Richard Crowell earned points a lot of ways during his athletic career at Louisiana College: with a racket, with a set shot, with a javelin, and with his legs.
Crowell used a strong forehand and a solid serve to become one of the premier tennis players in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Rarely beaten, he was captain of the LC team, and played No. 1 for four years.
Crowell went on to win the City of Alexandria singles championship in 1941, which was the last time he played a competitive match.
"Crowell was the outstanding player from every point of vantage," according to the day's accounts of his basketball career. He led the Wildcats in scoring twice and he also was a two-year captain.
Crowell won championship points consistently in two unrelated track and field events. His best javelin throw was a noteworthy heave of 215 feet, and he won the prestigious Southwestern Relays hosted by the University of Southwestern Louisiana. He set an SIAA record with a long jump of 23 feet 4 inches, and he had a career best jump of 24 feet 3 ½ inches.
Crowell didn't play football, but was a cheerleader for that sport. He also was president of the student council and performed lead roles in theatre productions.
Crowell supported his alma mater by establishing one of the first endowed academic professorships, the Richard L. Crowell Professorship in Pre-Law.
He has been presented an honorary doctorate by LC, and also has received a Distinguished Alumni Award. Also, the LC tennis courts have been named in honor or Crowell.
