Submitted Content

Larry Crawford was a beloved LTHS coach from 1926-49

Posted November 13, 2017 10:00 pm

By Dale Eggert on behalf of Libertyville High School

Larry Crawford's 1928 faculty picture Courtesy of Dale Eggert

• The following is part of an ongoing series of articles in celebration of Libertyville High School's 100th anniversary.

Larry Crawford came to Libertyville Township High School in the fall of 1925 to teach Business and Physical Education. He was named the track coach for the 1926 season, a position he would remain in until his retirement from teaching after the 1949 season.

When coach Crawford took over the track program, LTHS became the dominant team in the conference, winning seven titles in a row from 1927 through 1933. In the years they didn't win the title they were always among the leaders.

His 1932 team placed fourth in the state led by state discus champion Vange Burnett. To this day, this is the top Libertyville High School Track and Field State finish. The team also competed in a national high school tournament in 1932 at the University of Chicago and came in third place.

Throughout his time at LTHS, Crawford was also coaching under level basketball or football, sometimes both sports in the same school year. He had several undefeated JV basketball teams in the 1930s.

In addition to his coaching, he began the student newspaper, the Drops of Ink, his first year at the school. The paper shut down for a couple of years in the early 1930s due to the Great Depression but Crawford brought it back in 1935.

Larry started an insurance business late in his teaching career. He went into that full time in 1949 and retired from LTHS. Once retired from teaching, he got involved in civic activities serving on the village board's recreation committee, the Lions Club and as an officer in the Libertyville Boys Club.

He conceived the idea for, cultivated and maintained for many years the circular, sunken garden across Lake Street from the Butler Lake Warming House, named the Crawford House in his honor in 1964. He was named the 1955 Libertyville Man of the Year.

Crawford was a 1918 graduate of Hopedale High School in Central Illinois. He was a standout athlete, particularly in the pole vault, as well as in football and basketball. He was a graduate of Illinois State University, teaching three years at the now closed Livingston High School in southern Illinois before coming to LTHS.

The 1934 LTHS Track Team. Larry Crawford is top row, far left. Courtesy of Dale Eggert

Larry Crawford, back, with head basketball coach Art Bergstrom in 1941. Courtesy of Dale Eggert

The Crawford Warming House on the north side of Butler Lake was named after Larry Crawford in 1964. Courtesy of Dale Eggert

Larry Crawford, as he played basketball for Hopedale High School in 1918. Courtesy of Dale Eggert

Larry Crawford starting a track race in 1944. Courtesy of Dale Eggert

The 1926 Drops of Ink staff, with faculty sponsor Larry Crawford in the center. Courtesy of Dale Eggert

A 1963 picture of the sunken garden across Lake Street from the Crawford Warming House, developed and maintained for many years by Larry Crawford. Courtesy of Dale Eggert

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