Introduction Stadium & Football Support the 2015 Season

Introduction General Information & Quick Facts �� 2 Media Information ��3-5 Staff Directory ��6 Primary Media Outlets ��7 Greenville Lodging and Dining ��7 Pirate IMG Sports Network �� 8 Getting To Greenville ��9 East Carolina University ��10 ContentsAmerican Athletic Conference Kick Return Records ��166 Chancellor ��11 American Athletic Conference ��104 Punting Records ��167 Director of Athletics ��12 2015 AAC Bowl Partners ��105 Defensive Records ��168 2014 Final AAC Standings & Honors ��106 Annual Leaders �� 169-173 Stadium & Football Support 2014 Final AAC Team Statistics ��107-108 Year-by-Year Statistics ��174-177 Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium �� 14-17 2014 Final AAC Individual Statistics �� 109-110 Team Records ��178-180 Traditions ��15 Miscellaneous Records ��181-182 Strength & Conditioning, Athletic Training ��18 2014 Season In Review Single-Game Opponent Records ��183 Game-by-Game Recaps ��112-118 Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium Records ��184 The 2015 Season Statistics ��118-128 Yearly Results ��185-186 Rosters ��20-23 Game-by-Game Starters ��129 Pirates in the Final Polls ��186 Game Superlatives ��130 Pronunciation Guide �� 24 Retired Jersey Numbers ��186 Preseason Depth Chart �� 25 Coaching History ��187 Personnel Analysis ��26 Honors & Awards All-America Selections ��132 Year-By-Year Results �� 188-197 Coaching Staff National & Regional Honors �� 133 ECU vs. Conferences ��198 Head Coach Ruffin McNeill ��28-29 All-Conference Selections ��134-135 All-Time Series Results ��199-202 Assistant Coaches ��29-38 All-Star Games ��136 Support Staff �� 39-44 Pirate Awards ��137-141 Bowl History All-Time Lettermen �� 142-156 All-Time Records ��204 2015 Players Bowl Recaps ��204-215 Player Profiles ��46-90 Records & History ECU Bowl Records ��216 Newcomers ��90-94 Rushing Records ��158-159 Passing Records ��160-161 Pirates in the Pros 2015 Opponents Receiving Records �� 162-163 Pirates in the Pros ��218-219 Opponent Information ��96-101 Scoring Records ��164 Pirates in the Super Bowl ��219 Opponent Media Relations Contacts ��102 Total Offense Records ��165 Pirates in the Draft ��220

The 2015 East Carolina Football Fact Book is published by the East Carolina University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Content and design coordination by the ECU Athletics Media Relations Office. Editors: Tom McClellan and Cover Photography: Rob Goldberg, Design/Layout: Laura Doolittle Malcolm Gray Jose Mendez (Provations Group, Nicholasville, Ky.) Cover Design: Provations Group, Photography: Rob Goldberg, Rob Printing: Morgan Printers, Inc. Nicholasville, Ky. Taylor, various NFL organizations (Greenville, N.C.) General Information General Quick Facts Football Staff Location: Greenville, N.C. 27858 Head Coach: Ruffin McNeill (East Carolina ’80) Founded: 1907 Record at East Carolina: 37-27/sixth season Enrollment: 27,000 Overall Coaching Record: *38-27/sixth season Conference: American Athletic Associate Head Coach/ILB: John Wiley (East Texas State ’84) Nickname: Pirates Assistant Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator/IWR: Donnie Kirkpatrick (Lenoir-Rhyne ’82) Colors: Purple (PMS #268) and Gold (PMS #109) Defensive Coordinator/DB: Rick Smith (Florida State ’71) Offensive Coordinator/QB: Dave Nichol (Texas Tech ’99) Home Stadium: Dowdy-Ficklen (50,000/1963) Run Game Coordinator/OL: Brad Davis (Oklahoma ’03) Surface: Natural Grass (Tifway 419 Bermuda) Special Teams Coordinator/RB: Kirk Doll (East Carolina ’74) Dr. Steve Ballard (Arizona ’70) Chancellor: Defensive Line: Marc Yellock (East Carolina ’00) Athletics Director: Jeff Compher (James Madison ’80) Outside Linebackers: Duane Price (Texas Tech ’99) Outside Receivers: Garrett Riley (Texas Tech ’12) Program History Staff Assistants: Brandon Butcher (Coastal Carolina ’14/Defense) First Year of Football: 1932 Kyle Chase (East Carolina ’07/Defense) All-Time Bowl Record: 9-11 Bobby Harward (East Carolina ’13/Offense) Years in Post-Season Play: 20 Mack Helms (East Carolina ’14/Offense) (1952, 1953, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1978, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2000, David Mackie ((Georgia ’05/Special Teams) 2001, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014) Director of Administration: Dale Steele (South Carolina ’76) Last Bowl Appearance: 2014 (2015 Birmingham Bowl, Birmingham, Ala.) Director of Operations/Personnel: Brian Overton (Elizabeth City State ’04) Result: lost to Florida 28-20 Asst. Director of Operations/Personnel: Alex Folken (East Carolina ’12) All-Time Record: 424-387-12 (.522/823 games) Director of HS Relations: Harold Robinson (East Carolina ’72) Assistant AD/Strength & Conditioning: Jeff Connors (Salem ’80) Head FB Athletic Trainer: Jake Moore (Iowa State ’04) Football Quick Facts Head Equipment Manager: Matt Ater (Marshall ’05) 2014 Record: 8-5 *includes 41-31 victory over Michigan State as Texas Tech’s interim head coach 2014 American Athletic Conference Record/Finish: 5-3/2nd during the 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl 2014 Postseason: Birmingham Bowl Athletic Media Relations Staff/Phone Directory 2015 ECU Offense ... At-A-Glance Primary Office Phone: (252) 737-4522 Scheme: Spread Assistant AD/Media Relations (FB): Tom McClellan Starters Returning/Lost: 6/5 McClellan Office Phone: (252) 737-1274 Lettermen Returning/Lost: 26/6 McClellan Cell Phone: (252) 414-0990 2014 Rushing Offense: 161.1 (64/3) McClellan Home Phone: (252) 321-1454 2014 Passing Offense: 371.9 (3/1) McClellan E-Mail: [email protected] 2014 Total Offense: 533.0 (5/1) Director (Secondary FB Contact): Malcolm Gray Gray Office Phone: (252) 737-4523 2014 Scoring Offense: 35.8 (22/2) Gray Cell Phone: (252) 414-2021 Players To Watch: OG J.T. Boyd, OR Davon Grayson, OT Ike Harris, Gray E-Mail: [email protected] IR Isaiah Jones, OG Quincy McKinney, TE Bryce Williams Associate Director: Jody Jones Jones E-Mail: [email protected] 2015 ECU Defense ... At-A-Glance Assistant Director: Adam Miller Scheme: Multiple 3-4 Miller E-Mail: [email protected] Starters Returning/Lost: 5/6 Assistant Director: Lindy Zamora Lettermen Returning/Lost: 29/9 Zamora E-Mail: [email protected] 2014 Rushing Defense: 111.8 (11/2) Administrative Assistant: Suzanne Metcalf 2014 Passing Defense: 255.5 (98/9) Metcalf’s E-Mail: [email protected] 2014 Total Defense: 367.3 (37/5) Football Office Phone: (252) 737-4570 2014 Scoring Defense: 25.8 (53/5) Football Office Fax: (252) 737-4646 Players To Watch: ILB Zeek Bigger, CB Josh Hawkins, OLB Montese Overton, Football Office E-Mail: [email protected] DE Fred Presley, DE Johnathon White Athletic Department Phone: (252) 737-4600 Ticket Office Phone: (800) DIAL-ECU, (252) 737-4500 2015 ECU Special Teams ... At-A-Glance Athletic Department Website: www.ECUPirates.com Starters Returning/Lost: 3/3 Dates To Remember Lettermen Returning/Lost: 5/3 Wednesday, August 5: 105-man roster reports (physicals/testing) 2014 Field Goals/Game Average: 1.08 (65/7) Saturday, August 8: Media Day 2014 Net Punting Average: 36.6 (78/5) Saturday, August 15: Scrimmage at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium 2014 Kickoff Return Average: 19.1 (108/8) Saturday, August 22: Scrimmage at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium 2014 Punt Return Average: 4.6 (110/9) Monday, August 24: First day of classes (begin in-season practice schedule) Players To Watch: KOR Trevon Brown, P Worth Gregory Saturday, September 5: Season opener vs. Towson () National/American Athletic Conference rank Saturday, September 19: AAC opener at Navy

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY 2 2015 Football Fact Book Media Guidelines To The Media Children, spouses, dates or other non-workers are not permitted in the WE HOPE YOU will find this publication useful while covering the East press box. No one under the age of 17, regardless of affiliation or in pos- Carolina Pirates in 2015. Every effort has been made to include timely session of an apparent non-media relations issued credential, will be per- and pertinent information. mitted in working media area(s) on the playing field or sidelines during If you cannot find the information you need in this book, please do not the game. hesitate to call me at (252) 737-1274 or the athletics media relations of- Requests are honored from sports editors of daily and weekly news- fice at (252) 737-4522. papers, editors of sports periodicals, and sports directors of radio and Additional requests by accredited media representatives such as fea- television stations who cover East Carolina or its opponent on a con- ture materials, photographs, background clips, video and audio should sistent basis. All non-originating radio personnel will not be granted be directed to our office. sideline access during the game, but are eligible for a maximum of two We urge all media personnel to take a moment and read the guide- credentials which will allow the staffing of all post-game interview ses- lines which will aid you in covering ECU football. sions, providing the outlet broadcasts regularly scheduled daily sports Tom McClellan reports and talk shows, and has a devoted sports director position. Assistant AD/Media Relations All passes and credentials are non-transferable and are subject to immediate revocation if transferred to any other person, including Credential Requests non-working members of a media organization. Credentials for East Carolina home football games are for working Online entities will not be granted requests for credentials, access and/ media only and are issued on a priority basis. Requests for single-game or interviews with the exception of web sites that are officially affiliat- credentials should be made no later than three days in advance of a ed with East Carolina, its opponent, conferences, the NCAA or an accred- game via email (with a company signature) or standard mail (on com- ited, established and recognized traditional national or regional media pany stationery) and directed to ECU Assistant AD/Media Relations Tom organization. Web sites which promote or house anonymous “message McClellan ([email protected]; 321 Ward Building, Greenville, NC 27858; boards” as its sole source of content will be expressly prohibited from 252-737-4528). For additional questions for more information, contact obtaining working credentials. Credentials may also be issued to other the Media Relations Office at (252) 737-4522. online entities, on a space available basis, that: • are a legal and corporate entity; • provides consistent regular coverage of ECU intercollegiate athletics ECU Athletics Media Relations Office or the visiting team with its own staff of reporters, photographers and equipment. Reporter(s) must write a substantial majority of all material posted on the site. An online entity that is an outlet primar- ily devoted to the recruitment of students athletes will not qualify for credentials, and/or; • travels to cover at least 75 percent of football away games and all major postseason events. Tom McClellan Malcolm Gray Jody Jones Assistant Athletics Director of Athletics Associate Director of The ECU Athletics Media Relations Office reserves the right to deny or Director/Media Relations Media Relations Athletics Media Relations revoke credentials for non-compliance with all guidelines included in this section, including interview and access protocol; violations of Uni- versity, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, NCAA, or AAC policies; and for conduct for which there are reasonable grounds to believe vi- olate state or federal law, or constitute a breach of professional ethics. In addition, the ECU Athletics Media Relations Office requests creden- tialed members of the media covering games to dress in an appropriate Adam Miller Lindy Zamora Suzanne Metcalf and professional manner that reflects respect for their colleagues, the Assistant Director of Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations Athletics Media Relations Athletics Media Relations Administrative Assistant institutions and student-athletes they are covering. The pressbox, interview room and sidelines are working areas, and ECU expects media to Key Phone Numbers (Area Code 252) Standard/Overnight adhere to a comfortable, but business casual dress code. Media Relations 737-4522 Mailing Address Football Office 737-4570 Athletic Media Relations Office Real-Time Internet Policy Athletic Director’s Office 737-4502 319 Ward Sports Medicine Building The East Carolina University Department of Athletics retains the rights Ticket Office 737-4500 East Carolina University to the distribution of play-by-play, drive-by-drive, statistical material Press Box 328-4697 Greenville, NC 27858 and photographs of East Carolina football during and following game action, just as it retains the rights to the video and audio description Follow the Pirates Online of game action. All rights to the dissemination of audio, video and re- Official Website Facebook Twitter al-time material is granted on a contractual basis only. Failure to abide www.ECUPirates.com ECUPirates.com @ECUAthletics by these restrictions may result in revocation of press credentials.

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY 3 2015 Football Fact Book Photographers stats and defensive stats will be distributed following the game. Sideline credentials will be issued only to accredited photographers “Quickie” stats will be available at the end of each quarter. and television reporters/camera operators on assignment. East Caro- lina University follows guidelines established by the NCAA Communi- High-Speed Connections cations Committee, the Football Writer’s Association of America and The Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium Press Box and Scales Fieldhouse Photo AAC regarding sideline control which ensures the sideline as a work- Workroom are both equipped with high-speed cables and wireless in- ing media area. ternet access for general use by writers and photographers. • Each photographer is required to wear a photo vest at all times. Any • Log-on and password information will be distributed by the ECU other working media who are present on the sideline must also dis- Athletics Media Relations Office prior to the game. play visual identification. Photo vests must be secured via the dis- Post-Game Interviews play of a valid credential inside the photo work room, located inside ECU Head Coach Ruffin McNeill and requested players will be avail- Scales Fieldhouse adjacent to Gate 3 of Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Both able for post-game interviews in Harvey Hall (second floor of the Mur- the credential and photo vest must be worn on the field. phy Center, which is located above the west endzone). Interviews with • No photographers are permitted in the bench area, on the play- players and/or coaches may not be conducted until the NCAA-mandat- ing field, or in the 12-foot area between the limit line and sideline ed 10-minute cooling off period has expired. after kickoff. • With 5:00 remaining on the game clock, media are encouraged to • Cutline writers, messengers and equipment carriers are not permit- take the south elevator to ground level in preparation for the post- ted in the sideline photo vest area. Photo assistants or others hold- game press conference. ing a “sideline” pass must remain out of the photo area immediate- • Access to Harvey Hall can be gained via the Maynard Entrance, lo- ly adjacent to the playing field. This will ensure that photographers/ cated directly below the skywalk that connects the Murphy Center videographers have the appropriate working area. and Minges Coliseum. All media are encouraged to exit the stadium • The areas behind the team benches are considered “bench areas” via Gate 4 in the southwest corner as that will serve as the quickest and are to be used only for the passage between the north and route to the interview area. south sidelines. This area may not be used as a photo zone. • The ECU locker room is closed to media. • Tripods are not permitted in the sideline photo vest area. Monopods • Pre-game interviews with players and/or coaches on the day of the are permissible. game will not be permitted under any circumstances. • Freelance and amateur photographers, not on assignment, are not eligible for sideline credentials, except by prior approval from the Practices ECU Athletics Media Relations Office. • All practices are conducted at the Cliff Moore Complex (located ad- Parking jacent to the Ward Sports Medicine Building) with the exception of Media parking passes may also be requested through the media rela- scrimmages at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. tions office. A limited number of parking spaces will be available in the • All practices at both locations are generally closed to the media and Media Lot, located at First Presbyterian Church (1400 South Elm Street public. Television crews and photographers may shoot the first 30 off 14th Street). Complimentary game-day shuttle service from the lot minutes of practice on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday only. to the media entrance is available beginning two hours prior to kickoff. • The media may conduct in-person interviews with players and coaches immediately following practices on Sunday, Tuesday and Will Call Wednesday (see Coach McNeill and player access opportunities) by Media and general will-call windows are located at the Minges Colise- making arrangements in advance with the ECU Athletics Media Re- um Ticket Box Office, which is on the east side of Minges Coliseum, fac- lations Office. ing Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Because of three non-Saturday contests in 2015 (Oct. 22, Oct. 30 and Nov. 19), practice schedules and interview opportunities for those weeks Media Services will be announced at a later time. • The working media (“writers”) area is located on Level B of the press box, on the south side of Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Access to the press Weekly Press Conference box may be obtained via the south elevator. Coach McNeill will conduct a weekly press conference each Monday • The working photo area is located inside Scales Fieldhouse, adjacent beginning at 12 noon during the season in the team meeting room com- to Gate 3 on the southwest side of Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. plex on the first floor of the Ward Sports Medicine Building. • The ECU Athletics Media Relations Office will provide working media • Players will be in full observance of a devoted “academic day” on and photographers with game notes, season stats, depth charts, flip campus, thus cannot be made available. Media outlets desiring cards, programs and media guides (if applicable) for both ECU and player interviews early during the week are encouraged to conduct the visiting team prior to the game in both locations. Additional in- those Sunday evening at the conclusion of practice. formation, such as lineup, roster, or jersey number changes, will be • A complete text transcript of the press conference will be post- distributed as the information becomes available. ed on www.ECUPirates.com by 3:00 p.m. In addition, a video and • An official statistics package complete with individual and team stats, audio stream of the press conference will be posted by 3:00 p.m. and play-by-play, scoring summaries, quotes, notes, end-of-quarter available to media members via CollegePressBox.com (see below).

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY 4 2015 Football Fact Book In-Season Access To Coach McNeill • Coach McNeill is also available for brief in-person, post-practice interviews Sunday (approximately 8:00 p.m.) and on Tuesday and Wednesdays (approximately 6:00 p.m.) at the Cliff Moore Practice Complex. • “Out-of-town” telephone interviews can also be arranged during the hours of 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Please contact Tom McClellan in the ECU Ath- letics Media Relations Office to request and set up a phone interview with Coach McNeill. • In addition, a video/audio feed of Coach McNeill’s post-practice comments will be posted Sunday night (review of previous game) and Wednesday night (pre- view of upcoming game) and will be available free to media members via www.ECUPirates.com. • Coach McNeill participates in the AAC conference call on Monday at 11:30 a.m. (ET). Media representatives wish- ing to participate in the teleconference should contact The ESPN College Football Thursday Primetime crew of David Pollack, Jesse Palmer the media relations office at ECU or AAC to obtain the and Rece Davis called the action from Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in 2014. access phone number. The teleconference schedule for the player areas and are off-limits to the media. 2015 season is as follows: • Gaining access (for the purpose of one-on-one interviews) via play- Ken Niumatalolo, Navy �� 11:00 a.m. er personal social media accounts is considered a breach of policy, Chad Morris, SMU ��11:10 a.m. thus prohibited. Bob Diaco, UConn ��11:20 a.m. • No freshmen or transfers will be available to media until at least Ruffin McNeill, East Carolina �� 11:30 a.m. after the season-opening game. Philip Montgomerty, Tulsa ��11:40 a.m. • Players are prohibited from participating on live radio broadcasts Tom Herman, Houston ��11:50 a.m. or webcasts. Tommy Tuberville, Cincinnati ��12 noon Willie Taggart, USF ��12:10 p.m. On-Line Services Matt Rhule, Temple ��12:20 p.m. • East Carolina’s weekly game notes package can also be downloaded Justin Fuente, Memphis ��12:30 p.m. at www.ECUPirates.com beginning at 3:00 p.m. Monday. In addition, George O’Leary, UCF ��12:40 p.m. media guides, statistics (cumulative/game books), depth charts, Curtis Johnson, Tulane ��12:50 p.m. rosters, press conference and post-game text transcripts, audio/ video files, links to live statistics and social media channels can be For those who are not able to participate during the live teleconfer- accessed through ECU’s official website. ence, an archive of each call will be available on the American Ath- • American Athletic Conference releases and statistics are available at letic Conference website at www.TheAmerican.org, shortly after the www.theamerican.org. call’s completion. • CollegePressBox.com is the official media website for AAC football. Access and download weekly game notes, quotes, statistics, media In-Season Access To ECU Players guides, headshots, action photos, logos and more for the conference • All interview requests for Pirate players must be coordinated and each of its member schools throughout the season. Login infor- through the ECU Athletics Media Relations Office. Failure to comply mation will be distributed to accredited media or you can apply for a with this policy will result in a revocation of working credentials for password by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. the entire season. • Players will be available for in-person interviews at the Cliff Moore Practice Complex following workouts Sunday, Tuesday (offensive players only) and Wednesday (defensive players only) evenings. • Brief phone interviews will also be conducted at that time and can Injury Reports be arranged by contacting Tom McClellan in the ECU Athletics Media Per university policy, athletic training room personnel are not allowed Relations Office before 1:00. p m. the day of the request. Players will to publicly comment on player injuries. All requests for player injury re- conduct all phone interviews from the athletic media relations office ports should be directed to the athletics media relations office, which or football practice facility via cell phone. will publish a written injury report twice a week — on Monday in con- • ECU Athletics Media Relations will not supply the media home or cel- junction with the weekly press conference and on Saturday prior to the lular telephone numbers for Pirate players. Likewise, training room, game. Federal policy (HIPAA) prohibits information other than listing locker room and apartment/dormitory areas are considered private the injured “body part” and “game status” from being released.

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY 5 2015 Football Fact Book Staff Directory Key Athletics Phone Listings (AC 252/737 Prefix unless otherwise noted) David Lipay, Director of Compliance Kevin Nesfield, Assistant Director of Compliance Administrative Office Staff MATT ATER, Director of Equipment 4602 JEFF COMPHER, Director of Athletics 4502 Matt Holt, Assistant Equipment Manager Jackie Daniels, Mailroom/Copy Clerk Jeff Oliver, Assistant Equipment Manager Jeanne LeBlanc-Lecce, Administrative Support Associate Vickie Revels, Executive Assistant/Director of Athletics J.J. McLAMB, Associate AD/Internal Operations 4694 Mallory Bryson, Assistant Director of Operations External Staff Josh Creel, Assistant Sports Turf Manager SHELLEY BINEGAR, Associate AD/External Operations/SWA 4945 Trey Kriger, Assistant Director of Operations Dr. Gary Overton, Assistant AD/Game Operations-Facilities GREG HERRING, Assistant AD/Marketing & Sales 4530 Joey Perry, Director of Athletic Grounds Paul Dodson, Director Marketing Dorian Jackson, Director of Creative Services MIKE HANLEY, Associate AD/Student Services 4603 Whitney Marks, Assistant Director of Event Marketing Nate Clark, Associate Athletic Trainer Bryan Musser, Assistant Director of Event Marketing Ben Crawford, Assistant Athletic Trainer TOM McCLELLAN, Assistant AD/Media Relations 4522 Jake Moore, Head Football Athletic Trainer Malcolm Gray, Director of Athletics Media Relations Sharon Rogers, Associate Professor/Assistant Athletic Trainer Jody Jones, Associate Director of Athletics Media Relations Brian Wiese, Assistant Athletic Trainer Suzanne Metcalf, Administrative Support Associate Zac Womack, Head Athletic Trainer Adam Miller, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations Lauren Yaeger, Assistant Athletic Trainer Lindy Zamora, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations Ashley Yartin, Associate Athletic Trainer J. BATT, Executive Director Pirate Club 4540 Tracy Yoshikawa, Assistant Athletic Trainer Jared Brinkley, Director of Development JEFF CONNORS, Assistant AD/Strength & Conditioning 1331 LaTrenda Britt, Administrative Support Associate Carl Evans, Assoc. Athletics Director/Development Blaine Kinsley, Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Mark Hessert, Assoc. Athletics Director/Assoc. Executive Director Dan Millington, Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Matt Maloney, Assistant Athletics Director/Major Gifts Matthew Slachetka, Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Drew Moeller, Assistant Director of the Pirate Club Robert Tate, Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Cheryl Nipper, Business Officer CAL CHRISTIAN, Faculty Athletics Representative 1053 Shannon Padrick, Special Projects/Membership Coordinator Molly Pierce, Development Coordinator NITA BOYCE, Assistant AD/Student Development 4550 Beth Rose, Data Entry Specialist Erica Banning, Academic Coordinator Kyle Verber, Assistant Director of the Pirate Club Jennifer Bonner, Learning Assistant/Tutor Coordinator SCOTT LANE, Assistant AD/Ticket Operations 4500 Carlester Crumpler, Academic Coordinator Jordan McElroy, Assistant Director of Ticket Operations Abby DeHaas, Academic Coordinator Erin Pierce, Assistant Director of Ticket Operations Brian O’Hara, Assistant Director of Student Development Jason Steinberg, Director of Ticket Operations Sue Parisher, Academic Coordinator Shanna Wentzler, Assistant Director of Ticket Operations Kathy Pittman, Administrative Support Associate GREG PIERCE, Assistant AD/Video Services 1546 Rebecca Wade, Academic Coordinator Will Davis, Assistant Director/Football Coordinator KELLY ANN SHARP, Life Skills Coordinator 4472 Addison Harvey, Football Coordinator Brian Meador, Creative Media Specialist Brandon Smith, Assistant Director of Video Head Coaches ROB DONNENWIRTH, Women’s Soccer 1427 Internal Staff SUSIE GLYNN, Cheerleading 4510 CLIFF GODWIN, Baseball 1985 NICK FLOYD, Executive Associate AD 4503 SHAWN HEINCHON, Men’s Tennis 1421 LEE WORKMAN, Associate AD/Administration 4530 KRISTIN JEFFRIES, Dance 4512 Angie Lower, Human Resources Coordinator CURT KRAFT, Track & Field/Cross Country 1417 Sonni Minton, Trademark Licensing & Administration Coordinator RICK KOBE, Swimming & Diving 4608 BARRY BRICKMAN, Director of Business & Budgets 4507 JEFF LEBO, Men’s Basketball 4592 Barbara Flake, Administrative Support Specialist HEATHER MACY, Women’s Basketball 4586 Gloria Gorham, Administrative Support Specialist RUFFIN MCNEILL, Football 4570 Kevin Hale, Accountant PRESS MCPHAUL, Men’s Golf 1424 Brittany Powell, Accountant TOM MORRIS, Women’s Tennis 1422 Sheri Whitfield, Athletics Accountant COURTNEY OLIVER, Softball 1428 JAMIE JOHNSON, Associate AD/Compliance 4515 JULIE TORBETT, Volleyball 1425 Alex Keddie, Coordinator KEVIN WILLIAMS, Women’s Golf 1423

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY 6 2015 Football Fact Book Primary Media Outlets PRINT MEDIA Mailing Address City Phone Beat/Contact Email Web Site Associated Press 4800 Six Forks Road, Suite 210 Raleigh, NC 27609 (919) 510-8937 Aaron Beard [email protected] ap.org Bonesville Media 106 Heverly Drive Emerald Isle, NC 28594 (252) 444-1905 Danny Whitford [email protected] bonesville.net Charlotte Observer 600 S. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28202 (704) 358-5127 Harry Pickett [email protected] charlotteobserver.com Durham Herald-Sun 2828 Picket Rd. Durham, NC 27705 (919) 419-6674 Jimmy DuPree [email protected] heraldsun.com East Carolinian Old Cafeteria Complex Greenville, NC 27858 (252) 328-9271 Tyler Kelbaugh [email protected] theeastcarolinian.com Fayetteville Observer P.O. Box 849 Fayetteville, NC 28302 (910) 486-3534 Sammy Batten [email protected] fayobserver.com Goldsboro News Argus 310 N. Berkeley Blvd. Goldsboro, NC 27532 (919) 739-7842 Rudy Coggins [email protected] newsargus.com Greensboro News & Record 200 E. Market St. Greensboro, NC 27401 (336) 373-7093 Eddie Wooten [email protected] news-record.com Greenville Daily Reflector P.O. Box 1967 Greenville, NC 27835 (252) 329-9595 Nate Summers [email protected] reflector.com Jacksonville Daily News 724 Bell Fork Rd. Jacksonville, NC 28546 (910) 353-1171 Rick Scoppe [email protected] jdnews.com Kinston Free Press 2103 N. Queen Street Kinston, NC 28501 (252) 527-3191 Bryan Hanks [email protected] kinston.com New Bern Sun-Journal P.O. Box 13948 New Bern, NC 28561 (252) 635-5669 Adam Thompson [email protected] newbernsj.com Raleigh News & Observer P.O. Box 191 Raleigh, NC 27602 (919) 829-8938 Chris Wright [email protected] newsobserver.com Rocky Mount Telegram P.O. Box 1080 Rocky Mount, NC 27803 (252) 407-9959 Jessie Nunery [email protected] rockymounttelegram.com Virginian-Pilot 150 W. Brambleton Ave. Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 446-2369 Tom White [email protected] pilotonline.com Washington Daily News 217 N. Market Street Washington, NC 27889 (252) 946-2144 David Cucchiara [email protected] thewashingtondailynews.com Wilmington Star-News P.O. Box 840 Wilmington, NC 28402 (910) 343-2038 Brett Friedlander [email protected] starnewsonline.com Wilson Daily Times P.O. Box 2447 Wilson, NC 27894 (252) 265-7808 Paul Durham [email protected] wilsontimes.com RADIO Mailing Address City Phone Contact Email Web Site Pirate IMG Sports Network 408 Evans St. Greenville, NC 27858 (252) 737-0707 Meghan Heinchon [email protected] imgcollege.com WNCT-FM (107.9) 2929 Radio Station Rd. Greenville, NC 27834 (252) 757-0011 Jeff Diamond [email protected] 1079wnct.com WGHB-AM (1250) P.O. Box 3333 Greenville, NC 27836 (252) 317-1250 Troy Dreyfus [email protected] pirateradio1250.com WRHD-FM (94.3) 1884 Arlington Blvd. Greenville, NC 27834 (252) 355-1037 Henry Hinton [email protected] 943thegame.com TELEVISION Mailing Address City Phone Contact Email Web Site News14 Carolina 2505 Atlantic Avenue Raleigh, NC 27604 (919) 882-4000 Jim Connors [email protected] coastalnews14.com WCTI-TV (ABC 12) 225 Glenburnie Dr. New Bern, NC 28560 (252) 638-1212 Brian North [email protected] wcti12.com WITN-TV (NBC 7) P.O. Box 468 Washington, NC 27889 (252) 946-3131 Billy Weaver [email protected] witntv.com WNCN-TV (NBC 17) 1205 Front St. Raleigh, NC 27609 (919) 836-1717 Penn Holderness [email protected] nbc17.com WNCT-TV (CBS 9) 3221 S. Evans St. Greenville, NC 27834 (252) 355-8500 Brian Bailey [email protected] wnct.com WRAL-TV (CBS 5) P.O. Box 12000 Raleigh, NC 27605 (919) 821-8555 Jeff Gravley [email protected] wral.com WRAZ-TV (FOX 50) P.O. Box 30050 Raleigh, NC 27702 (919) 595-5050 Ken Medlin [email protected] fox50.com WTVD-TV (ABC 11) 411 Liberty St. Durham, NC 27701 (919) 683-1111 Mark Armstrong [email protected] wtvd.com CONFERENCE City Phone Contact Email Web Site American Athletic Conference 15 Park Row West Providence, RI 02903 (401) 453-0660 Chuck Sullivan [email protected] TheAmerican.org

Greenville Lodging and Dining Carolina Ale House (252) 317-0005 McAlister’s Deli (252) 353-8000 Greenville Hotels/Motels Cheddar’s (252) 321-1002 Mellow Mushroom (252) 565-8220 Best Western Suites (252) 752-2378 Chico’s (252) 757-1666 Mi Cabana (252) 931-9566 Comfort Inn (252) 355-0070 Chili’s (252) 355-7449 Moe’s Southwest Grill (252) 353-6637 Courtyard by Marriott (252) 329-2900 Chipotle Mexican Grill (252) 558-1138 Noodles and Company (252) 756-6735 Days Inn (252) 752-0214 Corleone’s (252) 412-4722 Olive Garden (252) 321-7498 East Carolina Inn (252) 752-2122 CPW’s (252) 757-7756 Panera Bread (252) 317-8787 Hampton Inn (252) 355-7400 Cubbie’s (252) 321-8091 Parker’s BBQ (252) 758-9215 Quality Inn (252) 758-5544 Dickie’s BBQ (252) 535-0190 Rucker John’s (252) 215-0011 Hilton Greenville (252) 355-5000 East Coast Wings & Grill (252) 752-9464 Starlight Café (252) 707-9033 Holiday Inn Greenville (252) 355-8300 Fajitas (252) 353-8700 Texas Roadhouse (252) 353-7427 Holiday Inn Express (252) 754-8300 Finelli’s Café (252) 695-0020 Tie Breakers (252) 439-0555 Residence Inn by Marriott (252) 364-8999 Five Guys (252) 364-1071 Wasabi 88 (252) 493-0510 Wingate Inn (252) 355-4283 GK Café (252) 752-7662 Winslow’s Deli (252) 364-8921 Golden Corral (252) 756-4412 Zoës Kitchen (252) 353-0485 Recommended Greenville Hibachi Grill & Buffet (252) 321-8882 ECU also encourages you to take advantage of the following Restaurants Highway 55 (252) 321-2117 pizza delivery, sandwich, chicken and fast food restaurants: A Tavola Market Café (252) 321-5533 Kickback Jack’s (252) 329-0400 Domino’s, Little Caesar’s Pizza, Marabella Old World Pizza, A.J. McMurphy’s (252) 355-7956 Logan’s Roadhouse (252) 439-4313 Papa John’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, Pizza Inn, Chick Fil-A, Taco Bell, Basil’s Restaurant & Pizzeria (252) 353-5800 Longhorn Steakhouse (252) 830-6100 Subway, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Firehouse Subs, Jimmy Johns, Bonefish Grill (252) 754-0761 Marathon (252) 752-3753 Bojangles, Zaxby’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King, Buffalo Wild Wings (252) 758-9191 Mayflower Seafood (252)321-6188 Hardees, McDonald’s and Wendy’s

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY 7 2015 Football Fact Book Pirate IMG Sports Network

100,000-Watt Flagship Steers Pirate IMG Radio Network The East Carolina University Athletics Department and IMG College, the multimedia rights-holder for Pirate sports, are in the eighth year of a partnership with 107.9 WNCT-FM which enables the 100,000-watt station to serve as the football flagship for the Pirate IMG Radio Net- work each fall. WNCT-FM’s powerful signal provides expanded coverage for ECU sports, extending to Raleigh (to the west), southern Virginia (to the north) and up and down the North Carolina coastline. All ECU football games, along with the weekly Ruffin McNeill Call-In Show, will be included in the programming on WNCT-FM. The 2015 Pirate IMG Radio Network broadcast team: Marty Feurer, Kevin Monroe, Jeff Charles and David Horn THE EAST CAROLINA Department of Athletics and IMG College, the national leader in the collegiate sports marketing industry, entered into an agree- a key member of Pirates’ secondary beginning in 1996, topping the pro- ment during the spring of 2006 that provides the company with the exclu- gram in interceptions as a junior and senior, and currently shares a school sive multimedia rights to Pirate Athletics. record for the longest interception return with a 100-yarder against Lou- The partnership, which now runs through 2023 and continues to guar- isville Nov. 14, 1998. antee the university an annual rights fee plus additional considerations Rounding out the broadcast team are sideline reporter Marty Feurer and based upon revenue generated by IMG College, encompasses all sales and network engineer/producer David Horn. Feurer, who will begin his 23rd marketing opportunities associated with ECU sports, including radio and year on the network this fall, serves as director of development for Battle- television programming, game programs and other athletics publications, ship North Carolina. The 2015 campaign will mark Horn’s 10th year with the signage in all campus athletic venues, and at-event corporate promotions Pirate IMG Radio Network. Horn will also serve as booth host in addition to and hospitality functions. his engineering and production responsibilities. “East Carolina places a high value on its partnership with IMG College and I’m extremely pleased with the value IMG is bringing to the university 2015 Pirate IMG Radio Network Affiliates and our partners,” ECU Director of Athletics Jeff Compher said. “As the na- (as of July 1, 2015) tional leader in the collegiate marketplace, IMG has proven to be both pro- Charlotte WBCN (1660 AM) Manteo WOBX (98.1 FM) fessional and innovative in working with our local and regional sponsors. Elizabeth City WGAI (560 AM) Myrtle Beach, S.C. WHSC (1050 AM) They have also assisted us in establishing a licensing program that has Fayetteville WFAY (1230 AM) Sanford WFJA (105.5 FM) grown significantly in the last several years.” Fayetteville WFBX (1450 AM) Williamston WIAM (900 AM) East Carolina is one of an impressive group of NCAA member institutions, Wilmington WAAV (980 AM) Greenville *WNCT (107.9 FM) conferences, bowl games and venues that are aligned with IMG College, *flagship;bold denotes stations carrying the leading multimedia, marketing and licensing/brand management Hamlet WKDX (1250 AM) the Ruffin McNeill Radio Show company in America. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C., IMG College employs more than 700 people in nearly 100 offices throughout the. U S. The Ruffin McNeill Show East Carolina Head Coach Ruffin McNeill and Jeff Charles tape a 30-min- Pirate Football On The Radio ute weekly television show that takes viewers inside ECU Football. Pirate Football may be heard throughout North Carolina as well as por- The Ruffin McNeill Show airs each Sunday on local CBS affiliate WNCT, tions of South Carolina and Virginia via the Pirate IMG Radio Network the television flagship station of the Pirates, at 12 noon. The show also airs Jeff Charles is in his 28th year handling the play-by-play duties on the Sundays at 5:00 p.m. on WAUG in Raleigh and in front of a regional audi- network after previously serving in the same capacity at Virginia Tech, Il- ence on MASN beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. It also may be seen linois, and Furman prior to becoming the “Voice of the Pirates.” The two- on Thursday at 8:00 p.m. on both Suddenlink 25 in Rocky Mount and Sud- time North Carolina Sportscaster-of-the-Year also served as sports direc- denlink 25 in Greenville. tor at WSB in Atlanta where he was the night-time host of a sports talk show heard throughout 38 states and Canada on the 50,000-watt clear channel station. Former Pirate defensive standout Kevin Monroe, while in his 13th overall season on the network broadcast team, joins Charles in the booth for the ninth-straight year as lead analyst after serving a previous role as sideline reporter. The four-year letterman and All-Conference USA performer was

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY 8 2015 Football Fact Book Getting to Greenville Charles Boulevard down hill (passing Clark-LeClair Stadi- um on the right) and turn right on Ficklen Drive. Dowdy-Fick- len Stadium is up the hill on the right. From I-95 South Take I-95 North to US 264 exit (Wilson, N.C.). Take a right and continue on U.S. Highway 264 past Wilson and head into Greenville. Take U.S. Highway 264 to Allen Road (second traffic light) and turn right. Allen Road turns into From the Tidewater (Va.) Area Greenville Boulevard. Take Greenville Boulevard to Charles Boulevard and TAKE U.S. HIGHWAY 13 from Suffolk to Ahoskie, N.C. Take bypass around take a left (ECU message board on corner). Take Charles Boulevard down Ahoskie (N.C. Highway 11) and take N.C. Highway 11 to Greenville where it hill (passing Clark-LeClair Stadium on the right) and turn right on Ficklen turns into Memorial Drive. Take Fifth Street to Cotanche Street and take a Drive. Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium is up the hill on the right. right. Take Cotanche, which turns into Charles Boulevard to Ficklen Drive and take a left. Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium is up the hill on the right. From the Triangle Area Take U.S. Highway 64 from Raleigh and head east. Exit right onto U.S. From I-95 North Highway 264 past Zebulon and head east past Wilson and toward Green- Take I-95 South to U.S. Highway 264 exit (Wilson, N.C.). Take a left at the end ville. Take U.S. Highway 264 to Allen Road (second traffic light) and turn of the exit ramp and continue on U.S. Highway 264 past Wilson and head into right. Allen Road turns into Greenville Boulevard. Take Greenville Boule- Greenville. Take U.S. Highway 264 to Allen Road (second traffic light) and turn vard to Charles Boulevard and take a left (ECU message board on corner). right. Allen Road turns into Greenville Boulevard. Take Greenville Boulevard Take Charles Boulevard down hill (passing Clark-LeClair Stadium on the to Charles Boulevard and take a left (ECU message board on corner). Take right) and turn right on Ficklen Drive. Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium is up the hill on the right. Transportation Automobile Rentals From Wilmington Take I-40 northwest to Wallace. Take right onto N.C. Highway 51 and head Avis (252) 758-4797 north through Chiquapin and Beulaville (about 20-25 miles). Get on N.C. Bill Askew Motors, Inc. (252) 756-9102 Highway 241 in Beulaville and head about 10 miles north to Pink Hill, where Budget (252) 321-1175 you will pick up N.C. Highway 11. Take N.C. Highway 11 through downtown Enterprise (252) 758-3400 Kinston and into Greenville, where it turns into Memorial Drive. Take Me- Hertz (252) 752-7518 morial Drive to Greenville Boulevard and take a right. Take Greenville Bou- Toyota Rent a Car (252) 321-3000 levard to Charles Boulevard and take a left (ECU message board on cor- Taxi Service ner). Take Charles Boulevard down hill (passing Clark-LeClair Stadium on Ace Cab Company (252) 758-0888 the right) and turn right on Ficklen Drive. Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium is up Aladdin (252) 439-2226 the hill on the right. City Cab Company (252) 758-2161 Courtesy Transportation (252) 757-1558 Directions to Media Parking Media parking is available at the First Presbyterian Church, which is lo- Commercial Air Service cated at the intersection of Elm and 14th Street (1400 S. Elm Street). If trav- American Airlines (800) 433-7300 eling east on 10th Street, turn right on Elm Street heading south to the Delta Airlines (800) 221-1212 intersection of Elm and 14th and the parking lot will be on your left. If trav- Jet Blue (800) 538-2583 eling east on Greenville Boulevard, turn left on Elm Street heading north Southwest Airlines (800) 435-9792 towards the first stop light, which is the intersection of Elm and 14th and United Airlines (800) 864-8331 the parking lot is on your right. Attendants will direct you into the media US Airways* (800) 428-4322 *offers daily commuter service to/from Greenville (PGV); lot (admittance is only by pass, which is obtained through the ECU media remaining airlines service Raleigh-Durham (RDU) relations office).

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY 9 2015 Football Fact Book East Carolina University EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY is a 108-year-old public university nationally recognized for preparing teachers and primary care physicians and for its cultural and performing arts programs. It enrolls more than 27,000 undergraduate, graduate and doc- toral students and is North Carolina’s largest producer of initial- ly licensed teachers and primary care physicians. Among the college and schools, East Carolina operates the Brody School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, College of Engineering and Technology, and a growing undergraduate Honors College. Our motto is Servire, or service. Quick Facts • Military ties: ECU is located near four major military bases, including Camp Lejeune and Fort Bragg, and in 2010 won the Free- dom Award from the United State Department of Defense for its support of military families and service men and women. • Economic Muscle: East Carolina’s economic impact is estimat- ed at $2.8 billion statewide, with more than $1.8 billion in eastern North Carolina. • Primary Care: The Brody School of Medicine has consistently been ranked by the American Academy of Family Physicians among the top five (often No. 1) in the nation for the percentage of graduates who choose residencies in family medicine each year. The school is a national model for producing family physicians who practice in rural and underserved communities. Nearly 60 percent of Brody graduates remain in primary care five years after graduation – the highest percentage of any medical school in North Carolina. • Dental Medicine: ECU dental students spend their fourth year training Other Notables and serving patients at community service learning centers located in East Carolina nurtures a culture of high academic achievement on cam- eight underserved areas across the state. The method prepares them to pus, growing the Honors College from 90 to nearly 400 students in three practice and also encourages engagement with rural communities. Our years. In addition, we integrate public service into the custom learning ex- first class of graduates headed into practice or residency this summer. perience of our highest performing students, immersing them in leader- • Leading in Preparing Teachers: ECU’s Partnership East program, funded ship and learning that requires service projects as part of the Honors Col- by a private sector grant, helps fill an urgent need for teachers in North lege curriculum. Carolina’s rural classrooms by providing scholarships allowing residents We are a highly diverse campus, with minorities making up 26 percent of rural communities to complete senior year teaching internships with- of our undergraduate, 31 percent of our medical and 26 percent of our den- out leaving home. Seventy-five percent of Partnership East graduates tal students. are teaching in North Carolina and 94 percent of those are teaching in ECU’s students are engaged and give back. More than 2,000 students eastern North Carolina. completed nearly 45,000 hours of service to local agencies during the • National Recognition: East Carolina received the prestigious C. Peter 2013-14 academic year. Magrath Award for University/Community Engagement in 2012 from the Notable East Carolina alumni include Pulitzer Prize winners Rick Atkin- Association of Public and Land Grant Universities for its partnership with son and Dan Neil; Emmy Award-winning composer Velton Ray Bunch; and service to the citizens of West Greenville through the Lucille W. Gor- actors Sandra Bullock, Beth Grant, and Emily Procter; BB&T chief operat- ham Intergenerational Center. ing officer Kelly King; former president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue • Improving Lives: Dr. Sam Sears, a psychologist and researcher who is the Shield of North Carolina Bob Greczyn; former North Carolina Secretary of world’s authority on cardiac psychology, performs groundbreaking work State Janice Hardison Faulkner; Kevin Williamson, creator of “Scream,” “I to help cardiac patients improve their quality of life. His work toward the Know What You Did Last Summer” and “Dawson’s Creek;” former U.S. Sen. welfare of the human race won him the highest faculty honor in the UNC Robert Morgan; Broadway star Manley Pope; and Golden Corral restaurant system, the O. Max Gardner Award, in 2013. chain founder James Maynard. East Carolina University. Tomorrow starts here ®

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY 10 2015 Football Fact Book Chancellor Steve Ballard (Arizona ’70)

STEVE BALLARD JOINED East Carolina Uni- versity as its 10th Chancellor in the spring of 2004. He is now the longest serving Chan- cellor in the University of North Carolina System. Since coming to ECU, he has pro- moted student success as the first commitment of the public university. He has emphasized leadership at all levels of the university and championed the commitment of ECU to be the “Leadership Univer- sity.” He has been a strong advocate for a mission driven university that is focused on service to our state and on regional trans- formation in eastern North Carolina. Ballard was a member of the faculty for 25 years at the University of Oklahoma, University of Maine, and Bowling Green State University. He has served in administrative roles since 1986 and has served as a chief research officer, chief academic -of ficer, or chancellor for 17 years. He created the Margaret Chase Smith Center for Pub- lic Policy at the University of Maine and served as its director for nine years. He is proud to have a record at East Car- olina University of bringing great leaders to the institution and of realizing a distinctive, bold, authentic mission for the university. Ballard credits the quality of his leadership team, faculty and staff for the notable steps ECU has taken in the past decade, including sig- The university has been nationally recognized for its support of the nificant growth in enrollment, a new College of Engineering, a robust military with the Freedom Award in 2010 and for its commitment to Honors College, the emergence of a full health sciences center that in- community engagement with the 2012 C. Peter McGrath Award from the cludes a new School of Dental Medicine with Community Service Learn- Association of Public Land-Grant Universities. ing Centers across North Carolina, and acceptance into a major athletic conference. 2015-16 ECU Board of Trustees East Carolina University Administration Edwin L. Clark �� Greenville Mark Copeland ��University Park, Texas Steve Ballard ��Chancellor Vern Davenport �� Wake Forest Ron Mitchelson ��Provost Phyllis Horns ��Vice-Chancellor for Health Sciences Deborah Davis ��Richmond, Va. Rick Niswander �� Vice-Chancellor for Administration and Finance Leigh Jeffreys Fanning �� Greenville Chris Dyba ��Vice-Chancellor for University Advancement Steven W. Jones ��Raleigh Virginia Hardy ��Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs May Joyner, Jr. �� Greenville Chris Locklear �� Chief of Staff Kel Normann �� Sanford Donna Gooden Payne ��University Counsel and Vice Chancellor Bob Plybon ��Greensboro for Legal Affairs Danny R. Scott �� Swansea, Ill. Mary Schulken ��Executive Director of Communication, Kieran Shanahan ��Raleigh Public Affairs & Marketing Terry Yeargan ��Willow Springs Jeff Compher ��Director of Athletics Mark Matulewicz (SGA President) �� Greenville

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY 11 2015 Football Fact Book Director of Athletics Jeff Compher The Northern Illinois football team won (James Madison ’80) its second-straight MAC crown in 2012 and became the first Mid-American Confer- JEFF COMPHER, A veteran collegiate ath- ence team to play in the Bowl Champion- letics administrator with a documented ship Series by gaining a berth in the Dis- history of developing champions in the cover Orange Bowl. classroom, in competition and in life, is in An emphasis on long-range planning his third year instilling that vision of un- and the ability to work with constitu- paralleled broad-based success in a lead- encies within and outside the universi- ership role at East Carolina University. ty community have become well-known Beginning with his first day on cam- staples of Compher’s administrative and pus as ECU’s Director of Athletics in April, leadership skills over the past 16 years. 2013, Compher engaged student-ath- Similar to his arrival at ECU, he led the de- letes, coaches, staff and the Pirate Nation velopment of a strategic plan in his first to embrace the role of moving forward year at NIU in 2008, defining the mis- and proactively plan for the challenges of sion, vision and values of the department the future. His return to the state of North while establishing goals and objectives Carolina has already delivered a founda- for each unit. tion centered around the student-athlete His administrative efforts were recog- experience, a deliberate focus on winning with integrity and an aggres- nized with his selection as one of four FBS Athletics Director-of-the-Year sive plan to promote the ECU Pirate brand and its values. by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) The final fundraising phase of the Smith-Williams Basketball Practice in the summer of 2013. Facility and the initial launch of the department’s Undaunted Strategic Compher arrived at NIU after nearly four years at the University of Plan were all completed under his direction during the 2013-14 academ- Washington, where he served as executive associate athletic director ic year. In addition, Compher’s first season of competition in Greenville and was responsible for the general management and daily operations was notable as the Pirate football program rolled to their second-high- of the department. Prior to his move to the Pacific Northwest, Compher est victory total in school history, both basketball teams advanced to led the athletics program at Southern Conference member Western Car- postseason play and the track and field squad captured Conference USA olina University from 2000 to 2004. indoor and outdoor titles. As associate and then senior associate athletic director at Vanderbilt A year later he provided a guiding and supportive hand during East University for four years, Compher directed nearly every area of the Carolina’s inaugural campaign in the American Athletic Conference, department, including external affairs from 1998 to 2000. Prior to which was highlighted by league championships in men’s swimming that, he oversaw NCAA compliance, academic support, strength and baseball. Cliff Godwin, who was Compher’s first ECU head coaching and conditioning, equipment and CHAMPS/Life Skills areas for hire, brought a high level of intensity and excitement back to Clark-Le- the Commodores. Clair Stadium during his debut as the Pirates’ skipper – capping a 40- Compher spent 13 years in several different positions at North Carolina win season with a NCAA Regional appearance in 2015. State University. As the Wolfpack’s assistant athletic director from 1986 Despite his brief time in The American, Compher’s executive leader- to 1992, he managed the student-athlete support services units, estab- ship qualities were quickly recognized and valued by his colleagues who lished the first life skills program and handled scheduling for the foot- elected him as Chairman of the Athletic Directors Committee for 2016. ball and men’s basketball teams. He was the assistant to the chancellor Compher’s appointment at East Carolina ended a five-year tenure as as- at NC State before moving back into athletics administration after relo- sociate vice president and director of athletics at Northern Illinois University. cating to Nashville. Under Compher’s direction, Huskie student-athletes excelled academ- His first position in collegiate administration was at NC State, where he ically as all 17 of NIU’s intercollegiate programs surpassed the NCAA’s was the assistant director of Housing and Residence Life from 1982 to 1986. Academic Progress Rate every year during his stay at the DeKalb school Throughout his career, Compher has continued his education, partici- that featured an enrollment of 22,000. His department also had seven pating in the NACDA Management Institute (1998), the Sports Manage- Academic All-America selections, two National Football Foundation ment Institute Executive Program (1998-99), the Division I-A Athletic Di- Scholar-Athletes, an NCAA Woman-of-the-Year finalist and three NCAA rectors’ Institute (2005 and 2006) and the U.S. Marine Corps Executive Postgraduate Scholarship winners. Forum (2015). NIU’s success in the venues of competition mirrored those in the class- Compher, 57, earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from James room as the Huskies captured a school-record four Mid-American Con- Madison (Va.) University, where he was a football student-athlete, in ference Championships in 2011-12 with football, men’s soccer and vol- 1980, and graduated with a master’s degree in counseling and student leyball bringing home titles in the fall, and men’s tennis securing the personnel services from Shippensburg (Pa.) University in 1982. league crown in the spring. He and his wife Cathy have two sons - C.J. and David.

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY 12 2015 Football Fact Book