Recipients of Gross and Terry-Schubert Awards announced
4/11/2011
April 6, 2011 – Concordia University Chicago has announced the recipients of the athletics department's two most prestigious awards, the A.W. Gross Distinguished Senior Scholar-Athlete Award and the George Terry-John Schubert Memorial Christian Service Award. Katie Leitermann of the women's basketball team and Jeff Weberg of the men's basketball team are the recipients of the Gross award, and Marche Smith is the recipient of the Terry-Schubert award.
Concordia-Chicago coaches nominate student-athletes annually for the awards, which are voted upon by the athletics department. The Gross Award is presented to a student-athlete who demonstrates the highest standards in academic achievement, athletic proficiency, character and conduct, and athletic leadership.
The Terry-Schubert Award is named in honor of two former Cougar football players who lost their lives in separate accidents less than a year apart. It is awarded annually to a senior student-athlete who maintains a positive attitude towards athletics and Christian living, serves and contributes to the best interests of his or her teammates, and demonstrates concern for the entire Concordia-Chicago community.
Leitermann is a Lutheran elementary education major from Milwaukee, Wis. (Martin Luther H.S.). Leitermann played four seasons of basketball, three as a starter, and recorded career totals of 544 points and 547 rebounds. She also played 61 games as a first baseman for Concordia's softball team in the 2009 and 2010 seasons.
At Concordia-Chicago, Leitermann has worked as a student athletic trainer and a volleyball game assistant. She has chaired Concordia's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and has also been involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and the national honors society, Kappa Delta Pi. She has been honored as a Northern Athletics Conference Scholar-Athlete during her sophomore and junior years.
Weberg is an accounting major from Rockford, Ill. (Rockford Lutheran H.S.) and is pursuing graduate work at Concordia for his master of business administration. Weberg became one of three Cougar players to score over 1,000 points in just three seasons. He was a two-time honorable mention All-Northern Athletics Conference selection and, this season, was one of 10 finalists in the nation for the prestigious Jostens award.
Weberg completed his undergraduate work with a grade-point average of 3.91. He has made Concordia's Dean List and will earn his third Northern Athletics Conference Scholar-Athlete designation at the conclusion of this academic year. Weberg has been a member of Concordia's Business Club and SAAC.
Smith is a sports management major from Oak Park, Ill. (Trinity H.S.). She will graduate as the all-time leading scorer for the Cougar women's basketball program with 1,917 points. Smith has earned multiple conference and regional honors in her four years, but head women's basketball coach Joshua Steffen said that “Marche never once had a superstar attitude or viewed herself as bigger than our team.
“Marche has always set a Christ-like example on and off the court. Numerous times, she has encouraged a younger player or picked up a teammate after a tough moment or day. Opposing coaches and even officials have commented to me on Marche's positive attitude and leadership. With all she has accomplished in her basketball career, Marche has a true servant's heart and is a very worthy recipient of this award.”
Leitermann, Weberg and Smith will be presented with their awards on Monday, Apr. 25 at Concordia's home softball doubleheader versus Edgewood College.