Lasting Memories & Blue Jay Pride - Dan Crumb ’82

Lasting Memories & Blue Jay Pride

BY MYLES KUSS ’16

On Feb. 2, 2020, most of the world was in front of their televisions waiting to see who would be crowned champions of the National Football League. Everyone wanted to see which red and gold confetti would fall on the field in Miami: San Francisco’s or Kansas City’s. After a grueling match between two powerhouses, Kansas City claimed their first title since Super Bowl IV in 1970.

One of those men who was not in front of his television got to see this action live, looking up at the falling paper and knowing that all the hard work had paid off. That man is Dan Crumb ’82, Chief Financial Officer for the Kansas City Chiefs, but you would never know it if you spoke to him.

“Jesuit always taught me to handle success with humility,” Crumb said. “I never bring up the awards or committees because that is not making a man for others.”

Through his five years of Jesuit, Crumb learned that the only person standing in your way is you. He credits this intrinsic motivation in part to theology teacher Bob Fecas—a man that connected with Crumb during his senior year and showed him the importance of self-examination.

“He really accelerated my morality at a formative time in my life,” Crumb said. “He understood who I was, so he challenged me to understand myself. I still think about him, Fr. Reising, and all of the great teachers and mentors of Jesuit to this day and would not be the service-oriented person I am without their guidance.”

Even after reaching the pinnacle of his profession through these selfcontemplations, he continually turns back to the lessons from Jesuit High School to determine how to handle many situations in his field. “It all comes down to challenging yourself,” Crumb said. “Challenge yourself to learn, to be a man for others, to better all those around you. That is how I try to handle my team.”

A man—and a guiding light—for others, Crumb served on the board of Cafe Hope, Salvation Army, and Second Harvest Food bank before he moved to Kansas City. As soon as he arrived in Missouri, his first calls were to the CEOs of Catholic Charities of New Orleans and Second Harvest Food Bank to find their counterparts in his new town so he could continue serving.

Crumb understands the need for service. One of the vital characteristics of a Jesuit graduate is a commitment to doing justice, and he has never forgotten that lesson. “The foundation of my service started with my senior service project at Jesuit,” Crumb said. “It set the stage for service to be an integral part of my life.”

Service and Jesuit High School are such essential parts of his life that every time he walks into a leadership meeting, he writes at the top of his notes exactly what his goal is: A.M.D.G.

“Everything we do is for the greater glory of God,” Crumb said. “Whether it’s meeting with executives or packing up food for the hungry, A.M.D.G. is always on my mind.”

Dan Crumb ’82 reads Let's Go, Chiefs! by Aimee Aryal to a group of elementary school students at Nativity of Mary Catholic School in Independence, Missouri on Read Across America Day.

Other than service, why does Crumb feel such a passion for Jesuit as to write its motto on the top of every page? “It was the life lessons Jesuit taught me. Learning about the Society of Jesus and the fellow Blue Jays who went before us to become such great leaders and knowing that you have a strong bond with them and an obligation to do your very best in everything you do.”

Crumb also credits those small moments with his peers for such a positive Jesuit experience.

“Eating the shepherd’s pie for lunch with my classmates was the best meal at Jesuit,” Crumb said. “Those little moments at lunch and having that comradery were some of my favorite memories. There are still people from the Class of ’82 that I stay in touch with, and it shows the lasting impact that Carrollton and Banks has on a man years after he has left.”

While his lasting friendships highlight his time as a Blue Jay, Crumb admits that an incoming eighth-grader has plenty of reasons to be intimidated. From the over 1,000 students in khaki to the massive Chapel of the North American Martyrs, a 13-year-old boy can be shocked by the expectation and tradition, but Crumb says that students should use that tradition to their advantage.

“When I walked around these halls as an eighth-grader, I knew that I was a part of a family,” Crumb said. “That is what got me out of the intimidation phase: the fact that I was now a part of something bigger and we were all in it together.”

He felt so strongly about his Jesuit roots that he was more than excited when his son decided to attend Rockhurst High School, the Jesuit school in Kansas City. Crumb has developed close ties to Rockhurst, but he never misses an opportunity to show his Blue Jay pride.

“Rockhurst hosts these annual days of reflection,” Crumb said. “All the Rockhurst alumni would write RHS and their class numbers on their name tag, and I would write ‘JHS ’82’ on my nametag because I wanted to be asked about it. I am proud of it.”

Crumb does not hide his passion for Jesuit of New Orleans, but he understands the shared values and morals that come from attending any Jesuit school.

“We had a new vice president start for the Chiefs, and I quickly learned that he went to Creighton Prep,” Crumb said. “We got along immediately and that just shows how much deeper Jesuit schools reach beyond academics.”

Even upon first glance, Jesuit graduates just know.

Those deep, lasting connections continue for Crumb, and he knows that it all started while he was wearing khakis and eating shepherd’s pie. Little moments make a Jesuit graduate realize the importance of each instant as every one has a chance to be a memory.

Possibly the biggest moments in his life that he still reflects on to this day happened in Jesuit’s residence chapel, known as The Holy Name of Jesus Chapel. “My wife knew that there was no doubt where we were getting married,” Crumb said. “The intimacy of the chapel and the memories that I made there were too great to overcome. I even had both of my children baptized there.”

After all these years, Crumb still shows his commitment and enthusiasm from multiple states away. Jesuit has never left his mind, and the only thing missing was a spot in Jaynotes.

“I have been interviewed by plenty of other publications about the Chiefs and being an executive,” Crumb said. “But I have been waiting for this. I have always wanted to show how much Jesuit meant to me.”

Named CFO of the year honoree in 2016 by the Kansas City Business Journal and part of a Super Bowl winning team, Crumb has reached the height of his profession, yet he was always waiting to talk about his true colors: blue and white. Crumb knows that he might not get to speak about Jesuit often in Kansas City, but he lets his service, humble leadership, and continual chase for greatness speak for itself.

“Like I said: never being satisfied and helping others is what I try to follow. I owe Jesuit for laying the foundation of the person that I am— and the person I strive to be.”