Louisburg's "glue guy" and Extra Effort Award Winner brings everyone together
Posted May 7, 2021 6:27 p.m. EDT
Updated May 7, 2021 11:52 p.m. EDT
Louisburg, Kan. — In sporting lingo, Darrius Crudup is what's known as the "glue guy."
"The example for the other kids who may not have that same high character just yet, or trying to figure out what high character looks like," said Dontae Lassiter, Louisburg High School head football coach. "I can always point at him and say 'hey, that's the example.'"
The adhesive that holds it all together. A shutdown defensive back for the Regional Finalist football crew and track-and-field speedster in the 200, 400, and 4-by-400 meter relay for the Warriors. Not to mention the tie that binds two campuses, Louisburg for play, and Franklin County Early College for work. The latter, a five-year program that put him on the fast-track to higher ed.
"This is a tremendous opportunity to help out my family and not having to worry about paying bills for school as much," explains Tom Suiter Extra Effort Award Winner Darrius Crudup. "I'd be crazy not to take it."
The five-year program put him on higher ed's fast-track, with enough credits to begin college, potentially NCA&T, in Junior standing.
"He is that person taking notes, he is the one asking questions, he is the one following up, he is the student that you want," lists Katelyn Jones, a math teach at Franklin County Early College High School.
"I appreciate how respectable and mannerable he is, 'yes ma'am,' 'yes sir,'" said Dr. Erica Shoulders-Royster, Franklin County Early College High School principal.
Part of the Early College's recruitment program, who wouldn't want a success story and National Honor Society member like Darrius as the face of an institution.
"He is the prime example of what you want in a kid out there representing your school," Lassiter nods.
"He's the one you want in your community, he's the one that's willing to get involved, willing to give back to those that have given to him," said Jones.
For the "glue guy" always putting others ahead of himself, we're proud to give something to Darrius Crudup. The title of winner of the Tom Suiter Extra Effort Award.
