HEY CARDINALS NATION!

Welcome to our Athletics Department Newsletter. By subscribing, you will get any and all information about Concordia Athletics sent straight to your inbox every week. These will be going out every Monday.

Here’s what to expect in today’s newsletter:

• Blog

• Weekly Recap

• Quote of the Day

• Cardinal Toolbox

• Upcoming Events

• Read Time: ~ 5 minutes

🔨 BLOG

“THE IMPORTANCE OF ZEAL”

For Christian athletes, there exists a unique blend of qualities that sets them apart from other athletes in the secular world: zeal. Zeal is an enthusiastic devotion to their sport, which is characterized by tireless diligence in pursuit of that which is excellent.

For Christian athletes, zeal is not merely a means to an end but a deeply ingrained aspect of their identity, manifesting itself in three significant ways: joyous participation, desire for excellence, and the anchoring power of self-discipline.

Zeal and Joyous Participation

The first hallmark of a Christian athlete is the joy they have playing their sport. It's not just about winning or losing. It's about the sheer delight of taking part in the competition. This joy is more than just an emotion that comes and goes. It's a reflection of a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment. Christian athletes understand that their talents and abilities are God-given, and they approach their sport as a means to honor and glorify their Creator.

It is a testament to the joy that comes from embracing one's calling and giving it their all. This joy is contagious. It inspires both teammates and competitors to approach the game with a similar sense of enthusiasm.

Desire for Excellence

Zeal in Christian athletics is not just about showing up and going through the motions. It's about a relentless pursuit of excellence, driven by the understanding that their athletic journey is a platform to honor God.

The Christian athlete's desire to be a winner goes beyond personal glory. It's about giving glory to God through their performance. Every practice, every game, every competition is an opportunity to demonstrate their dedication to their faith.

They understand that their zeal is a powerful force that propels them forward, even in the face of challenges and setbacks.

Zeal Anchored in Self-Discipline

While zeal is a powerful force, it must be tempered by self-discipline. Uncontrolled zeal can lead to destructive consequences. Christian athletes recognize the importance of channeling their passion in a way that aligns with their faith and values. This is where self-discipline comes into play.

Self-discipline is the anchor that keeps zeal in check. It ensures that passion for competition remains focused on the ultimate goal of glorifying God. It means making choices that are in line with faith, even when it's challenging. It means staying true to their values, both on and off the field.

Zeal is a vital attribute for Christian athletes. It fuels their passion for competition, leads to joyous participation, and propels them toward excellence.

Christian athletes stand as living examples of the transformative power of zeal when guided by faith and anchored in self-discipline. They remind us that in the pursuit of our goals, whether in sports or in life, the light of purpose should always accompany the fire of passion.

💭 QUOTE OF THE DAY

💬 VERSE OF THE DAY

🧰 CARDINAL TOOLBOX

The importance of being self-aware AND self-motivated from Texas A&M men’s basketball coach, Buzz Williams:

⏪️ WEEKLY RECAP

FOOTBALL

The Concordia football team picked up another win against McDade High School on Friday, earning the most points in school history with a final score of 90-41. It was a game full of spectacles. The Cardinals had many challenges that they faced in this game. Ultimately, the Cardinals got the win and moved to 3-1 overall and with district play starting in a few weeks, the Cardinals look red hot and ready to go! They will be playing at home this week on Friday in their second home game of the season.

Here’s some stats from the Cardinals’ historic performance:

Alex Jones: 14-24, 274 passing yds, 5 TDs; 8 carries, 81 rush yds, 2 Rush TD

Daniel Wolfmueller: 4 carries, 53 yds; 3 TDs, 7 rec, 48 yds, 1 TD

Will Charles: 7 rec, 141 yds, 3 TDs; 3 carries, 37 yds

Henry Kalbas: 3 rec, 80 yds, TD

VOLLEYBALL

The Lady Cardinals had a tough challenge this week facing Austin Waldorf and Sacred Heart. They traveled to Austin Waldorf on Tuesday and beat the Roadrunners 3sets to 1. Then, they came back home to face Sacred Heart from Hallettsville in a battle of undefeated district teams. The Cardinals came out swinging and had one of the best starts of their season. Unfortunately, momentum swung to the Indianettes, and the Lady Cardinals ended up losing their first district game of the season. The team has been practicing hard for their next two games this week against St. Paul in Shiner on Tuesday and San Juan Diego on Thursday at home.

_{Weekly Recaps are written by Junior, Kali Neal.}

‼️ UPCOMING EVENTS

VB @ Shiner St. Paul: JV @ 5:30, V @ 6:30 Address: 424 St Ludmila Street, Shiner, Texas 77984

VB vs Austin San Juan Diego: JV @ 6:00, Varsity @ 7:00 Address: 500 Immanuel Rd. Pflugerville, TX 78660

FB Home Game: Kickoff @ 7:30 Address: 400 Park Ave, Hutto, TX 78634

🏅 LOOKING FOR MORE WAYS TO SUPPORT CARDINAL ATHLETICS?

If you are looking for more ways to follow along and support our athletes, here are a few more things we do:

1. Interested in Sponsoring an Edition of our Newsletter? Shoot an email to our athletic director [email protected] and he will point you in the right direction!

2. Follow us on Social Media. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates throughout the season!

PLEASE SEND ANY ATHLETIC PICTURES TO [email protected] TO BE INCLUDED IN SOCIAL MEDIA!

We pray that your day is full of reminders of God’s love and faithfulness. May you faithfully build your life on Christ.

“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in my weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

To God be the glory,

Coach T