The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01

A handicap that would have dis couraged almost any boy seeking na- tional prominence as an athlete and coach only spurred "Hustling Hank. his nickname on the Crimson camp us. to greater efforts. A story of his perseverance and will-to-win goes back p years, an incident trivial at the time, when Crisp was only live years old.
 Here's The Story
 Henry and brother Lewis, seven, were playing with some old Civil War cannon balls in front of their fathers store in Falkland, N. C. Soon they were in competition to see who could throw them the greater dis tance. An uncle, watching their ef- forts, marked a line 10 feet from where they were throwing, and of- fered quarter to the one tossing the iron ball past 1t.
 The struggle that followed was in vain and soon their thoughts turned to other pastimes. Within half an hour, however, Henry was back. Picking up the nearest cannon ball, he let loose q mighty heave with every ounce of muscle in his i've year-old frame. He collected the quarter.
 Only Ono Hand
 Crisp was Ia when his right hand was cut off at the wrist while help irg his father i'll the silo. Suffering great pain, the lad was put to bed. but the next morning, pain or no pain, he was out of doors learning to throw left-handed.
 Following splendid record both a. an athlete and scholar at Black stone Military Academy. Crisp en- relied at Hampden-Sidney College. His first football game was against Virginia Military Institute. Follow ing the game, the V. NJ. I. coach ap- preached Coach Bernier of Hamp- den- Sidney with this joking query Why don't you cut one hand off all your players?"
 Two years at Hampden- Sidney and young Crisp followed Coach Bernier tc Virginia Poly, where he starred four years on Gobbler elevens as a tackle and fullback. From his back . field position he called signals and ran with the ball. In the line he was thc leader of the defense.
 .Armlng
 Opponents of V. P. ]. in those days may still recall the "nubbing" Crisp gave them, Il trick of stiff-nrming with his handless right arm. There was one game in which the referee halted play to examine the bandage ''nub" when opponents complained that Crisp must be using lead or some other hard substance under the har!lnge.
 Football didn't take all of the young Carolinian's time. When h's Iluleskins were stored away after Thanksgiving day, he donned basket ball toggery, Two of the three years he played on the varsity. V. F. ]. captured conference titles. In track he participated in the sprints and high jump. He even played one year of professional baseball. drawing his salary principally because the fans thrilled at the way he coached on tte base lines, pitched to batters in practice and knocked fly balls to the far corners of the outfield
 Crisp drew lis diploma from V. P. 1 fin 1920 but returned there In the 1all to work for his Master of Arts degree. In January Of 1921, Bernler took the athletic directors post at Alabama and his first act was to sign Crisp as his assistant.
 Has Experience
 The success of "Hustling Hank" on the Alabama campus has been phen- omenal. He has tutored freshmen and varsity alike in all branches of sport. Such Alabama stars of the past as Grant Gillis, Cupe Perry, Johnny Mack Brown and l.uny smith were his pupils.
 Alabama students like Crisp be- cause he likes them. Fans and sports lovers all over Dixie admire his trankness, courage. honesty and in- tegrity. He Is never too busy to nell! Il fellow. In every one of his 'boys he shows n personal interest.