This February, couples who met at UNC Charlotte and other members of the campus community are sharing what they love about each other and the University. Share your story on social media using #iLOVEUNCC. Alums are encouraged to make a gift to support programs, scholarships or departments at LOVE.UNCC.EDU.
Erica Stawick’s love story with UNC Charlotte, more specifically with the 49er men’s basketball team, began when she was in elementary school and continues today.
Stawick ’04 and her dad, Randy, have held season tickets for men’s basketball since the mid-1980s.
“We watched the 49ers play in Belk Gym, ‘The Mine Shaft,’ and then at what is now Bojangles Coliseum before they moved in to Halton Arena,” she said, with a smile.
She celebrated her 16th birthday with her family at the opening of Halton Arena and remembers when Norm wore flannel and smoked a pipe.
When it was time to go to college, Stawick spent her freshman year at an SEC school but quickly decided that she wanted to be closer to home and friends. She transferred to UNC Charlotte as a sophomore and worked in the Athletics Department.
“I had several friends and acquaintances who were already students and I was obviously familiar with the athletics program,” Stawick said. “It was a logical choice.”
She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Belk College of Business in 2004 and continued her love for UNC Charlotte as a proud alumna.
A few years later when she got engaged, Stawick had her bridal portraits taken on campus, with her favorites being taken in Halton Arena. Her almost 13-year-old pug is named Norm.
Throughout the years, Stawick has continued to support 49er athletics as much as possible, including attending the Great Gold Rush Auction every June.
“We couldn't get our names on seat licenses fast enough when football finally got going,” she said. These days, she and her family love to tailgate at all the home football games (and some away games) and try to make as many basketball games as their busy schedules allow.
What Stawick especially loves is sharing UNC Charlotte with her children.
“I love that I can take them back to campus to sporting events and share what has become such a gorgeous campus with them,” she said. “I love how much more connected the city is starting to feel to the university and I notice how much more school spirit there is on campus.”