East Carolina Pirates Logo

East Carolina Pirates Logo PNG

East Carolina is proud of the achievements of its athletes, who make up the East Carolina Pirates, whose logo accurately reflects the essence of the name. Since 1988, they have created a memorable image associated with the geographical location and history of the region.

Meaning and History

The name Pirates is associated with the institution’s geographical location, which is located in North Carolina, where the famous Blackbeard once lived. The actual nickname was approved in 1934. They tried to change the name to Pee Dee the Pirate in 1983, but students did not support such an initiative.

The East Carolina University teams chose the pirate name in 1934 to emphasize the region’s historical connection to maritime robbers. The fact is that during the late colonization of North America, there were numerous attacks on ships carrying goods to England. In addition, the pirate theme reflects such important qualities as courage, fearlessness, determination, and team spirit, which help achieve success in the field. It is a symbol of freedom and rebellion that attracts young people, especially students.

The East Carolina Pirates use various elements associated with maritime robbers in their identity. Skulls, bones, bandanas, swords, wide-brimmed hats, and eye patches are what formed the basis of most of the team logos. Some images were complemented by custom-designed lettering. Sometimes the pirate could be seen full-length, sometimes just his head. And in 2014, the emblem became a parody of the Jolly Roger. It is an important symbol that helps to create a bright and memorable brand image.

What is East Carolina Pirates Logo?

The East Carolina Pirates is the name of the sports team representing the University of East Carolina, located in Greenville, North Carolina. The university is one of the largest and most recognizable in the state, thanks to a successful athletic program that began over 90 years ago with the creation of a football team in 1932. Then there were basketball, baseball, and other sports teams. The East Carolina Pirates have a rich history of sporting accomplishments, including six conference football victories, over 20 championship titles in various sports, and participation in 13 post-season basketball tournaments. The team is an important part of North Carolina’s sports culture and attracts talented student-athletes nationwide. The East Carolina Pirates continue to grow and reach new heights in various sports, including American football, which allows them to maintain their place among the top teams in the NCAA.

1971 – 1980

The logo depicts a pirate with a white face that highlights purple wrinkles lines, the outline of his right eye, eyebrows, nose, mouth, and long mustache. The left eye is covered by a dark patch, indicating the sea brigand’s combat experience. The menacing stare and the dagger clenched in his teeth promise trouble for anyone who dares to fight the East Carolina Pirates. The man has a large gold earring in one ear, a typical pirate accessory. The other ear is covered by a yellow bandana hanging sideways and tied on his forehead. His head is adorned with a purple hat with a white pattern, the so-called Jolly Roger.

1980 – 1983

The style of the emblem has changed. The pirate is no longer young but old: his face is riddled with wrinkles. His skin has turned beige, and he has stubble on his chin. Hair sticking out in all directions, bushy eyebrows, and a large ungroomed mustache complete the image of the feral sea-robber. The artist made the dagger in his teeth yellow to make it stand out better and added a gold line on the top brim of the hat. The image of the skull and bones was also redesigned: it took on a clearer shape.

1983 – 1998

The proud pirate appears full-length in front of the sports fans – so you can see how strong and muscular he is. He is wearing a purple tunic with yellow lapels and lapels. Underneath you can see the classic sailor’s vest in black and white stripes. On his feet are yellow pants and black boots. Of the accessories, the outlaw wears a belt with a gold buckle, a round earring, and an eye patch. The jolly Roger, which used to be depicted on a purple hat, has been replaced by yellow “ECU” lettering. The pirate steps forward with his fists clenched and his sleeves rolled up as if preparing for hand-to-hand combat. The new cartoon design makes the character look more modern.

1998 – 2009

In this logo, the pirate has a secondary place – only his reduced head is visible, which has been moved to the upper left corner. Most of the space is occupied by the purple word “PIRATES,” consisting of capital letters with unusual triangular serifs. Below it is a sword with a hilt similar to an inflated sail. To the upper right is a two-tiered inscription, “EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY.” It is in a small and thin font with wide letter spacing. All elements except this word combination are shrouded in a gold halo.

2009 – 2014

The colors are darker than in the previous version. Thanks to this, the logo is better visible on a light background. The graphic elements and inscriptions themselves have not changed.

2014 – today

In 2014, teams at many universities rebranded. The East Carolina Pirates also unveiled their new logo in the offseason, which appeared on helmets and the athletic arena. Its only element now is a stylized Jolly Roger in a pirate hat with the letters “E,” “C,” and “U.” Oddly enough, the skull has lively facial expressions: it grins, showing two rows of strong teeth. One eye socket looks like the skull is scowling menacingly. He also has his gold earring and kerchief that flutters in the wind. This sign reflects the pride and grandeur of the team.

Basketball is the first intercollegiate sport sponsored by East Carolina University. In 1947, the men’s team joined the NAIA North State Conference and, after six years, won the title of the conference. Also, she twice participated in NCAA tournaments: in 1972 and 1993. The women’s team also competed twice in NCAA Division I basketball tournaments: in 1982 and 2007. Home games of basketball players are held at Williams Arena at Minges stadium Coliseum.

The ECU Pirates football team was first introduced in 1932. Since then, it has won two C-USA Conference Championships, having come a long way in victories and defeats. The football coach is now Mike Houston. Home Stadium – Bagwell Field at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

Font and Colors

The 2014 East Carolina University logo uses a slightly modified Matrix Extra Bold font version. The letters are adapted to a cartoonish pattern style. This is the university’s official headset, which is sometimes combined with Gotham in its identity.

The primary colors of East Carolina Pirates are gold (#FFC702 or #FDC82F for coated paper) and purple (#592A8A). They were chosen by the student committee in 1909 and are featured in almost all of the institution’s graphic signs. The 2014 emblem combines these colors with black and white.

East Carolina Pirates color codes