Valley family has OSU tradition

When Charlene Crowe graduated from Canfield High School in 1968, there were no varsity sports for girls. So no one really knows how much of an athlete Crowe might have been if given a chance.
One thing is for sure -- no one can argue with the athletic success of her children:
UOldest son Bob was a tight end for the Ohio State football team from 1993-96. He's now a pharmaceutical salesman.
UAnother son, Kevin, also played tight end for the Buckeyes from 1996-99 and has been the long snapper and occasional fullback for the New Orleans Saints for four seasons.
UDaughter Katie is a senior at Ohio State, a nursing major who is a walk-on participant for the Buckeyes' track and field team. Her specialty is hammer throwing.
Scarlet and Gray
When it comes to grandchildren displaying Scarlet and Gray pride, few families can top the achievements of the three Crowe children, whose grandparents are Canfield's Bob and Mim Crowe.
Charlene, a nursing supervisor for Cuyahoga County who resides in Westlake, credits her husband, Tom, for the children's athletic talents.
Tom and Charlene met on a blind date on the OSU campus in the fall of 1968 when he was a freshman football player for the Buckeyes. The date was set up by Glenn Mason, now the University of Minnesota football coach, who was a finalist for the Buckeyes job three years ago when John Cooper was fired.
Tom's playing days more or less ended after he injured an Achilles' tendon. After graduating from Ohio State, he's been an engineer for Energizer for 32 years.
As a high school senior, Kevin Houser was recruited by Mason to come to Kansas State. But the chance to play alongside his brother -- and where his father played -- was too much to resist.
Long snapper
As a freshman, Kevin was the Buckeyes' long snapper in 11 games, including the Rose Bowl. After Bob graduated, Kevin saw some action at tight end and was a special teams fixture.
In the 2000 draft, the 6-foot-2, 250-pound Buckeye was drafted by the Saints in the seventh round. His specialty is long-snapping on field goals and punts.
In the offseason, Kevin and his wife, Kristen, reside in Westlake and operate their charity, Life's a Snap, which helps sick children.
"My wife and I started the foundation three years ago," Kevin said. "We've always had a soft spot for kids and we wanted to do something to benefit underprivileged children who are seriously or terminally ill.
"The foundation is something we started in New Orleans," Kevin said. "As time went on, we decided we wanted to do something up here to help benefit the community that shaped us."
Family
Kevin and Kristen met at age 2 and were married the day after he graduated from Ohio State with a degree in finance. They have a daughter, Julia, and are expecting a second child within two months.
In the meantime, Houser is keeping busy by organizing a casino night fund-raiser that will be Saturday at a Westlake banquet hall called Wagner's Country Inn.
"We are going to have great time," said Kevin of the event that will include a silent auction, a casino night (using play money) and a buffet-style dinner. Patrons will be able to use their play money to purchase donated gifts.
Kevin said football players with connections to Ohio State and the NFL will attend.
Tickets cost $100 and must be purchased in advance. For more details, call the foundation at (440) 835-8704 or visit the website www.lifesasnap.org.
Houser has two years remaining on his Saints contract, but he's taking his NFL career one season at a time.
"If you have a long-term plan for this league, there's something wrong with you," Houser said.
So how good is Charlene in sports?
"I love my mom to death," Kevin replied, "but ..."
XTom Williams is a sportswriter for The Vindicator. Write him at williams@vindy.com.