Cruce, Ferdy

He was recognized on several levels for his achievements with the Coffee football team 1954-1956. He was All-Tri Cities all three seasons and made All- Tennessee Valley Conference and All-State during his junior and senior sassons. In addition, he was selected as an All-American in 1956 and was chosen to play in the East-West National All-American game in Memphis, an honor extended to only 44 players in the nation. He also played for the north team in the Alabama North-South game. He scored 30 touchdowns during his Coffee career. In track he finished first in the 100 and 200 yard dash at the TVC track meets in 1955 and 1956. He turned down scholarships to Tennessee, Georgia Tech and Mississippi State and opted to play football at Alabama. He made the SEC All-Freshman team and started at halfback during his sophomore year, Bear Bryant’s first season for the Tide.