RCC baseball player hits academic homerun

Spring 2012 Rappahannock Community College graduate Josh Crawford is among the distinguished athletes presented with the annual Individual Academic Awards from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), in recognition of his excellent academic performance while playing for RCC’s baseball team, the Gulls. Crawford maintained a 3.87 grade-point average to qualify for the NJCAA Award for Superior Academic Achievement.

RCC's Crawford wins Athletic Scholarship Award

Josh Crawford graduated from Gloucester High School in 2009, and his stellar play on the GHS baseball team led to his recruitment by RCC Gulls coach Jack Moore. Originally he played outfield for RCC, but he later went on to the positions of third base, catcher, first base, and designated hitter. Shoulder and elbow injuries hampered his play, but he excelled in the classroom, qualifying for membership in the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society as well as winning the RCC Gullwing Scholarship. This award, in addition to its GPA requirement, calls for demonstrated leadership ability, good citizenship, and a history of community involvement. Crawford graduated from RCC with the degree of Associate of Arts and Sciences.

Although disappointed that injuries cut short his baseball career, Crawford harbors no bitter feelings, but is ready to move forward with his life. He has transferred to James Madison University, where he will begin working for a bachelor’s degree in management in Fall 2012 . . . after maximizing his transfer status, at the suggestion of his JMU academic counselors, by taking an additional summer course at RCC. JMU was his choice partly because of its excellent business program, and partly because several of his friends are already there; he was also influenced by his brother Brett’s new wife, who is a JMU alumna. (Brett preceded Josh in the baseball programs at both GHS and RCC, and is now the strength and conditioning coach for the Richmond Flying Squirrels.)

“I got a good education at RCC,” says Crawford, “and enjoyed learning from some great professors.” In particular, he names history professor John Paden, adjunct professor of religion and philosophy Jason Patrick, and mathematics professor Dr. Norman Howe.

Photo: Baseball standout Josh Crawford’s parents are very pleased with the sports and academic opportunities that RCC has provided for him and his older brother Brett. Left to right: Henry, Melissa, and Josh Crawford, with RCC president Dr. Elizabeth Crowther.