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2017 CIT GAME SCHEDULE
Friday, Jan. 27
- 1 p.m. - Ann Arbor vs. Chicago (women)
- 3 p.m. - Ann Arbor vs. Wisconsin (men)
- 6 p.m. - Nebraska vs. Wisconsin (women)
- 8 p.m. - Nebraska vs. Chicago (men)
Saturday, Jan. 28
- 12 p.m. - Women's consolation game
- 2 p.m. - Men's consolation game
- 5 p.m. - Women's championship game
- 7 p.m. - Men's championship game
- Trophy presentation and all-Concordia devotions following last game
SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University, Nebraska will host the 66th annual Concordia Invitational Tournament (CIT) Jan. 27-28. The tournament will feature, in addition to the host school, the Concordias of Ann Arbor, Mich., Mequon, Wis., and River Forest, Ill., competing in both men's and women's basketball. CIT is one of the longest running tournaments in the country having begun in 1951 with the men’s tournament. Blackboard and Chartwells will serve as sponsors for the 2017 tournament.
Concordia (Neb.) is the CIT all-time leader in wins and tournament titles for both men and women. Both Bulldog basketball programs have won an event record 26 championships. In the 2016 title games hosted by Concordia-Chicago, the Bulldog women defeated Concordia-Wisconsin, 75-53, behind MVP Quinn Wragge while the men nipped Concordia-Wisconsin, 86-85, while following the lead of MVP Chandler Folkerts.
Since its inception, the Concordia Invitational Tournament has become known as more than just a basketball tournament. The event has grown to become a celebration of like-minded institutions that share a commitment to faith.
What the Bulldogs have said about CIT
● Drew Olson, Bulldog head women’s basketball coach
CIT is an awesome event. The atmosphere is unmatched. Fans travel for miles to be there and the bands from all four schools are there. It’s what college athletics should be all the time. There is just this automatic healthy rivalry when you bring these Concordia schools together. Every year it is a fantastic tournament that the teams will always remember.
● Ben Limback, Bulldog head men’s basketball coach
I think what makes CIT so special is that all four Concordias share the same faith in Jesus Christ and the weekend is a great demonstration of passion, intensity and God-given talents. For those that have been there multiple years, it’s also a great way to reunite with fellow Concordians.
● Becky Mueller (’16)
It’s pretty awesome (winning a CIT title) especially when the crowd’s big and the fans are there supporting us. CIT is unique because we’re all connected as Concordias. At the same time everyone wants us to lose. It’s fun to go out there and win and show them what we’ve got.
(The support) is pretty big. We’re a school that always has a ton of fans travel and it just makes the atmosphere crazy and exciting and fun. Everyone loves playing in big games like that when the crowd’s going crazy.
This year we actually have quite a few girls who haven’t been to a CIT. We kind of let them know a little bit of what to expect, how it’s going to be crazy and there will be a lot of people. (Fans) are going to want us to lose. They kind of know what to expect but at the same time, we want to let them experience it for themselves and discover how awesome it is.
I love it (role as a favorite). I think it’s awesome. Having all three other schools cheering against you makes it fun. You hit big shots and the crowd goes silent and our fans go crazy.
● Robby Thomas (’16)
I’m really excited (for my last CIT). The whole team is hungry for it, especially the returners. We let it get away last year. This year we’re ready to come back and win the whole thing this time.
(Winning CIT) is a pretty incredible feeling. It’s awesome being able to celebrate with your team and coaches and all the people that make the trip out. You won it for the whole school. It’s a big deal.
It means a lot (to represent Concordia Nebraska). You can tell that faculty and other students take it seriously, too. Going out and doing well for the whole school and making them proud is a good feeling.
● Joel Haywood (’15)
“CIT is always such a fun environment and those games are by far the easiest to get pumped up for. No matter what else has happened in the rest of the season to that point, it is always an atmosphere I look forward to and will always remember. Even though we won my freshman year in Chicago, my favorite memory has to be the celebration when our incredible fans rushed the court after we won in Wisconsin – such a good feeling.”
● Bailey Morris (’15)
“I think one thing that makes it unique is that it's not at the same place every year. It's always in a different gym and with different fans, but with the same crazy atmosphere! I think the fact that everyone goes crazy and travels so far for such a small tournament shows just how much CIT means to not only the basketball teams, but also the schools and communities. My favorite CIT memory would probably be from when we hosted (2013). Even though we lost the championship game, it was so awesome to see how everyone packed the Walz. That's an image that I'll never forget.”
● Katie Rich (’13)
“It’s pretty special to have all of the Concordias here. We have a breakfast together and we all get dressed up and have the chance to meet with everyone from all the other Concordias. One of the years we actually sang the ‘Doxology’ after one of the games. It really brings all of the Concordias together knowing that we are playing basketball, but it’s all to glorify God.”
Information for media and fans
Media Credentials
Media Contact: Jake Knabel | Jacob.Knabel@cune.edu | Office: (402) 643-7392 | Cell: (563) 543-1439
Media credentials will be issued for CIT hosted by Concordia (Neb.). Anyone wishing to have access to the court for the purpose of taking photos/video or covering the event MUST be wearing the official CIT wrist band that will be available on site.
Keep in mind that limited seating is available at the scorer’s table. First priority at the courtside table will be given to visiting radio/Internet broadcasters. Those who do not make requests beforehand through the Concordia (Neb.) sports information department cannot be guaranteed access to the scorer’s table.
NOTE: Visiting sports information directors and school staff covering the event must also wear the official CIT wrist bands.
Internet
Internet access will be provided to working media and staff members on site. A password will be distributed the weekend of CIT.
Live Webcasts
All eight CIT games will be webcast live via the Concordia Sports Network. Broadcasts for all four Bulldog contests will include audio from 104.9 Max Country, the radio home of Concordia athletics. Tyler Cavalli will call the play-by-play for the Bulldogs.
Make sure to follow @cunebulldogs on Twitter to receive all of the latest information about CIT before, during and after the event. To join in the Twitter conversation, use the hashtag #CIT2017 throughout the event.
Official CIT Logo
The official logo for the 2017 Concordia Invitational Tournament can be provided in a variety of formats upon request. Please contact Jake Knabel or the Concordia (Neb.) marketing office to receive these files.
CUNE men’s CIT titles (26)
1964 | 1977 | 1983 | 1984 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2009 | 2012 | 2014 | 2016
CUNE women’s CIT titles (26)
1983 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1994 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2012 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016
Competing Schools
Concordia University, Nebraska
Athletics Website: ConcordiaBulldogs.com
Athletics Twitter: @cunebulldogs
All-Time CIT Titles – Men: 26; Women: 26
Founded: 1894
Location: Seward, Neb.
Enrollment: 2,300
Nickname: Bulldogs
School Colors: Navy and White
Home Arena: Walz Human Performance Complex
President: Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich
Director of Athletics: Devin Smith
Sports Information Director: Jake Knabel
Head Men’s Basketball Coach: Ben Limback
Head Women’s Basketball Coach: Drew Olson
Conference: Great Plains Athletic Conference
Affiliation: NAIA
Concordia University Ann Arbor
Athletics Website: concordiacardinals.com
Athletics Twitter: @CUAACardinals
All-Time CIT Titles – Men: 2; Women: 2
Founded: 1963
Location: Ann Arbor, Mich.
Enrollment: 668
Nickname: Cardinals
School Colors: Red, White and Black
Home Arena: Cardinal Field House
President: Rev. Dr. Patrick T. Ferry
Athletics Director: Lonnie Pries
Sports Information Director: Zach Johnston
Head Men’s Basketball Coach: Ricky Yahn
Head Women’s Basketball Coach: Thad Sankey
Conference: Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
Affiliation: NAIA
Concordia University Chicago
Athletics Website: cucougars.com
Athletics Twitter: @CUChicagoSports
All-Time CIT Titles – Men: 14; Women: 4
Founded: 1864
Location: River Forest, Ill.
Enrollment: 5,286
Nickname: Cougars
School Colors: Maroon and Gold
Home Arena: Geiseman Gymnasium
President: Rev. Dr. Daniel L. Gard
Athletics Director: Pete Gnan
Sports Information Director: Jim Egan
Head Men’s Basketball Coach: Randy Rogers
Head Women’s Basketball Coach: Rusty Rogers
Conference: Northern Athletics Conference
Affiliation: NCAA Division III
Concordia University Wisconsin
Athletics Website: cuwfalcons.com
Athletics Twitter: @CUWFalcons
All-Time CIT Titles – Men: 3; Women: 3 titles
Founded: 1881
Location: Mequon, Wis.
Enrollment: 8,161
Nickname: Falcons
School Colors: Royal Blue and White
Home Arena: R. John Buuck Field House
President: Rev. Dr. Patrick T. Ferry
Athletics Director: Dr. Rob Barnhill
Sports Information Director: Steven Schauer
Head Men’s Basketball Coach: Shawn Cassidy
Head Women’s Basketball Coach: Stacey Brunner-Jones
Conference: Northern Athletics Conference
Affiliation: NCAA Division III
