ship’s log pirate treasure found
forrest croce
Steve Loper, right, presents the 1961 East Carolina baseball jersey he purchased on eBay to head coach Billy Godwin.
Jersey returns to ECU from down under “throwback” hat he purchased honoring the 1961 team, so he bought it right away. The previous owner bought the jersey from a vintage A jersey thought to have been worn clothing thrift store, but how it ended by legendary East Carolina baseball up there in Australia is a mystery. coach Jim Mallory during the Pirates’ After doing some research, Loper 1961 NAIA national championship discovered the jersey most likely season was donated to the school belonged to Mallory. He contacted by Steve Loper ’01 of Cary, North athletics director Terry Holland and Carolina. Current ECU baseball head coach Godwin, who were very intercoach Billy Godwin took possession ested in having the jersey returned to of the jersey for the university. ECU. It is currently on display in a Loper, who collects ECU memora- case outside of Godwin’s office. bilia, said he found the jersey offered “I have other jerseys but this one for sale on eBay by a person in Austra- was different,” said Loper. “I wanted to lia. He recognized the Pirate patch on share this piece of history with other the sleeve because it matched one on a Pirates—past, present, and future.”
By jay clark
Spring, 1961...
56 PURPLE!
Coach Mallory compiled a record of 161-60 during nine years in the dugout, and also served as dean of men during a 33-year career at East Carolina. MARCH/APRIL 2012