Tragedy Into Triumph
Mac Crutchfield was everything you could want in a swimmer. He was dedicated, hard working, focused, he was honest about his effort.
He was everything you could want in a friend. He was funny, he was thoughtful, he was always ready to give away his “Vitamin M” (“M” for Mac hugs), he would tell you when you were right, and he would tell you when you were wrong.
He was everything you could want in a son. He was loving, he was a good fishing buddy, he was good in school, he made good choices, he was growing into someone that would make a very good man.
High school sweethearts Charlie and Maggie Crutchfield fell in love, married and were living the American dream. They had two wonderful kids, 12 year old Mac and 9 year old Savannah. Then one day the family’s life was sent into a tempest on August 23, 2008.
Mac Crutchfield was a boy who loved the water so much that sometimes he would take three showers a day to get his fix! He of course was a passionate swimmer who would get up at 4:30 AM to ride with his mother from Cairo, GA to swim practice in Tallahassee, FL. After school he would repeat the one hour drive for another two hour practice. But even more important to Mac was his Christian faith and even at swim meets it mattered to him how people carried themselves outside the pool. One day after practice Mac even apologized to his coach for not paying attention and not giving his best effort. When is the last time you heard a kid apologize to a coach? When watching the Olympics he would watch how the Olympians handled defeat or interacted with teammates and opponents alike. Mac also admired the effort that the swimmers in the Special Olympics program had to put forward and was always encouraging and giving hugs.
Mac Crutchfield was out having a blast playing in a downpour, running around with his mouth wide open, drinking straight from God’s water faucet when tragically he slipped, hit his head and was knocked unconscious and then drowned in a drainage ditch. What cruel irony is that? A boy who loved water and swimming so much drowned playing in the rain. Boy, let that sink in a while.
Below is what a couple of friends and coaches had to say about Mac:
A Smile From Above
There are times when I have to shake my head or pinch myself to realize that Mac is gone from this earth. He was always grinnin that big smile and I think that's what Ill remember most about Mac. My last memory of Mac was actually working on his breaststroke with him...not his specialty...but it all seemed to fall into place that day. He was so gracious and polite, traits of a Cairo boy! Sometimes I had to remind myself that he was only 12.
A few days after he passed it stormed one early morning practice, very randomly and HARD. No doubt Mac's sense of humor getting his friends out of practice surely laughing at Terry and I from above. Later that afternoon at practice I saw the most peculiar up side down rainbow that looked like a smile. You either had to look straight up to see it or you had to be one of the swimmers swimming backstroke, Mac's best stroke, to see it. It's from that moment I say that I will always think of Mac and smile when I see a rainbow because I know that was him smiling down at us full of heavenly life letting us know he was alright.
Thank you for showing me God's love and mercy Mac Crutchfield, and to Maggie, Charlie and Savannah for treating me like family. it is truly and honor and I will sincerely miss you when I am gone.
Shantel Commander (ATAC Coach )
Big Heart
It is still as unreal to me today as it was the moment I heard that Mac had past away. I will never forget the feeling that overcame my whole body when I heard the news. I can't express in words how fortunate I am to have met Mac. I will never forget all of the goofy things that he told me when we were at the pool, his priceless smile, and the sleepy face he had on as he walked to the pool early in the morning. One of my favorite things to tell people about Mac is how he had a "big heart", he informed me that his heart was so big that there was enough room for everyone in it. I never questioned that statement either, I never saw him disrespect anyone and he was always big enough to admit if he ever did anything wrong. The day he apologized to me for not paying attention during a practice was one of the most meaningful conversations I have ever had with someone Mac's age, because it was real, it wasn't forced or fake, but he was sincerely sorry for not doing what he was supposed to.
Even though I can't see Mac except for in pictures I know that he is still with us. I am constantly reminded of his big heart everytime I look to the sky and see a rainbow, everytime the wind blows a certain way, and everytime i see a giant flip flop on the pool deck. Whenever I am having a bad day I seem to get a sign from him that turns everything around. Like today, I get out of my car as it started to rain and then I noticed a rainbow. I felt that Mac was there with me, that even though I didn't have an umbrella I was going to be ok. And I was, it was a great day, thanks to the smile that Mac sent me today.
Miss you tons Mac
Coach Amanda (ATAC friend )
Please visit Mac’s memorial website to find out more about him and his impact on the world.