Nebraska’s Eric Crouch, the 2001 Heisman trophy winner, talks about how he got into the playground and recreation business, why he loves his new career and where he keeps his Heisman (run time is 6:34; transcript below the jump).
[podcast]http://www.lostlettermen.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Crouch-_1.mp3[/podcast]…..
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Lost Lettermen: This is Jim Weber from LostLettermen.com and I’m joined by Nebraska’s Eric Crouch, winner of the 2001 Heisman Trophy. Eric thanks so much for joining us.
I want to ask you about how you transitioned from a career in football to selling playground equipment for Crouch Recreation?
Eric Crouch: Well, it’s quite a long story. And actually it was a slow transition really. I was playing when I purchased this company from a family here in Nebraska who had owned this for close to 40 years before I bought it. I thought it was a very exciting business to get into. I was always interested in owning a small business. And learning about business in general and the (inaudible) aspect of it.
The products that we have are playgrounds. Obviously that’s our bread and butter. We also carry scoreboards and outdoor equipment. Park shelters, water parks, water slides, benches, bleachers. All types of outdoor-related equipment in athletics and recreation.
It’s sort of a fun business. Everything is different and we get an opportunity to work with a lot of great people. So it’s been a lot of fun. Started our sixth year, so we’re looking forward to a big year in 2010.
LL: And what was it about playground equipment that drew you in? I know you have two young children of your own. Did you find yourself on playgrounds a lot, thinking this would be a cool business? Or what was the thought there?
EC: Really when I was introduced to this business I’d just been released by the Green Bay Packers in 2003 and came home. And a friend of mine, a mutual friend, said, “Hey a buddy of mine is selling his recreational company. You should take a look at it.” And I said OK. I ending up shadowing him for two and a half months and decided to make the purchase.
And in those two and a half months, I got a chance to see what they did and the projects they were a part of and all the good things that they were doing in the community for helping build ball fields and helping with youth programs and the recreation leagues throughout the state.
And those are all things that obviously from my background and growing up and being part of those programs that I was very interested in supporting. So while supporting it I could make a business venture and join with these organizations and building their facilities. I’ve had a lot of fun doing this and it’s very rewarding to see what you do for the youth of the state and the youth of this country.
So a lot of it comes back also to my exercise science degree in college and the background that I had in education and some of the things that interested me along those lines. And as far as athletic equipment and dealing with childhood obesity and all the diseases out and there and if you can be active and contribute to the youth and well-being of your community, I think those are all great aspects and have always played well into this line of business.
LL: Now mostly it’s the kids looking for the autographs. When you go to schools like this, do you find it’s the teachers and the principles asking you for autographs that remember you from your Heisman days?
EC: Here in Nebraska it’s kind of special. I don’t expect people to ever know who I am or remember what I did at Nebraska. I always try to meet somebody and build a relationship from just being myself and hopefully that’s good enough to start communicating and building a working relationship, friendship, business relationship. And sometimes it extends into an even deeper friendship where you get an opportunity to get to know the people that you work with on a daily basis and become good friends.
And so, like I’ve said, I enjoy it. I don’t look at the autograph thing as something that hinders or helps. I think it’s just there and I understand that people of Nebraska and sports fans in general who have followed college football and my brief professional career, then I’m always happy to talk about that. It always seems like a good way to open up conversations. It’s always a good hot topic to talk about Nebraska football since I was close to that for many years and have good relationships with many people that were there that it’s always a fun topic.
I always take it with pride and the honor that the people of Nebraska still support their alumni and college program even after athletics.
LL: Right. Now everyone that knows you knows that you do not flaunt your Heisman Trophy or your days at Nebraska in front of anyone. But we gotta ask you, which we ask of every Heisman Trophy winner, where is the bronze statue now?
EC: I have it in a case that was given to me by the Heisman Trophy Winners and Trust when I was awarded the award in 2001. It’s in my house and it’s in the same box. I really don’t take it out a whole lot. I like to keep it in good condition and if people … I’ve had kids come over and ring the doorbells, “Hey can we see your Heisman?” And I take them and let them see it and their eyes get about as big as they can and they’re running out of the house screaming, “Hey, we saw the Heisman,” and they take that around the neighborhood.
But it’s a lot of fun. I had a great career at Nebraska and I’m very honored to be a part of a great group of athletes and people as a Heisman Trophy winner. So it’s given me an opportunity to meet people that I thought I’d never really have the opportunity to meet and build relationships with. So it’s been very interesting over the years.
Really a great person. Thanks for all the great times you gave us watching you play, Eric.