In its first enshrinement class, the newly created Franklin (Indiana) High School Alumni Hall of Fame will induct basketball pioneer George Crowe tomorrow.
Franklin (IN) HS Alumni HOF to Induct George Crowe, First Indiana ‘Mr. Basketball’ and a New York Rens Star
One is a media pass to a history-making event. The other was an “errant” pass that may have changed history.
The University of Indianapolis is honoring the memory and contributions of two alums, African American basketball pioneers Ray and George Crowe, by renaming one of its student residences after them.
George Crowe, the last surviving member of the New York Rens all-black pro basketball team, would have been 90 years old today. He died earlier this year.
Two baseball writers speculate on why more baseball writers didn’t know about George Crowe’s death.
Sacramento Bee: George Crowe, an elite athlete who broke racial barriers in basketball and baseball, died quietly in Rancho Cordova last week after living a remarkable life as a mid-20th century pioneer.
Indy Star: George Crowe’s place in history was cemented when he won the first Indianapolis Star Indiana Mr. Basketball honor while playing for Franklin High School in 1939.
Crowe, a 1943 graduate of Indiana Central, was a three-sport star for the Greyhounds in basketball, baseball and track. Known as a great scorer and rebounder on the hardwood, Crowe was an all-state player in 1941 when the cagers finished ninth in the country.
George Crowe had been the last living member of the New York Renaissance (a.k.a. “Rens”) professional all-black basketball team. He was 89 years old.
Perhaps the finest athlete in Johnson County history, George Crowe led Franklin High to the cusp of a state basketball championship, and was selected Indiana’s first-ever Mr. Basketball.