Concordia University men's basketball coach Grant Schmidt announced that Kendal Bender of Humphrey St. Francis High School will play basketball for the Bulldogs beginning next season. Bender becomes the third player to sign with the Bulldogs for next year.
"We are excited to have Kendal join our program," said Schmidt. "He is a competitor that comes from a winning tradition and background and just the type of athlete that we are looking for to join this team and to get us back into the top of the conference."
A four-year letter winner at Humphrey St. Francis, Bender was named all-state honorable mention as a sophomore, second team all-state as a junior and first team all-state as senior. A two-sport athlete for the Flyers, he was also an all-state and all-conference player in football as a middle linebacker and tight end. During his time at St. Francis, the Flyers have played for a state championship three times (2005, 2006 and 2008), winning it in 2006.
In the off-season, Bender sees playing time with some of the best players in the state of Nebraska while playing on the Runza All-Star team.
"Kendal is extremely versatile, on both ends of the floor, and will help us immediately," Schmidt added. "He resembles some top players that I have coached in the past, and I think time will prove that he will not only impact this team but also this conference."
Bender's resume in the classroom is equally as impressive as on the field of play. He has been on the honor roll each year and a member of the Future Business Leaders of America. He is also a two-time class vice president.
Front:(L to R) Keven Bender, Kendal Bender, Linda Bender
Back:(L to R) Concordia Head Coach Grant Schmidt and Humphrey St. Francis Head Coach Eric Kessler