By Ryan Lee, NAU Media Relations

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Former football standout Jake Crissup will be inducted into the Northern Arizona University Athletics Hall of Fame as one of four members of the class of 2012. Crissup, a native of Tulsa, Okla., started four seasons at the linebacker position under former head coach Steve Axman and current head coach Jerome Souers.

Crissup finished his career with 327 tackles, leading all Lumberjacks in career tackles dating back to 1984, and is fifth all-time in career tackles in school history dating back to 1970. In 2000, Crissup was the 2000 Golden Eagle Co-Male Athlete of the Year along with Hall of Fame member Ross Land. The two-time elected team captain was also a two-time I-AA Athletic Directors Association Academic All-Star selection, three-time All-Big Sky selection and four-time Big Sky All-Academic selection. Even with all of this, being selected to the NAU Hall of Fame may be his most memorable experience as a Lumberjack.

"It's real special to me," Crissup said. "I remember when I was a player walking around the concourse (in the Skydome) and looking at all the plaques, I read the bios on the plaques at least a dozen times and it is very surreal to imagine that my name is going to be on one of those plaques. Being put in that place of honor is tremendously rewarding."

The success captured by Crissup came from lessons that were taught in the locker room and from a variety of coaches. It was those moments when principles of dedication and the plea to avoid complacency were instilled in his heart. Years later, Crissup emphasizes those same words to any athlete anywhere.

"Don't let a moment go by where you are being complacent," Crissup said. "It was the consistency of never letting back on day-to-day responsibilities that led to my success. Make the most of your time and it will pay off throughout your life and your career in whatever you decide to do." 

Crissup lived those words himself as he continued his education after graduating from NAU magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering in May 2000. He went on to receive a master's degree in engineering management from the University of Texas paid for by the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. He was the second Lumberjack football player to receive this award and is one of 12 Lumberjack student-athletes in all sports to be honored all-time. The influence of his education and football career now influence many who Crissup oversees in the engineering field. Successfully learning how to work as a team goes far beyond your time as an athlete.

"Learning how to be part of a team with more than one piece is extremely important," Crissup said. "You can't do everything all at once, you have to be part of a team. I say that to a lot to the guys who work for me now. We all have a role and we all have specific things that we are good at and what's important is to make sure everyone is clicking and doing what they need to do."

Currently, Crissup resides in his hometown of Tulsa, Okla. with his wife of 11 years, Tamika. Together, they have a six-year old daughter, Magnolia, and a four-year old son, Jonah. On the family's free time, they enjoy the outdoors, with hiking being a common interest amongst the four of them. Enjoying the mountains often brings the family back to the beauty of Northern Arizona University and the beautiful lands surrounding his alma mater.