2010-11 WOMEN'S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
COACHES
Steve Montgomery Image
Steve Montgomery - Head Coach - 3rd Season
Steve Montgomery is entering his second season overseeing not only the men's and women's cross country programs at Concordia University, but also the men's and women's track program (indoor and outdoor). 
 
Montgomery brings a wealth of experience to the position; most notably as a very successful coach at Livonia Ladywood high school and Schoolcraft College. Steve Montgomery also served as an assistant coach for the Concordia cross country program during the 2004 season. 
 
Coach Montgomery brings almost 30 years of experience in coaching and education to his new position with the Cardinals.  Montgomery is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University where he was a four year letter winner on the track team.  Montgomery's first high school Cross Country position was at Livonia Ladywood high school and his team claimed a state championship during his first season.  In Montgomery's second season at Ladywood the cross country team had another very strong showing with a third place finish in the state meet.
 
Montgomery parlayed his success at Ladywood into becoming the head cross county coach at Schoolcraft College where he continued his great success.  Coach Montgomery was twice named Regional coach of the year and led the Ocelots to three top 10 national finishes.  In addition to his success at Ladywood and Schoolcraft Montgomery started and coached the Livonia Hawks.  The Hawks were an AAU track club that competed in Olympic Development meets across the United States.
 
In addition to coaching track at Ladywood, Montgomery has also coached track at Farmington High School, Canton Salem High School and Walled Lake Western High School.  While at Farmington, Montgomery coached former state champion and current University of Michigan nationally ranked track athlete Betty Wade.  Coach Montgomery led five state qualifiers during his season at Salem and also claimed a city championship.
 
Montgomery hopes the build very competitive cross country and track programs at Concordia for the men and women.  As has been his standard throughout his entire coaching career Montgomery will keep fun and enthusiasm at the center of the program.
 
Steve and his wife Julie have five daughters, Crystal, Marissa, Lisa, Linda and Brianna.  Lisa and Linda are currently cross country athletes at the University of Michigan. 
Julie Montgomery Image
Julie Montgomery - Assistant Coach - 3rd Season
Coach Montgomery is entering her second year as the assistant coach for the cross country and track & field programs at Concordia University.
 
Coach Montgomery has a long and varied career coaching the sports in the greater Detroit area as she has served as a head coach for Cross County for Emerson Middle School in Livonia and Farmington High School as well as head coaching stints for track at Emerson, Farmington, amd Salem High School.
 
Montgomery also served as an assistant for a year at Walled Lake Central and another at Walled Lake Western.
 
While at Farmington, her squad placed 2nd in the OAA Conference, 4th in the Regionals, 6th in Oakland County and 16th in the state of Michigan. In her one year at Salem, Montgomery guided her team to the Plymouth/Canton city championships, 4th at the Regionals and 3rd in the WLAA Conference.
 
Prior to coaching, Montgomery as a standout in cross country and track & field herself.
 
During her prep career, she was All-State in cross country for three seasons while placing second in the state her junior season. Montgomery was a member of the Livonia Stevenson squad that won the state championship that year as well.
 
While on the Stevenson track team, Montgomery placed third in the state in the 1600m all three years. For 20 years, Montgomery held the school record in the 3200m and the 1600m.
 
Montgomery began her collegiate career at Western Michigan where she won the MAC Championship in the 1500m. While a member of the Bronco cross country team, Montgomery placed third in the MAC.
 
After transferring to Eastern Michigan, where she became the MAC Champion in the 5000m, setting the conference record.
 
Montgomery is married to Steve Mongtomery, the program's head coach, and is the mother of five daughters: Crystal, Marissa, Linda, Lisa and Brianna.
Tony Baffour Image
Tony Baffour - Assistant Coach - 1st Season

Tony Baffour is a new volunteer coach with the Men's and Women's Track Teams here at Concordia University. Tony is the son of Lele Baffour and Josephine Owusu. He has a brother named Michael Baffour. Tony and his family are originally from Ghanna, West Africa. Baffour has high school and Division I college experience and earned major honors at both levels.

In high school Baffour competed for head coach Ross Mills at Bryan Station. Tony lettered four years in track and field. He earned Academic All-State honors from 2003-05. He was named to the All-State Team in 2004 and 2005. Baffour was Bryan Station's track teams' co-captain in 2004-05. He holds the school record holder in 100m. Baffour also competed in 200m, 300m hurdles, 4x100m relay, 4x200m relay and 4x400m relay. He helped lead his team to a city runner-up title, region runner-up title and state runner-up title. Baffour was a member of the 2004 state title winning 4x100m relay team. His team was city champs, regional champs and fifth overall in the state in 2004. His top marks include 10.66 in the 100m and 14.66 in the 110m hurdles. Baffour was a 7 time State Finalist and a 3 time Junior Olympic Finalist. Tony was also a Nike Championship Finalist.

Baffour went to the University of Louisville. He earned a B.S. in Accounting in 2009 (University Honors) and M.S. in Human Resources in 2010 (Summa Cum Laude). In college Tony was named to the All Big East Team and the All Big East Academic Team. Tony is the school record Holder in Sprint Medley Relay. He is also in the Top 5 in 3 other categories; Indoor 60m, Outdoor 100m, and Outdoor 200m Record.

Tony is also a volunteer with Summer AAU and USATF Youth Volunteer Coach. Tony stated "I want to provide my knowledge of track to the athletes to help guide Concordia University to a conference championship."

Conrad Opperman - Assistant Coach - 1st Season

Conrad is the son of Ramona and Thomas Opperman. He has a sister named Madison who is currently on the Rowing team at Michigan State University. Conrad will be the Cards throwing coach.

In high school Opperman competed for head coach Mike Tiano at Spring Lake High School in Spring Lake, MI. Conrad lettered in both football and track and field at SLHS. Opperman was elected to the captain position of both teams. He was a unanimous 1st team All-Conference selection as an offensive linemen and 2nd team All-Conference selection at shot put. Conrad helped lead Spring Lake's track team to a conference runner-up title, while finishing 3rd place at regionals. Conrad also achieved a top 5 finish in the 2005 West Michigan All-Star meet for shot put.

Opperman attended Alma College. He was a Dean's list award winner multiple times and he completed his Bachelor's Degree with a Business Administration major in 2009. As a letter winner on the Alma football team, he played on both the offensive and defensive lines. Conrad was also a four year letter winner on the Alma track team; he threw both shot put and discus. While captain of the track team, he was elected to the MIAA All-Academic team for both the fall and winter semesters in 2008. Conrad has competed and placed at various weightlifting competitions throughout both high school and college, competing with a 355lb personal record bench press and a 555lb dead lift.