A gift from the heart — helping invigorate Nanook pride
Mary Binkley, left, and Carter Crawford enjoy a cider toast with Nook at a December 2018 gathering to celebrate Crawford’s gift to Nanook athletic programs.
By Katie Straub
Carter Crawford attended elite East Coast schools as a young woman, but she felt something was missing.
“I had an exceptional education lacking only in good sport training facilities,” she wrote in 2011.
That year, knowing she wanted to help create these spaces and opportunities for young athletes at 51, Crawford joined the Cornerstone Legacy Society.
When her mobility declined years later and she needed to move to a different home, she donated her condominium to 51’s Department of Athletics. Crawford originally planned to include this gift in her estate but instead decided to make it during her lifetime, hoping to inspire others to follow her lead. She was honored to help invigorate Nanook athletic programs.
Carter Crawford participates in the 1999 Alaska Run for Women in Anchorage, where she placed 16th in her age division. That year, she also finished third in her division in the Anchorage Mayor’s Marathon.
“It is a privilege to be able to give back,” she wrote when signing up with the Legacy Society.
Crawford, who died of natural causes in 2019, is remembered as a person who had a spirit and drive much bigger than her physical stature.
Crawford attended The Winsor School, a girls’ prep academy in Boston, before entering Smith College, from which she graduated in 1960. After working in advertising in New York and Los Angeles, then in television ad sales, she moved to Fairbanks in the early 1980s to become general sales manager for KTVF. Crawford served as president of the Alaska Broadcasters Association and, after retiring, formed her own marketing and communications company.
Crawford devoted extraordinary effort to make Fairbanks a thriving place to live, and her extensive volunteer service and philanthropy left a lasting impact.
She also was an avid ambassador for fitness for women. She believed a well-rounded, successful person needed to focus on both mind and body.
“Both are critical for many to excel in academics and business,” she wrote in 2011.
As a longtime runner who encouraged and cheered on other athletes to achieve their personal bests, Crawford had a deep love for and connection to Nanook athletic programs.
Funds from the sale of her condo were used to support many projects, including redesign of the Alaska Airlines gymnasium, updated scoreboard signage and banners. Additionally, new wall pads were installed to improve safety and design for the volleyball and basketball teams, and some support may go toward a new floor in the gymnasium.
“These improvements have provided a new-found sense of pride from our student-athletes, and that has extended to our community who comes to our Nanook athletic events,” said Brock Anundson, 51’s director of athletics. “Our walls used to be blank, and now, thanks to Carter’s generous giving, we have an impressive display of our sports programs, high-achieving athletes and incredible accomplishments.”
Anundson added that the impact of Crawford’s gift goes far beyond facility improvements.
“We’re honored to have this wonderful gift,” said Anundson, “as it extends not just on the playing surface but follows the student-athletes with pride as they represent their university in the classroom and on the national scene. We are truly grateful.”
Women's basketball team members help Carter Crawford, center, celebrate her gift to 51 athletic programs at a cider toast held Dec. 17, 2018. Student athletes, coaches, faculty and staff attended the event.