CIT: A Family Affair

MEQUON, Wis. – The dust has settled; the buzzer has sounded and we are all home on our respective campuses. The Concordia Invitational Tournament is over. This year, like every year, has created memories that will be passed down in households and shared for years to come. At Concordia Wisconsin, many families share deep roots within this tournament.

For two CUW families, three generations have competed in this longstanding tournament. Grant Karsten, Emily Hafemann and Abigail Hafemann are third-generation CIT participants.

Grant follows his father Kyle who competed for Concordia Nebraska from 1989 through 1992 and his grandfather Darwin competed at the Concordia Seminary of St. Louis in the 1960s.

For the Hafemann family, Emily and Abigail join their mother, Sue (Duchow) who played basketball and volleyball for Concordia Wisconsin from 1988–92. Within that time, she earned scholar-athlete status all four years, was named NAIA Academic All-American in 1991 and 1992 and was named CUW's Female Senior Athlete of the Year in 1992.

Their grandfather, Martin Duchow also competed at Concordia Nebraska in the 1960s.

They also join their sister, Elizabeth, who played for the Falcons from 2014 through 2018.

"The excitement of CIT continues as a parent as much as it did when playing," said Sue Hafemann. "To be able to gather as fellow Christians for a weekend worshiping and sharing the same faith is truly special. The energy is unforgettable!"

Emily added to the tradition on Saturday when she was named to the All-Tournament Team. She averaged 12 points per game and added seven rebounds and six rebounds.

Grant also shined at CIT with a game-high 23 points in an 80-68 victory over Concordia Ann Arbor. He also added 14 more points in Saturday's championship game.

"This past weekend was very special," said CUW men's basketball head coach Shawn Cassidy. "To see Grant Karsten receiving hugs from his father and grandfather on the basketball court on the Concordia campus where both had played."

The CUW men's basketball team has seven players whose parents have attended a Concordia in Jonah and Jared Jurss, Sam Meerstein, Zech Hans, Adam Bruins and Micah Hoehner.

CIT will return in 2024 on the shores of Lake Michigan, where amazing memories will be made again.