About DIP Crusaders
Every player needs an opportunity to succeed. Whether you are a local player looking to develop your skillset, or an international prospect hoping to pursue a basketball career. With the game of basketball rapidly growing worldwide, we have found many players getting lost in the shuffle. Whether it’s a lack of quality coaching, adequate training facilities, proper guidance, exposure, or affordable programs, we provide a genuine professional development pathway with the goal of complete player development in the hands of a highly experienced team who have your best interest at heart.
Operating under our nonprofit organization, Crusaders International, Inc 501(c)(3), the original foundation of the organization extends back more than 30 years in England, United Kingdom, founded by Robert Donaldson, President and CEO.
Mission
To use basketball as a tool to transform lives with a lasting impact.
Vision
To provide international players a complete development pathway and genuine guidance for a professional basketball career.
Core Values
Integrity
Leadership Team
Robert "Dip" Donaldson
President & CEO
DIP Crusaders, it’s in the name. Founded by Robert “Dip” Donaldson, the man and the mission have been in action for over 40 years. The original Crusaders foundation was formed in Coventry, England, in 1992, with the professional team Coventry Crusaders Basketball Club. Since then, Robert has amassed decades of international basketball experience through a variety of leadership roles on and off the court. His experience includes a legendary professional playing career in the UK, owning and operating a Professional Basketball Club, representing Great Britain on the international stage as a Player and Coach, and leading teams as a Head Coach at the High School, College/University, and Professional levels.
Robert has continued to leave a legacy in basketball worldwide through his leadership and intentional relationships. His love and commitment to developing others have allowed countless players and coaches to achieve great success, on and off the basketball court. Robert combines his experience and expertise to bring DIP Crusaders to life, serving the next generation of basketball players to become the best they can be.
– 40+ year professional, international basketball playing and coaching career
– Travelled to over 40 countries
– Coached players at every level from High School to NBA and International pro’s.
– Former England National Team Player and Coach
– Served on England Basketball Association Board of Directors: Director of International Teams
– Owned and Operated a Professional Basketball Club with Youth, Wheelchair, Men’s and Women’s National League Teams
– Certified Neuro Coach
Steve Cronin
Vice President
Steve is the longest tenured team member, having worked alongside Dip Donaldson and the Crusaders for over 30 years, dating back to the organization’s origins in England. A professional banker with over 30 years of experience, primarily in the business and corporate market segments, Steve leads diverse teams across a range of banks, with an open, collaborative leadership style, delivering successful sales and performance management. Coaching, developing, and integrating teams to optimize income, whilst protecting and improving risk profile and asset quality.
He possesses very strong technical lending skills and considerable experience negotiating credit structures across a wide range of sectors. He is comfortable operating at the Board level, demonstrating strong strategic awareness and a clear understanding of managing in a highly complex regulatory environment.
Recently, Steve has been providing consultancy support to a range of entrepreneurs and business owners to help them develop their ideas and make a positive difference. This includes working with Dip Donaldson at Crusaders International, Inc. to deliver the best youth development in the country, with our solutions built on integrity and professionalism.
Sydney Donaldson
Director of Operations
Sydney brings diverse experience to DIP Crusaders both on and off the court. He is one of Robert’s six children and is a product of the Crusaders Youth Development Program. Growing up around basketball, it was inevitable that Sydney would pursue his own basketball career, following in his father’s footsteps.
Sydney was part of multiple Coventry Crusaders U16 and U18 Championship teams before breaking into the Senior Men’s team, one season before moving to the USA in Longmont, Colorado. After leading the Longmont Trojans as a 4A All-Colorado State Player and Northern Conference Player of the Year, Sydney spent one season at Charis Prep School in Wilson, NC. His collegiate career consisted of four successful years at The College of Idaho, during which he won back-to-back Conference and Conference Tournament Titles and appeared in two NAIA National Tournaments. He played five professional seasons overseas in the UK and Italy.
Off the court, Sydney has led multiple community sports development programs, amassed multifaceted leadership experience across nonprofit and for-profit sectors, and has a heart for serving the community and advancing the international game of basketball.
– Master of Science in Management, Organizational Leadership & Change
– A product of of the Crusaders Youth Development Program
– Multiple High School and College Championships
– Career record holder at The College of Idaho
– 5 years of Professional Basketball experience internationally
– 15+ years of Coaching experience
– 10+ Years of Community Sports Development
Jason Rollins
Community & Elite Program Coordinator
Jason Rollins is a highly respected educator, coach, and mental performance specialist with over two decades of experience helping athletes and teams unlock their full potential. Raised in Quito, Ecuador, where his parents served as missionaries, Jason brings a global perspective and deep sense of purpose to his work.
After returning to the United States, he became a four-year collegiate soccer standout and went on to compete in the Professional Development League with the Chicago Eagles, an affiliate of the Charlotte Eagles.
Over the course of his career, Jason has served in multiple leadership roles — including teacher, Athletic Director, Assistant Principal, and soccer coach — shaping programs, building cultures, and guiding athletes toward peak performance.
His influence extends beyond sport: he’s led mission trips to Ecuador, co-founded a thriving local soccer club, serves as an elder in his church, and volunteers as a Chaplain for the professional soccer team Switchbacks FC.
Jason has recently partnered with DIP Crusaders to serve as the Coordinator for Community Events and the Elite program.
Professional and Educational
- Master of Science in Education
- 20+ years of coaching experience
- United Soccer Coaches National Diploma
- NIAAA Certified Athletic Administrator
- Mental Performance Mastery Certified Coach
Leadership and Roles
- Teacher & educator
- Athletic Director
- Assistant Principal
- Co-founder of a local soccer club
- Elder in his church
- Chaplain for the local professional soccer team, Switchbacks FC
- Leader of multiple mission trips to Ecuador
- Mental Performance Coach for High School to Pro’s
Player Accomplishments
- NAIA All-American Honorable Mention
- CACC Player of the Year
- NCCAA National Player of the Year
- Nyack College Hall of Fame Inductee
- Four-year collegiate soccer standout
- Professional Development League (PDL) player with Chicago Eagles (affiliate of Charlotte Eagles)
Coach Accomplishments
- United Soccer Coaches Illinois Coach of the Year (2007)
- United Soccer Coaches Colorado Coach of the Year (2017)
- NFHS Colorado Coach of the Year (2017)
- CHSAA 2A Girls Soccer Coach of the Year (2023)
- CHSAA 2A Girls Soccer State Champions (2023)
Michael Baptist
Chief Strategy & Development Officer
For more than three decades, Michael Baptist has been a driving force in organizational transformation and strategic development across multiple sectors. As a Certified Change Management Delivery Professional, he has held senior leadership roles in the United Kingdom and with a leading American marketing company, consistently guiding organizations toward sustainable growth, strategic clarity, and measurable impact.
Michael’s career spans boardrooms in the legal and financial industries to the front lines of professional education. He has partnered with government leaders, institutions, and international organizations to build capacity and drive meaningful progress in underserved and developing regions worldwide. His global experience, combined with his dynamic presence as a speaker and motivator, enables him to inspire change and build bridges across cultures, communities, and industries.
At DIP Crusaders, Michael channels his international expertise into advancing the organization’s mission: to Develop, Inspire, and Prepare the next generation of athletes and leaders. He leads strategic partnerships, program innovation, and sustainable growth initiatives that expand the organization’s global reach. Through visionary leadership and purpose-driven strategy, Michael ensures that DIP Crusaders continues to unite performance, character, and opportunity – empowering young people to succeed both on and off the court.
– Over 30 years of senior executive leadership and strategic development experience across the United Kingdom and the United States.
– Certified Change Management Delivery Professional with a proven record of delivering organizational transformation across administration, legal, financial, corporate governance, and professional education sectors.
– Partnered with government leaders and international organizations to strengthen institutions and drive growth in underserved and developing regions worldwide.
– Served in senior management and advisory roles for major UK institutions and a leading American marketing company.
– International speaker and leadership mentor, delivering programs across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and North America.
– Passionate advocate for youth empowerment, education, and social impact through sport, leadership, and community development.
– Committed to fostering global partnerships that advance DIP Crusaders’ mission to Develop, Inspire, and Prepare the next generation for success on and off the court.
– Enthusiastic advocate for sport and intellectual development, championing programs that strengthen both athletic performance and strategic thinking.