BREAKING: ECU Defensive Coordinator Blake Harrell Makes Transformational Gift to Establish “Blake House” for Homeless Youth
**GREENVILLE, N.C.** – In a monumental act of community leadership that transcends the football field, East Carolina University Defensive Coordinator **Blake Harrell** and his family have made a transformative, multi-year financial commitment to establish a permanent supportive living facility for homeless and at-risk youth in Pitt County. The facility, to be named **“Blake House,”** was announced Tuesday in partnership with the **Community Crossroads Center**, Greenville’s primary homeless services provider.
Harrell, a North Carolina native now in his second season architecting the Pirates’ defense, is directing a major personal gift—one of the largest by an active collegiate coach in state history—to address youth homelessness in the region surrounding the university he serves. The announcement underscores a deep familial commitment to the area’s most vulnerable residents.
“Greenville and Eastern North Carolina have welcomed my family with open arms. This community is now our home, and we believe in taking care of our own,” said Coach Harrell, speaking alongside his wife and children. “We talk to our players about responsibility, toughness, and protecting your teammates. ‘Blake House’ is about extending that mindset beyond our locker room. Every young person in this community deserves safety, stability, and a team behind them.”
The landmark gift will fund the acquisition and renovation of a property near ECU’s campus, creating a dedicated residential facility for homeless individuals aged 16-24. “Blake House” will move beyond emergency shelter by providing long-term transitional housing coupled with comprehensive support services. These will include on-site mental health counseling, academic and vocational coaching, financial literacy training, and life skills development, all within a structured, nurturing environment.
“Coach Harrell’s vision is not just for a building, but for a launchpad,” said Marcus Dowtin, Executive Director of Community Crossroads Center. “This gift is a historic investment in the futures of our youth. It allows us to provide the stability and intensive, personalized support that breaks the cycle of homelessness for good. This is a legacy project that will change the trajectory of countless lives.”
The announcement has ignited praise across the Pirate Nation and the broader North Carolina community. ECU Head Coach **Mike Houston**, Athletic Director **Jon Gilbert**, and university chancellor **Dr. Philip Rogers** were present to endorse the initiative, with several ECU football players volunteering to serve as future mentors for the home’s residents.
“Blake Harrell embodies the true spirit of a Pirate—faithful, fierce, and committed to the community he serves,” said Coach Houston. “His leadership on the field is exceptional, but this act of generosity defines his character. We are incredibly proud to support the Harrell family in this mission.”
The Harrell family’s gift includes a personal challenge to local businesses and Pirate alumni to contribute to an operational endowment, ensuring “Blake House” thrives for generations. They plan to maintain an active, hands-on role in the project.
For a program built on resilience and underdog spirit, this act by one of its leaders establishes a profound new legacy. “Blake House” will stand in Greenville as a permanent testament to the belief that the strongest defenses are built not just on the gridiron, but in the heart of the community.
