Hall of Fame
Davon Cruz played a significant role in the Bridgewater College football team’s rise to national acclaim.
Cruz was a member of the BC football team from 1998-2001 and garnered numerous honors for his play, including consensus All-America laurels as a senior.
Beginning in his freshman year, Cruz served the team as a quarterback before transitioning to running back for his sophomore season where he rushed for 661 yards. As a junior, Cruz more than doubled that tally and ran for 1,556 yards with 14 touchdowns to push the Eagles to a 10-2 record and a trip to the national postseason. Cruz earned second-team All-ODAC honors for his efforts.
Cruz’s senior season in Crimson & Gold was one of the best statistical seasons in the program’s long history finishing the year with 1,678 rushing yards, which still stands as the program’s single-season record, and ran for 18 touchdowns. His touchdown mark stood as the program record for almost 15 years and still ranks as the second-highest total for a season. Cruz’s accomplishments for that season were nearly endless as he was named to the All-ODAC first team, VaSID All-State first team and All-American honors from five organizations, including first team laurels from D3football.com and the AFCA.
Cruz owns the Bridgewater record with 3,986 yards, is second with 36 career rushing touchdowns and totaled 20 games with at least 100 yards rushing, which is also a program record. He is second in the record book with 102.2 yards per game and remains 10th in touchdowns. In all-purpose yards, Cruz ranks third with 4,675 yards.
Cruz was a pivotal member of the program as the team went from a winless season in 1998 to an ODAC championship and a spot in the Stagg Bowl, the Division III national championship game, in 2001.
In addition to his many accolades on the gridiron, Cruz excelled as a member of the track & field program as he was a national qualifier in the 55-meter dash in 2001 and 2002. He was the program record holder in the 55-meter and 60-meter dashes with his time of 6.94 seconds in the 60-meter standing on top of the record book for nearly 20 years and is still the third-fastest in team history. During his senior season in 2002, Cruz earned All-American honors by finishing sixth at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field National Championships.
After graduating from Bridgewater College in 2002, Davon continued to pursue his passion for football, playing professionally in the European Football League for the Lazio Marines in Italy. His love for the game was evident in every game, and he inspired many with his dedication and sportsmanship.
Upon returning to the U.S., Davon transitioned into a career in IT, where he excelled as an IT help desk technician at LMI in McLean, VA. Simultaneously, he channeled his enthusiasm for fitness by working as a personal trainer, touching the lives of many with his motivation and expertise.
Davon was not only a dedicated professional but also a loving partner, happily engaged and eagerly looking forward to his future. His warmth, passion, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him. He is and always will be greatly missed, a true hall of fame in life.
In recognition of his outstanding performances as a student-athlete we posthumously induct Davon Cruz into the Bridgewater College Athletic Hall of Fame.
