Summer 2014 – A New Chapter, Introducing the Columbia Crusaders

COLUMBIA, SC – The Columbia Crusaders have a unique mission: create family-fun awe-inspiring entertainment in the state of South Carolina. Whereas a NBA team’s success is measured in wins and losses, the Crusaders’ victory lies in the hundreds of smiles they are responsible for throughout the community, city and state. Although only in the midst of their first season, the Crusaders plan to begin making history with the happiness, fun, goodwill and excitement they will bring.

At a Crusaders game, fans will witness amazing basketball talent combined with an environment that the entire family can appreciate and look forward to. It’s two hours of family time where parents, grandparents, and kids can all enjoy the wonderful game of basketball. To the Crusaders, when you’re in the stands, you’re more than a spectator; you’re a part of their family. Throughout the game, fans will experience a high energy level of coordinated ball handling, unique fundamentals and aerodynamic athleticism combined with audience interaction. One of these experiences will come from the rule that allows a four-point play off of slam dunks! The whole experience can only be summed up in two words: Awe-Inspiring!

The Crusaders experience extends beyond the game, as players will be visiting local schools and parks prior to the games and throughout the season. Through these visits, they hope to create special memories for the students & campers. The Crusaders will engage in activities with the students and campers and host special mini assemblies, emphasizing the dynamics of being a Crusader, which includes healthy eating, fitness, teamwork, sportsmanship, and other character themes. There’s one thing that the Crusaders want their youth audience to know: S.W.A.G, which stands for Strengthen When Adversity Grows. The youth of today are faced with so much adversity yet many do not overcome. The Crusaders plan to change this failing mentality in our youth, encouraging them to expect and pursue more of themselves than is expected by society.

The theme for this season is “A New Chapter.” The Columbia Crusaders plan to be a new chapter and addition to the entertainment of Columbia, offering their audience a new and unique experience of the game of basketball. They literally plan to be a “new chapter” in the story of servicing and growing the youth in the community, using athletics and mentorship as their main tools. Team captain L.J. Gregg from Florence, SC, talks about his goals for the upcoming season, “We’re [the players] becoming more than just teammates; we’re becoming a family, and we want to use that to touch the people in the community, especially the kids. There’s a saying that goes ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ To me, that means that a kid should be able to look at me and despite the things that they’ve been through, see me as an example that they can do better for themselves than anyone expected, just like I did. S.W.A.G. isn’t just our kids’ club moto; for us players, it’s our life theme.”

Developing a relationship within the community is the top priority of each Crusader. Every night, even though the opponent is different, and the crowd will be different, their high level of excitement and motivation to use the game of basketball to make positive impressions on the youth remains the same. This holds true even for the players that are not from this area. Lewis Fordjour, representing many areas, still shares the passion for a sense of team and community, regardless of where he is. “No matter where I am, a kid is still a kid, and the last thing that a community wants is for that kid to be another statistic. I want to see kids do well. It doesn’t matter where I’m from.” Fordjour pledged Alpha Phi Alpha at Morris University and believes that this experience will be similar. “A fraternity is all about a brotherhood. That’s what our team is becoming. Just like we’ll look out for each other, we’ll be looking out for the kids, and that starts with our image and how we carry ourselves and interact with each other. When kids see us, they won’t see a bunch of guys being wreckless; they’ll see a group of young men trying to do something positive not only in our own lives, but in the lives of others. That’s an attitude that desperately needs to be spread. We have a chance not only to play ball, but to do something bigger and greater. With great power comes great responsibility, and our responsibility is to guide and keep kids on the right track, and do it by leading by example.”

Above all, the community will be able to appreciate watching players that it has produced. Guard Anton Greer graduated from Irmo High and continued on to play for Benedict. Greer talks about what he looks forward to in the new season, “The best part of the season for me will be getting an opportunity to play the game I love in my hometown and also being able to give back to the kids and people in the community….give Columbia something to cheer for and support a level of basketball that it hasn’t had a chance to before!”

Team owner and general manager, Kristen Dickerson, also is a Columbia native, like many of the rest of the staff. Dickerson grew up in a household of Columbia basketball products. Older sister, Brionna Dickerson, played basketball for the University of South Carolina, and younger sister, Victoria is a senior, now pursuing her college options. Father, Jerome Dickerson, who played for Columbia High and Allen University and also coached at Benedict College, works for the City of Columbia, and mother, Sandra Dickerson played for Lower Richland and Columbia College, and works for Richland County. “Basketball has been a large part of my life, but it’s more than just a sport to me and my family. Basketball has literally transformed me into a better person than I ever could have imagined that it would. I want to share that same possibility with these kids. They’ve got just as big of a chance to make it that I did, they just need someone pushing and guiding them in the right direction.”

The Crusaders play two season opening games this weekend. The first will be on Saturday May 3rd. The Crusaders will host the Word of God Frontliners at Columbia International University off Monticello Road. Tip-off will be at 5:00, and doors will open at 4:00. Sunday May 4th the Crusaders will be hosting Team Certified at Brookland Baptist’s Health and Wellness Center. Tip-off is at 3:00pm. Doors open at 2:30pm. For BOTH games, kids ages 16 and under will receive special free admission!!! Regular admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students with ID’s and senior citizens.

For more game information or ticket information, kids’ club registration information, or for inquiries about how the Columbia Crusaders can be involved in your neighborhood, school or park, please email [email protected].

For any other information, follow the Columbia Crusaders on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook and/or visit their website columbiacrusaders.cblsemipro.com.