Richard “Dick” Crews, the first African American player in the history of the Washington Men’s basketball program, passed away on Monday, May 5, 2025 at the age of 89.
According to reports, the basketball legend Dick Crews passed away early Mondy morning in hospice after battling with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Moreover, the whole Seattle and Washington Men’s Basketball community mourns the demise of their beloved basketball star.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of legendary UW figure Dick Crews.
— Washington Men's Basketball (@UW_MBB) May 5, 2025
A true pioneer and the first African American player in UW MBB history, Dick joined the Huskies in 1955 as a non-scholarship player and grew to be a starting guard for the Dawgs.
At the 2018 Husky… pic.twitter.com/baEeXBz3BL
Washington Men’s Basketball expressed their sorrow on social media for the passing of legendary UW basketball player Dick Crews and paid tribute to him.
The post reads:
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of legendary UW figure Dick Crews.A true pioneer and the first African American player in UW MBB history, Dick joined the Huskies in 1955 as a non-scholarship player and grew to be a starting guard for the Dawgs.Our thoughts and well wishes are with the Crews family and Dick’s loved ones 💜.”
Washington Men’s Basketball
The late Dick Crews, who joined University of Washington’s basketball team Huskies in 1955 as a non-scholarship player showased his exceptional basketball skills leading his team in several victories throughout his tenure of four years.
Similarly, his loved ones are expressing their sorrow and sending their heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time.
UW Hall of Famer and current Big Ten Network analyst, Eldridge Recasner, wrote:
“Mr Richard “Dick” Crews along with his wife Norma Crews were the nicest people you would ever meet and diehard Husky fans. May he #RIP.”
Eldridge Recasner first met Dick Crews through his wife, Norma who worked in the ticket office at UW.
Moreover, Norma Rae Crews, the beloved wife of Dick Crews preceded him in death.
Dick Crews’ Wife Norma Passed Away 14 Years Ago
Fourteen years before his passing, UW MBB legend Dick Crews lost the love of his life, his beloved wife, Norma Rae Crews, who passed away in March 18, 2011 at Swedish Medical Center.
Norma Rae Crews born on November 25, 1936 in Taylor, Texas to father Cleveland and mother Tessie Williams, moved to Seattle, Washington with her grandparents where she first met her beloved husband Dick Crews.
Moreover, tying their knot on April 23, 1960, at First A.M.E church in Seattle, Washington, Dick Crews and his wife Norma were happily married for over 50 years.
A graduate of Central Kitsap High School, Dick Crews’ wife Norma was a very active individual who involved herself in different activities and groups.
Norma was an active member of the First State Golf Club, Central Area Senior Center Sliders, and the Cierra Sisters- Breast Cancer support group.
Furthermore, Dick Crews and his wife Norma Rae Crews leaves behind their two kids, son Todd and daughter Karin ‘Beth’ and also their beloved grandson Jaiden.
The couple raised their children to be successful in their respective fields.
While very little information about their son, Todd Crews’ personal and professional life is available as he prefers to maintain a low profile, their daughter Karin Crews has been serving as a management and program analyst of the Federal Aviation Administration in Renton, Washington, for over 11 years.
Likewise, Karin is also an African American Childcare Family Advocate of Atlantic Street Center in Seattle, Washington, and has held her position for over 14 years.
Graduating from Sammamish High School and earning Liberal Arts degree from her father Dick Crews’ alma mater University of Washington in 1986, Karin began her career working as a treasury specialist of Starbuks Coffee Corporation in 2001, where she served for over seven years.
Moreover, Dick Crews and his wife Norma were also proud grandparents of Jaiden Crews Ellis, their daughter’s son.
Jaiden Crews-Ellis is an athlete currently playing boys’ varsity football for Eastside Catholic High School.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- The late Dick Crews was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and raised in Bremerton, Washington.
- He graduated from Garfield High School in Seattle in 1954.
- Dick also served as an assistant director of development at UW, serving as a trustee with the UW Alumni Association and sitting as president of the UW Quarterback Club Board.
