8th annual CARDYS celebrates 2022-23 achievements

Posted: May 08, 2023

(Ann Arbor, MI) The Concordia University Athletic Department held the 8th Annual CARDYS on May 5th to honor the top athletic, citizenship, and academic achievements made by CUAA students, coaches, staff, and faculty during the 2022-23 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 Tammy Sabourin, Kelly (Kennedy) Collins, Alex Hoover, and Takari Johnson, the four members that were inducted into the CUAA Athletics Hall of Fame earlier that evening.

Junior men's lacrosse player Sam Saje, and junior women's basketball player Taylor Leatherman, were named the male and female athletes of the year. Saje was named to the WHAC First Team All-Conference. Leatherman was named the WHAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, and was also named to the WHAC First Team this past season.

List of nominees with the winner in *BOLD*

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: Mark Looker(2020), Christopher Stark(2021),Neil Migan(2022)

Erin Laverick

Joshua Kittleman

Kimberly Schave

Joseph Dunne

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: Kyle Thoms(2020), Peter Benjamin(2021), Matt Walker(2022)

Corinne Kuclo

Shanitra Cheff

Chris the Sandwich Guy

Jerry Novak

Sarah Thurmond

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.

Men's Hockey upset top-seeded Indiana Tech in the WHAC Semifinals by a score of 4-1 to advance to their first-ever WHAC Championship game.

Baseball won the 2022 NCCAA World Series for their second national title in the past three full seasons.

Cheer finished in second place at the NAIA Championships after recording a 91.50 in the final round.

Men's Lacrosse won at then #2 ranked Indiana Tech by a score of 12-11 for their first-ever win over the Warriors in program history.

Best Fan:

These Cardinal fans were nominated based on their support at athletic events, consistent Concordia pride, or contagious crowd enthusiasm. Past Winners: Jess Russ(2020), Fred Watts(2021), Nicole Bordo(2022)

Jesus Pulido - Competitive Cheer

McKenzie Peters - Women's Volleyball

Aaron Ortega - Football

Hunter McCarty - 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: Paul Zysk(2020), Kash Warren(2021),Colton Ritsema(2022)

Caleb Comstock - Men's Soccer

Seth Francois - Men's Hockey

Theodore Eising - Men's Cross Country & Track and Field

Zack Johnson - Men's Basketball

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: Lena Thompson(2020), Lauren Drinane(2021), Payton Lovins(2022)

Elle Fritcha - Women's Tennis and Women's Golf

Izzy Viau - Women's Basketball

Rachel Yuhas - Women's Golf

Madelyn Ankoviak - Women's Cross Country and Track and Field

Best Team Comeback:

These team comebacks were nominated for being amazing turnarounds when the odds were stacked against them.

Women's Basketball overcame a third-quarter, 13-point deficit to win at (RV) Siena Heights by a score of 76-73 in overtime.

Football scored 23 unanswered points to erase a 0-16 start at Siena Heights, ultimately defeating the Saints 23-16 in overtime.

Women's Hockey coming back from trailing 0-2 in the first period, for their first-ever win over UM-Dearborn.

Women's Soccer bounced back from conceding a goal in the fourth minute of the game, scoring two goals within four minutes of each other in the final 15 minutes in their Senior Day win over Rochester.

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: Peterson Morrison(2020), Colton Ritsema(2021), Jacob Culp(2022)

Andrew Todd - Esports and Men's Tennis

Luke Bentz - Men's Cross Country and Track and Field

John Markiewicz - Baseball

Sam Bowling - Men's Lacrosse

Garrett Benoit - Men's Hockey

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: Natalie Shawl(2020), Sophia Bell(2021), Madalyn Fields(2022)

Nicole Bordo - Women's Lacrosse

Breann June - Volleyball

Nya Martinez - STUNT

Julia Hirt - Women's Basketball and Track and Field

Katelyn Aiello - Women's 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: Volleyball(2020), M. Basketball(2021), W. Basketball(2022)

Softball

Men's Cross-Country

Women's Tennis

Dance

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: Zach Johnson(2020), Amanda Asher(2021), Josh Schumacher(2022)

Ty McGuire - Men's Lacrosse

David Wohlberg - Men's Ice Hockey

Hailey Cavanagh - Softball

Kate Edge - Competitive Cheer

Elyse Schlump - Women's Basketball

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: Greg Alexander(2020), Zack Johnson(2021), Luke Benz(2022)

Zion Moorman - Competitive Cheer

Drew Fleming - Baseball

Chase Temple - Men's Hockey & Men's Golf

Brandon Stewart - 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: Kendra Lewis(2020), Kayla Peters(2021), Julia Hirt(2022)

Katie Tobias - Softball

Savana Ruffner - STUNT

Celina Hinojosa - Cheer

Makayla Steinmetz - 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. Fred Watts(2020), Alex Hinojosa(2021), Abel Christians/Zachary Yoder(2022)

Sam Saje - Men's Lacrosse

Tyson Kleinfelter - Baseball

Korey Reichard - Men's Bowling

Seeger Degayner - 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: Samantha Golchuk (2020), J'may Simmons/Jennifer Miller(2021), Alize Tripp/ Kayla Peters(2022)

Taylor Leatherman - Women's Basketball

Lena Korte - Women's Track & Field

Shannon McAlinden - Softball

Gabriella VanHorn - Women's Bowling

Lindsey Koshowsky - Competitive Dance

Highest Team GPA:

Women's Golf

Volleyball

Melvin Jenkins Courage Award:

Ethan Young - Men's Basketball

Hailey (Payne) Hoyle - Competitive Cheer

Ripple Effect Award: