Return To Port: ECU Homecoming 2009

This weekend, throngs of Pirates new and old celebrated in Pirate nation. Alumni from all parts of the world returned once again to celebrate in the revelry that can only be described as Pirate Mania.

"It's good to be home," said Jeffery Earhart, class of '73. Hart is a biochemical engineer living in Toronto but returned for Homecoming to see the Pirates play. "The spirit is still alive here, even after many years I always feel the same swell of pride when I think of ECU," he said.

Current Pirates and Pirate alumni indulged in festivities starting on Oct. 13 with Court Interviews and skit practices, and Wednesday they participated in the lawn and skit competition.

Throughout all of the festivities, Pirates still found a way to honor the school motto "to serve" and held a canned food drive amongst numerous ECU organizations. Giving back to and being involved with the community has always been a mark of ECU as well as the venerated alumni.

The community gathered on Friday for Freeboot Friday and Pep-Rally, which included an appearance by Coach Skip Holtz, the ECU Cheerleaders, Dance Team and Pep Band. During the event, the introduction of the Homecoming Court was given and the band Jupiter Jones had Pirates young and old dancing in the streets.

The end result of week's worth of practice ended in a standing-room-only event in Wright Auditorium Friday evening. Tickets were sold-out within an hour and often the roar of the crowd overtook the M.C. at the National Pan-Hellenic Council step show.

The Eta Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. took first place overall Friday night in an annual Homecoming step show featuring sororities and fraternities from the National Pan-Hellenic Council. They also placed first in the fraternity competition. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. placed first in sororities.

Kyndall Peele, an Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority member since April 2009, said winning the competition was like winning a present on Christmas morning.

"After all the hard work, sweat, blood and tears, we were able to reap what we sowed and that feels awesome," she said.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council will donate a percentage of ticket sales to a non-profit.

Saturday kicked of the official Homecoming game day with the 10 a.m. Homecoming Parade and float-judging contest. Kathleen Williams, class of 1990, said, "The creativity grows each year with these floats. My family and I truly enjoy watching the parade and celebrating what it means to be a Pirate."

Williams' family traveled all the way from California to see the Pirates play one amazing game beating the Rice Owls 49-13. Prior to the 3:30 p.m. kick-off, Williams and her family tailgated with other 1990 alumni and said, "It's great to be together again; you really do make life-long connections here; that simple fact is what sets ECU apart from the rest."

ECU is known for its school spirit and the pride Pirates take in the university regardless of winning or losing, this is a tradition that has held true throughout the decades. The first Homecoming took place March 5, 1932, and up until 1947, Homecoming coincided with Founders' Day; the original Homecoming celebration honored the classes of 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1914.

The initial Homecoming Parade, however, took place in the spring on March 18, 1941, but was later moved to the fall in 1947 and has become a staple and tradition ever since. For every Pirate, whether old or new, the alma mater, introduced in 1939, still holds true: "We pledge our loyalty and our hearts devotion to thee our Alma Mater, Love and Praise."

This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.