California University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Recognized as one of the most versatile athletic figures in area sports history, Carl Crawley, Jr. transferred to Cal U from the University of Dayton.

At Cal, Crawley was a standout in baseball, basketball, and most notably in football. In 1960, Crawley was selected the Pennsylvania Conference Lineman of the Year. He helped the ’60 Vulcans compile a 7-1 overall record as the Vulcans recorded two shutouts and held two other opponents to just one touchdown. Cal outscored its opposition that year by a per-game average of 19.1-9.2.

Crawley actually attended Cal U for three years and had to sit out his first season due to being a transfer. In 1959, Crawley was a fullback and scored a 75-yard touchdown the first time he had his hands on the football. Cal was 6-2 in 1959. Crawley’s football coach at Cal was Ted Nemeth while Gene Hester was the Vulcan basketball coach.

He looks back fondly on his Cal U playing days.

“Dr. Michael Duda had previously been our superintendent before becoming the President at Cal and he was very influential in my decision to go to school there,” said Crawley. “I was fortunate to get the Lineman of the Year award and I think a lot of that had to do with our team having many very good players. In 1960, Milt “Dink” Diaz was on the other end and John DeSimone was our noseguard. We would create such a pass rush that the quarterback would just throw the ball straight up in the air and head for cover.”

Following his college career, Crawley nearly caught on with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL, making it to the last cut. He also played briefly with the Philadelphia Eagles. Crawley signed on with the Wheeling Ironmen of the United Football League, where he played defensive tackle as well as handling the placekicking duties for the West Virginia-base team. Crawley was the Ironmen’s Most Valuable choice two straight years. He also played professionally with the Pittsburg Ironmen.

In 1967, he began another avocation as a football official. Crawley worked high school games for six years and then advanced to the collegiate level in 1973. He served as umpire in the 1997 Rose Bowl and that following summer he was inducted into the Mid-Mon Valley Sports Hall of Fame. Crawley who also worked the 1995 Orange Bowl, is still a technical advisor and evaluator for the Big East Football and Atlantic 10 Conferences. He was a college referee at the highest collegiate level (1-A) for 19 years.

“I do not remember there being any other black people officiating when I started,” Crawley said. “You have to have tough skin to be an official regardless of what color you are. People used to tell me that I leaned on the black players more. If I did do that it was only because I wanted to help bring them to a higher level.”

Originally from Monessen, Crawley was a rare five-sport letterman at Monessen High School, competing in football, basketball, baseball, volleyball and track. He was the Greyhounds’ team captain in the first four sports and was a member of a state champion Monessen volleyball team. In track, Crawley excelled in the 100-yard dash and shot-put. He earned all-conference selection at tackle after his senior season.

Quite active in the community, Crawley served as a coach in the Monongahela Midget Football League for several years and was NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana’s first-ever football coach. He has served on the Board of Directors of Mon-Vale Health Resources, Inc., parent company of Monongahela Valley Hospital, Inc., since 1991 and was appointed to the hospital’s Board of Trustees in 1997. He is also chairman of the civil Service Commission in New Eagle Borough, a Trustees of Ebenezer Baptist Church, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Mon Valley Football and Basketball Officials Association. The tireless Crawley is also a past Worshipful Master of Lodge 56 and is a past member of the board of directors of the United Way of Mon Valley and the Eagle Scouts.

Crawley is the vice president for sales and marketing for the Jones Brewing Company of Smithon and has been with this company for nearly 40 years. Just as with officiating, Crawley believes his Cal U experience has helped him succeed in his vocation.

“Cal State was nothing but a positive for me and helped me turn my life around,” said Crawley. “Dr. (John P.) Watkins was an English teacher and Dr. (George H.) Rodman was the Dean of men and both those guys wound up being Presidents. They were serious people who cared and truly helped you. They put you on the right road.”

Crawley’s final journey at Cal is induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the seventh class. Despite his many accomplishments, the one-time ironman is glad to be part of the university’s highest athletic honor.

“It is an honor and I’m looking forward to it,” said Crawley. “Phil Clifford was inducted last year and I played fullback alongside him. It’s nice to go in after him. Al helped me become a better person and I’m grateful.”

He and his wife, Sara, are longtime residents of New Eagle, PA. The couple is the parents of two daughters, Mrs. Sharrie Garry and Ms. Carla Jean Crawley.