Crossfire Youth Sports offers athletic opportunities for youth and coaches who prefer not to check their faith at the door. In 2003, Maple Grove resident, Tom Fuglestad was completing his teaching degree with the intent to embark on a new career in education. But providence had another plan. Fuglestad says he has always been a volleyball guy. Although he never had the opportunity to play competitively in high school, he played on intramural volleyball teams during and after college. “I’ve always loved it,” says Fuglestad.
So when an opportunity arose for Fuglestad to coach girls volleyball for Heritage Christian Academy in Maple Grove, he accepted. During his time there, he kept hearing about club volleyball programs and Junior Olympic Volleyball leagues. At about the same time, Ralia Sports Center was being built in Maple Grove, and recent renovations include volleyball courts. “That’s when things came together and I decided it was the right time to launch a club program that weaves faith into athletic training,” says Fuglestad. “At Crossfire, it’s not uncommon to have a devotion or prayer before practices and matches.”
During the school day that first year, Crossfire fielded one team of homeschool students aged 14 and under. They were off to a successful start and Fuglestad had a passion to expand and develop an afterschool program. The following year, an afterschool option fielded 12 teams of girls between 12 and 18 years old. Fuglestad says, “We had six coaches for those 12 teams. It was insanely busy. But there was this big demand for our style of program that embraces a positive Christian message. We were a bit surprised to have that kind of growth.” Fuglestad adds that his organization’s competitive pricing has probably also fueled some of Crossfire’s growth.
Most Crossfire teams practice twice per week and there is no shortage of tournaments to enter. To accommodate the overwhelming demand for opportunities to participate, Crossfire has divided its teams into levels. There are now developmental and mid-level teams for players who want to learn the game but may not yet have the strength and agility to compete. Those clubs are open to anyone age 16 or younger. Then there are the elite and short season teams for players who really want to focus their training for competition at the high school varsity or college levels. Those teams now require tryouts. The various levels attempt to accommodate as many players as possible.
Fuglestad is familiar with elite level sports as he attended a year at Illinois State University on a golf scholarship. The next year he attended a bible school in Europe where he realized he wanted faith to play a significant role in his life. Now, a father of four, with two daughters who play volleyball, Fuglestad says he loves coaching. “I’m not a yeller,” he says. “I’m a teacher. I want to teach the game and challenge young players to bring out their best.”
Crossfire Sports has recently expanding into the world of basketball. By design, the organization was built to support whatever sport will fit with its mission. Last year, Crossfire’s seventh grade girl’s basketball team won the Amateur Athletic Union state championship. “That was pretty exciting,” says Fuglestad. “Coaching is exciting. If I could do one job, it would be coaching. There are great life lessons woven into sports. Sport teaches responsibility, teamwork, accountability, hard work, overcoming adversity and honoring God with the gifts we are given.”
