“A Game Changer: How Crossover Mission Began”

In the early years of Crossover Mission, everything began with a simple vision shaped by Antoine’s personal experiences. Raised in Gifford, Antoine and his twin brother had a strict, but supportive, upbringing. Their father emphasized hard work, education, and integrity, and life was stable until it took a dramatic turn when Antoine was 11. His father and several family members were arrested, leaving Antoine without the foundation he had known. Struggling to cope, he drifted into trouble. School became a challenge, and he eventually turned to selling drugs to support himself. But through it all, basketball remained a constant escape.

Basketball was more than just a game for Antoine and his brother, Haven. It opened doors to potential college opportunities, but those chances were lost due to a lack of guidance and poor decisions. After high school, Antoine felt trapped in a cycle of hopelessness and turned back to selling drugs and a dangerous life he never imagined for himself. That life came to a head one night when Antoine found himself face down with a gun to his head. In that moment, he prayed for his life, promising that if he was spared, he would change. His life was spared, and from that day on, he set out on a new path.

Antoine walked away from the streets and cut ties with the violence and chaos that had surrounded him. Despite pressure from friends and family to retaliate and prove himself, Antoine stood firm in his commitment to change. He made peace with his enemies and focused on being the father his children needed. He married the mother of his children, joined a church, and found stability in his life. Throughout it all, basketball remained a passion, and soon he realized that he could use the sport to reach kids who were struggling like he once had.

The idea for Crossover Mission was born from Antoine’s desire to make a difference. The name “Crossover” held a special significance for him. In basketball, a crossover is a move that fakes out the defender and opens space for a new path. In Antoine’s life, the crossover symbolized his own transformation—from street life to a purpose-driven existence. It represented a shift from weakness to strength, from poverty to stability, and from self-centeredness to a focus on community.

Antoine struggled to bring this vision to life on his own. Two years after his epiphany, he met Cathy DeSchouwer. Her son, Louis, was one of the players on his son A.J.’s recreation basketball team. Louis wanted Antoine Sr. to train him and was very persistent despite his mother’s hesitation. Over time, Cathy and Antoine developed a connection. He hesitantly shared his vision for Crossover Mission with her—a program that would combine basketball training

with academic support and life skills to help kids reach their full potential. Cathy immediately saw the importance of what Antoine wanted to build and offered to help make it happen.

Together, they laid the foundation for Crossover Mission, driven by a shared vision: to create a space where young athletes could excel both on the court and in the classroom. They wanted to provide these kids, many of whom faced difficult circumstances, with the structure and support they needed to succeed in every aspect of their lives.

In those early days, Crossover Mission didn’t have its own space, but Antoine and Cathy were fortunate to find community partners who believed in their vision. They borrowed space for academic support at the public library, Community Church, and Cathy’s home, while basketball training took place on outdoor courts, at Gifford Middle School, and at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center (GYAC). The generosity of these partners was essential in getting Crossover off the ground, and Antoine never forgot their importance in those formative years.

The response from the community was immediate. Within a few months, 50 kids had signed up for the program, and Antoine and Cathy realized that the need for what they were offering was far greater than they had anticipated. Due to limited space and resources, they had to cap

enrollment, but their vision for the future kept growing. They dreamed of creating a permanent home for Crossover Mission where they could expand their programs and serve more kids.

Cathy played an instrumental role in bringing Crossover Mission to life. She helped build a business plan, create a website, and secure volunteers to assist with academics and basketball training. Her network within the community provided the resources necessary for growth, and her commitment to the mission helped turn Antoine’s vision into a reality.

Those early years were full of challenges, but the rewards far outweighed them. Antoine saw the kids in the program not only improve their basketball skills but also grow academically and personally. From the beginning, Crossover Mission was about more than just basketball—it was about helping kids develop the discipline, character, and resilience they needed to succeed in life.

Looking back, the early years of Crossover Mission are a testament to the power of vision, community, and faith. For Antoine, the crossover move that started it all symbolized a profound shift—from struggle to stability, from fear to hope, and from individual dreams to shared success. What began as an idea rooted in personal experience has grown into a thriving program, all thanks to the collective effort of a community that believed in a better future for its youth.