(Ann Arbor, MI) The Concordia University Athletic Department hosted the 5th Annual CARDYS virtually on May 8th to honor the top athletic, citizenship, and academic achievements made by CUAA students, coaches, staff, and faculty during the 2019-20 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. A series of announcements were made are still available on the athletic department's twitter account.
The CARDYS is 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. Once the final ballot was compiled, a record breaking number of votes were tallied reaching nearly 1000 total.
Senior cheer team member Fred Watts (JR/Belleville, MI) and junior women's soccer player Samantha Golchuk (JR/Garden City, MI) were named male and female athlete of the year. Watts was recently named an NAIA all-american after lead the cheer team to back to back WHAC Championships and an NAIA National Championship in 2019. Samantha Golchuk earned first team all-conference as she was among the WHAC leaders in many statistical categories this year.
List of nominees with the winner in *BOLD CAPS*. Click on the link to watch the presenter videos for each award.
Professor of the Year:
These professors were nominated for their knowledge and teaching ability, commitment to students, and for going above and beyond for students both in and out of the classroom. Past winners: Gary Sanborn (2018), Lance Schultz and Karen Jones (2019)
MARK LOOKER, ENGLISH
Kristin Schuman, Health and Human Performance
Jorge Gonzales, Finance
Robert Hills, History
Staff of the Year:
These staff members were nominated for their commitment to doing their job well AND going above and beyond to ensure that Concordia's students are being served. Past Winners: Jerry Novak (2018) Alex Smith (2019)
Walt Layher, Housekeeping
EARL SCHUMAKE, ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER
Jim Stephenson, Security
Michele Stentzel, Housekeeping
Most Involved Faculty/Staff:
These faculty/staff members were nominated for their support of athletics, commitment to CUAA campus as a whole, and Concordia pride. Past winners: Lonnie Pries (2018), Randy Duncan (2019)
KYLE THOMS, ATHLETICS
Gary Sanborn, (Accounting)
Lucas Koehler, Athletics
Best Team Moment:
This award is for the excellent, rare, and most unforgettable moment from the past year. Nominations represent either a moment from a single game, individual match or event, or a series of moments across a regular season or tournament/playoff run.
- Anthony Tucker (SR/Canton, MI) leading Men's Soccer to a 3-1 win over Siena Heights with a Senior Day hat trick.
- Megan Ennis (SO/Holly, MI) finishing 7th in the 600m at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National to earn NAIA All-America honors.
- Baseball defeating Warner University, 6-2, to win the 2019 NCCAA World Series.
- Women's Tennis winning their last match of the season against Lourdes with Charity Felton (JR/Fort Wayne, IN) earning the deciding point.
Best Fan:
These Cardinal fans were nominated based on their support at athletic events, consistent Concordia pride, or contagious crowd enthusiasm. Past Winners: Luiz Ramon (2018), Courtney Evans (SR/Portage, MI) (2019)
Paxton Meyer (SO/Fraser, MI), Football
JESS RUSS, WOMEN'S LACROSSE
Lauren Drinane (JR/Riverview, MI), Track and Field
Cooper O'Gara (SR/Cincinnati, OH), Football
Ryan Iles (SO/Royal Oak, MI), Men's Lacrosse
Mr. Corky:
These student athletes were nominated for their involvement on campus, support of peers (on and off the field), and for living up to our goals as students, athletes, and leaders. Past winners: Fred Watts (2018), Zack Williams (SR/New Boston, MI) (2019)
Mason Trowbridge (SO/Delevan, NY) Ice Hockey/Lacrosse
PAUL ZYSK, BASKETBALL
Alex Hinojosa (JR/Allen Park, MI), Football
Clay Coltson (SR/Hastings, MI), Football
Ms. Corky:
These student athletes were nominated for their involvement on campus, support of peers (on and off the field), and for living up to our goals as students, athletes, and leaders. Past Winners: Dayna Schroeder (2018), Whitney Irmeger (SR/Normal, IL) (2019).
Tyffani Bryan (SR/Tecumseh, MI), Softball
LENA THOMPSON, VOLLEYBALL/ICE HOCKEY
Taylor Kahlstorf, Tennis
Abbey Bentz (JR/Fort Wayne, IN), Cross Country/Track and Field
Best Team Comeback:
- Men's soccer was looking up from a 2-nil hole vs. Cornerstone in the 2nd half before striking twice to force overtime. Anthony Tucker beat three defenders before slotting home the golden goal nine minutes into double overtime, securing a thrilling 3-2 result.
- Just nine seconds and one final snap separated CUAA Football from a 7-3 homecoming loss to arch-rival Siena Heights. Facing 4th and 15, Clay Coltson snagged Peter Morrison (JR/Fort Wayne, IN)'s pass in the flat and rumbled to pay dirt to bring home a wild Cardinal win.
- At the WHAC Cheer Championship, the Cardinals trailed Lourdes by nearly 2 points. Under pressure, the Cardinals fearlessly nailed their final round. Their total score of 86.88 edged Lourdes by .33, giving the Cards their second consecutive WHAC Championship title.
- A three goal avalanche from Tristan Waechter (SO/Fairfield, CA), Hunter Kepple (SO/Freeport, PA), and Abel Christians (SO/Grand Rapids, MI) stunned Rochester late in the third, erasing a 4-1 deficit and sending the game to OT. The Hockey Cards put the icing on the cake with a Shootout victory.
Male Champion of Character:
These students were nominated based on their sportsmanship in athletics and being a role model on campus through academics and personal conduct. Past Winners: Kaleb Pohlman (2018), Ross O'Brien (2019)
Tristan Waechter, Hockey/Tennis
Billy Blair (JR/St. Charles, MI), Baseball
Jacob Campbell (SR/Macomb, MI), Men's Soccer
PETER MORRISON, FOOTBALL
Colton Ritsema (SO/Jenison, MI), Basketball
Female Champion of Character:
These students were nominated based on their sportsmanship in athletics and being a role model on campus through academics and personal conduct. Past winners: Nadia Rozmarniewicz (2018), Amber Streeter (SR/Bay City, MI) (2019)
Hali Madden (FR/Brighton, MI), Dance
Sophia Bell (SO/Ofxord, MI), Soccer
Payton Lovins (SO/Wauseon, OH) (SO) (SO/Wauseon, OH) (SO) (SO/Wauseon, OH), Track and Field
NATALIE SHAWL, SOFTBALL
Alex Homann (SR/South Bend, IN), Golf/Track and Field
Champion of Character (TEAM)
These teams were nominated based on their sportsmanship in athletics, support of other athletic programs, and commitment to growing in mind, body, and spirit. Past winners: Cheer (2018), Softball (2019)
Cross Country
VOLLEYBALL
Golf
Women's Lacrosse
Coach of the Year:
These coaches were nominated for their strong coaching record, their knowledge of their sport, and their commitment to athletes' athletic, academic, and spiritual growth. Past winners: Joshua Schumacher (2018), Kate Edge (2019)
Kiefer Haffey, Women's Basketball
Amanda Asher, Women's Lacrosse
ZACH JOHNSTON, BASEBALL
Kristin Abbott, Women's Soccer
Male Rookie of the Year:
These freshmen or transfer students were nominated for their outstanding qualities and for the promise of future excellence. Past winners: Micah Matheson (2018), Omar Sinclair (SO/Norcross, GA) (2019)
Korey Reichard (FR/Jackson, MI), Bowling
Josh Line, Golf
Edgar Bautista (FR), Tennis
GREG ALEXANDER, BASKETBALL
Female Rookie of the Year:
These freshmen or transfer students were nominated for their outstanding qualities and for the promise of future excellence. Past winners: Katherine Snow (2018), Amanda Archer (SO/Brighton, MI) (2019)
Kassidy Scheben (FR/Union, KY), Ice Hockey
Madison Birchmeier (FR/Corunna, MI), Basketball
Marianna Miller, Lacrosse
KENDRA LEWIS, SOCCER
Male Athlete of the Year:
These athletes were nominated for excelling in their sport and for their display of leadership and team spirit. Past Winners: Micah Oetting (2018), Blaine Milheim (2019)
Anthony Tucker, Soccer/Lacrosse
Donovan Corlew (JR/Cleveland, OH), Football
FRED WATTS, CHEER
Korey Reichard, Bowling
Female Athlete of the Year:
These athletes were nominated for excelling in their sport and for their display of leadership and team spirit. Past Winners: Brianna Rowe (2018), Katie Snow (JR/Grosse Pointe Woods, MI) (2019)
SAMANTHA GOLCHUK, SOCCER
Megan Ennis, Track and Field
Morgan Raby (SR/Ortonville, MI), Cheer
Makayla Lancioni (JR/New Hudson, MI), Bowling
Highest Team GPA:
Men's Tennis
Melvin Jenkins Courage Award:
Josh Daniel (SR/Walled Lake, MI), Football
Ripple Effect Award:
Dan Brieschke
SALT Service Award:
Lauren Drinane (Athletics Student Worker)
