Concordia University Chicago Athletics

Mara (Rautenberg) Schmidt, ’79, earned her B.S. from Concordia and her M.S. from California State Polytechnic University in 1983.

            
Schmidt lettered in volleyball and basketball at Concordia, earning all-conference honors in both sports. Upon graduation, she served as a teacher, coach and athletic director at Lutheran High in LaVerne, California from 1981 to 1984. Schmidt returned to Concordia in 1984 to serve as the head volleyball coach and professor of physical education. She coached the Cougars for 15 seasons, winning NIIC Coach of the Year honors twice and Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coach of the Year once. Schmidt’s 1995 team finished with an NIIC title on the strength of a perfect 10-0 record. She coached her 1993 team to a CIVT championship. During her tenure as Cougar coach, Schmidt coached two NIIC Players of the Year, one Academic All-American, and many all-conference players.

            
Schmidt has served as Director of Aquatics and Physical Education Department chair in addition to her coaching and teaching duties. She is currently on Concordia’s faculty roster as an adjunct professor.