Maranatha Baptist Crusaders Football Tickets

Maranatha Baptist Crusaders football team, located in Watertown, Wisconsin, may not be a household name like Ohio State or Alabama when it comes to college football, but they are an excellent example of the passion and dedication that exist in small college football programs.

The Maranatha Baptist Crusaders have been competing in NCAA Division III since 2013. The team represents Maranatha Baptist University, a small evangelical Christian university with an enrollment of just over 1,000 students. Despite their size, the team has managed to build one of the most successful programs in the country at the Division III level.

The Crusaders have only been playing football since 2000, but they have already achieved impressive success. They have won four conference championships, including two consecutive Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference championships in 2017 and 2018. In addition, they have made it to the NCAA playoffs three times, advancing to the second round in 2018.

Maranatha Baptist's success on the field is undoubtedly due to the players' hard work and dedication, but it is also the product of a unique culture surrounding the program. Football is not just a game for these student-athletes; it is a crucible that promotes teamwork, discipline, and faith.

The team's coach, Cody Lamkey, leads with a focus on God and character development as much as he does X's and O's. Under his guidance, the team emphasizes community service, sportsmanship, and personal integrity. According to Lamkey, "We believe that God gave us football to help us become better men and better followers of Jesus Christ."

Playing football for Maranatha Baptist requires a higher level of commitment than some other college football programs. Students are required to attend daily chapel services, participate in weekly Bible studies, and volunteer in the community. But despite the demanding schedule, the players remain passionate about the game and supportive of each other.

The Maranatha Baptist Crusaders may not have the same fan base and national spotlight as big-name college football powerhouses, but they are no less important to their school and community. Small college football programs like Maranatha Baptist provide opportunities for student-athletes to pursue their passion while also building character and contributing to their schools and communities.