As an alumnus of East Carolina University, I speak for every Pirate, damaging Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium can make you the most hated individual in Greenville, NC.
18 year old, ECU Freshmen William Banks, doesn’t share the same love for his school as his fellow pirates because he did the unthinkable, vandalizing the football stadium. Banks wasn’t alone, two others are also said to be involved. Banks was caught crossing over the gate while police were processing the field claiming to look for his lost cellphone, he was soon arrested after.He has been charged with breaking and entering, first degree trespassing, the counts injury to personal property, injury to real property and placed under a $20,000 bond. He did not identify who else was involved, but did confess to the crime and was said to be under the influence of alcohol.
According to the Daily Reflector, the incident occurred early Sunday, the vandals entered the stadium and drove three Kubota utility vehicles on the field. The vandals proceeded to drive into two water fountains and concession stands while leaving tire circles on the field. The damages are said to be around $35,000. ECU Head Football Coach Ruffin Mcneil confirmed the acts during a briefing on Monday and says the vandals will be fully prosecuted.
“Why would you destroy our house?” McNeill said. “Dowdy-Ficklen is precious to me, having played and bled on that. That is unacceptable that somebody would do that to our field. …
“You know how I would handle it — to the fullest extent of the law.”
