Hall of Fame

Roderick Phillip Crawford
McGill Institute Class of '49

Rod Crawford is a distinguished alumnus of the United States Naval Academy. Upon his graduation in 1954, he received a letter of recommendation “as having contributed most by his officerlike qualities and positive character to the development of naval spirit and loyalty within the Brigade.” He was one of only fourteen who received this honor out of a class of 856 midshipmen.

While at McGill Institute, Rod Crawford played varsity and junior varsity football, varsity basketball and varsity baseball. He received special recognition for being the only one in his graduating class to receive three varsity letters. During his senior year he started every game in all three sports. He was named to the All-City football second team and All-City and All-District basketball second teams and first team All-City in baseball. In addition, he served as a class officer for two years, was a delegate to the Debate Clinic and was an active member of the Confraternity of the Sacred Heart.

As a student at Spring Hill College, Rod received athletic letters in basketball and baseball. He also lettered in baseball at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. An ankle injury during his second season forced the end of his career. He graduated in 1954 with a bachelor of science degree. His other honors at the Naval Academy included Midshipman Executive Office for his summer cruise to South America aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saipan, Midshipman Company Commander of Brigade Color Company and Midshipman Brigade Operations Officer. His post-graduate work included the US Naval War College, the Armed Forces Staff College and US Naval Postgraduate School. He returned to the Naval Academy in 1961 to serve on the faculty and as assistant baseball coach.

Captain Crawford's career as a naval aviator included four naval aviation commands. He was Commanding Officer for his Carrier Squadron, Carrier Air Group Commander, Air Wing Commander and Commanding Officer for the major industrial Naval Air Station at Norfolk, VA. He has also received personal Navy Commendation Medals, Meritorious Service Medals and Legion of Merit.

One of Captain Crawford's proudest accomplishments was his efforts in fund raising in the Navy's Combined Federal Campaign in 1988-89. In his role as a loaned executive, he conducted over 50 presentations and volunteered to fly to Europe to conduct the fund raising efforts aboard the USS Eisenhower as it sailed homeward from a Mediterranean deployment. The Ike achieved 126% of its monetary goal. “These impressive statistics are directly attributable to your professional efforts and commitment to those less fortunate than ourselves,” according to Rear Admiral J. Pappas.

He has been active in his community as a United Way volunteer, a member of the Norfolk Rotary Club, Little League basketball and baseball coach, Director of Development at Norfolk Collegiate School and Director of the Hampton Roads Combined Federal Campaign. He is married to the former Marcia S. Ferguson. They are both now retired. They have 4 children: Kimberly, Kendall, Roderick and Richard, and 11 grandchildren.

Inducted 2008
Biography updated 10/3/08

Hall of Fame

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