Concordia to add men's and women's powerlifting to varsity sport offerings in 2022-23

By Jacob Knabel on Nov. 9, 2021 in Powerlifting

SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University Athletics has announced the launch of powerlifting as the athletic department’s 23rd and 24th varsity intercollegiate sports. The Concordia University Men’s and Women’s Powerlifting programs will begin their first seasons of competition during the 2022-23 academic year. The athletic department will identify the program’s first head coach by January 1, 2022.

Concordia Powerlifting will compete regularly within the region while expanding its footprint as the sport continues to grow. The men’s and women’s programs will offer athletic scholarships to student-athletes.

Said Director of Athletics Devin Smith, “We are excited to grow our athletic department and to increase opportunities for student-athletes with the addition of men’s and women’s powerlifting. Concordia Athletics is committed to providing a first-class experience for those who choose to join the program and become Bulldogs. Concordia Powerlifting will be outfitted with the resources and facilities to succeed within our region and to achieve national relevance. Most importantly, the program will provide another outlet to equip young men and women for future success as people of Christian faith and character. I look forward to working with our first head coach and establishing the foundation for a program that excels in the areas of athletic excellence, academic achievement and Christian character.”

Concordia Powerlifting will operate inside the PE Center weight room for training purposes. Smith sees the potential for the program to quickly build its roster while recruiting from a large base of area high schools that support powerlifting. The program’s head coach will recruit and develop a roster that will be ready to engage in its first competition in the fall of 2022. The powerlifting season begins in the first semester of each academic year and extends into the spring when Collegiate Nationals take place.

A number of area/regional colleges and universities sponsor powerlifting, including Friends University, Midland University, Missouri Valley College, Ottawa University, Sterling College and William Jewell College. USA Powerlifting serves as the governing body for collegiate powerlifting. The sport has the potential to emerge as an officially sponsored NAIA national championship sport in the future.

To apply to become a member of the Concordia Powerlifting program, click HERE.