Are you interested in playing football with the King's Crusaders Football Team? Here is information about our organization and answers to the most frequently asked questions:
- The Crusaders have both Junior High and Varsity teams. Players must be a minimum of 11 years old to join. This team is for young men who are homeschooled or attend private/public school but do not have opportunity to play in a positive, encouraging, Christian environment. Players with no football experience are always welcome!
- We are NOT a travel team. A travel team by definition plays outside of the normal season schedule for a high school sport. We play a typical school season calendar with football being a fall sport.
- Varsity plays 8-man football but due to the lack of 8-man teams in the region, Junior High does play 11-man football teams.
- Our team is comprised of young men from the Fort Wayne region including Fort Wayne, Auburn, Huntington, Ossian, and Harlan.
- All practices and home games are held at the Christian Community Center of Harlan (CCCoH) in Harlan, Indiana. The CCCoH is located approximately 7 miles northwest from the 469/Highway 37 interchange.
- We host a half day football camp for prospective, new, and returning players. Young men who are interested in checking out football or would like to know more about the Crusader Organization are also encouraged to attend. Camp is held mid June at our home field in Harlan.
- Official practices typically start around August 1st with full pads. Practice is held Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4pm to 7:30pm. Practice times change toward the end of the season due to the lack of light in the evenings. Our practice and game fields are unlit.
- Physicals are required and must be turned in by the first day of practice.
- Junior High games are typically played locally on weekday afternoons but the team may have the opportunity to play a few games out of town.
- Varsity games are typically Friday evenings or Saturday afternoons and in the past we have played teams in southern Indiana and Ohio. All Varsity HOME games are held on Saturday afternoons.
- Varsity team members often gather early, before home games, for a time of food and fellowship at a local cafe.
- We provide helmets, pads and supplemental insurance for the players. Helmets are time limited equipment that are frequently refurbished and replaced as required.
- Players need to provide their own football cleats, mouthguard and 7-pad girdle. Check out the equipment information at the bottom of this page.
- We provide opportunities for year round conditioning in our weight room located inside the CCCoH building. Players can condition in the off season typically three nights a week.
- We fundraise during the year to help offset the cost of player fees and to help fund the overall football program. Funds raised are used for a variety of needs including: purchasing new equipment, reconditioning equipment, paying insurance and rental fees, and hiring referees and athletic trainers for home games.
- Our entire organization is comprised of volunteers from our all volunteer coaching staff to our leadership board. Parent and family involvement is integral to the mission of the Crusader's organization. We couldn't do it without volunteers!
Do you have other questions you need answered? Please email us at: [email protected]
Are you ready to be a King's Crusader? Register today and join our team!
Returning Player Information
Hey Crusader! We are so excited that you are returning to the team this year. Here are just a few reminders to help you prepare for the upcoming season:
- Crusader Football Camp is in June. Click on the registration link to register for camp. Don't forget to register by June 1st to guarantee your shirt size!
- Registration forms must be completed every year. The link for the player registration form is located on the Registration page. Don't forget to register for the upcoming season!
- Physicals must be turned in on the FIRST day of practice. The link to the IHSAA physical form is located on the Registration page.
- Don't forget the first day of practice includes check in at 3pm. Bring your physical forms and player fees (if not already paid) and come prepared for weigh in, height checks and helmet/pad fittings.
- Make sure you have your mouthguard, cleats and 7-pad girdle. Check out the equipment information at the bottom of this page.
- Set your goals for a spectacular season!
Required Equipment
Provided by Player:
1. Mouthguard - MANDATORY FOR ALL GAMES
2. Football Cleats
3. Seven Pad Football Girdle (click here for an example of this equipment)
4. Any optional equipment desired by player such as gloves, rib protectors, personal helmet**, etc.
**if you desire to use your own helmet it must first be the correct color (red for JH and white for V), it must be date valid, and it must be the proper level of helmet. All personal helmets must be inspected by the equipment manager. If you are considering purchasing a personal helmet please speak with the coaching staff prior to making an investment in a helmet.
Provided by King's Crusaders:
1. Uniform Jersey and Pants
2. Helmet
3. Shoulder Pads
4. Practice Jersey
Mouthguards and cleats are readily available at local sporting goods stores and online. Girdles, particularly the seven-pad style, are typically only available through online ordering. There is a link above on this page to Epic Sports, a discount sports equipment company, that typically carries the seven pad style. Several manufacturers offer this type of girdle and it can be ordered from a variety of sources including Amazon, Scheels, Dicks Sporting Goods and others. They are also available direct from the manufacturer such as Cramer and McDavid. Our uniform pants are a modern pant style with no built in pads. The girdle provides all of the necessary pads integrated into a compression style pant to be worn under the uniform pant.
Provided by Player:
1. Mouthguard - MANDATORY FOR ALL GAMES
2. Football Cleats
3. Seven Pad Football Girdle (click here for an example of this equipment)
4. Any optional equipment desired by player such as gloves, rib protectors, personal helmet**, etc.
**if you desire to use your own helmet it must first be the correct color (red for JH and white for V), it must be date valid, and it must be the proper level of helmet. All personal helmets must be inspected by the equipment manager. If you are considering purchasing a personal helmet please speak with the coaching staff prior to making an investment in a helmet.
Provided by King's Crusaders:
1. Uniform Jersey and Pants
2. Helmet
3. Shoulder Pads
4. Practice Jersey
Mouthguards and cleats are readily available at local sporting goods stores and online. Girdles, particularly the seven-pad style, are typically only available through online ordering. There is a link above on this page to Epic Sports, a discount sports equipment company, that typically carries the seven pad style. Several manufacturers offer this type of girdle and it can be ordered from a variety of sources including Amazon, Scheels, Dicks Sporting Goods and others. They are also available direct from the manufacturer such as Cramer and McDavid. Our uniform pants are a modern pant style with no built in pads. The girdle provides all of the necessary pads integrated into a compression style pant to be worn under the uniform pant.