A tribute to the legend Dr. Kay Teer Crawford the first pioneer of dance/drill team.

She began to develop the new sport of Drill Team 1930 while still in high school. Over the course of more than half a century, Dr. Crawford brought the pep arts from obscurity to the international competition it is today.

Her half-time events remain the stuff of legends: One Californian football coach lamented to the reporter, "I have to keep reminding people that before and after the half-time program, we will be playing for the state championship."

Kay Crawford Tribute

With Kay's passing, I not only lost a great mentor, but also a wonderful friend. I do not recall a time that I called Kay when her voice didn't perk up a bit, making me feel like I was the most important person in her day. I know, from others she mentored, that she treated us all special. That was only one of her wonderful traits. I learned so much from Kay. One of my favorite sayings is one of Kay's, I have silently repeated it to myself over the years while at practice:

"Expect MORE than you think they can do, and they'll surprise you."

The first dance camp I ever attended when I was 17 (Drill Team World) was owned by Kay. The first Bowl game I worked on in '86 was with Kay. My first international dance trip was to Tokyo with Kay. Fourteen days in Japan, we even experienced an earthquake together. I was fortunate enough to hear her speak on numerous occasions. She was the keynote speaker at our Just For Kix Directors Convention in August of '99. She spent the weekend with my family and left a lasting impression on my children. I will always treasure the time spent with her, as well as the wealth of knowledge she shared with me. The last time I saw Kay was at the Miss Dance Drill team USA in 2001. That day she stressed to me how important the work we as dance coaches do. This quote by Dr. Kay Teer Crawford when speaking to dance/drill coaches will help us carry out her legacy:

"I believe you are a unique person, created with innate dignity and ability. You are entrusted with a job to do, one that has been given to no one else, and no one but YOU can do it. Appreciate and develop your own gifts and urge others to do the same. Prepare yourself now for the privilege. Forward march!!!!!

Celebrating Memories Of Kay's Life

By Cindy Clough

I felt very close to Kay and her memories will always remain in my heart. Family was very important to her. I have heard all your names, heard about your lives and know how very proud she was of each of you. On many of the different projects or conventions we were at together, we had discussions about her children, her late husband and how much she loved him, and her wonderful grandkids.

I thought I would share some memories and thoughts with you on how wonderful I felt Kay was, since you so often had to share her with us (those she mentored in the Drill Team World.) I am sure there were many times that it was difficult to have her gone, traveling here and there, and running this and that, but you can take pride in the fact that she helped countless people over the years with her insight, love and wisdom.

My first memory of Kay Crawford, was when I attended Drill Team World Camp at the age of 17. She wasn't at the particular camp I attended, but I heard of her. Of course I then ordered Let's Cheer Magazine, purchased her pink book and the entire bound volumes of Let's Cheer. I purchased all the video tapes and watched them over and over. I met her for the first time at The Miss Drill Team USA in 1982 when my team traveled there to compete.

Kay was an amazing woman many years ahead of her time. The first time I worked with Kay, on a trip to Tokyo, Japan, I was frustrated at how relaxed she was about everything. I thought she needed to be a bit more up tight....like me. At that time in my life, this was the biggest thing that I had ever undertaken. Her "go with the flow" attitude was so new to me. In later years, I realized that she was quietly teaching me that when you are a person who juggles multiple tasks and venues, a "go with the flow" attitude is a "survival tactic." Thanks Kay.

When she came to Minnesota in August of 1999 as the Keynote Speaker for our Just For Kix Directors Convention, she was such a hit. She wowed all the Directors with her charm and humor. That weekend will always be a beautiful memory for me. We had a wonderful dinner out at a charming resort (my mother-in-law, daughter and husband joined us too.) We went shopping in the quaint village of Nisswa where she looked for gifts for her grand kids the entire time. That weekend my husband and I were contemplating purchasing a lake lot with some old cabins on it . She drove up there with us, walked the land and counted off 75 feet from the lakeshore, stepping it off herself. I thought to myself...wow she is 90, I can only hope that I am half that active at that age. We were a bit nervous to go for it...and she encouraged us to buy it. She said there is nothing more important than a place for family to gather. You won't regret it. We drove her to our house, where she waited while we went to sign the papers on the property. She stayed with our teenage son while we were gone. When we got back he expressed to us how he was amazed at "how cool" she was. Joel, a basketball player exclaimed, "Did you know she coached basketball during the war years?" That I did not know, but he was very impressed, as was I. I was also impressed that she had neatly folded all my laundry. She couldn't just sit there....she had to help me out. Nothing was beneath Kay.

Other memories include.....driving to the Minneapolis airport to have coffee with her when she had a layover (3 hours each way for me). An earthquake in Tokyo (March of '88) and her running around to all our rooms reassuring us, and telling us what to do.

The Holiday Bowl of '89 in San Diego, which was the first bowl game I had ever worked on, Jan and Kay were great mentors. I am now on my 15th bowl game. We have shared many a breakfast, lunch and dinner at the various conventions over the years. I am proud that she asked me to be a travel companion to Africa, which I had to regretfully decline due to other commitments, but I was honored she asked me none the less.

Definitely some of my fondest memories will be the phone calls. I was always excited when she called me and when I would call her, she always responded with warmth. She made me feel like I was very special to her. Her voice would always sound so warm and happy. She always treated my husband with so much respect and concern too. She was always giving us business advice and ideas.

I am happy that I was able to travel to see her in March at the Miss Drill Team pageant this past year. I was thrilled to be able to speak with her a few times during those two days. Many times I feel "I am" because "she was." Our company recently celebrated 20 years in business. We received a beautiful letter from Kay which our employees put in a bound book. We will treasure it forever. Thanks Kay for dedicating your life to the pep arts and thanks to Kay's family for sharing her with us.

With Love and Respect,

Cindy Clough

Executive Director

Just For Kix