No coach before Crews at UE ever produced more than seven straight non-losing seasons. That includes legendary Arad McCutchan, the first college division coach ever inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. As successful as he's been on the court, Crews is thought of just as highly away from the basketball floor. Forty-two seniors have gone through the Purple Aces' basketball program under Crews, and 41 have left with their undergraduate degrees. Virtually all graduated in four years.
Crews is very active in the community, especially in helping children.
The 'Jim Crews Reading Aces' program, in conjunction with Citizens National Bank, has received national recognition from the NCAA for its work in helping students succeed in the classroom. Crews and his players visit area schools throughout the year, and encourage reading in particular and academic success in general. Boys and girls who meet their reading goals in the Reading Aces program get a free ticket to an Aces' game. A 1976 graduate of Indiana University, Crews was a four-year letterman in basketball for the Hoosiers. In his senior year, I.U. compiled a 32-0 record and won the NCAA national title.