ETG is a non-profit 501(c)3 created to benefit our local HS boys & girls basketball prospects. Help them achieve their dreams of earning a scholarship! We need YOUR HELP! Your donations will help athletes by covering their flights, hotels, rental vans, and food. Help us impact our youth and community! Thank you
Holiday reflections from Coach Woodard and inspiring stories from alumni who've turned Crusader values into meaningful careers
The holiday season brings gratitude and reflection for the ETG Crusaders community. Coach Woodard opens this month's newsletter with warm wishes for alumni scattered across the country, celebrating the incredible diversity of family and professional accomplishments that define the Crusader legacy. From nonprofit leadership to cutting-edge medical practice, former players continue to demonstrate that the lessons learned on the court—teamwork, resilience, accountability—create foundations for success in every arena of life.
This edition spotlights Dominique Kelley (Class of 2007), now CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Lincoln/Lancaster County, and TJ Pugh (Class of 1995), a radiation oncologist at UNMC and former University of Kansas standout. Both share how the Crusader program shaped their lives, offer recruiting advice for today's athletes, and reflect on the evolution of grassroots basketball—reminding us that success extends far beyond wins and losses.
As we head into the heart of fall, the ETG Crusaders organization is gearing up for an exciting milestone—our inaugural youth tournament this December at the Iowa West Fieldhouse. Teams across age groups continue competing at high levels, with athletes earning college scholarships and proving themselves on bigger stages.
What truly defines our program's impact? Look at graduates like Clare Tokheim and Triston Simpson. From the Crusaders summer circuit to venture capital boardrooms and Division I coaching staffs, these alumni prove that the lessons learned here—teamwork, resilience, self-advocacy—translate into success wherever life takes them. Their journeys remind us why we do this work.
The ETG Crusaders continue their mission of developing elite basketball talent while building character and life skills that extend far beyond the game. This summer brought impressive achievements across all age groups, with teams earning top bracket placements and players securing Division I offers.
But the real measure of success? Alumni like Andy King and Kelsey Schiltz, who've transformed their Crusaders experience into impactful careers in coaching and mental health therapy. Their stories showcase how the program's commitment to developing the whole person creates champions in basketball—and in life.
The Omaha Crusaders was formed in 1993 with this Mission:
To help raise the overall level of Basketball in Nebraska through preparation for and participation in local and national tournaments, while providing the opportunity & training for collegiate exposure to talented high school athletes.
The constant has been the Omaha Crusaders and we look forward to being the ETG Crusaders this year.
This month we are sharing with you the schedules for this year's boys and girls teams! As you can see it is very ambitious but is essential if you are involved in a shoe circuit program.
One of our important supplementary funding events is the April 28 Dinner Bash at Cascio's Restaurant. We would love to have former Crusaders there to support this year’s teams...as well as support our two guest speakers, Othello Meadows Crusader Alum Class of 1994 and Kristi Woodard (Wittry) Crusader Alum Class of 2002!
