CHICAGO – Loyola University Chicago men's soccer goalkeeper Aidan Crawford has been named a 2026 recipient of the Walter Byers Graduate Scholarship, one of the NCAA's most prestigious academic honors.
Established in 1988, the Walter Byers Scholarship program annually awards $24,000 postgraduate scholarships to one male and one female student-athlete. The scholarship may be renewed for a second year and recognizes individuals who combine excellence in academics and athletics while demonstrating strong potential for leadership and future success.
Crawford, a molecular and cellular neuroscience major, becomes one of the select few student-athletes nationwide to earn the honor, highlighting his exceptional achievements both on the pitch and in the classroom.
"The NCAA offers a unique platform that demands responsibility beyond myself, calling me to live a life in service to others," Crawford said. "I'm grateful to Loyola Chicago for providing an environment where this commitment is continually supported and encouraged. I carry this responsibility forward into a career as a physician, where this service and accountability to others must guide my care."
In addition to his athletic and academic accomplishments, Crawford has demonstrated leadership within the Loyola Chicago community, embodying the values celebrated by the Walter Byers Scholarship.
Crawford founded Special Olympics LUC, connecting Loyola students with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through sports and inclusion programs; in its first year, over 90 students volunteered, earning state and national recognition. He also received a bioethics research fellowship studying ways to improve disability sports, reflecting his commitment to service both on and off the field.
Additionally, Crawford completed a week-long service trip to Guatemala last year, working with Gracia, a nonprofit supporting young women, and Casa Hogar, an orphanage in Jalapa. He engaged with local youth on and off the soccer field and gained hands-on experience in Gracia's jewelry and arts programs, learning directly from women in the program while supporting efforts to help young women transition into adulthood.
This past fall, he was named captain of the inaugural Allstate NACDA Good Works Team, recognizing student-athletes for leadership and community impact.
The Walter Byers Graduate Scholarship is widely regarded as the NCAA's highest academic award, named in honor of the NCAA's first executive director. Recipients are chosen based on their academic achievements, athletic accomplishments, leadership, and potential for impact beyond their collegiate careers.
