2012 Athletics Hall of Fame Class Announced
MEQUON, Wis. – Concordia University Wisconsin will welcome seven new members to its Athletic Hall of Fame during a special ceremony during Homecoming weekend on Oct. 5.
Julie Barthel Janssen (softball, '02), Stephen Dziatkiewicz (men's soccer, '04), Amanda Kuca Lorenzen (cross country, track & field, '06), Kevin Koch (wrestling, '06), Mark Krueger (football, '71), Stacy Rusch Leibham (women's basketball, '05) and Timothy Polasek (football, '02) will be officially inducted at the annual Hall of Fame dinner on Friday, Oct. 5, and will be recognized at halftime of the football game against Maranatha Baptist Bible College at Tomasini Stadium the following day.
The William C. Ackmann Memorial Sports Hall of Fame, was established in 1995 to honor past student-athletes of Concordia University Wisconsin, recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to CUW both on and off the field of competition. The Hall of Fame is located on the first floor of CUW's Sports & Fitness Center.
Julie Barthel Janssen
Class of 2002
Women's Softball
Julie Barthel Janssen was a four-year starter who was instrumental in establishing the CUW softball program as a perennial conference contender. She was recognized all four years as an all-conference performer, including Lake Michigan Conference Co-Rookie of the year and All-LMC First Team in 2002. As a senior captain, she helped lead the team to a 22-11 overall record and a regular season LMC title – the first ever championship.
Janssen had an incredible senior season leading the team in batting average (.354), slugging percentage (.512) and stolen bases. She is among the all-time leaders in batting average, triples and stolen bases. Janssen was a dedicated and talented player who has continued her commitment to the CUW program by returning as an assistant coach.
Stephen Dziatkiewicz
Class of 2004
Men's Soccer
Stephen Dziatkiewicz played men's soccer at CUW from 2000-03 and was coached by current men's soccer mentor Tom Saleska. His teammates selected him as team captain in 2002 and 2003. He was named to the Lake Michigan Conference First Team all four seasons that he competed and was LMC Player of the Year in 2002.
Dziatkiewicz was an NCAA Division III All-Central Region honoree in 2001 and 2002, and earned all-state honors in 2001 and 2002. CUW recognized him as the Athlete of the Year in 2002.
Amanda Kuca Lorenzen
Class of 2006
Cross Country and Track & Field
Amanda Kuca Lorenzen participated in cross country at CUW from 2002-05, indoor track & field from 2004-06 and outdoor track & field from 2003-06, and was coached by Paul Paynter and Adam Walker. Lorenzen earned NCAA Division III All-American status an unprecedented nine times during her distinguished career and was the Lake Michigan Conference Runner of the Year in cross country each of her four seasons, in addition to being named an Academic All-American from 2004-06.
She was also the 3,000 meter Steeplechase National Champion in 2006 and the NCAA Female Track & Field Athlete of the Year that same season.
Kevin Koch
Class of 2006
Wrestling
Kevin Koch wrestled at CUW from 2002-06 and was coached by Bret Corner, Mike Fisher and Ray Skelter. In 2003, Koch was named CUW Rookie of the Year and later served as team captain from 2004-06. In 2005 and 2006 he was named conference MVP.
Koch was a four-time all-conference wrestler and was the Great Lakes Conference Champion in 2004 and 2006. In 2006, he was an NCAA Division III National Qualifier and earned Division III All-American honors. Koch's wrestling career includes six school records, six tournament wins and he remains second on the career wins list with 119.
Mark Krueger
Class of 1971
Football
Mark Krueger played football for Concordia High School from 1967-69 and for Concordia College in 1971. He was coached by Andrew Luptak, Martin Duchow, David Eggebrecht, Neil Mertz and Neil Lohmeyer. As a high school player, the Milwaukee Journal named him to their Honorary All-Star Team in 1969 and he was also named Midwest Prep's All-Conference Offensive Back. He led the team as co-captain in 1967 and 1969, and was voted MVP in 1969.
When Concordia College formed the first intercollegiate football team in 1971, Krueger was named co-captain. Under his leadership, the 1971 team helped initiate the tradition and spirit of CUW football.
Stacy Rusch Leibham
Class of 2005
Women's Basketball
Stacy Rusch Leibham played women's basketball and women's golf at CUW from 2001-05. She was coached in basketball by Chuck Oliver from 2001-04 and by Stacey Brunner-Jones from 2004-05 2005, and her golf coach was Ken Gaschk. A four-year letter winner in both sports, Stacy is the school's record holder for most 3-point shots made (180) and seventh in career assists (274). Leibham is a member of the school's elite 1,000-point club and was the No. 2 player on three conference champion golf teams.
The basketball team recognized her as team captain in 2003 and 2004, and as MVP in 2004 and 2005. Leibham was an All-Lake Michigan Conference honoree all four years and was twice named to the All-Concordia Invitational Tournament Team.
Timothy A. Polasek
Class of 2002
Football
Tim Polasek played quarterback CUW from 1998-2011 and was coached by Jeff Gabrielsen. Polasek owns the school's all-time record in passing touchdowns (65) and total passing yards (6,979). He also owns CUW's single season records for pass completions (216), passing TDs (24) and passing yardage (2,796).