Bulldog Athletic Association Member (BAAM) Athletes of the Week
Female: Myla Emery, Volleyball
A freshman from Minden, Neb., Myla Emery has starred at setter for the third-ranked Bulldogs. In last week’s action, Emery posted a combined 72 assists, 39 digs and three aces as Concordia went 2-1 while hosting the Power Quad. Emery has tallied 196 assists this season. Her major is undeclared as of the start of the fall semester.
Male: Gideon Stark, Football
A fifth-year Bulldog from Magnolia, Texas, Gideon Stark opened the 2026 season in record-breaking fashion, firing eight touchdown passes in Concordia’s 77-7 win over Waldorf. Stark’s stat line also included 388 passing yards on 24-of-38 attempts. Stark, who earned his degree in Business Administration, was named the GPAC Offensive Player of the Week.
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
• Men’s Golf | Women’s Golf
• Shooting Sports
• 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.
Football
· Current record: 1-0; receiving votes in NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won vs. Waldorf, 77-7, on Aug. 29.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: It was a record-breaking kickoff to the 100th season in football program history. The Bulldogs set a new school standard for points in a single game while pummeling Waldorf, 77-7, inside a steamy Bulldog Stadium. Other new program standards were set by Gideon Stark with eight touchdown passes, Jonny Puelz with four receiving touchdowns and the offense with 681 total yards (GPAC era standard). Stark threw all eight of his touchdown passes in the game’s first 37 minutes before giving way to Camden Jensen at quarterback. The previous record for touchdown passes in a game was five by DJ McGarvie in 2024. The team point total broke the previous record of 67 points by the 1936 team. Stark’s touchdown tosses (in order) covered six yards to Puelz, 25 yards to Carter Skleba, four yards to Collin Fritton, 33 yards to Dustin Kapke, four yards to Puelz, 22 yards to Adam Van Cleave and then five – and five again – yards to Puelz. Defensively, the Bulldogs held Waldorf to just 126 total yards. The running game was paced by Carlos Collazo (86 yards and two touchdowns) and freshman Dylan Mika (112 yards and a touchdown). Concordia broke in five new starters on the offensive line (though left tackle Derek Campbell is expected back soon). Safety Kaden Thompson picked off two passes and two sacks apiece were notched by Deegan Barnes and Tanner Schroder. Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad has a bye this week while gearing up for a trip to Hastings on Sept. 12.
· For details on each week’s matchup, check out the game notes linked HERE.
· Next up:
o Saturday, Sept. 12 at Hastings, 1 p.m.
Golf
· Season Opener:
o Men – Mount Marty Invite in Yankton, S.D., on Aug. 31-Sept. 1.
o Women – Placed 2nd/13 (335-318–653) Mount Marty Invite on Aug. 24-25.
· Men’s Links: 2026-27 Schedule | Roster | Statistics (link to come)
· Women’s Links: 2026-27 Schedule | Roster | Statistics: Men | Women.
· Notable: The Bulldogs started strong on the women’s side, placing second out of 13 full groupings at last week’s Mount Marty Invite in Yankton, S.D. Head Coach Brett Muller’s squad carded a total of 335-318–653 and broke school records for 18-hole and 36-hole scores. Leading the way individually, graduate student Maddie Lewis (82-74–156) and sophomore Olivia James (82-81–163) placed fourth and eighth, respectively, on the individual tournament leaderboard. The rest of the ‘A’ team lineup included sophomore Amelia Ptacnik (86-80–166; 12th) and juniors Savannah McFalls (85-83–168; 18th) and Makenzie Hughes (90-91–181; 42nd). Meanwhile, the ‘B’ team was paced by freshman Mia Ochsner (94-92–186; 46th). On the men’s side, Concordia got its 2026-27 season started on Monday at the Mount Marty Invite, which resumed on Tuesday morning. The Bulldog men are eyeing a leap up the conference ladder with the help of an overall more experienced roster. Both golf teams will be back to action in the middle of next week. The men are looking forward to co-hosting the annual Blue River Classic at the home course, Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln. As for the women, they will be headed to northwest Iowa for next week’s Siouxland Invite.
· Up next:
o Men – Sept. 9-10 at Blue River Classic (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.
Shooting Sports
· Last week:
o Placed 4th/11 at Fort Hays State Fall Intercollegiate Shoot on Aug. 29-30.
· Links: 2026-27 Schedule | Roster
· Notable: The 2026-27 season opened this past weekend at the Fort Hays State Intercollegiate Shoot. Head Coach Dylan Owens’ Bulldogs placed fourth overall out of 11 teams while cracking 1,980 targets towards the team leaderboard. The top three teams HOA were Fort Hays State University (2,098), Iowa Western Community College (2,081) and William Penn University (2,073). Concordia sophomore Delayna Rife started strong while leading the team with a 97 in trap. Now the program’s graduate assistant coach, Katie Welker-Luetje picked up where she left off as a senior in 2025-26 when she won national titles in HOA and open doubles trap. At the season opening Fort Hays State Shoot, Welker-Luetje took first place in sporting clays with a score of 93. The Hamill, S.D., native also placed second HOA among women while leading Concordia with a total of 406 (out of 450 targets). Also a grad student, returning All-American Devin Harris cracked 400 (404) and sophomore Jerry Kaibel (397) pushed that mark. While Welker-Luetje led the way in sporting and Rife did the same in trap, the Bulldogs were paced by Kaibel in super sporting (90), Harris in doubles trap (93) and Harris and Welker-Luetje in doubles skeet (45). A total of 19 Bulldogs represented the program at the Fort Hays State Shoot. Concordia will have the next couple of weekends off from competition before taking part in the Midland Warrior Open on Sept. 19-20.
· Up next:
o Midland Warrior Open at Lincoln Trap & Skeet Club in Lincoln, Neb., Sept. 19-20.
Volleyball
· Current record: 6-2; ranked No. 3 in the NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won vs. MidAmerica Nazarene University, 25-20, 25-17, 25-16, on Aug. 28.
o Won vs. Columbia College, 25-21, 25-23, 19-25, 25-18, on Aug. 29.
o Lost vs. No. 3 Indiana Wesleyan University, 25-23, 23-25, 21-25, 26-24, 17-15, on Aug. 29.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: A strong early season run continued over the weekend as the third-ranked Bulldogs went 2-1 while hosting the Power Quad. Concordia defeated both MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.) and Columbia College (Mo.) before being edged in a five-set pulse-pounder with No. 3 Indiana Wesleyan University. The Bulldogs’ statistical leaders this past weekend were Shandy Fa’ali’i in kills (43), Laynee Baker in hitting percentage (.348), Myla Emery in assists (72), Kyla Griess in aces (10), Emma Brueggemann in digs (40) and Bella Hedke in blocks (13). Other top producers from a kills standpoint were Samantha Kimbell (26), Makenna Starkey (18), Danica Martin (15), Hedke (14), Maddie Paulsen (13) and Baker (11). Already this season, Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad has played seven 2025 national qualifying teams – and has earned wins over five of them. Fa’ali’i has hit double figures in kills in six of the season’s first eight matches. Fa’ali’i posted a career-high 22 kills in the four-set win over No. 7 McPherson on Aug. 22. She added 19 kills apiece in the matchups with Columbia and Indiana Wesleyan. In the final week of nonconference regular season action, the Bulldogs will take on three foes at the College of Saint Mary Labor Day Classic: Lindsey Wilson University (Ky.), Ottawa University (Kan.) and University of Saint Francis (Ind.).
· For additional news and notes on Concordia Volleyball, check out the team’s homepage HERE.
· This week – CSM Labor Day Classic (Omaha, Neb.):
o Friday, Sept. 4 vs. Lindsey Wilson University (Ky.), 12 p.m.
o Friday, Sept. 4 vs. Ottawa University (Kan.), 4 p.m.
o Saturday, Sept. 5 vs. University of Saint Francis (Ind.), 5 p.m.
Men’s Soccer
· Current record: 0-2.
· Most recent:
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 during the opening week of the 2026 season 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 were idle last week while gearing up for this Wednesday’s home matchup with in-state Bellevue University. The Bulldogs will use the occasion to celebrate their senior class of seven members. The senior day recognition will take place following the women’s game. Concordia will then be back on the road on Saturday for a trip to William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
· For a closer look at this week’s matchups, check out the game notes linked HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Sept. 2 vs. Bellevue University, 8 p.m.
o Saturday, Sept. 5 at William Penn University, 5 p.m.
Women’s Soccer
· Current record: 0-2.
· Most recent:
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 in the season’s opening week. In a challenging road trip to steamy Oklahoma, 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 on the trip. 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 had a needed idle week as they endeavored to get healthier for this week’s home opener. Weides’ squad looks forward to hosting in-state Bellevue University on Wednesday night.
· For additional news and notes, check out the program’s homepage HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Sept. 2 vs. Bellevue University, 5:30 p.m.
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. Concordia tuned up for the season by hosting the Blue-White run this past Saturday (Aug. 29).
· 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.