Fans Back in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium for 2021 Season

ECU Athletics and the Pirate Club are looking forward to welcoming fans to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Saturday, September 11 for the Pirates football home opener against South Carolina at 12 noon. The game is sponsored by Vidant Health.
 
All parking lots will open at 7:00 a.m. Saturday and gates to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium will open at 10:00 a.m., two (2) hours before kickoff. The ECU Athletics Ticket Office will open at 9:00 a.m.
 
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium wasn't the same last year with crowd restrictions, but fans can expect traditional pregame and in-game activities. Enjoy the return of Gameday traditions such as Purple Haze, No Quarter, cannon blasts, "FIRST DOWN …. PIRATES!" and more.
 
Be sure to be in your seats early for the Sound of Pirate Nation: The Marching Pirates' pregame show and the debut of this year's intro video.
 
Coin Toss
ECU Chancellor Philip Rogers, ECU alum and current PGA Tour player Harold Varner, Pirate Club Executive President Glenn Hall, Pirate Club Executive Vice President Tony Cannon and Pirate Club Executive Committee Member Lance Clark will participate in the coin toss prior to kickoff.
 
Pirate Club Day
Saturday's game has been designated Pirate Club Day at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Several presentations and announcements will take place during the game to honor members of the Pirate Club, Student Pirate Club, Pirates Kids Club, the Pirate Club Executive Committee along with Chapter Presidents and Chapter Reps.
 
The newest members of the VanSant Society will be honored on the video board. The VanSant Society, named in honor of Dr. Henry VanSant, was created to recognize Pirate Club members with 25 years or more of consecutive membership.
 
Members of the Pirate Club Executive Committee include: Glenn Hall (President), Tony Cannon (Vice President), Tim Martin (Past President), Cal Christian (Faculty Athletics Representative), Walter Hinson (Legal Counsel), Al Bagwell, Sarah Bennett, George Parker, Greg Steele, Lance Clark, Philip Herendeen, Bob Lucas, Landon Minges, Junior Smith, Jennifer Tyner, Doug Gomes, Chris Knott, Sharon Raynor, Gene Rodgers and Sean Smith.
 
Carl and Connie Rogers Pirate Club Level with New Fan Enhancements
If you are a Pirate Club member, make sure you stop by the Carl and Connie Rogers Pirate Club Level each game. This is a great area for Pirate fans to gather and socialize before entering the game or to discuss the game at halftime. Pirate Club members and their guests will be admitted with at least one Pirate Club membership card.
 
A new promotion to benefit Pirate Club members will be launched on Saturday. The first 100 visitors to the Carl and Connie Rogers Pirate Club Level one hour prior to each game will receive a complimentary drink ticket (beer, soda, water) courtesy of the Pirate Club. The tickets will be distributed beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. The Carl and Connie Rogers Pirate Club will open to all Pirate Club members beginning at 8:00 AM for use of concessions stands and bathrooms.
 
The ECU Pirates Flagship Station, 94.3 The Game, will broadcast live from right outside the area from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday and throughout the season. Special guests will make appearances throughout the show each week including ECU Director of Athletics Jon Gilbert.
 
Carl and Connie Rogers, Pirate Club members and season ticket holders of 30 years, have displayed their commitment and support to ECU Athletics through significant gifts to various capital campaigns including the Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium Southside Renovation, Clark-LeClair Stadium, Smith-Williams Basketball Practice Facility and the Step Up to The Highest Level Campaign. 
 
Pirate Walk
The Pirate Walk will begin two hours and a half hours prior to kickoff on the Howard & Lyn Swain Pirate Promenade in front of TowneBank Tower. Saturday's Pirate Walk will begin at 9:30 a.m. Fans are encouraged to cheer on the Pirates during the walk while refraining from hugs, high-fives, and handshakes as a precaution.
 
The ECU Marching Band and members of the Spirit Squad will lead head coach Mike Houston and student-athletes down the walkway leading to TowneBank Tower. The group will walk in front of historic Scales Field House toward the Ward Sports Medicine Building and the team's lockerroom.
 
Kids Zone Is Back for 2021
The Kids Zone inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium returns in 2021 after a successful launch in 2019.  The Kids Zone is sponsored by Greenville Utilities, Eastern Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry and Sawyer's Fun Park. The Kids Zone is in the grass area right behind Sections 10-11 with Gate 4 being the nearest gate.
 
The Kids Zone features interactive games, giveaways, an inflatable mini-golf course, pop-a-shot, and a football toss among other games, the Kids Zone will be open two hours prior to kickoff. In addition to games, the area will have a device charging station, coloring station, and a photo zone where young Pirates can try on uniforms and dress like their favorite Pirate.
 
Celebrating Our Heroes
ECU Athletics has planned a special halftime show in remembrance of those lost on 9/11. Be sure to stay in your seats for the show that salutes local police, fire and rescue personnel as well as active duty military and veterans.
 
Upgrades to Williams Clark Club
Pirate fans with tickets in the Williams Clark Club will notice several new enhancements to the area. Beer, wine, and liquor will now be offered. The area includes new furniture, multiple new TVs, and updated graphics.
 
Pirate Heroes in Attendance
More than 6,000 Pirate Heroes will be in attendance for Saturday's game thanks to Bill Clark Homes. The Pirate Heroes initiative was launched after Bill Clark Homes made a significant donation to purchase the remaining upper deck tickets, nearly 6,000, to enable ECU Athletics to distribute tickets to the individuals who provide selfless service to the local community and region.
 
Beneficiaries of Pirate Heroes initiative include frontline workers, first responders, military members, health care workers, emergency medical personnel, police officers and firefighters.
 
Mask Up Indoors
Beginning August 4, 2021, ECU announced that face coverings are required in all indoor spaces on campus. On ECU's campus, no face coverings are required outdoors for vaccinated individuals, but masks are encouraged, especially in large crowds. Masks are not required if you are actively eating or drinking.
 
Please stay home if you have COVID-19, if you have symptoms of COVID-19, if you are waiting for COVID-19 test results, or may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Beer and Wine
Beer and wine will continue to be sold at select locations inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
 
Fans will be able to purchase beer and wine at eight stand-alone locations around Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Each person 21 or over will be required to wear a wristband to purchase, possess or consume alcohol. Wristbands will be issued with a valid ID to individuals 21 and over at kiosks inside the venue. Individuals consuming alcohol must always be able to produce a valid photo ID as stadium personnel may ask to see an ID at locations away from the original point of sale.
 
Only one alcoholic beverage per person may be purchased per transaction. Sales will begin two hours prior to kickoff inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium with all sales scheduled to end at the end of the third quarter.
 
In partnership with Aramark, a variety of domestic, imported and craft beers will be available for purchase. Concession stands inside the student section will not sell beer and wine.
 
Clear Bag Policy
To enhance safety and expedite fan entry at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, East Carolina University has implemented safety policies for fans bringing bags into the stadium.
 
Only one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon, clear, resealable plastic storage bag per person will be permitted. Fans will also be allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.
 
Diaper bags and non-medically necessary items are allowed if accompanied by an infant or young children. Each member of a family, including children, can carry an approved clear bag and clutch purse into the stadium.

Fans interested in purchasing an approved clear bag may visit the Dowdy Student Store in the ECU Main Student Center as well as other area retailers.
 
Rideshare service
East Carolina Athletics has established a pickup and drop-off point for Uber and Lyft on Saturdays.
 
Prior to kickoff and during and after game, ride-sharing drop-offs will continue at 14^th Street between Elm and Berkeley. Ride sharing and personal vehicles, including golf carts & low speed vehicles, will NOT be allowed access beyond campus roadblocks without proper credentials. This policy includes all ride sharing services.