PeeDee the Pirate

PeeDee the Pirate is the official mascot of East Carolina University. PeeDee is usually represented as a stylized Pirate cartoon, with an over sized head with a full black beard and patch over his right eye. On top of his head is a large purple hat with ECU written in yellow on the front. He wears a striped black and white shirt. Over the shirt is a purple overcoat with yellow lapel. PeeDee wears yellow knickerbockers, held up by a black belt with a gold buckle. Below the knickerbockers are black fabric attached to black shoes. The Pirate was first associated with the university in 1983. He reflects the tradition of referring to East Carolina students as "Pirates." The Pirate is also one of East Carolina's emblems and trademarks. The Pirate was officially known as PeeDee the Pirate from 1983 to December 1985 and was officially recognized by the University as "The Pirate" afterwards. The University itself continues to refer to the Pirate mascot as "PeeDee" in several University publications.
History
Pirates have long been associated with the North Carolina coast. One of the most famous pirates, Blackbeard, resided in the North Carolina coastal communities of Bath, Beaufort and Ocracoke. The modern day mascot is based on the description of Blackbeard. Many other pirates used the shallow coast and Outer Banks to evade capture. East Carolina officially became the Pirates in 1934. In 1983, a contest was developed to name the mascot. Children from all over Pitt County submitted their ideas, and PeeDee the Pirate was chosen. The Pee Dee River is a river along the North Carolina and South Carolina border where pirates often set up camp. In the 80's, the name was less than popular with ECU students because they didn't have any say in naming the mascot and in 1985, Chancellor Howell dropped "PeeDee" from the name, leaving the mascot the "Pirate." The name PeeDee continues to be used by many people around the program, but the official name of the mascot remains the "Pirate."
The current PeeDee
During the 2008 football season in the Homecoming game with the Marshall Thundering Herd, the East Carolina athletic department unveiled an updated version of the pirate mascot. The new PeeDee was made to look similar to the athletic logo of the University. He sports a large purple hat with the newer ECU lettering, a shorter purple coat, a thicker and fuller beard with a full smile, and is taller and more muscular.<ref name="peedeeecuprofile"/><ref name="ecupeedee"/>

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