Ray P. Crowe | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Indiana House of Representatives from the 26th district | |
| In office November 9, 1966 – November 7, 1972 Serving with William Ruckelshaus | |
| Preceded by | Robert V. Bridwell |
| Succeeded by | n/a |
| Member of the Indiana House of Representatives from the 42nd district | |
| In office Nov. 8, 1972 – July 31, 1975 Serving with Paul E. Burkley, Donald T. Nelson | |
| Succeeded by | William L. Soards |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 30, 1915 Whiteland, Indiana, United States |
| Died | December 20, 2003 (aged 88) Indianapolis, Indiana, US |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Betty Ewing |
| Alma mater | University of Indianapolis |
| Occupation | Basketball coach, politician, parks director |
Ray Province Crowe (May 30, 1915 – December 20, 2003)[1] was a basketball coach, educator, school administrator, and Republican politician in Indianapolis, Indiana. He 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. His 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. Crowe coached numerous Indiana All-Star players, including Oscar Robertson, Hallie Bryant, and Willie Meriweather, and was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1968.
In 1966 Crowe became one of fifteen Republicans (of whom William Ruckelshaus gained national stature) sweeping out an equal number of Democrats to represent Indianapolis in the Indiana House of Representatives. During the nine years preceding his resignation from the legislature, Crowe rose to chair the House Education Committee. He 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.
Crowe's younger brother George Crowe became the first Indiana Mr. Basketball and a major league baseball player. The University of Indianapolis named a campus building "Ray & George Crowe Hall" in their honor.