Ben Limback will be entering his fifth season at the helm of the Concordia men's basketball team in 2007-08. 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 second consecutive winning season with an 18-14 record. Prior to Limback's arrival, the last winning mark in Cardinal basketball lore was the 1979-80 season.

 

The past two seasons have Included numerous highlights including, but not limited to, the Cardinal's first-ever championship in the Concordia Invitational Tournament in 2006 followed by a successful defense of the title on their home court this past season. In addition, the Cards have registered their first-ever road playoff victory and back-to-back appearances in the WHAC semifinal round. 

 

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 fourth all-time winningest coach in Concordia-Ann Arbor history with 52 victories, needing only three to pass his predecessor on the list. A third consecutive winning season and Limback can finish the upcoming campaign in the second position. Only one other coach in Cardinal history has averaged more wins per season than Limback has in his four 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 13 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, and their daughter Kennedy.

 

Assistant Coach Nate Adams is entering his third season as an assistant coach for the men's basketball team and fourth 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.

Assistant Coach Scott Schmidt is in his fifth season with the Cardinal basketball program. Schmidt joined the program at the behest of Coach Limback as the two were teammates at Concordia University-Seward in the 90s.

 

Coach Schmidt lives in Ypsilanti with his wife, Amy, and their son, Gabriel.

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

 

The 25-year-old Ternes was a member of the Cardinal's team from 2000 through 2005 as a player. Upon completing his graduation, Ternes became a member of the coaching staff under Limback, entering his fifth season for the 2007-08 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."