ST. PAUL, Minn. - Concordia University has named seniors Joe Butler (Football) and Mary Slinger (Volleyball) this week's CU Male and Female Athletes of the Week. Butler is a first time selection while Slinger earns the nod for the second time this season.

Senior cornerback Joe Butler (Kansas City, Mo.) blocked his fourth kick of the season on Saturday at a key moment in the second quarter. The blocked punt came on a 4th and 12 from BSU's own 14 yard line. Butler had a clear line to the punter, blocked the kick into the end zone as teammate Al Quaye fell on the ball for the Concordia touchdown. The score cut the Bemidji State lead to just one point, 13-12, midway through the second quarter. Earlier in the game, the CU special teams unit, of which Butler is an integral piece, forced a BSU safety on a missed snap. Defensively, Butler posted eight tackles, often in the open field as he notched five solo's. He also defended a pass as he completed his playing career for the Golden Bears on senior day.

Mary Slinger (L, 5-8, Sr., Faribault, Minn.) averaged 5.45 digs per set last week, accumulating 60 total digs in Concordia University’s 3-0 week and sweeping her career with NSIC Championships, the 7th straight for the team.  The senior became the Concordia University all-time digs leader in front of a home crowd on Friday night, surpassing Megan Graham along the way.  She currently has 2,246 career digs.

Mary had 20 digs on Tuesday to lead the defense against the Bulldogs of Minnesota Duluth, then turned around for a week’s high 22 digs against Minnesota, Crookston on Friday as she set the new school defensive record.  The team’s leading serve receiver, Slinger had an absolutely solid passing game, going without an error on the week.  She racked up five service aces against her opponents.  Slinger is second in the NSIC with 4.98 digs per set.