(Ann Arbor, MI) The Concordia University Ann Arbor athletic department has announced Elisabeth Komurka as the Head Men's and Women's golf coach. Komurka will assume her responsibilities effective immediately. Komurka takes over programs that have seen continued growth and competitiveness under Tim Strickland. Coach Strickland recently stepped away from the program to focus on the competitive demands of his son's golf game.
Komurka's dynamic professional experiences as a full-time employee at Ford Motor Company combined with her passion for golf and mission focus to develop student athletes made her an ideal candidate for the position.
Director of Athletics Lonnie Pries believes Komurka is a well-rounded fit that will be able to impact our golf programs in many ways. "We are very excited to have Liz join our department and lead our golf programs," said Pries. "She is very committed to her faith and passionate about leadership and the game of golf. Those qualities are a great fit with the mission of our athletic department and university. Liz is looking forward to guiding both our women's and men's teams and challenging our student athletes to grow during their time here at Concordia."
Komurka's coaching philosophy reflects Pries' statement. "I believe in leadership through service and example - and that's the foundation of CUAA Athletics," said Komurka. "For as much as I will work with the players on course management and various technical aspects of the game, I will also have the opportunity to walk with them through faith as they navigate an incredibly important point in their lives. Not to mention, I plan to learn from them just as much as they learn from me."
Komurka comes to Concordia after recently serving as a volunteer assistant for the University of Detroit Mercy women's golf team. Komurka played an integral role for the Titans program, working under the tutelage of Titans Head Coach Larry Hamilton.
Her primary responsibilities with the Titans included coordinating practice schedules, implementing statistical analysis and tracking systems for practices and competitions, individual technical instruction and course management, as well as other administrative duties to enhance the student-athlete experience. During a COVID-shortened season last spring, Komurka created a Google Classroom so athletes could record virtual practice results, communicate effectively, and participate in intra-team competitions.
"Coaching at Concordia provides me the unique opportunity to build upon my experience from the University of Detroit Mercy and combine my passion for golf, statistical analysis, problem solving, and faith in Christ as both a coach and a mentor for collegiate players," said Komurka.
Experiences as a student-athlete on the women's golf team at Purdue University had a profound impact on Komurka. A member of the Boilermakers Big Ten Championship team and 3rd overall in the NCAA Women's Golf Championships in 2013, she also received All-Academic Big 10 honors in 2016 as a mechanical engineering student.
Despite the academic rigors and a demanding student athlete schedule, Komurka took advantage of leadership opportunities as a student assistant in Purdue's Office of Future Engineers and Women in Engineering, landing a Global Engine Engineering internship at Ford Motor Company. Komurka also completed her graduate degree in mechanical engineering while working full-time at Ford Motor Company as a Global Engineering Design and Release Engineer.
Komurka is a USGA member and remains competitive as a participant in local golf events. Komurka and her husband, Andrew, remain active in the community and their church. They are active members at University Lutheran Chapel where they volunteer and are involved with church council.
As the Cardinals begin workouts and preparation for spring competition, Komurka is excited to get started.
"Between the two teams, I see a lot of potential, and I'm excited to dig in and identify specific areas of improvement for each player," said Komurka. "The men's team posted many record lows for individual and team performances, and the women's team has a foundation that will enable continued growth as the roster expands. I look forward to continued improvement and growth so the teams can take their competitiveness to the next level."
