Harold Pierson played on the Eagles' basketball team as a guard from 1999-2003 and has been touted as one of the most exciting players to don the Blue and Gold. As a freshman, he played a key role in the Eagles' run to the 2000 NAIA national title.
A member of ERAU's elite 2,000-point club, Pierson graduated with 2,298 points and is currently second all-time on ERAU's career list in scoring. He is the Eagles' all-time leader in made field goals (846) and holds the program's single-season records for scoring average (23.4 ppg), field goals made (263) and field goals attempted (542). He is also listed among the Eagles' career top 10 in scoring (3rd, 17.1 ppg), made three-pointers (5th, 253), three-point field goal percentage (5th, .391), free throws made (5th, 353), free throw percentage (6th, 778) and steals (4th, 220).
Pierson's career was also littered with numerous honors and awards, including being named to the All-Florida Sun Conference first team three times. After being named the Florida Sun Conference Rookie of the Year as a freshman, Pierson earned honorable mention All-America recognition as a sophomore, was a third team selection as a junior and was named first team All-American in his senior year.
Pierson graduated from Embry-Riddle with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 2003. He played briefly in the professional ranks in Ireland and the ABA and currently works as a Fire Fighter Engineer for the Orlando Fire Department. Pierson still remains involved in the game of basketball and serves as a coach/player for the Orlando Fire Department Olympic Basketball team, as well as a volunteer coach for Triple Double Basketball Academy. He is also actively involved in the community as a mentor of men and women in Central Florida that have an interest in joining the Fire Service and as part of the Orlando Fire Department's Empowering Committee, he participates in seminars to help increase the number of minorities in the Department.
“Harold exceeds the criteria for this honor, as he is such a quality person. He had many outstanding opportunities to continue his basketball career professionally. However, his real passion has always been to serve others. His decision to become an Engineer/Fire Fighter for the Orlando Fire Department should not come as a surprise to those close to him, as this was one of his lifelong dreams that he could impact people's lives in such positive and well-serving manner. Harold was an outstanding teammate, respected and well-liked by all. His leadership ability, humbleness and teachable spirit was among the highest of all players who have played at ERAU.”
Steve Ridder
Embry-Riddle Head Men's Basketball Coach (1991-present)“Most don't remember, but in the summer of 2000, Harold tore his ACL. I remember the sinking feeling that summer entering my senior year when I heard that we just lost your best playmaker. But Harold surprised us all that fall. He underwent surgery to repair the ACL, rehabbed every single day, and only missed a few games to start the season. His return in the less than 6 months was remarkable in and of itself, but considering we went wire-to-wire #1 in the nation and Harold was named Honorable Mention All-American, I would say that comeback was incredible. It was a testament to his passion for the game, his teammates, and his school.”
Kyle Mas
Embry-Riddle Men's Basketball (1997-01)
ERAU Hall of Fame, Class 2011“I'm proud to have played all three of my years at Embry-Riddle with Harold, but I'm even more proud of the man he's become (Firefighter, husband, father and friend). HP is a quiet, humble man that always kept his nose clean, worked hard and could be counted on by all of his teammates. Whether we need him to score 25 points, swipe a handful of steals or dive on the floor for a loose ball late in the game, Harold would always deliver for the team. In my humble opinion, HP is extremely deserving of being inducted into the Embry-Riddle Athletic Hall of Fame.”
Ryan Rothrock
Embry-Riddle Men's Basketball (1999-02)“Statistics only tell part of Harold's impact on Embry-Riddle basketball. He raised the bar for elite basketball players in the program. And he did so while fitting into Coach
Steve Ridder's student-person-player philosophy.
“A shooting guard with terrific athletic skills, Harold was an immediate impact player. His talent was at a different level, and I have no doubt there were plenty of NCAA coaches who asked why they weren't able to successfully recruit Harold out of Orlando Boone High School. The answer might be that Harold Pierson was a perfect fit for Embry-Riddle: A team player with exceptional individual skill, a young man who brought into a true student-athlete environment and someone who wanted to be a part of a winning program on and off the basketball court.”
Sean Kernan
Daytona Beach News-Journal“Harold as they say in sports 'was worth the price of admission'. His leadership was second to none and was a big reason Embry-Riddle grew into a national NAIA powerhouse. Harold was an outstanding teammate and positive role model for the Eagles. He had an outstanding career and in my opinion was one of the finest players in Embry-Riddle history.”
Bo Clark
Flagler Head Men's Basketball Coach
