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Crawford: Parade Grand Marshal
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| Jim Crawford or 'Coach' is humbled by honor. (Thelma Grimes/photo.) |
THELMA GRIMES
News-Sun
To accompany this year's 4th of July theme 'A Salute To Our Educators,' James 'Coach' Crawford, a former educator and award winning baseball coach has been selected as this year's parade grand marshal.
"I had known Jim Crawford for more than 40 years and knew of his record as a teacher and famed coach at St. David," said Gerald Hoskinson, of the Mayor's 4th of July Committee. "It then struck me to make a motion that we honor teachers this year. They are very deserving, plus this would also give us an opportunity to honor someone who performed his work in St. David. Benson doesn't need to have all the grand marshals."
Throughout his career, Crawford, 74, as an educator, coach and politician, has earned the respect of many.
After college, Crawford was offered his first teaching position in Fort Thomas in 1957. In his first year as an educator, Crawford said St. David's school superintendent offered him a teaching position.
However, out of obligation to the school that showed faith in him and gave him a chance to strive as an educator after college, Crawford said he could not accept the St. David position.
Two years later in 1959, St. David School's offer was still on the table and Crawford relocated to be closer to his hometown of Benson.
Crawford remained teaching in St. David until his retirement in 1994, but just because he retired from teaching history, didn't mean he was finished as an educator.
For the past 38 years, Crawford has racked up a number of local, state and national awards as the talented head coach of the St. David High School baseball team, and holds the national record for most state championships at 15.
Now, Crawford, who is also the former mayor of Benson, is again being recognized locally. He will represent the city in the 4th of July parade set for Saturday at 9 a.m.
When asked about being chosen, a humble Crawford said, "I feel overwhelmed. There's a lot of good people involved in the education of our children and to be selected out of all of them is in incredible honor. But I don't think it's deserved."
Hoskinson said along with Crawford, the Turquoise Hills Family Golf Center float will honor Jerry Lee and Max Valkingburg.
Lee was a physical education teacher and track coach for Benson High School from 1958-1991 and was later inducted into the Arizona Coaches Hall of Fame.
Valkingburg was a history teacher and guidance counselor at Benson High School from 1962-1989. He also coached football and golf coach and was also inducted into the Arizona Coaches Hall of Fame.
Sponsoring the day's events include: Ace Hardware, Apache Nitrogen Products Inc., Arizona's G&T Cooperatives, City of Benson, Cottonwood Highlands Properties, Garrett Electrical, Gas City, Medicine Shoppe, Party-Lite Mobile Entertainment, Safeway, the San Pedro Valley News-Sun, Turquoise Hills Family Golf Center and Whetstone Partners LLP.
Special contributions were made by; Arizona Saddle Blanket Co., Battaglia and Roberts, P.C., Benson Jr. Women's Club, Carquest Auto Parts, Cates-Hill Trailer Supplies, G&F Pizza, Happy Valley Realty, Holiday Inn Express, John & Pat McGlumphy, Jones-Wilson Insurance, Long Mt. View Realty, Pioneer Title Agency, RV Solar/Dick Vance and S.E. Arizona Federal Credit Union.
News-Sun
To accompany this year's 4th of July theme 'A Salute To Our Educators,' James 'Coach' Crawford, a former educator and award winning baseball coach has been selected as this year's parade grand marshal.
"I had known Jim Crawford for more than 40 years and knew of his record as a teacher and famed coach at St. David," said Gerald Hoskinson, of the Mayor's 4th of July Committee. "It then struck me to make a motion that we honor teachers this year. They are very deserving, plus this would also give us an opportunity to honor someone who performed his work in St. David. Benson doesn't need to have all the grand marshals."
Throughout his career, Crawford, 74, as an educator, coach and politician, has earned the respect of many.
After college, Crawford was offered his first teaching position in Fort Thomas in 1957. In his first year as an educator, Crawford said St. David's school superintendent offered him a teaching position.
However, out of obligation to the school that showed faith in him and gave him a chance to strive as an educator after college, Crawford said he could not accept the St. David position.
Two years later in 1959, St. David School's offer was still on the table and Crawford relocated to be closer to his hometown of Benson.
Crawford remained teaching in St. David until his retirement in 1994, but just because he retired from teaching history, didn't mean he was finished as an educator.
For the past 38 years, Crawford has racked up a number of local, state and national awards as the talented head coach of the St. David High School baseball team, and holds the national record for most state championships at 15.
Now, Crawford, who is also the former mayor of Benson, is again being recognized locally. He will represent the city in the 4th of July parade set for Saturday at 9 a.m.
When asked about being chosen, a humble Crawford said, "I feel overwhelmed. There's a lot of good people involved in the education of our children and to be selected out of all of them is in incredible honor. But I don't think it's deserved."
Hoskinson said along with Crawford, the Turquoise Hills Family Golf Center float will honor Jerry Lee and Max Valkingburg.
Lee was a physical education teacher and track coach for Benson High School from 1958-1991 and was later inducted into the Arizona Coaches Hall of Fame.
Valkingburg was a history teacher and guidance counselor at Benson High School from 1962-1989. He also coached football and golf coach and was also inducted into the Arizona Coaches Hall of Fame.
Sponsoring the day's events include: Ace Hardware, Apache Nitrogen Products Inc., Arizona's G&T Cooperatives, City of Benson, Cottonwood Highlands Properties, Garrett Electrical, Gas City, Medicine Shoppe, Party-Lite Mobile Entertainment, Safeway, the San Pedro Valley News-Sun, Turquoise Hills Family Golf Center and Whetstone Partners LLP.
Special contributions were made by; Arizona Saddle Blanket Co., Battaglia and Roberts, P.C., Benson Jr. Women's Club, Carquest Auto Parts, Cates-Hill Trailer Supplies, G&F Pizza, Happy Valley Realty, Holiday Inn Express, John & Pat McGlumphy, Jones-Wilson Insurance, Long Mt. View Realty, Pioneer Title Agency, RV Solar/Dick Vance and S.E. Arizona Federal Credit Union.
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