Bulldog Athletic Association Member (BAAM) Athletes of the Week
Female: Emery Custer, Golf
A senior from Broken Bow, Neb., Emery Custer opened the 2025-26 season in stellar fashion as she placed in a tie for third at the Mount Marty Invite with a score of 72-82–154. Custer led the Bulldogs to school record scores for a single round (320) and for a two-round tournament (659).
Male: Slade Leicht, Soccer
A senior from Sachse, Texas, Slade Leicht starred from a defensive perspective last week as the Bulldogs ventured to Missouri for matchups with William Woods University and Missouri Baptist. Leicht serves as a team captain for Head Coach Jason Weides’ squad.
2025-26 BAAM Athletes of the Week
Sept. 2 – Emery Custer (golf); Slade Leicht (soccer)
Aug. 26 – Kierstynn Garner (soccer); Ashley Keck (volleyball); Sean Stratman (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.
Previewing 2025 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 2025 campaign. For more details on fall sports, check out the season previews linked below.
• Football
• Cross Country
• Men’s Golf | Women’s Golf
• Men’s Soccer
• Women’s Soccer
• Volleyball
Concordia Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025: The Concordia Athletics Hall of Fame class of 2024 was revealed to the public on July 23. The new inductees will include Sarah Kortze ’14, Philly Lammers ’20, Courtney Meyer ’65, Randy Pospishil ’73 and the 2014-15 men’s track & field team. The class will be officially inducted as part of a ceremony on Oct. 10 in conjunction with homecoming weekend on campus. For more details on the Hall of Fame, click HERE.
Concordia Athletics announces Katherine Benes as Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach: The newest member of the Concordia Athletics department is Katherine Benes. A Concordia University Chicago alum, Benes joins Head Coach Drew Olson’s staff as Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach ahead of the 2025-26 season. Benes takes over the role that was held by Tae’lor Purdy-Korell (resigned for family reasons) for the past 10 seasons. Benes was most recently an assistant coach at NCAA Division III Marian University in Fond Du Lac, Wis. Benes’ first official day on the job at CUNE was Monday, Sept. 1.
Bulldog Coaches Show airs every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CT: The Bulldog Coaches Show has returned for an 11th 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 2025-26 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, basketball and volleyball. In addition, Eric Allgood will call select volleyball matches in place of Cyza.
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.
Golf
· Last week:
o Men – Placed 10th/14 (318-311–629) at the Mount Marty Invite on Aug. 25-26.
o Women – Placed T-2nd/14 (320-339–659) at the Mount Marty Invite on Aug. 28-29.
· Men’s Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics (link to come)
· Women’s Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics (link to come)
· Notable: Both of Head Coach Brett Muller’s squads opened their 2025-26 seasons at the Mount Marty Invite in Yankton, S.D. The women’s team kicked things off impressively while breaking school records for a single round score (320) and two-round tournament total (659). Led by senior Emery Custer, the Bulldogs tied for second place out of 14 groupings in Yankton. Custer shot 72-82–154 (+10) and was just one stroke out of second. The even par 72 for Custer in round one represented a new 18-hole career low. The remainder of Concordia’s ‘A’ team featured freshman Amelia Ptacnik (84-84–168; T-15th), senior Maddie Lewis (84-85–169; T-17th), sophomore Savannah McFalls (81-88–169; T-17th) and freshman Olivia James (83-92–175; T-30th). The school records broken by the current Bulldogs were previously held by the 2020-21 team paced by Kendra Placke. On the men’s side, Concordia had hoped for better as the ‘A’ team settled for 10th place out of 14. The Bulldog men were led by a trio of freshmen: Tyler Weismann (76-77–153), Calvin Zabloudil (78-78–156) and Logan Krabbenhoft (80-76–156). Senior Jake Richmond shot (82-78–160) as the program’s top returner from last season. The men hope to lower the team scoring this week as they co-host the Blue River Invite on Wednesday and Thursday. Meanwhile, the women will wait until Sept. 8-9 to resume action.
· Up next:
o Men – Co-host the Blue River Invite Wednesday-Thursday (Sept. 3-4) at Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb.
o Women – Sept. 8-9 at Lila Frommelt Invite (hosted by Briar Cliff).
Women’s Soccer
· Current record: 3-0-1.
· Last week:
o Won at Dakota State University (S.D.), 4-1, on Aug. 27.
o Won vs. Nebraska Wesleyan University, 4-0, on Aug. 30.
· Links: 2025 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: Coming off the high of knocking off No. 4 Columbia College (Mo.), the Bulldogs took care of business last week as they defeated nonconference foes Dakota State University (S.D.), 4-1, and former GPAC rival Nebraska Wesleyan, 4-0. The results move Head Coach Nick Smith’s squad to 3-0-1 (with the tie coming versus No. 23 Science and Arts of Oklahoma). It was a big week for prolific goal scorer Kierstynn Garner as she put one away at Dakota State and then turned in a hat trick versus Nebraska Wesleyan. She has run her season goal count to six and career goal count to 55 (moving her to No. 3 on the program’s all-time list). Additionally, freshman Lupe Sanchez notched three goals and an assist and Kyana Rios added one goal as part of last week’s attacking efforts. Defensively, Concordia limited its two foes to a combined eight shots (four on goal) while led by fifth-year senior Taylor Slaymaker. Through four games, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents by a combined total of 14-5. Concordia will attempt to keep the unbeaten ride going this week as it travels to play Bellevue University before returning home to host Kansas Wesleyan University. The program will honor its accomplished senior class prior to kickoff on Saturday.
· For additional news and notes, check out the program’s homepage HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Sept. 3 at Bellevue University, 5:30 p.m. CT.
o Senior Day – Saturday, Sept. 6 vs. Kansas Wesleyan University, 2:30 p.m. CT
Volleyball
· Current record: 7-1; ranked No. 4 in the NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won vs. Ottawa University (Kan.), 25-18, 26-24, 17-25, 25-13, on Aug. 29.
o Won vs. No. 16 Viterbo University (Kan.), 29-27, 25-16, 25-23, on Aug. 29.
o Won vs. Bethel College (Kan.), 23-25, 25-20, 25-15, 25-19, on Aug. 30.
o Lost vs. No. 5 Eastern Oregon University, 25-19, 25-18, 25-21, on Aug. 30.
· Links: 2025 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: The fourth-ranked Bulldogs reached 7-0 before enduring their first defeat of the 2025 season. Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad went 3-1 at the College of Saint Mary Labor Day Classic while taking wins over Ottawa University (Kan.) in four sets, No. 16 Viterbo University (Wis.) in three sets and Bethel College (Kan.) in four sets. The stage was then rolled out for the showdown with a red hot Eastern Oregon University squad ranked No. 5 in the NAIA. The Mountaineers managed to topple Concordia in straight sets. The Bulldogs hit only .119 for the match while struggling to handle the speed with which EOU employs on the court. It was another fine week for senior Ashley Keck, who led the team with a combined 51 kills (4.25 per set) while hitting .248 from the outside. Four teammates also had at least 20 kills at the weekend classic: Ella Waters (35), Laynee Baker (27), Addie Kirkegaard (22) and Molli Martin (21). Other statistical leaders for the weekend were Lily Psencik in assists (85), Kate Griess in aces (five), Shandy Faalii in digs (55) and Ava Greene in blocks (17). Over the eight-match nonconference run, the Bulldogs defeated two top 25 teams (No. 1 Indiana Wesleyan University and No. 16 Viterbo) and another two foes that were receiving votes (Columbia College and MidAmerica Nazarene University). Next up, Concordia will open GPAC play with a trip to Mount Marty on Saturday.
· For additional news and notes on Concordia Volleyball, check out the team’s homepage HERE.
· This week:
o Saturday, Sept. 6 at Mount Marty (6-2), 3 p.m. CT.
Men’s Soccer
· Current record: 0-3.
· Last week:
o Lost at William Woods University (Mo.), 2-0, on Aug. 28.
o Lost at Missouri Baptist University, 2-1, on Aug. 30.
· Links: 2025 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: The process of forming an identity is still taking shape for the Bulldogs, who will seek their first win of 2025 when action resumes on Wednesday. Head Coach Jason Weides’ squad dropped to 0-3 after road losses last week at William Woods University (Mo.), 2-0, and Missouri Baptist University, 2-1. William Woods received votes in the NAIA preseason poll. Concordia’s first goal of the season came in the 77th minute at Missouri Baptist when Kai Olbrich drilled a penalty kick. While goals have been difficult to come by thus far, the Bulldogs have been solid defensively having held their first three foes to a combined five goals. Depth at goalkeeper is again a strength as Weides has used returning GPAC All-Conference standout Nolan Fuelberth and transfer Inigo Chavarria at the position. On the attacking end, Milo Hegarty has been the team’s most active player with five shots taken so far. Despite the most recent loss, Weides saw improvement at Missouri Baptist. Concordia hopes to build on that outing as it looks forward to traveling to Benedictine College (Kan.) on Wednesday before hosting Central Christian College (Kan.) on Saturday. Prior to kickoff on Saturday, the program will honor a senior class that has helped contribute to a string of stellar seasons.
· For a closer look at this week’s matchups, check out the game notes linked HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Sept. 3 at Benedictine College (Kan.), 7:30 p.m. CT.
o Senior Day – Saturday, Sept. 6 vs. Central Christian College (Kan.), 12 p.m. CT.
Football
· Current record: 0-0; ranked No. 21 in NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last season:
o Finished 8-2 and ranked No. 18 in 2024 postseason NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Links: 2025 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad reported to campus on Aug. 5 for preseason preparation. A series of Saturday scrimmages will lead the Bulldogs into their Sept. 6 season opener versus Doane underneath the Bulldog Stadium lights. A season preview for 2025 can be found HERE. This will be Daberkow’s ninth season at the helm of the program. Concordia will be aiming to defeat rival Doane for the third-straight season.
· For details on each week’s matchup, check out the game notes linked HERE.
· Season opener:
o Saturday, Sept. 6 vs. Doane (3-8, 3-7 GPAC in 2024), 7 p.m. CT.
Cross Country
· Last season:
o Men – placed 3rd at the 2024 GPAC Championships.
o Women – placed 4th at the 2024 GPAC Championships.
· Links: 2025 Schedule | Roster
· Notable: Report date was Aug. 19 for Concordia Cross Country, which got a head start on preparing for the 2025 season. Head Coach Matt Beisel’s squads both placed in the top four of the final 2024 GPAC standings. Concordia returns each of its national qualifiers: All-American Vaughn Hendrickson along with Trey Robertson and Keegan Beisel. Hopes are high for the Bulldogs, who aspire to qualify both teams for the NAIA National Championships. The season will get started on Friday at the Augustana Twilight. For a season preview, click HERE.
· For additional news and notes on the Concordia Cross Country teams, click HERE.
· Season opener:
o Friday, Sept. 5 at Augustana Twilight (Sioux Falls, S.D.), 8:40 p.m.
Shooting Sports
· Last season:
o Placed 7th/14 at 2025 ACUI Collegiate Clay Target National Championships.
· Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster
· Notable: Concordia Shooting Sports arrived on campus along with the start of the fall semester. Head Coach Dylan Owens is gearing up for his fourth season leading the Bulldogs. The program is coming off a 2024-25 season that saw it place third in the Prairie Circuit Conference and seventh in the Division 2 breakdown at the 2025 ACUI Collegiate Clay Target National Championships. A 2025-26 season preview will be available online this week. The season will get started this weekend with the Fort Hays State Fall Intercollegiate Shoot.
· Season opener:
o Fort Hays State Fall Intercollegiate Shoot in Hays, Kan., Sept. 6-7.