Delta State University

After legendary coach Dave “Boo” Ferriss retired from coaching baseball, he pushed for a new service building to replace the original facility at the baseball field, which was outdated and deteriorated. Ferriss approached his former player John Crawford from Starkville, Miss., about the possibility of making a gift to make the new service building a reality. 
 
Crawford was a two-time All-American catcher for Ferriss at Delta State from 1977-78. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers and spent a few years in their organization.
 
It didn’t take long for Ferriss to convince his former player, and the Crawford family provided a six-figure gift that made the new service building at the Dave “Boo” Ferriss Field complex possible.
 
Named after John Crawford’s father, the Robert L. Crawford Center was completed in time for the completion of the 2007 season.
 
Robert L. Crawford was a successful businessman and citizen of Houston. John is a successful businessman in Starkville, and his wife, Beth, is also a Delta State graduate. They have three daughters.
 
“The Crawfords have been tremendous supporters of our program for years,” said Ferriss. “They have supported us like few others, and I am excited this facility bears their name.”

A golden-brown brick building with a baseball painted on the side of the roof, the center serves as the main entrance and exit point for all Statesmen baseball games at Ferriss Field. Near the will-call window is granite wall on the side of the building featuring the names of former Statesmen baseball players.
 
The facility features the “Dave ‘Boo’ Ferriss Museum,” expanded rest room facilities, an umpire’s locker room, concession areas and a merchandising stand.

The “Ferriss Museum” features memorabiliam from the life of DSU legend Dave “Boo” Ferriss, a Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer. The museum is open before each home baseball game or by appointment.

The Crawford Center, Thigpen Annex and Dave “Boo” Ferriss Field combine to give the Statesmen the best facilities in all of NCAA Division II.

For more information on the Robert L. Crawford Center, please contact the Delta State University Athletic Department at (662) 846-4300 or e-mail us at athletics@deltastate.edu.