Bulldog Basketball Teams Head to Chicago to Compete for CIT Title
by Abigail Wisniewski
The Bulldog basketball teams will compete for championship titles at the 65th annual Concordia Invitational Tournament Jan. 29-30. The inter-Concordia event will take place in Concordia University Chicago’s Geiseman Memorial Gymnasium.
Both the Bulldog men’s and women’s teams have been successful in past tournaments—each team holds 25 championship titles. Due to their past successes, the rivalry between the Concordias is directed especially at the Bulldogs.
“Having all three other schools cheering against you makes it fun,” senior forward Becky Mueller said. “You hit big shots and the crowd goes silent and our fans go crazy.”
After a loss in last year’s championship game, the men’s basketball team is prepared to redeem itself.
“We let it get away last year,” senior forward Robby Thomas said. “This year we’re ready to come back and win the whole thing.”
The tournament allows players and fans to meet students from other Concordias in addition to cheering against each other.
“The atmosphere is unmatched. It’s what college athletics should be all the time,” women’s basketball coach Drew Olson said. “There is just this automatic healthy rivalry when you bring these Concordia schools together.”
“I think what makes CIT so special is that all four Concordias share the same faith in Jesus Christ and the weekend is a great demonstration of passion, intensity and God-given talents,” men’s basketball coach Ben Limback said.
In addition to cheering for their teams, fans will have the opportunity to participate in opening and closing devotions and an all-Concordia lip-sync battle.
