(Ann Arbor, MI) - The Concordia University Athletic Department held the 7th Annual CARDYS on May 6th to honor the top athletic, citizenship, and academic achievements made by CUAA students, coaches, staff, and faculty during the 2021-22 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, Rachel Palmer, Ashley (Hart) Warner, Hannah Sabol, and Kirk Dueker, the four members that were inducted into the CUAA Athletics Hall of Fame earlier that evening.
Senior men's hockey player Abel Christians, senior esports/track and field athlete Zachary Yoder, sophomore women's basketball player Alize Tripp, and sophomore volleyball player Kayla Peters were named male co-athlete of the year and female co-athletes of the year. Christians' was named the WHAC Player of the Year this past season while also being named to the First Team All-Conference. Yoder has been a standout for the Esports team on the Super Smash Bros team winning a couple of tournaments while also competing in indoor and outdoor track. Tripp was also named to the WHAC First Team this past season while also being named to the NCCAA Third Team All-America. Peters was named to the NAIA Honorable Mention list this past season, while also being a CoSIDA Academic All-District member.
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: Lance Shultz and Karen Jones (2019), Mark Looker (2020), Christopher Stark (2021)
Erin Laverick – CUAA Academics
Kristin Shuman – Excercise Science
Scott Chappuis – Communications
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: Alex Smith (2019), Kyle Thoms (2020), Peter Benjamin (2021)
Michelle Stentzel – Housekeeping Manager
MATT WALKER – ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER
Matt Korte – Sports Information Director
Corinne Kuclo – Admission Visit Coordinator
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.
FOOTBALL WINNING THEIR FIRST-EVER HOME PLAYOFF GAME AGAINST ST. XAVIER, SCORING 31 STRAIGHT POINTS AND EXTENDING THEIR HOME WINNING STREAK TO 26 GAMES.
Men's basketball winning a thrilling double-overtime game, coming back from a 15-point deficit to win 85-78 against Lawrence Tech.
MEN'S HOCKEY RALLYING BACK FROM A TWO-GOAL DEFICIT TO DEFEAT LAWRENCE TECH IN OVERTIME IN THE WHAC QUARTERFINALS. TYLER GROTH SCORED THE WINNING GOAL IN THEIR FIRST-EVERPLAYOFF WIN.
Women's Lacrosse beating rival #9 Siena Heights 21-19, and Greyson Papp becomes all-time goals leader in program history.
Women's Soccer winning in double overtime off of Isabel Stropich's golden goal in the 109th minute.
Best Fan:
These Cardinal fans were nominated based on their support at athletic events, consistent Concordia pride, or contagious crowd enthusiasm. Past Winners: Courtney Evans (2019), Jess Russ (2020), Fred Watts (2021)
Ryan Iles – Men's Hockey
NICOLE BORDO – WOMEN'S LACROSSE
Aaron Ortega - Football
Asaria Turman – Women's Basketball
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: Zack Williams (2019), Paul Zysk (2020), Kash Warren (2021)
Tristan Waechter – Men's Hockey / Tennis
Calvin Syrjala - Baseball
Luke Neuhaus – Men's Soccer
COLTON RITSEMA – MEN'S BASKETBALL
Jesus Pulido - Competitive Cheer
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: Whitney Irmeger (2019), Lena Thompson (2020), Lauren Drinane (2021)
Ellie Fritcha – Women's Tennis
Lydia Schroeder – Cross Country / Track & Field
PAYTON LOVINS – TRACK & FIELD
Tara Drinane - Volleyball
Sierra Stechebar – Track & Field
Best Team Comeback:
These team comebacks were nominated for being amazing turnarounds when the odds when stacked against them.
Softball coming back in the bottom of the seventh with a Payton Lewis walk off RBI single to score Shannon McAlinden. It was also Head Coach Hailey Cavanagh's 100th win at Concordia.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ERASING A 12-POINT DEFICIT AGAINST SIENA HEIGHTS AND WINNING THE GAME WITH AN ALIZE TRIPP LAY-UP IN THE FINAL SECONDS.
Women's Hockey coming back from down 2 goals against Grand Valley in their season opener for the 3-2 OT win.
Baseball coming back from a 4-1 disadvantage with 2 outs in the top of the ninth to tie it up. Kyle Hebner would hit a two-run home run in the 12th to win it.
Volleyball rallying back from down 2-0 to defeat Lourdes at home.
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: Ross O'Brien (2019), Peterson Morrison (2020), Colton Ritsema (2021)
Jacob Greenway – Men's Lacrosse
Erik Mroczek – Men's Basketball
JACOB CULP – MEN'S HOCKEY
Kyle Lewis – Men's Bowling
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: Amber Streeter (2019), Natalie Shawl (2020), Sophia Bell (2021)
Amay Ciszewski – Women's Soccer
Kassidy Scheben – Women's Hockey
Jennifer Miller – Women's Lacrosse
MADALYN FIELDS – WOMEN'S LACROSSE / ESPORTS
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: Softball (2019), Volleyball (2020), Men's Basketball (2021)
Women's Soccer
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Baseball
Dance
Women's Tennis
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 Edge (2019), Zach Johnston (2020), Amanda Asher (2021)
JOSH SCHUMACHER - FOOTBALL
David Wohlberg – Men's Hockey
Kiefer Haffey – Women's Basketball
Hailey Cavanagh - Softball
Danielle Cook - Volleyball
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: Omar Sinclair (2019), Greg Alexander (2020), Zack Johnson (2021)
Neil Heinlein – Men's Golf
Anthony Seykora – Men's Hockey
Andrew Simmons – Men's Lacrosse
Aaron West - Baseball
LUKE BENTZ – CROSS COUNTRY / TRACK & FIELD
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: Amanda Archer (Lacrosse), Kendra Lewis (2020), Kayla Peters (2021)
Grace Dogdson – Women's Hockey
JULIA HIRT – WOMEN'S BASKETBALL / TRACK & FIELD
Bianca Hyrinciw – Competitive Cheer
Payton Lewis - Softball
Alana Mortimer – Women's Lacrosse / Women's Hockey
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: Blaine Milheim (2019), Fred Watts (2020), Alex Hinojosa (2021)
ABEL CHRISTIANS – MEN'S HOCKEY
Hunter Maynard - Football
ZACHARY YODER – ESPORTS / TRACK & FIELD
Jimmy Wressel - Baseball
Andrew Foerster - Football
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: Katie Snow (2019), Samantha Golchuk (2020), J'may Simmons/Jennifer Miller (2021)
KAYLA PETERS - VOLLEYBALL
ALIZE TRIPP – WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Greyson Papp – Women's Lacrosse
Lindsey Koshowsky – Competitive Dance
Gabriella Van Horn – Women's Bowling
Highest Team GPA:
DANCE
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Melvin Jenkins Courage Award:
HANNAH RUMSEY - COMPETITIVE CHEER
Ripple Effect Award:
ROSCOE CUMMINGS - FOOTBALL
SALT Service Award:
CALEB COMSTOCK - MEN'S SOCCER