Crowder's belief in system inspires dream to coach

Being a part of the same program for five years brings stability - stability built through growth and belief in a process.

Not many know this better than Kindon Crowder.

Crowder spent his first two years at Ball State as a manager for the men's basketball team. Two years of hard work and dedication later, he earned a spot as a practice player. As a senior in 2013-14, Crowder played in 17 games as a walk-on for first-year coach James Whitford.

After a 5-25 campaign, Crowder asked Whitford if he could volunteer as an office assistant for the 2014-15 season.

“I want to make sure I understand the game, learning under him," Crowder said. "Learn how he teaches the concept of basketball."

Crowder isn’t a graduate manager or assistant just yet due to NCAA rules on the number of coaches a team can have, but that hasn't stopped him from being involved.

A few of his duties include helping gather film, provide stats from the opposing teams, check up on the players and help prepare for practices.

One thing that stands out from his duties is one that he considered a challenge he had to take head-on - refereeing scrimmages in practice.

“I actually had to go on YouTube to figure out how to be a good ref," said Crowder. “It’s real hard to make the right calls and keep the flow of practice going.”

Through practice as a manager, player and office assistant, Crowder knew he wanted to make a career of basketball. Like many basketball players around the world, the professional level is the ultimate goal, but only a select few ever make it.

The odds didn't intimidate him, as he realized there was another route to take toward having a job around the game.

“In one year, [Whitford] showed me it’s a lot more than basketball in terms of playing," Crowder said. “Everybody has their NBA dreams, but I realize that wasn’t something I wanted to do.”

Jauwan Scaife, a former Ball State player and current graduate manager for the program, has assisted Crowder in developing as a player and coach through the system. The two have known each other for about six years, establishing a brotherhood.

“Kindon is the hardest working guy in the gym and the office," said Scaife. “He makes the difficult tasks most people try to avoid appear easy, because of the humble approach he brings to every situation.”

Crowder's approach to the game of basketball has in part been shaped by those in the Cardinals' system.

While many aspiring players look to remain a part of the game through playing, Crowder knows it’s more than just shooting and dribbling the basketball.

“He’s a high character guy and is going to be real successful one day," Whitford said. “Kindon has an incredibly great spirit about him. [He's an] affectionate person.”

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