GREENVILLE — Harry and Tammy Smith of Washington have pledged $1 million toward the Step Up To The Highest Level Campaign, designated to raise funds for the construction of a basketball practice facility.“We are all about the Pirates,” Smith said. “ We are excited about the vision that Dr. [Steve] Ballard and Terry Holland have for ECU and we are fortunate that we are able to be a partner. We understand that what’s good for ECU is good for the local economy and we wanted to give back.“Jeff [Lebo] is a friend and he will do great things. He is a phenomenal coach with a great leadership and a great vision for the basketball program.”
Mr. Smith – a 1992 East Carolina University graduate – is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Flanders Corp., one of the largest manufacturers of air filters and related products in the United States.
“Harry and Tammy Smith have taken the ‘Step Up To The Highest Level Campaign’ as a challenge to move this project and our athletics program forward,” Holland said. “
Their generosity should inspire us all at this important time in our athletic history.”
Construction on the two-story, 48,000 square-foot facility is expected to begin this spring. It will include separate practice courts for men and women along with separate office suites, lockerrooms and meeting rooms. It will also house the ECU Athletics Hall Of Fame as well as Pirate memorabilia from seasons past.Individuals wishing to make a gift towards the Step Up To The Highest Level campaign can do so by accessing the official website www.ecupirateclub.com or by calling the ECU Educational Foundation at (252) 737-4540.