Family Weekend Events
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 27
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!
(Board) Game Break at The Main Campus Library
12:00pm-4:00pm EST | Joyner Library, 1st Floor Lobby
Take a break from your studies and join us for a casual hangout at Joyner Library’s (Board) Game Break! This is the perfect chance to unwind, socialize, and indulge in a variety of classic board games, puzzles, coloring, and snacks.
Dowdy Student Store Discount
1:00pm-5:00pm | Main Campus Student Center
Get ready to show your school pride by visiting the Dowdy Student Store. All school spirit gear 10% off. *Some exclusions may apply*
Family Weekend Hospitality Table and T-Shirt Pickup
1:00pm-6:00pm | 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!
SAB Create with your Pirate
1:00pm-6:00pm | Main Campus Student Center, Room 125
Make your mark on ECU. Help us create a piece of artwork by drawing, coloring, and painting around the ECU logo. Complete your section and join other families in making other crafts.
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 2024 than by participating in service and giving back to our community! Please sign up at Give Pulse 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
The Alzheimer’s Fantasies Exhibition
1:00pm-9:00pm | Joyner Library, Janice Hardison Faulkner Gallery
The Alzheimer’s Fantasies, an exhibition of 26 colored drawings and digital prints, will be on display in the Janice Hardison Faulkner Gallery in Joyner Library from Sept. 6-Nov. 24. This exhibit is in honor of the late Susan Lynne Dorsey, who retired from Joyner Library in 2012. The exhibiting artist is Michael A. Dorsey, Professor Emeritus in the ECU School of Art and Design. He was dean of that school from 1991 to 2003. Michael describes his work as a visual conversation to himself while serving as a caregiver for his wife. The works were created in a three-year period with Michael drawing on a lapboard sitting next to Susan.
Visit the 2nd floor of the Main Campus Library to view the exhibit. The Alzheimer’s Fantasies Exhibition
Student Academic Success Open House
3:00pm-5:00pm | Old Cafeteria Complex, North Entrance
Pirate Academic Success starts here! The Pirate Academic Success Center will be celebrating its 16th birthday during Family Weekend! Join us in 2300 Old Cafeteria Complex to see the center, ask questions, schedule appointments, and enjoy some free snacks! We will be tie-dying t-shirts to celebrate the day! Shirts and snacks will be available on a first come, first served basis. We look forward to seeing you at our Birthday Party! For questions: tutoring@ecu.edu or 252-737-3009.
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!
Family Weekend Cornhole Tournament
5:00pm-6:30pm | Eakin Student Recreation Center
Register to participate in the cornhole tournament
Kick off your weekend with an afternoon of fun for the whole family! Join ECU’s Campus Recreation and Wellness for a family friendly cornhole tournament where you and your student will compete against other families. Want to test your skills against the Cornhole Club? Participate in various drop-in activities and try to “Beat the Pro”. While the tournament is happening, other family members can enjoy the rock-climbing wall. *By registering for the tournament you will receive an Intramural Champion T-shirt for competing.*
ECU School of Theatre and Dance Showcase and Reception
5:00pm-7:30pm | Burnette Studio Theatre and Messick Theater Courtyard
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 5:00pm, view costumes, set renderings, and explore our main hallway with posters of every show performed at ECU going back to 1963. Enjoy refreshments in the Messick Theater Courtyard provided by the Friends of Theatre and Dance and purchase tickets at the student price of $10 for our production of School Girls with three chances to watch over the weekend. Join us and make unforgettable memories with your loved ones!
College of Business Family Reception
5:30pm-7:00pm | Main Student Center, 3rd Floor Deck
Join us for an informal reception and meet Dean Michael Harris, and the faculty, staff and academic advisors that support your student. Be sure to have your family picture taken with PeeDee (printed on site)! RSVP is appreciated but not required: COB Family Weekend Reception RSVP
Freeboot Friday
5:30pm-8:30pm | Five Points Plaza (Corner of 5th St. and Evans St.)
Join the Greenville community to celebrate Pirate Football weekend! This free, alive-at-five event offers live music and fun for the whole family with inflatables for children, arts and crafts, live music, food, and adult beverages for those 21 and older. Head to Five Points Plaza (5th and Evans) in the Downtown district for Freeboot Friday held from 5:30-8:30pm on ECU Home Football Fridays. For more information, visit Downtown Greenville Partnership Website.
ECU Alumni Legacy Pinning
6:00pm-8:00pm EST | Main Campus Student Center, Ballroom C
$5 per person
Register at Pirate alumni legacy24
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.
School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play
7:30pm-9:00pm | McGinnis Auditorium
Tickets go on sale September 2, on the Central Ticket Office website
A new kid on the block threatens the reigning queen bee with her irresistible talent and charm. When Ericka walks into Ghana’s most prestigious boarding school, she shakes up Paulina’s plans for the Miss Global Universe pageant. Be prepared for a whirlwind of laughs and teenage challenges that hit closer to home than you think. Brace yourselves — this story has a few surprises you won’t see coming!!
*Runtime is approximately 2 hours. Age 13 and up for strong language ad mature themes. Tickets only $10 for ECU students and their family. Showing September 25th-28th.*
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. All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. To learn more about the amenities, group fitness classes, and more, visit the Eakin Student Recreation Center website for more information.
Saturday, September 28
Pirate Radio $5 5k – Powered by Fleet Feet
7:30am-9:30am | Fleet Feet Greenville, 207 Arlington Blvd.
Registration has closed.
Kick off Family Weekend on the right foot with a family friendly untimed 5k fun run! Join Fleet Feet Greenville and Pirate Radio for the Game Day Run Club $5 5K and show off your Pirate pride by Painting it Gold before the Paint it Gold game against UTSA. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome and encouraged to attend! The run will start at Fleet Feet Greenville (207 Arlington Blvd) at 7:30am, and wind along the Greenway to the ECU Athletic Campus to get you hyped for the game later that afternoon. Proceeds of this run go to Robbie’s Clubhouse, an organization dedicated to building inclusive recreation centers for people with disabilities. For $5, you can run or walk the course, and for $10 you will get an exclusive shirt along with your entry!
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
The Alzheimer’s Fantasies Exhibition
10:00am-9:00pm | Joyner Library, Janice Hardison Faulkner Gallery
The Alzheimer’s Fantasies, an exhibition of 26 colored drawings and digital prints, will be on display in the Janice Hardison Faulkner Gallery in Joyner Library from Sept. 6-Nov. 24. This exhibit is in honor of the late Susan Lynne Dorsey, who retired from Joyner Library in 2012. The exhibiting artist is Michael A. Dorsey, Professor Emeritus in the ECU School of Art and Design. He was dean of that school from 1999 to 2003. Michael describes his work as a visual conversation to himself while serving as a caregiver for his wife. The works were created in a three-year period with Michael drawing on a lapboard sitting next to Susan.
Visit the 2nd floor of the Main Campus Library to view the exhibit. The Alzheimer’s Fantasies Exhibition
Fuel Up for the Football Game
10:00am-2:00pm | Todd and West End Dining Halls
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.
Dowdy Student Store Discount
12:00pm-5:00pm | Main Campus Student Center
Get ready to show your school pride by visiting the Dowdy Student Store. All school spirit gear 10% off. *Some exclusions may apply*
Game Day Park and Ride Shuttle
1:00pm | Health Sciences Campus, 100 Health Science Drive, Greenville, NC 27834
Pre-purchased Pass Required. Sales end September 4.
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, where the Family Weekend Tailgate Picnic will be, 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 Picnic
1:00pm | Main Campus Student Center Lawn
Pre-purchased Ticket Required. Sales end September 4.
Max Attendance: 1,100
Spread out a blanket and join us for a fun-filled picnic tailgate! Enjoy delicious food, lively music, friendly games, and unforgettable photo memories. It’s the perfect way to kick off game day with family and friends!
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. UTSA
4:00pm | Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium
Join Head Coach Mike Houston and the ECU Pirates for another exciting game. Wear your gold and cheer on the Pirates as they play against UTSA! ECU Athletics has implemented a clear bag policy for those attending the game. More information about it at ECU Clear Bag Policy. Tickets must be purchased to gain entry.
School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play
7:30pm-9:00pm | McGinnis Auditorium
Tickets go on sale September 2, on the Central Ticket Office website
A new kid on the block threatens the reigning queen bee with her irresistible talent and charm. When Ericka walks into Ghana’s most prestigious boarding school, she shakes up Paulina’s plans for the Miss Global Universe pageant. Be prepared for a whirlwind of laughs and teenage challenges that hit closer to home than you think. Brace yourselves — this story has a few surprises you won’t see coming!!
*Runtime is approximately 2 hours. Age 13 and up for strong language ad mature themes. Tickets only $10 for ECU students and their family. Showing September 25th-28th.*
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. All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. To learn more about the amenities, group fitness classes, and more, visit the Eakin Student Recreation Center website for more information.
Sunday, September 29
Family Float Down the Tar River
10:00am-2:00pm | Eakin Student Recreation Center Loading Dock
CRW Registration | ECU Students $10, CRW Members $15, 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.
The Alzheimer’s Fantasies Exhibition
10:00am-9:00pm | Joyner Library, Janice Hardison Faulkner Gallery
The Alzheimer’s Fantasies, an exhibition of 26 colored drawings and digital prints, will be on display in the Janice Hardison Faulkner Gallery in Joyner Library from Sept. 6-Nov. 24. This exhibit is in honor of the late Susan Lynne Dorsey, who retired from Joyner Library in 2012. The exhibiting artist is Michael A. Dorsey, Professor Emeritus in the ECU School of Art and Design. He was dean of that school from 1999 to 2003. Michael describes his work as a visual conversation to himself while serving as a caregiver for his wife. The works were created in a three-year period with Michael drawing on a lapboard sitting next to Susan.
Visit the 2nd floor of the Main Campus Library to view the exhibit. The Alzheimer’s Fantasies Exhibition
Brunch with the Family
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.
College of Fine Arts and Communication Brunch
11:00am – 1:00pm | The Wellington B. Gray Gallery, SoAD, Jenkins Fine Arts Center
RSVP for the College of Finae Arts and Communications Brunch
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. Directions to the Gray Gallery will be emailed to the address provided in RSVP.
Captain’s Society Brunch
11:00am-1:00pm EST | Williams Clark Club Level, 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 bingo game, and exclusive time on the football field.
If you are interested in joining the Captain’s Society, please visit ECU Captains Society. Join by September 18 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 20.
Dowdy Student Store Discount
12:00pm-5:00pm | Main Campus Student Center
Get ready to show your school pride by visiting the Dowdy Student Store. All school spirit gear 10% off. *Some exclusions may apply*
Paint with Your Pirate
12:30pm-3:00pm | Main Campus Student Center, room 125
$15 per person | Deadline to register is Wednesday, September 25 by 5pm EST
Registration has closed.
As part of ECU’s Family Weekend festivities, the “Paint with Your Pirate” event brings together ECU students and their families for a creative afternoon of painting. Hosted in collaboration with Wine & Design Greenville, this event offers participants the opportunity to bond over art while creating their very own ECU-themed masterpiece.
Families will be guided step-by-step by experienced professional instructors from Wine & Design, ensuring that everyone, regardless of skill level, can enjoy the process and walk away with a beautiful piece of artwork.
School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play
2:00pm-3:30pm | McGinnis Auditorium
Tickets go on sale September 2, on the Central Ticket Office website
A new kid on the block threatens the reigning queen bee with her irresistible talent and charm. When Ericka walks into Ghana’s most prestigious boarding school, she shakes up Paulina’s plans for the Miss Global Universe pageant. Be prepared for a whirlwind of laughs and teenage challenges that hit closer to home than you think. Brace yourselves — this story has a few surprises you won’t see coming!!
*Runtime is approximately 2 hours. Age 13 and up for strong language ad mature themes. Tickets only $10 for ECU students and their family. Showing September 25th-28th.*
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. All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. To learn more about the amenities, group fitness classes, and more, visit the Eakin Student Recreation Center website for more information.
Looking for activities off-campus, in and around Greenville? We’ve got you covered! Our staff has put together a short list of activities for the whole family. Options range from outdoor hiking to viewing art to mini golf!