Crooks Family Genealogy & History

Audi Rae Crooks, born December 13, 2004, is a prominent American college basketball player for the Iowa State Cyclones in the Big 12 Conference. Renowned for her center position skills, Crooks achieved remarkable success at Bishop Garrigan High School in Algona, Iowa, securing back-to-back state titles and being named Iowa Miss Basketball. Her high school career highlights include setting state records for field goals, points, and rebounds, and winning multiple track and field state titles. As a freshman at Iowa State, Crooks made headlines by scoring 40 points against Maryland in the 2024 NCAA tournament, earning All-Big 12 first team honors and an AP All-American honorable mention.

Garth Anthony Crooks, born on March 10, 1958, in Bucknall, Stoke-on-Trent, is a renowned English football pundit and former professional player. He played for prominent clubs including Stoke City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester United from 1976 to 1990. Crooks made history as the first black player to score in a modern FA Cup final, contributing to Tottenham's victories in 1981 and 1982. Beyond his playing years, he became the first black chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association and was honored as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to sport. His media career includes roles as a match analyst and pundit on BBC's Final Score.

Jordan Crooks is a trailblazing Caymanian competitive swimmer, known for his historic achievements on the world stage. He made history by winning the first-ever gold medal for the Cayman Islands at the World Short Course Swimming Championships in 2022. Crooks further solidified his status as a world-class athlete by breaking the world record in the 50-meter freestyle at the 2024 championships, becoming the first swimmer to go under 20 seconds. He also competes for the Tennessee Volunteers, setting impressive freshman records. At the 2024 Summer Olympics, he became the first Caymanian swimmer to qualify for the finals, finishing eighth in the men’s 50-meter freestyle.

Jordan Crooks has a sister, Jillian Crooks, who also competes in swimming, highlighting a family tradition in the sport.

Neil Patrick Crooks (1938–2015) was a distinguished American lawyer and justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, serving from 1996 until his death. His tenure was marked by his moderate judicial stance and pivotal swing vote, contributing significantly to the court's dynamics. Initially appointed as a county judge by a Democratic governor, Crooks later emerged as a conservative candidate, though he often sided with the liberal minority on constitutional matters. Esteemed for his judicial contributions, Crooks was recognized as Trial Judge of the Year in 1994 and held esteemed positions with the American Bar Association and other legal institutions.