Lansing Crusaders

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The Lansing Crusaders are one of the all time winningest semi-pro football teams in the Midwest, and lives on in Michigan history as one of the greatest teams ever.

[edit] Overview

The Crusaders played from 1980 to 1994, amassing an overall record of 111-17. They began their dominance in the Michigan Charity Football League, where they won the championship in 82, 83, 85, and 87. They lost the championship in 1984, and 1986. With the Michigan Charity ending operations in 1988, the Crusaders moved on to the Michigan Football League in 1989. Without missing a beat the Crusaders went undefeated and claimed the championship in 89 by beating their rival, the Bath Cardinals. Again in 1990, the Crusaders won the championship, but were unseated in 1991 by the Bath Cardinals and their reign in Michigan ended. They failed to reach the championship game in 1992, and had their first losing season in 1993, goin 4-5. In 1994 the team had it's final season going 4-4.

Some notable accomplishments, beside championship wins, are their 8 undefeated regular seasons. Between 1983-1989, they amassed a regular season record of 53-0.

The legacy started by the Crusaders can still be seen in today's top Michigan semi-pro teams. Members of the Crusaders went on to form the other top teams in the State and country, including the Downriver Raiders, Jackson Bombers and Kalamazoo Tornadoes. On of the top players for the Crusaders, Joe Costello, went on to coach Jackson Bombers during their great run of winning from 1997-2004.