Bio

Gary Crean came to Missouri Valley College in 1974 to play for the Viking football program. During his four-year career at MVC, Gary was a member of four Heart of America Athletic Conference Champions teams in 1974-1977, and played for the 1974 NAIA National Runner-Up team.

Gary was a four-year letterman for the Vikings and earned a number of individual awards including first team all-HAAC honors and first team NAIA District 16 honors in both 1976 and 1977. He was an NAIA honorable mention All-American in 1977, along with being named a co-captain of the football team and voted as the team's outstanding offensive lineman that same season.

Outside of football Gary was also a three-year letterman in track and field competing in the shot put and discus. He was president of the Sigma Nu fraternity in 1977 and was the Sigma Nu Man of the Year in 1977. Gary was also a four-year member of V-Club, serving as president in 1977 and was voted as Mr. Viking in 1978. Also in 1978, Gary was selected as a Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities.

Gary graduated with honors earning a bachelor of science in business administration. He has worked for more than 35 years in sales at Caterpillar Equipment, working for Fabick-CAT, the St. Louis, Mo. Caterpillar Dealer. Throughout his working career Gary, has won numerous sales and performance awards.

Gary currently resides in St. Louis with his wife Susan (Middelkamp) Crean, a 1978 MVC alumna. They have two grown children, Scott and Lauren Crean.

Gary says that Head Football Coach Ken Gibler influenced him during his time at Missouri Valley, challenging him to be his very best.