26 Facts About Ray Crowe

Ray Province Crowe was a basketball coach, educator, school administrator, and Republican politician in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Ray Crowe was the head basketball coach of Crispus Attucks High School from 1950 to 1957, after which he served another decade as the school's athletic director.

Ray Crowe's teams won the Indiana state basketball championship in 1955 and 1956, becoming the first all-black school to win a state championship in the country, and the first Indianapolis team to win the Hoosier state title.

In 1966 Ray Crowe became one of fifteen Republicans sweeping out an equal number of Democrats to represent Indianapolis in the Indiana House of Representatives.

Ray Crowe was later assistant director of the Indiana Department of Public Instruction, director of the Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation, and served on the Indianapolis City-County Council.

Ray Crowe was born and raised on a farm near Franklin, Indiana, one of ten children.

Ray Crowe was the older brother of George Crowe, who was the first Indiana Mr Basketball and a major league baseball player.

Ray Crowe played basketball and baseball at Whiteland High School in Johnson County, the only black player on the team.

Ray Crowe was a four-year letterman in basketball, twice the leading scorer and team captain, and a three-year letterman in baseball.

Ray Crowe then attended Indiana Central College, where he earned nine letters in basketball, baseball, and track.

Ray Crowe maintained a stoic demeanor and responded to racial adversity by emphasizing discipline and achievement.

In 1950 Ray Crowe was appointed head basketball coach at Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis after serving as an assistant coach there the previous two years.

Ray Crowe played the head coach of the fictional South Bend Central Bears in the film's final game.

Ray Crowe had a high game of 62 points, and he scored 39 in the 1956 final.

Many, including Ray Crowe, felt it was the best coaching job of his career.

Ray Crowe became the athletic director at Crispus Attucks and named Bill Garrett as his successor as head coach.

Ray Crowe remained at Attucks as athletic director from 1957 to 1967 when Garrett succeeded him again.

Ray Crowe maintained a quiet, non-combative demeanor in the face of such challenges, determined to overcome adversity through discipline and achievement.

Ray Crowe coached a fast-breaking style of ball that went against the strict, regimented style prevalent in Indiana high school play at the time.

In 1966 Ray Crowe was elected as one of fifteen Republicans representing the 26th District in the Indiana House of Representatives; sweeping out an equal number of Democrats who had represented the city in the 94th Assembly.

Ray Crowe was replaced by fellow Republican William Lyman Soards, who would likewise win re-election several times, surviving one redistricting.

Ray Crowe worked to change that, and in 1969 court orders led to the reassignment of teachers and students to achieve fuller integration.

Ray Crowe later served as assistant director of the Indiana Department of Public Instruction.

Ray Crowe directed the Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation from 1976 to 1979.

In 1987 Ray Crowe was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the University of Indianapolis, his alma mater.

Ray Crowe died on December 20,2003, at the age of 88, survived by his ex-wife, Betty Ewing Ray Crowe, and their four children.