Mike Works proved to be the missing piece for a Concordia men's basketball program that broke through with national tournament appearances in 1991 and 1992. Works is now headed for the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame.
From 2003 to 2007, Jon Ziegler piled up points like no Bulldog ever had. His journey to the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame included his signature 47-point game versus Sioux Falls and a national championship game appearance.
A sophomore class headed by Jake Hornick and Clay Reimers allowed Concordia to surpass the expectations of outsiders in 2017-18. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 12-3 record before finishing at 17-13 overall.
Concordia is 5-1 behind a sophomore group that has already shown tremendous growth since last season. Four second-year players have pushed their way into the starting lineup for the rising Bulldogs.
With Chandler Folkerts and Eli Ziegler having moved on, it's time for the next wave of stars to emerge for the Concordia men's basketball program. Several sophomores are candidates to fill their big shoes.
According to Coach Grant Schmidt, the 1991-92 men's basketball team "created an environment at Concordia that we had never seen before." The Bulldogs surprised many by storming to the national semifinals.
Jason Jisa's journey has taken him to many incredible places: the 2002 BCS National Championship game, the 2005 NAIA Division II national title tilt and this September, the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame.
We try to answer the question: what are the greatest moments in the history of the Concordia men's basketball program? This is the second in our 'top five' series. Relive the glory years presided over by Grant Schmidt.
The 2016-17 Concordia men's basketball team set a new school standard for scoring behind All-American Chandler Folkerts and sharpshooter Eli Ziegler. The team's 21 wins were the most for the program since 2004-05.
Nearing the end of his Concordia career, Chandler Folkerts will be remembered as more than just a basketball player. Says President Brian Friedrich of Folkerts, "He is the young man every parent wants as a son."