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I was recently told that an ECU professor complained to the East Carolina Sports Information office that Olympic gold medalist LaShawn Merritt should not be considered a "former Pirate".  He was bothered that the local media in particular had embraced Merritt during his current Olympic quest. 

The professor is wrong.  LaShawn Merritt is a Pirate and will always be part of the Pirate Nation.  Sure, Merritt sprinted through ECU faster than his time in the 400 meters, attending classes for only a semester and a half before turning pro.  Keep in mind though, Nike offered the talented freshman one sweet deal.    I'd say that decision has worked out so far. 

Every single time we (the media) requested an interview with LaShawn, he accepted without hesitation.  He was always polite and respectable despite the "trash talker" label he's been given during his recent rivalry with Jeremy Wariner.  As recently as a week ago in Beijing he mentioned East Carolina in an interview.  It's great publicity for the school.  When was the last time an Olympic gold medalist was talking about East Carolina University on a global stage? 

If the standard for being "a Pirate" is having a degree hanging on the wall, then strike most of the football players who made it to the NFL from the media guide.  While your at it, strike actress Sandra Bullock from the list of notable Pirates.  After all, she only spent a year at ECU.