Concordia-St. Paul announces 2021 Athletic Hall of Fame class

The group of nine represents CSP’s 16th Hall of Fame class

7.23.21

By: Patrick Rydeen & Josh Deer

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Concordia University has announced the Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2021. The nine new members inducted this year are: Jonathan Breitbarth, Emily (Palkert) Davis, Brenden Furrow, David Golnitz, Craig Heiman, Ron Hilk, Travis Johansen, Sami Mattson and Janet (Brownawell) Smith.

This year’s induction class represents eight total sports led by three from track & field and football, two each from cross country, baseball and softball along with one from volleyball, men’s basketball and wrestling. The class is comprised of six men and three women and includes four multi-sport athletes.

The 2021 CSP Athletic Hall of Fame class will be officially inducted at the Athletic Hall of Fame brunch during Homecoming 2021 weekend on Saturday, October 9 at 9 a.m. on campus at the Buenger Education Center (BEC). Tickets to the brunch are limited, but available on the CSP homecoming registration website.

The nine new members represent the 16th induction class to the Athletic Hall of Fame dating back to its origination in 1992. The Hall of Fame now has 135 members.

Concordia began sponsoring four-year college athletics in 1967-68, competing as a junior college and high school (academy) from its founding in 1893 until that time. Until 1999, CSP was known as the Comets and competed as members of the NAIA before its transition to NCAA Division II with membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) starting in the 1999-2000 academic year.

MEET THE 2021 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CLASS

An Iron Range native from Chisholm, Minnesota, Breitbarth graduated from Concordia with a social studies degree in 1998. Later that year, the standout cross country and track & field runner would be named Concordia’s head cross country and assistant track & field coach, a position he still holds in 2021.
While he was named head coach of the Comets after dominating the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC), he would be immediately transitioning the program to the Northern Sun (NSIC) and NCAA Division II ranks within months of his new position.
The 1996 UMAC runner-up individual finisher led the Comets to a team conference title, and his multiple events on the 1997 track & field team helped the Comets to a UMAC indoor track & field championship, as well.
Just a few years later, he had the Golden Bears on the NSIC map, leading the women to a second place finish at the 2000 NSIC Cross Country Championships before the men placed third in 2001, leading to Breitbarth being named the 2001 NSIC Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year.
His leadership is currently being utilized at the national level on the NCAA Coaches Connection Committee for the sport of cross country.
His impact at Concordia transcends athletics, and it always has. Breitbarth has served CSP as a full time professional in a variety of ways in his 23 years with the University, the past 17 as Director of Computer Services in addition to his coaching responsibilities. He has also worked in the CSP IT department as Help Desk Coordinator, Network Administrator and is currently a member of the campus strategic planning team and has overseen numerous IT infrastructure projects.
He has had the opportunity to serve the LCMS in the planning of several national LCMS youth gatherings, working with several hundred volunteers in the training and placement of volunteers during the triennial youth event. Additionally, he has served as a Board of Ministry member at Living Christ Lutheran Church in Chanhassen for the last 15 years.
Now a Bloomington resident, Jonathan and his wife, Heidi, were married in 2004 and have three children: Reese (12), Liv (10) and Truly (6).
Career Awards
1997 CSP Chiapuzio Award Winner (Best Christian Values)
1997 CSP Male Athlete of the Year finalist
1997 NAIA Track & Field National Qualifier, 4x800m relay (16th)
1996 NAIA Cross Country National Qualifier, highest-ever CSP finish (144th)
1996 NAIA All-Great Plains Region Cross Country Team
1997 Three-time UMAC Champion (800m, 4x800m relay, 4x400m relay)
1996 UMAC Cross Country Championship individual runner-up
1995 Upper Midwest Small College Cross Country Championships individual champion
1995 All-Concordia Invitational Tournament (CIT) cross country

CSP Records
800m run, indoor
4x400m relay, indoor
4x800m relay, indoor
Sprint Medley relay, indoor
800m run, outdoor
1500m run, outdoor
Sprint Medley relay, outdoor
Concordia’s first four-time NCAA Champion and the program’s all-time leader in kills, Emily (Palkert) Davis was a dominant force in the program’s first four NCAA Division II volleyball titles.
Joining a program that reached four consecutive NCAA Tournaments, the Chaska, Minnesota native (Southwest Christian High School) helped push the Golden Bears over the top as they claimed the school’s first ever NCAA Championship in her freshman season. That proved to only be the beginning for Davis and the Golden Bears as they added three more titles in a row as a part of their unprecedented run of seven straight championships.
The run included an NCAA record 75-match win streak and victories in the final 62 NSIC matches of her career. In total, Davis wrapped up her illustrious career with a staggering 142-9 overall record, 77-1 record in NSIC play and a perfect 24-0 record in the NCAA Tournament.
Davis was a consistently excellent performer throughout her career as she never ranked below fifth in kills per set and sixth in hitting percentage in the NSIC. She could always be counted on to lift up her teammates and carry the load in pressure situations.
Following the completion of her senior season at Concordia, Davis played a season of professional volleyball with Orivenden Ponnistus in Orivesi, Finland while completing her degree in child learning and development at CSP. She returned home to begin her coaching career at Southwest Christian before moving into the collegiate ranks as a graduate assistant at Augsburg College, earning an MBA during her four-year stint with the Auggies.
Davis accepted her current position as head coach at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon in February 2016. She resides in Newberg with her husband, Derris, and their two daughters, Juliette and Jaelle.
Career Awards
Four-time NCAA Champion (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007)
Four-time NSIC Champion (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007)
2007 AVCA National Freshman of the Year
Three-time All-America First Team (Daktronics 2010, Daktronics & AVCA 2009, AVCA 2008)
Two-time All-America Second Team (AVCA 2010, Daktronics 2008)
2007 AVCA All-America honorable mention
Four-time AVCA All-Region First Team (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007)
2007 AVCA Region Freshman of the Year
AVCA National Player of the Week (2010)
Four-time All-NSIC First Team (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007)
2007 NSIC Freshman of the Year

CSP Records
1st – career kills (1898)
1st – career points (2194.0)
1st – season total blocks (177, 2007)
1st – season block assists (147, 2007)
2nd – career total blocks (482)
3rd – career kills per set (3.73)
3rd – career sets played (509)
3rd – career matches played (151)
3rd – season kills (574, 2007)
3rd – season points (680.5, 2007)
4th – career points per set (4.31)

Career & Season Stats
Career averages of 3.73 kills per set and 0.95 blocks per set in 151 matches
Career .329 hitters on 3,965 attempts in her four years
Career 1,898 kills, 94 solo blocks, 388 block assists and 132 digs
Averaged at least 3.55 kills per set in all four seasons at CSP
Hit at least .290 in all four seasons, including marks of .339 or better in her final three seasons
One of the most decorated hitters in Concordia-St. Paul baseball history, the Des Moines, Iowa native was the first in a line of five more who came to Concordia from Johnston High School representing the baseball, football and men’s basketball programs.
After starting his college career at the junior college level, Furrow became a champion with the Golden Bears, starting 181 games out of the 183 games he would appear in. He led the club to an NSIC Championship in 2008, leading to its first-ever NCAA Region Tournament appearance. Concordia would produce a 115-76 record (.602) in his four years, including the program’s single-season wins record with a 35-18 finish in 2009.
His career ended in style, too, hitting three home runs in the first game of his final home doubleheader against NSIC champion Minnesota State to take the school record lead for season and career home runs, as well as the NSIC home run lead on his way to a league home run title. He also hit for average, with a pair of .400 or better seasons at the plate, while showing versatility by playing right field, center field, first base and third base during his senior year.
He earned a bachelor’s of business administration degree as a marketing major, leading to his career as managing partner and financial advisor for Heartland Retirement Group, an independent financial/insurance services firm located in Iowa. Recently, the firm opened an additional location in Bloomington, and Furrow has recruited Concordia graduates and former teammates to help run and grow the firm.
Brenden enjoys spending quality time with his wife of six years, Tracy Furrow, and their daughters, Finnley (4) and Fallon (1). Together, they enjoy travel and Brenden is an avid golfer.
Career Awards
2009-10 CSP Male Athlete of the Year
2010 Tino Martinez Division II Player of the Year candidate
2010 Daktronics All-America First Team
Two-time All-Region First Team (Daktronics 2010, ABCA 2008)
Three-time All-Region Second Team
Two-time All-NSIC First Team (2010, 2008)
Two-time All-NSIC Second Team (2009, 2007)
2008 NSIC Tournament Most Valuable Player
2008 NSIC All-Tournament Team
2010 NSIC Home Run Champion (15)

CSP Records
1st – career hits (262)
1st – career home runs (36)
1st – career RBIs (188)
1st – career total bases (433)
1st – career games played, tied (183)
1st – season home runs (18, 2010)
1st – season RBIs (70, 2010)
1st – season total bases (156, 2010)
1st – season games played/started, tied (53, 2009)
1st – season hits, tied (84, 2010)
Set the following career records which have since been broken: runs (154), doubles (55), at bats (663)
Set record for longest hitting streak (21) between freshman (2) and sophomore (19) seasons, which has since been broken

Career & Season Stats
Career .395/.445/.653 (262-663) hitter in 183 games
Career 154 runs and 188 RBIs
Career 55 doubles, 4 triples, 36 home runs, 188 total bases
Career 55 walks, 15 stolen bases, .988 fielding percentage with only 7 errors
Season batting averages of .367, .433, .367, .410
Season slugging percentages at least .525 all four years
Season on base percentages at least .411 all four years
A two-sport star for the Comets, David Golnitz played a key role on the offensive and defensive lines for the football team and third base for the baseball team during his four years on campus.
Part of a CSP Athletic Hall of Fame offensive line trio along with his brother, Darrell Golnitz, and fellow ’21 selection Ron Hilk, the group paved the way for a highly successful run game in the early years of Concordia football that led the program to four consecutive seasons of four wins or more. The team’s best season came in 1970 as they compiled an impressive 6-2 record.
His talents carried over to the baseball diamond as he spent four seasons as a starter at the hot corner. Golnitz showed an uncanny ability in the field for a person his size as he provided Gold Glove quality defense at third base while compiling a career .340 batting average for the Comets.
After completing his degree at CSP, David continued in the classroom, teaching middle school at Trinity in Portland, Oregon and Trinity Lone Oak in Eagan, Minnesota. David also successfully led the football teams, the boys’ basketball teams and the girls’ basketball teams to several championships over the years. One of his top highlights was coaching an 8th grade girls’ basketball team that won the National Lutheran Championship. After his teaching career came to an end, David continued to stay involved in coaching basketball at Gethsemane Lutheran in Maplewood and Concordia Academy in Roseville.
He left his teaching career to work as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service for 36 years, delivering mail through snow, rain, and heat. He walked 10 miles each day for 14 years. He faithfully used his negotiating skills to help preserve the integrity of other letter carriers in various disputes with leadership and the union.
David has tirelessly served the church at a congregational level in governing leadership roles and bible study leadership roles. Additionally, he has been deeply involved in music not only in the community but also in various churches. David and his, wife Naomi, recently celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary and are the proud parents of Melody Joy.
Career Awards
Two-time Lutheran All-America in football (1972, 1971)
Two-time Tri-State All-Conference in football (1972, 1971)
Career .340 hitter for the baseball team
Four-year starter as an offensive tackle in football and a third baseman in baseball
Leaving the men’s basketball program as Concordia’s all-time leading scorer, Craig Heiman helped guide the program to one of their most successful stretches ever with four straight seasons of 13 wins or more, including a program-best 21 wins in 2006-07.
The Marshall, Wisconsin native (Marshall High School) burst onto the scene as a freshman and finished as the second-leading scorer on a team that took third in the Northern Sun with a 13-5 mark in league play and a 21-8 mark overall while reaching the NSIC Tournament semifinal. Heiman took a big step forward in year two as he led the conference in scoring while pushing the team to another top-four finish.
The strong run continued from there as the team never finished below .500 in conference play during his time on campus, tallying a 44-32 record in the NSIC over his four seasons as a Golden Bear. Heiman nearly repeated as the NSIC’s leading scorer in his junior season as his 17.7 points per game put him second in the league.
Matching his success on the court, Heiman was a three-time NSIC All-Academic pick while earning a bachelor’s degree in finance from Concordia. He began his career as a sales representative at ADP in Bloomington before moving to his current employer, Smith & Nephew, where he manages 10 sales managers across three states.
After moving to Chicago and then to San Francisco, Craig moved back to the Twin Cities in 2019 where he currently resides in Lakeville with his wife, Natalie, and daughter, Hadley.
Career Awards
2008-09 Street & Smith’s Preseason All-American
Three-time All-NSIC First Team (2009-10, 2008-09, 2007-08)
Three-time NSIC All-Academic (2009-10, 2008-09, 2007-08)
Four-time NSIC Player of the Week (2/15/10, 2/25/08, 12/26/07, 11/19/07)
2007-08 NSIC Scoring Champion (18.0)

CSP Records
2nd – career points (1768)
2nd – career field goals made (634)
2nd – career three-point field goals made (234)
3rd – career scoring average (15.6)
3rd – season free throw percentage (.856, 2008-09)
4th – career minutes (3205)
4th – career games played (113)
5th – career offensive rebounds (187)
Set the following career records which have since been broken: points (1768), field goals made (634), minutes played (3205)

Career & Season Stats
Career averages of 15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game in 113 games
Career percentages of 46.1% (634-1374) from the field, 37.9% (234-617) from three-point range and 78.0% (266-341) from the free throw line
Career 73 steals and 12 blocks
Season averages of at least 11.1 points per game, including 15.9 or higher in his final three years
Shot 46.5% or better in three of his four seasons
A member of the inaugural Concordia-St. Paul football team, Ron Hilk was a building block for the early Comets teams, playing a starring role on the offensive and defensive lines while also competing for the wrestling and track teams.
Working as a center on the offensive line and a tackle on the defensive line, the Waconia, Minnesota native helped the program hit the ground running as they registered at least four wins in each of their first four seasons, including a 6-2 record in 1970. Hilk joined forces with fellow CSP Athletic Hall of Fame members Darrell and David Golnitz on the offensive line to form the foundation for a dominant run game. Known for his powerful blocking and bone-jarring tackles, “Rowdy” was seen as a quiet and humble leader whose accomplishments spoke for themselves.
Hilk continued his playing career after graduation as he spent the 1973 season playing semi-pro football for the Madison Mustangs in the Central States League. He returned to Concordia the following season to work as a graduate assistant for the football team while pursuing a BS in education from the University of Minnesota.
His strong model of Christian leadership continued after his days at CSP as he worked as a teacher, coach and administrator at his high school alma mater, Mayer Lutheran High School, from 1977 until his retirement in 2008. During his tenure, Hilk served as head football coach, head wrestling coach, assistant track coach, head girls’ and boys’ golf coach, physical education teacher, health education teacher, driver’s education teacher and athletic director.
Ron is now retired and lives in Waconia with his wife, Miriam. Their three daughters, Emily, Melissa and Jessica, all completed teacher education programs and have begun their careers as teachers. He has been a lifelong member at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waconia where he has served as an elder along with various other roles. Ron’s hobbies include gardening, golfing, fishing and spending time with his four grandchildren.
Career Awards
1973 CSP Male Athlete of the Year
1972 NAIA All-America honorable mention
1972 Lutheran College All-America honorable mention
1972 NAIA All-District
1972 Tri-State All-Conference
1972 Team Most Valuable Player
Four-year starter on the offensive and defensive lines
Set school record with two interceptions returned for a touchdown
A native of Coon Rapids, Minnesota and graduate of Blaine High School, Travis Johansen was an instrumental part of Concordia football for 11 years as a player and coach. In all, he was involved in 65 of the program’s 102 total wins at the Division II level, was a member of both NSIC Championship teams and all three Mineral Water Bowl appearances.
A versatile team player, Johansen flourished despite position changes. He was an All-NSIC Second Team safety as a junior in 2004 before a senior year in which he was team captain amid changing positions to linebacker where he earned All-NSIC First Team honors in leading the team to its second NSIC Championship and Mineral Water Bowl appearance in three seasons.
The 2005 Golden Bears finished ranked 14th in the country in total defense and seventh nationally in run defense. He saved his best for last, producing career-highs of 12 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss in the 2005 Mineral Water Bowl against Missouri Western State. His 221 career tackles ranked ninth in CSP football history at the time his career came to a close as a three year starter and four year contributor.
His impact on the program continued after graduating with a degree in kinesiology when he was hired as a full time assistant coach and later promoted to defensive coordinator. Responsible for the recruitment of future NFL Draft Pick Zach Moore and future NFL preseason kicker Tom Obarski, the Golden Bears would go on to reach the Mineral Water Bowl a third time in the 2010 campaign.
His coaching prowess grew as he was named defensive coordinator at Grand View University, an NAIA power in Des Moines, Iowa where the Vikings captured a 2013 NAIA Championship. Following a coaching tenure that included a 62-10 record at Grand View, Johansen was hired as defensive coordinator at The University of South Dakota, an NCAA Division I FCS program where he continues to lead the Coyotes on the defensive side of the ball in 2021.
He resides in Vermillion, South Dakota with his wife, Natalie, their two daughters Laila (3) and Layne (2), son Tate (8 months) and dog Stella.
Career Awards:
2005 All-NSIC First Team linebacker
2004 All-NSIC Second Team safety
2005 Team Captain
2005 Defensive Team MVP
2004 Kevin Steinke Award

Career & Season Stats:
221 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks in 44 career games
Ranked ninth in career tackles when career ended in 2005
Also had 10 career pass breakups, two blocked kicks, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble
Increased tackles totals all 4 years from 18 as a freshman in 9 games to 80 as a senior ranking 8th in the NSIC (18-53-70-80)
Career-high of 11.5 tackles for loss as a senior (2nd, NSIC)
After joining the Golden Bear softball program from Esko, Minnesota (Esko High School), Mattson established herself as one of the top all-around players and top power hitters in Concordia softball history.
Forming a potent double play combo with fellow CSP Athletic Hall of Fame selection Anna (Bjorlin) Graves over her first three years on campus, Mattson helped the squad compile an impressive 127-83 (.605) record over four seasons as the everyday shortstop, earning a trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2010. Mattson proved to a consistently durable and productive member of the lineup as she appeared in 204 of a possible 210 games in her career.
She saved her best for last as she broke through with a career year as a senior. Mattson smashed a program record 19 home runs as she finished with three more home runs than any other player in conference en route to earning All-Region honors. Following her career with the Golden Bears, Mattson was invited to play with the USA Athletes International Team for the Aruba Friendship Games.
A finance and accounting major, she recently accepted a position as a D365 ERP Functional Analyst with a focus in supply chain management for Industrial Technologies Group. Mattson provides support around the production and master planning processes with their businesses and work with users to implement a new ERP system.
Sami has become an avid golfer over the past 10 years and also enjoys kayaking, fishing and woodworking. She currently resides in Esko, Minnesota where she also works as an assistant varsity softball coach at her former high school. She will be relocating to Chicago in the near future.
Career Awards
2011 NFCA All-Region First Team
2011 Daktronics All-Region Second Team
Two-time All-NSIC First Team (2011, 2008)
2010 NSIC All-Tournament Team
2011 NSIC Home Run Champion (19)

CSP Records
1st – career home runs (36)
1st – season home runs (19, 2011)
1st – season slugging pct. (.763, 2011)
2nd – career slugging pct. (.545)
2nd – season runs batted in (52, 2011)
3rd – career assists (430)
3rd – career total bases (116, 2011)
5th – career runs batted in (134)
5th – double plays turned (43)

Career & Season Stats
Career .299/.363/.545 hitter in 204 games
Career 116 runs and 134 RBIs
Career 31 doubles, three triples, 36 home runs, 321 total bases
Career 59 walks, 16 stolen bases, .922 fielding percentage
Career batting averages of at least .270 all four years
Career slugging percentages of at least .410 all four years
After coming to Concordia as a softball player, Janet (Brownawell) Smith closed out her collegiate career with two highly decorated seasons on the cross country and track & field teams, becoming the Golden Bears’ first-ever NCAA Division II Championships individual qualifier in track & field in the spring of her senior year.
Smith was a steady producer on the softball diamond as she hit .311 over 31 games while helping the 2001 squad to a 27-14-1 record overall and a 10-1 record in league play while winning the NSIC Tournament title. The team followed with another impressive season with a 30-19 mark in 2002 as Smith locked down an everyday role in her second year.
The Farmington, Minnesota native hit the ground running in her cross country career as she wrapped up a seventh place finish in the NSIC Championships in her first season on the team as a junior and followed it up with a runner-up finish in her senior campaign.
She saved her best for last as she put up a dominant 2003 track & field season in which she set three individual school records and a pair of relay records. The season was highlighted by an NSIC record-setting 4x800 meter relay performance along with fellow hall of famer Emily (Schoop) Bredeson as well as Sarah Keiser and Natalie Schmit, and qualification for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 3000 meter steeplechase.
After earning her degree in secondary education mathematics in the spring of 2003, Smith began her teaching career at Fridley High School where she met her husband, Neil. During her time there, she also worked as co-head softball coach and assistant cross country coach for the Tigers. Following their time at Fridley, Smith spent 13 years teaching math at Faribault High School where she was nominated as Minnesota Teacher of the Year. She has spent the last three years at Northfield High School where she helps coach the cross country and track & field teams.
Janet and Neil have two children, Sonja and Teddy, and reside in Dundas, Minnesota. Their family attends Hosanna Lutheran Church in Dundas where she served as a member of the vision board when the church became a campus of Hosanna. Janet enjoys watching her daughter swim competitively and her son play hockey and baseball. Janet still runs for fun, completing five marathons among various other races.
Career Awards
CSP’s first ever NCAA Championship qualifier (3000m steeplechase)
2001 Academic All-America in softball
2001 NSIC Tournament Champion in softball
NSIC indoor record holder in 4x800m relay (9:46.96 in 2003)
Two-time NSIC Indoor Champion (5000m in 2003 & 4x800m relay in 2003)
Two-time NSIC Outdoor Champion (3000m steeplechase in 2003 & 4x800m relay in 2003)
Two-time All-NSIC in indoor track & field (5000m in 2003 & 4x800m relay in 2003)
Two-time All-NSIC in outdoor track & field (3000m steeplechase in 2003 & 4x800m relay in 2003)
Two-time All-NSIC in cross country (2002, 2001)
2001 CSP Cross Country Newcomer of the Year
2002 CSP Cross Country Team MVP
2002 Comet Award winner in softball
2003 John Paul Chiapuzio Award winner

CSP Records
1st – indoor 3000 meter run (10:37.05)
1st – indoor 5000 meter run (18:08.48)
1st – indoor 4x800 meter relay (9:46.96)
1st – outdoor 3000 meter steeplechase (11:11.20)
1st – 4x800 meter relay (9:29.11)

Career & Season Stats
Career .286 hitter with 53 hits in two seasons in softball
Stole 13 bases and scored 31 runs
Fastest career 5K of 19:09 in cross country