This design combines the traditional black flag of piracy with the phrase “No Quarter,” which means that no prisoners will be taken (but killed). ECU officially became the Pirates in 1934, with the North Carolina coast having been long associated with such famous pirates as Blackbeard. The football team plays off this tradition by firing a cannon after scores and flying the intimidating Jolly Roger and No Quarter flags to fire up their fans in the stands at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.