Leading in to the announcement of the 2012 College Football Hall of Fame Class, the National Football Foundation highlights members on the Hall of Fame Ballot. The 2012 Class will be announced on May 15 in New York City.

SCHOOL: Alabama

POSITION: Center

YEARS: 1963-65

ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS: A two-way starter at center and linebacker that earned consensus First Team All-America accolades at center in 1965, Crane helped drive the Crimson Tide to consecutive national championships as a junior and a senior under College Football Hall of Fame coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. A member of both Alabama and the SEC’s respective teams of the 1960’s, Alabama played in three New Year’s Day bowl games with Crane on the roster and enjoyed a 28-4-1 overall record. He was honored by the SEC all three years on the Varsity squad, making the All-SEC Sophomore Team in 1963 and earning All-SEC honors in 1964 and 1965, the latter of which earning him SEC Lineman of the Year. Crane was named team MVP on the 1965 squad by the Birmingham Touchdown Club.

ACADEMIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Crane earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of 1967, graduating with honors, and went on to receive a Master’s degree in education from the University of Mobile.  

CIVIC SERVICE: A member of the Mobile Drug Education and Awareness Council and the Red Elephant Club, Crane was a founding member of the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game.