Larry “Andre” Grier III has been good at almost everything he’s tried when it comes to sports. Grier was a championship and all-star quarterback in the recreation leagues, an all-conference basketball player in middle school and a stellar outfielder in baseball. He continues to play all three sports at Ayden-Grifton High School, but it’s on… [ More… ]
Recent News & Features
VIEW FROM THE EASTNavy favored with stable roster
Navy is the consensus preseason favorite in American Conference football and roster stability is a big reason why. The Midshipmen had some significant losses in terms of personnel completing eligibility from an 11-2 team, but the program prides itself on developing players to step in and fill voids. Coach Brian Newbery, who enters his fourth… [ More… ]
CLASS OF 2027 RECRUITING FEATUREPirates leap past host of suitors to land center
Cash Freeman knew he wanted to play college football even as a middle schooler in Hendersonville, NC. Freeman literally dominated opponents while playing offensive and defensive lines in football at Valley Springs Middle School where he was also a slugger for the baseball team. His performance on the football field initiated a desire to play… [ More… ]
VIEW FROM THE EASTESPN publication slights Pirates, American
My wife looks for football preseason magazines when she’s at the grocery store this time of year. One of her recent acquisitions was ESPN’s College Football Preview. Let this serve as a warning — don’t invest $14.99 on this edition if you’re looking for anything on East Carolina. ESPN goes big on the Power Four… [ More… ]
CLASS OF 2027 RECRUITING FEATUREBritt tight end Phoenix Barnes saw the light
Even before receiving a scholarship offer from East Carolina in April, Phoenix Barnes already envisioned himself becoming a Pirate. “It was one of the places I had always thought I could see myself playing there,” said Barnes, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound tight end from Jack Britt High school in Fayetteville, NC. Those thoughts became reality on… [ More… ]
CLASS OF 2027 RECRUITING FEATUREClass of 2027 starts with Miami prep QB star
James Perrone had started over in mid-May the search for a college football program that best suited his quarterback skills. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder from Miami, FL, had previously given a verbal commitment to South Florida last September. But a head coaching change at the American Conference school led Perrone to back off that pledge on… [ More… ]
VIEW FROM THE EASTFinale contrasts with earlier win over Heels
A pair of losses to host North Carolina, the No. 5 overall seed in the NCAA tournament, ended the season for East Carolina in the double-elimination Chapel Hill regional. The Pirates were topped, 7-5, on Saturday, and, 9-3, on Sunday by the Tar Heels. ECU finished 1-3-1 against UNC for the season. Between the matchups… [ More… ]
BASEBALL NEWSECU’s season ends with loss to Tar Heels
CHAPEL HILL — A 9-3 loss to host North Carolina in the regional championship closed the 2026 season for East Carolina on Sunday as the Pirates fell behind early and were unable to recover. A pitching staff depleted by injuries was exposed with ECU’s fourth game in three days. Two weekend starters — Gavin Van… [ More… ]
BASEBALL NEWSECU shuts out Rams for rematch with UNC
CHAPEL HILL — East Carolina took an efficient 10-0 win over Virginia Commonwealth on Sunday to advance to the championship of the Chapel Hill regional. Ethan Rose, Brett Antolick and Thomas Paxton combined for the shutout as the Pirates improved to 38-23-1 going into a matchup with North Carolina (47-11-1) on Sunday at 5 p.m.… [ More… ]