Concordia Sports - The First 100 Years by Finn Grinaker

"Concordia Men's Sports - The First One Hundred Years"
by Vernon Finn Grinaker
| Return to Index | Chapter 1 | 1903-1921 | 20's | 30's | 40's | 50's | 60' | 70's | 80's | 90's |
Chapter 8-- The 70's

| 1970-1971 | 1971-1972 | 1972-1973 | 1973-1974 | 1974-1975 | 1975-1976 | 1976-1977 | 1977-1978 | 1978-1979 | 1979-1980 |

The Seventies — Back to Normal

The sports program continued to flourish during this decade as nearly all of the teams had their moments of glory. Concordia gained more and more prominence due to the increased participation of Cobber teams in national competition. The switch in membership from the NAIA to NCAA, Division III impacted some aspects of the athletic program.

Two major coaching changes took place during this decade — in basketball and in baseball.
Over the past years, football had been the most successful but during the 1970's, other teams and individuals emerged as national contenders. Concordia could be very proud of its well-rounded program of athletics.

1970 Football

Jim Christopherson, in his second year at the helm of Concordia football, led his 1970 team to a 6 - 1 finish in the MIAC for first place and a 7 - 2 - 1 record overall. Captains of the team were Dave Jordahl and Avery Seifert. Named to the all-conference first team were Bruce Larson and Kent Baldry.
A typical starting lineup was as follows:

OFFENSE     DEFENSE
Laurie Anderson, SE    Dave Jordahl, DE
Clayton Ohlin, OT    Fred Hashley, DT
Doug Halvorson, OG    Mike Kutter, MG
Rich Lindstrom, C    Bruce Larson, DT
Gary Anderson, OG    Grant Christopher, DE
Chuck Thompson, OT   Bob Sieling, LB
Lindy Wallen, TE    Brian Kvebak, LB
Dale Hertel, QB    Doug Dale, DB
Avery Seifert, FB    Wayne Nelson, DB
Kent Baldry, TB    Doug Peterson, DB
Larry Teske, SB    Donn Drommerhausen, DB

Others on the roster were Dan Fahrman, Jeff Dahl, Dale Sundby, Dan Quam, Ron Jerve, Mike McNelly, Larry Sunde, Dave Duncan, Steve Koenig, Pete Banovetz, Terry Highum, Jim Peterson, Tim Braun, Brad Larson, Rich Hendrickson, Steve Hannon, Kent Zimmerman, Kelvin Danielson, Bruce Wagner, Jim Jendro, Larry Wendt, Gary Van Hunnik, Steven Peterson, Van Holmgren, Noble Gilbertson, Tom Vickerman, Dale Skyberg, Geven Bjerken, Paul Nelson, Craig Ludtke, Pete Falk, Denny Jerome, Rick Toso, John Lang, Greg Willis, Bill Rutherford, Brad Moen, Ron Sorvig, Al Lutz, Dan Price, Dave Brokke, Brian Johnson, Mark Johnson, Howard Mather, Luther Sannes, Paul Hanson, Craig Zempel, Wayne Wille, Virgil Kollar, Spencer Sawyer, Charles Reitmeier, Loren Seifert, Mick McLeod, Dave Wall, Stan Gordon, Jamie Smith, Roger Brandt, Joel Jeppson, Greg Senske, Dave Koch, Kerry Knoff, Mike Gunderson and Dick Peterson.

Results of the season were:
Concordia 20 Moorhead State 20
Concordia 10 Augustana   0
Concordia 8 Duluth    14
Concordia 23 Hamline   21
Concordia 31 Macalester   0
Concordia 42 St. Thomas   7
Concordia 16 St. John’s   7
Concordia 28 Augsburg   11
Concordia 13 Gustavus   0
Concordia 15 Western Carolina

1970 Cross Country

The Concordia 1970 cross-country team ended its first year of existence with a 7th place finish in the MIAC. Earning points for the Cobbers were Senior Captain Darrell Carstens, Dennis Frichell, Ed Deutschmann, Bob Johnson, and Daryl Kosiak. Ed Langsdorf coached the team which included six freshmen.

1970-71 Men's Basketball

“All living members of the 1931 MIAC Championship basketball team were honored at Homecoming as they were the first Concordia team to win the title. Regarded as a powerhouse when they played, they scored an average of almost half again as many points as their opponents. They scored an average of 33 points on their way to compiling an admirable 16 - 2 won - lost record. Frank Cleve, coach of the 1931 team, started a tradition of athletic excellence which is still evident on our campus today.”

“Professor R. E. Fuglestad, athletic director at that time, and Professor A. L Eliasen, an avid fan, will both be on hand to reminisce and share memories with players of four decades ago.”

“Three of these illustrious players were first team All-Conference selections when they played for Concordia and all three indicated that they are planning on returning for the 40-year reunion. They are Earl Moran, Pat Hilde, and Cliff Halmrast. Other team members were Hardean Bjerke, Olaf Dahl, Arnie Erickson, Carrol “Shorty” Malvey, Alton Sterslee, George Lee, and Ferd ‘Swede’ Anderson.”

Many new faces greeted basketball coach Sonny Gulsvig for the 1970 - 1971 season. On the team were Randy Taylor, Doug Hastad, Pete Rutherford, Roger Jenson, Gary Johnson, Steve Reitan, Bruce Larson, Kraig Wold, Dave Reitan, Rod Dahlberg, Pete Holte, John Ydstie, Jerry Bygren, Jim Andresen and Craig Kjesbo.

The team earned an overall record of 16 - 9 and 3rd place in the MIAC with an 11 - 5 record.
Scores for the season were:
???

1970-71 Men's Hockey

Concordia’s 1970 - 1971 hockey team, under Coach Al Rice, had an outstanding season with an overall record of 19 - 7, finishing second in the MIAC standings with an 11 - 3 record. On the starting lineup for the Cobbers were Mark Turk, Wayne Horgen, Duane Earnest, Steve Haslerud, Mike Adams and Dan Skalko. Others on the team were Scott Clausen, John Sirotiak, Larry Peltier, Bill Driver, Rick Mlaker, Mick Metzer, Mike Boyle, Lon Seeger, Bruce Sabetti, Bruce Paskey, Ken Litzenberger, Dan Mlaker, Tom Hande, Brad Thorson, Dan Haun, Gary Monson, Mike Vukas, Dave Anderson, Al Youngdahl and Bob Vandemeer.

Scores for the season were:
Concordia 6 Rainy River 7
Concordia 4 Rainy River 5
Concordia 9 St. Cloud 2
Concordia 2 St. Cloud 6
Concordia 10 Macalester 6
Concordia 12 Macalester 1
Concordia 5 Hamline 2
Concordia 4 Hamline 2
Concordia 7 Augsburg 6
Concordia 8 Augsburg 5
Concordia 6 UND JV 4
Concordia 5 St. Thomas 4
Concordia 5 St. Thomas 3
Concordia 4 St. Mary’s 3
Concordia 1 St. Mary’s 4
Concordia 3 St. John’s 0
Concordia 3 Gustavus 10
Concordia 2 Gustavus 4
Concordia 8 St. John’s 0
Concordia 3 UND JV 11

1970-71 Wrestling

On Coach Finn Grinaker’s 1970 - 1971 wrestling team were Mark Jokela, Bob Tepe, Terry Bishop, Dan Boyce, Don Lilleboe, Pete Michel, Fred Hashley, Mike Sullivan, Vic Everson, Frank Bobbitt, Jeff Boe, Bill Larson, Jamie Smith, Larry Wendt and Ken Waag.

Results for the season were:
Concordia 27 St. Mary’s 12
Concordia 18 Bemidji 24
Concordia 9 Valley City 27
Concordia 8 UND 29
Concordia 4 NDSU 40
Concordia 21 UM - Duluth 16
Concordia 6 Augsburg 36
Concordia 8 St. Thomas 32
Concordia 8 Moorhead State 32
Concordia 23 Gustavus 13
Concordia 26 St. Thomas 14

At the Carleton tournament, Concordia placed fourth, with Augsburg winning the tournament. St. John’s won the MIAC championship, followed by Augsburg, with Concordia placing third.

1970-71 Gymnastics

The 1970 - 1971 gymnastics team competed in only three dual meets during the season. They placed second in all three contests with UND twice and NDSU. The Cobbers were coached by Don Gerhardt. Those on the team were M. Gunderson, G. Ogard, S. Hendrickson, J. Haygeman, N. Hult, D. Rud, B. Jahraus, M. Camrud, R. Strand, and R. Bowman.

1970 Baseball

Al Rice coached the 1971 baseball to a 9 - 10 season. The roster included Gregg Sainsbury, Donn Drommerhausen, Kent Yohe, Wayne Nelson, Don Johnson, Steve Karnel, Dale Hertel, Bob Sieling, Dick Peterson, Kerry Knoff, Bruce Paskey, Ron McDaniel, Jack Peterson, Bill Driver, Bruce Lattu, Luther Sannes, Paul Nelson, Bob Mudry, Brian Neugubeaur, Pete Holte, Tom Hanle, Paul Krabbenhoft, Jeff Paterson, Larry Urdahl and Doug Peterson.

Scores for the season were:
Concordia 17 NDSU 4
Concordia 3 Moorhead State 8
Concordia 0 St. Mary’s 9
Concordia 3 St. Mary’s 2
Concordia 8 Hamline 3
Concordia 5 Hamline 6
Concordia 11 Macalester 2
Concordia 10 Macalester 9
Concordia 7 Valley City 6
Concordia 3 Augsburg 2
Concordia 7 Augsburg 4
Concordia 0 Gustavus 3
Concordia 2 Gustavus 6
Concordia 3 Mayville State 8
Concordia 0 St. John’s 6
Concordia 10 St. John’s 5
Concordia 1 St. Thomas 9
Concordia 8 St. Thomas 16
Concordia 0 Moorhead State 1

1970 Track

Coach Ed Langsdorf took over the reins for the 1971 track team. A press release stated: “First-year Coach Ed Langsdorf has got the Concordia track squad on the move. Pumped up with fresh enthusiasm, the Concordia team is getting better with every meet. Kraig Wold, a sophomore from Rochester (John Marshall H.S.) Minn., jumped last week 6'2" to tie a school record. Dale Sundby, a freshman from Fargo, N. Dak., threw the javelin 177'2" for a school record at the Manitou Relays at St. Olaf. Vernon Edness, a senior and tri-captain from Westby, Mont., ran two 440's under 52 seconds.” Records for the season were incomplete, but available results are:

Intercity Meet - 3rd place
Dragon Invitational - 4th place
MSC Dual Meet - lost
River Falls Invitational - 3rd place
Jamestown Dual Meet - lost
MIAC Conference Meet - 5th place

Competing on the track team were Mark Solyst, Dave Larson, Jay Therkilsen, Al Agrimson, Dan Rogness, Bill Sorenson, Ron Seim, Laurie Anderson, Mike Grotham, Vern Ekness, John Thigpen, Darrel Carstens, Brian Burtch, Mike McNelly, Chuck Thompson, Howard Mather, Dale Sundby, Dave Gabrielson, Ken Erickson, and Kraig Wold.

1970-71 Men's Golf

Lettermen on Coach Finn Grinaker’s 1971 golf team were Jeff Tweeton, Bill Riddering, Bill Hansen, Chuck Anderson, Chris Aasland and Dan Elton. The team placed first out of 16 teams at the Honeywell Invitational and won first place at the District 13 qualifying meet for the NAIA national tournament.
Other results were:

Concordia 397 NDSU 392
Concordia 487 Moorhead State 487
Cobber-Dragon Invitational - 4th out of 12 teams
All-City - 3rd place
Morris Invitational - 4th out of 10 teams
MIAC Conference Meet - 5th out of 9 teams

1970 Tennis

The 1971 Cobber tennis team, under Coach Bob Nick, finished fourth in the MIAC by winning four matches and losing three. This was the best finish in years for the Cobs and was an apt finish for a successful season. Varsity players included Mark Theno, Richard Estrow, Bob Holt, Rob Morrison and Dave Buchman.

The tennis dual match record was:
Concordia 1 Moorhead State 11
Concordia 0 NDSU 9
Concordia 4 Moorhead State 8
Concordia 9 Augsburg 0
Concordia 6 Duluth 3
Concordia 8 St. Thomas 1
Concordia 2 Macalester 7
Concordia 3 St. John’s 6
Concordia 3 Hamline 6
Concordia 1 Gustavus 8

1970-71

Six of Concordia’s finest senior athletes were named to the “Outstanding Athletes of America.” This award is made on behalf of the athlete’s athletic achievement and his scholarship.

Michael Adams, Coleraine Minnesota - hockey
Gary Anderson, Moorhead, Minnesota - football
Dan Boyce, Parkers Prairie, Minnesota - wrestling
Douglas Hastad, Moorhead, Minnesota - basketball
Avery Siefert, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota - football
Randall Taylor, Fairview, Montana - basketball

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These pages are maintained by Jerry Pyle - pyle@cord.edu and Finn Grinaker - cgrinaker@juno.com. These pages are copyrighted © and may not be published or reproduced without the express permission of Finn Grinaker.