CUNE announces 2023 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees

Photo description: Concordia’s Hall of Fame banquet 

Photo credit: Meredith Boster

Maddy Peters

Sports Editor

Concordia on Friday inducted the 2023 Athletic Hall of Fame Class and presented Rachel Battershell and Ben Berg with the 2022 Senior Female and Male Athletes of the Year Awards.

The annual event, which takes place at the beginning of Concordia’s homecoming weekend, is a chance for the university to celebrate student athletes, coaches and others for their success and contributions to Bulldog athletics over the years.

“What a joy to celebrate together [and] to remember together… Concordia’s mission is about equipping people for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church [and] in the world,” said CUNE President Bernard Bull.

The six individuals and one team chosen were Amy (Ahlers) Allgood, Rick Diezte, Chandler Folkerts, Rodney “Rod” Giesselmann, Luther Klenke, Bailey Morris and the 1983 men’s tennis team.

The Senior Female and Male Athletes of the Year awards go to senior athletes who demonstrated a strong Christian character, leadership, academic responsibility and exceptional athletic talent.

“The purpose of this event was to bring the community of believers together,” said Director of Athletics Devin Smith, “to celebrate those who have excelled and transformed this place. Tonight is a time of reminiscing, reflecting and recognizing the God-given talents of our well-deserving honorees.”

The honorees shared stories from their times as Bulldogs, from Allgood’s first interaction with former Concordia President Brian Friedrich, to Giesselmann being 198 steps away from the spot where he first met his wife, to Klenke and his bus escapades. The ceremony was full of thanks and nostalgia as everyone shared their memories.

“After this evening, it should be obvious to each and every one of you what this place is known for: sharing our faith in Christ and integrating it within all that we do,” Smith said. “This place is known for chasing conference championships and turning titles; and this place is known for maximizing its resources to develop champions of Christian character, champions in the classroom and champions on the competitive surface.”