It was a big weekend for Grant Schmidt and the Concordia University men's basketball team. The Bulldogs defeated Concordia Seminary by the score of 86-55 last Thursday evening for the 400th victory in the career of head coach Grant Schmidt. On Saturday, Concordia earned a 75-71 upset win over Robert Morris, the No. 1 ranked team in NAIA Division I.
Schmidt entered the season with a 398-234 career record. He has a .630 winning percentage, which ranks 13th in the NAIA top 25 winningest active coaches list. Schmidt is in his 20th year as head coach and has developed a strong basketball tradition at Concordia University.
"This is a credit to our players over the years," said Schmidt. "You can't get to 400 wins without great tradition and great kids. We've been blessed to have both of those things. This is dedicated to all the teams, players and coaches who have helped to make 400 wins possible."
Evan Kucera and Porter Birtell led the way in the 86-55 win over Concordia Seminary. Kucera had 23 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in the Bulldog win. Birtell added 16 points and seven boards. The duo combined to shoot 16-of-17 from the field in the Concordia win. Tyler Byrd added 14 points and four assists for the Bulldogs.
Coach Schmidt's 401st win may have been even more exciting than his 400th. The Bulldogs knocked off top-ranked Robert Morris by the score of 75-71 on Saturday in the Lindenwood Classic Tournament. Robert Morris, a NAIA division I squad, went 27-4 in 2008-09 and made a trip to the Final Four for the fourth time in five years. The Eagles also recorded an exhibition victory over Northwestern University of the Big Ten Conference last year.
Sam Huebner had a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way for Concordia in the win. Dustin Weber added 18 points, five rebounds and a game-high three assists, and Evan Kucera chipped in with 12 points for the Bulldogs.
Concordia (3-2) will take part in the Cattle Classic Tournament from Nov. 12-14. There will be a recognition and celebration of Coach Schmidt's accomplishment before Concordia's first home game against York College on Nov. 12.
