Every once in a while, a team comes along that you don’t just watch… you walk with.

This year, that’s been the College of Southern Idaho Men’s Basketball team.

Last week, we packed it up and made the 16.5-hour trek from Twin Falls to Hutchinson to follow them at the National Tournament. Long drive… but an easy decision.

Because this journey didn’t start in Kansas.

It started months ago.

It started with guys like Ace, Gerry, Cooper, and Kobe sitting at a Jae Foundation Retreat at the Double J Ranch back in Wyoming—leaning in, opening up, and beginning to understand that who they are matters more than what they do.

It continued through the Battle for the Boot, where each player (along with 150 others from around the world) received their Jae Boots—a symbol of identity, purpose, and the commitment to check in on those around them.

It showed up around our dinner table—Sunday nights at the Vickrey house—where basketball faded into the background and relationships took center stage.

And it’s been incredible to watch stories unfold along the way.

Like Nate our booster kid… arriving in America from Denmark, stepping into a new culture, new team, new life—and growing in ways that go far beyond the game.

Or Jalen… who I had the chance to spend a day with last summer at his house in Queens, NY. Getting to see his world, his environment, and who he is away from the court—and then watching that translate into growth both on and off the floor this season.

Or a coaching staff and Athletic Director who are committed to winning—but only if it’s done the right way.

That matters.

What’s been most powerful, though, is how this team has embraced the mission.

All week long in Hutch, they showed up in BTHO Suicide shirts, Battle for the Boot gear, and Jae Foundation apparel.

And it did exactly what we hope it does.

It started conversations.
It opened doors.
It created connection.

That’s the win.

Most of these young men will move on next year—new schools, new teammates, new challenges. There will be highs and lows ahead, just like there always are.

They’ll carry their Jae Boots with them.
They’ll carry what they’ve learned.
And they’ll carry a community that is rooting for them in a big way.

We say it all the time…

It’s Bigger than Basketball.

And this team is living proof.