GREENVILLE, S.C.- Every year, the National Christian College Athletic Association announces a handful of Game Plan 4 LIFE Character Award Winners. Each sport has an award associated with it and on Friday night at the National Championship Banquet, the NCCAA announced the Baseball recipient of the Hank Burbridge Award.
Bryce Crabb (Des Moines, Iowa/Grand View Christian) was announced as the second player in the history of UNW Baseball to win the award. Carlton Lindow won the award in 2021.
The Hank Burbridge Award, along with the other Game Plan 4 LIFE Character Awards from the other sports, is one of the most prestigious honors that the NCCAA bestows each year. This is the NCCAA's description of the award: "Hank Burbridge was the baseball coach at Spring Arbor University for 40 years and amassed a record of 1003 wins and 519 losses. Hank was named NCCAA District/Regional Coach of the Year twelve times, NCCAA National Coach of the Year on four occasions, and was inducted into the NCCAA Hall of Fame in 1993. His Cougar baseball teams won multiple NCCAA and NAIA District Championships and were crowned NCCAA National Champions in 1992, 1993, and 1998. Hank was a mentor and leader in NCCAA and NAIA baseball networks as well as within USA Baseball. He never missed an opportunity to share Christ or to encourage all who came in contact with him. The NCCAA is proud to present this award in recognition of Hank Burbridge's legacy of service."
The Hank Burbridge Award goes to the Baseball player that the NCCAA feels best represents the organization athletically on the field, academically in the classroom, and most importantly spiritually through Church involvement and service. Below, Eagle fans can find an excerpt from the NCCAA's press release:
"The NCCAA is pleased to recognize
Bryce Crabb (Des Moines, Iowa/Grand View Christian) of the University of Northwestern as the 2024 Hank Burbridge Award recipient for Baseball.
Crabb has been a solid two-way player for the Eagles, seeing time in the lineup as a pitcher or shortstop. The native of Des Moines, Iowa is the all-time winningest pitcher in the history of UNW baseball, holding a 27-13 career record with a 2.59 ERA in 39 starts. Crabb has had 17 complete games while pitching 288.1 career innings, allowing just 83 earned runs, and striking out 270 batters in his career. When playing shortstop, Crabb has batted leadoff for most of his career, holding a .336 career batting average with 178 hits, 36 doubles, 137 runs scored, and 82 RBI with a slugging percentage of .439. The graduate student has also been lightning on the basepaths, with 45 stolen bases.
Crabb is a two-time NCCAA All-American, four-time NCCAA All-Regional Award winner, and is a four-time UMAC First Team All-Conference selection. In the classroom, he is a four-time NCCAA Scholar Athlete, a four-time UMAC Academic All-Conference selection, and was a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection. Crabb is majoring in accounting and holds a 3.95 GPA.
Off the field, Crabb gives back to the community with volunteer work. Crabb has volunteered with various organizations, such as Meals From The Heartland, Christmas With Dignity, Feed My Starving Children, and Operation Christmas Child.
Head Coach
Jesse Eikum states, "
Bryce Crabb (Des Moines, Iowa/Grand View Christian) will leave Northwestern as one of the best two-way players in the history of Eagle baseball. In terms of versatility, it is hard to find somebody who tops the career Crabb has turned in. Crabb is one of those rare players that is his team's best pitcher, best hitter, and best fielder, and has been one of the most important pieces to one of the best four year stretches in program history. He has done this while also racking up academic achievements and holding a near 4.0 GPA. He has also made his community and school a better place through his volunteer work and Christian service. Bryce's talent and abilities make him rare, but it is character and ability to make everybody around him better that truly makes him special."
