In 1986, Mason alum Kim Crabbe became the first Black woman called up to the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. Decades later, she’s still giving back to the sport she loves.
Crabbe, who majored in social work while at Mason, played right fullback for the Mason women’s soccer team that won the 1985 NCAA Division I National Championship. It was during that game she caught the attention of Anson Dorrance, head coach of North Carolina, the opposing team, who also happened to be scouting for the women's national team.
The Reston, Virginia, native played in the first Women’s Olympic Festivals, numerous National Cups, the W-League and at the professional level. Crabbe is still very involved with soccer on the grassroots level.
Crabbe is director of programming/outreach with the Wilmington (N.C.) Hammerheads, where she coaches and mentors underserved youth. She also runs a nonprofit, Outreach of Cape Fear, where she continues those efforts.
In appreciation for her community service, she received the 2019 Centennial NAACP Youth Services Award and was honored by the United Soccer Coaches as the 2021 Youth Coach of the Year.
“My goal every day is to impact one person,” Crabbe said. “The sport has given so much to me, I want to give something back to the sport and, more importantly, the youth within our community.”