WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Braun, Senator Todd Young, Senator Sherrod Brown, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Senator Ed Markey Wednesday introduced a resolution honoring Major League Baseball legend and Civil Rights advocate George Crowe, who was also Indiana’s first-ever “Mr. Basketball.”
Born in Whiteland, Indiana, George Crowe excelled on the basketball court, leading to his designation as Indiana’s first “Mr. Basketball.” After graduating from what is now called the University of Indianapolis, Crowe joined the Army to serve his country in the World War II.
In 1946, Crowe, then a prominent citizen in the town of Franklin, Indiana due to his academic, athletic, and military achievements, refused to leave his seat in a segregated movie theater. The theater fully integrated one week later.
Crowe later began playing baseball for the “New York Black Yankees” and later, after MLB integration, played professional baseball for the Boston Braves, the Cincinnati Redlegs, and the St. Louis Cardinals.
The co-sponsoring senators on this resolution all hail from states where George Crowe played at some point in his career.
“Indiana is proud of its native son George Crowe, who in addition to being Indiana’s first Mr. Basketball and a legend on the Major League baseball diamond was also an advocate for civil rights off the field who should be celebrated on the 100th anniversary of his birth,” said Senator Mike Braun.
“More Hoosiers should know the name George Crowe. His athletic exploits were only a small part of his extraordinary life. He was an American hero, and he deserves this recognition,” said Senator Todd Young.
“George Crowe was a remarkable athlete, but what we remember most was his commitment to civil rights and equity that helped change our nation for the better. Ohio is proud to honor Mr. Crowe’s legacy and the work he did to fight for justice and fairness for all,” said Senator Sherrod Brown.
