Catholic Answers, Steven Weidenkopf: Deep faith and love in Jesus and his Church were the primary motivators for the vast majority of Crusaders. An understanding of the Crusades that is based on viewing these events through the eyes of the participants and rooted in authentic scholarship leads one to embrace the name “Crusader” as a mascot/nickname. Crusaders were faith-filled warriors, willing to sacrifice their fortune, family and life for the greater good of Christendom and the Church. They went on these campaigns out of love for God, the Church, their persecuted Christian brothers in the East, and concern for their own salvation. These self-sacrificial qualities should be at the center of collegiate athletics. Thankfully, there are institutions of higher learning that proudly utilize the Crusader mascot/nickname, including College of the Holy Cross,Belmont Abbey College, Madonna University, and Christendom College. Full article is here.
