Q&A with devoted Mustang fan Mr. Ernest Rooks
Mr. Ernest, you’ve been a staple at Mustang basketball games for years, and we are thrilled to be able to talk with you.
So, how did it all start?
Well, I’m retired - I worked for Union Pacific railroad for 34 years. Years ago I went to church with a guy named Greg Kenley who had a daughter, Karli. She was on the team that won three championships in a row. So I started going to their games in 2005 and they were just unbeatable. When Karli graduated I stopped going because I didn’t know any of the players.
What brought you back?
We had been attending Levy church of Christ since ’72, but my father died and every time my mother went to church she’d break out crying. So we decided we’d go to another church, and we went to Somers Avenue. I didn’t expect to start going to the games again, but I met Matt Miller and he told me his daughter, Falan Miller, was playing for the Mustangs. I went to the first game, when she was a 9th grader, and she was just phenomenal. Her basketball IQ was like a senior’s IQ would be.
That was a long time ago – about eight years – why did you stick around?
The main reason I started watching basketball was those players. You know, if you watch boys play basketball, it’s all in the vertical – how high you can jump. Girl's basketball isn’t like that. They are fearless. I’ve seen Kelson and Jenna and Christyn take on girls who outweigh them by 50 pounds.
And, well, I get the biggest kick out of it and I love them to death. They are my heroes. I mean, great day. LeBron James has nothing on them. I just get a big kick out of getting to know the players and watching them grow up and change.
Click here to read the full interview on our website.
