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Rainy Crisp named Navajo Prep AD

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New AD is Lady Eagles basketball standout

Rainy Crisp, a graduate of and long-time basketball and volleyball coach at Navajo Prep School, was hired July 1 as the school’s new athletic director. The decision was announced last week after the school board finalized the matter.

Crisp, a 1998 graduate of Prep and former all-state basketball player, was named the school’s interim athletic director after Mike Tillman resigned the job in March. The half black, half Navajo Crisp is a graduate of Arizona State University, where she also played basketball.

“I’m happy to still be associated with the program,” Crisp told the Sun this week. “I know the school. I know the program. The teachers, kids, and the parents at Navajo Prep are very familiar with me.”

While a student at Prep, Crisp played basketball, participated in track and field, and was an assistant football manager. The Shiprock native made New Mexico’s all-state girls basketball team three consecutive years while playing point guard for the Lady Eagles.

The new athletic director said she recently finalized the hiring of football and golf coaches, two of the first things she did in her new position. Crisp said both coaches are conformations and already onboard.

“The new football coach is Victor Crawford who previously coached at Aztec High School in San Juan County,” she said.

Crisp, who teaches a couple of classes at Prep, will continue as the school’s girls basketball and volleyball coach.

“Coaching is my passion,” she said. “We’ve fielded good teams in both basketball and volleyball over the years.”

Prep finished the 2015 school year 16-3, 7-1 in volleyball and went to state, losing 3-0 to Eunice. The Lady Eagles have made it to post-season play in each of Crisp’s eight years of coaching the volleyball team. The basketball team has been equally successful with Crisp at the helm.

The Eagles move up to District 1-4A after several seasons in 3A. The move comes after this year’s statewide conference redistricting.

By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent