ST. PAUL, Minn. – Throughout the duration of the spring semester, cspbears.com will feature its spring senior student-athletes who had their careers cut short due to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), providing a glimpse into their past, present and future to our followers who were unable to see them compete in 2020.
Due to the ongoing changing legislation with college athletics related to the COVID-19 pandemic, spring student-athletes are expected to retain a year of eligibility. Some of the CSP seniors have expressed interest in returning for the 2020-21 academic year with the goal of competing for their full senior year. Since it's early in the process, cspbears.com will not differentiate between seniors who will and won't return and instead will profile each senior consistently.
Up next in the senior spotlight series is Golden Bear catcher
Ted Elsner. A transfer from RCTC, Elsner is an exercise science major from Tolland, Conn.
During his three seasons in navy and gold, Elsner has appeared in seven games, collecting seven plate appearances. The Sport Medical Sciences Academy grad has reached base at a .429 clip as he has drawn three walks in his career. He has also tallied four putouts behind the plate.
Head coach Neil Lerner on Ted Elsner:
"Ted has been a huge additional to our program since transferring in from RCTC. A true team guy, Ted was our 2019 Larry Norder Award winner, given to our team's most dedicated player. Ted has truly led by example during his time at CSP, always willing to do the little things to help the team. We look forward to Ted coming back next year and using his final year of eligibility."
TED ELSNER – IN HIS OWN WORDS
CSP: At what age did you start playing your sport?
TE: I started to play at the age of three in my back yard.
CSP: Why did you choose to attend Concordia?
TE: I chose to attend Concordia because of the great coaching staff and the winning tradition that the baseball team has.
CSP: What is your favorite memory as a Golden Bear?
TE: My Favorite memory as a Golden Bear who have to be this year's Arizona trip. We played some great baseball and got to do a ton of fun stuff away from the field.
CSP: What will you miss most about CSP?
TE: Surprisingly enough I will miss the bus rides to games, especially the longer rides. There is always such an excited feeling knowing we get to be with each other for the next 5 hours and being excited to win baseball games the following day.
CSP: What are your plans after graduation?
TE: I plan on starting my coaching career, whether that be in strength and conditioning or baseball.
CSP: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
TE: I see myself coaching, and hopefully making an impact on my athlete's lives just like my coaches did for me.
CSP: Who is a staff or faculty member at Concordia that left an imprint on your experience?
TE: Coach Lerner has had a big impact on me. With my learning disability he has always had my back and gone the extra mile to see if I needed any help.
CSP: Who is your role model?
TE: My role model is my mom. She has taught me to always be the hardest worker in the room, and that has helped me get to where I am today.
CSP: What life lessons did you learn as an athlete on your CSP team?
TE: Even if you are not the star of the team, everyone in the organization has an impact on the team's success.
CSP: What advice would you give to an incoming freshman about their time at CSP?
TE: Never take it for granted. Savor every minute that you get to be a part of CSP, the good times and bad times, because it is a privilege to play here, not a right.
CSP: What CSP athlete from a different program do you admire and why?
TE: I admire Kate Lottsfeldt. Her team has gone through so much and they fought through that adversity. Through it all they found a way to succeed and end the year in the top 25.
