Ben Limback will be entering his fourth season at the helm of the Concordia men's basketball team in 2006-07. Limback has brought a new style of basketball to Ann Arbor, with the hopes of taking the Cardinals to the top of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference.

 

Last season, the Cardinals finished the season with their first winning season since the 1979-80 season. Included in the highlights were the Cardinal's first-ever championship in the Concordia Invitational Tournament and the Cards upset win of Siena Heights University to earn their first-ever road playoff victory.

 

Prior to joining the Concordia family, Limback was an assistant coach at NCAA Division II Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

 

During his collegiate playing days, Limback was an NAIA All-American Honorable Mention in 1998 at Concordia-Seward in Nebraska. Limback was also named a member of the Nebraska-Iowa All-Conference Team during the 1999 season at Seward. During the '99 season, Limback's performance also earned him NIAC Player of the Year.

 

While at Concordia-Seward, Limback was also a teammate of assistant coach Scott Schmidt.

 

Limback currently stands as the fifth all-time winningest coach in Concordia-Ann Arbor history with 34 victories. Only one other coach in Cardinal history has averaged more wins per season than Limback has in his three years: Walt Harting, the all-time career victory leader who averaged a little more than 15 wins in his six seasons. Limback has averaged more than 11 wins in his coaching career.

 

Limback's first collegiate victory came against Indiana Wesleyan University, 84-81, at Cardinal Field House on November 11, 2003.

 

Limback currently resides in Ann Arbor with his wife, Kelley, and their two sons Leighton and Malachi. The Limback's are also expecting their third child this season.

 

Assistant Coach Aaron Ternes has been associated with the Concordia men's basketball team longer than any other current member, player or coach.

 

The 24-year-old Ternes was a member of the Cardinal's team from 200o through 2005 as a player. Upon completing his graduation, Ternes became a member of the coaching staff under Limback, entering his fourth season for the 2006-07 academic year.

 

His experience as a player and assistant coach under Limback has given Ternes a new perspective on what he hopes to accomplish as a professional. After graduating from Concordia with a Sports Management major and a minor in Business, Ternes found employment with LKM Distributors. Ternes returned to school this fall to pursue his Master's degree from Concordia, knowing that such a move would open the possibility of him becoming a head coach at the collegiate level one day.

 

"I have learned a great deal but the one thing that I think has stuck with me is kowing you have to adjust to so many different situations," Ternes said. "You always have to keep your head, despite so many highs and lows."

 

Ternes still resides in his hometown of Dundee and is currently single.

Assistant Coach Nate Adams is entering his second season as an assistant coach for the men's basketball team and third with the program after serving as a graduate studies intern for the 2004-05 season.

 

Working in small environments is nothing new to Adams who has been with quaint institutions since his days prepping at Faith Way Baptist in Ypsilanti. Faith Way, unfortunately, closed its doors but opened many opportunities for Adams.

 

After graduating from the independent high school, Adams attended Northland Baptist Bible College where he was a member of the basketball team. Continuing his education pursuit, Adams enrolled in the United States Sports Academy Master's program, which lead him to Concordia for his internship. Adams will be receiving his Master's degree in December 2006.

 

"I've always had a strong love for the game and I wanted to be involved in the lives of kids," Adams said. "Working with Coach Limback, I have learned to be more outgoing and committed to what you do."

 

Adams is currently is employed by Milan-based Greenwood & Company. Adams resides in Ypsilanti with his wife, Karen, and his daughter, Olivia Marie, who was born on Sept. 10, 2006.