The Maine Lacrosse Coaches Alliance created the Steel Crawford Memorial Scholarship to honor the legacy of Steel Crawford who passed away at the age of 17 on August 9, 2019. Steel was a member of the Freeport High School Lacrosse team where he enacted leadership on and off the field. Lacrosse was important to Steel.

While many high school lacrosse players have the same dream Steel had – to play college ball – Steel was a “player’s player.” He shared his love of the game with many, he mentored teammates and younger players, and he kept the game with the highest of integrity.

Each year, the coaches of the MLCA award a $500 scholarship to a Maine high school senior who embodies Steel’s integrity, character, and love of the game.

The 2023 Steel Crawford Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Bode Coleman of Gorham High School. Coleman joins past recipients Ryan Baker of NYA ’21 and Danny Casale of Freeport ’22. Coleman was a senior captain for the Gorham Lacrosse team and he will join the Southern New Hampshire University Men’s Lacrosse this fall. On hand to present the award were Ben Crawford, Steel’s father, Geoff Arris, Steel’s high school coach and Matt Speno, treasurer of the MLCA of Maine. Congratulations to Coleman.