Alumnus finds time to volunteer with youth in San Antonio.
Though Jon Crumley loves accounting – a subject in which he holds two degrees – he is equally passionate about helping develop character in youth through the game of golf.
Crumley earned both his Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting and his Master of Science in Accounting from the Jerry S. Rawls College of Business in 1990, and today works for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), where he serves as the San Antonio office managing partner and assurance leader. In addition, he wears one more important hat: board chair of The First Tee of Greater San Antonio.
It was through PwC that Crumley heard about the organization over 10 years ago when working for the company's office in Dallas. He and his wife showed up at one of the events to serve as volunteers.
"I really fell in love with the organization and what they were doing," Crumley said.
Founded over 20 years ago and based in St. Augustine, Florida, The First Tee is an international youth development organization that introduces children and teenagers to the game of golf and values important in the game: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment. Through after-school and in-school programs, the organization's volunteers involve young people from all walks of life and make a concerted effort to involve more girls and children from a range of socio-economic backgrounds, Crumley said.
As a company, PwC began supporting The First Tee in 2000 and has since served as a partner and friend to youth participants with active and retired partners, associates and staff members serving as volunteers and board members for local chapters. Volunteers from PwC host financial literacy events for participants and their parents to teach them about preparing scholarship applications, developing and maintaining a budget, and other financial matters. Several young golfers from The First Tee have later interned for PwC and even landed full-time jobs with the company, Crumley said.
Over the years, Crumley has introduced the organization to many of his company team members and volunteered with them at numerous events and fundraising activities. Last year, Crumley continued a 100-Holes-of-Golf Marathon fundraising effort in San Antonio, which in its second year raised just under $50,000.
Crumley and his wife, an avid golfer, have even stayed in touch with one young golfer long after he graduated from The First Tee program and went to college. This year, the young man qualified and played in the U.S. Amateur at Pinehurst in North Carolina. He is also about to finish his senior year in college.
"I would never have had that opportunity to meet him and be part of making a difference if I hadn't been part of The First Tee," Crumley said.
Though volunteering for the organization requires time and effort, he remains dedicated to the cause because of the huge difference it makes in the lives of kids and teens his chapter helps, he said.
"It's helping them stay in school and be focused," he said. "Having the ability to be near them and make a difference is what makes me want to do this every day."