Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium and Minges Coliseum

In 1994, Ficklen Stadium was renamed Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium to recognize ECU alumnus Ronald Dowdy and his wife Mary Ellen. A year later, the field was named Bagwell Field in honor of donors Al and Debbie Bagwell. During the late 1990s, Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium was expanded to include more seating, a press box, and a new scoreboard. The TowneBank Tower renovation was completed in 2019 and provided an additional 1,000 seats (Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, 2025). Now seating 51,000, the stadium has grown along with our Pirate Spirit and accommodates the influence of football on campus identity (Building Histories, 2025). In 1994, it was rededicated as the Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum, honoring Walter L. Williams.  That same year, the arena underwent a $11.4 million update, which included seating for 7,500, air conditioning, new lighting, and modern locker rooms. A towering bronze pirate sculpture gifted by Irwin Belk in 1999 stands outside the arena as a symbol of Pirate pride (Building Histories, 2025).

Photograph of an East Carolina University Football Game at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium

East Carolina University. News Bureau. ECU football game. 1999. Visual Media: Color Photographs. UA55.02.1503. East Carolina University Digital Collections. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/56651. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

Photograph of East Carolina University Mascot "Pee-Dee the Pirate" Sculpture

East Carolina University. News Bureau. Pirate Sculpture. 2000. Visual Media: Color Photographs. UA55.02.1500. East Carolina University Digital Collections. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/35385. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.