TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 8/14/15
From Press Release and Staff Report

Jack Crawford, who guided Loyola Blakefield to a stunning upset of No. 1 Boys’ Latin in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) A Conference championship game in 2013, has resigned as coach of the Baltimore power after 14 years to spend more time with his family.

Crawford led Loyola to three MIAA titles and had an overall record of 172-73 playing in what many consider to be the nation’s toughest conference.

Before coming to Loyola in 2002, Crawford served as an assistant coach at Landon and as a head coach at Thacher in Ojai, CA. He captained Johns Hopkins in 1988.

“Just felt the timing was right to look at other opportunities,” he told TopLaxRecruits.com. “It’s hard to leave the kids and (my) colleagues. I will miss them.”

In their most recent A Conference final, the Dons upset an undefeated Boys’ Latin team that appeared unstoppable, 10-9. They also won the league title in 2007 and 2008.

Reflecting on his decision, Crawford shared the following in a press release from the school:

“The timing just feels right,” he said. “The program could not be in a better place considering the quality of the coaches and other people associated with the team. We are also blessed with outstanding kids. As a coach, my goal at Loyola has always been to do two things: maintain the great tradition of the lacrosse program and run the program in a way that is representative of the mission of the school. I think we’ve done both in a way that reflects well upon the school, the community and the game.”

John Marinacci, Principal at Loyola points to Crawford’s commitment to the school’s mission as an important part of his legacy. “Jack has always done an excellent job in shaping our young men in accordance with our mission, and has been an exceptional ambassador for the school,” said Marinacci. “As good as Jack is at running a successful sports team, his enthusiasm in the classroom is one of his greatest strengths. His presence will be missed here at Blakefield.”

Bryan Kelly, coach at Calvert Hall, said Crawford was respected by all involved in the MIAA. “I have an unbelievable amount of respect for Jack, who is is as a person and who is is as a coach,” Kelly said. “It’s a special league and Jack would always do what was right.”

Crawford comes from a military family and particularly enjoyed sharing his passion for military history with his students. “I love teaching history and I can only hope that I’ve transmitted some of my passion and enthusiasm for the subject to my students,” said Crawford.

A Rockville native, Crawford attended Johns Hopkins University, where he served as the captain of the soccer team in 1986 and captain of the lacrosse team in 1988. Prior to his time at Loyola, he served as an assistant at Landon School in Montgomery County and head coach at the Thacher School in Ojai, California.

Crawford also served as an assistant coach of the USA U19 Men’s team that captured the 2012 Federation of International Lacrosse World Championship in Turku, Finland.