Concordia Men's Basketball Coach Ben Limback previewed the 2021-22 season for the Bulldogs at Seward Rotary Club on November 3rd. The Club heard about the program's goals and values, affirmed by two of its players.
Concordia Men’s Basketball Coach Ben Limback, joined by team standouts Carter Kent of Crete and Gage Smith of Elizabeth, Colorado, previewed the Bulldogs upcoming season for Seward Rotary Club on November 3rd.
Limback begins his 9th season at Concordia, the 98th basketball team at Concordia University! Limback returned to Seward to coach, after coaching at Concordia Ann Arbor for nine years. In 2020, his team was in the national GPAC tourney and is predicted to be third in the GPAC polls for this season, following Morningside and Jamestown. Limback is a 1999 graduate of Concordia and was named the “Nebraska College Player of the Year" in 1999 by the Omaha World-Herald.
He takes pride in the fact that he sells recruits on the "whole" package - the Concordia Experience, as he calls it, a key part being the Seward community.
While part of their goal is to win, Limback also stress academics, a strong faith walk and to care for others in their community, on campus and in town. He encourages involvement-to be well rounded and connect with the community. He used the approaching “Cattle Classic” basketball tourney as an example, which raises food and cash donations to support local food pantries.
Limback introduced Carter Kent, a senior with one more year of eligibility because of the “Covid-19 Year.” He has been named an Academic All American, and All Conference player at Concordia. He is in a “Pre-Vet” program-with a Biology Major, and a Chemistry and Physical Science Minors. He noted that he has long known Seward, as he is the Great Grandson of Clayton Kent and Grandson of Russ Kent both of Seward.
“I selected Seward’s Concordia University because of the location, it just felt right!” stated Kent. “I appreciated their emphasis on academics and how they have allowed to me to grow and develop as a person, preparing me to handle any and all situations that may arise.” Limback noted he continues to impress the record holders and continues to make new entries in the Concordia record books.
Limback also introduced senior Gage Smith of Elizabeth, Colorado. He too is a super senior and has one more year of eligibility. He came to Concordia because a friend recommended it and when he arrived he said it just “felt like home!” “I am from a small town and Seward really felt like home-small town and all,” commented Smith. “I enjoy all of my classes and really appreciate our great professors, plus we have an outstanding facility to work and play in with the Walz Arena.” Smith is working on a degree in Business with a future goal of being a GA- Graduate Assistant in Basketball to eventually coach at a small college. He has not even completed his undergraduate degree and already involved with a graduate program as well-working on an MBA degree. He also is very proud to have a brother that is a freshman on the Concordia Men’s Basketball Team.
Limback announced that his team is 2-0 and off to a great start. He is also excited to host the Concordia Invitational Tourney in January, which was canceled last year due to COVID. Limback commented on the 2021-2022 team theme: “All In” and explained the theme is based on 1 Corinthians 9. He encourages the team to be “all in” both as they are to give it their all-and also pointed out that it could be interpreted as we need all work together or “be on the same page!”
He noted that the Bulldogs will have all five starters returning from last year, because of the Covid ruling-where last year’s players will be allowed one more year! However, he noted that the same “good fortune” is happening with the team’s competition, as most GPAC teams will be back, stronger than ever-pointing out that the entire league will be “loaded with talent” more than ever before!