Chrissy Berninger

Crusader Cheerleading has been such an influential part of my life. I love every single part of the experience, from the pasta dinners to the excitement of the games. I want to say thank you to my coach Lisa Bauman, who has not only been my cheerleading coach for as long as I can remember, but one of my closest friends. Because of this organization, I feel so much closer to so many new people, and also to God. Crusader cheerleading is without a doubt one of the best things that has ever happened to me and I will always keep the precious memories and friendships that I have made over the years in my heart.

Donnie Courter

Anyone that knows me will tell you that I love sports. I have played or attempted to play almost every sport there is. I always wanted to play football when I was little but I never thought that I would be able to because I was home schooled. My junior year in high school I was introduced to the Crusaders. I always thought that the Crusaders were Worthington Christians football team, but I found out that they were just a ministry of the church and that anyone could play. So I played football for my fist time last year. I didn’t really know a lot about the game itself, but it surprised me that the coaches were very willing to teach it to me. I didn’t think that I would actually see much of the field since I was new to the program and the sport, but it turned out that I was the starting cornerback and because I was the only one on the team that had played soccer my whole life I became the kicker. I was, and still am amazed at the players and how welcoming and friendly they all are and at the coaching staff and how they really care for me as a young man more so then if we win or lose (even though they want to win more then anything). Last summer I learned more about God, football, and becoming a young man, more then any other time in my life. I never realized that you could fit God into sports and that they are two different things, but they fit together. Coach Stanley has helped me in becoming a tougher man, but at the same time having a soft heart for God, and the most amazing thing is that he has done it all through football. All of the coaches on the coaching staff are some of the most God-fearing men and best examples I’ll ever meet. So I guess the last thing I want to say to everyone that has something to do with the Crusader program, Thank You.

Andrew Foertmeyer

The Crusader Football program has been a real blessing to me. I played football for the public schools while in middle school, but then decided to leave because my family and I believed I would receive a better education at a Christian school. After I left the public schools, I realized that I would not be able to play the sport that I love any more. Then I heard about the Crusader football program and decided that I would give it a try. When I got there everyone welcomed me and I felt like a part of the team.

The Crusader program is not just a program that offers coaches and the football for kids. This program shows young men how to live their lives as Jesus Christ lived His. This program is well on its way to becoming a powerful tool that God can use to bring men to Jesus Christ, and I am glad that I have the opportunity to be associated with the program.

Zac Higgins

I heard about Crusader Football through a friend that attended Grace. I wasn't sure about playing football, but decided that I would check it out and see what it was like. The first day I went, I was astonished. The coaches yelled at me the same as public school coaches, but they didn't curse at me. This made a huge impact. I kept wanting to come back day after day. I ended up accepting Christ through the program. The team has become my family. One coach in particular ended up taking the role of the “father I never had”. Before accepting Christ into my life, I had always wondered what it was that separated me from the other guys on the team. I soon realized that it was that they had a security in life that I did not. They had rules that they lived by; rules not set by their parents, but rules set by what they believed. That stood out. My whole life I was told to do what I thought was right, but it never actually followed through to happiness. These guys, some older, some younger, seemed to be doing the same things that I had been told and they were enjoying their lives. For me I did what I was told, but I regretted it. These guys loved it. So I said to myself, “I want to be like that and live like that”. One day our head coach, Mike Stanley, gave me a ride from school to football practice. He asked me if I knew Jesus. I responded that I knew of Him but did not know Him. Coach asked me if I wanted to accept Jesus Christ as my savior. I had been contemplating asking Coach Stanley about it for some weeks and, as the Lord would have it, the opportunity presented itself. So, when Coach asked me, I said “Yes”. We prayed. On October 11, 2001, I became a Christian. It was the best day of my life. Since then, I have always wondered if I would be a non-Christian still, were it not for Crusader Football.

Kyle Lovas

Crusader football has been instrumental in my development as a man of God. Not only does the program help develop my skills as a football player, but it also develops my relationship with God. I cannot begin to explain how blessed I am to have this program in my life. I have coaches who walk with God and can point me in the right direction. I’m not perfect, and I definitely need guidance from people who have more knowledge that I do. I love football and I am so glad that this program gives me the opportunity to play the game I love. I am getting a true high school football experience while having coaches who love the Lord. I can honestly say I have become a better man, a man of God, because of this program. Not to offend anyone, but no other sport at any school can touch what we have in Crusader football. Other sport programs focus on the sport and sort of brush spiritual life by the wayside, but not here. I have made more good friends in this program than anywhere else and the fellowship with the guys is something I will remember forever. I thank God for this program every chance I get, and I hope that everyone else does the same.

Bobby Means

The Crusader program has been one of the best things that have come into my life. I have played football since I was seven. And I've played in a couple different programs, but this one is by far the best program. Not only do we learn about football, but also we have the leadership of good Christian men. And things aren’t just about football. The concern of each player is a big thing. When I first started playing crusader football my eighth grade year, I knew that there was just something different about this program. But I didn’t realize until my family went through some problems, that it was the people that we associated with in the Crusader program who were the first ones to offer help and who prayed for us consistently. The people in this program have greatly impacted my life. The coaches have been there as good examples of men and Christians for me when me dad was not. And they have gone out of their way to make sure things were ok off the field with not only me, but with my teammates who have had rough lives. This program has kept me going through life and has kept growing as a man and as a Christian at the same time. The relationship between the players is awesome. Even the players who compete for the same positions are close friends. The leadership the upperclassmen give is outstanding. It’s almost hard to go through this program and not grow into a great Godly man. God has His hand on this program, and it is continuously growing and improving. I will greatly miss this program after I graduate. My prayer is that it continues to grow and prosper while praising the Lord in everything it does. Don’t forget Crusaders, HONOR JESUS!

Joey Miller

When I look back at the five years that I have spent with the Crusader football program, I am amazed by how quickly it has gone by. I remember my freshman year looking up at the seniors thinking I would never be as talented or mature as them. I joined the team because it was my only opportunity to play middle school and high school football. I had no idea that the next five years in the Crusader football program would dramatically impact my life.

I am constantly thinking and talking about our team. The guys on the team, especially the seniors, are like brothers to me. We have a bond that extends beyond the football field. I've been on other sports team and we as Crusaders are a closer group than I have ever witnessed. Also, every single one of us truly loves this program. Our rooms are decorated in Crusader flags and trophies. We truly live and breathe Crusader football. Most importantly, our team is awesome because we push each other to keep Christ at our center. We love football but we do not put it above God. We all realize what is most important, a relationship with Jesus. All of us on the team have had our ups and downs in life and the only things that has kept us steady is God, our families, and one another. Our coaches, who have been excellent leaders, have held us accountable on and off the field, to do what's right and to be men of God. As a result, we are not satisfied with mediocrity and are leaders in our schools and churches. I completely respect every single one of my coaches and admire their walk with God. Coach Cheeseman and Coach Stanley have organized their lives around our football team. They are two of the most committed, hardest working men I know. We have often joked that Coach Cheeseman should just build a bed in the barracks because he is constantly there.

I am sad yet excited as I begin my senior year. It thrills me to think that it could be the best year that we, as seniors, have ever played but I also know it is going to be my last. I know my life will always be in some way connected to Crusader football. This program has become more than just a football team to me. It is like family. So I stress to all the underclassmen to enjoy every moment of it because it goes by faster than you will believe.

Chris Penrod

This football team has meant a lot to me although I have only been in it for two years. In these two years I've grown physically and spiritually through Christ. The coaching staff is awesome. They are one of the main reasons why my faith has continued to be strong. I respect all of them and they have taught me life lessons. Although Coach Stanley got on me for not knowing my plays, it encouraged me to not be satisfied with mediocrity. It made me a better man. Through the Crusader program I learned a lot about the true meaning of the word Christ. Commitment - Honor - Responsibility - Initiative - Service - Truth. This acrostic has taught me the true values of a man. Through the off-season and during the season we have become one as a family. We are there for each other through thick and thin and no one can separate us. Some people think that just because we're a small, unsanctioned team we do not get the "real" football experience but in reality, because it is a Christian lead team we are getting more than one usually receives in a public school environment. By playing football I have come to realize that I love this sport more than any other sport. Although I am sad about leaving the Crusader program I know that the coaches and players on this team have made me the person I want to be in my life. When I look back at only the two years that I've played, I know that I will miss the program very much. As I have said before, I have gotten a lot out of the program, and I will remember it always. I shall leave with this line from one of our great players, Tim Bartley- "I love this sport, I love playing for this team." Wow, I fully agree! Thank you, and good-bye.

David Schaefer

Growing up, I really never wanted to play football when I got older. I remember, in the fifth grade, not even knowing what “first and ten” meant. In seventh grade, Jonathen Polsdorfer tried to get me to play, but I refused and promised to play the following year with no desire to follow through with my end of the deal. But as the eighth grade year rolled around, I chose to play to see if I would like it or not. Obviously, I loved it and have been on a Crusader Football high for the last five years. (Thanks, Pols!) Since eighth grade the Crusaders have become a huge part of my life. I have learned so much about all the aspects of life from just being on the team. Everybody who leads the program (from the coaches to the seniors from the previous years) are individuals worthy of respect in my opinion. I have learned more from them by being with them and watching them everyday at football practice and/or school than from any chapel service I could attend. I know I will constantly be looking back at the lessons I learned from the Crusaders for the rest of my life. I feel so blessed to have had the chance to play on this team. Everything about it is special. The players are the best, the coaches are the best, the team’s uniqueness is awesome, and the whole atmosphere that surrounds the program is unbelievable. Plus, “the Barracks” is the best nickname for a locker room! Now, I have one more year left (as a player, at least) to be involved with the Crusaders. It is my senior year and I’ll be one of the leaders for the program. I hope that I’ll be one of the guys who the younger players look up to as a respected role model. After four short years, I have the opportunity to help lead the most unique high school football team in the nation, and I can’t wait! Underclassmen, you guys have an opportunity ahead of you to participate in the most unique football program ever. Make the most of it. Listen to the coaches. They only yell at you because they know you can do better. They only want the best for you and they want you to succeed in life. If you can remember that, you’ll have the time of your life.

Matt White

The Crusader football team has meant a lot to me over the last four years. If it were not for the Crusaders, I probably would never have gotten to play football. I know for a fact that I would never have played football in an environment that was so focused on God. I think that it is awesome how hard the coaches and other supporters of our program work to give us a chance to play football for God. This program has given a solid base to show us as young men how we should grow up to live as men of Christ. I will never forget the acrostic of Christ which the coaches have shown us the last few years. What the coaches have shown and taught me over the years is much more than the game of football, but more of how I should be as a Christian man.