Northwest Missouri State Athletics

The traditional saying goes, “defense wins championships”.  In the late 1990s, that saying held true for the Northwest Missouri State football team. Yes, these championship teams had some outstanding offensive weapons and could rack up the points, but the Bearcats were able to achieve their ultimate goals thanks to a dominant defense led by Aaron Crowe. The linebacker from tiny Hunnewell, Missouri was a driving force that helped propel Northwest to the very top of the Division II world and the program’s first national title in his senior season. During his career he was selected to four different All-American teams – a second team selection by Football Gazette in 1997, and then a trio of first team selections by the Associated Press, Daktronics, and Football Gazette squads at the conclusion of the 1998 season.
 
Aaron’s name is still prominently featured throughout the Northwest record books. His remarkable performance of 23 tackles in a 1997 victory at Pittsburg State still stands as a single game record. He ranks eighth all-time both in total tackles for a season and tackles for a career with 328. In addition, Aaron is tenth all-time in career sacks and he was the team’s leading tackler both his junior and senior seasons, earning All-MIAA accolades each of those years. During his career, his teams amassed an impressive 32-4 record in league play on their way to three MIAA Championships.
 
Aaron is currently living in Eudora, Kansas.