History
In 1994, Athletes in Action staff member, Dave Schultz, started a basketball club for home-schooled students called the Cincinnati Royals. Shortly after the inception of the team a regular scheduling of games against church and Christian school teams began and continues to today.
In 1998 The Royals won the end of the year Milford Christian High School tournament. Under the leadership of ex-NBA player, Ronnie Grandison, and sponsorship from the Courts of Praise Church, the Courts of Praise Trailblazers were formed. Full schedules were played by boys JV and boys Varsity teams. The Varsity boys finished 8th in the highest division at the National Home School Tournament, starting a string of five consecutive top eitht finishes including three Final Four appearances.
In 2002 the team was renamed the Cincinnati Trailblazers and a Varsity girls and Junior high boys and girls programs were added as player numbers increased.
In 2007 under new leadership the Cincinnati Trailblazers continues to offer quality basketball coaching and competition for home-school boys and girls sixth-grade through high school.
In 2008 Cincinnati Trailblazers has added Physical Education classes at the Mercy Healthplex and is exploring the addition of other sports teams and training opportunities.
Opportunities for 2009-2010
The Cincinnati Trailblazers is a 501 ( c ) (3) non-profit organization developed for the purpose of serving the Cincinnati Christian home-schooling community. It is our hope to meet the sports and physical education needs of the home-schooling community of Cincinnati by providing Christian coaches and high quality teachers for a variety of sports opportunities. Based on the east side in the Anderson Mercy Healthplex Cincinnati Trailblazers now offers the following opportunities for Christian home schooling families:
-Physical Education classes for home-schoolers for grades Pre-Kindergarten through High School
-"Trailblazer Gold Team" for home-schooling families with Special Needs children
-Opportunities for ministry to athletes, families and other service organizations in urban Cincinnati
-Working with Christian organizations to provide International ministry opportunities for coaches and athletes
-Basketball teams for girls and boys ages 9-18 years old with beginner academy teams progressing to varsity level teams; competitive games and tournaments are scheduled
-Girls volleyball teams with developmental teams through varsity level for ages 9-18 who play in competitive games and tournaments
-Developing soccer opportunities for ages K-12 by joining with the On Goal Soccer ministry
-Boys High School Cross-Country team for grades 9-12 with a meet schedule
-Developing competitive Junior High and High School Boys Baseball for spring 2010
-Full and partial scholarships for homeschooling families and athletes with legitimate financial needs (Applicants are screened by the Cincinnati Trailblazers Board of Trustees)
Cincinnati Trailblazers Goal and Purpose Statement
Purpose: To honor and glorify Jesus Christ and to build and mentor our players in their Christian walk through competitive sports.
1 Corinthians 10:31 "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Goals: The following goals summarize the operating intent of the Cincinnati Trailblazers.
1. To create and sustain a Home School basketball and other sport programs featuring Christian development and high level competition for boys and girls in grades 5-12.
2. To create and sustain an environment where players honor God, their parents, coaches and teammates by demonstrating and encouraging hard work, discipline, Christ-like character, teamwork, and a winning spirit on and off the court.
3. To promote family unity by actively involving players' families in the operations of the Trailblazers program.
4. To project a Christ-like example through professionalism, sportsmanship, and exemplary conduct.
5. To provide a coaching staff who honor God, respect their players, model Christ-like living and build into their players' lives through their instruction and example.
6. To provide community service opportunities for the players.
7. To build a community of believers who work together to build and disciple their home schooled children for Christ through the medium of sports.
Family Involvement
Ephesians 6:7 "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men."
Parents commit to participation in and support the booster club of the Cincinnati Trailblazers through service and filling volunteer positions for the program. Parents may request to use their talents and gifts to serve in the program.
The Cincinnati Trailblazers pays for its coaches, facility, uniforms, equipment and game expenses through player fees, sponsors, tax deductible donations, and fundraising for the program.
All players are welcome to the Cincinnati Trailblazers regular season, but to ensure eligibility for the Regional and National Homeschool Basketball tournaments players must qualify through the definition set for homeschoolers on the national basketball website: www.homeschoolbasketball.com If players fail to meet this standard they may participate in the regular season games, but not the homeschool tournaments.
The Trailblazer 2009-2010 LeadershipAthletic Director/Executive Coach
Volleyball Coaches
Cross Country
