that is news to me that WSSU is a rival to ECSU. I think members in the CIAA all want to one up each other. ECSU original rival was Norfolk State given how close they are too each other (I was born in Norfolk, but grew up in EC), but for NSU their main rivals has been Hampton and Virginia State. Right now ECSU really don't have a main rival, but it always a good time to play any CIAA schools.
I definitely wouldn't have ECSU as a rival of WSSU. I might replace them with Virginia Union. Dating back to the late '80's-early '90's, VUU has been the most competitive rivalry regarding both football and basketball.
I have had this conversation before. We don’t have a true rival. We are the NC State of HBCU’s. A&T isn’t our rival. That’s Central’s rival. Just like NC State likes to claim Carolina is their rival. That’s Duke rival. We had a short lived rivalry with Tuskegee when we played them. We fought EVERY game. So did the band!!!
I got a longer response from Chat GPT: Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) ranks highly as an athletic rival to Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) due to several factors that fuel their competitive and spirited matchups: Historical Rivalry: Both ECSU and WSSU are longstanding members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), a conference renowned for its competitive spirit and deep-rooted traditions among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This shared history in the CIAA has fostered rivalries that are not only about sports but also about pride and tradition. Geographic Proximity: Proximity plays a significant role in intensifying rivalries. Both schools are located in North Carolina, which means that games are more accessible to both sets of fans. This accessibility increases attendance and atmosphere at games, thereby elevating the rivalry. Competitive Matchups: Over the years, both schools have fielded strong teams in various sports, particularly in football and basketball. When teams are consistently competitive, games between them naturally carry more weight, with higher stakes involved. This has been evident in their frequent confrontations during regular seasons and tournaments. Fan and Alumni Engagement: Rivalry games tend to draw significant attention from students, alumni, and fans, who bring passion and enthusiasm to the matchups. This engagement adds an extra layer of intensity to the games, making each meeting between ECSU and WSSU a highly anticipated event. Cultural Significance: Rivalries in the CIAA are more than just athletic contests; they are celebrations of HBCU culture, including bands, cheerleading, homecomings, and more. The rivalry games become major social and cultural gatherings, enhancing the significance of each encounter. The combination of these factors contributes to why Elizabeth City State ranks so highly as a rival for Winston-Salem State, making their matchups some of the highlights of the CIAA sporting calendar.
@@wssuramnation Chat GPT is wrong on this one, as just because schools are in the same states don't make them rivals. I think with the CIAA schools, and former CIAA schools, everyone likes to play each other. ECSU rival was NSU, Fish Bowl Classic, but NSU rivals has been Hampton and Virginia State. I think the closest thing that ECSU has to a main rival, in recent years was Chowan (while not a HBCU, has over 40 percent black undergraduate student body). Also, if you are have family in Elizabeth City the chances are high that you have family connections across today's 252 and 757 area codes. I remember the days when EC was in the 919 area code. I think if Brick Junior College has survived that would have ended up being ECSU main rival after NSU or St. Paul College (if they was still around). One thing that is interesting is the Bluefield State is turning into a small rival and I have family in West Virginia too.
Great work as usual bro
Man this list is interesting for sure
I think do to basketball these rivalries change over time. ECSU is a little high tho
No doubt
Being a WSSU alum, my family rivals in no particular order are A&T, NCCU, St. Aug, Shaw, ECSU, FSU, and VUU.
that is news to me that WSSU is a rival to ECSU. I think members in the CIAA all want to one up each other. ECSU original rival was Norfolk State given how close they are too each other (I was born in Norfolk, but grew up in EC), but for NSU their main rivals has been Hampton and Virginia State. Right now ECSU really don't have a main rival, but it always a good time to play any CIAA schools.
1. A&T
2. NCCU
3. JCSU
4. FSU
5. Livingstone
90’s perspective
1. JCSU
2. Livingstone
3. NCCU
4. NC A&T
5. Shaw U
1. FSU
2. JCSU
3. VUU
4. Claflin
5. Livingstone
I definitely wouldn't have ECSU as a rival of WSSU. I might replace them with Virginia Union. Dating back to the late '80's-early '90's, VUU has been the most competitive rivalry regarding both football and basketball.
Very good point!
Number 1 FSU
I have had this conversation before. We don’t have a true rival. We are the NC State of HBCU’s. A&T isn’t our rival. That’s Central’s rival. Just like NC State likes to claim Carolina is their rival. That’s Duke rival. We had a short lived rivalry with Tuskegee when we played them. We fought EVERY game. So did the band!!!
For women’s basketball in the 80s:
NC A&T
NCCU
Hampton
Norfolk
JC University
Great list. Have to have you on some time to talk about your playing days!
The blue cows
How did ECSU make that list?
I got a longer response from Chat GPT:
Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) ranks highly as an athletic rival to Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) due to several factors that fuel their competitive and spirited matchups:
Historical Rivalry: Both ECSU and WSSU are longstanding members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), a conference renowned for its competitive spirit and deep-rooted traditions among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This shared history in the CIAA has fostered rivalries that are not only about sports but also about pride and tradition.
Geographic Proximity: Proximity plays a significant role in intensifying rivalries. Both schools are located in North Carolina, which means that games are more accessible to both sets of fans. This accessibility increases attendance and atmosphere at games, thereby elevating the rivalry.
Competitive Matchups: Over the years, both schools have fielded strong teams in various sports, particularly in football and basketball. When teams are consistently competitive, games between them naturally carry more weight, with higher stakes involved. This has been evident in their frequent confrontations during regular seasons and tournaments.
Fan and Alumni Engagement: Rivalry games tend to draw significant attention from students, alumni, and fans, who bring passion and enthusiasm to the matchups. This engagement adds an extra layer of intensity to the games, making each meeting between ECSU and WSSU a highly anticipated event.
Cultural Significance: Rivalries in the CIAA are more than just athletic contests; they are celebrations of HBCU culture, including bands, cheerleading, homecomings, and more. The rivalry games become major social and cultural gatherings, enhancing the significance of each encounter.
The combination of these factors contributes to why Elizabeth City State ranks so highly as a rival for Winston-Salem State, making their matchups some of the highlights of the CIAA sporting calendar.
@@wssuramnation Chat GPT is wrong on this one, as just because schools are in the same states don't make them rivals. I think with the CIAA schools, and former CIAA schools, everyone likes to play each other. ECSU rival was NSU, Fish Bowl Classic, but NSU rivals has been Hampton and Virginia State. I think the closest thing that ECSU has to a main rival, in recent years was Chowan (while not a HBCU, has over 40 percent black undergraduate student body). Also, if you are have family in Elizabeth City the chances are high that you have family connections across today's 252 and 757 area codes. I remember the days when EC was in the 919 area code. I think if Brick Junior College has survived that would have ended up being ECSU main rival after NSU or St. Paul College (if they was still around). One thing that is interesting is the Bluefield State is turning into a small rival and I have family in West Virginia too.