Dennis Crawley Jr., Depew baseball coach who led team to state title amid ALS diagnosis, dies at 54

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Dennis Crawley Jr., the former Depew High School baseball coach who led his team to a state title while battling ALS, died Tuesday. He was 54.

Crawley was diagnosed with ALS in August 2021, and despite his worsening symptoms, continued to coach baseball at Depew for two more seasons. His coaching career culminated in 2023 as he led the Wildcats to the NYSPHSAA Class B championship, finishing with a 25-1 record.

"Today is a very sad day," Depew athletic director Bob Skoczylas told WIVB News 4 regarding Crawley's death. "Coach changed so many lives in Depew because he coached with his heart, and will always be remembered not just for winning our school's first team state championship but how he went out of his way to help his athletes on and off the field."

In all, Crawley spent seven seasons as Depew head coach before stepping down last September due to his declining health. He left the Wildcats with a career record of 85-24, two division titles, a sectional title and the state title.

He was inducted into the Western New York Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022.

Crawley was the 27th member of his family to be diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. His mother died as a result of the disease when Crawley was a child.