Former Marine Crawford proves to be valuable asset to Big Reds’ volleyball program

The Muskegon Big Reds volleyball coach and U.S. military veteran has been coaching the team for three seasons at a school known for its prowess on the football field and the basketball court.

Crawford relocated to Muskegon in 2014 from the Flint area where had coached volleyball for 15 years. He has retired twice from coaching and came out of retirement both times.

“It’s just the love of the sport and game,” said Crawford. “I played the sport myself and I was a part of an Olympic team back in the 80’s although I didn’t see any action.”

Muskegon was searching for a volleyball coach three years ago and the program was struggling. Crawford eventually decided to apply for the position.

“They needed a volleyball coach,” said Crawford. “The program was in shambles. During my second season, I had thought about quitting, but then I saw something.”

Crawford also works on the basketball sidelines at Muskegon as a scorekeeper and clock operator. 

 

“Keith Guy (MHS Athletic Director and boys basketball coach) has a way of bringing people together,” Crawford said. “Keith is a great guy to work with and for. He has faith in me and we are trying to build a volleyball program. That is one of the main reasons why I am there.”

Crawford went into the Marine Corps. back in 1981 and was stationed for 6 years in Jacksonville, North Carolina as part of the military police program. He never had the opportunity to travel outside of the United States, but looks back on his military experience as a positive one.

“My fondest memories of being in the military was the discipline that was instilled in me,” he said. “You learned how to make a bed properly and take care of your body in the right way.

“For high school graduates today who are thinking of going into the military, my advice would be to make sure that’s what you want to do,” Crawford said. “Do your homework and check things out. Lots of people go into the military just because they have nothing else to do. It’s definitely a life-changing choice.”

After his military career, Crawford used his police background to start his own security company, but over time, the culture changed and he got out of the business. 

 

“Times changed though,” he said. “People changed. Violence kind of took over and I said enough was enough. It was a great experience though.”

“Mike is really dedicated and he really loves kids and the sport of volleyball,” Guy said. “We are truly blessed to have him leading the program.”

Crawford eyes the approaching summer as a key motivator for the volleyball program to build up its reputation and strive to become a winning program.

“We’ll definitely have a summer program with a lot of weightlifting and team building going on,” he said. “We need to build relationships. The off-season is important because you can’t just come in during the fall and start there. 

 

“It’s like being a teacher and you try to harmonize the structure and form a team.”