Clark-LeClair Stadium

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

Clark-LeClair Stadium is an important part of East Carolina University athletics. This stadium houses the baseball department. What is now known as Clark-LeClair Stadium was once called Hairrington Field from 1971-2004. However after major renovations in 2004 the field was renamed and dedicated as Clark-LeClair Stadium. Its located southwest of Dowdy-Ficklen Football Satdium in the heart of the athletics district. The field's history is a rich one dating back many decades with serveral different influential figures playing major roles in the foundation of the stadium. The baseball program has provided many opportunities for young men to attend college and participate in competitive sports while becoming well rounded members of society. The field today is an intricate part of student life and the pride that comes with being a "Pirate".

Images

Clark-LeClair Stadium http://ecupirates.com/facilities/?id=3

Harrington Field Dedication https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/17125

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

If you were to look up Clark-LeClair Stadium in 1971 you would not be able to find any information on it. This is not because a baseball field did not exist for East Carolina University, but because the field possessed a different name. Harrington Field was located near Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. This baseball field was renovated for $100,000 and was dedicated on May 9, 1971 in honor of Milton E. Harrington, a Pitt County native.1 In 1927 Mr. Harrington attended Duke University where he became a well known baseball player. Aftter his time at Duke University, he returned to Greenville North Carolina where he was heavily invloved in the Coastal Plain League and was called "The Father of Organized Baseball" in Greenville.2 The then President of East Carolina University Leo W. Jenkins said "Harrington Field will help us continue our baseball with a higher level of interest and greater benefits to players, other students, and loyal supporters of college baseball."3

In 2004 Harrington Field was replaced with a newly renovated field that was renamed Clark-LeClair Stadium. The project costed an estimated one and a half million dollars. The new upgrades included seating for three thousand plus, offices, locker rooms, equipment rooms, press box, and many other additions.4 The first game to be played at the new stadium was on March 4, 2005 which showcased East Carolina defeating Michigan two to one.5 The new stadium was highly reviewed by players and fans alike. A state record was set at Clark-LeClair Stadium on April 22, 2009 for the largest crown to witness a college level baseball game, when East Carolina hosted the then number one team North Carolina Tar Heels. East Carolina went on to win that game four to zero among the presence of five thousand five hundred and eighty one spectators.6

The name Clark-LeClair Stadium got it's title from two main sources. The William H. Clark family was a big time supporter of East Carolina Athletics and donnated one and a half million dollars to the new renovation project of Clark-LeClair Stadium. Bill Clark who was very well known in the Greenville community wanted to get Keith LeClair's name on the stadium in honor of everything that he has done for the baseball program at East Carolina University. Keith LeClair was a former Priates' head coach for the baseball team from 1997-2002.7 He was a very influential figure during his time with the baseball team. As well he was a strong supporter for getting a new state of the art field. Kieth LeClair later fell on hard times due to health issues but was very greatful for all that the William H. Clark family had done for him, his family, and East Carolina University. He is honored to have his name displayed on the stadium and believes that it "represents all ECU coaches and players of the past and present and all the great traditions this baseball program was built on."8

Sources

1"Building Histories". Joyner Library University Archives. Accessed November 06, 2016. http://www.ecu.edu/cs-lib/archives/buildinghistories.cfm.

2"Building Histories". Joyner Library University Archives. Accessed November 06, 2016. http://www.ecu.edu/cs-lib/archives/buildinghistories.cfm.

3"Harrington Field Dedication Brochure", May 9, 1971" From the Records of Leo W. Jenkin's tenure as President and Chancellor. UA02-06. From the East Carolina University Archives, Joyner Library, Greenville, NC.

4"Building Histories". Joyner Library University Archives. Accessed November 06, 2016. http://www.ecu.edu/cs-lib/archives/buildinghistories.cfm.

5"Facilities." ECU Pirates Offical Athletics Site. Accessed November 06, 2016. http://www.ecupirates.com/sports/2016/7/7/facilities-clarkleclaire-stadium-html.aspx.

6"Facilities." ECU Pirates Offical Athletics Site. Accessed November 06, 2016. http://www.ecupirates.com/sports/2016/7/7/facilities-clarkleclaire-stadium-html.aspx.

7"Building Histories". Joyner Library University Archives. Accessed November 06, 2016. http://www.ecu.edu/cs-lib/archives/buildinghistories.cfm.

8"Building Histories". Joyner Library University Archives. Accessed November 06, 2016. http://www.ecu.edu/cs-lib/archives/buildinghistories.cfm.

Additional Information

Program booklet from the Harrington Field dedication.