Barry Crawford
Barry Crawford, a 1980 graduate of Northern Bedford County High School, has been a steady presence in the Northern Bedford sports community for over 4 decades. Known for his success as a player, coach, and volunteer, Barry’s dedication to local athletics has left a lasting impact on generations of student-athletes.
As a student at Northern Bedford, Barry was a three-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball, and baseball. He earned 7 varsity letters between grades 10 and 12 and was named an All-Star in all 3 sports. On the basketball court, he made school history by becoming the first Northern Bedford boys’ player to score over 1,000 career points, finishing with 1,023.
After high school, Barry went on to play basketball at Penn State Altoona. During his 2 years there, he averaged 21 and 20 points per game, scoring in double figures in 48 out of 49 games. He helped lead the team to the 1981 Commonwealth Campus Championship.
According to Penn State Altoona head coach George Obermeier, “Barry was hard to defend. He had an extremely quick first step, so if opponents guarded him too closely, he would go around them. However, he was an unbelievably accurate shooter, so they couldn’t give him too much space. Barry was very unselfish, and he played great defense. He was the best all-around player I coached at Penn State Altoona.”
In 2023, Barry was recognized for his achievements with induction into the Penn State Altoona Athletic Hall of Fame.
Barry’s contributions didn’t stop after his playing days. He returned to Northern Bedford and began coaching boys’ varsity basketball as an assistant in 1984, and he became the head coach in 1998, a role he held until 2013. In 15 seasons, Barry led the team to 201 wins and helped establish a competitive program.
In football, Barry started as an assistant coach for the junior high team in 1985 and took over as head coach in 1993. Over 39 seasons, he remained a steady leader on the sidelines, helping players develop both their athletic skills and character.
His dedication extended to the track as well. Barry served as a District V track and field statistician for 15 years and regularly helped with running events at home meets. He also volunteered with youth softball and baseball programs.
From 2018 to 2025, Barry also served as an assistant coach for the Northern Bedford girls’ varsity basketball team, continuing to share his knowledge and love for the game. 
Barry Crawford’s story is marked by his commitment to NBC and the joy he found in athletics. His impact goes far beyond wins and losses — he has helped shape the lives of countless athletes across multiple sports and generations.
Barry and his wife, Tess Crawford, have 2 daughters, Andrea Ritchey and Taylor Ridgeley and 6 grandchildren.

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