Klamath Crusaders History and facts

To provide to young adult men the opportunity to continue or begin participation in organized football through a semi pro league, the Oregon Football League.

To promote and help to further develop, within these young men, the following attributes:

●	Desire to be the best and to do the best with what each has been given in life.
●	Vision, determination, perseverance and confidence.
●	The values and concepts of being a team player.
●	Complete self-discipline.
●	Fitness of the body, mind, heart, and soul.
●	Awareness of the importance and priority of both family and faith.
●	Positive and winning attitudes and actions during competition and in everyday life.
●	The application of good sportsmanship conduct to the highest level possible.
●	A keen desire to be the best possible adult athlete example, both on and off the playing field, to the observing eyes and impressionable minds of young spectators.
●	An eager willingness to be involved in, and give back to, the community.
●	A willing responsiveness to the needs of other individuals through random and significant acts of kindness when and as needed, and without the expectation of payback or reward.

To be pro-active within the community by putting into action the Pay It Forward philosophy and paying it forward to youth and high school football programs through volunteer participation by team members and through financial support from our organization.

To be a strong and respected motivational organization within our community and the State of Oregon.

To become the Oregon Football League team that has the best and largest fan participation and community support.

To strive to be the best all-around team and most dominant force in the Oregon Football League.

To become a source of added pride for our community.

To demonstrate positive and proper representation of our community when traveling to, and while at out of town competition events.

To be an avenue for sponsors, supporters, donors and fans to participate in and contribute to a Pay It Forward movement in our community.

To *CRUSADE for the defeat of **cynicism in our community through advocating and applying realistic optimism and the ‘PAY IT FORWARD’ moral philosophy.

*Crusade: Any *remedial enterprise undertaken with zeal and enthusiasm.

(*remedial: Intended as something that corrects or counteracts an evil)

**Cynicism: Generally described as the opinions of individuals who maintain that self interest is the primary motive of human

behavior and are disinclined to rely upon sincerity, human virtue, or self-sacrifice as motivations.

History and Facts

Two Klamath Falls football players that played for the distant Southern Oregon Timber Wolves founded the Klamath Crusaders Organization in 1996. Travel requirements and differences with the Timber Wolves management gave cause and motivation for these two players to found and organize a local team. Successful recruiting coupled with tremendous support from the community allowed the new team to get off to a great start. The Oregon Football League was formed a short time later and the Klamath Crusaders became one of the original charter members.

The Klamath Crusader Organization was initially fully owned and controlled by the players. Don Nelson and Dave McNiven came on the scene in 1999 and purchased both the Klamath Crusaders and the Merrill Stallions. Prior to the start of the 2000 season the new owners merged the Crusaders and the Stallions into one team keeping the Klamath Crusaders name. Don Nelson eventually, through a buyout, became the primary principle of the organization. The merging of the two teams and coaching staffs must have been the right thing to do because soon thereafter the Oregon Football League championship trophy became the property of the Crusaders. Season winning records became commonplace. The team has earned the opportunity to compete at the League National Tournament Level and has been nationally ranked in their league numerous times.

In the 2007 season the organization was restructured around the 'Pay It Forward' moral philosophy and the advocating and promoting of the philosophy became a significant part of the Crusaders’ mission. Spectator numbers increased dramatically during this season as the community became more aware of the Crusaders existence and mission. At the tail end of the season former players Kent Taylor and Jason Allen were added to the existing coaching staff of Don Nelson, Jim Hardin, Wayne Williams and Garry Young.

Since inception, the Crusader Organization has actively pursued and maintained its’ commitment to positive community involvement through support of local youth and high school football programs. Youth football camps have been organized, fully staffed and funded. The local Pop Warner football program has received countless hours of organizational and coaching time volunteered and contributed by the players and coaching staff. During the 2007 post-season the Crusaders established a college scholarship fund designed to benefit qualified and selected high school senior roster listed football players.

The Klamath Crusader Organization is a non-profit organization and relies solely upon the financial support of the community through donations, proceeds from the sales of media guide and web site advertising, game ticket sales, and sales of promotional items. The Crusaders are forever grateful for the years of financial support the community has provided.

To the sponsors, donors, supporters, volunteers and spectator fans, the Klamath Crusaders extend their sincerest thanks and appreciation and seek your continued support and participation in their efforts to ‘help make the world a better place’.