Concordia University Irvine Athletics

In the 22-year history of the program, the Eagles had been to the NAIA National Tournament once. In 2003 Ammann’s squad headed to Kansas City with a GSAC Tournament Championship and no National Tournament experience.

Concordia started the season 17-0 and earned their first #1 NAIA rank­ing in school history. They finished one game behind Azusa Pacific in the GSAC Standings with a record of 16-4. The Eagles responded winning three straight to win their first GSAC Tournament Championship since 1999. CUI defeated Azusa Pacific 69-67 in the championship game. Con­cordia opened play in Kansas City by crushing Martin Methodist (TN), 87-62. Concordia squeezed by Oklahoma Christian, 76-73, on day two. The Eagles dominated in the quarterfinals and semifinals. They beat Barber Scotia (NC) 64-52 and McKendree (IL) 81-58. It was the first Final Four and National Championship appearance in school history. Concordia and Mountain State both appeared in their first National Championship game, and the Eagles won in thrilling fashion, 88-84 in overtime. Their 36 wins that year were the most of any team in college basketball at any level.

The win and the following years established Concordia as the national pow­er it is today. There was no learning curve or slow arrival for Concordia. The 2003 team took the Eagles from national obscurity to National Cham­pions. This team still holds school records for most wins (36), non-confer­ence winning streak (20), winning percentage (.900), 100-point games (9), points (3562), field goals (1259), three-point field goals (362), scoring aver­age (89.1), points allowed (62.5), winning margin (21.7), rebounds (1583), and rebounding average (39.6).

What defined this team is the close knit family atmosphere they cultivated, that remains a staple of Concordia basketball today. Members of the team are still great friends today. Many members remain involved with the program today, came back to coach with coach Ammann, and that coach­ing tree extends all over the United States today. In the NAIA’s flagship tournament, the 2003 Eagles pushed the entire Concordia athletic program into the national spotlight and helped establish it as the national power it is today.

“That team had something to prove and played with a closeness and competitive fire that I don’t know if we could ever duplicate,” Concordia head coach Ken Ammann said.