About Us

Our Mission

At Crystal Lake Raiders Youth Football and Cheer, our mission is to create a safe, inclusive, and empowering sports experience for youth athletes ages 5–14. As a non-profit, volunteer-run organization, we are committed to fostering personal growth, skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship—on and off the field or mat.

We believe football and cheer are more than just sports—they are platforms to help young athletes develop confidence, discipline, and resilience that will serve them well into adulthood.

Our Vision

To inspire and equip young athletes with the character, confidence, and skills they need to succeed in athletics, academics, and life—while building a community that honors effort, integrity, and teamwork.

Our Core Values

• Inclusivity: We welcome athletes of all backgrounds, skill levels, and abilities.
• Character Development: We teach leadership, perseverance, and personal responsibility.
• Team First: We emphasize unity, respect, and selflessness on every team.
• Academic Focus: We encourage athletes to prioritize school and balance responsibilities.
• Excellence Through Effort: We believe success comes through dedication, consistency, and a growth mindset.
• Safe Play: We follow the best practices in athlete safety with certified training and equipment investment.

Program Highlights

• Proud members of the Chicagoland Youth Football League (TCYFL) and the Illinois Cheerleading Association (ICA)
• Aligned with Crystal Lake Central and Crystal Lake South High School athletics
• Raiders athletes graduate with a strong foundation in fundamentals, safety awareness, and leadership
• Our cheer program competes year-round with consistent success at the state level

Founded in 1981, the Crystal Lake Raiders were created by local community members to preserve youth football opportunities following the loss of district funding. What began as a grassroots movement has evolved into one of Northern Illinois’ premier youth football and cheer organizations.

From early practices at Crystal Lake Central to our current home at Lippold Park—featuring three lighted fields, PA systems, grandstands, and scoreboards—we’ve remained committed to building excellence.

We’re proud to be a longtime member of TCYFL (formerly Tri-County) and are known for our success in Big 10 Super Bowl championships across multiple divisions. Our cheer program is equally competitive, earning top finishes statewide year after year.

Recent Cheer Achievements

• 🥈 2nd Place – C-CREC6C-Small (2024)
• 🥈 2nd Place – C-CREC3C-Small (2024)
• 🥈 2nd Place – C-CREC4C-Small (2023)
• 🥇 1st Place – C-CREC7-Small (2018)

Football Championships – TCYFL Big 10 Super Bowl Titles

Bantam: 2013, 2012, 2010, 2002, 2000, 2016

Featherweight: 2013, 2012, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000

Middleweight: 2013, 2011, 2008, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000

Lightweight: 2009, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000

Heavyweight: 2013, 2006, 2003, 2001