(Ann Arbor, MI) The Concordia University Athletic Department held the 4th Annual CARDYS on May 10th to honor the top athletic, citizenship, and academic achievements made by CUAA students, coaches, staff, and faculty during the 2018-19 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.
Head Athletic Trainer Dan Meier served as the emcee, while a wide-range of student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty, and staff presented the awards to the winners. 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. Once the final ballot was compiled, nearly 500 votes were submitted.
Senior baseball player Blaine Milheim (SR/Eaton Rapids, MI) and senior basketball player Katie Snow (SO/Grosse Pointe Woods, MI) were named male and female athlete of the year. Milheim was recently named first team all-conference and was a finalist for the WHAC Player of the Year. Milheim became the program's all time hits leader earlier this season and is currently on a 37 game hit streak. Katie Snow earned first team all-conference as she was among the WHAC leaders in many statistical categories this year.
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: Ryan Peterson (2017), Gary Sanborn (2018)
Neal Migan (English)
LANCE SHULTZ, BIOLOGY
KAREN JONES, MATHEMATICS
Jorge Gonzalez, Business
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: LA Sabatini (2017), Jerry Novak (2018)
ALEX SMITH, MAINTENANCE
Dorthia Walls, Sodexo
Chris Iroha, Sodexo
Michele Stentzel, Housekeeping
Most Involved Faculty/Staff:
These faculty/staff members were nominated for their support of athletics, commitment to CUAA campus as a whole, and Concordia pride. Past winners: Rachel Thoms (2017), Lonnie Pries (2018)
Kyle Thoms (Athletics)
Gary Sanborn, (Accounting)
Roscoe Cumming, Football
RANDY DUNCAN, CAMPUS MINISTRY
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.
Stephanie Johnston earning Concordia's first individual NAIA National Championship with a first place finish in the NAIA marathon with a time of 3:00:47.44
CHEER TEAM'S NAIA COMPETITIVE CHEER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS VICTORY EARNING CUAA'S FIRST-EVER TEAM NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Football defeating Reinhardt University, 31-21, in a rematch of last year's first round of NAIA Football Championship series and advancing to the quarterfinal round for the first time 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: Mike "Peanut" Russell (2017), Luiz Ramon (2018)
COURTNEY EVANS
Brandon Miotke (JR/Dearborn Heights, MI)
Cooper O'Gara (JR/Cincinnati, OH)
John Rathje
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: Luke Diekevers (2017), Fred Watts (JR/Belleville, MI) (2018)
Mason Trowbridge (FR/Delevan, NY), Ice Hockey/Lacrosse
ZACK WILLIAMS, ICE HOCKEY/BASEBALL
Jacob Campbell (JR/Macomb, MI), Soccer
Kash Warren (FR/Lorain, OH) (FR), Football/Track and Field
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: Emily Collins (2017), Dayna Schroeder (SR/Plymouth, MI) (2018)
WHITNEY IRMEGER, CHEER
Lauren Drinane (SO/Riverview, MI), Track and Field
Hannah Sickmiller (FR/Napoleon, OH), Volleyball/Ice Hockey
Tyffani Bryan (JR/Tecumseh, MI), Softball
Angela Knickelbein (SR/Ypsilanti, MI), Lacrosse
Best Team Comeback:
TRAILING 0-3 WITH 6:44 LEFT IN THE GAME, JOE CONNER (FOOTBALL) TOOK A HAND-OFF ON 4TH AND 2 AND RAN FOR 31 YARDS FOR THE GO-AHEAD TOUCHDOWN TO DEFEAT DEFENDING NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPION SAINT FRANCIS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN PROGRAM HISTORY.
After losing the first match in bracket play, the men's bowling team went on to win 7 consecutive matching in the elimination round and make it to the championship match to earn the NAIA National Bowling Invitational runner-up
After trailing 9-6 at halftime, women's lacrosse outscored Heidelberg 4-1 in the second half to force overtime. Taylor Nesbitt (FR/Chicago, IL) went on to score the game winning goal 40 seconds into OT for the win.
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: Brayden Bennett (2017), Kaleb Pohlman (2018)
Jordan Ragnone (FR/Byron, MI), Cheer
Jimmy McKane (JR/Saint Johns, MI), Baseball
Joel Werner (SR/Munising, MI), Tennis
ROSS O'BRIEN, FOOTBALL
Colton Ritsema (FR/Jenison, MI), Basketball
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: Sidney Bosley (2017), Nadia Rozmarniewicz (SR/Pinckney, MI) (2018)
Kate Kirchoff (SR/Canton, MI), Lacrosse
Payton Lovins, Bowling
AMBER STREETER, XC/TRACK AND FIELD
Taylor Kahlstorf (JR/Munising, MI), Tennis
Rachel Perry (JR) (JR/Otsego, MI), Basketball/Track and Field
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: Women's Lacrosse (2017), Cheer (2018)
SOFTBALL
Volleyball
Women's Soccer
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 Johnston (2017), Coach Schumacher (2018)
KATE EDGE, CHEER
Doug Spicer, Men's and Women's Bowling
Amanda Asher, Women's Lacrosse
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: Joe Conner (JR/Flat Rock, MI) (2017), Micah Matheson (2018)
Ryan Iles (FR/Royal Oak, MI), Lacrosse
Abel Christians (FR/Grand Rapids, MI), Ice Hockey
OMAR SINCLAIR, FOOTBALL
Adam DiMaggio (FR/Irmo, SC) (FR) (FR/Columbia, SC), XC/Tennis/Track and 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: Rebecca McDonald (2017), Katherine Snow (2018)
Brittany Palmer (FR/Warren, MI), Cheer
Aly Lenz (FR/Fenton, MI), Basketball
AMANDA ARCHER, LACROSSE
Lauren Reichel (FR/Onsted, MI), Softball
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: Jacob Maas (2017), Micah Oetting (2018)
BLAINE MILHEIM, BASEBALL
Alex Ouellette (SR/Linwood, MI), Bowling
Jalen Thompson (SR/Ann Arbor, MI) (Basketball)
Joe Conner, 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: Kari Borowiak (2017), Brianna Rowe (2018)
Stephanie Johnston ('18), XC/Track and Field
KATIE SNOW, BASKETBALL
Liz Larsen, XC/Track and Field
Samantha Golchuk (SO/Garden City, MI), Soccer
Highest Team GPA:
Volleyball
Melvin Jenkins Courage Award:
Annie Leiding (JR/Barrington, IL) (Softball)
Mae'Iesha Dulin (Track and Field)
Ripple Effect Award:
Kelly Cieslak ('13)
SALT Service Award:
Matt Korte (Athletics Student Worker)
