Northeastern State Athletics Hall of Fame
Eric Crawford headlined a defensive back line for the Northeastern State men's soccer team that recorded the three best defensive seasons in school history. In NSU's first season (2012) as a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), Crawford and the RiverHawks earned their first NCAA postseason berth in seven seasons, claiming a Central Region Championship and reaching the National Quarterfinals for the first time in program history. For his efforts, Crawford was named by the United Soccer Coaches (formerly known as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)) as an All-American. He earned a second nod following his senior season in 2015, becoming at that point just the third NSU men's soccer player to earn the recognition twice. Crawford was a seven-time All-Region First Team performer, a three-time All-MIAA First Team honoree, and an NSCAA Academic All-American. For his work not only in men's soccer, but in the classroom and community, Crawford was NSU's first finalist for the MIAA's Ken B. Jones Award, which recognizes the league's top female and male student-athletes from the academic year. Following his playing career, Crawford served on the NSU men's soccer coaching staff for two seasons (2016-17) and was part of a staff that earned the program's second NCAA National Quarterfinal appearance.
