Brandon Alexander

Playing for the Crusaders has been a fun experience for me. It has brought me closer to God, and I've made a lot of new friends I'll never forget. The reason I came to the Crusaders is because of my best friend, Ty, who told me about the Crusaders. I told Ty I would try it out cause I didn't want to play for Pickerington (I didn't like their program). When I came out and played, I liked it. Everyone there and the coaches talk to you and they help you build a good relationship with God. I have played for the Crusaders for two years and now coming to my senior year, I hit a road block. I didn't know who to play for, Pickerington or the Crusaders. Knowing what I was going through, Coach Ray called me and said that everyone would like me to come back, so we prayed. I went to my mom and dad and asked them what I should do and they said, "Do what you love and we'll support you." After that I called Erica, one of my friends and she told me that I should play for the team I love playing for and I shouldn't give up on something I love doing. When she said that, I realized that my home is with the Crusaders and without them I wouldn't be where or who I am today, a good athlete and a man of Jesus Christ.

Matthew Boothe

The Columbus Crusaders has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. I entered the program in 2004 as a Freshman specifically to play football, but I quickly found out that this program was interested in much more than teaching me how to play a game.

Coach Stanley quickly became a man I admired and not just for his knowledge of football. I admired him for his love of the Lord and his passion for teaching young men like myself how to become men of Christ. Through this program I am learning how to become a man of Commitment, Honor, Responsibility, Initiative, Service and Truth, and I'm seeing how each one of those corresponds to the other.

I didn't play my Sophomore year and when I came back in my Junior year, it didn't take me long to realize how much I had missed the coaches and the players in the program. Now in my Senior year, I know I have been impacted in a significant way for life because of the Crusaders program. The program has helped me grow physically, but even more important it has helped me grow spiritually as well. I pray that this program will continue to be a blessing to more people and I see that it will when I look at how many players there are at each level.

I'd personally like to thank God for this program and for each of the coaches He's sent to participate in the program. I'd also like to thank the coaches themselves for submitting to God's will and for putting in the countless hours and the patience to come out and help us learn to become men of Christ and to learn about the great game of football.

Nathan Burton

When I came to the Crusaders organization, I knew they were a Christian football team, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that Christ truly is honored more than football. The coaches, who give freely from their own time and resources, are truly dedicated to bringing as much glory to God as possible.

I've enjoyed every minute of my short time with the Crusaders. My only regret is that I didn't find out about the Crusaders until my senior year.

Bronson Duke

I’m yet another person who wouldn’t be playing football if it weren’t for the Crusaders. Because of my living situation, the State of Ohio would not allow me to play sanctioned sports. But God has had a plan the whole time. It has been a very unique experience playing for this program the past three years. Unlike the public programs I’ve played in before, the coaches here build you up more than tear you down. The upper classman have also been great during my time here. I’ve been able to watch them and learn from them from a spiritual stand point much more so than an athletic one, as I have been the only kicker for the past three years. I’ve learned that this Christian life has everything thing to do with seeking a right perception of who God is and what He really can do, and almost nothing to do with me. I’ve learned my job is to simply give Him control, and believe that He can do everything He says He can. I know my Savior is the Son of God and can truly move mountains if we have the faith. I am trying to daily live my life according to that truth. This program encourages me to do just that.

Colin Heasley

I have been a part of the Columbus Crusaders for nine years and I have learned something new each year I have been in the program. Our Crusader football team is unique because our goal as individuals and as a team is to learn to be men of Christ as we apply biblical principals to our practice, our play, and our life. The Crusaders mean a lot to me and everyone that is involved in it and over the years the Crusader program has become a family that has also made this a great experience for me. If there is one thing I enjoy about a sport, it is when everyone gets involved. The Crusader program is filled with godly mentors as coaches that not only get involved with us and teach us about how to play football, but how to honor God in all we do. With God in charge and our coaches as His vessels I am excited to see how He works through us this season. With all of this being said I hope and pray that the testimony of not only me, but all of the Columbus Crusaders would be seen this season as we prepare to take the field and play football. After nine years God has shown me through each senior class that it is not always about winning. To be honest, most people I know including myself hate losing, but what we understand as Crusaders is that football and life are all about making sure that first and foremost God is given ALL of the glory win or lose. After all Jesus Christ died on the cross to save me and you and I want to do the most that I can to make sure people know who my Savior is. So this season as you are watching all of us including the coaches, players, and cheerleaders, I pray that it is not us who you see, but Jesus in us, because in doing that this program has accomplished its greatest victory.

Brandon Holmes

Crusaders has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I learned what it takes to be a biblical man and though it may not be easy, it is what’s right. I’ve learned to push myself to new limits and that through God, I can do much more than I thought. I try to imagine where I’d be if I hadn’t found this program, spiritually, mentally, and physically. The coaches care so much, not only about now but where you’ll be 10 years from now. They do all they can to send out men that know the value of a promise and what it takes to lead. The friends that I’ve made through this program have been amazing. I know that they’ll be there for me when I need them to lift the burdens both literally and figuratively, and I would like to thank them. I know that had it not been for both coaches and teammates, that I would be in a far different than I am today. I would have shied away from challenges instead of facing them and tried to find the easy way out even if I knew it was wrong. So, bittersweet as it is, I say thank you for these past 5 years.

Ty Johns

Crusader Football has made a great impact in how I live my life. I first came to the Crusader program my sophomore year and immediately felt at home. I had started to play for Pickerington Central, but when I had lifted with them for only a month, I quit because I didn't like how the coaches talked or treated the guys on the team. I am honestly proud to say that it is much different with the Crusaders. The coaches help you learn football and they don't play favorites like other schools. It has been an honor to play with all the guys on the team and with the coaches. They all have helped me through a lot of problems in my life. I honor and respect the effort and time that the coaches put into the program and all the others who work behind the scenes. Thank you so much for what you have done. And thank you for helping me realize what it truly means to be a man of God.

Hannah Lehman

This is my first year with the Columbus Crusaders. Our family became a part of the crusader family in 2004 when my older brother – Daniel - played football and my younger sister – Amandah - was allowed to be on the varsity cheerleading squad as an 8th grader. Though my brother only played one year my sister has continued to cheer for the Crusaders ever since. Last year my mother became the varsity cheerleading coach and with the help of Amandah, they talked me into cheering as well. I’m so glad they did. I love being on the squad. I have made new friends and love the atmosphere. I’m already wishing that I had joined sooner. Regardless, I’m going to cherish each moment of this Crusader season and I look forward to seeing you on the sideline as we root our team on to victory!

Jessica Mason

I have been cheering for the Crusaders since fifth grade, and it has been such a blessing to me. Being Homeschooled I did not have the opportunity to cheer. The Crusaders gave me not only that chance, but the chance to meet so many amazing coaches and girls. This program has helped me to grow physically and spiritually through the years, and thank you to all of the people that have helped contribute to that.

DJ Ritchie

Playing football for the Crusaders has been an honor and a privilege. While playing for the Crusaders I have learned a lot about where I stand with Jesus Christ. I have only played for the Crusaders for 1 year, and going for my second. I wish I could have played here all of my high school years. But this past year has really changed my life, and made my walk with Jesus better. I can finally play football and know that I'm playing for Jesus. I just want to thank all the coaches for caring about me, and letting me play football here. I hope one day the Crusaders program can and will expand so everyone can play to honor Jesus the way I do. And if you haven't confessed yourself to Jesus, it isn't too late!!! Just do it and watch what He can do for you. He will make your life better.

Josh Sinclair

The Crusader program has meant so much to me over the years. It has been a blessing not only to be able to play football when my school doesn’t have a team, but to be able to play with and play for such great men. It has been great to be able to build relationships with my teammates and my coaches. There have been so many men that have affected my life through the program. One of the coaches that has had the biggest affect on me has been coach Rick Pyles. Seeing how he acted through the loss of his son and our captain Jered, was amazing to me. I know that he and the rest of the Pyles family were hurting deeply, especially at that time, but he was always at the events supporting, helping and being strong for everybody. He, like Jered, has always been so encouraging to me. Coach Pyles is a great man and has been a great figure for everybody to look up to. He means a lot to me, and the rest of the program. I hope that others appreciate not only what Coach Pyles has done but what all of the people involved with the program have done. From coaches Stanley, Cheeseman, and all of the varsity coaches, to the 56ers, to the equipment people etc. This is a great program that has done a lot for me and I am truly grateful.

David White

I never really wanted to play football, it just didn’t seem like fun to me in my younger years of living. It wasn’t until I was in the 6th grade that my father pushed me into playing, and I will never regret making the choice to play for the Crusaders. The Crusaders have changed my life; I would never have been a strong of a person spiritually as well as physically without the guidance and fellowship I get with this team. I especially enjoy the fact that my relationship with my coaches goes farther beyond just the sense of coach-player. It is more like a father-son relationship. Through the years I have played since 6th grade, I have seen myself grow due to these men influencing me in such a Christ-like manner. Having such great teammates around me as well, especially Earl, have also impacted me in great ways. I thank God for this program, and hope that He continues to bless it for a continued number of days.