Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

Jason Cruse was part of the 1999-00 Embry-Riddle men's basketball team that was inducted into the ERAU Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class in 2009. The mark he left on the program in just two seasons with the Eagles has afforded him individual recognition as part of the Eagles' 2017 Hall of Fame Class.
 
After leading the University of Rio Grande (Ohio) in scoring in his freshman and sophomore seasons, Chillicothe, Ohio native Jason Cruse transferred to Embry-Riddle in 1998. In his first season with the Blue and Gold, Cruse continued the form that earned him All-American Mideast honors, averaging team-highs in scoring (16.1) and rebounding (8.1) on the way to Sun Conference (formerly Florida Sun Conference) accolades. He led the Eagles to the conference regular season and tournament titles, as well as the second round of an NAIA National Tournament that saw Embry-Riddle set a tournament single-game record for rebounds with 61.
 
One of two seniors on the 1999-00 roster, Cruse took the second-round loss personally and set about working to improve on that finish in the off-season. He posted a double-double (17 pts, 13 reb) in the Eagles' season opener, but in their next game on Nov. 8, he suffered a setback in his quest to lead the Eagles back to the national stage. After playing just 14 minutes, he landed awkwardly while going up for a rebound and sustained a break in his arm that seemed to spell the end of his season. As he left the floor, he said to his teammates "I'll be back," and he made true on his promise, suiting up for the Eagles again on Dec. 31.
 
The Eagles appeared to be on the way to capturing their second straight conference regular season title, but dropped the last three games of the regular season and subsequently lost the right to host the conference tournament. After winning the first two games of the tournament, the Eagles faced host Palm Beach Atlantic for the championship, and Cruse tallied 22 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Eagles to a title victory over the Sailfish on their home court and secure a spot in the NAIA National Tournament field.
 
Cruse was a force to be reckoned with at the national tournament. He posted double-doubles twice and averaged in double figures (16.8 ppg) in the five-game trip. In the title game against host College of the Ozarks, Cruse was 9-for-14 from the field and finished the game with 23 points, seven boards, six assists and two blocks to lead ERAU to its first national title.
 
His performance at the 1999-00 NAIA National Tournament afforded Cruse tournament Most Valuable Player honors. He capped his collegiate career as a two-time NAIA All-American, earning second team recognition in 1998-99 and first team honors in 1999-00 and was an All-Conference performer for the Eagles in each of his two seasons.
 
"Jason Cruse, arguably, is the very best basketball player to ever play for the Eagles. He loved to win and thrived on pressure situations when the game was on the line. He possessed tremendous confidence and stable arrogance, regarding his ability to make plays that would get the needed result. Jason had a special 'feel' for the game and had an extremely high basketball IQ that allowed him to make everyone on the floor better.
 
"Jason was a special leader who led by example. He excelled in the classroom as well, earning the prestigious John P. Eberly Business Student of the Year Award. He also demonstrated his unique time management skills by balancing athletics and academics, while working on campus as a student staff member. Today, he enjoys a very successful career in the insurance business, while building a special family with his wife Kim, and their five children."
Steve Ridder
Head Men's Basketball Coach, Embry-Riddle University (1989-present)
 
"I would like to give you my perspective from coaching against Jason in that title game (2000 NAIA National Championship). Jason had an unbelievable tournament as evidenced by his being named the MVP. I knew going into the game that our key to beating Embry-Riddle was to stop him. He had basically been a 'man amongst boys' the whole tournament and that was definitely true against us. We could not find a way to stop him and he ended up with 23 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in our 75-63 loss. Jason was not only a great basketball player, but he was also a class act on and off the court."
Al Waller
Head Men's Basketball Coach, College of the Ozarks (1977-02)
 
"Jason only played basketball at ERAU for two seasons. If he would have played for three or four I'm convinced he would have set multiple individual and team records. He single-handedly set the tone at the beginning of the national championship game on March 14, 2000. We went to him early and often and he delivered the entire game. When the buzzer sounded and we stood atop of the NAIA II basketball world, we smiled and laughed about how our prediction back in September had come true." Ryan Rothrock
Embry-Riddle Men's Basketball (1999-02)
 
"I'll never forget looking down at my friend's broken arm during game two of the 1999-00 season thinking that our season was over. Not once would Cruse let us think that as his first words to us were 'I'm coming back.' Of course, he did come back after missing nearly half of the season to lead us to the 2000 National Championship, win National Tournament MVP, and become a first team All-American.  
"A player of Jason's caliber doesn't have to buy into a program that we have a Riddle. They can go play anywhere and score 30 a night. But Jason did from day one. Student, person, player…leader. As good of a friend and teammate as he was a power forward."
Kyle Mas
Embry-Riddle Men's Basketball (1997-01)
Embry-Riddle Athletics Hall of Fame Classes of 2009 and 2011