ABOUT US

CROSSTRAINING is a non-denominational Christ-Centered basketball camp program based in Bismarck, North Dakota.

In 1994, Bob and Randy Upgren founded the ministry with the mission of using basketball as a tool to share the hope of Jesus Christ with athletes. As they presented their idea to people, many wondered why the brothers would combine basketball and faith. Others simply told the brothers no one would come.

Registrations were hard to come by initially. With only 3 weeks before the first day of camp, only 10 players had signed up for camp. Determined to carry forth what God had called them to do, the brothers committed the next few days specifically to prayer.

To their excitement, the very next day 10 registrations filled the mailbox. The next day, another ten! The following day, fifteen! This was all the affirmation needed for CROSSTRAINING to officially launch.

That first year, 74 boys and girls gathered for a brand new style of basketball camp. A camp committed to sound ministry and basketball excellence.

The next year, 1995, the camp doubled to an enrollment of 160 players. The following year, CROSSTRAINING doubled again to over 300 young people coming to experience the dynamic combination of faith and hoops. The rest, as they say, is history. Through an intense commitment to excellence on and off the court, CROSSTRAINING continues to grow and works with over 1,000 players each year.

In its 14 year history, the camp has garnered national attention and been a consistent force in connecting NBA players to the youth who participate in the ministry of CROSSTRAINING. The program has partnered with some of the greatest players ever to bounce a basketball and don an NBA uniform. This list includes;

     -  Walter Bond-Dallas Mavericks
     -   Mike Miller-Memphis Grizzlies 
     -  Tim Grover-Michael Jordan’s personal trainer
     -  Spud Webb-Atlanta Hawks 
     -  Rick Barry-Golden State Warriors
     -  Darrell Armstrong-Indian Pacers 
     -  A.C. Green-Los Angeles Lakers
     -  Kevin Burleson-Charlotte Bobcats 
     -  Dan Dickau-Portland Trailblazers
     -  Adrian Branch-Los Angeles Lakers 
     -  Meadowlark Lemon-Harlem Globetrotters
     -  Bruce Crevier-World Record Ball Handler

Although the connection to the NBA is nice, anyone who has worked in the CROSSTRAINING system or attended a camp as a player, knows the real secret to their success can be boiled down to one word, family. When people come through the CROSSTRAINING program, they are not just a number, they’re family. Coaches routinely stay in touch with campers throughout the year and many have fostered great friendships that will last well beyond the days of playing basketball.

Proverbs 22:29 says, “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.”

With CROSSTRAINING, the kings we stand before are the kids. Each year, God allows us to give “our best for His glory.”

Each year we have the incredible privilege of allowing young people to make a choice to Proclaim, “I play for Him.”

Every summer the blessing expands with past campers wanting to join our mission as coaches and literally “Get in the Game”