Concordia Athletics celebrates the 9th Annual CARDYS to honor the 2023-24 Achievements

Posted: May 09, 2024

(Ann Arbor, MI) - The Concordia University Athletic Department held the 9th Annual CARDYS on April 26th to honor the top athletic, citizenship, and academic achievements made by CUAA students, coaches, staff, and faculty during the 2023-24 academic calendar year. Concordia's CARDYS took the form of the ESPYS which is hosted annually by ESPN to recognize and celebrate the year in sports.

The CARDYS was sponsored by the Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT), a student-led organization with representatives from all CUAA sports teams. SALT members were nominated by their respective coaches in an effort to serve as ambassadors for the athletic department on campus, in the community, and for their teams.

The campus community submitted nominations for the awards and those with the most nominations were then listed on the ballot. Nominees could be submitted from sports season dating back to last year's CARDYS through this spring.

The event kicked off by honoring Joel Neumeyer, Kim Dade, Nick Holshoe, and Stephanie Johnston, the four members who were inducted into the CUAA Athletics Hall of Fame earlier that evening.

Senior Men's Lacrosse player Sam Bowling, and senior Softball player Shannon McAlinden, were named the male and female athletes of the the year. Bowling was named to the WHAC First Team All-Conference. McAlinden as named an NAIA Second-Team All-American last season while also being named to the WHAC First Team this year as well.

List of nominees with the winner in *BOLD*

Professor of the Year - (Nominate people for their knowledge and teaching ability, commitment to students, and for going above and beyond). Previous Winners - Christopher Stark (2021), Neil Migan (2022), Joshua Kittleman (2023)

Chris Niemiec
Lance Shultz
*JOSEPH DUNNE*
Kristin Shuman

Staff of the year - (Nominate people for their commitment to doing their job well AND going above and beyond to ensure that Concordia's students are being served). Previous Winners - Peter Benjamin (2021), Matt Walker (2022), Chris the Sandwich Guy (2023)

Michele McCutcheon
Andrew Ripke
Kasey Ficken
*SARAH THURMOND*

Male Athlete of the Year - (Nominate a male athlete for excelling in their sport, and displaying leadership and team spirit). Previous Winners - Alex Hinojosa (2021), Abel Christians/Zachary Yoder (2022), Sam Saje (2023)

Drew Fleming
Seeger DeGayner
Zion Moorman
*SAM BOWLING*
Jad Haidar-Ahmad

Female Athlete of the Year - (Nominate a female athlete for excelling in their sport, and displaying leadership and team spirit). Previous Winners - J'may Simmons/Jennifer Miller (2021), Alize Tripp/ Kayla Peters (2022), Taylor Leatherman (2023)

*SHANNON MCALINDEN*
Lena Korte
Lindsey Koshowsky
Alana Mortimer
Grace Dodgson

Male Rookie of the Year - (Nominate a freshman or transfer athlete for their outstanding qualities and the promise of future excellence). Previous Winners - Zack Johnson (2021), Luke Benz (2022), Drew Fleming (2023)

Conner Rogus
*ZAVION MCCLENDON*
Jessie Lietzow
Carter Kerbawy
Logan Hylek

Female Rookie of the Year - (Nominate a freshman or transfer athlete for their outstanding qualities and the promise of future excellence). Previous Winners - Kayla Peters (2021), Julia Hirt (2022), Katie Tobias (2023)

*ABBY LONG*
Madeline Turcotte
Isabella Macquet
Ryan Giese
Sienna Basile

Best Moment - (A team who had an excellent overall moment during a game, competition, or entire game)

*SOFTBALL ROUNDED OUT THEIR 2023 SEASON BY CLAIMING THEIR FIRST NCCAA WORLD SERIES SINCE 1999.*
Dance took home their second CIT title in program history, defeating Concordia Wisconsin by 1.6 points for the trophy.
In a closely contested matchup against Aquinas on Senior Day, Women's Basketball fended off the Saints, winning 79-75 in an overtime thriller.
Women's Bowling won their third WHAC Tournament in program history, defeating Indiana Tech in the championship baker set to claim a spot in the NAIA Championships.

Best Team Comeback - (A team that had an amazing turnaround when the odds were stacked against them)

In their first conference game of the season, Volleyball rallied back from being down 2-1, winning their final two sets for the win over Lourdes at home.
*DOWN 23-14 IN THE FINAL QUARTER, FOOTBALL SCORED TWICE IN THE FINAL 3 MINUTES TO PULL OFF THE UPSET AGAINST NCAA DIVISION 2 WAYNE STATE, 24-23.*
Facing a deficit at halftime, STUNT forced their match at Concordia Chicago into overtime, ultimately winning 11-10.
In a pair of back-and-forth games against Indiana Tech, Baseball got clutch hits from Justin Kozlowski, Kyle Hebner, and Logan Hylek in the final innings to tie and walk off the Warriors twice in one day.

Coach of the Year - (Nominate a coach who has a strong coaching record, knowledge of their sport, and their commitment to our athletes' academic and spiritual growth). Previous Winners - Amanda Asher (2021), Josh Schumacher (2022), Ty McGuire (2023)

Maria Barlow
*HAILEY CAVANAGH*
Beth Strom
Dominic Santina
Kaylee Tucker

Male Champion of Character - (Nominate a male athlete based on their sportsmanship in athletics and being a role model on campus through academics and personal conduct). Previous Winners - Colton Ritsema (2021), Jacob Culp (2022), Luke Bentz (2023)

Jesus Pulido
Brayden Tayles
*DAVID SMALLS*
Ethan Hiltz

Female Champion of Character - (Nominate a male athlete based on their sportsmanship in athletics and being a role model on campus through academics and personal conduct). Previous Winners - Sophia Bell (2021), Madalyn Fields (2022), Nicole Bordo (2023)

Breann June
Nya Martinez
Amanda Fisher
*IZZY VIAU*

Team Champions of Character - (Nominate a team based on their sportsmanship in athletics and being a role model on campus through academics and personal conduct). Previous Winners - M. Basketball (2021), W. Basketball (2022), Softball (2023)

Volleyball
*WOMEN'S LACROSSE*
Men's Cross Country
Men's Soccer

Best Fan - (Nominate a fan based on support at athletic events, Concordia Spirit, and contagious crowd enthusiasm). Previous Winners - Fred Watts (2021), Nicole Bordo (2022), Jesus Pulido (2023)

Aaron Ortega
Elle Fritcha
*RACHEL COSTELLO*
Oliver Clare

Mr. Corky (Nominate a male athlete who best lives up to our goals as a student, as an athlete, and as a peer spiritual leader on and off campus). Previous Winners - Kash Warren (2021),Colton Ritsema (2022), Zack Johnson (2023)

Zak Schroeder
*NATE BRIGHTON*
*ELIJAH BOYE*
Teddy Eising

Ms. Corky - (Nominate a female athlete who best lives up to our goals as a student, as an athlete, and as a peer spiritual leader on and off campus). Previous Winners - Lauren Drinane (2021), Payton Lovins (2022), Rachel Yuhas (2023)

*ANGELINA HAISHA*
Makena Burke
Alison Doerr
Hollie Johnson
Ambryn Diener

Highest Team GPA

Big Team – Women's Basketball
Small Team – Women's Golf

Ripple Effect Award

Rev. David Davis – Michigan District President

Melvin Jenkins "Courage" Award (Nominate a student-athlete who has overcome a significant obstacle, injury, or hardship and demonstrated inspiring courage throughout this process). Previous Winners - Billy Blair (2021), Hannah Rumsey (2022), Ethan Young & Hailey (Payne) Hoyle (2023)

Jayla Foster