September 21, 1963
James S. Ficklen Memorial Stadium was officially dedicated on September 21, 1963 as part of the halftime festivities for the East Carolina-Wake Forest football game, the first ever played in the new stadium. ECC president, Dr. Leo W. Jenkins, hosted a dinner for more than forty dignitaries attending the game and dedication. Among the honored guests was Governor Terry Sanford who officially accepted the deed to the new stadium on behalf of the people of North Carolina. W. M. Scales, chair of the Stadium Committee, presented the deed to Sanford. Sanford in turn presented the deed to Senator Robert B. Morgan, vice chair of the ECC Board of Trustees. Thirty state legislators were also among the honored guests along with U. S. Senator Sam Ervin. Speaking of James S. Ficklen in his dedicatory remarks, Jenkins stated, “He did much; he accomplished much; he helped many persons in many ways, not for reward, but because of his responsibility to his fellow man, his state, and his nation. It is with great humility that we dedicate this beautiful stadium to a great North Carolinian.”
The Stadium Committee, which raised $283,387 in private funds for the construction of the stadium, included Dr. Leo W. Jenkins, W. M. Scales, chair, J. C. Lanier, Jr., Wally Howard, J. T. Little, Sr., Dr. E. B. Aycock, Howard Hodges, Dave Whichard, and Reynolds May. Largely with private support from local citizens and ECC supporters, the stadium was built in seven months, following the groundbreaking on May 3, 1962. The stadium was designed for eventual expansion to a seating capacity of 50,000. At the west end of the new stadium was a “magnificent scoreboard,” donated by the John F. Minges Family, equipped with “a haughty Pirate who fires his pistol with each East Carolina touchdown.”
With the new stadium, East Carolina football was clearly on the rise. At the time of the dedication, the Pirates had moved from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), broadening the scope of its athletic program. ECC aspired to – and soon realized – membership in the Southern Conference. However, at the inaugural game in Ficklen Stadium, East Carolina remained an independent school in conference competition.
Despite its impressive 5-4 season in 1962, East Carolina was deemed the underdog versus Wake Forest, a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Nevertheless, before a capacity crowd of 16,000, the Pirates upset the Deacons with a resounding 20-10 victory. The Bucs spotted the Deacs the lead twice, but with the versatile single-wing offensive they took eventually dominated the game. For the Pirates, Tom Michel from Alexandria, Va., dominated the offense, scoring three touchdowns. Coach Clarence Stasavich, starting his second season at ECC, was one of the driving forces on the field behind the Pirates’ rise as a football power.
The Wake Forest game was the second of the season, but only the first Pirate victory. Earlier, Richmond had defeated the Pirates 10-7. However, what followed the victory over Wake was an astounding succession of seven additional wins – against Wofford (34-7), Presbyterian (24-7), Elon (6-0), Western Carolina (50-0), Citadel (20-6), Lenoir Rhine (28-0), and Tampa (14-8) – bringing the Pirate’s season to 8-1. The outstanding 1963 season was capped with a victory in the Eastern Bowl over Northeastern, 27-6.
Sources
- “Dedication Ceremony for Ficklen Stadium.” 1963. University Archives 55.01.00.4816. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N. C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/56642
- “Distinguished Guests – Stadium Dedication.” East Carolina vs. Wake Forest: Formal Dedication Ficklen Memorial Stadium. University Archives UA40.01.02.07.02. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/27620
- “East Carolina Overcomes Wake Forest.” El Paso Times. September 22, 1963. P. 35.
- “East Carolina Pirates Roll Over Wake Forest 20-10.” Buccaneer. 1964. Pp. 138-139. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/15315
- “East Carolina Rips Wake Forest.” The Fresno Bee. September 22, 1963. P. 52.
- “East Carolina vs. Wake Forest.” September 21, 1963. University Archives UA40.01.02.07.02. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/27620
- “ECC’s Marching Pirates Boasting New Get-Up For Saturday Program.” Rocky Mount Telegram. September 18, 1963. P. 9.
- “James S. Ficklen: The Stadium, The Man.” East Carolina vs. Wake Forest: Formal Dedication Ficklen Memorial Stadium. University Archives UA40.01.02.07.02. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/27620
- “Letter from Gov. Terry Sanford to Leo Jenkins.” East Carolina vs. Wake Forest: Formal Dedication Ficklen Memorial Stadium. University Archives UA40.01.02.07.02. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/27620
- “Pirates Face Strongest Schedule in East Carolina Football History.” Buccaneer. 1964. Pp. 136-137. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/15315
- “Politics Play Large Role.” Buccaneer. 1964. P. 110.
- “Sanford To See Dedication Of ECC Stadium.” Asheville Citizen. September 20, 1963. P. 20.
- “Stadium Dedication.” Buccaneer. 1964. Pp. 138-139.
- “Tonight’s Game.” East Carolina vs. Wake Forest: Formal Dedication Ficklen Memorial Stadium. University Archives UA40.01.02.07.02. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N.C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/27620
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