"Central's Crowder a big man with big dreams" (Blountville, TN)

Colleges & Universities Princeton University
1

<p>Thinking big never has been a problem for Michael Crowder. Big goals, a big heart, and yes, a big appetite.</p>

<p>With his hulking 6-foot-2, 265-pound frame, Crowder routinely swallowed opposing defenders whole as the center for Sullivan Central’s football team.</p>

<p>When asked his best memory of Crowder, Central coach Gary Surcey deadpanned, “What, you mean besides the times he pancaked a [defensive] lineman?”</p>

<p>But his hunger for knowledge is even greater. Crowder could open up his own library wing with the number of books he’s read, and his writing ability continually has impressed his teachers.</p>

<p>“He’s one of the three best students I’ve seen in my eight years here,” said Dustin Williams, Crowder’s English teacher the last two years. “He’s a voracious reader. And he’s written and said things that have made me think, ‘Wow, did he steal my notes?’”</p>

<p>Crowder’s insatiable appetite for greatness has made him one of the area’s best football players, one of Central’s top students and has him heading to Princeton University to play football this fall.</p>

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