Delta State University

As the main entrance and exit point for all Delta State baseball games, the Robert L. Crawford Center at Dave “Boo” Ferriss Field has become the central hub for Statesmen baseball, featuring expanded restrooms and concession areas, an umpire’s locker room and a merchandising stand. From the outside, the building looks much like any other modern concessions facility, except for the iconic baseball on the side of the roof.  Inside, though, is a different story.
 
Inside the Crawford Center is the Dave “Boo” Ferriss Museum, which tells the story of one of baseball’s most legendary icons—former Red Sox pitcher and head coach of the Delta State baseball team, Dave “Boo” Ferriss.
 
Although Ferriss approached Crawford about the possibility of making a gift for a new service building to replace the old outdated one, Ferriss never envisioned the facility would feature a museum dedicated in his honor. However, upon its completion, former DSU Athletic Director Brad Teague wanted a room inside the Crawford Center to be dedicated to the former head coach featuring memorabilia documenting Ferriss’ legendary career.
 
“I tried to talk him out of it,” Ferriss said. “I was hesitant about doing it, but he talked me into to it. One day he came to me and said, ‘Coach the committee outvoted you, and the whole room is going to be your museum.’”
 
Thus, the Dave “Boo” Ferriss Museum would become a reality. The next task was deciding what items to put inside the museum. “My wife and I had to go to work, clean out the attic, and find things that would go in there,” Ferriss said.
 
“Inning by Inning: A Life in Baseball, The Dave “Boo” Ferriss Museum” chronicles the former long-time Statesmen head coach’s illustrious career – including photos and personal memorabilia from his early days at Shaw High School, to a young man at Mississippi State, to the height of his career with the Boston Red Sox, to his days at the helm of his beloved Delta State program.
 
Five large, glass-enclosed display cases feature much of Ferriss’ vast memorabilia collection, including a wool uniform, gloves and an official Red Sox vs. St. Louis Cardinal World Series pennant.
 
Former university archivist, Emily Weaver, designed the museum space, including case layouts, floor plan and traffic flow. She partnered with University Relations’ graphic designer, Laura Fleeman to design the panels that hang behind each case. The cases run in chronological order documenting Ferriss’ career inning by inning just as it happened in real time.
 
“They went to work on putting that museum together, but they didn’t know first base from third base [which] scared me to death.” Ferriss said. “I didn’t know what we were going to have.”
 
Before the museum was completed, Weaver and Fleeman approached Ferriss about the idea of adding a dugout and bleachers. They were determined to make design work, but Ferriss thought it was a little far-fetched.
 
“I’m going to have y’all in a psycho ward by nighttime,” Ferriss joked to Weaver and Fleeman. “How are you going to have a dugout and bleachers in a room?”
 
But the completed museum was something even Ferriss couldn’t imagine.
 
“I was scared to walk in there, but I walked in there,” Ferriss said. “Sure enough, there was a side that resembled a dugout and had a video screen up in front of it with several rows of bleachers. They were right. They just did a tremendous job of putting that room together—the floors outlined with a pitching mound and home plate and baseline and the cases.”
 
However, the museum would not have been possible without the generosity of the Crawford family.
 
“Without the support of the Crawford family, The Dave “Boo” Ferriss Museum would not be possible. Their generosity will ensure the continuation of this baseball program’s legacy of success for years to come,” said current head coach and former teammate of John Crawford, Mike Kinnison. “It is a great facility that will surely enhance the whole baseball operation. More than just baseball fans will want to see Coach’s memorabilia, and we want everyone to know they’re invited to tour the facility … especially on game days.
 
“The entire facility just makes it a better day at the ball park for our fans. Not many, if any, programs in the nation will be able to claim the facilities we have, and that’s huge for our program – that distinction separates us,” Kinnison added.
 
A four-year letterman and two-time All-American selection, Crawford was a member of the Statesmen program from 1975-1978. Arguably as modest and humble as his former coach, Crawford stressed, “This gift to Delta State University is from the entire Crawford family. My father was an avid supporter and fan of Delta State baseball, while my mother was a baseball fan of her son.”
 
 “I am so blessed and thankful to have coached John,” Ferriss said. “He was one of the finest guys to ever wear a Delta State baseball uniform, a top player and strong competitor. The Crawfords have been tremendous supporters of our program for years. They have supported us like few others, and I am excited this facility bears their name. … I have been truly blessed with my association with Delta State and the Red Sox, and I am indeed grateful to the Yawkey Foundation/Boston Red Sox for its substantial gift in funding this project.”
 
The museum is open before each home baseball game or by appointment.