A Pirate Finds Gold In Beijing
A Pirate Finds Gold In BeijingWITN Blog Listing
A Pirate Finds Gold In Beijing
Topic Author: Brian Meador
Posted: 10:09 PM Aug 20, 2008
Replies Posted: 14 comments
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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. 

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  • by Dave Location: Greenville on Sep 25, 2008 at 10:06 PM
    Bill, I bash ECU because people here think they are so great. You see, when I lived in Texas, I never bashed the Longhorns, when I lived in Montana, I never bashed the Grizzlies, and when I lived in California, I never bashed UCLA. Those states have classy down to earth fans, unlike the loud mouths here in Eastern NC.
  • by Bill Location: Greenville on Sep 25, 2008 at 12:35 PM
    No I wouldn't become a Nebraska fan but I also wouldn't become a Husker Basher either. You bash ECU every chance you get. Why?
  • by Dave Location: Greenville on Sep 5, 2008 at 10:51 AM
    It has nothing to do with that Bill. My heart will always be with Penn State. If you moved to Lincoln would you become a Nebraska fan?
  • by Bill Location: Greenville on Sep 5, 2008 at 02:15 AM
    Who said the editor is saying you have to be an ECU fan? He/She is just stating that YOU are slamming ECU and you work there. Funny I think. Didn't get a promotion or something?
  • by DS Location: Greenville on Aug 26, 2008 at 09:28 PM
    Just because somebody uses a computer at ECU it does not mean that they have to be ECU fans!?
  • by Dave Location: Greenville on Aug 26, 2008 at 08:47 AM
    I hate everything about ECU because people here glorify it like it is some major top 10 power house.

    EDITOR'S NOTE: Interesting comments from someone who is posting from an I.P. address that's located at......ECU. :-)
  • by Bill Location: Greenville on Aug 25, 2008 at 06:58 PM
    there you go again... how about telling that to all the University's across the nation who can't get 20k in a stadium? Duke wishes they averaged 40 . Why do you always have to be a hater about anything ECU?
  • by Dave Location: Greenville on Aug 24, 2008 at 09:20 PM
    A true nation is a stadium that holds 100 thousand. 40 thousands fans is nothing to brag about.
  • by Perry Location: Washington on Aug 23, 2008 at 01:31 PM
    Pirate Nation is a wonderful identity for the University's fans. It goes beyond Alumni. Does anyone really believe the 40 thousand screaming fans at home games are all graduates?? No. They are fans of ECU, hence Pirate Nation. I love the identity. Good read on former PIRATE Lashawn Merrit!
  • by Bill Location: Greenvile on Aug 23, 2008 at 02:37 AM
    So then by your standard, Gary... David Chris Johnson, Aundrae Allison, Chad Tracy, Darrell Jenkins, etc are not part of the "Pirate Nation". The term Pirate Nation is a broader scope than that of an alumnus or the alumni of the university. No kid that ever waves a Pirate flag at Dowdy-Ficklen can be considered a member of the Pirate Nation either by Gary's standard. Just plain silly.
  • by Gary Location: Greenville on Aug 22, 2008 at 01:16 AM
    The members of the Pirate Nation should only be people who got scholorships to ECU in a specific sport. Mr. Merritt is not a true Pirate. Also, Vince McMahon and Sandra Bullock should not be considered Pirates either. Only those who complete a 4 year degree are true members of the Pirate Nation.
  • by David Location: Greenville on Aug 21, 2008 at 07:47 PM
    The Pirate Nation?? If you went to the ECU library to check out a book that person is considered part of the so called Pirate nation.
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