The Code That Raised a Village: Derrick Neal Jr.’s Mission to Uplift Youth Through Brotherhood, Sports, and Belief
By La’Crystele Brown
FWIS Contributing Writer
Growing up on the southeast side of Fort Wayne, Derrick Neal Jr. knew two things: sports and the streets. Back then, the energy was fast, wild, and full of promise. On any given day, you could find him locked in on a game or knocking on doors and running with his crew. Sports gave him structure, the streets gave him edge—but he was more than both. Neal was a natural. One of the best of his era, he was the cheat code.
But like many young men navigating childhood in a community full of distractions and limited guidance, Neal slipped into the streets. Still, his athletic gifts and sharp instincts helped keep him grounded enough to survive—and later, transform.
Today, Neal is the founder of Youth Cheat Code Academy, an Indianapolis-based mentoring and youth sports organization designed to help boys unlock their full potential—on and off the field. Though he’s now living in Indianapolis, his journey began in Fort Wayne. And that journey is what drives him.
At first, Neal never saw himself as a coach. “I never wanted to coach. I just wanted to make sure my kid was doing things the right way,” he said. But then something changed. He began showing up for his son, then his son’s friends. Then more kids started coming around—kids who needed discipline, a place to be themselves, and someone who simply believed in them.
With each game, each practice, each conversation, Neal realized this was bigger than sports. He was helping boys break out of their own mental and emotional traps—their own cheat codes waiting to be unlocked.
The name “Youth Cheat Code” is personal. “I was the cheat code in my era,” Neal said. “Now I’m just giving that back.” For him, that means teaching confidence, consistency, and community. It also means giving the game—knowledge, discipline, structure—back to kids in ways that stick.
Under the umbrella of the Youth Cheat Code Academy, Neal currently oversees three youth football and basketball teams: Youth Cheat Code 5th Grade, Youth Cheat Code 4th Grade, and the YCC Rugrats 3rd Grade Team. Each team is led by dedicated coaches who bring structure, heart, and mentorship to the program. Neal coaches the 5th Grade team alongside his close friend Eric Jones Jr., who not only supports on the field but also leads the academy’s author and publishing program, helping youth become young writers and storytellers. Mark Young Jr. brings consistency and leadership to the 4th Grade team, while the YCC Rugrats—the youngest crew—are coached by Anthony Neal, Neal’s younger brother, and Bobby Day, both of whom play a key role in shaping the foundation of the program’s future athletes. But the program is much more than sports—it’s a brotherhood. A place where kids grow in self-esteem, emotional control, and life skills.
“The kids I work with now, they always want to be at my house,” Neal said, laughing. “That tells me something. That tells me they feel safe. Like they can breathe.”
One standout is Haiden, his son’s best friend, who has been with the program since he was eight. “He’s been through a lot—his dad’s locked up, and he used to have this crazy attitude. But now? He’s grown so much. Just being around us, learning how to talk, how to think, how to be calm. That’s the cheat code.”
And it’s not just sports. Youth Cheat Code also includes a publishing and author program, which gives kids the opportunity to write and share their stories. That program is led by Eric Jones Jr., a passionate mentor who helps students develop their voices beyond athletics. “That’s the thing,” Neal said. “You don’t have to love sports to be here. We have a lane for everybody as long as you care and you’re ready to grow.”
He emphasizes behavior and academics just as much as performance. “You could be a superstar on the field, but if you can’t control yourself in school, you’re not really winning. We build full people here.”
Recruiting new members is personal. “Most of the time it’s my son’s friends. Then it’s their friends. Word gets around.” But trust is key. “Kids don’t mess with just anybody. They gotta feel you. Know that you care.”
And Neal makes sure they know. “I go to their games. Graduations. Birthday parties. If I say I’m coming, I’m coming. A lot of these kids don’t have that at home. No mom showing up, no dad. That’s where I step in.”
When asked what the biggest challenge is, Neal doesn’t hesitate: “The parents. The kids show up. They want it. But a lot of parents don’t come through for them. So I double down on love and consistency.”
He also believes in meeting kids where they are. “Everybody’s not elite. If you’re not ready for that, we won’t throw you in that mix. We assess you. Build you up so you can get that cheat code experience too. That’s how you keep them believing in themselves.”
The Youth Cheat Code Academy also holds events to extend their impact. One recent success was the Top 100 Exposure Challenge, which brought together some of Indiana’s top youth football talent. The program will also launch its own Youth Cheat Code Magazine this summer to highlight emerging players and community stories.
On top of that, Neal plans to host a two-day summer meal program for youth. “We’re feeding kids this summer. I don’t have the date yet, but it’s happening. It’ll be on our socials.” Everything related to the academy, including announcements and updates, can be found under Youth Cheat Code Academy on all major platforms.
Neal is also working on expanding the academy’s reach to include girls’ basketball, volleyball, and even more programs so that young women can experience the same love, structure, and opportunity.
For anyone interested in enrolling a child or lending a hand, Neal encourages families, mentors, and volunteers to reach out through the official Youth Cheat Code Academy social media pages. “There’s always something you can do. Whether it’s helping with rides, bringing snacks, tutoring, coaching—whatever your lane is, we need it.”
His long-term vision? “I want Youth Cheat Code to be global. Like, mission trip-level global. We’re talking Africa. Italy. Not just to play ball, but to learn, grow, sell books, network. Really spread this.”
For Neal, success is not measured in trophies. It’s in the quiet breakthroughs—the kid who doesn’t blow up anymore, the one who finally turns in his homework, the teen who sees himself as more than just an athlete.
He’s building more than players. He’s building men—and soon, young women too.
So if you ever find yourself in Indianapolis and come across a pack of kids with bright eyes, sharp minds, and matching jerseys—look closer. You’re probably seeing a cheat code in the making.