Malone Alumnus (1988) Tom Crank will begin his 22nd season as the Pioneers’ skipper this Spring after having spent seven years as an assistant coach.
Crank is the school’s all-time wins leader. Near the end of the 2021 season he surpassed the legendary Bob Starcher, and comes into the 2025 season with a 575-474-1 career record.
2019 saw Crank lead Malone to a 33-18 record and its fifth consecutive postseason appearance. The Pioneers won the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Regular Season Championships and Crank was award the 2019 G-MAC Coach of the Year. Malone finished 21-9 in G-MAC play, including a stretch of 18 consecutive conference victories. As a team, Malone led the G-MAC in team ERA (3.85) and went 10-2 in one-run games. Crank’s 2018 outfit produced five All-Conference selections and 17 Academic All-Conference Honorees.
During Crank’s tenure, the Pioneers have made six appearances at the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) World Series and have broken the school record for wins three times - in 2006 (40-20), 2008 (42-16) and 2009 (47-16). Crank earned his second consecutive American Mideast Conference Coach of the Year Award following a memorable 2009 campaign, a season in which Malone captured the American Mideast Conference (AMC) Postseason Tournament Title, competed in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round, and later finished runner-up at the NCCAA World Series. In addition to his AMC Coach of the Year honors, Crank also received the 2006 NCCAA National Coach of the Year Award after leading Malone to its first-ever NCCAA National Championship.
Crank began his athletic career as a three-sport star at East Canton High School, where he lettered for the Hornets in baseball, football, and basketball. In 2004, Tom was inducted into the East Canton High School Football Hall of Fame.
While attending Malone, Crank continued his athletic pursuits on the baseball diamond as a four-year starter for the Pioneers. At the conclusion of his senior season at Malone, Tom received several honors for his baseball achievements. He was named the team’s Most Valuable Player by legendary Malone head coach Bob Starcher. He was also named to the NAIA Honorable Mention All-America Baseball Team and received recognition as a First Team selection to the All-District Baseball Team. Tom was inducted into the Malone Athletics Hall of Fame in January of 2007.
Crank graduated from Malone in 1988 with a Bachelor’s degree in education. He later returned to the classroom in 1999 and received his Master’s degree from Malone in Physical Education and Sport.
After college, Tom continued his on-field exploits by playing 21 seasons in the Canton Class ‘A’ Baseball League. During that time, his teams won 11 League Championships. Crank is also recognized as being one of only two players in Canton Class ‘A’ history to record over 1,000 hits in league play.
As a member of the Wood Electric Baseball Team from 2004-2006, Crank was part of a sensational 80-game winning streak. Tom also played on two Roy Hobbs Baseball World Series Championship teams (2001 and 2004) and, in 2001, was named as the Roy Hobbs World Series Most Valuable Player.
Tom has also been involved in other baseball activities such as serving on the coaching staff with future Baseball Hall of Famer Omar Vizquel during his 2001 Canton-Area Baseball Skills Camp.
In 1991, Tom had a small role as a baseball player in the movie, “The Babe Ruth Story”, which featured former baseball great Pete Rose.
Presently, Tom is the Owner / President of Pioneer Financial Services, Inc., as well as being the Owner / President of Pioneer Insurance Agency, LLC.
He resides in Louisville, Ohio with his wife and childhood sweetheart, Linda.
