Brunner-Jones and Cassidy: record-setting coaches

MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia Wisconsin basketball programs have enjoyed a great deal of success over the past decade and a half. The consistent success stems from the stable leadership at the top of the programs, as both teams are currently led by the winningest coaches in their respective program's histories.

Women's head coach Stacey Brunner-Jones became the Falcons head coach in 2004. She was an assistant at Winona State when she was called by former Sports Information Director Rick Riehl to apply for the CUW position.

"I was familiar with CUW because I had participated and worked WCSS basketball camps for several years," said Brunner-Jones. "I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to be offered the position to be a head coach for the first time. I loved the campus and felt comfortable knowing I could recruit and win at CUW. The moment I knew I would accept the position was when senior-to-be Stacy (Rusch) Liebham called my office phone at WSU. She told me she wanted me to be her to coach her senior season and I was sold!"

In 2007, Shawn Cassidy accepted the opportunity to coach the men's basketball team. A CUW alumnus, his desire to coach at Concordia stemmed from his own experience as a Falcon student-athlete.

"My coaches, professors, and staff members had such a huge impact on my life, beyond the court or classroom," said Cassidy. "I wanted to give the same care as Concordia did for me when I was a student-athlete. Concordia's mission is real. It is not just a mission statement written on the walls, it is owned and demonstrated by the entire Concordia community."

Cassidy was in the unique position of having been mentored by all the former Concordia coaches dating back to Marty Duchow, who coached in the 1960's.

"All of the previous coaches and basketball alums have been so positive and supportive, reminding me CUW basketball is about family," said Cassidy. "It does not matter when you played or coached, you are always a member of this family."

Both Coach Cassidy and Coach Brunner-Jones were excited to take on the challenge of elevating their teams to a championship level. A championship level that has amassed a combined 518 victories between the two mentors.

"They hadn't won a championship for a while and I was excited to turn it around," said Brunner-Jones. "It's important to note that my first season we were 6-20, and through recruiting, players buying into my philosophy, and hard work we turned it around."

Being given the resources to recruit high-caliber student-athletes that fit the vision and mission of CUW was vital to the success of both Brunner-Jones and Cassidy.

"I believe the biggest part of elevating the program was the resources given to me," said Cassidy. "We have been able to recruit incredible student-athletes who embody the mission of Concordia, achieve academic success, and perform at a high level on the court."

Brunner-Jones led the women's team to a conference championship in 2006-07; their first since the 1994-95 season. The Falcons went 18-1 in the conference (23-4 overall) to win the regular-season title and defeated Benedictine 65-50 for the tournament title.

"Our first championship was kind like the dream season," Brunner-Jones explained. "We also won CIT that year and it was special because the seniors (Leah Buyarski, Erika Ensign and Alicia Sura) had been through the 6-20 season. For them to earn our first championship and go to the NCAA Tournament was beyond rewarding. I remember them dumping water over my head on the court after we shook hands with the other team and the happy tears as we were cutting down the net. A big part of our success that season was due to the play of transfer senior Kristen Ruppe and sophomore Krista Mayyou. The amount of respect and trust those players had in me is something I will always be grateful for and never forget."

Cassidy won his first conference championship in 2009-10 as the men's team defeated Edgewood 67-65 in the final game of the season to win the title.

"It was special winning the first championship with a great group of young men," said Cassidy. "We had some incredible leadership from our seniors Johnnie Ulrich, Kyle Barth, Paul Rosin, and student assistant coach Joel Bahr. Now, all four of them are outstanding positive Christian educators."

The resilience and team-first attitude of that championship team still sticks out in Cassidy's mind.

"The entire group exemplified team all season," said Cassidy. "We had just lost a tough road loss at Aurora University, and I asked the seniors their opinion on the trip to play at Valpo the next week. They had an option of traveling with just the varsity players or traveling with everyone on a tighter budget. Without hesitation they voted to take everyone; the interests of the entire team came first. They thought everyone deserved the chance to experience the trip."

On January 15th, 2011, the women's basketball defeated MSOE on the road 64-55. The win was Coach Brunner-Jones's 117th at CUW, which propelled her past Jack Surridge (116-35) to become the all-time winningest head coach in Concordia Wisconsin Women's Basketball program history. She accomplished the feat in her seventh season with the help of three-straight 20-plus win seasons from 2006-07 to 2008-09.

While 117 wins are impressive, Brunner-Jones had no intention of becoming complacent with that achievement. The Falcons kept on winning throughout the years, and on February 3rd, 2015, CUW defeated Lakeland 62-54 to get Coach Brunner-Jones her 200th career win.

"I remember the excitement of the team and how proud they were to be a part of that 200th win," said Brunner-Jones. "The culture of winning is important and I love that my players and alumni understand that. I'm excited for 300 and 400!"

While the women's team was excelling, the men's team was doing just as well. That consistent success culminated into Cassidy becoming the all-time winningest head coach in CUW Men's Basketball program history this past season. The Falcons took down MSOE 88-77 on February 15th, giving Cassidy his 216th win to surpass William Ackman (215-201).

"It was a special day. To accomplish the milestone at MSOE, against a program and coach I greatly respect, and in an important game that kept us in contention for a conference title, that meant a lot," said Cassidy. "Breaking the record was never my goal, but I had a number of people reminding me of the countdown. I wanted to downplay the day and focus on the team. I was surprised and excited to see so many alums at the game who were aware of the milestone thanks to Coach Mueller."

While Cassidy didn't want to make a big deal out of the win, the student-athletes had other plans. The team had a paper sign made to emulate Wilt Chamberlin's iconic sign from his 100-point game, and they were looking forward to dumping the water jug on their unsuspecting coach.

"In the past couple of years, we have been able to appreciate and celebrate a great number of milestones after games," said Cassidy. "We look forward to those locker room celebrations as a family. We have a tradition of throwing water on the player who reaches a milestone. I sent word to the locker room I did not want to get soaked, but they got me anyway and, looking back, I'm glad we celebrated together."

A key component to the success of Brunner-Jones and Cassidy as coaches has been their friendship. Iron sharpens iron, and two great basketball minds conversing about the game only helps each other become better coaches.

"It's a blessing that Shawn and I are friends," said Brunner-Jones. "We are around each other a lot and split the best place on campus (John Buuck Field House) every day in season. Our teams support each other and so does the coaching staff. My favorite story of Shawn is that in his first season as a head coach, we were traveling together to Edgewood. I was sleeping on the bus and Shawn was giving directions to the driver. When I woke up, we were going to the wrong side of Madison. I respect his basketball mind, but more importantly his character and I trust him very much. It's fun to cheer each other on, but there is no one that knows how it feels after a loss than another coach. I think I appreciate Shawn the most after a loss. He knows what to say and he might be one of the most positive human beings I've ever met."

"After Coach Brunner's parents, I am her biggest fan," said Cassidy. "She is an expert coach with a consistent championship quality basketball program. I watch her practices and games and try to steal as much as possible. We talk every day about such things as basketball strategy, coaching philosophy, schedules, drills, development, leadership, faith, and family. I am so fortunate to have someone like Stacey, a great coach and even better person, to rely on for advice and support."

In their time at Concordia, Brunner-Jones and Cassidy have combined for 10 regular-season titles, with Stacey winning six and Shawn winning four. Additionally, they have each won two conference tournament titles. The historic success of both coaches has been made possible by a supporting cast that includes their assistant coaches, student-athletes, and families.

"No one is capable of achieving success by themselves," said Cassidy. "We cannot be committed to the program unless we have complete support at home. It takes a great coaching staff committed to helping student-athletes grow and develop as players and more importantly as Christians. It takes Dr. Barnhill's leadership in the athletic department to hire and retain an entire department of incredible coaches, who support each other, and who are able to collaborate to achieve team and department goals. We have a lot of all-time winningest coaches on our campus, and we are both honored to be among them."

There has and will always be one constant in the basketball community at Concordia Wisconsin, and that is family. The support around campus and by the alumni is second to none.

"The number of people that have been apart of my career at CUW and have helped and supported me means a great deal," Brunner-Jones added. "My parents drive to almost every game even though they are still working and I love them for the tools they gave me to believe in myself and work hard. I am forever thankful. The support of the basketball family starts at the top with President Ferry and works its way down to Dr. Barnhill and through to my assistant coaches and alumni over the years. The best part of everything is the relationships we build that extend beyond the game of basketball. Lastly and most importantly, my kids, Braylon and Hadley make me a better person and I pray every day that I guide them to follow their dreams. I'm proud to call CUW my home and represent the University. I've grown up here and I have the most wonderful memories that I hope to make many more. Go Falcons!"