ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Concordia University athletic department has plenty to celebrate in December, 2008. In the thick of the University's 10th year anniversary of Division II/Northern Sun membership, the volleyball team honored the athletic department by raising a second consecutive banner. But the arena that the banners hang in had a night to remember last Friday, December 12, as the athletic department publicly honored Doris Gangelhoff and her son, Matt, for the families' generosity that allowed the arena that has seen so much success to be constructed in 1993.
While the volleyball team's championship run in 2007 was ground breaking and unforgettable, the 2008 run may have meant a little more to the Concordia family and history of the institution, as the Gangelhoff Center served as host for the 2008 NCAA Division II Volleyball Championships, with the host Golden Bears winning it all in dramatic fashion.
One of the biggest supporters in attendance was instrumental in the facilities' beginning. Doris Gangelhoff was joined by her son, Matt, for the Championships. A week later, Matt was blown away by what he had seen from the talented young female student-athletes a week prior as he took the microphone, looked at the team lined up on the South baseline and emphatically declared, "These guys are awesome!!!"
The volleyball team showed their appreciation as head coach Brady Starkey and assistant coach George Padjen presented Doris and Matt with a signed official game volleyball used in championship play. With the team standing behind them, the coaches also presented an oversized thank you card signed by the athletic department for their appreciation of the generosity which has provided so many memories and opportunities over 15 years.
"This facility means so much to the University," athletic director Tom Rubbelke commented. "The impact the Gangelhoff Center has made on the student-athletes' experience at Concordia is immeasurable. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. This building is a cornerstone of the campus. All students - not just the athletes - have utilized the arena, as well as the community and staff. This place is always busy and has helped put Concordia on the Twin Cities scene for athletics."
While Concordia has hosted several NSIC and NCAA events over the past 10 years, the facility also plays an instrumental role in the community, hosting the Dr. Martin Luther King event annually, as well as Minnesota State High School League events and opening the doors to the surrounding community, notably through the Higher Ground Academy relationship.
Perhaps an understated tone to the event - the individual who introduced Rubbelke, President Dr. Robert Holst and the Gangelhoff's, was a former Concordia student-athlete and one of the all-time great men's basketball players, Brian Jamros, now the assistant athletic director. Jamros was direct in stating his appreciation to the family for their gift, and the impact it had on him is evidence of the far-reaching success of the end result.
After all, Jamros was only a kid in small town Moose Lake, Minn. when the Gangelhoff Center opened its' doors, and 15 years later, he's now grateful for the opportunities it gave him as a student-athlete, and now as a young professional.
