Coach Neil Crane Allen Community College Endowment Fund
This agency fund was established by Allen Community College to honor Coach Neil Crane for his many years of dedicated service as head men’s basketball coach. Hired in 1975 after being encouraged to apply by Coach Hugh Haire, Crane quickly built a program known for fierce defense, tough rebounding, and relentless work ethic. In the 1980s, his teams won three Jayhawk East Championships, regularly finished near the top of the conference, and were consistently feared in postseason play.
Many of Coach Crane’s players advanced to Division I programs, and several went on to professional basketball careers. His coaching philosophy emphasized discipline, sportsmanship, teamwork, and dedication. Former player Mark Raaf said, “A great teacher of basketball, he instilled in me the importance of teamwork and dedication to the task at hand.” Curtis Conyers added, “His coaching style emphasized discipline, sportsmanship, and hard work, creating a culture that encouraged athletes to excel both on and off the court.”
Crane concluded his career with a 300 to 173 record at Allen and a 420 to 230 record overall. His legacy continues through his daughter Leslie, who now serves as head coach of the women’s basketball team. This endowment supports ongoing improvements to the Allen Community College gymnasium, and the college is working to raise $100,000 to name the gym floor in his honor, with about $30,000 still needed to reach that goal.