Family Weekend Events
Please continue to visit this page as more events and details will be included.
Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at least 48 hours prior to the event at (252) 737-1018 / ada-coordinator@ecu.edu
Friday, September 22
Paint it Purple Fridays
This has been an ECU tradition for many years. We want everyone, including our families, to wear purple and show their Pirate Pride!
Family Weekend Service Project
1:00pm-3:00pm EST | Main Campus Student Center, Ballroom C
Please join the Office of Parent and Family Programs and the Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement for an indoor afternoon service project. All the materials will be provided, we just need your help to provide the labor. We will be partnering with Macgregor Downs Assisted Living Facility to make fall garden flags that will be donated to residents of the facility to brighten their day. Artistic skills not necessary, as long as you can trace and color with markers! This event is open to any current ECU student and their family/friends. What better way to celebrate Family Weekend 2023 than by participating in service and giving back to our community! Please sign up here to let us know you’re coming!
In addition to the service project, we will be collecting needed items for the on campus Purple Pantry, which provides food and supplies for students in need. You can bring items to the Service Project or purchase items on their Amazon Wishlist.
Should you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Alex Dennis, Senior Assistant Director – Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement – dennisa15@ecu.edu
Minigolf at The Main Campus Library
1:00pm-5:00pm EST | Joyner Library
Tee up! The Main Campus Library invites families to try our mini-golf course during Family Weekend. Take a break from the heat, grab yourself a treat and relax in one of our study spaces before your next activity!
Family Weekend Hospitality Table and T-Shirt Pickup
1:00pm-6:00pm EST | Main Campus Student Center, room 125
Stop by this location to pick up your Family Weekend T-shirts, receive some Family Weekend goodies, and visit our sponsor tables!
No Quarter: The History of East Carolina Football and Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium
1:00pm-9:00pm | Joyner Library, 2nd & 3rd Floors
Explore the rich history of Pirate football and passion of Pirate Nation with “No Quarter: The History of East Carolina Football and Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.” This exhibit features panels filled with photos and facts detailing ECU football’s history. Items on display include the 1963 Eastern Bowl trophy, from the Pirates’ first bowl win, and a 1964 preseason playbook that featured plays from coach Clarence Stasavich. Also, as recent as a coach Mike Houston-signed game ticket from the Pirates’ 53-29 win over Coastal Carolina at the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 27, 2022.
Visit the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Main Campus Library to view the exhibit. https://library.ecu.edu/noquarter/
Student Academic Success Open House
3:00pm-5:00pm, Old Cafeteria Complex, North Entrance
Pirate Academic Success starts here! Tour and learn more about the many success services offered to your student. Meet the student success team and discover how the Pirate Academic Success Center (tutoring, study skills coaching, study groups & workshops) TrACE transfer student success program, Gear Up NC program, and Connect for Success program can help your student succeed!
Get the Scoop on Your First-Generation Student’s Success!
3:30pm-5:00pm | Main Campus Student Center, Black Box Theater
Calling all First-Gen Pirates and their families! Come out and enjoy some ice cream as you learn about ways ECU supports first generation college students. Discover opportunities and resources that are available to your student and meet other first-gen pirates and families!
College of Business Family Weekend Reception
5:30pm-7:00pm | Main Student Center 3rd Floor Deck
Join us for an informal reception and meet Interim Dean Michael Harris, as well as the faculty, staff and academic advisors that support your student. Be sure to have your family picture taken (printed on site). RSVP is appreciated but not required: COB RSVP
Freeboot Friday Canceled due to Rain
5:30pm-8:30pm | Five Points Plaza (corner of 5th Street and Evans Street), Uptown Greenville
Dubbed the official pep rally of football games, this free event will have live music, food trucks, an athlete meet and greet, a beer and wine garden, and tons of giveaways. We invite all students and their families to join for this classic pre-game activity. It’s going to be arrgh-some!
https://downtowngreenville.com/calendar/freeboot-friday-3/
ECU School of Theatre and Dance Family Weekend Event
6:00pm-8:00pm | Messick Theatre Arts Center, Burnette Studio Theatre
Get ready to be amazed! Our Family Weekend event at the School of Theatre and Dance is free and open to ALL. From musicals to dance, drama to costumes, set designs to scenery construction, there’s something for everyone. Come and enjoy exciting performances by our talented students at 7:00pm, view costumes, set renderings, and explore our main hallway with posters of every show performed at ECU going back to 1963. The box office will also be selling season subscriptions and individual tickets to all our shows this academic year. Join us and make unforgettable memories with your loved ones!
ECU Alumni Legacy Celebration
6:00pm-8:00pm EST | Main Campus Student Center, Ballroom C
$5 per person
Register at Piratealumni.com/legacy23
Traditions are a huge part of being a Pirate! The Legacy Pinning is a unique tradition that provides an opportunity to bookend the joyous memories of family members and the current perspective Pirate student. This special, and sometimes emotional, ceremony gives the next generation of ECU students the chance to bring the past and present together. Alumni parents/grandparents/siblings will place the Legacy pin on their family member’s lapel signifying their collegiate bond.
To make the ECU Alumni Legacy Celebration & even more special, we plan to create a presentation with photos of our Pirate alumni while they were at ECU! All attendees have the opportunity to upload a .png or .jpg pic that we can add to that presentation!
The ceremony will be followed by a light dessert reception to provide an opportunity for newly pinned Legacies and their families to spend some quality time together. Attire is casual. Be sure to wear your Purple and Gold to show your Pirate pride.
Beach Fest After Dark Canceled due to Rain
7:00pm-9:00pm EST | North Recreation Complex Boathouse
Join ECU’s Campus Recreation and Wellness for a night of fun for the whole family! Students and families will be able to enjoy a number of activities that you won’t want to miss, including free food, t-shirts, inflatable, zip line, boating, and more! This event is FREE for students and families.
The North Recreation Complex is located off main campus. Address for GPS is below:
3764 US 264 East
Greenville, NC 27834
Free Recreation Center Access
All Weekend | Eakin Student Recreation Center
A great recreation center for you and your family to enjoy all weekend long! Students can bring up to 4 guests for free. To learn more about the amenities, group fitness classes, and more, visit the Eakin Student Recreation Center website for more information.
Saturday, September 23
Isley Innovation Hub Open House
9:00am-6:00pm | Isley Innovation Hub
Located in the Wright Building, the Isley Hub features 15,000 square feet of ideation and makerspace. Open to everyone at ECU, it is the only place on campus that brings together Pirates to develop ideas, create early-stage prototypes, identify potential team members, and connect with additional entrepreneurial resources.
Features include:
- Ideation space
- One-button recording studio
- Technology lab
- Makerspace
Paint it Gold Brunch
10:00am-2:00pm | Todd and West End Dining Halls
Families can enjoy a traditional southern brunch with specialty items for Family Weekend before cheering on the ECU Pirates! Enjoy carved maple turkey breast, mashed sweet potatoes, grilled asparagus, and okra stew. The grill will feature a mixed berry compote for all your pancakes and waffles and ham and cheese english muffin. Along side our mushroom and arugula Pizza. No pre-registration necessary. Brunch is $10.50 for visitors or students can use their guest meal swipes.
No Quarter: The History of East Carolina Football and Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium
10:00am-9:00pm | Joyner Library, 2nd & 3rd Floors
Explore the rich history of Pirate football and passion of Pirate Nation with “No Quarter: The History of East Carolina Football and Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.” This exhibit features panels filled with photos and facts detailing ECU football’s history. Items on display include the 1963 Eastern Bowl trophy, from the Pirates’ first bowl win, and a 1964 preseason playbook that featured plays from coach Clarence Stasavich. Also, as recent as a coach Mike Houston-signed game ticket from the Pirates’ 53-29 win over Coastal Carolina at the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 27, 2022.
Visit the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Main Campus Library to view the exhibit. https://library.ecu.edu/noquarter/
College of Education Family Social
1:00pm – 2:30pm (Floating with a welcome at 1:15pm) | Main Campus Student Center, room 125
Connect with the College of Education for an afternoon of fellowship, food and fun before the ECU Pirates take on Gardner Webb! This event will take place on Saturday, September 23rd at the Main Campus Student Center, room 125. There will be drawings for College of Education giveaways at the event. Make sure to wear your purple and gold to show your Pirate Pride!
Questions? Contact Dr. Dionna Manning at manningd@ecu.edu.
Park and Ride Shuttle
2:45pm | Health Sciences Campus, 100 Health Science Drive, Greenville, NC 27834
Pre-purchased Pass Required. Sales ended August 31st.
For visiting families, parking with shuttle service is available from the Health Sciences campus to the Family Weekend Tailgate and the Football Stadium area. Shuttles will drop guests off at the Main Campus Student Center, the new Tailgate location, then continue on to drop guests off at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on 14th Street. Shuttles will return guests to their cars beginning at halftime and run until one hour after the football game concludes. Guests will be picked up from 14th Street and shuttles will make stops at both the Main Campus Student Center and the Health Sciences parking lot. *Passes must be purchased in advance. NO on site purchase.
Family Weekend Tailgate
3:00pm-6:00pm | Main Campus Student Center, 2nd floor
Pre-purchased Ticket Required. Tickets SOLD OUT.
Max Attendance: 1,400
Due to the weather, the Family Weekend Tailgate has been moved indoors to the Main Campus Student Center. Bring the whole family out to the tailgate to enjoy great food, music, games, and much MORE!
This is a catered event, not an open tailgate lot. NO outside food, drinks, or vehicles will be permitted in this area. Tickets must be purchased in advance. You will be asked to show your tickets to gain entry.
Family Weekend Shuttles will drop off visitors at the tailgate location. The Tailgate opens 3 hours prior to kick-off with the first shuttle departing 15 minutes prior to the tailgate.
Family Weekend Football Game
ECU vs. Gardner-Webb
6:00pm | Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium
Join Head Coach Mike Houston and the ECU Pirates for another exciting game. ECU Athletics has implemented a clear bag policy for those attending the game. More information about it here. Tickets must be purchased to gain entry.
Free Recreation Center Access
All Weekend | Eakin Student Recreation Center
A great recreation center for you and your family to enjoy all weekend long! Students can bring up to 4 guests for free. To learn more about the amenities, group fitness classes, and more, visit the Eakin Student Recreation Center website for more information.
Sunday, September 24
No Quarter: The History of East Carolina Football and Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium
Opens at 10am | Joyner Library, 2nd & 3rd Floors
Explore the rich history of Pirate football and passion of Pirate Nation with “No Quarter: The History of East Carolina Football and Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.” This exhibit features panels filled with photos and facts detailing ECU football’s history. Items on display include the 1963 Eastern Bowl trophy, from the Pirates’ first bowl win, and a 1964 preseason playbook that featured plays from coach Clarence Stasavich. Also, as recent as a coach Mike Houston-signed game ticket from the Pirates’ 53-29 win over Coastal Carolina at the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 27, 2022.
Visit the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Main Campus Library to view the exhibit. https://library.ecu.edu/noquarter/
College of Fine Arts and Communication Brunch
10:00am – 12:00pm | The Green Room at The Croatan
Thank you for your interest in this event! We have reached our RSVP limit and will no longer be accepting new RSVPs.
First-year and transfer students who are part of the College of Fine Arts and Communication and their families are invited to a special brunch to meet and mingle with CFAC faculty and staff! RSVP is required. The address for Croatan is 100 Dixon Dr, Greenville, NC 27858.
The Brunch Club
10:00am – 2:00pm | West End Dining Hall
Families are invited to join their students and treat yourselves to an upscale brunch on campus! No pre-registration necessary. Brunch is $10.50 for visitors or students can use their guest meal swipes.
Family Float Down the Tar River
10:00am-2:00pm | Eakin Student Recreation Center Loading Dock
Register HERE | ECU Students Free, Family Members/Guests: $20
Join us for a relaxing September morning on the Tar River as our CRW Adventure Trip Leaders take you on family float. Register early as this trip fills up fast! We’ll depart for the river at 10:00am and return around 2:00pm. Capacity is 16 participants. Email adventure@ecu.edu for questions.
Captain’s Society Brunch
11:00am-1:00pm EST | Club Level, Towne Bank Tower, Dowdy-Ficklen Football Stadium
Members of the Captain’s Society are invited to a special brunch held at the Club Level of Towne Bank Tower at Dowdy-Ficklen Football Stadium. Brunch will include light refreshments, time to mingle with the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, a brief tour of Towne Bank Tower, and exclusive time on the football field.
If you are interested in joining the Captain’s Society, please visit https://parents.ecu.edu/captains-society/. Join by September 13 to be eligible to attend this event. Once you join, you will receive the email invitation.
Already a member? RSVP for the event using the link we emailed to you by September 15.
Yom Kippur
We are thrilled to extend a warm invitation to all families and friends of East Carolina University students to come together and celebrate a special ECU Family Weekend. This year’s event holds even more significance as it coincides with the observance of Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is a significant holiday in the Jewish calendar. It is a time for self-examination, repentance, and seeking forgiveness.
Greenville’s Congregation Bayt Shalom welcomes everyone, regardless of faith, to join in this meaningful observance as a moment of reflection and unity. For those who would like to celebrate Yom Kippur can do so on Sunday, September 24 at 7:30pm for Kol Nedrei and Monday, September 25 at 9:30am.
Free Recreation Center Access
All Weekend | Eakin Student Recreation Center
A great recreation center for you and your family to enjoy all weekend long! Students can bring up to 4 guests for free. To learn more about the amenities, group fitness classes, and more, visit the Eakin Student Recreation Center website for more information.