Pirates, smiles on the NDCDC playground

A partnership for skilled soccer players to play with and mentor youngsters began Oct. 1 with the Nancy Darden Child Development Center and East Carolina’s women’s soccer team.

Pirate coach Gary Higgins was joined by some of his ECU soccer players to interact with kids on the playground of the NDCDC. They will continue to have these sessions during the rest of the semester.

The Nancy W. Darden Child Development Center is a five-star ranked early childhood model training facility for the Department of Human Development and Family Science.

ECU’s season began in August and a 5-2-4 record in its first 11 games. This is Higgins’ third season leading ECU. In 2023, the Pirates enjoyed their first over-.500 record since 2018 with a 9-5-5 finish.

ECU soccer players clap for children playing at the Nancy W. Darden Child Development Center.