2009-10: Most Successful Men’s Basketball Season Ever

Record-breaking wins and record-breaking fan support for the 2009-10 EMU men’s basketball season were testimony to a committed coaching staff and team. It was a year to celebrate and remember…

The team ended with a 25-5 record, including 14-2 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference and just the program's second regular season ODAC title. The previous best mark in program history was the 16-9 record of the 1997-98 team.

They earned the first national ranking for the Runnin’ Royals ever and ended the season ranked #4 in the nation in the D3hoops.com national poll. Full D3hoops.com Top 25 list.

EMU hosted first and second round games of NCAA play to sell-out crowds and the team went all the way to competition in the Elite Eight during their first-ever trip to the D-III National Championship.

“The atmosphere and support in Yoder Arena during the NCAA games was beyond my wildest dreams,” reflected Head Coach Kirby Dean ’92, at season’s end.

Home game attendance

Fans came out in droves and broke all records for EMU basketball:

• 13,558 total attendance at 13 home dates
• 1,043 average at home dates
• 828 average for total season
• 1,689 fans for 2/17 Bridgewater game (record for EMU event)
• more than 1,500 fans at a home game four times

Online viewing

The number of fans watching via webcast broke records for the ODAC, too. In most cases, fans gathered and watched together on one screen. Some even coordinated parties.

•3/13 vs Guilford – 2,342 views
•3/12 vs Whitworth – 1,120 views
•3/6 vs Wilmington - 464 views
•3/5 vs Centre - 419 views

“Athletics can be fickle,” reflected Athletic Director Dave King at a post-season celebration for the campus and broader community. “But we are grateful for this opportunity to excel and in that, raise awareness about the bigger picture that is EMU and the success this team exemplifies both on and off the court.”