Henry Crowley, senior captain of the Poly Prep Football Team, has embodied academic excellence and athletic achievement throughout his high school career, leading him to become both a Division III football player at Middlebury College and Student Body Vice President of the Upper School. Balancing varsity football, academics and student government has made him a respected figure on campus, not only for his resounding talent but also for his high-tier leadership.
Although he played basketball and baseball in middle school, his love for football quickly outweighed both by his freshman year. Curtis Vanlandingham, his youth basketball coach and current football coach at Poly, introduced Crowley to the sport in seventh grade. Crowley began playing the sport as a sophomore in high school, and described his first taste of football as “an awakening… [It was] the moment I realized how much I loved the game.”
Rapidly, Crowley rose to the standards the captains set when he was a sophomore. Reflecting on the influence of those older players, he said, “The intensity that [they] brought to practice kind of set that fire in me that ended up being my love for football.” That work ethic and competitive mindset helped him lay the groundwork for his rise to team captain just two years after starting the sport. Crowley was elected captain in his senior year by his teammates, “without a doubt,” as Football Coach Jerrell Jones described. Crowley went from someone who was learning the absolute basics just two years ago to now being “one of the top players in our program and our captain,” Jones said. “The fact that he was able to do that is just a testament to the hard work and the dedication… he made.”
As captain, Crowley leads through consistent communication and care. Fellow teammate, Chris Pepperman, said one of Crowley’s best qualities is his “deep care of each of the players on this team.”
Crowley battled both a shoulder injury and a knee injury throughout his time playing football. Despite repetitive years of challenges, he earned All-League Honors in both years that he played. That perseverance and commitment helped Crowley earn the trust of both his coaches and teammates. “When Henry talks, people listen… he has [the] full respect of his teammates… that’s rare,” said Jones.
Crowley brings the same leadership to his role as Student Body Vice President, where he pushes for collaboration and accountability and helps strengthen Poly’s community. Reflecting on the similarities between football and student government, he said, “Even though I’m surrounded by all my peers, I still have to make sure I get done what has to be done and do what’s best for our community.” He continued, “The three representatives of my grade do a good job of mixing those two attributes to make sure we properly represent our grade or the whole school.”
Balancing football, school work and student government has tested his focus, but he approaches everything with the same intensity. “Most people say the hardest part is time management,” Crowley explained, “For me, it’s about dedication and consistency, showing up everyday no matter what.”
Looking ahead, Crowley is eager to take his experience to Middlebury College next year. “The years playing Poly Football shaped who I am,” he said. “It taught me how to be disciplined and what it means to lead.” “He’ll bring a resounding amount of toughness and dedication,” said Jones, “He’s ready for anything,”
