Bulldog Athletic Association Member (BAAM) Athletes of the Week
Male: Sean Stratman, Men’s Soccer
A junior defender from Omaha, Neb., Sean Stratman started both games on last week’s road trip to Science and Arts of Oklahoma and Mid-America Christian University. A 2024 Second Team All-GPAC honoree, Stratman fills a key role on the Concordia back line and as a team leader. He’s played in 33 games in his collegiate career and is a Pre-Pharmacy major.
Female: Shandy Fa’ali’i, Volleyball
A junior outside hitter from Lincoln, Neb., Shandy Fa’ali’i transitioned to a new position and starred for the third-ranked Bulldogs as they went 4-1 in their opening week of the 2026 season. Over the first five matches, Fa’ali’i totaled 69 kills, 42 digs, 11 aces and four blocks. She posted 22 kills in the four-set win over No. 7 McPherson College (Kan.).
2026-27 BAAM Athletes of the Week
Aug. 25 – Shandy Fa’ali’i, Volleyball / Sean Stratman, Men’s Soccer
News and notes:
BAAM luncheons are held every Tuesday (when classes are in session) at 12 p.m. CT inside the Dog House Grill, located in the Janzow Campus Center. The luncheons feature reports from head coaches who are in season at the time. For information on how to join BAAM, click HERE. It is not a requirement to be a BAAM member in order to attend the weekly luncheons.
Ballfield Project announced to public on July 10: Over the summer, Concordia University, Nebraska went public with the Shine Forth Campaign, an initiative that includes the hybrid baseball-softball Ballfield Project. Concordia continues to seek funding for the project, which will bring a state-of-the-art facility to the east part of campus. For more details on the Ballfield Project, check out the article that first appeared in the Broadcaster magazine HERE.
Previewing 2026 fall athletic seasons: Fall seasons are officially underway for several Concordia Athletics teams. Others are still looking forward to getting underway with action for the 2026 campaign. For more details on fall sports, check out the season previews linked below.
• Football
• Cross Country (soon!)
• Men’s Golf | Women’s Golf
• Shooting Sports (soon!)
• Men’s Soccer
• Women’s Soccer
• Volleyball
Concordia Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026: The Concordia Athletics Hall of Fame class of 2026 was revealed to the public on July 21. The new inductees will include R. John Buuck ’58, Kristen (Conahan) Vogt ’14, Bret Walter ’96, Nolan Zikas ’19 and the 2015-16 women’s track & field team. The class will be officially inducted as part of a ceremony on Sept. 18 in conjunction with homecoming weekend on campus. For more details on the Hall of Fame, click HERE.
--For additional details on homecoming weekend, click HERE.
New to Concordia’s Athletics Department: New faces have joined Concordia University, Nebraska Athletics since the start of the 2025-26 academic year. The rundown below includes full-time staff members who are in their first seasons in their roles. The group includes Jason Weides, who moved to Head Women’s Soccer Coach after 18 years as Head Men’s Soccer Coach.
• Isaiah Crosby – Head Wrestling Coach (formerly Assistant Wrestling Coach)
• Alexis Fosmer – Assistant Athletic Trainer
• Bernie Ochoa – Head Men’s Soccer Coach
• Emma Ongtangco – Head Competitive Cheer Coach
• Vince Ongtangco – Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach
• Cole Price – Assistant Wrestling Coach
• Jason Weides – Head Women’s Soccer Coach / Director of Soccer Operations (formerly Head Men’s Soccer Coach)
• Daylon Yount – Assistant Athletic Trainer
Bulldog Coaches Show airs every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CT: The Bulldog Coaches Show has returned for a 12th year. The show airs live for a half hour every Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m. CT on KTMX-FM 104.9 Max Country. The weekly feature can also be heard live via 104.9 Max Country’s website or by downloading the Max Country app. Throughout the 2026-27 season, Bulldog football, men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball contests will be aired live on Max Country. Parker Cyza serves as the host of the coaches’ show as well as the play-by-play voice for football and basketball. Eric Allgood will be the primary voice for volleyball.
Concordia Sports Network: Live webcasts for most home varsity contests can be accessed by visiting https://www.cune.edu/athletics/watch-bulldogs at game time. Beginning with the 2023-24 academic year, Concordia Athletics began a partnership with Hudl for live video streaming. Live webcast links for away contests are publicized in sport specific releases that preview action for that particular week. Scrimmages, exhibitions and junior varsity events are not broadcasted via the Hudl account. For select JV streams, check out that specific sport’s Facebook page. Starting in 2026-27, Concordia broadcasts are simulcast with the GPAC Network and Urban Edge Network.
Volleyball
· Current record: 4-1; ranked No. 3 in the NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won vs. York University, 25-21, 25-12, 25-20, on Aug. 18.
o Won vs. Nelson University, 25-21, 25-21, 25-17, on Aug. 21.
o Won vs. Bethel College, 25-20, 25-17, 25-21, on Aug. 21.
o Lost vs. No. 5 Corban University, 25-20, 20-25, 21-25, 26-28, on Aug. 22.
o Won vs. No. 7 McPherson College, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 28-26, on Aug. 22.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: The opening week of the 2026 season saw Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad win four of five matches. The stretch began with a home win over York University and continued with victories over 2025 national qualifiers in Nelson University (Texas), Bethel College (Kan.) and No. 7 McPherson College (Kan.). The latter three wins came at the Siouxland Invite in North Sioux City, S.D. In year nine at the helm of the program, Boldt is rolling out a revamped lineup in which Shandy Fa’ali’i plays outside hitter (rather than defensive specialist). Many returners have taken on increased roles (like Lanie Brott, Danica Martin and Makenna Starkey) and newcomers such as freshmen Myla Emery and Samantha Kimbell are making immediate impacts. In her first career varsity action, Martin posted 41 kills (.387 hitting percentage) this past week. Other kills leaders for the week were Fa’ali’i (69), Starkey (35), Paulsen (31), Kimbell (22), Bella Hedke (20) and Brott (19). Other statistical leaders in the opening week were Emery in assists (124), Fa’ali’i in aces (11), Emma Brueggemann in digs (61) and Hedke in blocks (17). Another challenging week awaits the third-ranked Bulldogs, who will take on MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.), Columbia College (Mo.) and Indiana Wesleyan University as part of the Power Quad at Friedrich Arena.
· For additional news and notes on Concordia Volleyball, check out the team’s homepage HERE.
· This week – Power Quad (Friedrich Arena):
o Friday, Aug. 28 – Indiana Wesleyan vs. Columbia, 4 p.m.
o Friday, Aug. 28 – Concordia vs. MidAmerica Nazarene, 6:30 p.m.
o Saturday, Aug. 29 – Indiana Wesleyan vs. MidAmerica Nazarene, 9 a.m.
o Saturday, Aug. 29 – Concordia vs. Columbia, 11:30 a.m.
o Saturday, Aug. 29 – MidAmerica Nazarene vs. Columbia, 2 p.m.
o Saturday, Aug. 29 – Concordia vs. Indiana Wesleyan, 4:30 p.m.
Men’s Soccer
· Current record: 0-2.
· Last week:
o Lost at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, 2-1, on Aug. 20.
o Lost at Mid-America Christian University, 5-0, on Aug. 22.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: The road proved unkind last week as the Bulldogs dropped two games in Oklahoma. In Bernie Ochoa’s debut as Head Coach, Concordia fell, 2-1, at University of Science and Arts. Two days later, the Bulldogs were drubbed, 5-0, by Mid-America Christian. Ochoa used 22 different players throughout the two matches. Concordia’s lone goal was delivered by Gillette College transfer Felipe Silva Mendes in the 25th minute at USAO. In the second half, the Bulldogs missed out on a chance for the equalizer when a PK was saved by Drover keeper Jack Sexton. At MACU, Concordia allowed the game to get away with the Evangels putting four goals on the board in the second half. Through two outings, the Bulldogs have already trotted out three keepers: Jason Payne, Florian Quast and Carter Wiebusch. Concordia returned two All-GPAC honorees, Hugo Garrote and Michael Wyvill, from last season’s conference tournament championship team. Ochoa and company will have a chance to regroup with a bye throughout this week. Next up will be a Sept. 2 home matchup with in-state Bellevue University. The Bulldogs will use the occasion to celebrate their senior class.
· For a closer look at this week’s matchups, check out the game notes linked HERE.
· This week:
o Idle; will return to action by hosting Bellevue University on Wednesday, Sept. 2 (Senior Day).
Women’s Soccer
· Current record: 0-2.
· Last week:
o Lost at No. 20 University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, 4-0, on Aug. 20.
o Lost at Mid-America Christian University, 4-3, on Aug. 22.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: The Bulldogs came up empty on a challenging road trip to steamy Oklahoma, where they fell by scores of 4-0 at 20th-ranked University of Science and Arts and 4-3 at Mid-America Christian University. A tough run of luck during preseason camp significantly cut into the team’s depth in the opening week of action. In making his debut as a collegiate women’s soccer coach, Jason Weides used 17 field players and two goalkeepers last week. In shaking off the loss at USAO, Concordia built a 3-0 first-half lead at MACU on the strength of a goal apiece from Sadie Mares, Gaudalupe Sanchez and Molli Kalsbeck. Unfortunately, MACU rallied in the second half with goals in the 51st, 71st, 78th and 89th minutes for a home victory. The Bulldogs opened the season ranked No. 3 in the GPAC preseason coaches’ poll after placing second in each of the previous three seasons under former Head Coach Nick Smith. Concordia returned four GPAC All-Conference honorees: Kyana Rios (first team), Triniti Rowe (first team), Guadulupe Sanchez (second team) and Sadie Mares (honorable mention). The Bulldogs have this week off from game action as they look get healthier when nonconference play resumes. Weides’ squad looks forward to hosting in-state Bellevue University on Sept. 2.
· For additional news and notes, check out the program’s homepage HERE.
· This week:
o Idle; will return to action by hosting Bellevue University on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Golf
· Season Opener:
o Men – Mount Marty Invite in Yankton, S.D., on Aug. 31-Sept. 1.
o Women – Mount Marty Invite in Yankton, S.D., on Aug. 24-25.
· Men’s Links: 2026-27 Schedule | Roster | Statistics (link to come)
· Women’s Links: 2026-27 Schedule | Roster | Statistics (link to come)
· Notable: The 2026-27 season is officially underway on the women’s side as Head Coach Brett Muller’s squad played a round on Monday at the Mount Marty Invite in Yankton, S.D. The Mount Marty Invite will represent the season opener for both the men’s and women’s squads. On the women’s side, the Bulldogs finished last season in fourth place in the GPAC standings and return varsity lineup regulars in fifth-year Maddie Lewis, junior Savannah McFalls and sophomores Olivia James and Amelia Ptacnik. On the men’s side, Concordia placed 11th in the GPAC standings this past spring. Key varsity returners include seniors Jacob Dowd and Jude Elgert and sophomores Logan Krabbenhoft, Tyler Weismann and Calvin Zabloudil. Coming up quickly in the early fall slate, the men will host the Blue River Invite on Sept. 9-10.
· Up next:
o Men – Sept. 9-10 at Blue River Invite (co-hosted with Doane at Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb.).
o Women – Sept. 8-9 at Siouxland Invite in Orange City/Sioux Center, Iowa.
Football
· Current record: 0-0; receiving votes in NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last season:
o Finished 7-3 and received votes in the 2025 postseason NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: Game week has arrived for Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s Bulldogs, who began their preseason camp on Aug. 4. Concordia was pegged fourth in the GPAC preseason coaches’ poll after placing third in the 2025 league standings. The Bulldogs return a talented crew of skill players, including quarterback Gideon Stark and receiver Adam Van Cleave. Meanwhile, star running back Carlos Collazo has made his way back from injury. Concordia will attempt to continue its success from the past two seasons (combined record of 15-5) while making a push for an NAIA postseason berth. Check out our detailed season preview HERE. The 2026 season will kick off on Saturday when Waldorf makes a visit to Bulldog Stadium.
· For details on each week’s matchup, check out the game notes linked HERE.
· Season opener:
o Saturday, Aug. 29 vs. Waldorf, 7 p.m. CT.
Cross Country
· Last season:
o Men – placed 3rd at the 2025 GPAC Championships.
o Women – placed 5th at the 2025 GPAC Championships.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | NAIA Ratings: Men | Women
· Notable: Head Coach Matt Beisel’s cross country squads reported to campus on Aug. 18 for preseason training. This will be year 11 for Beisel, who guided the 2025 teams to conference place finishes of third on the men’s side and fifth on the women’s side. The Bulldogs were represented at the national championships by All-American Keeli Green and Vaughn Hendrickson. The men’s program returns three 2025 GPAC All-Conference honorees, Hendrickson, Trey Robertson and Aidan Limback, and expects to compete for a team national championships berth this fall. This will mark the sixth straight year that the Bulldogs will open their season with the Augustana Twilight, a unique Friday night meet. The schedule features five regular season meets leading up to the GPAC Championships at Dordt on Nov. 7.
· For additional news and notes on the Concordia Cross Country teams, click HERE.
· Season opener:
o Friday, Sept. 4 at Augustana Twilight (Sioux Falls, S.D.), 8:45 p.m.
Shooting Sports
· Last season:
o Placed 7th/12 at 2026 ACUI Collegiate Clay Target National Championships.
· Links: 2026-27 Schedule | Roster
· Notable: There’s no time to waste for Head Coach Dylan Owens’ teams, which will be in action right away this weekend at the Fort Hays State Shoot in Hays, Kan. This past 2025-26 season saw the Bulldogs place fourth at the Prairie Circuit Conference Championships and then seventh at the ACUI Collegiate Clay Target National Championships. All-American and doubles trap national champion Katie Welker returns to the team as a graduate assistant. Meanwhile, fellow All-American Devin Harris is also back as a graduate student. The 2026-27 team welcomes five freshmen into the mix. This season’s schedule features nine total events spread out between the fall and spring semesters. Once again, the ACUI National Championships will be staged in San Antonio, Texas. The team’s home shoot, the Concordia Bulldog Sporting Invitational, is set for Feb. 26-27, 2027.
· Season opener:
o Fort Hays State Fall Intercollegiate Shoot in Hays, Kan., Aug. 29-30.