(Ann Arbor, MI) The Concordia University Athletic Department held the 6th Annual CARDYS on April 30th to honor the top athletic, citizenship, and academic achievements made by CUAA students, coaches, staff, and faculty during the 2020-21 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. Once the final ballot was compiled, over 700 votes were submitted.
Senior football player Alex Hinojosa, senior basketball player J'may Simmons, and junior lacrosse player Jennifer Miller were named male athlete of the year and female co-athletes of the year. Hinojosa was recently named first team all-conference and was MFSA Mideast Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Hinojosa finished his career at third in the program record books with 16.5 sacks. Simmons was named second team all-conference and was also selected for the NCCAA All-Tournament team in her senior campaign. Miller was recently named WHAC Defensive Player of the Year as well as first team all-conference.
List of nominees with the winner in *BOLD CAPS*
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 (2020)
Erin Laverick, English
CHRISTOPHER STARK, PSYCHOLOGY
Jorge Gonzales, Finance
Neil Migan, English
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), Kyle Thoms (2020)
Tori Negash, ARC
Sarah Thrumond, Office of the President
Sarah Beckham, Residence Life
PETER BENJAMIN, ATHLETIC TRAINING
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.
WOMEN'S LACROSSE DEFEATED LAWRENCE TECH IN A THRILLING 17-15 WIN TO SECURE THEIR FIRST WHAC REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP IN PROGRAM HISTORY.
Cheer continued their dominance in the WHAC securing their third consecutive WHAC Championship.
Women's Hockey took to the ice against Lake Superior State University for their first game of the season and came away with their first win in program history. The Cardinals would go on to sweep the Lakers to start the season 2-0.
E-sports Super Smash Brothers Ultimate team upset Central Michigan in week 7 of their season to secure a playoff appearance.
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 (2019), Jess Russ (2020)
Brandon Miotke
Griffin Simmons
Ryan Iles
FRED WATTS
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 (2019), Paul Zysk (2020)
Richard Branch, Track and Field
Zach Yoder, Esports/Track and Field
Andy Wade, Football
Brendan Lyons, Baseball
KASH WARREN, FOOTBALL/TRACK AND FIELD
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 (2019), Lena Thompson (2020)
Hannah Sickmiller, Volleyball/Hockey
Nicole Bordo, Lacrosse
LAUREN DRINANE, TRACK AND FIELD
Alex Premo, Cheer
Natalie Shawl, Softball
Best Team Comeback:
These team comebacks were nominated for being amazing turnarounds when the odds when stacked against them.
In the WHAC tournament quarterfinals with the Cardinals trailing by 7 points with 8 minutes to go, Colton Ritsema (Men's Basketball) scored 11 points in a row to give the Cardinals lead 65-63 lead with 3:50 minutes left in the game. The Cardinals would go on to defeat Cornerstone for the first time in last 13 tries and first win at Cornerstone since 2012.
A goal by Alyssa Lundy (Women's Lacrosse) in the last seconds completed the Cardinals comeback win over Siena Heights. The Cardinals out-scored the Saints 8-4 in the second half to secure their 15-14 victory.
BASEBALL BEGAN CONFERENCE PLAY AGAINST CLEARY UNIVERSITY, DOWN 6-5 IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 9TH. THE CARDINAL HEROICS COMMENCED IN THE NINTH INNING WHEN CALVIN SYRJALA STEPPED TO THE PLATE. BACK TO BACK SINGLES BY VICTOR DIAZ AND CHRIS LOWE STARTED THE RALLY FOR THE CARDINALS. DYLAN STEINKE ADVANCED DIAZ AND LOWE ON A GROUND OUT. WITH FIRST BASE OPEN, THE COUGARS CHOSE TO WALK GRANT STEINBORN. WITH ONLY ONE OUT, CAL SYRJALA HIT A WALK-OFF GRAND SLAM, GIVING THE CARDINALS THEIR FIRST WHAC WIN OF THE SEASON, 9-6.
Play of the Year
These athletes performed an excellent play at a pivotal moment in a game or competition.
DOWN 1-0 WITH 7 MINUTES LEFT, KENDRA LEWIS (WOMEN'S SOCCER) SCORED 2 GOALS FOR THE CARDINALS. SHE STUCK TO THE SCRIPT PROVIDING A GAME WINNING GOAL FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE GAME. THE ASSIST CAME FROM SAM GOLCHUK AS SHE PLACED A SERVE OVER THE DEFENSE TO A STREAKING LEWIS. AS TIME WAS EXPIRING, LEWIS ONE-TIMED A CROSS AND FOUND THE TOP LEFT OF THE GOAL, IGNITING A GAME WINNING CELEBRATION BY THE CARDINALS AT CENTERFIELD.
Luis Gomez (Football) recorded game winning fields goals in consecutive weeks for the Cardinals. Luis used a 36-yard field goal with 32 seconds left to defeat #2 St. Francis, 24-21. The following week, Luis nailed a 25-yard field goal in overtime leading to a 17-14 win over Taylor.
With 0.9 seconds left, it was the Cardinals' ball sideline out of bounds. Allyson Hunt (Women's Basketball) received the in-bounds pass and quickly heaved a buzzer-beating 3-point that sank as time expired to give Concordia the dramatic 55-52 win against Cornerstone.
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), Peter Morrison (2020)
Alan Jones, Track and Field
Luke Neuhaus, Soccer
Tristan Waechter, Hockey
Cal Syrjala, Baseball
COLTON RITSEMA, 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 (2019), Natalie Shawl (2020)
Tina Perumalla, Tennis
Meg Espinoza, Cross Country/Track and Field
Payton Lovins, Track and Field
Natalie Waske, Volleyball
SOPHIA BELL, SOCCER
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), Volleyball (2020)
Dance
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Women's Hockey
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: Coach Schumacher (2018), Coach Edge (2019), Coach Johnston (2020)
David Wohlberg, Men's Hockey
AMANDA ASHER, WOMEN'S LACROSSE
Ty McGuire, Men's Lacrosse
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 (2019), Greg Alexander (2020)
ZACK JOHNSON, BASKETBALL
Quinn Bieniek, Hockey
Hunter McCarty, Lacrosse
Casey Rausch, Football
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: Katie Snow (2018), Amanda Archer (Lacrosse), Kendra Lewis (2020)
Shannon McAlinden, Softball
Lindsey Koshowsky, Dance
Reagan Tolley, Hockey
Asia Ussery, Cheer
KAYLA PETERS, VOLLEYBALL
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), Fred Watts (2020)
Tyson Kleinfelter, Baseball
Korey Reichard, Bowling
ALEX HINOJOSA, FOOTBALL
Devin Wolever, Lacrosse
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 (2019), Samantha Golchuk (2020)
JENNIFER MILLER, LACROSSE
Lauren Reichel, Softball
Makayla Lancioni, Bowling
J'MAY SIMMONS, BASKETBALL
Highest Team GPA:
Dance
Women's Soccer
Melvin Jenkins Courage Award:
Billy Blair (Baseball)
Ripple Effect Award:
Luke Kohler, Strength and Conditioning Coach
SALT Service Award:
Angie Raasch, School of Nursing Academic Advisor
