Ronnie Crabtree, a 1977 graduate of Fort Payne High School, played four sports during high school, especially excelling in high school. Crabtree served as captain of the football, wrestling, and baseball teams. He was also a member of a local boxing club outside of school and even won the light middleweight division of the 1977 AAU State Boxing Tournament, which was held in Fort Payne that year. Crabtree earned football and baseball scholarships to Marion Military Institute. He set two school records in football with seven fumble recoveries and two blocked punts. He was also captain of the baseball team. He later transferred to Arkansas Tech University, where he played defensive back and linebacker. He again served as team captain and earned a spot as an AIC All-Conference Honorable Mention.
Crabtree returned to Fort Payne High School in 1993, where he coached baseball and football from 1994 to 1999. He led the Wildcat baseball team to an 83-61 record, three area titles, three DeKalb County Championships, two Elite Eight appearances, and one Sweet 16 appearance.
Crabtree served on the state nominating committee for the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame from 2004-2005. He earned his Master’s degree from Jacksonville State University and serves as an administrator in the Fort Payne City School System.
