Testimonial

JACEY JIRA

God puts every single person on this earth to make it a better place and to fulfill their calling in life; Carl and Cindy Teer are no exception. The Teer family has a passion for sports and helping others succeed. They sacrifice day in and day out of the good of others as they share their love of God with other athletes. CYAL basketball has made more of an impact on my life than I can begin to comprehend. CYAL gives athletes from a variety of different backgrounds and ethnicities the ability to grow in a sport they love. Each aspect of the program is designed to guide athletes with their journey in Christ as they begin to understand how God and sports go hand in hand. My experience as a Rebel prepared me for high school basketball and also taught me a lot about myself and my relationship with God. From life lessons from Coach Carl, to awesome lifelong friends I have made, I will forever be a CYAL Rebel.

Mariah Hanisch

Being a Rebel basketball player has impacted my life greatly. This organization has taught me to respect my peers, and how to go about “The game of life”. Coach Teer has a great way of getting that message through by the game of basketball. I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of great people that I would have not of met if it weren’t for CYAL. You get to know people from all different backgrounds. This also gives kids a chance to play basketball even if they don’t play for their school team, and bring out your inner athletic ability.

Denete Christopher

Rebels Basketball has helped me earn a spot on the varsity basketball team two years at Roosevelt Basketball Team. I have learned a lot of team-work, how to respect coaches and the coaching staff, and most of all Rebels Basketball given me a chance to meet life friends with the chance to have a lot of memories. The most memorable experience with the Rebels Basketball is just getting to know everyone on the team really well and meeting my room mate Marcus Watson. The whole association is just one big family and coach Carl acts like a father to us because he just directed us, coached us, and told us the right thing to do on and off the court and the choice was up to us if we wanted to listen or follow it. Rebels Basketball assisted me to convert into the young Christian young adult that I am today. Everywhere I go, I will always represent Rebels Basketball and I am proud of all the accomplishments we've had throughout my career as a Rebel and I will always be a Rebel.

Zon Van Tran and Lyne Lee

CYAL is an organization that will take chances on kids of all ages, social background and ethnicity. We have seen with our own eyes what coach Carl have done for the kids when no one else is willing to take a chance on them. He spends countless quality time with the kids to teach them the discipline and dedication to be successful on and off the court. CYAL has enable our sons to experience the joy of meeting friends from all neighborhoods of Sioux Falls. Parents like us are getting a hands-on learning experience about the lessons of diversity that our children are being taught in the Sioux Falls school system. We are so blessed to have the leadership of Carl Teer in the community for our children.

Al Krdzalic

Without the Rebels, I wouldn’t be in the position I am in today. Playing for the Rebels have benefited me in so many ways. I would have never been able to play organized basketball without Coach Carl Teer and the Rebels. He and the program gave me an opportunity in life I could have never imagined. I was exposed to raw talent in so many different states, and got to compete with talented teams and players who are playing at the next level. Playing for the Rebels taught me how to be a team leader, a captain, and a person people can look up to. I currently play division 2 basketball and I am a starting point guard. My role as a point guard isn’t just to involve others on the court and run the offense, but to make sure my teammates are doing well off the court and to be their captain. To me, a captain is someone you look up to, a person you can talk to when you are afraid to talk to your coach, the person who puts the team first then himself second. That’s what I am today, a captain and playing for the Rebels showed me how to be that leader. I remember many times when I played with the Rebels I would get frustrated with some of my teammates because I felt as if they were quitting in a game, I would be so upset and angry at them that my energy toward them made them quit even more. Coach Carl Teer helped me and taught me how to be a leader without even being vocal, but by my body gesture and attitude. Next game that we were down and when I felt as if my team was quitting, I would try playing harder and harder so they would feed off my energy. I loved playing for the Rebels, I have made so many friends and to this day keep in touch with them. Coach Carl Teer picks up players that most people wouldn’t grab, he gives kids a chance and believes in them. I am so thankful for the opportunity that I was given by him and the Rebels program. I am following my dream and playing college basketball and going to school for free.

Gabriel Peters

I want to say that Christian Youth Activity League allowed me to become not just a better basketball player, or a better athlete, but a better person! CYAL instilled a higher level work ethic that would serve me well for years to come. It also enabled me to better allocate my time and spend it doing quality things. In addition to those things CYAL laid the ground work for the Christian I am today, helping plant the seeds of faith. I will never forget those years ballin' it up with that team, and will always be thankful for skills I gained!