Determined to Succeed

Perserverance describes one 2021 Xavier University graduate best — not as a slogan, but as a lived practice.  Julius “Tre” Crouch has turned moments of disappointment into fuel for creative purpose while building a career in the world of sports media. 

Today, he lives in Bristol, Connecticut, working at ESPN, designing visual identities and thumbnails that help shape how millions of fans experience sports content.  His journey there, however, began not with instant success, but with a setback that quietly changed the course of his life.

Growing up in Canton, Michigan, Crouch was raised in a household grounded in discipline and follow-through. His mother, Kimberley Rogers Crouch, embodied achievement and resilience; his father, Julius Crouch, worked as an engineer for Ford Motor Company. Alongside his two younger brothers, Justin and Jaden, Julius absorbed a family ethos that was simple and unwavering: you finish what you start.

That belief was tested during his years at Canton High School, part of the sprawling Plymouth-Canton Educational Park. A dedicated basketball player, Crouch spent years chasing a varsity spot. When he finally made the team as a senior, he was the last player selected — and never saw the court during a game.

“It destroyed my foundation,” Crouch says. “Not just basketball—but me as a person. I always believed hard work was everything.” 

What made that period even more profound was that Crouch was documenting it. What began as a comeback story became something deeper: his first documentary, 12th Man,  Undefeated, a film about perseverance, identity, and refusing to let someone else steal your love for the game. Crouch had discovered filmmaking as a calling.  

And that discovery led him to Xavier University, where he could pursue a double major, in Sports Management and a Digital Innovation, Film, and Television program.   Professor Blis Devault was a key influence in steering him toward DIFT.  

“I researched (Devault) before I even got to Xavier. I knew she had won awards. I trusted the program.  And Dr. (Doug) Olberding was very hands-on with people interested in their sports management program.  My goal was to get to ESPN’s documentary unit.  Having a master of both DIFT and Sports Management was important."

In the DIFT program, Crouch was fully immersed, driven by a desire to master the medium.  

Professor Devault noticed his ambition early on: “I knew from the first day Julius was motivated to succeed. He pitched a documentary he wanted to shoot right away in South America. We talked about it and I advised him to take the production sequence first before attempting it.” 

Julius also kept a close eye on the talent around him, particularly “Hollywood Rex” Basalone.

“He was gifted,” Julius admits. “I wanted to learn everything he knew.” 

Rex was equally complimentary.  

“(Julius) had a real curiosity and passion when it came to filmmaking—sports in particular.  He consistently pushed himself to write and direct ambitious projects.” 

That drive resulted in Miss Basketball, a documentary  about Dena Head—the first woman drafted into the WNBA by the then Utah Starzz—and her role in paving the way for generations of professional women basketball players.

The process was anything but easy.

“I believe the first cut was about three hours,” Devault recalled. “We talked a

lot during that time. It eventually was around 30 minutes. Documentaries

are hard to make! He did an excellent job.”

Crouch’s completed film earned multiple awards, debuted at the Cannes

Film Festival, and—most importantly—caught the attention of ESPN.

“That documentary is a testament to Julius' skills as a filmmaker,”

remembered Basalone. “I always admired his creative spirit, outgoing

personality, and kindness. We shared a collaborative spirit.”

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Crouch also worked extensively with Xavier’s Department of Athletics,

serving as a Video Assistant and Sports Marketing Intern, filming

basketball, soccer, and baseball, creating highlight reels, player vignettes,

and promotional content.

Following graduation in the spring of 2021, Crouch sharpened his skills in

motion graphics and After Effects as a video intern for the Florence Y’alls, a

professional baseball team.

His next move was a big one, when he was recruited by NBC Sports to

work on the XXIV Olympic Winter Games, held in Bejing, China.

“I was actually in Stamford, CT, which was NBC’s main production hub

due to COVID-19. Nearly all announcers and over 1,500 staff worked

remotely from the Sports Production Operations Center.”

Breaking into ESPN wasn’t instant. Crouch interviewed multiple times,

worked elsewhere, and kept pushing. When the call finally came offering

him a position, it confirmed what perseverance had already taught him:

progress is rarely linear.

At ESPN, Crouch found his niche as a Digital Video Content Associate,

helping lead a shift from templated graphics to custom thumbnails

designed to increase engagement and bring personality to digital content.

His work has been recognized internally and externally—including praise

from NBA insider Brian Windhorst—and even led to opportunities like

contributing during NBA Summer League coverage.

Yet Crouch remains grounded. “I’m still learning myself,” he says.

“Consistently growing. A lot of what defines me is the ability to persevere.”

That philosophy now shapes the advice he offers Xavier students.

“Defeat isn’t defeat unless you accept it as reality,” Crouch says. “Create

your own lane. Learn everything—but figure out what you do best, what

you love doing. You don’t have to be the best if you truly love it.”

From the last player picked to a storyteller seen by millions, Julius “Tre”

Crouch’s path is not defined by a single achievement, but by an

unwavering refusal to stop moving forward. Perseverance.