May 10, 2012 – Concordia University Chicago has announced the recipients of the athletics department's two most prestigious awards, the A.W. Gross Distinguished Senior Scholar-Athlete Award and the George Terry-John Schubert Memorial Christian Service Award.
Justin Hineman of the men's basketball team and
Cassie Slechta of the softball team are the recipients of the Gross award.
Kasey Ray of the football team and
Briana Steffenhagen of the volleyball team are the recipients of the Terry-Schubert award.
Concordia-Chicago coaches nominate student-athletes annually for the awards, which are voted upon by the athletics department. The Gross Award is presented to a student-athlete of each gender who demonstrates the highest standards in academic achievement, athletic proficiency, character and conduct, and athletic leadership.
The Terry-Schubert Award was named in honor of two former Cougar football players who lost their lives in separate accidents less than a year apart. It is awarded annually to a senior student-athlete of each gender who maintains a positive attitude towards athletics and Christian living, serves and contributes to the best interests of his or her teammates, and demonstrates concern for the entire Concordia-Chicago community.
Hineman is a secondary education/English major from Hartland, Wisconsin (Arrowhead H.S.). He started every one of his 102 career games over four seasons and was a key member of the 2011-12 Northern Athletics Conference South Division champions and the 2011 Concordia Invitational Tournament champions. His career totals include 778 points (7.6 average) and 592 rebounds (5.8), the latter ranking him sixth all-time among NAC players.
Hineman has earned NAC Scholar-Athlete honors every year. He has served as a team captain and with Concordia's chapters of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). He has also been a member of Concordia's Honors Program, the English Club and Pillars of Promise.
Slechta is a secondary education/biology major from Berwyn, Illinois (Walther Lutheran H.S.). She lettered four years in softball as a catcher, infielder and pitcher. Slechta batted .303 over 149 career games with 73 RBIs including a team-leading 27 in 2012. She was a two-year team captain, a two-time NAC All-Sportsmanship team honoree and the Cougars' 2011 Defensive Player of the Year.
Slechta has earned NAC Scholar-Athlete honors every year. She has been active in Concordia's FCA and SAAC as well as the Artists of Concordia Theatre. She also organized CU Home, a group that provides support and encouragement to American soldiers and their families.
Ray is a mathematics and chemistry major from Glendale, Arizona (Barry Goldwater H.S.). He lettered four years in football as a defensive end. Ray played in 26 career games and also played as a member of the Cougars' scout team.
Ray was described by Concordia head football coach
Lonnie Pries as “a consummate team player who has stayed true to his Christian values and lives in a way that is more about others and not himself.” He has served Concordia through working in the Koehneke Community Center. Ray has also made numerous contributions on and off stage to the university's theatre department, culminating in his playing the role of Jesus Christ in the spring production of “Godspell.”
Steffenhagen, a Chicago native (DeLaSalle H.S.), graduated Concordia in December 2011 with a bachelor's degree in natural science. She lettered four years in volleyball as a setter and played in 106 matches. Steffenhagen handed out 419 career matches including 275 in the 2009 season (4.91 per set).
Volleyball coaches and teammates described their two-year team captain as a “very caring individual” who regularly led team devotions and one who modeled “a very strong value system and great character.” Steffenhagen was a frequent volunteer in many campus activities and was also active in Concordia Youth Ministries and Cougar Allies among others.
