An Interview With A Legend | Featuring Ericka Cromartie

7/11/2022

Ericka J. Cromartie, is the head Girls’ Basketball Coach at Florida A&M University
Developmental Research School, where she ensures each team member masters the skills
of playing basketball through exposure to the game.

Coach Cromartie is the daughter of Jerome and Claudette Cromartie and a current
resident of Midway, Florida. Her mom played a strong leadership role in her community
which inspired her to get involved and give back to her community. The city of Midway
maybe a small city, but its traditions, atmosphere, and community support makes it much
bigger at heart.

Following Ericka’s graduation in 2001 from FAMU DRS, she attended Miles College in
Birmingham, Alabama on a four-year basketball scholarship.  Upon graduating from Miles
College, Ericka returned to the state of Florida to attend The Florida State University,
where she earned a Master’s Degree in Physical Education. Ericka began her teaching and
coaching career in 2008 at Crossroad Academy Charter School in Quincy, Florida. In
2012-13, Ericka was given the opportunity to teach at her alma mater (FAMU DRS) and
earned her second Masters Degree in Sport Management from Florida Agriculture and
Mechanical University (Fall 2013).

During the 2014-15 seasons, she began coaching girls’ basketball at FAMU DRS, in which her
team won the 2A State Championship and she was voted the “2A Coach of the Year.” The
following season (2015-16) season, her team won back to back State Championships, and she
again was voted “2A Coach of the Year”. At the end of the 2016-17 seasons, Ericka Cromartie
led her team to the state championship for the third time, becoming the first team of any sport
in Tallahassee, FL to win three championships in a row. In 2017, Coach Cromartie was named
the Florida 3A Girls Basketball Coach of the Year (third coach of the year award) and was
named the “2017 Florida Girls Basketball Coach of the Year!” In 2018, Coach Cromartie lead a
young, but talented team to the 2018 3A State Final Four! This made a total of 4 State
Appearances in 4 Years! Coach Cromartie thanks GOD for giving her the opportunity to mentor
and coach student athletes to become the best they can be. Finally, in 2019, 2020, & 2021, 2022
Coach Cromartie lead her team to more Final Four appearances making 8 Final Four appearances in 8 Years. Coach Cromartie was also named the 2021 All Big Bend Coach of the
Year!  Since Coach Cromartie has been to FAMU DRS, at least one of her players has signed a
Basketball Scholarship every year under leadership. Her motto is, “Its bigger than basketball!’