THE FANS | 1999-00 @ERAUMBasketball National Championship Essay Series

The Embry-Riddle men’s basketball team had a very loyal following in 1999-00 and as the Eagles progressed through the postseason the ERAU fan attendance game grew steadily.

Sharon Amick, now ERAU Athletics’ Executive Assistant and Events Manager, was with the Eagles virtually every step of the way that season. At the time, she was working in the development office and Yon Price and Jason Cruse were her student assistants. When the team made it to the national tournament it was a foregone conclusion that she would be making the trip to Branson. 

While in Branson, Amick took on the role of Eagle fan tour guide. She organized group meals for players’ families and friends of the program, assisted in securing accomodations for University administrators, went to all the games, and still found time to explore Branson.

Amick shared what she found on one such exploration with Eagle fans at a local restaurant the night of the Eagles’ second-round game, and again with us.

That year, Amick also developed a pre-game routine with Price and Cruse, which the duo had come to consider something of a good luck charm. 

“Right before every ball game, I’d say, ‘Make me proud’ and I’d give them a hug,” Amick said.

Prior to the championship game in a sold out Keeter Gymnasium, Amick wasn’t able to get to Price and Cruse as per usual so she asked Head Athletic Trainer Shari Hilscher to deliver her message to the pair in the locker room. Hilscher returned moments later with a message from the Eagle seniors saying that they had to hear from her in person. 

When the team came out for warm-ups, Amick found herself under the basket, and was able to deliver her message personally. Her seniors took that with them into the title game.

Back in Daytona Beach, those who couldn’t make it out to Branson gathered at various locations to watch the championship game live. The University showed the national tournament game on a screen in the Willie Miller Auditorium and the students showed up en masse to show their Eagle spirit.

The original Houligan’s location on the corner of Clyde Morris and Granada in Ormond Beach also had a full house for their showing of the championship game.

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the 1999-00 Embry-Riddle Men's Basketball National Championship