De’Rion Crooms is a believer in the “Go to Work” ethos that Roy Thompson, Arkansas Tech University head football coach, has instilled in the Wonder Boys’ program.
“We wake up and literally go to work,” said Crooms, a senior wide receiver from Baytown, Texas. “No matter how you do it, how you get there…you show up, and you put the work in with energy, effort and enthusiasm. When we get transfers and freshmen, they see the older guys and the people who have been here with that mentality, and it’s easy for them to fall in line because they already see the standard of going to work. It’s that simple. Just show up and do your job at an elite level.”
Arkansas Tech will begin its 111th football season by hosting Southwestern Oklahoma State University for a 7 p.m. Great American Conference game at Simmons Bank Field at Thone Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 3. Tailgating will begin on Centennial Plaza at 4 p.m.
Game tickets are available at www.arkansastechsports.com/tickets.
Thompson said Crooms has been a leader in the Wonder Boys football program from day one.
“There aren’t many people who are true leaders,” said Thompson. “(Crooms) doesn’t mind getting in front of the team and holding them accountable. He doesn’t mind bringing the energy every, single day. His energy motivates guys to practice and do things at an elite level whether it’s on the football field, in the weight room or if he’s helping them with something off campus. He’s a special person. My wife asks me about Crooms all the time, and my kids do, too. He’s that type of person. They may not know many other people, but they know Crooms.”
Crooms has three major responsibilities at Arkansas Tech. Not only is he a student and a football player. He is also a graduate assistant in the ATU Department of Campus Life, where he provides leadership for the “I Bleed Green and Gold” campus spirit initiative and other programs designed to build pride in Arkansas Tech.
“I’ve been around that type of leadership all my life,” said Crooms. “I always wanted to hang out with the older guys, and I’ve always seen the older guys do it, so I’ve always put myself in the front. You can’t lead from the back. That’s what my mom and dad told me when I started pre-K. I was always trying to be the line leader and do stuff right. I respect everybody that respects me, and I think that goes a long way because I try to hold myself accountable just as I hold them.”
After pouring three years of his life into the Arkansas Tech football program, Crooms is filled with gratitude for the fan encouragement that he and his Wonder Boys teammates have received.
“It’s everything…having the whole town of Russellville come out and support us…it means a lot,” said Crooms. “We’ve been working for it for so long since the spring. Having the vision and dreaming about it…my teammates are raving. They love it. We’re grateful for every supporter that comes. We can’t wait to see the Paint the Town Green and Gold theme on the first week and all the people who will come out and support us. It means a lot to us, and we appreciate literally everyone who supports us and believes in us.”
Of course, the best way to gain support is to win games.
Arkansas Tech posted its first winning football season and made its first bowl game appearance since 2017 last season. This season, Crooms and his teammates want more. Much more.
“The mindset is just to win,” said Crooms. “Do it at an elite level…do everything we do at an elite level. Do it better than we did before…not too much harping on the past, but focusing on the task at hand. Obviously, keeping the main thing the main thing. That’s the mission right now. Maintaining that energy and steadfast commitment is a habit we have to develop. We have done a good job of developing it during fall camp by bringing energy every day.
“Energy is what’s going to fuel our bus,” continued Crooms. “Everything else will flow from that. Our practices are harder than the games. If we fuel that energy bus for 11 weeks straight, we’re going to be a pretty rough team to stop.”
Live coverage of the ATU-SWOSU season opener will be available on KCJC 102.3 FM, www.rivervalleyradio.com/river-country and www.arkansastechsports.com.
Talk to you on the radio.
Tech Tidbits is a column written by Sam Strasner, ATU director of university relations and radio play-by-play voice for ATU football and basketball.
