Swansboro honors Claude Crews' community spirit with name on middle school gym

SWANSBORO – Although Claude Crews enjoys being a scorekeeper, it’s not the final tallies that bring him the most joy in athletics.

“It is seeing a child who can’t even dribble, watching them come all the way up through high school and then go off to college to play,” he said. “I like watching the kids play and seeing them progress.”

Crews has seen many athletes come and go since the early 1980s as a volunteer with the Swansboro high and middle school athletic programs.

As he has followed the action, he also has contributed behind the scenes.

Whether it is sitting at the scorer’s table, painting lines on fields, cooking every fall for a tailgate party or overseeing the recreation basketball program at the middle school, Crews had established himself as a Swansboro Pirate to the core.

But he isn’t just a community fixture. He’s also an embraced and appreciated member.

Recently, the middle school annex gym was named after Crews.

While proud and humbled by the honor, the 80-year-old Crews said doesn’t help Swansboro coaches and athletes because of awards. Rather, he likes the interaction with the people involved in the programs, and particularly finds joy in watching children of parents he previously watched grow up.

“When I moved down here in 1963, schools were segregated then so I used to follow Georgetown. Then when schools were integrated, I was already living down here and I gravitated towards this school. I have met a lot of nice people. So I just got involved. I still enjoy it now and I will continue to do it as long as my health is good.”

Former athletic director Ronnie Ross met Crews in 1969, and the two were founding members of the Swansboro Century Club. Ross said Crews took volunteering seriously, but more than that, he was a gentleman.

“He was always there and he did whatever he could to help us,” Ross said. “He is just a great friend to us.”

“He is a role model, a friend, a coach, an encourager and cheerleader,” Swansboro High Principal Dr., Helen Gross added. “I cannot think of a more deserving person to name a school gymnasium in honor of in our community. His support and encouragement for student athletes has impacted multiple generations of students.”

John Liles arrived at Swansboro in 1973, and took over as basketball coach in 1981 before he made the schools’ track and field programs one of the county’s best. He recalled Crews’ help early.

“Mr. Crews was my liaison for the Silverdale and Kellumtown communities and he has been my friend ever since,” Liles said. “He is dependable and selfless. He contributes to others and he keeps giving without asking for anything in return.”

Liles added that the recreation program would not be the same without Crews’ help.

Former middle school athletic director Craig Blue agreed. Crews supervised all other recreation volunteers, ensured the middle school facilities were open, ready for practice and games and communicated with coaches on their schedules during his time with the Onslow County Parks & Recreation department from 2003-19.

“When he was helping the recreation basketball program, as long as he was there, the keys were in good hands,” Blue said. “He is a nice gentleman, reliable and a respectful man.”

Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department Athletic Program Supervisor Jason McCray said Crews was one of the first people he met when he arrived in 2017.

“Mr. Crews was always the first staff member to arrive for work and the last one to leave,” McCray said. “He was truly dependable and dedicated to the parks and recreation department. He truly loves the community and it shows in his work.”

Longtime high school athletic director and coach Kim Miller called Crews a staple in the community.

“He has influenced many of the kids that have matriculated through the parks and recreation program all the way through high school with his calming presence, compassionate and caring personality and wisdom,” she said. “Mr. Crews has been a selfless person … and he is well-respected not only by the coaches and staff at Swansboro High, but also the officials. Everyone knows that he has everything under control and he always done a great job.”

It didn't matter of the sport, gender or whether it was varsity of JV. Crews treated every sport with the same respect, former volleyball coach Joan Riggs said.

“Claude was behind the athletes, cheering them on and supporting them through their careers from youth to high school to college to some even playing professional,” Riggs said. “His love for this community and the school is beyond words. Swansboro is very blessed to have someone like him putting in so many hours of love into our athletes.”

Chris Miller can be contacted via email at chris.miller@jdnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @jdnsports.

This article originally appeared on The Daily News: Swansboro's Claude Crews has middle school gym annex named in his honor