PHOTOS

(Ann Arbor, MI) - The Concordia University Athletic Department held the 10th Annual CARDYS on April 24th to honor the top athletic, citizenship, and academic achievements made by CUAA students, coaches, staff, and faculty during the 2024-25 academic calendar year. Concordia's CARDYS took the form of the ESPYS which is hosted annually by ESPN to recognize and celebrate the year in sports.

The CARDYS was sponsored by the Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT), a student-led organization with representatives from all CUAA sports teams. SALT members were nominated by their respective coaches in an effort to serve as ambassadors for the athletic department on campus, in the community, and for their teams.

The campus community submitted nominations for the awards and those with the most nominations were then listed on the ballot. Nominees could be submitted from sports season dating back to last year's CARDYS through this spring. 

Junior Zion Moorman (Competitive Cheer), and senior Abby Long (Women's Basketball), were named the Male and Female Athletes of the Year. Moorman was named to the NAIA All-American First Team and the WHAC First Team All-Conference. Long was named to the WHAC First Team All-Conference. 

List of nominees with the winner in *BOLD*

Professor of the Year - (Nominate people for their knowledge and teaching ability, commitment to students, and for going above and beyond). Previous Winners - Neil Migan (2022), Joshua Kittleman (2023), Joseph Dunne (2024)

• Kyle Chuhran

• Elizabeth Hopkins

• Kristin Shuman

• Scott Yakimow

Staff of the Year - (Nominate people for their commitment to doing their job well AND going above and beyond to ensure that Concordia's students are being served). Previous Winners -  Matt Walker (2022), Chris the Sandwich Guy (2023) , Sarah Thurmond (2024)

• Randy Duncan

• Kasey Ficken

• Erin Laverick

• Andrew Ripke

Male Athlete of the Year - (Nominate a male athlete for excelling in their sport, and displaying leadership and team spirit). Previous Winners -  Abel Christians/Zachary Yoder (2022), Sam Saje (2023), Sam Bowling (2024)

• Seeger DeGayner

• Jake Kuhlman

• Joseph Loria

• Zion Moorman

• Connor Rogus

Female Athlete of the Year - (Nominate a female athlete for excelling in their sport, and displaying leadership and team spirit). Previous Winners - Alize Tripp/ Kayla Peters (2022), Taylor Leatherman (2023), Shannon McAlinden (2024)

• Grace Dodgson

• Claudia Grepke

• Emilee Hughes

• Abby Long

• Rachel Yuhas

Male Rookie of the Year - (Nominate a freshman or transfer athlete for their outstanding qualities and the promise of future excellence). Previous Winners - Luke Benz (2022), Drew Fleming (2023), Zavion McClendon (2024)

• Davion Coats

• Dawson Kolka

• Jack Olis

• Marlon Rataj

• Nicholas Schaberg

Female Rookie of the Year - (Nominate a freshman or transfer athlete for their outstanding qualities and the promise of future excellence). Previous Winners - Julia Hirt (2022), Katie Tobias (2023), Abby Long (2024)

• Lauren Borsenik

• Charlotte Cook

• Gabrielle Jeziorski

• Jillian Kendrick

• Shaylin LeBlanc

Best Moment - (Nominate a team who had an excellent overall moment during a game, competition, or entire game, giving as much detail as possible)

• Dance won their first WHAC Championship in program history, earning their third straight NAIA Championship appearance. 

• Men's Basketball triumphed over Concordia Wisconsin with a Jason Jergens buzzer-beater to advance to the CIT Championship. 

• Women's Cross Country qualified for the NCCAA National Championships for the first time since 2017 at the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge. 

• Women's Soccer defeated Defiance College 3-1 behind 10 saves from Hayley Jacobson, and goals from Katelyn Aiello and Ambryn Diener. 

Best Team Comeback - (Nominate a team that had an amazing turnaround when the odds were stacked against them, giving as much detail as possible) 

• Baseball rallied back from a 3-run deficit in the seventh inning at Rio Grande to force the game into extras where Tyler Wressel laid down a game winning sacrifice bunt. 

• Men's Hockey scored 5 unanswered goals in the final ten minutes of regulation to force Aquinas to overtime where Kyle Hebner scored the winner 33 seconds into OT. 

• Softball scored a pair of runs in the sixth inning to even the score against Receiving Votes St. Francis (IL), before walking them off in the eighth inning. 

• Volleyball reverse swept Madonna at home, winning the final three sets to defeat the Crusaders as they moved to 4-0 at home and 2-0 in conference play.  

Coach of the Year - (Nominate a coach who has a strong coaching record, knowledge of their sport, and their commitment to our athletes' academic and spiritual growth). Previous Winners -  Josh Schumacher (2022), Ty McGuire (2023), Hailey Cavanagh (2024)

• Jason Clare

• Rob Lancioni

• Elyse Schlump

• Beth Strom

Male Champion of Character - (Nominate a male athlete based on their sportsmanship in athletics and being a role model on campus through academics and personal conduct). Previous Winners - Jacob Culp (2022), Luke Bentz (2023), David Smalls (2024)

• Dominic Catallo

• Jason Jergens

• Harrison Ryan

• Laine Thompson

Female Champion of Character - (Nominate a male athlete based on their sportsmanship in athletics and being a role model on campus through academics and personal conduct). Previous Winners -  Madalyn Fields (2022), Nicole Bordo (2023), Izzy Viau (2024)

• Brooklin Cox

• Nicole Koops

• Nya Martinez

• Grace Sandlin

Team Champions of Character - (Nominate a team based on their sportsmanship in athletics and being a role model on campus through academics and personal conduct). Previous Winners -  W. Basketball (2022), Softball (2023), Women's Lacrosse (2024)

• Esports

• Men's Basketball

• Men's & Women's Tennis

• Volleyball

Best Fan - (Nominate a fan based on support at athletic events, Concordia Spirit, and contagious crowd enthusiasm). Previous Winners - Nicole Bordo (2022), Jesus Pulido (2023), Rachel Costello (2024)

• Julia Hirt

• Tristen Needham

• Aaron Ortega

• David Smalls

Mr. Corky (Nominate a male athlete who best lives up to our goals as a student, as an athlete, and as a peer spiritual leader on and off campus). Previous Winners -  Kash Warren (2021),Colton Ritsema (2022), Zack Johnson (2023), Nate Brighton/Elijah Boye (2024)

• Derek Hebner

• Jesus Pulido

• Zakary Schroeder

• Scott Smith

Ms. Corky - (Nominate a female athlete who best lives up to our goals as a student, as an athlete, and as a peer spiritual leader on and off campus). Previous Winners - Payton Lovins (2022), Rachel Yuhas (2023), Angelina Haisha (2024)

• Ambryn Diener

• Alison Doerr

• Jacey Powell

• Emma Shore

Highest Team GPA

• Big Team – Volleyball - 3.77

• Small Team – Women's Golf - 3.88

Ripple Effect Award

• Erin Laverick

Salt Service Award

• Nya Martinez

Melvin Jenkins "Courage" Award (Nominate a student-athlete who has overcome a significant obstacle, injury, or hardship and demonstrated inspiring courage throughout this process). Previous Winners -  Hannah Rumsey (2022), Ethan Young & Hailey (Payne) Hoyle (2023), Jayla Foster (2024)

• Grace Sandlin