knickerbockers
Knickerbockers (clothing)
Knickerbockers are men's or boys' breeches or baggy-kneed trousers particularly popular in the early twentieth century USA. Golfers' plus twos and plus fours were breeches of this type...
, held up by a black belt with a gold buckle. Below the knickerbockers are black fabric attached to black shoes. The Pirate was first associated with the university in 1983. He reflects the tradition of referring to East Carolina students as "Pirates." The Pirate is also one of East Carolina's emblems and trademarks. The Pirate was officially known as PeeDee the Pirate from 1983 to December 1985 and was officially recognized by the University as "The Pirate" afterwards. The University itself continues to refer to the Pirate mascot as "PeeDee" in several University publications.
History
Piracy
Piracy is an act of robbery or criminal violence at sea. The term can include acts committed on land, in the air, or in other major bodies of water or on a shore. It does not normally include crimes committed against persons traveling on the same vessel as the perpetrator...
have long been associated with the North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
coast. One of the most famous pirates, Blackbeard
Blackbeard
Edward Teach , better known as Blackbeard, was a notorious English pirate who operated around the West Indies and the eastern coast of the American colonies....
, resided in the North Carolina coastal communities of Bath
Bath, North Carolina
Bath is a town in Beaufort County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 268 at the 2008 census. Incorporated in 1705, Bath was North Carolina's first port of entry. Bath is North Carolina's oldest town, celebrating its 300th anniversary in 2005...
, Beaufort
Beaufort, North Carolina
Beaufort is a town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. Established in 1709, it is the third-oldest town in North Carolina.The population was 4,189 at the 2008 census and it is the county seat of Carteret County...
and Ocracoke
Ocracoke, North Carolina
Ocracoke is a census-designated place and unincorporated town located at the southern end of Ocracoke Island, located entirely within Hyde County, North Carolina. The population was 769 as of the 2000 census...
. The modern day mascot is based on the description of Blackbeard. Many other pirates used the shallow coast and Outer Banks
Outer Banks
The Outer Banks is a 200-mile long string of narrow barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, beginning in the southeastern corner of Virginia Beach on the east coast of the United States....
to evade capture. East Carolina officially became the Pirates in 1934. In 1983, a contest was developed to name the mascot. Children from all over Pitt County submitted their ideas, and PeeDee the Pirate was chosen. The Pee Dee River
Pee Dee River
The Pee Dee River, also known as the Great Pee Dee River, is a river in North Carolina and South Carolina. It originates in the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina, where its upper course above the mouth of the Uwharrie River is known as the Yadkin River. It is extensively dammed for flood...
is a river along the North Carolina and South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
border where pirates often set up camp. In the 80's, the name was less than popular with ECU students because they didn't have any say in naming the mascot and in 1985, Chancellor Howell dropped "PeeDee" from the name, leaving the mascot the "Pirate." The name PeeDee continues to be used by many people around the program, but the official name of the mascot remains the "Pirate."
The current PeeDee
During the 2008 football season2008 East Carolina Pirates football team
The 2008 East Carolina Pirates football team represented East Carolina University in the college football season of 2008-09. and plays their home games in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium...
in the Homecoming game with the Marshall Thundering Herd
Marshall Thundering Herd
The Marshall Thundering Herd are the intercollegiate athletic teams that collectively represent the Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Thundering Herd athletic teams compete in Conference USA, which are members of the NCAA Division I...
, the East Carolina athletic department unveiled an updated version of the pirate mascot. The new PeeDee was made to look similar to the athletic logo of the University. He sports a large purple hat with the newer ECU lettering, a shorter purple coat, a thicker and fuller beard with a full smile, and is taller and more muscular.