ETSU President Dr. Paul E. Stanton, Jr. accepted an invitation to join the Jacksonville, Fla., alumni last week as they took the first steps to start an area Pirate Club.  Dr. Stanton joined his fellow Buccaneers as they made the best of a trip to sunny Florida. The group started the weekend early on Thursday as they met before the start of the men's basketball game versus Jacksonville University. Several of the group reconvened Friday for a round of golf, and the weekend wrapped up with a tough win at the University of North Florida that helped the Bucs maintain their first place standing in the A-Sun.

"I have never been more proud to be an ETSU alumnus," said Bill Frank, a 1965 graduate of ETSU. "The fun was meeting some who have just graduated and others who graduated nearly 50 years ago. In three days we got to make new friends and to reconnect with others we haven't seen in years. President Stanton demonstrated his commitment to ETSU athletics and shared his vision for the university's future, and the icing on the cake was seeing everyone cheer on Coach Bartow's basketball team and our win over the University of North Florida. The Pirate Club in Jacksonville wants to promote the national recognition due ETSU athletics and the growth we are experiencing."

For more information on Jacksonville Pirate Club and events coming up feel free to email the Pirate Club at [email protected] or call 423-439-8398.