NOTE: A version of this feature first appeared in the winter 2025 edition of Concordia University, Nebraska’s Broadcaster magazine. The complete publication can be found online HERE.
College is a time to spread your wings and fly far, far away from mom and dad, they tell you. Surely, the idea of sharing the same college campus as your own mother and father would have this generation of prospective college students lowkey mortified. On the contrary, a specific group of Bulldogs felt a connection so magnetically forceful that it couldn’t be ignored.
What if they told you they found the college of their dreams, a place where they can live, study, pray and compete, right where their parents live their passions? Inside the Concordia University, Nebraska Athletics Department, six current Bulldog coaches hold office mere steps away from where their own sons and/or daughters are living out their student-athlete experiences. Each one tells varying stories of long held or newfound adoration for all things Concordia Bulldogs.
In the households of the Beisels, Cullers, Harts, Limbacks, Martinezes and Wattses, separate decisions were made. Bulldog Blue is in their blood.
“The Bulldog blood runs deep in the Limback family,” explained Head Men’s Basketball Coach Ben Limback. “Our kids have been blessed to grow up surrounded by the proud Bulldog tradition, with 20 family members – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins – who are also CUNE alumni. Even during our years at Concordia Ann Arbor, they got a taste of Bulldog Nation each year at CIT, witnessing firsthand the passion and pride that make this community so special.”
The word ‘special’ was used often by the coaches/parents and student-athletes/sons/daughters who were asked to describe their experiences, bonded as Bulldogs familial and professionally. The word special applies to the overall experience and to their relationships that are fortified and kept nearer and dearer in close physical proximity. These Concordia parents and coaches make a point to say that they never twisted the arms of their children, and their children concur.
But yet, they all landed here at this same point in time, through differing life circumstances. Limback and Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach Matt Beisel are both Concordia alums. The others are not. They include Head Softball Coach Brock Culler, Head Tennis Coach Lisa Hart, Assistant Softball Coach Melissa Martinez and Head Wrestling Coach Josh Watts. All six Bulldog coaches began their careers elsewhere before relocating their families to the Concordia Community, a place they felt compelled to serve.
Specifically for Beisel and Limback, when they started their own families, the opportunity arose to pass down Christian values and an affinity for Bulldog Athletics. They likely never imagined it would eventually lead to the chance to coach their own children in a collegiate capacity. Beisel’s daughter Keegan is in her fourth year as a member of the cross country and track teams.
Said Coach Beisel, “It’s been one of the most incredible things I’ve ever done. We have continued to build our relationship in a positive way. Having her here at Concordia, I’m able to meet her for coffee almost every week and talk about life as she’s gone through ups and downs the last three years. I get to also work with her in a coach-athlete relationship. I think we have a really good trust. I love her so much. It’s a gift from God that I get to coach her for four years and have these years with her. A lot of parents don’t get that. I never forget that as I see her and get to work with her.”
The Beisels and Limbacks uprooted their families when their children were young, landing back in Seward, Nebraska. Ben Limback had previously served as head men’s basketball coach at Concordia University Ann Arbor. In March of 2013, Limback was officially introduced as head coach for the Bulldogs. With Ben and wife Kelley came their four children, Leighton, Malachi, Kennedy and Emerson. The elder three siblings all currently attend Concordia.
Now a member of the Bulldog volleyball program, Kennedy remembers how she felt after having just completed kindergarten. “Once I got the concept of moving, I was devastated,” Kennedy said. Soon, feelings of despair gave way to wonderment over a whole new world. That Walz Human Performance Complex sure was impressive. Continued Kennedy, “As a kid, it was sad in some ways but in the end, it was the same when I was with my family. I was still the same kid giving my dad hugs on the bench after the games.”
Keegan Beisel experienced similar emotions in the summer of 2016 when news of her father’s return to Concordia became official. The Beisels had been living in Phoenix at the time. Like Kennedy, Keegan came around. Recalled Keegan, “I wasn’t too happy. I had a really good friend in Arizona I didn’t want to leave. I was excited for snow for some reason. I was giving up a pool. I didn’t think too much about my dad’s job, but I was glad for him because I knew he loved it here so much … I love the town. Rural Nebraska is definitely my favorite sort of place now.”
The circumstances were very different for Mikah Culler (cheer), Mary Beth Hart (softball), Ava Martinez (softball) and Aidan Watts (wrestling). They all have parents who were hired at Concordia within the past four years. In other words, they have not been subjected to years of Bulldog indoctrination. Independently, they came to regard Concordia as the best possible destination in pursuit of their hopes and dreams.
Said Mary Beth, a Lincoln Southwest High School graduate, “I am very grateful that my mom began coaching tennis here at Concordia because it allowed me to experience the environment and culture before I came to visit. Right away, I felt so comfortable on campus, and everyone was so kind and welcoming. It made me so excited to come to work with my mom and see everyone. When I came on my visit, it already felt like home, and I knew it was where I wanted to be for the next four years.”
As for Mikah Culler (Grand Island, Neb.), she says her dad’s presence on campus did not sway her decision. Said Mikah, “I think he influenced my decision by speaking very highly of the campus. Over the last few years, I've enjoyed having a parent on campus. It helped me a lot during my freshman year when I was still figuring out how things worked and where everything was. Now, I usually don't see him around campus, but I'll occasionally go stop by his office and get money for food!”
From nearby Lincoln East High School, Ava Martinez found what she was looking for in Concordia, and it’s not so bad having mom around. Said Ava, “I chose Concordia because it was the place that felt right for me. I already loved the community and values here but having her on campus has definitely been a bonus. Even though she’s here, she’s just another coach on the field, and I treat her the same way I would any other member of the staff. It’s been really special being able to stop by her office to chat or grab coffee or lunch from the Doghouse together. I get to see her doing what she loves, and it’s comforting to have a little piece of home close by while I’m at school.”
Home is what Concordia represents for a new generation of Bulldogs, who just so happen to share a campus with a parent. Those parents are plenty grateful.
Said Ben Limback, “Concordia is a special place. Knowing that our children are growing, learning and pursuing their passions in a Christ-centered environment – surrounded by great coaches and faculty – fills us with gratitude. We are truly blessed to be Bulldogs.”
Additional Thoughts:
Coach Brock Culler: Our middle daughter (Kenna) transferred here from UNL around the same time, so between me working here and her sister transferring in it made Mikah’s decision to be a Bulldog easy. It’s been incredible to have two of our daughters attend Concordia because I get to see them and interact with them almost daily. I love attending sporting events that Mikah is cheering at and working here makes that easy to do. It’s tougher to make her competitions as her competitive season is the same as our softball season, but any chance I do get to attend, I certainly do. Concordia is a special place for me, but it’s even more special because I get to share it with two of our girls. As a family we are very blessed that the three of us are sharing our college experiences together. GO DAWGS!
Coach Lisa Hart: I have loved having Mary Beth on the same campus where I work. It is so much fun to see her throughout the day and have lunch with her occasionally. Having her on campus and being able to see her often has made the transition of her leaving home much easier for all of us. I was very intentional during the recruiting process to let her dictate conversations with schools and coaches. I understand the importance of student athletes being "all in" where they choose to go to school, so I wanted to make sure Mary Beth was true to herself and considered all her options and ultimately made her own decision. I was happy to help her weigh the pros and cons of each school she visited. With Concordia, as soon as she took her visit, I was confident she would likely become a Bulldog. When discussing Concordia and the Softball program with MB there were no "cons"... Coach Culler couldn't be a more perfect coach for her. She loves the campus, the professors, the education department and literally everything. I have never seen her happier and I am thrilled that she was true to herself through the process!
Coach Melissa Martinez: As a Concordia coach, recruiting Ava presented a unique challenge, as I wanted her to have the chance to form her own unbiased opinion. Throughout the process, I found myself wearing multiple hats. As a coach, I recognized her as a powerful hitter who could make an impact on our softball program. As a parent, I was drawn to the strong Education Program at Concordia. It was also difficult to visit other schools without comparing their programs and academics to Concordia, where we’ve established such a high standard of excellence.
Seeing Ava on campus and at practice is truly a blessing. Sharing the field with her at the collegiate level is something special. She has transitioned smoothly into our program, and her teammates have embraced her wholeheartedly. To them, Ava is simply “one of them,” which speaks volumes about the faith, leadership, culture and maturity within our group.
Leighton Limback: Growing up I was told that my parents went to CUNE instead of CUAA and how they were proud to be a Bulldog. When I was younger it was my goal to play for my dad. I can remember playing hoops in the driveway thinking about hitting the game winner for him to win the championship. My parents would always tell me about the community here and how the town supports Concordia and Concordia supports the town. I was very excited to move to Nebraska when they brought it up. I remember that I thought we were going to live on a farm like my grandma and grandpa, but I was wrong. We moved into a house in town. Honestly, growing up here my parents didn’t say a whole lot about their college times – a couple of stories here and there about how they met and how back in their day Walz didn’t exist and how grateful I should be for that. My Dad never pushed me to do basketball. I did it because I wanted to be like him.
Mary Beth Hart: My mom has influenced my athletic career in the best ways because she has always been my biggest supporter. She has been there for me every step of the way. During the recruiting process, she didn’t want me to be too influenced because she wanted me to make the decision that was best for me. But, from the moment I stepped on campus I realized how special Concordia truly is. I feel so honored to be a Bulldog and to be a part of this amazing community with my mom.
Kennedy Limback: The thing I love most about having my dad on campus for the start of my career is always having someone in my corner. Sometimes I might need a snack or other times I need someone to help my find my keys that I lost somewhere on campus. Going to high school where my mom was a teacher resulted in a strong relationship with her. While my two brothers, my mom and I were all at the same school together it left my dad and sister on the outside of our worlds. Now it’s the same but with my dad on campus instead of my mom. I love every little interaction that we have because we don’t live in the same house anymore. It’s a weird feeling knowing that he is a two-minute drive away or a walk across campus, but I still miss him like I was halfway across the country. I love being able to stop in and surprise him when he is in his office and I like seeing him before or after practice. He gives me a sense of security, he knows how it is to be a student athlete while trying to balance schoolwork because he was one and he works with them every day. I love being on the same campus and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Coach Josh Watts: Aidan has said for a while he wanted to wrestle for me, and he wants to be a chiropractor, so Concordia was a good fit for his future. It is interesting having him in the room every day, but I do my best to treat him like any other wrestler on the roster. I know a day will come when my kids leave the house and I will not be able to see them as much, so for me, I am trying to enjoy the experience.