SuAnne Big Crow was a star in every way. She was an outstanding athlete, especially in basketball. Her honors include All-State for three years, honorable mention in USA Today for All-American players, several South Dakota State records including most points in a game (67!) and most points in a season. The USSR awarded her with a trophy for her stellar play as a member of a national Indian team. One of her high school goals was to lead her team to the state Class A championship, which she did, finishing her standout effort by scoring the winning basket for the championship just as time ran out.
SuAnne was also a star as a person. Another of her goals was to finish first academically in her class, which she also accomplished. She was a friend to all and a greatly admired role model. She spoke across the country against drug and alcohol abuse and helped produce an anti-alcohol video. She confronted anti-Native bigotry head-on, succeeding where adults had failed. SuAnne insisted that her young peers give their best. In her own words, “Work hard, be dedicated, develop a thick skin, learn to accept criticism, but most of all, do it yourself.”
SuAnne’s achievements during her too-brief lifetime are too numerous to list. Her honors, awards and citations fill a room: The Incentive Room at the SuAnne Big Crow Boys & Girls Club.
SuAnne’s legacy lives on through the annual “Spirit of Su” award at SD State Basketball championship games and the National Educational Association’s SuAnne Big Crow Memorial Award, which is currently awarded in even-numbered years. The award is presented to K-12 student(s) under the age of 20 whose achievements in schools have helped enhance students’ sense of worth and dignity.
